Chocolate, Cars Top Christmas Party Gifts (The Moscow Times) Businesses

Chocolate, Cars Top Christmas Party Gifts (The Moscow Times)
Businesses have been getting in the Christmas spirit ever since Charles Dickens -- or rather the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future -- transformed Ebeneezer Scrooge overnight into a funky, modern CEO who treated his workers to a big slap-up meal and entertainment.

Synthetic Worlds. By Edward Castronova. The A-Z of Cool Computer Games. By Jack Railton (Independent)
Will this be the Christmas when adults get better toys than their kids? We could stuff mum or dad's 2005 stocking with a video iPod, a music-playing mobile phone and a Playstation Portable, and still have room (if barely any cash) left for chocs and socks.

iPods and Macs taking over cars (The Unofficial Apple Weblog)
Filed under: Audio , Hardware , Multimedia , Software , Video , Airport , Bluetooth , iTunes , PowerMac G5 , Mods , Mac mini Woops, I take my " Macs aren't going anywhere " post back, as they're certainly going one place in a big way lately: cars. I have a double dose of iPod/Mac in-car news coming at you from our sibling site, Autoblog. First up: they caught wind of a projection

Detroit's 'Big Three' Automakers Launch New Incentive Programs
General Motors, Chrysler and Ford announce new programs in efforts to boost slackening year-end sales.
Perry Stern

How Will America's Big Two Automakers Survive?
After decades of market share losses, look for a leaner and more focused Big Two.
Ann Job

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Automotive Fans & Friends (American International Automobile Dealers Association)
As if you didn t know it s that time of year again, and if you re like me, you ve waited till the last possible minute. But it s time to find a gift for those on your list who love their car or cars in general.

The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years (PC World via Yahoo! News)
Here's PC World's official (and entirely idiosyncratic) list of the top tech gadgets of the last half century.

Chocolate, Cars Top Christmas Party Gifts (The Moscow Times) Businesses

Chocolate, Cars Top Christmas Party Gifts (The Moscow Times)
Businesses have been getting in the Christmas spirit ever since Charles Dickens -- or rather the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future -- transformed Ebeneezer Scrooge overnight into a funky, modern CEO who treated his workers to a big slap-up meal and entertainment.

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3Editors at MSN Autos take

Test Drive: Project Gotham Racing 3
Editors at MSN Autos take Microsoft's latest driving game out for a spin.
Perry Stern

Living Large in Luxury Cars (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)
It's easy to see why the midrange of this market is booming these days, even as SUVs and high-end luxury slump

Santa wears a tan City of Manteca shirt (Manteca Bulletin)
Santa made his rounds a bit early this year. Instead of a sleigh, he drove a City of Manteca crew cab pick-up truck. The goodies weren t tucked in a big red bag but in green and blue recycling containers piled high with Barbie Dolls, radio controlled cars and food.

Detroit braces for barbs as Super Bowl comes to town (Covers.com)
DETROIT -- Less than two months before it hosts the Super Bowl, Detroit is getting ready for its big moment like a self-conscious teenager - anxiously trying to cover up blemishes and hoping to impress the cool kids. For a city widely...

Detroit braces for barbs as Super Bowl comes to town

Detroit braces for barbs as Super Bowl comes to town (USA Today)
With less than two months to go before it hosts the Super Bowl, Detroit is like a self-conscious teenager anxiously trying to cover up blemishes and impress the cool kids. Officials are hoping the influx of influential out-of-towners will be their big chance to seal a new image for a city widely associated with riots, murder and lousy weather.

Government up close (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
How about body-heat-gathering T-shirts that run iPods, cars that recycle their own heat for power and industries run without fossil fuels?

Santa wears a tan City of Manteca shirt (Manteca Bulletin)
Santa made his rounds a bit early this year. Instead of a sleigh, he drove a City of Manteca crew cab pick-up truck. The goodies weren t tucked in a big red bag but in green and blue recycling containers piled high with Barbie Dolls, radio controlled cars and food.

The Truth About Fuel Economy Ratings
If your new car's actual fuel mileage does not match the fuel economy numbers on the window sticker, it's not necessarily your car's fault.
Ann Job

Full Auto (Sega) (UGO - UnderGroundOnline)
Cars are cool. Guns are cool. Cars with guns are mind-blowingly cool! Full Auto is headed to the Xbox 360 and we can barely contain our excitement for this one.

In 90 seconds, pilot kept cool and averted tragedy (MLive.com)
In an instantaneous calculation, Ann Arbor pilot John Sullivan knew he had only 90 seconds or about 2 miles before the borrowed Cessna 152 would be on the ground.

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Too fast for the stalkers (Mail and Guardian)
Most journalists don t have much fashion sense. Asking a journalist what s in or what s cool to wear this season is about as wise as asking Dubya how to make the world a peaceful place.

