NICE! i LOVE this article!In brief, 3D is overused (no i wouldn't want to pay that premium for something i can watch in and looks exactly like 2D thank you), hollywood isn't creating enough new movies (and all those that are out seem rehashed versions of older movies); they just like banking on the successes of previous movies (take Shrek for example) and soon enough, they might just run out of sequels to do. hahaha.. plus, tickets now cost what, $16.50?
In SG its not that bad, about $10.50. over here its $15 (normal screen)! @_@ not that i'm complaining (i can always hit the cinemas on tuesdays where its $10 too), but at a time when going to the movies isn't on everyone's hobby list or before the invention of the TV, price hikes aren't a very good idea.
hollywood is creating its own hype.. by predicting how much a movie's gonna make. and if the actual performance fell short of the experts' predictions, it means the film's a failure. just 'cause Avatar, Paranormal Activity, The Hangover and others were huge successes in 2009... it doesn't mean that the film industry will be doing as good this year..
Greece's debt problems have made investors nervous about lending money to other European countries with a lot of debt such as Portugal and Spain.
Many of the countries that use the euro have a great deal of debt. If lenders are nervous then the interest they have to pay on their borrowing goes up.
The euro stability fund involves promising to repay lenders if countries do not pay back the money they have borrowed. It has made investors less nervous.
The EU stability fund is worth 500bn euros ($635bn; £429bn) but that is not a lot compared with the amount of debt the countries involved have amassed.
The advantage of using loan guarantees is that if the plan works and no eurozone country defaults on its debts, then it will not cost anything.
--
Global shares have fallen sharply as concerns continue about the impact of financial austerity measures in Greece, Portugal and Spain.
Feb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aid
June 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactor
June 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assets
Oct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorism
Dec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aid
Jan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"
5 April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite
14 April 2009 - After criticism of the launch from the UN Security Council, North Korea vows to walk out of six-party talks
Extracted BBC.CO.UK
---
Singapore recession likely deeper than expected: govt
Singapore's worst economic crisis since independence is predicted to be even worse than expected, with output now forecast to shrink by up to 9.0 percent in 2009, official data showed Tuesday.
Extracted MSN.COM.SG
---
Brangelina: Adopting a Phillipino Baby?!
Angelina Jolie wants to ADOPT another kid when she already has 6??! lololol looks like shes adding dolls to her collection or something.. -.-
- Usage of fiscal/monetary policies - joint effort in same direction -Regulation of Financial Markets (EG. Hedge funds, Monitoring) - Make sure IMF cash doesnt run dry
Argentina, which is a big exporter of processed agricultural products, wants more IMF voting power for emerging economies, loans with fewer conditions and a longer life from the Fund and more effective oversight mechanisms.
What Australia wants:
Australia, whose economy is driven by commodities, thinks IMF resources should be at least doubled, and China should get a more central role and the G20 should play a more prominent role in global affairs.
What Brazil wants:
Brazil, a major transport equipment and parts exporter with an abundance of commodities, has been a vocal critic of Western bankers' role in the crisis. It seeks a big increase in IMF funds and the creation of a $100-billion credit line for international trade.
What Canada wants:
Canada, a resource-rich country that sends some 70 percent of its exports to the US, wants measures to restore global growth, a commitment against protectionism, stronger banking regulation and a boost to IMF resources.
What China wants:
China, one of the world's biggest manufacturers and very reliant on clothing and electronics exports, wants more IMF voting rights. It has also floated the idea of a new global reserve currency, but it has drawn a cool response.
What the European Union wants:
The EU, a 27-state group, cannot agree on a common approach, with some prominent members threatening to walk out. In general, it favors more resources for the IMF and more effective financial regulation, but has resisted calls for new stimulus measures.
What France wants:
France, home to Europe's second-largest carmaker and one of its main agricultural producers, wants tighter regulation of the financial sector, a clampdown on hedge funds and tax havens and opposes further fiscal stimulus.
What Germany wants:
Germany, whose auto industry is suffering along with the rest of its large export sector, is against further stimulus but wants to modify bank capital adequacy rules and tighten financial sector regulation.
What India wants:
India, whose rapidly-developing tech sector is taking jobs from the West, wants more lending to emerging economies, urgent IMF reforms to improve the group's representation and measures to discourage protectionism.
What Indonesia wants:
Indonesia, a major oil, gas and mineral products exporter, has asked for a Global Expenditure Support Fund to help developing countries. It is also aiming for measures to make the IMF more representative of the changing world order.
What Italy wants:
Italy, best known for its tourism, agricultural and fashion industries, aims for reforms of the global financial system and cooperation on regulation between the G8, which it currently chairs, and the G20.
What Japan wants:
Japan, the world's second-largest economy and one which has been struggling ever since its banking sector wilted 15 years ago, says leaders should focus on saving the world economy rather than longer-term efforts to improve financial regulation.
What Mexico wants:
Mexico, a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, wants the G20 to strengthen international financial organizations, bolster support for emerging economies and coordinate fiscal measures against the global crisis.
