News From Yellow Business Pages » NYT

Bits: Yahoo Makes New Pitch to Shareholders as Stock Drops Further

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 10:03pm EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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Yahoo once again made the case to shareholders that its existing directors are better equipped to lead the company forward than an alternate slate proposed by Carl C. Icahn.

H&R Block Posts a Profit on Currency Boost

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 9:29pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The tax preparer H&R Block said Monday that it swung to a quarterly profit, beating estimates, as the weak dollar helped raise revenue 11 percent.

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Campbell’s Expects Profit at High End of Forecast

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 8:46pm EDT by By REUTERS

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Campbell Soup said on Monday that it expected to report fiscal-year profit at the upper end of its forecast range and announced a $1.2 billion stock buyback, sending its shares up.

Your Money: Food-Shopping Tips Direct From the Store Manager

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 2:48am EDT by By RON LIEBER

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As food costs soar, a high-quality grocer is experimenting with ways to save money while not sacrificing taste.

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Travelers Facing Deep Flight Cuts by Summer’s End

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 2:29am EDT by By MICHELINE MAYNARD

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Analysts say cuts by the airlines will reduce U.S. flights this year by almost 10 percent, with deeper cuts in store for 2009.

Garden Is a Seedbed for Green Cosmetics

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 2:13am EDT by By MARK LANDLER

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The maker of the cosmetics brand Dr. Hauschka is one of dozens of German companies benefiting from a growing global appetite for environmentally friendly products.

Cost of Living: Economy Can Wait; Stimulate Your Savings

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:58am EDT by By M. P. DUNLEAVEY

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As millions are receiving stimulus checks in the mail, it pays to ask oneself whether it ought to be spent the way Congress intended it, or whether it should be saved.

What's Offline: Hoping the Upswing Is Nigh

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:58am EDT by By PAUL B. BROWN

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All the bad news about the economy is actually good news, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance says as part of a package of articles highlighted on its cover.

What's Online: Why Some Succeed Wildly

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:57am EDT by By DAN MITCHELL

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A forthcoming book that examines how mega-success is achieved is already receiving much attention on the Web.

Executive Pursuits: Drag, Water, Repeat: Caring for Major League Dirt

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:57am EDT by By HARRY HURT III

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The ostensibly blue-collar pursuit of groundskeeping takes on much higher importance when it is applied to tending the field at Shea Stadium.

3 Nominees Approved by Senate to Fill Openings on S.E.C.

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:56am EDT by By DOW JONES

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The Senate has cleared three nominees to the Securities and Exchange Commission, agreeing by unanimous consent to confirm Luis A. Aguilar, Elisse B. Walter and Troy A. Paredes.

Court Backs Cable Competition

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:56am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to set rules meant to make it easier for new cable television competitors to gain local franchises.

Anheuser-Busch Begins Defense of InBev Bid

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:56am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Anheuser-Busch detailed its plan to make the company more valuable than the offer of $65 a share that it rejected from InBev, and gave 2008 and 2009 profit guidance above expectations.

In Bear Bailout, Fed Says It Tried to Avert Contagion

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:56am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Federal Reserve released documents Friday providing insights into its private deliberations of the controversial decisions that led to the bailout of Bear Stearns.

A New Fed Board Member

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:55am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Senate confirmed Elizabeth A. Duke on Friday as a member of the Federal Reserve.

Stimulus Payments Lift Consumer Spending

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:55am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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Consumer spending increased 0.4 percent last month, double the gain in April, after adjusting for inflation, after about $50 billion in tax rebates was distributed in April.

Charts: Sitting on the Porch, Leaving the Car in the Garage

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:52am EDT by By FLOYD NORRIS

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Consumer confidence data shows that pessimism about the economy is at historic highs, and that plans to take vacations or make major purchases are at some of the lowest levels ever recorded.

Class-Action Lawyer Gets 5 Years in Bribery Case

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:51am EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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Richard F. Scruggs, whose battle against the tobacco industry made him one of the country’s best-known plaintiff’s lawyers, received five years for conspiracy to bribe a judge.

Business Briefing | Wall Street: Fitch Weighs Lower Rating for Wachovia

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:51am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Fitch Ratings may lower the credit ratings of Wachovia, the bank that ousted its chief executive after greater-than-expected mortgage losses.

Business Briefing | Wall Street: Goldman Sachs Sees More Pain for Home Builders

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:51am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Higher refinancing costs may leave American home builders, including D. R. Horton and Lennar, the two largest, with negative cash flow in 2009.

Business Briefing | Executives: Gazprom Investors Elect an Ex-Prime Minister

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:50am EDT by By ANDREW E. KRAMER

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The revolving door between politics and business in Russia spun on Friday as Gazprom shareholders elected former prime minister Viktor A. Zubkov as chairman of the board.

Business Briefing | Deals: Virgin Mobile Agrees to Buy Helio

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:50am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Helio, a struggling cellphone carrier, was founded to bring the advanced features of South Korean phones to the American market.

Business Briefing | Deals: Oil Driller Spurns a Takeover Offer for a Third Time

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:49am EDT by By REUTERS

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The oil driller Grey Wolf reject the third offer from Precision Drilling Trust, saying the offer was still undervalued.

Business Briefing | Legal Matters: Payless Shoesource Parent Settles Trademark Lawsuit

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:49am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Collective Brands said Friday it had agreed to pay a footwear rival, K-Swiss, $30 million to settle litigation claiming trademark infringement.

Saturday Interview: China Is Just One Market for Travel Expansion

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:45am EDT by By JANE L. LEVERE

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Jane Jie Sun is chief financial officer of Ctrip.com, a Shanghai-based online travel agency traded on the Nasdaq, which has introduced an English-language Web site this year.

Battered by Oil, Dow Touches Bear Territory

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:45am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The Dow briefly fell 20 percent below its October peak, the figure that is regarded as the start of a bear market.

Venture Investors Wrap Up an Unusually Bleak Quarter

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:43am EDT by By MATT RICHTEL

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Not a single company backed by venture capitalists has gone public this quarter, a result of the weaknesses in the financial markets.

Talking Business: Easy Target, but Not the Right One

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:41am EDT by By JOE NOCERA

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The Congressional hearings this week over the impact of speculators on the price of oil made for wonderful theater — but they had nothing to do with oil.

Fox News Finds Its Rivals Closing In

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 1:26am EDT by By JACQUES STEINBERG

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Fox has seen its once formidable advantage over CNN erode in this presidential election year, as both CNN and MSNBC have added viewers at far more dramatic rates.

Spate of Changes in Airline Industry Heightens the Need to Plan Ahead

Posted: June 28th, 2008, 12:58am EDT by By MICHELLE HIGGINS

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Some tips to help navigate the less-crowded skies.

Sentences Reduced for Adelphia Founder and Son

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:45am EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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The sentence of John Rigas, 83, was reduced to 12 years from 15 years, and the sentence of Timothy Rigas, 52, was reduced to 17 years from 20 years, prosecutors said.

Bits: A Genetic Quest for Better Chocolate

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:43am EDT by By STEVE LOHR

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Mars and I.B.M. are collaborating on a five-year project to sequence and analyze the entire cocoa genome.

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NBC Settles With Family That Blamed a TV Investigation for a Man’s Suicide

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:38am EDT by By BRIAN STELTER

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The family of Louis W. Conradt Jr. had filed a $105 million lawsuit against NBC, which showed Mr. Conradt on an episode of “To Catch a Predator” on its Dateline program.

Stocks & Bonds: Shares Advance Modestly as Fed Leaves Rates Alone

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:35am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Wall Street ended an erratic day with a modest gain after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and issued a mixed assessment of the economy.

Google Appoints a Finance Officer

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:35am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Google named Patrick Pichette as its new chief financial officer on Wednesday, succeeding George Reyes, who retired in December.

California Sues Countrywide Over Lending

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:35am EDT by By REUTERS

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California joined Illinois on Wednesday in suing Countrywide Financial, claiming the company had practiced deceptive mortgage lending.

Monsanto Beats Forecast and Raises 2008 Outlook

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:33am EDT by By REUTERS

Monsanto posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its full-year forecast, but its shares fell as Wall Street expressed disappointment that the company’s results and outlook were not stronger.

American Airlines Details Flight Cutbacks

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:31am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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American Airlines will cut back flights at many airports later this year, including hubs in Dallas and Chicago, because of record fuel prices.

Profit Expands for BlackBerry Maker

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:31am EDT by By IAN AUSTEN

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Research in Motion said that its first quarter profit was more than double that of last year. But the result fell short of analysts’ estimates, causing the company’s shares to fall in after-hours trading.

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Strong Sales of Software Lift Oracle’s Net Income

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:30am EDT by By LAURIE J. FLYNN

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Oracle sounded a warning bell that growth was likely to slow in the first quarter as the company absorbed its latest major acquisition, BEA Systems.

Gene Testing Questioned by Regulators

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:29am EDT by By ANDREW POLLACK

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Regulators are cracking down on companies that sell genetic tests directly to consumers, threatening to crimp the growth of one of the hottest sectors of the biotechnology industry.

Advertising: A Spate of Ads Gives Vent to That Howard Beale Feeling

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:28am EDT by By STUART ELLIOTT

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Advertisers are trying to capture the spirit of outrage in campaigns that reflect and capitalize on the angry mood of the American consumer.

Not Just Another Jelly Bean

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:28am EDT by By KATE MURPHY

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An anomaly in the stagnant $29.1 billion candy industry, the Jelly Belly Candy Company continues to grow and increase market share.

Nissan and Others Add Factories in Emerging Markets

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:26am EDT by By MARTIN FACKLER

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In a radical shift, Japan’s staid Big Three automakers are plowing into exotic terrain, from Saharan Africa to the former Soviet Union to the scorching plains of southern India.

Anheuser to Reject InBev Offer

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:26am EDT by By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN

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The board of the brewing company Anheuser-Busch is planning to reject InBev’s unsolicited $46.4 billion takeover bid this week, people close to the company said.

Parties Split on How to Expand Offshore Drilling

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:25am EDT by By CLIFFORD KRAUSS

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Republicans want to end the ban on offshore drilling, while Democrats want to force companies to speed up exploration in certain offshore areas that they already control.

Damages Cut Against Exxon in Valdez Case

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:24am EDT by By ADAM LIPTAK

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The Supreme Court reduced what had once been a $5 billion punitive damages award against ExxonMobil to about $500 million.

A Hedge Fund Struggle for CSX Is Left in Limbo

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:10am EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

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CSX said that a shareholder vote was too close to call and that the results would take a month to tally and certify.

A Hedge Fund and Its Nonprofit Twin

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:09am EDT by By HEATHER TIMMONS

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With the Children’s Investment Fund and it’s affiliated charity, Christopher Cooper-Hohn and his wife, Jamie, follow a simple economic formula: he makes money, and she gives it away.

State of the Art: The Camera That Knows Where It Is

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:05am EDT by By DAVID POGUE

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A new technology lets your digital camera detect thousands of silent wireless networking beacons, decide exactly where you are and then transmit a batch of photos wirelessly to your computer.

