$ 1 billion for cash today given to Kyrgyzstan

Numerous people have died with the open violence in Kyrgyzstan which has created about 400,000 refugees and destroyed the spending budget the nation has kept. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and militias from Uzbekistan were overthrown because of the nation’s move towards parliamentary democracy, which is also what is causing all of this violence between troops and civilians. Since the fighting has started to stop, Kyrgyzstan is trying desperately to recover. There is no more money accessible as reported by Reuters. Source for this article – Donors grant Kyrgyzstan more than $ 1 billion in emergency aid by Personal Money Store.

Every person around the world donates so Kyrgyzstan can have $ 1.1 billion emergency money

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, was where a conference was help in which $ 600 million in quick cash was donated in 2010, and also the rest will be coming in 2011. President Roza Otunbayeva promised to rebuild with the money donated form the World Bank and United Nations. The violence and troubles caused the nation to shrink 5 percent making this the perfect time for a financial windfall. Kyrgyzstan needed money and donors will give it to them.

At least $ 1 billion needed just to fix up buildings

Kyrgystan’s spending budget now won’t contain 13.5 percent of its gross domestic product it would at first have counted on, reports Reuters. Once Bakiyev was overthrown, the total deficit jumped from $ 269 million to $ 619 million, per acting Kyrgyzstan Finance Minister Chorobek Imashev. $ 350 million, reports President Otunbayeva, is needed to build settlements in Osh and Jalalabad, while an additional $ 100 million could be needed for the rest of the economy. In addition, energy rebuilding costs are expected to total $ 180 million, and agriculture will require $ 50 million. In total, while no amount of money can replace lost or displaced lives, $ 1.1 billion in emergency money for Kyrgyzstan will go a long way toward stabilizing a nation in chaos.

Further reading

Reuters
ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE66Q31F20100727
Chaos in Kyrgyzstan (WARNING – Some violent images may be disturbing)
youtube.com/watch?v=0L1srqYLnu8

Seven banks try desperately to meet capital needs in Euro stress test but fail

Stress tests were developed to test European banks after the Greek debt crisis made for a lot of troubles in European financial markets. Seven major European banks were tested and failed showing they wouldn’t be able to handle any more issues with the economy. Some did better than others within the European Union Bloc that said they’d help with the Greek debt crisis. Only 7 out of the 91 tested weren’t able to meet needs. Resource for this article – Seven banks cannot meet capital requirements in Euro stress tests by Personal Money Store.

The Insufficient Seven

The banks which were unable to meet needs were, the Wall Street Journal reports, Hypo Real Estate Holding AG in Germany, ATEBank in Greece, and Unnim, Espiga, Diada, CajaSur and Banka Civica. All seven banks had troubles keeping enough Tier 1 capital to equal 6 percent of the worth of their assets. In case of one more government defaulting, all banks needed to be able to withstand troubles with the European financial system.

Thin line to walk

Stress tests like this have to be exactly correct. The idea is to restore confidence among investors and lending institutions so that normal lending and lending between banks will resume. The New York Times reports the European Central Bank wants to keep away from bailout loans so it can start lending again. If the tests are too lax, not a soul will believe the results. Things might appear worse than they’re with a test that is too strict.

Lending within the Euro Zone

The European Union is credit restrained and will continue to be until the Greek crisis is fixed. The Euro was becoming less valuable than the U.S. dollar although now with the U.S. economy staying low, the dollar is slipping too.

Find more info on this topic

Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703294904575384940544522582.html?mod=WSJ_business_LeadStoryRotator
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/24/business/global/24stress.html?pagewanted=1 and amp;ref=business

Avastin as breast cancer treatment may get disapproved by the FDA

Avastin which is a breast cancer drug may be pulled by a committee on the Food and Drug Administration. Breast cancer may not even be affected by the drug as was shown in a second trial on the drug. The FDA hasn’t explained if the drug is going to be disapproved yet or not. Roche, which manufactures the drug, might lose a lot if the FDA pulls the drug.

Avastin sells easily

Avastin is the name of Bevacizumab which is a cancer med. It could be called an angiogenesis inhibitor which stops blood vessels from growing. Blood vessels can’t grow anymore after it stops the hormone that stimulates growth, called vascular endothelial. The Los Angeles Times, reports that the drug was approved in 2008 by the FDA as long as more studies were done to prove it works. The drug was tested in a second round of trials by Roche and Genentech which manufacture the drug, and in this second round of testing, it was shown to have little result in helping cancer. $ 1 billion of the $ 6 billion of the drug that sells goes to breast cancer patients.

Losses in Roche company

Market Watch reports that Genentech, Roche Holding Inc., dropped 4.1 percent within the stock market following the recommendation came from the FDA group. There was also a lawsuit most recently against an additional drug the business makes called Accutane which treats acne. Even if it doesn’t help breast cancer specifically, it has helped numerous other cancers.

Just the beginning

It takes a long time to develop effective medications, especially for diseases like cancer. There may well one day be a cure for cancer, but it will take a long time. If the FDA does pull its approval of Avastin being marketed for breast cancer treatments, it may lead to selling fewer pills, but that’s about this.

Discover more about this topic here

Los Angeles Times
latimes.com/news/health/sns-health-avastin-breast-cancer,0,2730048.story
Market Watch
marketwatch.com/story/roche-shares-drop-after-fda-ruling-on-avastin-2010-07-21
Bevacizumab
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bevacizumab

Tempe Town Lake dam bursts, floods homeless area

Experts were confident that Tempe Town Lake dam would last for 25 to 30 years. A rubber structure, Tempe Town Lake dam created a beautiful natural landmark for the city of Tempe, Arizona. But one wonders what Tempe thinks about one of the 11-year-old dam pillows having blown, as the Associated Press reports. Two-thirds to three-fourths of Tempe Town Lake will flood the dry riverbed of Salt River, which happens to be an area where some of Tempe’s homeless tend to sleep during the summer. Source for this article – Tempe Town Lake rubber dam bursts; waters wash away homeless by Personal Money Store.

Injury wire quiet on Tempe Town Lake

Reports indicate the spontaneous explosion of the 16-foot-high section of the Tempe Town Lake dam caused no injuries, and also the water has placed no structures in instant danger. There was a loud boom and ground tremors within the area of the Arizona State University campus, as outlined by on-the-scene witnesses. A couple of second after that, animals began to flee. Not long after that, an emergency siren split the night air. Reports as to whether any potential transients within the Salt River bed heard the siren are presently inconclusive.

Tempe Town Lake holds one billion gallons

Consider that flow, advises city Mayor Hugh Hallman. As far back as 2007, experts reportedly knew that the Arizona climate was wreaking havoc with the structural integrity of the rubber dam. But nothing was done. By April 2009, the makers of Tempe Town Lake dam made a safety recommendation, but Tempe chose to ignore the warning.

Is this about washing Tempe’s homeless away?

While the alarm was sounded, currents reports are unclear as to what affect the Tempe Town Lake dam explosion had on the transient population. On the surface, seems like that this could be a simple case of negligence and mechanical failure. But if the fiscal angle is taken through the lens of the cost of homelessness, other possibilities emerge. Various media sources indicate that chronic homelessness costs the United States $ 10.95 billion each year in public funds. If such individuals were given permanent homes, Forbes reports that that expense would drop to $ 7.88 billion.

Live in low-cost housing before the waters rise

Tempe’s home country of Maricopa County has 8,000 homeless individuals daily, reports AZCentral.com. If those 8,000 people – only some of whom may live within the Salt River area near Tempe Town Lake – had homes, not only would the nation be saving money, but Maricopa County would reportedly conserve as much as 50 percent on emergency resources. Tempe Town Lake doesn’t sound like a homeless story at first, but the disaster could produce something truly positive for those needing opportunity.

Citations

philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/20100721_ap_rubberizeddambreaksatmanmadearizonalake.html

azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2010/06/11/20100611tempe-homeless-outreach-united-way.html

forbes.com/2006/08/25/us-homeless-aid-cx_np_0828oxford.html

New rapid oil spill response system based on BP trial and error

A drilling moratorium seemed inevitable after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010. The drilling ban has been loudly criticized by the oil industry. But four oil companies have joined forces to convince the government to cancel the drilling moratorium. A $1 billion fund has been set up by Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell to develop a rapid oil spill response system for the gulf. Elsewhere in the gulf, BP could make an effort to permanently seal the ruptured well this weekend with a tactic called a “static kill”. But the procedure may be postponed by an approaching tropical storm.

