Someone please kindly help me to understand this:

There are two reasons mortgage rates haven’t responded more to the Fed’s rate cuts. One is that long-term Treasury yields, which are the benchmark for most mortgage rates, have risen recently, perhaps because of increased concern about inflation as the prices of oil and other commodities soar. The other is that the spread between mortgage rates and Treasury rates has widened as investors and banks become increasingly reluctant to make home loans.

- wsj.com

Let us see who is Na, Ying first if you do not know her.

Na Ying (那英 in Chinese, with “Na” transliterating the surname), born November 27, 1967, is a famous female vocalist in China. Currently she is considered as one of the best female singers in Mainland China. She is a personal friend of fellow singer Faye Wong.

She was born in Shenyang, in Liaoning province in the Northeast of China. She is an ethnic Manchu.

Pay attention: She was born 1967, so about 40 years old

So what is Abercrombie & Fitch if you really have no idea? BTW: did you go to college in U.S.? Sexy, casual clothing designed for the modern collegiate lifestyle. That is A&F. Here I do not want to talk about racial problem of A&F, just style and customer.

Hey, Na, Ying, if you are a Chinese super super star (may for some older fellows) , please be a little cautious to your cloth. You are Mom now.

八阕 http://www.popyard.org 【八阕】英国《经济观察报》2007年5月8日讯：中国著名经济学家、北京大学厉以宁教授最近提出的新基尼系数理论在国际经济学界引起极大震动。 厉以宁教授的理论是，按中国现阶段城乡二元经济的情况来分析，先算出两个基尼系数：一个是城市的基尼系数，另一个是农村的基尼系数，然后再加权平均，算出一个总基尼系数。这个总基尼系数可以在一定程度上代表中国的贫富分化状况。

这种基尼系数计算方法的经济学基础是中国是一个城乡二元体系，这种体系是历史形成的。城乡居民的收入来源、消费方式、社会心理都有极大的差别，因而必须将二者分开计算。如果将二者混合计算，将夸大中国的贫富分化状况。

当 然，这种城乡二元的基尼系数计算方法并不是终点，而是起点。中国的东部地区与西部地区的差别实际上类似于城乡二元体系。如果换个角度，不是从城乡，而是从 地域角度，基尼系数的计算方法应该是计算一个东部地区的基尼系数，再计算一个西部地区的基尼系数，然后再将二者加权平均，算出一个总基尼系数。

点 击 图 片 看 原 图

依此类推，中国不同省份的发展状况是历史形成的，应各省分别计算基尼系数，再加权平均算出全国的总基尼系数。同一省份应分别计算下属各县市的基尼系数，再加权平均，算出该省的总基尼系数。同一县市的不同乡镇也应如此计算。

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From ping pong to Pyongyang

One of America’s premier orchestras is tuning up to perform a politically charged concert at the heart of a country the US president once consigned to the “axis of evil”.

Overture of friendship: Lorin Maazel foresees “peaceful interchange”

The New York Philharmonic - at the invitation of the North Korean regime - will, in the words of conductor Lorin Maazel, showcase the vitality of American music.

The East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, more used to staging operas depicting the country’s struggle against imperialist oppressors, will resound with the strains of Dvorak’s New World Symphony, George Gershwin’s American in Paris, and even the Star-Spangled Banner.

This is the latest attempt by the US to reach out culturally to a nation that has been taught for decades to hate or fear it.

Ahead of the 24-hour trip to Pyongyang, Mr Maazel argued that “bringing peoples and their cultures together” can lead to “roots of peaceful interchange.”

Diplomatic harmony

The assumption is that culture - particularly music, a universal language - can be life-changing, powerful enough to help build understanding between the two countries.

Table tennis paved the way for Nixon’s groundbreaking visit

Cultural diplomacy has never been regarded as a replacement for nuts-and-bolts diplomacy but the view that it can help break down barriers is widely held.

In 1971, China and the US had its famous “ping pong diplomacy”. The US table-tennis team were invited to play in China, making them the first American group allowed into the country since the Communist takeover in 1949. This helped pave the way for Richard Nixon’s historic trip a year later.

