Merrill writedown takes toll on financial sector
Wall Street stocks endured a volatile session on Wednesday in which a $7.9bn writedown at Merrill Lynch revived worries about banks’ exposure to risky investments.

Why Merrill Lynch Got Burned
The bank’s leadership role in underwriting risky CDOs brought in millions in fees but put it in the subprime bull’s-eye

Home sales plunge by 8 percent
WASHINGTON – Sales of existing homes had a record decline in September while median home prices fell by the largest amount in nearly a year, reflecting deepening problems in the troubled housing market.

London oil price hits record high: 86.28 dollars
LONDON (AFP) – The price of Brent crude oil struck an historic peak of 86.28 dollars per barrel in trading here on Thursday amid concerns over tight energy supplies.

Countrywide, non-profit partner to help homeowners
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Countrywide Financial Corp, the largest U.S. mortgage lender, and non-profit group Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America said on Tuesday they are partnering to help borrowers stay in their homes.

Immigration Raids Hurt Farmers
Farmers say an immigration crackdown is causing workers to flee and crippling operations. Now they’re urging reform
And farmers who hire illegals hurt our whole economy.

Sex talks to raise Australian miner productivity
Australian coal miners are being taught to explore their wives and understand menopause in order to have a healthy sex life, which in turn will make them happy, productive workers. The “Toolbox Talks” at the Bulga coal mine in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, have been such a success that the Xstrata mining company is considering running them at other mines.
Why not just provide good working conditions?  That will create happy, productive workers.  I guess sex education is cheaper, and business is all about cheaper, not what’s right.