BY HARRY RING
Nuclear planning - The Dept. of Energy said its project to clean up some of the Nevada A-bomb test site by 2006 will not be completed until 2014. Meanwhile, the department will continue to deliver "low level" nuclear waste from other sites for storage there until 2070.

The usual suspects - The Internal Revenue Service is authorized to do random audits of groups of taxpayers it deems suspicious. A General Accounting Office study found that over the last three years, 85 percent of those audited nationwide had incomes below $25,000. Couples with one child in that bracket can claim an earned income credit.

Modernizing the medieval? -With the backing of Queen Elizabeth, the British government may update the 800-year-old constitutional proviso that denies female members of the royal family equal access to the throne.

Can't read added fine print? - "Most unemployed Canadians are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits even though they have paid premiums.... Only 43 percent of jobless workers received benefits in the 12 months to October 1997, down from 83 percent in 1989.... The human resources department could not immediately explain the downward trend." - Canada news item.

Sort of like the Third World debt - Dialogue between the cartoon couple in "Real Life Adventures:"

He: "Hon, you've got your glasses on. What does this say at the bottom on our credit card statement?" She: "Interest calculated on the eternally unpaid balance."

No money in making money? - The City, London's Wall Street, was shocked when De La Rue warned its profits would be taking a heavy hit. It supplies the paper on which all United Kingdom bank notes are printed, as well as that of most Third World countries. De La Rue's honcho is taking early retirement. Maybe he'll do a trip to Asia to learn what's happening.

Wine and dine - Our local daily covered a wine auction at Christie's Beverly Hills, where a 12-pack of choice vintage went for $48,300. The story was perched atop an ad for Kraft's macaroni and cheese. We wondered: was the layout a whimsical social comment, or a suggested dinner menu?

Bill of Rights applies, sometimes - California parole officials backed off on revoking parole on rapper C-BO for his album, "Till My Casket Drops," which they deemed anti-cop. They did add a proviso that he not engage in gang activities, and did not rule out the possibility that "gang activities" could cover lyrics they didn't like.

Thought for the week - "We're glad justice prevailed. But I worry about the less fortunate people who can't afford a lawyer. Five years ago, would Bo been able to fight this? No." - Sandra Thomas, C-BO's wife.  
 
 
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