Author: Serkadis

Sandra Bullock is back and will attend the MTV Movie Awards on June 6. She will accept the “MTV Generation Award”. The actress, 46, is the first female recipient to be honored with the award that acknowledges an actor who has engages the MTV audience throughout their career. MTV announced that Sandra would receive the award “for her riveting and diverse contributions to the film industry and for entertaining generations of the MTV audience over the last two decades.” The past recipients of the award were Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

Her last attendance was when she won her best actress Oscar last March for “The Blind Side”. The event was followed by reports of Jesse James, Sandra’sex- husband, cheating on her. She filed for divorce last April. She announced that she had adopted a 3 ½ month old baby boy earlier this month. The 2010 MTV Movie Awards will be broadcasted Live from the Gibson Ampitheatre in Universal City, California on June 6 at 9 pm ET. The event will be hosted by Aziz Ansari. Some of the confirmed presenters of the event include Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Shaun White, Vanessa Hudgens, Sean “Diddy” Combs, the cast of “The Grown Ups” (Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider), Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Aubrey Plaza.

Related posts:

1. Sandra Bullock: The Best and The Worst
2. Sandra Bullock Asked to Return the Award
3. Sandra Bullock Hits The Razzies!

Yes folks, it’s coming! Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president Andrew House has confirmed their plans to introduce the often-rumored PSN pay-to-play service in a recent fan in question & answer post.
 

The Dow Jones reached today the incredible low, just under 10000, the Dow Jones average wasn’t this low since four months. The main cause of this ever so low value is the drop of euro.

Dow Jones opened in the morning with a high value of 135 points but dropped down about 69 points in the closing, this is the 8 drop since 10 days for Dow.

It appears that investors are frightened by the heavy debt loads in the Europeans segments, probably fearing that this debt loads will spread to other countries too in the region. This fear could explain the heavy sell-off which occurred today on Dow.

The situation was getting even worst at the end of the trading day, since China started to review its government holdings in the European region because of this financial crisis in the euro zone.

The loose of confidence in the euro shows the loose of confidence in the European countries to be able to deal properly with their debt problems.

Related posts:

1. Markets Drop and Dow Plummets 997 Points
2. U.S. Stock Futures Back Up After Trouble on Thursday
3. Euro Rises

Should companies have privacy rights? With recent legal rulings suggesting that companies have similar legal rights to individuals, does that include privacy rights? A bunch of groups, including Public Citizen and the EFF, have filed an amicus brief in a case that looks into that question. The lawsuit is between the FCC and AT&T. It seems that the FCC had done an investigation where it determined that AT&T — the same company that has “helped out” the government by explaining how the feds could get around pesky oversight rules by using post-it notes — has been over-billing the government.

That seems like pretty interesting information, and some others thought so — which is why a Freedom of Information Act request was made to the FCC, and the FCC agreed to hand over the documents concerning the investigation. AT&T, in response, sued the FCC, saying that releasing this info would violate the company’s “personal privacy.” Huh? It’s hard to see how a company has “personal privacy.” You can understand not releasing confidential information that involves a trade secret, or other such information. But claiming that details of an investigation of how you may have bilked the government is “private” info seems a bit absurd. If that was the case, then any company could demand that any embarrassing information never be released.

Unfortunately, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with AT&T, suggesting that the exemption in the Freedom of Information Act for “personal privacy” does, in fact, apply to AT&T as well. The new brief urges the Supreme Court review the case:

Unless the Supreme Court takes the case and reverses the Third Circuit decision, records about safety violations at a coal mine, environmental problems at an offshore oil rig, filthy conditions at a food manufacturing plant, financial shenanigans at an investment bank and many other records like these may be the subject of so-called corporate privacy claims that could result in agencies withholding those records from the public under FOIA.

