Euro, shares gain on brighter economic outlook

LONDON (Reuters) - The euro hit an 11-month high against the dollar and European shares rose on Monday as the region's improving economic growth outlook and the declining prospects of further monetary easing bolstered demand.
The common currency peaked at $1.3404, its highest level since February 2012, producing a hefty gain of 2.5 percent since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi gave a more optimistic outlook for the economic recovery late last week.
Europe's FTSE Eurofirst 300 index, which has been rallying all year, added 0.2 percent in early trade while London's FTSE 100 <.ftse>, Frankfurt's DAX <.gdaxi> and Paris's CAC-40 <.fchi> all traded around 0.1-0.3 percent higher.
The moves came before release of euro zone industrial output data for November which is expected to show a rise of 0.1 percent month-on-month after a 1.4 percent fall in October, adding to signs of an improvement in activity over recent months.
"The mood in the euro zone has improved. And though things have not moved at the same pace in all countries, monetary and financial conditions are less tight, even in Spain," analysts at BNP Paribas said in a note.
Signs of a growth pickup in recent data from the United States and China, along with the easier monetary polices of major global central banks, have underpinned a broad rally in equity markets worldwide. The MSCI world equity index <.miwd00000pus> was trading near 18 month highs on Monday, although little changed on the day.
Chicago Federal Reserve chief Charles Evans added to the better sentiment. Evans, who is a voting member of the Fed's policymaking committee this year, said the U.S. economy is expected to grow 2.5 percent in 2013 and 3.5 percent in 2014.
Analysts expect further data this week to support demand for riskier assets, with U.S. and Chinese figures likely to show further momentum in the world's two biggest economies.
YEN SINKS
However, the Japanese yen bucked the stronger trend among the world's major currencies against the dollar when it touched a fresh a 2-1/2-year low of 89.67
The falls followed comments from new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday calling on the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to set a 2 percent inflation target and pursue bolder monetary easing to end nearly two decades of deflation.
Tokyo markets were closed on Monday for a holiday but MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.miapj0000pus> rose a modest 0.3 percent on the statement, remaining near a 17-month peak set on Friday.
Commodity prices recovered after last week's decline. Brent crude gained 44 cents to $111.08 a barrel as fears of supply disruption in the Middle East resurfaced, while U.S. crude rose 67 cents to $94.23 a barrel.
Copper edged up 0.4 percent to $8,077 a tonne and gold was up 0.3 percent at $1,667.45 an ounce.
(Reporting by Richard Hubbard; editing by David Stamp)

Read More..

Oil rises near $94 on China, US recovery hopes

BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices rose to near $94 on Monday, supported by signs of economic recovery in the U.S. and China.
Benchmark oil for February delivery was up 33 cents to $93.89 per barrel at late afternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped 26 cents to finish at $93.56 a barrel in New York on Friday.
Gordon Kwan, head of energy research at Mirae Asset Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong, said oil prices were rising on signs that the fragile economic recoveries in the world's two biggest economies appeared to be gaining traction. The U.S. housing market has shown steady improvement, while China's trade growth rebounded strongly in December.
"China and the U.S. appear to be on a very solid track of economic recovery. This supports oil prices at much higher levels." He said that prices were also moving up because of increased energy consumption in China, which is enduring its coldest winter in nearly three decades.
"There is the possibility that West Texas Intermediate could reach $95 per barrel in the coming days and Brent could go to $115," Kwan said.
Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, was up 27 cents to $110.91 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.
In other energy futures trading on Nymex:
— Wholesale gasoline was almost unchanged at $2.755 a gallon.
— Heating oil rose 1.5 cents to $3.023 a gallon.
— Natural gas rose 3.8 cents to $3.365 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Read More..

China mulls hiking investment quota for foreigners

HONG KONG (AP) — The head of China's securities regulator says Beijing is considering substantially raising the quota that foreign institutions are allowed to invest in the country's stock markets.
Guo Shuqing said at a conference on Monday that there was room to raise the limit by "at least 10 times, nine times."
He said that money invested through the quota system for foreign investors accounted for only 1.5 to 1.6 percent of China's total stock market. Guo said regulators wanted to make it easier for outsiders to issue or trade securities on Chinese markets.
Stock markets in China are largely out of bounds for foreign investors because of tight capital controls.
Guo is chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Read More..

Pennies over patriotism? Stars move to tax havens

 France's Socialist government is introducing a 75-percent income tax on those earning over €1 million ($1.3 million), leading some of the country's rich and famous to set up residency in less fiscally demanding countries.
Here's a look at some big names in France and elsewhere whose changes of address over the years have meant lighter taxes.
DEPARTING DEPARDIEU
The French prime minister has accused actor Gerard Depardieu of being "pathetic" and "unpatriotic," saying he set up residence in a small village just across the border in neighboring Belgium to avoid paying taxes in France.
The office of the mayor in Depardieu's new haunts at Nechin, also known as the "millionaire's village" for its appeal to high-earning Frenchmen, said that for people with high income, like Depardieu, the Belgian tax system, capped at 50 percent, is more attractive.
Depardieu, who has played in more than 100 films, including "Green Card" and "Cyrano de Bergerac," has not commented publicly on the matter.
BEATLE TAX
In 2005, the Beatles' Ringo Starr took up residency in Monaco, where he gets to keep a higher percentage of royalties than he would in Britain or Los Angeles. France's tiny neighbor Monaco, with zero percent income tax for most people, has obvious appeal for the 72-year-old drummer and his estimated $240 million fortune.
The Beatles' resentment of high taxes goes back to their 1960s song "Taxman." George Harrison penned it in protest of the British government's 95 percent supertax on the rich, evoked by the lyrics: "There's one for you, nineteen for me."
Harrison reportedly said later, "'Taxman' was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes."
LICENSE TO DODGE?
Former "James Bond" star Sean Connery left the U.K. in the 1970s, reportedly for tax exile in Spain, and then the Bahamas — another spot with zero income tax and one of the richest countries per capita in the Americas. His successor to the 007 mantle, Roger Moore, also opted for exile in the 1970s — this time in Monaco — ensuring his millions were neither shaken nor stirred.
EXILE ON MAIN ST.
In 1972, The Rolling Stones controversially moved to the south of France to escape onerous British taxes. Though it caused a stink at the time, it spawned one of the group's most seminal albums, "Exile on Main St." The title is a reference to their tax-dodging. In 2006, British media branded them the "Stingy Stones" with reports that they'd paid just 1.6 percent tax on their earnings of $389 million over the previous two decades.
FISCAL HEALING
In 1980, U.S. singer Marvin Gaye moved to Hawaii from L.A. to avoid problems with the Internal Revenue Service, the American tax agency. Later that year, Gaye relocated to London after a tour in Europe. Gaye, whose hits include "Sexual Healing" and "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" settled in Belgium in 1981. He was shot to death in 1984.

