Word: tighter
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Third, it's likely that commercial and investment banks will have to impose tighter credit standards on borrowers, and possibly even start pulling out of deals that are already under way. As credit becomes more expensive, capital spending will slow and companies will have less money available to fund share buybacks - a key prop for the equity markets. These factors, along with weakening consumer and business confidence, could tip an already stalling U.S. economy into recession...
...Monday, Democrats unveiled a plan that would place tighter restrictions on gifts from and travel paid for by lobbyists; force the disclosure of "bundled" campaign contributions; require that the content and sponsors of earmarks be listed on the Internet 48 hours in advance of a bill vote; and ensure that neither lawmakers nor their families financially benefit from those earmarks. It's that provision focusing on earmarks - measures that lawmakers have typically quietly inserted into legislation at the last minute to allot money for pet projects in their home states - that has drawn the loudest criticism from two conservatives...
...though, it's history. With each new market minipanic this year, interest rates have gone up a tad, lending standards have gotten a little tighter, and the easy-money era has receded further. Rates are still low by historic standards, and some kinds of loans are still cheaper than they were last summer. But the economy was growing at more than 3% then. This year it has sputtered. Interest rates are supposed to sink when that happens. They haven...
...planet, called HD 189733b, revolves around a bright star 64 light years from Earth. Scientists refer to the planet as a "hot Jupiter" (it's similar to but slightly larger than Jupiter - and keeps a much tighter orbit around its sun, ensuring a scorching climate). And they have examined it for water before. But earlier tests of the planet's atmosphere yielded uncertain results, so this time, astrophysicists tried something slightly different. When HD 189733b was passing in front of its sun, they observed the way electromagnetic radiation was absorbed by the planet's atmosphere. The authors of the current...
With his control of Gaza crumbling, Abbas' only weapon is to pull out of the "unity" government with Hamas, saddling the Islamic militants with tighter international sanctions. It's a desperate tactic, but Hamas officials say they are in no mood to negotiate with Abbas. Gaza locals say Hamas has prepared a list of Fatah leaders to either arrest or execute, a move that would make a diplomatic compromise that much less likely...