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Michael Ventrella came as the Biggest Loser contestant in history and left as the winner of the show. To weigh half his body and win $250,000 was not that easy. Despite Michael having 526 pounds as his starting weight, his willpower and competitive nature made him stay up to the finale and won after he lost a the highest percentage of bodyweight (50.19 percent) between his competitors Ashley Johnston and Daris George. He said “As an Italian family, we use our food and eating as a social way of staying close. And being able to go there and change my habits and changing my mother’s habits ripples into our family and friends because that’s our way of celebrating.”

The 31-year-old is now down to 262 pounds and states that the biggest lesson he learned was that in order to help other people, he needed to help himself. He said, “I was always putting other people before me, [but] I couldn’t really help anybody if I was sick or I was dead. I learned how to focus on me, what my body needed and what I needed to sustain life and live happily. Look what happened from me focusing on myself and setting an example. … I can’t articulate how amazing it feels to be able to get that return. On top of everything that I’ve done for myself, I’ve been able to help other people.”

Related posts:

1. Biggest Loser Season Finale Results
2. Who Won Biggest Loser 2010?
3. The Biggest Loser Make Over Week

Today has emerged a very strong rumor from several British media which claim that Natal will cost $ 149. According to the online edition of the British magazine Edge, a reliable source (which appears to be the same as that uncovered the first details and release date of Gears Of War 3 before the official announcement) reveals that Microsoft announced during E3, price, release date and final name of Project Natal.

According to the source Natal will be included in the Xbox 360 Arcade model for $ 299/243 €, prices outside the United States shall be determined by a number of factors including the actual change of currency so that the peripheral acquisition would be around  € 121/ $ 149 (at current exchange rates). The global launch is estimated for October 26 but this could vary by two weeks and come with a big advertising campaign.

It was not immediately known whether these reports are true, and Microsoft has not commented on this, although the rumors about the final name of the new device has already begun.

Related posts:

1. Microsoft will Launch Project Natal on Xbox 360
2. Apple iPad Costs 25% More In ‘Rip-Off’ Britain
3. Microsoft reorganizes its Entertainment and Devices Division

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

Back in 2006 when the Chevrolet Volt was first conceived, its extended-range electric (ER-EV) powertrain was originally dubbed E-Flex as its configuration was designed to be flexible. The only part of the system that was constant was the electric drive and the presence of a battery. The architecture was designed so any type of powerplant could be used as a range extender, and over the last three years concepts have been shown with flex-fuel three-cylinder turbos, inline-four diesels and hydrogen fuel cells.

Ultimately, powertrain chief engineer Larry Nitz and his team opted for a normally aspirated 1.4-liter inline-four for the first generation Volt because it offered the best combination of cost and efficiency. However, while working on the first generation Volt, work on the second-gen. model has been happening in parallel. Way back in May 2007 we talked to then-VP for R&D Larry Burns about using an HCCI engine for the Volt since it could be optimized to operate at steady state speeds and he agreed that was certainly one possible direction.

Right now the top priority for the second-generation Volt is driving down the cost of the powertrain, including the battery. Although automakers are always reluctant to talk about parts pricing, GM’s project management VP, Jon Laukner, has hinted on more than one occasion that the Volt pack costs somewhere in the $600 per kilowatt-hour range or under $10,000 for the 16 kWh unit. The goal is to get that cost down below $400 per kWh in the next few years and a combination of increased volumes and LG Chem launching cell production in western Michigan will certainly help to achieve that.

Reducing the cost of the range extender will also play a part. GM’s VP of global vehicle engineering, Karl Stracke told Inside Line that smaller range extenders in the 15-18 kilowatt range are part of the strategy and either a two-cylinder piston engine or a single rotor Wankel are possibilities to replace the current inline-four. Volt communications manager Rob Peterson confirmed to Autoblog that a number of different variants are being evaluated, but he wouldn’t say if any particular direction has been selected yet.

