Retail Sales in US Exceeded Forecasts in November

BloombergDec. 11 (Bloomberg) — Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than forecast in November, a sign consumer spending is gathering speed heading into 2010.The 1.3 percent increase followed a 1.1 percent gain the prior month that was smaller than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Purchases excluding autos climbed 1.2 percent, also more than anticipated… Read more

Baucus Reportedly Gave $14000 Raise to Staffer Girlfriend

FOXNewsSen. Max Baucus gave a $14,000 raise last year to the female staffer he was dating and took her on a government-funded trip to Asia and the Middle East, Politico.com reported Friday.The Montana senator and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee acknowledged a week ago that he was in a relationship with Melodee Hanes when he nominated her for U.S. attorney. Hanes withdrew her nomination… Read more

Now guilty, Kilpatrick’s ex-deputy Kandia Milton to help FBI

FreepFormer Detroit Deputy Mayor Kandia Milton, a childhood friend of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, became the latest symbol of public corruption in the city, pleading guilty Thursday to bribery conspiracy in a $3.5-million city real estate deal.Milton is the first member of Kilpatrick’s inner circle to be convicted in the ongoing federal probe of public corruption.He is also the first person close… Read more

Utah Mom’s Disappearance ‘Suspicious,’ Police Say

FOXNewsThe disappearance of a missing Utah stockbroker and mother of two has turned “suspicious,” police say.West Valley City Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said Thursday that no one will reveal where 28-year-old Susan Powell is and “she has not contacted us or anyone else we know about.”Powell failed to show up at her job at Wells Fargo Financial on Monday. Her purse, cell phone and car all were… Read more

Mandela saw Freeman as the actor to play him in films

MiamiHeraldLOS ANGELES — There was an actor Nelson Mandela had in mind when asked in 1995 who should play him in a movie of his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Morgan Freeman was that man.”From then on it was Morgan Freeman was going to play Nelson Mandela somewhere down the line,” Freeman says in an interview about the Clint Eastwood movie “Invictus,” in which he plays Mandela.But,… Read more

Week 14 NFL Matchups

New York TimesChargers (9-3) at Cowboys (8-4)The Cowboys don’t want to hear about their 15-27 record in December over the past decade. They’ve been interrogated in news conferences and on talk radio. They’ve been criticized by everyone from their own stars of yesteryear — some of whom raised off-field distractions to an art form — to citizen bloggers who equate December toughness with… Read more

US judge declares Swiss banker, lawyer fugitives

sacbeeWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A federal judge in Florida has declared a banker and lawyer from Switzerland who were indicted on fraud charges as fugitives from justice.U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley signed the order against banker Hansruedi Schumacher and attorney Matthias Rickenbach on Thursday in West Palm Beach.Schumacher and Rickenbach are accused of helping rich Americans evade… 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

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