ESSEX, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - June 13, 2012) - Essex fire crews have voted TWO to ONE in favour of strike action in a dispute over frontline cuts and changes forced through without proper negotiation or agreement. Current plans for cuts would see the loss of one in five frontline crews in Essex since 2008, with the public already waiting longer for fire crews to turn up to fires in the home.
The strike ballot result will be considered by representatives from fire stations and workplaces across Essex and the fire authority will be given notice of strike dates by the General Secretary in due course. The Fire Brigades Union said there was still time to resolve the dispute before any strike action takes place.
Prior to the ballot the union was told that all issues in dispute would continue to be implemented and cuts imposed regardless of any talks with ACAS or national fire service conciliators. The union believed this undermined moves to resolve the dispute.
Mick Rogers FBU brigade secretary said: "Essex fire crews have shown the strength of opposition to frontline cuts and changes being forced through without their agreement. The result explodes the myth peddled to councillors that fire crews have no genuine concerns.
"This damaging myth has led the councillors to support disastrous plans to impose changes and press ahead with cuts. There is a window of opportunity to negotiate and reach an agreement acceptable to both sides in this dispute if councillors want that to happen.
"No one in the fire service ever wants to take strike action and no one will be happy if we are forced to do so. It is crucial the fire authority now wakes up and joins with us in genuine moves to resolve this dispute."
Ballot result
The number of frontline full time firefighters have been slashed by 100 since 2008, loss of one in eight. The number of retained 'on call' firefighters has dropped by 60 since 2008, a loss of one in ten.
Further planned cuts would bring total losses of frontline fire crews to one in five since 2008.In the same period of time, Essex Fire Service has increased back office staff by 7.5% - from 238 in 2008 to 256 today.
Source: www.marketwire.com
New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC Offers Divorce Clients Guidance on Creating a Case Information Statement - YAHOO!
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC, the leading divorce financial experts in New Jersey, provides guidance to divorce clients. Getting it right the first time: why a Case Information Statement is the lifeblood of a divorce settlement, and how to be sure this essential paperwork is completed properly.
Red Bank, NJ (PRWEB) June 13, 2012
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC, the leading divorce financial experts in New Jersey, have released their recommendations for completing a Case Information Statement(“CIS”) during the divorce process.A recent high-profile divorce case proves the point that one of the most important preparations a person must make before going to court is making sure the Case Information Statement is thorough and complete.
Luckily for Laura Blank, her original CIS paperwork (in New York State the CIS is called a Statement of Net Worth) in her divorce from Steven Simkin in 2006 was thorough and complete; it worked in her favor when Simkin brought her back to court to try to renegotiate the settlement agreement. According to the New York Times, when the two divorced, Blank and Simkin split their millions evenly. Blank took hers in the form of cash. That meant that her portion of the investment proceeds was liquidated. Unfortunately for Simkin, he chose to keep his portion of the assets invested with Bernie Madoff. When Madoff was arrested for fraud in 2008, Simkin lost everything he had invested with him. Simkin sued his ex-wife to try to alter the terms of their divorce agreement, but a New York judge ruled that the divorce settlement was based on the value of the asset at the time of the settlement, and as such given that the asset was an investment, there’s an implicit understanding that it may change over time. Had there been an error in the value shown in the CIS at the time of the settlement, the case could have been reopened (Simkin v. Blank, Index 48, NYLJ 1202547876121, at *1 Ct. of App., Decided April 3, 2012) .
The CIS is the most critical document in terms of the financial settlement, and indeed every case in the state of New Jersey requires the completion of a CIS, but what exactly is it?
“Simply put it is a Financial Affidavit created by each spouse,” says Jodi Carter, co-founder of New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). “The CIS contains a comprehensive list of all assets, liabilities, income, and expenses for both parties. It contains all relevant case information including date of the marriage, issues in dispute, children’s names, and the date of separation. And it breaks down the household income, taking into account bonuses and commission versus wages, and self-employment income, as well as appropriate tax deductions, analyzing required versus voluntary deductions such as 401(k) contributions.”
In addition, the CIS requires each spouse to set forth a budget as to the standard of living acquired during the marriage and expected after the marriage. This is why this form is the most important document in the divorce, it allows each party to track the money that was spent during the marriage, and also prepares each person for life after divorce. The form includes all of each person’s assets and liabilities, not only those that are subject to equitable distribution, and requires the submitting spouse to sign off on the accuracy and validity of the information contained in the document.
