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There’s a real risk that South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth could flatline next year, from the expected 2.8%, commentators warn, as the country’s largest trading bloc, Europe, enters the long, painful road of rescuing itself from sovereign-debt shackles.

Already cracks are showing in the week-old European Union (EU) fiscal treaty, with senior officials warning of the difficulties of enforcing any accord that calls for tougher budget discipline. Forecasts point to the recurring rollercoaster of this year gaining pace in 2012.

Global markets reflected this fear earlier this week, with the rand and South African bonds taking a knock as anxious traders fretted about the possibility of multiple credit-rating downgrades for the eurozone. Full Post…

WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing output fell in November for the first time in seven months.

The decline was largely because factories made fewer autos. But production of home electronics, appliances and business equipment also dropped.

Economists took the industrial production report from the Federal Reserve with a little caution. While most agreed it was not good news, many noted that the 0.2 percent decline in output at the nation’s factories, mines and utilities followed steady gains over the previous six months.

And more recent data from regional Fed banks suggests manufacturing grew sharply in both the Northeast and Philadelphia region in December. <

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Illuminum has been no secret to the stars.

The minimalist perfume – created by British hairdresser Michael Boadi – has been worn by the likes of Naomi Campbell and Johnny Depp.

But when Kate Middleton chose to wear Illuminum White Gardenia Petals on the day she married Prince William on April 29, it brought international attention to the perfume.

The unisex perfume is not easy to get. But that will soon change for Naples residents and visitors.

HW Gallery will sell the perfume, along with limited edition paintings of the perfume bottles by a Fort Myers artist, Marcus Jansen.

The gallery — at 1305 Third Street S.— will host an evening of sight and smell from 5 to 9 p.m. Thurs

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On November 8 Biz2Credit released their Small Business  Lending  Index. They did an analysis of loan approvals for 1,000 loan applications in October and found that small banks approved 46.3% , big banks [institutions with $10 billion plus in assets] 9.2% and alternative  lenders [credit unions, Community Development Financial Institutions, micro lenders and others] 61.5%.

The Index identified the Top 5 reasons why small business borrowers have not  been received funding.

1. More than 68% of small businesses reported declining sales in the first 8 months of 2011

2. Profitability has declined at more than 86% of small businesses over the last 2 years.

3. Ban

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3.5 percent: Increase in the consumer price index from October 2010 to this past October.

6.2 percent: Increase in the cost of food purchased for home.

-3.1 percent: Decline in cost of gasoline

4.2 percent: Increase in the cost of apparels.

3.2 percent: Increase cost of medical care services

-0.3 percent: Decrease in cost of new vehicles

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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