Arizona man says he beheaded wife 'to get the evil out': Police - Times of India: "An Arizona man who admitted to decapitating his wife and her two dogs in a bloody incident last month in Phoenix told authorities he was attempting "to get the evil out" of her, according to court documents released on Monday.
Kenneth Dale Wakefield, 43, also told police that he had smoked marijuana and the designer drug Spice about an hour before the gruesome killings in a Phoenix apartment on the morning of July 25, the documents showed."
'via Blog this'
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Rape Club: Japan's most controversial college society - YouTube
Rape Club: Japan's most controversial college society - YouTube: "Uploaded on Jan 21, 2008
Rape Club, 2004: Japan's attitude towards women is under the spotlight following revelations that students at an elite university ran a 'rape club' dedicated to planning gang rapes.
"
'via Blog this'
Rape Club, 2004: Japan's attitude towards women is under the spotlight following revelations that students at an elite university ran a 'rape club' dedicated to planning gang rapes.
"
'via Blog this'
Hindu Woman Doctor Goes on Uber Rampage in Florida, Suspended by Hospital | saboteur365
Hindu Woman Doctor Goes on Uber Rampage in Florida, Suspended by Hospital | saboteur365: "Anjali probably received subsidized medical training courtesy of the white American taxpayer. Do you really want this nasty chick examining your privates and prescribing your medicine?
She belongs in a Dell call center in Mumbai, not on the streets of America, cursing out people."
'via Blog this'
She belongs in a Dell call center in Mumbai, not on the streets of America, cursing out people."
'via Blog this'
Friday, January 29, 2016
The California Town Where Chinese Millionaires House their Kids—and Mistresses - YouTube
The California Town Where Chinese Millionaires House their Kids—and Mistresses - YouTube: "Published on Dec 5, 2014
The town of Arcadia California has gained the nickname "the Chinese Beverly Hills". Peggy Fong Chen, who makes a living selling high priced real estate in Arcadia, says that almost all of her buyers are from mainland China. She also pointed out that almost all of her clients pay for their multi million dollar homes in cash. Many Chinese billionaires buy these homes along with exotic cars for their children who are often sent to American colleges. Others use these mansions for the less wholesome purpose of housing their mistresses. Whatever their reasons may be the Chinese elite are buying up American real estate to the tune of $22 billion last year alone."
'via Blog this'
The town of Arcadia California has gained the nickname "the Chinese Beverly Hills". Peggy Fong Chen, who makes a living selling high priced real estate in Arcadia, says that almost all of her buyers are from mainland China. She also pointed out that almost all of her clients pay for their multi million dollar homes in cash. Many Chinese billionaires buy these homes along with exotic cars for their children who are often sent to American colleges. Others use these mansions for the less wholesome purpose of housing their mistresses. Whatever their reasons may be the Chinese elite are buying up American real estate to the tune of $22 billion last year alone."
'via Blog this'
Google parent Alphabet may soon top Apple's market value - Yahoo Finance
Google parent Alphabet may soon top Apple's market value - Yahoo Finance: "SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- As the digital advertising market booms and demand for smartphones wanes, Alphabet Inc. could soon dethrone Apple as the world's most valuable company.
If it happens, Alphabet will move to the head of the class just five months after Google reorganized itself under the holding company.
The Silicon Valley rivals could trade places as early as Friday, given how rapidly the financial gap between them is narrowing. At the end of trading on Thursday, Apple's market value stood at $522 billion; Alphabet was worth $515 billion.
That's a dramatic swing from where things stood just 13 months ago. Apple then boasted a market value of $643 billion, almost twice Google Inc.'s $361 billion.
Since then, investors have soured on Apple Inc. The company has struggled to come up with another trend-setting product amid slumping sales of its most important device — the nearly 9-year-old iPhone, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of Apple's overall sales."
'via Blog this'
If it happens, Alphabet will move to the head of the class just five months after Google reorganized itself under the holding company.
The Silicon Valley rivals could trade places as early as Friday, given how rapidly the financial gap between them is narrowing. At the end of trading on Thursday, Apple's market value stood at $522 billion; Alphabet was worth $515 billion.
That's a dramatic swing from where things stood just 13 months ago. Apple then boasted a market value of $643 billion, almost twice Google Inc.'s $361 billion.
Since then, investors have soured on Apple Inc. The company has struggled to come up with another trend-setting product amid slumping sales of its most important device — the nearly 9-year-old iPhone, which accounts for roughly two-thirds of Apple's overall sales."
'via Blog this'
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Shudders — Greater Fool – Authored by Garth Turner – The Troubled Future of Real Estate
Book and Weblog – Authored by Garth Turner — Greater Fool – Authored by Garth Turner – The Troubled Future of Real Estate: "This is the work of analyst Andy Yan who illustrates an incredible fact: in less than a year the number of homes assessed at $1 million or more in Vancouver has increased from 65% to an historic 91%. More arresting, these numbers are six months old, and prices rose another 4-5% since then.
Says Yan: “The low cost of borrowing over the last decade, the effect of global capital entering the residential market, a growing city population, speculative purchase behavior, a cultural and financial predisposition to home ownership versus renting and generational wealth transfer have all shaped the values of residential property.” "
'via Blog this'
Says Yan: “The low cost of borrowing over the last decade, the effect of global capital entering the residential market, a growing city population, speculative purchase behavior, a cultural and financial predisposition to home ownership versus renting and generational wealth transfer have all shaped the values of residential property.” "
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States - Yahoo Finance
The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States - Yahoo Finance: "One wealthy Turkish family is using Rothschild’s trust company to move assets from the Bahamas into the U.S., he said. Another Rothschild client, a family from Asia, is moving assets from Bermuda into Nevada. He said customers are often international families with offspring in the U.S."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States - Yahoo Finance
The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States - Yahoo Finance: "Some are calling it the new Switzerland.
After years of lambasting other countries for helping rich Americans hide their money offshore, the U.S. is emerging as a leading tax and secrecy haven for rich foreigners. By resisting new global disclosure standards, the U.S. is creating a hot new market, becoming the go-to place to stash foreign wealth. Everyone from London lawyers to Swiss trust companies is getting in on the act, helping the world’s rich move accounts from places like the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands to Nevada, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
“How ironic—no, how perverse—that the USA, which has been so sanctimonious in its condemnation of Swiss banks, has become the banking secrecy jurisdiction du jour,” wrote Peter A. Cotorceanu, a lawyer at Anaford AG, a Zurich law firm, in a recent legal journal. “That ‘giant sucking sound’ you hear? It is the sound of money rushing to the USA.”
More from Bloomberg.com: Wal-Mart: It Came, It Conquered, Now It's Packing Up and Leaving
Rothschild, the centuries-old European financial institution, has opened a trust company in Reno, Nev., a few blocks from the Harrah’s and Eldorado casinos. It is now moving the fortunes of wealthy foreign clients out of offshore havens such as Bermuda, subject to the new international disclosure requirements, and into Rothschild-run trusts in Nevada, which are exempt.
The U.S. “is effectively the biggest tax haven in the world” —Andrew Penney, Rothschild & Co.
The firm says its Reno operation caters to international families attracted to the stability of the U.S. and that customers must prove they comply with their home countries’ tax laws. Its trusts, moreover, have “not been set up with a view to exploiting that the U.S. has not signed up” for international reporting standards, said Rothschild spokeswoman Emma Rees.
More from Bloomberg.com: The Trader Who Made 6,200% on China Stocks Has Some Advice For Investors
Others are also jumping in: Geneva-based Cisa Trust Co. SA, which advises wealthy Latin Americans, is applying to open in Pierre, S.D., to “serve the needs of our foreign clients,” said John J. Ryan Jr., Cisa’s president."
'via Blog this'
After years of lambasting other countries for helping rich Americans hide their money offshore, the U.S. is emerging as a leading tax and secrecy haven for rich foreigners. By resisting new global disclosure standards, the U.S. is creating a hot new market, becoming the go-to place to stash foreign wealth. Everyone from London lawyers to Swiss trust companies is getting in on the act, helping the world’s rich move accounts from places like the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands to Nevada, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
“How ironic—no, how perverse—that the USA, which has been so sanctimonious in its condemnation of Swiss banks, has become the banking secrecy jurisdiction du jour,” wrote Peter A. Cotorceanu, a lawyer at Anaford AG, a Zurich law firm, in a recent legal journal. “That ‘giant sucking sound’ you hear? It is the sound of money rushing to the USA.”
More from Bloomberg.com: Wal-Mart: It Came, It Conquered, Now It's Packing Up and Leaving
Rothschild, the centuries-old European financial institution, has opened a trust company in Reno, Nev., a few blocks from the Harrah’s and Eldorado casinos. It is now moving the fortunes of wealthy foreign clients out of offshore havens such as Bermuda, subject to the new international disclosure requirements, and into Rothschild-run trusts in Nevada, which are exempt.
The U.S. “is effectively the biggest tax haven in the world” —Andrew Penney, Rothschild & Co.
The firm says its Reno operation caters to international families attracted to the stability of the U.S. and that customers must prove they comply with their home countries’ tax laws. Its trusts, moreover, have “not been set up with a view to exploiting that the U.S. has not signed up” for international reporting standards, said Rothschild spokeswoman Emma Rees.
More from Bloomberg.com: The Trader Who Made 6,200% on China Stocks Has Some Advice For Investors
Others are also jumping in: Geneva-based Cisa Trust Co. SA, which advises wealthy Latin Americans, is applying to open in Pierre, S.D., to “serve the needs of our foreign clients,” said John J. Ryan Jr., Cisa’s president."
'via Blog this'
Goldman Sachs's Leissner Moves to Los Angeles, Takes Personal Leave - Bloomberg Business
Goldman Sachs's Leissner Moves to Los Angeles, Takes Personal Leave - Bloomberg Business: "Goldman Sachs’s business in Malaysia. The bank’s dealings with the country’s state-owned investment company, 1Malaysia Development Bhd., drew public scrutiny because of the high fees Goldman was paid.
