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    <title>Business News for InRich</title>
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        <title>Business News for InRich</title>
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    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>InRich</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2009</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2009-04-16T05:30:42-05:00</dc:date>

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          <title>Stocks fluctuate after mixed profit reports</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Stocks fluctuated in early trading Thursday as several stronger-than-expected earnings reports raised hopes that the economy was starting to stabilize&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:57:27 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Royal predicts better 2009 profit than expected</title>
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MIAMI &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. offered a brighter forecast than expected for its 2009 earnings on Thursday, saying its bookings are stabilizing and cost-cutting efforts are taking hold&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:56:36 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>WSJ: BofA CEO says was told to be quiet on Merrill</title>
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NEW YORK (AP)&#8212; Bank of America Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis told the New York attorney general he believed former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke wanted him to keep quiet about the worsening terms of the bank&#8217;s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, according to testimony reviewed by The Wall Street Journal&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:48:18 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Papa John&#8217;s taps new president, COO</title>
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LOUISVILLE, Ky.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Pizza maker Papa John&#8217;s International says it tapped Joseph Jude Thompson to become its president and chief operating officer&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:45:22 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Union Pacific 1Q profit falls 18 pct</title>
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OMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Union Pacific Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit fell 18 percent as the railroad carried 21 percent fewer carloads, but cost-cutting pushed its results above Wall Street expectations. Its shares rose in morning trading&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:41:35 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>AP Sources: New offer made to Chrysler lenders</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;The Treasury Department has made a new offer to Chrysler LLC&#8217;s lenders, asking banks and hedge funds that hold $6.9 billion in debt to forgive $5.4 billion and take a 5 percent stake in a Chrysler-Fiat alliance, according to two people familiar with the matter&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:41:21 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Philip Morris Int&#8217;l 1Q profit drops 12 percent</title>
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RICHMOND, Va.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Philip Morris International Inc., which makes Marlboro and other cigarettes for overseas smokers, said Thursday its profit fell 12 percent in the first quarter mainly because of the strong dollar&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:38:34 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>ConocoPhillips says profit down 80 percent</title>
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HOUSTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;ConocoPhillips said Thursday its first-quarter profit tumbled 80 percent from a year ago as sharply lower crude and natural-gas prices walloped results at the nation&#8217;s third-largest oil company&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:32:54 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>UPS 1Q profit plunges more than 55 pct.</title>
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ATLANTA &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;UPS Inc., the world&#8217;s largest shipping carrier, said Thursday first-quarter profit plunged as fewer people sent packages and used premium services like next-day air amid the weak U.S. and global economy&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:29:15 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Exelon 1Q earnings up 23 percent on nuclear output</title>
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COLUMBUS, Ohio &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Exelon on Thursday said its first quarter earnings rose 23 percent, driven by increased output at its nuclear operations and higher rates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:25:00 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Countries trying to cope with severe global slump</title>
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WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;The World Bank, seeking to bolster efforts to fight the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression, said Thursday it would provide $45 billion over the next three years to support road building and other infrastructure projects in poor nations&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:24:22 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Nucor posts 1Q loss of $190M on weak steel demand</title>
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CHARLOTTE, N.C.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Steel maker Nucor Corp. is posting a first-quarter loss versus a year-ago profit as the global economic crisis erodes demand and prices for the metal. It says it expects a bigger second-quarter loss&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:22:09 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>JetBlue posts 1Q profit as fuel costs drop</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;JetBlue Airways Corp. on Thursday posted a first-quarter profit after it paid less for fuel and reined in other costs&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:21:20 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>US Airways 1Q loss shrinks as fuel hedges improve</title>
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MINNEAPOLIS &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;US Airways said its first-quarter loss shrank as some of its old fuel hedging contracts turned positive&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:08:06 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Pre&#45;Easter bounce helps lift Hershey 1Q profit</title>
