For example, Nestle pays SavingStar when a consumer engages with the product, say, Toll House Morsels.

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Another foreign company with a big profile in the U.S. is Switzerland-based Nestle (otc: NSRGY - news - people ), which is well known in the States for its Crunch and Butterfinger candy bars, Toll House cookies and Nesquik chocolate mix.

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Asked specifically Tuesday about the death toll in October, White House spokesman Tony Snow said President Bush was aware of the number.

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Much of the weakness, particularly in Spain, is down to struggling firms in property and finance, which suggests that the credit crunch and the deflating house-price bubble are taking a broader toll.

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Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch, shouted "Object" in the House of Commons to stop the passage of the private bill that would allow toll dispensations.

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Much of the US house building industry, however, is now dominated by large-scale builders, such as Toll Brothers or DR Horton, which are listed companies.

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