India has banned somking in public. This is a bold move. On the upside it will reduce deaths and illness from both passive and active smoking, will encourage healthier lifestyle and will also support a transition to a more enlightened social dynamic (as the “cowboy” image is depreciated). But it will not be easy to …
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Category:9 Regions
Get the right perspective.
So, the media leads with the headline that China’s economy slowed during the olympics because businesses were closed to help clear the atmosphere. But its important to get the detail. The rate of growth remains high. Far beyond what western economies are experiencing. industrial output growth of 12.8% in August retail sales up at an …
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Is the US economy really growing?
Today’s report of 1.9% annualised growth of the US economy in the second quarter is surprising. With virtual stagnation of property markets, dry credit and inflation it seems implausible that this growth is occurring. These numbers from the Department of Commerce are preliminary and may be downgraded. Many analysts, including us, believe that the US …
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Is Thailand beginning to set a good example?
Thaksin Shinawatra is going on trial. And it seems that judicial process might be getting institutional and popular backing. That would be a very positive sign that Thailand is maturing into a sophisticated society and economy. My experience with the judicial process a decade ago was not encouraging. And I doubt we’ll see a conviction. …
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California burning
Fire season in California is of to a hot start. Since June 20 over half a million acres have been consumed. The news hasn’t been as prevalent as last year because residential areas have not been so affected … yet – though 40 residences have been destroyed already. It is still early in the season …
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Changing Games in the Global Casino
Hazel Henderson has pioneered natural capitalism for several decades and writes tirelessly on the dysfunctioning of iniquitous economic systems. In mid-June she published a summary and analysis of current events which is reproduced below and on EthicalMarkets.com here. Changing Games in the Global Casino © Hazel Henderson, 2008 Ever since the 1980s when Britain’s Margaret …
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Natural power!
More than 55,000 people are known to have died in the earthquake that struck south-west China on 12 May, according to the vice-governor of Sichuan province. The earth quake in China has displaced more people (over 5 million) than the population of Ireland (where I live) and created new land features. These satellite pictures from …
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End of credit crunch …?
US Treasury Secretary thinks that it is the “end of the credit crunch“. It is likely that he said “peak” rather than “end”, or meant that anyway. And take that message with caution: yes this may be the peak of the unwinding of the US sub-prime mortgage mess, but unwinding will continue till year end. …
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Another Fed rate cut … how low can you go, Ben?
The US Fed cut again from 2.25% to 2%. Now is the time to be reducing rates. But they’ve already come down so much in the past 2-3 quarters, while behaviour of policy makers and fiduciaries remains behind the game. I’m sure Ben would like to have additional room to reduce rates in case stimulation …
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A chance for peace between Syria and Israel
There are reports that Israel is considering returning the Golan Heights to Syria in return for peace. The occupation of teh Golan Heights by Israel is the principal reason that peace talks broke down. It would be a milestone in Middle East diplomacy if Israel were to follow through on this idea and would raise …
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