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HARRISBURG, Pa.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Hershey, the nation&#8217;s second-largest candymaker, said Thursday that its first-quarter profit surged 20 percent, helped by a recent price increase and a reporting period that captured more days of Easter sales&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:58:47 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Government official confirms Fiat interest in Opel</title>
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FRANKFURT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Italian car company Fiat SpA and Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc. are both interested in a stake of German carmaker Opel, a unit of General Motors Corp., a German official said Thursday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:56:42 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>AutoNation 1Q profit falls 32 pct on weak sales</title>
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RICHMOND, Va.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;AutoNation Inc., the country&#8217;s largest automotive retailer, said Thursday its first-quarter profit dropped 32 percent as consumers continued to avoid car purchases, but the company&#8217;s results result beat Wall Street estimates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:55:21 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Alaska Air Group narrows 1Q loss</title>
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ATLANTA &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Alaska Air Group Inc., parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, says it narrowed its first-quarter loss and will start charging for a first checked bag like most other airlines&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:31:36 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Union Pacific 1st&#45;quarter income falls 18 percent</title>
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OMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Union Pacific Corp. says its first-quarter profit fell 18 percent because the railroad carried 21 percent fewer carloads, but cost-cutting pushed its results past Wall Street expectations&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:31:12 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>JetBlue posts 1Q profit as fuel costs drop</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_JETBLUE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;JetBlue Airways Corp. on Thursday posted a first-quarter profit for the first time in four years after it paid less for fuel and cut other costs&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:29:03 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Occidental Petroleum profits down 80 percent</title>
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HOUSTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Occidental Petroleum said Thursday its first-quarter profit fell 80 percent from a year ago as results were crushed by lower oil and natural gas prices&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:28:14 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Supervalu loses $201 million in 4th&#45;quarter</title>
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MINNEAPOLIS &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Supervalu Inc., one of the nation&#8217;s largest grocery chains, says it lost $201 million in its fiscal fourth-quarter mostly because of hefty goodwill and asset impairment charges. Adjusted results managed to top analysts&#8217; estimates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:23:03 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>NCR reports loss of $15M in first quarter</title>
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DAYTON, Ohio &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;NCR Corp. lost $15 million in the first quarter compared with a profit of $48 million in the same period of 2008, largely because of a downturn in the retail industry, the company said Thursday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:18:15 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Pre&#45;Easter bounce helps lift Hershey 1Q profit</title>
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HARRISBURG, Pa.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Hershey, the nation&#8217;s second-largest candymaker, said Thursday that its first-quarter profit surged 20 percent, helped by a recent price increase and a reporting period that captured more days of Easter sales&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:17:24 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Raytheon 1Q earnings climb on broad sales growth</title>
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WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Raytheon Co. said Thursday that its first-quarter earnings rose 14 percent as sales grew across its businesses making missiles, radars and defense electronics and the defense contractor raised its full-year guidance&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:16:59 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Fiat reports 410 million Q1 loss</title>
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MILAN, Italy &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Fiat Group SPA, which is in the final stretch of talks to take a possible minority stake in the U.S. automaker Chrysler, on Thursday reported its first quarterly loss since the turnaround engineered by CEO Sergio Marchionne, as sales of autos plummeted due to the global economic crisis&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:14:22 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>PNC Financial 1Q profit jumps 22 percent</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;PNC Financial Services Group Inc. on Thursday reported a surprising 22 percent jump in first-quarter profit, boosted by its purchase of National City Corp. and lower funding costs&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:09:22 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Philip Morris Int&#8217;l 1Q profit drops 12 percent</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Philip Morris International Inc., which makes cigarettes for overseas smokers, said Thursday its profit fell 12 percent in the first quarter mainly because of the strong dollar&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:07:49 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Stocks point higher on profit surprises</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Stocks are pointing to a higher open Thursday after stronger-than-expected earnings from a handful of companies boosted hopes that the economy could be stabilizing&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:04:03 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>UPS 1Q profit plunges more than 55 pct.</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
