External Environment Analysis For The Newspaper Industry Media Essay

External Environment Analysis For The Newspaper Industry Media Essay The Newspaper industry is going through a decline and is suffering through what could be its worst financial crisis as the advertising revenues are plummeting due to the economic downturn. Following the downturn in print media industry several newspapers either forgo their daily print for web or have cut the delivery of print version to 3 days a week, Major publication houses filled bankruptcy. The situation is alarming and same across Britain, US and Europe. The Decline of once great newspaper is not without cost, it means the end of certain kind of civic sensibility that was build on broad agreement about what is important and what is not. Is it the end of the Newspaper Industry? The industry is in the midst of reconstruction buffeted by deep recession. That is battering crucial advertising revenue, structured challenges as consumer turns to free news and information on web. Before year 2000 newspaper industry was a cash cow and people working as journalist never worried about looking for another job. But then internet posed threats to the business model and forced industry to cut down on cost, profit margins and reduce work force. According to American Society of news editors employment in newsroom has fallen by 15% in last two years. Advertising has been shifting from print media to new media resulting decline in profits. Paid Circulation has declined while advertising revenue which makes bulk of the newspapers income has also declined. The traditional use of newspaper being delivered at home is changing. Introduction of internet 2.1 Effect of internet Technology has not broadened the audience for news but has enabled well informed people to become better informed. Newspapers even have more readers then ever but problem is that fewer of them are paying. Consumer feels like a fool paying because they get fair selection of useful information free online. With the increasing online readership advertising brought a rising tide of revenue for aggregators, search engines there by affecting the revenue of newspapers. 2.2 Industry Reaction Business model which newspaper industry was following is not viable with intervention of technology. It was based on 3 revenue sources newsstand sales, subscription and advertising and now it relies only on advertising. Henry Luce co-founder of time found this notion of relying on ad revenue is Morally abhorrent and Economically self defeating. Internet has broken newspapers monopoly of production and distribution. This change has made situation which resulted a business that is smaller, less profitable, competitive but also efficient and innovative. Every newspaper is trying to come up with business models and Strategies to handle issues like declining revenues and expansion of media choice to consumer. Industry Condition The news industry has to fight back with reinvention and innovation. They need to identify factor that may be critical determinants of threats and opportunity that industry is facing or may face in future. 3.1 Industry Cost Cutting: Key to Survival? Bill gates said who can afford to do professional work for nothing. After Newspaper industry identified that their business model is disintegrating and is unbundling advertisement and content then they tried to make for it by putting their content onto free websites. Some publications drastically cut their print editions and focus on their ad supported websites. Newspaper Industry is now on the verge of being hanged and further rounds of cost cutting would not stave off the hangman. If they want to survive then they have to come up with cost effective revenue model. Some newspapers like financial times, Wall Street Journal came up with business model to charge certain content or certain user but they were unable to dictate there terms to the buyer as their micro payment model was unable to please buyers. Given that there were many options available to buyers and most of them free, the power of the buyers was high. One of the reasons for seller not having power was that they were not focusing on their core product which was content. Newspapers were unable to sell as they didnt had power and due to that aggregators were making money by knelling readers past ads. News folks say that aggregators are Parasites that profit from their work. Newspaper managed to survive by careful combination of free and paid for content than by new technology. 3.2 Declining Advertising Revenues, Recession, and Internet Warren Buffet said that It is hard to make money buying business that is in permanent decline. But people can make money if they capitalize on opportunity and identify threats to act accordingly. The news Market is likely to remain unstable, favouring different provider at different point in political, economical and Technological cycle. Example: An American website aggregate news and option polls, it became essential reading during last year presidential race. Its popularity plunged 75% and rivals lost readers. In Britain journalist have more competition from government rather than local crowd. British authorities have created newsletter that carry advertisings and also annual budget for state owned website is far more then countrys national newspaper. Newspapers have to think about innovations