Why couldn’t Jennifer Johnston go to SIT -
August 10, 2009
Why couldn’t Jennifer Johnston go to SIT – they have no fees
Jennifer Johnston wants to be a nurse and is moaning she can’t get a training incentive allowance. She lives in Invercargill and started training two year’s ago.
Jennifer is passing with an A-average and was expecting to embark on the nursing degree next year. But with the allowance discontinued and childcare, course materials, uniforms, transport and other costs not covered by a student loan, Jennifer has no idea if she can continue.
Some may not know that the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill now has a zero fees scheme. Is there any reason, given that she lives in Invercargill, why Jennifer Johnston cannot go to SIT and study a batchelor of nursing there, and get a child care subsidy and an interest free loan for books and transport costs?
Industry is generous to influential bloc – msnbc.com
July 31, 2009
Industry is generous to influential bloc – msnbc.com
 Washington Post |
Industry is generous to influential bloc
msnbc.com Alex Brandon / AP By Dan Eggen WASHINGTON – On June 19, Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made clear that he and a group of other conservative Democrats known as the Blue Dogs were increasingly unhappy with the direction that health-care legislation was … House Health Care Bill Criticized as Panel Votes for Public Plan House panel prepares to wrap up health care bill House panel prepares to wrap up health care bill |
US car scrappage scheme gives out $1bn in less than a week – guardian.co.uk
 Los Angeles Times |
US car scrappage scheme gives out $1bn in less than a week
guardian.co.uk Since the US 'cash for clunkers' scheme started on Monday, about 250000 gas-guzzlers have been scrapped. Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA The US government's $1bn (£604m) "cash for clunkers" programme aimed at reviving stagnant car sales has been so … New funding sought for US "clunker" program Clunkers soup up Kansas City-area car sales through stimulus National Cash-for-clunkers program scrapped |
Islamist death 'good for Nigeria' – BBC News
 Daily Nation |
Islamist death 'good for Nigeria'
BBC News A Nigerian government minister has expressed relief at the death of an Islamic sect leader whose capture police announced on Thursday. But Information Minister Dora Akunyili told the BBC the government "does not condone extra-judicial killings". … Nigeria: Concern Over Killing of Civilians Rights group: probe death of Nigeria sect leader Nigeria Confirms Death of Islamic Sect's Leader |
Obama: August healthcare deadline may "spill over" – Reuters
July 20, 2009
Obama: August healthcare deadline may "spill over" – Reuters
 Washington Post |
Obama: August healthcare deadline may "spill over"
Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Monday the August deadline he had set for Congress to pass initial healthcare legislation may "spill over," but repeated that he wanted reforms enacted soon. "I want this done now," Obama said in an … Democrats battle to regain healthcare momentum Both sides in health care debate using scare tactics to make their … President hits back on health care, but relaxes the timetable for … |
CIT gets $3 bln lifeline from bondholders – Reuters
 Reuters |
CIT gets $3 bln lifeline from bondholders
Reuters NEW YORK (Reuters) – CIT Group Inc secured a $3 billion loan facility from its bondholders on Monday and said it plans a comprehensive restructuring of its liabilities, but gave few details. With the emergency loan, the 101-year-old lender to small and … CIT gets $3 billion bailout from bondholders CIT may be saved – but now what? CIT to Get Financing From Bondholders |
Academics and wasting moneyI have a lot of
July 1, 2009
Academics and wasting money
I have a lot of respect for academics like Brian Roper and Andrew Geddes but find it interesting that on one hand they state that the smacking citizens initiated referendum – which has no legal impact whatsoever - is an “absolutely appalling waste of money” and the money should be given to CYFS, but on the other hand the question should be better worded.
If the question was better worded, wouldn’t the referendum still be a $9 million waste of money if direct democracy has no legal impact?
For that matter, is the Families Commission a waste of money – its budget is $9 million – if it has no legal impact? Have I just identified some reallocation that could go to CYFS so that more real families can be investigated for smacking their kids?
