Eric Beauchesne, Canwest News Service  Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

OTTAWA — The once “hated” goods and services tax has been ranked by business executives in Canada and around the world as one of the most user-friendly sales taxes in the world to deal with.
But it could it be friendlier, the global survey results released Tuesday by [...]

Jon Harding, Canwest News Service  Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

CALGARY — Two of the world’s richest people, Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and his friend, American investment magnate Warren Buffett, quietly flew into northeastern Alberta on Monday, where they took in the oilsands, apparently with awe.
Mr. Buffett and Mr. Gates — who were first and third, [...]

August 20, 2008: 12:27 AM EST
Shanghai stocks soared Wednesday on speculation that the Chinese government was considering a fiscal stimulus package, triggering a recovery across the region.
The Shanghai Composite jumped 5.9% to 2,482.64, adding on to its 1.1% advance Tuesday, while the Shenzhen All Share index soared 6% to 705.
The gains came after Chinese vice-premier [...]

The recent rally in U.S. Treasurys is a sign that the decline in oil prices is probably for real. Unfortunately, it’s also an indication of more economic weakness ahead.
By Paul R. La Monica, CNNMoney.com editor at large
Last Updated: August 20, 2008: 12:07 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Bond prices have rallied lately. And that’s both [...]

NEIL REYNOLDS
Globe and Mail Update

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August 20, 2008 at 6:00 AM EDT

In an editorial the other day, The New York Times called it “a uniquely American paradox.” On the one hand, U.S. corporate tax rates are among the highest in the world. On the other hand, the actual taxes that [...]

HEATHER SCOFFIELD
Globe and Mail Update
August 20, 2008 at 9:55 AM EDT

OTTAWA — Consumers are paying more for less, as gas and food prices eat up a larger portion of Canadians’ spending money, a report on retail sales from Statistics Canada shows.
On the surface, retail sales rose 0.5 per cent in June – a decent-sounding increase [...]

Think tuition is high enough already? Just wait for all the unexpected ‘extras’ you’ll have to cover. But some experienced students and parents know clever ways to save.

By Liz Pulliam Weston
August 19, 2008

Tuition bills for the fall semester arrive this month, and those would seem to be shock enough for a parent’s finances.

But, as incoming [...]

The greenback’s weakness sent foreign stocks soaring over the past few years, and many investors cashed in. Be careful now, because the tables are turning.

By Tim Middleton
August 19, 2008

Commodity investors are taking a whipping as prices plunge for everything from oil to gold. The folks who really ought to be scared, though, are U.S. shareholders [...]

It’s never too early to start putting money away for retirement, but that can be tough for a young person with a tight budget and a lot of pressure to spend.
Question: I just turned 24, and the constant pressure from financial advisers to “save save save” for retirement makes me anxious that I’ll never be [...]

TARA PERKINS
Globe and Mail Update
August 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM EDT

Ontario-based hedge fund manager Paul Eustace has been ordered by U.S. authorities to pay more than $279-million (U.S.) in restitution, plus a $12-million fine, after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission accused him of defrauding investors in commodity funds.
A Pennsylvania court has also imposed a permanent [...]