as sociologically there has been a transition in audience. The share of youth having no news at all raised from 25% to 34%, they now prefer their iPhone, PDAs and aggregators for news. Publishers and editors are thinking of reinvention and innovation that will work, one example is NRC-Next a daily magazine which aimed directly at lost generation of rich young readers. They made it look and feel cooler so that reader feel that this is better. According to Pedersen VG Netts MD they try to identify sexiest story of the day no matter how important it is in newspaper terms.VG Nett came up with innovative idea of co-operative journalism. They had dedicated phone line-2200 where anyone can transfer photos automatically from cell phone to their Server. News industry has economical factors that affect its growth. One major factor is advertising only revenue model. Other factors such as aggregator making money and online advertising revenue fall in 2008 due to recession, failure of current micro payment system. Internet littered with failed micropayment companies like digicash, cyber cash and also some successful micropayment systems such as PayPal, iTunes. If newspapers can come up with easy methods of micro payments then they can earn value for most of the content. The future lies in technology and media integration. To compete with potential entrants and substitutes like aggregators, search engines, bloggers newspapers need to adapt digital technologies and come up with business model to provide public interest journalism and still get revenue. Spread of digital technology has enabled ordinary people to file pictures and report news directly. Now first photo of any big event comes first on net from an ordinary person not a journalist. 3.3 Searching for New Business Models The Players within the Strategic group need to adapt technology and internet based business model but at the same time they have to compete within the group and face the industry rivalry. They need to understand consumer behaviour to identify the target audience and also differentiate their product from the rest. Business strategies are varying in industry as guardians strategy is to become international voice of liberal opinion so it is investing in stories of international interest like Iraq. While Daily wants to build a reputation of celebrity newspaper. Strategies can be based on consumer or product. Financial time attempted to fuse subscription model by making certain type of user pay on the other hand Wall Street Journal charges certain type of content for their e-papers. Some have Strategy of presenting days sexiest news no matter how important it is in journalism terms. But still newspaper industry need to figure out micro payment model which is easy and works well for consum er. 3.4 Industry Structure Even in diminished state newspapers attracts rich businessmen who believe that there is money to be made after all. Boundaries between Products and customer segments are blurred in strategic group so can be a potential threat for players in the group. The value of core product i.e. content is not that important now because newspapers are focusing on advertising. The intensity of competition is so high that if any newspaper doesnt adapt technology correctly and doesnt come up with business model that is cost effective is out of the game. The bargaining power in the value chain is so low that newspapers have to work on low profit margins to thrive in price war. Professor Charlie Backett argues that it matters little whether which newspaper get more online readers, it is irrelevant economically. According to calculation made by digital deliverances crosbie it takes 16 online readers to make up for one lost print reader. Industry Proposal and recommendations To safeguard from chill winds of market newspapers need to combine digital media experience with traditional media to create a co-creation experience for consumer. Newspapers should come up with business models that provide interactive services and is based on efficient micropayment model. Also they should promote public interest co-operative model of journalism i.e. use professional journalism, citizen journalism and community feedback to its best. If we think about world with no professional journalism then the situation will be very alarming, how internet aggregator and bloggers will get their content. We may have to save newspapers from bleeding red ink for saving quality journalism to service community. Making newspapers non profitable and tax free may help in keeping it alive. May be a structure that can help newspapers to share revenues with aggregator will help. What we are seeing is shift in the structure of media institution which understands importance of much more partici patory media. In current scenario newspaper represent both a problem and necessity to society and now it depends upon media houses that how they take advantage of migration of traditional platform like newspaper to digital medium and also to preserve print media. Future of Newspaper Industry In future newspaper will definitely move towards digital technology and will challenge print version. May be future will lie in digital notebooks, kindles, digital readers with integrated advertising and micropayment model in it.Revenues from newspapers digital products will help combat the erosion of traditional newspaper revenues.