Read More..

State tax revenues continue growing in third quarter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - State tax revenues have grown for more than two years, but they are still suffering the effects of the 2007-2009 recession, according to a report released by the Rockefeller Institute of Government on Thursday.
Using preliminary data, the New York research group found that collection from major taxes increased in 47 states in the third quarter of 2012 from a year before, marking the 11th straight increase.
The recession caused states' revenues to plummet to lows not seen in decades over the course of five quarters. That forced almost all states to make emergency spending cuts, raise taxes, borrow and turn to the federal government for help just as the newly jobless and homeless increased demand for their services.
While revenues have been growing, the increases have been small. According to the institute, revenues "are still far below where they would have been in the absence of the Great Recession." Moreover, when adjusted for inflation, revenues are 5 percent below the peaks they reached in fiscal 2008, the last year before the recession devastated their budgets.
Rockefeller found that personal income tax collections were up 4.5 percent in the quarter ending in September, and sales taxes grew 3.1 percent. Corporate income taxes, which provide only a sliver of revenues, fell 0.5 percent.
In the third quarter of 2011, personal income tax collections surged 10.2 percent.
Delaware had the largest increases in overall tax collections in the third quarter, 11.7 percent, followed by Colorado, 10.3 percent.

Read More..

Muni tax break under threat from bipartisan scrutiny in congress

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The tax break that U.S. states, cities and counties get on the bonds they issue is in growing jeopardy now that Republicans, in addition to Democrats, are considering limits on the exemption.
As part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations to raise more federal government tax revenue, Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in reevaluating the costly tax break, said Republican congressional aides and lobbyists.
Municipal bonds issued by states and localities are a $3.7 trillion U.S. market underpinned by a law that exempts their interest income from taxation. This allows states and localities to tap capital markets more cheaply than private-sector borrowers such as banks and corporations.
"The muni bond exemption is on the table, not only during tax reform, but also during the 'fiscal cliff,'" said Mike Nicholas of the Bond Dealers of America, a lobbying group for fixed-income securities dealers and banks.
That the tax break - deeply embedded in the economy and vital to state and local governments - would draw the interest of Republicans shows how far Washington has come in a short time in considering potentially dramatic tax-and-spending changes.
As the United States grapples with a huge budget deficit and a complex tax code that has not been revamped in 26 years, even once politically untouchable tax breaks are being questioned.
The "fiscal cliff" refers to sharp tax increases and spending cuts that take effect in 18 days unless Congress intervenes soon.
Some lawmakers from both parties are calling for a comprehensive tax code overhaul in 2013 and groups concerned with the muni bond exemption are worried.
"We have not felt this threat level being this real in a long time," said David Parkhurst, legislative director with the National Governors Association, which represents the leaders of U.S. states that rely heavily on the muni bond tax exemption.
SUBSIDIZING STATES, LOCALITIES
The exemption benefits bond investors on one side of the market and state and local governments on the other. Effectively a subsidy for states and localities, the muni exemption cost U.S. taxpayers about $26.2 billion in 2011.
President Barack Obama in 2011 included the exemption among items subject to his proposed 28-percent cap on deductions and other tax breaks for individuals earning more than $200,000.
That proposal alarmed muni bond issuers and investors, who were already on edge because of a proposal to kill the exemption entirely in 2010's Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plan.
Now, Republicans are rethinking their traditional reluctance to tinker with muni bonds, largely because they want to find ways to increase federal revenues without raising tax rates.
Phasing out the muni bond tax break for individual taxpayers earning more than $200,000 could raise about $10 billion a year - or about $100 billion over a decade - Republican aides said.
In the fight over the "fiscal cliff," Republicans hope to refute Obama's argument that real deficit reduction cannot be achieved without raising tax rates on high-income Americans.
Senator Orrin Hatch, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said tax breaks of all sorts need to be weighed in the effort to raise revenue and cut the deficit, but that "they are not easy to get rid of."
FROM STATES TO SCHOOLS
New issuance of tax-exempt bonds is expected to hit about $400 billion in 2013, up from about $370 billion this year, according to investment bank Loop Capital Markets LLC.
Jurisdictions that issue tax-exempt bonds range from states to cities, counties and school districts. They defend the bonds as vital to transportation, infrastructure and other public projects, which would be threatened by an exemption roll-back.
"It certainly couldn't come at a worse time," New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told Reuters last week, referring to the devastation the region suffered during Hurricane Sandy.
"Even before the storm, we had tremendous infrastructure needs that localities were trying to address and now we're going to have even more."
It is unclear exactly what sort of limitations Republicans have in mind. The Obama proposal would apply to all bond issues.
Citigroup Inc muni bond strategist George Friedlander has estimated that Obama's cap, if enacted, would raise state and local government borrowing costs.
The "fiscal cliff" talks and a possible tax code overhaul next year pose "a clear and present danger" for muni bond issuers and investors, Friedlander said in a recent research report.

Read More..

