Monday, 5 August 2013

Don't get burned twice: Financial fraud and tax liabilities

Taxes

9 hours ago

Image: Bernice Tingle

CNBC

Bernice Tingle liquidated her IRA to invest with a scam artist.

Bay Area resident Bernice Tingle was always an overachiever when it came to saving money. She accumulated more than $1 million by the time she retired at age 45 in 1991. By 2003 she had her 94-year-old mother move in with her as she was her mother's chief caretaker. Being her mother's "long-term care plan," Tingle was concerned about rising health care costs and was looking for a way to make more money.

When she met Maurice Michael McCant in 2007, he presented himself as a successful CEO of Billionaire Catt Entertainment, a rap concert promotion business, and promised to deliver more than 25 percent returns by investing in his company. After seeing these high returns on initial investments, she decided to liquidate her entire individual retirement account and other savings totaling $1.3 million and invest with McCant. It was a disaster.

"For a little over a year, monies were coming in like they were supposed to and allowing me to sustain," Tingle told?CNBC's "American Greed." "Then it was cut off and then I was just left there."

In total, McCant scammed 15 investors like Tingle out of their money. His take?more than $2 million. In 2011, he was convicted of wire fraud and sent to prison for just under four years.

Tingle lost her savings to McCant's scam, but that was not all. Next, the IRS and the state of California's Franchise Tax Board demanded Tingle pay substantial tax penalties accrued because of cashing out her IRA, which McCant had promised to pay himself but of course he didn't.

Tingle feels like she was victimized twice: "Even if I live to be as old as my mother, I will never be able to meet that tax bill obligation," she said.

She is not alone in dealing with tax liabilities because of losses in financial scams.

According to the IRS, thousands of victims of financial scams and identity theft fraud every year deal with potential tax implications. These victims can claim a "casualty and theft loss" deduction on their tax return to offset some of the losses from the fraud, however, which is often decided "based on the case facts and circumstances" by the IRS or the state tax board.

Of the two federal and state tax bills that Tingle received, almost 85 percent of her federal tax liability was forgiven as it was considered a "theft loss."

"The state is not looking at it that way. So that bill continues to tick, tick, tick, tick, tick," Tingle said, referring to the Franchise Tax Board.

Tingle's request for deductions via an amended tax return to the board was recently declined. CNBC asked the board for an updated, but it refused to discuss individual tax matters.

Protections for Ponzi scheme victims

In the wake of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme at the end of 2008 when thousands of investors lost more than $60 billion, the IRS introduced guidance to relieve taxpayers suffering from losses because of financial fraud and Ponzi schemes.

"The provision to claim 'casualty and theft loss' deductions existed even before 2009, but the introduction of?IRS Rev. Ruling 2009-9 made the process and eligibility criterion easy to understand for everyone," said Carlos Guaman, a California-based accountant. He represents taxpayers in disputes with the IRS.

(Read more:?Beware of Bitcoin related Ponzi schemes, says SEC)

Specifically, this ruling serves as a guide to whether an individual's specific loss because of investments in fraudulent Ponzi schemes qualifies for a theft loss deduction for tax purposes or not.

Protect your identity

Identity theft and the resulting issuance of fraudulent tax refunds is also a?huge problem for the IRS as well as a burden on taxpayers.

For the 2010 tax year, $5 billion in tax refunds were issued by the IRS as a result of identity theft tax fraud according to a?report released by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. The report issued last year also estimates another $21 billion will be issued in potentially fraudulent tax refunds resulting from identity theft over the next five years.

(Read more:?American heroes: Fighting to protect their money)

Identity thieves may use your Social Security number to be paid by an employer or to file a fraudulent tax return for refunds like in the case of California resident Daniel Ramirez who has been a victim of identity theft.

At the end of 2011, Ramirez started receiving statements for maxed-out new store credit cards. On realizing that somebody has stolen his identity, he took the necessary steps of?informing the credit bureaus and?freezing his credit accounts temporarily. While most people stop there, Ramirez went beyond that and even filed an?Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039 with the IRS envisioning potential tax fraud issues.

Yet, when Ramirez tried to file his tax return online in April 2012, the system refused to accept it. "The person who had stolen my identity filed the taxes before I could and they were claiming a refund of like $10,000," Ramirez said.

But thanks to Ramirez's forward thinking and filing the identity theft affidavit, the IRS had flagged his account and stopped the refund from going to the identity thief. Even though it took a "number of follow-up calls to the IRS and a whole year to process," Ramirez eventually received his due refund earlier this year.

"It [identity theft] was one of the worst things ever; I wouldn't wish that on anybody," Ramirez recalled. "Dealing with the IRS, having to close fraud credit card accounts, cleaning all that mess up was very stressful."

(Read more:?Could Obamacare be boon for identity thieves?)

The IRS provided CNBC with data and other information, but a spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases.