“Liquidity Management Via Interest Rate Corridor in Pakistan- and Experience of Other Countries’ Emerging Markets”

STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROJECT REPORT 2011 â€Å"Liquidity Management via Interest Rate Corridor in Pakistan- and Experience of Other Countries’ Emerging Markets† Submitted to: Sir Mubarak By: Tooba Sarfaraz Rafia Parvez Sumbul Masood Introduction to State Bank of Pakistan: State Bank of Pakistan, the central bank of the country was established in July 1948 I. e. , within one year after Pakistan gained independence. Being the central bank, it regulates the monetary policy and the credit system of the country to foster its growth in the best national interest with a view to secure monetary stability and to fully utilize the productive resources of the country. The bank’s operations also include preserving the value as well as maintaining stability in the Banking system. Vision: â€Å"To transform the SBP into a modern and dynamic central bank, highly professional and efficient, fully equipped to play a meaningful role in sustainable basis in the economic and social development of Pakistan. † Mission: To promote monetary and financial stability and foster a sound and dynamic financial system, so as to achieve, sustained and equitable economic growth and prosperity. † Introduction to Domestic markets and monetary management department (DMMD): Domestic Markets and monetary management department was created in Sept 2006 as a result of comprehensive restructuring within State Bank of Pakistan with the objective of transforming the central bank into a dynamic institution more responsive to the growing sophistication in the financial markets. DMMD is an offshoot of the previous Exchange and Debt Management Department (EDMD), which was established in Feb 2000. Vision: â€Å"To illustrate a proactive, professional and planned approach for effective management of exchange and debt markets so as to contribute towards accomplishment of exchange and monetary policy objectives. † Mission: DMMD strives to set performance benchmark within SBP and Pakistan’s financial markets. Departmental goals: The core objective of DMMD is to implement the monetary policy objective of the State bank of Pakistan by using the available tools in both the money and foreign exchange markets. Departmental objectives: * Monetary Policy Implementation: a. Maintenance of stable interest rates in inter-bank money market through proactive management of money market liquidity. b. Raising short term government debt and developing yield curve through auction of market treasury bills c. Proactive management of money market liquidity through open market operations d. Liquidity management through interest rate corridor system. * Exchange Rate Policy Management: a. Stable exchange rates and Forward premiums at appropriate /sustainable levels b. Sale and purchase of third currencies at optimum prices c. Smooth and sufficiently liquid foreign exchange markets d. Optimal accumulation of foreign exchange reserves and forward portfolio * Reserve Management: a. Optimal utilization of reserve portfolio and maximum returns on investment of surplus reserves. Hiring of investment consultants and fund managers for optimizing returns. * Debt Management a. Domestic debt i. Developing the markets for government securities ii. Coordination between monetary and fiscal policies iii. Raising short term and long term domestic debt for the government v. Data base management of permanent and floating debts. b. External debt i. Monitoring and ensuring prompt payment of external debt installments through state bank of Pakistan and commercial banks. Introduction of an Interest Rate Corridor In order to reduce the volatility in short term interest rates and to bring more transparency in the implementation of monetary policy, State Bank of Pakistan has decided to introduce an interest rate corridor for the money market overnight repo rates. The corridor will operate through standing overnight repo / reverse-repo facilities (i. . floor & ceiling), setting a formal corridor for the money market overnight repo rates consistent with the monetary policy of State Bank of Pakistan. The salient features of the interest rate corridor are as follows: 1. The interest rate corridor will consist of two end-of-day Standing facilities offered by State Bank of Pakistan: Existing SBP 3-day Repo Facility will be renamed as SBP Overnight Reverse-Repo Facility, which will become the ‘Ceiling’; and a new SBP Overnight Repo Facility to absorb excess funds from the market will serve as the ‘Floor’ of the corridor. . The procedure for availing the end-of-day financing facility from State Bank of Pakistan at the ‘Ceiling’ rate in case the market is short of funds will continue to be in accordance with the existin g practices and instructions issued by State Bank of Pakistan from time to time in reference to the ‘SBP 3 day Repo Facility (now renamed as SBP Overnight Reverse-Repo Facility) against Government of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills and Federal/Pakistan Investment Bonds. 