Indian court to rule on generic drug industry

NEW DELHI (AP) — From Africa's crowded AIDS clinics to the malarial jungles of Southeast Asia, the lives of millions of ill people in the developing world are hanging in the balance ahead of a legal ruling that will determine whether India's drug companies can continue to provide cheap versions of many life-saving medicines.
The case — involving Swiss drug maker Novartis AG's cancer drug Glivec — pits aid groups that argue India plays a vital role as the pharmacy to the poor against drug companies that insist they need strong patents to make drug development profitable. A ruling by India's Supreme Court is expected in early 2013.
"The implications of this case reach far beyond India, and far beyond this particular cancer drug," said Leena Menghaney, from the aid group Doctors Without Borders. "Across the world, there is a heavy dependence on India to supply affordable versions of expensive patented medicines."
With no costs for developing new drugs or conducting expensive trials, India's $26 billion generics industry is able to sell medicine for as little as one-tenth the price of the companies that developed them, making India the second-largest source of medicines distributed by UNICEF in its global programs.
Indian pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Cadila Laboratories and Lupin have emerged over the past decade as major sources of generic cancer, malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS drugs for poor countries that can't afford to pay Western prices.
The 6-year-old case that just wrapped up in the Supreme Court revolves around a legal provision in India's 2005 patent law that is aimed at preventing companies from getting fresh patents for making only minor changes to existing medicines — a practice known as "evergreening."
Novartis' argued that a new version of Glivec — marketed in the U.S. as Gleevec — was a significant change from the earlier version because it was more easily absorbed by the body.
India's Patent Controller turned down the application, saying the change was an obvious development, and the new medicine was not sufficiently distinct from the earlier version to warrant a patent extension.
Patient advocacy groups hailed the decision as a blow to "evergreening."
But Western companies argued that India's generic manufacturers were cutting the incentive for major drug makers to invest in research and innovation if they were not going to be able to reap the exclusive profits that patents bring.
"This case is about safeguarding incentives for better medicines so that patients' needs will be met in the future," says Eric Althoff, a Novartis spokesman.
International drug companies have accused India of disregarding intellectual property rights, and have pushed for stronger patent protection that would weaken India's generics industry.
Earlier this year, an Indian manufacturer was allowed to produce a far cheaper version of the kidney and liver cancer treatment sorefinib, manufactured by Bayer Corp.
Bayer was selling the drug for about $5,600 a month. Natco, the Indian company, said its generic version would cost $175 a month, less than 1/30th as much. Natco was ordered to pay 6 percent in royalties to Bayer.
Novartis says the outcome of the new case will not affect the availability of generic versions of Glivec because it is covered by a grandfather clause in India's patent law. Only the more easily absorbed drug would be affected, Althoff said, adding that its own generic business, Sandoz, produces cheap versions of its drugs for millions across the globe.
Public health activists say the question goes beyond Glivec to whether drug companies should get special protection for minor tweaks to medicines that others could easily have uncovered.
"We're looking to the Supreme Court to tell Novartis it won't open the floodgates and allow abusive patenting practices," said Eldred Tellis, of the Sankalp Rehabilitation Centre, a private group working with HIV patients.
The court's decision is expected to be a landmark that will influence future drug accessibility and price across the developing world.
"We're already paying very high prices for some of the new drugs that are patented in India," said Petros Isaakidis, an epidemiologist with Doctors Without Borders. "If Novartis' wins, even older medicines could be subject to patenting again, and it will become much more difficult for us in future to provide medicines to our patients being treated for HIV, hepatitis and drug resistant TB.

Read More..

NewsWatch features Hyatt Hotel and The Michael Mondavi Family's "Canvas Art of Wine" iPad App on AppWatch

NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “Canvas Art of Wine”, a new app by Hyatt Hotels and the Mondavi Family. The segment aired as part of “AppWatch”, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 26, 2012
NewsWatch, a nationwide television show, recently aired a news segment about “Canvas Art of Wine”, a new app by Hyatt Hotels and the Mondavi Family. The segment aired as part of “AppWatch”, a weekly review of the top apps in the marketplace.
Hyatt Hotels and The Michael Mondavi Family teamed up to create Canvas Wines, the signature wine brand of the hotel chain. The app allows users to take photos of their travels, share experiences, and mail customized postcards to their friends and family.
The Canvas Art of Living Postcard app offers the ability to create digital and print postcards to share with family and friends. Users can capture everyday moments or special occasions with the Canvas Art of Living Postcard app!
To download the app, users should visit http://www.canvaswines.com/living or at their next stay at a Hyatt, order a glass of Canvas wine. When they receive the glass of wine, the Hyatt Hotel bartender will provide a coaster that will include a QR code. This code will automatically direct a mobile phone’s web browser to the Canvas Wines website. From the site, users can download the Canvas Art of Living app and start sharing their many travel and wine experiences!
Once users have downloaded the app from either the iTunes Store or Google Play, they can select one of the many postcard designs inspired by Canvas Wines, upload a photo from their smartphone or take a new photo, create their own personalized headline and custom message, then send the card. All finished postcards are automatically saved to a user’s personal gallery.

A user’s digital postcards can be shared via email, text message or on Facebook. Users can convert their digital postcard into a printed postcard to share with family and friends. This customized postcard will be printed and mailed for just $1.99.
For more information or to download the “Canvas Art of Living” app, go to Canvas Wines.
NewsWatch is a weekly 30-minute consumer oriented television show that airs on the ION Network Thursday mornings at 5:30am across the nation. NewsWatch regularly features top travel destinations, health tips, technology products, medical breakthroughs and entertainment news on the show. A recent addition to NewsWatch, AppWatch is a weekly segment that provides viewers app reviews and game reviews of the latest and hottest apps and games out on the market for iOS and Android devices. The show airs in 180 markets nationwide as well as all of the top 20 broadcast markets in the country, and is the preferred choice for Satellite Media Tour and Video News Release Distribution.

Read More..

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS – Planning Consultant/Author offers new and unique remedy with DRAGONmedallions to make Resolutions stick

DRAGONmedallions are the new motivational and self-evaluation tools that use the image of the Chinese Dragon as part of a daily practice, to keep people on a successful track toward the attainment of New Year’s Resolutions. The “FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS” process that goes with the DRAGONmedallions has been developed by strategic planning consultant, author and designer Barbara Bacigalupi to give the necessary vision and structure to increase the success rate for making life change.