ATLANTA &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;UPS Inc., the world&#8217;s largest shipping carrier, says first-quarter profit plunged more than 55 percent to $401 million as revenue dropped more than 13 percent, compared to profit of $906 million a year ago&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:03:39 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_UPS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:06:03:39Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>AutoNation 1Q profit falls 32 pct on weak sales</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_AUTONATION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;AutoNation Inc., the country&#8217;s largest automotive retailer, said Thursday its first-quarter profit dropped 32 percent as consumers continued to avoid car purchases, but the company&#8217;s results result beat Wall Street estimates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:01:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_AUTONATION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:06:01:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Greater Richmond real estate stars shine at eight annual awards gala</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/greater&#45;richmond&#45;real&#45;estate&#45;stars&#45;shine&#45;at&#45;eight&#45;annual&#45;awards&#45;gala/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The signature event has become the preeminent event honoring outstanding commercial real estate projects in the Metropolitan Richmond region. This year GRACRE presented awards in 10 categories.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:51:47 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/greater&#45;richmond&#45;real&#45;estate&#45;stars&#45;shine&#45;at&#45;eight&#45;annual&#45;awards&#45;gala/#When:05:51:47Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Report: Fiat in talks on Opel</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_GERMANY_GM_FIAT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
FRANKFURT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Italy&#8217;s Fiat Group SpA is close to an agreement to take a majority stake in General Motors Corp.&#8216;s European business, according to a report Thursday in the online version of Germany&#8217;s Der Spiegel magazine&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:47:31 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_GERMANY_GM_FIAT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:47:31Z</guid>
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          <title>Marriott loses $23M in 1Q, adj. profit tops Street</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_MARRIOTT_INTERNATIONAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BETHESDA, Md.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Hotel operator Marriott International Inc. said Thursday that it lost $23 million in the fiscal first-quarter on its weakening timeshare business and restructuring charges, but adjusted results surpassed analysts&#8217; estimates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:20 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_MARRIOTT_INTERNATIONAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:46:20Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Fifth Third Bancorp reports loss in 1Q</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_FIFTH_THIRD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
CINCINNATI &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Fifth Third Bancorp says it posted a loss in the first quarter including preferred dividends, as rising losses on commercial loans hurt the large Midwest regional bank&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:39:25 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_FIFTH_THIRD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:39:25Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Rumors rampant of layoffs, but bark worse than bite</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/rumors&#45;rampant&#45;of&#45;layoffs&#45;but&#45;bark&#45;worse&#45;than&#45;bite/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Urban myths always spread the same way. And with 4,030 lawyers practicing in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, the local legal scene is about the size of a big high school, which makes the rumor mill that much fiercer.
And like a classic urban myth, few lawyers in Richmond know personally an associate or partner who’s lost [...]           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:37:52 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/rumors&#45;rampant&#45;of&#45;layoffs&#45;but&#45;bark&#45;worse&#45;than&#45;bite/#When:05:37:52Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hershey 1Q earnings jump 20 percent</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EARNS_HERSHEY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
HARRISBURG, Pa.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Hershey, the nation&#8217;s second-largest candymaker, reported a 20 percent surge in first quarter profit because of a longer Easter sales season and a recent price increase&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:36:38 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EARNS_HERSHEY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:36:38Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Businesses and execs funnel $ to campaigns</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/businesess&#45;and&#45;execs&#45;funnel&#45;to&#45;campaigns/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
If campaign contributions are any indication, the Richmond business community is rallying behind Republican Bob McDonnell to become Virginia’s next governor.
McDonnell has far surpassed his rivals in fundraising among Richmond business and trade associations by raising $99,472 from local private enterprise in the first quarter, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. He also led [...]           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:20:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/businesess&#45;and&#45;execs&#45;funnel&#45;to&#45;campaigns/#When:05:20:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Businesess and execs funnel $ to campaigns</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/businesess&#45;and&#45;execs&#45;funnel&#45;to&#45;campaigns/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
If campaign contributions are any indication, the Richmond business community is rallying behind Republican Bob McDonnell to become Virginia’s next governor.
