SYDNEY, July 30 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar recovered some ground on Thursday, helped by gains against the kiwi dollar after New Zealand's central bank threatened to further cut rates to temper the strength of its currency.
It shot up a cent against the kiwi to a high of NZ$1.2597, after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand warned a strong kiwi dollar threatened the country's fragile economic recovery. [ID:WEL467297]
That helped the Aussie to steady at $0.8195, off the day's low of $0.8143. It managed to rise on the yen to 77.89 yen , from Wednesday's 77.16, helped by a bounce in Shanghai shares <.SSEC> which act like a barometer of risk appetite in Asia.
"The consolidation is considered healthy after its recent rally," said Richard Grace, an analyst at Commonwealth Bank. "We still think it will be higher by the year end at $0.84."
Sentiment on the Aussie got a lift after local data showed approvals to build new homes jumped a surprisingly strong 9.3 percent in June, suggesting housing construction may soon add to economic growth. [ID:SYD522924]
That encouraged speculation yet again that local interest rates may turn up sooner rather than later. But some analysts also noted that a buoyant building market would assuage any worries that a housing bubble may be forming, reducing impetus for a rate hike.
"Higher building approvals today may actually provide the RBA with breathing space as opposed to increasing pressure for short-term rate rises to lean into prices," said Katie Dean, an ANZ analyst.
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens said this earlier week low rates may inflate house prices, and that the real challenge was to ensure low rates would lead to more homes being built.
Australian rates stand at a record low of 3 percent now. Local bill and bond futures, which have been battered in recent weeks by talk of rate hikes, fell again on Thursday.
September bill futures <0#YBA:> lost 0.01 point to 96.73. Three-year bond futures fell 0.08 points to 95.00, while 10-year bonds lost 0.075 points to 94.395.
December interbank futures <0#YIB:> were down 0.01 point at 96.82, suggesting investors are mulling a 50 percent chance of a 25-basis-point rate hike by the year end. Expectations of rising local rates have caused Australia's yield curve to flatten. Ten-year cash rates were 142 basis points above two-year rates, the smallest difference since April.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ATO Targets
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has nailed corporate fat cats firmly to the top of its hit list as it prepares to process tax returns at the end of a torrid financial year.
In this year’s federal budget, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd allocated a hefty $595.2 million for the ATO to ramp up its audit investigations, as well as support those suffering financial hardship amid the economic downturn.
It also plans to continue its crackdown on work-related expenses, targeting truck drivers, sales and marketing managers, sales reps and electricians.
Jennie Granger, second commissioner of tax, said business executives and directors were number one on the taxman’s radar this year.
Ms Granger said the ATO have scrutinised 362 executives and directors' pay and bonus schemes in eleven months to June 1 – recouping almost $39 million in taxes.
The super rich – those worth more than $30 million – have been scrutinised by a taskforce for the past ten years.
Now, that taskforce is extending its remit to those worth between $5 million and $30 million – who the tax office said are beginning to employ similar tax dodging tactics as the super-rich.
Meanwhile, tax refund fraud remains high on the ATO’s priorities – with tax returns completed by unregistered tax agents accounting for 98 percent of all dodgy returns.
Ms Granger said the tax office will also be on the hunt for anyone tempted to crank up their work expenses claims.
The economic misery has seen many people forced into a ‘fire sale’ of their assets, the ATO said. Offloading assets quickly to meet debts has become more commonplace, but people must declare the gains, the tax office warned.
The ATO plans to monitor financial transactions more closely, particularly partnership and trust incomes, managed funds, share schemes and insurance policies.
It also warned Australians to be on the look out for dodgy investment schemes. Last year, the ATO froze 14 bank accounts, investigated 250 people and collected more than $2 million from dodgy schemes.
In this year’s federal budget, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd allocated a hefty $595.2 million for the ATO to ramp up its audit investigations, as well as support those suffering financial hardship amid the economic downturn.
It also plans to continue its crackdown on work-related expenses, targeting truck drivers, sales and marketing managers, sales reps and electricians.
Jennie Granger, second commissioner of tax, said business executives and directors were number one on the taxman’s radar this year.