Update Family First’s Bob McCoskrie has the answer. The money can come from the MSD in the first place. It’s all budged for. Now all we need to do is fire the nosy CYFS managers who tell their social workers to investigate alleged smacking.
Media provides clues to the identity of Richard Worth’s Korean woman
Not too long ago, the NZ Herald may well have inadvertently provided a clue as to the identity of the Korean woman who spent the night with Richard Worth and, I was told, apparently had a karaoke session with him at A Taste of Korea.
This report notes that the Korean woman was part-owner of several companies. One of these companies was put into liquidation this year, at the request of creditors who were owed $245,000 A private investigation firm had wanted to serve court documents on the woman relating to mortgage non-payment to the Bank of New Zealand for four homes, each valued at around $600,000. That’s well over $2 million.
The woman was also a subject of an investigation after a run in with another man, a Korean business leader. This news was reported in a Korean newspaper at the time. The Korean newspaper also published this article on the Worth hotel liaison the same weekend as the NZ Herald article and mentioned her surname and the fact that her friend went the the police station with her to lodge a complaint, and according to this report, also went to National list MP Tau Henare so he could inform John Key. Worth subsequently resigned as a minister and then from parliament.
A check of the Companies Office records under the woman’s surname as listed in the Korean article provides a record of a certain businesswoman who is part-owner in a number of companies, one of which was put into liquidation in February of this year with arrears to a number of suppliers. I was advised that this woman’s business partner is apparently fairly well-known in the Indian community. His last known address is a pretty comfy place; but two, not one, of his companies were placed in liquidation – one last year as he was unable to pay a $1 million loan and an $800,000 liability. He was the sole director of the trust that held the shares in both companies.Both him and his female Korean business partner are currently running companies.
To date nobody has publicly named the woman. But Richard Worth seems to get involved with some dodgy people…..
update …. like Labour activist Neelam Choudhary, who with her husband also owned companies – one of which the latter signed off as director after he got convicted, but David Farrar has covered this.
President Barack Obama stops at Five Guys restaurant for cheeseburger lunch – Minneapolis Star Tribune
May 29, 2009
President Barack Obama stops at Five Guys restaurant for cheeseburger lunch – Minneapolis Star Tribune
WASHINGTON – For a health food nut, President Barack Obama sure likes his burgers. President Barack Obama made a surprise lunchtime stop at Five Guys, a fast-food restaurant in Washington. The president ordered a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, jalapeno peppers, and mustard as well as several
Delphi says no agreement yet with Treasury and GM over fate of bankruptcy, remains in talks – Chicago Tribune
Delphi says it remains in talks with Treasury and GM about the bankruptcy loans. It says it is seeking an extension and waiver of the Monday deadline. Delphi has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since 2005 and has been supported by loans from GM since then. GM relies on the parts maker for components
Will GM bankruptcy mirror Chrysler’s? – Macomb Daily
May 29, 2009
Will GM bankruptcy mirror Chrysler’s? – Macomb Daily
WASHINGTON (AP) — First it was Chrysler. Now General Motors looks headed for bankruptcy court. The nation’s largest automaker is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection within days, as part of a new government plan to create a leaner GM and erase the company’s unsecured debt
Cavs still alive beat Magic 112-102 – Akron Beacon Journal
Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward LeBron James (right) is fouled by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard on a drive to the basket during the Cavaliers112-102 victory over the Magic in game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference finals playoff series at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday in Cleveland. James made
Budding neurosurgeon from Kansas is top speller – The State
WASHINGTON — It’s safe to say the best is yet to come for the new national spelling champion. She’s only just become a teenager. She’ll probably keep her competitive juices flowing by entering the International Brain Bee, the perfect contest for an aspiring neurosurgeon. “But I don’t think anything
Oil Rally Driven by Sentiment, Not Demand, OPEC Says (Update1) – Bloomberg
May 29, 2009
Oil Rally Driven by Sentiment, Not Demand, OPEC Says (Update1) – Bloomberg
