Sewer fee increase questioned

The cost of flushing toilets is about to rise in East Baton Rouge Parish, and at least two Metro Council members are questioning if it?s necessary.
From: www.2theadvocate.com

New year, cheaper food - State tax on groceries lower effective today.

Spend $500 a month on groceries? Look for a $2.50 monthly savings starting today as a one-half percent reduction in the state sales tax on food goes into effect.
From: www.johnsoncitypress.com

Urine test to predict bowel cancer risk in development

A quick and easy urine test for predicting bowel cancer risk is being developed by researchers. People could buy the test in chemists for use at home or take it in their GP surgery.
From: www.thewest.com.au

Fare increases of up to 15% anger rail passengers

Passengers and rail user watchdogs reacted angrily yesterday to "outrageous" new year price increases which will see the cost of some train tickets rise by almost 15%.
From: politics.guardian.co.uk

Many Bars Giving Taxi Vouchers Tonight

Drunk driving arrests may be down on New Year`s Eve, but that doesn`t mean it doesn`t happen. And that`s why several businesses are pulling together to keep intoxicated people off the streets.
From: www.kqcd.com

Fare increase up to 15%

New prices unjustified and unfair, says watchdog
From: www.guardian.co.uk

EDITORIAL: Cheap ploy

THE cheaper petrol price pumped out by the opposition is based on a political calculation, not an economic one. With the price of petrol such a critical political issue, it is clear that the opposition is counting on lower pump prices to raise their chances at the polls. At a time when world oil prices have reached record levels, this can only be regarded as a cheap and slippery political ploy. ...
From: www.nst.com.my

Fees at luxury resorts often get travelers grumbling

The online review of The Phoenician Resort started out glowingly. Then came the dreaded "but."
From: www.azcentral.com

Missouri ethanol mandate takes effect in new year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A law taking effect tomorrow makes Missouri just the third state along with Hawaii and Minnesota to require ethanol in gasoline.
From: www.khnl.com

Class acts revealed as players check out of a tavern and move into a palace

At Sky Sports, the advantages to darts of its recent switch of venue are undisputed. The overwhelming feeling among the broadcasters is that the PDC World Championship has upgraded, taking with it the entire sport.
From: www.timesonline.co.uk

Tragedies, triumphs mark memorable year

Jan. 4 INFLUENZA BUG HITS PETTIS EARLY AND HARD It?s in the checkout line at the grocery store.
From: www.sedaliademocrat.com

A high-tech new year

Get ready for an HDTV boom, compact laptops and much more on the electronics front in 2008.
From: www.startribune.com

Cheaper plane fare in the air

New Delhi, Dec. 31: Air tickets may cost slightly less, if airlines pass on a cut in jet fuel prices to passengers.
From: www.telegraphindia.com

Housing Needs Some Shelter

Existing home sales inch up 0.4% giving hope that the housing market may be stabilizing.
From: www.forbes.com

CFL bulbs gain popularity as people realize long-term savings

The bulbs are more expensive to buy but last four to seven years and cut monthly electric bills.
From: www.ky3.com

New Year gift: MFs cheaper

Small investors taking the mutual funds route have got a New Year gift from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). In an order issued on Monday, the market watchdog scrapped the ?entry load? (usually around 2.5 per cent of the amount invested), if investors directly purchased units in a scheme from the fund, without going through agents.
From: www.hindustantimes.com

Caucuses a tale of changing stereotypes

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The political watchers call it �Iowa nice.� State Sen. Wally Horn has experienced it firsthand. He has hunted votes among retired teachers and worried office workers in Cedar Rapids since the 1970s.
From: www.pantagraph.com

Mixed News On Housing

Existing home sales inch up 0.4% giving hope that the housing market may be stabilizing.
From: www.forbes.com

Best Stock for 2008: Starbucks

Expensive coffee? Starbucks is cheaper than you thought.
From: www.fool.com

Missouri to Mandate Ethanol in New Year

Missouri is poised to become only the third state to mandate ethanol, the corn-based fuel mixed with gasoline. When the New Year arrives, Missouri will join Minnesota and Hawaii in requiring ethanol. The fuel is a 10 percent blend of ethanol with gasoline, and is cheaper than pure gasoline.
From: www.npr.org

Congressional ties help fund company

Not long after Nelson Ludlow and his wife started a technology business in Port Townsend with money scraped together from friends, family and retirement accounts, they spent precious dollars in an unlikely way:
From: www.thenewstribune.com

Beware Of Rate Rip-offs In 2008

If your credit-card issuer hiked your interest rate by a whopping 10% APR, would you take the pain or could you switch?
From: uk.biz.yahoo.com

Has the Era of Cheap Oil and Food Prices Ended?

Food prices have risen international of late, after years of stability and in fact dropping in real price terms.
From: english.daralhayat.com

Missouri Mandates Ethanol Blend In Gas

A law taking effect Tuesday makes Missouri just the third state -- behind Minnesota and Hawaii -- to implement a wide-ranging ethanol mandate.
From: www.kctv5.com

Be safe, ride for free

Harold Scott has found a way to make New Year?s 2008 celebrations safer for everyone. Scott, owner of the Shining Star Taxi and Shuttle Service, is offering free rides to people who?ve partied too hard this New Year?s to drive.
From: www.ourmidland.com

Bay Bridge skyway near completion

At more than $1 billion, it was the biggest construction contract Caltrans had ever awarded. It was a project spawned by tragedy, long delayed and fraught with controversy.
From: www.contracostatimes.com

Missouri mandates ethanol in gasoline

Pushing the button for regular 87-grade octane, Steve Smith said he thought he was filling his SUV with ethanol-free gasoline.
From: news.yahoo.com

Tax might drive Wis. smokers to buy here

Lighting up in Wisconsin is about to get a lot more expensive, and Lake County retailers may be the ones benefiting.
From: www.suburbanchicagonews.com

BEYOND THE LOSS

OAKLAND ? The 2008 season arrived for the Raiders on Dec. 9, with a loss to the Green Bay Packers that eliminated them from playoff contention this season. That gave Raiders coach Lane Kiffin three games to begin evaluating players with an eye toward next season and beyond.
From: www.montereyherald.com

Crude Oil Rises as Iran Prepares to Start First Nuclear Reactor

Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose in New York, poised for its biggest annual increase since 1999, as Iran announced plans to start its first nuclear reactor next year, raising concern the move will heighten confrontation with the U.S.
From: www.bloomberg.com

Vision on

Bill Thompson looks at what will make the news in 2008
From: news.bbc.co.uk

Measuring CPU usage during HD video playback: ATI vs. NVIDIA

HD content is becoming more popular, but maintaining smooth playback requires a significant amount of CPU and/or video card power. Here, we take a look at the latest offerings from ATI and NVIDIA to see how they measure up. Read More...
From: arstechnica.com

Authorities concerned with surge in electrical fires

A spike in electrical fires in the region has fire and government officials alarmed, and prompted one Rockland County legislator to call for an investigation into the sale of hazardous "knock-off" extension cords.
From: www.thejournalnews.com

Tata group to unveil world?s cheapest car

NEW DELHI: Tata Group plans to launch the world?s cheapest car early in January while also looking set to drive off with two of the poshest marques ? Ford?s iconic Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
From: www.gulf-times.com

Sullivan & Cromwell Is Top Deal Adviser; Pace May Slow in 2008

Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Sullivan & Cromwell, hired to advise on six of the 10 biggest deals this year, led all law firms in mergers and acquisitions for the fourth year in a row.
From: www.bloomberg.com

