Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Indicted on Corruption Charges
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indicted on Sunday in a corruption scandal that forced his resignation last year, prosecutors announced Sunday. He stands accused of double billing for trips he made abroad already paid by other organizations, taking cash from an American businessman Morris Talansky for personal use, and granting personal favors on behalf of his former law partner’s clients, when he served as mayor of Jerusalem and in former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government. Read more
Cheney, Fox News and WaPo Team Up to Defend Torture
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—In a stunning display of hack journalism, Dick Cheney torture apologist extraordinaire, appeared on Fox News with Chris Wallace on Sunday to argue once again that torture worked and saved lives, a concept that Wallace snidely agreed with. Before Cheney’s appearance, a conveniently timed piece appeared in the Washington Post on Saturday based on numerous unnamed and anonymous former “intelligence officials” claiming that torture worked, providing Cheney with the necessary cover to advance his false claims. Read more
Barney Frank Endorses Bill Penned By Ron Paul, Fed Reserve May Be Audited
August 30, 2009
US (ChattahBox) – Barney Frank (D-Mass) has reportedly said at a town hall meeting that a bill introduced by Ron Paul (R-TX) (shown left) will be voted on in October, and that he, Frank, endorses it. The bill would allow for a mass audit of the Federal Reserve.
Democratic Party of Japan wins historic election in landslide
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — After a half-century of near single-party rule in Japan, the decade-old opposition, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has unseated the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). It’s only the second time the LDP has lost its grip on government since it was founded in 1955. Current Prime Minister Taro Aso resigned Sunday as LDP chief and DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama (photo left) will become the new Prime Minister.
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Relative Who Called 911 After Discovering Seven Family Members Dead Arrested
August 30, 2009
Georgia (ChattahBox) – Police are remaining tight lipped about the details of the seven who were found murdered in their mobile home on a historic plantation in Brunswick. While they have made an arrest, they are refusing to say if there is a connection.
Rupert Murdoch’s Son: BBC ‘Land Grab’ is ‘Chilling’
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—Recent comments made by James Murdoch, the son of Rupert Murdoch, global media mogul, billionaire and head of the far-reaching News Corporation and Fox News, are making headlines in the British press today. James Murdoch, who runs News Corp’s operations in Europe and Asia, hilariously said that the British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC had “chilling” future ambitions. Read more
GM Inks Deal With Chinese Carmaker to Make Trucks and Vans
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—U.S. carmaker GM, just emerging from bankruptcy, announced this week it plans to expand its operations in China, tapping into the growing Chinese market for trucks and minivans. Read more
Letters Between the British government and Libya Show Damning Oil-Lockerbie Connection
August 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — A new story tracing letters exchanged between the British government and Libya seem to prove access to oil was the impetus for a deal leading to the Lockerbie Bomber’s Freedom. The Times of London obtained ministerial letters sent two years ago by Jack Straw, the justice secretary, to Kenny MacAskill, the Scottish justice secretary, showing the British government had decided it was “in the overwhelming interests of the United Kingdom” to release the Lockerbie bomber. In a missive dated July 26, 2007, Straw said he preferred to leave convicted Lockerbie Bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi out of any such agreement. But the justice secretary allegedly dropped his attempt to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement after discussions between Libya and British Petroleum (BP) over a multi-billion dollar oil exploration deal became bogged down, the Times of London reported. Libya had refused to ratify the deal for six months. “The wider negotiations with the Libyans are reaching a critical stage and, in view of the overwhelming interests for the United Kingdom, I have agreed that in this instance the [prisoner transfer agreement] should be in the standard form and not mention any individual,” Straw wrote in a letter dated Dec. 19, 2007. Six weeks after the government allegedly reversed its position on the bomber, the BP deal magically went through. Read more
US Airways raising baggage fees and probably consumer hostility
August 29, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Any one remember those bygone years when flying used to be almost glamorous? Now it’s gotten to the point where one just tries to endure the security lines and the no smiles, no frills flying experience and hope for the best to get to one’s destination on time. And the airlines wonder why business is so bad? It’s not just the economy folks.
Anyway as part of the airline belt tightening trend (they tighten, we choke,) US Airways is bumping up its first and second checked bag fees by $5 apiece. It’s $5 cheaper if you do the check in online but your going to pay more either way, starting today for all flights leaving on or after Oct. 7.
US Airways and Continental are also matching a $50 second checked bag fee on its trans-Atlantic flights, a charge recently introduced by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Chart below shows all the new US Airways fees.
The carriers will exempt top-tier frequent fliers, first-class passengers, and active-duty military personnel from the fees.
Airlines cite volatile fuel costs and and falling demand due to the recession for these increasing fees but I think they may be overlooking the likely consumer backlash.
Chart: Via US AIrways
Jaycee Dugard’s First Words to Her Mother: ‘Hi Mom, I Have Babies’
August 29, 2009
(ChattahBox)—As more facts emerge to fill in the past 18 years of Jaycee Dugard’s life spent in captivity with a registered sex offender, additional questions arise adding to the mystery of her deplorable circumstances. Over the course of nearly two decades, Jaycee’s step-father says that his little girl who was snatched off the street when she was just 11-years-old, became to view her captor as more of a husband than a kidnapper. Read more