text:
TITLE: Timber!
NUMBER: Series 4, Episode 3
ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 21, 1999
[This episode is one of my all-time favorites – the final classic, perhaps. – WK]
The ladies are in "bonnie Scotland" again, and fairly far up into it this time (in the Ardnamurchan peninsula).
They pass by the seashore at one point.
Jennifer: Do you think this is safe down here?
Clarissa: Yes, why wouldn't it be?
Jennifer: Well, I don't know, we might meet a quagmire.
Clarissa: No, this is the old drove road to Strontian.
Clarissa tells us they are cooking a "harvest supper" for workers at a logging camp. The kitchen provided is at a croft belonging to one of the loggers ("Richard"). The ladies are impressed by the kitchen, and indeed, it has an AGA, which surprised me somewhat.
For the field trip, they go fishing in a river. [More on that below.]
Jennifer cooks poule au pot, a dish of stuffed whole chicken stewed with vegetables. [Somewhat annoyingly, in Two Fat Ladies Obsessions, published after Jennifer's death, Clarissa gives a poule au pot recipe that's very different from the one Jennifer did on the show. Bad form, that. – WK]
Later Jennifer makes a dessert of crumb-covered peaches under cream, bruléed.
Clarissa makes a mousse of watercress and ricotta. In the second segment, she roasts a trout under a covering of salt and serves it with beurre blanc.
The episode opens with the ladies picking watercress from the bike at a roadside.
"There's nice running water here, so it'll be quite safe," says Clarissa.
Watercress is "a member of the Nasturtium family," according to Clarissa. They both are very pleased with the quality of the herb – Jennifer says it's "just how it used to be" [whatever that means] and Clarissa compliments its "good strong proper flavor." Said flavor is described as "peppery" at least five times over the course of the episode (mostly by Jennifer).
Jennifer says poule au pot was "invented by Henry of Navarre, because he wanted all his subjects to have a chicken in their pot every Sunday – which was a good idea, and I think worked for quite a long time."
The chicken is stuffed with breadcrumbs, herbs, gammon and chicken livers. Jennifer calls the chicken's tail "the Pope's nose" and Clarissa wonders about the origin of the phrase. [Apparently the term was a slur on all clerics rather than specifically anti-Catholic originally.]
Clarissa prefers trout to salmon or sea bass. The doneness of fish cooked in salt can be tested by inserting a sharp knife and then checking the temperature of the blade.
For her dessert, Jennifer uses Ratafia biscuits [something I don't think we have in the U.S.]. Clarissa asks, "What is the difference, really, between a Ratafia biscuit and a macaroon?" – a question that goes completely ignored by Drunk Jennifer [see On Drinks and Drinking, below].
In addition to the Ratafias, Jennifer uses Demerara sugar and Cointreau in her dessert.
Clarissa suggests the assassinated Henry of Navarre was "killed by a crazed vegetarian" for his chicken-in-every-pot policy.
Jennifer suggests the loggers will "eat one [chicken] each." The ladies are surprised by their appearance:
Jennifer: They're not as sort of big and brawny as I expected them to be. I thought they'd be sort of [grunts masculinely].
Clarissa: Well, I think it's the . . . they all use chainsaws now.
Jennifer: They don't need the muscle.
Clarissa: No, don't need the brawn.
Jennifer: They just go "bzzzz" everywhere.
[Both make chainsaw sounds.]
Jennifer tells this hilarious story about Ratafia biscuits:
I once had great trouble with the little Ratafias, because I did a receipt for a lemon posset – and that's another miracle thing, you know, it thickens by the lemon juice – and you're meant to put the little Ratafia biscuits in, and they're all meant to amalgamate. I would have thought perfectly safe for anybody – and I got an infuriated letter from a reader, saying that not only had he wasted two pounds of raspberries, but the vicar's bridgework had been broken!
[In The Two Fat Ladies Ride Again, she says her posset receipt was "favored by Samuel Pepys." And interestingly, though Jennifer was a bit legendary among her fans for preferring the term receipt to recipe, I believe this is the only time in the entirety of Two Fat Ladies that she says the word out loud. (Corrected again! Reader Fabricio writes that during "On Safari," Jennifer says, "I've always liked this receipt because it was in the days of Swing, when I was about fourteen." Thanks, Fabricio!)]
[UPDATE: I don't know what I would do without the readers of this blog, whose Two Fat Ladies interest, knowledge and research abilities always put mine to shame. One called MCV has found the original letter in the Spectator (from 1988!) that Jennifer refers to here. Enjoy:
[Sir: We have just eaten your cookery correspondent's Ratafia Cream (9 July) for luncheon. We are forced to conclude that she either left out a couple of ingredients, was savagely cut from the bottom, or is a Porton Down research chemist masquerading in a toque. Whichever the case, I hope it will lie uneasy on her conscience that she has devastated two pints of cream, some perfectly good raspberries, and the vicar's bridgework.
Sam Llewellyn
Lower Grantsfield, Kimbolton, Leominster, Herefordshire]
Speaking of vicars, Clarissa says, "Patience and perseverance made a bishop of His Reverence," attributing the maxim to her childhood nanny. This makes Jennifer recall her upbringing in China, and she speaks Chinese briefly.
Clarissa: Didn't you have an English nanny?
Jennifer: Yes, I didn't care for her at all, after our lovely Chinese amahs. This nasty starched monster, and to us, with this terrible smell – probably Dettol or something like that. You know, we weren't used to disinfectants.
Jennifer: Really, when you come to think of it, [poule au pot] is very like the Scottish cock-a-leekie.
Clarissa: But without the barley.
Jennifer: Yeah, well, I don't like barley. Nasty. Sort of slippery!
Then she does this:
The ladies sing Monty Python's "Lumberjack Song." (Jennifer compares the melody to that of "The Foggy Dew," [and they are similar.])
They fret that the young loggers won't recognize the Python reference. [Considering their conversation routinely includes allusions to things like "Mexican Minnie," Grace Darling, and Eighteenth-Century cookbooks, this seems a funny thing to worry about.]
The ladies disagree on the pronunciation of Ratafia [it seems Jennifer's is closer to the authentic Spanish pronunciation]. This leads Jennifer to allude to "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" ("You say 'ruh-TAFF-ee-UH,' and I say 'RA-tuh-FEE-uh'!").
Jennifer advises Clarissa to pray to St. Peter during the fishing scene, and suggests her fisherman companion in the river might have been St. Peter, as they're leaving.
Jennifer says Clarissa's fish in salt looks "very dramatic – like Frankenstein's monster, found in a block of ice, or the Snow Queen, frozen in her palace!"
Jennifer also compares herself to Thomas the Tank Engine and Matilda at various points.
Clarissa wears a frankly bizarre blouse; I'm not sure how to begin describing it. It is green, and seems to have been designed as a Cubist's impression of a chef's jacket. It has a sort of front panel that is folded over and buttoned in the double-breasted fashion, but hardly in the conventional manner. As if that weren't enough, there are pictures of palm fronds all over the thing; I found it rather baffling.
She also wears the pearls again, and her hair is a mess.
A number of Scottish stereotypes get discussed. The ladies wonder if the Highlanders "do" garlic. Then there's this:
Jennifer: I had a terrible feeling we weren't going to find any lemons. But luckily there were plenty.
Clarissa: Well, I think they're not as barbaric up here as you think there, Jennifer, in among the hill tribes.
Clarissa: Well, I'm sure your pudding will be a great success. It'll be lovely and sweet, and the Scots have a very sweet tooth.
Jennifer: They love sweet things; in fact, in the old days, it used to be their twenty-first birthday present to have all their teeth out, so they wouldn't have any trouble with it at all.
Clarissa: I'd not heard that one, Jennifer. I think that's anti-Scots propaganda, myself.
Jennifer: No, no, no, I've often heard it, really!
[Online, there are many instances of people saying they remember this custom, but not much real evidence of it. In 2003 BBC Radio Scotland tried to solicit interviewees who had undergone such a procedure, but whether they ever aired a program on it is unclear. More information on the history of Scottish dentistry, should you be interested, can be found here.]
Clarissa flirts from the bike with a fisherman, and for the field trip she joins him to fish for sea trout in the river. They have this conversation about him:
Clarissa: I thought he was quite attractive, really.
Jennifer: Oh, you would.
Then there's this exchange between Clarissa and the fisherman:
Fisherman: You're getting good at this – you've done it before?
Clarissa: No, but I can use a whip very well.
["God, they really do have a thing for guys with fish," my wife said. "No fisherman in Britain is safe."]
In fact, the contrast between Jennifer's prudery and Clarissa's lasciviousness comes to the fore a couple of times in this episode. When leaving the main camp for the croft, Jennifer invites one of the loggers to join her on the bike:
Jennifer: Will you be a dear and show us the way? You can pop on the back of my bike. . . . Comfortable? Hang on, because there's nothing to hold you there if we go over a nasty bump.
Clarissa: She took it off so that handsome young men would have to hang on to her.
The logger laughs, and Jennifer frowns in embarrassment and says, "Quite untrue."
Then there's this:
Jennifer: Guess what I get to do now? Cover them in cream.
Clarissa: What, the lumberjacks?
Finally, appraising the fishing encounter:
Jennifer: You got jolly cold in the middle of the river.
Clarissa [suggestively]: I know, but it did have its incentives.
Jennifer: It had the fish.
[In an interview in 2011, Clarissa said:
[I think Jennifer lived and died a virgin. She asked me once, "Do you really like sex?" I said, "Yes," and she said, "I've always thought it might be rather messy." Jennifer was a devout Catholic.
[And in fact, in Enjoy!, former schoolmate of Jennifer's Katherine MacDonogh remembers that once at a reunion, Jennifer "did rather enigmatically reveal that she was a virgin, despite having 'been poked.'" (!)]
Clarissa puts fennel inside her fish's cavity.
Jennifer: Or if you didn't have it, you could use Pernod!
Clarissa: I suppose one could. Is one more likely to have Pernod about one, I wonder?
Jennifer: Yes, quite often! I've always got a bottle of that in the cupboard – I haven't always got a bunch of fennel!
Jennifer is roaring drunk and barely makes it through the second segment. She giggles about the food choices; the mousses are "dainty little creatures for those tough old lumberjacks," and she breaks down laughing at the thought of "dinky little peaches, dinky little moussies, for the dainty little lumberjacks!"
When Clarissa mentions beurre blanc, Jennifer cries out, "Oh, the most wonderful of sauces! It's another miracle of the kitchen!" She slurs noticeably when she says "I'm doing a large, luscious pudding for the nice loggers" (and a few other times). Then she alarms Clarissa by using a propane torch to brulée her peaches. ("You're slightly frightened of it?" Clarissa says. "I'm at the sharp end.")
[My wife pointed out that although Clarissa always plays along, you can tell she gets irritated when Jennifer's this far gone. She definitely wears the look of an exhausted babysitter through the entire second segment here.]
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Clarissa describes the texture of cooked mousses as "doing, doing, doing."
Discussing how people won't understand their references:
Jennifer: Oh, we're so old!
Clarissa: Well, speak for yourself.
Jennifer: Well, I am.
The image of Clarissa leading a draft horse past Jennifer while the latter sings "The Lumberjack Song" is one not soon forgotten.
MISTAKES: This must have been the first episode they produced for the season, because for the most part Jennifer's voiceovers are very good. It is only in the introduction of the dishes during dinner that she sounds sick.
TRADEMARKS: The AGA. The ladies set the table again. Both ladies describe the watercress as "proper."
Jennifer complains about the Scottish weather multiple times, calling it "wet, wet wet!", among other things. When they arrive in the camp, she says it's "not very nice here." Then, during the field trip, she sulks and heckles from a camp chair in the rain, asking "How long do you think it's going to take?", saying Clarissa looks "very foolhardy" fishing in the river, and, when asked if she'd like to join the fun, saying, "I don't have waders, I'm glad to say!" Towards the end, she swats some "damn midges," and says she's baffled anyone would come to the Scottish Highlands deliberately – "but nice people," she adds.


