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The FTSE 100 fell 6.5 per cent in 2011 following a 10 per cent rise in 2010. That's disappointing - but it's better than the 15 per cent tumble for Germany and 17 per cent for France. KEY POINTS Up until the turbulence of 2011, the bulls were in the ascendency - it marked an incredible run. The Footsie's total rally to the mid-February 2011 high of 6091, represented a 73% recovery from the low of 3512 in March 2009. Emerging markets did even better in the bull market phase. The FTSE Emerging Latin America index [Bloomberg chart], rose 87% in 2009 and a further 13% in 2010. But fears for the global economy meant a sharp sell-off for the like of Brazil and China in 2011. The bad debts of banks that crippled the financial system have been passed on to governments (and their taxpayers), hence the sticky mess that emerged last year [more on Britain's debt woes]. Now debt threatens to bankrupt several southern European countries - this reality only sunk in during the summer of 2011 and was the reason for the poor performance of the stock markets in the second half of the year. The FTSE 100 hit a low of 4935 on 19 August - a 20 per cent fall from more than 5900 in July. Fresh hopes for a rescue package pumped markets back up in late October: the U.S. market had its best month since 1974. But the exuberance evaporated in November and December when a solid plan to save the euro continued to evade European leaders. Enlarge The stock market crash of 2011 We set out reasons for pessimism and optimism (which have barely changed in three years): The bull points * Central banks will stimulate economies with printed money at the slightest hint of trouble, and this has the side-effect of increasing demand for assets such as shares; * Shares look very cheap vs bonds. When FTSE 100 dividend yields exceed 10-year government bonds, it means shares are a buy. This happened in late summer 2010 and again in the second half of 2011. Others say this measure is flawed because

An average of two Seoul citizens would have to work to support one elderly by 2039 amid the falling birth rate and rising life expectancy, statistics showed Wednesday. Statistics data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government predicts that in 27 years, the working-age population between 15 and 64 would drop 26 percent to 5.99 million and senior citizens aged 65 and over are expected to grow 172 percent to 2.95 million. Currently an average of 7.4 working people support each senior citizen. The demographic change is feared to squeeze the city's workforce, threatening growth and pension systems. The data based on a survey by the Statistics Korea also indicated that the number of youth aged 1 to 14 is forecast to decrease by 25 percent to 1.03 million.

Slide 1 Springhill Care Group: Netflix announce loss on 1Q Slide 2 The largest video subscription service provider Netflix fell the most in 6 months, following a prediction of slowdown in growth of local streaming subscribers. Netflix has posted a net loss of 8 cents per stock or USD 4.58 million during the first quarter due to costs from the United Kingdom and Latin America expansion. That is significantly smaller than the USD 9 to 27 million loss projected in January. Meanwhile, sales increased by 21% to USD 869.8 million, beating the estimated USD 865.5 million. According to Springhill Florida Group, Netflix could gain 200,000-800,000 streaming subscribers during the 2nd quarter as opposed to a net increase of 1.7 million during the last one. Stockholders seemed to have hesitated, accounting for a fall in its shares, 65% in the previous year. Slide 3 Its DVD-by-mail service is still a major part of the profits accounting for 46% of the total, despite having less than half of the number of subscribers on its streaming counterpart. But even if the mail service is rapidly losing subscribers as they turn to streaming, the loss rate is fortunately declining. On the other hand, streaming services accounts for 13% of the total profits during the recent quarter. Fortunately, the firm has set a streaming record on its first quarter, with subscribers watching an average of 1 hour per day. And as part of maintaining its recovery, CEO Reed Hastings announced that there are no plans to raise prices and their primary focus now is on adding more subscribers. But with an increasing number of competitors, Netflix needs to stand out. However, with its subscribers not increasing as much as they hoped, Hastings hopes to invest into original series and expand globally. Those plans obviously cost a lot of money and without revenue from ads, it only relies on the influx of more subscribers. Slide 4 Netflix has new US subscribers for its streaming services, accounting or 1.7 mil

A new £5million specialist care centre has opened its doors in Accrington with a Mayoral seal of approval. The groundbreaking care centre, at Springhill Care Home, Fairfield Street, is a three storey, 24,000 sq ft development which includes 46 beds over five separate facilities.

http://springhillcaregroup.net/archives/273 We are used to a tradition of flooding of food during holidays, eggnog on Christmas, stuffing on Thanksgiving, or latkes on Hanukkah. A get together without food, that won't do. The holidays are traditionally a time for big meals with predictable main courses and side dishes, but for those with dietary restrictions, each meal brings a challenge. Sofie McConnaughay owner of a skin care studio that caters to people with allergies and sensitivities in Boise, Idaho said, "There is an old family dinner roll recipe that is completely out of the question for me." And she added, "It's sad, because they're my favorite part of the holiday meal experience!" Many people are on strict diet and among these is Ms. McConnaughay who must stick with a gltuen-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and more-even during this festive time of year. "Special diets can really effect people over the holidays," said Christie Korth, a holistic nutritionist and Founder and CEO of Happy and Healthy Wellness, Inc. She is also the author of "The IBD (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Healing Plan and Recipe Book" (IBD is an acronym for). Mashed potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, or steamed vegetables with butter, these food may sound safe but Ms. Korth pointed out that these can be no-no's for many special diets. "The way around it is to make sure you bring yummy dishes to your family celebration and enjoy your own food," she said. "What I have found is in many families while there may be some resistance to a special diet in the beginning, over time there are family members that are very accommodating to dietary restrictions." Ms. McConnaughay's solution so that the family wouldn't miss out on something they love to eat yearly, she has been to keep making the dinner rolls she loves for everyone to eat and enjoy. "I also bring fresh, homemade butter