AMD’s anticipated answer to the Atom is coming soon, but there’s a catch: It’s not an answer to the Atom. It’s more expensive, faster, sucks more power, and isn’t intended for netbooks. Oops!

The processor is called the Athlon Neo, and it’s based on the previously-leaked Yukon platform.

Pentax has got two new Optio pocket cameras for us, each with a clear purpose in mind. The name of the game for the P70? Slim lines and HD video. The E70? Dollars and cents.

The P70 looks remarkably petite, though Pentax’s press materials don’t specify just how thin the body is.

Epson’s PowerLite Home Cinema 6500 UB projector, with a 75K:1 contrast ratio and 1,600 lumens, is a prime example of what I love about tech: Everything’s cheaper even as it becomes more powerful.

The 6500 uses Epson’s “Crystal Clear Fine” D7 chip set to up the black levels and a Cinema Filter feature for improved color accuracy, and comes with HDMI 1.3a connectivity, 2.1x optical zoom and 4,000 hours of lamp life.

Also featured is a sweet HQV Reon-VS Video Processor and horizontal, vertical lens shifting—which lets you adjust the picture without having to move the actual projector.

GAZA (Reuters) - Israel moved forces into a southern Gaza town on Tuesday and demanded Hamas be prevented from rearming as a main condition for a ceasefire in an 11-day-old conflict in which hundreds of Palestinians have been killed.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new U.S. Congress convenes on Tuesday under pressure to deal with a worsening economy by passing a stimulus package that Barack Obama could sign into law soon after being sworn in as president.

TOKYO/BEIJING (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp will shut all its factories in Japan for 11 days to combat a global slowdown that is not only hitting company profits but could, a report says, unleash a wave of social unrest in China.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Deep discounts failed to coax consumers to shop in December, but are sure to sap margins and will likely lead to a number of profit warnings when retailers report sales for the all-important holiday month this week.

SOFIA/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian gas supplies via Ukraine to south-eastern Europe and Turkey were halted on Tuesday and Austria and the Czech Republic reported sharp falls in supplies in a deepening row between Moscow and Kiev.

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors asked a judge to jail accused swindler Bernard Madoff on Monday, saying he sent jewelry and other items worth more than $1 million to family and friends in violation of his bail.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More Americans are burdened by chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, often having more than three at a time, and this has helped fuel a big rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses, a study released on Tuesday showed.