The art of the political flip-flop: 'I now support same-sex marriage'

Since Joe Biden blurted out his support for same-sex marriage last May, 23 U.S. Senators have formally endorsed it in statements or interviews.

These "I now support same-sex marriage" statements have a certain mechanical poetry. The speaker is admitting that at some previous point, he or she did not. I think the penal implications of flip-flopping have been sufficiently lamented, but let's at least acknowledge the point: These are politicians going out of their way to emphasize that they have changed their minds.

Some go further than others. Claire McCaskill wrote a four-paragraph blog post that meditated on the difficulties of the decision and called on Corinthians for an assist. When South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson issued his reversal on Monday, he did so in 37 words that begin: "After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation."

It's easy to find common themes running through these messages. McCaskill, Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Tom Carper, D-Del., all cite the influence of conversations with their families and friends. Hagan and a few others cite their religion.

I found six themes in reading through all the statements. They are as follows, with examples:

Love is all you need. See Tom Udall, D-N.M.:

"Two people, who are committed to one another, who love one another, should not be denied the fundamental right of marriage, or the legal rights that marriage includes."

Marriage is a civil right. See Biden:

"I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties."

I've evolved. See Mark Warner, D-Va.:

"Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone."

My faith supports it. See Hagan:

"But after much thought and prayer on my part, this is ??where I am today."

It's right for Democracy. Udall again:

"Our Constitution enshrines the principle of equality ? equal rights for all."

Some of my best friends? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV):

"In talking with my children and grandchildren, it has become clear to me they take marriage equality as a given."

What follows is a list of every statement made since Biden's, including President Barack Obama's and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's, coded by which of the six major themes I found. This list does not include the 34 current senators who had already confirmed their support by the time Biden did, since they typically did so with less fanfare.

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The "I've evolved" category is interesting not only because of the flip-flop implications. Many people are changing their minds on this subject, as pollsters discover again and again. It is not only those handful of Democratic senators who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act who seem to feel the need to emphasize that this is a phase shift. The implication, I think, is that?unlike war, health care, abortion, deficit reduction, tax hikes, a chained-CPI model of social security, Gitmo, immigration reform, assault weapon bans and climate change?unlike virtually everything else, gay marriage is one topic on which it's politically acceptable to change your mind.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/six-ways-senators-say-i-now-support-gay-marriage-interactive-165410672.html

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Phantom Flex4K camera unveiled, blasts through 1000 4K frames per second (video)

Vision Systems just upped the 4k speed barrier by a near order of magnitude with the launch of its Phantom Flex4K cinema camera at NAB. Starting at $110k, it builds on its Phantom Flex predecessor with up to 1,000 fps in 5 second bursts at 4k, 2,000 fps in 2k and 3,000 fps at 720p resolution -- speeds that'll net you almost three minutes of 4k video when played back at 24 fps. The full 16:9 Super 35 sensor-equipped model can be had with PL, PV Canon EOS or Nikon F/G mounts and will capture RAW or compressed footage in an "industry-standard," but as yet unspecified format. The Flex4K will also be available with a Phantom Cinemag IV, which will hold up to 2TB of data, or nearly 2 hours of RAW 4k footage at normal recording speeds. Other features include a Bluetooth transmitter and handheld Phantom RCU for remote operation, 12+ stops of dynamic range, HD-SDI video output and a camera control interface and form factor that hews to industry norms, according to Vision Systems. If you're still reading after seeing the six-figure price tag, check the videos or More Coverage link after the jump for more.

Filed under: Cameras

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Source: AbelCine

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/08/phantom-flex4k-camera-unveiled-at-NAB/

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Karimnagar The City Of Granites

Karimnagar is a city in Andhra Pradesh and it is situated on the banks of Manair River, a tributary of the Godavari River. It is situated 162 kms north of Hyderabad and it is a major business and educational centre. Previously it is also called as Elgandal or Elagandula, which represents the native of Telengana people. It is popular for its delicate form of metal craft known as Silver filigree work.

