Top Stories
Network's New Owner
An Arab news agency will be broadcasting in America. Al Jazeera bought Current TV from former Vice President Al Gore. Al Jazeera says they are a legitimate news agency, not tied to propaganda for the Middle East. Al Jazeera plans to use the channel for news. Distribution will be challenging. Some major satellite networks have said they will not carry Al Jazeera programming.
Immigrant's Family
President Obama has moved quickly on his promise to tackle immigration. A new rule issued Wednesday will mean an easier path to permanent residency for illegal immigrants who have immediate relatives that are American citizens. Some estimates say that could affect as many as 1 million of the 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. Even those who are on board with the spirit of the move are expressing concern that it was passed through executive order, bypassing the checks and balances of Congress.
House Speaker
In spite of criticism from both his right and his left, Ohio Congressman John Boehner was successfully voted in for his second term as Speaker of the House yesterday. That officially begins the 113th Congress, which has a pretty lengthy to do list, mostly because of a $16.4 trillion national debt.
Health
Apnea Heart
We hear all the time about how sleep apnea may be putting more people at risk for heart problems. An interesting new study out of Israel suggests that some heart attack patients may actually benefit from sleep apnea. What they’ve found is that apnea can boost the numbers of certain types of rare cells which help to repair and build blood vessels. What they don’t know is why, but there’s at least the hope of better treatment for heart patients on the way.
Asleep at the Wheel
It may be more likely on Monday morning than Friday, but be honest, have you ever nodded off at the wheel? A new survey says 1 in 24 Americans says they have. The CDC thinks the number is a lot higher because a lot of people don’t remember doing it. A look inside the numbers shows men are more likely than women to fall asleep. It’s most common among 25-34 year olds; and Texas has the most drowsy drivers.
Finances
"Fiscal Cliff" Deal
Details about the “fiscal cliff” avoidance deal are slowly making their way to the forefront. Considering the document is 154 pages, it’s not likely Senators read it before passing it. CNSNews.Com says the vote was placed three minutes after receiving it. The bill extends the Bush Era tax cuts for those who make less than 400 thousand dollars a year and couples who make less than 450 thousand.The bill includes several provisions that are unrelated to the fiscal cliff.
Work
Unemployment Update
New unemployment benefit claims are up. That’s a little surprising considering these numbers would have come out before seasonal workers would be filing. The number of people receiving long term unemployment benefits has dropped. It’s possible that the number is down because many have exhausted their benefits. With that said, the number is still lower than the same time frame the previous year.
Salary Advice
If you’re looking for more pay or a better position at the office in the New Year, you’re better off staying put than job hopping. According to CEB, an executive advisory firm, organizations are putting more emphasis on promoting long-tenured workers instead of looking to the outside to fill positions. If you want that to be you, some of the advice they have is to be flexible, stay current on stuff that’s happening in your industry, and make friends with the IT guy.
Job Stress
Most of us have at least some stress at work, present company excluded of course. But some jobs are worse than others. CareerCast is out with their list of the Most Stressful Jobs of 2013. They used 11 criteria including everything from physical danger to job growth and how much you work in the public eye. Topping their list is Enlisted Military Personnel, not just because of being on the front lines but the long stretches away from their families. In the Top 5: firefighter, commercial airline pilot and PR Executive. The Least Stressful Job? University Professor.
|