text:
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
DB Happy Birthday DT Card
9 comments:
- Carla S. said...
Gorgeous card, Mary Lou! Love all the pink! Wonderful coloring of the adorable image and beautiful details!
- July 16, 2013 at 8:53 AM
- Audhild said...
A gorgeous pink card. Love the image you have used. Thank you for joining the EHA challenge.
Hugs, Audhild
- July 16, 2013 at 10:54 AM
- Crystal said...
Oh my goodness how sweet!! What a beautiful darling card!!!
- July 16, 2013 at 3:28 PM
- AnyOldCraft said...
Such a beautiful card and fabulous image.
Thank you for joining in the challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts.
Julie (AnyOldCraft) GDT
- July 17, 2013 at 4:01 AM
- lynne said...
Hi Mary Lou, This is gorgeous! Cute sparkly dress!
Thanks for joining us at Elphine House Australia!
Lynne xx
- July 17, 2013 at 10:08 AM
- CraftinGranny said...
Love this image and your wonderful coloring. Beautiful card Mary Lou! Thanks so much for joining us at Elphine House and we hope to see you back again for our next challenge. "Hugs" Carol
- July 17, 2013 at 11:06 PM
- Kat said...
Really sweet Mary Lou. Thanks for joining us at TG again this week.
Kat x
- July 19, 2013 at 5:38 PM
- Jules said...
What a pretty pink card and a gorgeous image. Thank you for joining us at A * T Emerald Faeries. Good Luck xoxoxo
- July 31, 2013 at 4:39 AM
Happy Birthday to you! Are you finding free birthday gifts and deals? Try it! It's totally Free! Bdayo.Com was created with one goal in mind to help our users enjoy, celebrate, and remember their birthday! Bdayo allows you to find unlimited amount of Birthday Freebies in your area and offer unique features to help you learn more about that special day!
- September 28, 2013 at 4:34 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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In a land casino this would not be possible. Paying a croupier a wage would simply eat away at any profit. That's why the smallest roulette chips in a land casino are generally 50p. The money isn't there. Online this is different as the casino just has to use a few extra processor cycles and a little bandwidth. The cost of this is not zero but may as well be.
I do wonder the point in playing roulette for a penny though. Its neither here nor there if you win or lose. Lose 100 even money bets in a row and you are down £1. Its hardly going to bankrupt anyone. Win 100 bets in a row and you're not going to be having any drinks to celebrate.
Things get a little more interesting at slightly higher stakes. At 10p, roulette becomes a little more interesting. The amounts you can win or lose become meaningful. At the 20p the game is actually very entertaining. Just ask all those people that play in the bookies. Those FOBT all have minimum roulette bets of 20 pence. The return on a single number is not life changing but £7.20 is nice.
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text:
Before Ella Alpina was a cannabis entrepreneur,
she had one foot in the industry and the other outside of it. For Ella, cannabis was an integral part of her life. Yet she was also a professional career woman. Ella felt divided. Things changed drastically once she made a life-changing decision. Ella quit her job. In fact, not only did she quit her job, she headed to Central America where she planned on working with two different projects. This was her first exposure to social entrepreneurism: a business model that couples capitalism with social good. One year later, Ella found herself back in the San Francisco Bay area. This time with a newfound love for the innovative business concepts she had witnessed firsthand. These life changing experiences led her to work with startup organizations like The HUB and Project Nuevo Mundo. During this same period, Ella also noticed an increase in stories covering the cannabis industry. An expert in marketing and business – the calling was clear. Ella launched 7 Rays Marketing, a full-service marketing agency to serve the cannabis industry. Today, Ella is grateful to bring her business and marketing expertise to the industry closest to her heart and community.
What was the journey leading up to launching 7 Rays Marketing?
Up until the cannabis industry really started picking up here in California, I was someone with one foot in and one foot out. For me, the cannabis culture is intertwined with music, art, wellness and my community. I've always followed the path of higher education and a professional career. The two sides, or two worlds, finally came together for me.
The moment of change for me came when I quit my corporate job and traveled to Central America to work on two different projects. They were my first exposure to Social Entrepreneurism: a business model that couples capitalism with social good.
After a year abroad, I returned to the San Francisco Bay, with a newfound love for the innovative business concepts I witnessed firsthand. The experience led me to work with startup organizations such as The HUB and Project Nuevo Mundo. As I started seeing more and more cannabis industry news stories, the concept of launching a full-service marketing agency for the cannabis niche called to me. Actually, it banged on my door.
Today, I am grateful to bring my business and marketing expertise to the industry closest to my heart and community. Two feet in, finally!
How has cannabis influenced your life?
I think that many people first smoked in jr. high or high school and the goal was to get as high as possible. Today, the goal is much different. It's about enhancing my life and balancing my mind, body and spirit. Looking back, cannabis was a medicine even then: for coping with and getting through those difficult years. Because of the drug war and associated stigmas, we didn't recognize it in the same way we do today
Any tips for maintaining a work/life balance?
This is tough for everyone who's an entrepreneur. Being busy is commendable in society, but I honestly do believe we all work way too hard. One tip to cultivate balance in your life is to set your own business hours. For me, it's not working on the weekends. It's ok to leave your work til Monday morning. Take the weekend off and spend it with your loved ones. They miss you! And your business relationships will respect you for establishing boundaries.
What is the biggest challenge you've faced working in the cannabis industry?
It has to be the constant changes to regulations and need to keep track of all the requirements. As a marketing agency that serves clients in many states, we need to be aware of the unique needs of each state.
One thing's for sure, we are always on our toes. You have to stay ahead of the curve. We closely monitor packaging changes and offerings, as well as new competitors. As an agency, we want to create unique, differentiated design and content for our clients. By keeping a close eye on the players and trends we see, we are able to provide strategic and effective.
Name one habit that has helped you be successful
Lots and lots of self-study. When starting my business, I would sit down each morning to research, read and collect content and influential sites and content. Evernote was my closest confidant during those times. It still is actually. My main prerogative was to understand the ins and outs as best as I could. It comes down to having a passion for what you are doing. Because that's what drives you to get up each morning and tackle the day.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Helping my clients define their higher purpose that is driving them to do what they do. I love developing brand stories and then creatively extending them to design and content strategy.
Do you prefer to consume before, during, or after your work day?
Typically it's in the evenings to wind down. However lately I have been experimenting with low dose consumption throughout my workday. Sometimes it can be too much and I need to take a break, but when the dose is right, the stress falls away, tedious work becomes not so bad and my overall mood improves.
I have some great tinctures I take like Herba Buena's Rock and Roll. I also love to puff on my Alchemy pens throughout the day, which allows me to function at my best, and not get too high, due to the botanicals blend.
What is the number one mistake you see cannabis companies making when it comes to branding?
Focusing heavily on the fact that it's a cannabis brand. Either in the name (Canna, THC, CBD, Mary Jane, etc) or in the logo, typically symbolized by a cannabis leaf.
Brands need to understand that in a saturated market the most important thing is differentiation. A brand can accomplish that in different ways: through unique product features or production process, through the brand story and purpose, and through business activities, for example, a recycling program of their jars.
A unique name that creates a lasting impression coupled with a distinct logo will help differentiate you from all the canna leaves, but it's only the tip of the iceberg. Look at your business processes and positioning and see if you can't craft a brand story that is personal and inspirational. One that you can tell over and over again.
Name your top 3 marketing tips for cannabis businesses
1. Find your niche's influencers. Remember to look outside the cannabis industry bubble too.
2. Define your content strategy and mix across all channels. They differ, so be specific.
3. Perform a competitive analysis and review your brand positioning. At the speed we're moving, you want to get it right the first time.
If you could light up anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I'd love to light up in Spain; the cannabis culture is booming there and I'd love to experience the European version of our industry.
If you could offer an aspiring cannabis entrepreneur one piece of advice, what would it be?
Get to know your local canna community. Attend networking events and make friends. That's what this is all about.


text:
Social Media Strategy Posts
5 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Facebook Messenger
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Do it Live! Tips and Best Practices for Using Facebook Live
Watch Live Training: How to Win the Internet and Influence People
Fission is Headed to Netroots Nation This Week – Are You?
Let us know how we can help you!