What Russia wants:
Russia, which has the world's biggest natural gas reserves and is also a major oil producer, wants reform of the IMF and the World Bank. It also wants more say—and more voting power—for emerging economies.
What Saudi Arabia wants:
Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter, wants to prevent the global crisis from further undermining demand for oil. It also seeks reform of the IMF and says that any increased contributions must be matched by greater influence.
What South Africa wants:
Resources-rich South Africa, whose chief exports are corn, gold and diamonds, is asking for a stronger role in the IMF and better resources for the Fund, the World Bank and regional development banks.
What South Korea wants:
South Korea, which said it expects to post a trade surplus of up to $50 million this year, wants a stronger commitment to the prevention of trade barriers and agreement on how much fiscal stimulus is needed to counter recession.
What Turkey wants:
Turkey, a candidate for European Union membership, seeks a stronger European commitment to stimulate economies and eforts to avoid protectionism. Turkey also wants rich nations to deliver on aid promises.
What the U.K. wants:
The U.K., which has relied on its banking sector for growth for years, is urging reform of the global banking system and creation of jobs. It wants the G20 to reaffirm opposition to protectionism and clamp down on tax havens.
What the US wants:
The US, where the financial crisis started nearly two years with the implosion of the subprime mortgage market, seeks a "robust approach" to stimulus measures, measures to deal with toxic assets and agreement on regulatory reform to prevent a repeat of the crisis.
Billionaire Cities, Countries for Businesses, Powerful Billionaires || Back to the Top~
TOP BILLIONAIRE CITIES: 1) New York 55 2) Moscow 27 3) Hongkong 21
BEST COUNTRIES FOR BUSINESS: 1) Denmark 2) USA 3) Canada 4) SINGAPORE 5) New Zealand 6) UK 7) Sweden 8) Australia [Larger trade deficits are likely as government expands social spending in effort to stimulate sagging economic growth.] 9) HongKong 10) Norway
THE POWERFUL BILLIONAIRE LIST: 1) Michael Bloomberg [Bloomberg] 2) Silvio Berlusconi [Fininvest] 3) Lakshmi Mittal [ArcelorMittal] 4) Warren Buffet [Berkshire Hathaway] 5) Vagit Alekperov [Lukoil] 6) Carlos Slim Helu [Telefonos De Mexico, America Movil] 7) Mukesh Ambani [Reliance Industries] 8) Charles & David Koch [Koch Industries] 9) Bill Gates [Founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft] 10) Edward & Abigail Johnson [Fidelity]
NICE! i LOVE this article!In brief, 3D is overused (no i wouldn't want to pay that premium for something i can watch in and looks exactly like 2D thank you), hollywood isn't creating enough new movies (and all those that are out seem rehashed versions of older movies); they just like banking on the successes of previous movies (take Shrek for example) and soon enough, they might just run out of sequels to do. hahaha.. plus, tickets now cost what, $16.50?
In SG its not that bad, about $10.50. over here its $15 (normal screen)! @_@ not that i'm complaining (i can always hit the cinemas on tuesdays where its $10 too), but at a time when going to the movies isn't on everyone's hobby list or before the invention of the TV, price hikes aren't a very good idea.
hollywood is creating its own hype.. by predicting how much a movie's gonna make. and if the actual performance fell short of the experts' predictions, it means the film's a failure. just 'cause Avatar, Paranormal Activity, The Hangover and others were huge successes in 2009... it doesn't mean that the film industry will be doing as good this year..
Greece's debt problems have made investors nervous about lending money to other European countries with a lot of debt such as Portugal and Spain.
Many of the countries that use the euro have a great deal of debt. If lenders are nervous then the interest they have to pay on their borrowing goes up.
The euro stability fund involves promising to repay lenders if countries do not pay back the money they have borrowed. It has made investors less nervous.
The EU stability fund is worth 500bn euros ($635bn; £429bn) but that is not a lot compared with the amount of debt the countries involved have amassed.
The advantage of using loan guarantees is that if the plan works and no eurozone country defaults on its debts, then it will not cost anything.
--
Global shares have fallen sharply as concerns continue about the impact of financial austerity measures in Greece, Portugal and Spain.
Feb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aid
June 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactor
June 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assets
Oct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorism
Dec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aid
Jan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"
5 April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite
14 April 2009 - After criticism of the launch from the UN Security Council, North Korea vows to walk out of six-party talks
Extracted BBC.CO.UK
---
Singapore recession likely deeper than expected: govt
Singapore's worst economic crisis since independence is predicted to be even worse than expected, with output now forecast to shrink by up to 9.0 percent in 2009, official data showed Tuesday.
Extracted MSN.COM.SG
---
Brangelina: Adopting a Phillipino Baby?!
Angelina Jolie wants to ADOPT another kid when she already has 6??! lololol looks like shes adding dolls to her collection or something.. -.-
- Usage of fiscal/monetary policies - joint effort in same direction -Regulation of Financial Markets (EG. Hedge funds, Monitoring) - Make sure IMF cash doesnt run dry
Argentina, which is a big exporter of processed agricultural products, wants more IMF voting power for emerging economies, loans with fewer conditions and a longer life from the Fund and more effective oversight mechanisms.