1MDB Bonds
Three 1MDB bond sales in 2012 and 2013 totaling $6.5 billion yielded fees, commissions and expenses for Goldman Sachs of $593 million, or about 9.1 percent of the money raised, a person familiar with the matter said earlier. 1MDB subsequently became entangled in a political scandal due to its ballooning debts and ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Both the premier and 1MDB have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Leissner was appointed as head of investment banking in Singapore in August 2002 and was made a partner in 2006. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1998 as an executive director in its mergers advisory business.
Goldman Sachs worked on $18.8 billion of Malaysian mergers and acquisitions over the past five years, making it the top foreign adviser with a 20.3 percent market share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The New York firm was ahead of Bank of America Corp., which had a 15.8 percent share, and beat all local rivals except CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. and Malayan Banking Bhd.
The banker was involved in a number of large transactions such as billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan’s 2009 initial public offering of Maxis Bhd., the country’s largest wireless operator. Later that year, Goldman Sachs received a license from Malaysia’s Securities Commission to set up fund management and corporate finance advisory operations in the country."
'via Blog this'
1MDB Bonds
Three 1MDB bond sales in 2012 and 2013 totaling $6.5 billion yielded fees, commissions and expenses for Goldman Sachs of $593 million, or about 9.1 percent of the money raised, a person familiar with the matter said earlier. 1MDB subsequently became entangled in a political scandal due to its ballooning debts and ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Both the premier and 1MDB have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Leissner was appointed as head of investment banking in Singapore in August 2002 and was made a partner in 2006. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1998 as an executive director in its mergers advisory business.
Goldman Sachs worked on $18.8 billion of Malaysian mergers and acquisitions over the past five years, making it the top foreign adviser with a 20.3 percent market share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The New York firm was ahead of Bank of America Corp., which had a 15.8 percent share, and beat all local rivals except CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. and Malayan Banking Bhd.
The banker was involved in a number of large transactions such as billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan’s 2009 initial public offering of Maxis Bhd., the country’s largest wireless operator. Later that year, Goldman Sachs received a license from Malaysia’s Securities Commission to set up fund management and corporate finance advisory operations in the country."
'via Blog this'
Face value: How fertile women spot rivals - Times of India
Face value: How fertile women spot rivals - Times of India: "It is not only animals that rely on physical cues to gauge the fertility of potential rivals for a mate, an unusual study asserted on Wednesday.
Without knowing it, human women seem to be able to recognise others in the most fertile phase of their menstrual cycle, around ovulation, simply by looking at their faces, it said. And intriguingly, this ability was pronounced in women with high levels of oestradiol, a female sex hormone linked to high general fertility.
The findings implied that more fertile women, who are likely to have more children in their lifetime, "are better at guarding their mate from potential adultery," study co-author Janek Lobmaier of the University of Bern told AFP.
The paper was published in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters.
Previous research had shown that men prefer portraits of women taken around the ovulation period over those of the same women in a non-fertile phase.
Few studies, if any, have tested whether women too can discern such cyclical facial differences.
Lobmaier and a team showed pairs of photographs of women -- one taken in the most fertile and one in the least fertile phase of their menstrual cycle -- to over 200 other women, some in an online survey and others in the lab.
Unlike men, women did not find the faces in the portraits more or less attractive depending on when they were photographed, the team found.
Overall, they also did not suspect either version to be more likely to "entice your date away from you", as the question was phrased.
But looking at a subgroup of respondents for whom the team had data on naturally-occurring hormone levels, the team found an interesting trend.
Those who were not ovulating but had high oestradiol levels were more likely to pick the photo of an ovulatory woman as a potential date thief.
"One explanation for our findings might be that ovulatory women (who are currently fertile) pose a greater threat to women with high oestradiol levels (who are currently not fertile but have a high potential fertility)," said Lobmaier.
The study did not test the potential influence of naturally fluctuating oestradiol levels.
Many animals send conspicuous signals to indicate fertility -- using plumage, colouring, scent or a special call.
"In humans, these changes are not obvious, so many researchers have suggested that ovulation is concealed in humans," said Lobmaier.
"But there is accumulating evidence that there are subtle changes in human females that are not obvious, but they can still be detected."
Women are fertile for a relatively short period of their menstrual cycle -- a few days before and the day of ovulation.
As with animals, it is theorised that if men can detect this window, it boosts their ability to spread their genes."
'via Blog this'
Without knowing it, human women seem to be able to recognise others in the most fertile phase of their menstrual cycle, around ovulation, simply by looking at their faces, it said. And intriguingly, this ability was pronounced in women with high levels of oestradiol, a female sex hormone linked to high general fertility.
The findings implied that more fertile women, who are likely to have more children in their lifetime, "are better at guarding their mate from potential adultery," study co-author Janek Lobmaier of the University of Bern told AFP.
The paper was published in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters.
Previous research had shown that men prefer portraits of women taken around the ovulation period over those of the same women in a non-fertile phase.
Few studies, if any, have tested whether women too can discern such cyclical facial differences.
Lobmaier and a team showed pairs of photographs of women -- one taken in the most fertile and one in the least fertile phase of their menstrual cycle -- to over 200 other women, some in an online survey and others in the lab.
Unlike men, women did not find the faces in the portraits more or less attractive depending on when they were photographed, the team found.
Overall, they also did not suspect either version to be more likely to "entice your date away from you", as the question was phrased.
But looking at a subgroup of respondents for whom the team had data on naturally-occurring hormone levels, the team found an interesting trend.
Those who were not ovulating but had high oestradiol levels were more likely to pick the photo of an ovulatory woman as a potential date thief.
"One explanation for our findings might be that ovulatory women (who are currently fertile) pose a greater threat to women with high oestradiol levels (who are currently not fertile but have a high potential fertility)," said Lobmaier.
The study did not test the potential influence of naturally fluctuating oestradiol levels.
Many animals send conspicuous signals to indicate fertility -- using plumage, colouring, scent or a special call.
"In humans, these changes are not obvious, so many researchers have suggested that ovulation is concealed in humans," said Lobmaier.
"But there is accumulating evidence that there are subtle changes in human females that are not obvious, but they can still be detected."
Women are fertile for a relatively short period of their menstrual cycle -- a few days before and the day of ovulation.
As with animals, it is theorised that if men can detect this window, it boosts their ability to spread their genes."
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Chinese investors bet big on India, internet giants pour funds into digital startups - Times of India
Chinese investors bet big on India, internet giants pour funds into digital startups - Times of India: ""Chinese internet companies have recognized the big potential in India's digital startups where there are similarities in learning curves and experiences," Frank Hancock, managing director, advisory, Barclays said. He pointed out that the broader FDI investments have pivoted towards the east with Japan competing with the US and the UK among the top three sources of capital. "In that context, the incremental Chinese private investments are important from a signaling perspective," Hancock said.
A recent Credit Suisse report highlighted that India's internet and e-commerce journey bears close similarity with that of China, with a lag of 8-10 years. "The presence of such investors on the boards of investee companies enables access to insightful market advice and winning business models," said Anup Vikal, CFO, Snapdeal, which has attracted investments from Alibaba, Taiwan's Foxconn and Japanese telecoms & internet giant Softbank.
Besides the strategic investors, Hillhouse Capital, one of the largest China-based investment funds, picked up a stake in online classifieds player Cardekho last year, and took positions in the domestic public markets. More significant, though little known, are the investments by State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), a fully-owned subsidiary of People's Bank of China, in some of India's pedigree large cap stocks. SAFE, entrusted with managing China's estimated $3.5 trillion foreign reserves, started taking positions in Indian public equities at least two quarters back, several top bankers in Mumbai said in recent conversations.
Between January 1, 2015 and January 22 this year, investors from Asia chose 48 Indian startups to provide financial backing. The 22 companies, from countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, participated in funding rounds worth $3.4 billion in this period. Chinese companies Alibaba, Tencent, Ctrip, Didi Kuaidi, Hillhouse Capital and Tybourne (Hong Kong) were significant investors.
Most of China's cash reserves are said to be invested in dollar and euro denominated assets though it has started taking risk exposures in other geographies as well. While Chinese investor interest around Indian internet startups has gathered momentum, it is yet to translate into other sectors which the dragon has eyed for some years now.
Take, for instance, Fosun, arguably, the largest Chinese private conglomerate and the most active overseas acquirer. Fosun -- with interests spanning from pharma to real estate to internet -- started scouting for investments in India more than two years ago but hasn't struck any deals yet.
This is where some bankers forsee "the mutual dislike" between Indian and Chinese businesses, which are rooted in cultural differences and historical prejudices. "Private businesses in the two countries vary vastly, and love to look down upon each other," a senior banker said on condition of anonymity. Then there are whispers about India preferring neutral money from Japan and Canada to build its infrastructure."
'via Blog this'
A recent Credit Suisse report highlighted that India's internet and e-commerce journey bears close similarity with that of China, with a lag of 8-10 years. "The presence of such investors on the boards of investee companies enables access to insightful market advice and winning business models," said Anup Vikal, CFO, Snapdeal, which has attracted investments from Alibaba, Taiwan's Foxconn and Japanese telecoms & internet giant Softbank.
Besides the strategic investors, Hillhouse Capital, one of the largest China-based investment funds, picked up a stake in online classifieds player Cardekho last year, and took positions in the domestic public markets. More significant, though little known, are the investments by State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), a fully-owned subsidiary of People's Bank of China, in some of India's pedigree large cap stocks. SAFE, entrusted with managing China's estimated $3.5 trillion foreign reserves, started taking positions in Indian public equities at least two quarters back, several top bankers in Mumbai said in recent conversations.
