Most drivers have their own name for those texters in traffic who seem more interested in their cell phones than their cars _ jerk and idiot, to name a couple. Come Friday the state of Illinois will have one, too: outlaw. A statewide ban on texting while…

Mobile phone – Text messaging – Science and Technology – Cell Phones – Illinois

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New Ill. laws limit texting, expand records access

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by 11 this week to 1,189. Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday 759 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 418 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this…

Baker Hughes – United States – Natural gas – Business – Energy

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Number of active US rigs up 11

The Treasury Department said Thursday it has pumped $29.3 million into 10 banks, which will be the last to receive investments as part of the taxpayer-funded program to shore up the financial system. The aid comes from a $700 billion financial bailout program…

United States Department of the Treasury – Business – Bailout – FinancialServices – Treasury Department

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Treasury winds down bank bailouts with $29M outlay

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Sarkozy Forges Ahead with French Carbon Tax Plan

With consumers likely to pay more regardless of how the public Fox-Time Warner Cable dispute ends, BW’s Tom Lowry says the issue could give new ammunition to those favoring a la carte cable TV pricing

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Fox, Time Warner Spat May Rekindle A La Carte Cable Fight

Four Canadian soldiers and a Canadian reporter were killed in a roadside bomb attack in southern Afghanistan yesterday, the military said.

Source:
Canadian Soldiers, Reporter Die in Afghanistan Attack (Update2)

Federal Reserve officials are considering a proposal to schedule limited sales of bonds from the central bank’s $2.2 trillion balance sheet as part of a range of tools for withdrawing record monetary stimulus.

Source:
Fed Officials Discuss Limited Bond Sales to Help Exit Stimulus

Companies with international operations are set to take advantage of a global economic recovery in 2010, continuing the rally that began in 2009. As the new decade begins, industrial and material companies could be set for the biggest yearly gains as the…

Economy – Business – Investing – International Business and Trade – Stocks and Bonds

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International growth seen boosting stocks in 2010

A smoldering cigarette butt in a trash can sparked a fraternity fire that killed five students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996, and smoking materials may have caused a 2007 Brunswick County beach house fire that killed seven South…

North Carolina – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill – United States

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Smoking, animal shelter, ethics rules arrive in NC

GMAC Inc., the auto and home lender bailed out twice by the U.S. government, received a third rescue package valued at $3.79 billion that gives taxpayers a majority stake in the Detroit-based company.

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GMAC Gets $3.8 Billion in Third U.S. Bailout Package (Update2)

Colorado’s minimum wage will drop slightly in the new year _ the first decrease in any state’s minimum wage since the federal minimum was adopted in 1938. Colorado’s wage is falling 3 cents an hour, from $7.28 to the federal level of $7.25. That’s because…

Minimum wage – Colorado – Labor – United States – Living Wage

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Colorado’s minimum wage becomes 1st in US to drop

The car industry got a historic makeover in 2009, most of it not for the better. General Motors and Chrysler almost went broke and now largely owe their survival to billions in taxpayer money. Sales tanked and auto workers lost jobs in droves. And China…

General Motors – Chrysler – Automotive industry – Automobile – China

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Economy 101: The year in autos, by the numbers

North Dakota regulators say the state’s wind power resources almost doubled in 2009. Four major projects began operating. They’re capable of generating about 547 megawatts. North Dakota Public Service Commissioners Tony Clark and Kevin Cramer say the state’s…

North Dakota – United States – Kevin Cramer – Wind power – Tony Clark

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Regulators: ND wind power grew quickly in 2009

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (Reuters) – U.S. trucking giant YRC Worldwide said it averted bankruptcy by finally negotiating a critical debt-for-equity exchange that wipes out $470 million in debt and gives the struggling company access to needed credit as it restructures.

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Trucker YRC’s debt exchange succeeds, shares fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) – About 13 million Time Warner Cable Inc subscribers will lose Fox programing at midnight unless the cable service provider reaches a last-minute deal to pay News Corp fees to broadcast the network’s shows.

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Time Warner Cable, Fox at impasse; blackout looms