| US tourists getting less bang for their bucks
A recent article in The Villager, a Manhattan neighborhood newspaper, noted that East Village Wines, a liquor store at 138 First Ave., accepts payments in euros as well as dollars. Over the last year through mid-January, the dollar has depreciated about 9 percent against the euro, 10 percent against the rupee, and 12 percent against the Chilean peso, said Jay Bryson, global economist at Wachovia. In the past, savvy travelers could hedge against the weakened dollar by buying a prepackaged tour. Tour operators set prices as much as 18 months in advance, so they can be printed in brochures and other marketing materials. Those travelers were essentially getting a built-in discount during the last couple of years as the dollar fell against other currencies. But not this year.
Ball bearing bomb kills at least 40
A SUICIDE bomber detonated a vest packed with ball bearings in a tent full of Iraqi pilgrims heading to a Shi'ite festival overnight, killing 40 and wounding 60. The US military said it was trying to confirm reports 60 people had been killed and 100 wounded in the bombing in the town of Iskandariya, 40km south of Baghdad. Women and children were among the victims, police said. The attack was one of the deadliest in Iraq this year and happened despite a major tightening of security for the annual Arbain festival in the southern holy city of Kerbala. It is one of Shiite Islam's holiest events. Most of the casualties were hit by the ball bearings, said a doctor at a hospital in the city of Hilla, where many of the wounded were taken. A wounded woman there said the attack happened in a tent where pilgrims were offered refreshments.
U.S. pulls Chinese toy containing 'date rape' drug
Last week, the government announced an export ban on more than 700 toy factories in the region because of shoddy products.The company said the product is distributed in 40 countries.The toys were supposed to use 1,5-pentanediol, a nontoxic compound found in glue, but instead contained the harmful 1,4-butanediol, which is widely used in cleaners and plastics.The Food and Drug Administration in 1999 declared the chemical a Class I Health Hazard, meaning it can cause life-threatening harm.Both chemicals are manufactured in China and elsewhere, including by major multinational companies, and are also marketed over the Internet.It's not clear why 1,4-butanediol was substituted. However, there is a significant difference in price between the two chemicals. The Chinese online trading platform ChemNet China lists the price of 1,4 butanediol at between about $1,350-$2,800 per metric ton, while the price for 1,5-pentanediol is about $9,700 per metric ton.The recall was announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday several hours after published reports about the recall in Australia.The two U.S.
Wayne Henning: Stadium's future rests in hands of city, residents
Roberts Stadium has served our community well for more than 50 years. However, it has become dated and is no longer competitive with similar venues. We have a difficult decision to make about the future of the stadium, and it is a decision that will be made with deliberate thought. .
Shots fired as Ace Hardware workers chase down shoplifting suspect
Downtown Fort Collins turned into the Wild West on Saturday afternoon when a man shot at two Ace Hardware employees who chased him through Old Town after he allegedly stole light bulbs and other items and then escaped on his bicycle. Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis said Bronson Rhett Quinton, 26, of Fort Collins, is suspected of escaping through the rear entrance of Ace Hardware, 215 S. College Ave., around 3:45 p.m. after store employees confronted him. .
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