| Six steps to hold off the recession
Cut your spending. Make this a priority. Weigh up whether you really need that new flat-screen TV, and maybe going on a plush overseas holiday can wait one more year. Making sacrifices this year and living on a tighter budget will leave you much better off in the long run. Reduce your debts. Pay a lump sum on your credit card, and reduce any loan repayments. Make sure that you are paying the lowest rate possible on any borrowing you have. .
1ITALY Premier resigns ...
The casualty toll from Wednesday's explosion rose to at least 34 dead and 224 injured. 4AFGHANISTAN Troops accused Hundreds of Afghans chanted anti-American slogans to protest the deaths of nine policemen who local officials said were killed Thursday in an anti-Taliban operation by U.S.-led coalition troops. The coalition denied killing the policemen. 5KENYA President, rival talk Kenya's president and his chief rival held talks Thursday for the first time since last month's disputed election, under international pressure to find a way to share power. But President Mwai Kibaki angered opposition leader Raila Odinga by insisting his position as head of state was not negotiable. The two met for about an hour in the presence of former U.N.
Restoration Hardware agrees to lower price in merger with Catterton
Restoration Hardware Inc. changed its merger deal with Catterton Partners, agreeing to a lower per-share price -- $4.50 per share rather than the $6.70 per share in the November agreement. The change lowers the overall price Catterton will pay in the deal to $179 million from $267 million. The Corte Madera company (NASDAQ: RSTO) said "increased pressure" in the retail sector led it to agree to the new deal. Catterton has loaned $25 million to Restoration Hardware for working capital. Michael Chu is a founder and managing partner of Catterton, a private equity firm founded in 1990 with about $2 billion under management. He worked previously at First Pacific Company, a Hong Kong investment and management company, which hired him in 1983.
Salmond to be brought before MSPs to explain actions over Trump plan
However, amid fears it could slow the planning process to such an extent Mr Trump would go elsewhere, this failed to get the backing of MSPs from other parties. So it is more likely that the matter will be investigated by the local government and communities committee – a process that could be wrapped up much more quickly.David McLetchie, the Scottish Tories' chief whip and business manager, suggested that was the best way forward. He said: "Scottish Conservatives believe the most appropriate body to examine the conduct, handling and 'calling in' of this planning application by the Scottish Government is the parliament's local government and communities committee. "Accordingly, when the committee meets on Wednesday, I will propose that we take evidence on the role played to date by the Scottish Government in relation to this application."Because there is one Tory, one Liberal Democrat, three Labour members and three SNP MSPs on the committee, Mr McLetchie's motion is likely to pass.Last night, the Liberal Democrats were still hoping for an independent inquiry.
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