3. The overnight end-of-day standing repo facility at the ‘Floor’ rate will be available to scheduled banks and primary dealers which are left with excess funds in the interbank market. These funds can be placed with State Bank of Pakistan in the form of an overnight repo against Treasury Bills at the   Ã¢â‚¬ËœFloor’ rate. Some of the operational details are as under: a. Only scheduled banks and primary dealers will be eligible to place the funds at the ‘Floor’ rate with State Bank of Pakistan . This facility will only be available at the end of the day, when it can be ascertained that the market has excess funds. c. The time for intimating this amount to the State Bank of Pakistan will be between 2:30pm to 3. 30pm from Monday to Friday and between 12:00pm to 1. 00pm on Saturday. (Specimen format is enclosed). d. The minimum amount for the Overnight Repo/Reverse Repo Facility will be PKR. 100 million, and in multiples of PKR. 50 million thereof. e. The Treasury Bills acquired under the Standing Overnight Repo facility from State Bank of Pakistan will be SLR eligible. 4. The ‘Floor’ and the ‘Ceiling’ rates (and the width of the corridor) will be advised by the State Bank of Pakistan from time to time as deemed necessary. 5. State Bank of Pakistan will continue to conduct term Open Market Operations (OMOs) in the form of repos/ reverse-repos as per current practice in addition to these standing facilities. 6. The interest rate corridor will be applicable from 17Aug, 2009. i. MONETARY POLICY: Monetary policy is the mechanism or the process through which the government, the central bank or the monetary authority of any country controls or determines the (a) supply of money, (b) the availability of money, (c) the cost of money or the interest rate, keeping in mind the broad strategic objectives of the state regarding price level, growth and stability in an economy and the overall policies that supports or u nder which people would want to start businesses and provide employment. When the incident of 9/11 happened, the overall economic environment of the world was affected very seriously and an impact of tightening monetary policy also falls. After the incident the foreign investment shoot up and flow of money continuously increased, although the value of money was stabilized but it causes inflation in many countries as well as in Pakistan. The inflow of foreign remittances resulted in inflationary pressure. In 2001, SBP revised its policy to control the flow of money. Since 2004, SBP in continuously issuing monetary policy statement biannually from Jan-June and second from July-Dec. TOOLS FOR IMPLEMENTING MONETARY POPLICY: To implement its objectives , some tools are required: 1. Direct Instruments 2. Indirect Instruments DIRECT INSTRUMENTS: * Cash Reserve Requirements (CRR) * Statutory Liquidity Requirements (SLR) CASH RESEVE REQUIREMENTS (CRR):

Storm Born Chapter Six

I turned the light back on. â€Å"Hey, Volusian, how's it going?† He stepped forward, blinking with annoyance at the light, just as I'd known he would. He was shorter than me, very solid and humanoid in shape, which indicated a fair amount of power. He had smooth, almost shiny black skin and those narrow red eyes that always unnerved me a little. His ears had a slight point to them. â€Å"I am the same as always, mistress.† â€Å"You know, you never ask how I am. That hurts.† He answered my lazy smile with a long-suffering scowl. â€Å"That is because you are also always the same. You smell of life and blood and sex. And violets. You are a painful reminder of all the things I once was and all the things I will never be again.† He paused thoughtfully. â€Å"Actually, the scent of sex is stronger than usual. My mistress has been†¦busy.† â€Å"Did you just make a joke?† I said this partially to deflect the sex issue but also to keep teasing him. Volusian was about as damned as a soul could be. I didn't know what he'd done when alive, but it had been evil enough that someone had cursed him from ever entering the world of the dead. His soul would never find any peace. So he had haunted my world and the Otherworld until I'd discovered him tormenting a suburban family. He was so powerful, as was his curse, that I had not been strong enough to destroy him and send him on. The best I could have done was cast him to the Otherworld, but I had no guarantees he wouldn't return. So I'd done the next best thing I could: I'd enslaved him. He was bound to me until I released him or lost control. This way, I dictated his actions. I usually kept him in the Otherworld until I needed him. Teasing him was a way to project confidence in my control, like I wasn't worried at all. I couldn't show any weakness with him. He had made it perfectly clear a number of times that he would kill me horrifically if he ever broke free. He didn't respond to my last comment. He simply stared. He was only obligated to answer direct questions. â€Å"I need some advice.† â€Å"I do as my mistress commands.† There was an implied until I can choke the breath from her body at the end of that seemingly subservient statement. â€Å"I'm going to be crossing over into the Otherworld soon. Physically.† That almost surprised him. Almost. â€Å"My mistress is foolish.† â€Å"Thanks. I have to find a human girl that some horny gentry abducted.