Ms Granger said the ATO have scrutinised 362 executives and directors' pay and bonus schemes in eleven months to June 1 – recouping almost $39 million in taxes.
The super rich – those worth more than $30 million – have been scrutinised by a taskforce for the past ten years.
Now, that taskforce is extending its remit to those worth between $5 million and $30 million – who the tax office said are beginning to employ similar tax dodging tactics as the super-rich.
Meanwhile, tax refund fraud remains high on the ATO’s priorities – with tax returns completed by unregistered tax agents accounting for 98 percent of all dodgy returns.
Ms Granger said the tax office will also be on the hunt for anyone tempted to crank up their work expenses claims.
The economic misery has seen many people forced into a ‘fire sale’ of their assets, the ATO said. Offloading assets quickly to meet debts has become more commonplace, but people must declare the gains, the tax office warned.
The ATO plans to monitor financial transactions more closely, particularly partnership and trust incomes, managed funds, share schemes and insurance policies.
It also warned Australians to be on the look out for dodgy investment schemes. Last year, the ATO froze 14 bank accounts, investigated 250 people and collected more than $2 million from dodgy schemes.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
House prices jump 3,3% 2nd quarter
House prices have recorded their strongest growth since late 2007.House prices are now back to levels last seen before the onset of the global financial crisis and are expected to continue rising over the rest of 2009 and into 2010, a survey by Australian Property Monitors (APM) found.
The national median house price rose to $484,308 in the June quarter, from $468,694 in the March quarter.
Most of the growth was driven by increased house values in Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, APM said.
APM economist Matthew Bell said the market had been consolidating since the first quarter of 2009 and that had now been transformed into strong growth across the country.
While the market had been supported by low interest rates, flat prices and a boost to the federal government's first home owner grants, the upper end of the sector had been particularly strong in the June quarter.
For Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, median housing prices in the top 50 per cent of suburbs grew by nearly double the rate of those of the bottom 50 per cent in the quarter.
"Not surprisingly this has coincided with the stockmarket rebounding by nearly 30 per cent from its March lows and the economic outlook improving," Mr Bell said.
"Rising unemployment remains the biggest risk to house prices, but this risk has lessened over the past quarter with forecasts of peak unemployment falling below eight per cent and the economy expected to avoid a technical recession," he said.
"With population growing strongly and strong housing finance ,all indicators point to house prices will continue to rise in the second half of 2009 and well into 2010."
The national median house price rose to $484,308 in the June quarter, from $468,694 in the March quarter.
Most of the growth was driven by increased house values in Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, APM said.
APM economist Matthew Bell said the market had been consolidating since the first quarter of 2009 and that had now been transformed into strong growth across the country.
While the market had been supported by low interest rates, flat prices and a boost to the federal government's first home owner grants, the upper end of the sector had been particularly strong in the June quarter.
For Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, median housing prices in the top 50 per cent of suburbs grew by nearly double the rate of those of the bottom 50 per cent in the quarter.
"Not surprisingly this has coincided with the stockmarket rebounding by nearly 30 per cent from its March lows and the economic outlook improving," Mr Bell said.
"Rising unemployment remains the biggest risk to house prices, but this risk has lessened over the past quarter with forecasts of peak unemployment falling below eight per cent and the economy expected to avoid a technical recession," he said.
"With population growing strongly and strong housing finance ,all indicators point to house prices will continue to rise in the second half of 2009 and well into 2010."
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
MasterChef Australia - Relationship Chris Badenoch & Jenkins
Romance between Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins which both left long-term partners.
Chris Badenoch (41) a fellow contestant of Masterchef has ended his relationships with a long term partner, Homaxi Irani whom he met 15 years ago when they worked together.
Badenoch has insisted his split with Irani ended "independently" of his romance with Julia Jenkins, 23.
But Irani has refused to comment on whether Badenoch hooked up with Jenkins before their split. The interview took place "some time" before last week.
Jenkins, who was booted out of the competition on Tuesday (14/7) admitted she and Badenoch had been on "a few dates".Jenkins broke up with her partner of three years while competing in the series.
