Japan, China and Hong Kong. All three are giants in East Asia and three hot topics where real estate is concerned.
No matter which country you?re in, if you walk into a pub with foreign people hanging about, no doubt you are able to start a heated debate comparing property in the three locales.
While no doubt everyone has their own opinion, there is one man who has the real estate expertise in these three regions to write books about them all.
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On Wednesday, November 14th from 2:30pm, realestate.co.jp is proud to present Christopher Dillon, author of the Landed Series, to give us a frank and candid take on what is happening on the ground in these countries and what the future might hold.
If you?re seriously looking to invest in any of these countries or just looking to increase your smarts to sound great at the pub over beers, this is one webinar you will not want to miss!
Register below to receive updates and have Chris address your questions!
Tokyo Apartments For Sale | Tokyo Apartments For Rent | Real Estate Japan
Look in the eastern sky for the next few nights and you will see a celestial treat.
Full moon was on Monday night (Oct. 29), so the waning gibbous moon will be rising a few hours past sunset. Jupiter, a month away from opposition on Dec. 2, will also be rising a few hours past sunset. The result will be what astronomers call a conjunction: a close encounter between two astronomical bodies.
The moon will be closest to Jupiter on Thursday night (Nov.1), but the two will also be close on Wednesday and Friday nights (Oct. 31 and Nov. 2).
The location of the moon relative to Jupiter will depend on your exact location because of something called parallax. [October 2012 Night Sky Observing Guide (Sky Maps)]
Hold a finger up at arm's length and look at a distant object. If you blink one eye and then the other, your finger will appear to jump from left to right. That's parallax, and it's what lets us view the world in three dimensions. Our two eyes are a couple of inches apart and each sees the world from a slightly different vantage. Our brains seemlessly integrate these two views into one three-dimensional picture, but if you close one eye at a time you can sense their different perspectives.
The same thing happens when people observe the moon against the starry backdrop from different spots on Earth: These slightly different perspectives create differing views.
In addition, the moon is revolving in its orbit around the Earth, causing it to appear to move from right to left against the background stars, including the planet Jupiter. Jupiter is moving too, but much more slowly than the moon, so its motion is not as obvious.
On Wednesday night, the moon will be well to the right of Jupiter, about halfway between two of the brightest and nearest star clusters, known by their ancient Greek names: the Pleiades and the Hyades.
To the unaided eye, the Pleiades looks like a tiny "dipper," except with only six stars instead of seven. It is located 410 light-years away, and contains hundreds of stars visible in binoculars or a small telescope.
The Hyades is closer to us, only 150 light-years distant, causing its stars to appear spread over a wider area of our sky.
On Thursday night, the moon will have moved to less than a degree away from Jupiter, so close that the two will fit together in the field of a telescope. For skywatchers in South Africa the moon will actually pass right in front of Jupiter, hiding it from view for over an hour in some locations, such as Cape Town.
By Friday night, the moon will be well to the left of Jupiter, not rising until around 9 p.m. local time.
Halloween is an excellent opportunity to do some "sidewalk astronomy." It's the one night in the year when there are lots of people out and about in a friendly family atmosphere.
If it's clear, set up your telescope and "share the view" with the trick-or-treaters. Impromptu Halloween star parties have become a tradition in some neighborhoods.
This article was provided to SPACE.com by Starry Night Education, the leader in space science curriculum solutions. Follow Starry Night on Twitter @StarryNightEdu.
Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A petition (public interest litigation) seeking a odirective to the government to establish guidelines to safeguard the health of the public from from radiation emitting out of cell phone towers will be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow. The petition filed by Prashanth Bhushan seeks a directive to the Department of Telecommunications to establish an independent regulatory body to enforce the present safety norms regulating the EMF radiation from base transmitting stations and to heighten the present norms. The petition seeks enforcement of the current EMF radiation safety norms by abolishing self-regulation and establishing an independent Regulatory Authority to decide EMF radiation safety levels and to monitor and enforce its implementation; tightening the norms as per Precautionary Principle in order to bring them in line with the safety norms followed by other countries and proposed by independent scientific studies; making environmental impact assessments mandatory prior to installation of cell phone towers and banning installation of phone masts in highly populated areas, protected natural areas and in places where endangered species exist. The petition states that Cell phone technology has revolutionized the telecommunication scenario in India. Due to its several advantages, cell phone technology has grown exponentially in the last decade. Currently, there are more than 50 crore cell phone users and nearly 4.4 lakh cell phone towers to meet the communication demand. The numbers of cell phones and cell towers are increasing without giving due care to its disadvantages. All over the world, people have been debating about associated health risk due to radiation from cell phones and cell towers. A cell phone transmits 1 to 2 Watt of power in the frequency range of 824 ? 849 MHz (CDMA), 890 ? 915 MHz (GSM900) and 1710 ? 1780 MHz (GSM1800). A cell phone has a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) rating. In USA, SAR limit for cell phones is 1.6W/Kg which is actually for 6 minutes per day usage. It has a safety margin of 3 to 4, so a person should not use cell phone for more than 18 to 24 minutes per day. This information is not commonly known to the people in India, so crores of people use cell phones for more than an hour per day without realizing its associated health hazards. A base station and its transmitting power are designed in such a way that mobile phone should be able to transmit and receive enough signal for proper communication up to a few kilometers. Majority of these towers are mounted near the residential and office buildings to provide good mobile phone coverage to the users. These cell towers transmit radiation 24?7, so people living within 10?s of meters from the tower will receive 10,000 to 10,000,000 times stronger signal than required for mobile communication. In India, crores of people reside within high radiation zones. In India, we had adopted radiation norms given by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines of 1998 for safe power density of f/200, where frequency (f) is in MHz. Hence, for GSM900 transmitting band (935-960 MHz), power density was 4.7W/m2 and for GSM1800 transmitting band (1810-1880 MHz), it was 9.2W/m2. The Inter Ministerial Committee constituted on 24.08.2010 recommended for lowering the mobile towers? EMF exposure limits to 1/10th of the existing prescribed limit. These new norms came into force on 01.09.2012 but still fall short of solving the problems posed by cell tower radiation. The ICNIRP guidelines clearly state that for simultaneous exposure to multiple frequency fields, the sum of all the radiation must be taken into consideration. However, in India, we have applied this limit to individual carriers, so the radiation level exceeds by several times than even prescribed by ICNIRP guidelines, depending upon the total number of transmitters in that area Some of the people (especially older people, house wives, small children) living near the towers are exposed to this radiation 24 hours a day.
FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, "Darth Vader" accepts the Ultimate Villain award from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas during the 2011 Scream Awards, in Los Angeles. A decade after George Lucas said "Star Wars" was finished on the big screen, a new trilogy is destined for theaters after The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, that it was buying Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, "Darth Vader" accepts the Ultimate Villain award from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas during the 2011 Scream Awards, in Los Angeles. A decade after George Lucas said "Star Wars" was finished on the big screen, a new trilogy is destined for theaters after The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, that it was buying Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
People walk past a fountain showing the Yoda character from the Star Wars movies outside of Lucasfilms headquarters in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that it was buying Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2012 file photo, George Lucas arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, Calif. A decade after George Lucas said "Star Wars" was finished on the big screen, a new trilogy is destined for theaters after The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, that it was buying Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Naysayers would have you believe Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm can only mean one thing: Bambi and Mickey Mouse are sure to appear in future "Star Wars" movies taking up lightsabers against the dark side of the Force.
Not so, say experts who've watched Disney's recent acquisition strategy closely. If anything, The Walt Disney Co. has earned credibility with diehard fans by keeping its fingerprints off important film franchises like those produced by its Marvel Entertainment and Pixar divisions.
"They've been pretty clearly hands-off in terms of letting the creative minds of those companies do what they do best," says Todd Juenger, an analyst with Bernstein Research. "Universally, people think they pulled it off."
Though the Walt Disney Co. built its reputation on squeaky clean family entertainment, its brand today is multifaceted. Disney, of course, started as an animation studio in 1923 with characters such as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Steamboat Willie and Mickey Mouse. Over the years, the company ventured into live action movies, opened theme parks, launched a fleet of cruise ships and debuted shows on TV.
By way of acquisitions over the last few decades, it has ballooned into a company with $40.9 billion in annual revenue and a market value of $88 billion. Disney bought Capital Cities/ABC in 1995 for $19 billion, Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006, Marvel for $4.2 billion in 2009 and this week, it said it will purchase Lucasfilm and the "Star Wars" franchise for $4.05 billion.
Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009 offers the best example of how it might treat Lucasfilm and the "Star Wars" universe.
Marvel was in the midst of a storyline that would span several films following the smash hit success of its first self-produced movie, "Iron Man," in 2008. When Disney bought it a year later, it continued reading from the comic book giant's playbook, releasing in subsequent years "Iron Man 2," ''Thor," ''Captain America" and then this year, "The Avengers," which brought heroes from those movies together in one giant film that grossed $1.5 billion at the box office.
Now, "Avengers" director Joss Whedon is working on the sequel and developing a Marvel-based TV series for Disney-owned ABC.
Rick Marshall, a journalist and blogger who writes about the comic book and movie industries, was skeptical when Disney bought Marvel. But his doubts quickly melted when it was clear Disney wouldn't taint the Marvel universe by getting too involved.
"I was the first one to say there's going to be a Goofy-Wolverine crossover," Marshall said. "We haven't seen that... Disney was able to step away."
Recent history ought to assuage "Star Wars" fans who fear the Disney empire. But that hasn't stopped many of them from posting an array of video and pictorial mash-ups and jokes online as they poke fun at their darkest fears: Luke Skywalker staring into the distance at a mouse-eared sun and Darth Vader telling Donald Duck that he's his father.
What Disney did with Marvel was merely amplify its presence in theme parks, stores and theaters, observers say.
Disney's formula for success with Marvel was not to tamper with storylines, but to bring the existing franchise under its corporate umbrella.
Before it was acquired, Marvel paid Paramount Pictures a percentage of movie ticket sales to advertise its movies, make film prints and get them into theaters. Disney has those capabilities, so now that money doesn't go out the door. Disney also has a worldwide network of staff that help put Marvel toys on store shelves, expanding their reach and saving the money that Marvel used to pay third-party merchandise middlemen.
Owning Marvel also gives Disney a steady flow of super hero cartoons for its pay TV channel, Disney XD. These kind of logistical savings allow Disney to profit from ownership while not interfering in the creative process.
"Marvel does seem like it's running pretty independently and staying pretty close to its roots," said Janney Capital Markets analyst Tony Wible.
Disney's recent acquisitions have also filled gaps in its creative portfolio. CEO Bob Iger has said the company's $7.4 billion purchase of Pixar in 2006 was partly an investment in talent and a way to "grow and improve Disney animation." The deal brought John Lasseter, a former Disneyland employee, back into the fold as its chief creative officer of both Disney and Pixar's animation studios.
The purchase of Marvel helped Disney add characters that would resonate with boys at a time when the company was becoming known more for princesses, fairies and its fictional teenage rock star Hannah Montana.
The "Star Wars" franchise fills a hole in Disney's live-action portfolio, which suffered an embarrassing $200 million loss on the sci-fi flick "John Carter" earlier this year. The box-office bomb caused an executive shuffle at the studio that brought in former Warner Bros. president Alan Horn, who oversaw the hugely successful runs of "Harry Potter" and "The Dark Knight" movies.
