The current global financial and economic crisis once again confirms the fact that during economic upheavals the rich get richer and the poor become even more destitute. On Thursday, Forbes Magazine carried an updated list of the world’s wealthiest people. As of late 2009, the number of billionaires soared from 793 to 1,011 and their total fortunes from $2.4 trillion to $3.6 trillion. The number of Russian billionaires almost doubled, from 32 to 62. WRH permalink

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With the Economic Crisis, the Number of Billionaires has Soared

The point-man for European Parliament relations with Iraq accused on Thursday top Iraqi electoral commission figures of rigging the election at Iran’s behest. I understand that very high officials from the Iraqi Electoral Commission have been caugh Euro-MP accuses Iran of rigging Iraqi vote

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Euro-MP accuses Iran of rigging Iraqi vote

In an election-year appeal to voters frustrated with Washington, House Republicans promised Thursday not to stuff any of this year's spending bills with pet projects for their districts. The promise comes a day after House Democrats banned earmarks to for-profit companies, ending a practice that in many cases created a cozy “pay-to-play” culture involving lawmakers and businesses whose Washington lobbyists often use campaign donations to help assure access. Earmarks send taxpayer dollars to projects in lawmakers' districts outside the competitive process required for other federal spending… Original Article: Forum: News/Activism

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House GOP adopts earmark moratorium

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Greece is itself responsible for regaining the confidence of financial markets and emerge from its financial turmoil. The confidence of the markets in the € and in the Greek € will be restored only Greece must do its homework Merkel

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Greece must do its homework Merkel

OTTAWA, March 11 – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper adopted a more upbeat tone than usual when discussing the economy on Thursday, saying the nation was recovering with a growing sense of optimism. Harper who reiterated that unemployment wa Canada recovering with growing optimism says PM

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Canada recovering with growing optimism says PM

BRUSSELS, March 11 – European Union states failed to agree on Thursday on new rules to regulate managers of hedge funds, private equity and other alternative funds, an EU diplomat said. Ambassadors from the bloc’s 27 member states met to finalise EU states fail to reach deal on hedge funds-source

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EU states fail to reach deal on hedge funds-source

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has revised the country’s geothermal potential to 28,100 megawatts (MW) across 265 spots, up from 27,000 MW a decade ago.Head of the ministry’s geological agency Suchyar said Thursday that with 30 years of o Geothermal potential up to 28 100 MW

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Geothermal potential up to 28 100 MW

AstraZeneca is boosting its presence in emerging markets through its first branded generics supply deal, with India’s Torrent Pharmaceuticals, mirroring similar tie-ups by other Big Pharma groups. The Anglo-Swedish company said on Thursday that Tor Astra dives into branded generics

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Astra dives into branded generics

WELLINGTON, March 11 – New Zealand’s manufacturing sector remained in expansion for the sixth month in a row in February, a survey showed on Thursday, pointing to a brighter outlook for the economy. The Bank of New Zealand-Business NZ’s seasonally NZ manufacturing expands in February – PMI survey

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NZ manufacturing expands in February – PMI survey

UC Berkeley—where the idea of the March 4 Day of Action incubated last October—erupted into a riot of noise and colors Thursday afternoon, when more than 1,000 people marched from Sproul Plaza to Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland. Students, faculty, staff and workers protested the budget cuts, fee hikes and furloughs in public education, chanting slogans,

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More Than 1,000 March in Berkeley to Protest Budget Cuts

In a direct election-year challenge to US President Barack Obama on national security, lawmakers unveiled legislation Thursday requiring military interrogations and trials for suspected terrorists. The “Enemy Belligerent Interrogation, Detention, and Prosecution Act of 2010,” introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives, also says suspects should not be told they have a right to

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McCain, Lieberman team up to perpetuate military tribunals

NEW YORK (AP) – An imam has pleaded guilty to charges he lied to FBI agents investigating a foiled suicide bomb plot against New York City. Ahmad Afzali (AKH'-mahd ahf-ZAH'-lee) appeared Thursday afternoon in Brooklyn federal court. Authorities arrested Afzali last year during the investigation of admitted al-Qaida associate Najibullah Zazi (nah-jee-BOO'-lah ZAH'-zee). Zazi has pleaded guilty to plotting to use homemade bombs in a “martyrdom operation” against the subways. Original Article: Forum: News/Activism

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Imam pleads guilty in NYC terror case