| NL Reports Fourth Quarter Results
DALLAS, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) today reported income from continuing operations of $13.4 million, or $.28 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $5.6 million, or $.12 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2005. For the full year 2006, NL reported income from continuing operations of $26.1 million, or $.54 per diluted share, compared to $33.3 million, or $.68 per diluted share, for 2005. Component products sales increased in 2006 as compared to 2005 due mainly to the net effect of sales volumes generated from the August 2005 and April 2006 acquisitions of two marine component businesses, higher sales volumes of security products due to improved demand and lower sales volumes for furniture components. Component products sales decreased in the fourth quarter of 2006 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2005 due primarily to the expiration of a precision slide sales contract which was renewed at lower sales volumes.
Zimbabwe: Whistle-Blower, RBZ Row - Case Postponed Indefinitely
THE High Court has postponed indefinitely the case in which a Harare man is demanding more than $94 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for blowing the whistle on illegal foreign currency dealers. Mr Robson Chapfika of Eastlea filed a lawsuit claiming US$246 047, 28 500 British pound sterling, 300 euros, 221 000 Botswana pula and 570 000 rand with interest from the RBZ for his effort. .
Thai government keeps YouTube ban despite removal of controversial ...
BANGKOK, Thailand -- The Thai government retained a ban on YouTube on Thursday despite the removal from the video-sharing site of a short clip deemed insulting to the country's beloved monarch. The site still featured at least one still frame from the contentious 44-second video, said Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the minister of information and technology. "That's not enough. We want the picture removed, too, before we unblock it," said Mr. Sitthichai, adding that Thai authorities have contacted YouTube to request the removal of all traces of the video. Thai authorities blocked YouTube on Wednesday after YouTube turned down his request to remove the clip, which showed graffitti-like elements crudely painted over a photograph slideshow of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Why free trade is failing
No policy could better serve the common progress of humanity than genuine free trade, but support for open trade is evaporating among American voters and foreign governments the United States hopes to engage.
Free trade is a compelling idea. Let each nation do more of what it does best, and trade will raise national productivity and incomes. However, these benefits are not guaranteed if a few nations can cheat on the rules. The World Trade Organization has greatly reduced tariffs, prohibits virtually all export subsidies, and regulates other national policies that could subvert the trade, such as industrial development incentives and discriminatory commercial regulations.
For these rules to optimize trade, productivity and incomes, exchange rates between currencies must reasonably reflect production costs.
It's our birthday - Europe turns 50!
Today, March 25, the European Union celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. The EU's 50th birthday gives us Europeans the opportunity to look back on this unprecedented success story. Together we can be proud of what the people of Europe have achieved in the past half-century. And that is why this is also a day of confidence for Europe. Peace, prosperity and stability in Europe are among the central achievements of European unification - and the people have reaped the benefits. Europe's reunification is of paramount importance. The accession of new member states played a decisive role in firmly anchoring democracy and the rule of law in Europe. And let's not forget, the division of our continent could not have been overcome if the people in Central and Eastern Europe had not so yearned for freedom.
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