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Saturday, September 12, 2009
Crockpot Tomato Sauce
This year was a good year for cherry tomatoes in the garden. Unfortunately, not much of the other tomatoes grew, so I had a plethora of cherry tomatoes and not much else. Ugh! Anyway, I could only give away and eat so many, so naturally I began thinking of ways to preserve the tomatoes so we can enjoy the goodness during the off season. I decided to give a crockpot tomato sauce recipe a try. (Well, I didn't really follow a recipe but I think it turned out okay). Don't forget to rinse your tomatoes.
With most tomato sauce recipes, they tell you to go thru the process of seeding and skinning the tomatoes. No way, was I about to do that to a million cherry tomatoes. So, I pretty much figured, the seeds don't really bother me, especially with cherry tomatoes because they're usually so small and the skin so thin... So, I just threw it all in the blender and bzzzzz. If you want to limit some of the skin and seeds you can definitely put it a couple of layers of cheese cloth. It may take a while to drain.
Once it's all blended up, pour the whole thing into the crockpot, add in whatever ingredients you want to use within your tomato sauce. I sauted some garlic and onions, and threw it in. In previous sauces I've added in other fresh herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, chives, and a some thyme along with the onion and garlic and even a couple of tablespoons of sugar.
Turn on the crockpot onto low and let it go for 5 to 6 hours. I also stirred occasionally to make sure nothing was sticking in the bottom, and to check the thickness. Once those 5 to 6 hours are up or the sauce gets to as thick as you want it you can now choose how you want to store it. (if you like your sauce to be somewhat thicker like marinara, you can optionally put in a small can of tomato paste -- I read somewhere that you loose some flavor the longer you cook tomatoes. Never noticed it, but thought I'd mention it.
In storing the sauce, you have two good options. One is to freeze it. Place the sauce in a freezer suitable container and put it in the freezer. Give enough room to account for expanding liquid. The second option is to can the sauce. I forgot to take pictures thru the process of canning, but we used a pressure cooker canner. Put a tsp of lemon juice in each jar before you put the sauce in. Next, place 2 inches of water in the canner, and bring to a boil, Then place the jars in (on a rack) the canner and close up. I believe we processed the cans for 25 minutes taking an average of all the times we saw online. Don't forget that the processing begins when the cooker is pressurized (or the weight on top begins to rock). Once the 25 minutes are done, just turn off the stove and walk away. You want the cooker to release the pressure slowly as it goes back to room temperature. I left it alone and opened it up the next morning, but I was also doing the canning close to 11 at night.
And there you have it... Crockpot tomato sauce for your use throughout the rest of the year. We use it for several things such as pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and marinara sauce. Usually, we will add some tomato paste to it at this point, which is why I didn't bother putting it in during the crockpot cooking.
[Update 10/13/2009: I just found another recipe for slow cooker tomato sauce. ]


text:
A positive, imaginative and
effective response to the safety challenges posed by needing to engage a
contractor to work at height has earned CEMEX UK's Wickwar Quarry a top
The Gloucestershire quarry and its contractor, Response
Engineering, jointly received the Contractors Safety Award in an annual
competition run by the Mineral Products Association at BAFTA in London.
Quarry Manger Frank Hogg (second left), Site Supervisor Darren
Halpin (right) and Gavin Tuck (left) from Response Engineering are
pictured above receiving the BACMI Trophy from Dr Steve Peters, a
consultant psychiatrist who worked with the Olympic Cycling Team.
The situation which
prompted the award entry arsoe when the company engaged the
engineering specialist to carry out work on a dust filter unit on the
secondary crushing plant. The work was high risk as it involved working
at height, hot processes and confined space working. When reviewing the
plans for the work the contractor raised concerns about emergency access
and egress.
CEMEX decided to hold a joint training exercise involving the
contractor and a specialist unit, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), who
were recommended by the local fire service. The full exercise was
carried out successfully and, following a review, the planned work was
completed without incident. All the personnel involved were confident
they had planned for every eventuality.
This process demonstrated how pre-planning and a strong working
relationship between contractor and operator can help identify issues
and ultimately lead to the safe execution of higher risk tasks.
You can view a video detailing the project here
To make a comment or for further information please contact Mark Kelly at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Privacy policy | Terms and conditions | Copyright © 2014 CEMEX S.A.B de C.V. All rights reserved
CEMEX UK Operations Limited Registered office: CEMEX House, Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8TD
Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 658390


text:
About the author
Christophe Bernard
Chief Strategist VontobelMore Articles
The U.S. slapping import duties on washing machines and solar panels, China portraying itself as a paragon of openness – recent developments around global free trade have raised eyebrows. But while the headlines may be dismal at times, the reality is different. Given that free trade has more often than not greased the wheels of the global economy over the past decades, the protectionist noises coming out of Washington may be primarily designed for the gallery.
Since the collapse of the former Soviet bloc in 1989, growth in global trade has consistently surpassed economic growth. It worked as a reliable booster for the global economy until the great financial crisis of 2008/2009. Things changed after that. From 2012 until the middle of 2016, global trade was a drag on global economic growth, reversing a well-established trend. Over that period, the troubles of global banks deprived global trade of vital financing. The collapse of commodity prices also played a role. However, since the middle of 2016, global trade is again buoyant, sustaining a broad global expansion across most markets (see chart 1).
Chart 1: Global trade growth is surpassing global economic growth again since mid-2016
Source: CPB, IMF; Thomson Reuters Datastream, Vontobel, Vontobel
With the political rise of Donald Trump, the U.S. seems to have lost its status as champion of free trade. The U.S. administration has recently raised import tariffs on solar panels and washing machines. Moreover, based on the recommendations from the Trade Department, tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminium imports will soon follow. Oddly enough, the rationale behind these cases would be that such imports impair national security. Is global trade about to be derailed, with negative consequences for the global economy?
We do not think so. On the one hand, trade disputes are the consequence of the U.S. president's agenda, where the suppression of imports is one of the top priorities. On the other hand, washing machines, solar panels, steel and aluminium together account for only 1.6 percent of global U.S. imports and 0.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Moreover, we expect China, South Korea and Japan to react in a measured way as they understand the need of some U.S. posturing ahead of mid-term elections. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – Donald Trump's bête noire of old – is a case in point. So far, the talks between the three NAFTA parties, the U.S., Mexico and Canada, show that the world's biggest economic power isn't much interested in rocking its neighbors' boat. This can be seen from the deferral of the talks until after the Mexican general elections in July or even after the U.S. mid-term elections in November. Therefore, despite negative headlines, we expect global trade to remain a key contributor to global growth in the period ahead.
Moving to equity markets, February has seen the first 10-percent correction since the Chinese-led global drawdown between November 2015 and February 2016. In addition, the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), also known as "fear index", hit a stunning high of 50 percent on February 6. Granted, investors had been euphoric previously, so markets were vulnerable to any (perceived) bad news. This came in the form of rising wage growth in the U.S. (up 2.9 percent in January 2018 year-on-year) and core inflation data slightly above expectations. While we now give our "inflation scare" scenario (see Investors' Outlook from December 2017) a higher probability of occurrence of 30 versus previously 25 percent, "Goldilocks, again" remains our central scenario with a probability of 60 percent. We stick to our neutral equity positioning and underweight stance on government bonds while gradually trimming our holdings across bond segments such as high-yield or emerging-market debt. Our equity mix is tilted towards "value" with bank and commodity-related stocks accounting for a substantial portion of our exposure. Such positions would benefit from a gradual pick-up in inflation and continued real economic growth.
A rising concern for us and investors in general is the potential impact of the U.S. spending plan for 2018 and beyond, especially when taking into account the recently enacted tax cuts. This will lead to a surge in the budget deficit to 5 percent (versus 3.6 percent for 2017) and above. Since the 1960s, such a level has only been reached during or shortly after recessions (see chart 2). Given the country's structural current-account deficit of around 3 percent of GDP (despite lower imports of oil and gas), its financing needs might coincide with a period of rising interest rates. With the U.S. Federal Reserve reducing purchases of government bonds, financial markets could soon drown in a flood of U.S. Treasuries. This means that U.S. dollar bonds will have to maintain a significant interest rate advantage over other safe government paper to remain attractive to foreign buyers. In spite of the higher coupon that such issues will have to carry, the U.S. dollar could come under substantial pressure should doubts emerge about the sustainability of U.S. fiscal policy. A sudden rise in U.S. Treasury yields – beyond economically justified levels – could start constraining asset prices or wreak havoc in financial markets. This is a risk we will need to watch.
In this context, the forthcoming U.S. inflation and wage growth figures will be particularly important. Any number (again) coming in above expectations might trigger another wave of risk aversion. It goes without saying that we will remain vigilant and act swiftly if need be.
Chart 2: U.S. budget deficit above 5 percent (2018 and beyond) is without precedent outside of recessions
In percent
Source: U.S. Bureau of Fiscal Services, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Congressional Budget Office, Joint Committee on Taxation, National Bureau of Economic Research, Thomson Reuters Datastream, Vontobel