“Many parties and even some attorneys fail to appreciate the importance of preparing an accurate CIS. Success in negotiations, mediation, collaborative divorce, pendente lite motions, and trial depends on the accuracy of historic budgets, projected budgets, current income, and financial net worth,” says Hanan M. Isaacs, Esq., a Certified Matrimonial Specialist, mediator, and collaborative attorney located in Kingston, NJ.
In divorce litigation, the attorneys will rely on the information provided in the CIS to present their cases and negotiate an equitable settlement for their clients. The judge will also rely on the data provided in the CIS to assess the marital lifestyle and rule on alimony, child support, and distribution of assets. In mediation & Collaborative divorce, the CIS is not mandatory but is typically used because it is beneficial to the parties to work from this document. In less adversarial situations, the parties may create a joint CIS to be used by both parties.
“For many clients, the CIS represents the first time they’ve compiled a household budget or household balance sheet,” says Bryan Koslow, co-founder of New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™). “It forces people to compare their household inflows vs. outflows. At New Jersey Divorce Advisors LLC, we take it a step further by creating separate budgets for our clients for post-divorce to give them a framework for making decisions. For example, the budget will drive decisions about whether you can stay in the marital home, and how many hours you may need to work to support your desired lifestyle. The CIS is also the basis for determining how disruptive the divorce will be to college savings plans, retirement plans, and estate plans.”
Hiring a financial expert to create a lifestyle analysis takes the CIS preparation to the next level. The financial professional will meticulously examine tax returns, bank account statements, brokerage account statements, credit card statements, credit reports and other financial documents provided by the client to create an accurate account of the couple’s standard of living for the court. The lifestyle analysis will demonstrate the couple’s day-to-day expenses, and the spending habits of each party. This can help the court more clearly understand the couple’s finances, which is critical because one of the factors that the court considers when determining alimony is the standard of living to which each party was accustomed during the marriage.
Too often couples see the CIS as another required document for the divorce. By viewing this document as the basis for decisions and a wealth of information for planning for their future, it becomes a pivotal tool in moving from one stage of life to the next.
About NJDA
New Jersey Divorce Advisors, LLC is a financial consulting and planning firm specializing in the financial aspects of divorce. By analyzing the unique situation of each client, the firm structures equitable settlements and creates a plan for the client’s future. The firm, founded by a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, provides clients a comprehensive financial assessment that includes tax analysis, financial planning, retirement and estate planning, and insurance recommendations. The firm may be utilized in Divorce Mediation, Litigation, or Collaborative Divorce.
Bryan Koslow
New Jersey Divorce Advisors
732-703-6532
Email Information
Source: news.yahoo.com
Kobe Bryant's divorce 'off for now' - New Kerala
Washington, June 13 : Kobe Bryant's estranged wife Vanessa will not sign documents to make her divorce final, at least for now, because she and the basketball star are working on a full reconciliation.
According to reports, the LA Lakers shooting guard and Vanessa are trying to work out the issues that caused her to file for divorce back in December, TMZ.com reported.
They spend a lot of time together but he has not officially moved back in with her.
Under California law, Vanessa has to wait 6 months before she can file final docs making the divorce official.
The 6-month mark hits this weekend, so Vanessa could end the marriage as early as Monday, but she won't as of now.
The two have been working hard at a reconciliation. They were spotted sharing a post-game kiss on Valentines Day after the Lakers' victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite the delay in their divorce proceedings, Vanessa is already sitting pretty.
They had previously reached a property settlement deal in which she got all three of their Newport Beach estates.
She got the house the couple were living in, the estate where her mom resides, and the new estate which they have been building for two years. This means Vanessa will already walk away with 75 million dollars, close to half of their total assets, whether she signs this weekend or not. (ANI)
Source: www.newkerala.com
TOWIE's Billi Mucklow isn't over Tom Kilbey - list.co.uk
Billi Mucklow
'The Only Way is Essex' star Billi Mucklow hasn't got over her ex-boyfriend Tom Kilbey and she appears devastated that he has traded her in for a "younger model" in co-star Lydia Bright.
'The Only Way is Essex' star Billi Mucklow hasn't got over her ex-boyfriend Tom Kilbey.