If worried about being at risk of identity theft:

1. Contact the?IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490

2. Order a?tax account transcript from the IRS that verifies basic personal data along with details of your tax return filed, which may come in handy if you are checking to see whether someone else filed a fraudulent return on your behalf

The?Federal Trade Commission also lists several steps you must take if you have been a victim of identity theft.

This episode of "American Greed" airs Sunday, August 4 at 10p ET/PT on CNBC. Follow on Twitter?

@AmericanGreedTV.

?By Divya J. Verma, Special to CNBC.com.?Follow her on Twitter?

@divya_verma.

? 2013 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/663286/s/2f8b9e0d/sc/38/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Cbusiness0Cdont0Eget0Eburned0Etwice0Efinancial0Efraud0Etax0Eliabilities0E6C10A843138/story01.htm

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D'banj & Don Jazzy perform together at Dotun & Taiwo's wedding

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Source: www.modernghana.com --- Sunday, August 04, 2013
The former MoHit Record bosses performed three of their hit songs at Dbanjs sisters Wedding today. They performed Fall in Love, Endowed and my favorite, Suddenly. Dbanj called Don Jazzy to join him on stage and he obliged. Heard they gave a good performance.Dbanj and Don Jazzy Spotted together at Dbanjs younger sisters Wedding, Saturday ... ...

Source: http://www.modernghana.com/movie/23947/3/dbanj-don-jazzy-perform-together-at-dotun-taiwos-w.html

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Winnie Berry Humane Society offering $5 spay/neuters with PetSma ...

LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -

The Winnie Berry Humane Society is hoping to make a significant impact on the number of unwanted pets and lower the euthanasia numbers in Angelina county by offering $5 sterilizations thanks to a new grant.

For the first time ever in Angelina County, a sizeable grant from PetSmart Charities will shine a light on what the animal welfare community is doing to curb the growing unwanted pet population.

Winnie Berry Humane Society, Board of Directors Member, Reece Hubbard says, "We've gotten a grant from PetSmart Charities and it's basically to lower the unwanted pet population in parts of Angelina county and in Lufkin."

The grant allows for Winnie Berry Humane Society to offer $5 sterilizations to nearly 1,000 pets in the 75904 zip code in Lufkin.

"It gives us the opportunity to give a discounted spay/neuter program to the people in zip code 75904," said Hubbard. "In doing this, it actually lowers the euthanization numbers for the county."

The concept is fairly simple, the grant provides funds to sterilize 960 dogs and cats in geo-specific area.

"Every single animal that isn't spayed or neutered in that area to get them all done within a year," said Executive Director of Winnie Berry Humane Society, Paula Divello. "What that does is it wipes out the chance of unwanted pets being born in that area in a very short period of time so it has a direct effect on euthanasia numbers."

And judging by the number of people inundating the humane society to sign up for the $5 spay-neuter program, there is a lot of work to do. ?

But Director of Kurth Memorial Animal Shelter, Aaron Ramsey, says there's more to it.

"The critical piece to controlling the animal population is educating the public on the importance of spaying/neutering their animals so it's a team effort and all of us working together will definitely make a difference," said Ramsey.

Of course, the ultimate goal for any animal welfare caretakers is to reduce the pet euthanasia numbers, if not eliminate them all together.

"The end goal of any city who continuously tries things like trap-neuter-release, low-income or low-cost geo-targeted spays and neuters is to eventually become no-kill,"said Divello.

So what about if you don't live in zip code 75904, there are other low-cost programs available in the area.

The humane society also receives an annual grant from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation to fund the low-income program.

"The low-income program that we receive from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation is designed for those people who cannot afford to have a surgery and it covers Angelina county and the surrounding areas," said Divello. "If anybody makes $30,000 or less per year, it's $35-$55 for the surgery and we can also include the rabies shot."

This annual grant allows for about 760 low-cost spay neuters.

You can get more information about the $5 sterilizations and low-income spay-neuter program by calling the humane society at: 936-639-1880 or stop by the shelter located at: 1102 N. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, TX, 75904 during business hours.

Copyright 2013 KTRE. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.ktre.com/story/23042822/winnie-berry-humane-society-offering-5-spayneuters-with-petsmart-charities-grant

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Sneak peek! See some of our gorgeous real-bride models wear Watters wedding dres...

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Hollywood Celebs With Rock Star Dads!

Hollywood Celebs With Rock Star Dads!

Minka Kelly's dad is Rick BufayMany of today’s celebrities in music, movies, and television have parents that are rock legends. You may recognize some of these famous last names, while others will surprise you. Check out these famous people with rocker fathers! Minka Kelly Actress Minka Kelly’s father, Rick Dufay, is the former guitarist for Aerosmith in the early 80s. ...

Hollywood Celebs With Rock Star Dads! Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/08/hollywood-celebs-with-rock-star-dads/

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Sunday, 4 August 2013

Blackmagic drops Cinema Camera price to $1,995

Blackmagic drops Cinema Camera price to $1,995

Do you like the prospect of shooting 2.5K video with Blackmagic's Cinema Camera, but turn pale at spending $2,995 for the privilege? We have good news: Blackmagic just dropped the pro video camera's price to $1,995. While that isn't exactly impulse purchase territory, it's low enough to put the greater-than-HD shooter in the same price bracket as semi-pro DSLRs. Think of the discount as consolation for delays in launching the Production Camera 4K.

