GreatBritain

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/article2199437.ece

Hopefully this will help to revive the wider economies of the local region as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7858232.stm

Good to see that the economy this part of the UK is showing dynamism. Subway and a financial firm to create around 400 and 100 jobs respectively. So finance is still alive in the UK.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7855482.stm

ASDA is creating around 7000 new jobs and BSkyB is creating 1000. On top of the thousands already announced in retail this is a good sign that the country is very alive. ITV news reported that some of these jobs will be for the long-term unemployed as well as for those recently made "redundant".

Goods are still being manufactured, being distributed and transported, being stocked, sold and consumed. Things are still moving and functioning.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUKTRE50B2EP20090112?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

Supermarket chain as part of expansion to create 5000 JOBS and train 18,000 of its staff either in apprenticeships or with maths and English skills.

Great investment for the future I'd say.

At least 3 major new buildings under construction in the city:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20_Fenchurch_Street
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heron_Tower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishopsgate_Tower

Then there's the Shard at London Bridge and a waterfront development at Canary Wharf, both higher than the current highest building in the UK, One Canada Square. There are various other multi-purpose, large buildings under construction in the City of London. These should pay for their construction costs many fold over in the years to come and surely are a sign all isn't lost in the economy. They will hopefully help to rebound this country out of any "recession" that is said to be underway. As a bonus these developments would inspire cities around the country (not just the biggest ones) to follow suit and build for the future. How about Stoke, Coventry, Dundee etc.

Everything to play for.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7819452.stm

Sainsbury's, Waitrose, JD Sports and Jessops report increased sales or profits. So there is money, there is confidence. Contrary to the doom and gloom peddled largely by mainstream media such as ITV news, we believe there's a future and as a country we can fight back and prosper.

Rise in UK retail sales:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7789311.stm

An optimistic article about the Shard whose construction is still underway and which should pay for itself many fold eventually:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/architecture_and_design/article5352742.ece

Some good aspects of the supposed economic downturn include:

- more tourism: more coming here to spend and see our beautiful land

- a boon for exports: this country can start to re-invigorate its manufacturing.

- disparity with the Euro: we can possibly put an end to the idea of ever joining the "dirigiste" economic ideals of the Euro and Eurozone

And isn't it strange how in a "downturn" that construction on major projects continues in London and a bank like HSBC has increased its profits this year

A bit of good news amidst the doom:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/3702683/Worlds-most-advanced-destroyer-handed-to-Royal-Navy.html

"The Type-45 destroyer will be armed with Aster missiles which are capable of knocking down a cricket ball-sized object travelling at three times the speed of sound.

It is also the most eco-friendly ship ever produced for the Royal Navy, with a unique electric propulsion system that can ferry it from New York and back without refuelling.

The most powerful front-line warship since the Second World War has missiles capable of striking the most advanced "intelligent" anti-ship missiles that can travel at Mach 4. Daring is crowned by a huge 30-metre high Samson radar that can track more than 1,000 targets at once. The system is so powerful it can monitor all take-offs and landings from every major European airport within 200 miles of Portsmouth.

Officers claim that if it was stationed in the River Thames, its weapon system would be able to single-handedly destroy any incoming airborne attack on Greater London."

Not only that but it's keeping manufacturing and productivity alive in Glasgow and the UK.

Eastwood manages once again to produce a heartbreaking film. The story, apparently fact-based, manages to be aspirational in some ways showing human courage, resolve, persistence and love. One other thing - in the era of the film, the 1920s, its interesting to see the contrast between the working professional men of that time, upstanding, composed, well-dressed, restrained, dignified. Basically, acting as grown men with the good values that embodies. What a contrast to many today.