Chris remains one of the favourites to win the competition and take home $100,000 and a cookbook deal.
Chris Badenoch (41) a fellow contestant of Masterchef has ended his relationships with a long term partner, Homaxi Irani whom he met 15 years ago when they worked together.
Badenoch has insisted his split with Irani ended "independently" of his romance with Julia Jenkins, 23.
But Irani has refused to comment on whether Badenoch hooked up with Jenkins before their split. The interview took place "some time" before last week.
Jenkins, who was booted out of the competition on Tuesday (14/7) admitted she and Badenoch had been on "a few dates".Jenkins broke up with her partner of three years while competing in the series.
Chris remains one of the favourites to win the competition and take home $100,000 and a cookbook deal.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Rossa_Favourites
ROSSA
Atas Nama Cinta
Aku wanita yang punya cinta di hati
Dan dirimu dan dirinya dalam hidupku
Mengapa terlambat cintamu telah termiliki
Sedang diriku dengan dia tak begitu cinta
Mengapa yang lain bisa
Mendua dengan mudahnya
Namun kita terbelenggu
Dalam ikatan tanpa cinta
[Reff:]
Atas nama cinta
Hati ini tak mungkin terbagi
Sampai nanti bila aku mati
Cinta ini hanya untuk engkau
Atas nama cinta
Kurelakan jalanku merana
Asal engkau akhirnya denganku
Kubersumpah atas nama cinta
Mengapa yang lain bisa
Mendua dengan mudahnya
Namun kita terbelenggu
Dalam ikatan tanpa cinta
[back to Reff]
Tegar
Tergoda aku 'tuk berpikir
Dia yang tecinta
Mengapa t'lah lama tak nampak
Dirimu disini
Jangan inginku tersenyum
Tak ada gairah
Kuingin slalu bersamamu
Kini kuresah
Diriku lemah tanpamu... ohh
Gapai semua jemariku
Rangkul aku dalam bahagiamu
Kuingin bersama berdua selamanya
Jika kubuka mata ini
Kuingin selalu ada dirimu
Dalam kelemahan hati ini
Bersamamku aku tegar
Wanita Yang Kau Pilih
Malam selalu panjang
Di waktu aku merindukanmu
Kau bisa menjaga aku
Hingga diriku merasa teduh
Aku seperti kamu
Menginginkan dan memerlukanmu
Karena kita tak mampu
Untuk selalu pergi menjauh
Kau jadikan aku ini
Wanita yang kau pilih
Untuk jadi kekasihmu
Dan kau pun tlah aku minta
Setia sepertiku
Hingga waktunya tiba
Aku percaya penuh
Kau kan buatku bahagia
Karena cinta tercipta
Datangnya dari dalam hatiku
Hey Ladies
Sudah kubilang jangan terlalu yakin
Mulut lelaki banyak juga tak jujur
Bila sakit hati wanita bisanya nangis
Sudah ku bilang jangan terlalu cinta
Kalau patah hati siapa mau nolong
Seperti langit dan matahari tak bersatu lagi
Hey ladies jangan mau di bilang lemah
Kita juga bisa menipu dan menduakan
Bila wanita sudah beraksi dunia hancur
Hey ladies sekarang cinta pakai otak
Jangan mau rugi hati dan juga rugi waktu
Bila dia merayumu ingat semuanya bohong
Memanglah tak semua laki-laki busuk
Namun ladies tetaplah harus waspada
Semogalah kita semua akhirnya
Mendapatkan cinta yang tulus
Sudah kubilang jangan terlalu yakin
Mulut lelaki banyak juga tak jujur
Bila sakit hati wanita bisanya nangis
Atas Nama Cinta
Aku wanita yang punya cinta di hati
Dan dirimu dan dirinya dalam hidupku
Mengapa terlambat cintamu telah termiliki
Sedang diriku dengan dia tak begitu cinta
Mengapa yang lain bisa
Mendua dengan mudahnya
Namun kita terbelenggu
Dalam ikatan tanpa cinta
[Reff:]
Atas nama cinta
Hati ini tak mungkin terbagi
Sampai nanti bila aku mati
Cinta ini hanya untuk engkau
Atas nama cinta
Kurelakan jalanku merana
Asal engkau akhirnya denganku
Kubersumpah atas nama cinta
Mengapa yang lain bisa
Mendua dengan mudahnya
Namun kita terbelenggu
Dalam ikatan tanpa cinta
[back to Reff]
Tegar
Tergoda aku 'tuk berpikir
Dia yang tecinta
Mengapa t'lah lama tak nampak
Dirimu disini
Jangan inginku tersenyum
Tak ada gairah
Kuingin slalu bersamamu
Kini kuresah
Diriku lemah tanpamu... ohh
Gapai semua jemariku
Rangkul aku dalam bahagiamu
Kuingin bersama berdua selamanya
Jika kubuka mata ini
Kuingin selalu ada dirimu
Dalam kelemahan hati ini
Bersamamku aku tegar
Wanita Yang Kau Pilih
Malam selalu panjang
Di waktu aku merindukanmu
Kau bisa menjaga aku
Hingga diriku merasa teduh
Aku seperti kamu
Menginginkan dan memerlukanmu
Karena kita tak mampu
Untuk selalu pergi menjauh
Kau jadikan aku ini
Wanita yang kau pilih
Untuk jadi kekasihmu
Dan kau pun tlah aku minta
