Early versions of new labor restrictions still being hashed out in Congress would have barred children under 16 from operating power-driven farm equipment and kept anyone under 18 from working at agricultural co-ops and stockyards (the latest version would let kids keep running machines on their parents' spreads).

WSJ: The Panic Over Bullies

Much of the cost was driven by the need to replace sensitive signal and communications equipment that was wrecked by salt corrosion from the flood.

WSJ: Downtown, Old Stop on Subway to Reopen

The highest increase in sales occurred in North America among all geographies driven in part by improving construction activity but also to equipment and fleet upgrades.

FORBES: Caterpillar's Shares Look Cheap On Recovery Prospects

Given that the enterprises have demonstrated the willingness to spend on upgrading their workstation equipment, it is likely that this could have driven growth in professional GPU shipments in Q3 2011.

FORBES: Nvidia Earnings Thursday Could Lift Stock Above $20

The sequential decrease was driven primarily by a weaker consumer buying environment impacting sales to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) as well as lower ASPs across all geographies.

ENGADGET: AMD reports $1.27 billion in revenue for Q3 2012

Overall, Sipri expects world military spending to continue to fall until the global economy recovers, further demonstrating the fact that the industry is driven by the amount of money available to governments as much as by their perceived need for the equipment.

CNN: Austerity hits global military spending

November's weakness was driven by a significant drop in demand for commercial aircraft, though weakness in autos, steel and defense communications equipment also played a role.

FORBES