It's in Disney's best interest to maintain the integrity of film franchises that come with a built-in fan base. Disney chief Iger has said the plan is for "Star Wars" live-action movies to replace others that may be in development, and to keep its production slate at a modest 7 to 10 movies per year.
"I think Disney's intention is that it just doesn't want to get in the way of a great asset," said Morningstar analyst Michael Corty.
In a conference call explaining the acquisition, Iger told analysts that "Disney respects and understands, probably better than just about anyone else, the importance of iconic characters and what it takes to protect and leverage them effectively."
When "Star Wars Episode 7" hits theaters in 2015, millions of fans will surely hold Iger to his word.
Risk factors predict childhood obesity, researchers find | Human Health and ScienceOctober 30, 2828 1:51 pm You are here:Home News Risk factors predict childhood obesity, researchers findPosted by on October 30, 2012in News|
PITTSBURGH (AP) ? The most devastating storm in decades to hit the country's most densely populated region upended man and nature as it rolled back the clock on 21st-century lives, cutting off modern communication and leaving millions without power Tuesday as thousands who fled their water-menaced homes wondered when ? if ? life would return to normal.
A weakening Sandy, the hurricane turned fearsome superstorm, killed at least 50 people, many hit by falling trees, and still wasn't finished. It inched inland across Pennsylvania, ready to bank toward western New York to dump more of its water and likely cause more havoc Tuesday night.? Behind it: a dazed, inundated New York City, a waterlogged Atlantic Coast and a moonscape of disarray and debris ? from unmoored shore-town boardwalks to submerged mass-transit systems to delicate presidential politics.
"Nature," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, assessing the damage to his city, "is an awful lot more powerful than we are."
More than 8.2 million households were without power in 17 states as far west as Michigan. Nearly 2 million of those were in New York, where large swaths of lower Manhattan lost electricity and entire streets ended up underwater ? as did seven subway tunnels between Manhattan and Brooklyn at one point, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said.
The New York Stock Exchange was closed for a second day from weather, the first time that has happened since a blizzard in 1888. The shutdown of mass transit crippled a city where more than 8.3 million bus, subway and local rail trips are taken each day, and 800,000 vehicles cross bridges run by the transit agency.
Consolidated Edison said electricity in and around New York could take a week to restore.
"Everybody knew it was coming. Unfortunately, it was everything they said it was," said Sal Novello, a construction executive who rode out the storm with his wife, Lori, in the Long Island town of Lindenhurst, and ended up with 7 feet of water in the basement.
The scope of the storm's damage wasn't known yet. Though early predictions of river flooding in Sandy's inland path were petering out,?colder temperatures made snow the main product of Sandy's slow march from the sea. Parts of the West Virginia mountains were blanketed with 2 feet of snow by Tuesday afternoon, and drifts 4 feet deep were reported at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
With Election Day a week away, the storm also threatened to affect the presidential campaign. Federal disaster response, always a dicey political issue, has become even thornier since government mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. And poll access and voter turnout, both of which hinge upon how people are impacted by the storm, could help shift the outcome in an extremely close race.
As organized civilization came roaring back Tuesday in the form of emergency response, recharged cellphones and the reassurance of daylight, harrowing stories and pastiches emerged from Maryland north to Rhode Island in the hours after Sandy's howling winds and tidal surges shoved water over seaside barriers, into low-lying streets and up from coastal storm drains.
Images from around the storm-affected areas depicted scenes reminiscent of big-budget disaster movies. In Atlantic City, N.J., a gaping hole remained where once a stretch of boardwalk sat by the sea. In Queens, N.Y., rubble from a fire that destroyed as many as 100 houses in an evacuated beachfront neighborhood jutted into the air at ugly angles against a gray sky. In heavily flooded Hoboken, N.J., across the Hudson River from Manhattan, dozens of yellow cabs sat parked in rows, submerged in murky water to their windshields. At the ground zero construction site in lower Manhattan, seawater rushed into a gaping hole under harsh floodlights.
One of the most dramatic tales came from lower Manhattan, where a failed backup generator forced New York University's Langone Medical Center to relocate more than 200 patients, including 20 babies from neonatal intensive care. Dozens of ambulances lined up in the rainy night and the tiny patients were gingerly moved out, some attached to battery-powered respirators as gusts of wind blew their blankets.
In Moonachie, N.J., 10 miles north of Manhattan, water rose to 5 feet within 45 minutes and trapped residents who thought the worst of the storm had passed. Mobile-home park resident Juan Allen said water overflowed a 2-foot wall along a nearby creek, filling the area with 2 to 3 feet of water within 15 minutes. "I saw trees not just knocked down but ripped right out of the ground," he said. "I watched a tree crush a guy's house like a wet sponge."
In a measure of its massive size, waves on southern Lake Michigan rose to a record-tying 20.3 feet. High winds spinning off Sandy's edges clobbered the Cleveland area early Tuesday, uprooting trees, closing schools and flooding major roads along Lake Erie.
Most along the East Coast, though, grappled with an experience like Bertha Weismann of Bridgeport, Conn.? frightening, inconvenient and financially problematic but, overall, endurable. Her garage was flooded and she lost power, but she was grateful. "I feel like we are blessed," she said. "It could have been worse."
The presidential candidates' campaign maneuverings Tuesday revealed the delicacy of the need to look presidential in a crisis without appearing to capitalize on a disaster. President Barack Obama canceled a third straight day of campaigning, scratching events scheduled for Wednesday in swing-state Ohio, in Sandy's path. Republican Mitt Romney resumed his campaign with plans for an Ohio rally billed as a "storm relief event."
And the weather posed challenges a week out for how to get everyone out to vote. On the hard-hit New Jersey coastline, a county elections chief said some polling places on barrier islands will be unusable and have to be moved.