US orchestras have a long history of making ice-breaking trips into politically hostile territory.

“The US wanted to win the Cold War with violins and trumpets,” says Jonathan Rosenberg, professor of history at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

“During the 1950s, the trips were organised by the State Department. The US wanted to show a better, softer face.”

In 1956, The Boston Symphony Orchestra made a groundbreaking trip to the Soviet Union. The musicians were given an overwhelming welcome on the tarmac at Leningrad airport and a 10-minute ovation at the first performance in Moscow.

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Comparing with Paris Hilton, Edison Chen is not that lucky~! Asia seems a different world, stars can not get famous for sex scandals.

below is a report from wsj

Star Owns Up, Backs Down

Edison Chen Admits
Taking Risqué Photos,
Will Quit Performing

By JONATHAN CHENG and GEOFFREY A. FOWLER
February 22, 2008

HONG KONG — The fallen star at the center of an Internet sex photo scandal that has swept across several Asian nations in recent weeks tried to bring an end to the controversy Thursday, as Chinese authorities stepped up efforts to stop distribution of the explicit images.

Hong Kong actor Edison Chen apologized during a news conference in Hong Kong on Thursday.

“I have failed as a role model,” Chinese actor and rapper Edison Chen said at a packed news conference, making his first public appearance since hundreds of photos began circulating on the Internet late last month depicting him in compromising positions with several of Asia’s most popular starlets.

The 27-year-old heart throb apologized repeatedly during his five-minute statement, saying he would quit the Hong Kong entertainment industry “indefinitely” to dedicate himself to charity and community work.

“I’ve decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul,” an ashen Mr. Chen said. He admitted to having taken most of the photos and said he was cooperating with a Hong Kong police investigation into how the images got from his personal computer to the Internet.

Meanwhile, the photos have continued to spread online, especially in mainland China, where an intensified effort by Beijing to crack down on online pornography is specifically targeting them. Though Chinese authorities are capable of exerting technical control over much of the Internet on the mainland, photo sharing by email is still rampant.

Fans of Mr. Chen hold placards of support in Hong Kong Thursday.

State news media yesterday quoted authorities as saying they would detain anyone caught distributing the material. Xinhua and many other state-controlled news outlets reported that showing the photos to friends or posting them on blogs is illegal, even if not done for profit. It specified that transmitting more than 200 of the photos on the Internet could invite criminal prosecution.

In Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, police arrested 10 people suspected of producing and trading discs containing the photos, the reports said.

The sex scandal has roiled greater China, Singapore and Malaysia since the photos first surfaced online in Hong Kong chat forums three weeks ago, just before the Lunar New Year. Mr. Chen and the Hong Kong starlets, including actress Cecilia Cheung and singer Gillian Chung of the teen-pop duo Twins, frequently star in advertisements in celebrity-obsessed mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore.

In addition to threatening a handful of show-business careers, the incident has sparked a media frenzy and has triggered a heated debate in Hong Kong over issues of privacy, police powers and the role of the news media.

The photos are believed to have been stolen from Mr. Chen’s laptop after he brought his computer in for repairs, a theory Mr. Chen corroborated at the news conference. Hong Kong police, which operate under different laws from mainland authorities, said earlier this month that they had captured the person who distributed the photos, identifying some 1,300 explicit pictures of Mr. Chen with the women. They have arrested 10 people so far, but have charged only two — one for publishing obscene articles and the other for accessing a computer with criminal or dishonest intent.

Write to Jonathan Cheng at jonathan.cheng@wsj.com and Geoffrey A. Fowler at geoffrey.fowler@wsj.com

（1）Conversation during a meal should focus heavily on giving compliments to the chef （在用餐过程中，谈话焦点应该集中于对Chef的大力恭维）。

（2）It is customary to arrive slightly early for social engagements （社会交往一般要比约定时间稍微早到一些）。

（3） When dining in a restaurant, discussing illness, death or tragic events is not appropriate as it is seen as bad luck（在餐馆用餐，避免谈到疾病、死亡或者不幸事件，因为这被认为是不吉利的）。