Oil spill response system technology catching up

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010 and the drilling moratorium have been a wakeup call for the oil industry. Billions of dollars have been spent figuring out how to drill deeper and deeper wells, when cleanup of the oil spill technology has languished on the shelf. The New York Times reports the first $1 billion can be spent developing the equipment for underwater systems to contain deep water well accidents. The four oil companies putting up the money said the oil spill response system will be effective down to 10,000 feet and contain 100,000 barrels of oil daily.

Oil companies expect system will end drilling moratorium

Oil companies hope the oil spill response initiative will help persuade government regulators to lift the six-month ban on deep water drilling as soon as possible. The Wall Street Journal reports the system resembles the one developed by BP during three months of trial and error following the Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20 . A non-profit venture called the Marine Well Containment Company will develop the system within the next 18 months.

Approaching storms increase urgency of oil spill containment

The BP oil leak could possibly be sealed permanently this weekend with a tactic called a “static kill”. A static kill, as outlined by CNN, is a procedure where mud is pumped into the well to force oil back into the reservoir. Officials from BP have said the “static kill” option could succeed where comparable attempts have failed because pressure within the well is lower than expected. Even so, BP continues to drill the permanent relief well that might be ready at the end of the month. The timing of the static kill is crucial because operations could be disrupted for up to two weeks by a tropical storm headed for the gulf.

Discover more about this topic here

nytimes.com

wsj.com

cnn.com

Top Secret America by the Washington Post causes intelligence row

The Washington Post published a report on Monday, July 19, about the Intelligence Community, in public and private sectors. The report is titled Top Secret America, and it has created a huge stir. Heavies in the intelligence world have already began to take issue with its findings. Among Top Secret America’s numerous claims is that the Intelligence Community, first receives the status of a proper noun and second is becoming rapidly disconnected, petty, inefficient and ineffective.

The portrait Top Secret America paints is not the greatest

The Washington Post spent two years compiling Top Secret America. The amount of agencies, bureaus and contractors working on intelligence has grown exponentially since September 2001. The intelligence field is about secrecy, and also the total cost and activities of all these groups may not be knowable. The report also claims that the intelligence community is not well suited to efficiency, consensus, and lacks enough focus to be truly effictive. The piece contains references to a recent interview with Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, who bemoans the lack of focus and clear information from the intelligence field.

Intelligence Community responds

There was a response from the intelligence business almost right away. The national Director of Intelligence, David Gompert, easily issued a press release that condemned the report for not being truly reflective of the Intelligence Community, and the community itself was consistently working on improving itself.

What the results of the report can be

It is hard to tell what effect the report will have. The nature of the intelligence business is that it is clandestine. If a spy operation goes well, the success of the mission might never see the light of day. There have, of course, been some embarrassing, miserable, almost tragically comic failures . The Bay of Pigs invasion, WMDs that were never discovered in Iraq, etc. The authorities were alerted about the Christmas bomber, and also the only reason he didn’t succeed was his bomb didn’t go off and passengers decided to beat him into submission. The Fort Hood shooter was a Major within the US Army, and he had been in communication for months with Anti-American Muslim groups. Despite the public failures, some public successes would possibly restore a lot of faith in the system.

Read more on this topic here

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/ (PDF)

New payday loans direct lender limits in Canadian provinces

October 18th, a new law about limits on payday advance cash charges can be applied in Manitoba, Canada. The government finally set the date after two years. Payroll loans already have limits this ads to in other provinces. Source of article – New payday lending limits in Canadian provinces by Personal Money Store.

Pay day loans in Manitoba with a limit

The new limit set for quick fast cash in Manitoba is $ 17 per $ 100 loaned. Manitoba’s Public Utilities Board recommended this rate to be the law. Though the PUB originally tried to implement these rules, a Manitoba court of appeals required the government to enforce the rules. Also, 30 percent of a person’s paycheck is all that could be lent with payday loanin Manitoba. All fees and charges are within the $ 17.

Questioning who’s in charge?

There was lag between the federal government giving provinces the right to regulate lending and Manitoba’s new regulations. Two years of waiting was mostly because of The Cash Store. The company wanted to know whether it was appropriate for the Public Utilities Board to make the limits. The recommendations of the board settled this lawsuit.

Another Canadian limit

The federal government in Canada of course provinces the right to regulate payday loans products in 2006. Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan have already implemented maximum rate limits. These limits on charges range between $ 21 and $ 31 per $ 100 lent.

Reaction of the Canadian payday lenders industry

The Canadian Pay day Association has already reacted to the new limits in Manitoba. $ 26 is generally what it costs to give a $ 100 loan. The high rate of defaults combined with short terms of the loan mean the lenders face difficulty in making a consistent profit.

Racism besides Shirley Sherrod's resignation from USDA

USDA official Shirley Sherrod has become one of the first targets of right wing news pundits after accusations of Tea Party racism. Republicans asked for a democrat to keep a racist label after Tea Party Express racist Mark Williams got kicked out for it. Sherrod, who’s black, is shown in a video talking about a past experience with a white farmer in the 1980s. A segment of the video was used out of context to portray Sherrod as not giving 100 percent to help the farmer facing bankruptcy.

Shirley Sherrod targeted by Conservatives

After making a video on race, Shirley Sherrod, USDA’s Georgia State Director of Rural Development, resigned. Because Tea Party Express racist Mark Williams was left out, republican bloggers put the video up on display. Fox news told the story. CBS News reports that Sherrod’s remarks were from a speech she gave at an NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on March 27, in Douglas, Ga. The story talks about a man who was white and needed help with Chapter 12 bankruptcy. She said it was not something she wanted to do since she had to help him keep his land while numerous blacks were losing their land. She ended up referring him to a white lawyer.

Video gets in news- Sherrod quits

Sean Hannity, fan of Tea Party Express, and Fox News played the video for everybody to see, and shortly after, the USDA announced Sherrod’s resignation. “There is zero tolerance for discrimination at USDA, and I strongly condemn any act of discrimination against any person,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a written statement. “We have been working hard through the past 18 months to reverse the checkered civil rights history at the department and take the issue of fairness and equality very seriously.”

Every little thing else in the video of Sherrod

Sherrod said the video clip getting used against her doesn’t tell the whole story. She argues that since the video was long before her job at the USDA, it isn’t the whole story, reports CNN. In 1985, Sherrod, who has a master’s degree in community development, served as Director of the Georgia State Office for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, which works to help family farmers retain and develop their property. She was only telling the story so individuals could see how she had moved on and to encourage them to move past race also. The white lawyer didn’t even help the farmer so she “had to frantically discover a lawyer who would file a Chapter 11 to stop the foreclosure.”. The family of the farmer became family friends of hers throughout the process.

Citations

CBS News
cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011026-503544.html
Sean Hannity
americanprogress.org/issues/kfiles/b91585.html
CNN
edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/#fbid=w2XX2duDWrt

BP concern with new oil seep

BP thought they were within the clear, until the government ordered them to uncap the valves they just capped off as outlined by the New York Times. After 10 tries by BP to seal the oil spill, it seemed that all was progressing as planned. Sadly, oil can be coming right out of the ocean floor now.

Obama becomes a BP problem

BP continues to live through the PR and financial disaster of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and seems like that there’s more seep to come. Democrats are likely to have to themselves out of troubles caused by the Jones Act with fall elections on the line; even Obama could not do anything about it. The public will likely continue to be mad about more seep. Through Tuesday, pressure testing will continue since that is what Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen who’s in charge suggests should happen, besides investigation nevertheless continuing, as outlined by the Times.

Pressure testing shows no bad signs right now

Blowout and seep is monitored with pressure tests after capping the well. Since the well is three miles long past the seabed, monitoring it is a big job. Oil and gas might start seeping to the ground, even if it doesn’t explode. If which were to happen, there is not anything everyone can do to stop it, or help it, according to Allen.

Russian help?

Even though Obama has his own plans, an “independent set of eyes” might be just what we have to fix this thing, according to Andrew Revkin within the Times? Oil seeping to the floor might happen at any depth. The Obama administration had a suggestion given to them by James Cameron and his panel of experts. Submarines from Russia have the capability of going miles deep, which would allow BP to continue monitoring oil flow at lower depths. The Russian subs could search for the seep.

