| Verizon profits fall 38% in 4th quarter
Verizon Communications, the second-largest U.S. telephone company, said fourth-quarter profit fell 38 percent because of costs to shed units and build a fiber-optic network. Net income fell to $1.03 billion, or 35 cents a share, from $1.66 billion, or 59 cents, a year earlier, the New York-based company said. Sales rose 26 percent to $22.6 billion. Taxes on the sale of assets in the Dominican Republic and costs to spin off a directories unit cut profit by 22 cents. Chief executive Ivan Seidenberg sacrificed profit from the wireless unit to expand Verizon's faster network for Internet and TV service. The $23 billion investment is designed to compete with cable companies such as Comcast Corp., which have attracted more subscribers by offering phone service. "You have to believe that the money that they're spending is working," said Richard Sichel, who helps manage $1.5 billion, including Verizon shares, as chief investment officer of Philadelphia Trust Co.
Consumer Reports Reviews TV Advertised Drugs
(CBS4) BOSTON The pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars a year advertising drugs directly to people like you, but as you're about to see, you need to beware. Consumer Reports says the most highly promoted drugs aren't necessarily your best choice.TV Commercial: You'd have to have been in a deep sleep to.Have you missed commercials with the Lunesta butterfly?TV Commerical: "Lunesta helps you fall asleep quickly."Lunesta is the most heavily advertised prescription drug, but plenty of others get air time, like the acid reflux drug Nexium.TV Commercial: "Want to just feel better? I am better."And the asthma medication AdvairTV Commercial: "Advair is the one controller that treats the two main causes of asthma symptoms."Those ad campaigns are reaching their target audience, says Dr.
Bill has nonresidents paying what they pay at home
Nonresident anglers visiting North Dakota waters would pay a minimum of $35 or match the license fee of their home state if it charges more for nonresident licenses.That's the gist of SB2332, filed by Sen. Dwight Cook, R-Mandan, on behalf of a constituent.North Dakota charges $35 for a season license and $2 for a fishing, furbearer and hunting certificate, according to the state 2006-08 fishing proclamation. .
Nigeria: Militancy - Echoes From the Niger Delta
THIS week I present one of many testimonies that constitute the realities of living out one's life in the rural Niger Delta where hunger, hopelessness and anger have defaced and replaced the ancient traditions of a dignified people who once knew peace and a predictable existence. Under the Coconut tree: IT is our last patrol for the week having put in six days of vigil, reconnaissance, engaging in manoeuvres and skirmishes with the enemy. Whose enemy really? These soldiers are dispensable pawns trussed and thrust into an alien territory by the policy makers of Nigeria to protect interests in a property appropriated legally but unjustly. They are not our enemies but victims as we are though of different circumstances. On several occasions, they have displayed camaraderie and exchanged professional courtesies; our commanders have reciprocated so that every platoon knows first to define the 'enemy' before engagement.
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