Napa, CA (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
No matter what the New Year’s Resolution – weight loss, getting exercise, searching for a better career, or even finding new love -- the premiere of DRAGONmedallions offers a tangible tool for associating the Chinese Dragon’s action-oriented power and energy with a desired New Year’s Resolution. Using simple how-to instructions called FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS which have been developed by Barbara Bacigalupi, who in addition to being a designer, also happens to be a strategic vision consultant and personal growth author, DRAGONmedallions are intended to make New Year’s Resolutions stick and lead to success.
Despite the popularity and media focus placed on the annual ritual of making New Year’s Resolutions, ensuing reports that tell of typical failure rates of 70% to 99% are what captured Bacigalupi’s attention. “We are literally training ourselves each new year to believe that we are incapable of change,” observes Bacigalupi. “My consulting experience tells me that the dismal outcome of many New Year’s Resolutions is due, in great part, to the absence of an easily applied process for making life change.” continues Bacigalupi. “ That’s why so many businesses hire consultants in the first place, and why I decided to do something about demystifying the process for individuals," concludes Bacigalupi.
So, Bacigalupi simplified the change-making process into a two-pronged approach that includes the formation of an irresistible vision of how much better the future can be, as well as a step-by-step structure for getting from point A to point B. This approach is unique and different in that it combines both the usual left brain linear thinking method with right brain visualization for a holistic brain approach. She then sought an image to facilitate visualization that would provide a constant presence for the goal in the person’s life. This image would be a constant motivational reminder of just how important it is to give the all-important priority attention to being continually focused on the goal, taking daily action and analysis until the goal is achieved. What was needed was a compelling, but fun and engaging symbol which embodies the positive traits needed to accomplish a goal.
"The Chinese Dragon I have seen throughout my life dancing in San Francisco Chinese New Year’s Parades has so much personality and plain old sex appeal, that he became my immediate choice for the much needed visual symbol,” comments Bacigalupi. “He’s a veritable bundle of energy and tenacity, and the Dragon, as the symbol for daytime, light, and the all-powerful Emperor, makes for a perfect representation of the qualities needed in any person who wants to affect life change.,” concludes Bacigalupi. “With DRAGONmedallions, the life goal can easily be associated with the Dragon’s image and come to life in the person’s mind, which in turn can focus continuing decision-making on a daily basis,” concludes Bacigalupi.
The image of the Chinese Dragon which has always been considered by the ancient Chinese to be the most auspicious mythological creature, is the centerpiece of Bacigalupi’s new DRAGONmedallions for Power and Energy in the form of a replica of an ancient Chinese Coin that was most popular during the Chang Dynasty (beginning in 1644) and which also happens to form the basis of Feng Shui. The coin depicts the traditional presentation of the Dragon, which is always paired with the Phoenix bird symbolizing his Empress and love.
“The ability to create symbols through a metaphoric process is a uniquely human right brain activity,” continues Bacigalupi. “We don’t often think about the powerful role that symbolism has fulfilled for rallying change throughout human history, across all cultures, religions and countries. So adopting a symbol like the Dragon to make a goal real and tangible, is both logical as well as emotionally compelling and visually stimulating,” concludes Bacigalupi.
Bacigalupi’s design for DRAGONmedallions is deliberately intended to appeal to the senses, with varying colors and a mix of textural qualities that beg to be touched. The medallion coin centerpiece in DRAGONmedallions is surrounded by natural, semi-precious minerals including a rock quartz crystal bead carved with the ancient Chinese Shou symbol for long life and prosperity, which just happens to be the ultimate and most fundamental reason for pursuing any type of New Year’s Resolution. A loop of natural mineral beads makes for easy display on door handles, drawer pulls, candles, vases and so much more. A Turkish knot tassel completes and refines the textural quality of the design.
As part of the FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS, a person is asked to visit the Dragon in their DRAGONmedallion as part of a Daily Practice that focuses on breaking the resolution into daily, bite-sized goals that are assessed and improved upon at each nightly reflection. Intended as a universal approach for change, the FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS instructional guide used with DRAGONmedallions can be combined with any other available system, whether a diet, exercise or other plan.
DRAGONmedallions are available at http://www.BarbaraBacigalupi.com. Special value pricing is offered, along with a complimentary copy of Bacigalupi’s classic personal growth book Truly Human - An Invitation to think in new and powerful ways. Continued releases in the DRAGONmedallion series focusing on such important topics as financial prosperity and health care issues including breast cancer and pain management, are planned for release in the coming months.
ABOUT THE COMPANY

The new website and store at http://www.BarbaraBacigalupi.com is a part of UMANO, named for the Italian word meaning human, humane and compassionate, which was founded by Barbara Bacigalupi in San Francisco in 1997. As a concept-based company, it’s purpose is to serve as a vehicle for the publication of Bacigalupi’s writings and the production/marketing of her design lines. The hallmark product, TRULYHUMANmedallions, has been sold for the past ten years in a limited number of selected boutiques, design studios, and spas, and is respected by consumers for the bead’s inherent beauty, quality of human handwork and the human values they foster through learning messages. All design products are made by hand in Northern California using components collected from around the world and are available at http://www.BarbaraBacigalupi.com.
COMPANY VISION

UMANO is inspired and guided by a vision of our world in which we become ever more human, humane and compassionate. We are dedicated to participate in this vision by combining works of nature with the work of the human hand to create products accompanied by learning messages which bring consumers closer to their personal humanity and individual giftedness within a framework that affirms positive and worthy human values.

Read More..

MoneyBrokerz.com Introduces New Service for Their Subscribers: Comprehensive List of Forex Brokers and Binary Options Brokers

For many aspiring traders who want to enter the world of Forex trading and binary options, the most common stumbling block they encounter is simply knowing where and how to begin. Choosing the right Forex brokers or binary options brokers will play a crucial role to their success, and http://www.moneybrokerz.com is opening a new useful service to help these traders choose the best one to fit their goals.

Newyork, NY (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
With many new comers making extra money online from currency trading and stock trading, it’s not a surprise that we have seen a phenomenal growth of people who want to join in the bandwagon. Indeed, there is money to be earned in the Forex market and in binary options, but it is not without risks coupled with a stiff learning curve. These hindrances are minimized by choosing good binary options brokers and forex brokers who can guide a newbie in the ins and outs of trading.
However, with literally hundreds of different brokers on the Internet today, how does one choose wisely and see through all the hype and propaganda? One website, MoneyBrokerz.com has just released a new helpful service in their website that can aid new and even advanced traders in their pursuit to find the perfect broker that will fit their needs.
In this new service, they provide in-depth tips on how one can learn the basics of Forex and binary options trading and most importantly, they have new informative reviews on some of the top Forex and binary options brokers available today.
Theirs is a one-stop website for those who want to save time researching the best brokers they would want to get involved with. Since each broker has different features and strategies when it comes to Forex and binary options trading, choosing the right one can be complex and time consuming. With this new and comprehensive website feature, MoneyBrokerz.com is currently providing traders in one glance, different reviews and tips on how they can choose the right broker they would want to work with. Check out one excellent tip found in their website:
“When deciding what broker to work with, you should first inform yourself of the spread practiced by that broker.”
“First of all, it is important to start things off with a demo account. This way, you familiarize yourself with how things work, and you lose nothing. This has the added advantage of trying various trading strategies with no risks involved, until you find the right one.” - According to one informative article in MoneyBrokerz.com ‘Try Your Hand at Forex Trading and Win Big’
The goal of this new website service is to help traders find good forex brokers and binary options brokers with less effort, so these traders can focus more on learning the essential aspects of trading and not use up all their time just to do the research. With the addition of this brand new feature in their website, those who are serious about making money through binary options and forex trading will find it very informative and useful.
About http://www.moneybrokerz.com
They provide comprehensive reviews, tips and news all about forex brokers and binary options brokers. Their one-stop website help traders choose the right broker to guide them in making money through forex trading and binary options. For more information how their new services can help rookie and advanced traders, visit their website or contact them today.

