For a new twist on the low-stress holiday, how about applying the Costco mantra of buying in bulk to gift-giving?

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The latest twist involves a man who epitomises his country's low-key virtues, Valdis Zatlers, the former president.

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The Fed instead extended its Operation Twist program aimed at keeping long-term borrowing costs low by selling short-term Treasurys and putting the money into long-term bonds.

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