Rock and Republic Blog

The role of Lisbeth has not yet been cast.

Distributor Sony Pictures confirmed that Craig is taking on the role of journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the thriller based on the first novel in the best-selling series from the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson.

LOS ANGELES – Daniel Craig has a new mission. The current star of the James Bond films has signed on for the English-language remake of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”

The violent story teams Blomkvist with the title character, Lisbeth Salander,Ed hardy silk scarves, a deeply troubled genius tormented by a terrible childhood,Juicy Couture jackets, as they delve into the mystery of a missing girl whose disappearance leads them to a string of decades-old murders.

Directed by David Fincher, the film is due in theaters next year.

But European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said euro zone states "have put several hundreds of billions of euros on the table with the support of the IMF to make this hypothesis completely excluded."

However, the wealth of data disclosed by banks representing 65 percent of assets, and the commitment of banks, regulators and governments to follow-up action may well outweigh doubts about the stringency of the tests.

Better-than-expected economic data and business confidence surveys suggesting the euro zone will avoid a double-dip recession despite fiscal austerity measures are also helping revive investor confidence in Europe.

Given the haggling among EU governments and regulators about the stress tests right up to the last moment, the degree of transparency was greater than had been expected a few weeks ago.

Sources familiar with the discussions said Germany fought hard behind closed doors to limit the extent of disclosure.

It also responds to one of the major criticisms of the exercise — that the scenario assumed a "haircut" on sovereign debt of countries such as Greece held in banks' trading books, but not on a longer-term basis in their banking books.

The EU authorities were chastised for refusing to test the impact of a default by Greece.

HAGGLING

In a first market reaction in New York late on Friday, the cost of insuring the debt of large European banks fell further and the euro rose against the dollar despite worries about the tests' credibility.

"We have all the sovereign exposure data, and we can go ahead and do our own tests," said Nial O'Connor, a banking analyst at Credit Suisse.

PARIS (Reuters) – EU tests of banks' ability to withstand financial shocks, criticized as too easy after only 7 out of 91 failed, face their own stress test in the markets on Monday with early signs pointing to a more positive response.

In the end, most banks — except Deutsche — issued a detailed breakdown of their exposure to the sovereign debt of EU countries, enabling investors to run their own risk simulations to gauge a counterparty's solidity.

European Union policymakers and regulators voiced relief at Friday's results but some market analysts and many media commentators derided an exercise in which all listed banks passed as lacking in credibility.

Only five small Spanish banks, Germany's state-rescued Hypo Real Estate and Greece's Atebank failed outright. More than a dozen others scraped through with just over the required 6 percent of Tier 1 capital in the most stressful scenario and are likely to come under market scrutiny.

"I see nothing stressful about this test. It's like sending the banks away for a weekend of R&R," said Stephen Pope, chief global equity strategist at brokers Cantor Fitzgerald.

TRANSPARENCY

Spain, which spearheaded the drive for transparency, tested a larger part of its banking system and disclosed more data than any other country, hoping to clear away lingering market suspicion of its smaller banks' solvency.

However economist Nicolas Veron of the Bruegel think-tank said Madrid had underplayed the recapitalization needs of the cajas, regional savings banks,Ed hardy hoodies, although its bank resolution fund (FROBE) is well on the way to meeting those needs.

"The Spanish wanted to be seen as the most transparent and deserve praise for the catalyst role they played,Iceberg, but in the end they clearly understated what the cajas need," he said in a telephone interview.

Veron said follow-up actions by governments and regulators should include pressing weaker banks to recapitalize, if necessary with state help and facilitating cross-border takeovers of weaker banks.

Even before the results were published, National Bank of Greece, Slovenia's NLB and Civica in Spain announced plans to raise capital.

Italy said it would reopen an offer of government-backed bonds to support its banks, although none failed. Monte dei Paschi di Siena squeaked through with 6.2 percent of Tier 1 capital under the most stressful scenario, and UBI Banca with 6.8 percent.

Veron said the success of the exercise would depend partly on whether European regulators adopt a more cooperative approach after the stress tests than they did before them.

"If this is the start of a beautiful friendship among EU supervisors, then that's not the same as if the united front crumbles next week and they start criticizing each other again," he said.

(Editing by Andrew Roche)

That should help reopen the interbank lending market, which partially froze at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in May and has remained tight due to fears that banks have been hiding big exposures.

There was skepticism about EU regulators' conclusion that banks need only a total of 3.5 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in extra capital. Market expectations had ranged from 30 to 100 billion euros, although many European banks have already raised capital during the financial crisis.

“Make sure to find a hat that fits your head, a hat too big or too small can look silly,” Zangardi says. “Tilt the hat forward a bit just above your eyebrow and cock it a little to the side for more attitude. Wear the hat to the back of your head for more of an fashionable ’80s look. There are so many ways to personalize your fedora, from traditional feathers and hat pins to studs, spikes and broaches on the bandeau.”