Laptop Searches in Airports Draw Fire at Senate Hearing

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:58pm EDT by By AUSTIN BOGUES

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Advocacy groups and legal experts told Congress that it was unreasonable for federal officials to search the laptops of United States citizens when they re-enter the country from traveling abroad.

Wilber Hardee, Is Dead at 89; Founded Restaurants

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:49pm EDT by By DENNIS HEVESI

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Mr. Hardee was a farm boy turned grill cook who went on to open the first Hardee’s hamburger stand in 1960, starting a chain that now has nearly 2,000 restaurants.

Leonid Hurwicz Dies at 90, Nobel Economist

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:49pm EDT by By WILLIAM GRIMES

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Mr. Hurwicz shared the Nobel Prize in economics last year for his work on mechanism design theory, which helps explain the interaction among individuals, markets and institutions.

Expanding the Internet Well Beyond .com

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:19pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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An Internet oversight agency is considering the first sweeping changes in the network’s addressing system since its creation 25 years ago.

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Nike’s Profit Rises, but U.S. Sales Are Weak

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:01pm EDT by By REUTERS

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Nike reported a 12 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by international growth, but weakness in the United States sent its shares down about 5 percent.

Sales Up 6% at Bed, Bath & Beyond

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:01pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The home-goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit as sales rose 6 percent.

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Bits: Intel Won’t Embrace Microsoft’s Vista

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 7:33pm EDT by By STEVE LOHR

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Intel, Microsoft’s long-time partner in the development of the personal computer, has decided that it won’t upgrade most of the computers used by its employees to Microsoft’s Vista operating system.

Europe Plans New Push to Cut Mobile Charges

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 6:56pm EDT by By KEVIN J. O’BRIEN

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The European Commission, having capped roaming fees on international mobile phone calls, plans a new move to lower cellphone charges that could result in even greater savings for European consumers.

Bits: Publicis Launches Digital Media Initiative and Shakes Up Leadership

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 6:08pm EDT by By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD

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The advertising holding company Publicis Groupe announced a major reshuffling, focusing on digital media, and new partnerships with online portals.

Another W.T.O. Push for a New Trade Deal

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 3:26pm EDT by By JAMES KANTER

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Pascal Lamy, the director general of the World Trade Organization, has called a meeting of ministers next month aimed at reaching a breakthrough deal on liberalizing global trade.

Fed Keeps Rates Steady, but Notes Inflation Worries

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 2:25pm EDT by By LOUIS UCHITELLE

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The decision to halt a stream of rate cuts signaled concern that rising oil prices will push up the costs of goods and services.

Justices Cut Damages Award in Exxon Valdez Spill

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 2:20pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Supreme Court cut the $2.5 billion punitive damages award in the 1989 oil spill to $500 million.

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New York’s High Court Sides With Grasso

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 1:27pm EDT by By JENNY ANDERSON

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A New York court upheld a lower court ruling dismissing four of six counts originally brought against Richard A. Grasso, the former chief of the New York Stock Exchange.

South Korea to Lift Ban on U.S. Beef

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 1:21pm EDT by By CHOE SANG-HUN

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The government removed the last legal barrier keeping American beef imports from store shelves on Thursday, after weeks of demonstrations stoked by fears of mad cow disease.

MasterCard Pays $1.8 Billion to American Express

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 1:17pm EDT by By ERIC DASH

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The deal comes months after Visa paid more than $2.1 billion to American Express over similar antitrust claims.

General Mills Profit Falls, but Matches Outlook

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 11:20am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The company said costs for hedging commodities drove its fourth-quarter profit down 17 percent, but strong sales of yogurt, cookie mixes and Cheerios lifted revenue above expectations.

New-Home Sales Fell Again in May

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:48am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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Home buyers stayed on the sidelines despite lower prices while sales of big-ticket items stayed steady in May.

Monsanto Posts Higher Profit

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 10:21am EDT by By REUTERS

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The agriculture giant reported higher-than-expected profit and raised its full-year forecast, citing strong sales of herbicide and specialty seed sales.

Barclays Seeks $8.9 Billion in Funds

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 9:44am EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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The British bank joined rivals in tapping the wealth of Asian and Middle Eastern investors to strengthen its capital base in a sign of continuing fallout from the subprime mortgage turmoil.

Nissan C.E.O. Says Close to Raising Prices in Japan

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 12:47am EDT by By REUTERS

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Carlos Ghosn, the automaker’s chief executive, said the move was justified by the surge in the cost of raw materials such as steel.

Congress Looks for a Culprit for Rising Oil Prices

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:35pm EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD

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A pre-eminent energy expert is to testify on Wednesday before lawmakers that the suspicion that investors are a large cause for skyrocketing oil prices is misguided.

Service From Google Gives Crucial Data to Ad Buyers

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:30pm EDT by By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD

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Google’s new service will allow media buyers to identify sites where their display advertisements might work best, judged on criteria like demographics and traffic.

Hidden Sex Scenes Draw Ho-Hum, Except From Lawyers

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:28pm EDT by By JONATHAN D. GLATER

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Few plaintiffs joined a class action suit brought against the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which contained sex scenes buried in its software.

Approval Is Near for Bill to Help U.S. Homeowners

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:26pm EDT by By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

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Congress is poised to pass a huge package of housing legislation, including a refinancing plan aimed at rescuing homeowners in danger of foreclosure.

Florida Buying Big Sugar Tract for Everglades

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:26pm EDT by By DAMIEN CAVE

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The dream of a restored Everglades moved a step closer to reality when the nation’s largest sugarcane producer agreed to sell all of its assets to the state.

In Overhaul, Disney.com Seeks a Path to More Fun

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:25pm EDT by By BROOKS BARNES

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The Walt Disney Company, concerned that its main Web site is too corporate and not fun enough, is moving once again to overhaul Disney.com.

Rethinking the Country Life as Energy Costs Rise

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:24pm EDT by By PETER S. GOODMAN

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Skyrocketing energy prices are inflating the costs of living on the distant edges of metropolitan areas.

Economic Scene: High Medicare Costs, Courtesy of Congress

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:24pm EDT by By DAVID LEONHARDT

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Medicare pays $110 for a walker that Wal-Mart sells for $60, and medical equipment makers like it that way.

Brazil Seizes Livestock to Protect Rain Forest

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:23pm EDT by By ANDREW DOWNIE

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Officials seized cattle that they said were being raised on an ecological reserve, a warning to other ranchers raising cattle on illegally deforested land in Amazonia.

Consumer Confidence Declines to a 16-Year Low

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:20pm EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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A consumer confidence survey recorded its worst reading in 16 years, and home prices in April suffered their worst annual declines in two decades.

Illinois Sues Countrywide

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:19pm EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON

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The state says the lender defrauded borrowers by selling mortgages that soon went into foreclosure.

Low Mexican Gas Prices Draw Americans

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:18pm EDT by By ADAM B. ELLICK

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Government subsidies in Mexico keep gasoline and diesel prices low, leading to a surge of American “gas tourists.”

Dow Chemical Raises Prices for Second Time in a Month

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:13pm EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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Dow said that it was raising prices for the second time in a month, as well as introducing freight surcharges and reducing production to offset ever-rising energy costs.

Bid for Australian Energy Company Turns Hostile

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:10pm EDT by By DAVID JOLLY

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The BG Group, the British gas utility, took its $13 billion bid for Origin Energy directly to shareholders, saying the Australian giant was overplaying its hand by demanding a larger takeover offer.

Investor, a Socialite, Is Charged With Fraud

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 11:06pm EDT by By GERALDINE FABRIKANT

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Raffaello Follieri, 29, the former boyfriend of the actress Anne Hathaway, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with fraud and money laundering.

A Tentative Pact for Pilots of Merging Airlines

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:55pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Negotiators for pilots at Delta and Northwest said they had a tentative agreement with Delta management on a joint contract to cover both pilot groups when the companies merge this year.

NYSE Buys 25% of Qatar Securities Market

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:55pm EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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The deal gives NYSE Euronext a lead in the race against its British and German rivals to become a truly global stock exchange at a time when growth has slowed in their home markets.

Advertising: Citigroup Considers Repealing a Pledge, and the Slogan With It

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:54pm EDT by By ERIC DASH

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The financial giant had promised that it would no longer reserve the right to raise interest rates on already-issued credit cards.

U.S. High Tech Said to Slip

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:54pm EDT by By ERIC A. TAUB

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A report said that the U.S. is in danger of losing its high-tech edge as jobs go unfilled, in part a consequence of too few green cards or work visas available to talented foreign students.

Obama Assails Remarks by McCain on Offshore Oil Drilling

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:54pm EDT by By MICHAEL POWELL and MICHAEL COOPER

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Barack Obama took a poke at John McCain on Tuesday, saying that for him to talk of a “psychological benefit” from expanded offshore drilling is to define that policy as a gimmick.

Nokia to Open Access to Mobile Software

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:54pm EDT by By KEVIN O'BRIEN

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Nokia said that it would make the software that runs its phones available to outside developers, as the company tries to head off competition and stimulate the use of mobile music, video and e-mail.

Korean Court Clears Firm of Stock Manipulation

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:23pm EDT by By REUTERS

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A South Korean high court cleared the American private equity firm Lone Star of manipulating the share price of the former credit card unit of the Korea Exchange Bank.

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Kroger’s Earnings Surpass Forecasts

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:20pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The grocery chain was helped by an emphasis on lower prices, gasoline discounts and other efforts to appeal to money-conscious consumers.

Kodak to Repurchase $1 Billion in Shares

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:16pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Eastman Kodak’s move to buy back about a quarter of its outstanding stock sent its shares up sharply.

Auctions Are Aiding Sales in a Weakened Market

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:06pm EDT by By ALISON GREGOR

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Real estate auctions by property developers were thought to be a thing of the past — but they are back.

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Community Demands a Voice in a Landmark’s Revival

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 9:49pm EDT by By TERRY PRISTIN

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Residents of the northwest Bronx are reaching out to the private developer who will transform the Kingsbridge Armory into retail space, asking that labor standards and community space be included.

Waning Confidence Sends Shares Lower

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 9:49pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Wall Street ended an erratic session moderately lower Tuesday as concerns grew about corporate profits and the effect of high fuel costs on consumers.

Olive Garden Helps Its Parent to Higher Profit

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 9:21pm EDT by By REUTERS

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Darden Restaurants, parent of the Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurant chains, posted a higher quarterly profit on Tuesday.

Chrysler Taps a $2 Billion Credit Line

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 9:18pm EDT by By DOW JONES

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The credit line was a condition of its sale last year from Daimler to Cerberus Capital Management.

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Charter Won’t Track Customers’ Web Use

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 8:56pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The pilot information-gathering program, meant to offer advertisers the ability to tailor ad placement based on individual viewing habits, is being dropped on customer concerns.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/23/What%e2%80%99s_Obscene__Google_Could_Have_an_Answer'

What’s Obscene? Google Could Have an Answer

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:23pm EDT by By MATT RICHTEL

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The defense in an obscenity trial in Florida plans to use Google search data to demonstrate that that sexually explicit material does not violate community standards.