Between January 1, 2015 and January 22 this year, investors from Asia chose 48 Indian startups to provide financial backing. The 22 companies, from countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, participated in funding rounds worth $3.4 billion in this period. Chinese companies Alibaba, Tencent, Ctrip, Didi Kuaidi, Hillhouse Capital and Tybourne (Hong Kong) were significant investors.
Most of China's cash reserves are said to be invested in dollar and euro denominated assets though it has started taking risk exposures in other geographies as well. While Chinese investor interest around Indian internet startups has gathered momentum, it is yet to translate into other sectors which the dragon has eyed for some years now.
Take, for instance, Fosun, arguably, the largest Chinese private conglomerate and the most active overseas acquirer. Fosun -- with interests spanning from pharma to real estate to internet -- started scouting for investments in India more than two years ago but hasn't struck any deals yet.
This is where some bankers forsee "the mutual dislike" between Indian and Chinese businesses, which are rooted in cultural differences and historical prejudices. "Private businesses in the two countries vary vastly, and love to look down upon each other," a senior banker said on condition of anonymity. Then there are whispers about India preferring neutral money from Japan and Canada to build its infrastructure."
'via Blog this'
Cops foil women's attempt to storm Shani shrine and end bias - Times of India
Cops foil women's attempt to storm Shani shrine and end bias - Times of India: "SHINGANAPUR (Ahmednagar): With the odds stacked heavily against them, around 500 women activists of advocacy group Bhumata Ranragini Brigade made a determined bid to enter the Shani Shinganapur temple -women are prohibited from worshipping here -but were taken into preventive custody by cops and later released following a written assurance that they would not barge into the shrine.
Calling off the day-long high voltage agitation near Supa village, around 70 km from Ahmednagar, group leader Trupti Desai demanded intervention from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and called for dissolving the temple trust with immediate effect, and sought an end to the alleged gender-bias at the shrine."
'via Blog this'
Calling off the day-long high voltage agitation near Supa village, around 70 km from Ahmednagar, group leader Trupti Desai demanded intervention from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and called for dissolving the temple trust with immediate effect, and sought an end to the alleged gender-bias at the shrine."
'via Blog this'
Monday, January 25, 2016
Arrest those who show off extravagance, say experts | Arab News
Arrest those who show off extravagance, say experts | Arab News: "JEDDAH: Legal experts have urged the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution (BIPP) to issue arrest warrants and take legal action against people who boast about their extravagance on social media.
The experts were reacting to the trend of citizens and residents overspending on food and on social events, and also boasting about the same through video clips, local media reported on Saturday.
“They waste the grace of God given to them, incite partisanship, revive rivalries, encourage wastefulness, break the hearts of the poor, damage the reputation of society and disseminate the culture of boasting and arrogance,” they said, adding that such acts call for prosecution.
A video showed a number of people holding silver pans and pouring Oud perfume for their guest to wash their hands, instead of soap. Another video showed a person taking throwing bundles of currency notes in front of camels as fodder. In another video, a man scattered cardamom on the floor for his guests. Another person was seen in a video putting currency notes in a coffee pot containing hot water, thus damaging the notes and saying that his guest deserves more than this.
Sheik Hamad Al-Razen, a judge in Riyadh General Court, was quoted as saying that extravagance and wastefulness are against the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.
“If a person deliberately intends to show to the public extravagance, he committs two sins — disobeys God and boasts about it.”
Legal action should be taken against such people like arresting referring them him to the specialized court to impose suitable punishments, he added.
Abdullah bin Obaid Al-Nufaiei, associate professor of civil law in Taif University, said: “Our religion teaches us to be moderate, rational and kind without wasting money, food or other things. By showing off their extravagance, these people disobey God.”
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), as a body to keep a tab on public morals, is entitled to pursue these people, arrest them then and then refer them to BIPP.
Ahmad Jamman Al-Malki, lawyer and legal adviser, said: “According to article 3 of the anti-forgery of money law issued in the Royal Decree No 12 dated 20/7/1379, whoever intentionally destroys the currency of the Kingdom or washes it with chemicals or partially destroys, it is punishable by a prison term ranging of three to five years and a fine of SR3,000 to SR10,000 or both.”"
'via Blog this'
The experts were reacting to the trend of citizens and residents overspending on food and on social events, and also boasting about the same through video clips, local media reported on Saturday.
“They waste the grace of God given to them, incite partisanship, revive rivalries, encourage wastefulness, break the hearts of the poor, damage the reputation of society and disseminate the culture of boasting and arrogance,” they said, adding that such acts call for prosecution.
A video showed a number of people holding silver pans and pouring Oud perfume for their guest to wash their hands, instead of soap. Another video showed a person taking throwing bundles of currency notes in front of camels as fodder. In another video, a man scattered cardamom on the floor for his guests. Another person was seen in a video putting currency notes in a coffee pot containing hot water, thus damaging the notes and saying that his guest deserves more than this.
Sheik Hamad Al-Razen, a judge in Riyadh General Court, was quoted as saying that extravagance and wastefulness are against the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.
“If a person deliberately intends to show to the public extravagance, he committs two sins — disobeys God and boasts about it.”
Legal action should be taken against such people like arresting referring them him to the specialized court to impose suitable punishments, he added.
Abdullah bin Obaid Al-Nufaiei, associate professor of civil law in Taif University, said: “Our religion teaches us to be moderate, rational and kind without wasting money, food or other things. By showing off their extravagance, these people disobey God.”
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), as a body to keep a tab on public morals, is entitled to pursue these people, arrest them then and then refer them to BIPP.
Ahmad Jamman Al-Malki, lawyer and legal adviser, said: “According to article 3 of the anti-forgery of money law issued in the Royal Decree No 12 dated 20/7/1379, whoever intentionally destroys the currency of the Kingdom or washes it with chemicals or partially destroys, it is punishable by a prison term ranging of three to five years and a fine of SR3,000 to SR10,000 or both.”"
'via Blog this'
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
US east coast paralyzed by monster snowstorm, 19 reported dead - Times of India
US east coast paralyzed by monster snowstorm, 19 reported dead - Times of India: " A blizzard that has paralyzed much of the US east coast intensified on Saturday, bringing Washington to a standstill and forcing the closure of roads, bridges and tunnels into New York until Sunday morning.
In all, there were at least 19 deaths in several states related to the storm. It ranked No 3 in terms of snowfall accumulation in New York City history with at least 25.1 inches (63.7 cm), and was among Washington's biggest too, the National Weather Service said.
Thirteen people were killed in weather-related car crashes in Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. One person died in Maryland and three in New York City while shoveling snow. Two died of hypothermia in Virginia, officials said."
'via Blog this'
In all, there were at least 19 deaths in several states related to the storm. It ranked No 3 in terms of snowfall accumulation in New York City history with at least 25.1 inches (63.7 cm), and was among Washington's biggest too, the National Weather Service said.
Thirteen people were killed in weather-related car crashes in Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. One person died in Maryland and three in New York City while shoveling snow. Two died of hypothermia in Virginia, officials said."
'via Blog this'
US snowstorm: Massive US blizzard paralyses East Coast - BBC News
US snowstorm: Massive US blizzard paralyses East Coast - BBC News: "More than 50 million people across more than a dozen states have been warned to stay at home as it moves north.
The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday.
At least nine people have been killed and a state of emergency declared in 10 states. Transport services have been cancelled, and homes are without power.
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
Supermarkets ran out of food amid a rush for supplies before the first snowflakes fell on Friday."
'via Blog this'
The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday.
At least nine people have been killed and a state of emergency declared in 10 states. Transport services have been cancelled, and homes are without power.
The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.
Supermarkets ran out of food amid a rush for supplies before the first snowflakes fell on Friday."
'via Blog this'
Food wasted in Makkah enough to feed millions going hungry globally | Arab News
Food wasted in Makkah enough to feed millions going hungry globally | Arab News: "MAKKAH: The food wasted in Makkah could feed 17 percent of hungry children in 18 developing countries, said a press report Friday. There are an estimated 4.8 million
starving children in Africa, Asia and Latin American countries, said Ahmad Al-Matrafi, director general of a charity food project in Makkah.
Al-Matrafi said that food wasted at an average wedding was sufficient to feed at least 250 people. He said that during the mid-year holidays, 24,000 people were fed with food collected at weddings and other social events."
'via Blog this'
starving children in Africa, Asia and Latin American countries, said Ahmad Al-Matrafi, director general of a charity food project in Makkah.
Al-Matrafi said that food wasted at an average wedding was sufficient to feed at least 250 people. He said that during the mid-year holidays, 24,000 people were fed with food collected at weddings and other social events."
'via Blog this'
Friday, January 22, 2016
Snowcalypse: Millions in US east coast brace for monster blizzard
Snowcalypse: Millions in US east coast brace for monster blizzard - Times of India: " A superpower's capital city that was brought to its knees with just an inch of snow midweek is gearing up for what meteorologists are predicting will be a epic winter storm that is expected to dump some 30 inches of snow in parts of the US northeast.
Washington DC is shutting down metro and bus services for the weekend, and airlines are cancelling some 4,000 flights from several east coast airports amid forecast of blizzards and wind gusts reaching up to 73kmph. All area schools are closed starting Friday, and so too, many universities and some government agencies.
READ ALSO:
Canceled flights pile up as major storm threatens eastern US
Residents have been warned to avoid driving starting 1pm on Friday afternoon, when the snow is expected to start coming down, and be prepared for power outages, with adequate stocks of food, water, and other supplies.
The words snowmageddon and snowcalypse were being bandied around aplenty on Thursday as capital area residents, who go into a panic at even couple of inches of snow, stampeded into supermarkets and emptied out the shelves of bread, milk, eggs and other essentials. The storm is expected to affect more than 60 million people stretching from Tennessee to Massachusetts, with the Washington DC area worst hit."
