UK Credit Cards

GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks off on economy woes; euro edges up
* World stocks’ MSCI index falls for fifth day * Euro seesaws near break-even; gold down * European shares hit four-week closing low * Oil falls as data spurs demand fears (Updates prices, adds comments) …

Read more on Reuters UK Focus via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance

Carbon price set to be ‘poisoned chalice’ for politics
Climate-change policy will become a poisoned chalice for a decade if the government’s plans to put a price on carbon fail, the Climate Change Minister, Greg Combet, has warned.

Read more on Brisbane Times

Time for IMF to look east
In the annals of career suicide, Strauss-Kahn may warrant his own chapter. Still, the IMF should open a new chapter of its own when it comes to his successor.

Read more on Brisbane Times

Big band cabaret set for Saturday at UW-L
Get ready to dance.

Read more on La Crosse Tribune

A Ridiculous California Court Ruling: Zip Codes are Private
It’s annoying when a store cashier asks for your zip code when you’re checking out. Depending on just how annoying you find this, you might consider moving to California. It will now be illegal for retailers to ask for that information thanks to a California Supreme Court decision this week. In the Golden State, retailers will be fined for prying into consumers’ neighborhood info.

Read more on Forbes

East County Datebook
Employers Seminar: Social Media — 7:30-10 a.m. Feb. 15. Open to all Contra Costa County employers. Sponsored by the Contra Costa County Employer Advisory Council and the California Employment Development Department.

Read more on Oakley News

Card delinquencies fell in November
Credit-card delinquencies fell in November to the lowest in almost three years as the biggest issuers posted improved numbers, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

Read more on Omaha World-Herald

The Twin Cities news that made 2010
January Should a law be altered to benefit a single business? That was the question raised by Larkspur City Councilman Daniel Hillmer at a Larkspur City Council meeting Jan. 6, where the council debated whether to approve a change to Larkspur’s zoning rules for offices. The changes were proposed to allow longtime Larkspur business Corbet’s Ace Hardware to move from 1155 Magnolia Ave. to 800 …

Read more on Twin Cities Times

East or west, home is best
M&S Money reveals that most over 50s choose to stick close to home in retirement.