Karimnagar is easily connected to all main cities by rail, road and air. However, the best way to reach Karimnagar is by road. There are frequent buses that depart from Hyderabad and they are inexpensive. Tickets cost around Rs. 100 and they depart every 10 minutes from the main bus terminus. The railway station at Karimnagar is under renovation and the best option is to hire a taxi from Warangal which is located at a distance of 80 km from the city. Nearest airport is in Hyderabad which is 170 kms apart and it takes around 3 hours to reach Karimnagar. It also houses international flights that arrive from various countries. Prepaid taxis are available from airport to Karimnagar and the fare is around Rs. 2000.

Karimnagar has several tourist attractions. The town was an important centre during the period of the Nizams. Some of the places to visit in the city are The Elgandal Fort, Tower Circle etc. The Elgandal Fort is situated on the banks of Manair River at a distance of 12 km from Karimnagar on the Kamareddy Road. Taxis and buses are available to visit this place. It is historically important because five dynasties ruled over this place. The attractions in this place are a fort on a hill, Brindavan tank on the outside of the Eastern Gateway of the fort and tombs of the few Muslim saints. Lower Manair Reservoir is a huge construction much visited by tourists. The water of this reservoir rises to great heights during monsoon. Near to this place, Rajeev Deer Park is located which is also a beautiful place. Ujwala Park was inaugurated in the year 2001 and it is another place visited by travellers. Vemulawada is a city located at a distance of 35 km from Karimnagar. It is popular for the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple. Dharmapuri, a religious site in Karimnagar, dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. Kondagattu is a temple about 35 km from Karimnagar and it has a shrine of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Kaleshwaram is the site of the famous Shiva temple called Kaleshwara muktheshwara Swamy Temple. The significance of this temple is two Shiva Lingas are there on a single pedestal, one is Lord Shiva and the other is Lord Yama. This place is also known as Dakshina Triveni Sangamam.

Most of the Hotels in Karimnagar also offers facilities for sightseeing expedition and jungle safaris, apart from pick-up and drop facilities from the various transit points.

About the Author:
Holiday IQ offers you online booking of Hotels in Karimnagar at best possible rates. For more information on please visit our site www.holidayiq.com.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Karimnagar-----The-City-Of-Granites/4529750

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Tributes pour in for Spanish filmmaker Bigas Luna

MADRID (AP) ? Spaniard Josep Joan Bigas Luna was lauded as a brilliant and "truly special" filmmaker a day after his death, with some of the highest praise coming from actors Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, two stars whose film careers he launched.

Bigas Luna, 67, died Saturday in northeast Spain after a long battle with cancer.

The filmmaker was regarded as having had an excellent eye for spotting talent and a knack for stimulating on-screen chemistry between actors. His 1992 film "Jamon, Jamon" received unanimous praise as "a classic" in the Spanish press on Sunday,

The director discovered Cruz and Bardem, who married in 2010, as well as a giving early boosts to a host of other now well-known film muses, including Leonor Watling, Angela Molina, Francesca Neri and Valeria Marini.

Many of the roles in his films were explosively steamy, even erotic. Yet they often explored with great insight aspects of modern Spain's quirkiness.

"He was charming, intelligent, ironic, and possessed of an utterly contagious hedonism," said Ferran Mascarell, culture spokesman for the government of Bigas Luna's native Catalan region.

"I don't know where to begin," Bardem said, adding that he owes Bigas Luna "the woman I love," and "a career that I never dreamed I could have."

Bardem's first film role was in Bigas Luna's "The Ages of Lulu" (1990), but it is his role, co-starring with Cruz in "Jamon, Jamon" that many consider one of his most searing and memorable.

He later went on to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as psychopathic assassin Anton Chigurh in Ethan and Joel Coen's "No Country for Old Men" and has also played villain Raoul Silva in "Skyfall," the latest Bond movie.

In a heartfelt statement, Cruz said an early casting for "The Ages of Lulu" changed her life.

"In walked a man with a rascal's face: Bigas Luna," she said. "The first thing he asked me was my age (she was 14). I said I was 17 and he, always very gently and without making me feel too bad, laughed in my face and said: 'Well, you won't make this movie, but I'll call for another when you're older.'"

The actress said she was astonished when, three years later, the phone rang and it was Bigas Luna asking her to try out for "Jamon, Jamon."

"When I was with him I felt time stood still," Cruz said. "He was truly special."