'via Blog this'
Washington DC is shutting down metro and bus services for the weekend, and airlines are cancelling some 4,000 flights from several east coast airports amid forecast of blizzards and wind gusts reaching up to 73kmph. All area schools are closed starting Friday, and so too, many universities and some government agencies.
READ ALSO:
Canceled flights pile up as major storm threatens eastern US
Residents have been warned to avoid driving starting 1pm on Friday afternoon, when the snow is expected to start coming down, and be prepared for power outages, with adequate stocks of food, water, and other supplies.
The words snowmageddon and snowcalypse were being bandied around aplenty on Thursday as capital area residents, who go into a panic at even couple of inches of snow, stampeded into supermarkets and emptied out the shelves of bread, milk, eggs and other essentials. The storm is expected to affect more than 60 million people stretching from Tennessee to Massachusetts, with the Washington DC area worst hit."
'via Blog this'
How Asians men suffer in the west - a detailed list (part 1/2) : AsianMasculinity
How Asians men suffer in the west - a detailed list (part 1/2) : AsianMasculinity: "Why did I write this giant two part post?
I wish to disabuse you of your delusions as an Asian male in the west. I show how you're discriminated against at every level in a game that's rigged against you.
Lots of people will tell you life isn't fair for us. I show you many examples at school, work, love life, justice system, and business.
Most of the examples were taken from the Asian American perspective, but similar problems exist in Australia, UK, (not sure about New Zealand), and to a lesser extent, Canada.
note 1: Remember, this is a post of all the ways we suffer so it's overwhelmingly negative but life isn't THAT bad for us. The vast majority of non-Asians aren't out to there to "neutralize" us, but we are used as coolies 2.0, expendable, disrespected, and we have lost control of our women.
note 2: I use China because there are lots of examples and also, westerners cannot differentiate between Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, Japanese, Korean, etc. We're all chinks/gooks/japs to "Christian" racists.
note 3: I keep bringing "Christian" up because I loathe seeing Asians convert to their religion when we're the ones who are historically the most peaceful and they are one of the most evil. And yes, I know not all "Christians" are evil. Whenever I sarcastically refer to "western superiority", "western values", and "Christian values", white rugged hero™,etc I'm referring to the subset of racist hypocrites who disguise their sick natures with slick branding."
'via Blog this'
I wish to disabuse you of your delusions as an Asian male in the west. I show how you're discriminated against at every level in a game that's rigged against you.
Lots of people will tell you life isn't fair for us. I show you many examples at school, work, love life, justice system, and business.
Most of the examples were taken from the Asian American perspective, but similar problems exist in Australia, UK, (not sure about New Zealand), and to a lesser extent, Canada.
note 1: Remember, this is a post of all the ways we suffer so it's overwhelmingly negative but life isn't THAT bad for us. The vast majority of non-Asians aren't out to there to "neutralize" us, but we are used as coolies 2.0, expendable, disrespected, and we have lost control of our women.
note 2: I use China because there are lots of examples and also, westerners cannot differentiate between Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, Japanese, Korean, etc. We're all chinks/gooks/japs to "Christian" racists.
note 3: I keep bringing "Christian" up because I loathe seeing Asians convert to their religion when we're the ones who are historically the most peaceful and they are one of the most evil. And yes, I know not all "Christians" are evil. Whenever I sarcastically refer to "western superiority", "western values", and "Christian values", white rugged hero™,etc I'm referring to the subset of racist hypocrites who disguise their sick natures with slick branding."
'via Blog this'
First Jews, now Asians | New York Post
First Jews, now Asians | New York Post: "One of the uglier chapters in the history of academe is the way many of our top universities, led by Harvard, adopted de facto quotas on Jews after World War I because of concerns their rising numbers of Jewish would “ruin” their schools.
Today a group called Students for Fair Admissions is suing Harvard, arguing that the folks up in Cambridge are at it again. But this time, they say, the target isn’t Jews but Asians, who are losing out from admissions policies based on race.
Students for Fair Admissions is also suing the University of North Carolina — now in the midst of another scandal involving academic fraud for the benefit of athletes — as well as Harvard. But we’ll concentrate on Harvard here.
The applicant it cites is a first-generation Asian-American who ranked No. 1 in a high-school class of 460, attended a high school ranked in the top 5 percent of US high schools, had perfect 800 scores for his SAT II history and math, was an AP Scholar, National Scholar and the like and captained his varsity tennis team — in addition to other volunteer and extracurricular activities that included helping Chinese students learn English. But he was rejected.
The legal charge is straightforward: Harvard is intentionally discriminating on the basis of race in clear violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The argument is that, in pursuit of “diversity,” Harvard admits less academically qualified students from some racial and ethnic categories at the expense of more qualified applicants from other racial and ethnic groups."
'via Blog this'
Today a group called Students for Fair Admissions is suing Harvard, arguing that the folks up in Cambridge are at it again. But this time, they say, the target isn’t Jews but Asians, who are losing out from admissions policies based on race.
Students for Fair Admissions is also suing the University of North Carolina — now in the midst of another scandal involving academic fraud for the benefit of athletes — as well as Harvard. But we’ll concentrate on Harvard here.
The applicant it cites is a first-generation Asian-American who ranked No. 1 in a high-school class of 460, attended a high school ranked in the top 5 percent of US high schools, had perfect 800 scores for his SAT II history and math, was an AP Scholar, National Scholar and the like and captained his varsity tennis team — in addition to other volunteer and extracurricular activities that included helping Chinese students learn English. But he was rejected.
The legal charge is straightforward: Harvard is intentionally discriminating on the basis of race in clear violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The argument is that, in pursuit of “diversity,” Harvard admits less academically qualified students from some racial and ethnic categories at the expense of more qualified applicants from other racial and ethnic groups."
'via Blog this'
Asian-Caucasians face mental disorder risk - UPI.com
Asian-Caucasians face mental disorder risk - UPI.com: "DAVIS, Calif., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Biracial Asian-Americans are twice as likely as monoracial Asian-Americans to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder, U.S. researchers said.
The University of California, Davis, researchers based their study on information from the 2002 to 2003 National Latino and Asian-American Study. The sample included 125 biracial Asian-Americans in the United States including: 55 Filipino-Caucasians, 33 Chinese-Caucasians, 23 Japanese-Caucasians and 14 Vietnamese-Caucasians.
"Up to 2.4 percent of the U.S. population self-identifies as mixed race, and most of these individuals describe themselves as biracial," Nolan Zane of the University of California, Davis, said in a statement. "We cannot underestimate the importance of understanding the social, psychological and experiential differences that may increase the likelihood of psychological disorders among this fast-growing segment of the population."
Among the biracial individuals in their national survey the researchers found 34 percent had been diagnosed with a psychological disorder -- such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse -- compared to 17 percent of monoracial individuals. The higher rate held up even after the researchers controlled for differences between the groups in age, gender and life stress among other factors."
'via Blog this'
The University of California, Davis, researchers based their study on information from the 2002 to 2003 National Latino and Asian-American Study. The sample included 125 biracial Asian-Americans in the United States including: 55 Filipino-Caucasians, 33 Chinese-Caucasians, 23 Japanese-Caucasians and 14 Vietnamese-Caucasians.
"Up to 2.4 percent of the U.S. population self-identifies as mixed race, and most of these individuals describe themselves as biracial," Nolan Zane of the University of California, Davis, said in a statement. "We cannot underestimate the importance of understanding the social, psychological and experiential differences that may increase the likelihood of psychological disorders among this fast-growing segment of the population."
Among the biracial individuals in their national survey the researchers found 34 percent had been diagnosed with a psychological disorder -- such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse -- compared to 17 percent of monoracial individuals. The higher rate held up even after the researchers controlled for differences between the groups in age, gender and life stress among other factors."
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Wall Street tumbles to 2014 low as oil prices sink - Yahoo Finance
Wall Street tumbles to 2014 low as oil prices sink - Yahoo Finance: "The S&P 500 (.SPX) ended down 1.17 percent at 1,859.33, its lowest close since October 2014. It had fallen as low as 1,812.29.
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) ended 1.56 percent lower at 15,766.74 points.
After a brief late-day rally into positive territory, the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) lost steam and ended down 0.12 percent at 4,471.69.
The CBOE volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's fear gauge, jumped 5.9 percent to 27.59."
'via Blog this'
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) ended 1.56 percent lower at 15,766.74 points.
After a brief late-day rally into positive territory, the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) lost steam and ended down 0.12 percent at 4,471.69.
The CBOE volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's fear gauge, jumped 5.9 percent to 27.59."
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Cramer: Charts show huge sell-off could be coming - Yahoo Finance
Cramer: Charts show huge sell-off could be coming - Yahoo Finance: "Boroden noticed the Fibonacci timing cycles suggest that this could trigger a healthy bounce, and it could happen sometime this week.
However, if the S&P 500 breaks down below the floor of support in the 1,830s, then Boroden believes a brutal sell-off could happen. It could even be similar to the magnitude of what happened in the financial crisis."
'via Blog this'
However, if the S&P 500 breaks down below the floor of support in the 1,830s, then Boroden believes a brutal sell-off could happen. It could even be similar to the magnitude of what happened in the financial crisis."
'via Blog this'
Saturday, January 16, 2016
China's economy grew by around 7 percent in 2015, services made up half of GDP - Premier - Yahoo Finance
China's economy grew by around 7 percent in 2015, services made up half of GDP - Premier - Yahoo Finance: "China's gross domestic product (GDP) totaled more than $10 trillion in 2015 and the economy grew by around 7 percent, with the services sector accounting for half of GDP, Premier Li Keqiang said on Saturday."
'via Blog this'
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Friday, January 15, 2016
After 400 years, Garhwal temple allows entry to Dalits, women - Times of India
After 400 years, Garhwal temple allows entry to Dalits, women - Times of India: "For nearly 400 years, Dalits and women, all in the name of "tradition", had been barred from entering the famous Parsuram temple in Garhwal's Jaunsar Bawar region. All that is set to change now with the management of the Parsuram temple announcing that "everyone will in future be welcome".
