In the world of business journalism, you are often asked whether the number of good news stories is increasing. It is not surprising to hear this question, with the issue of whether good or bad news stories are in the ascendancy being viewed, understandably, in a similar way to the needle on a barometer.

The fact of the matter is that, even in the depths of the 2008/09 downturn, there were plenty of good news stories from within the Scottish business community.

Often, these success stories were all the more impressive because the achievements were made against the odds, with the economy in dire shape.

And, even in the better times, there are bad news stories.

Unfortunately, for example, announcements of job losses by companies seem ever more like permanent features of the business landscape. There appears to be ever-less relief these days from such bad news even when the economy is supposedly faring a bit better.

In this regard, the question of whether the management consultants are just having too much of an impact often comes to mind.

When they are called into companies, it frequently seems that they are unlikely to resist the opportunity to advise taking out, say, a certain further percentage of the workforce. It is easy to make such a suggestion if you are not particularly familiar with the operations of a business and its requirements.

Such approaches, of top-down management seeking to squeeze efficiencies out of businesses, sadly often appear to figure more prominently than moves by companies to invest for future growth.

The highlight of the year, in terms of the good news stories, was Scottish engineering entrepreneur Jim McColl's rescue of the Ferguson shipbuilding yard at Port Glasgow.

When Ferguson, the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde, fell into administration, it was easy to fear the worst.

Originally posted here:
McColl rescue of Ferguson shipyard a high point in year of ups and downs

For now at least, ESA has lost contact with Philae after it bounced, rolled and ended up in a location where its solar panels could not be re-charged by the suns rays.

But the Rosetta is still orbiting Comet 67P from just a few miles away, allowing scientists unprecedented views of the celestial object.

Data already sent back to the ESA mission control in Darmstadt, Germany, indicates that ice in Comet 67P has a significantly different composition to the water in Earth's oceans. This may mean that comets were not, as some have previously thought, the origin of life on this planet.

By February, ESA hopes that the Rosetta will be able to reach just four miles from the surface. The spacecraft is scheduled to continue to accompany the comet as it makes its closest approach to the Sun in 2015 August before the probe burns up.

Scientists hope that the dishwasher-sized Philae may come back to life in when the sunlight intensifies as the comet nears the Sun.

It is now believed that after the Philaes landing equipment did not function as planned on its initial touchdown, the lander may have bounced up hundreds of yard because of the comets low gravitational field. It then came to rest again after two hours back in space.

The Rosetta travelled three billion miles over 10 years to reach the comet, which is moving at 34,000mph.

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Rosetta images show soaring 1km comet cliff

Leaves clean up
leaf clean ups, mowing, landscape, yard work, blowing, raking leaves.

By: Rene Romero

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Leaves clean up - Video

KUCHING: The potential entrance of South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries (Hyundai) could spell a permanent change in the local fabrication landscape, analysts observed.

This could also mean pressure margins and reduce the appeal to pure domestic fabricators with single business focus such as Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (MMHE).

The research arm of Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd (Affin Research) in a report saidHyundai is close to securing a US$1 billion engineering, procurement and fabrication contract for the central processing platform for the Baram Delta Gas Gathering Project 2 (Bardegg 2) and Baronia enhanced oil recovery project off Malaysia.

This contract, if awarded to Hyundai, will mark the South Koreans second major Malaysia contract wins this year. The group had in June 2014 secured a turnkey contract from Hess to build a large central processing platform under the North Malay basin gas and condensate development, it added.

We opine that the potential entrance of South Korean yard would permanently change the local fabrication landscape, pressure margins and reduce the appeal of MMHE, Affin Research commented.

Furthermore, Affin Research highlighted, as a domestic oil & gas company with single business focus, MMHE is more vulnerable to lower domestic upstream capital expenditure (capex).

It explained, Our economist has recently lowered our 2015 estimate Brent crude price forecast to US$75 per bbl, from US$85 per bbl on large global oil production surplus and OPECs decision to not intervene in the oil market. The lower oil price has pressured Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to cut its 2015 capex by 15 to 20 per cent.

As of now, Affin Research noted, MMHE has secured a mere RM323 million contracts year to date (YTD), significantly lower than its RM1.7 billion to RM2.9 billion contract wins in 2011 to 2013. It noted the contract awards to the South Korean yards signalled that Petronas is now highly focused on cost control.

On its outlook, Affin Research said while it expects MMHE to secure some RM1.2 billion to RM1.5 billion worth of contracts per annum in 2015-16E, it believed that its bids would need to be highly competitive and hence, its profit margins might come under pressure.

It noted, MMHE is now undergoing a rightsizing exercise with its project partner Technip Malaysia. It said, in the first half of 2014 (1H14), MMHE had undertaken mutual separation scheme involving 100 employees.

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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - A massive ice storm brought down power lines across the state last winter, knocking out power to 600,000 DTE Energy customers.

The utility company said that trees were to blame and now it is aggressively chopping them down.

