Vermont senator Bernard Sanders (I) spends 8 hours denouncing tax deal
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Vermont’s Independent Sen. Bernard Sanders spent over eight hours denouncing the new agreement to extend Bush-era tax cuts to millions of Americans.
Speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Sanders spoke out against President Barack Obama’s efforts, saying the deal only increases America’s debt and fails to solve the underlying economic issues that mire the country.
Reading letters from constituents, Sanders took aim at Obama, Senate Republicans, China and others.
“I’m not here to set any great records or to make a spectacle. I am simply here today to take as long as I can to explain to the American people the fact that we have got to do a lot better than this agreement provides,” Sanders said.
Nonetheless, the deal will move forward and is likely to clear Congress before the holidays.
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New U.S. Unemployment Claims Drop To 421,000
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – New claims for unemployment compensation dropped to 421,000 for the week ending Dec. 4, a decrease of 17,000 claims from the week before, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Not all jobless workers are insured by the unemployment compensation program. The advance seasonally adjusted rate of insured unemployed workers was 3.2 percent for the week ending Nov. 27, which was a decrease of 0.2 percentage point from the prior week’s unrevised rate of 3.4 percent, the DOL said in a statement.
The DOL also released the figures for the week ending Nov. 27 for the advance number of seasonally adjusted insured unemployment, which was 4,086,000. That was a decrease of 191,000 from the preceding week’s revised number of 4,277,000 insured unemployed.
Advance unadjusted figures for the week ending Nov. 27 showed the percentage of unemployed workers eligible for unemployment compensation was 3.3 percent. However, the unemployment rate during that week was 9.6 percent.
Figures for the number of unemployed Americans claiming benefits under all unemployment compensation programs was from a week earlier, or the week ending Nov. 13 was 8,297,938.
Extended unemployment compensation benefits, for jobless Americans who are covered by that insurance program, were available in 35 states and the District of Columbia for the week ending Nov. 20.
Those states were Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
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Instant Payday Loans Texas
If you need a quick payday cash advance, you really should consider getting a Texas Payday loan. Payday loans can be applied for online with no credit check and even borrowers with a bad credit history qualify.
It’s so easy to get a quick payday cash advance online. You simply choose the Payday loan company of your choice, fill out the application form, go fix yourself a cup of coffee or catch up with the news and by the time you get back to your computer, a no credit check Payday loan Texas approval will be in your email in box. It really is that easy!
You can get cash loans fast because the only qualification you need is the ability to pay it back within a short period of time, usually your next payday. That’s why they are called “payday loans.” The fees applied to these short term loans are very modest and Texas Payday loan companies are governed by strict government and state anti-usury laws to guarantee your safety. If you apply for a longer term cash loan, the interest charge will have a fixed cap and often Payday loan TX companies offer even lower interest rates than are required by law.
When do you need a Quick Payday Cash Advance TX?
We all find ourselves in need of quick cash once in awhile. The bills and other expenses of day-to-day living are enough for most of us to have barely enough money to keep our heads above water between paychecks, much less cover us for the emergencies that regularly arise in our busy lives. An emergency trip to the dentist can set us back substantially. Once we’ve paid for getting a loved one’s toothache taken care of, we still need cash to feed them, don’t we? The problem is, we don’t get paid for another week and our boss doesn’t give cash advances. Where do we turn to for help? Luckily, we can turn to a quick payday cash advance service that will give us the money we need even if we have bad credit.
How do you choose a Quick Payday Texas Cash Advance Provider?
There are hundreds of companies offering payday loans online. The first thing to do is be sure the company you choose is a legal entity in the state where you live. It probably is, but it’s surprising how often people start filling in an application form only to discover they are applying for a payday loan in Australia or New Zealand instead of the United States! One way to narrow down your search is to type, “Payday loans, my state” in the search box on your search engine.
Next, check out a few websites and compare their services, fees and interest rates. Just because you want quick cash with no credit check doesn’t mean you don’t have choices. You do! These companies want your business and are very competitive. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and get the best possible Texas Payday loan deal you can.
The application process is easy and straightforward. Sit back and relax, knowing the cash you need to get you through the next couple of weeks will be in your bank account in no time at all.
For more information click Payday Loans Texas.
Zuckerberg Pledges Half of Wealth to Charity
Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) – Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg pledged Thursday to give half of his wealth to charity. He made the promise by signing up with Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge campaign.
Aside from Zuckerberg, others who joined the campaign include billionaire investor Carl Icahn, former AOL Chief Executive Stephen Case and financiers Theodore Forstmann, Leon Cooperman and Nicolas Berggruen.
At 26, Zuckerberg is one of the youngest billionaires in the world. He has an estimated worth of $6.9 billion and was 35th in Forbes’ 2010 list of richest people in the U.S.
