Big Oil's big subsidies
Oil production is among the most heavily subsidized businesses, with tax breaks available at virtually every stage of the exploration and extraction process. BP, for example, was getting a tax deduction of $225,000 a day for renting the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.
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Prohibition's continued hold
In the Bible Belt, the fight over Prohibition goes on: One in nine counties in the U.S. still prohibits the sale of alcohol, but in Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas, dozens of “dry” counties have voted to go “wet” in recent years.
USA Today
Time out for the World Cup
Work in European and South American nations comes to a virtual standstill during World Cup games. The Netherlands sent all employees home at 1 p.m. so fans could watch its team play; Italian auto workers went on strike rather than miss a game; Brazil closes all offices and schools. All told, the Cup’s TV audience has totaled 26 billion viewers.
Associated Press
The value of a stiff scotch
Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, has dedicated 2 million barrels of whisky in Scotland to its employee pension fund. The whisky, valued at $645 million, will ensure that retirees get a check even if the company were to go bankrupt.
The New York Times
States raise billions in taxes and fees
States, which may not run deficits, have been busy enacting tax and fee hikes to balance budgets. Over the last two years, 36 states have raised $25 billion in new taxes and fees.
USNews.com
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August 30 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump's role reversal and King George III
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5 bullseye cartoons about the reasons for mass shootingsCartoons Artists take on gun worship, a price paid, and more
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Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US FedTalking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
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Will insurance cover damage in Boston?, and morefeature Companies that suffered property damage or lost income due to the Boston bombings may not get insurance payouts.
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A meagre session for Congress, and more
feature Congress has sent only 54 bills to President Obama so far this year, including 14 to rename post offices.
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The cost of Occupy Wall Street, and more
feature The movement has cost municipalities at least $13 million in police overtime and other services.
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A linguistic success for Occupy Wall Street, and more
feature
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The oil lobby's shared profession, and more
feature Three out of four lobbyists who represent oil and gas companies previously worked for the federal government.
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Landfills receive 30% less trash, and more
feature Due to the sputtering economy, landfills are getting up to 30 percent less trash.
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A “pole tax” for the adult-entertainment business?, and more
feature With the adult-entertainment business one of the few bright spots in the economy, states and municipalities are thinking of raising taxes on dirty magazines, sex toys, and strip clubs.