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Every week, Ask Laura features responses to your questions about religion, relationships, and the mess they often create. You can submit questions to Laura anonymously at this form, or via Twitter (@lkoturner) or email (email@example.com).
Dear Laura,
I graduated from a college a few years ago and after a series of part-time jobs at coffee shops and restaurants have finally gotten a job in the field I majored in. The problem is that even though the job has decent pay for a starting level and offers full benefits, I don't think the 9-5 lifestyle fits me. Also, even though the job is in my field, it's not as fulfilling as I'd hoped it would be. I really want to pursue my passions, but I guess I'm not sure how to do that and work to pay my bills, too. Do you have any advice?
Dear Aimless,
Oh, the quandary of a generation is contained in your letter! It's an interesting thing, to think of each generation's general attitude toward work: Our grandparents, who did what they needed to do, passion be damned; our parents, who got advanced degrees and made good money; and now those of us who were told to follow our dreams but who live in a world that won't support hundreds of thousands of writers or actors or sock makers or dancers. So, here is my promise to you: I promise not to use the word "entitled" in my response, and I hope you promise to listen a little from someone who is, perhaps, six years older than you.
I am writing this at four in the afternoon in a dive bar in my neighborhood. I am twenty-nine and the youngest person in here by about thirty years, and I love it. That's part of what the freelance lifestyle, whatever that is, affords: sitting in the company of geriatrics with a Deschutes Pale Ale at my side.
Do you want to know what the previous eight hours were like? I will tell you. I woke up stressed as all get out because I wasn't sure if an article I had pitched was going to work out, and spent several hours trying to track down the person who might help it work, only to realize that person had quit their job and I had to start the search all over again. I heated up a can of lentil soup for lunch while I filled out an Excel spreadsheet of work assignments, and nobody goes freelance so that they can fill out more Excel spreadsheets. Then, all afternoon, I sent emails. Emails and emails and more emails. Emails asking people to pay me money they owed me; emails with overdue edits; emails that had seemed to spawn further email offspring. This I did all alone, with no coworkers to yell jokes at or people to go to lunch with or friends to ask if I wanted to take a YouTube break.
All of this is to say, I get it, because I wanted what you want, too, and I still want it. Or at least halfway — I work in an office half-time, and do freelance work the other half. The nine-to-five can be a grind, but do you know what else can be a grind? Everything. Life is a grind.
Here is a list of things that are important in life: Health insurance. A room of one's own. Enough food. Transportation. Saving. The ability to see family and friends when you need to. So, here's an experiment you could take on: Look at all of those categories, and figure out how much it would cost you. What is the amount of money you need to feel good about your life each year? If you're making a lot more than that, great! Keep working, save up, contribute to your 401(K), and look for ways to follow your passion after work, or before work, or at lunch. If I've learned anything since graduating from college, it's that the world can wait. Very few things are actually urgent, although they will feel terribly urgent to you. Your amygdala will scream at you that you must figure everything out right now, and it will be the easiest lie you've ever believed. You have so much time, and you have to be patient.
Are there people in your field you admire? Ask them questions, lots of questions, if they will let you! Remember that no one owes you anything, so say thank you and write thank you notes and follow through on what you say will do. So much of life is about knowing the motions you need to go through — the things your mom told you to do when you were eight — and going through them. Emotions, to borrow a phrase, are wonderful servants and terrible masters.
There is also a terrible misconception highly prevalent among Christian liberal arts students (and possibly others) that the highest and best thing you can do in life is to find a job where your giftedness meets the world's deep needs. That's a mangling of a quote from Frederick Buechner, and if I ever hear it again I will scream and maybe murder someone. You can find such significance in your 9-to-5 job, and that is the thing that I wish most for you. You may not be saving whales or souls, but who cares? You are entrusted with a job, with things to do and people to talk with and blah blah blah. It might be super boring, and literally everyone I know, which includes some really interesting people, has had a boring job at some point. The point of it all is to be faithful and honest and hardworking in the job that is in front of you now, and not spend all your energy wishing you were doing something else. That might be the secret to life, come to think of it.
So, keep your day job for now, is the best thing I can say to you. Keep it and do it really well for at least two years. And while you are doing that, schedule one or two nights a week to devote to your passion. Put it on your calendar, like you would any other commitment, and do it with other people you like, and then, at the end of two years, look at your bank account and your resumé and think about whether you can take a bigger risk. You'll never know for certain, but you can start with something more stable than where you are now. You can give that gift to yourself.
Image by Ryan Maguire.


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Flawless Complexion Cream – New Anti Aging Cream Read Side Effects Before Buy?
Flawless Complexion Anti-Aging Cream
It should enhance skin health and the appearance by reviving it at a cellular level. It's guaranteed that this item was created in view of logical examinations and that it contains ingredients that are sufficiently viable to work for 90% of clients. Truth be told, it's guaranteed that in a few occurrences Flawless Complexion works so well that it can make the client show up 10 years more youthful. Immaculate Complexion is new, as is the organization behind it. Numerous other hostile to maturing items may end up noticeably accessible from this maker later on. Truth be told, the organization is new to the point that no subtle elements are accessible on it yet. It may have begun its activities in the previous year, however that is all the data we have right now. All things considered, the official site of Flawless Complexion offers a ton of data on the item and the route in which it should work. This cream is apparently ready to evacuate barely recognizable differences and wrinkles by expanding the common generation of collagen and elastin. These proteins are fundamental for skin health, and their generation diminishes as the individual advances in age. Collagen is the thing that gives skin its immovability while elastin is in charge of its flexibility. What's more, the regular generation of the two proteins can be expanded by quality healthy skin items, so the claim made by the organization is exceptionally sensible.
However, Flawless Complexion should likewise shield the skin from getting to be plainly harmed by free radicals, as it's rich in vitamins and cancer prevention agents. This item ought to have the capacity to make the skin seem more youthful, additionally to enable it to remain along these lines for more. Besides, Flawless Complexion is guaranteed to be extremely hydrating, killing the main source of wrinkles, dryness. Every one of the cases made for this item is extremely sensible, as excellence creams can, in reality, give every one of these advantages. The item doesn't have an over the top introduction, it's not guaranteed to be a supernatural occurrence laborer that demonstrations sufficiently quick to supplant corrective intercessions. It's said that the outcomes ought to be seen after around 2 months of utilization, which sets the desires at an average level. In any case, it's asserted that the adequacy of the fixings has been demonstrated through logical examinations, yet the guests of the site don't approach them.
How does it work for the betterment of your skin health?
Flawless Complexion easily protects skin from aging demerits which make skin so ugly and get diminished by its own qualities. This cream is particularly developed to enhance skin firmness. It recharges the skin and outfits it with the appropriate measure of hydration that it needs. The novel detailing that goes into this cream. The skin winds up noticeably alive as it drenches the greater part of the brilliant fixings that go into it because of this item. This arrangement enables the skin to end up noticeably versatile again like when it was youthful.
Methods of using Flawless Complexion
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* Wash and dry the face include the neck range also.
* Apply this cream utilizing upward movement to get the best outcomes since this movement is a move against gravity.
* Allow enough time for this cream to get retain by the skin.
* For best outcomes it is advisable to utilize this item at any rate twice per day; once in the morning and just before resigning during the evening.
Added Ingredients
The ingredients which are added in Flawless Complexion by skin specialists are as follows: –
* Collagen sponsor.
It is added to enhance the level of collagen and elastin.
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It makes skin hydrated.
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It fabricates a shield to shield skin from UV rays.
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It is added to enhance the level of collagen and moreover makes skin smooth.
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It makes skin smooth and besides ousts the dead cell from a skin.
Advantages acquires by utilizing Flawless Complexion
The advantages obtained by using Flawless Complexion are given below: –
* Clears the impacts of maturing by diminishing almost negligible differences and wrinkles
* Flawless healthy skin is conceivable on account of this item that hydrates, tone and fixes skin
* Enhance collagen levels
* Recover and experience young skin composition
* Diminish fine lines
* No requirement for injections, surgery or taking risk
* Turns back the hands of time by as much as 10 years
Where to buy Flawless Complexion?
Flawless Complexion is just accessible on its official site, at the cost of $57 in addition to $4.95 for transportation and taking care of. The organization conveys around the world, and the clients situated in the US will just need to hold up 3-5 days to get their requests. Sadly, it's not said to what extent global conveyance takes, but rather it shouldn't be longer than 2 weeks. What's more, the individuals who are occupied with assessing the item finished longer time frames can pick one of the bigger bundles, which are accessible at rebate costs. A bundle containing 3 bottles of Flawless Complexion is accessible for $97 while 5 jugs offer for $147. The biggest rebate accompanies the bundle that incorporates 7 containers, which is accessible for $197. And every one of these alternatives is accessible with the free conveyance, so there are no additional charges.
Flawless Complexion is an anti-aging cream accessible only on the web. The cream guarantees to lessen your wrinkles utilizing clinically demonstrated healthy skin innovation. It is yet another against maturing skin cream that guarantees to be superior to Botox by utilizing a remarkable mix of dynamic ingredients. These ingredients stimulate collagen and elastin creation underneath your skin. It additionally claims to have a 90% achievement rate and says it's utilized by VIPs around the globe.