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Source: Blackmagic

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/04/blackmagic-drops-cinema-camera-price-to-1995/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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President - APA Search, Inc. - Major Midwest City

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Position: President Company:Our client is a ~50 year old, US-ba ...

Source: http://www.aftermarketjobs.veridean.com/Jobs/116256/President__APA_Search_Inc__Major_Midwest_City.aspx

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A Brief History of Tech Companies Talking to Women Like Total Assholes

A Brief History of Tech Companies Talking to Women Like Total Assholes

No matter how far technology might advance, there's always been one little area that the reigning powers-that-be have never quite managed to figure out. Or more specifically, an area they've never quite figured out how to talk to. Tech companies, meet women. And then stop treating them like idiots.

Read more...

Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-brief-history-of-tech-companies-talking-to-women-like-1004190846

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Unemployment for black workers down but still high

The job market appeared to get a little better in July for black Americans, among the hardest hit by high unemployment since the recession ended.

The unemployment rate for black workers declined last month by more than a full percentage point ? dropping from 13.7 percent in June to 12.6 percent. That's the lowest for that group since December 2008. And the rate fell because more people found jobs.

For black men 20 and older, unemployment dropped to 12.5 percent from 13 percent in June. Black adult women saw an even larger decline, to 10.5 percent from 12 percent in June.

Unemployment for black Americans is still among the highest for any single demographic group. And it is nearly double the rate of white workers, which stayed at 6.6 percent last month.

Here are some details from the government's report for various demographic groups:

Unemployment rates for:
(Numbers in percentages) July 2013 June 2013 July 2012
White: 6.6 6.6 7.4
Black: 12.6 13.7 14.1
Hispanic: 9.4 9.1 10.3
Asian*: 5.7 5.0 6.2
Adult men: 7.0 7.0 7.7
Adult women: 6.5 6.8 7.5
Teenagers: 23.7 24.0 23.9
20-24 years old: 12.6 13.5 13.5
25-54 years old: 6.4 6.4 7.2
55 and over: 5.0 5.3 6.1
Veterans of Iraq/Afghanistan*: 7.7 7.2 8.9
No high school diploma: 11.0 10.7 12.7
High school graduate: 7.6 7.6 8.6
Some college: 6.0 6.4 7.1
College graduates: 3.8 3.9 4.1
Duration of Unemployment
Average length (weeks): 36.6 35.6 38.8
Jobless 6 months or more (pct.): 37.0 36.7 40.6
* not seasonally adjusted
Source: Labor Department

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/unemployment-black-workers-down-still-185511756.html

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Saturday, 3 August 2013

Upstate NY hospital closes radiology school, partners with Vermont college

Staff The Business Review

Glens Falls Hospital has shut down its radiology school and teamed up with Southern Vermont College to train future radiologists.

The hospital closed the school to reduce costs. The decision also was driven by a growing demand to ensure that future radiologists have a four-year degree instead of two, according to a report by the Post-Star.

Glens Falls Hospital had operated a two-year certificate program for 62 years. The program trained 15 to 20 students. The hospital will continue offering clinical training under its new agreement with Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vt.

The Warren County hospital, which employs about 3,000 people, selected Dianne Shugrue as its new CEO in June.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vertical_37/~3/qqUmhh2kei4/upstate-ny-hospital-closes-radiology.html

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Japan stocks jump on earnings, weak yen, U.S. gain

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks rallied out of the Friday open, supported by a perfect storm of good earnings and sales results, a falling yen and strong overnight gains for U.S. shares. The Nikkei Stock Average /quotes/zigman/5986735 JP:NIK +1.78% rose 1.2% to 14,173.88 in early moves, with the broader Topix up 1.3%. Sony Corp. /quotes/zigman/197500 JP:6758 +0.57% /quotes/zigman/197524/quotes/nls/sne SNE +4.37% jumped 3% after sitting bid-only in the opening minutes, after the conglomerate swung from its year-earlier loss to a profit that included an almost six-fold rise in operating profit. Likewise, Sharp Corp. /quotes/zigman/197304 JP:6753 +1.95% /quotes/zigman/197313/quotes/nls/shcaf SHCAF +2.89% climbed 3.7% after significantly narrowing its quarterly net loss on the back of better display sales. The major brewers also saw some earnings-related advances, with Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. /quotes/zigman/191929 JP:2502 +4.76% /quotes/zigman/191935/quotes/nls/asbrf ASBRF -1.09% adding 3.3%, and Kirin Holdings Co. /quotes/zigman/194680 JP:2503 +1.00% /quotes/zigman/310060/quotes/nls/knbwy KNBWY +2.21% ahead by 2.7%. Strong U.S. auto sales for the Japanese car makers lifted the sector, with Nissan Motor Co. /quotes/zigman/196473 JP:7201 +2.50% /quotes/zigman/202910/quotes/nls/nsany NSANY +2.25% up 2.5%, Honda Motor Co. /quotes/zigman/193651 JP:7267 +1.80% /quotes/zigman/193599/quotes/nls/hmc HMC -0.51% adding 1.7%, and Toyota Motor Corp. /quotes/zigman/199438 JP:7203 +2.25% /quotes/zigman/199376/quotes/nls/tm TM +3.56% rising 1.8% ahead of its quarterly results due after the market close. The gains came despite weak domestic sales for the firm, with Honda's Japanese sales almost cut in half due to the lack of a new model for the market. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar's /quotes/zigman/4868099/sampled USDJPY -0.1656% rise back above the 99-yen level helped most exporters, with Renesas Electronics Corp. /quotes/zigman/326601 JP:6723 +3.32% /quotes/zigman/593649/quotes/nls/rnecy RNECY +3.67% zooming 5.1% higher, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. /quotes/zigman/195218 JP:7011 +2.55% /quotes/zigman/195227/quotes/nls/mhvyf MHVYF -15.28% adding 2.6%.