Zuckerberg pointed out that many people wait until they grow old before they give back to charity. The Facebook co-founder said he would rather start doing it now. He said signing up with the campaign is a big opportunity for him and other successful business people to give to charity while they are still young and could witness the impact of their act.
Zuckerberg previously pledged $100 million to help improve Newark’s public school system.
The campaign, launched in August, encouraged rich people to go public with their donation to encourage others to give as well. Giving Pledge has so far about 40 individuals or families who have signed up, including New York Mayor Micahel Bloomberg and fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg.
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Wal-Mart to stop extra $1 Sunday pay for employees
Bentonville, Arkansas, United States (AHN) – Wal-Mart Stores announced Wednesday that it will no longer pay its employees who work Sundays an additional $1 an hour. The new policy, however, would only cover workers hired after Jan. 1, 2011.
Current U.S. employees numbering 1.4 million will not be affected by the new policy, a Wal-Mart spokesman said.
The policy will also not apply to workers in Wal-Mart’s 49 Massachusetts and 10 Rhode Island outlets because the employees in the two states were not extended the extra $1 Sunday pay since their hourly rate for Sunday work is 1.5 times based on state labor regulations.
The policy is part of Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke’s strategy to reduce cost after Wal-Mart registered six consecutive quarters of sales declines at its U.S. operations.
On top of lower sales, operating expenses went up in 2009 to about $80 billion partly due to health benefits extended to workers.
To offset revenue reduction in its U.S. operations, Wal-Mart offered in November $2.4 billion to acquire a majority share in Massmart, a South African retail chain.
Wal-Mart is expanding its international business, particularly in emerging markets with high growth potentials.
Wal-Mart got the unanimous vote of the Massmart board, but needs the approval also of the South African regulators and 75 percent of Massmart stockholders.
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union expressed concern with the possible Wal-Mart buy-in because of the U.S. retail giant’s stand against unions.
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Taylor Swift Named Face Of CoverGirl’s New NatureLuxe Line
Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Earlier this year, Taylor Swift became the latest spokeswoman for CoverGirl, where she joined the ranks of A-listers like Drew Barrymore and Rihanna. Now the “Speak Now” star is the face of the beauty giant’s new NatureLuxe line.
NatureLuxe is described as a new simple, high-quality luxury makeup line, which will include a Silk Foundation and a Gloss Balm upon its January 2011 launch. The products drop heavier emollients for more natural ingredients
The Silk Foundation formula uses cucumber water along with hints of natural jojoba and rosehip extracts. The new Gloss Balm blends mango butter, shea and other butters.
Swift’s ads for NatureLuxe will begin appearing in January.
“I’m really excited for people to discover the new NatureLuxe line from CoverGirl!” Swift said in a statement. “The Silk Foundation and Gloss Balm are really light and fresh, they feel amazing on my skin.”
CoverGirl is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Along with Swift, their celebrity spokespeople have also included Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, Molly Sims, Brandy, Faith Hill, Keri Russell, and Queen Latifah.
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Tax Cuts: President Wins Republicans While Democrats Play Politics
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama on Tuesday called fellow Democrats to quit playing games with ordinary Americans’ lives noting that his top priority is ” to do what’s right for the American people, for jobs, and for economic growth.”
Addressing journalists at a press conference in the White House, the President said that he was “focussed on making sure that tens of millions of hardworking Americans are not seeing their paychecks shrink on January 1st just because the folks here in Washington are busy trying to score political points.”
There was a loud murmur from left-leaning Democrats as the President announced his compromise plan with Republicans to create jobs and boost consumer spending along with extending all the tax cuts that are set to expire on Dec. 31.
Democrats were angry with Obama’s nod to continuation of the controversial Bush-era tax cuts announced nearly a decade ago for the wealthiest households, adding billions in staggering addition to the deficit over the next two years.
Vice President Biden, one of the architects of the compromise, did not have much success at the Capitol but he is expected to return on Wednesday to pursue further with Democrats.
There were, however, whispers of approval also in legislative corridors of power as one of the Democrat insider reluctant to be quoted, noted major tax-breaks to boost capital injections, unemployment benefits to continue for 13 months and savings for working couples with tax-breaks.
Obama told journalists at the hurriedly called press conference, “Two million Americans who lost their jobs and are looking for work will be able to pay their rent and put food on their table.”
With an eye on his sulking Democrats, Obama, “I understand the desire for a fight. I’m sympathetic to that. I’m as opposed to the high-end tax cuts today as I’ve been for years,” he said. “But in the meantime, I’m not here to play games with the American people or the health of our economy.”
John D. Podesta, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for American Progress said in a statement, “I think the President was right to choose helping working Americans over a December conflagration,” noting, “President Obama decided he couldn’t abandon the millions of Americans who are struggling to keep their families afloat, who are diligently searching for work, and who simply cannot afford higher taxes right now.”