Discover more about this topic here

Deepwater Horizon Response
deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/791891/
New York Times
dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/bp-pressed-to-assess-seep-near-its-well/
Voices from Russia
02varvara.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/russian-mir-submersibles-may-go-to-gulf-of-mexico-to-fix-oil-well-gusher/
CNN reports on seep near well head
youtube.com/watch?v=DPeoRnWV4vw

Consumer Reports won't recommend iPhone 4G after reception tests

The iPhone 4G is not recommended by Consumer Reports. Because of the reception issues, the magazine dropped its iPhone 4G bomb. iPhone 4G antenna problems and what the media calls the “iPhone death grip” have been in headlines since the business released the gadget last month. Apple is promising an iPhone software update to ensure a more accurate display of signal strength. However, Consumer Reports ran its own tests on the iPhone 4G and recreated the exact same exact reception issues everyone has been complaining about.

Resource for this article: Consumer Reports won’t recommend iPhone 4G after reception tests by Personal Money Store

Consumer Reports suggests free iPhone antenna fix<

The latest blow to the iPhone 4G is the Consumer Reports rejection. Since the iPhone 4G was released, complaints about the death grip and class action lawsuits about the gadget have besieged Apple. Apple has responded by promising an iPhone software update that will change how the phone displays signal bars. But CNN reports that a study by the magazine questioned Apple’s “optical illusion” claim. The iPhone was tested along with some of the other AT and T phones. None had death grip problems as the iPhone 4G does. Consumer Reports noted the iPhone 4G otherwise ranked highest on the list of wise phone ratings that it released Monday. But the magazine said it doesn’t plan to recommend Apple’s new device until the business unveils “a permanent — and free — fix for the antenna problem.”

Apple carrier, AT and T are off the hook because of tests

Consumer Reports has picked the iPhone 4G as the first Apple iPhone they won’t recommend. According to the Wall Street Journal, the conclusion was an about-face for the magazine, which said in a July 2 blog post that the iPhone 4G antenna issues weren’t a deal-breaker for the device. In its rejection of the iPhone 4G, Consumer Reports took some heat off Apple iPhone carrier AT and T, which was being blamed for all the data load issues for iPhones. ”The tests also indicate that AT and T’s network may not be the primary suspect in the iPhone 4G’s much-reported signal woes,” says Consumer Reports.

An iPhone antenna solution suggested is duct tape

As well as promising an iPhone software update, Apple has been telling all of their iPhone 4 users to hold the phone differently or buying a $ 30 iPhone cover. That was confirmed by Consumer Reports iPhone 4G test, as outlined by PC World. But there are numerous less costly alternatives to Apple iPhone covers — some iPhone 4g users have used the yellow rubber Livestrong bracelets that cost $ 1. Consumer Reports says duct tape works just as well.

Discover more info:

CNN
money.cnn.com/2010/07/12/technology/consumer_reports_iphone/?npt=NP1
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704288204575363011516770540.html
PC World
pcworld.com/article/200924/consumer_reports_throws_iphone_4_under_the_bus.html?tk=hp_new

Money Magazine Best Places to Live usually small towns

Small town living comes out on top as Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” have been revealed. The din of big cities is typically too costly and less than inviting for families – plus they’re ultra-expensive. To rank on the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list, a city must rank well in jobs, school quality, family safety, recreation and overall veneer. What cities make the list are the best of the best when it comes to America’s family-oriented communities.

Article resource: Money Magazine Best Places to Live highlights small town life by Personal Money Store

A taste of Money Magazine’s ‘Best Places to Live’

As a sneak peek at the full list of Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” for 2010, here are the five best places to live in America. Onboard Informatics provided CNN Money with the population, income, sales tax and other data that made the list possible. Installment loans are typically used less frequently in cities on the list, as job availability and income levels tend to lead to the kind of financial stability that make unsecured loans and short term loans less essential.

1. Eden Prairie, Minn. (Pop. 64,000; Unemployment 5.1 percent)

It is not the last of the Minnesota cities within the top 100, but Eden Prairie is certainly first, with its beautiful surroundings and avenues for play in nature. Outdoor activities are plentiful and schools rate highly. Unemployment is far below the national average and Eden Prairie’s AAA rating with Moody’s indicates the city’s overall financial health. All told, Eden Prairie houses 50,000-plus jobs via numerous high-profile employers.

2. Columbia/Ellicott City, Md. (Pop. 155,000; 5.2 percent)

Great schools, housing residents can afford, a great downtown area and population diversity are a couple of of Ellicott City’s key elements. Eight thousand jobs are provided by the NSA and Fort Meade, and the federal government already has plans to add thousands more. And if that is not enough, Baltimore and Washington D.C. are nearby, which expands the job possibilities greatly.

3. Newton, Mass. (Pop. 82,000; 6.0 percent)

The Greater Boston system of public transportation serves Newton and the surrounding area, making access to major employers like Boston College and Newton-Wellesley Hospital easy. Newton is divided into multiple “villages,” and each reportedly has its own New England charm.

4. Bellevue, Wash. (Pop. 124,000; 5.8 percent)

Bellevue is a tech mecca, thanks to the presence of Microsoft, T-Mobile, Verizon and Expedia, among others. Lake Washington and also the surrounding forest make Bellevue a fantastic place for nature activities, but there’s a hotbed of culture there as well. Homes are expensive as Washington goes, but other factors have helped Bellevue rise on the Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list.

5. McKinney, Texas (Pop. 125,000; 7.8 percent)

McKinney, Texas has a well-maintained downtown area that mixes modern with 19th century.And with employers like defense contractor Raytheon in town providing jobs, the need to drive an hour to Dallas for work is far from inevitable, even during the recession. Add lots of parks and hiking trails, and you also have a very nice place to live.

Read more on this topic here

CNN

money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/

Car salespeople will trick you – beware!

Car salespeople who offer a no-pressure, honest sales face to the public will nevertheless engage in numerous psychological tricks and triggers to get you to buy that new car. This is frequently within the bounds of the law. This is why it pays to know the techniques car salespeople are bound to use in pursuit of your money.

Article source: Be aware of the tricks car salespeople use to make the sale by Car Deal Expert

Car salespeople are trying to make a living

Recessionary times require extra sales ingenuity from car salespeople. Pay attention; here are some of their most common sales techniques. All About Auto Zone gets credit for the basics; Car Deal Expert fills in the gaps.

1. Using emotional appeal

Buying a new car quickens the pulse. Used cars are also fun to shop for. Car salespeople know this, and will use that emotional appeal to keep you from thinking about the numbers. Nothing wrong with that per se, but a clear head for the deal is always necessary.

2. Let’s be friends

Some car salespeople are likely to try to make you think they’re on your side. With this in mind, do not fall for their tries to connect with you on a meaningful personal level. Your car salesperson could be friendly by nature, but you can’t let your guard down and assume they are truly a friend. Think about what you can afford and do not wonder whether you need to invite the salesperson to the big game. They’re using their training to get you to relax and fall into their hands.

3. Be aware of your trade-in’s value

The Blue Book value of a car is something you have to know. If you do not, assume that dealership is going to try to undersell you on that trade-in. It’s not hard to track this information down. Look it upon online or get a copy at the bookstore before you go to the lot.

4. Beware the high trade-in tradeoff

Here’s something that can happen when your best-friend car salesperson gives you a high trade-in value. Of course, there can be a trade off. You may face a barrage of hard-sell possibilities, a higher selling price or even higher interest rate (why not use Car Deal Expert instead?)

5. I have this limited-time offer…

Do not believe this one. If your car salesperson insists you need to purchase today or the special will end, you should be concerned about the whole transaction. Be on the defensive.

6. The salesperson is overly emphatic over your ability to afford payments

Your car salesperson can show you the numbers, but if they make an effort to steer you into believing any set of numbers will work for you, it could be fishy. Going above and beyond the call of duty to distract you from the numbers is a red flag. You know your spending budget; they know how to make an effort to talk you out of said budget. Psychological brinksmanship is to be expected, just watch out for the hard sell.

More information about this topic at these websites:

http://www.cartechhome.com/2009/02/6-tricks-new-car-salesman-used.html

Is there is an estate tax among us making death an incentive?

At the end of 2009, Congress allowed previous President George W. Bush’s estate tax to expire. At the time, the Senate literally encouraged rich people near the end of their lives to postpone their terminal engagement with the choir invisible and stay alive until New Year’s Day, 2010. That way, their families would avoid having to pay a 45 percent estate tax (or death tax, if you prefer). These estate taxes are probably coming back in 2011 unless Congress decides to try and change the law.

