Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Harrods sells more gold in wake of Brexit


pmarket store Harrods says its wealthy clientele have been buying more gold amid the uncertainty caused by Brexit - and it has now launched an online bullion service for those who cannot get to the Knightsbridge store in person.
While uncertainty has been one factor behind an increased demand for gold, its sharp recovery in price has also encouraged more buying.
The price of the precious metal has risen approximately 30pc this year, with demand from some of the biggest markets, such as China, growing fast.

Harrods's service, which is run by the department store’s banking division, offers bars from 1g up to 12.5kg.
As with all bullion services, there is a mark-up above the gold "spot price".
On Friday morning a one ounce bar cost £1,054.50 via Harrods new online service. The spot price was £998.41 at the time.
Harrods's price compared reasonably with other online sellers, such as bullionbypost.co.uk, which was charging £1,049 for the same measure.
$ per ounceGold prices have rallied in 2016Spot gold prices ($/oz)Jan '16Mar '16May '16Jul '1610001100120013001400Tuesday, Mar 15, 2016● XAU BGN Curncy: $1 232.38
Harrods first started selling gold bullion in its stores in 2009. All gold is investment grade and comes from PAMP, an independent metals specialist.
It is currently displaying a 12.5kg gold bar, worth around £400,000, in the window of its Knightsbridge store.

Harrods lit up at night
The famous Knightsbridge store at night
Buyers will need to produce proof of identify, such as a passport, driving or shotgun licence to make a purchase.
Harrods's Simon Martin said: "Following the EU referendum we have seen a dramatic increase in demand for gold from risk-averse investors."
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The gold bounce: more to come, or sell now


old has experienced a major rally this year, but opinions are divided about whether there is more to come.
The past few years have not been smooth sailing for those who hold gold. From a peak of about $1,900 an ounce in 2011 – after a decade of near constant growth – the price sank to just over $1,000 late last year.
But since January gold has rebounded, surging back past $1,300 an ounce. The eight best-performing funds over the past year are now all gold funds, according to data service FE Trustnet.
Investors have piled into gold – seen as an insurance policy against stock market volatility and the threat of inflation – in the face of poor global growth, including fears over the slowdown in China and the EU referendum.
The question facing them now is whether there is more to come, or if it’s time to take profits and run.
Experts are split on the issue, particularly as the price of gold reacts heavily to investor sentiment.
Nick Peters, a multi-asset portfolio manager at Fidelity, has recently bought gold for two of his total return funds.
He said: “Gold has benefited just as much from an easing in headwinds as any support from jittery investors. With yields [on other assets] expected to remain lower for longer, the traditional drawback of gold, that it yields nothing, is less of an issue.
“Although we have seen a significant rally in gold, I think investors should still consider an allocation to the precious metal. Gold can function as a safe haven during times of market volatility and provide strong countervailing returns to shares.”

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However, he added that some believed gold would only perform if inflation is higher than yields, “and we’re not quite there at present”.
Others are less optimistic about there being significant profits to come, mainly because of opaque understanding of why gold is currently priced as it is.
Unlike many commodities, gold is sentiment driven, in that its price doesn’t necessarily correlate to supply and demand. This makes it complicated to discern whether the price at any one time is fair.
Charlie Morris, a fund manager at Newscape Capital and former head of absolute return at HSBC, said: “If interest rates rise – and they will – then gold will fall. Only higher inflation will save it.”
He said he was generally neutral on gold but with a negative short-term view. He said the chance of major gains was slim, although the price ought to stay above the previous low of $1,050.
Mr Morris also highlighted an apparent disconnect between the current price and interest in gold investment.
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Dollar steady near nine-month high, underpinned by Fed rate outlook


TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held near nine-month highs against a basket of major currencies on Tuesday as solid U.S. manufacturing activity and comments from a Federal Reserve official cemented expectations of a U.S. rate hike by year-end.
The dollar's index against a basket of six major currencies (DXY) <=USD> traded at 98.768. The dollar index had hit a high of 98.846 on Monday, having risen 3.6 percent so far this month.
"Strong U.S. manufacturing data boosted U.S. bond yields and supported the dollar," said Shinichiro Kadota, senior strategist at Barclays (LON:BARC) Securities.
Preliminary Markit survey on Monday showed U.S. manufacturing activity levels reached a one-year high this month.
Adding to the positive backdrop for the dollar, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said on Monday the Fed could raise rates three times between now and the end of 2017, so long as inflation expectations and the labour market continue to improve.
Evans' comments built on remarks by San Francisco Fed President John Williams on Friday and New York Fed President William Dudley on Oct. 19, both of whom hinted at a looming rate increase.
As the dollar held firm, the euro eased 0.1 percent to $1.0876 , languishing near its seven-month low of $1.0859 touched on Friday.
The euro has come under renewed pressure after the European Central Bank last week kept the door open to more stimulus in December and doused speculation that it would taper its asset buying programme.
"On the euro, now that it has decisively fallen below $1.10, we expect it to trade lower towards our eventual target of $1.05," said Heng Koon How, senior FX investment strategist for Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) in Singapore.
The dollar also had an edge against the yen, rising 0.3 percent to 104.48 yen , just below a 2-1/2-month high of 104.635 yen set earlier this month.
The dollar/yen's implied volatility fell sharply in the last few sessions to seven-month lows as more market players expect the currency pair to get stuck in a narrow trading range.
The one-month volatility fell to 9.0 percent from around 11 percent just a week ago while the three-month volatility fell to 9.7 percent from above 11 percent.
Elsewhere, the Canadian dollar traded at C$1.3339, recovering from seven-month low of C$1.3398 touched on Monday.
Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz said on Monday that a further easing from the Bank of Canada would bring the central bank closer to unconventional monetary policy and the decision on whether to cut rates again is not one to take lightly.
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The new life in university


