Wed 7 Jan 2009 | 23:13 EST

Today on Reuters 

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Corp CEO speaks in front of a mock instant message from Bill Gates referring to an Adult Expo as delivers the pre-show keynote address at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 7, 2009.  REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Microsoft unveils Windows 7 beta 10:05pm ET

Microsoft plans to let consumers test the next generation of its computer operating system, Windows 7, starting on Friday.  Full Article | Topics 

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Corp CEO speaks in front of a mock instant message from Bill Gates referring to an Adult Expo as delivers the pre-show keynote address at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 7, 2009.  REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Microsoft unveils Windows 7 beta 10:05pm ET

Microsoft plans to let consumers test the next generation of its computer operating system, Windows 7, starting on Friday.  Full Article | Topics 

A man walks past a store advertising a sale in Virginia, November 28, 2008.

Small firms fight hard 7:41pm ET

Small businesses begin aggressively cutting payrolls in the face of a dismal holiday shopping season.  Full Article | Full Coverage 

Staffers arrive for set up at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 7, 2009. The show officially opens January 8th. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
Live from CES

Watch live headlines from Steve Ballmer's keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at 9:30 p.m. Eastern.  Full Coverage 

A shopper stands with her bags outside Macy's department store in New York, December 20, 2008.  REUTERS/Jacob Silberberg
Retail sales

Investors brace for December's retail sales data and expect profit warnings to follow closely behind.  Factbox 

Wei Gu
China's growth obsession

China is pulling all the stops to keep the economy growing by at least 8 percent, a pace considered necessary to absorb millions of migrant workers and graduates that hit the job market every year.  Commentary 

to
Commodity Last Pct Chg Trade Date/Time
Oil 48.68 +0.02% 07 Jan 2009 22:50 EST
Gold 846.3 +0.65% 07 Jan 2009 23:11 EST
Gasoline prices are advertised at a gas station near Lindbergh Field as a plane approaches to land in San Diego, California June 1, 2008.
Year in Review 2008

Our picks and yours of the top stories, pictures and videos of the year.  Full Coverage | Slideshow 

Two Sansa slotMusic Players are seen against a background of music available for the player at the SanDisk booth at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 7, 2009. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
CES 2009

Get live updates on new gadgets and insights on technology trends for 2009 from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.  Full Coverage 

Bernd Debusmann
Pakistan, Mexico and U.S. nightmares

What do Pakistan and Mexico have in common? They figure in the worries of U.S. military planners trying to identify the next big threats, writes columnist Bernd Debusmann.  Commentary 

Parliamentary scuffles
3:28pm EST 
Things can get heated in politics, here's a look inside parliaments around the world as scuffles break out.
Presidents past, present, and future

Jan 7 - President George W. Bush and president-elect Barack Obama joined all the living U.S. presidents for a historic lunch meeting at the White House.  Play Video

 
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