Bárcenas never left PP payroll

Party was paying ex-treasurer compensation as well as covering social security costs.

Since the scandal broke involving the earnings of Luis Bárcenas and the alleged slush fund he controlled, the Popular Party (PP) has insisted that it broke off relations with the former treasurer in 2009, when he stepped down from that role on a temporary basis. But it has emerged that not only did Bárcenas receive preferential treatment from the party until a month ago — with an office for his documents at the party’s headquarters in downtown Madrid, as well as a secretary in the same building, paid for by the PP — but that he also was being paid a monthly amount by the party until the end of 2012.

El Pais
alleged slush fund: supuestos fondos reservados.

Bárcenas never left PP payroll

Party was paying ex-treasurer compensation as well as covering social security costs.

Since the scandal broke involving the earnings of Luis Bárcenas and the alleged slush fund he controlled, the Popular Party (PP) has insisted that it broke off relations with the former treasurer in 2009, when he stepped down from that role on a temporary basis. But it has emerged that not only did Bárcenas receive preferential treatment from the party until a month ago — with an office for his documents at the party’s headquarters in downtown Madrid, as well as a secretary in the same building, paid for by the PP — but that he also was being paid a monthly amount by the party until the end of 2012.

El Pais
alleged slush fund: supuestos fondos reservados.

Idioms

lay a hand on = hit someone

If you ever try to lay a hand on me, I'll hurt you.

Never lay a hand on a child.

lay off / (be or get) laid off = to lose a job because business is slow.

Even though he was a good worker, he was laid off because the company wasn't doing very well. (passive voice)

look (it) up = to find information

If you need to find a good price on a car, you can look it up on the internet.

You can also look up information in a book.

Idioms

lay a hand on = hit someone

If you ever try to lay a hand on me, I'll hurt you.

Never lay a hand on a child.

lay off / (be or get) laid off = to lose a job because business is slow.

Even though he was a good worker, he was laid off because the company wasn't doing very well. (passive voice)

look (it) up = to find information

If you need to find a good price on a car, you can look it up on the internet.

You can also look up information in a book.

The healing power of garlic

Garlic supplements are among the West’s top-selling herbal supplements and many scientific studies have investigated how the herb can promote good health. Here are some top tips.

The healing power of garlic

Garlic supplements are among the West’s top-selling herbal supplements and many scientific studies have investigated how the herb can promote good health. Here are some top tips.

Word of the Day: soak

This is a great word to use when describing the lasting effects that water has on something.

Here it is as a verb:

• She soaked some black beans overnight.
• You have to let a tea bag soak in water for a few minutes to make tea.
• Hector soaked his shirt in soapy water to get a stain out.
• If you soak in water for a long time, your fingers and toes will get all wrinkled.
• Helen and her friends stayed outside during a rain shower and got soaked.

It's commonly used as an adverb before the word "wet."

• My shoes are soaking wet.
• The ground got soaking wet after the storm.

You can also use it as a noun:

• The ground got a good soaking after the storm.
• It hasn't rained in a long time. Give the garden a good soak.