McDonnell has far surpassed his rivals in fundraising among Richmond business and trade associations by raising $99,472 from local private enterprise in the first quarter, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. He also led [...]           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:20:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/businesess&#45;and&#45;execs&#45;funnel&#45;to&#45;campaigns/#When:05:20:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>RadioShack 1Q profit climbs as sales increase</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_RADIOSHACK?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
FORT WORTH, Texas &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Consumer electronics chain RadioShack Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter profit improved as sales perked up on the switch to all-digital television signals&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:15:17 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_RADIOSHACK?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:15:17Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GM employees may get shutdown details this week</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker&#8217;s plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:02:38 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:02:38Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Marriott loses $23M in 1Q, adj. profit tops Street</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_MARRIOTT_INTERNATIONAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BETHESDA, Md.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Hotel operator Marriott International says it lost $23 million in the fiscal first-quarter on its weakening timeshare business and restructuring charges, but adjusted results surpassed analysts&#8217; estimates&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:02:37 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_MARRIOTT_INTERNATIONAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:05:02:37Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>58 laid off at Capital One</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/58&#45;laid&#45;off&#45;at&#45;capital&#45;one/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Capital One Financial Corporation is cutting 58 jobs from their US Card division. About 40 of the cuts in the Richmond area, the rest will be at the company’s headquarters in McClean. About 6,700 people work for Capital One in Richmond, not counting the recent layoffs.
The affected employees will wind down their roles over the [...]           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:01:34 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/58&#45;laid&#45;off&#45;at&#45;capital&#45;one/#When:05:01:34Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Strong report from Apple boosts stock futures</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WALL_STREET?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Apple Inc.&#8216;s stronger-than-expected profit report lifted stock market futures Thursday as investors grew optimistic that technology companies could be enduring the recession better than some had expected&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:58:58 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WALL_STREET?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:58:58Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Fiat reports $410 million first quarter loss</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_ITALY_EARNS_FIAT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
MILAN, Italy &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Fiat Group SPA, which is in the final stretch of talks to take a possible minority stake in the U.S. automaker Chrysler, says it made a first-quarter loss of euro410 million ($530.83 million) as sales of autos plummeted due to the global economic crisis&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:50:50 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_ITALY_EARNS_FIAT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:50:50Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Oil stays below $50 as recovery hopes wane</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_PRICES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Oil prices rose but stayed well below $50 a barrel Thursday as rising U.S. crude inventories and a stark demand forecast by the IMF doused investor optimism for a near-term recovery from the global recession&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:44:39 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_PRICES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:44:39Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>European stocks steady despite US cheer over Apple</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
LONDON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;European stock markets were little changed Thursday ahead of an expected solid opening on Wall Street, where investors appear to have been cheered by upbeat earnings from technology firm Apple Inc&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:42:23 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:42:23Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Japan automakers extend output slump in March</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_AUTOS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
TOKYO &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Japan&#8217;s top automakers reported deep production declines in March as the unprecedented collapse in global demand maintained its painful grip on one of the country&#8217;s key industries&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:40:02 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_AUTOS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:40:02Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA, VA.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, one of the mortgage giants at the heart of the nation&#8217;s financial meltdown, was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:28:42 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:28:42Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>NewsFeeds 4.23.09</title>
          <link>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/newsfeeds&#45;42309/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Hotel owner is banking on BRAC (Progress Index)
Jim Clayton is bullish that BRAC will fill his hotel. Clayton, who invested $12 million in his Stay-Over Suites extended-stay hotel on Old Woodlawn Street near Interstate 295 in Hopewell, believes growth at Fort Lee through the Base Realignment and Closure process will bring a big boost to [...]           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:28:12 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/04/23/newsfeeds&#45;42309/#When:04:28:12Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Novartis posts 14 percent drop in 1Q profit</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_EARNS_NOVARTIS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
