To try to make up for the time lag, the two European companies have set up research offices in Japan and routinely conduct market surveys to understand what makes i-mode tick and, by extension, how consumers might react to high-speed Net access from their phones.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Phone Wars: Episode 3G

Just before they headed home for the winter holidays, Republicans went into duck and cover mode and Congress voted to extend the payroll tax break for two months without paying for the extension, of course.

FORBES: Payroll Tax-Cut Deal: Borrowed Money, Borrowed Time