In Bloomfield Township, some residents say it is ruining the landscape and that the utility is taking extreme measures, doing it without notice.

Resident Inge Gray called DTE and told them to stop cutting down her trees before the buzzsaws ceased.

"(They) make no apologies for any of the cutting and would actually have preferred to do more cutting than what was done," she said.

DTE says this work is done all the time for good reason.

"This program is something we do every single day because it's the right thing to do to assure reliable electric power for our customers," said Trevor Lauer, senior vice president, DTE Energy.

After last year's ice storm, the state's public service commission wants DTE to be more aggressive in removing trees near power lines.

"About half of the outages that we have on the electrical system come from trees," Lauer said. "And the number one goal of removing trees is to reduce the number of outages."

Living in a wooded area, Gray has dealt with this before and expects some clearing to keep the lights on.

Excerpt from:
Aggressive DTE tree removal ruining landscape says Bloomfield Twp resident

UK's most senior officer says new budget cuts require 'radical action' He claims police needs to catch-up with the changing nature of crime Others claim scale of cuts to come could decimate neighbourhood policing

By Rebecca Camber for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:44 EST, 14 December 2014 | Updated: 05:56 EST, 15 December 2014

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Warning: Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe says forthcoming cuts in police budgets will endanger the public unless radical action is taken

The public will be put at risk unless police forces merge to save costs, Britains most senior officer warned last night.

Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe called for the traditional landscape of policing to be ripped up, replacing 43 forces across England and Wales with nine regional super forces.

He has warned that forthcoming cuts in police budgets will endanger the public unless radical action is taken.

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Get rid of 34 police forces to save cash, Scotland Yard's Bernard Hogan-Howe says

Each year, thousands of Arizona residents email or call Rosie Romeros radio show with questions about everything from preventing fires in their chimneys to getting rid of tree roots invading their sewer system. His goal is to provide answers that suit the specific lifestyle wherever someone lives in Arizona. Here are questions about home maintenance and improvement from the Southern Arizona area.

Q: A few years ago, we had a very hard freeze and the palo verde in our front yard was severely damaged. Then it got the mistletoe, and it has finally bit the dust. So now Im trying to find out what to plant next. I only have about 15 to 20 feet of space for the root zone, and our property is located at 2,100 feet in elevation. So it has to be a hardy choice. One year the temperature actually dropped down to 15 degrees. Would a palo blanco tree, the one with bark like a birch tree, work?

A: The palo blanco is native to the Sonora, Mexico area so it might be too frost sensitive for your yard. It can only handle temperatures of about 25 degrees. Think about a mastic tree or an acacia or eucalyptus though some of those trees might have fairly large canopies. A desert willow could work well, and it would let in some sun in the winter when it sheds its foliage. To see more choices, look online at Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, published by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.

Q: I could open my garage door successfully yesterday, but when I came home from the store, I couldnt shut it any more. When I hit the remote or the button inside the garage, it will only go down a foot or so and then it retracts. Whats going on? Would lubricating it help?

A: Lubricating may not help. Probably the beams at the bottom of the garage door opening are out of alignment. You can reset the electric eye sensors pretty easily and get the door to work again smoothly. There are indicator lights on each sensor that indicate the right alignment. It may be as simple as checking to see if something has been moved into the beam of light that shines between the sensors. If there is no obstruction, move one of the sensors until a green or amber light is visible to show that everything is aligning properly. Then check the closing operation for the door again.

Q: I have an electric stove with a big back burner for cooking large pots of food. Every time my wife turns that burner on, the pot of beans really starts rocking and rolling even when she sets it at a lower temperature. Do I have to get a brand new stove?

A: It sounds as if you have an appliance problem that can be fixed by a repair company. If you like the stove, its worthwhile trying to fix it before you go shopping for a new stove. Most likely your problem is just a faulty control switch.

Q: I have several blackberry bushes that produce lots of fruit. But every year I wonder, when should I prune them?

A: Prune those bushes in the winter time. You can be very severe with them. Dont be afraid to prune them way back. Theyll come back in the spring and produce more fruit than ever.

For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) and -FM (97.1) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.

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What kind of tree does well in a yard at a higher elevation?

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Planning your garden? Don't forget to plan for your hardscape as well. Hardscape is the inorganic part of the garden or yard, such as walkways and pergolas. Put a strong emphasis on "part of the garden"; any hardscaping should be carefully planned to integrate with your plantings and your house. Create a flow by combining two or more hardscape features to turn your yard into a truly magical place. Imagine strolling a rustic cobblestone path that leads to the surprise of a charming pergola ... or emerging from your backyard swimming pool just in time to grill supper on the adjacent patio.

