Monday, November 26, 2012
VAT May Have To Rise To 25% and Austerity till 2018, Warns IFS
Chancellor George Osborne may have to hike VAT to 25% as he continues his battle to restore Britain's economic health, analysts have suggested.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned struggling Britons could face yet more spending cuts and tax rises because of weaker economic growth and lower tax revenues.
If these problems are permanent, the Chancellor will need to plug a £23bn black hole if he is to meet his financial targets by 2018, according to the respected think tank.
Achieving this from tax hikes alone would be "roughly equivalent to increasing the main rate of VAT from 20% to 25%", the IFS said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016241/vat-may-have-to-rise-to-25-percent-warns-ifs
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned struggling Britons could face yet more spending cuts and tax rises because of weaker economic growth and lower tax revenues.
If these problems are permanent, the Chancellor will need to plug a £23bn black hole if he is to meet his financial targets by 2018, according to the respected think tank.
Achieving this from tax hikes alone would be "roughly equivalent to increasing the main rate of VAT from 20% to 25%", the IFS said.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016241/vat-may-have-to-rise-to-25-percent-warns-ifs
2.6 Magnitude Earthquake SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA - 26th November 2012
2.6
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 18:25:15 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:25:15 AM at epicenter
Location
37.583°N, 121.980°W
Depth
8 km (5.0 miles)
Region
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
Distances
4 km (3 miles) N (4°) from Fremont, CA
Deluged homeowners' fury at failure of £1.7m state-of-the-art defences which they celebrated with an 'end of flooding party'
Families in Kempsey, Worcestershire, had not taken action to protect their homes because they believed they were protected by the state of the art pumps - and had even staged a party to celebrate the installation.
In fact, the devastation was worse than it had ever been in floods before the system was installed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238532/UK-floods-wreak-havoc-houses-thought-protected-state-art-1-7million-flood-defences.html
Maria Santos Gorrostieta Murder: Mexico's fearless woman mayor who survived two drug gang assassination attempts is beaten to death and dumped by the roadside
Maria Santos Gorrostieta, who had already survived two assassination attempts, was driving the child to school at around 8.30am when she was ambushed by a car in the city of Morelia.
The 36-year-old was hauled from her vehicle and physically assaulted as horrified witnesses watched, according to newspaper El Universal.
They described how she begged for her child to be left alone and then appeared to get into her abductors’ car willingly.
The little girl was left wailing as her mother was driven away on Monday November 12.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238577/Maria-Santos-Gorrostieta-executed-surviving-assassination-attempts.html
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE - 26th November 2012
5.0
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 17:35:41 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 07:35:41 PM at epicenter
Location
36.581°N, 27.939°E
Depth
10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Region
DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE
Distances
31 km (19 miles) WNW (303°) from Rodhos, Dodecanese Islands, Greece
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake WESTERN XIZANG - 26th November 2012
4.0
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 16:36:53 UTC
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 12:36:53 AM at epicenter
Location
32.656°N, 88.298°E
Depth
35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program
Region
WESTERN XIZANG
Distances
176 km (109 miles) NW of Pubu, China
Supreme court revives challenge to Obama health law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday revived a challenge to President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms, allowing a Christian college to pursue litigation raising First Amendment objections to a law that the court mostly upheld in June.
Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, had challenged both the individual mandate, which required all people to obtain insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, and a separate mandate requiring large employers to provide coverage for workers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-usa-court-healthcare-idUSBRE8AP0NX20121126
Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, had challenged both the individual mandate, which required all people to obtain insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, and a separate mandate requiring large employers to provide coverage for workers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-usa-court-healthcare-idUSBRE8AP0NX20121126
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 26th November 2012
4.7
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 15:52:53 UTC
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 02:52:53 AM at epicenter
Location
19.133°S, 169.729°E
Depth
10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region
VANUATU
Distances
66 km (41 miles) NE (48°) from Isangel, Vanuatu
Outrage over 'tagged' Saudi women
When word started spreading last week that Saudi women -- already some of the most oppressed and restricted in the world -- were being monitored electronically as they left the country, activists were quick to express their outrage.
"It's very shameful," said Manal Al-Sharif, who became an icon of female empowerment in 2011 after defying the conservative kingdom's driving ban and encouraging other Saudi women to do the same.
