| Paper backs Clinton and McCain
Some pundits noted that the criticism could boost the campaign of Mr Giuliani, who has failed to finish higher than fourth in any primary election or caucus so far. For Mr Giuliani, Florida is everything. Despite spending more than 30 million dollars to date, and campaigning for in excess of 50 days in the state, he trails the frontrunners by 10 points in third place. But the man who led New York in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks insisted his campaign strategy, of effectively ignoring the first six states to vote and concentrating on the larger states such as Florida, was not a mistake. He said: "I think that it was politically correct to focus on Florida." Mr Giuliani said that the attack was "because I probably never did anything The New York Times suggested I do in eight years as mayor of New York City.
Wisconsin only state left without a budget
And while the budget is pending, lawmakers and the governor are free to shake the trees for campaign donations.
"All the things that contribute to gridlock, we have," said Todd Berry, president of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.As the two political parties become more polarized, it's harder for compromises to be reached, said Mike McCabe, director of the government watchdog group the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign."Instead of being pushed toward compromise, they're being pulled toward the extremes," McCabe said.Even though current spending is continuing during the impasse, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and others warn that not passing a budget soon will result in higher property taxes, cuts in health care services and a breakdown in public safety.Republicans are cheering the logjam.As they see it, not having a budget means none of the more than $1 billion in tax increases Democrats want will ever see the light of day.
Taxi fare-dodging tricks getting sneakier
But what is really making cabbies angry is the plethora of elaborate tricks pulled on them by passengers trying to dodge fares. Drivers increasingly have to be on the ball when what appear to be innocent young women or well-heeled gentlemen suddenly disappear from the cab into the night, leaving them out of pocket. The game is up for the driver the second they think a passenger is "all right." A 69-year-old Tokyo-based driver picked up a "young businessman" in front of JR Shinjuku Station at about 8 p.m. one evening last summer. On the way to the destination of Nakano, the man, who had a gentle manner and was well turned out in a good suit, struck up a conversation with the driver. The driver's mistake was to let his guard down.
What's $250K between acquaintances?
Mr Fraser was arrested over an incident near Port Macquarie on Boxing Day. Police allege he entered a property at Pappinbarra and argued with his alleged victim, George Grue, over stolen property. Mr Fraser then allegedly pulled a shortened .22-calibre rifle out of his backpack and fired at Mr Grue, missing him by just 50cm. Police allege Mr Fraser was reloading the weapon when Mr Grue charged at him. They allege Mr Fraser shot at Mr Grue for a second time, but missed again. He then allegedly reloaded for a third time but the gun jammed and he left the property. Police facts tendered in court claim Mr Grue and several of his friends did not report the incident immediately. Instead they waited on the property for two days before driving into a nearby town for groceries and other supplies. When Mr Grue drove back to the property, the tyres on his vehicle were punctured by home-made road spikes.
Nominated councillors interview Anu, Harjinder
It seems that the nine nominated councillors of the Municipal Corporation have taken it upon themselves to choose the next Mayor of the city. The nine nominated by the UT Administration to assist the MC general house to carry out different activities are taking their vote for the post of Mayor too seriously. They held interviews of the candidates for the post of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor today. The purpose of the interview was to assess the elected councillors of the MCC. Ex-Mayors Anu Chatrath and Harjinder Kaur, along with the rest of their panel, today had to give a brief account of their profile, agenda and party manifesto to all nine nominated councillors. The interview session, which was held at the residence of nominated councillor Dr Amrit Bolaria, was followed by lunch, but not for those interviewed.
Rules for student loans get tighter
Now the credit crisis is spilling over into college-student loans.
Sallie Mae, the nation's largest lender to college students, will no longer make private education loans to students who are higher credit risks, so-called subprime borrowers. Private student loans, which carry higher interest rates than federal loans, help bridge the gap between tuition costs and federal aid.
Sallie Mae's change will hurt for-profit education companies because they rely on students' access to private loans more than non-profit colleges and universities, student-loan experts said. On Tuesday, a number of education stocks, including Hoffman Estates-based Career Education Corp., experienced big sell-offs on fears that the schools could see a decline in enrollment.
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Video: Marching into battle to save their post office
Campaigners fighting to save the crucial community asset launched a Save Barnwell Post Office Campaign website to attract people to the petition.And only last week, 200 people marched from the three miles from Barnwell to Oundle to highlight just how far people will have to go to nearest post office and by their groceries.Campaign secretary Heather Hanlon, who sits on the parish council, said the reaction to the potential closure had been overwhelming.Mrs Hanlon added: "We are amazed as to how the community has taken to it. More than 300 people turned up to our first meeting and then 200 people showed up for the protest march."We were surprised they decided to close Barnwell Post Office because it's so busy, has fantastic opening hours and serves all the local businesses."Pam and Ron are a marvellous couple, the hours they work are absolutely astounding.
Bleak Economy Has Upside for Homeowners
Volatile markets, the subprime housing crisis, drops in retail sales and disappointing fourth-quarter earnings all paint an awfully bleak picture. But believe it or not, there is a bright side to the economic doom and gloom: Interest rates on home mortgages have fallen to near-record lows and homeowners are starting to take advantage of it. .
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