U.S. President adds eligibility cap to bailout

Per the New York Times, "President Obama announced on Wednesday a salary cap of $500,000 for top executives at companies that receive the largest amounts of money under the $700 billion federal bailout, calling the step an expression not only of fairness but of 'basic common sense.'"

It did not take long for American twitterers to weigh in.

@danibabb (Calif.): $500k exec pay cap from Obama 2day ABSURD. U think a REALLY GOOD CEO is going 2 work 4 half a mil a year? GOVT needs to stay out of private!


@anne_wilson (Cambridge, Mass.): Kudos, President Obama, on the executive salary cap. http://tinyurl.com/b6vp6l



@denniskuntz questioned whether Obama had the authority for such a move.

@denniskuntz (Charlotte, N.C.): Wait, where does it say Obama can cap exec salaries? Must be in here somewhere...right? *flips through Constitution* #tcot


The most retweeted voice on the subject was Tom Peters, an American writer on business management practices. Dozens retweeted his opinion, shortly after author @DanielPink posted a link to it.

@tvbarn (Kansas City, Mo.): Tom Peters supports Obama's salary cap: "The myth of the irreplaceable CEO is just that - myth." http://twurl.nl/j005ul - via @DanielPink

U.S. President adds eligibility cap to bailout

United States of Africa?

Per the Sunday Nation of Kenya, "The African Union has made remarkable progress towards its grand goal of a single government for the continent." At their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the gathering of heads of state discussed the idea of their "Grand plan" for 12 hours: a United States of Africa.

Early indications on Twitter showed Africans were skeptical about the idea.

@seunosewa (Nigeria): @nubiancounsel: a United States of Africa is impossible: first, we'll need united towns, united states, tribes, and countries. Not possible!


@mosilager (Lusaka, Zambia): @lrakoto the leaders of africa... they can't rule their countries properly and now they want to rule the whole continent!


@msfour, an American in Cairo per her bio, did not offer an opinion, but she made note of the news.

@msfour (Cairo, Egypt): qaddafi wants one africa with one passport and one military: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/world/africa/03africa.html?_r=1

United States of Africa?

Unemployment on rise in Spain

Per EuroNews, nearly 200,000 Spaniards lost their jobs in January, the highest toll for a single month in the country's history. Spain's unemployment rate is about 14 percent (3.3 million), the highest of any nation in the European Union, according to the report.

The tweets tell the story.

@Ayram (Salamanca): Buscando trabajo para Verano. No importa de qué. Si alguien tiene algo que avise. Preferiblemente Bilbao, Madrid o Barcelona. (Looking for summer work. No matter what. If someone has something tell. Preferably Bilbao, Madrid or Barcelona.)

@ivanmh (Madrid): Lo más triste es que no hay trabajo ni para quienes quieran hacerlo de gratis. Y asi @grotuk quería hace meses que yo fuera optimista. (The saddest thing is that there is no work for those who want to do it for free. And so @grotuk since months ago I have wanted to be optimistic.)

@mgdarrell (Madrid): Spain has been hit very hard by econ. crisis. As of today most on my job are owed 3 months back pay. Times are tough.

Unemployment on rise in Spain

Obama cabinet members step down

Per the Washington Post, Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer have both withdrawn their nominations to President Barack Obama's cabinet as a result of "tax lapses."

In wake of the news, satire hit the Twitter stream.

@jmartinisu (Arlington, Va.): Who is vetting Obama's cabinet picks? The same group that vetted Sarah Palin?



Some lended Obama a hand.


@fritzpj (D.C. metro): Dear Prez Obama - I always pay my taxes. i will be happy to be any cabinet level position you have available.....THX!!!!


@kevdc (Washington D.C.): Would like to put myself into consideration for an Obama cabinet position as I am both available and current on filing my taxes.


@ryanpduffy, a Republican speechwriter per his bio, posed questions.

@ryanpduffy (Washington, D.C.): Three tax evaders in one Cabinet? Change we can believe in? http://bit.ly/3J7rdm #tcot

Obama cabinet members step down

Australia unveils stimulus plan

Per the Associated Press, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a new stimulus package worth 42 billion Australian dollars to combat the worsening global economy.

Australians reacted to the news with a mixture of seriousness and humor.

@tom_baker (Sydney): Well, Australia will officially be in deficit for the next four years (due to the new stimulus). But I suppose Kevin's just trying his best.


@uncster (Sydney): Stimulus package looks interesting... A Plasma TV in every bedroom by 2010!



@static_22 (Canberra): Can't wait to get my $950 from the governement in this new economic stimulus package!



Even a politician weighed in.

@premierofnsw (New South Wales): Kevin Rudd's stimulus plan is good news for families and the economy. It stands side by side with NSW's $56 billion infrastructure program

Australia unveils stimulus plan