The vision of the smart home has been around for decades. Yet consumers remain deeply skeptical about the technology. (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)

HONG KONG (AP) - Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday, shrugging off lackluster trade in the US and Europe amid growing optimism the world economy will recover later this year.GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks up for 7th day on recovery hopes guardian.co.ukHong Kong shares close weaker on profit-taking in China telcos ... Forbes (news.google.com)

Antwerp’s Orthodox Jews have set the tone of its lively diamond market for more than a century, but global economic forces threaten their livelihoods and way of life. (www.nytimes.com)

Shares of Japanese and South Korean automakers broadly advanced Tuesday, as investors shrugged off a dismal US sales report for December.Toyota, Honda US Slump Ends Gains Dating to Mid-90s BloombergHyundai rolls out no-cost car return program Reuters (news.google.com)

Low levels of the stress hormone cortisol marks out children at higher risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome as adults, experts believe. (news.bbc.co.uk)

Bring up a list of your bookmarks without the screen real estate hogging bookmarks toolbar using Site Launcher--a simple and pretty Firefox add-on. (news.cnet.com)

A Ford Motor Co. (F) sales manager said the conditions in the auto sector should be brighter by the second half as improvements in the credit markets and a government stimulus package help boost consumer confidence.GM's US sales drop 31 percent for December ReutersGM’s 2008 US Sales Plummet to 49-Year Low; Toyota, Honda Fall Bloomberg (news.google.com)

US stocks fell on Monday, breaking a three-day run of gains, ahead of data expected to illustrate declining car sales and as investors contended with underlying anxiety before Friday's jobs report.Stocks pull back after sharp rally The Associated PressWall Street Opens With Losses TheStreet.com (news.google.com)