news

...

Home prices soared in recent years in the picturesque city of Hangzhou, but government fears of a U.S.-style meltdown have led to new restrictions on sales and a severe slowdown in the market.For generations, Chinese have flocked to this historic city to enjoy its centuries-old pagodas, Buddhist temples and scenic lakes surrounded by drooping willow trees.

Carmakers, struggling to arrest a collapse in car sales, are expecting only
limited relief from the introduction of the new '60' registration plate this
month.

Outsiders could alter a staid chamber, which might become even more polarized.In a shift of political fortunes that seemed unimaginable even recently, Republicans now have a long-shot chance to take control of the Senate, bolstering their ranks with outsider candidates who would probably shake up the chamber.

The president says the plan would put construction workers back to work without adding to the deficit. Republicans say it's more unnecessary spending.President Obama on Monday called for a $50-billion boost in spending on the nation's roads, runways and railroads, his latest effort to respond to the stubbornly sluggish economy in a political climate turning against his party.

John Varley is expected to stand down to make way for Bob Diamond in time for
the annual meeting next April.

The president outlines transportation spending proposals in his Labor Day speech in Minnesota. The package is front-loaded with a cash surge to boost jobs in the short term, officials say.WASHINGTON — President Obama on Monday called for a $50-billion surge in spending on the nation's roads, runways and railroads, his latest attempt to respond to the stubbornly sluggish economy in a political climate turning against his party.

Could put.io, a new cloud storage system, spark off a showdown between
Hollywood and online pirates?

The Kajaki Dam in southern Afghanistan was built in the 1950s with U.S. aid but fell into disrepair in the late 1970s. Efforts to repair it have faltered as the Taliban controls an access road.There may be no better symbol of American involvement in southern Afghanistan — initial success, current frustration and an uncertain future — than the giant Kajaki Dam.

Our weekly round-up of the best beauty advice from the professionals for you
to try at home

It may have been a relief to many when the World Cup’s vuvuzelas finally stopped blaring, but now the Rainbow Nation’s winter of good feeling is emphatically over. A recent government workers’ strike grew so massive that the Army was called out to keep hospitals open.

Student motivation is the problem.