The Counterpoint | Today's top news

Top news stories for Fri May 24, 2013

Obama Tilts Tax Debate Away From Spending Cuts

(New York Times / Nov 29, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

President Obama surrounded himself with taxpayers on Wednesday to pitch his plan to preserve current rates for the middle class and raise them for the wealthy.
Mr. Obama says he wants a “balanced” approach to restoring the nation’s fiscal order.
Mr. Obama has embraced specific cuts to the federal budget in the past and has committed to an agreement with Congress that will include deep reductions in spending.

U.N. envoy: Political solution to Syria crisis 'necessary and still possible'

(CNN / Dec 10, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

The U.N.-Arab League point man on the Syrian crisis expressed confidence Sunday that a political resolution is possible.
The united military front follows the creation of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.
Another diplomatic focus has been trying to find a common international approach to Syria.

HSBC to Pay $1.92 Billion to Settle Charges of Money Laundering

( / Dec 11, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

State and federal authorities decided against indicting HSBC in a money-laundering case.
Criminal charges could jeopardize one of the world’s largest banks and ultimately destabilize the global financial system.
HSBC announced on Tuesday that it had agreed to a record $1.92 billion settlement with authorities.

Delta Buys 49 Percent Stake in Virgin Atlantic

( / Dec 11, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

Delta plans to form a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic, where the two airlines would share money from the flights operated under the partnership.
If the plan is approved, Delta and Virgin Atlantic would continue to fly between the U.S. and the U.K., as they do now. However, they would market the flights together and share the costs and profits.

Protesters organize around Capitol with Michigan on brink of right-to-work legislation

( / Dec 11, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

All eyes are on Michigan Tuesday as a historic showdown between Republican lawmakers and organized labor comes to fruition over right-to-work legislation.
Union members turned out early in the morning, dead set on protesting the controversial legislation, which is expected to pass through the Legislature later today, heading to a pen-ready Gov. Rick Snyder.
At 5 a.m. Tuesday, Michigan Laborers started to unload their supplies for the day. The union came prepared with tents and hand warmers to withstand the chilly 22-degree weather.

IMF loan to Egypt delayed amid political turmoil

( / Dec 11, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

A vital $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan to Egypt will be delayed until next month, its finance minister said on Tuesday, intensifying the political crisis gripping the Arab world's most populous nation.
As rival factions gathered in Cairo for a new round of demonstrations, Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said said the delay in the loan agreement was intended to allow time to explain a heavily criticised package of economic austerity measures to the Egyptian people.
The announcement came after President Mohamed Mursi on Monday backed down on planned tax increases, seen as key for the loan to go ahead. Opposition groups had greeted the tax package.

Ariz. Powerball Jackpot Winner Identified

( / Dec 11, 2012)

Discussions (0) | Related articles (0)

The second winner of the record $587.5 million Powerball jackpot has been identified as Matthew Good of Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Good, 37, chose to remain anonymous after he claimed the one-time payout of $192 million from the Nov. 28 drawing last week, but lottery winners in Arizona are a matter of public record.
Lottery officials say Good did exactly what someone who just won $192 million should: He hired a team of attorneys and financial advisors before disappearing from the public eye.

THE COUNTERPOINT