/quotes/zigman/5986735

JP : Nikkei Idx

Volume: 0.00

Aug. 2, 2013 1:03p

/quotes/zigman/197500

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 2,116.00

+12.00 +0.57%

Volume: 10.49M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:03p

Market Cap

?2092.77 billion

/quotes/zigman/197524/quotes/nls/sne

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 2.96M

Aug. 1, 2013 4:04p

/quotes/zigman/197304

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 20.04M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?480.15 billion

Rev. per Employee

?48.94M

/quotes/zigman/197313/quotes/nls/shcaf

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 200.00

Aug. 1, 2013 1:05p

Rev. per Employee

$590,280

/quotes/zigman/191929

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 2,643.00

+120.00 +4.76%

Volume: 1.46M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?1208.48 billion

Rev. per Employee

?89.60M

/quotes/zigman/191935/quotes/nls/asbrf

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 300.00

July 17, 2013 12:00a

/quotes/zigman/194680

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 1,511.00

+15.00 +1.00%

Volume: 2.67M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?1400.22 billion

Rev. per Employee

?53.57M

/quotes/zigman/310060/quotes/nls/knbwy

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 29,101

Aug. 1, 2013 3:51p

Rev. per Employee

$646,578

/quotes/zigman/196473

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 1,065.00

+26.00 +2.50%

Volume: 5.85M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?4642.77 billion

Rev. per Employee

?58.28M

/quotes/zigman/202910/quotes/nls/nsany

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 125,402

Aug. 1, 2013 3:57p

Rev. per Employee

$664,523

/quotes/zigman/193651

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 3,670.00

+65.00 +1.80%

Volume: 4.59M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:03p

Market Cap

?6575.49 billion

Rev. per Employee

?53.99M

/quotes/zigman/193599/quotes/nls/hmc

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 480,930

Aug. 1, 2013 4:07p

Rev. per Employee

$612,307

/quotes/zigman/199438

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 6,360.00

+140.00 +2.25%

Volume: 7.06M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?20584.55 billion

Rev. per Employee

?66.16M

/quotes/zigman/199376/quotes/nls/tm

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 621,945

Aug. 1, 2013 4:01p

Market Cap

$209.29 billion

Rev. per Employee

$798,550

/quotes/zigman/4868099/sampled

US : ICAP

Volume: 0.0000

Aug. 2, 2013 12:23a

/quotes/zigman/326601

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 430,200

Aug. 2, 2013 12:59p

Market Cap

?162.68 billion

Rev. per Employee

?23.22M

/quotes/zigman/593649/quotes/nls/rnecy

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 157.00

July 9, 2013 3:07p

/quotes/zigman/195218

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 14.61M

Aug. 2, 2013 1:02p

Market Cap

?1777.91 billion

Rev. per Employee

?42.75M

/quotes/zigman/195227/quotes/nls/mhvyf

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 200.00

July 30, 2013 9:30a

Source: http://feeds.marketwatch.com/~r/marketwatch/marketpulse/~3/y49p2NdPSZE/story.aspx

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Be Wary of High-Pressure Sales of Living Trusts Warns Golden ...

Created on 02 August 2013 Last Updated on 02 August 2013 Kathy Tatone

The Minnesota Attorney General warns senior citizens not to fall for claims of unscrupulous salespeople who instill and prey on seniors? financial fears in order to sell unwanted, unnecessary or unsuitable living trusts and annuities. Seniors should use caution with speaking with individuals trying to sell these products.

What is a living trust?

A living trust is an estate planning device created while you are alive. Property and other assets transferred into a living trust before a person?s death pass to another person without going through probate, the process by which a person?s property and assets are distributed according to his or her will.

What is an annuity?

An annuity is a contract that offers the promise of future payments in fixed or variable amounts in exchange for a current lump sum investment.

