Rating actions.
This edition reflects all financial strength rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled in North America, as well as non-U.S, insurance companies, since this section last appeared in the June 2008 edition of Best's Review. See page 29 for...

Prime ministers and public administration.
"This morning I got a panicky message from Ottawa" --Allan Gotlieb (p. 423) Memoirs 1939-1993. By BRIAN MULRONEY. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart. 2007. Pp. xi, 1121, bibliographical references, index. My Years as Prime Minister. By JEAN CHRETIEN. Toronto: Albert Knopf Canada. 2007. Pp....

Sixth Pay Commission Report: Honey-coated peanuts?
Byline: T K Arun If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys this principle is well-established. When we are talking about government jobs, vested with various kinds of power to help or hinder the lives of ordinary citizens, there is an added twist: the monkeys you get might...

Public corruption.
I. INTRODUCTION II. BRIBERY AND ILLEGAL GRATUITY A. Elements of the Bribery and Illegal Gratuity Offenses 1. Thing of Value 2. Public Official or Witness 3. Official Act 4. Intent a. Bribery b. Illegal Gratuity B. Defenses 1. Entrapment 2. Due Process 3. Duress or Coercion 4. Other Defenses...

Palestinians in the West Bank & Gaza: poor & growing poorer.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a report issued by the Arab Monetary Fund in Abu Dhabi in January, the Arab League--which represents 22 Arab countries--cited Israel's refusal to transfer funds raised by taxes on Palestinians to the Palestinian Authority as a main cause of the growing impoverishment of the...

Foray into four-day.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Utah is experimenting with a four-day work week for one year to see if the state can save on energy costs. Thousands of government employees are working 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Officials hope that by turning off the lights, the heat and...

CALENDAR.
Byline: The Register-Guard Eugene TODAY Emerald People's Utility Board - Noon, EPUD headquarters, 33733 Seavey Loop Road. 744-7440. Cal Young Neighborhood Board - 5:30 p.m., Sheldon Community Center, 2445 Willakenzie Road. 345-3062. West University Neighbors Board - 7 p.m.,...

LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.
Byline: The Register-Guard Kesey Plaza incident is serious The lead story in The Register-Guard on the Fourth of July contains disturbing news about what has happened to our country. When we learn that agents are spying on a demonstration against pesticides, we have...

Administrator closes book on latest chapter of service.
Byline: Jim Esslinger WEBSTER - After five months of overseeing the daily operation of the town, Dennis A. Power spent the final few hours on the job tending to last-minute paperwork and saying goodbye to the friends he made during his brief tenure. Mr. Power,...

The right fit; Hib seejeersm enokiters adopting new mentods by utilizing technology.
Byline: Martin Luttrell When he was in his 20s, John J. O'Connell mailed off a cover letter and resume when he applied for his first finance job. A phone call and interview followed, then a job offer the following day. But in May, when the...