World Travel News

Brash, Bawdy Scissor Sisters Slice Into America

For the last several years, the Scissor Sisters, Americas most sparklingly delicious band, has ruled the British charts while largely remaining secret to mainstream audiences in its home country.

But with this weeks release of its second album Ta-Dah — and an appearance on the top-rated show Dancing With the Stars — the New York-based glam rock band wants to bring the party back home.

We make music that speaks to people no matter what age or sex. Thats our purpose, said the bands multi-instrumentalist and co-songwriter, Scott Babydaddy Hoffman.

More : abcnews.go.com

Four of Americas Corporate leaders launch Lebanon rebuilding effort

Four executives of leading U.S. companies today announced the creation of the U.S.-Lebanon Partnership Fund to provide critically needed resources to assist in the reconstruction effort in Lebanon following the recent conflict.

The four leaders directing the fund are: Craig Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation; John Chambers, President and CEO, Cisco Systems; Yousif Ghafari, Chairman, GHAFARI, Inc.; and Dr. Ray Irani, Chairman, President and CEO, Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

The goal of the U.S.-Lebanon Partnership Fund is to raise a significant amount of money to support the reconstruction effort in Lebanon. Through the fund, the four leaders will galvanize a nationwide effort to raise awareness and resources to help Lebanese communities rebuild following the war.

More : ameinfo.com

Advance America Halts Military Advances

Payday lender Advance America, Cash Advance Centers Inc. said Monday it will voluntarily refrain from making any payday advances to active, full-time members of the military, effective Oct. 15 except where prohibited by law.

The company said it is taking this step to remove any perceived distraction to members of the military during this critical time for our country.

Congress held a hearing last week to consider a Defense Department request to cap rates charged on loans to American officers in an effort to keep soldiers, sailors and airmen from incurring extensive debt. Some senators called payday lenders predatory for targeting military personnel.

More : chron.com

Irans Voices Not So Different From Americas

Ritual chants of Death to America, in Tehran and the defiance of President Ahmadinejad at the U.N. this past week are the Iranian voices heard most often around the world.

But when ABCs Jim Sciutto traveled to Iran recently, he found more common ground among the people.
He met a mother shopping with her daughters.

Why should we be enemies? said Fatima, referring to Iran and the U.S. The new generation is for peace. Theyre not for war.

More : abcnews.go.com

America betting against the house

The month of August is a time for reflection in financial markets. Volumes decline, as investors in the US and Europe take summer vacations. Those left behind have the leisure to reflect on longer term trends and risks in the world economy. This year, the collective focus of the international investment community has been on housing - specifically the US housing market - and what that sector may mean for the global economy.

US housing has exerted several positive influences on the US economy: employment; direct consumption; refinancing; wealth effects. Housing allowed consumer spending to remain strong, even in periods when household income growth has moderated. This in turn has made sure that the US economy has not had a consumer led recession since 1991 (an unusually long period).

The problem is that house prices and housing activity, have moderated significantly this summer. In fact, UBS Investment Bank would go as far as to say that the housing sector of the US economy is in a recession. Existing home prices were rising over 10% a year for most of 2005 - now they are barely moving.

More : bangkokpost.com