Stylist Rob Zangardi who with partner Mariel Haan puts Rihanna in everything from fedoras by Lanvin to flipflops,The North Face, offers tips on how to wear the hot headgear.

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By Sasha Charnin Morrison for UsMagazine.com. To read more of the Recessionista blog, click here.

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Trade between the export powerhouses has grown rapidly — to 91 billion dollars last year, up from 41 billion dollars in 2001, according to Chinese data.

Foton Motor of China and Daimler-Benz AG also signed an agreement for a 50-50 joint venture to produce heavy trucks in China for the domestic and foreign markets.

However, Merkel described her talks with Wen as "friendly", while both sides they would work for an even closer trade relationship.

Trucks under Foton's Auman brand will be produced using Daimler technology in diesel engines and exhaust systems, allowing the vehicles to meet strict European standards, a statement said, without giving financial details.

"Neither Germany nor China pursues a trade imbalance," Wen said during a joint press conference after their talks.

BEIJING (AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday prodded China to ease access to its markets, as the world's top two exporting nations signed a series of deals reportedly worth several billion dollars.

China's official Xinhua news agency said the deal involved 3.5 billion dollars. Siemens disputed the figure, but did not give another one.

"Chinese companies, like those of many other countries, enjoy very good access to the German market. We hope that German enterprises can enjoy the same access to the Chinese market," she told reporters.

However, in the past few years, the trade balance has tipped decisively in China's favour, with Chinese exports to Germany totalling 55 billion dollars last year,Hollister, while trade in the other direction amounted to 36 billion dollars.

Among the agreements signed was one between Shanghai Electric Group of China and Siemens AG for the creation of a service joint venture for the steam and gas turbine power plant market.

Just three years ago, a meeting between Merkel and the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama angered China, which cut off high-level exchanges for months. China considers the exiled Dalai Lama a separatist.

Germany exported 1.12 trillion dollars of goods in 2009.

Merkel also said China still had not satisfied all the requirements for attaining market economy status in the eyes of Europe, a designation expected to lessen the occurrence of trade actions being taken against China.

China overtook Germany last year to become the world's top exporter, with some 1.2 trillion dollars in merchandise exported, according to World Trade Organization figures.

"We hope that trade can be balanced and orderly."

She said Beijing still had to do more to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights and market access.

Xinhua put the value of that deal at 938 million dollars.

China and Germany also signed a pact to create a 124-million-euro (160.2-million-dollar) 'green' fund to encourage emissions reductions and corporate energy-saving, Xinhua reported.

Wen repeated Beijing's intent to remain a "long-term investor" in the euro despite Europe's ongoing debt crisis, saying the continent will remain among "the main markets for investment of China's foreign exchange reserves."

The debt crisis has forced European governments to bail out Greece and set up a 750-billion-euro loan package with the International Monetary Fund to help other states that may need assistance.

China's foreign exchange reserves, the world's largest, hit a record 2.454 trillion dollars at the end of June.

Merkel met President Hu Jintao later in the day.

During her trip to China, which comes on the heels of a visit to Russia, she is also due to visit Xian, home to China's ancient terracotta army.

After meeting Premier Wen Jiabao and overseeing the signing of the agreements covering trade, energy and culture, Merkel said she had emphasised German wishes for greater openness in the world's third-largest economy.

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Next season, we’ll definitely consider the height of our heels! I look like a dwarf.

The whole process was very.brand clothing,Wholesale Versace clothing, very organized, which of course we’re, ahem, used to.

The go-to lunch spot. Sit anywhere you like.

Late night fittings meant the only Singapore Slings we managed were from the 7-Eleven and came in a can.

Thank you, Singapore, we had a ball. See you next time!

House of Holland’s Henry Holland logs plenty of air time, as anyone who follows his Twitter already knows. Recently, the designer showed his latest collection in Singapore. He sent back a few photos of the scene—ever so slightly blurry, thanks to the on-the-go camera of choice, BlackBerry.

Colin McDowell invited us to show Fall 2010 at Audi Fashion Festival in Singapore last week. It was perhaps one of the biggest shows we have ever done, with around 700 guests, wholesale and a great way for us to showcase the collection to the Asian market. Other designers showing at the festival included Dsquared² and Roberto Cavalli. I took a few snaps on my BlackBerry of what we got up to.