"This is the biggest challenge we've ever had," said George R. Gilmore, chairman of the Ocean County Board of Elections.
By Tuesday afternoon, there were still only hints of the economic impact of the storm. Airports remained closed across the East Coast and far beyond as tens of thousands of travelers found they couldn't get where they were going.
Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight predicted the storm will end up causing about $20 billion in damages and $10 billion to $30 billion in lost business. Another firm, AIR Worldwide, estimated losses up to $15 billion ? big numbers probably offset by reconstruction and repairs that will contribute to longer-term growth.
"The biggest problem is not the first few days but the coming months," said Alan Rubin, an expert in nature disaster recovery.
Sandy began in the Atlantic and knocked around the Caribbean ? killing nearly 70 people ? and strengthened into a hurricane as it chugged across the southeastern coast of the United States. By Tuesday night it had ebbed in strength but was joining up with another, more wintry storm ? an expected confluence of weather systems that earned it nicknames like "superstorm" and, on Halloween eve, "Frankenstorm."
It became, pretty much everyone agreed Tuesday, the weather event of a lifetime ? and one shared vigorously on social media by people in Sandy's path who took eye-popping photographs as the storm blew through, then shared them with the world by the blue light of their smartphones.
On Twitter , Facebook and the photo-sharing service Instagram, people tried to connect, reassure relatives and make sense of what was happening ? and, in many cases, work to authenticate reports of destruction and storm surges. They posted and passed around images and real-time updates at a dizzying rate, wishing each other well and gaping, virtually, at scenes of calamity moments after they unfolded. Among the top terms on Facebook through the night and well into Tuesday, according to the social network: "we are OK," ''made it" and "fine."
By Tuesday evening, the remnants of Sandy were about 50 northeast of Pittsburgh, pushing westward with winds of 45 mph. It was expected to turn toward New York State and Canada during the night.
Although weakening as it goes, the storm will continue to bring heavy rain and flooding, said Daniel Brown of the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Atlantic City's fabled Boardwalk, the first in the nation, lost several blocks when Sandy came through, though the majority of it remained intact even as other Jersey Shore boardwalks were dismantled. What damage could be seen on the coastline Tuesday was, in some locations, staggering ? "unthinkable," New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said of what unfolded along the Jersey Shore, where houses were swept from their foundations and amusement park rides were washed into the ocean. "Beyond anything I thought I would ever see."
Resident Carol Mason returned to her bayfront home to carpets that squished as she stepped on them. She made her final mortgage payment just last week. Facing a mandatory evacuation order, she had tried to ride out the storm at first but then saw the waters rising outside her bathroom window and quickly reconsidered.
"I looked at the bay and saw the fury in it," she said. "I knew it was time to go."
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Contributing to this report were Katie Zezima in Atlantic City, N.J.; Alicia Caldwell and Martin Crutsinger in Washington; Colleen Long, Jennifer Peltz, Tom Hays, Larry Neumeister, Ralph Russo and Scott Mayerowitz in New York; Meghan Barr in Mastic Beach, N.Y.; Christopher S. Rugaber in Arlington, Va.; Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa.: John Christoffersen in Bridgeport, Conn.; Vicki Smith in Elkins, W.Va.; David Porter in Newark, N.J.; Joe Mandak in Pittsburgh; and Dave Collins in Hartford, Conn.
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Follow Ted Anthony on Twitter at http://twitter.com/anthonyted
World War II military vehicles from the U.S. and Europe will be sold at auction in December.
The National Military History Museum in Auburn, Indiana, is selling the vehicles to pay off debt.
Auctions America is handling the sale for the museum, which reportedly will continue to operate.
AUBURN, Indiana ? More than 80 vintage military vehicles and an assortment of pieces of memorabilia will be auctioned December 8 at the National Military History Center here.
The sale is being conducted by Auctions America as an effort to save the non-profit facility, owned by the Dean Kruse Foundation. The Web site Indianasnewscenter.com reported August 2 that the land and building housing the museum were to be sold to pay off a $2.9 million debt.
Auctions America stated on its Web site, "The sale will also help the museum [in] safeguarding its future and mission to educate the public about the military history of both Europe and America through vehicle displays."
Auctions America claims the single-day sale will feature the largest group of full- and half-track military items ever offered at public auction. One item to be sold is a World War II-era Daimler-Benz DB10 12-ton Primer mover, which according to the auction house is one of the most rare pieces of German military equipment.
The list includes French, British and American military vehicles. Specific items include a U.S. DUKW (Duck) made by General Motors and a British Humber Hexonaut GS, two amphibious vehicles; 1941 Indian and 1942 Harley-Davidson motorcycles; and the "Meat Chopper," the M16 multiple-gun motor carriage, a heavily armored halftrack made by White Motor Car.
"The National Military History Museum has focused our efforts on educating the community on the U.S. and Europe's involvement in major wars at home and around the world," said Tammy Hantz, operations manager for the National Military History Museum, in a statement. "With the help of Auctions America, we'll be able to continue these efforts for years to come. These vehicles are time capsules, and we hope the new owners will appreciate how symbolic they are to our country, as well as those countries in Europe that were involved in historic conflicts."
Edmunds says: Cavalry became mechanized many years ago and motorized military vehicles continue to be of utmost importance in national defense. The vehicles that will be auctioned are valuable indeed, monetarily and intrinsically.
How amped is Microsoft to get developers into the Windows Phone 8 Store? The company announced today at Build that it's lowering developer registration to $8 -- that's down from $99. Got to get in there quick, however -- that price is only good for the next eight days. Seems to be some kind of theme here, no?
Update: Looks like the discount situation is a little more involved than just that. According to Microsoft, "You'll be charged $99 USD or equivalent in your local currency, and we'll refund the difference in the next 30 to 45 days." Ninety-two percent discounts don't just happen overnight, after all.
