Weekend Chillout - Up in Smoke

In a week when the world's Catholics are waiting for the white smoke, the US stockmarkets are smoking hot, and stock analysts are smoking some good shit to think a all time high DOW is justified by the current US economy, what else could this week's song be?

Dmitri loves his Silver

A couldn't resist posting Dmitri shooting my favourite round in my favourite colour.

From MoreFPSRussia

The One Percent

The Dept. Governor of the Bank of Japan said on Thursday that the bank would suffer paper loses of 2.3 Trillion Yen if long-term government bonds rates were to rise just 1 percent. And you thought a 1% rise on your ajustable rate mortgage hurt.

Source

The Left finally sees the Light

From TheBigPictureRT

Rand Paul is a Constitutional Hero

You can smell the Second American revolution from here. When one of the left's most intelligent commentators gives fawning praise for the poster boy of the libertarian right you know the end is near.

From TheYoungTurks

Do we need 'Suicide Nets' for European Banks?

From repubblica.it

Original source (in Italian)

Translated by google translate:

SIENA - David Rossi, head of communication of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, took his own life by jumping from one office to the headquarters of the institute in Rocca Salimbeni. On 19 February his office and his apartment had been searched in the investigation on the Mount, but was not investigated. On the same day the men of the core currency of the Financial Police had shown up again in the home of former President and former General Manager of Rocca Salimbeni, Antonio and Giuseppe Mussari Vigni. Rossi had not been entered in the register of suspects, but some searches, had pointed to some sources, they make "surprise" when searching for "evidence, documents or evidence."

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Breaking The Set

From breakingtheset

On this episode of Breaking the Set, Abby Martin talks to Max Keiser, host of the Keiser Report, about the global economy and the growing popularity of the decentralized digital currency known as the Bitcoin. Abby then breaks through the veil of myths surrounding Venezuela's late Hugo Chavez, highlighting the criticisms and achievements of his 14 year presidency. BTS wraps up the show with an interview with Jamila Aisha Brown, global strategist with HUE Global, about the potential ripple effects following the death of Hugo Chavez on the political landscape of Latin America.

China Silver imports climb 36% y/y to 152 tons

From commodityonline.com

Original source

LONDON (Commodity Online): Latest data suggests that silver imports by China rose by 36% y/y, the strongest growth rate since May 2010 in January. The country remains a net importer of silver by a sizeable magnitude of 152 tonnes.

This is according to data compiled by London based investment bank Barclays.

“It bodes well for silver that imports in powder form rose by a healthy 68% y/y and jewellery imports also recovered by 62% y/y after a weak 2012.” Barclays noted.

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Oh for the simple days when warriors fought for peace

Thanks to @AbbyMartin for this 1991 newspaper image.

Click to enlarge

Leftists

To go with my new poll question at the top of this page, some stats regarding Left Handedness.

Infographic from dailyinfographic.com