| Protests rumble as hauliers balk at soaring fuel costs
Prices have gone up 50 per cent since 2003 and not very many are making an adequate return. People out there really are very angry. Some are on the breadline." Full blockades of fuel terminals by drivers would be illegal, but Mr Flanders said that drivers were "older and wiser" than they were seven years ago. Then, the Government put pressure on the unions to help to end the protests, which some described as a bosses’ strike because so many of the hauliers ran their own businesses. But the hauliers also made clear that they would consider all options. Jack Semple, head of policy for the national Road Haulage Association, said that hauliers were "frustrated" by the high prices and by the higher duty rates in Britain compared with other European countries. He said: "We are looking towards the Government for help in terms of an equal duty playing field with Europe to achieve price stability." .
The Breakdown of Wall Street Alchemy
The investments at issue are so-called auction-rate securities, instruments at the center of the latest squeeze in the credit markets. Goldman, Lehman, Merrill Lynch and other banks have been telling investors the market for these securities is frozen -- and so is their cash. The banks typically pitch these securities to corporations and wealthy individuals as safe alternatives to cash... The bonds are, in fact, long-term securities. But the banks hold weekly or monthly auctions to set the interest rates and give holders the option of selling the securities. Only this week almost 1,000 of these auctions failed. The banks also refused to support the auctions, leaving many investors wondering when they will get their money back. 'Investors have lost confidence in the liquidity of these instruments,' said G.
Wecht trial continues; Vegas tape introduced
For the first time during his two week trial, the jury got to hear from the defendant himself. Former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht didn't take the stand, but his defense attorneys played a videotaped portion of a Las Vegas show he and two other nationally known forensic scientists put on nearly four years ago. In "The Three Sleuths," performed April 17, 2004, at the Rio Hotel, Dr. Wecht lectured in his typical high-energy style on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and his notion that the "Single Bullet Theory" is fiction. In a performance that allowed him to embrace his quick wit and unbridled intellectualism, Dr. Wecht traced through President Kennedy's assassination and spoke about his belief that the autopsy was botched from the very beginning by the selection of two pathologists at Bethesda Naval Hospital who had never done a gunshot wound autopsy.
Revealed: the £160m income of top private schools
Under new rules, charities must be able to demonstrate they have a charitable aim and benefit the public, while OSCR also checks on what proportion of money a charity uses to pay for administration and other costs. Although the intention was to clamp down on bogus charities, private schools were drawn into the review because, as providers of education, they enjoy the benefits of being a charity - worth more than £4m to the sector every year. There had been speculation some schools might lose charitable status because of high fees and selection of pupils by ability. However, OSCR ruled last summer, after the first round of the review, that the High School of Dundee does qualify for charitable status. Jane Ryder, OSCR's chief executive, had stressed the decision was on an individual basis, adding, "it should not be assumed this establishes definitive benchmarks for the independent school sector".
Qwest CEO plans to fill firm's wireless 'hole'
But he said that the Denver telco also has "holes" in its business, most notably in its wireless offering. He said recently that Qwest is looking for a new partner or a stronger partnership with Sprint. On Monday, he said he wants to do it "fast." Mueller, who replaced Dick Notebaert last summer, added only a few new details to a strategy outlined late last year. Instead, much of the event was geared toward face-to-face contact with the analysts, who hold great sway with investors. At a lunch before the meeting, Mueller worked the room, individually greeting his guests. "They've framed it as his coming-out party, and I think that's what it is," said Jason Armstrong, a telecommunications analyst with Goldman Sachs. Qwest shares increased 6 percent to $5.60 on Monday, but are still well below the $10 level before Notebaert announced plans last June to retire.
Economic worry leads some to cut back on small pleasures
Jason Jepson works for a chi-chi yacht dealer in Newport Beach, Calif., but he is so worried about the economy he stopped buying $1.79 PowerBars at his gym. Richmond, Va., legal secretary Angela Harris is passing up her beloved $3.46 Iced Mocha Latte at Starbucks. .
Judge spares Rolo; sentence gives dog's owner short leash
Rolo's owner, Laura Hagan, above left, celebrates after a judge issued a sentence that requires her to meet many conditions but spares the German shepherd's life and allows her to keep him. Rolo's trainer said the dog and owner have been making progress. ( Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post ) .
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