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Dealbook: A ‘Bonfire’ Returns as Heartburn

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:23pm EDT by By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN

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Visiting the New York Stock Exchange last year, Tom Wolfe, the author of “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” proclaimed that it was the end of capitalism as we knew it.

Washington Post Editor to Step Aside

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:22pm EDT by By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

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Leonard Downie Jr. will step down after 17 years as the top editor of The Washington Post, making way for a generational transition under a new publisher.

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China’s Visa Policy Threatens Olympics Tourism

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:21pm EDT by By DAVID BARBOZA

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Heightened security measures ahead of the Olympics are taking a toll on the tourism industry in China.

Advertising: Cable Channels Gain on Broadcast Networks

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:21pm EDT by By BRIAN STELTER

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Cable channels will sell from 7 to 8 percent more advertisement than last year, preliminary figures indicate, outpacing gains at broadcast networks.

A One-Time Tax Break Saved 843 U.S. Corporations $265 Billion

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:14pm EDT by By LYNNLEY BROWNING

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More than 840 of the largest American corporations reaped a $265 billion windfall thanks to a one-time tax break aimed at bringing home profits stashed overseas.

Confronting Inflation, on Separate Continents

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:14pm EDT by By CARTER DOUGHERTY

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The European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve are concerned that a psychology of inflation is setting in, where consumers expect the long run of rising prices.

Citing Gas Prices, I.R.S. Raises Auto Mileage Deduction

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:14pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Internal Revenue Service said that it was raising the automobile mileage rate that businesses and others could claim.

Bunge to Acquire Corn Products for $4.4 Billion

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:13pm EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

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The takeover of Corn Products, one of the country’s oldest agribusinesses, is yet another move by a food producer taking advantage of a rise in food prices.

Congress Plans to Tighten Rules on Energy Speculation

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:12pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Lawmakers continued to contend Monday that large investors are propping up oil prices, saying that speculation in crude futures has nearly doubled since 2000.

Guilty Plea Expected in Broadcom Case

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:12pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A plea agreement filed Monday said that Henry Samueli, a founder of the computer chip maker, would plead guilty to lying to the S.E.C. during a inquiry into the backdating of stock options.

At Google, Slow Growth in News Site

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:11pm EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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Six years after its start, Google News is far from achieving the kind of dominant position in news that it has in other areas.

G.M. Offers Deals to Cut Overstock

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:11pm EDT by By NICK BUNKLEY and BILL VLASIC

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The announced production cuts and increased incentives, including no-interest loans, come as the automaker struggles amid a consumer exodus from pickups and sport utility vehicles.

Home Depot Offers Recycling for Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:10pm EDT by By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM

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Home Depot’s move will create the nation’s most widespread recycling program for the energy-saving bulbs, which have to be properly disposed of since they contain small amounts of mercury.

The Times and I.H.T. Study Web Merger

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:09pm EDT by By DOREEN CARVAJAL

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The New York Times Company said that it was developing plans to merge the Web site of the International Herald Tribune with that of The New York Times.

Car Rental Agencies Using Add-Ons to Lift Returns

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:02pm EDT by By MARTHA C. WHITE

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Analysts say the cost of various optional, but heavily promoted, services like navigation units and fuel refilling are adding as much as 20 percent to the overall rental cost.

United to Eliminate 950 Pilot Jobs

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:02pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The layoffs come in addition to the 1,600 salaried positions the company has already said it will cut.

Chemical Maker Files Suit Over Approach to Merger

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:02pm EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

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Huntsman Corporation accuses Apollo Management and two of the private equity firm’s founders of interfering in its $10.6 billion merger with an Apollo company chemical maker.

Technology Leaders Favor Online ID Card Over Passwords

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By LAURIE J. FLYNN

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A technology industry foundation aims to reduce password overload among computer users through the creation of a system akin to an online identity card.

Registry for Lobbyists Is Greeted Coolly

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By JAMES KANTER

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Relatively few companies or associations rushed to register with the European Commission’s new registry of lobbyists, but those that did offered a glimpse of the huge amount spent each year on lobbying.

Market Barely Budges From Weak Level

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Stocks stalled Monday, ending mostly lower after rising oil prices and nagging worries about the financial sector gave investors little reason to buy.

Chinese-Australian Pact Brings Big Rise in Iron Ore Prices

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By REUTERS

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China’s largest steel maker, Baosteel, and the Australian mining company Rio Tinto have agreed on the highest price increase in at least a decade in iron ore term contracts.

Memo Pad

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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News about airlines and airports.

Frequent Flier: Gone on Business, but Back by Storytime

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 10:00pm EDT by By LOIS NAJARIAN O'NEILL; as told to JOAN RAYMOND

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A successful career and the practice of boiling most traveling to one-day trips are not incompatible.

Waste Firms Set Merger for $6 Billion

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 9:59pm EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

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Republic Services said it would acquire Allied Waste Industries for $6.07 billion in stock, uniting two of the largest companies in the waste disposal industry.

Cost-Cutting Helps Walgreen Raise Profits 2%

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 8:54pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Despite the modest gain, the results fell slightly short of Wall Street’s expectations and Walgreen shares slipped back.

On the Road: Roll With the Punches (More Are Coming)

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 8:02pm EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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It’s summer. Air travel is bad. It’s getting even worse and won’t improve anytime soon. And there is absolutely nothing you or I can do about it. So chill.

At Oil Conference, Saudis Offer Slight Rise in Production

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 1:45pm EDT by By ROBERT F. WORTH and JAD MOUAWAD

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An energy meeting in Saudi Arabia underscored how few options the world has to push oil prices down from their record levels.

The New Trophy Home, Small and Ecological

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 9:00am EDT by By FELICITY BARRINGER

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Homes are a new arena for LEED ratings, environmental badges of honor usually given to commercial buildings.

Scene Stealer: When the Comedy Is Lost in Translation

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 5:38am EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY

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Many more uniquely domestic comedies are not performing as well as other American movies abroad, posing a problem for Hollywood, which depends on foreign markets for roughly half of its total revenue.

Fair Game: How Big a Payday for the Pay Consultants?

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 5:35am EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON

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An approach to runaway executive pay might involve looking at potential conflicts of interest that compensation consultants may have as they provide other services to companies as well.

Shifting Careers: Fighting a War Against Distraction

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 4:22am EDT

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Frequent topics of discussion these days include the interruptions of working in the digital age, the mistakes we make while multitasking and the efforts to find quiet places to think.

Novelties: In Search of Perfect Harmony, Through Software

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 2:59am EDT by By ANNE EISENBERG

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New software promises to correct harmonic mistakes in music as easily as other software now fixes the red eyes in digital photographs.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/22/The_Count__See_the_Economy_Through_the_Eyes_of_Its_C.E.O.%e2%80%99s'

The Count: See the Economy Through the Eyes of Its C.E.O.’s

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 1:28am EDT by By PHYLLIS KORKKI

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See the Economy.

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Economic View: What Happens if We’re Wrong?

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 1:27am EDT by By PETER L. BERNSTEIN

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The greatest mystery in the tumult of the current housing and mortgage crises lies in two words that are turning out to be hollow: risk management.

F.C.C. Bars Verizon Tactic

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 12:12am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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The F.C.C. has voted to stop Verizon from trying to talk its customers out of switching to another telephone provider while they wait for their phone numbers to be transferred.

News Analysis: In Confronting the Foreclosure Crisis, a Bill Strikes a Balance

Posted: June 22nd, 2008, 12:03am EDT by By MANNY FERNANDEZ

Tags: [edit]

The bill that Gov. David A. Paterson and leaders of the State Legislature announced last week was, for Albany, that rarest of things — an effective compromise.

Ventures: Sure, Land Is Cheaper. So Is It Time to Buy?

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:43pm EDT by BY VIVIAN MARINO

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The real estate market may have cooled, but investor demand may soon be heating up for at least one type of property: land.

The Boss: Keep the Rejection Letters

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:41pm EDT by By HAMID MOGHADAM; as told to PATRICIA R. OLSEN

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Hamid Moghadam is chief executive of AMB Property.

Under New Management: Waistlines Expand Into a Workplace Issue

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:40pm EDT by By KELLEY HOLLAND

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Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, a condition for which employers, in their capacity as health insurance providers, pay heavily.

Databank: A Rough Week in a Rough Year for Stocks

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:38pm EDT by By JEFF SOMMER

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The stock market took a beating last week, pulling the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index down by more than 10 percent for the year.

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Everybody’s Business: Can the Fed Answer All the Alarms?

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:36pm EDT by By BEN STEIN

Tags: [edit]

Since World War II, there have been two major economic discontinuities in this country. The Fed did the right thing one time out of two.

Letters: The Power of Words at the Federal Reserve

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:35pm EDT

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Letter related to “Two Bubbles, Two Paths” (Economic View, June 15.)

Letters: Energy and Tariffs

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:35pm EDT

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Letter related to the article “This Global Show Must Go On” (Economic View, June 8.)

For Overseas Shares, the Sure Bet Is Over

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:34pm EDT by By CONRAD de AENLLE

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Declines in many overseas markets in the last year have been greater than those in the United States. And there is a sense they might be approaching a top of the economic cycle.

Fundamentally: Are Small-Cap Stocks Signaling a Recovery?

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:33pm EDT by By PAUL J. LIM

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The Russell 2000 index of small stocks has soared 12.7 percent since mid-March, compared to much more modest growth among the industry-leading blue-chip companies.

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Prototype: Predicting Where You’ll Go and What You’ll Like

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:25pm EDT by By MICHAEL FITZGERALD

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A new company launched a tool to analyze statistical data about people’s movements and routines, to help, for instance, a company to plan where it should put its next store.

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Market Maker: Wall Street’s Fading Crush on G.E.

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:21pm EDT by By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ

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These days, it’s hard to find much love on the Street for what was once the bluest of blue chips, General Electric.

Suits: Manhattan Magic, on Screen and Off

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:13pm EDT

Tags: [edit]

The movie producer and director Doug Liman remembers the importance of Central Park in his life and movies, and other items.

Ideas & Trends: For a Good Retirement, Find Work. Good Luck.

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:08pm EDT by By STEVE LOHR

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Market forces were expected to ensure that people over 60 could get a job. Turns out ...

To the Trenches: The Tort War Is Raging On

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:01pm EDT by By JONATHAN D. GLATER

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Corporate interests have won several victories, but trial lawyers continue to try to undo legislation restricting litigation and are pursuing new strategies of their own.

Nothing Sells Like Celebrity

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 10:52pm EDT by By JULIE CRESWELL

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Where stars end and products and pitches begin has grown less and less discernible in the era of the human billboard.

Success Story 2

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 4:50pm EDT by By MICHAEL HIRSCHORN

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How Steve Jobs used his Apple millions to turn Pixar into the most important movie studio of our time.

South Korea and U.S. Reach Deal on American Beef

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 3:30pm EDT by By CHOE SANG-HUN

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Protests continued despite an accord to restrict beef exports to cattle less than 30 months old to allay fears over mad cow disease.

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The Food Chain: India’s Growth Outstrips Crops

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 3:13pm EDT by By SOMINI SENGUPTA

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India’s supply of arable land is second only to that of the U.S., but it must buy some foods on international markets, exacerbating a global food crisis.

