Cheat Sheet - Goldman Execs Stay Fat and Happy

Today: Israel Cheers Shalit’s Return , Social Security Gets First Raise Since '09 , Hillary Clinton Lands in Libya October 18, 2011 BONUS BONANZA 1. Goldman Execs Stay Fat and Happy The investment bank announced lousy third-quarter earnings today, posting a loss for only the second time in twelve years. Yet its top employees will still take home billions in bonuses. The Daily Beast’s Gary Rivlin asks, what gives? Read it at The Daily Beast HOMECOMING 2. Israel Cheers Shalit’s Return Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier was freed today after five years of imprisonment by Hamas, was welcomed by a parade of supporters in his northern Israeli hometown of Mitzpe Hila. The 25-year-old sergeant changed into his Israeli Defense Force uniform and underwent a brief medical exam before being greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak and reunited with his family. The prime minister told him. “It’s so good to have you home.” In exchange for Shalit’s return, Israel agreed to free over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom had been convicted of carrying out or being involved in terror attacks. Read it at Haaretz BOON 3. Social Security Gets First Raise Since '09 Good news for retirees: in January, Social Security recipients will get their first cost-of-living increase since 2009. The boost is expected to be about 3.5 percent. There were no cost-of-living adjustments in the past two years due to low inflation rates—even though, over the same period, many recipients of Social Security saw their home values plummet and their retirement savings dry up. Read it at Associated Press DIPLOMACY 4. Hillary Clinton Lands in Libya U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton landed unexpectedly in Libya Tuesday to pledge $11 million of dollars in aid to the new government. "I am proud to stand here on the soil of a free Libya," Clinton told the leaders of the interim governmnet. The new money will be put to causes including the care of wounded soldiers and securing Libya’s weaponry. She will also discuss the case of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, with Libyan authorities, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, after a six-week siege, the Libya’s new government has raised its flag over the town of Bani Walid, leaving only parts of Sirte as the last holdouts of Gaddafi loyalists. Read it at Associated Press HEIST 5. Obama’s Teleprompter Stolen Crime or Tea Party practical joke? A van containing President Obama’s telemprompter, podium, and presidential seals was stolen from the parking lot of a Courtyard Marriott near Richmond, Virginia on Monday. The van, part of preparations for an Obama appearance on Wednesday, also contained audio equipment valued at $200,000. The vehicle was recovered at another hotel near the Richmond airport, and the government said it takes the incident “very seriously.” Read it at MSNBC 2012 The Wonks Attack Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Nine questions for Cain's tax plan. OOPS Sarandon Slammed for Pope Comments Calls him a 'Nazi.' PROTESTS Is Occupy Wall St. Anti-Semitic? The real problem with bigoted rhetoric. ITALY Court Tosses Berlusconi Fraud Suit But indicts the prime minister’s son. SONIC YOUTH Mourning the World's Hippest Couple What Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore's divorce means. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET The Yes List Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. IndyCar Driver’s Final Moments by Allen St. John What’s Wrong With Rick by Peter J. Boyer Hooker-Ring Probe Embroils DSK by Tracy McNicoll

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