| Merger talk lifts shares of Delta
Delta Air Lines Inc. shares soared more than 18 percent Thursday following renewed speculation that the nation's No. 3 carrier may be close to inking a deal to combine with another airline. Delta rose $2.46 to close at $15.98 on the New York Stock Exchange. The surge followed a nearly 15 percent rise in Delta's stock on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the head of the Atlanta-based company's pilots union said in a letter to rank-and-file members that a combination involving Delta may be close. Lee Moak, chairman of the union's executive committee, said in the letter that "consolidation may indeed be at our door."
JetBlue seeks Orlando-Cancun route
JetBlue Airways said Thursday that it plans to begin flying from Orlando to Cancun, Mexico. Assuming it wins government approval, JetBlue says the daily flights would begin March 13.
United Way pushes for 211 money
It's still a bit of a secret in Whatcom County, but calling 211 can help in an emergency. The number to call in times of life-threatening trouble is still 911. But the state's United Way officials are asking the Legislature to boost funding for 211, which they say can help people take care of the problems that unfold in the days after a lifethreatening emergency. The 211 system, which connects callers to social services ranging from homeless housing to education help, currently receives $1 million each biennium from the state, said Peter Theisen, president of United Way of Whatcom County. Another $750,000 would help the system respond more effectively to natural disasters like last fall's severe floods in southern Washington, Theisen said. United Way officials hope the line item will be included in the proposed emergency flood and storm relief budget.
NHS privatisation: the ‘sicko’ firms who are after your GP surgery
Multinational firms have got their eyes on your local doctors surgery. The companies that have plundered health service budgets, forcing the NHS to buy their private services, now want to extend their reach. After the government invited the private sector to provide GPs, some of the biggest names in US health insurance are being joined by other multi-nationals, like the Virgin group, in an attempt to muscle in get contracts. GPs from across Tower Hamlets, in east London, were joined by patients in a 150-strong protest on Thursday of last week against a decision by the local primary care trust (PCT) to hand the St Pauls Way medical centre to Atos Healthcare. Atos Healthcare is a subsidiary of a French-based computer firm with only a limited experience of healthcare, much of which has been gained helping institutions "manage absenteeism".
Search for serial rapist spreads fear
The girlfriend of the man who killed five people and himself at Northern Illinois University said Sunday that he called her early on the day of the shooting, to say goodbye. Steven Kazmierczak "called me at midnight and told me not to forget about him," Jessica Baty, 28, told CNN from her home. Investigators still haven't determined why Kazmierczak, 27, opened fire in a lecture hall at his and Baty's alma mater, and she shed no light on a motive Sunday. She confirmed that he had stopped taking an antidepressant about three weeks ago because "it made him feel like a zombie," but she denied his recent behavior was unusual. Washington Official says racing a known problem Despite complaints, illegal street racers have roared for more than 20 years down the straight stretch of Maryland highway where eight fans were killed this weekend, a community leader said Sunday.
VLCC boosts regional roll-out plan set to open 35 centres in 24 months
Dubai, February 16, 2008: Driven by the buoyant market trends in the wellness domain, VLCC - the region's premier preventive healthcare and beauty care brand - announced plans to increase the number of centres in Middle East to 35 by 2010 compared to the originally-planned 28. The company has committed over AED 200 million to fund the expansion in the region. An announcement to this effect was made at the inauguration of VLCC's seventh centre in the UAE. The new centre, at Al Qusais in Dubai, was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Juma Al Maktoum. Also present on the occasion were Indian Consul General, Venu Rajamony, Ms. Vandana Luthra, Founder & Mentor, VLCC, Mr. Mukesh Luthra, Chairman & Managing Director, VLCC Group and special invitees. Speaking on the occasion, Ms.
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