US retailers are waiting to learn whether the strong start of the holiday shopping frenzy will happily take them all the way into the final stretch.

Americans may wind up shelling out more than $586 billion by the time Christmas Day comes around. This represents a 4% increase over the previous year and millions got an early start with stores opening this long weekend.

It appears that these record breaking register receipts assures that an extra-long Black Friday Local Saturday and Cyber Monday will be a Thanksgiving tradition as classic as turkey or watching football games.

According to federal government statistics, there are 28 million U.S. small businesses across the nation. Which ones will you be supporting on this Small Business Saturday?

If there are any shoppers who still have some energy and money left over to shop small the day after Black Friday.... Head off to main street and support your favorite local merchant.

http://www.sba.gov/saturday

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY. Local Retailers Day.
This day, which is sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has been scheduled to bring focus to those 2 out of every three local jobs on main street created by small business owners.

ISRAELI TROOPS OPEN FIRE. On Crowds Along Gaza Border.
Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating a cease-fire after one Palestinian was killed and 13 others were wounded by Israeli soldiers.

NEW PHARAOH FOR EGYPT. Grab for Power Threatens Democracy.

Mexico's president wants to eliminate the united, as well as the states from their name the United States of Mexico. Actually, its formal name is "The United Mexican States" and President Felipe Calderon wants to rename it Mexico.

Estados Unidos Mexicanos, was adopted in 1824 after independence from Spain imitating their northern neighbor, but this name is rarely used, except on official publications, their money and other government documents. President Felipe Calderon has announced that he would rather call it Mexico, saying his country doesn't need to copy anyone.

BLACK FRIDAY. US Shopping Variations
The growing comfort with online shopping places additional pressures on conventional stores, which increasingly depend on the holiday shopping season.

BLACK LEADERS PRESSURE OBAMA. They Seek Tax Relief.
Saying they don't want the working class to bear the brunt of the fiscal cliff of tax increases and subsequent spending cuts.

WASHINGTON D.C.HOMICIDES. Capital Improvement.
The number of murders in Washington, DC is on pace to finish lower than 100 for the first time in fifty years.

EGYPTIANS AGAINST MORSI. Protesting Increased Powers.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING MADNESS. Consumer Marathon Begins.
Forget Turkey because US Thanksgiving focus has shifted the start of the annual holiday shopping endurance race, as more stores open on Thursday's national holiday to seek a bigger share of spending that is expected to grow.

US DROUGHT WORSENS. Lowest Rainfall In Decades.