Read more on Mortgage Introducer

East Midlands – investment destination for UK Investment=900)&&(!__fwPendingImagesProcessed)){__fwPendingImages.push([a,b])}else{a.src=b}},300)}function __fwGetElementYPosition(b){function a(f){var g=f;while(g.parentNode){var e=(window.getComputedStyle)?window.getComputedStyle(g,”"):g.currentStyle;if(e.display==”none”||e.visibility==”hidden”){return true}g=g.parentNode}return false}var d=0;var c=b;while(c.offsetParent){d+=c.offsetTop;c=c.offsetParent}if(d==0){if(a(b)){d=1000000}}return d}function __fwProcessPendingImages(){if(__fwPendingImagesProcessed){return}__fwPendingImagesProcessed=true;for(var b=0,a=__fwPendingImages.length;b document.body.offsetHeight ? document.body.scrollHeight : document.body.offsetHeight + ‘px’)}*:first-child+html
#TB_window{position:fixed;background:#fff;z-index:99102;color:#000;display:none;border:4px
solid #525252;text-align:left;top:50%;left:50%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden}#TB_window{position:fixed;background:#fff;z-index:99102;color:#000;display:none;border:4px
solid #525252;text-align:left;top:50%;left:50%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden}* html
#TB_window{position:absolute;margin-top:expression(0 – parseInt(this.offsetHeight / 2) + (TBWindowMargin = document.documentElement && document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop) + ‘px’)}#TB_window
img#TB_Image{display:block;margin:15px
0 0 15px;border-right:1px solid #ccc;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;border-top:1px solid #666;border-left:1px solid #666}#TB_caption{height:25px;padding:7px
30px 10px 25px;float:left}#TB_closeWindow{height:28px;padding:11px
25px 10px 0;float:right}#TB_closeAjaxWindow{padding:7px
10px 5px 0;margin-bottom:1px;text-align:right;float:right}#TB_closeAjaxWindow
img{vertical-align:middle}#TB_ajaxWindowTitle{float:left;padding:7px
0 5px 10px;margin-bottom:1px;font-weight:bold;font-size:14px}#TB_title{background-color:#e8e8e8;height:27px}#TB_ajaxContent{clear:both;padding:2px
15px 15px 15px;overflow:auto;text-align:left;line-height:1.4em}#TB_ajaxContent.TB_modal{padding:15px}#TB_ajaxContent
p{padding:5px
0px 5px 0px}#TB_load{position:fixed;display:none;height:13px;width:208px;z-index:103;top:50%;left:50%;margin: -6px 0 0 -104px}* html
#TB_load{position:absolute;margin-top:expression(0 – parseInt(this.offsetHeight / 2) + (TBWindowMargin = document.documentElement && document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop)+’px’)}#TB_HideSelect{z-index:99;position:fixed;top:0;left:0;background-color:#fff;border:none;filter:alpha(opacity=0);-moz-opacity:0;opacity:0;height:100%;width:100%}* html
#TB_HideSelect{position:absolute;height:expression(document.body.scrollHeight > document.body.offsetHeight ? document.body.scrollHeight : document.body.offsetHeight+’px’)}#TB_iframeContent{clear:both;border:none;margin-bottom:-1px;margin-top:1px;_margin-bottom:1px}html{}body,div,dl,dt,dd,ul,ol,li,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,pre,code,form,fieldset,legend,input,textarea,p,blockquote,th,td{margin:0;padding:0}table{border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0}fieldset,img{border:0}address,caption,cite,code,dfn,th,var{font-style:normal;font-weight:normal}li{list-style:none}caption,th{text-align:left}h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{font-size:100%;font-weight:normal}q:before,q:after{content:”}abbr,acronym{border:0;font-variant:normal}sup{vertical-align:text-top}sub{vertical-align:text-bottom}input,textarea,select{font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-weight:inherit;border:0}input,textarea,select{*font-size:100%}legend{color:#000}del,ins{text-decoration:none}dl.accordion-menu{margin:0;padding:0;clear:both;width:154px;border:1px
solid #dcdcdc;border-top:none;margin-bottom:15px}dl.accordion-menu dt.a-m-t{margin:0;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:0px -29px;height:18px;padding:4px
0 0 5px;border-bottom:1px solid #dcdcdc}dl.accordion-menu dt.a-m-t-hover{font-weight:normal;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:0px -54px}dl.accordion-menu dt.my-links{}dl.accordion-menu dt.my-links
a{display:block;float:left;width:125px;height:18px;padding:4px
0 0 5px;margin-bottom:-22px;position:relative;color:#000;text-decoration:none}dl.accordion-menu dt.my-links a:hover{font-weight:normal;color:#06C}dl.accordion-menu dt.a-m-t-down{}html.accordion-menu-js dt.a-m-t{cursor:pointer;zoom:1}dl.accordion-menu dd.a-m-d{margin:0;padding:0;padding:0}html.accordion-menu-js dd.a-m-d{display:none}html.accordion-menu-js dd.a-m-d-expand{display:block}html.accordion-menu-js dd.a-m-d-before-expand{display:block;position:relative;z-index:-1;opacity:0;height:auto !important;visibility:hidden;overflow:visible}html.accordion-menu-js dt.a-m-t-expand{font-weight:normal;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:0px -54px}html.accordion-menu-js dd.a-m-d-anim{overflow:hidden;display:block}.bd{background:#f5f8fd}.bd a, .bd
span{text-decoration:none;border:1px
solid #fff;height:18px;padding:2px
0 0 10px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:-151px -104px;outline:none;display:block;cursor:pointer}.bd a:hover, .bd span:hover{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:-151px -124px;;color:#06C}.bd
a.active{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:-151px -124px;color:#06C}.bc{background:white}.bc a, .bc
span{text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid #dcdcdc;height:18px;padding:4px
0 0 5px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/sprite_category_menu.png) left top no-repeat;background-position:0px -79px;outline:none;display:block;cursor:pointer}.bc a:hover, .bc span:hover{background:none;color:#06C}.bc
a.active{background:none;color:#06C}#facebox
.b{background:url(http://js.articlesbase.com/facebox/b.png)}#facebox
.tl{background:url(http://js.articlesbase.com/facebox/tl.png)}#facebox
.tr{background:url(http://js.articlesbase.com/facebox/tr.png)}#facebox
.bl{background:url(http://js.articlesbase.com/facebox/bl.png)}#facebox
.br{background:url(http://js.articlesbase.com/facebox/br.png)}#facebox{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;z-index:8500;text-align:left}#facebox
.popup{position:relative}#facebox
table{border-collapse:collapse}#facebox
td{border-bottom:0;padding:0}#facebox
.body{padding:10px;background:#fff;width:370px}#facebox
.loading{text-align:center}#facebox
.image{text-align:center}#facebox
img{border:0;margin:0}#facebox
.footer{border-top:1px solid #DDD;padding-top:5px;margin-top:10px;text-align:right}#facebox .tl, #facebox .tr, #facebox .bl, #facebox
.br{height:10px;width:10px;overflow:hidden;padding:0}#facebox_overlay{position:fixed;top:0px;left:0px;height:100%;width:100%}.facebox_hide{z-index:-100}.facebox_overlayBG{background-color:#000;z-index:99}* html
#facebox_overlay{position:absolute;height:expression(document.body.scrollHeight > document.body.offsetHeight ? document.body.scrollHeight : document.body.offsetHeight + ‘px’)}@charset “utf-8″;.qa_foo_bar{display:block}#qa_left_col{float:left;width:646px;padding-bottom:35px}#qa_left_col
.messages{line-height:16px;background:#f7f7f7;padding:10px;font-size:12px;color:#090;border:1px
solid #E3E3E3}.qa_question_title{font-size:18px;color:#333;font-weight:bold;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:10px}.qa_question_box{float:left;width:646px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/question_box_bg.png) repeat-y;margin-bottom:25px}.qa_question_box
.qa_top{float:left;width:646px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/question_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_question_box
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:646px;height:57px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/question_box_bottom.png) no-repeat}.qa_question_box
.qa_avatar{float:left;width:60px;min-height:185px;_height:185px;padding:12px
0 0 10px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_bg.png) 0px 115px no-repeat}.qa_question_box
.qa_question_content{float:left;width:536px;padding:22px
15px 15px 15px;position:relative}.qa_question_box .qa_question_content
a.qa_reports{position:absolute;right:9px;top:16px}.qa_question_box .qa_question_content
h1{font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;color:#333;line-height:18px;padding-right:20px;overflow:hidden}.qa_question_box
.qa_que_meta{color:#666;font-size:11px;padding:15px
0 12px;display:block;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_meta_divider.png) repeat-x bottom}.qa_question_box .qa_que_meta
.qa_asked_by{display:inline}.qa_question_box .qa_que_meta
.qa_question_tags{display:inline}.qa_question_box .qa_que_meta
a{color:#2179d2;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none}.qa_question_box .qa_que_meta a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_question_box .qa_que_meta
span{color:#f90;font-size:11px;padding:0
3px}.qa_question_box
.qa_google_ad{width:536px;clear:both;padding-top:12px}.qa_question_box
.qa_social_icons{float:left;padding:22px
0 0 68px;font-size:11px;color:#fff}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons
a{color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none;font-size:11px;margin:0
2px}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons
a.email{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/social_icons_question.png) 0px 0px no-repeat;padding:1px
0 1px 24px}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons
a.share{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/social_icons_question.png) 0px -20px no-repeat;padding:1px
0 1px 22px}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons
a.twitter{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/social_icons_question.png) 0px -40px no-repeat;padding:1px
0 1px 22px}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons
a.facebook{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/social_icons_question.png) 0px -60px no-repeat;padding:1px
0 1px 22px}.qa_question_box .qa_social_icons a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_question_box
a.qa_answer_it{float:right;text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;color:#666;font-size:12px;margin:17px
10px 0 0;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_right.png) right no-repeat}.qa_question_box a.qa_answer_it
span{float:left;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_left.png) left no-repeat;height:21px;padding:6px