GENEVA &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Pharmaceuticals maker Novartis AG reported Thursday a 14 percent decline in first-quarter net profit in part due to shifts in currency values as well as the cost of financing its takeover of the Alcon eye care company&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:03:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_EARNS_NOVARTIS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:04:03:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Asia stocks up but bank fears linger; Europe slips</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian stock markets advanced Thursday, but trade was cautious amid gnawing worries about banks after Morgan Stanley reported worse-than-expected results. European markets slipped in early trade&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:10:36 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:03:10:36Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Credit Suisse reports 1Q net profit of 2B francs</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_CREDIT_SUISSE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
ZURICH &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse on Thursday reported a first-quarter net profit of 2 billion Swiss francs ($1.72 billion), following a turnaround in its investment bank, which had previously been hit hard by the credit crunch&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:09:15 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_CREDIT_SUISSE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:03:09:15Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Asia stocks up but bank fears linger; Europe slips</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian stock markets advanced Thursday, but trade was cautious amid gnawing worries about banks after Morgan Stanley reported worse-than-expected results. European markets slipped in early trade&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:54:38 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:02:54:38Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Oil lingers below $49 as recovery hopes wane</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_PRICES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
SINGAPORE &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Oil prices lingered below $49 a barrel Thursday in Asia as rising U.S. crude inventories and a stark demand forecast by the IMF doused investor optimism for a near-term recovery from the global recession&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:49:35 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_PRICES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:02:49:35Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kirin offers to buy Australian brewer Lion Nathan</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AUSTRALIA_JAPAN_LION_NATHAN?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
SYDNEY &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Lion Nathan Ltd., the Australian brewer of Tooheys and Hahn beers, said Thursday its biggest shareholder, Japan&#8217;s Kirin Holdings Co., has offered to buy the 54 percent of Lion it doesn&#8217;t already own&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:49:38 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AUSTRALIA_JAPAN_LION_NATHAN?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:49:38Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hyundai Motor says first quarter net profit slumps</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_SKOREA_EARNS_HYUNDAI?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
SEOUL, South Korea &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Hyundai Motor, South Korea&#8217;s largest automaker, said net profit dived 42.7 percent in the first quarter as sales fell amid the global slump&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:47:51 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_SKOREA_EARNS_HYUNDAI?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:47:51Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Countries trying to cope with severe global slump</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WORLD_ECONOMY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;World finance officials may be faced with the worst global downturn since the Great Depression, but that doesn&#8217;t mean they are ready to stop squabbling over the details of a plan to get out of the mess&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:43:25 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WORLD_ECONOMY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:43:25Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Japan automakers extend output slump in March</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_AUTOS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
TOKYO &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Japan&#8217;s top automakers reported deep production declines in March as the unprecedented collapse in global demand maintained its painful grip on one of the country&#8217;s key industries&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:37:43 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_AUTOS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:37:43Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>California farmers to get slight drought relief</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FARM_SCENE_CALIFORNIA_DROUGHT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
FRESNO, Calif.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Farmers in California&#8217;s drought-stricken agricultural basin finally will get a meager supply of federal water to nurture their crops this summer&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:35:43 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FARM_SCENE_CALIFORNIA_DROUGHT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:35:43Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Credit Suisse reports 1Q net profit of 2B francs</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_CREDIT_SUISSE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse on Thursday reported a first-quarter net profit of 2 billion Swiss francs ($1.72 billion), or 1.60 francs per share, following a turnaround in its previously ailing investment bank&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:30:53 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SWITZERLAND_CREDIT_SUISSE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:30:53Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Asian stock markets rise but banking fears linger</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian stock markets advanced Thursday, but trade was cautious amid gnawing worries about banks after Morgan Stanley reported worse-than-expected results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:21:48 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:01:21:48Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hyundai Motor says first quarter net profit slumps</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
