We have heard quite a bit about pirates on the high seas lately taking over ships. I thought pirates were a thing of the past and something in books and movies. But Somali pirates have taken their greatest prize yet. It is a Saudi supertanker with $100 million of crude oil and they have moved it farther offshore in what appears to be a rare defensive move following threats by Islamic insurgents.
The pirates have dominated Somalia's high seas for the past year, bringing in some $30 million in ransom despite stepped up international efforts to fight them including foreign warships guarding the waters. However, the Nov. 15 hijacking of the Sirius Star was the pirates' most audacious to date and prompted threats from Somali extremists. Last Friday, Islamic fighters promised to fight the pirates and free the ship because it was Muslim-owned and flagged under Saudi Arabia. Two days later, pirates moved the ship about 28 miles, putting it about 30 miles off the coast of the coastal village of Harardhere.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
UGG Boots
When you are looking for authentic UGG boots, this is the website to check out. They have been in business since l986 and are the only authorized dealer of UGG Australian footwear. You can call them toll-free and and there is free shipping on orders over $60. That's a great savings now at Christmas time for fine footwear for men, women and children. And they have accessories as well. One think I like is that there is no sales tax and a lifetime return guarantee. Now you just can't beat that along with their low prices. Do your shopping now for the entire family.
Economy Worse Than Expected
Tuesday, the government released a triple dose of discouraging data. Over the summer, the economy shrank even more than previously believed, and consumers reduced their spending by the largest amount in 28 years. During the same period, home prices fell to levels not seen since early 2004.
The updated reading on the economy's performance released Tuesday by the Commerce Department, showed the gross domestic product shrank by a 0.5 percent annual rate in the July to September quarter. That was weaker than the 0.3 percent rate of decline first estimated a month ago. It marked the worst showing since the economy contracted at a 1.4 percent pace in the third quarter of 2001. That was when terrorists attacked the U.S. and the nation was suffering through its last recession. Not good at all. is it?
The updated reading on the economy's performance released Tuesday by the Commerce Department, showed the gross domestic product shrank by a 0.5 percent annual rate in the July to September quarter. That was weaker than the 0.3 percent rate of decline first estimated a month ago. It marked the worst showing since the economy contracted at a 1.4 percent pace in the third quarter of 2001. That was when terrorists attacked the U.S. and the nation was suffering through its last recession. Not good at all. is it?
Friday, November 28, 2008
IMF Approves Pakistan Loan Package
The economic crisis threatening Pakistan was eased on Tuesday. The International Monetary Fund agreed to a $7.6 bailout. This was even though experts warned that the militancy torn country remains as risk without more aid from the West and painful reforms at home.
Approved on Monday, the IMF loan program banished the immediate risk of a currency crash and debt default in a country already bending under the pressure of 25 percent inflation and slowing economic growth. It is happening all over the world, folks, not just here at home in the United States. The Pakistani rupee had slid from 20 percent since March as economic storm clouds gathered around Pakistan. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country increasingly seen as vital to stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan.
Approved on Monday, the IMF loan program banished the immediate risk of a currency crash and debt default in a country already bending under the pressure of 25 percent inflation and slowing economic growth. It is happening all over the world, folks, not just here at home in the United States. The Pakistani rupee had slid from 20 percent since March as economic storm clouds gathered around Pakistan. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country increasingly seen as vital to stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Libya Wants to Invest in U.S.
You know if we aren't careful, every country in the world will own a piece of the USA and we won't have any left for ourselves. I know you think that is far fetched, but when German buys a company in Iowa and now Gadhafi's son wants to invest in the USA. Where is it all going to end? Libya wants to open a new chapter in relations with the United States by tapping into a major government fund to invest in U.S. companies and sending thousands of students to study in America.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, in an interview with the Associated Press outlined plans for Libya to move from the one-man rule of his father, Moammar Gadhafi, to a constitutional democracy as part of the country's modernization process. The younger Gadhafi said he expects a constitution providing for democratic elections to be adopted by September 2009. This will be the 40th anniversary of the l969 revolution that brought his father to power. He also said he expects Libya to modify its central government to a model similar to the U.S. federal government, with strong regional and local governments. I think Americans are so busy with their work and careers that they aren't paying any attention to the fact that America is being bought out, little by little, and one day we won't have enough left of our own country to be a strong forceful government among nations.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, in an interview with the Associated Press outlined plans for Libya to move from the one-man rule of his father, Moammar Gadhafi, to a constitutional democracy as part of the country's modernization process. The younger Gadhafi said he expects a constitution providing for democratic elections to be adopted by September 2009. This will be the 40th anniversary of the l969 revolution that brought his father to power. He also said he expects Libya to modify its central government to a model similar to the U.S. federal government, with strong regional and local governments. I think Americans are so busy with their work and careers that they aren't paying any attention to the fact that America is being bought out, little by little, and one day we won't have enough left of our own country to be a strong forceful government among nations.
Friday, November 21, 2008
What a Beautiful Day Today
It was just a beautiful day today after a day of cold temperatures, clouds and high winds yesterday. It didn't take long to freeze your fingers yesterday and they were telling parents to bundle up the kids in case of frostbite. But today the wind stopped. The sun came out all day and it warmed up some even though we are below normal. Nights are very cold. This morning I think it was 4 degrees. We were able to get out and pick up my husband's new lens for his glasses, gas up the car for $1.72 a gallon, do some shopping at Wal-Mart and pick up dog food at Petco for Holly. I left my gloves in the car most of the time and it was really nice not to have to keep track of them while shopping. We need more days like this before the real winter weather sets in with snow.
Mexico Vacation
I close my eyes and dream of lying on a white sand beach of Riviera Maya. That is what I need, a mexico vacation and I know just the place to call for reservations. Karisma Hotels with their luxurious rooms, marvelous food, relaxing swing beds on the beach with retractable curtains for the epitomy of privacy for adults, swim-up rooms, what more could I ask for? I know what you are going to say. You are going to say this is going to cost you a lot of gold but that is not true.
You have your choice of five fine hotels and you might just choose Azul Blue, the hotel whose goal is to take the stress out of your system and give you the most relaxing vacation you have ever had. Have an arromatic bath or get some spa treatments. They will even treat you to soothing treatments on the beach or wherever you choose. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
You have your choice of five fine hotels and you might just choose Azul Blue, the hotel whose goal is to take the stress out of your system and give you the most relaxing vacation you have ever had. Have an arromatic bath or get some spa treatments. They will even treat you to soothing treatments on the beach or wherever you choose. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
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