Local pair enjoy trips for sports

For anyone who thinks millionaire jet-setters are the only ones who can afford to scour the country on a regular basis, meet Rodney Parham and Bob Banicki.
From: www.timesfreepress.com

Resolve to avoid scams, become savvy

I like hearing from people and I love writing the Tell Mel column.
From: www.news-press.com

Farmers encounter pleasant predicament

On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary ? for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: www.denverpost.com

Happy campers - despite price hike

DESPITE National Park camping fees doubling, families are still flocking to the great outdoors this Christmas. The National Parks and Wildlife Service expects its 270 campsites in the Crowdy Bay National Park and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve to be booked in the two weeks over new year.
From: portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au

Suez seeks US bound ships

Admiral Ahmad Fadel, the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, has said the waterway intends to attract more container vessels headed for the US from Asia by offering cheaper rates of passage, reported Bloomberg.
From: www.ameinfo.com

Police will be out to stop drunken drivers

With New Year?s Eve here, police are telling people that if they drink and drive, they?re going to jail instead of a party.
From: www.qctimes.com

Using a manual typewriter, 90-year-old owner sets fast pace at burlap bag factory

Jerome Kane, the friendly faced owner and general manager of Kane Bag & Tarp Co., gets up every morning at 4 o?clock, arrives at work by 6:45 and starts working on his accounts, which, in the company?s 83rd year, are still typed onto index cards with a manual typewriter.
From: www.mddailyrecord.com

Contests back on BBC ? with cheaper votes and tight rules

Viewers taking part in BBC phone-in competitions will pay no more than 15p for premium-rate call lines, the corporation promised yesterday.
From: www.theherald.co.uk

This new technology would provide: * The high speed of Broadband service; * Wireless rather than wired access, so it ...

By MALUM NALU If I were to make a New Year ICT resolution for Papua New Guinea, it would be to see cheaper and more-reliable Internet access in 2008. There are basically three different ways that you can access the Internet today: Broadband, Wifi and Dial-up.
From: www.thenational.com.pg

RETAIL REVOLUTION

How is the retail transformation that has begun going to affect the over half-million people in wholesale and retail trade, and consumers, and companies marketing to them? There is considerable agitation about the retail revolution. Many hawkers, middlemen and small retailers have protested.
From: www.telegraphindia.com

Sparsely populated, but catching up fast

By FAY KNIGHT fay.knight@northernstar.com.au MAYBE the television reception s not great or maybe it s just a very friendly area, but the Kyogle Shire is leading the Northern Rivers in the baby-making stakes.
From: www.northernstar.com.au

Mexican doctor charged with posing as plastic surgeon, botching operations

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Gabriela Sanchez always felt self-conscious about her small breasts, and at age 40 she decided to do something about it.
From: ca.news.yahoo.com

Twenty stocks for 2008

Stock selection will be the key factor in determining returns in 2008, given concerns of a global slowdown and premium valuations in domestic markets.
From: www.business-standard.com

Exercise videos the perfect way to get fit for the new year

Getting that new body for the new year may be easier ? and cheaper ? than you think.
From: www.news-press.com

Cheaper oil will ruin M?sia

TUARAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday that the country will become bankrupt if the government reduces oil prices, which are sky rocketing in the world market.
From: www.theborneopost.com

The joy of owning a home

My fiancée Nancy and I got our first real taste of homeownership last Saturday. We had just finished exchanging gifts with a few close friends from high school, which has become a bit of an annual tradition since everyone returns home to the Baltimore area a few days before Christmas each year.
From: www.carrollcountytimes.com

Overseas demand for land growing

Demand for farmland in Norfolk and Suffolk from overseas buyers is pushing up prices, an agent says.
From: news.bbc.co.uk

Of light bulbs, razor blades and happiness

Light bulbs, razor blades, eyeglasses and identity theft products were among the topics that resonated most with readers in 2007.
From: www.mcall.com

Galaxy Entertainment, new to the casino business, prospers in Macao

Galaxy has managed to hold its own in a crowded market, capturing a 20 percent share of gambling revenues.
From: www.iht.com

Overhaul your spending habits

Sure, little things can save money. But roll up your sleeves and look for even deeper cuts. How many times have you heard that if you just cut out those lattes, you could eliminate your budget problems?
From: www.orlandosentinel.com

Ex-mill workers gain aid

LEE ? Laid-off workers from MeadWestvaco Specialty Papers are now eligible for extended unemployment and job retraining benefits, as are their counterparts at Schweitzer-Mauduit Paper International across town, which will begin shedding its paper workers in May.
From: www.berkshireeagle.com

Chicago braces for bottled-water tax

In her never-ending effort to maintain her health and appearance, Jill Walker credits bottled water with improving her digestion, maintaining...
From: seattletimes.nwsource.com

Canadians find cars cheaper in Montana

HELENA, Mont. -- Vu Tran of Calgary, Alberta, figures he saved about $14,000 when he recently bought a new car at a Montana dealership.
From: www.delawareonline.com

Elusive upside to downtown

The upside to a housing slump is cheaper homes.
From: www.denverpost.com

Maryland drink stays cheap

Lawmakers, others point to coordinated lobbying efforts that keep alcohol levies low If all the tax increases the General Assembly passed last month have you down, there might be at least one bright side: Drowning your sorrows is still cheaper in Maryland than just about anywhere else.
From: www.baltimoresun.com

FREE PRESS EDITORIAL: RETIREMENT PLANNING: As boomers leave the workforce, Michigan has to prepare

The first baby boomers begin drawing Social Security on Tuesday. Yes, the day has finally arrived. This is an in-your-face reminder of the crunch that is coming -- a crunch that the nation and especially states like Michigan are ill prepared for.
From: www.freep.com

Bad teachers can go on teaching

School districts across metro Detroit have found dozens of tenured teachers unfit to lead classrooms over the last four years, but usually paid them to leave and removed the allegations of impropriety and incompetence from their records instead of trying to fire the teachers outright.
From: www.freep.com

Namibia: Etosha National Park is a perfect place for animal watching

Two prides of lions stretched luxuriously in the midday sun, casting an occasional lazy glance at crowds of zebras, impalas and giraffes waiting anxiously for a turn to quench their thirst at the water hole.
From: deseretnews.com

Corn or beans? Difficult decision ahead for farmers

On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary - for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: www.clarionledger.com

Gold keeps on shining

Gold has become an even more precious metal over the past few months, as its price has surged upward to levels not seen since the 1980s.
From: www.pensacolanewsjournal.com

Tussar weavers hit by raw material crunch

New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) Tussar, the crisp, shining fabric that goes into making saris, jackets and all kinds of apparel for the well heeled, is facing a rough patch on its home turf in eastern India.
From: in.news.yahoo.com

FOOL?S SCHOOL Insurance You Don?t Need

Insurance is too important to ignore. It?s critical to have it for your home, your health, your car and often your life.
From: www.timesleader.com

Santa?s Super Saturday ready to pack up E-Scrap

As technology evolves at the speed of desire, gadgets and gizmos get better and cheaper each year. The downside ? the latest and greatest of last year is this year?s worthless junk. And what does one do with an old personal computer that can?t run Windows?
From: www.tribstar.com

Sampson and Smokey dress up for the holidays

Sampson and Smokey enjoyed getting into the holiday spirit.
From: www.charleston.net

Hay prices affect riding horse sales

TOPEKA, Ind. ? When it comes to the status of the local horse trade business, the phrase ?all work and no play? has taken on a whole new meaning.
From: www.goshennews.com

Study: Costco Customers Are Irrational

A Harvard paper says shoppers associate fees with savings.
From: www.usnews.com

The right must wait for its cull

THE New Hampshire primary on January 8, a week after the Iowa caucus, could be the decider for the Republican candidates. It is there that Senator John McCain hopes to revive his fortunes and Mitt Romney may make his last stand.
From: www.timesonline.co.uk

