The economic challenges of the 2009 recession have not abated. The U.S. still experiences about 10 percent unemployment, and the American people cry out for common sense solutions to the financial difficulties they face. This moment calls for action to rebuild our economy, provide a real environment for business development and job creation.

But government still seems detached from the real needs of real people. The men and women trying to develop businesses feel a need for certainty in our economy. How can they take risks when government continues to inject uncertainty into our future?

Now we see that the liberals in Congress adding further uncertainty by insisting on "cap and trade" legislation to combat "global warming." Two separate but nearly identical climate change bills are working their way through the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The House version is called the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," and the Senate version is the "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act."

This is Thomas sabo charms the most radical takeover of the economic activity of the American people ever conceived. Much of the nation's economic activity will require the purchase of credits, in effect licenses, to conduct business and manufacturing. No one knows exactly what financial burdens this will place on jobs and economic opportunity.

The legislation would have far-reaching effects on Virginia's and American's economy, the nation's existing energy supplies and, ultimately, the cost of all transportation fuels, including home heating oil and diesel fuel . People of low income will suffer the most from the price increases these bills will cause.

One study estimates that the average Virginia family will pay an additional $1,200 per year for energy under a cap and trade law. This would mean a 3.3 percent drop in per capita disposable income. Virginians could face the loss of 54,000 jobs in just a few years. National GDP would be reduced by $9.4 trillion over the next 26 years, the equivalent of $263 billion drained from Virginia's economy.

Internal memos from the U.S. Treasury Office of Environment and Energy candidly explain how a cap and trade program could generate $100 billion to $200 billion a year in further revenues, taken directly out of the economy. The National Black Chamber of Commerce says cap and trade will reduce earnings for the average U.S. worker by $390 per year.

With a desperate need for economic recovery and jobs, the liberals in the U.S. Congress insist on following a program that will do the reverse.

Instead, I suggest the following steps:

* Clip on charms We should immediately re-examine the science upon which this policy is grounded. All scientists must be given a fair opportunity to conduct their research, and have their views considered. Al Gore is simply not a reliable source on which to base such a dramatic policy change.

* If an international agreement is to be considered, we should insist on a level playing field of carbon reductions. China and India and other developing countries have particularly dirty industries. They must agree to carbon reductions just like all other countries.

* We should be encouraging the development of technologies to clean the environment. Let's offer tax incentives to reduce emissions instead of Draconian regulation from Washington.

* Let's develop a regime of a cleaner environment through proper and predictable regulation, not an expropriation
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Byline: Francesca Milne, Katy Ross, Janet Christie and Fiona Leith

One of them sits within a whisker of the PM, one could be our next sporting hero and another is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Scotland.

They are all single, but they also display ambition, imagination and the magnetism to make them Scotland's 50 most desirable men and women

The men

1

Emun Elliott

25, actor

Smouldering, Scottish and a talent on the ascendant, Emun is our most Eligible male for 2010. This spring will see the Edinburgh actor on our TV screens in Lip Service, a new Glasgow-set lesbian drama, and this week he takes on Claudio, the central character in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, in a Michael Attenborough production at London's Almeida theatre. He has been tipped by Screen International as one to watch, and those who had the visceral pleasure of watching him in the National Theatre of Scotland's Black Watch, which he has toured the world with these past two years, will be in no doubt of his intoxicating presence on stage. His Portobello roots may be a long way from his dreams of romance on an exotic beach, but this young eligible has the world at his fingertips.

Dream date? Somewhere sunny and warm. A beach perhaps. I watched a programme about Bora Bora and haven't been able to get it out of my head, so I would probably go there. I'm not too fussy about the rest.

Greatest achievement in life? Managing to stay alive? My biggest achievement would be how I've managed to sustain a career as an actor. It's a hard profession to stick out.

Dream job? My first love is music. I used to play the violin and the piano, and I still play the guitar. It would be cool to be in a band. I love playing the guitar.

