| Charges dropped against Arkansas RB Smith
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Prosecutors have dropped forgery and theft charges against Arkansas running back Michael Lee Smith, who was accused of using a stolen credit card. A co-defendant provided a sworn affidavit that cleared Smith, Deputy Prosecutor Bill Jones said. "And I have nothing to dispute that and, therefore, am not going to file charges," he said. .
This story has sparked 4 comments so far. What’s your view?
Me and my husband have nearly had our home repossessed 3 times. The first 2 times, we managed to pay back the arrears along side the current monthly mortgage with great difficulty. The third time, we were only saved by a family member loaning us the £3000 we were in arrears with. I know how difficult it can be. We did not do anything wrong and contrary to what people might think, we were not living the high life, my husband lost his jobe and then we put on short time and we did not have the income coming in, to pay all the bills. There should be more help for people in our position. You are made to feel like a criminal when you go to court and this is wrong. I don't know whether we will be in the same position in the future but itis always at the back of your mind.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-11-14 11:01 GMT: HSBC sees higher Q3 profit; revenue growth offsets US loan charge UPDATE
(adds further detail on US, Asia-Pacific, updates share price) LONDON (Thomson Financial) - HSBC Holdings PLC, the UK's biggest bank by market value, said third quarter profits will be ahead of a year ago, as a higher than expected 3.4 bln usd charge for US loan impairment was offset by revenue growth. The US bad debt charge was some 1.4 bln usd higher than would have been expected if first half trends had continued, the bank said. 700 mln usd was related to US mortgages, with the remainder made up of branch unsecured loans and cards portfolios.
HSBC said its total bad debts related to the US subprime mortgage market rose to rose to 3.4 bln usd at the end of September from 2.6 bln usd at the end of June.
The bank warned that the problems in its subprime mortgage business could worsen if the downturn in the US housing market continues.
Issue of Venezuelan debt bonds up USD 1.65 billion
The latest issue of Venezuelan debt bonds raised USD 1.65 in Venezuelan bolivars and US dollars, according the director of public credit, Luis Dávila. While the issue was scheduled at USD 1.5 billion, the sum was increased "to meet high demand." "This is not about an additional indebtedness, but we are replacing old debt with new debt," Dávila said in a statement, without answering any questions. Last Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance issued a list of errata advising investors about the changes to the interest rate payable to Venezuelan bolivar-denominated bonds sold recently together with US dollar-denominated bonds. The list of errata explained that Vebonos maturing in 2014 bear an interest rate of 11.54 percent rather than 11.98 percent.
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