Solar power innovation

Wafer-thin panels bring cheaper energy closer than ever before
From: www.thehindu.com

JDV says House passed 15 priority bills in just 5 months

The House of Representatives under Speaker Jose de Venecia has passed 15 priority bills in the last five months, including the P1.227-trillion 2008 national budget and the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2007.
From: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Duque: Expand list of banned ?crackers

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned anew yesterday that the list of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnics should be reviewed. According to Duque, there are firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices ?allowed? under the law, which should be banned because of the danger they pose to the public.
From: www.philstar.com

The 3 Things You Need to Retire

Without them, you have no chance.
From: www.fool.com

Scientist dismisses detox diets

Following a so-called detox programme is a waste of time and money, a leading scientists says.
From: news.bbc.co.uk

Competition cuts the cost of shopping

A TYPICAL basket of groceries is now 22% cheaper than a decade ago, a supermarket said yesterday.
From: icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Insurance Tough Choice For Small Businesses

Health insurance for themselves and their employees was a big issue when Laurene and Sean Franklin moved their business from Indiana to Eureka Springs.
From: www.nwaonline.net

Baseball Ill-Equipped for Global Politics

Much in the way the United States government?s foreign policy is a complex and sometimes unfathomable, inconsistent exercise in supposed worldwide diplomacy, it should be noted that in 2007 Major League Baseball vastly increased its global reach, similarly leaving foreign governments, economists and U.S. business leaders scratching their proverbial heads.
From: www.elitestv.com

Light your fire

Simple makeovers can spruce up your fireplace Designers often say a fireplace is the focal point of a room. But if yours leaves you cold, take heart. Giving it a facelift can be easier and cheaper than you think.
From: www.in-forum.com

Economic woes crimp party plans

Metro Detroiters will be stepping out for traditional end-of-year celebrations over the next few days -- but the soirees will be smaller and less extravagant.
From: www.detnews.com

Briefs 12-29

The Spencer Jaycees are offering a Christmas tree pick-up service today. The charge is $5 per tree, which is probably cheaper than the gas to drive it out to the grass dump. Proceeds to be used for Easter Egg Hunt.
From: www.spencerdailyreporter.com

That sinking feeling

As we look back on financial trends, 2007 will go down as the Year of Lead. Lead in our Chinese-made toys. Lead in the pants of the banking regulators who supposedly protect us. And in the mortgage industry, loans that dragged down the entire world economy, sinking like lead balloons.
From: www.detnews.com

Raking in the revenue

In less than a decade, the state?s revenue from leasing pine straw raking rights in the 46,000-acre forest in Chesterfield and Darlington counties has gone from next to nothing to more than $700,000 per year. Last year, the forest made more on pine straw than on timber sales. The needles of the long-leaf pine native to the area are perfect as garden mulch. While pine needles aren?t rich in ...
From: www.thestate.com

Prescription Drug Discount Card

Prescription drugs just got a little bit cheaper for the uninsured in north Iowa.The United Way of North Central Iowa is teaming up with 20 different pharmacies to offer discounted drugs. The uninsured can use these cards to save up to 40 percent on their prescriptions.
From: www.kimt.com

New power tariffs come under barrage of attacks

The hikes in electricity tariffs and service line connection charges announced on Thursday and due to take effect beginning Tuesday next week have come under heavy criticism from members of the business community and ordinary electricity consumers.
From: www.ippmedia.com

Iowans lose their niceness to vent true political views

DES MOINES, Iowa | The political watchers call it ?Iowa nice.? State Sen. Wally Horn has experienced it firsthand. He has hunted votes among retired teachers and worried office workers in Cedar Rapids since the 1970s.
From: www.kansascity.com

Soldiers get citations for lying on hunting, fishing applications

Alaska wildlife state troopers say a dozen Fort Wainwright soldiers have been issued citations for providing incorrect information on hunting or fishing license applications.
From: www.ktva.com

Newcomer to Casinos Counts on Knowing the Players

Francis Lui, deputy chairman of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, offered his views on Macao, the intensity of the Chinese gambler and why he thinks he will outsmart his more experienced rivals.
From: biz.yahoo.com

The year in review ? and a few favorites

The big box-office contenders of earlier in the year almost invariably find themselves reduced to stocking-stuffers by December.
From: www.fwbusinesspress.com

Staying grounded

Travel: Cutting back on flying is an admirable resolution. Chris Woods reveals the pros and cons
From: www.guardian.co.uk

Predictions for 2008

What will 2008 hold for technology? Chris Stevens places our bets.
From: www.telegraph.co.uk

Heart doctors appeal over plan to ban life-saving devices

Doctors are to appeal against a cost-cutting ban on lifesaving heart devices, which is expected to be announced next week. They warn the decision could end up costing the NHS more money and even lives
From: www.dailymail.co.uk

Briefs Dec. 29-Jan. 1, 2007

Delta offers cheaper flights to UtahBudget-conscious skiers and snowboarders should know that Delta Airlines has announced sale fares to Salt Lake
From: www.parkrecord.com

Stock Upgrades, Downgrades From TheStreet.com Ratings

BankUnited, Coach downgraded; Alliance One, BankUnited and Coach downgraded; Riviera Holdings and United Natural Foods upgraded; coverage initiated on Quantum Group, International Royalty and Akeena Solar.
From: www.thestreet.com

A Weaker, Cheaper MRI

Magnetic fields that would barely budge a compass might find tumors faster
From: spectrum.ieee.org

Take your pick of the perks

The words crash and crunch have featured heavily in recent weeks, but some investors have found solace in a shareholder benefit not subject to the whims of the City: share perks.
From: www.timesonline.co.uk

The News as It Was: Bulgaria in EU

Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union on January 1, 2007 with all-night celebrations, bringing 30 million new citizens to the bloc, now with 27 members.
From: www.novinite.com

Market finishes flat as housing concerns weigh

By Caroline Valetkevitch NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks ended flat on Friday as weak new home sales data reinforced concerns that the housing and mortgage markets may be far from a...
From: www.kplctv.com

Market nearly unchanged; housing worries weigh

Stocks were flat on Friday as weaker-than-expected data on new home sales reinforced worries about the housing and mortgage markets, offsetting gains in the energy sector.
From: news.yahoo.com

US STOCKS-Market nearly unchanged; housing worries weigh

NEW YORK, Dec 28 - U.S. stocks were flat on Friday as weaker-than-expected data on new home sales reinforced worries about the housing and mortgage markets, offsetting gains in the energy sector.
From: sg.news.yahoo.com

Oil spikes towards 100 dollars after Bhutto murder

LONDON - Oil prices surged towards 100 dollars per barrel this week after Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber. On Friday, geopolitical jitters and weak US energy stockpiles drove New York crude to 97.92 dollars.
From: www.turkishpress.com

V V: Books of the year

What about fiction reference books? Many, but how long will they last? Two dominant trends can be discerned in the English language book world in 2007, and, as we close accounts, will continue with much greater acceleration in 2008 and beyond.
From: www.business-standard.com

Detox diets are a waste of time, says government advisor

Post Christmas detox diets are a waste of time and money, a Government scientist said today.
From: www.thisislondon.co.uk

Cheaper solar, relaxed visas

A variety of government rule changes will come into effect on January 1.
From: www.smh.com.au

Oil Rises to 1-Month High on U.S. Supply Decline, Weaker Dollar

Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose to a one-month high in New York after an Energy Department report showed U.S. inventories declined more than expected and the dollar dropped against the euro.
From: www.bloomberg.com