Turn-on? I like a girl with a sense of adventure and who is a bit of a risk-taker. Just basically someone who lives every day like it's their last. Oh, and I love blue eyes.

Turn-off? Someone who doesn't live life beyond reality TV. I'm not a fan.

Happily single? I've been single for a year and am in no rush to be in a relationship. It depends on who you meet, and I'm sure the right girl will come along.

2

ANDY MURRAY

23, tennis star

He is currently world number three and British number one on the tennis court, and while we sympathise with the fact that Andy has only just split from his girlfriend of four years, Kim Spears, we also recognise that a 6ft 3in Scottish sporting hero should be given as much support as necessary when it comes to finding his perfect match. The Dunblane-born lad may spend most of his time travelling the world, but he never leaves his fans in any doubt that his heart is in Scotland.

Dream date? Perhaps rolling your yoga mat out alongside the tennis star would cause sparks to fly, as it's a hobby of his. Just make sure you can hold your Downward Dog for a respectable amount of time. He hates the taste of alcohol, even whisky, so a healthy approach is definitely the way to pull his strings.

Greatest achievement in life? Reaching the Australian Open final last month, and keeping world number one Roger Federer fighting until the end.

Turn-on? Despite his incredible success, Andy still places friends
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CELTIC 1

DUNDEE 0

ROBBIE KEANE insists the pressure is now on Rangers after his winning goal took Celtic to within seven points pf the leaders.

The Glasgow rivals clash head-on at Ibrox on Sunday and a win for the Hoops would close the gap to four points.

Keane's first goal for the Hoops at Parkhead since arriving on loan from Spurs in January helped Tony Mowbray's men take advantage of Rangers' game at St Johnstone replica tag heruer watches being called off.

The Irishman said: "If you look at the points difference, Rangers are still in control of the situation. It's Rangers' to throw away.

"Of course it's going to be difficult at Ibrox, they are doing well at the moment but the pressure is all on them.

"Sometimes its better to be chasing because we have absolutely nothing to lose.

"There is still a long way to go but we will be going there to win the game."

The Irishman turned in a man-of-the-match performance and was coolness personified in the 21st minute when he raced on to a through ball from Diomansy Kamara to slot the ball past Tannadice keeper Dusan Pernis.

Keane would love to add to his tally at Ibrox but insists three points are more vital.

"It would mean a lot to me but it's not about Robbie Keane, it's about Celtic," he said.

"It's about every player that goes on to the park.

"We know we are chasing so it's up to every individual to stand up and be counted.

"Of course, as a striker, you are judged on goals and you want to score goals but I will be happy to come away with a 1-0 win from Ibrox with someone else scoring."

Tony Mowbray believes a win at Ibrox would "put some doubts in the minds of a few people".

The Celtic boss said: "Today was about getting the points and moving on to next week. The good thing about next week is that we can influence it.

"I understand that, psychologically, if we can win it will put some doubts in the minds of a few people.

"It could be four points by the end of next week and they still have to come here and then it could be one point. Everything else in between, we will have to wait and see what happens."

Mowbray was pleased with teenagers Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne, whom he had to partner at the heart of his defence due to injuries and suspensions.

He said: "They were thrown in to do a job and kept a clean sheet and stood up to the physical task that was in front of them.

"Looking at the team Dundee United put out, they thought there would be a weakness there. They had strong, physical guys up front but they handled it well."

United boss Peter Houston told his players at half-time that he would rather lose 7-1 - as they did at Ibrox - than play as they had.

"It was disappointing because in the first half we just didn't create enough, keep the ball well enough," he said.

"I said to them at half-time I would rather see us getting beat 7- 1 by having a go."

Byline: Andrew Smith

ROBBIE Keane looks like shaking off injury to take his place in the Celtic attack for today's potentially decisive Old Firm derby. The Irishman trained yesterday for the first time since scoring the only goal in the win over Dundee United last week and, assuming he has suffered no reaction overnight, will lead the line for Tony Mowbray's men at Ibrox.