The 22-year-old beauty is devastated that her 21-year-old co-star - whose sister is her best friend Cara Kilbey - has moved on from her by hooking up with Lydia Bright, and she found it particularly difficult that the pair were not a couple while recently filming a 'TOWIE' special in Marbella.
In a heart-to-heart with Tom on 'The Only Way Is MARBS', she says: "It's strange, because the last time we were out here - I was with you."
He replies: "You're right. It is weird, even sitting here with Lydia and you."
Billi then jokes that Tom has traded her in for a younger model and he says: "You two are different though aren't you. Are you alright with it though? Tell me."
Despite an awkward silence, she eventually said: "I don't know if I'd laugh at it yet but I'll get over it. It's not funny yet."
While Billi is missing Tom, 'TOWIE' beauty Chloe Sims is quite happy to sunbathe with Lauren Pope in the episode rather than look for love in the Spanish resort.
She says: "I feel like I met the love of my life in my past and I don't think anyone else is going to be able to top him. So now I'm just chilling - I've got Pops, she's the new love of my life."
'The Only Way Is MARBS' will air tonight (13.06.12) on ITV2 at 10pm.
More: Celebrity gossip, TV gossip (Celebrity gossip), Billi Mucklow, Cara Kilbey, Lydia Bright, Tom Kilbey
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Russell: "Divorce Is Difficult Because Of The Admin" - MTV UK
The comedian also admits that K-Pez is still a person he loves...
Russell Brand has joked that the worse thing about his divorce from Katy Perry is the paperwork.
The funnyman, who is currently starring alongside Tom Cruise in Rock Of Ages, also explained to Lorraine Kelly that he still loves the Part Of Me singer - despite deciding to end their 14-month marriage last December.
When asked about K-Pez, Brand stated: "[The marriage] did work out in a way, you're married and it's good, then you're not married and it's good.
"You just have to have acceptance of things. She's a person I love but this is a new time."
The 36-year old then joked: "Divorce is difficult because of the admin. A lot of admin!"
Russell previously confessed he still had feelings for Perry during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last month, where he revealed: "I still love her as a human being, but, sometimes when you're in a relationship, I suppose it doesn't work out.
"That doesn't mean I regret it or anything. I was very happy to be married with her. She's such a beautiful human being and I just have only love and positivity for her."
Speaking fondly of the Teenage Dream star, he added: "That is still a person I still consider to be beautiful and I have nothing but positivity for her."
CHECK OUT 101 OF KATY PERRY'S FAMOUS LOOKS HERE!
SEE PICS OF KATY & RUSSELL IN HAPPIER TIMES HERE
Watch MTV News on the hour every hour on MTV - Sky Channel 126 and Virgin Channel 311
Source: www.mtv.co.uk
'I'm not over you yet': TOWIE's Billi Mucklow reveals her true feelings for ex-boyfriend Tom Kilbey - Daily Mail
By J J Anisiobi
|
At one point they were being touted as a potential new Lauren Goodger and Mark Wright but, their relationship and popularity quickly fizzled out.
The Only Way Is Essex cast members Billi Mucklow and Tom Kilbey have played supporting roles in the past but Tom's new fling with Lydia Bright has propelled him to the forefront of the show.
After putting a brave face on, however, Billi finally admitted to her ex-boyfriend that she wasn't over him just yet.
Truth hurts: Billi Mucklow reveals to Tom Kilbey that she isn't over them, on the special episode of TOWIE in Marbella, Spain
Too late: Tom is now dating Lydia Bright but still wants know if Billi is coping well with his new relationship
The special episode of the ITV2 series, which has been shot on location in Marbella, reveals that it's not only James Argent who has a problem with the new relationship.
While the majority of the cast are all out partying in the same club, a heavily made-up Billi, 22, sits down with Tom, 21, to have a heart to heart.
Billi admits to the younger Kilbey sibling that she has felt weird about being in the Spanish resort without him as her boyfriend.
All loved up: Tom appears to be happy with Lydia Bright and the couple spend plenty of time together in Marbella
Break up to make up: Tom Pearce and Lauren Pope discuss their age gap during one evening out
Sealed with a kiss: The reality TV couple end their disagreement on a good note by sharing a cheeky peck
The last time the pair went to Marbella they were a couple, an she tells him: 'It’s just strange, because the last time we were out here – I was with you'.