† He reconsidered. â€Å"My mistress is brave and foolish.† â€Å"She was taken by a guy named Aeson. Do you know him?† â€Å"He is king of the Alder Land. Powerful. Very powerful.† â€Å"Stronger than me?† Volusian stayed silent, thinking. â€Å"Your powers do not diminish in the Otherworld, as some humans' do. Even so, he will still be at his full strength. It would be a close battle. Were you to fight him in this world, there would be no contest. He would be weaker by far.† â€Å"I don't think I can manage that. What about you guys? I'm going to bring you along. Will it help?† â€Å"I feared my mistress would say that. Yes, of course it will help. You know my binds force me to protect you, no matter how much angst it causes me.† â€Å"Aw, don't sound so glum. Think of it as job security.† â€Å"Make no mistake, mistress. I may protect you now, but as soon as I have the chance, I will rip the flesh from your body and tear your bones apart. I will ensure you suffer so gravely that you will beg me for death. Yet, even then, your soul will not find relief. I will torture it for all eternity.† He spoke in a flat tone, not as a threat, but simply as a statement of fact. Honestly, after my week of propositions, statements about my impending death were kind of a refreshing return to normality. â€Å"Looking forward to it, Volusian.† I yawned and sat on the bed. â€Å"Anything else constructive you've got to offer? In rescuing the girl, I mean.† â€Å"I suspect my mistress is too†¦set in her ways for my advice, but you could solicit help.† â€Å"Solicit it from whom? I don't have anyone else to go to.† â€Å"Not in this world you don't.† It took me a moment to get what he was saying. â€Å"No. No way. I'm not going to some gentry or spirit for help. Not like they'd give it anyway.† â€Å"I would not be so certain of that, mistress.† Gentry were petty and dishonest. They had no regard for anyone but themselves. No way would I appeal to one. No way would I trust one. Volusian watched me. When he saw I would not respond, he said: â€Å"It is as I thought. My mistress will not hear anything she doesn't want to. She is too stubborn.† â€Å"No, I'm not. I'm always open to things.† â€Å"As you say, mistress.† The look on his face somehow managed to be angelic and scream you fucking hypocrite all at the same time. â€Å"All right,† I said impatiently, â€Å"let's hear it.† â€Å"There is another king, Dorian, who rules the Oak Land. He and Aeson hate each other – in a polite-faced, political manner, of course.† â€Å"No surprise there. I'm surprised they aren't all turning on each other. That doesn't mean he'd help me.† â€Å"I believe Dorian would be very happy to see someone come and kill off Aeson. Especially if he did not have to actually do it himself. He might offer a great deal of assistance to see you do it.† â€Å"‘Might' being the operative word. So you're suggesting I just show up at his door and ask for help?† Volusian inclined his head in the affirmative. â€Å"Have I ever killed or cast out any of his people?† â€Å"Likely.† â€Å"Then I think it's ‘likely' he'd kill me the moment I set foot on his land. I can't imagine any gentry's keen on letting their biggest assassin in the door.† I wasn't touting ego in that statement. Much like Volusian's death threats, I simply stated a fact. I knew my own worth and reputation as far as the Otherworld was concerned. I mean, it wasn't like I was reaching genocide levels or anything; I just had more notches on my belt than most. â€Å"Dorian has†¦an odd sense of humor. It might amuse him to welcome an enemy like you. He would enjoy the sensation it would cause among others.† â€Å"So he uses me for entertainment and then kills me.† I couldn't believe Volusian was even suggesting a plan like this. He hated me, but he also knew me. If he hadn't had such a stick up his ass, I would have sworn he was messing with me. Yet, his bindings forced him to sincerely give the best of his counsel if I asked it. â€Å"If he gives you his word of hospitality, he is honor-bound to keep you safe.† â€Å"Since when do gentry keep their word? Or have honor?† Volusian regarded me carefully. â€Å"May I speak bluntly, mistress?† â€Å"As opposed to usual?† â€Å"Your hatred of the gentry blinds you to their true nature. You are also blind to the only thing that might let you escape this mad scheme alive – not that I would mind if you were torn to bloody shreds by Aeson's people. But whatever else you believe, one of the gentry will stake his life on his word. They keep their oaths better than humans.† I honestly didn't believe that. No matter how much I might need help with this, it wasn't worth it. I would not make a deal with the devil. â€Å"No. I won't do it.† Volusian gave a small shrug. â€Å"As my mistress wishes. It makes no difference if you speed your own death. I cannot die, after all.† I stared at him in exasperation. He stared back. Shaking my head, I stood up for another summoning. â€Å"Okay, if that's all, I'm gonna call the rest of the gang.† He hesitated. â€Å"May I†¦ask my mistress a question first?† I turned in surprise. Volusian was the epitome of don't-speak-until-spoken-to. He only answered what was asked of him. He did not seek out other information. This was new. Wow. What a week of earth-shattering events. â€Å"Sure, go ahead.