Powertrain engineering consultant FEV has recently been showing off an ER-EV Fiat 500 with a Wankel range extender. While Wankels are not known for fuel efficiency (quite the opposite actually), a modern direct injected unit for this type of application could be highly optimized to provide acceptable performance and consumption. A Wankel also has the advantage of being both very compact for its output and vibration-free, making it well suited for this type of application. With the first generation Volt only expected to have about a three-year life-span, a final decision will likely be made very soon.

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Inside Line, General Motors]

Next-gen Volt could use diesel, two-cylinder or rotary range extender originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumors of John Travolta and Kelly Preston expecting twins set out. Star Magazine was the first to report that Kelly was pregnant, which was right, and now reports that she is expecting twin boys, but are the right this time? The truth is – no they are not expecting twin boys or twins at all. Sam Mast, the couple’s rep says, “Totally false. They are not expecting twins.” The couple has been mourning for the loss of their 16 year old son, Jett, at the beginning of last year after he had suffered a seizure. The couple’s two dogs were also killed in an accident at Maine’s Bangor International Airport earlier this month. However, the 56-year-old actor and 47-year-old actress still have their daughter Ella, 10; and are expecting a new addition to their family.

John’s co-stars congratulate him for the announcement that he and his wife are expecting. Hugh Jackman congratulates the couple stating, “I’m very thrilled for him. I know John – he’s an amazing dad and that’s one lucky kid. I’m very, very, very happy for them. Very excited.” British actress Amber Rose Revah, Travolta’s From Paris with Love costar, said “I think it’s wonderful. John is a really caring person. I’m just happy for him because I think with all that’s happened to him over the last year, he deserved something good.”

Related posts:

1. John Travolta and Kelly Preston expecting a new child
2. John Travolta to be a Father Again
3. Travolta Couple is having their Newborn for the Third Time!

Filed under: Hatchback, Bentley

The Porsche 918 Spyder might’ve been our pick of the Geneva Motor Show, but the consensus on which vehicle we’d drive home was unanimous: The Bentley Continental-based Flying Star.

As many of you have pointed out, we’ve got a undying love of all things shooting brake, so the Flying Star lit up all the right nerve endings. And apparently, we aren’t alone.

Car and Driver spoke with Stuart McCullough during the launch of the Mulsanne and when asked about the possibility of a Bentley-built hatch, the Volkswagen board member said, “We have an idea in the back of our minds that we may yet bring to market.”

That’s far from a confirmation and it’s doubtful that a Continental-derived shooting brake is coming, particularly when you consider that the GT is due for a refresh. However, something based on the Mulsanne’s underpinnings could replace the aging Continental, and Bentley is sure to be considering other body styles when that model arrives within the next few years.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Bentley says shooting brake a possibility? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Chevrolet, GMC

The 2011 Chevy Silverado HD didn’t pull any punches about wanting to beat the competition, but it might just pull everything else. In case you missed any of its maybe-or-maybe-not best-in-class numbers, The General has put together a nifty little animation for you that trumpets all of its heavy duty points. And it does a much better job of it than the Dude Perfect spot did…

However, since it is well known that size matters a great deal in the world of pickup trucks, you can expect Ford and Dodge to be unveiling bigger trumpets soon enough. Follow the jump to see the Transformer-esuqe spot.

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Video: GM wants you to see a few things about the Silverado HD

Video: GM wants you to see a few things about the Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Therapeutic Discovery Project Program Tax Credit/Grant – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the guidelines for applying for the new Therapeutic Discovery Project Program created by the Affordable Care Act.  The program will provide tax credits and grants to small firms that show significant potential to produce new and cost-saving therapies, support good jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.  The therapeutic discovery tax credit is targeted to projects that show significant potential to produce new therapies, address unmet medical needs, reduce the long-term growth of health care costs and advance the goal of curing cancer within the next 30 years.  The credit’s allocation will also take into consideration which projects show the greatest potential to create and sustain high-quality, high-paying jobs in the United States and to advance our competitiveness in the fields of life, biological, and medical sciences.  The credit covers up to 50 percent of the cost of qualifying biomedical research, up to a maximum credit of $5 million per firm and $1 billion overall and is only available to firms with fewer than 250 employees. To provide an immediate boost to U.S. biomedical research and the small businesses that conduct it, the credit is effective for investments made in 2009 and 2010.  Firms can opt to receive a grant instead of a tax credit, so start-ups that are not yet profitable can benefit as well.  Opening Date: June 21, 2010.  Closing Date: July 21, 2010.

