News for Saturday - 15 November 08

California: Brush fires rage.


Five-thousand evacuated. Hurricane force winds stop water drops from helicopters. Associated Press Photographer, Dan Steinberg, has eight photos demonstrating how dangerous the situation has become. Click here to see Steinberg's slide show.

George Will: In tomorrow's Sunday Washington Post he writes "Socialism? It's already here."

Housing: Luxury builders say good-bye to granite tops, stainless steel appliances and McMansions.

Housing: Realtors are now being blunt and honest with Home Sellers: "You have to show them what's happening in the market and if they can't handle the price they'll just have to take it off the market."

Housing: Poster and Atlanta Realtor "Sonny Page" on Motley Fool explains the jitters of homeowners everywhere with another real life example.

Jobs: Citigroup announces 10% cut of workforce. Around 35,000 jobs will be lost!

Automakers: Absolutely the most brilliant analysis of the Automakers problems in this latest blog from Watching the Herd and titled: An Automotive Hail Mary. Very easy read written by another Motley Fool poster. Must read. p.s. In a few minutes, we are adding Watching the Herd's blog to our honor roll of websites to visit.

Washington: Obama names Valerie Jarrett, long time friend, to be Senior Advisor in his adminstration. Her job is comparable to what Karen Hughes did for Bush.

Health: Open enrollment in Medicare begins. Wall Street Journal does a fine job explaining the new changes. Must read for AARP members. You've got the next six weeks, Seniors, to adjust your Medicare.

China: The $585 Billion Renovation plan for the most populous country on Earth. Plus stock tips on companies which might benefit from this major investment in infrastructure buildout in China.

Business: Firms to cut back on hard to open clamshell packaging which consumers need pinking shears and blow torches to open.

Technology: Google's brilliant new voice activated search app for the iPhone.

Republicans: Now they're accusing Democrats of stealing elections?

Economy: Soros says Deep Recession, maybe even a Depression

Global Economy: The G-20 World leaders meet in DC to end Global Crash.

President Elect Obama: Will use Youtube to distribute Presidential addresses!

Santa Clara, CA: Three die in office shooting.

NASCAR: New rule to help teams save money: no more testing on tracks before races!

NBA: Iverson, Detroit Pistons hand LA Lakers their first defeat of the season!

NBA: Nuggets (now 4-1 with Chauncy Billups) stun the Celtics.

NBA: Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix Suns and Rafer Alston of Houston Rockets are suspended for fighting last night. Shaq and Tracy McGrady are fined $35,000 and $25,000 respectively for their smaller parts.

NBA: More scores from around the league with stories.

NBA: Standings

NFL: John Lynch, 9 time Pro Bowler and one of the hardest hitting players retires!

NFL: Hallelujah! Pittsburg Steelers stay in the hands of the Rooney family!

NFL: Week 11 Schedule for tomorrow & Monday Night

NFL: Standings

UFC: Huge bout tonight with former 5 time heavyweight and light heavy weight champ of UFC, Randy Couture, coming out of retirement to fight one time pro-wrestling star, Brock Lesnar. Lesnar had to drop weight to make the cut for this fight.

Cape Kennedy: Beautiful night time launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour goes off with no problems. Beautiful photo by Matt Stroshane for Getty Images running in today's New York Times.