Al-Sharif was one of the first prominent Saudis to start tweeting about the electronic monitoring issue -- describing the shock experienced by a couple she knew after the husband received a text message alerting him his wife had left Saudi Arabia, even though they were traveling out of the country together.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
"It's very shameful," said Manal Al-Sharif, who became an icon of female empowerment in 2011 after defying the conservative kingdom's driving ban and encouraging other Saudi women to do the same.
Al-Sharif was one of the first prominent Saudis to start tweeting about the electronic monitoring issue -- describing the shock experienced by a couple she knew after the husband received a text message alerting him his wife had left Saudi Arabia, even though they were traveling out of the country together.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
4.4 Magnitude Earthquake ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA - 26th November 2012
4.4
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 15:31:07 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:31:07 AM at epicenter
Location
51.555°N, 179.464°W
Depth
80.3 km (49.9 miles)
Region
ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
Distances
198 km (123 miles) W (260°) from Adak, AK
Euro zone to seek Greek aid deal without write-off
Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund began their third attempt in as many weeks to release emergency aid for Greece on Monday, with policymakers saying a write-down of Greek debt is off the table for now.
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras voiced confidence the ministers would finally reach a deal after Greece had fulfilled it's part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms.
"I'm certain we will find a mutually beneficial solution today," he said on arrival for what was set to be another marathon meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras voiced confidence the ministers would finally reach a deal after Greece had fulfilled it's part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms.
"I'm certain we will find a mutually beneficial solution today," he said on arrival for what was set to be another marathon meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
Second Fire At Bangladeshi Clothing Factory
The fire at the 11-storey building, housing three garment factories, in the suburb of Uttara sparked fresh scenes of panic as workers rushed to safety.
It caused widespread damage but there were no reports of deaths, with employees managing to escape to an adjacent building.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016614/second-fire-at-bangladeshi-clothing-factory
Torrential Rain Hits Northern England
There are just over 200 flood warnings in place across the country and nearly 300 less serious flood alerts, following a weekend of almost non-stop pouring rain left at least 800 homes swamped with water.
Parts of South West England were particularly badly hit, now people in the North East and North Wales are preparing for possible flooding.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016416/weather-northern-england-hit-by-flooding
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION - 26th November 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 12:38:10 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:38:10 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
29.898°N, 142.968°E
Depth
20.6 km (12.8 miles)
Region
IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Distances
320 km (198 miles) NNE of Chichi-shima, Japan
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF NICARAGUA - 26th November 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 12:27:52 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 06:27:52 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
12.041°N, 88.276°W
Depth
28.6 km (17.8 miles)
Region
NEAR THE COAST OF NICARAGUA
Distances
119 km (73 miles) SW of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua
4.8 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS - 26th November 2012
4.8
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:19:41 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:19:41 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
23.445°S, 179.752°W
Depth
483 km (300.1 miles)
Region
SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS
Distances
328 km (203 miles) SSW of Ndoi Island, Fiji
Euro zone, IMF to seek Greece deal, debt write-off main problem
Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund will seek to unfreeze the second bailout package for Greece on Monday, but they first need to agree if some of the official loans to Athens might eventually be forgiven to cut Greek debt.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-eurogroup-greece-idUSBRE8AP05820121126
Police Appeal After Girl, 11, Raped In Jubilee Park
The suspect is described as a black male with afro hair. He was wearing a dark grey top and black baggy jeans.
Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a brutal attack on an 11-year-old girl on her way home from school.
"We are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the Jubilee Park area between 4.15pm and 7.45pm on Friday evening, and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously or anyone following a girl in school uniform."
Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016384/police-appeal-after-girl-11-raped-in-park
Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a brutal attack on an 11-year-old girl on her way home from school.
"We are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the Jubilee Park area between 4.15pm and 7.45pm on Friday evening, and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously or anyone following a girl in school uniform."
Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016384/police-appeal-after-girl-11-raped-in-park
South Africa Farm Robbery: Briton Killed
A British man who went to South Africa to run a nature reserve has been killed in a robbery at his farm, police say.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016497/brit-killed-in-south-africa-farm-robbery
http://news.sky.com/story/1016497/brit-killed-in-south-africa-farm-robbery
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake FIJI REGION - 26th November 2012
4.5
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 07:58:24 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 07:58:24 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
20.804°S, 179.171°W
Depth
607.8 km (377.7 miles)
Region
FIJI REGION
Distances
51 km (31 miles) WSW of Ndoi Island, Fiji
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION - 26th November 2012
5.1
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 07:23:38 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 03:23:38 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
10.446°N, 126.789°E
Depth
42.8 km (26.6 miles)
Region
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION
Distances
91 km (56 miles) ENE of San Isidro, Philippines
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN - 26th November 2012
4.6
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:49:14 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 02:49:14 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
33.250°N, 141.937°E
Depth
17.3 km (10.8 miles)
Region
OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Distances
200 km (124 miles) E of Hachijo-jima, Japan
5.5 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN XINJIANG, CHINA - 26th November 2012
5.5
Date-Time
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:33:50 UTC
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 01:33:50 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
40.419°N, 90.374°E
Depth
19.9 km (12.4 miles)
Region
SOUTHERN XINJIANG, CHINA
Distances
296 km (183 miles) SSE of Turpan, China
Police admit they DID miss Google search for 'foolproof suffocation' made on computer in Casey Anthony's house on day daughter Caylee was last seen alive
Police who investigated the disappearance of Casey Anthony's two-year-old daughter admitted today that they overlooked a Google search for 'fool-proof' suffocation on the day the girl was last seen alive.
Captain Angelo Nieves said on Sunday that his office's computer investigator missed the June 16, 2008 Internet search.
It is not known who performed the search but it was allegedly done with a browser primarily used by the two-year-old's mother, Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of the girl's murder in 2011.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238366/Casey-Anthony-trial-How-investigators-bungled-evidence-convicted-Casey.html
Captain Angelo Nieves said on Sunday that his office's computer investigator missed the June 16, 2008 Internet search.
It is not known who performed the search but it was allegedly done with a browser primarily used by the two-year-old's mother, Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of the girl's murder in 2011.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238366/Casey-Anthony-trial-How-investigators-bungled-evidence-convicted-Casey.html
Too ill to stand trial for fraud. . . but disgraced former MP Margaret Moran is spotted at the pub FIVE DAYS after missing court date because she was 'too depressed'
The ex-Labour MP was seen drinking at a pub in West End, Southampton, with her husband Michael Booker (above) only five days after she was deemed too depressed to defend herself in court. She did not have to appear at Southwark Crown Court on November 13 nor enter a plea to the 15 charges of false accounting and six of using false information after a judge ruled her 'severe depressive disorder' meant she was unable to defend herself. She was seen leaving Westminster Magistrates Court in September 2011 (right) looking bowed and weeping openly.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238372/Disgraced-MP-Margaret-Moran-spotted-pub--despite-ill-stand-trial-fraud.html
Victims of the thought police: Snatched foster children are 'traumatised' say loving couple branded racist for supporting UKIP
The couple appealed for the return of the foster children they love who call them 'mum and dad'. The three Eastern European youngsters were taken away after social services discovered the couple were members of UKIP. Council chiefs at Labour-controlled Rotherham are due to review findings of an internal inquiry into the handling of the case today.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238379/Victims-thought-police-Snatched-foster-children-traumatised-say-loving-couple-branded-racist-supporting-UKIP.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2238379/Victims-thought-police-Snatched-foster-children-traumatised-say-loving-couple-branded-racist-supporting-UKIP.html
Israel successfully tests missile defense system
Israel successfully tested its newest missile defense system Sunday, the military said, a step toward making the third leg of what Israel calls its ‘‘multilayer missile defense’’ operational.
The ‘‘David’s Sling’’ system is designed to stop mid-range missiles. It successfully passed its test, shooting down its first missile in a drill Sunday in southern Israel, the military said.
The system is designed to intercept projectiles with ranges of up to 300 kilometers (180 miles).
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2012/11/25/israel-successfully-tests-missile-defense-system/2COgcNfBsek0chvFbRZQtM/story.html
The ‘‘David’s Sling’’ system is designed to stop mid-range missiles. It successfully passed its test, shooting down its first missile in a drill Sunday in southern Israel, the military said.
The system is designed to intercept projectiles with ranges of up to 300 kilometers (180 miles).
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2012/11/25/israel-successfully-tests-missile-defense-system/2COgcNfBsek0chvFbRZQtM/story.html
'Austerity Era Could Last Up To Eight Years'
A key financial target of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement next week may have to be abandoned, according to a leading think tank.The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said that the target that debt should be falling in the 2015-16 tax year may be too difficult to achieve.
The IFS added that George Osborne may even be forced to announce yet more spending cuts or tax increases for the next Parliament in order to meet his other fiscal targets.
http://news.sky.com/story/1016241/austerity-era-could-last-up-to-eight-years