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Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Fairy with wings
I have chosen to make a 'fairy with wings' card.
The background is from a lovely DP pad by The Scrap Cake, called 'One Moment in Time'
I then stamped the images from the set in black and the stars in the top corner in silver. I stamped the wings again on some pink vellum, and attached them so they stood off the card a little. I finished off with some pink "KindyGlitz" as though she is scattering fairy dust over the flowers. I rounded the corners and layered onto a black card.
I would like to enter the following challenges
Scribble and Scrap - Anything goes
Penny Black and More - Anything Goes
ALBC - Anything Goes
7 comments:
- SARN said...
Well first I was confused cuz I couldn't see a butterfly . . . but then I hopped over to Mrs A's blog and realised that it's only fairies in December!
Beautiful card . . . I love Lavinia fairies.
Hugs, Sarn xxx
- 3 December 2014 at 22:48
- brenda said...
A lovely choice of colours Glennis and a really ethereal feel to your lovely card.
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Penny Black and More challenge.
B x
- 4 December 2014 at 01:20
- Mrs A. said...
Thank you so much for being my Guest Designer this month. I had not realised that the wings had been stamped on vellum and then added so it was good to see your description on how you put the card together. Hugs Mrs A.
- 4 December 2014 at 01:21
- cotnob said...
This is a beautiful card Glennis, I love your pretty fairy with her vellum wings, your papers are gorgeous.
- 4 December 2014 at 08:49
- Ellie said...
A very pretty card Glennis, loving the paper you used and gorgeous Fairy stamp. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Penny Black and More!
- 5 December 2014 at 11:05
- Lexie said...
This is just so pretty! Thank you for joining us over at the Scribble and Scrap Challenge. Good luck.
- 7 December 2014 at 06:49
- Di said...
Sorry Glennis
I forgot to say how lovely your card is!
- 10 December 2014 at 12:30


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The name tells a lot, but not the whole story.
Zinks Meats and Fine Wines is a butcher shop, a deli, a grill with a full kitchen, a catering business and a wine store all in one.
The shop moved from its former Centerville location and in January was open for business at 409 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, in the Normandy Square shopping center in Washington Twp.
The meat is all high quality — Choice 3 and Prime. Plus, no preservatives, no hormones, no antibiotics, no steroids, no fillers. Co-owner Melissa Metzger used to be a nurse, so she says it's important to sell only quality food. "All the diseases I've seen in the nursing field, a lot of that is what people have put in their bodies," she said. "You need to put the right things in your bodies."
Metzger's husband, co-owner Dave Hoffer, is in charge of the meat. "It's the freshest in town!" he boasts. "Nowhere else can you come to a place and say, 'I want you to grind up some sirloin and cook it for me.'"
The meat is grain-fed and delivered to the store daily. Even if you haven't been to Zinks' new location, it's likely that you've enjoyed meat that's come from the store. Zinks is a supplier for a number of restaurants in the Dayton area, including Archer's Tavern, Chappys Tap Room and Grill, O'Leary's Pub and Grub, and Lock 27 Brewing.
The deli offers a variety of meats, plus sides like cole slaw, potato salad and pasta salad. "We make all of our salads," Mezger said. "They're all family recipes."
Lunch options look good, such as chicken wings and the Pulled Pork and Reuben sandwiches. Plus, the barbecue sauce is made back in the kitchen. Round out the meal with giant Kosher-style deli pickles and a slice of homemade cake.
Zinks will be offering specials in March. For St. Patrick's Day, look for the Reuben along with corned beef brisket. The store will also offer Easter hams from Schad's Meats in Cincinnati — just be sure to order ahead of time.
There's a display of items that would make great food gifts, such as Chub Rub and Jump's Peanuts, both locally produced.
The other half of the store is devoted to wines. Zinks offers a few staples, but you won't find most of the labels in a grocery store. "I taste every bottle that comes in here," Metzger said. "I like our diversity."
She says she offers good bottles of wine at $10, $20, $30, $150 — whatever is in your budget. "You can find a good bottle of wine at every price point," she said.
Every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Zinks offers a wine tasting. Reservations are recommended. The tasting changes every week, and the price varies between $15 to $30 per person for the entire flight. The price is one-tenth the price of the bottles of wine. So for $15, you can try $150 worth of wine.
Charlie DeArmon, CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine), hosts the tastings and will answer your questions about the wines.
What advice does Metzger offer for someone who wants to get started and learn about wines? "They should go to wine tastings and take notes," she said. She has her own tasting notebook, a wine diary, if you like, and she loves showing it off.
Zinks is a comfortable, unpretentious place to learn about wines. "It's real people being with real people," Metzger said.
Want to go?
WHAT: Zinks Meats and Fine Wines
WHERE: 409 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Dayton
HOURS: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
INFO: zinksmeats.com | Facebook | 937-435-4980


