Although Israel indicates that it will now substantially ease the flow of goods across its own land-crossings into Gaza, its officials say there will be no let-up in the sea blockade.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Gaza

"In real terms, alcohol is 62% more affordable now than it was 30 years ago and research indicates that a minimum unit price of 40p and a ban on promotions could decrease consumption by 5.4%, " he said.

BBC: New plans on price of alcohol in Northern Ireland

Perhaps I should just leave it at that and not wonder if it indicates the market now really believes employment is a leading indicator, and housing and consumer confidence, so important last year, are now lagging and unimportant indicators, that employment can recover and economic growth can continue, if the housing sector and autos roll over to the downside again.

FORBES: Housing data is more important than jobs data!