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“Everyone involved in this was my A-list first choice,” Bronwyn Cosgrave declared of the panel of judges she assembled to select the five short-listed semifinalists for the first Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize at London’s Dorchester Hotel. That sentiment, one hopes, extends to said semifinalists, too. But Cosgrave could be forgiven for a little enthusiasm for the judging side of the table: It included Daphne Guinness, Manolo Blahnik, Giles Deacon, milliner Stephen Jones, Yasmin LeBon, Vanity Fair’s Elizabeth Saltzman Walker, and ES fashion director Gianluca Longo. Despite the varied group, “it was a remarkably smooth decision process,Wholesale Paul Smith clothing,” Blahnik said. “We saw the number of applications and hung our heads. But it turns out that we were largely unified despite our different personal aesthetics.” His co-panelist Guinness (pictured above with her fellow jurors) agreed heartily. “I take refuge in the arts,” she said. “It was wonderful to have us all agree so easily, so that I could realize that I am not crazy wholesale and my values are shared.”

The semifinalists are the English knitwear designer Louise Goldin; the Greek-born, London-based Mary Katrantzou; Hermione de Paula,Wholesale Ed hardy jeans, who created a surprisingly dainty collection called “I Heart Elizabeth Berkley”; the sculptural footwear designer Chau Har Lee; wholesale and Thomas Tait.brand clothing, from Canada.wholesale clothing. The unifying factor—maybe the only one—is a commitment to craftsmanship and a preference for the conceptual (even, occasionally, at the expense of commercial viability).

But Guinness, for one, was all in favor. “Craftmanship needs to return,” she declared. “I am always overjoyed to see students who love to stitch their own seams. We need better things, not more. We should not pollute the world with meaningless, unused things when we can make and support things of rare and precious beauty.” As the only international fashion prize set to roam to a different fashion capital each year—at the site, not by coincidence, of a Dorchester Collection hotel; next year’s will be in New York—the award should do just that. The winner, to be announced in November, takes home a £25,000 prize and a free event at any of the Dorchester Collection’s properties.

PHOTOS: See the singer’s rainbow wig collection

In February, she addressed rumors that she was a hermaphrodite in Britain’s Q magazine: “We all know that one of the biggest talking points of the year…so why not give them what they want?”

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The “Alejwholesale andro” singer, 24,Wholesale Christian Louboutin shoes, probably doesn’t mind all the gender-bending buzz.wholesale clothing.

PHOTOS: More of Lady Gaga’s kooky costumes

PHOTOS: Check out the singer’s crazy style

Though the person is identified as “Jo Calderone,” fans are buzzing that it is actually Lady Gaga in drag.

Adding to the speculation? Gaga’s stylist Nicola Formichetti serves as the magazine’s fashion director.

In an upcoming issue of Vogue Hommes Japan, a model appears in a black tuxedo jacket wholesale and unbuttoned dress shirt.

It’s a man’s world for Lady Gaga.

Post-show, Boss wined and dined its guests in the second charmingly lit marquee, in rough-hewn tables placed around old olive trees.

"I have to say I enjoyed the evening immensely," said Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit. "The show and party were both chic. Berlin is on the move in fashion terms, which makes us happy."

What worked best were the Japanese style pants in subtle checks, volume and dimpled skirts, and long,Bape, sinuous caftans.

The double big tops were a fitting symbol for Boss, by far the most important luxury brand in Europe's biggest economy. Completely white outside, the two tents were entirely black in their interiors, aptly so since the large crowd had gathered to witness the spring 2011 collection of Boss Black, the house's top line, featuring both men and women on the enormous catwalk. And, in a curious example of symmetry, the show marked the first by Boss Black's new creative consultant Graeme Black, who previously worked for Giorgio Armani prior to launching his own signature label in London.

For guys, Boss Black wants to see them next spring in a newly proportioned suit. Cut with a short jacket and large back vents,Iceberg, yet also with large shoulders and forgiving pants, the look played with the modern micro jacket, yet gave it a more plausibly commercial twist. Made in some great powder blue seersucker, and off-the-moment ginghams, the choice was conventional but also cool.

The models rolled out in a collection where, at least for women, the key was fluid use of volume. Using a print-free choice of fabrics and focusing on soft mono-color hues like coral, beige and cobalt, the collection largely waved aside recent global runway seasons, which have been dominated by floral and abstract prints.

Berlin – Hugo Boss, Germany's biggest fashion label, staged a mammoth runway show in Berlin Thursday, July 8, building a runway and a restaurant for 1,300 in two massive circus marquees.

"To my mind, Boss creates clothes that flatter a lady. This collection certainly does," said Jessica Alba, the American actress on something of a European fashion tour. On Monday, she sat front-row at Christian Dior and on Tuesday attended Chanel, both in Paris, then winged into Berlin for this huge event.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 5.4 percent for the week, while the Nasdaq gained 5 percent.

The Dow rose 59.04, or 0.6 percent,NFL Jerseys, to 10,198.03. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 7.71, or 0.7 percent, to 1,077.96, while the technology-focused Nasdaq composite index rose 21.05, or 1 percent, to 2,196.45.

