Opened up the laptop for the first time in years (don't know how many years ago that I brought from that last IT show....) and cleaned the laptop fan. I expected the fan to be full of dust. But no. In fact it is quite clean and reassembled it.
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, April 22, 2013
Bundesbank sees German economy returning to growth
Bundesbank sees German economy returning to growth
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 10:16 PM
The German economy, which contracted at the end of last year, likely returned to growth in the first quarter of this year and the upward trend looks set to continue, the Bundesbank said on Monday.
FRANKFURT - The German economy, which contracted at the end of last year, likely returned to growth in the first quarter of this year and the upward trend looks set to continue, the Bundesbank said on Monday.
"Even if no growth impulses were seen coming from manufacturing industry in the first quarter of 2013, services should have expanded again. Against this background, a rise in overall economic output is possible," the German central bank wrote in its April monthly report.
A pre-condition for this, however, was that the effects of the unseasonably cold winter weather, in sectors such as construction, remained contained, the report noted.
Nevertheless, looking ahead, "generally positive sentiment, the ongoing rise in employment and a recovery in demand for capital goods suggest that the upward trend in the German economy will continue in the second quarter," the Bundesbank said.
While Germany has largely been spared the recession that has hit many of its eurozone partners, Europe's biggest economy has not managed to remain completely unscathed and growth slowed throughout the course of last year and activity actually contracted in the last three months of 2012.
Thus, growth which stood at 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2012, slowed to 0.3 percent in the second quarter and 0.2 percent in the third quarter.
In the final quarter, GDP contracted by 0.6 percent, bringing overall full-year growth to just 0.7 percent across the whole of the year, compared with 3.0 percent in 2011.
The federal statistics office Destatis is scheduled to publish its first official estimate of first-quarter GDP on May 15.
Last week, Germany's leading economic think tanks said that the economic skies above Europe's top economy appear to be clearing and the recovery looks set gather momentum during the course of this year.
Four top institutes -- Ifo in Munich, IfW in Kiel, IW in Halle and RWI in Essen -- predicted in their annual spring report that gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by 0.8 percent in 2013 and then by 1.9 percent in 2014.
- AFP/al
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 10:16 PM
The German economy, which contracted at the end of last year, likely returned to growth in the first quarter of this year and the upward trend looks set to continue, the Bundesbank said on Monday.
FRANKFURT - The German economy, which contracted at the end of last year, likely returned to growth in the first quarter of this year and the upward trend looks set to continue, the Bundesbank said on Monday.
"Even if no growth impulses were seen coming from manufacturing industry in the first quarter of 2013, services should have expanded again. Against this background, a rise in overall economic output is possible," the German central bank wrote in its April monthly report.
A pre-condition for this, however, was that the effects of the unseasonably cold winter weather, in sectors such as construction, remained contained, the report noted.
Nevertheless, looking ahead, "generally positive sentiment, the ongoing rise in employment and a recovery in demand for capital goods suggest that the upward trend in the German economy will continue in the second quarter," the Bundesbank said.
While Germany has largely been spared the recession that has hit many of its eurozone partners, Europe's biggest economy has not managed to remain completely unscathed and growth slowed throughout the course of last year and activity actually contracted in the last three months of 2012.
Thus, growth which stood at 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2012, slowed to 0.3 percent in the second quarter and 0.2 percent in the third quarter.
In the final quarter, GDP contracted by 0.6 percent, bringing overall full-year growth to just 0.7 percent across the whole of the year, compared with 3.0 percent in 2011.
The federal statistics office Destatis is scheduled to publish its first official estimate of first-quarter GDP on May 15.
Last week, Germany's leading economic think tanks said that the economic skies above Europe's top economy appear to be clearing and the recovery looks set gather momentum during the course of this year.
Four top institutes -- Ifo in Munich, IfW in Kiel, IW in Halle and RWI in Essen -- predicted in their annual spring report that gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by 0.8 percent in 2013 and then by 1.9 percent in 2014.
- AFP/al
- wong chee tat :)
SMEs' confidence dips despite improved outlook for global economy
SMEs' confidence dips despite improved outlook for global economy
By Wong Siew Ying
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 9:47 PM
Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation and DP Information Group's SME Index.
SINGAPORE: Confidence among Singapore's business owners has dimmed, despite an improved outlook for the global economy.
Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and DP Information Group's SME Index.
