TRADE BLOC N ROLL A major trade war between the USA and EU looks on the cards after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) once again ruled against US corporate tax breaks. Companies like Boeing and Microsoft have been cashing in on "illegal subsidies" to the tune of $4 billion. So what's going on here is the US preaching free trade to the rest of the world, whilst stuffing the pockets of its own companies. This is the third time that the WTO have ruled against US subsidies. One influential US businessman said if this isn't sorted out "things could easily get out of hand". While Robert Zoellick, the US trade representative said this could unleash "a nuclear weapon on the trading system". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ...and finally... Lard of the Rings. Want to be an activist from beyond the grave? Want to avoid yoThe British Lard Marketing Board aim to change lard's bad image and promote the benefits of lard. Sneaky tricksters have set up a spoof website complete with a history of lard, lard merchandising and some exciting new recipe ideas, such as "Roulard: Take a block of lard from the fridge and roll it out to about half an inch thick. Sprinkle it with herbs, or parsley or grass cuttings. Roll it up. Looks and tastes delicious on the cheese tray at a posh dinner party." Alternatively lard has some non-culinary uses such as: "Lard is excellent for adding a danger element to Scalextric tracks - particularly those shiny-surfaced chicanes with the lumps either side." www.blmb.freeserve.co.uk/frameset.html.