Market slips as housing worries weigh

Stocks edged lower on Friday as weaker-than-expected data on new home sales reinforced worries about the housing and mortgage markets.
From: news.yahoo.com

Oil Rises a Fifth Day Amid U.S. Supply Decline, Weaker Dollar

Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose to a one-month high in New York after an Energy Department report showed U.S. inventories declined more than expected and the dollar dropped against the euro.
From: www.bloomberg.com

Sydney, with cash and on the cheap

The mission: spend a day enjoying Sydney on an almost limitless budget, then try to duplicate the experiences for a tenth of the cost. Keith Austin accepted the challenge.
From: www.stuff.co.nz

Local News> Economic targets derailed by Dean, oil and grain

Even with national polls imminent and the uncertainty of when the election would be called, the year started out with positive expectations for the economy, no small part of which was momentum carried over from the peak 2.5 per cent growth in 2006 - a level not seen in decades.
From: www.jamaica-gleaner.com

The Real Aggressor

A sign of our time is the split-personality of the conservatives. Many to the right of center are off on a schizophrenic pursuit of both liberty and collectivism.
From: www.mises.org

What is the difference between international business and domestic business?

What is the difference between international business and domestic business?
From: www.thecommercejournal.com

Ford) - EXCLUSIVE.

Christian Loriaux speaks exclusively to Rallycourse and Crash.net Radio.
From: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Review: NeoGeo Battle Coliseum for PS2

SNK Playmore continues to push the 2D fighting franchises of its NeoGeo hey day, and NeoGeo Battle Coliseum is not much different. And though the game features classic characters from its other titles, you can expect a slightly different fighting dynamic. Read on to find out if this title is truly the ?King of Fighters? [...]
From: www.geek.com

Economy hits wall after summer run

WASHINGTON -- The economy sprinted ahead at its fastest pace in four years during the summer, although it is expected to limp through the final three months of this year as the housing and credit debacles weigh on individuals and businesses alike.
From: www.northjersey.com

Animated arguments

ANIMATION was invented when early humans drew multiple legs on animals in cave paintings, denoting movement. Their failure to develop the accompanying "whoo-wawoo" sound effects meant cartoons stalled until the Bronze Age and invention of the anvil.
From: theaustralian.news.com.au

The Wall Street Journal said European and U.S. banks, including Citigroup, were considering sales of everything from ...

Stocks looked set to claw back from Thursday?s sell-off, which was prompted by weak economic news and fears of global unrest following the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
From: www.khaleejtimes.com

Dreams of home on hold

NEW YORK ? The upside to a housing slump is cheaper homes. But many prospective buyers don?t see bargains yet, especially as stricter lending standards qualify only the cream of the credit crop.
From: www.journalgazette.net

County loan door opens, but expensively

Erie County officials and the stateappointed control board have settled on a way to borrow money for major improvements at the Buffalo Zoo, Erie Community College and assorted roads and bridges.
From: www.buffalonews.com

12 soldiers fudged on residency, must pay

Soldiers helping themselves to a military discount when getting an Alaska hunting or fishing license might take note of what happened in Fairbanks last week.
From: www.adn.com

NYER FLIPS OVER 825G STAMP SALE

DALLAS - One of the most famously flawed stamps in US history sold for $825,000 to a New York man who bought it slightly cheaper than the record price another "Inverted Jenny" fetched at auction last month. The rare 1918 24-cent stamp, depicting...
From: www.nypost.com

Online Recruitment: Power at your fingertips

Job searches clarified and simplified with online recruitment It?s the future of the job hunt. As part of a broad job search strategy, online recruitment can make looking for a job easier than ever before.
From: www.di-ve.com

Hog producers? losses will extend into ?08, economist says

More hogs going to market and higher prices for corn and soybean meal to feed them will lead to losses for pork producers throughout most of next...
From: www.desmoinesregister.com

The upside of upside-down

One of the most famously flawed stamps in U.S. history sold for $825,000 to a New York man who bought it slightly cheaper than the record price that another "Inverted Jenny" copy fetched at auction last month.
From: www.denverpost.com

Another Big Order for Boeing?s Dreamliners

Boeing said that it had sealed a deal with British Airways, raising the number of orders for its long-awaited 787 Dreamliner plane to 790 during the last three years.
From: biz.yahoo.com

New and Notable

* Recommended Theater addresses follow the reviews. ?Alvin and the Chipmunks? (PG) Computer animation and live action combine for this newest movie concerning those high-pitched singing squirrels from the 1960s cartoon series. Jason Lee (from television?s ?My Name ...
From: www.portlandtribune.com

For shopping early birds...

Merchants long have tried to lure shoppers into rising at ungodly hours to snare blockbuster bargains on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. But are the deals actually better?
From: www.boston.com

Chinese goods improving lives in Laos and its neighbors

The pineapples that grow on the steep hills above the Mekong River are especially sweet, the red and orange chilies unusually spicy, and the spring onions and watercress retain the freshness of the mountain dew.
From: deseretnews.com

The Credit Crunch: Searching for solutions to ease economic pressures

It has the makings of a recession: Americans are falling behind on their credit card payments, their auto loans and their mortgages. New-home construction is at its slowest pace in 16 years. Foreclosure rates are skyrocketing thanks to adjustable interest rates on subprime loans, and from Florida to California, homeowners who bought on speculation now owe more than they paid. Borrowed funds now ...
From: www.post-gazette.com

The dark side of booming TV sales

Brampton, Ont. ? Bob Brodie approaches his work as a surgeon does, but this is no operating room. Inside a cinderblock warehouse near the Toronto airport, he is pulling tools from the wall and arranging them into careful rows on the table in front of him.
From: www.globeinvestor.com

Analysis: Banjul?s 2008 Budget Figures And The State Of The Country ? II

Part I - I challenged Mr. Gaye?s facts and figures as largely erroneous and mostly without a measurable base in that country. Part II will cover those sections just mentioned above with similar analysis as to the figures and realities of that country. Next in sequence section is the fiscal outturn.
From: www.allgambian.net

Census a ?wake-up call? on economy

Rhode Island?s fourth consecutive dip in population in as many years is another sign of the state?s stagnating economy, say experts who track demographic and business trends.
From: www.projo.com

The best of times... the worst of times

The Egyptian economy has delivered one of its most impressive performances ever this year, with a spurt in growth rates generated by reforms and solid macro-economic management.
From: weekly.ahram.org.eg

Ominous signs for students of history

Commercial property values are in freefall with share prices in the sector down about 40 cent since January. UK real estate funds - hit by £494m ($986m, EU675m) of net withdrawals in November - are slashing valuations.
From: news.yahoo.com

FAA Warns Passengers Not To Take Fireworks On Planes

Hawaii leads the nation in a dangerous statistic: a greater percentage of people are caught trying to carry fireworks aboard airplanes in the islands than in any other state.
From: news.yahoo.com

Boeing 787 orders reach 790

Boeing Co. said Thursday it finalized a deal with British Airways, notching 790 orders for its long-awaited 787 Dreamliner plane during the last three years.
From: news.yahoo.com

Byproducts V: Why the Run-Up in Cobalt Demand?