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

County cool on hiring cyclist/pedestrian advocate (Independent Record) Helena bikers

County cool on hiring cyclist/pedestrian advocate (Independent Record)
Helena bikers and walkers may get an advocate in the City-County Building, although Lewis and Clark County commissioners said they're reluctant to sign on to the idea.

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Government up close (Traverse City Record-Eagle)
How about body-heat-gathering T-shirts that run iPods, cars that recycle their own heat for power and industries run without fossil fuels?

Through His Webcam, a Boy Joins a Sordid Online World

Through His Webcam, a Boy Joins a Sordid Online World (Gasden Times)
By KURT EICHENWALD New York Times The 13-year-old boy sat in his California home, eyes fixed on a computer screen. He had never run with the popular crowd and long ago had turned to the Internet for the friends he craved.

How Will America's Big Two Automakers Survive?After decades of market

How Will America's Big Two Automakers Survive?
After decades of market share losses, look for a leaner and more focused Big Two.
Ann Job

In Iraq a deadly ambush leaves hanging questions (International Herald Tribune)
The ambush made June 23 was one of the worst days in the history of U.S. military women. Yet it faded into the running narrative of Iraq, another tragic but unavoidable consequence of war. An examination of the attack reveals the opposite.

Full Auto (Sega) (UGO - UnderGroundOnline)
Cars are cool. Guns are cool. Cars with guns are mind-blowingly cool! Full Auto is headed to the Xbox 360 and we can barely contain our excitement for this one.

Cach (Hidden) (The Village Voice)
Let's go to the videotape: Forgotten sins, rewound and replayed in Haneke's elliptical mystery (By Michael Atkinson)

The end of the lane (Boston Globe) Since 2001, I've

The end of the lane (Boston Globe)
Since 2001, I've ended each year with my annual Grahammy awards for distinguished and dubious achievements in pop culture. Since this is my last Life in the Pop Lane column, I'd like to recognize not only the memorable moments of the past 12 months, but also those folks who through their remarkably stupid, illegal, and publicity-hungry actions made writing this ...

FACTORY FIRE POISON FEAR (Daily Record)
FIREFIGHTERS spent seven hours tackling a blaze which ripped through a factory. Fire crews had to cool down silos of lead dust to prevent them giving off toxic fumes.

IIHS's Top 10 Safety Picks
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety picks the ten safest cars of the 2006 model year.
Perry Stern

Learning How To Hope (Newsweek)
Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan 2, 2006 issue - New Orleans in December is cool and dry, and the 20 percent that wasn't flooded seems normal enough. But the pictures don't even begin to convey the scope of what 17 days of standing water will do to the delicate ecosystem of a metropolis.

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

Flood Damage: Don't Get Soaked When Buying a Used Car
Carfax provides guidance and tips to help you spot vehicles with potential water damage.
Editors of MSN Autos

2006 NAIAS CoverageThe Official Web Site of the North American

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

Learning How To Hope (Newsweek)
Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan 2, 2006 issue - New Orleans in December is cool and dry, and the 20 percent that wasn't flooded seems normal enough. But the pictures don't even begin to convey the scope of what 17 days of standing water will do to the delicate ecosystem of a metropolis.

IIHS's Top 10 Safety Picks
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety picks the ten safest cars of the 2006 model year.
Perry Stern

Ten wise ways to make your bonus work for you (Independent Online)
Low interest rates, a sound economy and stable currency all mean that many South Africans are feeling flush this festive season. But before you blow your bonus on the latest high-tech gadgets, cool designer wear or flash cars, consider some smart ways to spend your annual bonus - if you're lucky enough to receive one.

Full Auto (Sega) (UGO - UnderGroundOnline)
Cars are cool. Guns are cool. Cars with guns are mind-blowingly cool! Full Auto is headed to the Xbox 360 and we can barely contain our excitement for this one.

Aussie pride praised as Coast keeps its cool (Brisbane Courier Mail)
SENIOR police declared it "a proud day for Australia" after feared race riots on the Gold Coast failed to eventuate yesterday. Hundreds of police gathered in Surfers Paradise in response to a text message inciting Sydney-style violence against "Lebs" and "wogs" which was circulated early last week.

FACTORY FIRE POISON FEAR (Daily Record)
FIREFIGHTERS spent seven hours tackling a blaze which ripped through a factory. Fire crews had to cool down silos of lead dust to prevent them giving off toxic fumes.

Japan's king of cool (The Age)
HE'S up to his gums in diamonds and gold. He keeps his dazzling cars behind a glass wall so he can see them from his living room. His spare penthouse in Tokyo's poshest high-rise is for his galaxy of Star Wars memorabilia.

Motorsport: Lyons is a Legge man (Sunday Life)
RICHARD Lyons had glamorous company for his first taste of American race cars. The Ulsterman who is considering a switch to the US Champ Car series next season has just completed two days of testing with the Rocketsports team at Sebring in Florida.