There’s a much smaller exemption with the estate tax at 55 percent

It was reported by the Wall Street Journal that exemptions will fall to $ 1 million per individual from the $ 3.5 it was previously when top estate tax rates will increase to 55 percent. That means there can be eight times more tax payers paying estate tax now, even if that means they are borrowing money. Here is an example from the Journal on how the new estate tax affects a $ 5 million estate. The added estate tax for someone who dies on January 1, 2011, would be over $ 2 million. If the estate was $ 15 million, then the cost would be $ 8 million. ”I want my cash now” is being said by all the heirs.”

Called ‘The largest increase in a major tax that we’ve ever seen’

Few average Americans will weep for the wealthy being separated from more of their money, of course. But this sudden turn of the taxation screw is dramatic. Joseph Thorndike of the nonprofit organization Tax Analysts told the Journal “a jump from zero to 55 percent would be the largest increase in a major tax that we’ve ever seen” and a huge cash today for the government and Internal Revenue Service. Many are now considering the death incentive provided by the estate tax. Although they have had chances, Congress won’t take any action with fear of the November elections ahead. Questions like whether retroactive extension to the current zero-level estate tax could be approved are on the minds of estate holders.

Doctors don’t recommend estate tax suicide

A human life is worth more than all the riches in the world. Because of their Hippocratic Oath, doctors will tell this to patients, whether they’re listening or working on their estate tax troubles. They partake of such morbid ventures as suicide tourism, where the estate holder near the end of life travels to a nation with aid-in-dying laws. Although both Switzerland and the Netherlands, according to the Wall Street Journal, both allow doctors to aid in suicide, only Switzerland will allow this to be extended to visitors from an additional country.

Discover more about this topic here

Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703609004575355572928371574.html
Oh yeah? Well, Bill Gates’ dad likes it!
youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_jxLKbbDo

Federal agencies question investments made by Fannie and Freddie

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has begun the process of investigating investments made by Fannie and Freddie. Bank loan information has been subpoenaed dealing with the securities purchased by the companies. The FHFA believes that some of the liability for these securities may be with the sellers.

Resource for this article: Federal agency investigating Freddie and Fannie investments by Personal Money Store

Investments made by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae

The investments made by mortgage lenders Fannie and Freddie during the housing boom integrated numerous mortgage securities. When the housing market crashed, these purchased securities lost many value. The value of these securities was tied closely to assets that are called "toxic" – things like short term loans for people with bad credit. Toxic assets like this being so effortlessly invested in may have possibly contributed to the bubble of the housing market.

The information about loans subpoenaed

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which just lately took over control of Fannie and Freddie, has issued 6$ subpoenas to sellers of these poor credit loans. For a when, the agency tried to get the information from the banks and lenders voluntarily, but encountered significant resistance. There is some concern that the sellers of these packaged securities obscured the reality of the risk behind the loans.

What could happen with the subpoenas

The information that has been subpoenaed is intended to discover out if lenders hid some information. If the loan documents do reveal that details was hidden, the Wall Street firms that sold the securities might be on the hook. Thus far, Fannie and Freddie have lost more than $1$ 5 billion of taxpayer money. Money lost because of these loans might be reimbursed, if there was any mistruth in the loan documents. The most difficult thing could be really recovering money, since many of the lenders offering these fast cash loans loan products are now out of business.

Aon Hewitt created by merger

Aon Corporation is purchasing HR outsourcing business Hewitt Associates for just under $ 5 billion. To complete the merger, Aon is creating an Aon Hewitt Division that will operate much like Hewitt did before. The companies estimate that this merger will eventually save the companies $ 355 million each year.

Source for this article – Aon Corporation purchases Hewitt Associates, creates Aon Hewitt by Personal Money Store

The Aon Hewitt purchase

The cost of purchasing Hewitt Associates will be about $ 3.9 billion, to be paid half in cash and half in stock from Aon. Aon Corporation is paying about $ 50 per share for Hewitt Associates, about 41 percent more than current value. Aon will pay current Hewitt stockholders .63 Aon stocks and $ 25.61 per Hewitt stock. Aon Hewitt will keep the same CEO and business model as Hewitt Associates while combining back-office operations with Aon. After news of this purchase, Hewitt Associates stock jumped, while Aon stock fell on Monday morning. This new company will be based in Illinois. There are no official estimates on how many jobs will be cut in this merger.

The business Aon works in

Aon Corporation, among other things, works in “global risk management and insurance”. The company offers advice and insurance brokering services to clients. Classified as a financial business, Aon is traded on the NYSE. Just one year ago, in August of 2009, Aon Corporation shed three separate insurance companies from its business model.

The business that Hewitt Associates uses

The major portion of Hewitt Associates’ business is human resources outsourcing. Administrative services, including human resources, make up the bulk of Hewitt Associates’ business. Hewitt also provides some consulting services. The Hewitt Associates business will provide commercial service and supply features to Aon’s general business. There has been some major restructuring within Hewitt Associates as well. In May of 2010, HRAdvance Inc. was purchased by Hewitt, at about the same time Latin American business operations were spun off into an entirely separate company.

With the DIY Corvette, you are able to build your own high performance engine

The new GM Corvette program is great for gearheads. If you are buying a Corvette Z06 or ZR1, you can pay just just a little additional and build the engine on your own. The best part of this GM/Corvette program is you’re protected every step of the way.

The Corvette ZR1 and also Z06

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 are both high-performance vehicles built by U.S. company Chevrolet motors. Costing $ 45,000, these cars are really surprisingly affordable for sports cars. In the last few years, Chevrolet has encountered a couple of troubles with the Corvette brand, mostly a reduction in demand. The Z06 is a 7 liter engine, and the ZR1 is a 6.2 liter engine.

Create your own engine

Building engines has long been a do-it-yourself project for true car enthusiasts. Chevy has taken this obsession to a higher level, though. Spend $ 5,800 on your Z06 or ZR1, and you also can visit Michigan and help build the engine for your vehicle. Ponying up the extra cash will get you entry into the plant, the ability to help a craftsman hand-build your engine and even give you a plate with your name placed on the engine. This trip could very well be worth it to some.

The legacy of all hand built engines

Chevy Corvette engines are still hand-built in Michigan. This is how they want to built the name Chevy. With brands being cut left and right, reinforcing the Corvette brand as a luxury brand is very important for Chevy to continue to be a viable brand.

Engine protected for DIY

Unlike engines built as part of your garage, the DIY Corvette engine has protections. Your self-built Corvette engine is nevertheless covered by the standard Corvette five year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that is offered. If you are spending $ 50,000 or more on a vehicle, it makes a lot of sense to have at least some kind of warranty.

Your clutch- proper care and feeding

In case you are one of the drivers in the United States who drives a car with a clutch, taking good care of that clutch is very important. By taking a look at your driving practices, you might conserve thousands. You are able to effortlessly extend the lifetime of your clutch. Just taking a check out 3 of the biggest clutch-driving mistakes and fixing them can extend the life by months, if not years.

Article source: Proper care and feeding of your clutch by Car Deal Expert

Shift at a good time

When the engine is on, a clutch shifts gears. Changing those gears at the right time will help reduce the wear and tear on the clutch — and will even make your engine run better. You would like to shift up when the engine RPMs are at about 3,000 to 4,000. When braking, downshift the engine before you apply the brake – it will help prevent wear and tear on both your clutch and your brakes.

Where to rest your feet

It could be very tempting to rest your foot on the clutch pedal while you are driving. Pressure will be placed on it if you rest your foot there. The pressure could slowly grind down the clutch. So keep your foot off that pedal if you’re not using it.

Park it very safely

When you park your automobile on a hill, you need to put it in gear to help keep it from rolling. Do not rely on the gear to keep it there. Always use your emergency brake along with either reverse or first gear. If your engine pressure is low or the gears are slipping, not using the emergency brake could mean you end up chasing your automobile down a hill. Always use your emergency break to be safe.

Saturday in Georgia – Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's wedding

Winner of American Idol and country music star in her own right, Carrie Underwood’s wedding is sure to be a big affair. Carrie Underwood and hockey star Mike Fisher are planning a large event on Saturday in Greensboro, Georgia. The cost of the wedding is probably high although we do not know what it is yet.