Living Trust Mills

?Living trust mills? target seniors and use high-pressure sales tactics to sell boilerplate living trusts, regardless of whether a living trust is appropriate for the senior?s circumstances. Some living trust mills use the financial information obtained from the senior to sell other investments, such as annuities, even if those products are not suitable investments for the senior.

Living trust mills often market their products through free seminars, in-home appointments, telephone, or mail. They typically employ high-pressure sales tactics and exaggerate the negative consequences of not buying the trust. These trusts usually consist of pre-packaged, boilerplate documents often of poor quality and are not customized to the needs of the senior. For example, living trust mills regularly tell seniors that they will save a significant amount of money in probate costs and fees by purchasing a living trust when, in fact, this may not be true.? In addition, they promote living trusts to get their foot in the door to sell annuities with high commissions.

Tips for Seniors

Be suspicious of ads for ?free? seminars and salespeople who call you on the telephone to sell you a living trust or legal plan.? Never provide financial information to someone you don?t know, whether by telephone, at a seminar, or someone who shows up on your doorstep.

If you would like an attorney to review your trust or answer your questions, contact Kathy Tatone at Your Family Guardian Law Firm in St. Louis Park, MN.? 612-710-2009.

Source: http://www.elderlawlawyermn.com/be-wary-of-high-pressure-sales-of-living-trusts-warns-golden-valley-estate-planning-lawyer-kathy-tatone/

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Friday, 2 August 2013

Lebanon: Middle East Airlines Tax Feud Sparks Revenge | Al ...

A few weeks ago a crisis erupted between the Lebanese Finance Ministry and Middle East Airlines (MEA), with the ministry demanding the company pay taxes owed to the state. MEA responded by refusing to issue or sell plane tickets to the government.

About five years ago, the Lebanese Department of Senior Taxpayers at the Imports Directorate conducted a routine audit of MEA?s tax file, revealing that MEA did not pay taxes due under Articles 41 and 42 of the Income Tax Act.

The news that we stopped issuing tickets to the Lebanese state is true. We had previously stopped issuing tickets to diplomats, but we [resumed selling tickets] even though the state does not reimburse the company for the cost of the tickets.According to the study?s summary, the company must pay taxes imposed on bank interest paid to foreign banks for the years 2005 and 2006, years which Lebanon had no agreement with certain countries to prevent double taxation.

During this period alone, the taxes incurred by MEA was estimated at LL1.2 billion ($794,000). After fines, the amount increases to LL2 billion ($1.3 million).

The taxes are not limited to bank interest, as the study suggests. The company also owes taxes on benefits paid to pilots and flight attendants outside of Lebanon, as well as taxes on chartering and leasing planes.

MEA?s tax file is not unique. Previously, the Port of Beirut was forced to pay past-due taxes under the relevant articles.

Yet in MEA?s case, some legal experts were perplexed by the Shura Council?s decision because the company?s tax exemption was for Title I taxes ? a tax on profits. As for Titles II and III taxes, ?These are taxes on interest and income that are not levied on the company itself, but the company has to withhold and collect them on behalf of the public treasury. These taxes have been levied since the ?70s and are paid by all other companies operating in the field of aviation, no company can be exempted from them, whether in the private sector or a sort of public company like MEA,? according to a source in the Finance Ministry.

?No one can be excused for ignorance of the law, especially people who work at a company like MEA, [since] they are well-informed and the company ? has been operating in the market for quite some time,? he added.

MEA management responded to its tax debacle by refusing to issue plane tickets to all state institutions. According to MEA Chairperson Mohamad al-Hout, the question of taxation ?will be addressed with the prime minister and the finance minister.? He continued, ?The news that we stopped issuing tickets to the Lebanese state is true. We had previously stopped issuing tickets to diplomats, but we [resumed selling tickets] at the request of the prime minister, even though the state does not reimburse the company for the cost of the tickets.?

On that note, Prime Minister Najib Mikati had issued a circular restricting the travel of state employees and officials to MEA. Mikati?s circular gave a huge market share to the company and granted it enormous profits, especially since a number of employees had complained about the airline?s exorbitant ticket prices, sometimes three times the rate offered to other customers.

This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.

Source: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-middle-east-airlines-tax-feud-sparks-revenge

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Will Connect To Whichever LTE Format You're In

Samsung Galaxy S4 Will Connect To Whichever LTE Format You're In

For world travelers with a need for LTE speed, Samsung's newest version of the Galaxy S4 might be the answer to your jet-setting prayers. When they arrive, the updated Galaxy S4 and S4 Mini will be the world's first handsets to automatically switch between the two different types of LTE networks used worldwide. While FDD-LTE is the standard in most of the world, TDD-LTE is becoming more popular in countries around the world.

Read more...

