By JOSEPH KAHN
BEIJING — Compared variously to a floating pearl and a duck egg, the titanium-and-glass half-dome of the National Center for the Performing Arts formally opened its underwater entryway to Chinese officials and dignitaries here over the weekend.
The $400 million complex, a concert hall, opera house and theater under one space age span, […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
LOS ANGELES — Home owners across the nation are looking to county governments to reassess the values of their homes in the face of flattening and falling prices that have befallen scores of markets. Downward assessments, done at the request of homeowners or pre-emptively by government, appear to […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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By BOB TEDESCHI
FORGET about strings of pearls, dive watches or flower baskets. This could be the year of Barcaloungers and blenders.
According to early online shopping statistics, sales of holiday stalwarts like jewelry, watches and flowers have dropped from last year’s levels, while sales of more practical items like furniture and appliances have climbed about […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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By MARIA ASPAN
Have you sent out your holiday cards this year? What about your e-cards?
If your second answer was yes, you are in good company. Once seen as the tacky, last-minute substitute for pen and paper, e-cards have become more acceptable this holiday season, especially in the corporate world, where LinkedIn and Facebook have […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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By MICHAEL BARBARO
It was supposed to be a Target Christmas.
Buffeted by high energy costs and a slowing housing market, consumers were expected to trade down from midpriced department stores, like Macy’s and Nordstrom, to discount retailers with designer cachet — Target’s undisputed terrain.
But instead of dominating this holiday season, Target is muddling through it, […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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By CHARLES DUHIGG
Eight years ago, when Robert J. Pyle was 73 years old, he had about $500,000 in the bank and owned a house in Northern California worth about $650,000. He was looking forward to a comfortable retirement.
Today, at 81, he has lost everything. Mr. Pyle, a retired aerospace engineer, now lives in his […]
Posted on December 24th, 2007 by admin
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