Bigas Luna died while still working on his latest film, "Segon Origen."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-04-07-Spain-Bigas%20Luna/id-f47fefdcf7c84e75819d11fc0f554081

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Obama apologizes to California Attorney General Kamala Harris over comment on looks (Washington Post)

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Wall Street rises on supportive central banks

By Ryan Vlastelica

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as robust action by the Bank of Japan and supportive remarks by U.S. officials indicated that equity markets would continue to be propped up, though gains were checked by weak data on the labor market.

Jobless claims unexpectedly jumped last week, the latest in a series of data points to disappoint, raising questions about growth and the labor market's recovery.

Claims jumped to 385,000 in the latest week, confounding expectations that claims would drop by 7,000 to 350,000. On Wednesday, a read on private sector employment also disappointed, spurring concerns about Friday's jobs report, which is expected to show that 200,000 jobs were added in March, down from the previous month.

"I wouldn't have expected claims to be such a heavy wet blanket, but in the short term, we've had a couple of disappointments," said Mike Shea, managing partner and trader at Direct Access Partners LLC in New York.

The Bank of Japan shocked markets with a radical overhaul of its monetary policy, adopting a new balance sheet target and pledging to double its government bond holdings in two years.

Japanese shares soared 2.2 percent while the iShares MSCI Japan Index ETF jumped 3.9 percent to $10.88. U.S. shares of Toyota Motor rose 4.5 percent to $105.40.

On Wednesday, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said the Fed had room to keep buying bonds to support the U.S. economic recovery. Earlier Thursday, Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, suggested the Fed's program would continue for at least a few more months.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was up 52.30 points, or 0.36 percent, at 14,602.65. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was up 5.89 points, or 0.38 percent, at 1,559.58. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.59 points, or 0.05 percent, at 3,220.20.

The benchmark S&P continues to struggle to reach a new all-time intraday peak. The current record of 1,576.09 is about 1.4 percent away, though the index has climbed recently to within 3 points of it.

Market declines have been used as buying opportunities of late, but many investors are calling for a more pronounced pullback. Wednesday's decline was the biggest daily drop for the S&P since February.

"If Friday's report is better than expected, then the sentiment could turn back into positive territory, but if it is confirmation that things are softening, that could be the beginning of a pullback," said Art Hogan, managing director of Lazard Capital Markets in New York.

First-quarter earnings growth forecasts have been lowered since the start of the year, with S&P 500 company earnings expected to have risen 1.6 percent from a year ago, according to Thomson Reuters data. A January 1 forecast put earnings growth at 4.3 percent.

Best Buy Co Inc was the S&P's top percentage gainer, rising 4.1 percent to $22.50, after the retailer said it would offer a 30 percent discount on its current stock of Apple iPad 3 tablets in the United States.

Private equity firms TPG Capital and Madison Dearborn Partners are the two finalists bidding for National Financial Partners , a New York-based wealth management company with a market value of nearly $900 million, people familiar with the matter said.

Shares of National rose 2.7 percent to $22.85.

(Editing by Bernadette Baum)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wall-street-opens-firmer-supportive-central-banks-134231239--finance.html

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iPad: 3 years later

3 years ago today, Apple shipped the original iPad Wi-Fi. It had been called unimaginative. It had been called unnecessary. Even after Steve Jobs had taken the stage only a few months earlier and made the case that there was room for a new product category between the smartphone and the laptop, even after Apple's multitouch interface had mainstreamed computing like never before, it was called "just a big iPhone".

And it was. An iPhone gone IMAX. Widescreen experiences gone tall screen. Single column apps gone double column. Small device gone big.

If analysts didn't get it, if pundits didn't get it, if everyone inside Apple didn't get the full extent of it, it didn't matter. We got it. By the millions. Tens of millions. Eventually hundreds of millions.

Sure, there've been some bumps. Neither software nor services are optimized for multiple users yet, including families. Notifications aren't yet active and moving between apps, especially back to apps, isn't fast.

But overall the iPad made computing accessible to people for whom even Macs were confusing and intimidating, for whom mice and keyboards were awkward and off-putting, for whom multiple windows were frustrating and disorienting, for whom everything about a personal computers was still far too impersonal.

It empowered them.

Three years later, with the web in the palm of our hands, with games and videos that fill our field of vision, with apps that let us finger-paint with productivity and pinch and swipe and tap information around the world, with sizes both full and mini, the iPad is a success.