Cobalt demand is booming - and so is its price. Should you get in?
From: www.resourceinvestor.com

BOLDFACED DENIAL WITH YET MORE SPIN

The 2007 year started out reasonably calm, and ended with constant damaging storms in an utter barrage. Wall Street denials of the housing crisis and mortgage debacle were as consistent as they were a departure from reality.
From: www.kitco.com

Lieutenant governor confirms movie starring Johnny Depp may film in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE Tax breaks for film production are already paying off and they havent even started: The makers of a big-budget Johnny Depp film are looking at locations in Wisconsin. The incentives, touted as some of the best in the nation, go into effect Tuesday. This is now a very attractive place, said Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, who is in negotiations with NBC Universal. We hope this will be the one ...
From: www.fdlreporter.com

New tax breaks lure filmmakers to Wisconsin

Tax breaks for film production are already paying off and they havent even started: The makers of a big-budget Johnny Depp film are looking at locations in Wisconsin.
From: www.greenbaypressgazette.com

Meeting colossal challenges

The industrial sector struggled immensely in 2007 as political uncertainty hit the economy, dampening consumer and business confidence. Without any help from the government, the industry is likely to face the same challenges in the year ahead.
From: www.bangkokpost.com

Silver Lining Elusive in Home Price Drop

The upside to a housing slump is cheaper homes.
From: sg.news.yahoo.com

Search for supply continues

Energy took centre stage among economic issues in 2007, with local debate focusing on new resources and alternative fuels as fears spread that crude oil would be hard to obtain in the future.
From: www.bangkokpost.com

6 Questions: One-on-One with Rik Parkhill, president, TSX Markets

The last year has been a huge one for the TSX Group. Not only did it purchase the Montreal exchange in a $1.29 billion cash and stock deal, but it also launched Quantum, its new electronic trading engine.
From: www.canadianbusiness.com

Populism still in vogue

Call it populism, welfare or even sound development policy. Whatever it is, Thai political parties now seem more engaged than ever in a competition to offer the most handouts to the public. Free education is a well-worn concept and hardly sufficient to make a party stand out in the crowd.
From: www.bangkokpost.com

Cleaner Coal Tech Faces Hurdles to Acceptance

From the top of a hill here in coal country, you can see distant swells of smoke curling up from coal-fired power plants along the flat horizon. Even here, in Edwardsport, Ind., a town of only 348 residents, a small coal plant has operated off and on since World War II. That plant might soon be replaced by a new kind of coal plant.
From: www.technewsworld.com

Not ready for the sunset

Thai garment exports, once dismissed as a 'sunset' industry, may rise 10% in 2008 thanks to greater demand from China, Japan and the European Union, according to Dej Pathanasethpong, the president of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association.
From: www.bangkokpost.com

A bus route to Missoula and Kalispell?

If all you want for Christmas are cheaper gas prices, there may be a bright light on your horizon.
From: www.leaderadvertiser.com

Bright Green Consumers and the Scourge of Greenwashing

First is a recent Forrestor Research study entitled ?In Search of Green Technology Consumers? that find an increase in consumers the profess an active concern for the environment and a willingness to spend extra for green products from an environmentally conscious company. According to the research, 12% of Americans (25 million people) fall into this ?bright green? category. That leaves 90 ...
From: www.enn.com

More low-cost airlines in Asia means more of everything, including crashes

Asia has seen an explosion of low-cost carriers in the past five years, increasing traffic to obscure destinations and opening options to middle-class travelers.
From: www.iht.com

Boeing Dreamliner orders soar to 790

Boeing finalized an order for 24 of its 787 airliners with British airways Thursday and the carrier placed options for another 18, and purchase rights for an additional 10 787s.
From: www.msnbc.msn.com

Farmers must decide between corn or beans

ST. LOUIS -- On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary â?" for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: www.pantagraph.com

Sony becomes latest to quit rear-projection TVs

Sony Corp. said it would stop making rear-projection televisions, becoming the latest company to distance itself from a technology once seen as a promising rival of LCD and plasma displays in the flat-TV market.
From: www.eetimes.com

Airlines up, shipping down in ?07

AS record-high oil prices multiplied the operating costs of airline and shipping companies, the competition between the two transportation sectors intensified in 2007 which saw airlines soaring but shipping firms drowning.
From: www.manilatimes.net

A short wish-list for 2008

WHAT to expect for the New Year? Well, 2008 will be looking at 2009 for political types which segues to the 2010 election. 2010 means a presidential election and expected regime change. The political shell game is on.
From: www.manilatimes.net

Uganda: Esther Lalam, a Teacher in Northern Uganda - an Xmas Feast And Reunion

This is part of a special IRIN series: Uganda Diaries, in which a selection of ordinary people in northern Uganda talk about their lives in their own words. The "diaries" were gathered over several interviews in Uganda starting from July 2007.
From: allafrica.com

Botswana: Morgue Attendant Turns Businessman

Retired senior mortuary attendant Elliot Sebego is determined to become a successful retail and services business provider after serving Government for 30 years.
From: allafrica.com

Bye bye, brands

Iconic UK names HP Sauce and Smarties have moved abroad. So, is Aston Martin next?
From: news.bbc.co.uk

Nigeria: The Good And Bad of a Strong Naira

Everyone understands the importance of money, particularly, a strong currency. So, everyone pays attention to any discussion that involves money. Recently, the naira gained some strength relative to the dollar and other hard currencies, and Nigerians have since been savouring the "good news".
From: allafrica.com

Effort to uncage chickens

PETALUMA -- At Sunrise Farms, 115,000 white leghorn hens cluck away in their cages, stacked four high up and down a cobwebbed barn in the Petaluma countryside.
From: www1.pressdemocrat.com

Joint Ventures May Bury Builders

The unraveling of these off-balance-sheet deals looms as the next big hit to the bloodied sector.
From: www.thestreet.com

Tinapa: new Dubai or white elephant?

In the minds of its creators, the Tinapa resort will rival Dubai or London as a shopping and trading paradise for rich and enterprising Nigerians. But the launch was supposed to be in 2006...
From: www.iol.co.za

Metals - Gold holds near 1-month high on high oil prices, weak dollar

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Gold held near a one-month high hit yesterday amid thin trading as high oil prices sparked inflation jitters and as the dollar weakened against the euro.
From: www.fxstreet.com

Restaurants trying to fill empty tables

With economists forecasting a recession next year, restaurant operators are plotting strategies to stay afloat.
From: www.ocregister.com

A way to 'bridge the gap' for ex-Lutz clients

Free but temporary adult day care for former Lutz Center clients and others will begin today and Friday at the Penn Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church.
From: www.theunion.com

RFID Tags: Grand Pacaraima Gold Corp. Announces Licensing Of RFID Technology Targeted To The Jewelry Retailing Industry

Grand Pacaraima Gold Corp. announced recently that the company has acquired Intellectual property (IP) rights to radio frequency identification (RFID) technology (patent pending). The technology involves using RFID tags specifically developed for use in jewelry retail stores to cut inventory management costs and enhances protection from theft.
From: www.retailsolutionsonline.com

AFX UK Focus) 2007-12-27 05:15 GMT: Corn or soybeans? Farmers mull choices

ST. LOUIS (AP) - On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary -- for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: www.iii.co.uk

The Year in Energy

Advanced biofuels, more-efficient vehicles, and solar power top the most notable energy stories of 2007.
From: www.technologyreview.com

Drug test rules are changing

HACKETTSTOWN | New state rules are forcing the school district to change portions of its random drug-testing program. The district may no longer be able to test middle school students and will have to obtain a state license to continue testing its high school students.
From: www.nj.com

Korea Hot Stocks-Brokerages, S-Oil, Hyundai Steel

SEOUL, Dec 27 - Stocks on the move on Thursday include:
From: sg.news.yahoo.com

Texas companies say exports give them an edge

For Carrollton-based Dosmatic USA Inc., the world is its market ? an approach that has the company boasting of growing sales even as storm clouds threaten the U.S. economy.
From: www.dallasnews.com