Read More..

Dedicated Game Server Giant Announces Discounts for Phoenix Datacenter Hosting

ProlimeHost, a leading web host that also specializes in offering dedicated game servers, has reported to have set aside dedicated servers with hardware optimized for soft real-time online games in their Phoenix data center. The dedicated hardware, along with a price discount that they have also made available for their customers, is expected to boost their game server subscriber base anywhere between 15-30%, as per the company spokesperson.

(PRWEB) January 01, 2013
ProlimeHost (http://www.prolimehost.com), a start-up that has carved its way to emerge as a web-hosting giant, has made a price discount announcement that will make online gamers happy. The company has launched a coupon to reduce their hosting prices by 25% for the upcoming Holiday season. In addition, they have further announced dedicating additional hardware in their Phoenix data center, citing improved gaming experience to the end-user as the reason.
“We are excited to let our current and potential customers know that we have dedicated a group of our high-performance servers with accelerated hardware for our online gaming customers, and reduced the subscription cost to these dedicated servers by 25% through our usage coupon”, said an upbeat Tom Beck, the CTO of the web host, in a short and quick press conference earlier today. “Each dedicated game server has been allocated a special slot in the racks such that the slots are the best-equipped with network speed and bandwidth. Our Phoenix based dedicated servers are the ones that have been specially set up for this purpose. The discounts on the dedicated servers are all set to be offered for the entire upcoming Holiday season.”
ProlimeHost has been on the news for a number of reasons in 2012. Surprisingly, apart from a few audit reports of their system and software upgrades, all the events in the company have portrayed a story of growth and enhancements. The company audit reports, carried out on a quarterly basis, have also indicated positive impact of these recent growth-related announcements, showing a growth in the top line and the bottom line of the company.
The industry analysts reacted to today’s announcement with a set of mixed reactions. While one group of experts were of the opinion that the dedicated server based web hosting business, including their gaming business, has been a strategically robust move with good bottom line impacts, the others were not too optimistic about the move. “This group (Prolime) has been making too many announcements in too short a timeframe. It looks like they are trying to swallow a pill bigger than what I believe they are capable of. Such quality is too difficult to maintain with such thin margins that the company ought to land up into after their price cuts are effective, and that may not be sustainable in the longer run”, said an expert from the web hosting industry on condition of anonymity.
The company, however, was optimistic. “We have listened to our customers’ requirements. This move could shoot up the number of additional customers by almost 30% with luck, but I don’t see the number at anywhere below 15%. Looking at the fact that even a 15% growth will offset our investments towards this restructuring effort, our top and bottom lines will move upwards because of our bold decision to provide discounted dedicated hosting to our Phoenix datacenter based game server offering.”

Read More..

Delta Travel Center in Valencia Partners Up with a New Vendor to Create Amazing Cruise Adventures for the New Year

Delta Travel Center in Valencia will partner together with various cruise lines to get members out on more amazing vacations for the upcoming year.

Valencia, CA (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
Delta Travel has a new vendor which will provide even more great opportunities to travel the world with style.
Delta Travel Center, located in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley, is a private, members only travel club where members can book any and all travel at cost, including all cruises. So commissions paid to Delta, are rebated to the member, instantly reducing the cost of the cruise.
Members will also receive discounts on all other cruise lines, hotels, car rentals and even all inclusive resorts all over the world. Members also have the privilege of staying at various timeshare resorts all over the world at discounted prices.
Many cruise lines have stunning vessels that pay homage to the grand era of the ocean liner, while providing state-of-the-art comforts and engaging, Some even have exclusive activities designed to bring families together, whatever the destination.
Staterooms are configured especially for families, with extra storage and most with split bathrooms for making getting ready easier. Youth clubs promise age-appropriate, toddler-themed fun, whether your child is 3 months or 17 years old. Onboard Dining—from elegant restaurants offering a dash of magic to casual, quick-service fare—is sure to satisfy every taste. Entertainment includes original Broadway-style live shows, Character Greetings and the latest movies, some in digital 3-D. Pools are delightfully themed and designed for specific age groups—even adults. Adults can dance or listen to live music at nightclubs and lounges or rejuvenate and beautify thanks to high-end spa and fitness facilities.
With the addition of new ships during the past year and a half, some cruises will begin sailing to such fantasy places as Barcelona, Athens, Venice, Rome, the Greek Isles, and the French Riviera. The vastly widened list of itineraries and ports for 2013 includes an expanded portfolio of European cruises, with new destinations of Venice and the Greek Isles. In addition, for the first time cruise lines will utilize a second port in Florida, Miami, for Caribbean sailings.

Read More..

Words that Highlight the Unconditional Love of God Pat Schatzline’s ‘Why Is God So Mad At Me?’ examines the hidden questions that lie in many hearts and minds

Pat Schatzline, author and evangelist, spreads the word of God’s love to those that need it most with his new book, Why is God so Mad at Me?: Dispelling the Lies Many People Believe.

Trusseville, Alabama (PRWEB) January 01, 2013
Examining scripture and his own life experiences for proof of God’s forgiving nature and unconditional love, Schatzline puts forth the idea that God is not one for wrath and punishment, but success of spirit and acceptance of all individuals.
Though the book is not set for release until December of 2012, it is already garnering praise from many of Schatzline’s peers. Calling it “incredibly detailed and touching” and “straightforward”, many people in the business of spreading God’s word are raving over the simplistic, honest, and forthright nature of Schatzline’s writing.
Pointing out that we live in troubled times; many reviews highlight the “touching” and “inspiring” nature of Schatzline’s message. Fellow evangelist Karen Wheaton says, “Pat has gone deep into the hidden places of the heart, where insecurity and fear keep us from fully receiving the perfect love of our Heavenly Father”. Writing down the many things people often feel or think, but are afraid to say out loud, Schatzline confronts the worries that often plague individuals when it comes to being assured of God’s love for them.
Launching his nation-wide book tour in November of 2012 and traveling around the country to spread both the word of God and promote his book, Pat Schatzline has given many readers peace of mind with his timely and thoughtful book, perfect for anyone on a spiritual journey to finding their place in God’s world.
Pat Schatzline
In 1997, Pat and his wife, Karen, co-founded Mercy Seat Ministries. Since then, they have ministered to over two million people in their travels around the world. He and Karen also founded the Forerunner School of ministry in 2001, and have since helped to launch many more sites. Along with traveling the world as evangelists, Pat and Karen enjoy playing games, working out, watching movies, and spending time with their friends and family.