The life contains many experiences; studying in university is the best one, there is good opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and arrange it, also they will extend social relationships.

For me, as a student in university, I found both; the pleasure and the benefit. I was looking for studying English language since 1980, but I could not do that, so I kept the dream in my mind till I had chance to start.

In my first day when I stepped inside the Islamic university in Baghdad, I shocked and impressed in the same time, there was trashes everywhere, stinky water, bad smells, I stopped for a moment looking at nothing, but myself, is this the spot which I looked for? Is it correct place to start getting knowledge? The answer was absolutely, no, but there is always a flower between thorns and that what impressed me, all those students where moving with great hopes, dreams, looking for a new life and one day we will find out that some of them become great man and woman.

Everything was perfect, I made my decision to keep going and fighting till I get what I want from my new life, fighting, that’s what I spent my whole life doing and I think everyone did.
The first step is the hard one and when it done, the second will be easier and so on everything in life, I feel that my dream achieved and I am going toward my goal without hesitation, although there is many thorns still stings everyone here, but let us look at to the filled part of the glass without forgetting the empty part and try to fill it.
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Tourism in the Palestinian territories





Tourism in the Palestinian territories refers to tourism in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In 2010, 4.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories, compared to 2.6 million in 2009. Of that number, 2.2 million were foreign tourists while 2.7 million were domestic.[1] This number of international visits is misleading, however, since most tourists come for only a few hours or as part of a day trip itinerary. In the last quarter of 2012 over 150,000 guests stayed in West Bank hotels; 40% were European and 9% were from the United States and Canada.[2] Major travel guides write that "the West Bank is not the easiest place in which to travel but the effort is richly rewarded."[3]
The Palestinian Authority and Israeli tourism ministries have attempted to work together on tourism in the Palestinian territories in a Joint Committee.[4] Recent cooperation to share access to foreign tourists has not proven successful in Palestine for many reasons.[5] Israel controls the movement of tourists into the West Bank.[6] Palestinian tour guides or transportation companies have not been able to enter Israel since 2000, and in 2009, Israel's Ministry of Tourism completely wiped the West Bank and any Palestinian area from its materials. Former Palestinian Authority Tourism Minister Kholoud Diibes has commented "that Israel collects 90% of [religious] pilgrim-related revenue".[7] Foreign tourism has been restricted to East Jerusalem and the West Bank since the August 2013 indefinite closing of the Rafah crossing located between Egypt and the Hamas controlled Gaza Strip.[8] There is essentially no tourist flow to Gaza since 2005 because of the ongoing Israeli military land, air, and sea blockade.
In 2013 Palestinian Authority Tourism minister Rula Ma'ay'a stated that her government aims to encourage international visits to Palestine, but the occupation is the main factor preventing the tourism sector from becoming a major income source to Palestinians.[9] There are no visa conditions imposed on foreign nationals other than those imposed by the visa policy of Israel. Access to Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza is completely controlled by the Government of Israel. Entry to the occupied Palestinian territories requires only a valid international passport.[10] U.S. citizens who are suspected of being Muslims, Arabs, or "being participants in planned political protest activities or of supporting NGOs that are critical of Israeli policies" are often subjected to extensive questioning from immigration officials.[11] These groups of tourists are subject to delay, interrogation, or even, denial of access to lawyers, consular officers, and family, and denial of entry
The tourist industry in the West Bank collapsed after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, but recovered by the 1990s, especially after the Oslo Accords.[15] The Second Intifada (2000-2006), resulted in a decline of 90% in the tourism industry, but since it has partially recovered, and in 2010, 4.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories, including 2.2 million from abroad[1]
Tourism focuses on historical and biblical sites in East Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho,[15] and the economy of the latter is particularly dependent on tourism. In 2007 there were over 300,000 guests at Palestinian hotels, half in East Jerusalem.[16] NGOs including the Alternative Tourism Group promote tourism to the West Bank.[6]
Tourism between Egypt and Gaza was active before the 1967 war, and Gaza was a resort with hotel casinos, but few tourists visited after the war.[17] A recession in Israel in the mid-80s again reduced tourism in Gaza to almost none.[18]
Before the second intifada, Gaza could be reached by tourists by taking a private taxi via the Erez crossing point from Israel, or via a flight to Gaza International Airport. The airport has been unusable since Israeli bombings in 2002. A small runway exists near the UNRWA Khan Younis refugee camp but this air strip is not serviceable due to the blockade. Gaza City attractions included the Palestine Square bazaar and the beach area, which had hotels, restaurants, and a fishing market.[19] Israeli Arabs and Jews visited beaches in Gaza, and there were popular nightclubs.[20]
Today, about 67% of tours to the occupied Palestinian territories are by religious Christians, mostly from North America and Europe. These modern day pilgrims visit major religious and tourist sites related to Biblical history. Many traditional religious tours are now arranging meetings with Palestinian Christians for personal interaction. Many travelers to this region feel that security concerns are overstated. The U.S. State Dept. points out that "Over three million foreign citizens, including hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens, safely visit Israel and the West Bank each year for study, tourism, and business."[21] There are many walking tours in the West Bank,[22] and a celebrity chef's recent visit to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza was followed by a show devoted to the local cuisine.[23]
A growing number of tourist groups visit the classical holy sites but expand their trips to learn about Palestinian culture, Biblical history, and social issues. Different views are presented through personal visits with Palestinians, Christians, Muslims, and Jews often within local and international peace organizations. Religious tours that offer this type of experience include the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program[24] and Friends of Sabeel North America.[25] Travelers are encouraged to return and make their church communities aware of all of the issues by sharing their personal experiences. A service component may be included in these tours such as assisting in the fall olive harvest[26] or working with church-based neutral observers to monitor and record events as part of peace-keeping efforts between Israeli settlers and local Palestinians.[27] One travel guide suggests that "Volunteering in Palestine can be a hugely rewarding experience and opportunities in health, culture, fair trade, agriculture, youth work, and women's empowerment are listed for all areas
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Gold prices pushed higher