Tom agrees with her and responds: 'You're right. It is weird, even sitting here with Lydia and you.'
Getting a little teary but using humour as a defence, Billi asked: 'So have you traded me in for a younger model or something?'
Going crazy: The cast get involved with plenty of pool parties and pop a large number of champagne bottles
Wet and wild: With the sunshine beating down, the crowd cooled off by covering themselves in alcohol
Just warming up: Chloe Sims takes a seat at the party next to sisters Sam and Billie Faiers
Tom replied instantly and said: 'You two are different though aren't you. Are you alright with it though? Tell me.'
With Billi not answering straight away, Tom ended the awkward silence and continued: 'Well it's fine if we can talk and laugh about it now - no?'
Finally the salon owner admits her true feelings for her ex and she said: 'I don’t know if I’d laugh at it yet but I’ll get over it. It’s not funny yet.'
Happy as Larry: Chloe, right, said that she was not looking for any romance in Marbella, having already fallen for a good guy
Truly committed: Sam Faiers and Joey Essex are one of the few couples not experiencing any troubles in their current relationship
Fun in the sun: Billie and Sam share a bed with Jessica Wright, who kept her high heels on throughout the day
Despite her clearly still having feelings for Tom, he isn't moved by her words and he darts off to be with Lydia.
Mucklow isn't the only person made to look silly in Marbs as Tom Pearce gets told to cool things by Lauren Pope.
Tom, 22, and Lauren 'Popey', 28, have a chat about their casual fling and she says to him: 'I think how it is right now is good... it works.'
The love boat: Mario Falcone and Lucy Mecklenburgh spend some time away from the rest of the group on a private yacht
Tough time: James Argent gets told to improve his personality so that people start to like him again
So sweet: Jessica finally gives in and agrees to become Ricky Rayment's official girlfriend after months of dating
'Are you saying that’s all it’s every going to be?' asks Tom wanting more, but Popey dodges giving him a proper answer and says: 'You’re 22, why are you looking so far ahead?'
Elsewhere in the episode, Joey Essex and Sam Faiers appear to be walking on sunshine with their relationship still going strong.
One person that is happy to be single, however, is Chloe Sims, who claims to have already found the love of her life.
Calm waters: Jessica has been busy shooting her music video for her debut solo single in Marbella
Wasteful boys: Tinchy Stryder makes a guest appearance in the episode and splashes a whole lot of champagne for no real reason
While sunbathing with Popey, she claimed she won't be looking for anyone to have a holiday romance with in Marbs.
She said: 'I feel like I met the love of my life in my past and I don’t think anyone else is going to be able to top him. So now I’m just chilling – I’ve got Pops, she’s the new love of my life.'
The Only Way Is MARBS will air tonight on ITV2 at 10pm
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Analysis: Investors plot hedges for healthcare law ruling - Reuters UK
NEW YORK |
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors could be excused for avoiding health insurance and hospital stocks as a U.S. Supreme Court decision nears on President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul law - an outcome that could send the companies' shares down 10 percent or more.
Aside from an educated guess, little real analysis can predict a ruling that has at least a half-dozen possible results for a law that affects wide swathes of the healthcare industry.
"It's this never-never land," said Tim Nelson, a healthcare analyst with Nuveen Asset Management. "We're waiting for the clouds to clear, and we'll reassess what the fundamental environment looks like when we know what the rules are."
That has led some on Wall Street to devise complex strategies for profiting from the ruling expected by the end of the month - or at least to hedge their portfolios against significant losses.
They include spreading bets between healthcare sectors whose shares will respond in opposite directions based on a given ruling.
If the law is struck down, for example, stocks of hospital companies such as HCA Holdings Inc or Tenet Healthcare Corp and health insurers that specialize in Medicaid programs for the poor, like Centene Corp or Molina Healthcare Inc, are expected to suffer as they lose out on an expansion of coverage for at least 30 million uninsured Americans.
The same decision could boost shares of larger insurers like Aetna Inc or WellPoint Inc as they avert stricter regulations and higher costs mandated by the law.
CRT Capital Group, an institutional broker-dealer, said its clients were asking for ways to trade healthcare. It is recommending options strategies that amount to bullish bets on three stocks: UnitedHealth Group Inc, the largest and most diversified health insurer; HCA, the largest hospital chain; and rehabilitative services provider Healthsouth Corp.