Read More..

Shorts Travel Management Releases New Version of it's BookIt App

Patent-pending technology allows business travelers to search for flights on consumer travel sites and book through their travel management company, increasing savings & travel policy compliance

Waterloo, Iowa (PRWEB) December 18, 2012
Short’s Travel Management has taken a new spin on the Open Booking buzz going around the corporate travel marketplace this year with their product, BookIt. BookIt allows business travelers to search at leisure travel websites, like Hipmunk.com, and still book their tickets through their travel management company (TMC). The concept is simple - search there, book here.
With the first version of BookIt, released in early 2012, business travelers “Share” or “Email” their preferred flights from other websites to BookIt. BookIt applies the company’s corporate discounts to that flight, and searches for lower fare in the market across all airlines. The traveler receives an email back and books their ticket with the TMC directly from their email in just 3 clicks. Short’s Travel has learned from this first version that the process must be easier to use without needing to train employees, or requiring them to remember, to follow this process.
Short’s Travel will be releasing their newest version, the BookIt App, in January 2013, which supports many more travel websites, including airlines’ websites, and is literally the “easy button” for business travelers. When the BookIt App is turned “on” in the computer’s browser, and travelers are shopping for flights, they will see the BookIt button. If the traveler is booking a trip for work, they simply enter their company email address on file with their TMC and click the BookIt button. The BookIt App then searches for their company’s corporate discounts and travel policies, checks for lower fares on other airlines or schedules, and returns results in an email. The traveler then purchases their flight online within their corporate travel program in just 2 clicks.
The new Bookit App solves the problems travel managers have today when employees find flights outside of the corporate tool, but doesn’t require them to leap into a full Open Booking program where travelers can book wherever they want. The travel manager still has full control of their travel program because all bookings are being managed through one TMC. All corporate discounts and unused tickets credits are being applied; and all travelers’ locations are being tracked from one central database. The Bookit App also makes it easier for business travelers to buy their business trips because they check-out at one website where all of their airline frequent flyer and corporate cards are stored and automatically applied.
About Short’s Travel Management:
Short's Travel Management is a full-service travel management company with a passion for innovation and professional service to enable companies of all sizes to more effectively manage their travel investment. With over 64 years of Travel Management Experience, Short’s Travel continues to be one of the top Travel Management Companies in the industry.
About BHiveTravel.com
For companies who don't need a fully managed travel program, Shorts offers it's free online travel management tool, http://www.BHiveTravel.com. BHive allows businesses and organizations to get the robust booking and reporting tools of a fully managed travel program for no cost. Bookit is fully integrated with the BHive.

Read More..

Price4Limo is Accepting New Affiliates for Limousine and Party Bus Operators

Price4Limo is seeking new, reputable affiliates to join the fastest-growing network of limousine and party bus rental affiliates. Joining the affiliate marketplace costs nothing, and is an excellent resource for confirmed reservations.

Boynton Beach, Fla. (PRWEB) December 18, 2012
Price4Limo has been offering limousine service and party bus rentals in more areas consistently since it first went into business. The company was founded in 2001 and began with only two vehicles, a limousine and a party bus. Over the years, Price4Limo has acquired more limousines and luxury buses while also putting focus into becoming an authoritative presence online. Research shows millions of limousine-related searches on Google every month. With over 10% of all limousine reservations being made online, having an online presence is mandatory for a limousine business to reach its potential.
Price4Limo has been working with affiliates in cities across the nation and is now expanding its affiliate program to more limousine companies who want more exposure online. Price4Limo is using a very similar model as Hotels.com and Expedia. Finding limousines has never been easier.
The company has a team of prolific writers, web designers and innovative marketers all working together on an integrated marketing strategy that is steadily gaining more visibility and drawing in new customers every month. Price4Limo has increased its exposure in the marketplace through word-of-mouth affiliates, industry trade publications, direct mail campaigns and web based media.
With this influx of potential customers, Price4Limo is looking to add new affiliates to the roster. By joining the affiliate program, other limousine and party bus companies can immediately increase their exposure and customer base free of charge. Becoming an affiliate is an easy process. After visiting http://www.price4limo.com/join and submitting the required information, all that is needed is images and descriptions of the vehicles that are available and Price4Limo will handle the rest. When clients search for rentals in an area covered by an affiliate the limos or buses will be visible on the Price4Limo page. Reservations are made on-site, adding to the professional representation and keeping everything simple for the customer. With trained staff monitoring the phones and IM service, reservations and questions can be handled promptly which also saves affiliates time and money.
“We have an internet staff, and we know all the ins and outs of marketing strategies,” explains manager Greg Hawes, describing what it is that makes Price4Limo.com so effective. “But we also know what’s involved in owning and operating a limousine service -- the risks, the responsibilities and the rewards. And we know what the customers are looking for. We don’t charge for leads, and we don’t make money unless the company listing with us makes money.”
This process also saves affiliates time from dealing with the frequent search engine changes in order to have their services seen online. Becoming an affiliate will bring in more customers, thanks to Price4Limo’s web presence.
Price4Limo has become a leader in New Orleans party bus rentals and expects an increase in rentals for the Super Bowl. The company has also had great success with Texas limousine rentals.
“We learned early on that our best customers are our competition,” Hawes summarizes. “They turned out to be our partners, and we grew from teamwork. We made friendships and affiliations in Miami and West Palm, and we grew our businesses together. So we decided to take it on a bigger scale and bring it nationwide.”
A core belief of Price4Limo is that everything associated with limousine service must be representative of the quality and prestige that clients are expecting when they rent a limousine. Because of this, only the best in service, design and presentation will be accepted into the affiliate program. The company is all-inclusive when it comes to the variety or vehicles offered, from an elegant white Rolls Royce to a zebra-stripe or hot pink Hummer limousine.

Read More..