20px 0 30px;cursor:pointer}.qa_question_box a.qa_answer_it:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_answer_title{padding-bottom:10px}.qa_answer_title
h2{float:left;width:500px;font-size:18px;color:#333;font-weight:bold;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:10px}.qa_answer_title h2
span{color:#06c;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal}.qa_answer_title
.qa_sort_by{float:right;font-size:11px;color:#666;padding-top:7px}.qa_answer_title .qa_sort_by
a{color:#333;text-decoration:none}.qa_answer_title .qa_sort_by a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_answer_title .qa_sort_by
a.active{color:#06c}.qa_answer_title .qa_sort_by
span{color:#ffb400;padding:0
3px}.qa_answer_box{float:left;width:646px;background:#f3f3f3 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_answer_box
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:626px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:10px
10px 22px 10px}.qa_answer_box
.qa_answer_avatar{float:left;width:46px}.qa_answer_box
.qa_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_bg.png) repeat-y;margin-top:8px;text-align:center}.qa_answer_box .qa_votes
.qa_top_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_votes
.qa_bottom_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:5px
0}.qa_answer_box .qa_votes
span{font-size:15px;font-weight:bold;color:#333;display:block;padding:2px
0}.qa_answer_box .qa_votes
p{font-size:11px;color:#4c4c4c;padding:2px
0}.qa_answer_box
.qa_anwser_bubble_big{float:right;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_bg.png) repeat-y}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_top_bubble_big{float:left;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_bottom_bubble_big{float:left;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_answer_content{float:left;width:541px;padding:10px
10px 0px 25px;position:relative}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content
a.qa_reports{position:absolute;right:9px;top:8px}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content
p{font-size:12px;color:#333;line-height:18px;padding-bottom:12px;padding-right:25px;overflow:hidden}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content p
strong{color:#2179d2}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content p a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content
.qa_more{display:block;font-size:11px}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answer_content .qa_more
a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_answered_by{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_meta_divider.png) repeat-x top;font-size:11px;color:#666;padding-top:12px}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answered_by
a{font-weight:bold;color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_answered_by a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
p.qa_answered{color:#666;font-size:11px;padding:10px
25px 0 0}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_best_ans_comments{float:left;width:576px;margin:11px
0 -11px;position:relative}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments
a.qa_comments{float:right;font-size:11px;color:#4a4a4a;text-decoration:none;margin-right:9px;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_right.png) right -75px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_comments
span{float:left;height:20px;padding:5px
10px 0 25px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_left.png) 0px -75px no-repeat;cursor:pointer}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_comments:hover{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_right.png) right -50px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_comments:hover
span{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_left.png) 0px -50px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments
a.qa_best_ans{float:right;font-size:11px;color:#4a4a4a;text-decoration:none;margin-right:9px;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_right.png) right -25px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_best_ans
span{float:left;height:20px;padding:5px
10px 0 25px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_left.png) 0px -25px no-repeat;cursor:pointer}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_best_ans:hover{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_right.png) right 0px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_best_ans:hover
span{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_left.png) 0px 0px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments
a.qa_best_ans_voted{float:right;font-size:11px;color:#4a4a4a;text-decoration:none;margin-right:9px;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_right.png) right 0px no-repeat}.qa_answer_box .qa_anwser_bubble_big .qa_best_ans_comments a.qa_best_ans_voted
span{float:left;height:20px;padding:5px
10px 0 25px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/best_ans_comments_left.png) 0px 0px no-repeat;cursor:pointer}.qa_answer_comnent{float:right;width:566px;margin:27px
0 -12px 0}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_answer_comment_avatar{float:left;width:45px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/comment_ico.png) 0px 55px no-repeat;min-height:100px;_height:100px}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_answer_comment{float:right;width:516px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_sm_bg.png) repeat-y}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_answer_comment_top{float:left;width:516px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_sm_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_answer_comment_bottom{float:left;width:516px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_sm_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_answer_comment_content{float:left;width:481px;padding:10px
10px 10px 25px;position:relative}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_answer_comment_content
a.qa_reports{position:absolute;right:9px;top:8px}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_comment_by{color:#666;font-size:11px}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_comment_by
a{color:#2179d2;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:12px}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_comment_by a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_comment_by
span{font-size:9px;color:#f90;padding:0
2px}.qa_answer_comnent
p{font-size:12px;line-height:18px;color:#333;padding:10px
25px 0 0;overflow:hidden}.qa_answer_comnent div.warning
p{font-size:12px;line-height:18px;color:red;padding:10px
25px 0 0;background-color:#F3F3F3}.qa_answer_comnent
.qa_add_comment_btn{float:right;clear:right}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_add_comment_btn
input{width:180px;height:27px;padding-left:25px;padding-bottom:2px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/submit_ans_btm.png) no-repeat;margin-top:12px;color:#666;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;line-height:13px;text-align:left;cursor:pointer}.qa_answer_comnent .qa_answer_comment_content
textarea.qa_comment_input{width:475px;height:110px;color:#666;font-size:12px;line-height:18px}.qa_google_ad_content{float:left;width:646px;margin:10px
0}.qa_answer_this_que{float:left;width:646px;padding:0}.qa_answer_this_que
h2{font-size:18px;color:#333;line-height:20px;font-weight:bold;padding:0
0 10px}.qa_submit_ans{float:left;width:646px;background:#f3f3f3 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_submit_ans
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:626px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:10px
10px 14px 10px}.qa_submit_ans
.qa_answer_avatar{float:left;width:46px}.qa_submit_ans
.qa_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_bg.png) repeat-y;margin-top:8px;text-align:center}.qa_submit_ans .qa_votes
.qa_top_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_submit_ans .qa_votes
.qa_bottom_votes{float:left;width:46px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/votes_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:5px
0}.qa_submit_ans .qa_votes
span{font-size:15px;font-weight:bold;color:#333;display:block;padding:2px
0}.qa_submit_ans .qa_votes
p{font-size:11px;color:#4c4c4c;padding:2px
0}.qa_submit_ans
.qa_anwser_bubble_big{float:right;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_bg.png) repeat-y}.qa_submit_ans .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_top_bubble_big{float:left;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_submit_ans .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_bottom_bubble_big{float:left;width:576px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ans_bubble_big_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_submit_ans .qa_anwser_bubble_big
.qa_answer_content{float:left;width:541px;padding:10px
10px 10px 25px}.qa_submit_ans
textarea.qa_ans_input{width:535px;height:110px;color:#666;font-size:12px;line-height:18px}.qa_submit_ans
.qa_submit_ans_btn{float:right;clear:right}.qa_submit_ans .qa_submit_ans_btn
input{width:180px;height:27px;padding-left:25px;padding-bottom:2px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/submit_ans_btm.png) no-repeat;margin-top:12px;color:#666;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;line-height:13px;text-align:left;cursor:pointer}.qa_grey_box{float:left;width:646px;background:#f3f3f3 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_top.png) top no-repeat;margin-top:25px}.qa_grey_box
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:626px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:10px
10px 14px 10px}.qa_grey_box
p{padding:5px
5px 0px 5px;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;color:#333}.qa_grey_box p
a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_grey_box p a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_related_articles{float:left;width:646px;padding:15px
0 0 0}.qa_related_articles
h2{font-size:18px;color:#333;line-height:20px;font-weight:bold;padding:5px
0 10px;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc}.qa_article_row{float:left;width:646px;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc}.qa_article_row
.qa_title{float:left;width:646px;padding:10px
0}.qa_article_row
h3{color:#06c;font-weight:bold;float:left;width:555px;font-size:13px}.qa_article_row h3
