A 146 square metre home in Wasatch County built in 1978 was recorded on 2019 tax rolls with a market rate value of more than $US987 million ($1.44 billion). In reality, the value should have only been a modest $US302,000 ($441,000). The Wasatch County assessor says the error occurred when a staff member may have dropped their phone on their keyboard. It caused a countywide overvaluation of more than $US6 million ($8.8 million) and a deficit in five various county taxing areas — including the Wasatch County School District — which was unable to collect the nearly $US4.4 million ($6.4 million) already budgeted, the Deseret News reported this week. “Teacher and staff salaries will not be impacted this year,” said spokesman John Moss. “However, some of the capital projects that were scheduled or proposed will need to be cancelled or postponed due to lack of funds.” County Manager Mike Davis told the outlet the shortfall was due to the mistake is more … [Read more...] about ‘Dear God, help us all’: Utah taxpayers stung after home valued at $1.4 billion in ‘horrific’ typo
Owes 7 billion in taxes
7,000 Railway Stations in India to Become Solar Powered
Currently, 300 stations have been equipped with rooftop solar panels, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who spoke at the presentation of the national budget on February 1. By the time the conversion is complete, 98 percent of India's train stations will be solar powered. To make the initiative a reality, Indian Railways (the state corporation that operates India's trains and rail lines) will be signing power-purchase agreements with the private companies constructing the solar panels. To pay for these solar platforms, as well as other renewable energy sources, India has collected $1.8 billion in taxes on coal. The tax applies to both coal mined in India and imported from elsewhere. © Photo : PixabayThe Sun King: China Becomes World’s Largest Solar Energy Producer The revenue from the tax has also gone to efforts to clean drinking water and the conservation of India's … [Read more...] about 7,000 Railway Stations in India to Become Solar Powered
‘He just shot through the door!’ Airman, 27, struck by bullets during Pensacola Naval base attack relives harrowing moment he jumped in front of a female colleague to protect her as Saudi gunman opened fire
An airman who was shot and injured after a Saudi military student opened fire at Navy Station Pensacola on Friday is speaking out about the harrowing experience for the first time. Ryan Blackwell, 27, who remains in intensive care after being shot in his pelvis and his right arm, was one of the eight people wounded in the attack carried out by Mohammed al-Shamrani. Speaking with Pensacola News Journal on Saturday, Blackwell revealed that he was inside his office on the first floor along with two colleagues when they heard gunfire break out in a nearby classroom. Blackwell, who processes paperwork for international students at the base, said the group quickly shut their glass door and took cover, hoping that the gunman wouldn't come inside. However, al-Shamrani 'shot straight through the door', with bullets striking Blackwell and both his colleagues. Blackwell was struckas he tried to shield his female colleague from the gunfire. His intestines … [Read more...] about ‘He just shot through the door!’ Airman, 27, struck by bullets during Pensacola Naval base attack relives harrowing moment he jumped in front of a female colleague to protect her as Saudi gunman opened fire
Why Scott Gottlieb, the new US FDA chief, could be good news for Indian drug makers
US President Donald Trump on Saturday hand-picked Scott Gottlieb to lead US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) – the regulatory agency that approves every food and drug products marketed in America.The appointment is still to be confirmed by the US Senate.Gottlieb, 44, served in several senior positions at the US FDA during the George W Bush administration. He was trained as a physician and is known as a conservative health policy expert with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry.Gottlieb is also a partner at New Enterprise Associates, a large US-based venture capital firm. The firm’s investments include life-sciences companies. In addition to his service on several pharmaceutical companies’ boards, Gottlieb is a consultant for London-based pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.Close Gottlieb's proposed appointment as US FDA commissioner assumes significance given the Trump’s promise of reducing regulation at US FDA as one of his key priorities to make … [Read more...] about Why Scott Gottlieb, the new US FDA chief, could be good news for Indian drug makers
Mexico leaders’ pledges fall short as graft remains ‘heart of the political system’
It was billed as an unprecedented weapon against Mexico’s endemic corruption, and a fresh start for a scandal-plagued government. One year ago, President Enrique Peña Nieto signed into law a new national anti-corruption system as he apologized over a damaging conflict of interest scandal in which he, his wife and his finance minister purchased properties from crony contractors – then appointed an ally to investigate the deal. Over the next 12 months, however, the government and its allies have undermined the mechanism (known by its Spanish initials as the SNA), according to the academics and anti-graft campaigners who helped draft the legislation. Anti-corruption activists have been harassed and spied on with surveillance only sold to national governments, civic organisations have been targeted for investigation, and congress has failed to name a new anti-corruption prosecutor or specialized judges. The delays and harassment have prompted uncomfortable questions over … [Read more...] about Mexico leaders’ pledges fall short as graft remains ‘heart of the political system’
