Venezuela’s 2010 Budget to Maintain Social Spending and Boost Productive Sectorhttp://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/4978

The Venezuelan National Assembly approved the Finance Ministry’s 2010 national budget proposal without modifications on Wednesday. Nearly 46% of the budget is allocated to public education, social development, health care, and the innovative social missions which have improved the poor’s access to health care, education, economic stimulus, and food security over the past five years.

Former president of seized Banco Canarias has allegedly fled Venezuelahttp://english.eluniversal.com/2009/12/04/en_eco_esp_president-of-seized_04A3151571.shtml

Alvaro Gorrin Ramos, the former president of Banco Canarias, an intervened financial institution, allegedly left Venezuela last Wednesday, aboard his boat Lola, which was anchored at Puerto Azul Yacht Club, in the coastal state of Vargas, north central Venezuela.Gorrin as well as another 15 executives of intervened banks were barred from leaving the country. The order was issued by the Attorney General's Office, which is investigating alleged irregularities in the banks.The report was confirmed by spokespersons of the Penal & Criminology Investigative Police Agency (Cicpc) of the state of Vargas. They said that Gorrin was a member of the aforementioned club and added that the banker went on Tuesday to Puerto Azul facilities, accompanied by three people who have not yet been identified.According to the information provided by the staff on duty at the yacht club, the banker used to make business meetings in his luxury boat valued at US$2 million. Therefore, his presence in the club was not a surprise.The security staff of the yacht club said they told Gorrin Ramos that he had no departure permit granted by the Port Authority, which is a requisite for the boat's departure.The crew ignored the warning from the staff and they decided to report the irregular situation to the La Guaira Port Authority.

Hitman links Berlusconi to 1993 Mafia bombing campaignhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1233292/Hitman-links-Berlusconi-1993-Mafia-bombing-campaign.html

Polanski Starts House Arrest in Ski Resorthttp://article.wn.com/view/2009/12/04/Polanski_Starts_House_Arrest_in_Ski_Resort/