"
'via Blog this'
"
'via Blog this'
Why the heck are the markets tanking? - Yahoo Finance
Why the heck are the markets tanking? - Yahoo Finance: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell 537 points at one point on Friday before ending the day off 390. The first 10 trading days of the year saw a loss of over 1,400 points on the Dow, marking the worst two-week start to a year ever. Meanwhile, the broader S&P 500 (^GSPC) index is off almost 8% so far this year, with today's slide bringing the and the Nasdaq (^IXIC) has dropped 10%. Europe’s Stoxx 600 Index (STXX) and China’s Shanghai Composite Index (000001.SS) both entered bear market territory, down 20% off their highs."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Chinese stocks enter bear market - Jan. 15, 2016
Chinese stocks enter bear market - Jan. 15, 2016: "It closed down 3.6% Friday, more than 20% below its recent high in December, the threshold for a bear market."
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Goldman Sees 11% Upside in S&P 500 After an `Emotional' Selloff - Yahoo Finance
Goldman Sees 11% Upside in S&P 500 After an `Emotional' Selloff - Yahoo Finance: "The plunge in U.S. stock markets are an “emotional response” obscuring expansion in both the American economy and corporate profits, said Abby Joseph Cohen, president of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s Global Markets Institute.
The fair value for Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is 2,100, Cohen said. The benchmark last closed above that level on December 1 and has fallen 10 percent since, after turbulence in China’s stocks and currency spurred a global market rout."
'via Blog this'
The fair value for Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is 2,100, Cohen said. The benchmark last closed above that level on December 1 and has fallen 10 percent since, after turbulence in China’s stocks and currency spurred a global market rout."
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Wall Street ends sharply lower; S&P 500 below 1,900 - Yahoo Finance
Wall Street ends sharply lower; S&P 500 below 1,900 - Yahoo Finance: "(Reuters) - U.S. stocks sank on Wednesday, pushing the S&P 500 to end below 1,900 for the first time since September and extending the year's sharp selloff, on nervousness over tumbling oil prices and U.S. earnings.
Stocks started the day higher but sentiment turned negative in afternoon trading as a brief rally in beaten-down oil prices stalled.
All 10 S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, with decliners outpacing advancing issues on the NYSE by a ratio of 7.64 to 1 and by 6.35 to 1 on the Nasdaq.
"We've been in capital preservation mode since the year began and as the market has shown an inability to rally with any conviction, that's only increased the level of nervousness and that seemed to have spilled over today in a very significant way," said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles.
The declines ended a two-day rebound for the S&P 500 and resumed the steep selloff that began at the start of the year amid concerns about a slowdown in China and global growth.
The S&P 500 is now down 11.3 percent from its May 21 closing lifetime high, while the Russell 2000 small-cap index (.RUT) dropped 3.3 percent, putting it in bear market territory. The Russell index is down 22 percent from its June 2015 record close.
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) was down 364.81 points, or 2.21 percent, to 16,151.41, the S&P 500 (.SPX) had lost 48.4 points, or 2.5 percent, to 1,890.28 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) had dropped 159.85 points, or 3.41 percent, to 4,526.07.
The CBOE Volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's favorite gauge of uncertainty, gained 12.2 percent.
The market has put together 10 intraday rallies at the outset of 2016, and every single one has failed to sustain itself."
'via Blog this'
Stocks started the day higher but sentiment turned negative in afternoon trading as a brief rally in beaten-down oil prices stalled.
All 10 S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, with decliners outpacing advancing issues on the NYSE by a ratio of 7.64 to 1 and by 6.35 to 1 on the Nasdaq.
"We've been in capital preservation mode since the year began and as the market has shown an inability to rally with any conviction, that's only increased the level of nervousness and that seemed to have spilled over today in a very significant way," said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles.
The declines ended a two-day rebound for the S&P 500 and resumed the steep selloff that began at the start of the year amid concerns about a slowdown in China and global growth.
The S&P 500 is now down 11.3 percent from its May 21 closing lifetime high, while the Russell 2000 small-cap index (.RUT) dropped 3.3 percent, putting it in bear market territory. The Russell index is down 22 percent from its June 2015 record close.
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) was down 364.81 points, or 2.21 percent, to 16,151.41, the S&P 500 (.SPX) had lost 48.4 points, or 2.5 percent, to 1,890.28 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) had dropped 159.85 points, or 3.41 percent, to 4,526.07.
The CBOE Volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's favorite gauge of uncertainty, gained 12.2 percent.
The market has put together 10 intraday rallies at the outset of 2016, and every single one has failed to sustain itself."
'via Blog this'
Wall St. tumbles to lowest level since September - Yahoo Finance
Wall St. tumbles to lowest level since September - Yahoo Finance: "NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks sank on Wednesday, pushing the S&P 500 below 1,900 for the first time since September and extending the year's sharp selloff, on nervousness over tumbling oil prices and U.S. earnings.
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) fell 364.6 points, or 2.21 percent, to 16,151.62, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 48.38 points, or 2.5 percent, to 1,890.3 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) dropped 159.85 points, or 3.41 percent, to 4,526.07."
'via Blog this'
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) fell 364.6 points, or 2.21 percent, to 16,151.62, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 48.38 points, or 2.5 percent, to 1,890.3 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) dropped 159.85 points, or 3.41 percent, to 4,526.07."
'via Blog this'
Monday, January 11, 2016
GM president: China economy better than you think - Yahoo Finance
GM president: China economy better than you think - Yahoo Finance: "The overall Chinese economy may be slowing, but its consumers are in good shape, as evidenced by last year's strong sales for General Motors (NYSE: GM) in the country, GM President Daniel Ammann said Monday.
"Last year, 2015, we posted another year of record sales in China. Our sales [there] last year were up just over 5 percent ... 3.7 million vehicles," he told CNBC's " Squawk Box " on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show.
Ammann said last year's sales performance underscores that the "real economy" remains in decent shape: "Growth is slower than it had been in the past, but it's still the world's largest market for us. It's still growing."
"The underlying demand seems to be there. Any time you've had an economy as big as China growing as fast as it's been growing, some imbalances will build up in places," he said. "[But] we're getting back to a more maturing kind of growth rate there."
Read More Billionaire Wilbur Ross: I like THIS sinking stock
GM and its Chinese joint venture partners sold 445,227 vehicles December, a 14 percent rise from a year earlier, matching its growth rate for November."
'via Blog this'
"Last year, 2015, we posted another year of record sales in China. Our sales [there] last year were up just over 5 percent ... 3.7 million vehicles," he told CNBC's " Squawk Box " on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show.
Ammann said last year's sales performance underscores that the "real economy" remains in decent shape: "Growth is slower than it had been in the past, but it's still the world's largest market for us. It's still growing."
"The underlying demand seems to be there. Any time you've had an economy as big as China growing as fast as it's been growing, some imbalances will build up in places," he said. "[But] we're getting back to a more maturing kind of growth rate there."
Read More Billionaire Wilbur Ross: I like THIS sinking stock
GM and its Chinese joint venture partners sold 445,227 vehicles December, a 14 percent rise from a year earlier, matching its growth rate for November."
'via Blog this'
Asian stock markets weighed by China markets, slowdown worries, oil
Asian stock markets weighed by China markets, slowdown worries, oil: "Chinese markets extended an already rough start to the year Monday, losing further ground after another sell-off in late afternoon trade that sent mainland indexes down more than 5 percent.
The Shanghai composite tumbled 168 points, or 5.29 percent, to 3,017.99, while the Shenzhen composite plunged 130.61 points, or 6.6 percent, to close at 1,848. In afternoon trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed down 2.7 percent, slipping below the 20,000 threshold for the first time since June 2013."
'via Blog this'
The Shanghai composite tumbled 168 points, or 5.29 percent, to 3,017.99, while the Shenzhen composite plunged 130.61 points, or 6.6 percent, to close at 1,848. In afternoon trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed down 2.7 percent, slipping below the 20,000 threshold for the first time since June 2013."
'via Blog this'
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Donald Trump praises Kim Jong-un for how he 'wipes out' political opponents - Times of India
Donald Trump praises Kim Jong-un for how he 'wipes out' political opponents - Times of India: "US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has praised North Korea's despotic leader Kim Jong-un, saying the way he executes his political opponents shows "he's the boss".
Speaking at a Republican rally in Iowa on Saturday, Trump was met with a silent protest as he repeated his now-familiar assertion that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to enter the US.
But while he continues to denigrate whole swathes of the population for following a religion, the billionaire reserved some praise for North Korea's dictator.
After coming to power when he was 28, Kim cemented his rule through a series of purges, including the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek."
'via Blog this'
Speaking at a Republican rally in Iowa on Saturday, Trump was met with a silent protest as he repeated his now-familiar assertion that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to enter the US.
But while he continues to denigrate whole swathes of the population for following a religion, the billionaire reserved some praise for North Korea's dictator.
After coming to power when he was 28, Kim cemented his rule through a series of purges, including the execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek."
'via Blog this'
Women targeted as hate crime against British Muslims soars by 300% after Paris - Times of India
Women targeted as hate crime against British Muslims soars by 300% after Paris - Times of India: "A report to the Government's working group on anti-Muslim hatred, seen by The Independent, shows a spike in Islamophobic hate crime of more than 300 per cent, to 115, in the week following the killings on November 13 in France.
Most victims of the UK hate crimes were Muslim girls and women aged from 14 to 45 in traditional Islamic dress. The perpetrators were mainly white males aged from 15 to 35.
READ ALSO: French Muslims complain of assaults, ostracism after Paris attacks
The figures were compiled by the Tell Mama helpline, which records incidents of verbal and physical attacks on Muslims and mosques in the UK. They are likely to be a significant underestimate of the total, as many victims are too frightened to contact police or community groups.