Gold pushes higher but strong dollar caps gains


Investing.com - Gold prices pushed higher during Europe's session on Tuesday, but gains were limited as the U.S. dollar rose to the highest level since February amid heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates before the end of this year.
Gold for December delivery on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange tacked on $4.15, or 0.33%, to $1,267.85 a troy ounce by 2:55AM ET (06:55GMT). A day earlier, the yellow metal lost $4.00, or 0.32%.
A recent string of upbeat U.S. economic data combined with hawkish remarks from key Fed officials all but cemented expectations for higher interest rates in the coming months.
Traders are currently pricing in around a 74% chance of a rate hike at the Fed's December meeting, according to Investing.com's Fed Rate Monitor Tool.
The precious metal is sensitive to moves in U.S. rates, which lift the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as bullion, while boosting the dollar in which it is priced.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback's value against a basket of six major currencies, was at 98.75 early Tuesday, within sight of the prior session's more than nine-month high of 98.83.
A stronger U.S. dollar usually weighs on gold, as it dampens the metal's appeal as an alternative asset and makes dollar-priced commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies.
Also on the Comex, silver futures for December delivery tacked on 4.6 cents, or 0.26%, to $17.65 a troy ounce during morning hours in London, while copper futures added 3.4 cents, or 1.62%, to $2.127 a pound.
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LinkedIn is courting {a new|a fresh}

LinkedIn is courting {a new|a fresh} ({and some|plus some} would say, {surprising|amazing|unexpected|astonishing|unusual|shocking}) audience - {Small Business Owners|SMALL ENTERPRISES}.

It's {a far cry|a long way off} from the tried-and-true {groups of|sets of} {job seekers|job hunters} and {recruiters|employers} that LinkedIn's {best known|most widely known} for {attracting|bringing in|appealing to|getting}. Yet, {at the same time|at exactly the same time}, the move {fits|suits|matches|meets|will fit|works with} the narrative that LinkedIn {wants|desires|would like|wishes|needs} to be {all things|everything} to all {professionals|experts|specialists|pros} - even {Small Business Owners|SMALL ENTERPRISES}.