The score for turnover expectations fell from 5.44 to 5.36, while profit expectations fell from 5.33 to 5.12 compared to the previous six months.
SMEs also expect it to be more difficult to borrow money during the next two quarters, with the access to funding index score dropping to 5.02 from 5.06 previously.
This, in spite of a three-point increase in the overall outlook for SMEs to 55 points, amid signs of recovery in the US, growth in China and the Eurozone averting a financial crisis.
In a joint statement, SBF and DP Information said improvements in the global economy are not expected to translate into improved sales and profits.
"Inflation, high business costs and tightened foreign workers policy continue to be a drag on businesses and the economy," said Ho Meng Kit, CEO of Singapore Business Federation.
"Businesses are mindful that they need to urgently raise productivity through capital investment, as well as look to alternative markets to make up for the shortfall from traditional trading partners," he said.
However, despite the downbeat expectations for growth, SMEs are still investing in technology and equipment to raise efficiency.
"This increased capital expenditure comes at a time when SMEs are less positive about their profit outlook," said Chen Yew Nah, managing director of DP Information Group.
"It means Singapore SMEs understand they need to make productivity improvements now. It is investment they can no longer put off," Mr Chen said.
The SME Index is based on 3,000 interviews with SME owners and managers, as well as companies' actual financial performance.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
By Wong Siew Ying
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 9:47 PM
Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation and DP Information Group's SME Index.
SINGAPORE: Confidence among Singapore's business owners has dimmed, despite an improved outlook for the global economy.
Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and DP Information Group's SME Index.
The score for turnover expectations fell from 5.44 to 5.36, while profit expectations fell from 5.33 to 5.12 compared to the previous six months.
SMEs also expect it to be more difficult to borrow money during the next two quarters, with the access to funding index score dropping to 5.02 from 5.06 previously.
This, in spite of a three-point increase in the overall outlook for SMEs to 55 points, amid signs of recovery in the US, growth in China and the Eurozone averting a financial crisis.
In a joint statement, SBF and DP Information said improvements in the global economy are not expected to translate into improved sales and profits.
"Inflation, high business costs and tightened foreign workers policy continue to be a drag on businesses and the economy," said Ho Meng Kit, CEO of Singapore Business Federation.
"Businesses are mindful that they need to urgently raise productivity through capital investment, as well as look to alternative markets to make up for the shortfall from traditional trading partners," he said.
However, despite the downbeat expectations for growth, SMEs are still investing in technology and equipment to raise efficiency.
"This increased capital expenditure comes at a time when SMEs are less positive about their profit outlook," said Chen Yew Nah, managing director of DP Information Group.
"It means Singapore SMEs understand they need to make productivity improvements now. It is investment they can no longer put off," Mr Chen said.
The SME Index is based on 3,000 interviews with SME owners and managers, as well as companies' actual financial performance.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Bank of Thailand "stands ready" to take action if need to cool housing prices
Bank of Thailand "stands ready" to take action if need to cool housing prices
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 7:40 PM
Bank of Thailand Governor, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, told Channel NewsAsia he had recently held talks with major developers and mortgage lenders to express concern about the strength of the market.
SINGAPORE: The Bank of Thailand (BOT) said it "stands ready" to take action to cool housing prices, should the need arise.
BOT Governor, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, told Channel NewsAsia he had recently held talks with major developers and mortgage lenders to express concern about the strength of the market.
The central bank refrained from taking any action, but the Governor said it is keeping its options open.
Mr Prasarn said: "These things are dynamic, let me tell you we are monitoring and I cannot guarantee that this is it, it will stay forever. You notice that in the past we used to introduce certain measures. Now if the situation changed, if the situation calls for it, we stand ready.”
He said he did express concern at the very low rates given on starter loans, and told bank executives to keep a close eye on their mortgage lending practices.
Although he regards these as "marketing gimmicks", he said he had issued a verbal warning to banks to avoid "over-competition" in this area.
The Governor also expressed concern about the speed of appreciation of the Thai baht.
He said the change was largely due to inflows of money from Japan, a result of the Bank of Japan's super-easing monetary policy.
"When you are overstretching the (monetary policy) instrument you are bound to face something unexpected. At the moment, you see how this spill over around the world has caused lots of problems, distortions around the financial markets,” he said.
The Governor added that weaker in the Japanese yen was benefiting the Thai manufacturing sector, because of its close ties with Japanese industry.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 7:40 PM
Bank of Thailand Governor, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, told Channel NewsAsia he had recently held talks with major developers and mortgage lenders to express concern about the strength of the market.