a{color:#06c;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none}.qa_article_row h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_article_row
.qa_read_article{float:right}.qa_article_row .qa_read_article
a{color:#06c;font-size:11px}.qa_article_row .qa_read_article a:hover{text-decoration:none}.qa_article_row
.qa_article_thumb{border:1px
solid #c0c0c0;padding:2px}.qa_article_row
p{float:left;width:550px;padding-left:10px;line-height:15px;color:#333}.qa_article_row
.qa_article_details{float:left;width:646px;padding:10px
0 15px 0;color:#feb300}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details
span{color:#06c;padding:0
3px}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details
.qa_name{padding-left:0}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details
.qa_nameby{padding-right:0}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details
a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none;padding:0
3px}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_article_row .qa_article_details
code{color:#000;padding:0
3px;font-weight:normal;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;color:#333}.qa_ask_question{float:left;width:646px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_bg_repeat.png) repeat-y;margin-top:15px}.qa_ask_question
.qa_top{float:left;width:646px;height:45px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_bg.png) top no-repeat}.qa_ask_question .qa_top
h2{font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#474747;padding:10px
15px}.qa_ask_question
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:646px;height:51px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_bg.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_ask_question
.qa_ask_question_box{width:646px;float:left}.qa_ask_question .qa_ask_question_box
textarea{width:610px;margin:2px
20px;height:70px;font-size:12px;color:#474747;line-height:18px}.qa_ask_question .qa_bottom div
span{font-size:11px;color:#ff7200;float:left}.qa_ask_question .qa_bottom
div{float:left;padding:10px
15px}.qa_ask_question
input.qa_ask_btn{float:right;width:101px;height:27px;padding-bottom:2px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_btn.png) no-repeat;margin:13px
10px 0 0;display:inline;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#666;line-height:15px;cursor:pointer}#qa_right_col{float:right;width:304px}.qa_right_panel{float:left;width:304px;margin-bottom:20px}.qa_right_panel
.qa_top{float:left;width:304px;height:28px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/right_panel_title_bg.png) no-repeat}.qa_right_panel .qa_top
h2{font-size:12px;color:#474747;font-weight:bold;padding:8px
12px 6px}.qa_right_panel
.qa_right_panel_content{float:left;width:280px;padding:9px;margin:0
2px;display:inline}#qa_ask_que_box_container{float:left;width:304px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:10px}#qa_ask_que_box_container
.qa_top{float:left;width:304px;height:28px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/right_panel_title_bg.png) no-repeat}#qa_ask_que_box_container .qa_top
h2{font-size:12px;color:#474747;font-weight:bold;padding:8px
12px 6px}#qa_ask_que_box_container
.qa_right_panel_content{float:left;width:280px;padding:9px;margin:0
2px;display:inline}.qa_ask_a_que{background:#f3f3f3;border:1px
solid #e3e3e3}.qa_ask_a_que
.qa_ask_que_content{float:left;width:280px;height:135px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_box.png) top no-repeat}.qa_ask_a_que .qa_ask_que_content
textarea{background:none;font-size:12px;color:#474747;padding:5px
10px;width:258px;height:75px;margin:5px
0}.qa_ask_a_que .qa_ask_que_content
span{font-size:11px;color:#ff7200;float:left;padding:7px
2px}.qa_ask_a_que .qa_ask_que_content
input.qa_ask_btn{float:right;width:101px;height:27px;padding-bottom:3px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_btn.png) no-repeat;margin:11px
0 0 0;display:inline;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#666;line-height:15px;cursor:pointer}.qa_google_ad_right_panel{float:left;margin-bottom:20px;font-size:11px}.qa_google_ad_right_panel
h2{font-size:11px;color:#666;padding-bottom:0px;line-height:16px}.qa_google_ad_right_panel h2
a{text-decoration:underline;color:#333}.qa_google_ad_right_panel
.qa_ad_block{margin-top:15px}.qa_google_ad_right_panel
p{font-size:11px;color:#666;padding-bottom:4px;line-height:16px}.qa_google_ad_right_panel p
a{text-decoration:underline;color:#333}.qa_google_ad_right_panel p a:hover{text-decoration:none}.qa_google_ad_right_panel
h3{font-size:12px;color:#2179d2;line-height:20px}.qa_google_ad_right_panel h3
a{color:#2179d2}.qa_google_ad_right_panel h3 a:hover{text-decoration:none}.qa_google_ad_right_panel
span{color:#060}.qa_google_ad_right_panel span
a{color:#060;text-decoration:none}.qa_google_ad_right_panel span a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_related_que_rp{border:1px
solid #e3e3e3;padding-top:0 !important}.qa_related_que_rp
ul{}.qa_related_que_rp ul
li{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_meta_divider.png) repeat-x bottom;padding:10px
0}.qa_related_que_rp ul
li.qa_last{background:none}.qa_related_que_rp ul li
h3{font-size:12px;line-height:16px;color:#06c;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/icon_que.png) left top no-repeat;padding:0
0 0 27px;min-height:20px}.qa_related_que_rp ul li h3
a{font-size:12px;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_related_que_rp ul li h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_questions_cats{background:#fbfbfb;border:1px
solid #ccc}.qa_questions_cats
ul{}.qa_questions_cats ul
li{float:left;width:135px;padding:0
0 4px 5px}.qa_questions_cats ul li
h3{font-size:11px;line-height:16px;color:#06c}.qa_questions_cats ul li h3
a{font-size:11px;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_questions_cats ul li h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_popular_tags{background:#fbfbfb;border:1px
solid #ccc}.qa_popular_tags
.qa_popular_tags_holder{line-height:22px;text-align:center}.qa_popular_tags .qa_popular_tags_holder
a{text-decoration:none;color:#84bdde;font-size:12px;padding:0
4px}.qa_popular_tags .qa_popular_tags_holder a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_related_vids_holder{background:#fff;border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:0
!important;width:298px !important}.qa_related_vids_holder
.related_vids{width:278px;float:left;padding:10px
10px 10px 10px}.qa_related_vids_holder
.related_vids_details{float:left;width:185px;margin-left:10px}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids
.vid_thumb{float:left;width:80px;height:58px;position:relative;border:1px
solid #e0e0df}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids .vid_thumb
.play_btn{position:absolute;bottom:4px;right:5px;border:0;width:23px;height:23px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/play.png) no-repeat}*html .qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids .vid_thumb
.play_btn{background:none;filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src=’images/qa/play.png’), sizingMethod=’image’;cursor:pointer}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids_details
h3{font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;line-height:12px;min-height:44px;overflow:hidden}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids_details h3
a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none;font-size:12px;line-height:16px}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids_details h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_related_vids_holder .related_vids_details
p{line-height:12px;padding:2px
0 0 0;color:#000}.qa_related_vids_holder
.alt_row{background:#f8f8f8}.qa_tabs_content .yui-content{clear:both}.qa_tabs_content{float:left;width:646px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/tabs_bg.png) repeat-x top}.qa_tabs_content ul.yui-nav{border:none;padding-left:6px}.qa_tabs_content ul.yui-nav
li{background:none;border:1px
solid #c8d9e7;border-bottom:none;margin-right:3px}.qa_tabs_content ul.yui-nav li
a{background:#fff;padding:0;font-weight:normal;padding:5px
10px 6px}.qa_tabs_content ul.yui-nav li.selected
a{background:#e8f0f6;font-weight:bold;color:#06c;padding:5px
10px 7px}.qa_tabs_content ul.yui-nav li a:hover{background:#e8f0f6;font-weight:bold;color:#06c;padding:5px
10px 7px}.qa_featured_ques{}.qa_featured_ques
h1.featured_que{color:#333;font-size:18px;line-height:20px;font-weight:bold;padding:18px
0 10px;clear:both;float:left;width:646px}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_top{float:left;width:646px;background:#e6ecf5 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/featured_question_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_bottom{float:left;width:646px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/featured_question_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_featured_ques_bg{float:left;width:626px;padding:10px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_bg.png) 0px 12px no-repeat}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_fea_que{float:right;width:592px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/featured_que_bg.png) repeat-y}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_fea_que_top{float:left;width:592px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/featured_que_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_fea_que_bottom{float:left;width:547px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/featured_que_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat;padding:15px
15px 15px 30px}.qa_featured_ques
h2{font-size:14px;color:#2179d2;font-weight:bold;padding-bottom:6px;line-height:18px}.qa_featured_ques h2
a{font-size:14px;color:#2179d2;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none}.qa_featured_ques
p{color:#666;font-size:12px;line-height:18px}.qa_featured_ques p
a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_featured_ques a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_featured_ques
.qa_fea_content{float:left;width:545px}.qa_featured_ques .qa_fea_content
img.fea_img{margin:0
10px 10px 0;float:left}.qa_new_ques{}.qa_new_ques
.qa_title{float:left;width:646px}.qa_new_ques .qa_title
h2{color:#333;font-size:18px;line-height:20px;font-weight:bold;padding:18px
0 10px;clear:both;float:left;width:540px}.qa_new_ques
.qa_sort_by{float:right;width:98px;height:24px;padding-top:15px}.qa_how_to_ask{}.qa_how_to_ask