Undeniably, phenomenally, transformative-ly, confounding-ly a success.

And it's only been three years. How far can the iPad go in another three?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/3aqw0roAMrc/story01.htm

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Soft US economic figures keep a lid on markets

LONDON (AP) ? Soft U.S. economic figures hit stocks and the dollar Wednesday ahead of key government jobs data at the end of the week. Japanese shares, however, outperformed all others as investors anticipated aggressive policy action from the Bank of Japan.

Investor sentiment, which was already fairly flat following a solid trading session on Tuesday, was dented by a soft private jobs report for the U.S. from payrolls processor ADP as well as a weaker-than-anticipated non-manufacturing survey from the Institute for Supply Management.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 1.03 percent at 6,423 while Germany's DAX fell 0.9 percent to 7,874. The CAC-40 in France was 1.3 percent lower at 3,754.

In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.43 percent at 14,598 while the broader S&P 500 index fell 0.76 percent to 1,558.

The dollar was also on the retreat following the disappointing economic news. The euro was up 0.19 percent at $1.2843 while the dollar fell 0.47 percent to 92.93 yen.

The soft tone in markets gathered pace after ADP found that private employers added 158,000 jobs in March, way down on February's gain of 237,000 and expectations for a rise of about 200,000.

The survey came ahead of Friday's official nonfarm payrolls figures for March, an indicator that often sets the market tone for a week or two. This time the payrolls figures could have an even bigger bearing as investors try and work out when the Federal Reserve will start withdrawing its economic stimulus.

"Not that this is a good measure of the actual payroll report but the ADP will keep the bulls from boosting their payroll estimates between now and Friday," said Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist at Mizuho Securities.

A disappointing survey from the Institute for Supply Management fueled the prevailing caution too. Its main index of non-manufacturing activity fell to 54.4 last month from 56 in February. Though the sector continues to grow ? any reading above 50 signals expansion ? March's figure is the lowest in seven months.

Earlier, Japan was in focus as the country's central bank started its first policy meeting under a new governor committed to aggressive monetary action to end years of economic malaise. There are expectations that the bank will announce a big monetary stimulus at the end of its meeting on Thursday.

Bank of Japan chief Haruhiko Kuroda has vowed to do whatever it takes to get Japan out of its debilitating deflation. Kuroda, who assumed his post March 19, has pledged to cooperate with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's program of big government spending, monetary easing and economic reforms aimed at improving Japan's competitiveness.

Optimism about the meeting's outcome sent the Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo soaring 3 percent to close at 12,362.20.

"The Nikkei is the standout, jumping 3 percent as the Bank of Japan's two-day monetary policy meeting kicked off, and the market is anticipating some bold stimulative action under new governor Kuroda," said Robert Kavcic, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets.

The Bank of Japan is not the only central bank announcing policy decisions Thursday. However, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are not expected to alter policy.

Elsewhere in Asia, stock markets struggled despite the Nikkei's surge. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.1 percent to 22,337.49 while South Korea's Kospi shed 0.2 percent to 1,983.22.

Oil prices tracked most equity markets lower, with the benchmark New York rate down $1.88 at $95.32 a barrel.

___

Pamela Sampson in Bangkok contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/soft-us-economic-figures-keep-lid-markets-143829994--finance.html

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Real estate law | Property Report | The trusted source for Real ...

Apr 02, 2013 | Comments 0

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Hughes Krupica, a Thailand-based International Legal Services firm specialising in real estate, hospitality and leisure, has expanded its practice to include construction and real estate arbitration. With the appointment of Victor Smith, an international arbitration specialist and consultant, the firm will be able to offer client expertise from a dedicated and senior professional with experience in handling international and domestic arbitrations.

Desmond Hughes, senior partner of Hughes Krupica said, ?This is evidence of our firm proceeding with its strategy announced upon its launch. We are demonstrating our commitment to our expertise not just by labelling our firm an ?expert? but by ensuring within our team we truly do have expert consultants on board, who know their specialist area inside out. Any client that is serious about ensuring they obtain arbitration consultancy and expertise, should look at Victor?s CV which in itself is a confidence inspiring signal of the quality of advice clients will receive. Victor isn?t simply a short term ?member? of a multitude of arbitration institutes; he was the past Chair of the Commission on Arbitration for the International Chamber of Commerce from 2004 to 2012 and also teaches arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution at Thammasat University for the Masters Laws Degree Course in Business Law.?

