News on the Net

Hong Kong Cuts Taxes as GDP Forecast to Shrink 3%

Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong will refund taxes, suspend property rates and boost spending on infrastructure as the economy heads for its first full-year contraction since 1998, the government said.

Clothing manufacturer cuts 1,850 jobs in Australia

SYDNEY (AFP) — Clothing manufacturer Pacific Brands said Wednesday it would cut 1,850 jobs in Australia after reporting a first-half loss of 150 million Australian dollars (98 million US).

Ahead of the Bell: Mass layoffs

WASHINGTON—A government report Wednesday likely will show that employers cut thousands of workers in "mass layoffs" in January as the recession deepened.

WINTERSLEEP

SILENCE REIGNS ACROSS THE GREAT WHITE NORTH WHERE

Seven Shot Along Mardi Gras Parade Route in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — A Mardi Gras parade erupted into chaos on Fat Tuesday when a series of gunshots struck seven people, including a toddler. The child was not seriously injured and two suspects were in custody, police said.

Syracuse Teen Charged in Sniper-Style Shooting

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A 15-year-old boy was charged Tuesday in the sniper-style slaying of a Syracuse man after police learned his friend falsely confessed to the crime, possibly as part of a twisted loyalty test.

1987 tape may hold clue to serial killer

In the more than two decades since Los Angeles police detectives began the search for a serial killer stalking young prostitutes in South L.A., they have had few breaks. One night in 1987, however, offered a tantalizing, agonizing clue.

Four Moons to Cross Saturn’s Face Tuesday

In a rare cosmic event, four of Saturn's many moons will cross the ringed planet's face Tuesday morning, each casting a shadow on the gas giant's surface.

An Evening with Geert Wilders in Washington DC

Geert Wilders, chairman of the Freedom Party in The Netherlands (PVV), maker of the film Fitna, and brave fighter for Western values, will speak in Washington, DC, this week.

In defence of the family

The traditional famiy is in trouble. It seems clear the media, governments and other forces are working to deconstruct the family even to the point of re-defining gender.

Grandmother Arrested in Death of 4-Year-Old Boy

NEW YORK — New York Police have arrested a grandmother in connection with the death of a four-year-old boy in the Bronx.

FBI, Police Rescue Child Prostitutes Around U.S.

WASHINGTON — The FBI has rescued more than 45 suspected teenage prostitutes, some as young as 13, in a nationwide sweep to remove kids from the illegal sex trade and punish their accused pimps.

Missing Florida Girl’s Dad: I ‘Never’ Hit My Child

In a contentious, exclusive interview outside his Florida home, Ronald Cummings, the father of missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings, blasted new abuse allegations and told FOX News "never, ever have I ever hit my child."

Attorney for Boy Murder Suspect: Move Case to Juvenile Court

PITTSBURGH — The attorney for a Pennsylvania boy accused of gunning down his father's pregnant fiancee last week will ask a judge to move the case to juvenile court and allow the fifth grader to possibly be freed.

FBI investigates possible links with Mexico drug gang

The FBI is probing possible money laundering linked to Mexico's infamous narco-trafficking Gulf Cartel in its investigation of Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford, US law enforcement sources have told the Observer.

Alberta may see more job losses, says prof

Alberta's best guess for the number of jobs the province could lose this year could be an underestimation, as the country's strongest economic engine continues to be weighed down by low oil prices.

Rural areas hit hard as job losses soar

UNEMPLOYMENT has almost doubled over the past 10 months in some of Scotland's rural areas as they struggle to cope with the recession, new research has revealed.

Hillary Clinton China visit blamed for the detention of activists

Before travelling to the People's Republic on Friday for a two day visit, the new American Secretary of State, said she would not let the issue "interfere" with efforts to resolve the global economic crisis and combating climate change.

Mortgaging country’s future with huge debts

Nearly all governments globally are fighting this recession and financial meltdown with colossal spending with their bailout and stimulus packages.

Expert predicts dire scenarios of climate change: mass migrations and war

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - If we don't deal with climate change decisively, "what we're talking about then is extended world war," the eminent economist said.