Design

Traditionally, hardscape has meant non-living outdoor decor made of masonry and wood. However, these days that definition is expanding. Your home's hardscaping elements might also be concrete, tile, brick, or cobblestone. You can let your imagination go when it comes to the materials you select. Just make sure that your choices blend harmoniously with the landscape, your house, and each other. Keep them in scale -- don't overwhelm a tiny yard with an enormous piece of statuary, for example. Use soft curves as well as straight lines and angles, and vary heights. Two or three coordinating colors and textures in your hardscape will be more appealing than a single one. Include plenty of vegetation for both a natural look and a cooling effect.

Purpose

Deciding on your goals is an integral step in any well-crafted plan. What purpose(s) do you have in mind for your hardscaping? Perhaps you want to protect your lush green grass from wear and tear or provide easy access to a vegetable garden. An attractive footpath, based on typical foot traffic patterns, is the obvious solution. If you'd like to cut down on lawn care and watering, a patio will be just what you need. Don't forget to plan for a safe play area if you have kids or grandkids. In a mild climate where you are able to enjoy your yard for a large part of the year, an outdoor living room may be a dream come true.

Precautions

Before getting started on a hardscaping project, make sure you get the necessary approval. Many jobs will require a permit, as well as permission from your HOA (if applicable). You may need to consult with an architect or an engineer -- for instance, if you'd like to put up a retaining wall or change the grade of your land. Plan for adequate drainage of sizable areas like pool surrounds, and make sure that you'll be building properly prepared bases. In addition, consider your property's patterns of sun and shade so that you can take the best advantage. Finally, decide whether you are ready to tackle the project yourself, possibly with the help of one of the DIY kits on the market, or whether you'd prefer to opt for a professional hardscape install.

Choices

Keeping all of this information in mind, now you're ready for some fun ... choosing the features to include in your hardscape project. A decorative path is quite likely the first idea that springs to mind. How about using the same material to upgrade your driveway -- especially if it is highly visible by visitors to your home? Next, you'll probably need a place to sit. Build some benches, or incorporate them into a handsome stone wall, whether structural or ornamental. While you're at it, you will want a table or two, plus a fire pit or fireplace for barbecues or warming up on chilly evenings. In fact, if you have the space, why not go for an entire outdoor kitchen? Add to the beauty of your yard with planters to be filled with flowers, or install an attractive trellis or rock garden. Fun and functional hardscape elements comprise water features, arbors, swings, birdbaths, and sundials.

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Garden hardscape that makes magic in your yard

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - They are a part of every major city's landscape, those who say they are down on their luck, so they panhandle to get by.

"You can survive on this, you can make good money on this, it's all in how you do it," said Ronnie.

Ronnie is a panhandler and likes his spot near Phoenix's Cityscape in downtown Phoenix.

"I always stay near food because you know you're going to get something to eat," he said

As Super Bowl 2015 approaches, Cityscape is the crown jewel of downtown Phoenix and is expected to be a happening place.

The NFL experience will be two blocks away at the Phoenix Convention Center where it's expected to draw thousands.

Past Super Bowl host cities including Dallas and Indianapolis have strengthened panhandling laws to discourage the practice.

Phoenix Police and city officials say as long as they obey the law and stay off the streets they will not contact panhandlers.

Downtown residents disagree on whether panhandlers should be discouraged during big events.

"They are a part of the community, they are people just like we are, doing their own thing. I have a home and they don't," said Bill Hemphill.

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Phoenix changes panhandling laws ahead of Super Bowl

Log yard expansion to begin in January

Eastland Group chief executive Matt Todd announced today that construction work to expand Eastland Ports upper log yard by 1.3 hectares will begin in January 2015.

Mr Todd says the $12 million contract has been awarded to Downer and activity is already underway to prepare the port for the expected six months of construction ahead.

The multimillion dollar project will take the upper log yards footprint from 2.2 to 3.5 hectares, improving operations significantly for forestry customers, and taking the total log storage area on port to 12.2 hectares.

The changes will also improve aesthetics for nearby residents, and reduce potential issues such as noise and dust.

A four metre by six metre earth wall will be built around the perimeter of the site and planted with natives. Weve had extensive consultation with landscape architects to ensure anything planted is what Captain James Cook and Joseph Banks would have seen on Titirangi Hill when they sailed into the bay. An internal fence will be entirely screened by the thousands of trees we plant, says Mr Todd.

The upper log yard expansion project is part of Eastland Groups ten-year development plan and is one of the companys biggest investments since it bought the port. Log export volumes have grown from 350,000 tonnes in 2005 to 2.3 million tonnes in 2014.

Log export volumes have been maximised under the ports current footprint and configuration, and forestry is an industry that continues to grow, providing opportunity and employment for our whole region. Right now, we have 95,000 tonne storage capacity on site. The expansion of the upper log yard will allow for an extra 15,000 tonnes.

The flow-on effects are substantial. Forestry companies will require more workers, the port will need to increase its staff, and trucking companies will need more drivers generally speaking, for every new job in the forestry industry three other jobs are created in the local economy.

Eastland Port Manager, Andrew Gaddum, says Downer will start work as soon as possible to make the most of the summer months.

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Log yard expansion to begin in January