The German economy is on a longer-term path of recovery, helped by some gains in domestic demand. Germany may well be able to help lead the euro zone out of a period of fairly stagnant growth.

Cars have blind spots but not like trucks, especially when you're loaded,

The biggest challenge is to make sure the car drivers realize the trucks can't stop like they can, make turns like they can,

It looks like 2006 saw the housing market in the rude health it ended last year and the market could continue to accelerate in the coming months. That's something the Bank of England will keep its eye on.

It looks like there has been little if any gene loss in our own species lineage in the last 6 million years.

This is way in excess of market expectations and suggests that the Chancellor's finances will end the year in reasonable form and will certainly be a good platform for his budget on March 22.

This is not going to be enough - we're still looking for another 50 basis points by the end of the year, ... But it's the right move for the moment. A rise of 50 basis points would have cast doubt in the market about the sustainability of growth, in Germany in particular.

Sovereignty is still an issue really important for Quebec. More than ever, especially with what happened with the sponsorship scandal.

The MPC is keen to assess pay deals after the New Year and consumer spending over the Christmas period. Only then will it be willing to think about further rate cuts.

Of course, ... this is a hypothesis that we have no way to scientifically prove or disprove. However, we believe it's currently the best explanation.