The report said a large number of the reported attacks were in public places, including on buses and trains. Thirty-four victims were women wearing the hijab, while eight involved young children.
"The vast and overwhelming majority of the victims are visible Muslim women between the ages of 14-45," the report states. "This is concerning since the cases show that women who wear the hijab are the ones being targeted for general abuse and threats."
'via Blog this'
Most victims of the UK hate crimes were Muslim girls and women aged from 14 to 45 in traditional Islamic dress. The perpetrators were mainly white males aged from 15 to 35.
READ ALSO: French Muslims complain of assaults, ostracism after Paris attacks
The figures were compiled by the Tell Mama helpline, which records incidents of verbal and physical attacks on Muslims and mosques in the UK. They are likely to be a significant underestimate of the total, as many victims are too frightened to contact police or community groups.
The report said a large number of the reported attacks were in public places, including on buses and trains. Thirty-four victims were women wearing the hijab, while eight involved young children.
"The vast and overwhelming majority of the victims are visible Muslim women between the ages of 14-45," the report states. "This is concerning since the cases show that women who wear the hijab are the ones being targeted for general abuse and threats."
'via Blog this'
Friday, January 8, 2016
US STOCKS-Wall St has worst start to year ever - Yahoo Finance
US STOCKS-Wall St has worst start to year ever - Yahoo Finance: "Jan 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed lower on Friday, ending a volatile week with their worst five-day start to a year ever, as sliding oil prices and lingering worries about the global economy offset upbeat U.S. job growth.
Both the Dow and S&P 500 had their worst five-day starts in history, with the Dow falling 6.2 percent for the week and S&P 500 sliding 6 percent. The Nasdaq was down 7.3 percent this week.
All three indexes saw losses accelerating into the close."
'via Blog this'
Both the Dow and S&P 500 had their worst five-day starts in history, with the Dow falling 6.2 percent for the week and S&P 500 sliding 6 percent. The Nasdaq was down 7.3 percent this week.
All three indexes saw losses accelerating into the close."
'via Blog this'
Historic start to a year as Wall Street reels on China woes - Yahoo Finance
Historic start to a year as Wall Street reels on China woes - Yahoo Finance: "NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 and Dow industrials posted their worst 5-day start to a year on record on Friday on continued worries that a slowdown in China could damage the global economy, even as U.S. jobs growth was stronger than expected.
For the day, the Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) fell 167.65 points, or 1.02 percent, to 16,346.45, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 21.06 points, or 1.08 percent, to 1,922.03 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) dropped 45.80 points, or 0.98 percent, to 4,643.63.
The weekly declines on the S&P and Dow, 6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, were the largest for any week going back to September 2011.
Data from S&P Dow Jones Indices showed the 5-day declines for both indexes were the largest on record to mark the start of the year."
'via Blog this'
For the day, the Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) fell 167.65 points, or 1.02 percent, to 16,346.45, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 21.06 points, or 1.08 percent, to 1,922.03 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) dropped 45.80 points, or 0.98 percent, to 4,643.63.
The weekly declines on the S&P and Dow, 6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, were the largest for any week going back to September 2011.
Data from S&P Dow Jones Indices showed the 5-day declines for both indexes were the largest on record to mark the start of the year."
'via Blog this'
Google translated Russia to 'Mordor' in 'automated' error - BBC News
Google translated Russia to 'Mordor' in 'automated' error - BBC News: "Google has fixed a bug in an online tool after it began translating "Russian Federation" to "Mordor".
Mordor is the name of a fictional region nicknamed "Land of Shadow" in JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books.
In addition, "Russians" was translated to "occupiers" and the surname of Sergey Lavrov, the country's Foreign Minister, to "sad little horse".
The errors had been introduced to Google Translate's Ukrainian to Russian service automatically, Google said.
The terms mirror language used by some Ukrainians following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014."
'via Blog this'
Mordor is the name of a fictional region nicknamed "Land of Shadow" in JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books.
In addition, "Russians" was translated to "occupiers" and the surname of Sergey Lavrov, the country's Foreign Minister, to "sad little horse".
The errors had been introduced to Google Translate's Ukrainian to Russian service automatically, Google said.
The terms mirror language used by some Ukrainians following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014."
'via Blog this'
Ford sells 1.1M vehicles in China in 2015, sets new record - Yahoo Finance
Ford sells 1.1M vehicles in China in 2015, sets new record - Yahoo Finance: "NEW YORK (AP) — Ford reported record sales of about 1.1 million vehicles in China last year.
The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker said Friday that its 2015 sales in the country were up 3 percent from the previous year.
It also set a new monthly sales record in December, selling 124,768 vehicles. That's up 27 percent from the prior-year period.
Ford Motor Co.'s passenger car joint venture, Changan Ford Automobile, broke its annual and December sales records. For 2015, the joint venture sold 836,425 vehicles. It's a 7 percent rise from 2014. It sold 96,960 vehicles in December, a 49 percent jump from the year-ago period.
Demand for its new Mondeo gave a boost to Changan's annual and December sales performances, the company said.
Annual sales of sport utility vehicles like the Ecosport, Kuga, Edge, Explorer and Everest rose 13 percent to 274,188 vehicles. December sales of SUVs surged 56 percent to 32,290 vehicles.
Jiangling Motors Corp., Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, reported a 6 percent decline in annual sales and a 12 percent drop in December sales.
On Tuesday when U.S. auto sales were reported, Ford came in as the best-selling individual brand for the sixth straight year, with sales of just over 2.5 million. The company sold 780,354 F-Series trucks in the U.S. in 2015 — more than one every minute — making it the nation's top-selling vehicle."
'via Blog this'
The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker said Friday that its 2015 sales in the country were up 3 percent from the previous year.
It also set a new monthly sales record in December, selling 124,768 vehicles. That's up 27 percent from the prior-year period.
Ford Motor Co.'s passenger car joint venture, Changan Ford Automobile, broke its annual and December sales records. For 2015, the joint venture sold 836,425 vehicles. It's a 7 percent rise from 2014. It sold 96,960 vehicles in December, a 49 percent jump from the year-ago period.
Demand for its new Mondeo gave a boost to Changan's annual and December sales performances, the company said.
Annual sales of sport utility vehicles like the Ecosport, Kuga, Edge, Explorer and Everest rose 13 percent to 274,188 vehicles. December sales of SUVs surged 56 percent to 32,290 vehicles.
Jiangling Motors Corp., Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, reported a 6 percent decline in annual sales and a 12 percent drop in December sales.
On Tuesday when U.S. auto sales were reported, Ford came in as the best-selling individual brand for the sixth straight year, with sales of just over 2.5 million. The company sold 780,354 F-Series trucks in the U.S. in 2015 — more than one every minute — making it the nation's top-selling vehicle."
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Thursday, January 7, 2016
More women are living at home than ever before - Video - Economy
More women are living at home than ever before - Video - Economy: "Not seen since Cary Grant, Kathryn Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart starred in The Philadelphia Story, more women are living with their parents today than in 1940."
'via Blog this'
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Hammered: Wall Street Drops as China Fears Flare | Fox Business
Hammered: Wall Street Drops as China Fears Flare | Fox Business: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 392 points, or 2.32% to 16513. The S&P 500 dropped 47 points, or 2.37% to 1943, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 145 points, or 3.03% to 4689.
All 10 S&P 500 sectors were in negative territory as technology and materials plunged more than 2%. "
'via Blog this'
All 10 S&P 500 sectors were in negative territory as technology and materials plunged more than 2%. "
'via Blog this'
Soros: It's the 2008 crisis all over again - Yahoo Finance
Soros: It's the 2008 crisis all over again - Yahoo Finance: "Billionaire financier George Soros is warning of an impending financial markets crisis as investors around the world were roiled by turmoil in China trade for the second time this week.
Speaking at an economic forum in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, he told an audience that China is struggling to find a new growth model and its currency devaluation is transferring problems to the rest of the world, according to media. He added that a return to rising interest rates was proving difficult for the developing world.
The current environment reminded him of the "crisis we had in 2008," The Sunday Times in Sri Lanka reported on Thursday morning. "China has a major adjustment problem," he added, according to Bloomberg. "I would say it amounts to a crisis."
China's CSI 300 tumbled more than 7 percent in early trade Thursday, again triggering the market's circuit breaker. As well as roiling sentiment across Asia, it also battered European risk assets with the German DAX (^GDAXI) down 3.5 percent at 11 a.m. London time.
U.S. stock index futures also indicated a sharply lower open as investors focused on China's swooning currency and economic slowdown.
China, the biggest economic story of the last 30 years, has soured in the eyes of many analysts. A stock market crash that began in the country last summer has thrown the vast difficulties officials are now facing into sharp relief. A raft of data has disappointed in recent months as the country's leaders refocus the economy on consumption from manufacturing."
'via Blog this'
Speaking at an economic forum in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, he told an audience that China is struggling to find a new growth model and its currency devaluation is transferring problems to the rest of the world, according to media. He added that a return to rising interest rates was proving difficult for the developing world.
The current environment reminded him of the "crisis we had in 2008," The Sunday Times in Sri Lanka reported on Thursday morning. "China has a major adjustment problem," he added, according to Bloomberg. "I would say it amounts to a crisis."
China's CSI 300 tumbled more than 7 percent in early trade Thursday, again triggering the market's circuit breaker. As well as roiling sentiment across Asia, it also battered European risk assets with the German DAX (^GDAXI) down 3.5 percent at 11 a.m. London time.
U.S. stock index futures also indicated a sharply lower open as investors focused on China's swooning currency and economic slowdown.
China, the biggest economic story of the last 30 years, has soured in the eyes of many analysts. A stock market crash that began in the country last summer has thrown the vast difficulties officials are now facing into sharp relief. A raft of data has disappointed in recent months as the country's leaders refocus the economy on consumption from manufacturing."
