The SNP has frozen council tax since coming to power in 2007 and has offered to continue the policy beyond the next election.

BBC: Scottish Labour's Iain Gray would cap council tax rise

This is Labour's first budget since it took power in May - previous administrations had also frozen council tax levels.

BBC: Chorley Council votes to freeze council tax levels

As the planet warms, thanks to our gas-guzzling cars and power-producing factories, the polar bear's frozen habitat is disappearing.

CNN: Don't feed the (polar) bears

Fortunately, widespread power outages did not occur, but the Northeast remained frozen in inactivity over the weekend and snow removal and area transportation issues will remain a story for days.

FORBES: Gov. Chris Christie: 'I'm Basically The Healthiest Fat Guy You've Ever Seen' (And Other Quotes Of The Week)

He has promised not to cut pensions, although they might have to be frozen, making pensioners lose in real terms as inflation and taxes eat into purchasing power.

ECONOMIST: More pain in Spain