{And this {is especially|is particularly} true {of those|of these} {in search of|searching for} the tools,|And this {is true of|will additionally apply to} those {in search of|searching for} {the tools|the various tools} especially,} training, {resources and freelancers to help {grow|develop|increase|expand} their companies.|freelancers and resources to help {grow|develop|increase|expand} their companies.}

LinkedIn ProFinder + {Small Business Owners|SMALL ENTERPRISES}

{In conjunction with the|With the} recent {launch|release|start|kick off|introduction|unveiling} of LinkedIn ProFinder, its new freelance {marketplace|market place|market|industry|current market|software industry}, LinkedIn is {asking|requesting} {Small Business Owners|SMALL ENTERPRISES} {to share|to talk about} their stories {as part of the|within the} LinkedIn ProFinder {Small Business|SMALL COMPANY} Contest.

{As per|According to} LinkedIn's announcement:

"As {a small|a little|a tiny} business owner, {you are always {looking for ways to|researching to} work smarter and faster.|{you are looking for|you are interested in} ways to work smarter and faster always.} At LinkedIn, we're {committed to|focused on} {helping you|assisting you} do {just that|that}. {In support of|To get} this endeavor, {we {recently|lately|just lately} {introduced|launched|released|presented|unveiled|created} LinkedIn ProFinder,|we {introduced|launched|released|presented|unveiled|created} LinkedIn ProFinder {recently|lately|just lately},} {a brand new|a whole new} platform {that provides|that delivers} consumers and {small businesses|smaller businesses} {an easy|a simple|a fairly easy} way to {connect|hook up} with top freelance {professionals|experts|specialists|pros} for project-based work. {Many {small businesses|smaller businesses} like yours {are already|already are} using ProFinder {to find the|to get the} quality freelancers {they need|they want},|Many {small businesses|smaller businesses} like yours {are using|are employing} ProFinder {to find the|to get the} quality freelancers {they need|they want} already,} but {we want to|you want to} do more to help you take {your small business|your enterprise} {to the next|to another} level."

{How it Works|How it operates}

The contest {calls|phone calls|telephone calls|calling|message or calls} on {Small Business Owners|SMALL ENTERPRISES} to share {a bit|a little|a lttle bit|somewhat} about their business and {explain|clarify|describe|make clear} the impact building their brand {has had|has already established} on themselves, their customers and their community.

{LinkedIn will choose a trio of winners,|LinkedIn shall choose a trio of winners,} with the first place {entry|access|admittance|entrance|accessibility} {receiving|getting|obtaining|acquiring} $5,000 in cash. All contestants will {be eligible|meet the requirements} to win {a free|a free of charge} 90 day {subscription|membership|registration} to {a Premium|reduced} version of LinkedIn as well.

While the {contest|competition} is {a nice|a good} way to {draw|attract|pull|bring|get|sketch} {attention to|focus on} ProFinder, {it's also|it is also} a strong {signal|transmission|sign|indication} that LinkedIn {wants|desires|would like|wishes|needs} users {doing business with|employing} one another {on the site|on the webpage|on the website}.

The Big {Shift|Change|Move|Switch|Transfer} - {Selling|Offering|Providing|Advertising|Reselling|Retailing} on LinkedIn is Encouraged

As someone whose {sole|single|only|singular|exclusive|lone} focus {the past|days gone by} five years has been training others how {to sell|to market} using LinkedIn, it's music to my digital {ears|ear|hearing}.

It {tells me|informs me} that LinkedIn realizes what {many of us|most of us} have known {since the|because the} network was founded {all the way|completely} {back in|back} 2003 - when you put 450 million {professionals|experts|specialists|pros} from 200 different countries in the same digital room, it's {inevitable|unavoidable|inescapable} that we'll want to {talk|speak|discuss} business and make {deals with|handles} one another.

While it's bread-and-butter {revenue|income|earnings} continues to {come from|result from} job listings, {{premium|high quality|superior|high grade|top quality|prime} job-seeker and recruiter accounts and similar features,|{premium|high quality|superior|high grade|top quality|prime} recruiter and job-seeker accounts and similar features,} LinkedIn's {clearly|obviously|plainly|evidently} making a {move to|proceed to} court more {direct|immediate} {buying and selling|investing} of products and services between {members|users|people|associates|participants|customers}.

{All the more|Even more} reason {for you to|that you should|so that you can|that you can} {create a|produce a|develop a|make a|build a|generate a} client-facing {profile|account}, start {reaching out|trying} {directly to|right to} your ideal clients and customers and {begin|start|commence|get started} {following a|carrying out a} proven {method to|solution to} generate {more sales|increased sales} leads, clients and {revenue|income|earnings} on LinkedIn.

{The LinkedIn Profinder {Small Business|SMALL COMPANY} {Contest|Competition} is {open|open up|available|wide open} for entries {up until|until} November 30th.|{Up until|Until} November 30th the LinkedIn Profinder {Small Business|SMALL COMPANY} {Contest|Competition} is {open|open up|available|wide open} for entries.}

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