| In Ban's UN, Questions of Kim, Waiting on Migiro, Dodging LRA Juba ...
UNITED NATIONS, March 21 -- Two little-seen titans in the new UN had a presence on Wednesday, while little presence became smaller still. Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migiro, walking through the hallway by the Security Council, was asked by Inner City Press when she will hold her long-promised press conference. Soon, she said. Sources say Ms. Migiro was angry at an article in the Malaysian press characterizing her as a lightweight, and vowed at that time to meet these charges head-on. The time is nigh. Meanwhile though not observed, for once mention was made in the UN's noon briefing of Ban Ki-moon's new deputy chief of staff, Kim Won-soo, whom the New York Times of February 28 tactfully described as "a Korean associate regarded at the United Nations as Mr.
Abate v. ICM, Day Two: Laying Out the Timeline
If there's one thing yesterday's proceedings in Judge Peter Leisure's courtroom demonstrated, it's the extreme disconnect between legal relevance and true-blue drama. From a legal standpoint, all the preliminary injunction hearing (which wrapped up by 4 PM yesterday) accomplished was to show whether there was enough standing to hold Richard Abate to the terms of his ICM contract until the last day of 2007, or whether ICM's contract, forbidding Abate to even discuss options with Endeavor, was anticompetitive according to New York law. That will be decided fairly quickly - likely within the week - as Leisure, testier and more impatient than he'd been on Thursday, remarked once more that he'd "never seen such a delay on proceedings for a preliminary injunction" as well as the scuttled TRO. From a contractual standpoint, either Abate left - thus violating his existing contract - or he was fired in passive-aggressive fashion because turning down a new offer imperiled his future and so he needed backup in case that happened.
Spitzer To Seek Tuition Credit on the Rebound
Governor Spitzer is aiming to rebound after a grueling budget battle, with plans under way to consolidate local government, to announce a commission on public higher education, and to push legislation including his proposed $1,000 private school tuition tax deduction that was excluded from the final budget. The Spitzer administration is looking forward to resuming the governor's role as unfettered state executive after spending time as one man in a crowded negotiating room with a deadline hanging over his head. The passage of the budget gives the administration some breathing room to allow newly staffed agencies to carry out policy directives that were put on hold during the months-long budget process, which ended during the weekend. "Immediately, the staff is going to begin advancing an agenda that has been partially consumed by budget negotiations," a spokeswoman for the governor, Christine Anderson, said.
The Kransky Sisters: Heard It On The Wireless
Fresh off the ship in their packed up Morris, after a sell-out season at Edinburgh Festival, The Kransky Sisters set off again with their hit show, Heard It On The Wireless. Venturing far from the intensely private world of their old family home in Esk rural Queensland, these endearing sisters bring to you their darkly funny stories from across the countryside, coupled with uniquely homespun versions of popular tunes heard on the old wireless that provides their nightly entertainment. Covering songs from The Eurythmics and Talking Heads, to ACDC and Steppenwolf, the combination of their strange behavior, blinkered outlooks, superbly droll comic dialogue, and alluring downright hilarious brand of tune, all makes for a highly entertaining brew. Winners of The Bank Of Scotland Herald Angel Award, The Melbourne Age Critic’s Award, Green Room award for Best Cabaret Ensemble, Barry Award Nomination and the prestigious Australian Entertainment Mo Award, The Kransky Sisters are written by leading Australian cabaret performers Christine Johnston and Annie Lee, who combine their eclectic comedic talents and musical expertise to create this disturbingly believable trio.
Hotel-motel occupancy tax hike revived
A proposal to raise Broome County's hotel-motel occupancy tax from its current 3 percent to 5 percent is unofficially on the table again. The proposal is already generating opposition from a local businessman and the region's hotel-motel association. The Greater Binghamton Coalition announced Monday during an editorial board meeting at the Press & Sun-Bulletin that it will ask the county legislature to introduce legislation to raise the tax. The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, also at the editorial meeting Monday, said it supports the proposal. The money -- an additional $500,000 annually -- would serve as a funding source to support Greater Binghamton marketing efforts, with 25 percent to 30 percent going toward brownfield redevelopment initiatives in the region, said Jim DiMascio, the coalition's executive director.
Beaverdale remains voice in Rice talks
Here's what Register readers have to say about this story so far. The following excerpts are in response to a story Tuesday about the City Council's approval of the development plan. You can see more reader comments at DesMoinesRegister.com.
"Let's hope that last night's outcry from the community at least heightens Rice School Development Partners' sensitivity to the residents' desire for a development characteristic of Beaverdale. Right now, there are no restrictions on the development for brick construction materials, or other important construction details. I truly hope the developers offer residents an olive branch, and make this property the best it can be. It will likely be around, long after the Boesens are gone."
- lostthegreen
"We (DSM residents) all 'profit' when development takes place within the city limits that helps to offer options to people that might otherwise choose to live in the 'burbs."
- capitalcityguy
"This entire fiasco defines what is wrong with Des Moines.
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