Source: http://gizmodo.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-will-connect-to-whichever-lte-format-977095712

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Israel's chief justice 'inclined' to issue injunction banning natural gas export

  • 9:03 PM

    Sirens wail, traffic stop in Warsaw to honor 1944 anti-Nazi uprising (AP)

  • 8:58 PM

    Italy's top court upheld a jail sentence against Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud (Reuters)

  • 7:56 PM

    White House is "extremely disappointed" Russia granted Snowden asylum (AP)

  • 7:33 PM

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    Chemical weapons investigators to head to Syria within days, UN says (Reuters)

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    AG instructs police to investigate former IDF Chief Gabi Ashkenazi over Harpaz affair (Haaretz)

  • 6:02 PM

    EU lawmakers urged to back passenger blacklist to thwart militants from traveling to Syria (Reuters)

  • 5:07 PM

    At least 22 killed in weapons depot blasts in Homs, Syria, opposition group says (AP)

  • 3:00 PM

    Snowden leaves Moscow airport, representative says (Reuters)

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    Report: Russian lawyer says Snowden received papers allowing him to leave Moscow airport (Reuters)

  • 2:55 PM

    Syria's Assad visits restive Damascus suburb to inspect troops on Army Day, state TV says (AP)

  • 2:41 PM

    Suspected U.S. drone kills 3 in Yemen (AP)

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    False alarm sounded in the southern Golan Heights (Haaretz)

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    Bangladesh court bars nation's largest Islamic party from participating in next elections (AP)

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    Bacon fries on pavement as heat wave grips China (AP)

  • Source: http://haaretz.feedsportal.com/c/34191/f/620531/s/2f6cd79d/sc/2/l/0L0Shaaretz0N0Cnews0Cnational0C0Bpremium0E10B539177/story01.htm

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    Chinese Video Game Lets Players Seize Japan-Controlled Islands

    A Chinese online game developer has released a military-backed video game that allows players to fight alongside Chinese troops in seizing disputed Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.

    The Glorious Mission Online game series is the first to be developed jointly by a Chinese company and the People's Liberation Army. Its release date coincides with the 86th anniversary of the PLA's founding.

    Shanghai-based game developer Giant Interactive Group said the new scenario's goal is to stage a virtual Chinese military assault on the disputed islands to send a message to Japan not to violate Chinese sovereignty. The uninhabited archipelago is called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.

    In a trailer for the game, a simulated version of China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, leads a naval bombardment as Chinese troops storm the main island and try to seize fictitious Japanese military posts.

    Giant Interactive said it wants to give online gamers the chance to play a first-person shooter game in which Chinese troops are on the good side, in contrast with popular Western games such as Call of Duty, in which American forces are the heroes.

    Last month, the Chinese military said it is using the game to train officers of the Nanjing Military Area Command, which covers the country's eastern coastal provinces. It said the release of the online edition is aimed at "encouraging aspiring young people to join the army."

    The dispute over sovereignty of the islands has escalated in the past year, straining relations between former wartime enemies Japan and China, the region's two biggest economies.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday his government is willing to shelve territorial disputes and carry out joint development in disputed waters, without mentioning any maritime area by name. But, he also insisted that China will not cede its claims of sovereignty.

    China increasingly has sent vessels and aircraft to patrol areas near the East China Sea islands in recent months, while Japan has stepped up its own patrols.

    Tokyo has administered the islands since 1895, except for a 27-year period after World War Two, when the U.S. military occupied them. China began pressing its claim of sovereignty in 1971, two years after a U.N. body said the archipelago's waters may contain large oil reserves.

    Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

    Source: http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-video-game-lets-players-seize-japancontrolled-islands/1715532.html

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    Thursday, 1 August 2013

    Orlando mayor pushes for CopDots after his car was burglarized

    ORLANDO, Fla. -

    Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer revealed his car was broken into on Wednesday night at a news conference to debut a new technology that will help combat property crimes.

    Dyer said at the news conference Thursday morning that CopDots was necessary to help battle burglaries but that there are other things residents can do to make sure they aren't victims of crime.

    ?Last night I left my car unlocked and I was a victim of burglary," Dyer said. "And I want to make sure that everybody learns from my mistake. So number one, don?t leave valuables in your car, fortunately I didn?t not do that but what I didn?t do is I didn?t lock my car. So make sure that you lock your car.?

    According to the Orlando police report, Dyer's black 2013 Ford Expedition was left unlocked. $1 in loose change was stolen, according to the report, but it's not clear if anything else was taken.

    CopDots, a high-tech adhesive that contains thousands of tiny dots with a unique and irremovable number on it, allows residents to mark their property.

    CopDots will provide OPD with 1,000 samples that will be used within the city at various Neighborhood watch and community events.