† â€Å"You do not trust me.† â€Å"That's not a question, but no, I don't.† â€Å"Yet†¦you came to me for advice first. Before you spoke to the others. Why?† It was a good question. I was about to summon two other minions. I didn't trust them either, but they had more reason to show loyalty than Volusian. They did not describe my graphic death on a regular basis. â€Å"Because no matter what else you may be, you're smarter than they are.† I could have elaborated on that, but I didn't. That was really all there was to it. He thought about this for a long time. â€Å"My mistress is less foolish than she normally appears.† I think it was the closest he could come to thanking me for a compliment – or giving one. I took out the wand and summoned my other two spirits. I didn't bother with candles or darkness because these ones were easier to call – especially since I was technically only â€Å"requesting† one to come, not ordering him. The coldness and pressure came again, and then two other forms appeared. Volusian stepped back, arms crossed, not looking impressed. The two newcomers glanced around, taking note that I had gathered all of them. The three of them never interacted much in my viewing, but I always wondered if maybe they hung out for coffee or something in the Otherworld and made fun of me. Kind of like how people make fun of their boss after work during happy hour. Still affecting unconcerned, lazy control, I unwrapped a Milky Way and sat back on my bed again. Leaning against the wall, I surveyed my team. Nandi was less powerful than Volusian, so she had a less substantial form in this world. She appeared as a translucent, opalescent figure that seemed vaguely female in shape. Centuries ago, she had been a Zulu woman accused of witchcraft by her people. They had killed her and, like Volusian, cursed her from finding rest. Unlike Volusian's, I could break this curse and send her on to the land of death. I had encountered her haunting this world, more frightening than harmful, and bound her in service to me in exchange for eventual peace. I had demanded three years of loyalty, one of which she had fulfilled. When the other two were up, I would let her pass on. Whereas Volusian always seemed sullen and sarcastic, Nandi was always sad. She was the poster child for a lost soul. A real downer. Finn, however, was a different story. Of the three, only he looked happy to be here. He too was not powerful enough to have a solid form. He translated to this plane as small and glittering, barely there, much like how humans perceived Disney-type pixies. I had no claims on Finn. He had started hanging around because he found me entertaining. So he popped up from time to time, followed me, and would generally come when called. I had the power to force his service, but – even as much as I disliked all things from the Otherworld – I was hard-pressed to do so without provocation. I didn't entirely trust anyone who offered help so freely, but he had never given me reason to doubt him either. Indeed, he'd always been very helpful. I had no idea what his story was, if he too was a cursed spirit. I'd never pressed for the details. His shining body settled upon my dresser. â€Å"Hey, Odile, what's new? Why do you smell like sex? Did you get some? Why are we all here?† Too much exposure to my world and television had given him a better grasp of our slang than the others. I ignored the questions. â€Å"Hey, Finn, hey, Nandi.† The female spirit merely nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting. â€Å"So,† I said in my best boardroom voice, â€Å"I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you here today.† None of them found that funny, so I just kept going. â€Å"Well, brace yourselves: I'm going to be paying you guys a visit. In the flesh. The real deal.† Nandi showed no reaction whatsoever. Finn leapt up in excitement. â€Å"Really? Truly? When? Now?† Nice to know someone appreciated me. I debriefed them, telling them the story. Volusian leaned against my wall, letting his body language convey to me what an utter waste of his time it was to have to hear this all again. Finn's enthusiasm diminished a little. â€Å"Oh. Well. That's ballsy but also kind of†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Foolish,† said Nandi in her typically gloomy monotone. â€Å"It will end in despair. Dark, bitter despair. You will die, and I will never know peace. My suffering will be without end.† â€Å"Never thought I'd hear you two agree with Volusian.† Finn shrugged. â€Å"It is a good cause, honest. But you can't really just walk into Aeson's castle and take the girl. Not that I'm saying you aren't tough enough or anything. You'll just need a plan. A really good one. Yeah. What's your plan?† â€Å"Um, well†¦to walk into his castle and take the girl.† Volusian sighed loudly. It was hard to tell with those red slits, but I think he rolled his eyes. I shot him an angry glance. â€Å"Hey, it's a hell of a lot better than your plan. Would you like to share it with the rest of the class?† He did. When he finished, Finn said, â€Å"Now, that's a good plan.† I threw my hands up. â€Å"No, it's not. It's a horrible plan. I'm not asking one of the gentry for help.