Source for this article: Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher Wedding – Saturday in Georgia by Personal Money Store

Greensboro GA – The wedding

The wedding of Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood is taking over an entire Ritz-Carlton hotel. Greensboro, GA – population 3,000, is playing host. All 251 rooms within the Ritz-Carlton hotel were reserved for the Underwood-Fisher wedding. The wedding party began showing up on Thursday.

Plans for Carrie Underwood’s Wedding

According to interviews given by Fisher and Underwood, the Saturday wedding is going to be a big affair. In an interview that was given with Life and Style, Fisher said it would be “…a good-size wedding with plenty of good food and an open bar, but nothing too overblown.” Conservatively, the wedding will cost between one-quarter to one-half of a million dollars. Just renting the rooms will cost $ 100,000. Add on food, an open bar, dress, flowers, clothing, and anything else that comes with a celebrity wedding, and they are probably effortlessly looking at a huge price tag.

Trying to use Carrie Underwood’s wedding as an example?

Carrie and Mike were quiet about all of their wedding plans. With an average yearly income that is higher than eight figures, though, it is certain to be a very small percentage of their yearly income. TheKnow.com says the average American Wedding is around $ 25,000. Recently, reducing wedding costs has been a huge topic. Though Carrie Underwood’s wedding isn’t really employing any of these suggestions, if you’re preparing your own wedding you might be well-set to try out something like collecting cans, DIY projects, or even potluck food.

Philadelphia Ride The Ducks Collision spurs NTSA investigation

Ride The Ducks may sound like a amusing name, but Ride The Ducks tours are a serious business. In the Delaware river in Philadelphia, a Ride The Ducks amphibious tour vehicle collided with a barge. While the event is being investigated, the Ride The Ducks tours in each and every city are stopped.

Source for this article: Ride The Ducks suspended after Philadelphia collision by Personal Money Store

Tours called Ride The Ducks

Owned by family business Hirschend Family Entertainment, Ride The Ducks tours usually operate in half-dozen cities around the world. Hirschend Family Entertainment also operates Dollywood and Stone Mountain Park. Amphibious sightseeing tours that explore cities and their waterways are given in boat-car vehicles.

The Philadelphia Ride The Ducks accident

A barge rammed into a disabled Ride The Ducks boat, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The boat capsized when a sludge barge ran into the disabled boat. Most were rescued, though two individuals are nevertheless missing.

Ride The Ducks tour investigated

The National Transportation Safety Board has started investigating the accident in Philadelphia. Fines may be levied on either or both companies, depending on the details of the accident. Tours in each city have been shut down until the investigation is well under way.

About Hirschend Family Entertainment

A private company that is very quiet and family owned, Hirschend Family Entertainment tends to not broadcast company information. The company moved its headquarters of operations to Norcross, Georgia in 2005. Though they have only been around for 60 years, the company is a growing player in theme park businesses.Since the business is family-owned, it is not required to publish any financial information, and has not in any year of operation. The business operates under contract or owns 24 different “themed entertainment parks” – theme parks, water parks, and other “family entertainment environments” in 9 states.

As solar energy gains momentum, solar plane is the latest breakthrough

In the spirit of the season, as heat waves roast major cities around the world, solar energy is a hot topic. From residential rooftops to all of the power plants to experimental aircraft, solar energy is having its season in the sun. After spending 26 hours aloft, a solar powered airplane landed on Thursday. And this week the Obama administration pledged about $ 1.85 billion in guaranteed loans to develop a solar energy power plant and solar panel factories. There’s a cloud though. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won’t accept mortgage loans that use a government program to finance solar energy installation costs.

Source for this article: Solar plane is latest breakthrough as solar energy gains momentum by Personal Money Store

Solar plane gets its day in the sun

Thursday, a solar plane landed in Paris after flying continuously for 26 hours, 9 minutes. As outlined by the New York Times, the Solar Impulse reached an altitude of more than 28,000 feet and reached a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour during a day over Switzerland. The solar energy plan was powered overnight by energy collected during the day from solar panels on its 210-foot wingspan. Organizers said the flight was the longest and highest by a solar-powered craft.

Solar plane a poster child for solar energy

The Solar Impulse record-breaking flight took seven years of preparing and brings the Swiss-led project one step closer to its goal of flying Solar Impulse around the world powered only by the solar energy. It was reported by the Associated Press that although the objective is to prove that emissions-free air travel is possible with Solar Impulse, the flight team said it doesn’t see solar energy replacing jet propulsion any time soon. The project is supposed to test and promote new energy efficient technologies.

Billions are given to solar energy companies through stimulus package

Speaking of new energy-efficient technologies, President Obama announced the U.S. Department of Energy will pledge $ 1.85 billion from the economic stimulus package to two solar energy companies: Abengoa Solar and Abound Solar Manufacturing. As outlined by the International Business Times, Abengoa Solar will build the first ever large-scale solar energy power plant in Arizona with $ 1.45 billion in funding. Developers say the project should be able to create more than 1,600 construction jobs and clean energy for 70,000 homes. Abound Solar Manufacturing will build a plant that manufactures solar panels in Colorado and in Indiana with $ 400 million in funding. The solar panel factories are going to create more than 2,000 construction jobs, conserve energy for 200,000 homes, and pro! duce more than 1,500 permanent clean energy jobs.

PACE provides solar panels for your house

Clean energy initiatives that focus on solar energy are gaining momentum on numerous fronts. But the U.S. housing market, which has become the ball and chain for of economic recovery, is running true to form. It was reported by Trading Markets the Obama administration’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is falling to the black hole of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. The PACE program is assigning $ 150 million in loans for local governments which they can then lend to you to cover the upfront costs solar panels for home. Through property tax bills, the loans are paid off.

Fannie and Freddie cast dark cloud over solar energy

With PACE, residential solar energy could have been headed for a big boost. But Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, federal agencies that guarantee more than 50 percent of U.S. mortgages, are overwhelmed with millions of foreclosures. Officials that are in charge of the agencies, which have cost U.S. taxpayers more than $ 145 billion in losses, assume individuals will start defaulting on PACE mortgages also. Both Fannie and Freddie have issued letters to mortgage sellers stating that they’ll not accept loans for homes using the program.

Discover more about this topic here:

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/07/09/world/europe/09plane.html?_r=1&hp

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5goDxf8Obh9y8tOk6Nse1GMEmSXWgD9GQNU181

International Business Times

ibtimes.com/articles/33502/20100708/obama-s-commitment-to-solar-technology-job-creation-and-economic-recovery.htm

Trading Markets

tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/fnm_us-energy-solar-initiatives-threatened-by-white-house-dissonance-1028938.html

Plunging consumer credit starts new deceptive credit card fees trend

Consumer credit dropped in May further than was forecast, with the decline being led by significant drop in credit card debt. Credit card delinquencies fell to an all time low rate since 2002. As Americans save more and borrow less, credit card companies are coming up with new ways to gouge customers. New credit card rules aimed at curbing the usurious behavior of credit card companies may be giving some of their consumers a false sense of security.

Article resource: Plunging consumer credit spawns deceptive new credit card fees by Personal Money Store

Consumer credit drop exceeds forecast

A Federal Reserve report released Thursday showed that consumer credit dropped at an adjusted annual rate of 4.5 percent in May–the fourth consecutive month of declining credit. Revolving debt dropped by 10.5 percent ($ 7.3 billion) in May, as outlined by the Fed’s report. Non-revolving debt, including car loans, fell by $ 1.8 billion in May. It was reported by Business Week that economists’ projections in a Bloomberg survey ranged from a decrease of $ 5.2 billion to an increase of $ 2 billion in May. Consumer credit increased only twice since 2008. Consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy and is what America thinks will revive the economy, could be weak as Americans pay down their debt.

Credit card delinquencies dropping also

Credit card delinquencies are declining right along with consumer credit. It was reported by the American Bankers Association (ABA) that late payments for bank credit cards fell within the first quarter to the lowest level in eight years. As outlined by Market Watch, bank card delinquencies–card payments at least 30 days overdue, fell to 3.88 percent of all credit card accounts within the first quarter, in contrast to 4.39 percent within the fourth quarter of 2009. The credit card delinquency rate, the lowest it is been since the first quarter of 2002. The ABA reported also said that overall consumer loan delinquencies declined, but only job creation will bring further improvement.

