BusinessWeek selected the most ridiculous financial predictions for 2008, from accurate to the contrary

Virtually all of the most influential American experts and analysts were mistaken in their forecasts for the outgoing year. But some predictions about the situation in the economy of 2008 proved to be false simply phenomenal, said with reference to magazine BusinessWeek.

Here's how to look like Top-10:

1. "We are waiting for very strong and long-time recovery market, - said March 27, the influential editor of business publications Profitable Investing Letter Richard Bend. - But to start, maybe need another couple of days. Recommend that all investors hold their positions and not lose faith !. " At the time of the predictions of Dow Jones index stood at 12300 points. By the end of December, he slipped to 8500.

2. Insurance company AIG could announce record earnings in the second quarter, as announced May 9, the analyst company Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Bizhan Moazami. In the second quarter the company announced a loss of 5 billion dollars in the next another 25 billion dollars. Shares of AIG in fact lost almost all their value over the past year, and the government has already uploaded to save the giant 150 billion dollars.

3. "I think that the risk to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae greatly exaggerated - expressed their views July 14, the head of the Committee on Financial Operations of the U.S. Congress Barney Frank. - Before them is not worth the threat of falling ... I think they are in good shape, and will move forward. " Two months later the Government had in tow the two mortgage agencies, investing in each of 100 billion dollars.

4. "The market is on track " - issued its regular pearl U.S. President George W. Bush on 14 March. All subsequent time, the market continued to and and ...

5. "No, no and no again! Assure you that the bank Bear Stearns was not threatened, he has a true case well", - said March 11, an economic analyst Jim Cramer TV channel CNBC. Exactly five days JPMorgan Chase through the White House acceded to a bank Bear Stearns, erasing the value of its shares to almost zero.

6. "In 2008, sales of homes will grow" - read the title of a press release the National Association of Realtors in December 2007. 23 Dec, 2008 Association noted that the November sales fell by 11% on last year's, which has the worst rate since the Great Depression.

7. "You will see that the price per barrel of oil by the end of the year at 150 dollars" - predicted in July, the American oil billionaire Thomas Boone Pikens. Today, oil traded at 36 dollars.

8. "I think some of bankruptcy would be ... But I do not think they will affect international banking assets, which constitute a significant part of our banking system" - said the head of U.S. Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke in February 2008. In September largest in the history of U.S. financial institution - the bank Washington Mutual. In November, the majority of state still needed the bank Citigroup.

9. "In today's level of financial regulation, violate the rules practically impossible", - said in October 2007 financier Bernard Medoff, who is accused of establishing a financial pyramid.

10. "Impossible Candidate: What we took Barack Obama and why he will not be able to win" - under that name in late 2007 book conservative American author Shelby Steel.

He died a young man with stab wounds after allegedly stabbing his wife

A young 26-year-old has been found dead at his home in La Linea de la Concepcion (Cadiz) with multiple stab wounds, after he allegedly stabbing his wife about 20 years old, who remains in serious condition at the hospital in the town of Campo de Gibraltar.

Police open investigation to clarify the circumstances in which the incident occurred, but preliminary data suggest that there may be a case of macho violence, while sources close to the family have stated that the couple could have committed suicide after "attacking his partner."

Sources from the City of La Linea have indicated that the incident occurred at 06:00 am on Saturday, when National Police officers went to an apartment in the neighborhood of Mirasierra and found the corpse of the young man, whose identity has not transpired.

Residents have been assured that the deceased was a habitual drug addict and who came to his home at dawn "very stoned", after which allegedly began assaulting his partner.

His wife is serious

National police found the couple dead on the floor, while her partner, also with multiple stab wounds, fled to the home of relatives. The couple had a child of 15 months, who was on the floor during the attack.

The couple was taken to hospital emergency department of the SAS Line with "a knife wound in the abdomen and two in the chest," while sources close to the family consulted also argue that numerous injuries in the head. He remains hospitalized in serious condition, but stable.

The court has decreed guard the secrecy of judicial investigations and researches the causes and details of this case that has shocked this neighborhood Linens, better known as The Palomeras, one of the most depressed areas socially and economically from the city.

Turkey elects parliament. The deputies will be able to appoint the election of the President

The MPs, who now elect the parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan will have the power to appoint a presidential election. That is why they were crucial to the republic, which launched a legal framework and constitutional reform news agency.