    Source: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/orlando-mayor-pushes-for-copdots-after-his-car-was-burglarized/-/1637132/21284970/-/13u5icu/-/index.html

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    Obama reassures Dems on health care, immigration

    President Barack Obama waves as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 31, 2013, to meet with the House Democratic Caucus. There's a new cadence to President Barack Obama's musings about Congress: Why can't House Republicans be more like their mates in the Senate? As Obama presses his economic agenda across the country, he's playing one chamber against the other, hoping Americans will hear his calls for compromise and conclude it's not his fault almost nothing is getting done in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

    President Barack Obama waves as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 31, 2013, to meet with the House Democratic Caucus. There's a new cadence to President Barack Obama's musings about Congress: Why can't House Republicans be more like their mates in the Senate? As Obama presses his economic agenda across the country, he's playing one chamber against the other, hoping Americans will hear his calls for compromise and conclude it's not his fault almost nothing is getting done in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

    President Barack Obama arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 31, 2013, to meet with the House Democratic Caucus. There's a new cadence to President Barack Obama's musings about Congress: Why can't House Republicans be more like their mates in the Senate? As Obama presses his economic agenda across the country, he's playing one chamber against the other, hoping Americans will hear his calls for compromise and conclude it's not his fault almost nothing is getting done in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

    President Barack Obama waves as he arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 31, 2013, to meet with the House Democratic Caucus. There's a new cadence to President Barack Obama's musings about Congress: Why can't House Republicans be more like their mates in the Senate? As Obama presses his economic agenda across the country, he's playing one chamber against the other, hoping Americans will hear his calls for compromise and conclude it's not his fault almost nothing is getting done in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

    House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md., left, answers a question as he walks to a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus and President Barack Obama on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 31, 2013. Obama?s trip to Capitol Hill, just days before Congress breaks Friday for a five-week summer recess, comes amid growing concerns among Democrats over the president?s stalled domestic agenda. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

    (AP) ? President Barack Obama sought Wednesday to reassure Democrats nervous about the impact of his health care law and the prospects for immigration legislation, telling them "You're on the right side of history."

    In the first of two closed-door meetings on Capitol Hill, Obama focused on financial gains as the economy emerges from the worst downturn since the Depression. He was warned about nominating former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers as chairman of the Federal Reserve and faced questions about his health care law. Some lawmakers complained that three years after its passage, the law still baffles many Americans.

    Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., told the president that tapping Summers to replace current Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would be a mistake.

    Obama defended Summers, saying he had been treated unfairly by the news media. The president insisted that he had not made a decision on his choice. Summers, a former Obama economic adviser, and Janet Yellen, the Fed's current vice chair, are among the leading candidates for the job.

    The first major rewrite of immigration laws in a generation and legislation to keep the government running without interruption are paramount issues for Democrats. So is the president's contentious health care law, with uninsured people able to start shopping for a health plan on Oct. 1.

    Provisions of the law that still confuse many Americans kick in on Jan. 1 although the administration announced earlier this month that it would delay a key requirement that employers with 50 or more workers offer affordable coverage, or face fines.

    Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., expressed concern about the health care law, mentioning that in her state there was not enough competition because only one company had entered into the health care exchange. Obama told Democrats that it was a problem in several states, but the administration was working to address the problem.

    "He was reminding us as we all go back to our districts in August that we are on the right side of these issues and the right side of history in terms of providing health care to Americans and to ultimately finding comprehensive immigration reform is the right thing for the country to do at this time," said Shea-Porter.

    "It was a real send-off to us, I think, as we went back to our districts that we are on the right side of history."

    Said Rep. John Yarmouth, D-Ky.: "I just think he was trying to bolster the courage of the group."

    Leaving the meeting, Obama said his message was about "jobs, middle class, growth."

    "It's really about a focus on growing the middle class in this county after a trend of not just recession but really a couple decades of really all of Americans working really hard and not making economic progress for themselves or their kids ... Whatever we do that has to be obviously at the top of our minds," Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., told reporters.

    House Democrats presented the president with a birthday cake; Obama turns 52 on Sunday. Later in the morning, the president huddled behind closed doors with Senate Democrats.

    The sessions come just days before lawmakers leave the capital for a six-week recess and the prospect of facing constituents back home at town halls at a time when polls show Congress being held in low regard.

    Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., said Democrats asked the president for his assistance in next year's midterm elections, traditionally a rough ride for the party controlling the White House.

    As Obama presses his economic agenda across the country, he's playing one chamber against the other in Congress, hoping Americans will hear his calls for compromise and conclude it's not his fault that little is getting done in Washington.

    Call it a congressional two-step: Praise Senate Republicans for modest displays of cooperation, then contrast them with House Republicans, whom Obama has started describing as stubborn saboteurs. It's a theme Obama has used repeatedly to bolster his argument that he's the one acting reasonably as he prepares for clashes this fall with Congress, whose relations with Obama have always been notoriously strained.

    "A growing number of Republican senators are trying to get things done," Obama said Tuesday as he unveiled a new fiscal proposal in Chattanooga, Tenn.

    Days earlier, Obama accused the House GOP of risking another financial crisis by issuing ultimatums over the debt ceiling and government funding.

    "We've seen a group of Republicans in the House, in particular, who suggest they wouldn't vote to pay the very bills that Congress has already racked up," Obama said. "That's not an economic plan. That's just being a deadbeat."