Despite having a number of options up front, Mowbray as good as admitted on Friday an Old Firm debut for Keane was key to his gameplan for securing a first derby win of the season. With Rangers enjoying a seven-point advantage over their ancient adversaries having played a game fewer, any other outcome will all but end Celtic's hope of preventing Walter Smith's side retaining the championship.

"We've got to hope he's going to be fit, he's Thomas sabo charms an influential voice in the dressing room, makes demands on the players," Mowbray said. "While the manager and the coaching team can have a rant, sometimes [that] coming from within your group can be more inspiring at times. Let's hope he's in the huddle come half-past 12 on Sunday.

"I watched the last game [the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park at New Year] and we did have a few chances, eh? This game will stand on its own two feet. When the chance comes along it is about having the composure, that coldness, to take the opportunity.

"Which is why I would hope Robbie would make the game. He's been in a lot of big games and even though he probably won't have experienced one like this one, you hope when the opportunities come he can use his experience and make the right choice - whether that is putting his foot through it, a bend in the corner or whether it's giving the goalkeeper the eyes replica breitling watches or a chip over the top of a diving goalie. Sometimes you get a chance and goals change games, they make the difference."

Even if Keane is declared fit, Mowbray will have other selection considerations. Centre-back Glenn Loovens and left-back Edson Braafheid have both been struggling with knocks. If Loovens doesn't make it, either one of teenagers Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne will partner Darren O'Dea in central defence. If the Dutchman is fit, he and O'Dea will form the centre of defence with Mowbray's "preference to go with the experience".

The only personnel issue for Rangers counterpart Smith is whether to play Allan McGregor. The goalkeeper has been declared fit after the incident last weekend that left him with a cut and swollen eye, but on Friday he was questioned by police for a second time over claims he was assaulted by persons unknown in Glasgow city centre last weekend.

Byline: GORDON WADDELL

WHEN Craig Bellamy graced Scottish football with his presence he once told John Potter he was so links of london charms rich he'd have the Clyde defender dig his garden in the summer.

Last week Robbie Keane followed the same replica breitling watches route to Celtic on loan, making his debut in the shock midweek 1-0 SPL defeat at Kilmarnock.

His first appearance in the Hoops didn't go his way in a 1-0 defeat by Jimmy Calderwood's men.

But the big-money striker Clip on charms stuck about in the Rugby Park tunnel to congratulate Killie keeper Cammy Bell on his performance.

Talk about a gulf in class.

Canadians can take a collective sigh of relief. Penguins center Sidney Crosby was not significantly injured today after blocking a shot in the second period of a 4-3 shootout loss to Nashville at Mellon Arena.

A shot by Nashville defenseman Kevin Klein connected with Crosby's right skate boot at 13:25 of the second period, but Crosby did not miss a shift -- though he temporarily favored his right foot and occasionally winced in pain.

"I got a shot off the foot," Crosby said. "That happens. That's part of the game."

Crosby played 23 minutes and seven seconds. He pledged to be "on the flight tonight" from Pittsburgh to Vancouver, where he will join Team Canada as the star attraction replica hublot watches of the host men's ice hockey team at the Vancouver Games. Crosby, an alternate captain for Team Canada, is expected to play Tuesday when his squad plays Norway.

Crosby is expected to help lead Canada to a gold medal in the sport that country considers its national treasure. On Friday during links of london charms its broadcast of the Games' opening ceremony, NBC described Crosby as facing the most pressure of any Olympic athlete.

Crosby added his 42nd goal and an assist in the Penguins' loss, their second in a row to wrap a three-game home stand. The Penguins (36-22-4, 76 points) will not play again until March 2 against Buffalo at home. The NHL will shut down for the next two weeks as many of its top players represent their countries for the men's ice hockey tournament at Vancouver.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia --Rest assured, Canada, the national honor is served.

With a flick of the wrist from The Next One, Sidney Crosby, Canadians found Olympic redemption Sunday.

The pall of a luger's death, a series of embarrassing glitches, a first half so dismal the hosts conceded the medals race, a loss to the upstart Americans in a preliminary game.