Travelers Shift to Rail as Cost of Fuel Rises

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 11:21am EDT by By MATTHEW L. WALD

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Amtrak has set records for its number of passengers and ticket revenues, but it faces many difficulties in growing quickly enough to meet demand.

U.S. May Free Up More Land for Corn Crops

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 2:59am EDT by By DAVID STREITFELD

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Midwest floods have washed out millions of acres of corn, and many are urging Washington to allow corn to be grown on protected land and to roll back requirements for ethanol production.

Off the Charts: Price Increases Put Pressure on the Fed

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:28am EDT by By FLOYD NORRIS

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The Federal Reserve knows that its credibility as a central bank would be damaged if investors concluded it was not determined to combat the recent rise in prices.

Banks Trimming Limits for Many on Credit Cards

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:22am EDT by By ERIC DASH

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After fostering the explosive growth of consumer debt in recent years, financial companies are reducing the credit limits on cards held by millions of Americans, often without warning.

Why Is Oil So High? Pick a View

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:20am EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD and DIANA B. HENRIQUES

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What confounds many experts is that the price of oil seems to be changing much faster than the world is changing.

Stocks Decline as Price of Oil Rises Sharply

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:19am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The Dow Jones industrials fell below 12,000 as a host of options and futures contracts hit their expiration dates.

Your Money: 8 Reasons You Should Not Expect an Inheritance

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:15am EDT by By RON LIEBER

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Costs are rising, retirement income is less secure and the golden years are lasting longer, leaving older people less to bequeath to their heirs.

Talking Business: A.M.D. and Its War With Intel

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:13am EDT by By JOE NOCERA

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Antitrust investigations are so maddening that the Federal Trade Commission is likely to have a hard time getting to the bottom of the case against Intel.

Assets Rise at Charity Arm of Major Fund

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:12am EDT by By HEATHER TIMMONS

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The funds of the charity arm of TCI, the hedge fund that has been involved in a battle with executives at the transportation company CSX, have more than doubled in its previous fiscal year.

Market Values: Pinpointing Bargains, Big or Small

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:12am EDT by By CONRAD de AENLLE

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Two successful portfolio managers, one oriented toward growth and the other toward value, offer ideas about where stock market bargains might be found.

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Shortcuts: Choosing the Right Gift for a Graduate (Just Don’t Send a Check)

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:12am EDT by By ALINA TUGEND

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The graduation season is upon us, and gifts now seem as much a part of the ceremony as the diploma.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/21/What%e2%80%99s_Offline__Avoiding_the_Gas_Pumps'

What’s Offline: Avoiding the Gas Pumps

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:11am EDT by By PAUL B. BROWN

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The constant news coverage of gas prices at more than $4 a gallon has motorists — and magazine editors — looking for alternatives to automobiles.

Fake Gems, Genuine Appeal

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:10am EDT by By DAN MITCHELL

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Manufactured diamonds have become indistinguishable from their natural counterparts.

For Chinese, the Reality of Higher Gas Prices

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:10am EDT by By JIMMY WANG

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The government policy of subsidizing fuel prices worked miracles in the past, but it is now one of the biggest policy concerns in China.

Chief of Mexican Brewery Quits Busch Board

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:09am EDT by By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN

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The resignation of the chief executive of the Mexican maker of Corona beer that is 50 percent owned by Anheuser-Busch may play a pivotal role in a possible takeover battle with InBev.

Canadian Court Allows Phone Buyout to Proceed

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:09am EDT by By IAN AUSTEN

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The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favor of Bell Canada and its purchasers on Friday, allowing the largest leveraged buyout in history to proceed.

Ford Delays New Pickup and Reduces Production

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:06am EDT by By NICK BUNKLEY

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Ford said it would delay the introduction of its new pickup, a vehicle critical to its plan to become profitable, and that it will probably lose money for a fourth consecutive year.

Business Briefing | Trade: U.S. Pipe Makers Win Trade Decision Over China

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:05am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The International Trade Commission voted 5-0 that the American industry was being harmed by the import of circular steel pipe.

Business Briefing | Legal Matters: Ex-Refco Chief Asks Leniency in Sentence

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:05am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Lawyers for Phillip R. Bennett, the former chief executive of Refco, a commodities brokerage, are pleading with a judge not to impose the maximum 25-year sentence that prosecutors are seeking.

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Business Briefing | Manufacturing: Boeing’s Dreamliner Passes a Crucial Test

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:04am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Boeing said that tests on the 787 Dreamliner’s power systems were successful, putting the plane on schedule for its initial flight in the fourth quarter and delivery to customers next year.

Business Briefing | Executives: Live Nation Chairman Will Step Down

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:04am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Michael Cohl, chairman of Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, stepped down Friday after a report of a strategy dispute with the chief executive, Michael Rapino.

Business Briefing | Global Economy: Mexican Peso Strengthens on Rate Increase

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:04am EDT by By DOW JONES

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Mexico’s peso closed at its strongest level against the dollar in five years Friday after the Bank of Mexico raised its benchmark interest rate, citing higher inflation.

Business Briefing | Deals: Investors Approve Sale of Getty Images

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:03am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Shareholders say Getty Images can go ahead with its plan to sell itself to the private equity group Hellman & Friedman of San Francisco.

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Saturday Interview: Oil’s Perspective on What’s Behind the Energy Crisis

Posted: June 21st, 2008, 1:02am EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD

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David J. O’Reilly is the chairman and chief executive of Chevron.

Mortgages: A Close Look at All Those Fees

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 10:34pm EDT by By BOB TEDESCHI

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Although the current lending environment gives lenders a good amount of leverage when negotiating fees with brokers, many people have little idea what constitutes normal closing costs for their loans.

Fighting Foreclosure on Staten Island

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 10:32pm EDT by By ELIZABETH A. HARRIS

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The city’s most suburban borough is more closely aligned with the rest of the country when it comes to the rate of homeownership — and, more recently, foreclosures.

The Greed Beat

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 8:52pm EDT by By MICHAEL HIRSH

Tags: [edit]

This collection of Joe Nocera’s best writing over the last quarter-century focuses on the business world’s human dramas.

Barclays Said to Be Seeking Capital From Japanese Rival

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 8:31pm EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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Barclays, which is seeking funds to replenish its capital, is said to be talking with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group about a cash infusion of close to a billion dollars.

An Increasing Appeal of Starting a Business

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 8:05pm EDT by By TINA KELLEY

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For women who want flexible hours, autonomy, and the chance to profit from ideas their corporate bosses often overlook, nap time is very much over.

Becoming the Boss

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 8:02pm EDT by By TINA KELLEY

Tags: [edit]

For an increasing number of women, starting a business brings the appeal of flexible hours.

A Green Coal Baron?

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 1:52pm EDT by By CLIVE THOMPSON

Tags: [edit]

Why Jim Rogers says going green can save the energy business.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/20/Matter__It%e2%80%99s_About...Nothing'

Matter: It’s About...Nothing

Posted: June 20th, 2008, 1:32pm EDT by By ALIX BROWNE

Tags: [edit]

The latest in retail luxury.

Entrepreneurial Edge: Keeping the Water Pure Is Suddenly in Demand

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:52pm EDT by By JAMES FLANIGAN

Tags: [edit]

Small companies are finding opportunities in ambitious plans to bring new supplies of clean water to drought-stricken areas in the U.S. and the world.

Chemical Maker Files Suit to Block Its $10.6 Billion Merger

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:51pm EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

Tags: [edit]

Hexion Specialty Chemicals, a chemical maker owned by the buyout firm Apollo Management, sued the Huntsman Corporation to end their $10.6 billion merger.

U.S. and China Agree to Ease Foreign Investment

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:50pm EDT by By STEVEN R. WEISMAN

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The countries announced that they would try to negotiate a treaty to ban the discriminatory practices that each side has accused the other of using to block foreign investments.

Bush Calls for End to Ban on Offshore Oil Drilling

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:50pm EDT by By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

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President Bush said that ending the ban would lower gasoline prices and “strengthen our national security.”

Trading Hurts Morgan Stanley Profits

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:49pm EDT by By LANDON THOMAS Jr.

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With its core securities trading business feeling the tight credit market, the investment bank reported a 58 percent fall in quarterly profit. The results were broadly in line with analysts’ expectations.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/18/Most_Doctors_Aren%e2%80%99t_Using_Electronic_Health_Records'

Most Doctors Aren’t Using Electronic Health Records

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:47pm EDT by By STEVE LOHR

Tags: [edit]

A government-sponsored survey of the use of computerized patient records by physicians points to two seemingly contradictory conclusions, and a health care system at odds with itself.

Chief Leaving Hearst After Dispute

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:44pm EDT by By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

Tags: [edit]

Victor F. Ganzi is leaving the publishing empire after nearly 30 years because of irreconcilable differences with its board of trustees over the company’s future, Hearst said.

DreamWorks Founders Seek a Chance to Move On

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:44pm EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY and BROOKS BARNES

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Steven Spielberg and his partner in DreamWorks SKG, David Geffen, are in discussions with Reliance Big Entertainment of India about a cash infusion of $500 million to $600 million

Dearth of Ships Delays Drilling of Offshore Oil

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:43pm EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD and MARTIN FACKLER

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As President Bush considers repealing a ban on offshore drilling, a shortage of ships used for such drilling promises to impede any rapid turnaround in oil exploration.

Fallout From Bad Loans Rocks Regional Banks

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:42pm EDT by By ERIC DASH

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Regional banks across the nation are being shaken to the core by the mortgage crisis. For many of them, things are going from bad to worse.

State of the Art: Grocery Shopping Made Easy

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:38pm EDT by By DAVID POGUE

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Meet the Ikan, a scanning device that allows you to stay home and order groceries from an illustrated, error-proof shopping list.

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The Catch Phrase Is ‘à La Carte’ as Airlines Push Additional Fees

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:37pm EDT by By MICHELINE MAYNARD

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Airlines are adding fees and surcharges on top of rising fares. They would like travelers to embrace them as “à la carte pricing.”

Audit Says Tanker Deal Is Flawed

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:35pm EDT by By LESLIE WAYNE

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The Air Force made errors in awarding a lucrative contract to Northrop Grumman and its European partner, the Government Accountability Office said.

Release of Generic Lipitor Is Delayed

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:33pm EDT by By STEPHANIE SAUL

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The settlement of a patent dispute over the blockbuster cholesterol drug will delay the release of generic versions in the United States until 2011.

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Advertising: Sustaining a Rally in Women’s Tennis

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:22pm EDT by By CLAIRE ATKINSON

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The Women’s Tennis Association, now known as the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, is trying to capitalize on the popularity of its stars with a $15 million global branding campaign.

After Loss, FedEx Issues a Cautious Forecast

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 11:17pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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FedEx reported a fourth-quarter loss and offered a gloomy outlook as it wrestled with a slumping American economy and soaring fuel costs.

Broader Role for Federal Reserve Sought

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 10:38pm EDT by By STEPHEN LABATON

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Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., in a speech on Thursday, will ask policy makers to move swiftly to give greater tools and authority to the Federal Reserve to handle financial crises.

