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

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

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

Mugabe opens Zanu-PF congress

Al Jazeera EnglishRobert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president, has condemned splits within Zanu-PF, saying internal fighting is tearing the party apart and emboldening its rivals.Mugabe opened the party’s congress in the capital, Harare, on Friday, and addressed the party for the first time since it lost absolute grip of power and entered a unity government.”The reason why we lost last year was because… 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

Live chat: Tony Grossi analyzes beating the Steelers at noon

clevelandChat live with Tony Grossi today at noon.How did the Browns beat the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers for the first time in 13 games last night? Does Eric Mangini deserve another year solely based on beating Pittsburgh? What does this win mean for the rest of the season?Tony Grossi will be online for a special live Friday chat at noon to provide the answers and field your questions… 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

Top Chef : Death by mushrooms

Los Angeles Times"Man, I never shoulda done those mushrooms," is a phrase you're more likely to hear on a Sunday morning in Santa Cruz than on prime time TV. Who could have guessed that it would be one funky little matsutake 'shroom that would bring down the fan favorite, Kevin Gillespie?In a poll taken during the show, 58% of viewers thought that a more simple style of cooking… Read more

City of Oakland offers 3 possible ballpark sites

HeraldtribuneOAKLAND, Calif. – The City of Oakland unveiled three waterfront sites Thursday as potential spots to build a new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics and ultimately keep the team from leaving town.As the small-budget A’s have seen before, there are still plenty of hurdles ahead. In the past they haven’t been able to find a suitable spot to build and were set to leave Oakland and move… Read more

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