Ugandan shilling steady, seen weaker after Christmas holiday

KAMPALA (Reuters) - The Ugandan shilling was unchanged against the dollar on Friday but traders said they expected it to weaken once more active trading resumed next year. At 1238 GMT commercial banks in Kampala quoted the currency of east Africa's third-largest economy at 2,645/2,655, unchanged from Thursday's close. "The market is pretty flat because (dollar) demand is not there but going into 2013...

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Instant View: November personal income, durable goods up

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumer spending rose in November by the most in three years as incomes climbed, suggesting fourth-quarter economic growth might be stronger than currently expected. The Commerce Department said on Friday inflation-adjusted consumer spending rose 0.6 percent, and after-tax income climbed 0.8 percent when adjusting for inflation. A gauge of planned U.S. business spending rose...

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US durable goods orders up 0.7 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. companies boosted their orders in November for long-lasting manufactured goods that reflect investment plans. It was the second straight such increase, an encouraging sign for the economy. The Commerce Department said Friday that overall orders for durable goods rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent in November over October. But a more closely watched category of orders that...

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Boehner says Congress, Obama must keep working on fiscal deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Friday that congressional leaders and President Barack Obama must try to move on from House Republicans' failed tax plan and work together to resolve the looming U.S. "fiscal cliff." Boehner said he was not concerned that Thursday's withdrawn vote threatened his position as speaker, but did not outline a clear path forward. Boehner...

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Canada economy ekes out 0.1 percent growth in October

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian economy grew by just 0.1 percent in October from September, indicating a very slow start to the fourth quarter amid foreign and domestic economic woes, Statistics Canada data indicated on Friday. The figure matched analysts' expectations. The Bank of Canada says fourth quarter growth will be 2.5 percent annualized but the October data confirm market suspicions the real...

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Clippers beat Hornets 93-77 for 11th straight win

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers' franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory had owner Donald Sterling leading a "hip, hip hooray" chant in the locker room.Sterling grabbed the hand of coach Vinny Del Negro and held it up, exhorting his team, "Let's hear it for the coach." Then he told Del Negro, "Vinny, give me a hug" and the two men embraced."Eleven in a row. Not bad, is it?" Sterling...

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Durant scores 41 as streaking Thunder top Hawks

ATLANTA (AP) — Oklahoma City's biggest stars displayed a unique version of balanced scoring against Atlanta: Russell Westbrook led the Thunder in the first half and Kevin Durant dominated the Hawks over the final two quarters.Durant set a season high with 41 points and Oklahoma City held off Atlanta 100-92 on Wednesday night for its 12th straight win.Westbrook had 27 points — 21 in the first half...

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AP source: Polanco reaches agreement with Marlins

MIAMI (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says third baseman Placido Polanco has agreed to terms with the Miami Marlins.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Marlins hadn't announced a deal.Polanco, 37, battled injuries this year and hit .257 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 90 games with Philadelphia. The 15-year veteran is a career .299...

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AP Source: Jets will consider options with Sanchez

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez is the former face of the franchise. He could soon be a former member of the New York Jets.The team will consider all their options regarding the beleaguered and benched quarterback in the offseason, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.The person, who requested anonymity because the team's personnel plans are private,...

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Michael Phelps voted AP male athlete of year

Now that he's away from the pool, Michael Phelps can reflect — really reflect — on what he accomplished.Pretty amazing stuff."It's kind of nuts to think about everything I've gone through," Phelps said. "I've finally had time to myself, to sit back and say, '... that really happened?' It's kind of shocking at times."Not that his career needed a capper, but Phelps added one more honor to his staggering...

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S&P lifts Greek rating from selective default

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rating agency Standard & Poor's on Tuesday raised Greece's sovereign credit rating to B-minus with a stable outlook from selective default, citing Europe's efforts to keep the country part of the euro."The upgrade reflects our view of the strong determination of European Economic and Monetary Union (eurozone) member states to preserve Greek membership in the eurozone," S&P...

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Stocks edge higher as budget talks move ahead

    *      Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, following a closed-door meeting House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)  less NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening slightly higher on Wall Street as both sides make concessions in budget talks in Washington.The Dow Jones industrial average rose 17 points to 13,252 shortly after the opening bell...

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TEXT-S&P summary: SP PowerAssets Ltd.

 Summary analysis -- SP PowerAssets Ltd. --------------------------- 18-Dec-2012===============================================================================CREDIT RATING: AA-/Stable/NR Country: SingaporePrimary SIC: Electric ServicesMult. CUSIP6: 78462Q===============================================================================Credit Rating History:Local currency Foreign currency31-Mar-2008...

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However, the rating on SingPower may come under pressure if the contributionof the company's international business to the group's cash flows and assetsincreases significantly, such that it becomes the key rating driver. Thiscould be due to SingPower's material expansion in markets and businesses thatwe view as being of lesser quality than the T&D business in Singapore. TheAustralian business...

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TEXT-S&P summary: Tokio Marine Retakaful Pte. Ltd.

(The following statement was released by the rating agency)Dec 18 -===============================================================================Summary analysis -- Tokio Marine Retakaful Pte. Ltd. -------------- 18-Dec-2012===============================================================================CREDIT RATING: None. Please see issue list. Country: SingaporePrimary SIC: Surety insurance===============================================================================Financial...

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