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|Site Map
April 4, 2004 - Israel is not merely a Jewish issue.
In recent years support for Israel has become increasingly controversial. Israel has received a lot of bad press, much of it due to a fairly successful Palestinian public relations effort that presents selected parts of the news out of context and distorts much of the rest. The strategy is to alienate Israel from world opinion and especially to divide Israel and the United States.
Israel's enemies want us to blame Israel for Arab aggression. "Why do they hate us?" we are encouraged to ask. "Because we support Israel" is the expected answer; "If America had not always supported Israel, 9/11 never would have happened." Such sentiments have become increasingly common.
Blaming terrorist attacks on support for Israel is a calculated strategy of divide and conquer. More than that, it is justification for blackmail: the terrorists say they attack us because they don't like our friends - so if we abandon our friends, maybe they will be nicer to us.
If people attack me because they don't like my friends, I won't blame my friends, I'll blame the people who attacked me. That is the morally correct thing to do. Nevertheless, Americans in particular and Westerners in general need a practical reason to support Israel. Self-interest, not morality, is the driving force in international politics. Westerners need to know that supporting Israel is in their self-interest.
Support for Israel is not only in the interest of Israel but also in the interest of every Western democracy. This is because the terrorist war against Israel, the terrorist war against America, and the emerging terrorist war against the West in general are all the same war.
The terrorist war against America is fundamentally not about America's support for Israel. America's support for Israel is not one-sided. America also supports the creation of a Palestinian state. The Roadmap President Bush has proposed makes strong demands on Israel as well as on the Palestinians. America's policy has, over the years, become more and more what Arabs themselves like to call "even-handed."
The terrorist war against America has to do with something much bigger than Israel. It is the resurgence of the age-old battle between the Islamic East and the Christian West.
The "conventional wisdom" is that America is hated because it supports Israel. But if one listens carefully to what Islamic extremists are saying, it turns out that Israel is hated because it is seen as a Western colony. The following, written shortly after 9/11 for Arabic News (4), is typical:
The British daily "the Observer" issued on Sunday criticized the US President George Bush and the British prime minister Tony Blair for their negligence of facts in the Arab region, noting that the western media especially the British dare no[t] to mention the Israeli element behind the attack against the US last Tuesday.
The paper added that no body in the British media will dare to mention that "Israel" is an American colony where billions of US dollars and weapons flow to, noting that the pressures of the Jewish Lobby in Britain make many of the British journalists even those who are known for their courage, keeping apart and far away from ta[l]king about the Israeli role in the attacks.
The original article in the Observer (3), while venomously anti-Israel, does not go so far as to mention an "Israeli element behind the [9/11] attack." The latter is a distinctly Arabic touch. Even now many in the Arab world still insist that the attacks of 9/11 were a Zionist plot. The original article also speaks of an "Israeli lobby"; Arabic News changed that to "Jewish lobby." So much for claims that these Israel-haters are only against "Zionists" and not Jews.
The perception of Israel as an "American colony," an intrusion of American values and interests into Arab home territory, is widespread in the Arab world. Is America hated because of Israel, or is Israel hated because of America? It reminds one of the chicken and the egg.
The battle between Muslim East and Christian West, which helped shape history for hundreds of years, was obscured in the twentieth century after the demise of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the latter - due in no small part to Islamic nationalism - the old battle began to reemerge. The conflict we face right now results from historical forces that are far older and greater than we often realize. It is not simply due to the mistakes of one or another American administration. There was really no way to prevent it.
The rhetoric that Islamic extremists use against Israel and against the West is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish. Hamas wants all of Israel because it is all Muslim land. Al Qaeda wants Spain ("al-Andalus") because, having once been ruled by Muslims, it too is Muslim land. This trend will increase as the large Muslim populations of Europe, which to a great extent have rejected the values of their host countries, become more assertive.
The values of the Islamic extremists are profoundly anti-democratic (and anti-humanistic), and can never coexist with Western values. This is not merely an inference. It is what the Islamic extremists are actually telling us. In the words of one Islamic leader (2):
Democracy is the rule of the masses or the rule of paganism, which is conducted according to a constitution [written by humans] and not according Allah's laws....
Democracy is an outcome of despicable secularism and its illegitimate daughter, since secularism is a heretical school striving to separate religion from state and government.
Unfortunately, these values seem to be gaining traction in the Muslim world. It will become increasingly evident, as the new century progresses, that Israel, America, and the other Western democracies are fighting the same war.
This war cannot be won by giving terrorists what they say they want. Palestinians say that all they want from Israel is an end to "occupation." Yet after Ariel Sharon announced his plan to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, terrorist violence only escalated. The Palestine National Authority rejected Sharon's plan and called it "an attempt to destroy the peace process" (1). But the Palestinians have never cooperated with the peace process.
Throughout the long history of this conflict the Palestinians have refused any opportunity for a peaceful solution, beginning even before their rejection of partition in 1948. More recently the Palestinians repudiated peace when they walked out of negotiations in the fall of 2000, refusing even to make a counteroffer to the historic proposal of Clinton/Barak, which would have met almost all of their demands. Instead they launched their current war against the Israeli population, which has lasted over three years. Are they fighting out of desperation? Hardly, since it is actually this fighting, using terror tactics, that keeps the conflict going and makes the creation of a Palestinian state impossible.
Ironically, the Palestinians seem to be fighting to prevent a Palestinian state. Terrorist bombs have shattered every movement toward peace. The Palestinians declare a hudna or "cease-fire" only to disrupt it with suicide bombers. And simply killing Israelis is never enough - it must be done with an exquisite sadism, loading the bombs with nails and bits of shrapnel soaked in rat poison, to take out limbs and eyes and to keep the blood from coagulating so as to promote internal bleeding. Is it conceivable that Israel would not try to defend itself against such primitive cruelty? Without the terrorism, Israel would have no justification for remaining present in the territories. A negotiated settlement would become possible. But the continued attacks on the civilian population make certain that a peaceful resolution will forever remain out of reach.
While the suicide murderers are often glorified as "martyrs," they are not dying for any sacred cause, nor even for any useful purpose. Their actions are the strongest possible statement they could make rejecting peaceful coexistence. By their actions they express a deep and perverse hatred, telling the Israelis: "I would rather kill myself than live in peace with you." The Palestinians do have other options: negotiation, nonviolent protest, using their energy to construct a viable society instead of tearing down that of their neighbors. They choose not to exercise those options.
Why? Because this is not a war against occupation, it is a war against Israel, and this is what Palestinians themselves are saying to those who will listen. Recognizing this is the only way to make sense of their behavior. The resort to terrorism when other options are available makes sense only if the goal is not peace but the wholesale destruction of Israel. This explains the dilemma Israel is now facing: It cannot withdraw with a bilateral agreement, it cannot withdraw unilaterally, and it cannot remain where it is. If Israel stays in the territories there is violence, and if it leaves, there is even more violence.
This leads us to the basic flaw in the logic of those who say that to solve the problems of the Middle East, we must first solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. No solution of that conflict in which Israel still exists will satisfy the Arab side.
At this point some of you are sure to be asking: Is it fair to classify the entire Palestinian population as extremists, or even as terrorists? No, it is not fair. But the question may be moot. If there is a significant faction within the Palestinian community unequivocally repudiating violence against civilians and supporting peaceful coexistence with Israel, it has not found a voice. Instead, when innocent Israelis die, we see thousands of Palestinians cheering in the streets. Indeed, we see much the same thing when innocent Americans die.
Anti-Jewish hatred, borrowing themes from the Protocols of the Elders of Zion to Nazi propaganda, is rife throughout the Arab world. It is as irrational and implacable as anti-Semitism has always been. While Christianity, which gave rise to many of these anti-Semitic themes, has largely been outgrowing them, Arab culture has been adopting them, with a mentality harking back to the Middle Ages - the same medieval mindset that wishes to destroy Western civilization and replace it with the Caliphate. In the Arab world the Jews play the same role they played in medieval Christendom: the incarnation of evil itself and the source of every plague. And so the Arab world holds onto the hope that liquidating Israel will solve all its problems. (If this statement sounds exaggerated, just read the Arab press, or listen to a Friday sermon - you can find examples elsewhere on this web site, as well as in many other sources.)
If Israel goes, the terrorist threat we are facing now will only intensify. Israel is the front line of resistance against radical Islamic terrorism. If Israel is destroyed, all of Palestine will become a base for this corrosive ideology, which will not suddenly be satiated.
The terrorists themselves have revealed their program, which goes far beyond eliminating Israel. Halevi (2) has compiled several direct quotations from the speeches and writings of Islamic extremists detailing their goals. These include the violent overthrow of Muslim governments that are not sufficiently Islamic. Iraq would have been on their list, as are Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Al Qaeda terrorists have already twice attempted the assassination of Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf. The reclamation of Europe would be next. The Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, spiritual authority for the worldwide Muslim Brotherhood, wrote that "Islam will return once more to Europe as a conqueror and as a victorious power."
The grand prize, of course, is America. Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin once announced that the goal of jihad is to "bring Islam to a dominant global position and release it from the hegemony of America and its Zionist allies." And in his book The Foundations of the Legality of the Destruction that Befell America the prominent Saudi scholar Abd al-Aziz al-Jarbou calls America "the source of evil," a mortal enemy of Islam that "spreads abomination and corruption in the world." "Even Satan does not behave like America does," he writes, calling for all-out war against the United States.
These extremists will not be appeased by the disappearance of Israel, but only emboldened. That has always been the pattern: when the Soviet Union fell, the mujahedin took credit, Al Qaeda emerged, and they became far more daring. If Israel goes, then all of Palestine will become another base in which this radical ideology will thrive. Israel is fighting our war. It is not a war of our choosing, anymore than it is a war of Israel's choosing. But still we are involved. This is why support of Israel is crucial and in our own best interest. Islamic extremists would love to divide Israel and America, since that would make easier their war against both.
We cannot buy peace by sacrificing Israel. This is what Islamic extremists are telling us, if we respect them enough to take seriously what they write and what they say: their agenda does not end with Israel. Israel's presence in the region is a check on Islamic radicalism. In America we need a broader and deeper sense of history, to understand the currents that began to form even before America became a nation. No commission set up to discover the causes of 9/11 will find the true story if it examines only the preceding eight months.
Finally, Europe must confront its long legacy of anti-Semitism, to recognize that there really is a threat waiting on its doorstep, and that this threat is not Israel.
(1) "Arafat rejects Sharon's 'disengagement plan'." Arabic News, January 13, 2004.
(2) Halevi, Jonathan D. "Al-Qaeda's Intellectual Legacy: New Radical Islamic Thinking Justifying the Genocide of Infidels." Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, December 2003.
(3) Ingrams, Richard. "Who Will Dare Damn Israel?" Observer,September 16, 2001.
(4) "The Observer: Why the Israeli Element in the Attacks in America is Ignored." Arabic News, September 17, 2001.
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
Peace with Realism


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text: Home > News > Samsung Unveils The Galaxy S4 Mini. Samsung Unveils The Galaxy S4 Mini. Today Samsung set aside all the rumors afloat around the upcoming smartphone the Galaxy S IV mini, By making it official and making almost all of the rumors true. The smartphone has a 4.3"-inch qHD SuperAMOLED display, The device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.7 GHz dual core processor, With 1.5 GB of RAM and 8 GB of built-in storage which is expandable via microSD card. There will be two variants one with LTE, The other without LTE depending on the market. On the back there is a 8 MP snapper and on the front there is a 1.9 MP camera for video calls, All this running on 4.2.2 Android Jelly Bean, With Samsung Touch Wiz Nature UX. The smartphone will be available in two colors White Frost and Black Mist. The phone will probably get released on June 20th in London where Samsung is hosting an event. Source News Posted by Bilal Ikram at 14:25 Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook


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Expert Tips
Explore Naples
Neighborhood Spotlight
Once a community of tomato farmers and fishermen, Bonita Springs has become quite the sophisticate in past years, blending almost seamlessly into North Naples to its south...
Featured Lists
Naples Airport Guide
Things to do in Naples, FL
Get Your Bearings in Naples
Things to See
Of course, as in any coastal Florida city, the beaches are preternaturally beautiful here. But don't neglect the other aspects of nature or things to do, which include preserves, swamps and state parks where you can canoe, kayak or stroll on undeveloped beaches such as Barefoot Preserve Park and visit with tropical animals at the Naples Zoo. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a must for bird and wildlife lovers.
Hot Tips: Like anywhere, rush hour can be a trial.
Where to Stay
Hotels in genteel Naples, located on the southwest coast of Florida, range from budget options to high-end luxury resorts like the Ritz-Carlton, Naples and Edgewater Beach, A Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. With a healthy retirement and snowbird community converging every winter, the lodgings generally cater to guests of every budget. Family-friendly places like the Fairfield Inn and Suites, close to the airport in downtown Naples, abound as do resorts for sports enthusiasts, such as the LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort.
Hot Tips: If you want to visit during the winter, make plans ahead of time as some hotels will sell out during the colder months up north.
Hot Tips: Though prices may rise during season, you can find some lodging for less than $150 per night.
What to Eat
World-class restaurants in the main downtown district, most located on or around Fifth Avenue, can satisfy even the pickiest metropolitan visitor. Fare ranges from chops and steaks to local seafood served with American, Southern and Caribbean influences at places like Bay House Restaurant and Kelly's Fish House, two of the most respected entities in the region. The views at many of the dining venues in Naples are also preeminent, overlooking nature preserves and the bay. In short, you can have it all.
Hot Tips: Chain restaurants; there's no need to resort to them.
Hot Tips: Stone crabs, pompano, grouper, red snapper, key lime pie.
Explore Further
Places to Party
If you're going to Naples for a rocking night life rife with all-night raves, you're in the wrong place. The community is a peaceful, restful place. That said, local pubs and taverns are the best places to blend in with residents, and you can usually scout out a band or two playing in a bar nearby. Venues including the Philharmonic Center for the Arts provide more sophisticated entertainment in the evenings.
Hot Tips: Except for select venues, Naples tends to close down on the early side.
Explore Further
Where to Shop
Outlet mall shopping is one of the biggest pastimes in Naples, and residents and tourists alike head to sprawling complexes like Miromar Outlets and Naples Outlet Center to take advantage of terrific deals. For more artful shopping, Olde Naples--comprising 5th Avenue and 3rd Street South--offers clothing and artisanal boutiques. In addition, The Waterside Shops and The Village on Venetian Bay are forums for fashionable souvenirs, and Bayfront Naples is a bright, upscale assortment of high-end shops and restaurants overlooking the water.
Hot Tips: Coastland Center has the stores you expect to find at any mall across the country.