Posted Date: May 21, 2010

Program Announcement Number: TG712

Art Linkletter died on Wednesday at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was known as the friendly host who parlayed his talent for the ad-libbed interview of two of the television’s longest- running shows – “People Are Funny” and “House Party”. He had a great talent of pleasing others and getting them to open up. The highlight of his show was the segment where five schoolchildren ages 5 to 10 sat down to be interviewed by Mr. Linkletter. Women, who were the made three quarters of the audience for “House Party”, loved his easy and enthusiastic way with children. Mr. Linkletter made replies like that in “Kids Say the Damdest Things” which was illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, the creator of “Peanuts,” and its sequel, “Kids Still Say the Damdest Things.”

Mr. Linketter became a campaigner against drug use and an adviser to President Richard M. Nixon on drug policy shortly after his daughter Diane died by jumping from her sixth story apartment with reports that she had taken LSD, became depressed and lost her mind. He also spent his subsequent years on lecture tours, appearing in commercials and tending to his far-flung business interest that included oil wells and toys. He also wrote “Old Age Is Not for Sissies”. He was asked on what his secret for his long life was when he was in his 80s, he replied “You live between your ears. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can rewind it.”

Related posts:

1. Katherine Jackson says Grandchildren to Move Out
2. White House for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
3. Miley Cyrus’ Lap Dance With Adam Shankman

Remember Zer01? The company that made really quite stunning claims about being able to offer a VoIP-based mobile phone that would offer unlimited voice and data on smart phones for a low price? After some investigations by reporters like Nancy Gohring and our own Derek Kerton it became pretty clear that the whole thing was pure vaporware, tied to a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme that had a questionable past. It certainly sucked in lots of folks, a bunch of whom showed up in our comments insisting that the phones were real and we’d be proven wrong soon enough. Of course, multiple promised launch dates came and went with nothing to show for it. Laptop Magazine, whose credibility took a big hit, rescinded its “best of show” award for the product, and eventually the company tried to blame everyone else for its problems, suggesting that it was its MLM partner, Global Verge, who was the real problem. Oh yeah, and all those journalists who asked tough questions and weren’t satisfied with the non-answers they received. As part of that Zer01 “dissolved” its relationship with Global Verge (the “parent” operation of Buzzirk Mobile, which was set up to sell Zer01 — or, more accurately, to sell the “dream” of being a Zer01 sales rep, in typical MLM fashion).

Of course, if it was really everyone else’s fault, you would imagine that somewhere along the line, Zer01 would show up with an actual product. One that people could see and actually use — just as Derek had asked to use the “demo” phone at CTIA, a request that was denied. But, of course, none of that happened. Earlier this year, Zer01’s website just disappeared. It also turns out that Global Verge sued Zer01, and has now been awarded $43 million. Of course, considering that Zer01 seems to have disappeared entirely, you can consider that $43 million to be worth about the same as $43 million in Monopoly money. Apparently, Zer01’s boastful CEO, Ben Piilani lost his lawyers after “he stopped replying to contact from his counsel.” In other words, Piilani has disappeared.

Assuming that Piilani doesn’t re-emerge and appeal, then Global Verge may try to take any assets it can, which may include some apparent patent applications that Zer01 claimed it had — though, the details were never explained, so I wouldn’t hold my breath on the actual existence of such patent applications, or the likelihood that they get approved. Of course, as Gohring’s latest piece on the saga points out, many people are still upset with Global Verge for convincing them to sign up to sell these non-existent phones. Global Verge tap dances around all this:

“One of the misnomers out there is that with Zer01 that we were charging people to come into the company to sell the Zer01 service. We never charged any of our distributors one dime for any service or any phones or any of the ability to sell the phones or the service,” he said.

Yet, Robbins himself spoke repeatedly on conference calls for associates last year that were almost exclusively about the Zer01 service and the potential benefits of becoming an associate in order to sell the service.

Robbins maintains that associates who signed up to become part of the marketing program last year did so in order to get other benefits of being part of Global Verge, such as national ID recovery, back-end management systems to manage their businesses, a video conferencing program and travel sites to save money on travel.

Of course, it seems that many of those who signed up don’t agree. Gohring notes that two dozen complaints have been filed against Global Verge to the Missouri state attorney general’s office. Yet another reminder that if something seems to be too good to be true… it probably is.

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(The White House, May 25, 2010) – Today, at an event honoring Small Business Owners of the Year from across the country, the President will urge Congress to pass a Small Business Jobs Package, including a proposal he put forth in early February to create a new Small Business Lending Fund to provide small businesses with the tools to access capital so they can grow and hire.   A fact sheet on the Small Business Jobs Package can be found HERE.  Earlier this month, the President sent legislation on the Small Business Lending Fund to Congress earlier this month, along with a new state small business credit initiative that will help expand lending for small businesses and manufacturers at a time when budget shortfalls are forcing states to cut back on lending programs.  Today, the President will urge the House and Senate to move quickly on these and other proposals that encourage investment in our nation’s small businesses, which are crucial to our efforts to create new jobs across the country.  Click here to read more…

By Jessica Shankleman

(BusinessGreen, May 21, 2010) It has been hailed as one of the most significant and controversial scientific breakthroughs in decades, raising the prospect of a new era of synthetic biology that promises to tackle many of the world’s environmental problems. But renewable energy experts downplayed news that a team of scientists have created the world’s first artificial cell, warning it will take years before the breakthrough can be put to commercial use.  Scientists at the J Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), led by geneticist Craig Venter, today published a paper in the journal Science detailing how they have successfully created the first synthetic bacterial cell, effectively creating what some scientists have hailed as an entirely new species.  JCVI’s commercial backer Synthetic Genomics (SGI), which was co-founded by Venter, issued a statement applauding the discovery as a major breakthrough that will ultimately enable the development of man-made organic technologies capable of producing biofuels and tackling pollution.  Click here to read more…

By Thomas Gryta

(Wall Street Journal, May 21, 2010) The U.S. government outlined plans for a $1 billion stimulus for small biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics developers that could hand up to $5 million to qualifying companies, both public and private.  The program, part of the health-care overhaul approved in March and detailed by the Treasury Department Friday, is aimed at producing new therapies and creating jobs in a sector that has been hard hit in the economic slowdown and credit crisis because of its high capital needs.  The funds will come in the form of tax credits or as a grant for unprofitable companies. It will cover 50% of development costs in 2009 and 2010, giving up to $5 million to companies with qualifying projects and fewer than 250 workers.  ”Funding for these stages is critical, but it is not always easy to find, especially in the current climate where venture capital is harder to come by,”  Click here to read more…

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials, India, Electric

Turns out, that so-called “person with direct knowledge” was right. Mahindra and Reva have announced a collaboration to form a new company called Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company that will see Reva’s electric powertrain technology put into Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles. Mahindra will also take a 55.2-percent equity stake in Reva Electric Car Company and has so far invested about $10 million in the new company. New corporate details are available after the jump, but what we’re really wondering is what this might mean for vehicles like the NXR electric car.

Apparently, a lot of Mahindra vehicles – electric three-wheelers like the Bijlee and the Maxximo mini-truck, and “other M&M vehicles” – could get the electric powertrain package. As for the NXR (and the even more far away NXG), today’s announcement says, “Mahindra REVA will now have access to Mahindra’s vehicle development technology and distribution network, significantly enhancing its ability to launch a state-of-the-art electric vehicle for global markets.” So, there’s that.

At this point, we’re not sure what this announcement means for the previous deal between Reva and General Motors.

[Source: Mahindra]

Continue reading Mahindra, Reva announce partnership leading future electric vehicles

Mahindra, Reva announce partnership leading future electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The eternal rivalry between Apple and Microsoft reached an other milestone today, as the Californian firm, maker of Macintosh computers and iPhones, market capitalization exceeded the creator of the ubiquitous Windows and Explorer.

Apple became the second largest company in the S&P 500 index. The market’s largest company by market capitalization is Exxon Mobil Corp.

The situation underlines the failure of the software giant in its effort to break into the field of consumer electronics, which promises to reshape the balance of power in the technology industry.

The company, based in Redmond, Washington, said the division president, Robbie Bach, will retire in the second half of the year. Another veteran of Microsoft, J. Allard, also will retire from the company. The chief executive, Steve Ballmer, will head the entertainment division.

After the mid-session on the Nasdaq electronic market, which traded both companies, Apple’s market value today reached $ 227 970 million, after a gradual rise since the start of trading that has been interrupted a few times, including crisis of 2008.

At the same time, Microsoft’s market capitalization was about $ 226 550 million, with a slight drop from fall 2000 full of ups and downs.

Related posts:

1. Microsoft reorganizes its Entertainment and Devices Division
2. Apple investigated for abuse of power in the online music market
3. Microsoft will Launch Project Natal on Xbox 360

What is it with politicians and their problems with free speech? Apparently, the mayor of Bordentown, New Jersey, one James E. Lynch Jr., is pretty damn upset about the website BordentownMayorReallySucks.com. I guess you can understand why. Now, of course, when you have critics like that, there are all sorts of things you can do in response. You can respond to the criticism. You can ignore the criticism. You can take legal action against specific statements if you believe they are defamatory. What you don’t get to do is pass a law that requires the company that hosts the site to shut it down.

But, it appears, that’s exactly what Bordentown Mayor James Lynch is doing.

Apparently, Lynch convinced the town council to agree to a “resolution” demanding the ISP that hosts the site take it down, saying that it “violates New Jersey’s consumer affairs law and possibly other state and federal laws.” I love the vagueness of “possibly” violating other laws. Now, as the article notes, the site was, at one time (briefly) just called BordentownMayor.com, but quickly renamed itself. So it’s unlikely that there’s any confusion going on these days. Sucks sites have been found to be legal time and time and time again.

If there’s specific defamatory content, as the mayor claims, I could see a reasonable case for dealing with that (though, in all honesty, doing so would just call more attention to the content). But demanding that the entire site be shut down? That’s going way beyond what the law allows, and no town resolution gets to ignore things like the First Amendment. But, the best part may be the quote from Mayor Lynch:

“This website has to be removed,” the mayor said. “I’m not going to go down the freedom of speech road. But some of the stuff that’s on there is fraudulent. You want to put information out? Fine. Say you don’t like me? Fine. But attacks on my wife, my daughter? I won’t stand for that.”

Except, you are going down that freedom of speech road by trying to take down the whole site, in pretty clear violation of the First Amendment. If there is specific content that is defamatory, then sue over that content. Do not use your position is mayor to pass a special resolution demanding a website be shut down completely.

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Earlier today, the FT reported that China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) was reviewing its $630 billion in Eurozone holdings, with an eye towards dumping them (maybe).

The news helped contribute to the dive in the euro, and subsequent late-day fall in stocks.

The problem is… the story doesn’t make any sense.

If anything, China has been in the market buying euros in hopes of propping up their currency.

Why? Because Europe is China’s biggest export market, and a decline in the Eurozone will hammer its exporters.

All of this is reminiscent to when the US dollar was getting hammered, and there were countless warnings about China dumping our Treasuries. It didn’t happen, and it’s not going to happen this time.

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