“It’s time to determine if this is just a soft patch in the recovery or if it’s the beginning of a second leg down. That’s what the market is struggling with,” said Dan Deming, a trader with Stutland Equities in Chicago.

Bond prices fell as stocks rose. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 3.06 percent from 3.04 percent late Thursday.

NEW YORK – The stock market ended its best week in a year with another gain Friday as investors bet that companies will report strong second-quarter earnings.

Not all traders are confident that the gains will hold because there are still major problems like unemployment facing the economy.

Google rose $10.93 to $467.59. Alcoa rose 22 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $10.94, while JPMorgan climbed 69 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $38.85. Bank of America advanced 25 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $15.11, while GE rose 12 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $14.95. Intel advanced 14 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $20.24.

About four stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.6 billion shares compared with 4.6 billion Thursday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 9.16, or 1.5 percent, to 629.43.

Britain’s FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX index, France’s CAC-40 and Japan’s Nikkei stock average each rose 0.5 percent.

Stocks also got a lift from news that China renewed Google’s license to operate in the country. The renewal was in doubt because of a strained relationship between the company and China’s government over censorship of search results. Google rose 2.4 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 59 points, or 0.6 percent. That gave the Dow its biggest weekly advance in a year, 5.3 percent. Broader indexes posted bigger gains. Trading volume was light, signaling that many investors were staying out of the market. But those who were trading appeared optimistic about the company reports that will be announced starting next week.

But investors didn’t appear fazed by the inventories report. Instead, the market appeared to hold on to optimism fed by Thursday’s report of a drop in the number of newly laid off people seeking unemployment benefits. That report ended a string of bad news about the job market, and likely contributed to investors’ more positive mood going into what’s known as earning season.

Crude oil rose 65 cents to $76.09 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Earnings season starts with aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. on Monday. The company’s stock rose 1.9 percent ahead of its report. Other companies scheduled to release results next week include banking giants JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. General Electric Co. and chipmaker Intel Corp. are also scheduled to report earnings next week.

Overseas markets rose after a surprise interest rate hike in South Korea was seen as a sign of confidence that the global economy will continue expand. Central banks around the world, including the U.S., have kept rates at historically low rates to stimulate growth.

“I think it’s a short-term pop,” said Joe Saluzzi, co-head of equity trading at Themis Trading LLC, of the week’s advance. “A lot of people are playing it close to the vest at this point. You don’t really know which way it’s going to go.”

Investors will want to know whether companies are feeling the effects of slower growth and whether they believe the recovery will gain momentum in the coming months. Stocks fell over the past couple of months because data showed the economy was growing, but not as fast as had been forecast.

Friday’s modest moves weren’t surprising. Traders often avoid making big bets just before earnings releases because the reports provide a good picture of how companies are performing. Investors will look closely at forecasts for future quarters because economic reports in the past two months have raised questions about the pace of the rebound.

For the week, the Dow rose 512 points, or 5.3 percent, its best gain since the week ended July 17, 2009. After a holiday on Monday, stocks rose modestly Tuesday and jumped Wednesday after traders looked for stocks that were bargains after two weeks of selling. The Dow rose 275 points to move back above 10,Calvin Klein,000. The Dow added another 120 points on Thursday after the unemployment report.

News on the economy wasn’t as upbeat. Inventories held by wholesalers rose in May for a fifth straight month though sales dropped for the first time in more than a year. The government said wholesale inventories rose 0.5 percent and sales dropped 0.3 percent. It was the first drop since March 2009, when major stock indexes hit a 12-year low.

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The two have been separated for a year. But recent signs have pointed to a reconciliation.

“I was informed of the possibility during the World Cup.brand clothing, wholesale and if I need to take responsibility, then I will provide the appropriate support,” he told Sports Illustrated’s website.wholesale clothing.

The news comes as he may be patching things up with Rules of Engagement star Bianca Kajlich,miu miu wholesale, whom he wed in 2006.

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U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan, who is separated from his actress wife, may have an out-of-wedlock child, according to a shocking new report.

Chatting with Yahoo!HDMI HDMI Cable HDMI Cable Sports, he also declared they “are not officially divorced” and shared an emotional phone call following his winning goal against Algeria. See the top 10 unlikely male sex icons.

Kajlich, 33, had been Twittering support for him during World Cup games — and he even blew a kiss to her during a recent sideline interview.

“We spoke last night,” he said. “It was nice.”

PHOTOS: Famous celeb dads

A British woman — who has not been identified — has told a UK newspaper that she allegedly is carrying the World Cup hero’s baby.

And Donovan, 28, says he will provide support if the claim is true.

Donovan,Cheap Abercrombie polos, who scored three goals during this month’s World Cup, declined further comment, saying it was a “private matter.”

PHOTOS: Hollywood’s World Cup fever