† â€Å"King Dorian might help you,† offered Nandi, â€Å"although his help would most likely only offer a brief flaring of hope, which would then make our ultimate defeat that much more tragic.† â€Å"Stop with the maudlin crap, Nandi.† I wished they made ghost Prozac. â€Å"Anyway, it's a moot point. We're taking on Aeson directly. End of discussion.† I gave them the time and location of our meeting spot, binding them to silence about the plan. I had to take it on faith that Finn wouldn't let the cat out of the bag, but once he'd reconciled himself to my possible demise, he seemed pretty stoked about the whole idea. â€Å"I have one more question for all of you before I release you. In the last week, three denizens from the Otherworld knew my name. What's going on? How many of them know who I am?† None of the spirits answered right away. Finally, in a voice that sounded like he couldn't believe I was asking, Finn said, â€Å"Why, everyone. Well, almost everyone. Everyone that counts. It's all they've been talking about for the last couple of weeks. Odile Dark Swan is Eugenie Markham. Eugenie is Odile.† I stared. â€Å"Everyone's been talking about this?† The three spirits nodded. â€Å"And none of you – none of you! – thought this was worth bringing to my attention?† More silence. Finally Nandi, compelled to answer any direct question, merely said, â€Å"You did not ask, mistress.† â€Å"Yes,† agreed Volusian dryly. â€Å"Had you summoned us and asked, ‘Is my name known in the Otherworld?' then we would have readily answered.† â€Å"Smartass.† â€Å"Thank you, mistress.† â€Å"It wasn't a compliment.† I ran a hand through my hair. â€Å"How did this happen?† â€Å"Maybe someone guessed,† said Finn. Volusian cut him a glance. â€Å"Do not be an even bigger fool than you already are.† The dark spirit turned back to me. â€Å"Not all creatures come to this world to fight you. Some may have spied. For someone quiet, discovering your identity would not have been so difficult.† â€Å"What are they saying, then? Are they all going to try to kill me?† â€Å"Some are,† said Finn. â€Å"But most of them are weak. You could probably take them in a fight.† â€Å"Unfortunately,† added Volusian. Great. This was not good news. Some part of me had been hoping only a few knew, but now it seemed my identity was the gossip du jour in the Otherworld. I wondered if it would be worthwhile to find a local witch and set wards around my house. I could also keep the spirits on permanent guard duty, but I didn't really know if my patience was up for large doses of their idiosyncrasies. â€Å"All right, then. Get out of here. Come back at the time we set up. Oh, and if any of you hear anything that might be useful about Aeson and the girl, come tell me. Do not wait until I explicitly ask you.† Those last words were a growl. Finn vanished instantly, but Nandi and Volusian watched me expectantly. I sighed. â€Å"By flesh and spirit, I release you from service until next I call. Depart to the next world in peace and do not return until my summons.† The spirits faded into nothing, and I was left alone.

World War II ( 1939 ) - 1486 Words

World War II (1939 – 1945) was the second global conflict of the 20th century, which resulted in the deaths of millions. The devastating war was, like its precursor, the result of complex and historical political, economic and social tensions. It was the largest armed conflict in history, and desolated more civilians than ever before. Consequently, it shaped and determined the outcome of the modern world as we know it. Focusing on Germany, it is clear how their post-WWI treatment led to the birth of new totalitarian nation and the start of this Second World War. This area also makes clear what the aftershocks of such an intense war is and what the means of war result in. The economic, political and social causes and consequences will be examined, starting from the end of the First World War, up until years after the Second. The major causes of the Second World War start with the end of the First. With millions of lives lost, the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, was an attempt to keep the peace. However, this treaty and what it meant for the recently formed German Weimar Republic, would ensure that political conditions were in such a way that a man like Hitler could rise to power. Sir Harold Nicolson, a member of the British delegation, highlights the humiliation of the Germans at Versailles. He claims the two German delegates were brought in â€Å"isolated and pitiable†, and that they were treated like â€Å"prisoners from the dock†. Article 231 of the treaty stated â€Å"GermanyShow MoreRelatedWas World War Ii Inevitable in 1939?3066 Words   |  13 PagesWas World War II inevitable in 1939? In the early hours of the 1st September 1939 German forces invaded Poland. 