Bill Howe Family of Companies Named Finalist in Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics for Second Year in a Row

Esteemed San Diego plumber, Bill Howe, and his wife Tina Howe, proudly accept recognition of their continued efforts towards ethical marketplace practices

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 18, 2012
For the second consecutive year, the Bill Howe Family of Companies has been named a finalist of the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. The award winners were announced during an award ceremony on December 4, 2012 at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley in San Diego. Plumber and businessman Bill Howe and his wife, Tina Howe, accepted the award for 2nd place finalist in the “100-249 employees” category.
In its 15th year, the BBB Torch Awards honor companies that have made a commitment to ethical excellence, integrity and support of the San Diego marketplace, despite any adversities. To be considered for the award, companies must compile a nomination that outlines and proves their commitment to ethics in categories including management practices, community and stakeholder relations, communications and marketing practices, and industry reputation. A panel of judges reviews the submissions and grades each category on a scale of 1-10. While many of the businesses that are nominated for the award are in the San Diego heating and air conditioning or plumbing business, the award is open to businesses in any industry.
“We are here to honor companies that epitomize ethics and integrity, and present them with a coveted Torch Award. But today’s gathering is about much more than that,” said Sheryl Bilbrey, San Diego BBB President and CEO, during the ceremony’s opening remarks. “Today, we honor one another for our steadfast commitment to doing the right thing for consumers in a time when so many others struggle to remain accountable.”
The Bill Howe Family of Companies started with Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. in 1980 and now offers services in San Diego heating and air conditioning, as well as restoration and flood services. Since its inception, the company upholds their philosophy that to be successful they focus on ensuring the happiness of their employees, their customers and their community. Recently, the Bill Howe Family of Companies proved their philosophy has been a success when they moved to an office more than twice the size of the previous office, to accommodate their growing workforce.
“The Torch Award nomination process has been an incredibly rewarding experience as we looked at every aspect of our company and put all of our efforts on paper,” said Tina Howe, Vice President of the Bill Howe Family of Companies. “When you are doing business, it is not always easy to know the most ethical decision to make; sometimes it means more money, or sometimes it means we need to seek outside counsel. Whatever it takes, we strive to build our company on honest and ethical practices.

Read More..

Hurricane Sandy Victims Find Refuge on Timeshare Marketplace RedWeek.com

Timeshares are not only for fun vacation getaways, as evidenced by the story of RedWeek.com members Bob and Jody; left homeless by Hurricane Sandy last month. With the holidays approaching, Bob and Judy turned to leading timeshare marketplace RedWeek.com to secure a timeshare rental in New York City.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) December 19, 2012
Timeshares are not only for fun vacation getaways, as evidenced by the story of RedWeek.com members Bob and Jody; left homeless by Hurricane Sandy last month.
Bob and Judy are one of the many families displaced by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. With their Long Island home flooded and area hotels at capacity; the Bob and Judy began looking for a short-term rental property to no avail. Frustrated and exhausted, they began looking at every alternative for a place to live.
As timeshare owners, Bob and Judy knew the advantages of timesharing and had recently used leading timeshare marketplace RedWeek.com to rent out their own Aruba timeshare. Homeless and with the holidays approaching, they turned to RedWeek.com and began searching for timeshare rentals at The Manhattan Club resort in New York City.
“We decided to rent multiple units at the Manhattan Club so that we could spend the holiday all together in Manhattan,” said Jody. “When my husband and I checked in to the Manhattan Club, it was so luxurious that I actually began tearing up.”
Unlike standard hotels, timeshares offer home-like accommodations with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens or kitchenettes, and living and dining areas. Renting a timeshare directly from an owner is often cheaper than staying at a hotel, and the resorts offer the same hotel amenities such as pools, exercise facilities, reception areas, and concierge services.
“I have only good things to say about RedWeek and the Manhattan Club,” said Jody. “I plan to use RedWeek again when I need a vacation - the value and the superior accommodations were just more than I could have hoped for.”
To learn more about RedWeek.com or timesharing visit http://www.redweek.com.
About RedWeek.com:
RedWeek® is a registered trademark of RedWeek, Inc. RedWeek.com is a member-supported marketplace for timeshare rentals and resales, and also provides a full-service timeshare resale offering. You can find reviews, ratings, prices, availability, full-service exchange, and complete resort descriptions for all timeshare resorts to make vacation selection easier. Boasting an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, RedWeek has more than 1.5 million registered users and includes 5,000 timeshare resorts worldwide.

Read More..

Pure-Ecommerce.com Introduces Its New 2013 Premier Internet Business Site Collection Featuring Upgraded Designs, Larger Product Counts, and Video and Mobile Marketing

14 New Pure-Ecommerce.com Internet Businesses for Sale in the Most Popular Niche Markets in the Online Marketplace

CARY, NC (PRWEB) December 19, 2012
Pure-Ecommerce.com introduces its 2013 Premier Internet Business Site Collection. This incredible new collection of 14 internet businesses for sale has been created in some of the most popular niche markets in the online marketplace. The Collection includes: eBaseballOutlet.com, eBasketballOutlet.com, EverythingDogShop.com, BlueSkyBeachStore.com, EveryStyleGift.com, eSoccerOutlet.com, ShootandScoreSports.com, BlackandWhiteDecorShop.com, GroovyGreenToys.com, ClassActCat.com, StudioDecorBoutique.com, GlassofWinePlease.com, AllAmericanMadePets.com, and TheModernBabyNursery.com. Pure-Ecommerce.com will continuously be introducing new sites to the Collection throughout 2013. It will also be offering more “sister” sites (such as eBaseballOutlet.com, eBasketballOutlet.com and eSoccerOutlet.com) to help clients expand their brand presence in the online marketplace by owning multiple internet businesses.
All Pure-Ecommerce internet businesses for sale come with a high quality, professionally designed site, as well as a 10- step training program and 40 hours of consulting to help burgeoning ecommerce entrepreneurs each step of the way! Every product featured on this site is drop shipped so no inventory is needed. It also allows for less overhead and gives owners more flexibility in managing their business and schedule. These sites feature upgraded designs as well as the addition of larger product counts, as well as Video Marketing and a Marketing Application and Site!
Pure-Ecommerce strives to be at the forefront of technology and incorporate the latest applications in all its internet business offerings. Varner wants her small business ecommerce clients to have all the latest and greatest technologies available to large ecommerce retailers. Pure-Ecommerce CEO Jennifer Varner says, “Mobile and Video Marketing are vital to any ecommerce strategy and help the e-retailer stay competitive, increase sales, drive up SEO rankings, build customer loyalty, and much more.” According to digital marketing technology company Monetate the growth in traffic on leading ecommerce websites over the past year has grown 103% with nearly 86 million Americans now shopping on their smartphones. And Practical Ecommerce says “increasing numbers of online retailers will be using video in 2013 to increase sales, find new potential customers, and build brand relationships.” Through personalized consultation and 24/7 access to an E-Learning Library, Varner and her team help clients understand how to use mobile and video marketing and design strategies to be best positioned to capitalize on these shifting market dynamics.
Pure-Ecommerce.com celebrates its sixth anniversary in 2013 and has helped over 550 entrepreneurs in the U.S. and Canada start their own internet businesses. CEO Jennifer Varner founded Pure-Ecommerce after gaining experience and success through starting one of the largest online maternity clothing stores, BellaBluMaternity.com. After selling her company, she began helping others realize their dreams of owning a business.
Buying a business from Pure-Ecommerce.com allows a budding entrepreneur to step into the business of their dreams with minimal start-up costs and low monthly and have someone personally mentor them through all aspects of setting up, running, and then growing an online business. Best of all, it provides them the opportunity to have a flexible schedule and to work when they want, where they want. A Pure-Ecommerce business can be run on a part-time basis while someone is still working or as a full-time business, depending upon the time one puts into growing their business. Pure-Ecommerce’s turnkey sites are especially attractive to budding mompreneurs and entrepreneurs; boomers looking for additional income to supplement their retirement; people looking for work-life balance; and the unemployed wishing to be their own boss and create their own destiny.
Pure-Ecommerce has been featured in several national magazines and websites such as Entrepreneur, Forbes and WomenEntrepreneur.com, as well as in national newspapers and on TV news programs. Pure-Ecommerce has also been