Trouble in Financials Drags Down Shares

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 10:03pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Wall Street sank for the second consecutive day on renewed concerns about the financial sector and FedEx’s warning on profits for the coming year.

H.P. to Reorganize Its Printing Division

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 10:03pm EDT by By MATT RICHTEL

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Hewlett-Packard said it would reorganize its printing division, the company’s crown jewel, to try to accelerate the growth of its corporate and consumer printing services businesses.

At Social Site, Only the Businesslike Need Apply

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 3:16pm EDT by By BRAD STONE

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In the midst of Silicon Valley’s recession-proof enthusiasm for community-oriented Web sites, LinkedIn, the most boring of the social networks, is grabbing the spotlight.

Investors Seek Asian Options to Costly China

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 1:13pm EDT by By KEITH BRADSHER

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A number of multinationals are creating or expanding other Asian bases, particularly in Vietnam.

Fifth Third Bank to Raise $2 Billion

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 8:57am EDT by By REUTERS

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The large regional bank also said that it would slash its dividend by 66 percent to deal with mounting credit losses.

Dennis Weatherstone, Banking Sage, Dies at 77

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 5:19am EDT by By ERIC DASH

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Mr. Weatherstone helped usher in a new era of banking during the early 1990s as chairman and chief executive at J. P. Morgan.

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Wyeth Shares Rise on Promising Study of Alzheimer’s Drug

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 2:21am EDT by By STEPHANIE SAUL

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The drug maker said that a product for treating Alzheimer’s improved cognitive functioning in patients who did not carry a genetic variation called ApoE4.

Rising Prices and Banking Worries Push Shares Lower

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 2:21am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 100 points after a troubling reading on wholesale inflation underscored the drag of high energy prices on the economy.

Bill Promotes Universal College Loans

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 2:20am EDT by By JONATHAN D. GLATER

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After reports that some lenders have stopped offering federal loans at community colleges, two senators introduced legislation to forbid lenders from picking and choosing among institutions.

Square Feet: Budget Hotels for the Garment District

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 1:18am EDT by By J. ALEX TARQUINIO

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A handful of developers is transforming an erstwhile manufacturing area into a magnet for budget-minded travelers.

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Judge Sharply Dismisses Former Gossip Writer’s Suit

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:35am EDT by By JOHN ELIGON

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A judge dismissed a suit by a former New York Post gossip writer who accused Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton, The Daily News and others of conspiring to ruin his reputation.

Claim Over Red Cross Symbol Is Settled

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:11am EDT by By STEPHANIE SAUL

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The American Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson announced that they had settled a longstanding dispute over use of the Red Cross trademark.

Big Banks Sued Over Sewer Bonds

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:11am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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A man in Jefferson County, Ala., has sued 12 banks, advisers and insurers, claiming their work on county bond transactions saddled residents with soaring sewer bills.

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Ford Says Kerkorian’s Investment Is a Sign of Confidence

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:11am EDT by By BILL VLASIC

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After waging bitter battles with management at Chrysler and General Motors, the financier Kirk Kerkorian is off to a more peaceful start as a major shareholder in the Ford Motor Company.

U.S. to Set New Limits on Oil Trade Overseas

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:10am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Federal regulators said that they would place stricter limits on foreign exchanges that trade American oil as concerns continue to grow about the role of speculation in rising fuel prices.

Advertising: Crude? So What? These Characters Still Find Work in Ads

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 12:00am EDT by By STUART ELLIOTT

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Big brands have been borrowing for their marketing efforts characters from “Family Guy,” which has been criticized for everything from anti-Semitism and sexism to homophobia.

Executive Questioned in Insider Trading Case at EADS

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:58pm EDT by By DAVID JOLLY

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A former chief operating officer of European Aeronautic Defense and Space was detained by French authorities for questioning in connection with the investigation.

Producer Prices Rose 1.4% in May

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:57pm EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The rate was the fastest in six months, but core inflation — excluding food and energy — grew only moderately.

U.S. Will Lag in Tech Growth, Study Says

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:55pm EDT by By LAURA M. HOLSON

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While marketers and advertisers have much to cheer in the coming digital revolution, the fastest growth will be in emerging markets, with the United States lagging behind.

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Société Générale Teams Up With Rockefeller

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:54pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The French bank Société Générale and Rockefeller Financial Services of New York, which provides financial services for the wealthy, have formed an alliance in private banking.

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Square Feet: New Jersey’s Office Developers See a Few Bright Spots

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:52pm EDT by By ANTOINETTE MARTIN

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Some real estate professionals are sensing a possible resurgence for the office market in New Jersey.

Energy Costs Help Push Inflation Higher in Britain

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:52pm EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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Inflation accelerated to the highest level in more than 10 years in May, further tying the hands of British policy makers grappling with a slowing economy.

Economic Scene: Three Questions for McCain

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:51pm EDT by By DAVID LEONHARDT

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There are some unanswered questions about John McCain’s economic plans. And we in the media have largely overlooked those questions so far.

With a Modest Decline in Profit, Goldman Sachs Outshines Rivals Again

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:46pm EDT by By LOUISE STORY

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Goldman, the investment bank that has suffered the least from the tight credit market, reported quarterly earnings of $2.051 billion on Tuesday, topping Wall Street expectations.

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Detroit’s Shrinking Sales Take a Toll on Dealerships

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:42pm EDT by By NICK BUNKLEY

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Decades of declining market share have left Detroit automakers with too many stores and too few customers.

MBIA Debt Is Setting Up a Quandary

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 11:37pm EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON and VIKAS BAJAJ

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Credit default swaps are taking center stage in another Wall Street drama: whether regulators will let MBIA, the big bond insurance company, renege on a promise to shore up a crucial unit with $900 million in capital.

Free and Flush, Russians Eager to Roam Abroad

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 8:32am EDT by By CLIFFORD J. LEVY

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A people who under Communism were rarely allowed to travel abroad are now seeing the world. And relishing it.

Charging by the Byte to Curb Internet Traffic

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 1:12am EDT by By BRIAN STELTER

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Internet service providers are threatening to place limits on the online activity of their most active subscribers.

Surging Oil and Food Prices Threaten the World Economy, Finance Ministers Warn

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 12:19am EDT by By MARTIN FACKLER

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Finance ministers from the Group of 8 industrialized nations wrapped up a two-day meeting in Japan that was dominated by talk of rising petroleum prices.

Preoccupations: In a Year Off the Beaten Path, a New Direction for Life

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 12:08am EDT by By LAUREN CLARK; As told to PATRICIA R. OLSEN

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Taking a gap year after high school — to pursue other interests before applying to college — can define career paths.

Indian to the Core, and an Oligarch

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 12:07am EDT by By ANAND GIRIDHARADAS

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India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is shaping his country via capitalism, with echoes of Mohandas Gandhi.

The Count: When Gas Prices Lead to Roads Less Traveled

Posted: June 15th, 2008, 12:00am EDT by By PHYLLIS KORKKI

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This is the first time since the late 1970s and early ’80s that a significant number of people are behaving differently because of gas prices, a new survey says.

Spotlight: Scraping the Sky, and Then Some

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:55pm EDT by By AMY CORTESE

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For developers and urban planners in developing countries of Asia and Africa, one point is clear: the skyscraper will play a central role in accommodating growing populations.

Career Couch: The Homework to Do Before Enrolling Online

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:53pm EDT by By MATT VILLANO

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Online degrees can be a boon to your career and your life, as long you choose the right program and understand the commitment that will be involved.

A World of Curiosity

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:52pm EDT by By RICHARD JALICHANDRA; As told to AMY ZIPKIN

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Richard Jalichandra is the chief executive of Technorati, a blog based in San Francisco.

Databank: A Mixed Bag, With Inflation a Top Worry

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:51pm EDT by By JEFF SOMMER

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It was a mixed week for the stock market, which was constrained by unfavorable economic reports but nonetheless had some pockets of strength.

Letters: Rewarding Risks

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:50pm EDT

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Rewarding Risks.

Strategies: The Perils of Staying Too Close to Home

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:48pm EDT by By MARK HULBERT

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Americans tend to put a disproportionate share of their money into shares of companies based in their own states, new research has shown.

Economic View: Two Bubbles, Two Paths

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:48pm EDT by By ALAN S. BLINDER

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The role of the Federal Reserve is different depending on the type of economic bubble it faces.

Off the Shelf: The Business of Intelligence Gathering

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:45pm EDT by By HARRY HURT III

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In “Spies for Hire: The Secret World of Intelligence Outsourcing,” the author writes about the government’s intelligence gathering.

Digital Domain: In the E-Mail Relay, Not Every Handoff Is Smooth

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:45pm EDT by By RANDALL STROSS

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The basic Internet e-mail standard provides for the destination server to send back an error message if a message cannot be delivered — but even in this case, mistakes do happen.

Ping: Starting to Think Outside the Jar

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:44pm EDT by By G. PASCAL ZACHARY

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Attempts are under way to make glassmaking, an old, stable technology that requires lots of material and energy, greener.

Suits: A Venerable Firm, at Least in Name

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:43pm EDT

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A year-old Manhattan design and communications group generated interest by the mere choice of its name, and other items.

Travel Bug: That Bag Is Suddenly $15 Heavier

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:39pm EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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More airlines are expected to instate a fee for the first piece of checked luggage, following in the footsteps of American Airlines.

Fair Game: Approve This Deal, or Else

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 11:36pm EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON

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A private equity firm that contributed funds to Washington Mutual as part of a capital infusion deal got a sweet package from the bank in return.

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Habitats: House Won’t Sell? Turn It Into a B&B

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 10:34pm EDT by By LISA PREVOST

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After finding trouble selling their house, Kim Wanamaker and her partner Barbara Simkins decided to turn their house in Ridgefield, Conn., into a bed-and-breakfast.

The Medium: Swapland

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 4:43pm EDT by By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN

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Bartering, especially of homes, has found a new, global life on the Internet.

Mortgages: Person-to-Person Loans

Posted: June 14th, 2008, 12:08am EDT by By BOB TEDESCHI

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Online networks have emerged in recent years that allow people to find loans or make them, the same way they might exchange music or bid on collectibles on eBay.

Consumed: The Indie Look

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 6:06pm EDT by By ROB WALKER

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T-shirts celebrating little-guy capitalism — or at least the idea of it.

The Way We Live Now: Tariff to Nowhere

Posted: June 13th, 2008, 6:03pm EDT by By ROGER LOWENSTEIN

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Will the Democrats come to their senses on trade?

Spanish Truckers Block Border

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 1:34am EDT by By DALE FUCHS and ALAN COWELL

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In the latest show of distress over fuel prices, Spanish truckers began a blockade of their country’s border with France, lining up their rigs in a crawling strike.

Nickel and Diming, but Still Traveling

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:58am EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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So far, travel agencies say, business travel is holding steady, although companies are tightening their belts.

Stocks Are Steadier, but Analysts Are Cautious

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:51am EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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The Dow recovered some of its big losses on Monday after oil prices retreated, but the broader stock market remained mixed as financial stocks continued to tumble.

