EIA Report 30/12/2009
The U.S. average price for regular gasoline increased two cents to $2.61 per gallon, $0.99 higher than the price a year ago. With the exception of the Rocky Mountains, prices rose in all regions of the country. The price on the East Coast inched up about a penny to $2.60 per gallon. The largest increase occurred in the Midwest, where the price rose more than three cents to $2.56 per gallon. On the Gulf Coast, the average grew over two cents to $2.47 per gallon. In the Rocky Mountains, the averag...
AT&T asks FCC to set date to scrap old phone system
AT&T Inc told U.S. telecoms regulators that it should set plans for phasing out older telephone networks if the government wants to make high-speed Internet access available across the country.
AIG executive resigns over pay limits
A top executive at American International Group Inc has resigned because of pay curbs imposed by the Obama Administration's pay czar, the insurer said on Wednesday.
U.S. spy chief in spotlight after botched plane attack
U.S. intelligence chief Admiral Dennis Blair faced tough questions about his future on Wednesday as the Obama administration fended off criticism over the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on December 25.
AIG executive resigns after pay clash
A top executive at American International Group Inc has resigned because of pay curbs imposed by the Obama Administration's pay czar, the insurer announced on Wednesday.
News Corp says Fox likely to go off Time Warner Cable
News Corp Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey said on Wednesday that he now expects the company's Fox Networks will not reach a carriage agreement with Time Warner Cable in time to avoid Fox's channels going off the air midnight on Thursday.
Time Warner Cable could OK arbitration with Fox
Time Warner Cable Inc said it is willing to go to arbitration with News Corp's Fox Networks to avoid losing some of Fox's channels if the companies fail to agree on a new carriage deal.
Wall St ends a tad higher; Dow, Nasdaq at '09 highs
U.S. stocks ended a smidgen higher in very light trading on Wednesday as a stronger-than-expected report on Midwest U.S. business activity was offset by investors taking profits in some of the year's better performers.
Canada resale home price index rises in October
Canadian home resale prices rose for a sixth straight month in October on gains in all six major metropolitan markets surveyed, according to a report on Wednesday.
Steeleye Span's Tim Hart dies at age 61
Tim Hart, a founding member of British folk-rock group Steeleye Span, has died of lung cancer, the band's record company said on Wednesday.
Pay czar: GSEs unique when it comes to pay: report
Mortgage firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac face a unique set of problems that distinguish them from other firms receiving government aid when it comes to setting executive pay, the Obama administration's pay czar said on Wednesday.
UBS whistleblower asks why he is going to prison
The key informant in the U.S. tax fraud case against Swiss bank UBS AG says he does not deserve the federal prison term he is due to start serving next month, according to an interview to be broadcast on Sunday.
Jackson Thriller film picked for U.S. registry
Michael Jackson's 1983 short movie Thriller, the song-and-dance horror flick that helped popularize television music videos, will live on in the U.S. National Film Registry.
Dollar, stocks rally on economic optimism
The U.S. dollar firmed across the board on Wednesday and stocks eked out slight gains, adding to this year's big rally, after much better-than-expected business activity in the U.S. Midwest bolstered hopes of recovery.
Daily Forecast - 31/12/2009
The Australian Dollar spent the majority of local trade yesterday above the 89 cent mark before a brief bout of profit taking late Sydney time took the Aussie down towards the low 89's.
Daily Wrap Up - December 30
A U.S. trade panel gave final approval on Wednesday to duties ranging from about 10 to 16 percent on Chinese-made steel pipe in the biggest U.S. trade case to date against China.
Tech Round Up: Nokia VS Apple continues, Google Nexus One price details leaked online
Nokia's latest patent strike against Apple underscores the changing dynamics of the cell phone market, with the sector leader no longer holding the whip hand over rivals in terms of product development
Holiday sales data yet to cement a recovery
Holiday season sales improved this year after an abysmal 2008, but early data appears unlikely to spell out a rebound in U.S. consumer spending.
Signs of movement seen in stalled Mideast process
Israeli and Palestinian officials suggested on Wednesday progress had been made towards resuming negotiations following Egyptian-Israeli talks on a year-long deadlock in the Middle East peace process.
GMAC to get $3.5 bln more in U.S. gov't aid-source
GMAC Financial Services is expected to get about $3.5 billion of additional U.S. government aid to help the troubled lender absorb mortgage losses, a financial industry source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Guilty plea on tax charge in $1.8 bln NYC property sale
A project director who helped broker the 2005 sale of Riverside South Properties, one of New York City's largest real estate transactions, has pleaded guilty to a tax evasion charge but is not expected to face prison time.
Dow, Nasdaq eke out '09 highs in slow day
U.S. stocks inched higher on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials and the Nasdaq managing to squeak out 2009 closing highs, as investors shied away from making bold bets on equities with just one more day left in the year.
Afghan suicide blast kills eight U.S. civilians
Eight American civilians were killed in a suicide attack on a military base in Afghanistan's southeastern Khost province on Wednesday, U.S. officials said.
At least 12,220 dead from H1N1 worldwide:WHO
At least 12,220 deaths from H1N1 flu have been formally confirmed around the globe but the pandemic appears to be declining, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday.
Book Talk: Ali Shaw makes magic with debut novel
British writer Ali Shaw drew inspiration from fairy tales for his debut novel and to magical effect, with The Girl With Glass Feet published to great acclaim.
U.S. seeks to boost Yemen for expanded al Qaeda fight
The United States is looking at ways to expand military and intelligence cooperation with the government of Yemen to step up a crackdown on al Qaeda militants believed to be behind a failed plot to blow up a U.S. passenger jet, American officials said on Wednesday.
California-Mexico border rocked by 5.8 magnitude earthquake
An earthquake shook southern California, measuring 5.8 magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Oil up for sixth day on stock draw, cold weather
Oil rose on Wednesday for a sixth day as a mix of cold weather and declining U.S. crude and fuel inventories lifted prices to near $80, all but ensuring this year's gain will be the best in a decade for crude.
Times Square, Nasdaq reopened after scare
New York City's Times Square was closed briefly and three buildings including the Nasdaq headquarters were evacuated in a security scare on Wednesday, a day before the traditional New Year's Eve festivities in the famed intersection.
Susan Boyle chases Swift in U.S. album chart nail-biter
Scottish singer Susan Boyle narrowly failed to claim honors for the year's best-selling album in the United States on Wednesday, but still has another sales week to wrest the title from country star Taylor Swift.