Read More..

Judge asks Hostess to mediate with union

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -- Twinkies won't die that easily after all.
Hostess Brands Inc. and its second largest union will go into mediation to try and resolve their differences, meaning the company won't go out of business just yet. The news came Monday after Hostess moved to liquidate and sell off its assets in bankruptcy court citing a crippling strike last week.
The bankruptcy judge hearing the case said Monday that the parties haven't gone through the critical step of mediation and asked the lawyer for the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, which has been on strike since Nov. 9, to ask his client, who wasn't present, if the union would agree to participate. The judge noted that the bakery union, which represents about 30 percent of Hostess workers, went on strike after rejecting the company's latest contract offer, even though it never filed an objection to it.
"Many people, myself included, have serious questions as to the logic behind this strike," said Judge Robert Drain, who heard the case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York in White Plains, N.Y. "Not to have gone through that step leaves a huge question mark in this case."
Hostess and the union agreed to mediation talks, which are expected to begin the process on Tuesday.
In an interview after the hearing on Monday, CEO Gregory Rayburn said that the two parties will have to agree to contract terms within 24 hours of the Tuesday since it is costing $1 million a day in overhead costs to wind down operations. But even if a contract agreement is reached, it is not clear if all 33 Hostess plants will go back to being operational.
"We didn't think we had a runway, but the judge just created a 24-hour runway," for the two parties to come to an agreement, Rayburn said.
Hostess, weighed down by debt, management turmoil, rising labor costs and the changing tastes of America, decided on Friday that it no longer could make it through a conventional Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. Instead, the company, which is based in Irving, Texas, asked the court for permission to sell assets and go out of business.
It's not the sequence of events that the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho Ho's envisioned when it filed for bankruptcy in January, its second Chapter 11 filing in less than a decade. The company, who said that it was saddled with costs related to its unionized workforce, had hoped to emerge with stronger financials. It brought on Rayburn as a restructuring expert and was working to renegotiate its contract with labor unions.
But Rayburn wasn't able to reach a deal with the bakery union. The company, which had been contributing $100 million a year in pension costs for workers, offered workers a new contract that would've slashed that to $25 million a year, in addition to wage cuts and a 17 percent reduction in health benefits. But the bakery union decided to strike.
By that time, the company had reached a contract agreement with its largest union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which urged the bakery union to hold a secret ballot on whether to continue striking. Although many bakery workers decided to cross picket lines this week, Hostess said it wasn't enough to keep operations at normal levels.
Rayburn said that Hostess was already operating on razor thin margins and that the strike was the final blow. The company's announcement on Friday that it would move to liquidate prompted people across the country to rush to stores and stock up on their favorite Hostess treats. Many businesses reported selling out of Twinkies within hours and the spongy yellow cakes turned up for sale online for hundreds of dollars.
Even if Hostess goes out of business, its popular brands will likely find a second life after being snapped up by buyers. The company says several potential buyers have expressed interest in the brands. Although Hostess' sales have been declining in recent years, the company still does about $2.5 billion in business each year. Twinkies along brought in $68 million so far this year.

Read More..

Just Explain It: What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Eliminating America's dependency on foreign oil has been a policy goal for at least the last two U.S. Presidents.  According to the International Energy Agency, by 2020,  the U.S. will overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's number one oil producer.
However, there's still some work to do.  The United States Energy Information Administration reported that 45% of the petroleum consumed by the U.S. in 2011 was from foreign countries.   Even though the country is well on its way to becoming self reliant, there's always a chance we could hit a major bump in the road.  The good thing is we have protection.  It's called the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or S.P.R.
So here's how the S.P.R. works:
The reserve was created after the 1973 energy crisis when an Arab oil embargo halted exports to the United States.  As a result, fuel shortages caused disruptions in the U.S. economy.
The reserves are located underground in four man-made salt domes in Texas and Louisiana.  All four locations combined hold a total of 727 million barrels of oil.  The inventory is currently at 695 million barrels.  That's around 80 days of import protection.  It's the largest emergency oil supply in the world -- it's worth about $63 billion.
Only the President has the ability to tap the reserves in case of severe energy supply interruption.  It's happened three times.  Twice within the last decade.  In 2005, President Bush ordered the emergency sale of 11 million barrels when Hurricane Katrina shutdown 25 percent of domestic production.  In 2011, President Obama ordered the release of 30 million barrels to help offset disruptions caused by political upheaval in the Middle East.
Following the release order, the reserve issues a notice of sale to solicit competitive offers.  In the most recent sale involving the Obama administration, the offers resulted in contracts with 15 companies for delivery of 30.6 million barrels of oil.  To put that in context, last year the U.S. consumed almost seven billion barrels of oil — that's 19 million per day -- or about 22% of the world's consumption.

Read More..