Credit card rules that are new and will be broken

Credit card companies are seeing revenues decline. But even with new credit card rules that are intended to protect consumers going into effect next month, credit card companies are trying harder than ever to burn customers with creative new fees. Banks could be able to get around new rules. New rules cap late fees at $ 25 and do away with inactivity fees, but now more credit card companies are charging annual fees.

Companies for credit cards hope you won’t notice

When it comes to the new credit card rules, consumers think that credit card companies can’t possibly raise interest rates on existing cards anymore. But they can do anything they want with new balances, as long as they give 45 days’ notice. If your credit card company sent you a letter that you didn’t open a while back and you see your interest rate skyrocket on your latest charges, that’s probably what happened. Plus, credit card companies can still cut credit limits and close credit cards without advance notice, which will really hurt a credit score.

Credit card mail needs to be opened

Numerous of the other credit card companies have most recently hiked balance transfer fees; cash til payday loan fees and foreign transaction fees. Gerri Detweiler told CNN that read the mail you get from your credit card business is more important now than ever. Don’t automatically assume its junk mail, since you really only have the 45 days to opt out if you actually read the fine print. And as credit card companies become more desperate, they’ll not only raise existing fees but create all kinds of new fees.

More info accessible at these sites:

Businessweek.com

businessweek.com/news/2010-07-08/consumer-credit-in-u-s-declined-more-than-forecast.htmlv

Marketwatch.com

marketwatch.com/story/credit-card-delinquencies-fall-to-8-year-low-aba-2010-07-07?reflink=MW_news_stmp

CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/06/30/news/economy/credit_card_act_new_rules/index.htm?postversion=2010063007

EU banker bonuses held in check by Parliament

The European Parliament has voted 625-28 in support of capping EU banker bonuses, a sign that economic crisis is still firmly in mind. Excessive pension payouts will even fall under new guidelines. The Associated Press reports that any short-term cash bonuses from next year could be limited. Now it is time for the rest of the world to follow suit.

Article resource: EU banker bonuses capped by European Parliament by Personal Money Store

Bonus advances will be closely monitored by EU

From 2011 onward, EU banker bonuses will be limited to up to 30 percent of the annual bonus via advance cash loan. The 70-percent remainder could be held back and distributed only if the company performs at a high level for the year. The operative notion is that withholding the majority of the bonus will prod EU banker bonuses depending on performance, instead of a gentrified system. Michel Barnier, the EU financial services commissioner, told the AP that “There will be no return to business as usual”.

Huge EU banker bonuses can be limited to 20 percent for early withdrawal

Early withdrawal from large-scale bonuses will be limited to 20 percent. What constitutes a “large” bonus was not specified by Parliament, though. The entirety of the European Union – comprised of 27 member countries – will be bound by the ruling on EU banker bonuses. For nations like Great Britain, France and Germany, however, the rules will not seem out of place – they’ve had banker bonus caps for some time.

Banks could be required to have more money on hand

European Union banking establishments will also be required to maintain a enough level of capital on hand to insure against risky investment products. According to the AP, the specific capital level for European banks would be approximately 3 to four times the previous (pre-recession) level. The banks will comply, but you will find grumblings that the new rules may require even more of them, which will in turn eat into profits. Try convincing the public to cry for the banks and see what happens.

More info about this topic at these websites:

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/world/2010-07-07-eu-bank-bonuses_N.htm

Homeowner loans for clean energy questioned

The Property Assessed Clean Energy Bonds program provides personal loan to homeowners, through the cities they live in. Intended to finance energy-efficiency upgrades and retrofits, these PACE loans are paid off as a part of the property taxes on a house. 3 other federal agencies, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac have all joined forces to try and remove these loans from the market.

Resource for this article: Federal agencies question clean energy bonds for homeowners by Personal Money Store

How PACE loans get money to homeowners

PACE loans are “bond-backed loans” that cities like San Francisco and New York administer. The homeowner applies for finance loans in order to make energy improvements to the house. Cities take these loans and sell them as bonds. Property taxes on the house are increased by the payment of the loan. The energy improvements, like solar panels or additional insulation, stay with the house — and so do the payments. This loan program helps homeowners discover personal payday installment loans that will help them make improvements to their home. In order to jump-start the programs, the federal stimulus package provided money to the cities.

How PACE loans are frustrating

If PACE loans are a way for cities and housing to improve and for the country to move toward energy independence, why are federal agencies like the Housing Finance Agency against them? PACE loans might threaten the ability of these other agencies to get paid. To make their money, a mortgage holder has to sell a house that goes into foreclosure. However, liens such as property taxes have to be paid before the mortgage lender gets any money. Because PACE loans are paid as part of property taxes, this means they get paid back before the mortgage lender if the mortgage goes into default.

The risk to PACE loans?

Officially, PACE loans are nevertheless a working program. The standards for mortgage payday installment loans programs where PACE is accessible, though, are being tightened. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank have written a letter “urging officials to work together quickly to resolve the uncertainty surrounding PACE programs”.

$ 20 million settlement for Jaycee Lee Dugard and children

While kidnapper and registered sex offender Phillip Garrido and wife Nancy still have not gone to trial, it was reported by CNN that Jaycee Lee Dugard and her two teenage daughters are the recipients of a $ 20 million settlement from their case against the California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The lawsuit stemmed from Jaycee Dugard’s claim that parole agents were in dereliction of their duties when they didn’t investigate Phillip Garrido’s residence more, which would have uncovered the imprisonment of both herself and her young daughters in Garrido’s backyard. The bill appropriating the unprecedented $ 20 million Dugard settlement flew through easily with a 30-1 vote in the California Senate and 62-0 in the California Assembly.

Source for this article: Jaycee Lee Dugard and kids receive $ 20 million settlement by Personal Money Store

For 18 years, Jaycee Lee Dugard was missing

No amount of money will be able to give give the now 30-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard and her family back the lost years when she lived in Phillip Garrido’s makeshift backyard prison. But the $ 20 million Dugard settlement will enable Jaycee Dugard to purchase a home, pay for her children’s education and obtain as much therapy as is necessary, among many other things. If nothing else, possibly the scrutiny into the California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s methods might prevent others from going through a similar ordeal. According to department’s report on the matter, “While it is true that Garrido’s California parole was never officially violated … the department failed to properly supervise Garrido and missed numerous opportunities to discover his victims.”

Against Dugard, state officials thought they had a case

When California State officials thought at one point that they might have had enough data on their side to contest Jaycee Lee Dugard’s claim, they ultimately ruled that it was not worth bringing the case before a jury. Their case evidently would have hinged upon jurisdictional matters, reports CNN. Sadly, public relations for California would are really icky. The state claimed that it was the responsibility of federal parole officers (rather than California State parole officers).

Find more details here:

CNN

cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/01/california.dugard/?hpt=T1

AP report on $ 20 million Dugard settlement:

youtube.com/watch?v=nr7xF52DMRU

State law is illegal if you ask the Federal Arizona immigration lawsuit

The Arizona immigration law was challenged Tuesday in a lawsuit that was filed by the U.S. Justice Department. The federal government wants to block the law from taking effect later this month. The Arizona immigration lawsuit claims that Arizona’s new law is unconstitutional because it overrides federal immigration law. Followers of the Arizona immigration law say that a state overwhelmed with illegal immigration can’t wait for the federal government to deal with immigration reform.

Article resource: Federal Arizona immigration lawsuit says state law is illegal by Personal Money Store

Feds – Arizona immigration law is unconstitutional

The Arizona immigration law says that state and local police to question and possibly arrest illegal immigrants during the enforcement of other laws. Immigrants are required to carry their alien registration documents at all times. It was reported by the Washington Post that the Arizona immigration lawsuit says the law illegally intrudes on federal prerogatives, invoking as its main argument the legal doctrine of “preemption,” which says federal law trumps state statutes. Enforcing immigration laws is a federal responsibility as outlined by the Justice Department.

Immigration law violates civil rights as outlined by Feds

The preemption doctrine is being used within the Arizona immigration lawsuit because it has been established in Supreme Court as one of their decisions. As outlined by the Post, some legal experts have said this can be a good strategy to persuade a judge to declare the Arizona immigration law unconstitutional. But the Arizona immigration lawsuit also asserts the Arizona law would violate civil rights and also would lead to police harassment of both U.S. citizens and legal immigrants.