.qa_title{float:left;width:330px}.qa_how_to_ask .qa_title
h2{color:#333;font-size:18px;line-height:20px;font-weight:bold;padding:0
0 10px 0;clear:both;float:left;width:330px}.qa_how_to_ask .qa_howto_main_box
h3{font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;color:#0F71CC;padding-bottom:2px;clear:both}.qa_sort_by{position:relative;display:inline-block}div.selectbox_qa-wrapper{position:absolute;background-color:white;border:1px
solid #ccc;margin:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;font-size:0.8em;text-align:left;overflow:auto;overflow-x:hidden;left:0px;top:39px;width:120px !important}div.selectbox_qa-wrapper
ul{list-style-type:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:11px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif}div.selectbox_qa-wrapper ul
li.selected{background-color:#316ac5;color:#fff}div.selectbox_qa-wrapper ul
li.current{background-color:#316ac5;color:#fff}div.selectbox_qa-wrapper ul
li{list-style-type:none;display:block;margin:0;padding:2px;cursor:pointer;background:none;font-size:11px}label{display:block}.selectbox_qa{padding-left:2px;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11px;width:88px;height:16px;padding:4px
0 5px 10px;display:block;text-align:left;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/sort_by_bg.png) right no-repeat;cursor:pointer;color:#333}.qa_questions_main_box{float:left;width:646px;background:#f3f3f3 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/new_questions_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_questions_main_box
.qa_questions_main_box_bottom{float:left;width:618px;padding:14px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/new_questions_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_new_question_box{float:left;width:618px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/new_question_box_bg.png) repeat-y;margin-bottom:8px}.qa_new_question_box
.qa_new_question_box_top{float:left;width:618px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/new_question_box_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_new_question_box
.qa_new_question_box_bottom{float:left;width:608px;padding:5px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/new_question_box_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_new_question_box
.qa_avatar{float:left}.qa_new_question_box .qa_avatar
img{float:left;width:45px;height:45px;overflow:hidden}.qa_new_question_box
.qa_new_question_content{float:left;width:400px;padding:0px
10px 5px;overflow:hidden}.qa_new_question_box
h3{color:#2179d2;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;padding-bottom:2px}.qa_new_question_box h3
a{color:#2179d2;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;line-height:16px}.qa_new_question_box h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_new_question_box
.qa_meta{padding:5px
0;font-size:11px;color:#666}.qa_new_question_box .qa_meta
a{color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none}.qa_new_question_box .qa_meta a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_new_question_box .qa_meta
span{color:#f90}.qa_new_question_box
a.qa_answer_it{float:right;text-decoration:none;color:#2179d2;line-height:18px;font-size:12px;margin:15px
15px 0 0;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_btn_right.png) right no-repeat}.qa_new_question_box a.qa_answer_it
span{float:left;height:27px;padding:0
20px 0 8px;cursor:pointer;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_btn_left.png) left no-repeat}.qa_new_question_box a.qa_answer_it:hover{text-decoration:underline}a.qa_show_more{float:right;font-size:11px;color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none}a.qa_show_more:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_new_question_content
p{color:#666;font-size:12px;line-height:18px}.qa_new_question_content p
strong{color:#06c}.qa_new_question_content p
a{font-size:11px;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_new_question_content p a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_unanswered_box{float:left;width:618px;margin-bottom:8px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/unanswered_que_bg.png) repeat-y}.qa_unanswered_box
.qa_unanswered_box_top{float:left;width:618px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/unanswered_que_top.png) top no-repeat}.qa_unanswered_box
.qa_unanswered_box_bottom{float:left;width:608px;padding:5px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/unanswered_que_bottom.png) bottom no-repeat}.qa_unanswered_box
.qa_new_question_content{float:left;width:405px;padding:5px
10px 5px 45px}.qa_unanswered_box
h3{color:#2179d2;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold}.qa_unanswered_box h3
a{color:#2179d2;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;line-height:18px}.qa_unanswered_box h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_unanswered_box
.qa_meta{padding:5px
0;font-size:11px;color:#666}.qa_unanswered_box .qa_meta
a{color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none}.qa_unanswered_box .qa_meta a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_unanswered_box .qa_meta
span{color:#f90}.qa_unanswered_box
a.qa_answer_it{float:right;text-decoration:none;color:#2179d2;line-height:18px;font-size:12px;margin:15px
15px 0 0;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_btn_right.png) right no-repeat}.qa_unanswered_box a.qa_answer_it
span{float:left;height:27px;padding:0
20px 0 8px;cursor:pointer;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_btn_left.png) left no-repeat}.qa_unanswered_box a.qa_answer_it:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_top_ans_holder{background:#fff;border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:0
!important;width:298px !important}.qa_top_ans_holder
.qa_top_ans{width:278px;float:left;padding:10px
10px 10px 10px}.qa_top_ans_holder
.qa_avatar_top_ans{float:left}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_avatar_top_ans
span{float:left;background:#d3dded;font-size:18px;font-weight:bold;color:#fff;width:35px;height:32px;text-align:center;line-height:28px}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_avatar_top_ans
img{float:left}.qa_top_ans_holder
.qa_top_ans_content{float:left;width:195px;padding-left:12px}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content
h3{font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;color:#2179d2}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content h3
a{font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;color:#2179d2;text-decoration:none;line-height:16px}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content
p{color:333}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content p
a{color:333}.qa_top_ans_holder .qa_top_ans_content p a:hover{color:333;text-decoration:none}.qa_top_ans_holder
.alt_row{background:#f8f8f8}.qa_articles_resources_holder{background:#fff;border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:0
!important;width:298px !important}.qa_articles_resources_holder
ul.qa_articles_resources{clear:both;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_bg.png) 0px 0px repeat-y;width:298px;margin-top:1px}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources
li{border-bottom:1px solid #fff}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li
a{font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;text-decoration:none;color:#2179d2;display:block;padding:8px
0 9px 0}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li a
span{display:block;padding-left:20px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_icon.png) 4px 2px no-repeat}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li a:hover{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_bg_active.png) repeat-y left}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li a:hover
span{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_icon_active.png) 4px 2px no-repeat}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li
a.active{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_bg_active.png) repeat-y left}.qa_articles_resources_holder ul.qa_articles_resources li a.active
span{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/articles_resources_icon_active.png) 4px 2px no-repeat}.qa_ask_que_rp{float:left;background:#e7eef7;width:229px;border-bottom:1px solid #cecece}.qa_ask_que_rp
.qa_ask_que_content{float:left;width:221px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_box_rp.png) top no-repeat;margin:5px
4px;display:inline;padding-bottom:4px}.qa_ask_que_rp .qa_ask_que_content
textarea{color:#474747;font-size:12px;padding:5px
10px;width:200px;height:80px;margin:5px
0 12px;background:none}.qa_ask_que_rp .qa_ask_que_content
span{float:left;color:#ff6c00;padding-left:5px}.qa_ask_que_rp .qa_ask_que_content
input.qa_ask_btn{float:right;width:82px;height:25px;padding-bottom:2px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_btn_rp.png) no-repeat;color:#666;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;line-height:15px;cursor:pointer}.qa_section_title{background:#f3f3f3;float:left;width:213px;padding:8px;border-top:1px solid #fff}.qa_section_title
h2{float:left;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#474747}.qa_section_title
a{float:right;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_section_title a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_recent_que_rp{padding-top:0 !important}.qa_recent_que_rp
ul{float:left;padding:0
10px;border-bottom:1px solid #d5d5d5}.qa_recent_que_rp ul
li{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_meta_divider.png) repeat-x bottom;padding:8px
0;float:left;width:209px;overflow:hidden}.qa_recent_que_rp ul
li.qa_last{background:none}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li
h3{font-size:11px;line-height:16px;color:#06c;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/icon_que.png) left top no-repeat;padding:0
0 4px 27px;clear:both;width:178px;float:left}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li h3
a{font-size:11px;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li
p{font-size:11px;color:#666;padding:2px
0 8px 3px;clear:both;width:205px;float:left}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li p a, .qa_recent_que_rp ul li p
strong{color:#06c;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none}.qa_recent_que_rp ul li p a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_goto_qa{float:left;width:226px;height:26px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/goto_qa_btn.png) no-repeat;padding:5px