All but forgotten.

Canada is the Olympic champion in men's hockey, and the whole country can finally celebrate its Winter Games.

Canada survived one of the greatest games in Olympic history to beat the Americans 3-2 in overtime and cap the host country's record gold rush in Vancouver.

Crosby --hockey heir to Canada's own Great One, Wayne Gretzky --won it when he whipped a shot past U.S. goalie Ryan Miller 7:40 into overtime after the U.S. had tied it with 24.4 seconds left in regulation.

"It's a pretty unbelievable thing. You know what? Every kid dreams of that opportunity," Crosby said. "Being in Canada, that's the opportunity of a links of london charms lifetime. You dream of that a thousand times growing up. For it to come true is amazing.

"Our team worked so unbelievably hard," Crosby said. "Today was really tough, especially when they got a goal late in regulation. But we came back and got it in overtime.... To win it in overtime, here in Canada, it doesn't get any better than that."

Canada's collection of all-stars held off a young, desperate U.S. team that had beaten it a week ago and, after staging a furious comeback from down 2-0 on goals by Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry, almost beat the Canadians again.

With Canada less than a minute away from celebrating the gold medal, Zach Parise --the son of a player who figured in Canada's finest hockey moment --tied it with Miller off the ice for an extra attacker.

The moment he scored, the groans of disappointed fans likely were heard from Vancouver to the Maritimes. But Crosby, scoreless the previous two games, brought back the cheers with his second postregulation game-winner of the tournament, a shot from the left circle that Miller was helpless to stop. He also beat Switzerland in a shootout during the round robin.

It was close. It was nerveracking. It was a game worthy of an Olympic hockey final.

"I just tried to shoot it quick," Crosby said. "Iggy (Jarome Iginla) kind of bumped it out from the corner, I tried to get a quick shot on net. I didn't even really see. I barely looked at the net. I just tried to throw it there."

Before the game, Crosby received a brief text message from Penguins owner Mario Lemieux that said: "Good luck."

Now, Crosby joins Lemieux --whose goal beat the Soviet Union in the 1987 World Cup --and Paul Henderson, who beat the Soviets with a goal in the 1972 Summit Series, among the instant national heroes of Canadian hockey.

CANADA 3, U.S. 2

Alan Hill, aged 52, and Mark Bates, 48, have been warned they face jail over the five-year con during which they pocketed fees owed to their employers.

The pair splashed out on a house in France and a flat in Spain while working for PACE Financial Management, based on Ridgeway Road, Gleadless.

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London heard Bates, a partner at the firm, was already receiving 25 per cent of PACE's profits, and Hill was also making a good living, but the pair wanted more cash.

The fraudsters now face lengthy jail terms after jurors unanimously found them guilty of a string of charges.

Judge Martin Beddoe bailed both men before sentencing next month and warned them they could expect prison, adding they were convicted of "serious offences".

The court heard Hill, of Darfield Avenue, Owlthorpe, Sheffield, should have Clip on charms received half the commission on financial products such as mortgages and insurance policies but failed to pay the company its cut of the money for some clients.

Among the clients Hill illegally profited from were two judges at Sheffield Crown Court - Roger Keen QC and Robert Moore QC - which meant the court case had to be tried outside South Yorkshire.

After receiving the payments, Hill made out cheques directly to Bates, of Highfield Lane, Chesterfield.

Hill made a total of A[pounds sterling]370,000 and paid over A[pounds sterling]110,000 to his accomplice between October 2002 and December 2007.

The men conducted the scam by incorrectly filling out forms known as 'new business commission sheets'. They took advantage of the fact the forms were not cross-checked by filling them out incorrectly and then pocketing the fees.

Hill and Bates were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to obtain a money transfer by deception, and conspiracy to launder criminal property.

The jury replica breitling watches acquitted Karen Bates of money laundering but they convicted her by a majority of 11 to one of false accounting.

What do you think? Add your comment below.

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