Arizona – the epicenter of the immigration crisis

Arizona passed the immigration law after years of public outcry over social issues credited to illegal immigration, including unemployment, drug trafficking and violent kidnappings. The Associated Press reports the state is the biggest gateway to the U.S. for illegal immigration and is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants. Arizona’s Republican governor, who’s Jan Brewer, has accused the Obama administration of failing to secure the border with Mexico, forcing her state to act on its own on the immigration crisis. Brewer’s spokesman explained to AP that the governor would have preferred that the federal government focus its resources and attention on the immigration crisis instead of the Arizona immigration lawsuit.

Poll states that border security trumps immigration reform

Despite the outcry for immigration reform legislation, CNN reports that various senior Democratic sources said they see virtually no chance of Congress stepping up to deal with it before November’s midterm elections. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. national poll conducted in late May says that nine out of 10 Americans want to increase U.S. law enforcement along the border with all of Mexico. Eight in 10 also supported a program that lets illegal immigrants already in the United States to stay here and apply for legal residency if they have a job and pay taxes. But only 38 percent say that immigration reform should be a higher priority than border security.

More details available at these web sites:

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070601928.html?hpid=topnews

Associated Press

google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jup3stJNgod5yvfvOU1IInU0erAwD9GPN88G0

CNN

cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/06/arizona.immigration.lawsuit/index.html?npt=NP1

SBA appears to be running out of low cost loans to companies

The Small business Administration has been charged with helping companies weather the recession, and all of this money is running out. The 7(a) lending program provides loans, personal and large, to small businesses around the country. The program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is at the moment in a holding pattern, waiting for more money.

Article resource: SBA running out of low cost loans to businesses by Personal Money Store

How the SBA is able to provide low cost loans

The SBA doesn't give instant cash to business owners. Instead, the government agency backs up loans made by banks. With the SBA “insurance policy” against default in place, banks are much more willing to act as money lender to small businesses. The stimulus package authorized the SBA to waive fees and guarantee up to 90 percent of a loan’s value.

The effect of SBA loans

Small companies are often forced to rely on credit and payday lending to keep their companies going. Over a small three-month period of April, May and June, the SBA lent out $ 3 billion over 12,123 loans. Compared to the exact same quarter of 2009, that is 21 percent more instant cash loans for cash-strapped businesses. The program, nevertheless, is nevertheless waiting for some new authorization, which is leaving millions of dollars of loans in limbo.

The loan queue for SBA

Since the official authorization for SBA loans expired in May, the agency was forced to queue requests for loans. There are presently 419 borrowers waiting for more than $ 123 million in SBA-guaranteed funding. Because these SBA loans are often one of the very few types of credit available to these companies, the agency is scrambling to help them find financing. Given the length of the recession thus far and the fact the economy is not yet growing at a steady pace, it is almost for certain that programs such as the SBA 7(a) program will have to continue providing support for small company.

Obama on immigrant - Do it now

With Arizona’s controversial immigration law now in place, President Obama has immigration reform plans that he wants commitment-phobic Republicans to bite into. The Associated Press reports that in a recent speech at American University, President Obama called the immigration stance of 11 Republican senators into question. While they’d been with the president on immigration reform within the past, election-year back scratching has them blowing with the wind.

Source of article: President Obama wants immigration reform now by Personal Money Store

Obama wants immigration to stay a strong issue

The Arizona law served to highlight much of what Obama wants concerning immigration, even though the president considers it to be somewhat ill-conceived. The system in place is certainly broken, and new fences and agents won’t change that completely. Government should be held responsible for border security, Obama stated. At the very same time, companies who hire illegal's should face heavy fines. Those who do enter The US illegally should also take responsibility for their actions and immediately work to rectify the wrong by working to become citizens. Achieving this will require bipartisan commitment, something the president clearly understands.

The GOP can’t seem to muster a strong response

Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, one of those receiving Obama’s immigration ire, claims that border security must be addressed before “comprehensive immigration reform,” if the two can in fact be separated and wiped clean of political doubletalk. Other Republicans approach the matter in a similar fashion. Considering recent AP polls (where 57 percent of respondents stated that illegal immigration is a drain on society and 80 percent felt the federal government should do more to curb illegal immigration), perhaps the hesitancy of politicians like Kyl is what’s ill-conceived.

Obama on immigration – His road

Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham penned a bill that would require illegal immigrants to fess up, and Obama endorses the immigration plan. They’d catch up on their back taxes, pay fines and repay society via other community service, all the when working toward becoming citizens. Sen. Graham is not nevertheless on board, unfortunately, per the AP.

SB 1070 is just a single step

Full accountability can be the key to effective immigration reform and border security. Per Obama’s wishes, SB 1070 will bolster existing border security and make it clear that America will not abide by the status quo. Action must be taken; standing pat will only prove that Obama and also the U.S. government actually believes the broken immigration system is good for America.

Find more details here:

Newser.com

newser.com/article/d9gmcda00/obama-blames-political-posturing-for-deadlock-on-overhauling-immigration-laws.html

With just pennies at a time, an online credit card scam took millions

An online credit card scam that stole millions, with just pennies at a time, was halted by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The online credit card scam used identity theft to steal small amounts of money that went undetected by consumers or fraud detectors. Over the last four years, more than a million individuals were charged from 25 cents to $ 9 on their credit cards in an online scam that added up to more than $ 10 million.

Article source: Online credit card scam stole millions, pennies at a time by Personal Money Store

Those who were victims didn't even notice

The elaborate online credit card scam operated undetected because all of the scammers made very small charges and set up more than 100 bogus companies to process the transactions. It was reported by PC World that U.S. credit card holders financed many of the scam because about 94 percent of all charges went uncontested by the victims of identity theft. According to the FTC, the scammers charged 1.35 million credit cards a total of $ 9.5 million, but only 78,724 of these fake charges were ever noticed. They would typically make just one charge per card number to fake business names such as Adele Services or Bartelca LLC. Avivah Litan, who is an analyst with the Gartner research firm who follows bank fraud, told PC World:

“They know that most of the fraud detection systems won’t detect anything under $ 10 and they know that consumers won’t complain about a 20 cent fee. What’s different here is the scale, and that they got away with it for so many years.”

Credit card fraud and the trends

The online scam is definitely going to be a textbook case about how online services used to facilitate business in the 21st century can be exploited for credit card fraud. As credit cards are increasingly getting used for inexpensive purchases–they’re now accepted by things like soda machines and parking meters–credit card fraud criminals have cashed in on the trend. IDG News Service reports that the scammers found loopholes within the credit card processing system that allowed them to set up fake U.S. companies that then ran a lot more than 1 million fake credit card transactions through legitimate credit card processing companies. First Data was one of the favored scammers. Of the 116 fake merchant accounts the FTC uncovered, 110 were with First Data. They set up bogus accounts with BBVA Compass as well.

Uncertain is the source of identity theft

The FTC seems to think the defendants may have run credit checks on the identity theft victims to be sure they were creditworthy. The FTC doesn’t know where the scammers obtained the credit card numbers they charged, but they could are purchased from online carder forums, black market Web online websites where criminals purchase and sell stolen data.

Credit card scam that is online seems like a textbook case

To create the virtual infrastructure for the online credit card scam, it was reported by Webpronews that the scammers set up fake physical addresses and fake web sites pretending to sell products, along with a real company’s tax number found online. Scammers then sent out spam e-mail pretending to recruit American finance managers for some of the offshore financial service companies. Those selected by the scammers were persuaded to set up dummy corporations to receive the credit card payments and send the money to bank accounts in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Kyrgyzstan.

More details about this topic at these websites:

PC World

pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/199952/ftc_says_scammers_stole_millions_using_virtual_companies.html

IDG News service

computerworld.com/s/article/9178560/FTC_says_scammers_stole_millions_using_virtual_companies?taxonomyId=17

Webpronews

webpronews.com/topnews/2010/06/28/ftc-cracks-down-on-online-payment-scam

Know which octane rating puts a tiger inside your tank

Gas stations offer different octane ratings on their gasoline. Diesel, 87, 89 and 92 octanes are most common at standard American gas stations, but not everyone knows which fuel is right for their car. You are able to read the owner’s manual for vehicle, but do you know why one octane is best for your car? As outlined by About.com, there are numerous things to consider, so enjoy the following summary.

Source for this article: Know which octane rating puts a tiger as part of your tank by Car Deal Expert

Are you picking the right octane rating?

