| The business of Tango
Jan. 31 - Argentina's capital Buenos Aires sees a comeback for tango and it is bringing in tourists from all over the world. Tango is a $450 million per year industry and accounts for 10 percent of entertainment spending in Buenos Aires. Argentina has benefited from a sudden jump in tourism after a deep economic crisis in 2002 that saw the peso currency fall sharply, making travel to Argentina cheaper. Pavithra George reports. SOUNDBITE: Juan Fabbri, Carlos Gardel Corner Theater owner, saying (Spanish):
"We only close one day a year--- on the 24th of December on Christmas Eve. We are open 364 days a year and on 364 days a year it is exactly like you can see now---absolutely full. Some days we do two shows and sometimes, we get up to three shows."
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No LTCM
Emerging debt and equities markets were wild, with bond prices going into melt-up mode at the end of the week. Brazil's benchmark dollar bond yields sank 20 bps to 5.62%. Brazil's Bovespa equities index declined 1.7% (down 0.6% y-t-d). The Mexican Bolsa fell 2.1% (down 2.1 y-t-d). Mexico's 10-year $ yields sank 24 bps to 5.02%. Russia's RTS equities index was little changed (down 9.9% y-t-d). India's Sensex equities index recovered 1.3%, reducing y-t-d declines to 13.4%. China's Shanghai Exchange slipped 0.5% this week (down 17.4% y-t-d). Freddie Mac posted 30-year fixed mortgage rates jumped 20 bps this week to 6.24%, with rates up 57 bps in three weeks to the highest level since November (up 6bps y-o-y). Fifteen-year fixed rates rose 8 bps to 5.72% (down 20bps y-o-y). One-year adjustable rates jumped 13 bps to 5.11% (down 38bps y-o-y).
Bearettes fall in Shelbyville
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap / disability, familial status, or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination."
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.
Task force ramps up anti-gang efforts
ASHLAND Sgt. Colby Staysa briefs the Alameda County Gang Suppression Unit as the four-man team prepares to hit the streets. On this cool February evening, the unit plans to conduct "direct enforcement" operations in an attempt to keep a lid on gang activity in an area that encompasses Castro Valley, Cherryland, Ashland and San Lorenzo. The unit, based in the Eden Township Substation in unincorporated San Leandro, was formed two years ago by Sheriff Greg Ahern. Eden Township Substation Commander Capt. Dale Amaral requested the formation of the unit to address increased gang activity. On this evening, the unit will conduct parole and probation searches of known gang members who live or operate in the unincorporated areas of the county. The team members are well-armed as they listen to Staysa's briefing.
EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes
Like a plentiful oil well, the European Union (EU) has found, since 2004, that Microsoft is a rich source of funds. The EU allowed Microsoft to continue to operate in the region, but found it in violation of antitrust laws. Its conclusion -- in order to stay Microsoft will have to pay some big fines. The Microsoft fines began in March of 2004 when a European Commission high court found the company guilty of antitrust violations -- in particular, using underhanded tactics to freeze out its competitors in the media player and server software markets. A massive fine of $690M (€497M) was charged against Microsoft. Microsoft refused to comply and was promptly fined an additional $375.4M USD. In the end, Microsoft's decision to fight the law turned out to be a futile one when the European Court of First Instance ruled to uphold European Commission's decision against Microsoft. Microsoft agreed to finally comply with the ruling.
Killeen Daily Herald
Riding motorcycles and feeding children, that's what one new group in Central Texas does. Last month, the official charter was signed for STAR Touring and Riding Association Killeen-Fort Hood Chapter No. 426.
While the official charter signing was recent, two motorcycle enthusiasts have been building the organization for about a year.
"Our mission is to have fun on motorcycles," said Dave Willoughby, STAR area coordinator.
Rick Sanders, road captain, heard about the international club while working at Texas Motor Sports, Killeen's local Yamaha dealer. The organization was formed in 1996 as a family riding organization as the official riding organization of Star Motorcycles, according to the group's Web site.
As a Yamaha dealer employee, however, Sanders could not start the organization.
Arlington gets list of demands after attack, vandalism
ARLINGTON Silk Littlejohn said she still suffers physically after a Dec. 19 assault by a neighbor. On Friday, she greeted a group of about 250 people who rallied against perceived injustices in Arlington. "The storms of racism are raging all over the world," said Littlejohn, who was escorted to a lectern in front of City Hall by her fiance, Broderick Gamble. "Arlington, Texas, is now in the eye of the storm." This was the second demonstration held after the attack, in which Littlejohn was hit in the face with a two-by-four and her vehicle was damaged. A few days later, someone spray-painted a racial slur on the couple's garage door. Gamble said his wife has lost hearing since the attack. He has also said their house is in foreclosure because he has not been able to work while caring for her.
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