On the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov in September adopted a new version of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, has increased the powers of parliament in October approved a new law on election of deputies of the Majlis.

Nearly 3 million Turkmen citizens eligible to vote (population - 6, 7 million) will come to polling stations to elect 125 deputies out of 288 registered candidates. All of them - the only representatives of the country's Democratic Party, headed by President Berdymuhamedov, and a nationwide movement Galkynysh "(Rebirth).

It consists of youth organizations, trade unions, war veterans and labor and the Women's Union of Turkmenistan. Incidentally, the same movement is itself the Democratic Party.

The upcoming elections are already known as historic. For the first time Book this Central Asian country on its own volition has invited foreign observers. With this initiative was made by the incumbent president. When his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov - Turkmenbashi - this was not even .

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov came to power as a result of the country's first alternative presidential elections, declared the course of profound reforms in the economy and society, which was named "State to humans." One manifestation of this policy was the opening of the country for a broad international communication and democratization.

The first full-scale foreign observer mission for the Election became delegation from the CIS, which includes more than 40 representatives from almost all countries of the Commonwealth. It is chaired by Chairman of the CIS Sergey Lebedev. My conclusions are read to the press conference in Ashgabat on the morning of 15 December.

In Ashgabat profits and representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). They have also been accredited by the electoral republic, but acted as experts. Their task - to get acquainted with the development of democratic processes in Turkmenistan, and possibly give their recommendations. However, an official report on the activities of the OSCE / ODIHR delegation will be presented to the leadership of the organization in Warsaw.

Just the day before the election delegation arrived in Ashgabat UN to monitor parliamentary elections on the ground. The Mission is headed by team leader in Central Asia Division for Asia and the Pacific UN Department of Political Affairs Viktor Polyakov.

Another important feature of the current parliamentary elections - Participation in Turkmen citizens who are abroad. This innovation is reflected in the new law on elections. For them, with embassies open 27 polling stations in several countries, with vast numbers - in Russia, where learning to tens of thousands of men and women from Turkmenistan.

In accordance with the laws of Turkmenistan elected considered a candidate for the Majlis deputies, won the election with more than half the votes. Official results of the elections shall be published in the press, not later than 10 days after election day.

The deputies of the new, fourth convocation, unlike his predecessors, will have much broader powers. Under the new provisions of the Constitution, Parliament is authorized to appoint the election of the president and even send him to resign. However, final decision on this matter should be decided by referendum. Above that power Niyazov had set up in the People's Council (People's Council), which was abolished by the current President Berdymuhamedovym.

The first session of the Majlis of the fourth convocation, is expected to will be held before the end of this year. One of the first decisions of the deputies will change the text of national anthem of Turkmenistan, which will be removed references to the Turkmenbashi.

Iran National Anthem

Historians have found that the first financial crisis broke even in the Roman republic

Philip Key, a historian from Oxford University, saw an analogue of the financial crisis that is raging these days around the world, in Rome I century BC.

"The good news: Philip Key knows how the Romans got into financial trouble. The bad news: nobody knows how they are chosen," - writes in Friday InoPressa.ru with reference to The Guardian.

"The main thing in common what happened 21 a century ago, and what is happening now, that the ambitious growth of monetary liquidity problems resulted in another country, and this led to a credit crunch ... In both cases, the distance and unnecessary optimism overshadowed danger "- told Kay, in an interview edition.

According to the researcher, the Cicero in a speech pointed to the relationship money market Roman republic with Asian markets.

"In Rome II - the beginning of I century BC, the increased inflow of precious metals, coupled with the growing availability of credit led to a huge increase in circulation of money" that gave rise to "greater economic activity ... and, finally, the credit crisis," explained Kay.

Hamas persuaded radicals in Gaza have not yet bombard Israel missiles

Ruling in the Gaza Strip, Hamas, has entered into an agreement with radical factions in the Gaza Strip to stop launching rockets into neighboring Israeli territory and return to perform the contract for the truce, a prisoner for more than five months ago, reports .

Spokesman of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Ayman Taha explained to journalists that the leaders of Hamas "had contact with the Egyptian mediator, who conveyed the desire of the Israeli side to return to ." In exchange, the Israeli authorities have promised to open border crossings to allow international humanitarian aid, fuel and consumer goods, vanishing from the shops stores Palestinian enclave.