'via Blog this'
Saut: How long the stock selling stampede may last - Yahoo Finance
Saut: How long the stock selling stampede may last - Yahoo Finance: ""I wish I could have predicted it. But as you know I was calling for a Santa Claus rally and a pretty strong end to [2015]," Saut said on CNBC, referring to his Dec. 15 call on " Squawk Box " for a "rip your face off-type rally." He had accurately predicted the August bottom days before it happened.
Read More Trader warns Fed not to repeat a Depression-era mistake
On Thursday, Saut blamed a "cacophony of exogenous events" for derailing the traditional year-end rally and leading to the worst start to a new year on Wall Street since 2008.
It all began with "the $1.2 trillion options and futures expiration" on quadruple-witching Friday on Dec. 18, Saut said. "That upset the rhythm of the rally. But we gathered our strength and came back the next week. And then you've been hit by this potential war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the Chinese slowdown, and the 'H-bomb' of North Korea."
"The markets look like they're in a free fall right here," he said. "It feels like we're in one of those selling stampedes, and they typically last 17 to 25 sessions. And this would be only session six. I would be more cautious here.""
'via Blog this'
Read More Trader warns Fed not to repeat a Depression-era mistake
On Thursday, Saut blamed a "cacophony of exogenous events" for derailing the traditional year-end rally and leading to the worst start to a new year on Wall Street since 2008.
It all began with "the $1.2 trillion options and futures expiration" on quadruple-witching Friday on Dec. 18, Saut said. "That upset the rhythm of the rally. But we gathered our strength and came back the next week. And then you've been hit by this potential war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the Chinese slowdown, and the 'H-bomb' of North Korea."
"The markets look like they're in a free fall right here," he said. "It feels like we're in one of those selling stampedes, and they typically last 17 to 25 sessions. And this would be only session six. I would be more cautious here.""
'via Blog this'
World could face months of Chinese market aftershocks - Yahoo Finance
World could face months of Chinese market aftershocks - Yahoo Finance: "BEIJING (AP) -- The latest trigger was currency jitters, but Thursday's plunge in Chinese stocks was just one in a series of aftershocks from last year's boom and bust that could shake markets for months to come.
Investor anxiety over economic weakness and a possible glut of unwanted shares flooding the market have complicated Beijing's efforts to withdraw emergency controls imposed after Chinese stock prices collapsed in June.
On Thursday, trading halted for the day after a stock index fell 7 percent a half-hour into the trading day. It was this week's second daylong suspension after a plunge in prices Monday tripped the same "circuit breakers" that were introduced Jan. 1.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index more than doubled between late 2014 and June, then dived 30 percent. Supported by a multibillion-dollar government intervention, the market rose almost 25 percent in the final months of 2015, only to collapse in the new year. That left the main index down 15 percent from its December peak."
'via Blog this'
Investor anxiety over economic weakness and a possible glut of unwanted shares flooding the market have complicated Beijing's efforts to withdraw emergency controls imposed after Chinese stock prices collapsed in June.
On Thursday, trading halted for the day after a stock index fell 7 percent a half-hour into the trading day. It was this week's second daylong suspension after a plunge in prices Monday tripped the same "circuit breakers" that were introduced Jan. 1.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index more than doubled between late 2014 and June, then dived 30 percent. Supported by a multibillion-dollar government intervention, the market rose almost 25 percent in the final months of 2015, only to collapse in the new year. That left the main index down 15 percent from its December peak."
'via Blog this'
China's Defense of the Yuan Is Growing More Costly: Chart - Bloomberg Business
China's Defense of the Yuan Is Growing More Costly: Chart - Bloomberg Business: "The nation’s foreign currency reserves tumbled by a record $108 billion in December as the central bank sold dollars to stem a slide in the currency. That was about four times greater than analysts predicted in a Bloomberg survey, and reduced the stockpile to the lowest level in three years. Despite the intervention, the yuan’s descent has steepened, with the currency falling to a five-year low on Thursday."
'via Blog this'
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Dow futures off triple digits amid China turmoil, oil slide - Yahoo Finance
Dow futures off triple digits amid China turmoil, oil slide - Yahoo Finance: "Dow futures were off about 380 points after earlier falling nearly 450 points, as of 8:42 a.m., ET.
Overnight, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the yuan reference rate at 6.564, its lowest since 2011 and the largest daily change since Aug. 13, according to Reuters. Trading in China was suspended for the second time in a week after a 7 percent stock drop triggered a circuit breaker, with Chinese markets open for less than half an hour in total. "
'via Blog this'
Overnight, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the yuan reference rate at 6.564, its lowest since 2011 and the largest daily change since Aug. 13, according to Reuters. Trading in China was suspended for the second time in a week after a 7 percent stock drop triggered a circuit breaker, with Chinese markets open for less than half an hour in total. "
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
North Korea says it has conducted hydrogen bomb test - CNN.com
North Korea says it has conducted hydrogen bomb test - CNN.com: "Norsar, a Norway-based group that monitors nuclear tests, said Tuesday's quake was comparable in strength with readings from North Korea's most recent plutonium test, in 2013.
Norsar estimated the yield of Tuesday's blast to be less than 10 kilotons, or 10,000 tons of TNT, smaller than those of the atomic weapons used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thermonuclear weapons yields typically are measured in millions of tons of TNT.
Yet no one besides North Korea reported the test. A senior U.S. official told CNN it could take days to get scientific data to determine if there was a test, if it was successful and if it indeed was of a hydrogen bomb.
Mike Chinoy, a fellow at the University of Southern California's U.S.-China Institute, noted that Kim hinted a few weeks ago that his country was working on a hydrogen bomb. But just because Pyongyang talked about and claimed it doesn't make its true. In fact, there's little about North Korea that can be said definitively beyond that is a poor, isolated, mysterious nation that talks a big game but hasn't gone to battle yet."
'via Blog this'
Norsar estimated the yield of Tuesday's blast to be less than 10 kilotons, or 10,000 tons of TNT, smaller than those of the atomic weapons used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thermonuclear weapons yields typically are measured in millions of tons of TNT.
Yet no one besides North Korea reported the test. A senior U.S. official told CNN it could take days to get scientific data to determine if there was a test, if it was successful and if it indeed was of a hydrogen bomb.
Mike Chinoy, a fellow at the University of Southern California's U.S.-China Institute, noted that Kim hinted a few weeks ago that his country was working on a hydrogen bomb. But just because Pyongyang talked about and claimed it doesn't make its true. In fact, there's little about North Korea that can be said definitively beyond that is a poor, isolated, mysterious nation that talks a big game but hasn't gone to battle yet."
'via Blog this'
Book and Weblog – Authored by Garth Turner — Greater Fool – Authored by Garth Turner – The Troubled Future of Real Estate
Book and Weblog – Authored by Garth Turner — Greater Fool – Authored by Garth Turner – The Troubled Future of Real Estate: "Our stock market was among the world’s worst performers. Our currency was at the bottom on the heap. We lost 36,000 jobs in the last report. The economy was in recession. Yikes.
And yet Vancouver detached house prices rose by 24% year/year in December while for 2015 as a whole sales increased 48%. Compare this to an inflation rate of 2%, and wage gains in the area of less than 1.5% – and see what a bubble truly looks like. This is a market riding a wave of debt, facilitated by voracious lenders whose risk is being wiped away by a federal agency called CMHC.
When looking at the number of $3+ million homes selling recently in YVR, Bloomberg had this to say yesterday: “It’s one of the starkest examples of growing imbalances in Canada’s household sector that includes record indebtedness, inflated home valuations and over-investment in condominiums.” The world thinks we’re nuts. We are.
Worse, this mania is being exaggerated, fed and institutionalized by the BC government. The province’s BC Assessment office has become one of the most aggressive real estate-pimping outfits in the country, valuing properties at the extreme leading edge of the market. No wonder. The more housing is worth the greater the potential property tax bill municipalities can collect. And yet, perversely, homeowners (and the sycophantic BC media) cheer every bump higher, since it makes people with big mortgages feel rich.
The latest numbers are stunning. Total assessments for Vancouver jumped almost $100 billion, or 16%, in just one year. East Van (where the poor people huddle around barrels of burning newspapers) rode a 28% rocket higher, beating out the lousy 23% increase on the Westside (where the rich dentists live). Says the assessors, “Increases of 15-25% will be typical for single-family homes in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Tri-Cities, New Westminster and Squamish. Single-family market movement in Whistler, Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast is less dramatic, with typical increases in the zero to 15%. Typical strata residential increases throughout the region will be in the five to 10% range.”
In fact for the entire province, where houses are now worth a collective $1.34 trillion, values soared last year by almost 1% a month. Bizarre. Unsustainable. Dangerous – in a country where the economy expanded by only 1.5% in an entire year, our trade with the world plunged into deficit and the national currency lost almost a fifth of its value. This is what house lust does. It foments delusion, pushing people to take on greater amounts of debt as they grow increasingly blind to the augmenting risk.
The most interesting thing about bubbles? You can’t see out of them. Thus people trapped inside the Nortel bubble, the Alibaba bubble, the Be-X bubble, the US sub-prime bubble or the East Van bungalow bubble think they’re being smart. Until they aren’t."
'via Blog this'
And yet Vancouver detached house prices rose by 24% year/year in December while for 2015 as a whole sales increased 48%. Compare this to an inflation rate of 2%, and wage gains in the area of less than 1.5% – and see what a bubble truly looks like. This is a market riding a wave of debt, facilitated by voracious lenders whose risk is being wiped away by a federal agency called CMHC.
When looking at the number of $3+ million homes selling recently in YVR, Bloomberg had this to say yesterday: “It’s one of the starkest examples of growing imbalances in Canada’s household sector that includes record indebtedness, inflated home valuations and over-investment in condominiums.” The world thinks we’re nuts. We are.