S.A. shoppers seek after-Christmas bargains

The day after Christmas -- one of the busiest days for stores -- shoppers spent gift cards, exchanged items or just snapped up bargains.
From: www.mysanantonio.com

Analysis: Banjul?s 2008 Budget Figures And The State of the Country

Good and well executed plans and budgets are the base of success for organizations in this world of cut throat competition. This is true for countries likewise individuals like me and you.
From: www.allgambian.net

Notion of crack being much worse than cocaine widely disputed

BOSTON - During some of the bloodiest years of the drug wars of the 1980s, crack was seen as far more dangerous than powdered cocaine, and that perception was written into the sentencing laws. But now that notion is under attack like never before.
From: www.maderatribune.com

Declining dollar hurts consumers

The U.S. dollar?s slide against other major currencies has helped drive up prices for energy and food.
From: www.projo.com

Productive spending will be a key factor

I hope year 2008 to be a good one. India is largely a big domestic market and what we are importing is capital. If there is a recession anywhere or slowdown of the global economy-for example, people are talking about the slowdown in America-only capital goods will be cheaper for us. So at the end of the day you can say that we will suffer in some export-based industries because the rupee is ...
From: in.news.yahoo.com

MCC decides that the grass is greener on fields farther from home

The competition for staging Test matches in England is becoming so intense that MCC is planning to adopt the methods used at Arsenal?s Emirates Stadium to improve the growth of grass at Lord?s during the day and at night.
From: www.timesonline.co.uk

Private firms may get nod to sell auto-LPG

Motorists have been unlawfully retrofitting risky kits to run their vehicles using subsidized cooking gas cylinders that are cheaper than imported LPG meant for automotive use.
From: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Deck The Malls: Thousands Turn Out As Boxing Day Madness Takes Over GTA Stores

Many shoppers find buys will be buys. But some are upset because what they wanted was already sold out.
From: www.citynews.ca

Exit 2007: Denials and Tontaria

EDITOR NOTE: Fitch Ratings contacted me to make a clarification on last week?s article, that they have not covered a debt rating on ACA Capital since 2004. My confusion came from a public article written on a major news service, which was the source of error.
From: news.goldseek.com

After-Christmas Shopping Rush In Full Swing

COLUMBUS, Ga (WTVM) Retailers across our area are slashing prices today to entice shoppers to continue spending after Christmas. The lots are crowded and so are the checkout lines but everyone has come to the Peachtree Mall for a reason today.
From: wtvm.com

Challenge to find land for oil palm expansion

Crude palm oil prices are expected to be well-supported by structural changes in global supply and demand for related commodities, says KL Kepong group plantations director Roy Lim Kiam Chye. PricewaterhouseCoopers managing director Chin Kwai Fatt advises companies to consider an assessment or reasssessment of their positions in corporate responsibility and align such initiatives to their ...
From: biz.thestar.com.my

Nestle strategy to defend profit margin

PETALING JAYA: Besides stiff competition, rising raw material costs is another big challenge for Nestle (M) Bhd. The surging global prices of commodities, ranging from wheat and milk powder to coffee bean and crude palm oil, are eating into the foodstuff manufacturer?s profits.
From: biz.thestar.com.my

Post Holiday Bargain Hunters Hit The Stores

GRAND RAPIDS ? Wednesday was a day for bargain hunters trying to snag after-Christmas deals and for retailers looking to make up for a sub-par holiday season.
From: fox17.trb.com

Gulp! Chicago braces for bottled water tax

O -- In her never-ending effort to maintain her health and appearance, Jill Walker credits bottled water with improving her dige
From: news.postbulletin.com

Difficult-to-open plastic packaging fuels ?wrap rage?

ORLANDO, Fla. ? On Christmas morning, Lisa Addy?s Orlando house resembles an assembly line. Her 5-year-old daughter unwraps a present, then hands it to Addy or her husband to open, a task that increasingly involves tools more suited for an electrician than a child.
From: www.journalstar.com

Medical care for the poor

WASHINGTON - An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.wthr.com

Careful! Here, the elixir of life actually kills

Drinking is injurious to health. In Anand Lal?s case, the poison was water. He was told that he was dying. Soon after, the 33-year-old was moved to the intensive care unit of a private hospital, all wired up, being constantly monitored by sophisticated gadgets and a team of doctors.
From: www.hindustantimes.com

Big bucks and bigger bucks: the Stuart and Sandy story

After a six-year wait Stuart Mauney was understandably excited to draw a Nevada mule deer permit, and bagging one of the bucks--an impressive rack by any standard--just made things that much better.
From: www.thepress-sentinel.com

A weak dollar: Some firms hurting, but others benefit

Currency exchange rates might seem esoteric and arcane. Until, that is, you hold out a fistful of dollars in trade.
From: www.ajc.com

In Laos, Chinese Motorcycles Change Lives

Motor scooters and other cheap Chinese products are changing the lives of some of the poorest people in Asia.
From: www.nytimes.com

Conn. Shoppers Flood Stores For Returns, Big Sales

Shoppers flocked back to department stores throughout Connecticut on Wednesday to cash in on post-Christmas sales, spend gift cards and return unwanted presents.
From: www.nbc30.com

2007 Business Bloopers

It has been the year of the subprime mortgage meltdown, tainted spinach, toy recalls and the housing slowdown. In fact, 2007 was singularly lacking in stellar business moments.
From: www.hispanicbusiness.com

Corn or beans? What will farmers do next spring?

ST. LOUIS - On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary - for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: www.daily-chronicle.com

NTT Group to Test Carrier Ethernet

In order to address the shortcomings of IP, and to minimize service disruptions for VoIP and IPTV services, Japanese telecommunications giant NTT Group is set to put carrier Ethernet technology PBT to the test in early 2008. In so doing, NTT will be joining a growing number of service providers intrigued by the potential of carrier Ethernet (also known as Provider Backbone Bridging-Traffic ...
From: www.billingworld.com

Should I use my retirement nest egg to build a new home?

Question: Should we build a new $500,000 home if it will be most of our net worth? Would it be better to stay in our paid-off townhome? We are retired and live on a pension and social security.
From: biz.yahoo.com

Putting your nest egg in one basket

Question: Should we build a new $500,000 home if it will be most of our net worth? Would it be better to stay in our paid-off townhome? We are retired and live on a pension and social security.
From: money.cnn.com

A holiday abroad may work out cheaper this New Year

Ringing in the New Year at an Indian five star may burn a large hole in your pocket.
From: www.ibnlive.com

Wintry weather adding to fuel fiasco: Homeowners scramble to cut heating costs

QUINCY - Bob Biagini has replaced his home?s doors. Laureen Pizzi has installed new windows, insulation and heating equipment. And Malcolm Gurney has been burning wood.
From: ledger.southofboston.com

Top Tech Trends in 2007

Legal tussles, format wars and (of course) the iPhone dominated 2007.
From: abcnews.go.com

Year in review: Green tech grows flush with green

Investment in energy technologies sped up in 2007, touching heavy industries and consumer products.
From: www.news.com

For now, no news may be good TV

NEW YORK ? To prepare for a prolonged writers strike, television networks have stockpiled a gladiator battle, a lie-detector game, a remade ?Password,? a celebrity ?Apprentice? and a competition for aspiring Pussycat Dolls.
From: www.buffalonews.com

14 ways to save on your spa experience

Want to de-stress for less? You can get a bargain at your local spa if you know where to look. In exchange for a little online homework, a few smart questions and some flexibility in the days and times you book, you can earn free services and score great discounts.
From: www.bankrate.com

