When Enron failed, it was revealed they had hidden losses off their balance sheet with SIVs, a Structured Investment Vehicle ( Read more... )

I give it a thumbs up. Made by Tomas Alfredson, the Swedish director who shot 'Let the Right One In', his version of the story works the current fashion in Nordic film, a painstaking recreation of London in the 1970's and long slow takes where the characters can wallow in their misery and suffering. It's an atmospheric slice of Spy genre Cinema ( Read more... )

The Eurozone was created with the best will in the world, in the next few months we may get to hear the reading of that will. A supranational body that would put national interests aside for the benefit of everyone is now failing back to those interests in a time of crisis ( Read more... )

JP Morgan has used Playmobil figures to explain just how fucked the Eurozone is. They should know as their fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. You can tell that JPM aren't in character because there's no Darth Vader in the tableaux ( Read more... )

There's about 20-30 shops and offices that have windows boarded up, more Police on the streets than usual but otherwise Birmingham looks as it always has done. Lots of people around, shopping and going about their business ( Read more... )

China's behaviour in the world resembles the actions of a petulant manager in a large corporation. Praise is expected during the good times, obviously they are doing something right and deserve recognition. When times are hard they only want to hear 'constructive criticism', it is not the place of underlings to raise dissent. If you cannot say ( Read more... )

Credit due to 'Thewlis Rox' @ davidthewlis.net.

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I have lost count of the number of summits on the Euro debt crisis. Last night's deal was the result of many years of arguments and showed how slowly the Eurozone reacts to problems; Even those that threaten its survival. Over the past 3 years we have been told ( Read more... )

A funny film and worth seeing at the Cinema. While there are some scenery shots that benefit from being on a big screen you could easily wait for the DVD/TV release. It's a Judd Apatow production so no surprises on what the film is about but one where the comic screw ups are done by Women, with Women and for Women. Surprising number of supporting ( Read more... )

I managed to drop the new phone and the screen cracked and broke. This is despite it having 'Gorilla Glass' which is touted as unbreakable. Fortunately I have insurance on the contract, Orange Care delivered a new handset the next morning ( Read more... )