0 0 15px;margin-top:-1px;text-align:center;color:#2179d2}.qa_goto_qa
a{color:#2179d2;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none}.qa_goto_qa a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_ask_que_wide_box_container{background:#f3f3f3;height:126px}.qa_ask_que_wide_box{width:448px;background:#f3f3f3 url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_question_box_wide.png) center 10px no-repeat;height:120px}.qa_ask_que_wide_box
textarea{color:#474747;width:423px !important;padding:15px;margin:10px;font-size:12px;height:63px !important;margin-top:13px;margin-bottom:0}.qa_ask_que_wide_box_container
span{float:left;color:#ff7200;padding:10px
0 0 10px}.qa_ask_que_wide_box_container
input.ask_btn{float:right;width:101px;height:27px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/ask_btn_wide.png) no-repeat;margin:10px
10px 0 0;display:inline;line-height:15px;color:#666;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;cursor:pointer}.box_title_left{color:#474747;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold}.ask_bottom{clear:both;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/signup_bottom.gif) bottom no-repeat;padding-bottom:1px}.ask_container{clear:both;border:1px
solid #ccc;border-bottom:none}.ask_container
.ask_title{background:#f7f7f7;padding:10px;font-size:12px;color:#333}.ask_bottom
.warnings{line-height:16px;background:#f7f7f7;padding:10px
10px 10px 10px;font-size:12px}.ask_bottom .warnings
p{color:#ff0101;padding:5px
10px}.ask_functions{background:#f7f7f7;clear:both;padding:10px
0 7px 0}.ask_functions
.req{float:left;padding-left:50px;color:#797979;line-height:22px}.ask_functions .req
span{color:#ff0101}.ask_functions
.ask_buttons{float:right;width:445px}.ask_functions
a.publish_question{background:url(“http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_right.png”) no-repeat scroll right center transparent;color:#666;display:inline;float:right;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;margin:17px
10px 0 0;text-decoration:none}.ask_functions a.publish_question
span{background:url(“http://trigger.articlesbase.com/images//qa/answer_it_left.png”) no-repeat scroll left center transparent;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:21px;padding:6px
20px 0 30px}.view_edit_table_empty{border-collapse:collapse;float:left}.view_edit_table_empty, .view_edit_table
th{border:1px
solid #ccc}.view_edit_table_empty td
div{position:relative;top:3px}#qa_answer_form
.warnings{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #FFF;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;padding:10px
10px 10px 0;color:red}.qa_select_box_holder{display:inline;float:left}.qa_submit_ans_penname_dd{float:right;margin:20px
20px 0 20px}.qa_submit_comment_penname_dd{float:right;margin:20px
20px 0 20px}.qa_submit_ans_btn_loader{float:right;height:50px;padding-top:18px;padding-right:10px;width:10px}.qa_add_comment_btn_loader{float:right;height:50px;padding-top:18px;padding-right:10px;width:10px}.qa_questions_main_box
.paging{width:100%}.qa_report_question{height:365px;margin-top:20px;padding:5px;width:500px}.qa_report_question
label{font-weight:bold;font-size:13px;margin:4px}.report_loader{float:left;padding:5px
0 0 5px}.report_loader
img{float:left}.qa_report_question
.report_subject{border:1px
solid #EEE;height:100px;margin-top:5px;padding:5px}.qa_report_question .qa_report_content
.select{border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:5px;width:100%}.qa_report_question .qa_report_content
textarea{border:1px
solid #ccc;width:100%}.qa_submit_report_btn{float:right;clear:right}.qa_submit_report_btn
input{width:180px;height:27px;padding-left:25px;padding-bottom:2px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/submit_ans_btm.png) no-repeat;margin-top:12px;color:#666;font-weight:bold;font-size:12px;line-height:13px;text-align:left;cursor:pointer}.qa_report_question_block
.messages{line-height:16px;padding:10px
10px 10px 10px;font-size:12px;color:#090}.qa_report_question_block .messages
strong{font-weight:bold}.qa_report_question_block
.warnings{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #FFF;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;padding:10px
10px 10px 0;color:red}.captcha_block{float:right;margin-top:10px}.captcha_block
img{float:left}.captcha_block
label{float:left}.captcha_block
input{float:left;border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:5px;width:140px}.qa_asked_questions{padding:20px;border:1px
solid #ccc;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:12px}.qa_asked_questions
ul{padding:10px
10px 10px 15px}.qa_asked_questions ul
li{list-style:circle}.qa_asked_questions ul li
a{text-decoration:none}.qa_asked_questions ul li a:hover{text-decoration:underline}#qa_right_col{float:right;width:304px}#qa_right_col
p{margin-bottom:10px}#qa_right_col
h2{font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;border-bottom:1px dotted #dddddf;margin-bottom:10px;padding-bottom:3px}#qa_right_col
h3{font-size:11px;color:#1674D1;font-weight:bold}a.qa_answer_it{float:right;text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;color:#666;font-size:12px;margin:17px
10px 0 0;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_right.png) right no-repeat}a.qa_answer_it
span{float:left;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_left.png) left no-repeat;height:21px;padding:6px
20px 0 30px;cursor:pointer}a.qa_answer_it:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_question_mark{float:left;width:61px;min-height:185px;_height:185px;padding:12px
0 0 0}h1.qa_related_header{border-bottom:1px dotted #dddddf;margin-bottom:10px}p.qa_related_question{font-size:12px;line-height:18px;margin:3px
0}p.qa_related_question
a{text-decoration:none;color:#1573D0;font-weight:bold;padding-left:18px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/bullet_arrow.png) left no-repeat}div
.question_required{float:left;display:block;color:#999;font-size:10px;margin:3px
2px 0 59px}div
.remaining_characters{float:right;display:block;color:#FF7200;font-size:10px;margin:3px
2px 0 auto}textarea.qa_question_textarea{width:550px;height:100px;color:#666;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;margin:3px
0 6px 16px}.qa_answer_box
.ask_row{width:580px;float:right;padding:6px
5px 6px 0}.qa_answer_box .ask_row
.col_left{float:left;width:100px;padding-left:10px;text-align:left;line-height:23px;font-size:12px}.qa_answer_box .ask_row .col_left
label{width:100px}.qa_answer_box .ask_row
.col_right{float:right;width:450px;padding-left:5px}.qa_answer_box .ask_row
input.txt_box{border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:5px;width:433px;font-size:12px;border-radius:4px}.qa_answer_box .ask_row
select.txt_box{border:1px
solid #ccc;padding:5px;width:444px;font-size:12px;border-radius:4px}div.qa_required_hint{float:left;width:300px;margin-top:5px}span.required{color:red}.qa_bottom#qa_ask_form{margin-top:10px;border-top:1px dotted #dddddf}.qa_bottom#qa_ask_form
a.qa_answer_it{float:right;text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;color:#666;font-size:12px;margin:5px
10px 0 0;display:inline;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/answer_it_right.png) right no-repeat}.qa_bottom#qa_related_questions{float:left;width:646px;height:27px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/question_box_bottom_small.png) no-repeat}.qa_question_content#qa_ask_form{float:left;width:526px;padding:22px
15px 15px 20px;position:relative}.qa_article_section_title{background:#e0e7f2;float:left;width:282px;padding:8px;margin:-10px 0 0 2px;border-left:1px solid #d5d5d5;border-right:1px solid #d5d5d5}.qa_article_section_title
h2{float:left;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;color:#474747}.qa_article_section_title
a{float:right;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_article_section_title a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_article_rp{padding-top:0 !important;margin:-2px auto auto 2px}.qa_article_rp
ul{width:278px;float:left;padding:0
10px;border:1px
solid #d5d5d5;margin:0}.qa_article_rp ul
li{background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/que_meta_divider.png) repeat-x bottom;padding:8px
0;float:left;width:276px;overflow:hidden}.qa_article_rp ul
li.qa_last{background:none}.qa_article_rp ul li
h3{font-size:11px;line-height:16px;color:#06c;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/icon_que.png) left top no-repeat;padding:0
0 4px 27px;clear:both;width:250px;float:left}.qa_article_rp ul li h3
a{font-size:11px;color:#06c;text-decoration:none}.qa_article_rp ul li h3 a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_article_rp ul li
p{font-size:11px;color:#666;padding:2px
0 8px 3px;clear:both;width:284px;float:left}.qa_article_rp ul li p a, .qa_article_rp ul li p
strong{color:#06c;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none}.qa_article_rp ul li p a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_goto_qa_article{float:left;width:288px;height:31px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/goto_qa_btn_big.png) 2px 0 no-repeat;padding:5px
0 0 15px;margin-top:-1px;text-align:center;color:#2179d2}.qa_goto_qa_article
a{color:#2179d2;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none}.qa_goto_qa_article a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.qa_goto_qa_article_empty{float:left;width:288px;height:11px;background:url(http://images.articlesbase.com/qa/goto_qa_btn_big_short.png) 2px 0 no-repeat;padding:5px
0 0 15px;margin-top:-1px;text-align:center;color:#2179d2}]]>C){w.yPosition=C;this.trace(“updated entry: “+o.entryToString(w),1)}}else{w={url:B,isBackground:y,yPosition:C,isInlined:x.isInlined};D[B]=w;this.trace(“new entry: “+o.entryToString(w),1)}};o.getUrlDetails=function r(w){var x=null;var y=false;if(w.indexOf(“mhtml:”)==0){x=w.substring(w.indexOf(“!”)+1);y=true}else{if(w.indexOf(“data:”)==0){x=w.match(/.*origUrl=(.*),/)[1];y=true}else{if(w.indexOf(“http”)==0){x=w}else{o.trace(“ERROR! not a valid url: “+w,5)}}}return{originalUrl:x,isInlined:y}};o.entryToString=function b(w){return(“ListEntry : url: “+w.url+”, isBackground: “+w.isBackground+”, yPosition: “+w.yPosition+”, isInlined: “+w.isInlined)};o.printList=function(x){sortedList=o.convertUrlsMapToSortedArray(x);for(var w=0;w