"We met with (Palestinian) factions in Gaza, transferred the request of Cairo. Factions expressed their desire to alleviate the blockade on the people by returning to compliance with calm, which expires in about a month" - said Taha, confirming that the extension of the truce had not been addressed.

In doing so, he said, Palestinian factions reserve the right to respond to every violation by Israel by launching rockets into its territory.

Fragile truce in the Gaza Strip, in force since 19 June this year, was breached on 5 November, when Palestinian militants resumed heavy shelling of adjacent areas of Israel in response to Israeli military incursion into the Gaza Strip.

Medvedev: Russian APC in the light of the crisis could increase its contribution to world food basket

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev believes that Russia's -industrial-complex global financial environment and the food crisis good prospects, both domestically and in foreign markets, RIA "Novosti".

"Russia has its own, and enough solid opportunities reserves in order to minimize the risks of global financial crisis - and not just financial, because the global financial crisis imposed and the food crisis" - said Medvedev at a meeting on Wednesday with members of the Russian agrarian movement.

"At the same time, this creates some additional prospects for the Russian APC, because, given these trends, our country can in this situation to increase its contribution to world food basket", - said Russian President.

- Medvedev criticized the agency for " taxation" of farmers with access to trading networks

According to him, of course, Russia must first resolve its internal targets, provide food itself, but must try to push into other markets.

"I am confident that under these conditions, difficult conditions, including due to slowing imports of food, our food market has every chance to grow well," - he said.

Reported that during the first nine months of this year's production facility in Russia grew a record pace in recent years at 6.5%, Medvedev said: "For us the most important task - to keep these rates and by improving the investment attractiveness of the industry, and through the implementation of infrastructure projects. " He acknowledged that currently there are difficulties with investments related to the cost of credit. According to him, this is the most serious deterrent.

"The -industrial complex and in general in our economy narrowed the possibility of replacing fixed assets from external sources, and the next year, many of them will have to carry out upgrading from their own resources", - the President.

Medvedev criticized the agency for " taxation" of farmers with access to trading networks

Dmitry Medvedev sharply criticized the agency for delays in preparing a law facilitating the access of farmers in the trading network news agency.

"Enough deal with nonsense. Dam orders that during the months, all the proposals made ", - the president said at the meeting on proma.

"I did this repeatedly said, still working in the government, and the so-called bonuses for entry into the trading network. In fact, we understand that for This beautiful word, in fact, conceals elementary taxation, as rural producers weak and can not compete with the commercial networks on an equal footing. Therefore, to find oneself attractive on with him fight these money "- explained Medvedev

"So we have this law, of course, obliged to accept -- he said.

The final battle of 'Doctor Tetanus'

Neither the bite of the - fly [which causes the so-called sleeping sickness], or malaria or dengue fever, have been able to dissuade Francois Gasse to abandons his personal battle against neonatal tetanus.

Senior Project Officer of UNICEF on immunization since 2000, also known as' Doctor Tetanus' [although he preferred the nickname 'Doctor '], is convinced that the war can touch to an end in 2010. It is considered eradicated the disease when the frequency of their occurrence is less than one child per 1,000 newborns.

But even today, despite the existence of a vaccine, 180,000 children and 30,000 mothers die every year from their cause. 90% of these deaths occur in 27 developing countries, most of Africa.

"I think it is feasible, cheap and also much easier to eliminate other diseases such as malaria. Since 1999, a total of 11 countries have succeeded in eliminating the disease," has insisted that member during the presentation in Madrid UNICEF's campaign 'A pack = A vaccine', which this year is' Together we can eliminate neonatal tetanus. "

It also involved the Dodot company, which donates a vaccine for each package purchased by parents Spanish between October and December. In the previous year, the company managed to raise eight million vaccines.

'If you've seen someone with tetanus not ever forget it'

Neonatal tetanus is an infectious disease caused by a germ called 'Clostridium ' or 'bacillus Nicolai', who lives in the land, in the faeces and manure and that it is incapable of producing the disease if it does not feed in the human body through a wound in the form inactive. When the tissue is contaminated certain conditions, primarily a lack of oxygen, it begins to germinate into active forms, secreting a toxin harmful to the nervous system.