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(This column was contributed by Kim Sang-soon, the President of East Asia Peace Research Association and an expert in international relations.)
As expected, North Korea, which had been silent on our government proposal on for military talks and Red Cross talks on the reunion of separated families launched the second test launch of its Hwasong-14 ballistic missile on July 28.
It's meant to induce a confrontation between China and Russia on one side and an alliance of South Korea, the US, Japan on the other side and also to spur cooperation involving North Korea, China and Russia. North Korea is presumed to have picked a day between the so-called "Day of Victory" (July 27th) and a Chinese military parade.
North Korea appeared to have found a good chance to take advantage of US sanctions against Russia and China's first military parade, and as intended, Sino-South Korean relations were strained further and relations between the US, China and Russia get soured.
◆ The turning point for North Korea policy must be implemented into actual action.
Unlike the previous government, President Moon Jae-in ordered a strong show of power at the National Security Council (NSC) plenary session that came one hour and 19 minutes after North Korea's ballistic missile launch.
Such measures have three important implications. First, they pursue the "practical" deterrence of a future US-Korean alliance. Second, they are pursuing the independent deterrence of South Korean troops. Third, the Moon government showed conservative groups at home and in the United States its willingness to deter North Korea.
In particular, I believe that the third one will play an important role at home and abroad in dealing with North Korea and the United States. Is it too much for me to think this measure could lead to a new turning point for South Korea's policy toward North Korea from July 29?
◆ The meaning of President Moon's swift military action and policy change
I interpret this in four meanings. First, it has raised the 'external bargaining power' for North Korea and neighboring countries that is seen essential for 'independent defense' and 'protection of sovereignty'.
Second, I believe the 'strategic burble (critical) point' has been set over North Korea's constant provocations. In order to prevent South Korea from being taken hostage by North Korean nuclear weapons, we should work with the US to hasten the establishment of a 'critical point' for the North Korean nuclear issue.
Third, North Korea and neighboring countries were informed of our policy shift from a 'defensive and political' response to an 'aggressive and military' response. From now, realistic military measures will be used instead of customary remarks and responses in the past.
Fourth, it means the start of strong pressure for dialogue through 'practical and military' action and manifests an important pattern change that there will be no more passive attitude or proposal for dialogue, but an aggressive initiative.
To summarize, it is of great significance that President Moon Jae-in has changed his policy toward North Korea. Unlike in the early days of his administration calling for a 'political proposal for dialogue', it is seeking 'demand for dialogue' or 'forced dialogue' through 'military pressure'. And this 'pressure for dialogue' strategy will also be applied to neighboring countries.
◆ It is important to set the 'strategic critical point' for survival
Dividing the stages of the 'strategic critical point' and its detailed contents should be kept secret strictly except for a very small number of people in the United States and South Korea. Moreover, South Korea should strictly manage and control its own 'strategic critical point'.
There has been an argument that it's more efficient to maintain ambiguity in connection with my proposal for the establishment of the critical point. However, I emphasize again that this 'critical point' (red line) requires a distinction between the 'Korea-US alliance' and the independent one along with phased setting.
First, it is important for North Korea and neighboring countries to know that South Korea and the US manage the 'strategic critical point' in secret. Secondly, this can be one of the important measures for enhancing the 'bargaining power' that I have emphasized since last year. The third and more important reason is that it's time to have 'courage' to take gradual steps and make all preparations in advance in order not to become a hostage of the North's nuclear program.


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Halifax based MSL Property Care Services Limited secured a victory at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, at the gala presentation for The Top 50 Companies for Customer Service Awards.
The company was awarded first place in the service provider sector and third place overall across all sectors and media channels.
As part of the presentation evening guests took the opportunity to take a tour of the Old Trafford museum and stadium.
Jeremy Harrison, managing director, said: "We are absolutely delighted with our achievement and it is recognition of the high level of performance by our help desk team to our customers.
"We invest in our people to ensure they are knowledgeable of their customers businesses and maintenance issues."


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[News & Events index]
Trademark is featured at Homerama 2011Sep 15th, 2011
Trademark Universal Stone did work in the 2011 Homerama that took place in Norton Commons subdivision. Trademark featured granite and stone work in homes built by Lancaster Homes. The President of Lancaster homes praised Trademark Universal Stone by saying, "No matter what kind of granite, stone or concrete design we present to them they are always able to translate our plans into reality. Their experience makes them a valuable asset when we need thoughtful and creative ideas to problems."


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NI Budget: Wilson statement provokes angry exchanges
There have been angry exchanges at the Assembly following the finance minister's statement on the final budget.
Sammy Wilson revised his figures to provide millions in extra funding for health and other departments including education and employment and learning.
SDLP and UUP ministers are refusing to say if they will back the plan at the final assembly vote later this month.
Mr Wilson said their current opposition was for "cynical political purposes".
He told the Assembly that the budget had found an extra £450m for key services compared to the draft published before Christmas.
He said this amounted to a significant boost to key services and hit out at the UUP and SDLP for not backing the plan at an executive meeting on Thursday evening.
It is understood an extra £120m has been allocated to health over the next four years, and £150m extra to education.
The Employment and Learning department, which is responsible for higher education, is due to get an extra £50m.
Regional Development is getting an extra £107m but Social Development, which is run by SDLP minister Alex Attwood, is being cut by £70m.
In an apparent reference to the extra cash he has allocated to the Ulster Unionist-controlled departments of health and employment and learning, Mr Wilson told MLAs that "some ministers could simply not take yes for an answer."
And referring to the UUP's links with the Conservatives, Mr Wilson said those who advocated cuts to the NI block grant had complained the loudest about the settlement those cuts had produced.
UUP finance spokesperson David McNarry said the extra money was welcome "but it is still very worrying how he (Sammy Wilson) missed it in the first place".
The budget package will not be put to a formal vote until next week.
It is intended to save a cumulative £4bn by the end of 2014-15.
Some of the exchanges across the executive table on Thursday night were said to be "ill-tempered and brutally frank" and gave an idea of how the battle lines in the Assembly chamber will be drawn.
The finance minister said that the new £450m was available partly because the Land and Property Service has improved its efficiency in gathering the rates.
Senior executive sources claimed the new cash takes the total of additional revenue generated under the budget to more than £1bn.


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Damnation Festival
Categories in this section
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Damnation Festival 2014: Bolt Thrower To Headline 10th Anniversary Edition Of Legendary Festival"
On the 11th of November Leeds University Union will play host once again to the UK's premier indoor Metal festival, Damnation Festival. Damnation festival is upon us and this time it's the 10th anniversary! From the humble beginnings at Jilly's Rockworld in Manchester to the altogether grander surroundings of Leeds University Union, Damnation has gone […]
Damnation Festival 2013 Review"
Last weekend Leeds played host to the latest edition of the UKs premier one-day metal festival, aka Damnation. Louder Than War, naturally, were present in the form of Andy Santiago. Check out his review below.
Damnation Festival Preview"
It's nearly that time of the year again when Leeds is graced by, without doubt, the finest one day metal festival in the country, Damnation Festival.