Air and train routes supplemented at winter holidays

The air and train routes were supplemented to handle the flux of Moldovans coming home for holidays. The number of people coming home from abroad increases each year, Operator within Dispatcher?s Office of International Airport Chisinau Sabina Boganistiuc has said, contacted by BASA-press. The administration of the airport decided to supplement the direct air routes to Italy. In December 17-31, ...
From: social.moldova.org

Arroyo orders lower fees, better remittance service for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered, among others, lower fees and improved remittance services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
From: globalnation.inquirer.net

Medicare experiment tries to offer cheaper, better care

Doctors participating in a new Medicare experiment appear to have done the impossible ? delivering better care and saving money at the same time.
From: www.tennessean.com

Business Internet beats Wi-Fi

NEW YORK -- Consumers chafe at having only two choices -- phone line and cable -- for high-speed Internet service. For businesses, there are often even fewer options -- the offerings of the phone company -- due to the limitations of cable.
From: www.northjersey.com

Aging makes steak more tasty, tender

Q. In a recent review of steakhouses, I see that 90 percent use "wet aging" for 14 to 21 days. Please explain wet vs. dry aging. Most beef is aged a little, to lose the bloody taste and to improve flavor and tenderness. Both wet- and dry-aging promote tenderness because the enzymes in the meat break down fibers while the meat is aging. In dry-aging, the beef is unwrapped (or wrapped in ...
From: www.charlotteobserver.com

Simple makeovers can light up your fireplace

WASHINGTON - Designers often say a fireplace is the focal point of a room. But if yours leaves you cold, take heart. Giving it a facelift can be easier and cheaper than you think.
From: www.magicvalley.com

Food bank serves up health care, too

WASHINGTON ? An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.courierpress.com

Qantas Polishes Outlook as Industry Retrenches

Riding the tailwinds of a humming Australian economy, Qantas Airways predicts a 40 percent increase in 2008 fiscal year profits.
From: biz.yahoo.com

Movies that conjure an endless summer

Some of the best ones were about crime and sex, writes Paul Byrnes.
From: www.smh.com.au

The heat is on

PLATTSBURGH -- December is not over, and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has seen an increase in applications among seniors this year in Clinton County.
From: www.pressrepublican.com

Internet boots up family values across Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge ? Chatting on the internet and text messaging are convenient and quick ways to keep in touch but for many families under the strain of long office hours or lengthy business trips they also serve as crucial tools to enhance familial bonds.
From: english.vietnamnet.vn

With market ripe for corn, soybeans, what will farmers do next spring?

ST. LOUIS -- On his central Illinois farm, Kyle Winklemann has a quandary -- for farmers, certainly an enviable one.
From: pantagraph.com

Faces of 2007: Drew Endy, leader in synthetic biology

Drew Endy is an inventive scientific heir of the original genetic engineers at Stanford and UCSF who started to revolutionize biology and medicine around the time he was born in 1970. His generation may leap even further, not just by splicing a few genes but...
From: www.sfgate.com

Review: Benq MP622c projector

Although built around the same Texas Instruments Digital Light Processor (DLP) chip as the Benq SP831 we reviewed recently, the much cheaper MP622c isn?t quite in the same league.
From: www.pcw.co.uk

Will ?08 usher in a recession?

The housing slump nationwide stands to exact a sizable toll on the broader economy as jobs, retail spending and credit could take a hit.
From: www.projo.com

Review: Medion 6615 PC desktop computer

The old cliché ?good things come to those who wait? can certainly be applied to the computer industry. The pace of change is continuous, and the Medion 6615 PC is just one example of that, having just been given a £100 price drop in the January sales compared with its price before Christmas.
From: www.computeractive.co.uk

Review of 2007: A year that began with euphoria and ended with the spectre of recession

Economy
From: news.independent.co.uk

Grey Group Marketing Digest - December 2007

Bit By Agonising Bit The new Australian government has hit the ground running. Already the new Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has announced a firm switch-off date for analogue television across Australia: December 2013.
From: www.scoop.co.nz

Truffles: Siren song of seduction

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado ? Truffles are the culinary equivalent of sex. You love them or you don?t. You smell them or you don?t. You need them or you don?t. Musky, earthy, slightly sinister and consuming, the ugly little fungi clods aren?t child?s play.
From: www.vaildaily.com

NZ study finds way to stay thin after dieting

A New Zealand researcher has devised an antidote for the over-indulgence of Christmas that will be weighing heavily on many tummies today.
From: www.nzherald.co.nz

k1006 BC-IL-Spring-CornVs.Soy 12-25 0968

Eds: Moving on general news and financial services.
From: www.hdnews.net

Indian carriers offer cheaper tickets to US

Indian carriers are all set to turn the heat on foreign airlines on the lucrative Delhi-US market.
From: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Wheat prices jump, energy prices rally

NEW YORK (AP) 12/06/07 ? Wheat prices crept higher Thursday amid concerns that Argentina?s decision to hold back export registrations for several weeks will squeeze a market anxious for fresh supplies.
From: www.agweekly.com

India Inc wants reduction in excise on cars

New Delhi, Dec 25: India Inc has prepared its wish-list for the 2008-09 budget which include reduction of excise duty on motor cars, abolition of the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT), removal of surcharge on corporate tax and review of the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT).
From: www.centralchronicle.com

Demand slump subdues domestic wheat prices

Wheat products market witnessing downtrend ever since Diwali. Except in Bangalore, sales during Christmas elsewhere have been lukewarm. Higher prices driving consumers away from wheat products.
From: www.thehindubusinessline.com

25BATTERIES

Nearly every gift that beeps or flashes this holiday season is going to take batteries. And never before has the array of choices for nearly every device been so bewildering.
From: www1.pressdemocrat.com

Foreign buyers snap up 2nd homes in US

NEW YORK?Panden Rota, a Nepalese producer of fine rugs, is about to become a Manhattanite, the owner of a sumptuous apartment in the luxurious downtown neighborhood of Battery Park City.
From: www.elpasotimes.com

Food pantries offering health care to needy

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.cnn.com

The Computers

Q. My wireless connection to the router/modem (not to the internet) has been dropping out every half an hour or so.
From: couriermail.news.com.au

CNN - U.S. A Nation Of Santas And Scrooges

Which Statement Is True?  
From: www.cnn.com

2007 an ambivalent year

The year 2007 saw the demise of the unlamented Thirteenth Congress, which I consider the worst ever, and the convening of the Fourteenth Congress which is off to a running start.
From: www.manilatimes.net

A cheaper dose of medicine now

There are more alternatives for brand-name prescriptions today. A dose by any other name works as well -- and costs less.
From: www.orlandosentinel.com

Anderson offers cheaper adoption options

Staffers at Anderson Animal Shelter are reminding people that they offer low-cost spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations for area pets.
From: www.suburbanchicagonews.com

Crack vs. powder cocaine: Were differences exaggerated?

