Christmas Spending Rises With Extended Families
A group of Texans report holiday shopping costs climbing amid larger gift lists. Ruben Contreras spent 400 dollars for 18 people including a new girlfriend, while Steve and Daisy Maldonado budgeted 350 for 17 recipients. Odessan Ismelda Villanueva says she exceeded her planned budget, with nearly 30 nieces and nephews demanding pricier electronic gifts as children grow older.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ruben Contreras
Monahans
Steve
Daisy Maldonado
From
Midland
Steve Maldonado
Odessan Ismelda Villanueva
Villanueva
Santa
Credit card debt and delinquencies rise in October
Credit continued from Page 1A off the debt rose 18 percent to almost $961 million in October, according to filings with the SEC. Serious delinquencies are up sharply with lenders like Advanta GE Money Bank and HSBC reporting at least 50 percent higher values of 90 day delinquent accounts versus a year earlier. The AP analyzed data from about 325 million accounts in trusts created to sell debt to investors, covering roughly 45 percent of the $920 billion credit card debt tracked by the Federal Reserve. Despite rising defaults, the business remains lucrative with interest rates reaching up to 36 percent plus penalties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Securities and Exchange Commission
Ing Advanta
GE Money Bank
HSBC
Federal Reserve
Sunnis Seen as Key to Stability in Iraq
In Baghdad the rise of Sunni Awakening councils, now about 70,000 strong and growing, is seen as central to reduced violence. Shiite officials caution these fighters must be integrated into security and politics to avoid a sectarian power shift, with 440,000 total Iraqi security forces and Sunnis comprising roughly 20 percent of the population.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Baghdad
al-Qaida
Iraq
U.S
Awakening Movement
al- Qaida
Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi
al-Obeidi
Saddam Hussein
Awakening fighters seek political voice in post insurgency Iraq
U S officials warn that if the tribal sheiks backing the awakening movement are not tied to the Iraqi government violence could rise again. Ambassador Ryan Crocker in Baghdad says the movement was never meant to be independent and underscores Iran's influence in reducing violence and its uncertain future in 2008.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iraq
Hussein
U.S
Ryan Crocker
Baghdad
Iran
Also Mentioned on This Page
Daniel Marquez
Zales
Kathy Honzell
Music City
Odessa
Kevin Buehler
St. John's Episcopal Church
West County
Laura Deaderick
Ingrid Zeeck
Stjohnsodessa.org
Dethlehem
St. John’s Choir
St. John’s On
4Th Street
CrossRoads Fellowship
Sweet Home
Alabama
Country Road
Jesus
CrossRoads
Griffin
Ambassador
Ely
Amian Bas
E. 4Th Street
Boca Ioan
Odessa College
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