（4） The Chinese do not typically use exaggerated gestures or facial expressions while speaking, and may find them distracting when done by others（中国人在讲话过程中不做夸张的动作或者面部表情，而且不欣赏别人做出类似动作）。

（5） Gift giving is important and somewhat ritualized. Avoid gifts of great value, as they may embarrass a Chinese person and may be declined（送礼很重要，而且要仪式化。礼物的价值不要太高，否则会使中国人尴尬甚至拒绝礼物）。

（6） People often decline a gift several times before accepting it. Be persistent until they accept（中国人收礼之前先要拒绝若干次，所以送礼的人一定要坚持，直到中国人接受为止）。

（7） It is customary to bring a gift when invited to someone’s home such as fruit, candy or a souvenir from your home country（接受邀请去中国人家里做客时一般要带礼物，可以是水果、糖或者从本国带来的纪念品）。

“商务文化注意事项”有8点：

（1） Introductions are usually quite formal. The Chinese traditionally nod or bow slightly when greeting. However, handshaking is also common and appropriate（互相介绍相当正式，中国人一般是用点头或者轻微的鞠躬作为打招呼的方式。不过握手还是最常见和恰当的）。

（2）If greeted by the somewhat uncommon custom of applause, the appropriate response is to applaud back （如果受到意外的鼓掌欢迎，最好是以鼓掌来回敬）。

（3）Appointments should be made in advance（约会必须提前确定）。

（4）Punctuality is very important in China for both business and social engagements（在商务和社会交往中必须准时）。

（5）Bring numerous business cards, preferably printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other（准备好足够数量的名片，最好一面是英文，一面是中文）。

（6） When referring to the nation on formal documents or speeches, it is appropriate to use the full title: The People’s Republic of China（在正式文件和谈话中提到中国时，应该使用全称“中华人民共和国”）。

（7） Business is not generally discussed over a meal, though you may be treated to a banquet during your stay. If possible, you should always return the favor（你在访问中会被邀请参加宴会，但在用餐中一般不谈商务。如果可能，最好回请）。

（8） Business dress is conservative. Men should wear a suit and tie, while women should wear either a dress or a skirt and blouse（商务着装偏保守。男士应穿西装、打领带，女士应穿套装，裙子或裤子也可）。

近 日香港乃至整个华语娱乐圈最大的新闻莫过于陈冠希的艳照门事件，该事件使娱乐圈的娱乐性达到了一个新的历史高度。“戏如人生，人生如戏”：以戏来娱乐大众 算是娱乐圈的本分，以人生来娱乐大众是娱乐圈带来的附加值，而艳照门事件把从前人们只能靠八卦和推断得到的明星绯闻和隐私鲜活直接地展示了出来，可以说极 大地提升了娱乐圈给人们带来的附加值。文 艺工作者的工作性质决定了他们会生活在比常人经受更多的喜怒哀乐，同时他们具有更加便利的条件去实现常人不太可能实现的生活，比如混乱的私生活。当一个圈 子自然而然地形成了一个氛围，身处其中，一般人是很难不受到影响的。所以要在这个圈子存活又得到善终的人，必须非常坚强地遵守一个比较正确的价值观并严格 执行，目前香港得艺双馨的艺人,刘德华算是硕果仅存的一个（连成龙都倒掉了）。

下面对事件中各方表现作一番点评：

a. 陈冠希：

评论：

一个依赖商业包装和强力推销而部分走红的小明星，在未具备可输出的价值观的年纪已经成为了公众人物，自私，轻狂与过度自信在所难免。由于掌握资源与其自身功力不太匹配，犹如一辆搭载了12气缸发动机的夏利，底盘不行，翻车也算正常现象。

目前香港有一批靠家庭背景支持而成名的少爷小姐类明星，这也是由于市场运作过度商业化和功利化导致的，艺术造诣已经不再是一个艺人必备的素质，如郭德纲所言，歌手不一定会唱歌。

