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Letter to the editor

5 Big Stories: The Week in Business

A look back at the week's top stories

By Jeff Harrington, Times Deputy Business Editor
Published January 13, 2008

1. Gold rush is on

Gold ends the week by briefly soaring above $900 an ounce for the first time.

What it means: Nothing like percolating recession fears to drive investors to precious metals.

2. Consumer electronics competition is fierce

About 140,000 converge on Las Vegas for the annual consumer electronics show.

What it means: Among the themes of the year: convergence of technology is big. So are ever-thinner/ever-larger television screens, car gadgets and mobile gizmos.

3. Ban on travel to Cuba is challenged

Activists and university officials argue against a state law banning the use of state resources to travel to the communist island.

What it means: If the antiterrorism law is deemed unconstitutional, traveling academic researchers could fuel broader links to Cuba.

4. Tampa airport okays bid for remote parking garage

The 5,668-space garage at TIA is slated to be completed by May 2009.

What it means: Not only will the garage offer travelers more options, it's saving TIA money, with the winning bid coming in $7.3-million under budget.

5. Get a latte and Big Mac to go

McDonald's goes head-to-head with Starbucks, as it rolls out gourmet coffees served by baristas nationwide this year.

What it means: The expensive experiment, capitalizing on Starbucks' weakened financial position, will determine whether America's embrace of expensive, gourmet coffees has peaked.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 22:58:21]