What Australia wants:
Australia, whose economy is driven by commodities, thinks IMF resources should be at least doubled, and China should get a more central role and the G20 should play a more prominent role in global affairs.
What Brazil wants:
Brazil, a major transport equipment and parts exporter with an abundance of commodities, has been a vocal critic of Western bankers' role in the crisis. It seeks a big increase in IMF funds and the creation of a $100-billion credit line for international trade.
What Canada wants:
Canada, a resource-rich country that sends some 70 percent of its exports to the US, wants measures to restore global growth, a commitment against protectionism, stronger banking regulation and a boost to IMF resources.
What China wants:
China, one of the world's biggest manufacturers and very reliant on clothing and electronics exports, wants more IMF voting rights. It has also floated the idea of a new global reserve currency, but it has drawn a cool response.
What the European Union wants:
The EU, a 27-state group, cannot agree on a common approach, with some prominent members threatening to walk out. In general, it favors more resources for the IMF and more effective financial regulation, but has resisted calls for new stimulus measures.
What France wants:
France, home to Europe's second-largest carmaker and one of its main agricultural producers, wants tighter regulation of the financial sector, a clampdown on hedge funds and tax havens and opposes further fiscal stimulus.
What Germany wants:
Germany, whose auto industry is suffering along with the rest of its large export sector, is against further stimulus but wants to modify bank capital adequacy rules and tighten financial sector regulation.
What India wants:
India, whose rapidly-developing tech sector is taking jobs from the West, wants more lending to emerging economies, urgent IMF reforms to improve the group's representation and measures to discourage protectionism.
What Indonesia wants:
Indonesia, a major oil, gas and mineral products exporter, has asked for a Global Expenditure Support Fund to help developing countries. It is also aiming for measures to make the IMF more representative of the changing world order.
What Italy wants:
Italy, best known for its tourism, agricultural and fashion industries, aims for reforms of the global financial system and cooperation on regulation between the G8, which it currently chairs, and the G20.
What Japan wants:
Japan, the world's second-largest economy and one which has been struggling ever since its banking sector wilted 15 years ago, says leaders should focus on saving the world economy rather than longer-term efforts to improve financial regulation.
What Mexico wants:
Mexico, a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, wants the G20 to strengthen international financial organizations, bolster support for emerging economies and coordinate fiscal measures against the global crisis.
What Russia wants:
Russia, which has the world's biggest natural gas reserves and is also a major oil producer, wants reform of the IMF and the World Bank. It also wants more say—and more voting power—for emerging economies.
What Saudi Arabia wants:
Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter, wants to prevent the global crisis from further undermining demand for oil. It also seeks reform of the IMF and says that any increased contributions must be matched by greater influence.
What South Africa wants:
Resources-rich South Africa, whose chief exports are corn, gold and diamonds, is asking for a stronger role in the IMF and better resources for the Fund, the World Bank and regional development banks.
What South Korea wants:
South Korea, which said it expects to post a trade surplus of up to $50 million this year, wants a stronger commitment to the prevention of trade barriers and agreement on how much fiscal stimulus is needed to counter recession.
What Turkey wants:
Turkey, a candidate for European Union membership, seeks a stronger European commitment to stimulate economies and eforts to avoid protectionism. Turkey also wants rich nations to deliver on aid promises.
What the U.K. wants:
The U.K., which has relied on its banking sector for growth for years, is urging reform of the global banking system and creation of jobs. It wants the G20 to reaffirm opposition to protectionism and clamp down on tax havens.
What the US wants:
The US, where the financial crisis started nearly two years with the implosion of the subprime mortgage market, seeks a "robust approach" to stimulus measures, measures to deal with toxic assets and agreement on regulatory reform to prevent a repeat of the crisis.
Billionaire Cities, Countries for Businesses, Powerful Billionaires || Back to top, baby.
TOP BILLIONAIRE CITIES: 1) New York 55 2) Moscow 27 3) Hongkong 21
BEST COUNTRIES FOR BUSINESS: 1) Denmark 2) USA 3) Canada 4) SINGAPORE 5) New Zealand 6) UK 7) Sweden 8) Australia [Larger trade deficits are likely as government expands social spending in effort to stimulate sagging economic growth.] 9) HongKong 10) Norway
THE POWERFUL BILLIONAIRE LIST: 1) Michael Bloomberg [Bloomberg] 2) Silvio Berlusconi [Fininvest] 3) Lakshmi Mittal [ArcelorMittal] 4) Warren Buffet [Berkshire Hathaway] 5) Vagit Alekperov [Lukoil] 6) Carlos Slim Helu [Telefonos De Mexico, America Movil] 7) Mukesh Ambani [Reliance Industries] 8) Charles & David Koch [Koch Industries] 9) Bill Gates [Founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft] 10) Edward & Abigail Johnson [Fidelity]