Is when you start the spiral of suffering. "If you've seen someone with tetanus not ever forget it. CAUSE spasms in the muscles and all the slightest noise makes them convulsions. They are the worst convulsions known to medicine. The pain is immense and the body is so arch violence Some patients have come to fracture the spine, "he adds.

"Poor hygiene during childbirth (like cutting the umbilical cord with a dirty knife) and the traditions of many countries are the cause of tetanus in newborns. The African cover the navel with cow dung, while in Cambodia or Laos do with cobwebs, "recalls Dr. Gasse that, following touring 92 countries in its fight against neonatal tetanus, acknowledges that it is" easier and faster to end the disease with the vaccine to try to change cultural habits of peoples ".

Just enough to administer three doses of vaccine tetanus toxoid (TT) to women of childbearing age. "Once they are protected against tetanus and became pregnant convey immunity to newborns in the first two or three months after birth. Later, the baby should receive three doses of DPT (Diphtheria / Pertussis / Tetanus) in services routine immunization, "says the expert.

While Dr. Francois Gasse diminish the significance of the great difficulties involved in tetanus vaccination in some corners of the globe, the truth is that their work is performed by saving new obstacles every day.

"In Africa, for example, many women have not seen a needle in their lives and gives them fear. Others however are suspicious and think that we are going to inject so that they can not have children. But in Pakistan, problem is that men can not vaccinate women. In the end we managed to train 50,000 Feminists for that alongside 9,000 men, to carry out the immunization plan, "he says.

The total cost of immunization (three doses of vaccine, logistics and administration for his transfer) amounted to 1.50 euros. "If we continue to get support, I am sure we can meet the deadline marked. The important thing is that the world knows that this disease exists. He never spoke of it and is a real tragedy," concluded the "anti-Doctor."

10-21-06 回福太醫院打第3劑6合1疫苗(back hospital inject third vaccine)

The court repeatedly refused to release former Yukos lawyer Bakhmina

Zubov, Polyansky District Court of Canada last week repeatedly refused to Parole (UDO), a former Yukos lawyer Svetlana Bakhmina. As reported by Interfax Senior Assistant Antonina prosecutor Mordovia Devyataeva, 27 May 2008 Zubov, Polyansky Bakhmina Court refused to UDO for violating regime.

Note, according to the investigation, Bakhmina was former Yukos vice president Vasily Alexanyan, who recently court reduced the term of detention - for one day.

30 Jul, 2008 this decision was overruled by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Mordovia, and the case Bakhmina was sent to a new review of the composition of the court otherwise. September 10, Zubov, Polyansky court again refused Bakhmina in UDO, Devyataeva said, not specifying at this time the grounds for refusal.

- All FIGURES "the Yukos affair"

A source in judicial circles said that, as in the first time that a ground for refusal was the penalty for violation regime, which at the time of the court have already been removed and amortized.

According to the source, in its decision the Supreme Court of the Republic Griffith also noted that Bakhmina, located at the fourth month pregnancy, in the sentence "refers to work in good faith, is positive, has three thanks civil action in a criminal case had paid in full. "

Administration correctional institution believes that Bakhmina "does not need continue serving the sentence ", said the Supreme Court decision Mordovia. Lawyers Bakhmina declined to comment.

Former Yukos lawyer Svetlana Bakhmina was convicted 19 Apr., 2006 Simonovskim year, the district court in Moscow on charges of theft of property OAO Tomskneft and tax evasion and sentenced to 7 years 'imprisonment.

Cassation definition of the Moscow City Court on 24 August 2006, the sentence was changed, but the penalty is reduced to 6,5 years. To date, Bakhmina left in the conclusion of 3 years 9 months. He has two children, 7 and 11 years.

'The Madrid as a club for Franco, achieved what gave him the win'

And Ferguson, Sir Alex spoke. The coach of Manchester United, able to convince Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Old Trafford when they saw it in Madrid and dressed in white, said in an interview published in the newspaper 'The Times' maneuvering of the Spanish club to bring to the Castellana best player in the world in 2008.

Ronaldo, the hero, became a villain after a summer of flirtation with Real Madrid. Ferguson has seen since the early front line of reconciliation in Britain and its star. "That chapter is finished," he said.