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers

Publish Article

Hello Guest
Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Finance > Investing > East Midlands – investment destination for UK Investment

East Midlands – investment destination for UK Investment

Edit Article |

Posted: May 21, 2010 |Comments: 0

|

Share

Syndicate this Article

Copy to clipboard

East Midlands – investment destination for UK Investment

By: editor investinuk

About the Author

Invest in UK is an initiative to market United Kingdom as an investment destination all over the globe, to provide a networking platform for UK businesses at a global level and to provide information to the international investors about investment opportunities in UK. For finding more information and advice for investment opportunities in East Midlands, login to or visit: http://www.investinuk.net/

(ArticlesBase SC #2418756)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – East Midlands – investment destination for UK Investment

The East of Midlands in the UK has an economy that largely relies on manufacturing. Manufacturing remains a key UK investment sector with companies such as Bombardier, Rolls Royce and Toyota at Derby, boots Pharmaceuticals and imperial Tobacco in Nottingham. Other companies like Siemens, are located in Lincoln. The East Midlands textile industry has been affected by cheap foreign imports and high interest rates. This saw some companies like Richard Roberts in Leicester close shop. Others that could not stand the competition relocated e.g. Speedo went to Asia. The regions development agency is the strategic driver that drives its sustainable economic development in partnership with the public, private and the Voluntary organizations. A long history of partnership with other European countries makes up for about 52 per cent of its exports.

 

Total earnings from export to the European Nations stands at £5.7 billion annually. Annual job creations is at 292, 000. Investments opportunities in East Midlands can be done in the various cities that don its landscape. The Nottingham city attracts investments in the Properties, science and technology, biomedical and environmental technology. Research by its universities has been behind some futuristic technological advancement. The city is undergoing a series of development programs. About 3.5 billion pounds is invested around the city ranging from infrastructure, public and private investments, transport and environment. The East Midlands has retained its attractiveness for UK investment with the development of quality and innovative business. The regions ambitious development programs, like the Science Park in Nottingham, continue to inspire investors making the region a desirable location for investments.

 

There are 110, 000 estimated number of businesses in this region. The regions economy contributes about 2% gross value in Agriculture. The two Enterprise zones located in Corby and Welling borough provide financial benefits to new and existing business within the zones. Other than that, there are exemptions from some rate taxes and easy process for planning investments. Economic projections predict that by the year 2020, the region will be a flourishing economic hub with sustainable economic prosperity and a higher quality of life incomparable to any other European country’s and like the best in the world. The economy of this region has been affected so little by the global economic downturn. However, with the continued decline and the waning investor confidence, the slow down in the region could get deeper. The conservative formation of stable government by Cameron is being watched carefully.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/east-midlands-investment-destination-for-uk-investment-2418756.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #2418756)

editor investinuk -
About the Author:

Invest in UK is an initiative to market United Kingdom as an investment destination all over the globe, to provide a networking platform for UK businesses at a global level and to provide information to the international investors about investment opportunities in UK. For finding more information and advice for investment opportunities in East Midlands, login to or visit: http://www.investinuk.net/

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/east-midlands-investment-destination-for-uk-investment-2418756.html

Article Tags:
best uk investment, investment advice for east midlands, investment services uk, east midlands business investment, uk land investment, uk trade investment

Related Videos

Latest Investing Articles
More from editor investinuk

East Harlem NY Real Estate Guide

Jason Sheftell explores the booming construction occurring in the neighborhood of East Harlem. (01:52)

A Scientific Approach to Investing

Dan Ripoll is a Hedge Fund Manager and Co-Founder of Aeon Capital, an alternative investment management firm that has developed a unique investment strategy enabling participation in global trends while effectively preserving capital in difficult markets. In these turbulent economic times, Dan discusses the importance of eliminating the impact of human emotions on investment decisions. (05:41)

How Risky Are Safe Investments

All investments have at least some risk, warns MoneyWatch.com editor-at-large Jill Schlesinger. Here are some of the “failure-proof” investments you might be hearing about — and their real risks and hidden costs.
(04:42)

Learn About Stock Investment

If you’ve been investing under the premise that stocks always outperform bonds, you may be wondering what went wrong. MoneyWatch’s Eric Schurenberg breaks down the stocks vs. bonds debate and updates it for the current economic times. (01:58)

Money Investing Tips

When investing, you have to decide how much money you want, and what risks you’re willing to take. Eric Schurenberg helps you do the math. (01:39)

forex megadroid review-forex megadroid scam exposed

Forex Megadroid is another forex trading robot which was released in April 2009. Similar to FAP Turbo, it created quite some discussion on the internet. Is it a real money earning robot? Or is it another scam? Well, we are here to tell you.

By:
olsolel

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

Preparing for The Big One, Coming Soon

Nearly every week now we get more Premonitory Signs that The Big One – another International Financial Crisis of Magnitude of the 2008 one, or even Greater – is Coming Soon to all of us around The World.

By:
Deepcasterl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

A Slight Misunderstanding

Which option trade is better, one on IWM or TNA? This short article will show you how to make the choice.

By:
Jay A. Leavitt, PhDl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

Successful Investors Implement Stop-Loss Orders When CFDs Trading

For those who have chose to begin trading with Contracts for Difference it’s extremely important you know and take advantage of stop-loss orders. CFDs are contracts that are made between brokers and buyers, plus they are going for a position about the opening price and closing price, or purchase and sell price. Depending on market movements the trader can produce a substantial profit, or otherwise carefully monitored a substantial loss. Stop loss orders ought to be used as risk management.

By:
Sharon Dawkinsl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

How to Find the Best Spread Betting Companies

In this article, the advantages of spread betting are discussed. This article explains the basics of spread betting and how the Internet has played a major role in the huge growth of financial spread betting over the last few years.

By:
Tim Watsonl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

Your Mineral Rights Lease – Making Money Off What You Already Own

Do you own property? Could you use an extra fifty thousand dollars? A hundred thousand? A million? Have you considered a mineral rights lease? A mineral rights lease is an agreement that you can make with a mining company that allows them to explore for and extract valuable minerals from your land in exchange for a percentage of the value of the material that the company gathers from your property.

By:
Jack kamroonl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

5 things to look at in an FD

A fixed deposit (FD) probably ranks as the most conventional investment avenue for domestic investors. More importantly, given its offering, it makes an apt choice for risk-averse investors. In this article, we present 5 things investors must look at in an FD.