Saudi Arabia Calls for Summit on Energy Costs

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:48am EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD

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The energy summit of producers and consumers would focus on “how to objectively deal” with high prices, the Saudi government said.

Chip Maker Revises Target

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:47am EDT by By REUTERS

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Texas Instruments narrowed on Monday a quarterly earnings and revenue goal it issued in April because of caution among its chip customers and weak demand for high-end phones.

Share Sale by British Bank Draws 95% of Shareholders

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:47am EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER and ALAN COWELL

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Analysts said shareholder response to the Royal Bank of Scotland’s record $23.5 billion rights issue was in line with their expectations.

Fewer Planes, but Not Fewer Delays

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:47am EDT by By MATTHEW L. WALD

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Air traffic cuts, mainly at smaller airports, will not affect overall air delays as landing spots at busy airports will, for the most part, continue to be fully used.

Frequent Flier: Travelers, Yes. Skateboards, No.

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:47am EDT by By TONY HAWK; as told to JOAN RAYMOND

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The time is gone when Tony Hawk, a professional skateboarder, could take his skateboard on a plane as a carry-on.

Memo Pad

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:46am EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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News about travel, airlines and airports.

Discover Is Seeking $6 Billion From Rivals

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:45am EDT by By REUTERS

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The claim for damage against larger rivals Visa and MasterCard was cited in court papers that had been kept confidential in the antitrust case, first filed four years ago.

Times Vice President Is Appointed

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:45am EDT

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The New York Times announced the appointment of Michael Valentine on Monday as vice president for human resources.

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Two Actors’ Unions Fight as One Tries for a Deal

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:45am EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY

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The dispute increases the likelihood of new labor strife in an entertainment industry still recovering from a writers’ strike that ended just four months ago.

Change of Control at the Los Angeles Times Magazine

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:44am EDT by By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

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Control of the monthly magazine would switch from its newsroom to its business operations and the entire editorial staff would be replaced.

Advertising: A Venerable Sports Paper Plays Catch-Up

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:44am EDT by By DOUGLAS QUENQUA

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Now a new owner is hoping to revive the Sporting News, once nicknamed the bible of baseball, by bringing it into the digital age.

Apple Aims for the Masses With a Cheaper iPhone

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:43am EDT by By JOHN MARKOFF

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The company announced a new version of the iPhone with lots of new programs.

Surprise Increase in Pending Home Sales

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:42am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Pending sales unexpectedly increased in April to the highest reading since October, but they remain more than 13 percent below a year ago, an industry group said.

F.H.A. Faces $4.6 Billion in Losses

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:42am EDT by By RACHEL L. SWARNS

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The housing agency attributed the unexpected losses to high default rates in its portfolio of home loans.

Ranks of Underinsured Are Rising, Study Finds

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:42am EDT by By REED ABELSON

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A study found that the coverage of approximately one of every five adults younger than age 65 with health insurance was inadequate in case of serious health problems.

Kaiser Backs Microsoft Patient-Data Plan

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:40am EDT by By STEVE LOHR

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Kaiser Permanente is endorsing the drive toward consumer-controlled personal health records in a partnership with Microsoft.

Yahoo Shareholders Seek Repeal of Severance Plan

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:39am EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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An employee severance plan put in place by Yahoo to protect workers after a merger with Microsoft could skew the outcome of a proxy battle, a lawsuit says.

CIT Gains Financing for Its Debt

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:39am EDT by By REUTERS

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The commercial finance company has been struggling to secure financing for billions of dollars of debt maturing this year.

Justices to See Philip Morris Case a Third Time

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:38am EDT by By LINDA GREENHOUSE

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The Supreme Court will review for the third time the case of a longtime smoker who died from lung cancer.

At Airports, Lines Made for Speed

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:38am EDT by By SUSAN STELLIN

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A new system, using a ski slope metaphor, has three “self-select” security lines for travelers with various degrees of familiarity with airline checkpoint procedures.

Bush Talks Up Dollar as He Heads to Europe

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:37am EDT by By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and STEVEN R. WEISMAN

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Amid soaring oil prices and worrisome inflation, the White House is joining with the Federal Reserve in calling for an end to the dollar’s slump.

Derivatives Trading Is Scrutinized

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:36am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The regulatory step by the Federal Reserve is intended to assure that the failure of a major financial institution would not create the systemic threat seen in March after the collapse of Bear Stearns.

Dealbook: CSX Grasping at Straws to End Battle

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:35am EDT by By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN

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CSX, one of largest railroad companies in the nation, has managed to turn a proxy contest with a British hedge fund into a matter of national security.

Lehman Posts Loss and Plans to Raise Capital

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:34am EDT by By JENNY ANDERSON and LOUISE STORY

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The firm posted a loss of $2.8 billion, far exceeding the most pessimistic forecasts, and said that it will raise up to $6 billion in fresh capital from investors.

Gadfly, Contending Price Fixing, Sues OPEC

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:28am EDT by By DAMIEN CAVE

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Larry Klayman, a lawyer and conservative gadfly, filed a federal lawsuit in Miami accusing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries of price fixing.

The Food Chain: Worries Mount as Farmers Push for Big Harvest

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:25am EDT by By DAVID STREITFELD and KEITH BRADSHER

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As the world clamors for more corn, wheat, soybeans and rice, farmers are trying to meet the challenge. But evidence suggests harvests will be average at best.

Smartphones Now Ringing for Women

Posted: June 10th, 2008, 12:25am EDT by By LAURA M. HOLSON

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In a shift for the phone industry, women have emerged as eager buyers of so-called smartphones.

Big Chains Withdraw Tomatoes From Menus

Posted: June 9th, 2008, 9:36pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and other chains have halted sales of some tomatoes as health officials work to trace the source of a salmonella food poisoning outbreak.

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McDonald’s Sales in May Top Forecasts

Posted: June 9th, 2008, 8:55pm EDT by By REUTERS

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McDonald’s said on Monday that global sales in May were up a stronger-than-expected 7.7 percent at established restaurants, and its shares rose more than 4 percent.

Krispy Kreme Posts a First Quarter Profit

Posted: June 9th, 2008, 8:53pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The company had trimmed costs as part of its turnaround efforts.

Oil Prices Raise Cost of Making Range of Goods

Posted: June 8th, 2008, 8:32am EDT by By LOUIS UCHITELLE

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Companies that make hard goods using raw materials derived from oil are facing unpleasant choices as their costs skyrocket.

Slipstream: Nature Gave Him a Blueprint, but Not Overnight Success

Posted: June 8th, 2008, 3:04am EDT by By JOHN MARKOFF

Tags: [edit]

A scientist whose discoveries promised great increases in efficiency for a number of technologies found that companies showed little interest in redesigning their products.

The Count: That Spirit of Volunteerism, 60 Million Strong

Posted: June 8th, 2008, 12:37am EDT by By PHYLLIS KORKKI

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Whatever the reason, volunteering is a real boon to the organizations that receive that labor free.

Russia Takes Critical Tone on Economy

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:50pm EDT by By SOPHIA KISHKOVSKY

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In his first major economic speech since becoming president, Dmitri A. Medvedev said that the world might be in the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Fundamentally: Inflation? Stick With Stocks

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:30pm EDT by By PAUL J. LIM

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While inflation devalues corporate earnings, a major driver of stock prices, it is usually much harder on bonds.

The Feed: Out of a Church Kitchen and Into the Courts

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:28pm EDT by By ANDREW MARTIN

Tags: [edit]

Nebraska Beef, whose tainted meat was named a culprit in the death of a woman and the sickness of 17 others, is fighting back, saying the church group that prepared it was negligent.

Ideas & Trends: For New Journalists, All Bets, but Not Mikes, Are Off

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:12pm EDT by By JACQUES STEINBERG

Tags: [edit]

A citizen journalist embarrasses a former president — and prompts a discussion about the dos and don’ts of ethical reporting in the YouTube age.

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Everybody’s Business: When You Weren’t Looking, They Were Working

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:11pm EDT by By BEN STEIN

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Coming across a draft of a memoir my father was working on before he died, I realized I had never known how hard his work had been for a number of years in middle age.

Checking In: A Flexible Stay for a Hotel Franchisee

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:04pm EDT by By FRED A. BERNSTEIN

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A new hotel brand offers franchise agreements that are renewable each year, a more flexible arrangement than the industry’s standard 20-year contract.

Fresh Starts: Drawing a Map for the Later Years

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 11:00pm EDT by By CHRISTINE LARSON

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Geriatric care managers help connect families with services and options for elder care.

The Boss: Cross-Country Journeys

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:56pm EDT by By DIANE IRVINE; as told to AMY ZIPKIN

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Diane Irvine is the chief executive of Blue Nile, an online diamond retailer.

Databank: A Strong Thursday, and an Awful Friday

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:56pm EDT by By MARV SALTER

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The Dow rose more than 200 points on Thursday, only to tumble on Friday, affected by record oil prices and worse-than-expected unemployment numbers.

Economic View: This Global Show Must Go On

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:53pm EDT by By TYLER COWEN

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The enormous advances linked to increased global trade show that the backlash against globalization is not warranted.

Letters: Fixing a Broken Chain

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:52pm EDT

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Fixing a Broken Chain.

Novelties: Moving Mountains With the Brain, Not a Joystick

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:52pm EDT by By ANNE EISENBERG

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A new headset system picks up electrical activity from the brain and face to control the action in a video game.

Suits: Billions of Dollars, and 3,715 friends

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:50pm EDT

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Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York has tried hard to establish his geeky creds at a reception for Internet Week New York, and other items.

MGM: A Lion or a Lamb?

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:41pm EDT by By DAVID M. HALBFINGER

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Despite its enduring legacy as one of Hollywood’s most legendary movie studios, MGM hasn’t fit the profile of a full-fledged production company in years.

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Fair Game: Pay It Back if You Didn’t Earn It

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:34pm EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON

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Clawback provisions, which allow companies to recover executive pay that they find to have been based on incorrect financial statements, have become more popular.

Bank of America Is Firm on Countrywide Buyout

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 10:34pm EDT by By GRETCHEN MORGENSON

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Even as Countrywide Financial’s ugly financial results show no signs of abating, Bank of America says it is committed to go through with its takeover plans.

Mortgages: Shrinking Lines of Credit

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 3:30pm EDT by By BOB TEDESCHI

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It is no secret that lines of credit are harder to find these days. But what many homeowners may not realize is that their existing lines of credit can be eliminated at the lender’s whim.

Consumed: The Silence Generation

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 1:26am EDT by By ROB WALKER

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Technology adapts to eliminate the clatter of the city life, one person at a time.

When the Mosh Pit Is Your Sofa

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 1:21am EDT by By KRISTINA SHEVORY

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As artist struggles to establish themselves or to resurrect former success, they’re booking themselves into private homes, and inviting fans to see them perform in these ad-hoc settings.

Posting: The Geology of Cool

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 10:56pm EDT by By C. J. HUGHES

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Eco-conscious developers are taking advantage of the greenness of geothermal heat pumps to cool buildings.