I thought with all the talk of SNOW possibly on Halloween and with what was happening off the coast (prayers going to them!), this was a great time for this post. STAY SAFE!!!
Photo Credit
It?s that time of year again. We?re dusting off our woolly hats, digging out the wellies and braving the elements. Although we?d all like to be tucked up in bed with a cup of hot cocoa, there are times when we just can?t avoid taking the car out. UK-based company, Pass Smart, have created a guide to driving safely this winter. From what to keep in your boot, to advice for driving in snow, this guide includes everything you need to know to keep you and the littles ones safe this winter.
Checking your car!
Making sure your car is in tip-top condition is the very first thing to do as winter approaches. If you?re not sure what to look for, ask a family member or friend to have a look for you. You?ll need to check:
Headlights and tail lights are working
All tires (including the spare) are in good condition, with enough tread and pressure
The brakes are working well
The screen-wash bottle is full
Other fluids, such as oil and anti-freeze, are topped up to the correct levels
Be prepared
During the winter months, when adverse weather is on the cards, you should always have an emergency kit in your boot. It?s recommended that you have:
A tow rope
A flashlight
A shovel (you can buy compact, foldable shovels to preserve space)
High visibility vests
A blanket
First aid kit
De-icer and scraper
Warm clothes
Food & drink supplies, such as water (in a flask to prevent it from freezing) and some non-perishable food
You should also make sure that you take supplies for the kids when going out with them in the car. Some cereal bars, baby milk and jars of baby food are a god idea. Unless it?s essential they come with you, however, don?t travel ? in particularly bad weather ? with the kids in the car.
Plan your journey
Plan your route before you set off. Taking main roads is the safest option, as they?re more likely to have been gritted. If you can avoid treacherous roads, do so, even if it makes your journey longer.
Check local weather and road reports so that you know what to expect, and only drive if absolutely necessary.
It?s a good idea to tell someone what time you expect to reach your destination. Tell them you?ll ring them when you get there, or if you?re visiting someone, give them an estimated time of arrival. Make sure your phone is fully charged, so you can pull over and give them a call if you?re late.
Driving in snow and ice
When driving in snow and ice, making gentle maneuvers is vital. Stopping distance is increased by up to ten times in ice and snow, so drive slowly and don?t do any harsh braking. If your car starts to skid when braking, take your foot off the brake. Continuing to brake will only make the skid worse.
In an automatic vehicle, lock the transmission into 2nd gear, making you less reliant on the brake and limiting your speed.
If you find yourself stuck in the snow, it?s time to get the shovel out! (I bet you thought you?d never use it). Put something ? an item of clothing or old floor mat ? in front of the front tyres for some grip, and try to pull away. If you?re stuck in a dangerous place, get the kids out of the car and stand well away from the vehicle. Call a recovery truck if you need to.
Most importantly, remember to stay alert, be prepared and avoid driving at all unless absolutely necessary. Keep you and the little ones safe this winter; wrap up, get cosy and enjoy the snow safely!
This guest post was written by Isabelle Guarella from PassSmart.com; the UK-based company helping to get learner drivers on the road.
Eni, the international oil and gas company, announced its results for the third quarter and the nine months of 2012.
Financial highlights
Continuing operations:
Adjusted operating profit: ?14.80 billion for the nine months (up 13.9%); ?4.36 billion for the quarter (up 2.2%);
Adjusted net profit: ?5.61 billion for the nine months (up 4.6%); ?1.78 billion for the quarter (up 3.1%);
Cash flow: ?10.25 billion for the nine months; ?1.91 billion for the quarter.
Adjusted net profit: ?5.81 billion for the nine months (up 6.9%); ?1.82 billion for the quarter (up 1.5%);
Net profit: ?6.33 billion for the nine months; ?2.48 billion for the quarter.
Operational highlights
Oil and natural gas production: 1.718 million boe per day in the quarter. Up 16% from 2011 on a comparable basis 3 (up 8% in the nine months);
Natural gas sales: up 9% to 19.48 billion cubic meters in the quarter (down 2% in the nine months);
Completed the divestment of 30% of Snam to Cassa Depositi e Prestiti;
Achieved significant hydrocarbon exploration successes offshore Ghana and in Pakistan;
Acquired exploration licenses in Liberia;
Expanded presence of Versalis in Asian markets;
Launched the project for the conversion of the Venice industrial site into green refinery.
Paolo Scaroni, Chief Executive Officer, commented: ?In the third quarter, Eni delivered strong results with production growth supported by the continued improvement of the Libyan output. In the gas, refining and chemical sectors we have contained the impact of a difficult European scenario.
?Eni?s financial structure has been strengthened as a result of the divestment of our stakes in Snam and Galp and this will bolster our excellent growth prospects, which will be further fuelled by our portfolio of development projects and our extraordinary success in exploration activities.?
LNG World News Staff, October 30, 2012; Image: Eni
Between 3 and 10 percent of the general population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. However, a much larger percentage of the homeless youth population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender ? between 20 and 40 percent, as stated in the Task Force Report. The report states that, in Chicago alone, it is estimated that there are between 12,000 and 15,000 homeless youth. Between 1,448 and 3,000 of these youth are LGBT.
LGBT youth are more likely to become homeless because of family discrimination.About 62 percent of homeless LGBT youth were discriminated against by their families, versus only 30 percent of heterosexual homeless youth (Center for American Progress). About half of LGBT youth who came out to their parents received a negative reaction and about 26 percent were kicked out of their family?s homes, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Other problems for homeless LGBT youth include a high risk of mental health problems, a greater likelihood of suicide and increased risks of unsafe sex, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. There is also a lack of resources for homeless youth. In 2000, 42 percent of homeless youth who sought help through state-funded programs were unable to receive help because of the lack of resources, according to estimates by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that less than one-half of one percent of the federal budget for rental assistance, public housing and affordable housing programs went toward helping homeless youth.