21 years after the end of World War I, the world had to face the beginning of another world war that should last 6 years. World War II was one of the most disastrous events in human history causing approximately 60 million deaths and destruction almost all over the globe (msn Encarta 2008). Winston Churchill wrote in the preface of his book about World War II (The Gathering Storm): Read MoreAfter World War II ( 1939-1945 )897 Words   |  4 PagesAfter World War II (1939-1945) the world was for the most part divided in three groups. The Neutral Nations, those who didn t officially take a side. The Free Nations, which were the U.S., Great Britain, France, Canada, Australia and West Germany, just to name a few. The Communist controlled nations like Russia, China, Poland, Hungary, East Germany and others, formed the Communist Block Nations. That was when the Communists in the Soviet Union became more aggressive. The defeated country of NaziRead MoreWar I ( 1914-1918 ) And World War II ( 1939-1945 )1407 Words   |  6 Pagesand most destructive wars human civilization had to see. World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). Both of these wars had massive impact on civilized world. It didn’t start in one day. In the beginning of 20th century there were a lot of things going on in Europe. Unfortunately people of the Europe and the rest of the world had to suffer for some country’s disbelieve. There wasn’t just one cause instead there were several causes that brought whole world into war. Militarism is one ofRead MoreWorld War Ii Was A Global War That Lasted From 1939 To1236 Words   |  5 PagesWorld War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved majority of the world’s countries including the Axis alliances (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allies (Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Both Europe and the Pacific had a lot of problems going on in each region due to the rise of Nazis in Germany and Japans lust for territorial expansion which led them to seize the Chinese Territory of Manchuria. In the European theater, the war started when the tyrantRead MoreWorld War II Took Place From 1939-1945 Essay1427 Words   |  6 Pages†¢ World War II took place from 1939-1945. Franklin Roosevelt was the president when WWII began and remained until he died in 1945. He prepared Americans for the conflict during the war. He formed a Lends-Lease to Britain, declaring America â€Å"the great arsenal of democracy.† The Lend-Lease Act was the means for providing U.S. military aid to foreign nations during World War II. After that America had produced thousands of airplanes, ships and etc. for its allies. The war ended the Great DepressionRead MoreDuring The Early Stages Of World War Ii (1939-1945), The1630 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the early stages of World War II (1939-1945), the Japanese Empire attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor; this atrocity that the Japanese committed caused an increase in distrust and resentment towards the Japanese who lived with in the United States. Such agitation leads to the creation of internment camps where the United States government placed individuals of Japanese descent for the remainder of the war as a preemptive method to isolate and contain the Japanese—limitingRead MoreThe Effects of World War Ii on Northern Southern Ireland; 1939-19453103 Words   |  13 PagesThe effects of World War II on Northern Southern Ireland; 1939-1945 Daniel McCarthy (Visiting Student) Student Identification Number: 08102474 The Two Ireland’s in the 20th Century 0809-HI 208.E John Cunningham Word Count: 2,990 13 March 2009 Daniel McCarthy 1 Throughout the time period of 1939-1945, the two countries of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland found themselves in two different positions in regards to participating in World War II. Northern Ireland, which wasRead More Why World War II Broke out in 1939 Essay1927 Words   |  8 PagesHitler believed that the Treaty of Versailles was unjust. He hated the Treaty and the German politicians were in his view, â€Å"November Criminals†. The worst aspect of the Treaty was that it was a reminder to the Germans of their defeat in the First World War and their humiliation by the Allies. His promise to the German people was that if he was the leader of Germany he would reverse this. By the time Hitler came to power, some of these terms had already been changed. The largest if these was GermanyRead MoreAustralia is at War839 Words   |  4 Pages‘Australia is at War’ is a primary source from the year 1939 and is a speech by renowned Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies (1894 – 1978). This speech was delivered at the beginning of World War II declaring Australia’s participation and assistance to its â€Å"Mother Land†, Great Britain. World War II was developed and initiated by the infamous Adolf Hitler, a notorious German leader and the head of the Nazis. German’s invasion of Poland initiated Great Britain’s move towards force rather than theirRead MoreCauses and Consequences of World War II777 Words   |  3 Pages World War II: Causes and Consequences On September 1, 1939 World War II started after Adolf Hitler signs the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler shortly attacks Poland, not keeping his promise. Shortly after the attack France and Britain declare war on Germany. Hitler was the cause of World War II since he broke the treaty causing other countries like Britain and France to declare war. Hitler kept all the Jews in concentration camps because he thought