SEOUL, South Korea &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Hyundai Motor said Thursday that net profit dived 42.7 percent in the first quarter as sales fell amid the global auto slump&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:35:40 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_SKOREA_EARNS_HYUNDAI?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:00:35:40Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hong Kong tycoon drops $2 billion bid for PCCW</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_HONG_KONG_PCCW?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;A Hong Kong tycoon abandoned his controversial $2 billion plan to take over the city&#8217;s biggest telecom company Thursday after a court blocked the deal, handing regulators and minority shareholders a high-profile victory&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:34:10 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_HONG_KONG_PCCW?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:00:34:10Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hyundai Motor says first quarter net profit slumps</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_SKOREA_EARNS_HYUNDAI?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
SEOUL, South Korea &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Hyundai Motor said Thursday that net profit dived 42.7 percent in the first quarter as sales fell amid the global auto slump&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:50:32 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_SKOREA_EARNS_HYUNDAI?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:23:50:32Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>WSJ: BofA CEO says was told to be quiet on Merrill</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
NEW YORK (AP)&#8212; Bank of America Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis told the New York attorney general he believed former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke wanted him to keep quiet about the worsening terms of the bank&#8217;s acquisition of Merrill Lynch, according to testimony reviewed by The Wall Street Journal&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:48:42 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BANK_OF_AMERICA_TESTIMONY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:23:48:42Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Asian stock markets rise but banking fears linger</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian stock markets were mostly higher in cautious trade Thursday, with gains limited by gnawing worries about banks after Morgan Stanley reported worse-than-expected results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:29:35 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:23:29:35Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Asian stock markets rise but banking fears linger</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
HONG KONG &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian stock markets were mostly higher in cautious trade Thursday, with gains limited by gnawing worries about banks after Morgan Stanley reported worse-than-expected results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:57:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WORLD_MARKETS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:22:57:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Oil limps below $49 as recovery hopes wane</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_PRICES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
SINGAPORE &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Oil prices stumbled below $49 a barrel Thursday in Asia as rising U.S. crude inventories and a stark demand forecast by the IMF doused investor optimism for a near-term recovery from the global recession&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:44:31 EDT</pubDate>
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         <item>
          <title>GM employees may get shutdown details this week</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker&#8217;s plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:38:31 EDT</pubDate>
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         <item>
          <title>Ingersoll&#45;Rand CEO&#8217;s bonus halved amid recession</title>
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HARTFORD, Conn.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Ingersoll-Rand Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Herbert L. Henkel received 2008 compensation valued at $11.4 million, up about 7 percent year-over-year, according to Associated Press calculations of data filed with regulators Wednesday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:11:41 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_INGERSOLL_RAND_EXECUTIVE_COMPENSATION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:22:11:41Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GM employees may get shutdown details this week</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker&#8217;s plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:03:47 EDT</pubDate>
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         <item>
          <title>IMF: Asia could see &#8216;modest recovery&#8217; in 2010</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_WORLD_ECONOMY_ASIA?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BEIJING &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Asian economies could see a modest recovery next year, boosted by stronger export demand and stimulus spending, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:29:59 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_WORLD_ECONOMY_ASIA?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:21:29:59Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Report: Treasury makes offer to Chrysler lenders</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHRYSLER_DEBT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
LOS ANGELES &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;The Treasury Department lobbed back a new offer to Chrysler LLC&#8217;s lenders, proposing that banks and hedge funds which hold $6.9 billion in debt forgive $5.4 billion in exchange for a 5 percent stake in a Chrysler-Fiat alliance, media reports said late Wednesday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:25:31 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHRYSLER_DEBT?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:21:25:31Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Development banks pledge $90B to Latam, Carib</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_LATIN_AMERICA_LOANS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Development banks on Wednesday pledged about $90 billion in loans to Latin America and the Caribbean over the next two years to help the region fight a looming recession and generate growth&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:11:25 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_LATIN_AMERICA_LOANS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:21:11:25Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official</title>