Programs such as Forty to None are trying to change these statistics. The Forty to None Project was created in January 2011 by the True Colors Fund in an effort to reduce the percentage of homeless LGBT youth from 40 percent to none. The program hopes to achieve this goal by raising public awareness and giving a voice to the youth who this problem affects most directly. The website has a resources center that provides general information and can also put youth into contact with a local service provider. ___________________________________________________________________________
*This post was written by IMPACT journalism intern Rachel Graf.
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References: Quintana, N., Rosenthal, J., Krehely, J. (2010). On the Streets: The Federal Response to Gay and Transgender Homeless Youth
Ray, N. (2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. New York: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute and the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Remafedi, G. (1987). Male homosexuality: The adolescent perspective. Pediatrics, (79).
LOOMIS (CBS13) ? High school students are proving it?s never too early to make health a top priority as they rallied to raise awareness about breast cancer and early detection.
More than 1,200 students, teachers and breast cancer survivors came together to fight cancer at Del Oro High School.
?Our rally will make a difference because it will raise awareness to people who don?t know much about breast cancer,? student Brandon Bousmn said.
While current statistics of the cancer are rare for those under the age of 20, studies show it?s even more possible today that woman and even men develop breast cancer.
Students were all decked out in pink, hoping they can tackle the cure.
?It will bring awareness to teenagers. We understand how much it affects us but we don?t understand that a ton of people are affected with it; and that, there are steps you can take to prevent it,? said Analise Heinritz.
Even the school?s principal says the rally is to help teach students about early detection and prevention.
?The biggest is that we can get out of this is having students go home and talk to their parents, and talk to their friends, and get in to see the doctor, and also support people who are going through any sort of cancer,? Principal Dan Gayaldo said.
?They need to get involved and go online and research and be aware of how big breast cancer really is,? student Taylor Dumitru said.
This is the third year the school has raised money for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
More importantly, the rally brings students together to hopefully send a strong message that will last a lifetime.
?By eating healthy and understanding what can happen, understanding there are steps you can take to stop it from happening,? said Libby Runte. ?I do know friends that have been affected; and I understand how big of an impact it will have on your life and I want to make sure that everyone my age knows.?
A study from the University of Washington shows breast cancer is on the rise about 5 percent for woman under the age of thirty. The study also found the disease increases slightly after age 18.
Women with lupus have a higher risk for preeclampsiaPublic release date: 30-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Dawn Peters sciencenewsroom@wiley.com 781-388-8408 Wiley
DMARD use rare in pregnancy; may pose slight preeclampsia risk
New research reports that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsiaa dangerous condition in which pregnant women develop high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in their urine (proteinuria) after 20 weeks of gestation. According to the findings published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) during pregnancy was rare in the study population, but women who did use these medications show a statistically non-significant increase in preeclampsia risk. The risk could be explained by the severity of autoimmune disease among DMARD users.
Patients with autoimmune diseases such as SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are typically treated with DMARDs to prevent disease flares. DMARDs are a class of medications that treat the underlying autoimmune disease, not just symptoms of these diseases, and include: methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); anti-malarial drugs such as hydroxycholorquine (Plaquenil); and biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel) or adalimumab (Humira).
"Understanding how DMARD use impacts women with autoimmune disease is important, especially during pregnancy, as previous research found that women with SLE had at least a two-fold increase in preeclampsia risk and women with RA had a two-fold increase of this severe pregnancy complication," said lead author Kristin Palmsten from Harvard School of Public Health.
To compare risk of preeclampsia in DMARD users, researchers used the British Columbia healthcare utilization database to identify 306,831 pregnancies in 224,827 women with and without autoimmune disease. Women who filled a prescription for DMARDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids before pregnancy were considered "past users" and those who filled these prescriptions both before and during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy were designated "continuous users."
Results show that pregnant women in this study had a median age of 30 years, with 0.3% of women diagnosed with RA or psoriasis; 0.2% with inflammatory bowel disease (IBS); 0.1% with SLE, and another 0.1% with multiple sclerosis (MS). Within this cohort, researchers found that 1,226 (0.4%) women used a DMARD in the year prior to pregnancy, while only 414 (0.1%) women used DMARDs while pregnant. The occurrence of preeclampsia in past DMARD, steroid, NSAIDs users was 2.3%, 2.7%, and 2.9%, respectively.
Further analysis indicates that a continuous DMARD user was at greater risk of preeclampsia (relative risk (RR) =2.29; not statistically significant) compared to past DMARD users. Preeclampsia risk was greater in women with SLE (RR=2.02) compared to women without an autoimmune disease. Restricting the analysis to women with autoimmune diseases weakened the preeclampsia relative risk in DMARD users.
Ms. Palmsten concludes, "Our findings uphold previous evidence, showing that women with SLE had twice the risk of developing preeclampsia. The statistically non-significant increase in preeclampsia risk found for DMARDs was reduced when we more fully accounted for the potential effect of the autoimmune diseases, suggesting that the underlying disease or severity of the disease was likely contributing to the increased risk of preeclampsia among DMARD users." The authors advise that further studies are needed to confirm their findings, and research should focus on DMARD use and preeclampsia in women with specific autoimmune diseases.
###
This study is published in Arthritis Care & Research. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact sciencenewsroom@wiley.com
Full citation: "Use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs During Pregnancy and Risk of Preeclampsia." Kristin Palmsten, Sonia Hernndez-Daz, Bindee Kuriya, Daniel Solomon and Soko Setoguchi. Arthritis Care and Research; Published Online: October 29, 2012 (DOI: 10.1002/acr.21807).
URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/acr.21807
Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Ms. Palmsten, please contact Todd Datz from the Office of Communications at HSPH at tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu
About the Journal:
Arthritis Care & Research is an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), a division of the College. Arthritis Care & Research is a peer-reviewed research publication that publishes both original research and review articles that promote excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology. Relevant to the care of individuals with arthritis and related disorders, major topics are evidence-based practice studies, clinical problems, practice guidelines, health care economics, health care policy, educational, social, and public health issues, and future trends in rheumatology practice. The journal is published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). For more information, please visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2151-4658.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.
Wiley is a global provider of content and content-enabled workflow solutions in areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional development; and education. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
Media Advisory
2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Press Registration Now Open.
What: Press registration is now open to journalists planning to attend the 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center; Washington, D.C.
When: November 10 - 14, 2012
Policies: Please make sure to review our press guidelines www.acrannualmeeting.org/Press as they may impact your ability to receive press credentials
Registration: To register for a press pass, please visit www.acrannualmeeting.org/Press
Key dates:
Press registration closed: Monday, October 29, 2012
Press conference schedule announced: September
On-site Newsroom opens: Saturday, November 10, 2012
Opening Lecture/Embargo lifts: 4:30 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, November 10, 2012
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the American College of Rheumatology is an international professional medical society that represents more than 8,500 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. Rheumatologists are internists or pediatricians who are qualified by training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. Over 50 million Americans - including nearly 300,000 children - suffer from the painful, disabling and sometimes fatal effects of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The ACR's mission is to advance rheumatology. Learn more by visiting www.rheumatology.org. or follow ACR on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acrheum.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Women with lupus have a higher risk for preeclampsiaPublic release date: 30-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Dawn Peters sciencenewsroom@wiley.com 781-388-8408 Wiley
DMARD use rare in pregnancy; may pose slight preeclampsia risk
New research reports that women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsiaa dangerous condition in which pregnant women develop high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in their urine (proteinuria) after 20 weeks of gestation. According to the findings published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) during pregnancy was rare in the study population, but women who did use these medications show a statistically non-significant increase in preeclampsia risk. The risk could be explained by the severity of autoimmune disease among DMARD users.
Patients with autoimmune diseases such as SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are typically treated with DMARDs to prevent disease flares. DMARDs are a class of medications that treat the underlying autoimmune disease, not just symptoms of these diseases, and include: methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); anti-malarial drugs such as hydroxycholorquine (Plaquenil); and biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel) or adalimumab (Humira).
"Understanding how DMARD use impacts women with autoimmune disease is important, especially during pregnancy, as previous research found that women with SLE had at least a two-fold increase in preeclampsia risk and women with RA had a two-fold increase of this severe pregnancy complication," said lead author Kristin Palmsten from Harvard School of Public Health.
To compare risk of preeclampsia in DMARD users, researchers used the British Columbia healthcare utilization database to identify 306,831 pregnancies in 224,827 women with and without autoimmune disease. Women who filled a prescription for DMARDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids before pregnancy were considered "past users" and those who filled these prescriptions both before and during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy were designated "continuous users."
Results show that pregnant women in this study had a median age of 30 years, with 0.3% of women diagnosed with RA or psoriasis; 0.2% with inflammatory bowel disease (IBS); 0.1% with SLE, and another 0.1% with multiple sclerosis (MS). Within this cohort, researchers found that 1,226 (0.4%) women used a DMARD in the year prior to pregnancy, while only 414 (0.1%) women used DMARDs while pregnant. The occurrence of preeclampsia in past DMARD, steroid, NSAIDs users was 2.3%, 2.7%, and 2.9%, respectively.
Further analysis indicates that a continuous DMARD user was at greater risk of preeclampsia (relative risk (RR) =2.29; not statistically significant) compared to past DMARD users. Preeclampsia risk was greater in women with SLE (RR=2.02) compared to women without an autoimmune disease. Restricting the analysis to women with autoimmune diseases weakened the preeclampsia relative risk in DMARD users.
Ms. Palmsten concludes, "Our findings uphold previous evidence, showing that women with SLE had twice the risk of developing preeclampsia. The statistically non-significant increase in preeclampsia risk found for DMARDs was reduced when we more fully accounted for the potential effect of the autoimmune diseases, suggesting that the underlying disease or severity of the disease was likely contributing to the increased risk of preeclampsia among DMARD users." The authors advise that further studies are needed to confirm their findings, and research should focus on DMARD use and preeclampsia in women with specific autoimmune diseases.
###
This study is published in Arthritis Care & Research. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact sciencenewsroom@wiley.com
Full citation: "Use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs During Pregnancy and Risk of Preeclampsia." Kristin Palmsten, Sonia Hernndez-Daz, Bindee Kuriya, Daniel Solomon and Soko Setoguchi. Arthritis Care and Research; Published Online: October 29, 2012 (DOI: 10.1002/acr.21807).
URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/acr.21807
Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Ms. Palmsten, please contact Todd Datz from the Office of Communications at HSPH at tdatz@hsph.harvard.edu
About the Journal:
Arthritis Care & Research is an official journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), a division of the College. Arthritis Care & Research is a peer-reviewed research publication that publishes both original research and review articles that promote excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology. Relevant to the care of individuals with arthritis and related disorders, major topics are evidence-based practice studies, clinical problems, practice guidelines, health care economics, health care policy, educational, social, and public health issues, and future trends in rheumatology practice. The journal is published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). For more information, please visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2151-4658.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.
Wiley is a global provider of content and content-enabled workflow solutions in areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional development; and education. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
Media Advisory
2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Press Registration Now Open.
What: Press registration is now open to journalists planning to attend the 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center; Washington, D.C.