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Motorsport: Lyons is a Legge man (Sunday Life) RICHARD Lyons

Motorsport: Lyons is a Legge man (Sunday Life)
RICHARD Lyons had glamorous company for his first taste of American race cars. The Ulsterman who is considering a switch to the US Champ Car series next season has just completed two days of testing with the Rocketsports team at Sebring in Florida.

Aussie pride praised as Coast keeps its cool (Brisbane Courier Mail)
SENIOR police declared it "a proud day for Australia" after feared race riots on the Gold Coast failed to eventuate yesterday. Hundreds of police gathered in Surfers Paradise in response to a text message inciting Sydney-style violence against "Lebs" and "wogs" which was circulated early last week.

Ten wise ways to make your bonus work for you (Independent Online)
Low interest rates, a sound economy and stable currency all mean that many South Africans are feeling flush this festive season. But before you blow your bonus on the latest high-tech gadgets, cool designer wear or flash cars, consider some smart ways to spend your annual bonus - if you're lucky enough to receive one.

Top Luxury Cars on MSN Autos
The most popular luxury cars on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle pages during the third quarter of 2005.
compiled by MSN Autos

FACTORY FIRE POISON FEAR (Daily Record)
FIREFIGHTERS spent seven hours tackling a blaze which ripped through a factory. Fire crews had to cool down silos of lead dust to prevent them giving off toxic fumes.

Aussie pride praised as Coast keeps its cool (Brisbane Courier

Aussie pride praised as Coast keeps its cool (Brisbane Courier Mail)
SENIOR police declared it "a proud day for Australia" after feared race riots on the Gold Coast failed to eventuate yesterday. Hundreds of police gathered in Surfers Paradise in response to a text message inciting Sydney-style violence against "Lebs" and "wogs" which was circulated early last week.

Flood Damage: Don't Get Soaked When Buying a Used Car
Carfax provides guidance and tips to help you spot vehicles with potential water damage.
Editors of MSN Autos

Dow Head Calls for More Gas Drilling (RedNova)
The head of Dow Chemical says the United States is facing the worst energy crisis in its history -- not in fueling cars but in home heating. American consumers worry about oil and the price of gasoline, Andrew N.

Dow head calls for more gas drilling (UPI)
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The head of Dow Chemical says the United States is facing the worst energy crisis in its history -- not in fueling cars but in home heating.

Ten wise ways to make your bonus work for you (Independent Online)
Low interest rates, a sound economy and stable currency all mean that many South Africans are feeling flush this festive season. But before you blow your bonus on the latest high-tech gadgets, cool designer wear or flash cars, consider some smart ways to spend your annual bonus - if you're lucky enough to receive one.

Japan's king of cool (The Age) HE'S up to his

Japan's king of cool (The Age)
HE'S up to his gums in diamonds and gold. He keeps his dazzling cars behind a glass wall so he can see them from his living room. His spare penthouse in Tokyo's poshest high-rise is for his galaxy of Star Wars memorabilia.

Shop excels in custom details for cars (Greeley Tribune Online)
Israel Pena is a big fan of The Learning Channel's "Overhaulin'," where a team led by hot rod designer Chip Foose swipes a beat-up - or sometimes new - vehicle and turns it into a one-of-kind dream machine in a week.

Japan's king of cool (The Age) HE'S up to his

Japan's king of cool (The Age)
HE'S up to his gums in diamonds and gold. He keeps his dazzling cars behind a glass wall so he can see them from his living room. His spare penthouse in Tokyo's poshest high-rise is for his galaxy of Star Wars memorabilia.

How Will America's Big Two Automakers Survive?
After decades of market share losses, look for a leaner and more focused Big Two.
Ann Job

Flood Damage: Don't Get Soaked When Buying a Used Car
Carfax provides guidance and tips to help you spot vehicles with potential water damage.
Editors of MSN Autos

Winter Driving Tips From the Experts
Winter conditions can be challenging for drivers of all skill levels. The editor of Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada offers sound advice from the Great White North.
Marc Lachapelle, with Gerry Malloy for Sympatico / MSN Autos Canada

Detroit's 'Big Three' Automakers Launch New Incentive Programs
General Motors, Chrysler and Ford announce new programs in efforts to boost slackening year-end sales.
Perry Stern

Preview: 2006 Porsche Cayman S
Porsche's new mid-engine coupe builds on the Boxster S, but kicks it up a notch in the performance department.
Mike Meredith

Shopping with heroes (County Press)
LAPEER Flashing patrol cars, fire engines and ambulances lit Meijer's parking lot Wednesday evening but the only emergency was Christmas. Children are the guests of honor in "Shop with a Hero" hosted every year by the Lapeer Meijer store.

2006 NAIAS Coverage
The Official Web Site of the North American International Auto Show.
Editors of MSN Autos

DaimlerChrysler's NE.Asian car sales rev up 13 pct (Reuters)
In the first 11 months of 2005, the firm moved 52,702 cars in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and South Korea, versus 46,674 in the same period of 2004, the world's fifth-largest auto maker said in a statement on Friday.