Breaking down the candidates

ESPNThe 2009 Heisman class has it all: a former winner in Tim Tebow; a former candidate in Colt McCoy; the nation’s best defensive player in Ndamukong Suh; a national title contending running back in Mark Ingram; and a running back who put Stanford football back on the map in Toby Gerhart. Each has impressive numbers. Each helped his team win.Only one can walk off with the statue Saturday (ESPN,… Read more

US STOCKS-Futures rise as data on consumer eyed

Forbes* Reports on retail sales, consumer sentiment on tap* Boeing ( BA – news – people ) says 787 Dreamliner test flight may come Dec. 15* Futures up: S&P 5.8 pts, Dow 53 pts, Nasdaq 7.5 pts(Adds details, quote, byline, updates prices)NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures rose Friday as investors awaited data that could provide a look at the health of the consumer, including reports… Read more

Brown Defends Deficit Reduction Plan

Wall Street JournalLONDON — The U.K.’s deficit reduction plan is more “detailed” than those of most other countries, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Friday.Speaking at a press conference at the end of a European Council meeting in Brussels, Mr. Brown said he believes the markets understand that the U.K. must get the economy back to growth, as well as drive down its deficit over time.”I… Read more

Green doesn’t like Suh’s chances

ESPNFormer Pittsburgh All-America defensive end Hugh Green watched last week’s Big 12 championship game with interest. EnlargeGeorge Gojkovich/Getty ImagesHugh Green was the favorite for the 1980 Heisman.Nearly three decades ago, Green was considered a Heisman Trophy favorite in 1980, along with South Carolina running back George Rogers.Green, who now lives in his hometown of Natchez, Miss.,… Read more

Futures Climb Ahead of Retail Sales

Wall Street JournalU.S. stock futures tracked overseas gains Friday ahead of key retail-sales data, as investors took heart from a strong report on China’s output.Less than two hours before the start of trading, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 46 points higher at 10448. The S&P 500 futures advanced 5.8 points to 1103 and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 7.5 points to 1805.5. Changes in… Read more

China’s Consumer Prices Rise 0.6% Amid Recovery

Wall Street JournalBEIJING — China is moving out of deflation after nearly a year of falling consumer prices, a turnaround driven in part by changes in government policies that kept costs of oil, water and electricity artificially low.China’s consumer price index climbed 0.6% from a year earlier in November, the National Bureau of Statistics said Friday, after declining every month since… Read more

calf born with cross-shaped marking to be spared from slaughter

Los Angeles TimesA calf born last week in Connecticut is getting a lot of attention for his unusual forehead marking: a cross that's been immortalized in "holy cow!" and "sacred calf" headlines from news organizations all over the world. (You'll notice, if you please, that we've spared you that cutesy headline-writing here.)The calf, a Jersey-Holstein cross whom… Read more

California Justices Hear Arguments in Polanski Case

New York TimesLOS ANGELES – The legal brawl over the fate of Roman Polanski moved to California on Thursday, where an appeals court heard a trio of lawyers debate whether Mr. Polanski, an Oscar-winning director, should be allowed to challenge his conviction on a 32-year-old sex charge while still under house arrest in Switzerland.Speaking before a courtroom packed with reporters and camera crews,… Read more

KAR Auction IPO raises less than hoped

ForbesKAR Auction Services Inc. shares will make their trading debut Friday, but the auctioneer of used and salvaged vehicles raised less than it had hoped in its initial public offering. The company’s IPO priced well below its expected range at a time of deep uncertainty in the auto industry.Vehicle sales in the U.S. have been at historic lows this year as the recession weighed on consumers’… Read more

Australian, New Zealand Dollars Strengthen on Job Gains, Outlook for Rates

BloombergDec. 10 (Bloomberg) — Australia’s dollar gained for a second day after a report showed employers added more than six times the number of jobs forecast by economists. New Zealand’s currency advanced on prospects for higher interest rates.The so-called Aussie rose after the statistics bureau said employers increased jobs for the third month in November, unexpectedly pushing down the… Read more

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