Whenever I asked about his mythical sales powers, his eyes flashed, and he subtly poked fun at the senior management for thinking that he had some secret formula.

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But residents on Middlesbrough's mean estates ascribe him near-messianic powers, and reverentially recount anecdotes about his pursuit of litter louts and intimidation of thugs.

ECONOMIST: Policemen and politics

He must think about timing, consequences, relations with foreign powers, his next career move.

ECONOMIST: Jack Straw and General Pinochet

Earlier the Conservative Party's Northern Ireland spokesman warned his party will not give guarantees about funding of policing and justice powers.

BBC: No agreement on policing budget

Recently an executive with a major insurance firm shared a story about his experience with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, top in the 2010 JD Powers customer satisfaction study among rental car companies.

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President Bush's European trip promises to be a major test of his powers of persuasion as he tries to calm European and Russian skepticism about his administration's national security and environmental policies.

CNN: Bush offers alternative environmental plan

About 400 people marched outside the school-district building to demand that Mr Zacarias have his full powers restored.

ECONOMIST: A lesson in how to count

Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea said while his party was positively behind the transfer of policing and justice powers, it had serious concerns about the move.

BBC: Department of Justice Bill further continuation