BOSTON - During some of the bloodiest years of the drug wars of the 1980s, crack was seen as far more dangerous than powder cocaine, and that perception was written into the sentencing laws.
From: www.mercurynews.com

Keep your new toys running well

DETROIT ? Nearly every gift that beeps or flashes this holiday season is going to take batteries. And never before has the array of choices for nearly every device been so bewildering. It used to be that a AA battery was a AA battery, forcing manufacturers to make claims like ?no one lasts longer? ? because no one lasted any shorter, either. That?s no longer true because of new technology.
From: www.thenewstribune.com

Food pantry project part of trend taking health care to needy

WASHINGTON ? An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.thedailytimes.com

No homebuyers here? Try looking overseas

Panden Rota, a Nepalese producer of fine rugs, is about to become a Manhattanite, the owner of a sumptuous apartment in the luxurious downtown neighborhood of Battery Park City. His primary residence will remain Katmandu, but his new home will allow him to spend more time at U.S. showrooms that display his rugs and more time with a brother and sister in New York. "I looked at many places, and I ...
From: www.charlotteobserver.com

Health screenings spread to food banks, barbershops

WASHINGTON - An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.tucsoncitizen.com

Last-minute shoppers finish their lists

MURRIETA -- Shoppers who habitually wait until the last minute to buy their Christmas gifts and people scratching off the last names on their lists filled Southwest County shopping centers on Christmas Eve.
From: www.nctimes.com

Free health care for needy at food bank

An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.msnbc.msn.com

The British are coming And the Nepalese and the Venezuelans -- to the U.S. housing market

NEW YORK -- Panden Rota, a Nepalese producer of fine rugs, is about to become a Manhattanite, the owner of a sumptuous apartment in the luxurious downtown neighborhood of Battery Park City. ...
From: www.post-gazette.com

News is not filling writer strike gap

To prepare for a prolonged writers strike, television networks have stockpiled a gladiator battle, a lie-detector game, a remade "Password," a celebrity "Apprentice" and a competition for aspiring Pussycat Dolls.
From: news.cincypost.com

Postal outsourcing: Britons sending Xmas cards via India

london ? Don?t be surprised if you see British citizens queuing up in post offices in India to post Christmas cards to friends and family in Britain. Many Britons have found that the Indian postal system is cheaper and more reliable than Royal Mail.
From: www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Medical clinics expanding care to needy

An out-of-work David Thomas walked into a Milwaukee food pantry just seeking groceries. Thomas learned he was a stroke waiting to happen and got blood pressure medicine along with his bread.
From: www.kansascity.com

New Program Envisions Health Care At Food Pantries

Food pantries have long aimed to help heal hunger. A new project aims to see how well they can help heal high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments, too.
From: cbs13.com

Tips in times of inflation

What can you do to protect your personal finances? In the year 301 B.C.E., prices in the Roman Empire were spiraling out of control. Rampant inflation sent both the people and trading systems into a frenzy. Emperor Diocletian tackled the problem the Roman way.
From: www.haaretz.com

County officials make requests for new building

Warren County officials are paying Treanor Architects about $50,000 to determine what the county might need now and in the future as plans are made for a new administration building.
From: warrentonjournal.stltoday.com

Forecasts for the economy and markets in 2008

Our stock markets will remain volatile for a while and upswings could be followed by a downturn.
From: www.rediff.com

Foreigners take advantage of U.S. home prices, weak dollar

Panden Rota, a Nepalese producer of fine rugs, is about to become a Manhattanite, the owner of a sumptuous apartment in the luxurious downtown neighborhood of Battery Park City. [ Submit your comments below. ] His primary residence will remain Katmandu, but his new home will allow him to spend more time at U.S. showrooms that display his rugs and with a brother and sister in New York. "I looked ...
From: www.ajc.com

Food pantries take health care to needy

A new project aims to offer medical care for the poor and uninsured in the places where they regularly gather.
From: www.wthr.com

Decades later, the notion that crack is far more dangerous than cocaine is widely disputed

During some of the bloodiest years of the drug wars of the 1980s, crack was seen as far more dangerous than powdered cocaine, and that perception was written into the sentencing laws. But now that notion is under attack like never before.
From: www.iht.com

Banks paying much less for use of ATMs

A handful of banks - either the smaller ones or new entrants which are yet to roll out their networks nationally - allow customers free access to ATMs of other banks.
From: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Notion that crack is more dangerous than cocaine widely disputed

BOSTON - During some of the bloodiest years of the drug wars of the 1980s, crack was seen as far more dangerous than powdered cocaine, and that perception was written into...
From: www.bostonherald.com

A primer on biodegradable plastics

Pros and cons of two kinds of biodegradable plastics on the market today.
From: www.csmonitor.com

Decades later, the notion that crack is far more dangerous than cocaine disputed

Roads dangerous after snowstorm Associated Press Highways were treacherous for holiday travelers in the upper Midwest in the aftermath of a blustery snowstorm that blacked out thousands of homes and businesses and snarled air travel.
From: www.uniontrib.com

Crack-vs.-powder disparity is questioned

During some of the bloodiest years of the drug wars of the 1980s, crack was seen as far more dangerous than powdered cocaine, and that perception was written into the sentencing laws. But now that notion is under attack like never before.
From: news.yahoo.com

The British Are Coming! and the Nepalese and the Venezuelans _ to the U.S. Housing Market

Leslie Wines December 24, 2007 - 12:59 a.m. NEW YORK (AP) - Panden Rota, a Nepalese producer of fine rugs, is about to become a Manhattanite, the owner of a sumptuous apartment in the luxurious downtown neighborhood of Battery Park City.
From: www.canadianbusiness.com

Blast of Snow Leaves 19 Dead in Midwest

Highways remained slippery for some holiday travelers Monday in the upper Midwest in the aftermath of a blustery snowstorm that blacked out thousands of homes and businesses and snarled air travel.
From: www.newsday.com

Lee needs to do the right thing and step aside

While mulitple felony charges against Patricia Lee are pending, she should step aside from her job as tax collector for Washington County. If for no other reason, she should do it to restore public confidence in the office, which now remains under a cloud of suspicion.
From: www.ddtonline.com

Pros may outweigh cons of Europe in the off-season

Each summer, Europe greets a stampede of sightseers and shoppers with eager cash registers. Before jumping into the peak-season pig pile, consider the advantages of an off-season trip.
From: www.cnn.com

Safaris and endless sands in Namibia

ETOSHA, Namibia (AP) -- Two prides of lions stretched luxuriously in the midday sun, casting an occasional lazy glance at crowds of zebras, impalas and giraffes waiting anxiously for a turn to quench their thirst at the water hole.
From: www.cnn.com

Albany food co-op plans construction of new store

Honest Weight Food Co-Op in Albany, N.Y., will build a bigger store in a new, more visible location in a project expected to cost more than $3.5 million.
From: www.bizjournals.com

TRAVELERS? CHECK : Air rivalry drives fares up, down

Airlines tinker constantly with fares, but it?s a big deal when one airline raises all its domestic fares by $5, $10 or $20. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition)
From: www.nwanews.com

Sri Lanka at Christmas

If you want a real travel bargain, fly on Christmas Day. Dea Birkett and her family have been doing it for years.
From: www.telegraph.co.uk

Bill would let cities control abandoned properties

COLUMBUS - City officials and lawmakers are trying to find a way to seize control of houses that have been abandoned, without the usual lengthy foreclosure proceedings.
From: news.enquirer.com

Do your homework before you spend

From before we are born and until after we die, we are consumers. Our moms buy and take supplements while we are still in the womb. Decades later, our kids spend hours in funeral homes agonizing over the choices and cost of sending us off to the next world.
From: www.canada.com

Practical health tips

Last week, we recommended holding our breath whenever we use hair sprays or household chemical cleaning sprays, etc. to protect our body from the adverse effects of these chemicals.
From: globalnation.inquirer.net

National golf academy buys course, wants moms to sign up

ASHLAND CITY ? A Nashville-based golf academy plans to buy Sycamore Valley Golf Club here and start marketing golf lessons to mothers in a bid to get the entire family playing the game.
From: www.tennessean.com

News Merry Xmas: 20 Hottest Shows In HDTV!

Washington, D.C. (December 24, 2007) -- High-Definition TVs are now in roughly 30 million U.S. homes and there are scores of high-def programming choices.
From: www.tvpredictions.com