Union rep gives finger to recession - really

The global recession manifests itself in big and small ways. Here is a look at some signs of the times.

Lemurs and porcupines are among the animals that will be fired from New York's Bronx Zoo, where a $15 million budget shortfall has prompted authorities to close four exhibits and ship out hundreds of animals. The largest US urban zoo is shutting its World of Darkness, which houses bats, caimans, porcupines and primates and the Rare Animal Range, home to deer and guanaco. Exhibits of two types of antelope will also be closed, the New York Post reported. The cuts are expected to lead to human layoffs as well.

The recession threw up a slew of pithy phrases, among them zombie banks (sucking the life out of the financial markets) and staycations (because no one can afford a getaway).