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TOKYO (CBS.MW) -- Telecommunications and information-technology stocks paced the Tokyo stock market's decline Thursday, as many saw Wall Street's waffle as a cue to bail out for profit. And with the Bank of Japan's closely watched quarterly "tankan" survey of business sentiment due Monday, investors were cautious about building new positions.
The Nikkei 225 Average went negative right from the start but managed to trim losses, closing down 140.48 points, or 0.76 percent at 18,260.72.
Trading elsewhere in the region was mixed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up nearly two percent at 16,305 on strong bank and property shares. Australia added 27.80 points, or 0.9 percent, to end at 3136.60. But key indexes in Taiwan and South Korea were lower.
The dollar was stable against Japan's currency, trading just above 103 yen from 102.95-98 yen at the open.
Some traders said concerns over the year-2000 computer bug accelerated the urge to take profits on high technology shares in Tokyo, but most saw the subdued action in line with the U.S. Nasdaq market's 0.84-point dip to 3,586.08.
The hot shares of mobile-phone giant NTT DoCoMo nmcny shed 80,000 yen to 3.41 million.
And while Sanyo Electric sanyy gained 14 yen to 424 on news it'll develop technology for downloading and distributing music via cellular phones, its partners in that plan -- Fujitsu Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. -- both fell.
Fujitsu FJTSY, +1.43% eased 10 yen to 3750, while Hitachi HIT, +0.00% slumped 27 yen to 1378.
Japan Tobacco choked on tax-related news. Shares lost 51,000 yen, or 5.8 percent, to 830,000 -- after tumbling briefly by JT's daily limit of 100,000 yen. One proposal from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief called for upping the cigarette tax by nine yen (eight cents).
Japan Tobacco's president and CEO issued a statement saying a tax increase would "damage all those involved in the industry throughout Japan."
World markets Wednesday
Bank stocks rallied Mexico's bourse to its highest level in four weeks on hopes that the government will approve bankruptcy laws seen boosting lending.
The Bolsa advanced over 4 percent after the country's upper house of its legislature approved on Tuesday a bill to make it easier for banks to seize collateral on bad loans. The lower house of the Mexican congress will vote next on the bill, setting the stage for approval in the next few days.
Stocks traded in the U.S. fell Wednesday as technology issues paused after recent meaty gains and only a select number of big-name issues enjoyed gains.
European stocks declined Wednesday as profit taking took over after recent strong gains. In the U.K., attention moved to the Bank of England, whose monthly meeting to set interest rates concludes Thursday.
U.S. markets Wednesday
The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +1.74% shed 38 points, or 0.3 percent, to 11,068.
The Nasdaq Composite $compq fell 0.82 point to 3,586. The tech-packed gauge is up 7.4 percent since the start of the month following gains of 12.5 percent in November. "The Nasdaq has by far been the king," Blough said. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index SPX, +1.09% lost 0.4 percent while the Russell 2000 Index RUT, +1.56% of small-capitalization stocks rose 0.7 percent.
Government issues lost ground Wednesday as buyers took a break after three straight sessions of gains.
The 30-year bond fell 5/32 to yield TYX, -0.33% 6.219 percent. The 10-year declined 6/32 to yield TNX, +0.34% 6.132 percent. The 5-year lost 3/32 to yield 6.044 percent. The 2-year shed 1/32 to yield 5.958 percent. The discount rate on the 52-week bill was up 2 basis points at 5.40 percent. In the futures pit, the March T-bond contract fell 7/32 to 93-27.
Americas' markets and closing prices Wednesday
Argentina's Merval rose 1.160 points, or 0.20 percent, to 554.760; Brazil's Bovespagained 110 points, or 0.77 percent, to 14,410; Chile's IPSA lost 1.04 points, or 0.76 percent to 137.29; Mexico's IPC soared 266.98 points, or 4.17 percent, to 6664.82; Peru's Lima General lost 3.09 points, or 0.17 percent, to 1803.62; Venezuela's IBC fell 50.71 points, or 0.97 percent, to 5185.90. Canada's TSE 300 Composite dropped 68.95 points, or 0.87 percent, to 7820.10.
Dollar gains
In the currency markets, the dollar fell against the yen, down 0.6 percent to 102.89 yen, and added 0.1 percent against the euro. The euro was buying $1.0280. Sterling rose 0.1percent to $1.6279. See currencies. For commodities, see current commodity prices.
Germany's October industrial production rose 1.7 percent month-on-month and 0.9 percent year-on-year. Analysts had expected rises of 1.4 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
European stocks slide on profit taking
In London, the FTSE 100descended 41.5 points to close at 6,619.3, while the Frankfurt Xetra DAX lost 43.19 points to end at 6,115.58. In Paris, the CAC 40fell 47.39 points to 5,487.12.
The London Techmark 100 index of small- to medium-sized technology and high-growth stocks gained 20.7 points to 3,381.94. For London stocks see most active, and for other bourses see world indexes.
In London, the Bank of England's monetary policy committee sat down to its monthly two-day meeting. Although most observers expect the U.K. base interest rate to be left at 5.5 percent, there is still some anxiety ahead of the decision.
"There's a fair bit of profit taking and there's the monetary policy meeting, although the markets aren't expecting a rate hike at this stage," said Khuram Chaudhry, U.K. equity strategist at Merrill Lynch's London office.
Chaudhry said Merrill Lynch isn't expecting any interest rate change this week, but forecasts that U.K. rates will rise to 6 percent during the first quarter of 2000.
In Paris and Frankfurt, the blue chip indexes were also lower. The Paris CAC 40 hit record highs on both Monday and Tuesday, and Frankfurt's DAX got close to its all-time high levels Tuesday, which were set back in July 1998. The DAX has gained some 20 percent over the past eight weeks.
France Telecom takes a hit
One of the biggest blue chip losers in Europe was France Telecom SA FTE, +2.99% The stock sank 7.5 euros, or 6 percent, to 117.5 after the Financial Times reported that BellSouth BEL, -0.16% of the U.S. may block the French giant's $9.3 billion (9.1 billion euros) bid for control of Germany's third-largest cellular phone operator, E-Plus. See World Press Briefing.
Descending in Frankfurt was Mannesmann AG, the telecom and engineering group, which is the subject of a hostile takeover bid from Vodafone AirTouch PLC VOD, +1.78% the world's biggest cellular phone operator.
Mannesmann declined 8.94 euros, or 3.73 percent, to 231.05. The German group held a news conference in Dusseldorf Wednesday and as expected, reiterated its desire to remain independent and again said that Vodafone's bid undervalues Mannesmann. . Over in London, Vodafone sank 15.75 pence, or 4.8 percent, to 311.
Heading in the opposite direction was the British brewer Bass PLC. Bass BAS, +0.80% posted a 4.8 percent rise in pre-tax profit for the year to Sept. 30 of $1.1 billion (682 million pounds). Earnings per share rose 8.5 percent to 62.3 pence. See full story.
Bass stock added 5 pence to 702.5. "The Bass results were at the top end of analysts' expectations," said Merrill's Chaudhry.
Crude oil spill
Helping pull the British and French blue chip indexes lower were drops in heavily weighted oil stocks. Many oil stocks followed the price of crude oil lower. In London trading, Brent crude oil for February delivery shed 39 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $25.01 per barrel. For more on oil, see futures movers.
In London, Shell Transport & Trading Ltd PLC SC, +1.43% lost 11.5 pence, or 2.5 percent, to 445.5, while in Paris TotalFina SA TOT, +1.66% fell 3.3 euros, or 2.6 percent, to 123.6.
Up in Stockholm, Ericsson AB ericy the telecom equipment maker, surged 59.5 krona, or 12.2 percent, to 549. Ericsson said it is launching a joint venture with Microsoft Corp. MSFT, +1.23% to market and deliver mobile e-mail products and services to network operators. See full story.
Tokyo stocks dip; Dollar recovers
Share prices in Tokyo slipped Wednesday,dragged down by high-tech and telecommunication issues hit by profit taking after a recent rise.
The benchmark Nikkei index shed 192.76 points, or 1.04 percent, to end the session at 18,401.20. Uncertainty regarding the dollar-yen direction also put investors in a bearish mood.
In the currency market, the dollar bought 102.63 yen, slightly adding from 102.39 yen in New York late Tuesday. The greenback lost as much as 1 percent yesterday in New York on investors' continuous yen-buying interest.
Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said in the morning that Japan is ready to take action to stem yen's continuous strengths.
"A strengthening in the yen at too early a stage could cause various problems, so if there are disruptive moves, we will respond to it," Miyazawa said in parliamentary testimony.
Miyazawa's remarks, however, reflected optimism about the Japanese economy and increased buying of Japanese stocks by foreign investors.
Japanese officials have said the rapid surge in the yen's value will make the country's exports too expensive overseas, hampering Japan's budding recovery from its worst economic slowdown in decades.
In Japan, high-tech issues fell. Hitachi HIT, +0.00% lost 12 yen to 1,405 and Sony " fell 240 yen, or 1.3 percent, to 18,540. Toshiba TOSBF, -1.13% was down 2 yen to 815.
Fujitsu FJTSY, +1.43% however, rose 20 yen to 3,760.
NEC nipny added 10 yen to 2,365. The company confirmed that it has sealed a contract to lease semiconductor-fabrication equipment from U.S. company Comdisco Inc. in a bid to minimize its capital investment burden and to improve profitability. See full story
Carmakers slipped. Nissan shares nisay dropped 22 yen to 504 and Toyota TM, +1.59% shed 40 yen to 3480. Shares in Honda HMC, +0.18% were down 80 yen to 4,130.
The information sector was mixed. NTT NTT, -1.15% shed 30,000 yen to 1,710,000. NTT Data dropped 40,000 yen to 2,220,000 yen. The long distance carrier KDD was down 410 yen to 12,570. But NTT DoCoMo nmcny managed to add 40,000 yen to 3,490,000
Nippon Steel edged down 8 yen to 256 and Kobe steel slipped 3 yen to 75. NKK lost 1 yen to 77.
The banking sector closed lower. Shares in Fuji Bank lost 42 yen to 1,231. Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank slipped 18 yen to 1217. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi MBK, -2.37% was down 3 yen to 1,486.
In elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped 157.75 points, or 0.98 percent, to 15915.34. South Korea's key index dropped 11.60 points, or 1.16 percent, to 988.32. Australia's All Ordinaries index was flat at 3108.80 point.


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