SINGAPORE: The Bank of Thailand (BOT) said it "stands ready" to take action to cool housing prices, should the need arise.
BOT Governor, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, told Channel NewsAsia he had recently held talks with major developers and mortgage lenders to express concern about the strength of the market.
The central bank refrained from taking any action, but the Governor said it is keeping its options open.
Mr Prasarn said: "These things are dynamic, let me tell you we are monitoring and I cannot guarantee that this is it, it will stay forever. You notice that in the past we used to introduce certain measures. Now if the situation changed, if the situation calls for it, we stand ready.”
He said he did express concern at the very low rates given on starter loans, and told bank executives to keep a close eye on their mortgage lending practices.
Although he regards these as "marketing gimmicks", he said he had issued a verbal warning to banks to avoid "over-competition" in this area.
The Governor also expressed concern about the speed of appreciation of the Thai baht.
He said the change was largely due to inflows of money from Japan, a result of the Bank of Japan's super-easing monetary policy.
"When you are overstretching the (monetary policy) instrument you are bound to face something unexpected. At the moment, you see how this spill over around the world has caused lots of problems, distortions around the financial markets,” he said.
The Governor added that weaker in the Japanese yen was benefiting the Thai manufacturing sector, because of its close ties with Japanese industry.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Huang Wenyong to be honoured with special award at “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”
Huang Wenyong to be honoured with special award at “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 4:22 PM
SINGAPORE: Late television icon Huang Wenyong will receive the Honorary TV Award, to honour his contributions to Singapore’s television industry, at the “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”.
SINGAPORE: Late television icon Huang Wenyong will receive the Honorary TV Award, to honour his contributions to Singapore’s television industry, during the “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”, which will be held at the Marina Bay Sands MasterCard Theatres on April 28.
A one-hour television special will also be produced to mark his death.
It is titled "Remembering Huang Wenyong" and will air on April 29, 8pm on Channel 8.
There will also be a "Frontline" Huang Wenyong special which airs on April 26, at 10.30pm on the same channel.
In addition, there will be a special broadcast of the best scenes from the sitcoms "Don't Worry Be Happy" and "Lobang King" which Huang starred in, along with an episode of the talk show "CelebriTea Break" where he appears as a guest, on April 27, from 2.30pm on Channel 8.
This will be followed by a re-run of the film "Homerun", in which he played the head of an impoverished household, at 2.30pm on April 28.
Fans can log on to MediaCorp's online portal Toggle as well, to catch complete episodes of Huang's classic shows.
The 60-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as Ah Shui in the classic 1984 drama "The Awakening", died of lymphoma in hospital on Saturday.
A special segment was added to the "Star Awards 2013 Show 1" on Sunday in light of his death.
The audience observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the late star, before a short memorial video was played.
- CNA/ha
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 4:22 PM
SINGAPORE: Late television icon Huang Wenyong will receive the Honorary TV Award, to honour his contributions to Singapore’s television industry, at the “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”.
SINGAPORE: Late television icon Huang Wenyong will receive the Honorary TV Award, to honour his contributions to Singapore’s television industry, during the “Star Awards 2013 Show 2”, which will be held at the Marina Bay Sands MasterCard Theatres on April 28.
A one-hour television special will also be produced to mark his death.
It is titled "Remembering Huang Wenyong" and will air on April 29, 8pm on Channel 8.
There will also be a "Frontline" Huang Wenyong special which airs on April 26, at 10.30pm on the same channel.
In addition, there will be a special broadcast of the best scenes from the sitcoms "Don't Worry Be Happy" and "Lobang King" which Huang starred in, along with an episode of the talk show "CelebriTea Break" where he appears as a guest, on April 27, from 2.30pm on Channel 8.
This will be followed by a re-run of the film "Homerun", in which he played the head of an impoverished household, at 2.30pm on April 28.
Fans can log on to MediaCorp's online portal Toggle as well, to catch complete episodes of Huang's classic shows.
The 60-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as Ah Shui in the classic 1984 drama "The Awakening", died of lymphoma in hospital on Saturday.
A special segment was added to the "Star Awards 2013 Show 1" on Sunday in light of his death.
The audience observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the late star, before a short memorial video was played.
- CNA/ha
- wong chee tat :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)