抛 开陈的背景，目前很多舆论将其定位为色魔和整个事件的罪魁祸首，我认为他的责任最大是无庸置疑的，但他的行为的性质还是属于放纵加不谨慎导致了严重的后 果，而非出于其本意的泄漏和传播。众女星之所以同意配合其行为，显然出于对其的信任，而这种信任，是基于陈出于其自身的利益不会去泄漏照片，因为不光是女 星露了，他自己也露了（虽然似乎到目前为止还没人太在意他露不露，但相信他自己是不愿意露的），从这个意义上来讲，他也是一个受害者。能感觉到很多人对其 的攻击，或多或少带有一种幸灾乐祸的味道。

之前有新闻说他自杀了，但我估计这样的人不会有自杀的勇敢，倒是有传闻他要继续担当明星职务让我觉得有些不可思议。

题外话，他自称酷爱摄影，但观其作品无论用光还是构图都不尽人意，浩浩荡荡数百张照片里几乎挑不出一张可输出的佳作，真是浪费了他这支史上身价最高的模特团队。

建议：

1．隐退山林，修身养性，不要再贪恋人世间的虚荣和刺激，不要再妄图继续当明星，知足常乐。

2．苦练摄影技巧，室内人像方面就不必练习了，估计会有心理障碍，可以考虑从风景和静物入手。

. 张柏芝：

评论：

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US Customer Service

Phone toll-free in the US and Canada: (800) 201-7575

Phone from outside the US and Canada: (206) 346-2992 or (206)-266-2992

Another direct line: (206) 266-2335

E-mail: mailto:orders@amazon.com(I think this will still work, but no guarantees)
E-mail address and the fax numbers seem to go on- and off-line with some regularity. Readers have also had luck with the following addresses:

resolution@amazon.com

charge-inquiries@amazon.com

jeff@amazon.com

(This last e-mail address sends back an note from Amazon that using it won’t help you. There may be nobody reading the e-mail that comes to this address.)
Snail mail to customer service

Amazon.com, Inc.
Customer Service
PO Box 81226
Seattle, WA 98108-1226
Service for Amazon Sellers

877-251-0696

They also have special e-mail accounts for spoofing and abuse:
stop-spoofing@amazon.com
reports@amazon.com

(This information was provided by a reader! Thanks!)
Canadian Customer Service

Phone 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific: (877)-586-3230
Corporate Offices, Seattle

(206) 622-2335

The fax number has changed. 206-266-1832 is no longer a fax number.

New! Fax for Amazon’s legal Department: 206-266-7010
UK Customer Service

Phone: +44.208.636.9200
More UK numbers, from a reader:
Freephone (only from within the UK): 0800 279 6620
Phone (outside the UK): +44 20 8636 9451
Fax (free from within the UK): 0800 279 6630
Fax (outside the UK): +44 20 8636 9401

Amazon.com Headquarters

Address: 1200 12th Ave., Ste. 1200
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 266-1000
Fax: (206) 622-2405

Info e-mail: in@amazon.com is no longer a working e-mail address.

(Amazon’s CEO is Jeff Bezos, if you want a name to put on an e-mail or fax to this office.)

According to good sources, Amazon is no longer outsourcing much of its customer service work to iSky.

比如下面这篇

《贺绍强对6700万湘亲说“谢谢”，副院长亲赴报社见“英雄”》 信源：潇湘晨报

贺绍强的贺梅案件在美国田纳西轰动一时，贺某终于成功的拿回了女儿。但是这个就算是个英雄了吗？你拿回自己的孩子难道不是应该做的吗？其实，应该反省的是当初你为什么要把自己的女儿送给别人养？你明明知道对方是出于好心，你为什么要利用别人的好意？为什么当初不回到祖国，还千方百计想留在美国？现在回到祖国了，你开始感谢人民的养育之恩了，笑话。算是英雄吗？

                                          上联：男生，女生，穷书生，生生不息！
                         下联：初恋，热恋，婚外恋，恋恋不舍！
                         横批：生无可恋

                         上联：博士生，研究生，本科生，生生不息！
                         下联：上一届，这一届，下一届，届届失业！
                         横批：愿读服输

                         上联：金沙江，嘉陵江，黑龙江，江江可投！
                         下联：实验楼，教学楼，宿舍楼，楼楼可跳！
                         横批：空前绝后
                         上联：爱国爱家爱师妹！
                         下联：防火防盗防师兄！
                         横批：恋爱自由