    Obama has reason to be cautiously optimistic about the Senate, which passed a far-reaching immigration overhaul Obama sorely sought with bipartisan support and struck a deal over Obama's nominees that has led to a flurry of confirmations after months of logjam. A number of prominent GOP senators have also criticized a Republican plan to threaten a government shutdown unless funding is cut off for Obama's health care law.

    But even in the Senate, there's skepticism about Obama's intentions. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said Obama's contrasting tone about the House and Senate amounts to a divide-and-conquer strategy that calls into question the White House's outreach.

    "These discussions have been going on for five years and no agreements have been reached yet," Sessions said. "It could be the president is playing the Senate like a fiddle."

    On most issues ? including pressing tax and spending matters ? Senate and House Republicans are unified in their opposition. There was no telling Republicans apart Tuesday, for instance, as they panned a corporate tax cut and jobs spending package the White House had portrayed as a concession to Republicans ? who oppose using tax revenue to support more spending.

    ____

    Associated Press writers Erica Werner and Henry C. Jackson contributed to this report.

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-07-31-Obama-Congress/id-2aa5cd86ca9748abb3f56cba871b8af4

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    Tourism Authority of Thailand issues update on oil spill on Ko Samet

    Approximately 50,000 litres of crude oil leaked from PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC)?s pipeline in the Gulf of Thailand around 20 km off the coast of Rayong on 27 July, 2013. The waves of the crude oil had reached Ko Samet, and washed up on Ao Phrao beach on the western coast of the island, on 29 July, 2013.

    PTTGC released their 7th ?situation update? report on 30 July estimating that 70 percent of the oil spill has been removed through the cooperation from various organisations; such as, the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Department, IRPC Plc., and Oil Spill Response Ltd.

    Some tourists have started to check out of their rooms on the affected western coast of Ko Samet, however, most tourists have just changed to the eastern side of the island which is clear from the oil spill and remains unspoilt.

    Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni said, ?The TAT had been monitoring the situation closely and working with the private and public sectors in order to prepare prompt assistance if needed.?

    Mr. Chuchart Oncharoen, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Rayong Office said, ?So far the island has only been slightly affected by the spill as the oil slick has reached only Ao Phrao and the other 14 bays of Samet Island remain intact. Very few bookings have been cancelled so far in the affected area.? Mr. Chuchart added about 70 percent of the oil slick in Ao Phrao has been removed. The spoiled area would be cleaned up in 3-7 days.

    Ms. Joanna Cooke, PR Manager for TAT London office commented ?We are impressed by the prompt action taken by assisting organisations who have made remarkable progress to clean up the spill. As long as weather conditions do not change drastically we hope that the beach will be cleaned up quickly (within a week) and tourism can resume as normal to that particular beach (Ao Phrao). We have not received any calls or emails from concerned tourists in the area but understand that head office is assisting locally on the ground. We have sent a situation update to our tour operator partners to minimise impact on sales to Thailand, luckily the oil spill has affected just one beach area on the whole island.?

    Q&As:

    1. What is the expected impact of the oil spill on tourists in Thailand?

    ? The oil spill area is only found on the western side of the island, Phrao Bay (Ao Phrao), whereas the other parts of the island are still ready to welcome tourists.

    ? The majority of tourists in Ko Samet are still spending their holiday as per normal on the eastern side of the island, which has had no effect from the current situation.

    ? Some of the tourists in Ao Phrao area agreed to move to the east part of the island that is safe from the oil spill, while very few of them decided to change their destinations to other parts of Thailand.

    2. What is the expected impact of the oil spill on the tourism industry in Ko Samet and Rayong Province?

    ? Fortunately, it is the low season of the island; however, it is too early to provide any estimates regarding changes in visitor numbers.

    ? TAT is, now, working closely with operators in the area in order to prepare prompt assistance in any needed cases.

    3. Ko Samet is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Thailand for beautiful beaches and scenery. Do you think that after the oil has been eradicated the environment including the beaches and sea will return to be the same as before?

    ? TAT believes that every related agency in the private and public sectors will make a top priority to get rid of the oil from the seawater and sand.

    ? Right now, the related agencies are doing everything possible to remove the oil and to clean the affected area. Fast progress has been made already.

    4. How long will it take to resolve the situation?

    ? TAT is closely monitoring the situation; however, the recovery will depend on various factors; such as, the currents of the sea and wind as well as rainstorms.

    ? Mr. Chuchart Oncharoen, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Rayong Office, said about 70 percent of the oil slick in Ao Phrao has been removed. The damaged area would be cleaned up in 3-7 days.

    5. So far, what is the TAT?s response to the situation?

    ? TAT is closely monitoring and working with operators in the area in order to prepare prompt assistance to tourists and tour operators. We are also working with tour operators in our market to provide situation updates.

    Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Eturbonews-TravelAndTourismIndustryNews/~3/SBdNJZs94pY/tourism-authority-thailand-issues-update-oil-spill-ko-samet

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