Start in Neutral

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 10:19pm EDT by By TERI KARUSH ROGERS

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Brokers have a tip for clients who are renovating their apartments: If you want to resell, use simple layouts, basic colors and big-name appliances.

The Architecture Issue: The New, New City

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 8:51pm EDT by By NICOLAI OUROUSSOFF

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Shenzhen and Dubai may have outstripped Paris and New York as civic models. But can an instant city ever feel like the real thing?

Dow Plunges More Than 400 Points

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 4:25pm EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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The markets opened lower on Friday and then just kept falling, hit by a remarkable rise in the price of crude oil and a spike in the unemployment rate.

Oil Prices Skyrocket, Taking Biggest Jump Ever

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 4:14pm EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD

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Oil futures surged more than $10 a barrel, or almost 8 percent, to $138, fueling suspicions that commodities might be caught in a speculative bubble.

Bits: Icahn vs. Yahoo: The Latest Exchange

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 4:08pm EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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Carl Icahn said that Yahoo should offer to sell itself to Microsoft for nearly $49.5 billion and laid out his plan for the company, were he to succeed in taking control of it. Interestingly, Yahoo didn’t say the price was too low.

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Smiles All Around at Wal-Mart’s Annual Meeting

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 3:47pm EDT by By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM and MICHAEL BARBARO

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After three tumultuous years, filled with public relations dustups and sluggish business performance, the nation’s largest retailer publicly relished a turnaround on both fronts.

Your Money: Loyalty Program Offers Freebies (but Read the Small Print)

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 3:24pm EDT by By RON LIEBER

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Starbucks new rewards program demonstrates just how hard it is, in any industry, to build a program that inspires allegiance to a particular brand.

Sales Double for Game Maker

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:31pm EDT by By MATT RICHTEL

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Take-Two Interactive Software, publisher of the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, recorded sales of $540 million for its second quarter.

Intel Facing Antitrust Investigation

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:18pm EDT by By STEPHEN LABATON

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The Federal Trade Commission has opened a formal investigation of Intel for anticompetitive conduct, government officials and lawyers said.

Unemployment Rate Hits 5.5% as 49,000 Jobs Lost

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:09pm EDT by By PETER S. GOODMAN and MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The jobless rate surged to 5.5 percent last month, the government said on Friday, the biggest increase in more than two decades.

News Analysis: Big Airlines in a Rush to Go Small

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:08pm EDT by By MICHELINE MAYNARD

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With fuel prices almost double what they were a year ago, airlines have switched strategies from expansion to downsizing.

Zagat Family Says Company Is No Longer for Sale

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:03pm EDT by By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED

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Zagat Survey ended its search for a buyer, saying it would seek to “grow organically” instead.

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Agency Calls for ‘Energy Revolution’

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:30pm EDT by By JAMES KANTER

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The International Energy Agency said investments of at least $45 trillion are needed over the next half-century to prevent energy shortages and greenhouse gas emissions from slowing growth.

Mergers Accelerate as Telecoms Seek Growth

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 9:53am EDT by By KEVIN J. O’BRIEN

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Verizon Wireless announced it would buy Alltell to create the largest cellphone operator in the United States, while in Europe, a bid was made to create the world’s fourth-largest mobile operator.

A Gym Designed to Cater to Christians

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 4:13am EDT by By KATIE ZEZIMA

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The Lord’s Gym in Clermont, Fla., offers classes including “Yogod,” its take on yoga, and “Chariots of Fire,” a spinning class.

Stocks & Bonds: Investor Optimism Gets the Upper Hand

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 2:53am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Wall Street surged Thursday as investors looked past a sharp rebound in oil prices and focused on more positive news.

Highly Rated Auto Plants Set to Close

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:28am EDT by By NICK BUNKLEY

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Some of the most productive automobile factories are closing or losing large numbers of jobs in the motor industry’s upheaval.

Mukasey Declines to Create a U.S. Task Force to Investigate Mortgage Fraud

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:18am EDT by By ERIC LICHTBLAU

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The attorney general said he was confident that the current approach of using local prosecutors’ offices to oversee separate F.B.I. investigations was adequate.

Surge in Shipping Benefits a Tiny Exchange

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:12am EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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The Baltic Exchange in London has been a focus of attention as the shortage of ships and China’s thirst for raw materials have sent the world’s benchmark for shipping rates soaring.

Former Chief of Broadcom Is Indicted

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:10am EDT by By LAURA M. HOLSON

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Henry T. Nicholas III faces fraud, conspiracy and drug charges. He is also accused of running a stock options backdating scheme.

Ford to Cut White-Collar Jobs

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:08am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The cuts, 15 percent of Ford’s salaried work force, are in response to shrinking auto sales in the U.S. and a shift away from Ford’s moneymaking truck-based models.

Two Fed Bank Presidents Warn About Lending to Securities Firms

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:06am EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Two Federal Reserve Bank presidents warned in separate speeches on Thursday that the central bank’s decision in March to lend to securities firms might sow the seeds of further financial crises.

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Bosses May Have Hastened Chief’s Departure at HarperCollins

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:03am EDT by By MOTOKO RICH

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Accounts differ on the timeline of events that led Jane Friedman, the chief executive of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide, to unexpectedly announce her resignation on Wednesday.

Tribune Co. Plans Sharp Cutbacks at Papers

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:02am EDT by By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

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The company that owns The Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune will print fewer papers and employ fewer journalists.

2 Central Banks in Europe Keep Rates Unchanged

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 1:02am EDT by By MARK LANDLER

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The European Central Bank, alarmed by the soaring price of food and fuel, warned unexpectedly that it might raise interest rates next month to counter an inflationary spiral.

Advertising: A Live Promotion, at 14,000 Feet

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:54am EDT by By ERIC PFANNER

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Live TV advertisements have been making a comeback in the U.S., aiming to reach people who normally fast-forward through commercials.

High & Low Finance: Trail of Bad Loans Leads to the Couple Next Door

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:53am EDT by By FLOYD NORRIS

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Creative financing led to a string of foreclosures for a Florida couple who had turned speculators.

Wealthy Americans Under Scrutiny in UBS Case

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:52am EDT by By LYNNLEY BROWNING

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As federal authorities intensify an investigation into offshore bank accounts, the secrets of this rarefied world are being dragged into the open.

About 1 in 11 Mortgageholders Face Loan Problems

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:51am EDT by By VIKAS BAJAJ and MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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The default rate is rising even among homeowners with good credit who do not hold risky subprime loans.

Retailers Post Surprising Sales

Posted: June 6th, 2008, 12:46am EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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Discount retailers fared particularly well as price-conscious customers spent income-tax rebate checks.

Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Fall

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 11:33pm EDT by By REUTERS

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Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits fell to 357,000 in the week ended May 31 from a revised 375,000 for the prior week, the Labor Department said.

Los Angeles Sues Time Warner Cable

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 10:32pm EDT by By REBECCA CATHCART

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The suit brought by the city of Los Angeles says that the company has subjected subscribers to delayed repair appointments, deceptive pricing and Internet outages.

Europe Warns Germany About Shielding VW

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 10:26pm EDT by By JAMES KANTER

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The European Commission threatened to take Germany to court for failing to revoke a law shielding Volkswagen from a hostile takeover.

UBS Plans to Close Its Municipal Bond Business

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 9:13pm EDT by By BLOOMBERG NEWS

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The bank had failed to find a buyer for what was the third-largest underwriter of American state and local government debt last year.

Ratings Agencies Reach Settlement Over Fees

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 8:37pm EDT by By REUTERS

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The agreement reached with the New York attorney general will change the way credit rating agencies are paid by investment banks for reviewing mortgage-backed securities.

BP Says It Is Committed to Russian Venture

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 7:59pm EDT by By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ

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The statement from BP comes as the company’s joint venture, TNK-BP, came under fresh pressure from the authorities investigating accusations of tax evasion.

A Loss, but Toll Brothers Tops Expectations

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 6:15pm EDT by By ABHA BHATTARAI

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The luxury home builder posted a narrower-than-expected loss of $93.7 million in the second quarter, hurt by weakened demand amid the nation’s housing slump.

Fed Chief Signals End to Rate Cuts

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 5:17pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Ben S. Bernanke signaled that further interest rate cuts were unlikely because of concerns about inflation.

G.M. Closing 4 Truck Plants in Shift Toward Cars

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 5:04pm EDT by By BILL VLASIC

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Responding to a consumer shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles, G.M. is also weighing a sale of Hummer.

China Moves Quickly in Drug Mystery

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 4:29pm EDT by By KEITH BRADSHER

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The deaths of six hospital patients who received a blood-based drug at a hospital in Jiangxi Province has prompted an unusually swift response from authorities.

Auto Buyers Go Small in May

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 4:14pm EDT by By NICK BUNKLEY

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Smaller cars like the Civic and Corolla easily outsold the traditional pacesetters, the Ford F-series and Chevrolet Silverado pickups, last month.

Factory Orders Rise 1.1% in April

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 4:00pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Orders for manufactured goods posted a surprisingly strong increase in April as demand rose across a number of industries.

Lawsuit Criticizes Yahoo Retention Plan

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 3:13pm EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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The lawsuit against Yahoo’s board over its rebuff of Microsoft’s $47.5 billion buyout bid was made public by a judge who said that Yahoo had not shown good reason to keep it confidential.

Regulators Move to Tighten Oversight of Commodities

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 2:18pm EDT by By DIANA B. HENRIQUES

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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced steps including a demand for more information on investors to determine whether they are driving up food prices.

U.N. Issues Warning on Food Crisis

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 9:01am EDT by By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL and ANDREW MARTIN

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Resolving the global food crisis could cost as much as $30 billion a year and wealthier nations are doing little to help the developing world, United Nations officials said.

Downgrade of 3 Banks Revives Credit Fears

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 8:12am EDT by By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM

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Stocks markets fell on Monday after a trio of Wall Street’s biggest banks were hit with a ratings downgrade, leaving investors worried that additional billion-dollar losses may be in the offing.

Despite Fire, Universal Studios Is Open

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 8:08am EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY

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After a weekend fire destroyed part of the lot at Universal Studios, guides on the popular studio tour were working the disaster into their patter.

Tavern on the Green to Pay $2.2 Million to Settle Harassment Claim

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 2:24am EDT by By STEVEN GREENHOUSE and DAVID GIAMBUSSO

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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had accused the restaurant of “severe and pervasive” harassment of female, black and Hispanic employees.

Trade Center to Get Tenant From China

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 2:23am EDT by By CHARLES V. BAGLI

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A Chinese real estate company has signed a deal to lease space in the Freedom Tower, making it the first private company to agree to occupy the future skyscraper.

Following the Money Behind Big Brown

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:44am EDT by By JOE DRAPE

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James Tagliaferri’s St. Thomas Island-based asset-management company is the real money behind Big Brown and International Equine Acquisitions Holdings.

Boutique Bandwagon

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:33am EDT by By SUSAN STELLIN

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A couple of decades after boutique hotels were first launched, the concept has become so successful that hoteliers across the industry are rushing to develop boutique brands.

