March 23, 2009 – 2:54 pm
DUBLIN -(Dow Jones)- Irish trade unions will proceed with a national strike next Monday to protest public sector pay cuts and the way the government is handling the economic crisis, trade unions and state-run companies said Monday. The strikes are part of a national day of action by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, or ICTU, an umbrella group for trade unions here, primarily to protest the government’s EUR1.4 billion in public sector pay cuts.
Industrial action at Ireland’s major airports will stop all flights next Monday as workers take part in a wave of strikes that day, the Dublin Airport Authority, or DAA, confirmed Monday.
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March 23, 2009 – 11:35 am
Friday’s high at 1.3735 seems to be a rather strong resistance to take for the Euro, so far the pair has tried three times to break through and so far has been unable; the last attempt has brought Euro down towards immediate support level at 1.3615.
According to Tim Salem, collaborator at FXstreet.com adverts about corrective pullbacks: “The Unit is consolidating on this Time-Cycle, but still Bullish in Sentiment with a potential Triple-Top Formation in view if the Pair breaches immediate-term resistance @1.3710 onto1.3734 and violates the dynamic Uptrend Hourly Channel. Corrective pullbacks to the Downside may be supported @ 20EMA confluence of 1.3636 @ further @ 1.3606/1.3600 Handle in the Near-Term.”
On the Downside, , below today’s low 1.3611, the Ero could find support at 1.3515 (Mar 20 low). Then 1.3410 (Mar 19 low), swinging below there, 1.3330 (Feb 27 and 28 high). Below here, 1.3070/85 could be next support level.
March 23, 2009 – 11:34 am
European stock markets continue posting gains on Monday on increased optimism ahead of the U.S. Treasury’s plan to buy toxic assets from troubled banks. Euro and Pound remain in range unable to break through Friday’s mid-term highs.
Banks and financials have been the largest gainers in the first hours of trading in Europe, Danske Bank and Mitsubishi Financial Group have added more than 4%, while Barclay’s has gained 5.1%.
Eurostoxx 50 is going through gains by 1.93% in the first hours of trading, while German DAX adds 2.03% and French CAC 40 goes trough gains by 1.52%.
Euro and Pound right below Friday’s mid-term highs
EUR/USD has been rejected at 1.3740 resistance level, and the reaction has taken the pair just pips above 1.3615 support level.
GBP/USD has attempted to break resistance level at 1.4600 but it has been unable to remain above there, and the pair has lost about 70 pips on its way towards 1.4495 support level.
USD/JPY has bounced at at 95.65 support level after its rejection from 96.60 resistance level, and has recovered all the lost ground to set a new assault to 96.60.
March 23, 2009 – 11:32 am
The Dollar has bounced up at 95.65 support level after its rejection from 96.60 resistance level, and has recovered all the lost ground to set a new assault to 96.60 resistance level.
According to Tim Salem, collaborator at FXstreet.com, the pair could consolidate at current levels before attempting further climbing: “Consolidation at the immediate-term Resistance @ 96.25 which defines the Intraday Range for now between 95.45 supportive Area and 96.37 dynamic Resistance. 20EMA flattening out in Angle supporting the continuation Price Action moving forward, and Fractal Behavior finding upside Resistance @ 96.76 if Appreciation continues.”
On the Downside, Salem observes the following lecvels: “Corrective Yen Behavior has confluence @ 95.91 20EMA and 96.00 Handle dynamic Support. Further corrective Behavior will find static Support @ 95.45 if the MA can be violated with confidence on the Hourly View.”
March 23, 2009 – 11:30 am
The Pound’s first attempt to break 1.4600 resistance level has rendered unsuccessful, and the pair is drawing a rejection candle extending towards 1.4490 minor resistance level.
Below there, Asian session low remains at 1.4450, and once broken that level, the Pound could find support at 20 March low at 1.4390. Below there, 1.4338 (Mar 18 high) and 1.4230 (Mar 16 high).
According to Tim Salem, collaborator at FXstrret.com, failure at 1.4600 could open the doors for a corrective move: “Although Cable Sentiment maintains cleaner Momentum in its’ dynamic Uptrend Channel. RSI still relatively clean @ 65’s, and a breach of the Channel Topside sees the 1.4600 Handle. Failure at immediate-resistance sees a correction to 20EMA Supporting Confluence @ 1.4497/1.4484 Area, looking further to 1.4457 followed by 1.4407/00 Support handle.”
