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

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

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly is heading to Notre Dame to replace fired Weis

StarTribuneCINCINNATI – Notre Dame has settled on Brian Kelly as the man who can restore its faded glory, just as he turned Cincinnati into a national title contender.Just 10 days after Charlie Weis was fired, it’s up to Kelly to revive the fortunes of a team that just completed the worst decade of football in the history of the storied program with a 70-52 record and three losing… Read more

Apple introduces iPhone developer RSS news feed, takes time off from iTunes Connect

TUAWLate yesterday, Apple introduced a RSS feed for news from the App Store Resource Center, which was introduced a few months ago, and gives iPhone developers news about what’s going on with the App Store for developers. Apple promises to deliver current turnaround time for app reviews (kind of a hot topic), program updates, development and testing techniques, and much more. Add it to your… Read more

Zelaya talks to leave Honduras for Mexico hit snag

Washington PostTEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Talks on Wednesday between ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto government about leaving the country for Mexico after spending nearly three months holed up in the Brazilian Embassy hit a snag over the issue of asylum.If Zelaya leaves Honduras it will end his hopes of returning to office and seal a victory for the coup leaders who… Read more

Go Go Hamsters pose potential health risk, says US watchdog

guardian.co.ukA £10 toy that is top of many children’s Christmas wish lists is at the centre of a health scare.The Mr Squiggle Go Go Hamster contains potentially dangerous levels of a toxic chemical which has been linked to cancer, according to a US safety watchdog.GoodGuide, a consumer testing research lab in San Francisco, claims the battery-powered furry animals have high levels of antimony… Read more