| Global Central Bankers at Odds, but Gold Soars into Orbit
Robert Shiller, a Yale University economist, and co-founder of the CME's house-price index, predicted on Dec 31st, a possibility that the US economy would stumble into a Japanese-style recession, with house prices declining for years. "American real estate values have already lost around $1 trillion. That could easily increase threefold over the next few years. This is a much bigger issue than sub-prime. We are talking trillions of dollars' worth of losses," he predicted. Chicago futures markets are pricing in further declines in US home prices, of up to 16 percent. In the third quarter of 2007, US homeowners withdrew $20 billion less in equity from their homes than in the prior quarter, and since housing prices have continued to tumble, and the outlook for cash-outs has continued to dim.
Apple's IPhone Hits French Stores
It goes on sale nationwide on Thursday.
The iPhone, which combines a cell phone with an iPod media player and can wirelessly access the Internet, has shaken up the "smart phone" market and set other manufacturers scrambling to add features.
Named invention of the year by Time Magazine for its design, feel and pioneering software, the iPhone has won over users since it debuted June 29 in the United States.
Apple has sold over 1.4 million iPhones already and hopes to sell 10 million in 2008, helped by its launch in Europe, then in Asia next year. In German, 10,000 sold on Nov. 9 alone, the day it made its European debut.
Lombard hopes the popular handset will bring new customers into his stores.
Europe has presented two challenges to Apple's strategy of offering iPhones through a single mobile operator for each region.
Cost of Security Incidents Due to IM and Greynet Use More than Doubles ...
BELMONT, Calif., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- FaceTime Communications, the leading provider of solutions that control greynets and manage unified communications in the enterprise, today announced the results of its annual survey, "Greynets in the Enterprise: 3rd Annual Survey of Trends, Attitudes and Impact." In September 2007, data was collected in a survey of more than 700 employees and IT managers to determine the impact greynet applications have on companies and organizations. Greynets -- real-time consumer applications (e.g. instant messaging, P2P, VoIP) that are often introduced by individual end users and use highly evasive techniques to traverse the network -- pose myriad network and information security risks because they provide vectors for malware, intellectual property loss, identity theft and compliance risks.
David's List: Thoughts on flickers that light up the dark
When my choices are not the same as those on one of the American Film Institute "top 100" lists, I'm ready to fight. Even their "top 100" film quotes set my teeth to grinding. Sure, everybody knows "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," and "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," and "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," and "Here's looking at you, kid." But where is Roy Batty, in "Blade Runner," insisting lyrically, "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain … Time to die." .
Jesse WhiteCrow walks America
If I really wanted to leave the armchair, and was seriously thinking that I could explore the peoples and land of North America, I needed to set a firm date. I also needed to train carrying the equipment that I would need to preserve my life, and my stories. I was ready to breathe for the first time as a truly free soul. What began to wake me in middle of the night was no longer the fear of the walk but rather the fear on not attempting the walk."Appetite whetted, WhiteCrow worked in construction to finance a longer trip and began gathering the gear he would need to survive on his own for many months and miles. At long last, in October 2005, WhiteCrow put all his belongings in storage and began his journey from Egremont, Mass.Though filled only with essentials, WhiteCrow's Dana Design Long Bed external frame backpack still weighed close to 75 pounds; two indispensable walking staffs helped balance the load, ward off dogs and served "a thousand other purposes."WhiteCrow's encounters with bears occurred early in his journey, in New Jersey where men and mammals were preparing for the state's first bear hunting season in 25 years.
Giants' many rookies go right to Super Bowl
CHANDLER, Ariz. - The Giants got off their charter and stepped into the craziness yesterday. Except for Michael Strahan, Amani Toomer and Grey Ruegamer, none of their players has been through a Super Bowl week.
Which is why, in a way, it's good to be a Giants rookie. From first-round pick Aaron Ross to sixth-to-last pick Ahmad Bradshaw to undrafted Mike Matthews, the Giants have 10 first-year pros who are playing regularly and contributing.
"It's almost good to be here as a rookie, because everything this season is new to us," wide receiver Steve Smith said. "I mean, at this time last year? All you're even thinking about is just getting drafted and trying to make a roster and play in the NFL. The Super Bowl is the furthest thing from your mind. And now we're here."
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