Worse, this mania is being exaggerated, fed and institutionalized by the BC government. The province’s BC Assessment office has become one of the most aggressive real estate-pimping outfits in the country, valuing properties at the extreme leading edge of the market. No wonder. The more housing is worth the greater the potential property tax bill municipalities can collect. And yet, perversely, homeowners (and the sycophantic BC media) cheer every bump higher, since it makes people with big mortgages feel rich.
The latest numbers are stunning. Total assessments for Vancouver jumped almost $100 billion, or 16%, in just one year. East Van (where the poor people huddle around barrels of burning newspapers) rode a 28% rocket higher, beating out the lousy 23% increase on the Westside (where the rich dentists live). Says the assessors, “Increases of 15-25% will be typical for single-family homes in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Tri-Cities, New Westminster and Squamish. Single-family market movement in Whistler, Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast is less dramatic, with typical increases in the zero to 15%. Typical strata residential increases throughout the region will be in the five to 10% range.”
In fact for the entire province, where houses are now worth a collective $1.34 trillion, values soared last year by almost 1% a month. Bizarre. Unsustainable. Dangerous – in a country where the economy expanded by only 1.5% in an entire year, our trade with the world plunged into deficit and the national currency lost almost a fifth of its value. This is what house lust does. It foments delusion, pushing people to take on greater amounts of debt as they grow increasingly blind to the augmenting risk.
The most interesting thing about bubbles? You can’t see out of them. Thus people trapped inside the Nortel bubble, the Alibaba bubble, the Be-X bubble, the US sub-prime bubble or the East Van bungalow bubble think they’re being smart. Until they aren’t."
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Why ISIS is the winner in Saudi Arabia-Iran row - Yahoo Finance
Why ISIS is the winner in Saudi Arabia-Iran row - Yahoo Finance: "With the Middle East at risk of further conflict at a time when civil war is already raging in Iraq, Yemen and Syria, analysts said that any chance of peace in the near-term was unlikely.
More worryingly, they warned that ISIS, the terrorist group operating in swathes of Iraq and Syria and taking advantage of a power vacuum in both countries, could be the primary beneficiary from more unrest and division .
"The termination of Iran-Saudi diplomatic relations…comes in the context of the ongoing proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, also involving Turkey and, in the case of Syria, Russia, in countries including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, and Yemen," Firas Abi Ali and Anna Boyd, senior analysts at IHS Country Risk, said in a note late on Monday.
"These conflicts are likely to escalate given that Saudi accusations against Iran will serve to close off diplomatic avenues. In the meantime, the growing sectarian polarization across the region will primarily benefit Islamic State , which is promoting a sectarian narrative.""
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More worryingly, they warned that ISIS, the terrorist group operating in swathes of Iraq and Syria and taking advantage of a power vacuum in both countries, could be the primary beneficiary from more unrest and division .
"The termination of Iran-Saudi diplomatic relations…comes in the context of the ongoing proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, also involving Turkey and, in the case of Syria, Russia, in countries including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, and Yemen," Firas Abi Ali and Anna Boyd, senior analysts at IHS Country Risk, said in a note late on Monday.
"These conflicts are likely to escalate given that Saudi accusations against Iran will serve to close off diplomatic avenues. In the meantime, the growing sectarian polarization across the region will primarily benefit Islamic State , which is promoting a sectarian narrative.""
'via Blog this'
Yuba County boy mauled to death in home by pit bulls
Yuba County boy mauled to death in home by pit bulls: "A 9-year-old boy was mauled to death Sunday by three pit bulls while left alone in his Linda home, Yuba County Sheriff’s officials report. The victim's aunt identified the boy as 9-year-old Tyler Griffin-Huston
Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to the incident around 9:57 a.m. that a male juvenile had been attacked by dogs.
According to officials, the child’s half-sister, a 24-year-old Linda woman, left the child alone in a trailer with the dogs while she went to work.
Three hours later, the woman returned to discover the child had been mauled the dogs, sustaining life threatening injuries.
"The child was unsupervised. The dogs became aggressive. Why or what caused them to become aggressive, we don't know," said Lt. Brandon Barnes of Yuba County Sheriff's Department.
The child was reportedly transported to Rideout Hospital where he was later pronounced dead."
'via Blog this'
Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to the incident around 9:57 a.m. that a male juvenile had been attacked by dogs.
According to officials, the child’s half-sister, a 24-year-old Linda woman, left the child alone in a trailer with the dogs while she went to work.
Three hours later, the woman returned to discover the child had been mauled the dogs, sustaining life threatening injuries.
"The child was unsupervised. The dogs became aggressive. Why or what caused them to become aggressive, we don't know," said Lt. Brandon Barnes of Yuba County Sheriff's Department.
The child was reportedly transported to Rideout Hospital where he was later pronounced dead."
'via Blog this'
Boy, 9, mauled to death by dogs in Yuba County | The Sacramento Bee
Boy, 9, mauled to death by dogs in Yuba County | The Sacramento Bee: "But it all went tragically awry Sunday, when she left the boy alone with her three pet pit bulls. When she returned from her security guard shift a few hours later, authorities said, the small blond boy, Tyler Griffin-Huston, had been mauled to death.
No arrests had been made as of late Monday. The three dogs, a mother and two offspring that Griffin-Heady had raised from puppyhood, had been seized and placed in an animal shelter. They will be euthanized if they are determined to be dangerous animals, Yuba County Undersheriff Jerry Read said.
The mauling has left police, neighbors and authorities with troubling questions about the circumstances of the boy’s fractured life and terrible death. Was Griffin-Heady, who recently moved to Northern California from Florida, capable of parenting her young brother? Was the trailer where she lived, which Read said had no working bathroom, safe for Tyler? Why would she leave her brother with three dogs capable of killing him?
Griffin-Heady did not respond to requests for an interview. Read said officers were still investigating and that Griffin-Heady could face criminal charges of child endangerment."
'via Blog this'
No arrests had been made as of late Monday. The three dogs, a mother and two offspring that Griffin-Heady had raised from puppyhood, had been seized and placed in an animal shelter. They will be euthanized if they are determined to be dangerous animals, Yuba County Undersheriff Jerry Read said.
The mauling has left police, neighbors and authorities with troubling questions about the circumstances of the boy’s fractured life and terrible death. Was Griffin-Heady, who recently moved to Northern California from Florida, capable of parenting her young brother? Was the trailer where she lived, which Read said had no working bathroom, safe for Tyler? Why would she leave her brother with three dogs capable of killing him?
Griffin-Heady did not respond to requests for an interview. Read said officers were still investigating and that Griffin-Heady could face criminal charges of child endangerment."
'via Blog this'
Monday, January 4, 2016
Stocks Slump Across Europe and Asia Following Shanghai's 7% Crash - Bloomberg Business
Stocks Slump Across Europe and Asia Following Shanghai's 7% Crash - Bloomberg Business: "inancial markets are starting 2016 on a bleak note and China is at the center of it.
Stocks crumbled around the world, with emerging markets falling the most since August, as slowing manufacturing triggered a selloff that halted equity trading in Shanghai. "
'via Blog this'
Stocks crumbled around the world, with emerging markets falling the most since August, as slowing manufacturing triggered a selloff that halted equity trading in Shanghai. "
'via Blog this'
China halts stock trading as market lurches down again - Yahoo Finance
China halts stock trading as market lurches down again - Yahoo Finance: "The index loses 6.9 percent in its first trading day of 2016. Trading is halted for the day after a broad market index, the CSI 300, falls 7 percent by early afternoon, triggering a newly enacted "circuit breaker" on its first day of operation."
'via Blog this'
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Bad economy may be good for your health: Study - Yahoo Finance
Bad economy may be good for your health: Study - Yahoo Finance: "A bad economy may actually be good for your health.
“It turns out there's actually now quite a long line of research showing that when economic times are bad people are actually physically healthier,” said Christopher Ruhm, a professor at the University of Virginia who wrote the 50-page report, “Health Effects of Economic Crises.”
Contrary to popular belief, the study found that when people are stressed about their personal finances and job situations they avoid vices such as drinking and smoking. “People try to take control of the parts of their life that they can,” said Ruhm.
Get the Latest Market Data and News with the Yahoo Finance App
Other studies have shown that unemployment can lead to unhealthy eating habits, but Ruhm's research found that healthy activities such as exercise and social interactions increase during tough economic times.
A sense of community is one possible reason for the uptick. “I think one of the things that may go on is when we're in a real crisis … we pull together more so there's more actual social support,” said Ruhm."
'via Blog this'
“It turns out there's actually now quite a long line of research showing that when economic times are bad people are actually physically healthier,” said Christopher Ruhm, a professor at the University of Virginia who wrote the 50-page report, “Health Effects of Economic Crises.”
Contrary to popular belief, the study found that when people are stressed about their personal finances and job situations they avoid vices such as drinking and smoking. “People try to take control of the parts of their life that they can,” said Ruhm.
Get the Latest Market Data and News with the Yahoo Finance App
Other studies have shown that unemployment can lead to unhealthy eating habits, but Ruhm's research found that healthy activities such as exercise and social interactions increase during tough economic times.
A sense of community is one possible reason for the uptick. “I think one of the things that may go on is when we're in a real crisis … we pull together more so there's more actual social support,” said Ruhm."
'via Blog this'
Saturday, January 2, 2016
The airline that feminism forgot - Times of India
The airline that feminism forgot - Times of India: "Those auditioning were hoping to gain contracts in either the world of fashion or aviation, and walked up and down stage in bikinis and air stewardess uniforms as they were required to meet physical requirements.
The criteria included women being elegant, slim, having a sweet voice and having no scars visible on the exposed areas of their skin."
'via Blog this'
The criteria included women being elegant, slim, having a sweet voice and having no scars visible on the exposed areas of their skin."
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