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News In Brief

MID-DAY UPDATE: Oil prices concern consumers, HBO taps job-strapped market

Katharine Crnko Mar 3, 2011

Unrest in Libya continues, and as stranded workers wait to return to their countries, Britain and France have volunteered aircraft to evacuate refugees to their home countries. But the move is not completely altruistic — the U.K. and French hope their assistance in refugee evacuation will limit the number of immigrants into Europe.

Steve Chiotakis speaks to Richard Fisher, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas this morning. As oil prices remain high, many fear the economy will fall into a double-dip recession. Fisher responds to these concerns, and explains his opinion on the Federal Reserve’s bond buying program.

Drivers are feeling the strain of rising gas prices at the pump, according to a new map from GasBuddy.com. The map, which tracks gas prices in the U.S. according to county, allows viewers to view an overview of prices nationally, or zoom in for a hyper-local view and compare prices at neighborhood stations.

HBO’s new series “40” from the creator of “Entourage” may hit too close to home. The comedy series is about an unemployed banker who loses his job when his company, Bear Stearns, collapses. HBO thinks the show will attract those affected by the recession and recent graduates who can’t find work.

Finally Connecticut-based toy manufacturer HeroBuilders has launched a new line of action figures. Gone are the days of G.I. Joe and other superheroes. The new line of figurines feature TV’s favorite ad men.

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