March 23, 2009 – 11:29 am
The USD/JPY has rallied from 95.45 to resistance level at 96.60 in Asian trading times. 96.60 resistance level has remained unbroken, and the pair has dropped to 95.64 support level ahead of the European opening times.
At the moment 95.65 seems strong enough for the Dollar, although in case of swinging below there, the Dollar could find next support at 95.45 Asian session low, and below there, mar 19 low at 95.25.
On the upside, a successful test to 96.60 could increase buying pressure towards 96.60, and, once above there, 97.80 would open the doors towards congestion channel with next resistance line around 98.50.
March 23, 2009 – 11:27 am
The Pound has recovered during Monday’s Asian session, following bounce at 1.4395 on Friday, to test two-weeks low at 1.4598 at the time of writing, ahead of the European markets opening time.
Successful move above 1.4598 will put the Pound on the track towards 1.4660 (23 Feb high). And in case this level gives way, 1.4700 (5 Feb high / 9 Feb low would come next). Above here, watch for 1.4770 (Feb 6 high/ Feb 8 low).
Hourly and three hour charts show the Pound at overbought territory, therefore, an slight drop could be likeñly, in that case, intra-day low at 1.4450 would be the level to watch before 20 March low at 1.4390.. below there, 1.4338 (Mar 18 high) and 1.4230 (Mar 16 high).
March 23, 2009 – 11:23 am
After an slight decline on profit taking on Friday, EUR/USD has bounced up at 1.3530 and back at levels above 1.3700, the pair advances towards 10-week high at 1.3735.
If that level gives way, the Euro would find itself at a fresh 10-week high, facing resistance at 1.3750 (8 Jan high) and 1.3800 (8 Jan high). Above there, we must take into account 1.3855 (61.8% fib retracement of the Dec Mar fall).
On the downside, the Euro could find next support at today’s low 1.3611, and then 1.3515 (Mar 20 low). Then 1.3410 (Mar 19 low).
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March 23, 2009 – 11:12 am
Asian markets have extended the rally of the last two weeks fuelled by financials ahead of the release of U.S. Treasury plan to purchase troubled assets. Euro and pound have risen and the Dollar has appreciated against the Yen
Japanese Nikkei Index has risen 3.5% on Monday after a long weekend reaching a six-weeks high, while South Korean Kospi Index rose 2.4% and Australian S&P Index added 2.4%.
Financials have been the largest gainers as investors’ confidence increased, expecting U.S. Treasury’s Timothy Geitner to release the plan t buy toxic assets from troubled banks.
Dollar and Pound return to mid-term highs; USD/JPY recovers
Euro and pound, after mild downward corrections on Friday, have returned to peaks achieved after last week’s rally. EUR/USD has bounced up at 1.3530 and advances towards 10-week high at 1.3740.
Similar performance has been followed by the Pound, after having reached a 3-weeks high at 1.4597, the Pound eased to 1.4390 o Friday, to rally on Monday’s Asian trading hours reaching 1.4575.
The USD/JPY has rallied from 95.45 to hot resistance at 96.60 in Asian trading times. 96.60 resistance level has remained unbroken, and the pair has eased to 96.00 ahead of the European market opening.
October 21, 2008 – 5:35 pm
The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world.
The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.
Scuba diving in Raja Ampat is characterized by outstanding scenery, both above and below the waterline. Much of the diving is on coral reefs beneath small mushroom shaped rock islands, topped with green vegetation and rising from the blue ocean. Beneath the water’s surface, the reefs are covered with lush soft corals, sea fans and sponges in every possible color, which are swarmed by thousands of small orange and purple anthias (a kind of fish).
Large fields of pristine hard corals cover the top of the reef and large table corals compete with the soft corals and sea fans for space on the reef walls. Most of the reefs are surrounded by clouds of baitfish and fusiliers (also a kind of fish) so thick they can block the sum. Large fish such as groupers, tuna and mackerel, attracted by the schooling baitfish, are present on many of the reefs, as are all of the normal smaller reef dwellers.
The Raja ampat area is not only stunning underwater. Topside, the islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. The area is far off the beaten track and is rarely visited by foreigners. The raw beauty of the islands will fascinate you. It’s dense jungle interior is known for its many orchids and the paradise birds. Waigeo and Batanta have the Wilson’s and the Red Bird of Paradise both endemic to this area, as well as abundantly present Lorikeets, Parrots, Kingfishers, Eagles and Hornbills.