"We expect that if you put all of these trades on collectively, you would end up making money regardless of the outcome," said Michael Khouw, head of equity derivatives for CRT Capital, noting that the strategy excludes any broader market moves.
Michael Gregory manages two healthcare funds for an investment firm affiliated with Highland Capital Management LP. He plans to keep equivalent positions in large health insurers, Medicaid insurers and hospital chains.
"We are trying to protect downside exposure in our positions and in the fund for any outcome of the Supreme Court decision," Gregory said.
WEIGHING THE POSSIBILITIES
The prevailing view before the court held oral arguments in late March was that the law - Obama's signature domestic policy achievement passed in 2010 - would be upheld.
But based on the tone of questioning from the high court's justices, investors and analysts project that it is more likely that they will overturn the provision at the heart of the law - a requirement that Americans buy health coverage or pay a penalty, known as the individual mandate.
On Intrade, a popular online betting site for political events, the latest contracts reflected a 70 percent chance the individual mandate would be ruled unconstitutional, up from trades in the mid-30s just before the oral arguments.
Striking down the mandate alone would spook investors in health insurers, because of fears people would buy insurance only when they become sick, driving up companies' costs.
Analysts believe, however, that the court would also shoot down associated provisions that require health insurers enroll people regardless of health status, a more palatable result for the insurance stocks.
Invalidating the entire law would likely hurt shares of hospital companies, which stand to increase the number of paying patients who otherwise might seek care for free. Some analysts estimate the stocks could fall as much as 10 percent.
Shares of Medicaid insurers also might drop 10 percent or more on the law's demise as they would not benefit from a planned expansion of the government-supported program.
But a decision that negates the whole legislation is expected to send shares of larger, more diversified insurers higher as they would stand to avoid such measures as government review of premium rate increases, requirements of spending on medical care and fees on the sector starting in 2014.
"You throw the whole thing out, the group is going to rally 5 to 10 percent," said David Heupel, a healthcare analyst with Thrivent Investment Management. "A lot of this money that we assumed was going away because of reform, managed care will get to keep."
FEASTING ON THE AFTERMATH
Citigroup analyst Carl McDonald, who covers health insurers, told clients recently that the best trading strategy into the decision is to hold an equal dollar amount of commercial insurers, which have large businesses serving employers, and Medicaid insurers.
Combining the probabilities of six possible decisions and their expected stock reactions should yield a return of 2.2 percent under his strategy, McDonald said in a research note.
Aside from UnitedHealth, commercial insurers that serve employers might include WellPoint, Aetna and Coventry Health Care Inc. Medicaid-focused insurers include Amerigroup Corp, Centene, Molina, and WellCare Health Plans Inc.
McDonald calculated that a strategy of holding only the commercial stocks would lead to returns of 2.9 percent, when all the probabilities are considered, but he was hesitant to back this plan because of the potential downside.
"We see ... two potential outcomes where the loss from being long just the commercial names could be 10-15 percent, which could occur if the Supreme Court surprised most observers and just struck the individual mandate," McDonald said.
It is the potential for such sharp declines - however remote - that will keep many long-term investors away from shares of insurers and hospital chains until after the ruling.
"It would take a pretty strong stomach to do it ahead of the decision," said Chris Konstantinos, a portfolio manager with Riverfront Investment Group. "I would be surprised to see the stocks bid up ahead of that."
Les Funtleyder, a portfolio manager at Miller Tabak, is banking on sharp reactions after the decision as a chance to scoop up his favored stocks, such as UnitedHealth or Community Health Systems Inc, the No. 2 U.S. hospital chain.
"Because we're long-term opportunistic investors, if there's an over-reaction, which we highly suspect there will be one way or the other, we'll likely take advantage of that," Funtleyder said. "You're talking about a trading event - at best a couple of days - and we're looking out for the future."
(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; editing by Michele Gershberg and Matthew Lewis)
Source: uk.reuters.com
Just watched the actual show, wish I'd just stuck with DM article. Gemma and Arg scene at end had me near jumping out my 3rd floor flat window. Made me so uncomfortable, the kaftan reveal, oh so wrong!
- Kat, Glasgow, 14/6/2012 00:05
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