Low Interest Second Mortgage

Hong Kong residents are perhaps more used to playing their property market than people living in the Gulf, whose freedom to buy has only emerged from relatively recent market liberalisation. They have therefore been quicker to recognise what lower interest rates mean for real estate and mortgage applications are up by 50 per cent; and to be fair the Hong Kong banks have also been much quicker to adjust mortgage products to take advantage of low interest rates. House price inflationBut lower finance costs ripple across the whole property development chain from land prices right through to secondary sales. If it is cheaper to finance development then profits are bigger. If home finance costs are falling, and look likely to fall further, then more buyers will enter the market. It is an upward price spiral or house price inflation that will result.

India issues ultimatum to ICC

Walking across your stumps with the bat high above your head to a spinner on a wearing pitch is not a sensible way to defend a position. Nevertheless, my sympathy goes to the Indian team who played some fantastic cricket throughout the five days. I am sure that cool heads will prevail, unless the transcript of the hearing is damming, a compromise will be reached and Perth awaits.

India should take all its A list players back to India and send the potbellied gateopener from some railway station to play in Aussie land along with a team of similar experts. Add a couple of D-grade guys who didnt make Ranji level for similar color.At the end, we dont walk out and the Aussie tour becomes a farce, hitting these bugger's where they should be hit, their pocketbook.With the major chunk of cricket revenues from India, its high time we started playing hardball with these two bit jerks.

GM's next generation Chevrolet Impala will remain FWD-based

I did put the 2007 Cadillac epa numbers in the original comment. Still a good basis for comparison. Two of my vettes are supercharged and put out over 800hp and over 1000hp. The 800hp one is my daily driver, and can get over 30mpg highway, so I know a little bit about forced induction too. ;)Your absolutely correct that engines are tuned for distinct purposes. Point is, engines are always tuned (from factory) for:1. Emissions2. Safety3. Performance4. Fuel EconomyMost engines are pig-rich from the factory, since that makes the engine safer to operate in all enviroments. With a proper aftermarket tune, you can signifigantly increase hp, mpg, and lower emissions. quote: Also, when comparing engines, you can't just pick one outlying example and claim its indicative. True, but if I didn't have any examples, someone would chime in disputing the claims.In any event, the facts speak for themselves.

Monday wild card

I thought this was a good time to throw out some pointers for those who may have never done coverage of such happenings. These events are difficult for everyone, including the journalist. If you're human, it can be difficult to ask someone to share their personal stories with you about someone who they've lost. It's difficult to sit there and watch as a person breaks down while they try to tell you the story, without perhaps crying yourself, the whole time knowing you're basically an intruder who is being paid to get information from them. But covering deaths or similar tragedies (perhaps a severe injury, etc.) is important in order to pay tribute to people. Sure, you're doing a job, but you've already got one of the best jobs in the world; you write for a living, and you must share the story of this person with the public.