Knocking is essential here, as a gasoline’s octane rating tells you about just how much knocking is addressed. The knocking sound is the result of premature ignition of the gasoline-air mixture. Isooctane and heptane are the points of reference when a gasoline’s octane rating is established. The previous sits at the high end of the octane scale (100), while the latter has an octane rating of zero (and knocks like crazy). According to About.com, untouched gasoline has an octane rating of about 70 (70 percent isooctane, 30 percent heptane). Lead used to be the way that fuel companies cut down knocking and pinging, but current environmental standards have barred that practice, so more expensive methods of bumping the octane on unleaded gasoline have exchanged the practice.

Is higher octane always better?

Old engines regulated the fuel mix with the carburetor, and they benefitted from higher octane rating gasoline. As engines became more complex, electronic fuel injectors took over the fuel mix work of the carburetor. At that point, the octane rating standard within the U.S. became 87 octane. This is recommended for most cars because gasoline with too high an octane rating can now damage an engine’s emissions system.

What about mid-grade?

Just a little data about U.S. octane ratings is in order here. There is not a clear delineation between 87/89/92 octane ratings and gasoline grades; the categorization varies from state to state. In one state, 92 octane might be premium, but in one more, it could be 90. Again, paying attention to the owner’s manual and yellow octane stick is important.

What if your car demands premium?

If this is the case, you probably have a high-performance engine under the hood. Instead of passing unburned fuel into the emissions system and catalytic converter (which happens when you use gasoline with too high an octane rating and can produce a rotten-egg smell), a high-performance engine uses the fuel efficiently. If you live in a large city with a low air quality index, reformulated gasoline might be required. This kind of gasoline is oxygen-infused and burns more cleanly. So long as you do not drive with too little fuel within the tank, you’re less likely to dirty the intake valves and destroy your fuel filter. Nobody wants that.

Discover more about this topic here:

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryarticles/a/which-gasoline-to-buy.htm

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryarticles/a/which-gasoline-to-buy.htm

Engine belts, the basics

The major parts of your engine are generally run by belts. Engine belts could be easy to ignore until something goes wrong. Knowing how to care for engines is incredibly important – so how do you do it?

Article source: Belt Basics– The belts that run your engine by Car Deal Expert

The basics of a belt

Most belts in vehicles are made from rubber or a combination of rubber and plastic. The materials have a tendency to crack and decay before wearing out and snapping. Because belts are run in hot-and-cold conditions, they’re a lot more prone to wearing out. Belts typically run the cooling system, alternator, and accessories in a automobile. In some cars, there are 3 or four separate belts that run each part. Most engines built after the late '80s use a single "serpentine" belt.

Switching out the belts

When a belt starts to squeal or screech, it means that it is stretching out. Every time you check your oil or take your car to the mechanic, you need to have your belts checked. If you see a belt that is cracking or splitting, it is time to replace them all. With some experience, replacing a belt is relatively easy. Find a diagram of the belt's path through the engine and copy it. Loosen the tension of the belt and remove it. Put the new belt in the engine and re-tighten the tension.

Should you dress the belt?

There is a theory that “dressing” a belt — lubricating it with a specialty spray or liquid — can help it last longer. This theory only sort of works many of the time. For a short time, if you dress a belt, it will get quieter. A belt making all kinds of noise is a warning – so before you dress it, you need to check things out. You should only dress a belt for temporary silence when you get your car to the mechanic.

Second amendment ruling from the Supreme Court

In the final decision of the Supreme Court of the United States this session, the Supreme Court position on gun control has been clarified. To a point, the ban on ownership of handguns has been struck down. For one of the most part, McDonald v. Chicago clarifies the 2008 decision striking down a Washington D.C. law.

Article resource: Supreme Court Rules on gun control in Second Amendment case by Personal Money Store

SCOTUS rules on gun ownership

The recent decision about gun ownership is the second within the last 3 years. Handguns can’t be restricted on ownership, as outlined by the decision rendered in McDonald v. Chicago. In 2008, the SCOTUS ruled that federal districts could not ban handgun ownership. This gun ruling clarified the same standard applies to cities and states. The 5-4 majority ruling stated that that “self-defense is a basic right… individual self-defense is ‘the central component’ of the Second Amendment.”

Not all gun legislation disallowed

Gun-limiting legislation is not entirely unconstitutional, though – the ruling does leave open a possibility of future legislation. The original 2008 ruling was repeated when the majority decision stated “recognized the right to keep and bear arms is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for no matter what purpose.” To put it simply, governments can still limit gun ownership. The spot where the right to own guns supersedes the right of government to limit guns has nevertheless not been made clear.

Other final rulings of the court

The Supreme Court handed down multiple decisions today. The SCOTUS declared that the Public Company Accounting Board is unconstitutional in its current incarnation. In 2002, this board was re-created to respond to the failure of Enron. The board could be made constitutional if the Securities and Exchange Commission gets more control over the board. In Bilski v. Kappos, the court ruled that a patent cannot be taken out on financial risk limiting strategies.

Clean energy firms choose summer solstice to promote solar power

Summer solstice 2010 is a turning point in the seasons and could be seen as one for solar energy as well. The summer solstice on June 21, the longest day of the year, was chosen by a California utility company to announce a $ 100 million campaign to promote installation of residential solar power systems. As Congress debates climate and energy legislation, the summer solstice is also being used by clean energy companies to inform the public about the benefits of solar energy.

Source for this article: Clean energy firms choose summer solstice to promote solar power by Personal Money Store

Solar power soars on summer solstice

In PG & E's summer solstice announcement, the company said the $ 100 million tax equity fund is the largest solar leasing pool yet. The New York Times reports that a growing interest in clean energy financing is underscored by PG &E's summer solstice fund announcement. PG & E preceded its summer solstice announcement in January when it established a $ 60 million tax-equity vehicle for SolarCity, a company in the Silicon Valley that also provides solar energy systems on lease to homeowners. And in May, President Obama chose to deliver an address promoting the climate and energy bill at Solyndra, a clean energy company in northern California.

Hassle-free solar power for your home

Solar energy systems financed by the $ 100 million dollar fund will be installed in up to 3,500 homes in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Hassle-free solar energy for homeowners is the main objective of the program. Homeowners don't pay for the solar energy systems, which can cost more than $ 30,000. Instead they sign a deal to buy power from SunRun at a fixed rate for up to18 years. In exchange, SunRun installs, owns and maintains the solar energy systems.

Growing public acceptance of solar energy

Applied Materials is a clean energy company that also chose the summer solstice to publish a survey that says two-thirds of those living in the U.S. think more solar power should be used for American energy. MarketWatch reports that increasing renewable energy and decreasing dependency on oil should be the country's top energy priorities. More findings from the sample of 1,000 people interviewed for the survey include that 67 percent have no problem paying more for their electricity if it comes from renewable energy, and 49 percent said more renewable energy was worth an extra $ 5 a month.

Read more on this topic here

green.blogs.nytimes.com

www.marketwatch.com

Knowing when to switch out your car battery

When there is a lack of a sound when beginning your car, it's a sound most individuals dread. It's very frustrating to hear a click-click whenever you try to start your car. It could mean a totally dead battery. Being stranded is never fun – but you are able to reduce your likelihood by replacing your battery on a regular basis.

Source of article: When to swap out your car battery by Car Deal Expert

How an automobile battery works

At the essence, car batteries all work the very same. Diluted sulfuric acid runs across lead plates to create chemical energy. When you ask the battery for power, it converts that chemical energy to electric energy. The chemical energy that is stored will eventually run out, and also the battery will need recharging. Finally, though, the components wear out and also the battery can no longer hold a charge.

Replacing the battery on time

Depending on the kind of conditions you use your car battery under, you could have to replace it as often as each two years. It can be about six years before you’ve to replace a battery if you are a normal driving. Rough treatment of your battery could consist of things like

:

• Keeping a battery in extremely cold temperatures
• Not refilling the distilled water in the battery
• Running energy-expensive add-ons, like alarm systems, off your battery
• Regularly jump-starting others

Any maintenance shop should be able to test the battery for you. When a battery tests low, make sure to check out the alternator as well.

Keeping your car battery?

An old, used-up car battery can nevertheless be useful. You should never throw away a car battery – the sulfuric acid in them could be very damaging. Instead, take the battery to a local recycling center. Usually, a dead car battery will net you between $ 3 and $ 5 dollars – not a huge amount of money, but enough to treat yourself to a latte for changing the battery in your car.