Friday, September 03, 2010

Friday Post

It's time to unwind before school starts....


A 7.0 earthquake struck New Zealand. No reports of injuries.


China wants to own the world and that includes potash:

Chinese officials have ordered state-owned companies to meet with investment bankers to explore potential options to block BHP Billiton’s US$39-billion bid for Canada’s Potash Corp, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.


In response to the directive, Sinochem is holding meetings with multiple banks, the source said, including Citigroup, HSBC and Morgan Stanley.


The order from Beijing underscores the seriousness with which China is taking the potential BHP-Potash tie up and its implications for the pricing and supply of the important crop nutrient, despite the obstacles to launching a successful counter-bid.


"They are being instructed," the source said, adding the order was issued late last week. "The chairman of Sinochem has been asked to speak to other banks."


News of Beijing’s directive follows a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday that Sinochem had hired HSBC to advise the company on options pertaining to Potash Corp.


One option being discussed is the possibility of Sinochem linking up with China’s US$300-billion sovereign wealth fund, CIC, according to a second banking source familiar with the matter.


The most likely scenario is that China will consider buying a blocking stake, rather than attempt a complete takeover of Potash Corp, both sources said.



Damn you, hawk!


A wealthy suburb of Calgary is without mail service, after a hawk repeatedly dive-bombed its letter carrier, even breaking a helmet she wore to protect herself.


Residents of over 150 homes will have to pick up their mail at a local depot until the hawk makes its annual migration to Argentina.


The attacks began in June, but the carrier continued delivering the mail, eventually donning a bicycle helmet. The hawk swooped with so much force, it broke the helmet.


“Obviously it would have caused major injury if she hadn’t been wearing it,” said Teresa Williams, a spokeswoman for Canada Post.


The letter carrier did not sustain any injuries. “I don’t believe it has sunk its talons into her skin,” Ms. Williams said. “Just the emotional trauma.”


Neighbours believe the ornery bird, a Swainson’s hawk with two fledglings, has singled out the carrier as a threat to its young.



Give Pakistan nothing:


A suicide bomber struck a rally in the Pakistani city of Quetta on Friday, killing at least 44 people in the second major attack this week, piling pressure on a government struggling with a flood crisis.


The attack on the Shi’ite rally expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people came as the United States said the devastating floods are likely to delay army offensives against Taliban insurgents.


“Unfortunately the flooding in Pakistan is probably going to delay any operations by the Pakistani army in North Waziristan for some period of time,” U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Afghanistan where he is visiting U.S. troops.


More than 100 people were wounded in the blast in Quetta.


Earlier, the al Qaeda-linked Taliban took responsibility for triple bombings at a Shi’ite Muslim procession in the city of Lahore this week, challenging the civilian government further.



This doesn't sound good (emphasis mine):


A man arrested but never charged in connection with an Ottawa terror investigation has been released on consent of the Crown.


Awso Peshdary was released Friday on several strict conditions, including that he reside with his sister and father, who each posted $4,000 bonds. He must also not apply for a passport, must stay away from his wife and infant child, and must not possess any weapons or explosives.



Seriously, who the hell comes up with these restrictions? Keep in mind, this man tried to choke his wife and is connected to a potential terrorist attack.



Some people hide their short-comings or at least come to terms with them. Not Amanda Marcotte:


Personally, I was happy to see that more women feel free to forgo childbearing.



Yes, we get it. You're selfish and incapable of devoting your life to something worthwhile and selfless. Don't take out billboard space. That's nothing to be proud of, you vain twit.

Now, enjoy these party animals.








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