GM announces it will pay back government Loan…with government money
By Paul Kiel in ProPublicaGM will begin paying back the TARP money in December, the company announced this morning. It’s a statement in need of a little context. Basically, GM will be using a portion of the $50 billion in TARP bailout money. it received to in turn repay another portion of the TARP loans. The reason GM can do...
At least 32 dead after possibly-seeded snowstorms in China
Heavy snowstorms in northern China have killed at least 32 people today, according to officials. More than 15,000 buildings had collapsed due to large amounts of snow and 300,000 hectares of winter crops were destroyed, according to the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs. The ministry estimated that 9.6 million people were...
COMMENT: Jumping the gunman
By Stephen Engelberg. Published in ProPublica.The recent reporting on Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who is accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, is a classic run-and-gun investigative story in which dozens of reporters badger officials to disclose a new fact (which gets you on page one) or two new facts (which is enough to...
Canadian government to ensure fair access to government contracts for small businesses
“Small businesses are the pillar of the national economy and this government is ensuring that they have fair and open access to government contracts.”To highlight the 30th anniversary of Small Business Week, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Honourable Lisa Raitt,...
China executes nine for ethnic riots
China has executed nine people for taking part in July's ethnic unrest in the western city of Ürümqi, according to a local state news agency.The official Xinhau news agency reported that the nine were the first of those convicted in the riots to be executed. It said the sentences were carried out with the approval of the...
Local community on Australian Sunshine Coast compromises with McDonald's
Residents of the suburb of Minyama, Australia have come to a compromise with restaurant chain McDonald's.A 24 hour store was planned for the suburb but the fast food giant backed down agreeing that the store will only open overnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Every other day it will be open from five in the morning to eleven...
Prospects for a space elevator rise
During a NASA competition, a group of researchers managed to create a robot, powered by a ground based laser, to climb a cable 1 kilometer high dangling from a helicopter.The contest winners will receive US$2 million for inventing a functioning robot which climbs to the set height in a reasonable amount of time.The competition...
Emergency declared in El Salvador after torrential rains
The president of El Salvador declared a national emergency in his country today, after torrential rains, flooding, and landslides inundated the area.Mauricio Funes said that the situation was "a tragedy", and that the amount of damage suffered by the country was "incalculable". "Today is a very sad day for the country and its...
Stimulus for Cotton Candy, Tango and a Fish Orchestra? Wacky, or Actually Worthy?
By Michael Grabell in ProPublicaBreakfast at Fuddruckers: $19.24. Snow cone and cotton candy machine: $146.89. Six extra preview performances of “Little House on the Prairie – the Musical”: $50,000. Benefit to the economy? According to the recipients of this stimulus money: Priceless.For example, what does a $31 purchase at...
Rossland Energy Survey Available Online
Many Rosslanders will have received an Rossland Energy Survey in their mailboxes this week from the City Energy Task Force. For those of you who do not receive junk mail, the survey is available online at www.visionstoaction.ca. The survey will provide the Energy Task Force with key information regarding Rossland's energy use...