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H.P. to Put Microsoft’s Live Search in PCs

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:32am EDT by By REUTERS

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The agreement, which takes effect next January for new PCs in the United States and Canada, displaces a similar one Hewlett-Packard has with Yahoo.

No Ruling Means No Change for Fantasy Baseball Leagues

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:27am EDT by By LINDA GREENHOUSE

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Major League Baseball’s effort to maintain exclusive control of its players’ statistics failed on Monday.

Mobile and Landline Deals to Update Service in China

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:25am EDT by By REUTERS

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China Unicom, a cellphone service provider, agreed to sell a wireless network to the country’s largest fixed-line operator and buy a fixed-line company of its own.

Brocade Settles Suit Over Timing of Options

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:25am EDT by By REUTERS

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The network equipment maker agreed to pay $160 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit over the backdating of stock options, the company said in a statement.

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Sports of The Times: Baseball Follows Selig’s Lead on Cancer

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:25am EDT by By GEORGE VECSEY

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Bud Selig’s bout with skin cancer has led to Major League Baseball’s $10 million donation to an outfit, which will stage an unprecedented collaboration among the major networks for a fund-raiser to battle the disease.

Memo Pad: Memo Pad

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:24am EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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News about airlines and airports.

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Frequent Flier: The Dress Is in Chicago, but Lou Lou’s With Me

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:16am EDT by By REEM ACRA; as told to JOAN RAYMOND

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Traveling with pets can be an adventure. But not always because of the pets.

Dealbook: Secret Life of a Deal

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:10am EDT by By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN

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Two of Dow Chemical’s top executives worked on a $50 billion takeover of their company last year, behind the backs of the company’s chief executive and board.

On the Road: Hotels Struggle to Find the Right Eco-Message

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:07am EDT by By JOE SHARKEY

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Hotels that care about the environment often have to balance this concern with their own business needs.

U.S. Manufacturing Slips as Inflation Gauge Surges

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:01am EDT by By REUTERS

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United States manufacturing declined in May for the fourth consecutive month while inflation surged to the highest in four years, heightening fears of stagflation.

Tyson to Stop Calling Chicken Antibiotic-Free

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:57am EDT by By REUTERS

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The company cited “uncertainty and controversy over product labeling regulations.”

An Impossible Dream, the Euro Finds Its Way

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:39am EDT by By CARTER DOUGHERTY and MARK LANDLER

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After the success of the single currency, the European Central Bank faces a new challenge. How will it make monetary policy with some members mired in a slowdown and others stalked by inflation?

Class-Action Lawyer Gets 30 Months in Prison

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:37am EDT by By JONATHAN D. GLATER

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Melvyn I. Weiss, the prominent class-action lawyer, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by a federal district judge in Los Angeles for his role in concealing illegal kickbacks to plaintiffs.

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Kinko’s Is Now FedEx Office

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:19am EDT by By REUTERS

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FedEx said it will change the name of its printing and professional services unit, which it purchased in 2004, and record a charge resulting from the renaming.

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Grasso’s Grit May Win After All

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:11am EDT by By LANDON THOMAS Jr.

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The chances are growing that Richard A. Grasso will keep the $185 million pay package that led to his ouster as chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.

Wachovia Forces Out Its Chief

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:08am EDT by By ERIC DASH

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The ouster of G. Kennedy Thompson as chief executive, announced Monday morning, leaves the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank confronting an uncertain future.

Advertising: Mr. Bill Returns (in One Piece) to Pitch a Debit Card

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 12:06am EDT by By WENDY A. LEE

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Mr. Bill, the clay doll that was pulverized in vintage “Saturday Night Live” skits, makes it through the day in a new ad campaign by MasterCard.

U.S. Loses Latest Appeal on Cotton Subsidies

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 10:38pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The United States lost its final appeal on Monday in a billion-dollar trade dispute with Brazil over subsidies to American cotton growers.

Thompson Is Ousted as Wachovia Chief Executive

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:23pm EDT by By DEALBOOK

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G. Kennedy Thompson has become the latest banking executive to be shown the door during the credit squeeze.

British Lender Gets $353 Million Lifeline

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:30pm EDT by By JULIA WERDIGIER

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Bradford & Bingley on Monday became the latest lender to seek emergency help from an investor, agreeing to sell a 23 percent stake to TPG, the private equity group.

Paulson Offers Reassurances on the Dollar

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 11:56am EDT by By REUTERS

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The Treasury secretary defended the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, in a message to gulf oil producing states.

China Unicom Buys China Netcom in $23.8 Billion Deal

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 11:53am EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Separately, China Telecom and its parent will buy the code division multiple access, or CDMA, network and accompanying business from China Unicom companies for $15.86 billion.

U.S. Manufacturing Sector Contracted in May

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 11:31am EDT by By REUTERS

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Factory activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month while inflation pressures surged to their highest since April 2004, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

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Airline Group Sees ‘Desperate’ Times

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 10:41am EDT by By CAROLINE BROTHERS and MATTHEW SALTMARSH

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Citing high oil prices and the slowing economy, the International Air Transport Association sharply lowered its industry forecast for 2008.

Student Loans Start to Bypass 2-Year Colleges

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:58am EDT by By JONATHAN D. GLATER

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Some of the nation’s biggest banks have cut off students at community colleges and other less competitive schools.

Shifting Careers: When Intolerance Becomes Intolerable

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:58am EDT by By MARCI ALBOHER

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Many career shifts involve an “aha” moment. In Lisa Sherman’s case, the moment was not only the catalyst for a career change but also led her to tell her boss she was gay.

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After Financier’s Death, Suit Against Union Lives On

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:33am EDT by By MIKE TIERNEY

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The death of Kirk Wright, a hedge fund manager who was convicted of fraud and money laundering, does not end the suit by players against the N.F.L. and players union for allowing Wright onto a list of financial advisers provided to players.

Media Talk: Underdog Taps YouTube to Make Election Close

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:05am EDT by By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

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Political pros say that for the first time in a statewide race, YouTube had the crucial multiplier effect, turning an underfinanced campaign into a serious contender.

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Bits: Intel’s Chief on Strategy, Globalization and the Price of Oil

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 1:04am EDT by By STEVE LOHR

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Intel’s chief executive, Paul Otellini, talks about Intel’s move into processors for smaller machines, the company’s new chip plant in China, and the impact of rising oil prices.

Walter H. Diamond, Expert on Taxation, Is Dead at 95

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:55am EDT by By JULIE CRESWELL

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Mr. Diamond was an expert on international taxation and helped prepare the foreign exchange proposals for the Bretton Woods conference, which established the International Monetary Fund.

Indian Media Giant Buys Virgin Radio From Scottish Firm

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:27am EDT by By HEATHER TIMMONS

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While the price tag for the deal is not huge in merger terms, it might be a sign of things to come from India and other emerging markets.

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Looking Ahead: The Week’s Major Economic Reports

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:27am EDT by By THE NEW YORK TIMES

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The main economic news of the week will be Friday’s unemployment report, which is expected to show that May was the nation’s fifth consecutive month of job losses.

Permalink for 'NYT___Business/2008/06/02/Drilling_Down__Fast_Food%e2%80%99s_Portion_of_Parents%e2%80%99_Dollars'

Drilling Down: Fast Food’s Portion of Parents’ Dollars

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:25am EDT by By ALEX MINDLIN

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The average mother of a child under 15 spends more on fast food every year than on books, music, movies and video games combined, according to a new report.

At a Global Media Company, a Fresh but Less Sexy Approach

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:24am EDT by By MARK LANDLER and DOREEN CARVAJAL

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Markus Dohle’s promotion to chief executive of Random House, the world’s largest consumer book publisher, is just one part of a broader cultural makeover at Bertelsmann.

A Hollywood Horror Story, With a Twist

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:24am EDT by By ALLISON HOPE WEINER

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M. Night Shyamalan’s career illustrates one of the paradoxes of Hollywood: the industry loves the myth of the auteur — until faced with the realities of the box office.

Industries Allied to Cap Carbon Differ on the Details

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:24am EDT by By JAD MOUAWAD

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The difficult bottom line in the negotiations is that dealing with climate change will almost certainly hurt some industries and enrich others.

The Media Equation: Slumber Parties Go Digital

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:23am EDT by By DAVID CARR

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In the gender wars, men generally win the race to the bottom. This past week though, women were the ones who seemed completely preoccupied by the reproductive act.

The Human Hands Behind the Google Money Machine

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:23am EDT by By MIGUEL HELFT

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Nicholas Fox is among a small group of Google employees who keep a watchful eye on the vital signs of one of the most successful and profitable businesses on the Internet.

Advertising: A Network to Make an Environmental Point

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:09am EDT by By BRIAN STELTER

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Can the environment make for entertaining TV? Discovery Communications is about to find out with its launch of Planet Green.

Treasury Auctions Set for This Week

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:08am EDT by By THE NEW YORK TIMES

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The week’s financing schedule included Monday’s regular weekly auction of new three- and six-month bills and auctions of one-year and four-week bills on Tuesday.

Financier in Hollywood Strikes Deal in D.W.I.

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:04am EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY

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Ryan Kavanaugh pleaded no contest to, and was convicted of, one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, while more serious charges were dropped.

Media Talk: Is the Main Character Missing? Maybe Not.

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:03am EDT by By CATE DOTY

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A 33-year-old technology manager in Dublin has generated a flood of new Web traffic on his blog with his tweaked comic strip, “Garfield Minus Garfield.”

College Alumni Magazines Struggle to Compete With Facebook

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:01am EDT by By CATE DOTY

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The advent of social networking Web sites has created a quandary for alumni magazines, which have been slow to embrace the Web.

Bits: A Tribute to a Legendary Computer Scientist

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 12:00am EDT by By JOHN MARKOFF

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Jim Gray, a scientist at Microsoft and I.B.M. who went missing at sea in 2007, was remembered by friends and colleagues at a weekend tribute at UC Berkeley.

A Bear Stearns Refugee Gets a New Start at Merrill

Posted: June 1st, 2008, 11:59pm EDT by By LANDON THOMAS Jr.

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Fares D. Noujaim suffered an emotional and financial blow when the investment bank imploded. Now he gets a chance to start anew.

Paulson: No Quick Fix for Oil Prices

Posted: June 1st, 2008, 11:58pm EDT by By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. urged oil-producing countries to open their markets to investment that can increase yields, exploration and production.

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‘Sex and the City’ Leads Weekend Box Office

Posted: June 1st, 2008, 11:50pm EDT by By MICHAEL CIEPLY and BILL CARTER

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The film has earned an estimated $55.7 million since Thursday, making it an unconventional summer hit.

Electronic Device Stirs Unease at Book Fair

Posted: June 1st, 2008, 11:47pm EDT by By EDWARD WYATT

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Is the electronic book approaching the tipping point? That topic both energized and unnerved people attending BookExpo America in Los Angeles.

ImClone Says Its Cancer Drug Works as Initial Treatment

Posted: June 1st, 2008, 11:43pm EDT by By ANDREW POLLACK

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Data presented at a weekend conference could increase sales of ImClone System’s Erbitux by allowing it to be used as an initial treatment for some lung and colorectal cancers.