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U.S. Gaming Revenues To Recover in Late 2011, 2014 Revenues to Reach $68B
New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The gaming industry which has been hard hit in recent years is slated is slated to rebound due to improved economic conditions triggering a recovery in U.S. gaming revenues in late 2011. However 2007 pre-economic meltdown gaming revenue levels will not return until 2012.
According to PwC’s Playing to win: The outlook for the global casino and online gaming market to 2014, U.S. gaming revenues will rise to $68.3 billion in 2014 from $57.2 billion in 2009, marking a 3.6 percent compound annual increase.
The report also found that U.S. will remain the largest region in 2014, however Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing region with a projected 23.6 percent increase compounded annually to $62.9 billion in 2014 from $21.8 billion in 2009.
“The gaming industry is facing an evolution, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the industry’s established players and those considering to enter the market,” said Mary Lynn Palenik, director, gaming, entertainment, media & communications practice, PwC US.
She goes on to say, “The explosion of entertainment choices for consumers will make it vital for the industry to produce an offering and experience that consumers want to spend money on.”
Regional Casinos will be Fastest Growing Category
Propped by the growth in racetrack casinos, regional casinos will be the fastest growing category during the next five years as investment in new and improved offerings and facilities continue to re-direct visitors and revenue.
Tribal casinos, which fueled growth at double digit annual rates through 2006, have experienced fewer openings over the last few years, a slower economy, and increased competition from regional casinos.
A return to double digit increases which filled coffers the first half of the decade is not expected. Rather, revenues at tribal casinos will increase from $26.5 billion in 2009 to $30.3 billion in 2014, a 2.7 percent compound annual increase.
The Nevada market – which includes Las Vegas, Laughlin and Reno – experienced double digit declines in 2008 and 2009, which can be attributed to the fact that Nevada casinos, more than any other casinos in the U.S., rely on foreign visitors where tourism has been down, as well as out-of-state visitation from regions that have also been significantly impacted by the global recession.
But the report finds that over the five year forecast, Nevada will increase at a 4.1 percent compound annual rate to $12.5 billion in 2014 from $10.2 billion in 2009.
According to the report, Atlantic City is the only market where revenues in 2014 will be lower than in 2009. The region has suffered the most by the economic downturn and growing competitive pressures from regional casinos in Pennsylvania and New York. For the forecast period, PwC projects a 3.2 percent compound annual decline, from $3.9 billion in 2009 to $3.4 billion in 2014.
Moving forward analysts believe social networking sites will be a key distribution platform for online gaming services, resulting in collaborative partnerships between gaming brands and social networks.
Lotteries will also grow via interstate collaboration and online pooling while taking advantage of new online offerings.
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Food Supplier Nash Finch Sued For Sex Discrimination
Lumberton, NC, United States (AHN) – The U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has filed an administrative complaint against a North Carolina company, Nash Finch Co., with systematic job discrimination against 80 women.
Minneapolis, MN-based Nash Finch is the second-largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the U.S. It has contracts with the federal government to provide goods and services to more than 200 military bases in the U.S. and overseas.
OFCCP charges that Nash Finch discriminated against 80 qualified women who had applied for positions as order selectors at the Lumberton, NC, plant. Order selectors pull stock from warehouse shelves to fill orders.
In monitoring files, the OFCCP found that the company hired 6 percent of qualified female applicants versus 26 percent of qualified male applicants.
Moreover, this was not the first instance of discrimination that the OFCCP found at a Nash Finch facility, according to the complaint.
Previous investigations at Nash Finch facilities in Norfolk, VA, St. Cloud, MN, and Omaha, NE, have found violations of the law and discrimination in the company’s policies and procedures that “created an uneven playing field for women, minorities and veterans seeking employment with the company,” according to an OFCCP statement.
“It is unacceptable that a company which profits from lucrative federal contracts would repeatedly violate the law in this manner,” said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. “Nash Finch has demonstrated an unfortunate pattern and practice of hiring discrimination, and the American taxpayers should not have to bankroll this company’s bad behavior anymore.”
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Dallas Man Claims Motorola Cell Phone Exploded In His Ear
Dallas, TX, United States (AHN) – A Dallas area man claims his Droid 2 phone exploded in his ear. The resulting injuries caused him to be rushed to the hospital and receive four stitches.
30-year-old Aron Embry said he was using his phone making a call when the Motorola device allegedly exploded. He claims he heard a loud pop and then a tingling sensation and something running down his face. It turned out the substance was blood.
Embry had just purchased the phone two days prior to the Thursday incident.
“Once I got to the mirror and saw it, it was only then I kind of looked at my phone and realized that the screen had appeared to burst outward.”
Embry is planning to consult with an attorney, as he has no health insurance. Interestingly he confirms that despite the problems, the exploding phone still works.
Motorola, which manufactures the Droid smartphone said it will investigate and its priority is customer safety.
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