After his first sentence, begins to spread. First, the president of FIFA, Joseph Blatter, who months earlier had compared the player's contract situation with that of a slave. "I believe that Blatter is in danger ... or has reached a point where they laugh at him," he says. "Maybe it is becoming too old, I do not know. But the people with power you can move things. See if not for some dictators in Africa." Excuse me? "What I am trying to say is that from a position of great power, has delivered speeches ridiculous that you put in serious danger of damaging its credibility."

And the

Madrid? What does the head of the 'red devils'? "When we sold them to Heinze last summer, we knew what would happen, because Ronaldo was very close to him. I knew what they were doing. The Madrid was not interested in Heinze, a good footballer. Their ultimate goal was done with Ronaldo," complaint.

Recapitulation of events to Ferguson. Heated. Attacks. "What really obscene of all this is that Real Madrid as a club of General Franco, has a history before that democracy came to Spain, who wants to achieve and do what you want," he believes.

After the shooting, relaxes, remembers one of the greatest examples of football faithful who passed through his hands. "The British fans appreciate in particular the loyalty when a player comes from abroad," reflect. "For this reason, Eric Cantona is so loved here. If there was a player in this world made for United, this was Eric Cantona."

Ferguson always felt a weakness for the French genius. "I think Cantona spent their whole lives looking for someone to make you feel at home. He traveled to many countries; some people, like him, have some Gypsies, but when he arrived he learned that this was his site."

Do you have something in common Cristiano Ronaldo and Cantona? "When Cantona gives you the hand and looks you in the eye, intimidates you. Despite being so different, the virtue of Ronaldo is less recognized their value," acknowledges. "Courage? Of course. Courage in football, as in life, manifests itself in different ways. But the courage to move forward, no matter kicking received, identifies Ronaldo. Few players reach that level of delivery for winning the ball. "

Courage to retrieve the ball. But we also need to know to claim, maintaining it. "Ronaldo also has that ability, like all great players. As [George] Best, [Bobby] Charlton or Cantona. I would sack the corner, I shot the fault. But I keep the ball. I beat the enemy," reports.

In his more than 20 years in charge of United, Ferguson has known several players with tremendous determination. Not only Best, Cantona or Ronaldo. "[Paolo] Di Cani could have become a great player of Manchester. When you have a player with that charisma, like Best, [Ryan] Giggs, [Wayne] Rooney, Ronaldo or [Dimitar] Berbatov, it's easy to create heroes here" .

Nicest Football-Players

Seiji Ozawa, a leader in the Dome

"The time academic often must agree to the calendar of great artists travelers," said Hugues Gall yesterday under the dome of the Institut de France. It will indeed be nearly ten years for the seat of Yehudi Menuhin at the Academy of Fine Arts was replaced.

Died March 12 1999, the famous violinist here thirteen years, as Associate member countries (like qu'Andrzej Wajda, Woody Allen or the Agha Khan ...). To maintain this tradition of excellence, the Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa that has officially succeeded yesterday in green scratched Cardin.

Indeed, this proud wand was born in 1930 elected since October 2001. But it is elusive, this Ozawa ... As Gall said in his speech reception since its debut in Boston led by Charles Munch, in the late 1950s, this young cat dancing "is a true locomotive! A student of Karajan and Bernstein, the chief chaperone orchestras of Toronto, San Francisco, and especially Boston, he will lead from 1973 to 2002. Father of an impressive discography (mainly at Philips and Deutsche Grammophon), this man, who appeared with his head hair, defends both the French repertoire that artists of his time. Hugues Gall has rightly stressed the genius with which Ozawa inflamed the establishment of Messiaen's monumental opera, Saint Francis of Assisi in 1983.

After listening very carefully about the fun of his friend Hughes, the Japanese leader took the floor. Under the eyes of assistance when mixed Roselyne Bachelot, Christine Albanel, Henri Dutilleux, or Alain Duault, Seiji Ozawa was launched in a speech in English, simultaneously (and very spiritually!) Translated by his friend Andr Massna. Under the hiccups of laughter from the assistance, the maestro spoke as the memory of Menuhin as its own memories, like his first stay in Paris when he was representative of the Japanese brand scooter Rabbit! Finally, after the maestro had concluded "I feel at home here," the young violinist Agata Scymczewska made a final tribute to Menuhin. Rare thing: two Bach were then played in the Dome, while the sun arose on the face moved by Henri Dutilleux.