By:
PersonalFNl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

How Private Landlords Can Make More Money Talking to Telemarketers

I will be the first to admit that I don’t know a lot about how the Internet works and sure all of my websites could be better. But I got a call from a pushy, condescending telemarketer couple of days ago and he helped me rent houses fast, but didn’t make a sale

By:
George Beardsleyl

Finance>
Investingl
Nov 24, 2010

Business Opportunities in Oxford, UK

Oxford is located in southeast England. It comes under the county of Oxfordshire and the rivers Thames and Cherwell run across it. The University of Oxford is world renowned and is the oldest university of the English speaking world.

By:
editor investinukl

Business>
International Businessl
Oct 04, 2010

UK Education Sector – Opportunities for Foreign Investors

Universities in the UK have been an educational Mecca for students aspiring for higher education. However, with passing time the education system in the UK is lagging behind in the modern global setup.

By:
editor investinukl

Business>
International Businessl
Sep 27, 2010

Yorkshire – Best Investment destination in UK

The Yorkshire city of UK provides investors with access to leading industry sectors including those of chemical, advanced engineering and materials, digital and new media and environmental technologies.

By:
editor investinukl

Finance>
Investingl
Sep 20, 2010

Invest in UK Food and Drink Industry

The food and drink industry in the UK generates over 77.4 billion pounds annually and employs more than 500,000 people. The UK food and drink industry is one of the best and most competitive in the world.

By:
editor investinukl

Business>
International Businessl
Sep 13, 2010

City of Dundee – Innovation Centre of Scotland

The city of Dundee is the fourth largest in Scotland and lies in the North bank of the Fifth of Tay that empties into the North Sea. The 2006 population estimates placed the metropolitan population at 159,522

By:
editor investinukl

Business>
International Businessl
Sep 06, 2010

Investment in UK Retail Sectors

Retail is often viewed as the starting point for many entrepreneurs. Many businesspersons use the retail sector to establish their base and then invade other business sectors.

By:
editor investinukl

Finance>
Investingl
Aug 30, 2010

Investment Opportunities in North Eastern England

The North Eastern England comprises of the Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and the Tees Valley. North Eastern England has an economy that is dominated by the manufacturing, business services and the public sector.

By:
editor investinukl

Finance>
Investingl
Aug 16, 2010

Larnakshire – Provides UK best Investment Opportunities

Larnakshire is popularly known for its sources of gold, silver, energy, minerals, precious stones, farm produce and dairy products. It is also known for its enterprising, skilled labor and modern economy.

By:
editor investinukl

Business>
International Businessl
Aug 10, 2010

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

 

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Submit

Your Articles Here
It’s Free and easy

Sign Up Today

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder

My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

editor investinuk has 44 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Finance

Accounting
Banking
Credit
Currency Trading
Day Trading
Debt Consolidation
Insurance
Investing
Loans
Mortgage
Personal Finance
Real Estate
Taxes
Wealth Building

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.

0){for(var n=0;n0){var u=__fwRemovedSiblings.shift();p.parentNode.appendChild(u)}for(var s=0;s
]]>
]]>
]]> 0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version

it seems thats what it is coming down to. Control over the middle east .Russia andd China let us go into Iraq, but will they let us go into Iran? Oh, this is about energy resources. We know China is desperate for oil as their economy booms. It seems to me like things could get ugly as China and Russia don’t wont to lose their relationshiop with Iran after letting the US and UK take Iraq.

The east of England accounts for a huge sum of business in the United Kingdom. Estimated at over 430,000, it provides about 10% of UK’s exports per annum. It’s supported by a vibrant economy with sectors such as Healthcare, ICT, biotechnology and Pharmaceutical, Aerospace and Airports, the Automotive Industry, Food and Drink; and the Creative media.  It has been widely referred to as the innovation capital of the UK, chiefly in the biotechnology and Technology sectors. East England’s economy is largely knowledge driven with researches and innovations forming a majority of its know-how export. About a third of total spending in East England goes to research and development. Most multinational companies with investments in the United Kingdom are located here. GlaxoSmithKline, Ford, BAE are found in East England.

 

Most companies in the East of England have as well invested overseas. The diverse economy provides a lot of investment opportunities in the various sectors that make it vibrant and highly productive. The secret to this has been the regions lead role in key industry sectors in the UK. The friendly investment environment and the availability of support for investors are key factors for its attraction for diverse foreign and local investments. The East of England comprises of major economies and vibrant sectors in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

 

Opportunities in this region include supply chain opportunities, Investments in Energy e.g. oil, gas, wind and nuclear. These are sustainable businesses. Investments in East of England has a range of advantages:

 

This region is by far the biggest Research and development ICT cluster in the European Continent based in Ipswich. Additionally, it hosts the largest biotech cluster in Europe with major world biotech companies’ headquartered here. An investment in this region gets easy access to the London market without necessary having to incur the ever high costs of setting up  headquarter or business base in there. In addition, the region’s London Stansted Airport offers faster and direct links to most European locations than any other Airport world wide.  Doing business in this region made easy by ease of logistics and transport given its superb and efficient infrastructure.

 

Other factors that attract lots of business to East of England are aspects such as its large venture capital funding base outside London and its specialist business incubators. Most of these incubators are linked to top notch Universities with major research centers.

 

The East of Midlands in the UK has an economy that largely relies on manufacturing. Manufacturing remains a key UK investment sector with companies such as Bombardier, Rolls Royce and Toyota at Derby, boots Pharmaceuticals and imperial Tobacco in Nottingham. Other companies like Siemens, are located in Lincoln. The East Midlands textile industry has been affected by cheap foreign imports and high interest rates. This saw some companies like Richard Roberts in Leicester close shop. Others that could not stand the competition relocated e.g. Speedo went to Asia. The regions development agency is the strategic driver that drives its sustainable economic development in partnership with the public, private and the Voluntary organizations. A long history of partnership with other European countries makes up for about 52 per cent of its exports.

 

Total earnings from export to the European Nations stands at £5.7 billion annually. Annual job creations is at 292, 000. Investments opportunities in East Midlands can be done in the various cities that don its landscape. The Nottingham city attracts investments in the Properties, science and technology, biomedical and environmental technology. Research by its universities has been behind some futuristic technological advancement. The city is undergoing a series of development programs. About 3.5 billion pounds is invested around the city ranging from infrastructure, public and private investments, transport and environment. The East Midlands has retained its attractiveness for UK investment with the development of quality and innovative business. The regions ambitious development programs, like the Science Park in Nottingham, continue to inspire investors making the region a desirable location for investments.

 

There are 110, 000 estimated number of businesses in this region. The regions economy contributes about 2% gross value in Agriculture. The two Enterprise zones located in Corby and Welling borough provide financial benefits to new and existing business within the zones. Other than that, there are exemptions from some rate taxes and easy process for planning investments. Economic projections predict that by the year 2020, the region will be a flourishing economic hub with sustainable economic prosperity and a higher quality of life incomparable to any other European country’s and like the best in the world. The economy of this region has been affected so little by the global economic downturn. However, with the continued decline and the waning investor confidence, the slow down in the region could get deeper. The conservative formation of stable government by Cameron is being watched carefully.

Islamic finance must harmonize practices to grow
Islamic banking must speed standardization to grow while monetary authorities should enact laws that allow expansion into new Sharia-based products in domestic markets, industry experts said on Wednesday.

Read more on Reuters via Yahoo! News

NDSU VP for Finance Quits
The vice president for finance and administration has quit at North Dakota State University, a school that has spent the last year mired in controversy over the way it spends money.

Read more on KQCD-TV Dickinson

ISLAMIC FINANCE REVITALISING ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST ECONOMIC TIES
KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) — Islamic finance has revitalised the economic ties and strengthened the financial linkages between Asia and the Middle East, says Bank Negara Governor, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Read more on Bernama via Yahoo! Malaysia News