Robert Krupica, senior partner of Hughes Krupica said, ?Victor is ideally placed to assist Hughes Krupica with its dispute resolution services, and due to Victor?s expertise he is also able to handle arbitration issues across Thailand and in other jurisdictions. Victor is a permanent resident of Thailand and started working here 22 years ago. He has considerable experience in construction disputes and has conducted numerous arbitrations under the arbitration rules of the major arbitration institutions including the International Chamber of Commerce, the Singapore International Arbitration Center, the Thai Arbitration Institute and the Board of Trade of Thailand.?

Victor Smith commented, ?I am pleased to be a member of the team at Hughes Krupica. I share their belief that the best professionals for the job should be assigned into specialist areas, and on that basis I am brining my expertise on arbitration matters which clients of Hughes Krupica will benefit from.?

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Filed Under: Asia (General) ? News ? News by Country ? Thailand

Tags: arbitration ? construction ? desmon hughes ? hughes krupica ? law firm ? real estate law ? Thailand ? victor smith

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Source: http://www.property-report.com/hughes-krupica-expands-practice-29055

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Life of a Diabetic Athlete | Crossfit | Pinoy Fitness

Life of a Diabetic Athlete

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend, who like me lives an active and fit lifestyle. A casual runner and a Crossfit addict, clocking in gym time like most fitness enthusiasts, but with one difference? he?s been a diabetic all his life.

1. As an athlete how is diabetes affecting you and your performance?
I think I have similar problems that plague other non-diabetic athletes have in the area of ?performance,? i.e. muscle soreness, fatigue, I need the same amount of rest days to recover, in short: diabetes (DM) hasn?t really affected my performance on a level that I am at a disadvantage when I do a CrossFit WOD with a non-diabetic. It?s the details though that are important and which matter: nutrition (red-flags on supplements), footwear (foot-care is a super important thing to really be wary of as an active diabetic), and of course, pre-workout and post-workout nutrition.

a. Nutrition ? apart from really sticking to paleo, keeping track of the glycemic index of foodet, supplements and supplement contents, their impact on my insulin (sugar spikes are a no-no) are red flags I make sure to get more info and clearance on first before I buy/integrate them with my training.
b. Footwear (foot-care is a super important thing to really be wary of as an active diabetic) ? sizing has to be just right because as a diabetic, I really need to pay attention to foot-care: lotion, moisturizing, staying away from pedicures and foot spas and just generally taking care of my feet are important things to live with as a diabetic.

2. I believe diabetes slows down the healing process, how is this affecting you?
Diabetics are at a higher risk of amputations and other complications related to wounds because of two primary things: DM affects our blood flow (decrease in blood flow) and because we have neuropathy (reduced sensation in our hands and feet ? related to decreased blood flow as the feet and hands are at ?extreme? points of our bodies where veins usually have their end-points) we don?t immediately notice wounds or injuries to our feet and hands. So, as an athlete, I take extra care in choosing good footwear, making sure to clean and care for any cuts and bruises I get during training, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and just generally making sure my gym bag?s stocked with betadine and a cut-kit.

3. What are some of the techniques you are using to cope/manage your condition?
I really make sure to research and ask a lot of questions about my disease. I make sure my medication is properly spaced between training sessions and resting sessions: I can?t take my insulin shot and expect to WOD right after, for instance. Smarter choice in supplementation and just general foot care.

Foot care?s a pretty basic and important, but often ignored diabetic routine. Who wants to bother with their feet, right? ?Mas lalo na tayong mga lalaki!? So, yeah, you can say I have never had a foot-spa in about 10 years! A good relationship with my endocrinologist also really helps. Having a knowledgeable (and not relying on Google 90% of the time) expert to reach out to really helps.

I do shift work so I need to really take extra efforts in ensuring I get to sleep well has been really helpful in keeping my sugar levels in check (stress induces spikes in sugar levels), so I have black-out curtains at home. Lastly, investing in a glucose meter has been worth it with really keeping my sugar levels in check during the day and after my training sessions.

