Talk will address housing, foreclosure

Mortgage Lending Commissioner Joseph Waltuch and Elisabeth Shurtleff, chairwoman of the Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce, will speak today on housing foreclosure, loan modification and common scams.

The meeting, part of the Congress of Racial Equality's series of free monthly seminars on financial issues, will start at 7:30 p.m. at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane.

Call 633-4464 for reservations.

MGM Mirage stock dips after payment made

Shares of MGM Mirage continued to drop Monday following the casino operator's decision to pump $200 million into its troubled $8.7 billion CityCenter project.

On Friday the company, which is majority-owned by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, agreed to make the equity payment that includes the part owned by partner Dubai World. MGM was allowed to cover Dubai World's commitment because the lenders agreed to a waiver. MGM and Dubai World still need to put up approximately $800 million more in equity before they can tap into a $1.8 billion credit agreement that completes the project's funding.

MGM Mirage shares fell 45 cents, or 15.79 percent, Monday to close at $2.40 on the New York Stock Exchange.

HOUSTON

Unease over economy sends oil prices down

Oil prices tumbled below $49 Monday as unease about the economy, from Asia to Wall Street, raised doubts about the global appetite for energy.

Benchmark crude for May delivery fell more than 7.6 percent, or $3.97, to settle at $48.41 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Jim Ritterbusch, president of energy consulting group Ritterbusch and Associates, said he expects oil to fall as low as $47 in advance of the U.S. crude inventory report, the monthly unemployment report and a meeting of the Group of 20 world leaders in London, all this week.

Bachelor venue coming to Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel is tilting from Sin City to Skin City.

The Hard Rock Hotel and gentlemen's club chain Rick's Cabaret International announced Monday that they have partnered to design the "ultimate bachelor party venue" suite at the niche property.

The suite will be outfitted with a nightclub style sound and lighting system, goose down pillows, a master bath with a personal spa and, yes, a stripper pole.

The renter of the suite would, presumably, will have to provide his or her own stripper.

American Airlines to broaden Net access

American Airlines plans to expand internet access to about half its fleet of aircraft over the next two years as it attempts to raise revenue and improve customer service.