Direct Mail Cost

Reader's Digest Association, based in Chappaqua, said yesterday that it has entered into a multiyear partnership with Williams Lea, a London-based company that provides printing and direct-marketing services worldwide. Williams Lea will take over the promotional printing operations of Reader's Digest's direct-mail business in 19 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, the Asian Pacific region and Latin America, RDA said.

"Williams Lea is one of the largest global players in the printing field, and as such we will use their resources, skills and contacts to get better prices on everything to do with printing - paper, ink, printing itself," said William Adler, vice president of global communications, in an e-mail.

The Story of Religion

Now in the 21st century (or whatever century your religious or non-religious calendar puts us in today), we might consider whether, despite the great variety of religious experiences in the United States, we all participate in the worship of an ultimate concern and orient ourselves to a source of power that promises to deliver on that ultimate concern.

We thank Progress for delivering us a civilization that has liberated us from such superstitious violence.

the has-been

In the first major spin scrum of the 2008 cycle, Warner's decision prompted a mad scramble to declare which other unannounced candidates gained the most from a race without him. Like most preseason handicapping, that's a silly question with no known answer.

No, the nominating contest is more like a friendly argument—a group effort to answer the same two extraordinarily hard questions: how to get elected president, and what to do for the country.

GOOD YEAR FOR FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND Ç

IN their financial year ending September 2007, the Fortress Caribbean Growth Fund recorded net assets valued at $227.3 million, which represents a 55 per cent increase from the previous year.

Chairman, Geoffrey Cave, in the Fortress Mutual Growth Fund 2007 Annual Report, stated that the Fund had had a tremendous year, both in terms of growth in assets and investment performance.

Investors return was recorded at 18.2 per cent, and the net asset value at year en d was $4.75 per share, a 73 cents increase from the $4.02 achieved at September 30 2006.

It was stated that a major contributing factor to the Funds growth was that of the performance of its international portfolio.

Special mention was made of the Overseas Asset Management (OAM) portfolio, as the primarily Asia- and European-based investments brought increases of 30 per cent over 2006 figures.

One Woman's World

If Dobbs agrees, I'll walk 10 paces behind him, carry his briefcase, sharpen his pencils and write his speeches. If he doesn't agree, we, the people, better start begging, praying, scratching and scrambling to find somebody else brave enough to kick two slick political machines to the curb, climb over the stench and the debris, and occupy the Oval Office.

Dobbs has raised the ordinary American citizen's awareness of "broken borders; broken government" more than any 10 of his news equivalents. He is deeply concerned and outraged over the political rape of middle-class folks like Johnny Johnson and Sally Smith. He says what he thinks and emotes what he feels.

I daresay the repulsive and demonic political machines would find some legal loophole for keeping Dobbs confined to his commentary cubicle -- or anyone else who smells of spring air and might be considered a threat to the stagnation that is today's foul federal government.

Adlucent Offers Search Engine Marketing Seminar for Nonprofits

Adlucent, an Austin-based Internet marketing company that helps organizations reach new constituents through search engine marketing campaigns will provide a online marketing seminar for nonprofits. The seminar will be part of the 2007 Convio Summit, which features innovative sessions about online marketing, networking, and advocacy. .

Sweden December CPIX +0.1% On Month

STOCKHOLM (Dow Jones)--The inflation rate increased to 3.5% in December from 3.3% in November. Swedish consumer prices increased on average by 0.2 from November to December 2007. Prices were unchanged during the same period 2006. The CPI for December 2007 was 296.32 (1980=100). Higher prices on milk, cheese and eggs (4.3%) contributed upwards with 0.1% age points in December. Higher mortgage interest costs (2.4%) and higher prices on electricity and fuels (1.1%) contributed upwards with 0.1% age points each. Higher prices on package holidays (4.7%) according to the normal seasonal pattern also contributed with 0.1%age points. Lower prices on clothing (-1.6%) and fuels for personal transport equipment (- 1.4%) counteracted the increase with 0.1%age points each. The underlying inflation rate according to CPIX was 2.0% in December (1.9% in November).

We are looking for voluntary translators from Arabic into English.

Collin Bowen's injuries were quite serious, Justin Bowen said. He suffered what doctors described to his family as full thickness burns, which is the equivalent of third-degree burn wounds, on about 50 percent of his body. He immediately underwent multiple surgeries in Afghanistan to save his life.