Setia sepertiku
Hingga waktunya tiba
Aku percaya penuh
Kau kan buatku bahagia
Karena cinta tercipta
Datangnya dari dalam hatiku
Hey Ladies
Sudah kubilang jangan terlalu yakin
Mulut lelaki banyak juga tak jujur
Bila sakit hati wanita bisanya nangis
Sudah ku bilang jangan terlalu cinta
Kalau patah hati siapa mau nolong
Seperti langit dan matahari tak bersatu lagi
Hey ladies jangan mau di bilang lemah
Kita juga bisa menipu dan menduakan
Bila wanita sudah beraksi dunia hancur
Hey ladies sekarang cinta pakai otak
Jangan mau rugi hati dan juga rugi waktu
Bila dia merayumu ingat semuanya bohong
Memanglah tak semua laki-laki busuk
Namun ladies tetaplah harus waspada
Semogalah kita semua akhirnya
Mendapatkan cinta yang tulus
Sudah kubilang jangan terlalu yakin
Mulut lelaki banyak juga tak jujur
Bila sakit hati wanita bisanya nangis
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Favourite Music - Michael Jackson
"Ben"
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me(You've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there(Here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere(Anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"I used to say
"I" and "me"Now it's "us",
now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I doI
wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben (A friend)
Like Ben(Like Ben) Like Ben
"You Are Not Alone"
Another day has gone
I'm still all alone
How could this be
You're not here with me
You never said goodbye
Someone tell me why
Did you have to go
And leave my world so cold
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone
'Lone, 'lone
Why, 'lone
Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone
Whisper three words and I'll come runnin'
And girl you know that I'll be there
I'll be there
You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone...
"Childhood"
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...
People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had
Have you seen my Childhood...
"Smile"
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
"We're The World (USA For Africa)"
There comes a time when we hear a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
and it's time to lend a hand to life
There greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need
[Chorus:]
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
it's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand
[Chorus]
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one
[Chorus]
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me(You've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there(Here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere(Anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"I used to say
"I" and "me"Now it's "us",
now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I doI
wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben (A friend)
Like Ben(Like Ben) Like Ben
"You Are Not Alone"
Another day has gone
I'm still all alone
How could this be
You're not here with me
You never said goodbye
Someone tell me why
Did you have to go
And leave my world so cold
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
But you are not alone
'Lone, 'lone
Why, 'lone
Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone
Whisper three words and I'll come runnin'
And girl you know that I'll be there
I'll be there
You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
For you are not alone...
"Childhood"
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...
People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood I've never known...
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had
Have you seen my Childhood...
"Smile"
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
"We're The World (USA For Africa)"
There comes a time when we hear a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
and it's time to lend a hand to life
There greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need
[Chorus:]
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
it's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand
[Chorus]
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one
[Chorus]
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