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          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA, VA.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, one of the mortgage giants at the heart of the nation&#8217;s financial meltdown, was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide. David Kellermann, 41, apparently hanged himself in his suburban Washington home, said a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. He asked not to be identified because the investigation was ongoing&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:57:34 EDT</pubDate>
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         <item>
          <title>Sources: GM to shut most US plants up to 9 weeks</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;General Motors Corp. is planning to temporarily close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles, three people briefed on the plan said Wednesday. Analysts say the company could be seeing sales decline because of talk about a potential bankruptcy&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:53:55 EDT</pubDate>
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        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA, VA.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, one of the mortgage giants at the heart of the nation&#8217;s financial meltdown, was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide. David Kellermann, 41, apparently hanged himself in his suburban Washington home, said a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. He asked not to be identified because the investigation was ongoing&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:20:58 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:19:20:58Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Sallie Mae narrows 1st&#45;quarter loss</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_SALLIE_MAE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BOSTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Sallie Mae, the nation&#8217;s largest student lender, narrowed its loss in the first quarter, despite government efforts to stabilize short-term debt markets that Sallie Mae says hurt its results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:20:34 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_SALLIE_MAE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:19:20:34Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Talks on mortgage relief plan hit a snag</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MORTGAGES_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Negotiations between the banking industry and Senate Democrats on a mortgage relief plan hit a snag Wednesday after a trade association representing credit unions said it could not endorse the proposal&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:16:39 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MORTGAGES_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:19:16:39Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Yum Brands 1Q profit falls 14 pct on strong dollar</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_YUM_BRANDS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
LOUISVILLE, Ky.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Restaurant operator Yum Brands Inc.&#8216;s growth in China continued strong in the first quarter, but the company&#8217;s profit fell 14 percent, it said Wednesday, because the stronger dollar cut into overseas revenue&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:07:47 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_YUM_BRANDS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:19:07:47Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Sources: GM to shut most US plants up to 9 weeks</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;General Motors Corp. is planning to temporarily close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles, three people briefed on the plan said Wednesday. Analysts say the company could be seeing sales decline because of talk about a potential bankruptcy&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:03:12 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:19:03:12Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Sallie Mae narrows 1st&#45;quarter loss</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_SALLIE_MAE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BOSTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Sallie Mae, the nation&#8217;s largest student lender, narrowed its loss in the first quarter, despite government efforts to stabilize short-term debt markets that Sallie Mae says hurt its results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:55:22 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_SALLIE_MAE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:55:22Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>MySpace co&#45;founder DeWolfe to step down</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NEWS_CORP_MYSPACE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
LOS ANGELES &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe will step down soon as the social networking site&#8217;s chief executive&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:44:15 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NEWS_CORP_MYSPACE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:44:15Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Trustee: 3 new bids arrive for Madoff&#8217;s business</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NY_MADOFF_SCANDAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;A trustee says three new bids have been made for the securities-trading operation once run by fallen financier Bernard Madoff (MAY&#8217;-dawf)....           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:43:35 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NY_MADOFF_SCANDAL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:43:35Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA, VA.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, one of the mortgage giants at the heart of the nation&#8217;s financial meltdown, was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide. David Kellermann, 41, apparently hanged himself in his suburban Washington home, said a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. He asked not to be identified because the investigation was ongoing&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:26:31 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:26:31Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Sources: GM to shut most US plants up to 9 weeks</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;General Motors Corp. is planning to temporarily close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles, two people briefed on the plan said Wednesday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:26:30 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:26:30Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Police investigating death of Freddie Mac official</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
