Thu 8 Jan 2009 | 3:57 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

Windows 7 "on track" 2:31am ET

Microsoft kicks off the Las Vegas show with plans to let consumers test the next generation of its operating system starting on Friday.  Full Article | Blog 

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

Windows 7 "on track" 2:31am ET

Microsoft kicks off the Las Vegas show with plans to let consumers test the next generation of its operating system starting on Friday.  Full Article | Blog 

A Lebanese child shouts slogans during a protest organized by a leftist group in front of the Egyptian embassy in Beirut, against Israel's attacks on Gaza January 7, 2009.   REUTERS/Ali Hashisho

Lebanon strikes Israel 3:43am ET

At least three rockets from Lebanon explode in northern Israel and Israel responds with artillery fire in an attack seen as linked to Israel's offensive against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip.   Full Article 

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 49.16 +1.00% 08 Jan 2009 03:45 EST
Gold 842.2 +0.17% 08 Jan 2009 03:55 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
Wednesday, 7 Jan 2009 03:28pm 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

 
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators