From me to you about Cementers

Source: Reuters India ()

By Simon Gardner

PERALIYA (Reuters) - Sri Lankan housewife D.W. Leelawathi can still picture the 2004 tsunami as if it were yesterday, but three years on she and thousands like her are finally back in homes they can call their own and are moving on.

Standing among piles of sand, earth and rock in her front garden, the smell of fresh-cut wood still permeating the air as her new home nears completion, Leelawathi, 69, gestures to a nearby rail track, torn up as the tsunami swept away a passing train killing 1,270 people on board.

“The tsunami is not only in my dreams. Even in the daytime I feel as if it happened just yesterday, with so many bodies kept here,” she said, pointing at a plot of grass next to her home. Two of her children were among the dead.

“But now our house is rebuilt,” she said, standing in front of a 3-storey, 8-bedroom home her policeman son is building for her, partly funded by a 250,000-rupee ($2,300) grant.

The United Nations says nearly 100,000 families are now back in permanent shelter on the third anniversary of the worst natural disaster in memory, which left 35,000 people dead or missing in Sri Lanka and killed around 230,000 in total around the Indian Ocean rim.

But ever-deepening civil war between the Sri Lankan state and Tamil Tigers has hamstrung rebuilding work in the east and halted it in parts of the rebel-held north, where materials such as cement and steel rods have dried up because of a government ban.

Thousands of families in the war-ravaged north and east are still living in temporary shelters with palm-frond roofs and corrugated metal sheet sides, their numbers swollen by others displaced by the war.

  Continued…

Source: AFP ()

A general view of Torretta in Sicily

Source: Hindustan Times ()

A majestic century against Pakistan may have backed his claims for a permanent Test slot, but Yuvraj Singh on Saturday conceded that he still had some distance to cover before he can cement his place in the star-studded batting line-up.

“It’s difficult to get a chance in Tests because my team has lot of great players like Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman. They all have a good Test record. That’s why I had to sit out,” Yuvraj said after lifting India down from the dumps with a dominating 169 runs in the third Test against Pakistan.

“We just need to think of winning this match now and after this we have to think of what combination is needed for the Australian tour. There also I may have to sit out.”

Yuvraj though sounded confident that he has the ability to make a mark in Tests.

“I always knew I could do well in Test cricket because you always have time to settle down. If you take out that time you can still bat well. For me Test cricket is always the main thing. So I’m very happy with my effort today,” he told reporters.

Yuvraj, who has been in awesome form this season, blamed himself for being unable to gain a foothold in Test cricket and said he has not capitalised on the opportunities that came his way.

“I had a very bad Test series in the West Indies. After that the middle order batsmen were really batting well. I just thought let me wait for my chance as I had only myself to blame (for West Indies series). I was happy when Anil Kumble told me yesterday morning that I will be playing,” Yuvraj said.

The left-hander, who combined with Sourav Ganguly to rack up 300 runs for the fifth wicket, said it only helped their cause as both were attacking batsmen.

“Ganguly is also an attacking player. He supported me a lot today and it was lot of fun batting alongside him. He told me once looking at my bat after I played a you have springs in your bat’.”

“When I went into bat I thought I have been batting …

Source: BusinessWeek ()

by
Yi Tin Chak

The trading debut yesterday of the last three sizeable Hong Kong initial public offerings this year offered further proof of how investors have become selective in recent weeks. While China National Materials Company, also known as Sinoma, and BYD Electronic (International) held their ground on the first day of trading, Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (VMEP) fell below its issue price.

The three companies will bring the total amount of IPO funds raised in Hong Kong this year to $277 billion ($36 billion), which is down 16.6% from 2006 when the giant offerings by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and bank of China inflated the numbers.

In many ways, yesterday’s first-day performances were in line with the demand shown for these three companies during the IPO with Sinoma being the unrivalled investor favourite. Having seen the institutional portion of its $538 million offering 165 times covered and the retail portion 283 times covered, China’s largest cement manufacturer gained 34.9% yesterday as institutional investors tried to add to their small allocations.

The strong demand for the IPO, which was arranged by BOC International and UBS, allowed Sinoma to fix the price at the top of the range and some observers said they had thought that this might hamper the performance in the secondary market.

“To my surprise, Sinoma performed very well on its debut. With reference to some syndicate reports, its valuation is not cheap,” says one analyst.

This didn’t seem to worry most investors, however. The share price surged more than 40% above the $4.50 IPO price shortly after opening, but the gains were quickly trimmed down to around HK$6. Continued buying saw it edge gradually higher again during the morning session, but in the afternoon it returned to the HK$6 level, finally closing at HK$6.07. More 580 million shares changed hands during the session, or about 62% of the shares sold during …

Source: Reuters ()

CHICAGO, Dec 20 (Reuters) - U.S. short-term interest rate
futures maintained gains on Thursday after the Philadelphia
Federal Reserve’s index of factory activity for December came
in sharply weaker than expected.

Implied prospects for the Fed to trim its benchmark lending
rate to 4 percent next month FFG8 traded as high as 94
percent, up from 86 percent late on Wednesday and on track for
the highest close in a week.

The Philly Fed’s headline number -5.7 was way below
November’s 8.2 reading and analysts’ median expectation for
December of 6.0.
(Reporting by Ros Krasny)

Source: CBC.ca ()

A Calgary judge is considering whether to grant bail to the driver of a cement truck involved in a deadly crash on Macleod Trail this month.

Daniel Tschetter, 50, who was originally denied bail, appeared in court for the first time Wednesday since he was charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of failing to provide a breath sample in the Dec. 7 crash.

Two adults and three children — aged one, six and nine — died when a cement truck plowed into the back of their car, which was stopped at a red light at Macleod Trail and 194th Avenue Southwest.

Tschetter’s lawyer, Balfour Der, argued Wednesday that his client should not remain behind bars.

The cement truck driver sat quietly with his head tilted down for most of the proceeding, often rubbing his forehead with his left hand.

He looked up occasionally to glance at members of his family who sat in the back row of the courtroom. Some wiped away tears.

Outside the courthouse, Der said Tschetter’s family is worried about him.

“Mrs. Tschetter’s concerned about her husband being in jail. I mean he’s 50 years old. He’s never been in trouble in his life and he’s sitting in a jail cell. She’s worried about that. His children are worried about that,” Der said.

A publication ban was imposed on evidence presented during the proceeding. The judge is expected to make a decision on Tschetter’s bail on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Calgary police asked anyone who saw the white cement truck in Nanton, High River and Okotoks areas on the night of the crash to call them as they continue their investigation.

Source: Boston Globe ()

events

Globe North listings

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December 20, 2007

Comprehensive listings for galleries, plays, music, and other happenings in the area.ARTSGloucester: Cape Ann Historical Museum, 27 Pleasant St., presents an exhibition of photographs by Leslie D. Bartlett, “Chapters on a Quarry Wall,” featuring 40 vertical images displayed as unmounted scrolls, through Jan. 31. There will be hands-on activities for children relating to the exhibition. Free. An exhibition of paintings and drawings of Cape Ann artist Jeff Weaver continues through Jan. 31. Art by students attending St. Ann School, O’Maley Middle School, and Hartz Street Nursery School is displayed in the Education Room through December. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m. $6.50 adults, seniors $6, students $4.50, children younger than 6 free. 978-283-0455, capeannhistoricalmuseum.org.Haverhill: Positive Images Gallery 61, 61 Wingate St., presents a holiday exhibit with fine art photography, tiles, pottery, and jewelry by local artisans, through Jan. 31. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. 978-556-9366. Ipswich: River Gallery, 4 Market St., presents a group holiday exhibition featuring original work by North Shore artists through Jan. 13. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. 978-356-1559, rivergalleryipswich.com.Marblehead: Life-size sculptures, cast plaster and cement figures, ink drawings, paintings, and relief prints by local artist Valerie Rosenberg are displayed through Dec. 29 at Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St. 781-631-1481, abbotlibrary.org.Newburyport: Oil paintings by Haverhill artist Richard Winmill are displayed in the exhibition “Local Impressions,” through Jan. 28 in the Juliet Kellogg French Room at Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike. Open Tuesday-Sunday and Monday holidays, 8:30 a.m.-4 …

Source: Easier (press release) ()

2007 – The year of the SIPP for Fidelity FundsNetwork

17 December 2007

Fidelity FundsNetwork has marked 2007 and the 2nd anniversary of its entrance into the Life & Pensions market with over £900 million of SIPP, Investment Bond and International Bond assets. FundsNetwork has firmly established itself as a market leader and now commands over 7% of new SIPP sales.

As well as its success in the SIPP market, FundsNetwork has enjoyed another record year across the platform. Despite volatile markets, new sales of fund partner funds via IFAs are up by 38%, with assets under custody increasing by 35% on last year, and fast approaching £13bn, out of total Fidelity UK retail assets of £34bn.

The launch of an open-architecture International Bond earlier this year completed the range of core tax wrappers on the platform, and advisers who have clients with Inheritance Tax (‘IHT’) planning needs can now use the FundsNetwork range of Multi-Asset Trusts. More recently, FundsNetwork launched its With Profits Analyser Service, while other enhancements in 2007 included: online switching for the Investment Bond, International Bond and SIPP and 6 new fund groups joining the platform.

David Dalton-Brown, Head of Fidelity FundsNetwork said: “2007 has been a year of rounding our offering - through adding the With Profits Analyser, Trusts and International Bond – whilst beginning the move towards a full service solution through increasing training and IT services to advisers.

“Our position in the SIPP market has gone from strength to strength and this drive will continue through next year as we cement our position as one of the UK’s leading investment and retirement platforms. We looking forward to 2008 where we plan to continue leading from the front with a series of platform enhancements.”

Source: The Associated Press ()

Lawyers chant slogans as they march past a line of police during a protest against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad, Pakistan Saturday Dec. 15, 2007. Musharraf lifted Pakistan's six-week-old state emergency and restored the constitution Saturday, easing a crackdown that has enraged opponents and worried Western supporters. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

Source: Market Wire (press release) ()

BRENTWOOD, TN–(Marketwire - December 14, 2007) - MSE Enviro-Tech Corp. (PINKSHEETS: MEVT)
(FRANKFURT: MEH) in collaboration with Megola Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MGOA), is
pleased to announce the results of a recent test conducted in accordance
with ASTM E-84-07, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics
of Building Materials, at SGS U.S. Testing Co. in Fairfield, New Jersey. A
wood sample treated with a formulation of Hartindo AF31 designed for use in
portable fire extinguishers achieved a Class A rating (Flame Spread rating
of 15 and a Smoke Developed value of 45) after exposure to test conditions.

“The purpose of this test was to show that the Hartindo AF31 formulation
used in portable fire extinguishers is also a very effective fire
inhibitor. When used to extinguish a fire, it greatly reduces the risk of
the fire reigniting, which is a very important attribute when used in
building fires and rescue operations,” states Michael S. Robinson,
President & CEO of MSE Enviro-Tech Corp.

A previous test, conducted by Megola, Inc. at the end of October, using a
different formulation of Hartindo AF31 also achieved a Class A rating
(http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/071105/0324138.html).

AF31 Treatment

Douglas Fir was used as the test material for the ASTM E-84 test. Hartindo
AF31 was applied to the surface of the wood and allowed to dry before being
subjected to the test conditions. The particular formulation of AF31 used
in this test is designed for use in portable fire extinguishers. It is
intended to extinguish all types of fire (A, B, C, D and F/K) and inhibit
re-ignition of fire after it has been extinguished. The results of the
ASTM-E84 test only apply to ordinary (type A) combustibles, such as wood
and paper products.

Previous tests and demonstrations, jointly coordinated and conducted by MSE
and Megola have shown to inhibit re-ignition of other types of
combustibles, such as petroleum-based (type B) fires
(http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/071112/0327252.html).

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