4. Did you know that Diabetics are 2x more susceptible to develop serious gum disease?
I?m not aware about the multiplier but that?s possible, due to DM our ability to fight bacterial infection including the bacteria that can invade our gums or the gum line is drastically decreased.
As I mentioned above, diabetics are of high risk of complications related to wounds, and gum infections is no exception, maintaining a good oral hygiene to support gum health is actually very simple for diabetics nowadays, just choose the right toothpaste!

Colgate actually has a product called Colgate Total Pro-Gum Health that is recommended for diabetics, it?s formulated to help fight harmful bacteria build-up that causes gum problems and promote gum health. Prevention is always key, don?t let you gums get infected in the first place.

***

It?s not easy to be a diabetic athlete, but as long as you have the proper discipline and the right knowledge, it should not prevent you from living a full and active life.

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I?m not dumbfounded, really. (Balloon Juice)

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Italy's president declines to resign, will stay to deal with crisis

By Giselda Vagnoni

ROME (Reuters) - Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Saturday ruled out standing down early to make way for new parliamentary elections, following the failure of attempts to form a government this week.

Napolitano, whose term ends on May 15, spoke after news reports suggested he might resign to get around constitutional provisions which prevent a president dissolving parliament and calling elections in the final months of his mandate.

The 87-year-old told reporters he would continue his efforts to break the deadlock since inconclusive elections last month that left no group able to form a government.

"I will continue until the last day of my mandate to do as my sense of national responsibility suggests, without hiding from the country the difficulties that I am still facing," he told reporters at his Quirinale palace.

He said he would ask two small groups of experts to formulate proposals for institutional and social and economic reforms that could be supported by all political parties.

But he acknowledged that he had limited scope to force the divided parties to find a way out of political situation that he said was "frozen between irreconcilable positions".

Napolitano met leaders of the main parties on Friday to try to find a way out of the stalemate, which has created deep uncertainty just as the Cyprus banking crisis has revived fears about the stability of the euro zone.

However with all of the three main groups in parliament clinging to entrenched positions that have prevented a majority being formed in parliament, hopes of a solution that would prevent the need to go back to the polls have faded.

Center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani, whose party controls the lower house but does not have a majority in the Senate, failed to win enough support to form a government from any of the other parties during a week of talks.

He rejected demands by center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi for a cross-party coalition deal that would give the scandal-plagued former prime minister a share in power and the right to decide Napolitano's successor.

Both Berlusconi's group and the populist 5-Star Movement led by ex-comic Beppe Grillo have also ruled out a new technocrat government like the one led by outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti, blocking what appears to be the only other option.

IRRECONCILABLE

With investors mindful of the 2011 debt crisis that brought down Berlusconi's last government, the gridlock has fed worries about Italy's ability to confront an economic crisis that has fuelled rising social tensions and disillusion with its political class.

Napolitano's pledge to stay on appears to rule out the threat of a power vacuum with weeks of uncertainty until new elections, which would have to be called within 70 days of parliament being dissolved.

He stressed that Prime Minister Mario Monti retained full authority at the head of a caretaker administration until a new government can be formed.

Whether or not that can happen, parliament will soon have to begin preparations to vote for a new president either to oversee the first steps of a new government or early elections.

The election of the head of state, by a joint sitting of parliament and representatives from the regions, is likely to cause another bitter fight between the three main blocs which have become increasingly hostile to each other since the election.

A person close to the situation told Reuters on Saturday that Napolitano had considered resigning and the apparently coordinated leak of his thinking to newspapers may have been a move to increase pressure on the parties to secure a deal.

With bond markets closed for the Easter break, investors have been left on the sidelines but a poorly received auction of mid- and long-term debt last week underlined the danger if the crisis drags on.

Italy has been in deep recession for more than a year, with record unemployment, especially among the young and a 2-trillion-euro ($2.6-trillion) public debt that is dangerously exposed to swings on international bond markets.

Economy Minister Vittorio Grilli, responding to questions about market rumors of a ratings downgrade, told reporters on Thursday he had no knowledge of any imminent decision by Moody's to cut Italy's sovereign debt rating.

Moody's already rates Italy only two notches above "junk" grade, partly due to the uncertain political outlook.

(Writing by James Mackenzie; editing by Barry Moody)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/italy-president-could-resign-allow-election-source-083108238--business.html

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