When: November 10 - 14, 2012
Policies: Please make sure to review our press guidelines www.acrannualmeeting.org/Press as they may impact your ability to receive press credentials
Registration: To register for a press pass, please visit www.acrannualmeeting.org/Press
Key dates:
Press registration closed: Monday, October 29, 2012
Press conference schedule announced: September
On-site Newsroom opens: Saturday, November 10, 2012
Opening Lecture/Embargo lifts: 4:30 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, November 10, 2012
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., the American College of Rheumatology is an international professional medical society that represents more than 8,500 rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. Rheumatologists are internists or pediatricians who are qualified by training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. Over 50 million Americans - including nearly 300,000 children - suffer from the painful, disabling and sometimes fatal effects of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The ACR's mission is to advance rheumatology. Learn more by visiting www.rheumatology.org. or follow ACR on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acrheum.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
With all the spread of technology, plenty of people on the planet are capable to communicate by the online world. This has decreased the gap in between persons to just a fraction of a second. The main backbone of information and facts technologies is computers. These can either be private computers, key frame computers and even super computers. All computers use each hardware and software program so that you can operate. The operation of this machine can on the other hand be easily hampered by specific applications that are created by malicious consumers. These programs are usually named virus or malware. So, how do I take away laptop or computer viruses making use of anti adware software package? Making use of a premium quality anti adware and spyware software package has assisted to clear up my Computer of annoying pop ups and improved its speed substantially.
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At times, this procedure may very well be tough to use particularly on these viruses that may not permit your program to start. Right here, one might be forced to first format the difficult drive and install new operating system just before he or she can use the anti virus.
Do not waste time considering to your self: how can I get rid of computer system viruses employing anti adware software package? Get started and save your files from receiving corrupted. I?m glad that every one of the spyware, adware and viruses on my pc are all gone now all thanks to premium quality application which I downloaded and would extremely advise it.
LONDON (Reuters) - World shares and commodities fell on Monday as a recent run of downbeat corporate reports cast a shadow over the economic growth outlook and markets awaited the impact of a huge U.S. hurricane.
All U.S. stock markets were shut in the first weather-related closure for 27 years, and they may close again on Tuesday as forecasters say the storm could be the largest to hit the mainland in American history.
U.S. stock index futures, which traded as usual, were down around 0.3 to 0.6 percent in line with falls seen across major European markets as renewed uncertainty over Spain and Greece put the euro and peripheral bond markets under pressure. <.n/>
The broader MSCI world equity index <.miwd00000pus> lost 0.25 percent to 327.85 points - on track for its worst monthly performance since May as doubts grow over the effect of the latest round of central bank efforts to boost activity.
Positive surprises, including third quarter U.S. and British growth data and signs of stabilization in China, have failed to persuade investors that the world economy can achieve lasting growth as major global companies have forecast weak revenues.
"Risk aversion is rising in all markets, and investors are increasingly focusing on slow global economic growth," said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Germany's Commerzbank in Frankfurt.
The FTSE Eurofirst 300 index <.fteu3> of top European shares fell 0.4 percent to 1,092.75 points and the euro zone's blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index <.stoxx50e> was down 0.8 percent to 2,475.29 points.
EURO ZONE PROBLEMS
In Europe, the common currency slipped against the dollar on rising uncertainty over whether Greece would agree to a deal on austerity and with no sign of when Spain might request aid.
Spain's problems appear to be worsening after retail sales in September were reported to be falling at their fastest pace in at least six years following a rise in sales tax.
In Greece, international lenders are refusing to make any further concessions to the government over new labor laws, stalling a deal to release desperately needed funds from the nation's bailout deal.
"Greece has come back to the radar and along with Spain, it poses a slight negative for the euro," said Jeremy Stretch, head of currency strategy at CIBC World Markets.
The euro was down 0.25 percent at $1.2902, close to Friday's two-week low of $1.2882, with volumes expected to taper off as traders in New York stay at home.
Italian political risks were also rising again after former premier Silvio Berlusconi threatened to bring down the government of Mario Monti.
"Berlusconi's rant perhaps highlights the less than stable nature of Italian politics and reinjects some degree of political risk into (Italian government bonds)," said Richard McGuire, rate strategist at Rabobank.
Italian 10-year government debt yields were up 9 basis points at 5.0 percent, with the bonds underperforming even their Spanish counterparts, where yields were 4.5 basis points higher at 5.66 percent.
German government bonds also hit two-week highs, sending 10-year yields down 5 basis points to 1.48 percent, as the weakness on equity markets added to the demand for less risky assets.
"We've got very reduced liquidity, with the U.S. deemed to be shut for the rest of the day so people are biding their time," one fixed income trader noted.
DOLLAR FIRM
The dollar steadied at 79.65 yen, off a four-month high of 80.38 touched on Friday, before a Bank of Japan monetary policy decision on Tuesday. Markets expect the BOJ to take further easing measures.
If the BOJ does ease, it will be the first time the central bank has acted for two consecutive months since 2003.
In oil markets, all eyes were on Hurricane Sandy, which has forced the closure of several big refineries along the east coast of the United States.
"With refineries cutting runs, we're likely to see a build-up in crude stocks which could be driving bearish prices at the moment," said Michael Creed, an economist at National Australia Bank in Melbourne.
Brent crude oil initially fell $1.04 to $108.51 a barrel on the possible impact of the hurricane, before recovering to be slightly firmer at around $109.93. U.S. crude was down 35 cents at $85.93.
Oil analysts say Sandy is likely to depress U.S. oil consumption as commuting and road transport fall and flights to and from East Coast airports are cancelled.
Commodities were also under pressure from speculation that rising evidence of weak corporate earnings around the world mean demand would slow. London copper fell 1.5 percent to $7,705 a metric ton (1.1023 tons).
(Additional reporting by Anirban Nag and Kirsten Donovan; Editing by David Stamp)
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Public release date: 30-Oct-2012
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