May 29 (Bloomberg) — Oil’s rally is driven by improving sentiment about the global economy and isn’t supported by crude demand, OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla El-Badri said a day after the group decided to leave production targets unchanged. Global crude stockpiles remain very high, El-Badri
Cavs still alive beat Magic 112-102 – Akron Beacon Journal
Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward LeBron James (right) is fouled by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard on a drive to the basket during the Cavaliers112-102 victory over the Magic in game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference finals playoff series at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday in Cleveland. James made
WHO: Get more graphic with smokers – WJLA
GENEVA – Cigarette packages should include images of sickness and suffering caused by tobacco, along with written warnings, the World Health Organization said Friday. The U.N. agency urged governments to make people more aware of the health consequences of smoking. It said most countries still do
Prince Harry, royal party boy, on serious visit to Big Apple – AZCentral.com
NEW YORK – He’s a 24-year-old Londoner whose grandmother offered to pay for his trip to New York. Today, Prince Harry will start his first official visit to America, with plans including a stop at the World Trade Center site, meetings with wounded veterans and a polo match. “Prince Harry is well
BofA officially retires Countrywide brand – Bizjournals.com
April 27, 2009
BofA officially retires Countrywide brand – Bizjournals.com BofA officially retires Countrywide brand
CharlotteObserver.com
Bizjournals.com
The Countrywide brand is no more, as Bank of America rolled out its rebranded Bank of America Home Loans unit on Monday. Bank of America acquired Calabasas, Calif.
Bank of America scraps Countrywide name
Bank of America Targets Image as ‘Countrywide' Ends
"Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" a true terror – Reuters "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" a true terror
World News
Reuters
By Kirk Honeycutt LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has been subjected to many indignities, from high school pageants to tired Hollywood remakes.
Garner and McConaughey Embody ‘Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'
Jen, think of 'Ghosts' as a film that could come back to haunt you.
Airlines Tumble on Concern Swine Flu Will Damp Travel – Bloomberg
April 27, 2009
Airlines Tumble on Concern Swine Flu Will Damp Travel – Bloomberg Airlines Tumble on Concern Swine Flu Will Damp Travel
Reuters
Bloomberg
By Mary Jane Credeur and Mary Schlangenstein April 27 (Bloomberg) — Airline stocks tumbled worldwide, dragging a benchmark US index to its biggest drop since 2001, on concern that the swine flu outbreak will damp travel demand.
Airlines waiving change fees amid swine flu scare
Airlines Drop Penalties for Flight Changes
BofA officially retires Countrywide brand – Bizjournals.com BofA officially retires Countrywide brand
CharlotteObserver.com
Bizjournals.com
The Countrywide brand is no more, as Bank of America rolled out its rebranded Bank of America Home Loans unit on Monday. Bank of America acquired Calabasas, Calif.
Bank of America scraps Countrywide name
Bank of America Targets Image as ‘Countrywide' Ends
IMF head says it will sell bonds to raise funds – San Francisco Gate
April 26, 2009
IMF head says it will sell bonds to raise funds – San Francisco Gate
Sunday, April 26, 2009 Emerging economies such as China, Brazil and India pushed for the move as an alternative to providing longer-term loans to the IMF. Those countries want a greater voice in the institution before providing additional resources. IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said
Mexico fights swine flu with ‘pandemic potential’ – Rapid City Journal
MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s president assumed new powers Saturday to isolate people infected with a deadly swine flu strain as authorities struggled to contain an outbreak that world health officials warned could become a global epidemic. New cases of swine flu were confirmed in Kansas and California and
Professor sought in slaying of 3 in Georgia – Seattle Times
George Zinkhan is sought in shooting deaths. ATHENS, Ga. — Authorities were on a nationwide manhunt for a University of Georgia professor in the shooting deaths of three people Saturday at a community theater near campus. Athens-Clarke County Police Capt. Clarence Holeman said the suspected
Stafford picked first by Lions, Jets get Sanchez – The State
NEW YORK — Matthew Stafford’s mission is daunting: Lead the Detroit Lions back from the only 0-16 season in NFL history. Mark Sanchez has nearly as big a challenge: He’ll compete to replace Brett Favre. The Lions found the centerpiece for one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in league history, taking
