The US economy shrank by 6.2% in the last three months of 2008, official figures have shown, a far sharper fall than had previously been reported. Plunging exports and the biggest fall in consumer spending in 28 years dragged the figure down from the 3.8% estimate the government gave earlier. The decline was much worse [...]
President Barack Obama has announced the withdrawal of most US troops in Iraq by the end of August 2010. In a speech at a Marine Corps base, he said the US "combat mission" in Iraq would officially end by that time. But 35,000 to 50,000 of the 142,000 troops now in Iraq will stay on [...]
The final instalment of the Harry Potter film franchise is to be released in 2011, it has been announced. Fans of the boy wizard will get to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II in cinemas from 15 July. Warner Brothers decided to split the seventh book in JK Rowling’s series into two [...]
President Barack Obama has unveiled a $3.6tn (£2.5tn) budget for 2010, aiming to pull the US out of financial crisis. He has predicted the budget deficit for the current year will be $1.75tn, which is 12.3% of annual output and the biggest since World War II. Planned spending includes $634bn to pay for healthcare reform [...]
The UK government has said it will accelerate the use of open source software in public services. Tom Watson MP, minister for digital engagement, said open source software would be on a level playing field with proprietary software such as Windows. Open source software will be adopted "when it delivers best value for money", the [...]
Japan’s exports plunged 45.7% in January compared with a year ago to hit the lowest figure in 10 years, official figures have shown. Imports exceeded exports by 952.6bn yen ($9.9bn; £6.8bn). It is the largest gap since records began in 1980. Demand for Japanese cars in particular dropped by 69%. Trade in electronics and other [...]
A Turkish Airlines plane has crashed on landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol international airport, killing nine people and injuring 84, six critically. The plane, carrying 126 passengers and seven crew, crashed short of the runway near the A9 highway. It broke into three pieces, but did not catch fire. Three of those killed are crew members. [...]
1.INGREDIENTS -2/3 cup butterscotch chips -1/4 cup water -2 1/4 cups Pillsbury BEST(R) All Purpose or Unbleached Flour -1 1/4 cups sugar -1 teaspoon baking soda -1 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon baking powder -1 cup buttermilk* -1/2 cup shortening -3 eggs -1/2 cup sugar -1 tablespoon cornstarch -1/2 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk -1/3 cup [...]
A new skin disorder caused by use of games consoles has been identified by skin specialists. The condition, dubbed PlayStation palmar hidradenitis, is described in the British Journal of Dermatology. Researchers outline the case of a 12-year-old girl who attended a Swiss hospital with intensely painful sores on the palms of her hands. The girl, [...]
US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke has warned Congress that without the right policies from the government, the US recession could last into 2010. But he said if the Obama administration and the central bank can restore some measure of financial stability, 2010 could be a year of recovery. Mr Bernanke made the comments to [...]
Some of the US’s best-known retailers have reported slumps in profits for the three months to the end of January, as the recession begins to bite. Target said profits were down by 41% as customers cut back on more expensive clothes and furniture, while more fell behind on store card payments. Macy’s said profits were [...]
Live highlights of best directing, lead actress, lead actor & picture from fun and memorable night of 2009 81st annual Oscar Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, california *SPECIAL THANKS TO alyssanholden for helping translate part of Sean Penn’s speech from English to Italian! See below for translation…:) =====Order of Awards Showing In [...]