Welfare funding runs out in Iraq ~ Highlights of article ~
_Iraq's parliament demanded to know what happened to the estimated $1 billion allocated for welfare funding by the Finance Ministry for 2010.
_"There are thousands of widows who did not receive financial aid for months."
_Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi promised that parliament would push the Iraqi government for answers on where the money went. But he said new funding for the nation's social care programs will have to come out of the 2011 budget, which he said would be sent to parliament within days.
_Even though parliament has hardly met during the eight-month-old deadlock over forming a new government, the 325 lawmakers have continued to pull in salaries and allowances that reach $22,500 a month as well a one-time $90,000 stipend and perks like free nights in Baghdad's finest hotel.