United Kingdom - The Royal Bank of Scotland has advised clients to brace for a full-fledged crash in global stock and credit markets over the next three months as inflation paralyses the major central banks. "A very nasty period is soon to be upon us - be prepared," said Bob Janjuah, the bank's credit strategist. A report by the bank's research team warns that the S&P 500 index of Wall...

New York City - The New York Police will conduct an illegal parking crackdown today, the second in three months. About 150 cops and several tow trucks will hold a ticketing and towing blitz in lower Manhattan, targeting illegally parked cars and those with fake parking placards, according to a police source. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly warned drivers against using face placards during a...

Winnipeg, Canada - The Grace Hospital may have found a way to get its critical care doctors back who left because they did not want to treat a dying Jewish man on life support. A physician from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's critical care program has agreed to be the attending doctor for Samuel Golubchuk in the hospital's intensive care unit. Two other physicians from outside of the...

New York - The state Comptroller's Office has launched a Web site showing how much 113 state agencies spent last fiscal year in 11 major categories like salaries and construction, as well as spending on some 60,000 active state contracts. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says Open Book New York will soon add 2008-2009 agency spending and will later add more detailed line items, as well as local...

Albany, NY - Smokers on college campuses in New York now must keep it outside when they want to smoke in or around their dorms. The State Senate and Assembly both approved a smoking ban in all college dormitories, including private schools. Sponsors say many private colleges offer the option of smoke-free dorms, but demand usually exceeds supply. Final approval of the bill must come from...

Queens, NY - Eight months ago, Michelle Malakov watched in horror as her father was gunned down near a Queens playground. Today, the 5-year-old ponytailed girl calls her uncle Gavril "Daddy." Michelle's world was blown apart on Oct. 28, 2007, when her father, dentist Daniel Malakov, was killed - and her mother Mazoltuv Borukhova arrested in connection with the slaying. The girl was sent to live...