News on the Net

BMW announces 850 job losses at Mini car plant

The job losses will mean unemployment rates appear certain to top the two million mark within weeks.

Headless body in gutless press

- Mark Steyn Just asking, but are beheadings common in western New York? I used to spend a lot of time in that neck of the woods and I don't remember decapitation as a routine form of murder. Yet the killing of Aasiya Hassan seems to have elicited a very muted response.

Minnesota job losses hit men hardest

Men are bearing the brunt of job losses in this recession -- especially in Minnesota.

Despite trillions for economy, next job might mean less pay

Tania Jackson was earning a comfortable six-figure income at a local real estate development company before the gale-force winds of recession began blowing her way last month.

RBS Plans Up to 20,000 Job Cuts, Sales on 30 Billion-Pound Loss

Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, the biggest U.K. government-controlled bank, plans to cut as many as 20,000 jobs and pull out of several emerging markets as it announces losses of 30 billion pounds ($43.1 billion) next week, the Sunday Times reported, without saying where it got the information.

US army ‘wants more immigrants’

The United States army is to accept immigrants with temporary US visas, for the first time since the Vietnam war, according to the New York Times.

Orchard Park businessman charged in beheading of wife

Friends expressed shock on Friday that the founder of a Muslim TV channel — which he launched in order to counter violent images of Muslims — has been arrested in his wife’s brutal slaying.

German-Afghan gets life for ‘honour killing’

A German-Afghan man was sentenced to life in prison for the “honour killing” of his sister on Friday, creating mayhem in the court room as family members screamed, assaulted journalists and attempted suicide.

Thirsty Koala - A Firefighter Gives Koala A Drink (2009 Australian Bushfires)

This is rare, Koalas rarely drink, as they get enough moisture from the gum leaves. He drank three bottles of water. This little guy is fine, he has burned feet, but is doing well. This was in the height of the worst fires. Please DONATE to the ANIMAL WELFARE

UN surprised at female role in ‘modern slavery’

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Surprisingly, the perpetrators behind human trafficking around the world are often women, the U.N. reported Thursday.

The heart of the matter Northern moon shines

POLAR-COLD IN A BLIZZARD OF ICICLE STARS,

British Bishop Arrested for Photographing Kids on Roof

Neighbors called police after seeing Open Episcopal Church bishop Jonathan Blake's sons on the roof of the house in London.

Boy Offered Plea Deal in Double Murder, Could Avoid Jail

The St. Johns boy is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Feb. 19. Defense attorney Benjamin Brewer said his client still must accept the deal.

China military eyes global role: US intel chief

WASHINGTON (AFP) – China's military remains primarily focused on recapturing Taiwan but the country's naval and missile buildup portends a global role for the Asian giant, the head of US intelligence said.

5 found guilty of forcing women into prostitution in L.A.

A federal court jury on Wednesdayconvicted five people in connection with a plot to lure impoverished young women from Guatemala to the United States with the promise of legitimate jobs, only to then force them into prostitution to repay their supposed debts for being smuggled into the country.

Phoenix, kidnap-for-ransom capital

Reporting from Phoenix -- In broad daylight one January afternoon, on a street of ranch-style houses with kidney-shaped swimming pools, Juan Francisco Perez-Torres was kidnapped in front of his wife, daughter and three neighbors.

A sure hope in uncertain times

Depressing would be a profound understatement in describing the leading stories in todays newspapers. One headline reads "Bankruptcy rate soars 50%." Another announces "GM to cut 10,000 salaried jobs." A third says "Housing starts tumble."

Peugeot Citroen job cuts after losses

French car group PSA Peugeot Citroen says it expects to cut 11,000 jobs throughout the world in 2009 after reporting net losses of €343m in 2008.

Wal-Mart Cuts Jobs

BENTONVILLE -- Hundreds of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club corporate office workers lost their jobs Tuesday as the world's largest retailer restructures to cut costs in a dismal economy.

County cuts 27 workers, says state to blame

SAN DIEGO — County officials laid off 27 workers yesterday, blaming state officials for budget problems and redirecting political heat to Sacramento. “The problem is the state is not releasing funding to the county for programs,” said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price.