VIENNA, VA.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;The chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, one of the mortgage giants at the heart of the nation&#8217;s financial meltdown, was found dead in his basement early Wednesday morning in what police said was an apparent suicide. David Kellermann, 41, apparently hanged himself in his suburban Washington home, said a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. He asked not to be identified because the investigation was ongoing&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:18:20 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREDDIE_MAC_OFFICIAL_DEAD?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:18:20Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Sources: GM to shut most US plants up to 9 weeks</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
DETROIT &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;General Motors Corp. is planning to temporarily close most of its U.S. factories for up to nine weeks this summer because of slumping sales and growing inventories of unsold vehicles, two people briefed on the plan said Wednesday&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:16:40 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GM_FACTORIES?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:16:40Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>NY state, city crack down on pension investments</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PENSION_PROBE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Amid an expanding corruption investigation, top officials in Albany and New York City said Wednesday that they would bar lobbyists known as placement agents from soliciting investment business from the state&#8217;s two biggest public pension systems&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:15:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PENSION_PROBE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:15:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Talks on mortgage relief plan hit a snag</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MORTGAGES_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Negotiations between the banking industry and Senate Democrats on a mortgage relief plan hit a snag Wednesday after a trade association representing credit unions said it could not endorse the proposal&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:01:05 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MORTGAGES_BANKRUPTCY?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:17:01:05Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Yum Brands 1Q profit falls 14 pct on strong dollar</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_YUM_BRANDS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
LOUISVILLE, Ky.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Restaurant operator Yum Brands Inc.&#8216;s growth in China continued strong in the first quarter, but the company&#8217;s profit fell 14 percent, it said Wednesday, because the stronger dollar cut into overseas revenue&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:56:33 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EARNS_YUM_BRANDS?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=BUSINESS&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT#When:16:56:33Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Polo player links supplement to horse deaths</title>
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Twenty-one prized polo horses that mysteriously died before one of the sport&#8217;s top championships were given a supplement that likely caused their deaths, the leader of the Venezuelan-owned team told an Argentine newspaper&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:45:16 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Altria Group 1Q profit drops but beats forecast</title>
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RICHMOND, Va.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Cigarette sales dropped 8 percent and profit slipped at the nation&#8217;s largest tobacco maker, Altria Group Inc., as retailers and wholesalers cut their orders ahead of a one-time federal tax on their inventory, but the company&#8217;s overall revenue rose in the first quarter&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:43:45 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>GE exec says economic crisis resetting capitalism</title>
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WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;The top executive of General Electric Co. said Wednesday he couldn&#8217;t predict when the recession would end or how bad it will be, but said the global economic crisis has &#8220;fundamentally reset&#8221; the way companies do business and capitalism itself&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:39:28 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>T. Rowe Price 1Q earns drop; 288 job cuts planned</title>
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BOSTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;T. Rowe Price Group Inc. said Wednesday that reeling markets sent its first-quarter profit tumbling by more than two-thirds, and the investment manager announced plans to cut 288 jobs, or 5.5 percent of its work force&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:37:46 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Norfolk Southern sees demand &#8216;bottom&#8217; this quarter</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Railroad Norfolk Southern Corp. said Wednesday it expects shipping demand, which has plunged as the recession has worsened, to approach its worst level this quarter and possibly start to improve as early as the second half of this year&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:36:16 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Northrop Grumman 1st&#45;qtr profit up nearly 50 pct</title>
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WASHINGTON &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Northrop Grumman Corp. on Wednesday said its first-quarter profit rose almost 50 percent, boosted by higher sales of military products like aerial drones and a larger contract for a satellite-based tracking system&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:34:39 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Wells Fargo 1Q results in line with forecast</title>
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NEW YORK &nbsp;   (AP)&#8212;Wells Fargo &amp; Co.&#8216;s first-quarter report on Wednesday had few big surprises, as results fell in line with the bank&#8217;s forecast and easily beat Wall Street&#8217;s estimates. But like most of its peers, the bank continues to post higher credit costs&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:31:50 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Sallie Mae narrows 1st&#45;quarter loss</title>
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RESTON, Va.&nbsp;  &nbsp; (AP)&#8212;Student lender Sallie Mae narrowed its loss in the first quarter, despite government efforts to stabilize short-term debt markets that Sallie Mae says hurt its results&#8230;.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:29:42 EDT</pubDate>
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