John Pilger - The Perils of Privatisation

MaritimeUnion | April 02, 2009 - Award winning author, journalist and documentary film maker John Pilger gives a candid account of the perils of privatisation threatening Sydney's Ferry Service.

Inside Job : a documentary on US Economic collapse.

Inside Job Examines Economic Collapse

VOAvideo | December 17, 2010 - More than two years after the U.S. government approved the $700 billion emergency bailout for the financial system, unemployment is high and housing foreclosures are still a cause for concern. Charles Ferguson's documentary "Inside Job," takes a hard look at the causes of the 2008 financial meltdown and warns there could be another recession if the Obama administration is not tougher on the U.S. banking sector and businesses it considers "too big to fail."

Currency War EURO attacked! to retain USD as world's reserved currency.

• RussiaToday | December 17, 2010 - EU leaders meeting in Brussels have agreed to set up a permanent mechanism to save Eurozone economies sinking in debt. They promised to do "whatever is required" to safeguard the common currency. William Engdahl, an economist and author thinks the Union needs a lot of political will to bring the crisis under control and keep the common currency going.

Gender-conomics, Race-conomics, Age-conomics & recession .

The Recession is also a Mancession

TheRealNews | December 16, 2010 - Nancy Folbre: Men Are Loosing Jobs Faster Than Women.

QE allows Financial Capitalist to devour BRIC Countries.

Why Government is More Afraid of Debt than Depression

TheRealNews | December 16, 2010 - Michael Hudson: Deficit Hawks Want a One Two Punch Against the Economy.

Lowering Workers' Wages is the Objective

TheRealNews | December 14, 2010 - Leo Panitch: Big Business opposed to government jobs programs, as their objective is to drive wages down through fear and global competition

Money - the basis was questionable & under Obama its ain't a clean system either!

A World Upside Down? Deficit Fantasies in the Great Recession

TheRealNews | December 13, 2010 - Robert Johnson: Austerity and stagnation real risk to debt-to-GDP ratio.

FINANCE REFORM BILL HELPS 5 BIG BANKS.

TheRealNews | August, 2010 - Jane D'Arista:
1. Bill put some brakes on speculation but will strengthen monopolization of sector:
2. Bill does not take on the Federal Reserve.
3. No Public Option for Finance Reform?





Did the bank won? I think so with QE2!

Financial Crisis :: How it happens & why?

A close look at the devastating effects globally:

The God of Money - How & Why America weakened the only potential rival as the world reserved currency, the EURO!

The German banks played casino with Wall Street and now demand austerity from Greece. US fights to maintain dollar hegemony at expense of economy.

A revolution in the requirement of financial reporting is needed :

:: Who Benefits From Austerity ::

TheRealNews | December 08, 2010 - James Crotty: What Does Wall St. Want Out of Austerity and What Benefits Does it Gain From a Small Government?

"ONLY THE SUPER-RICH CAN SAVE US"

TheRealNews | July 13, 2010 - In Ralph Nader's book a few American billionaires want to return power to the people - a work of fiction.

Play back a 2009 Video :: US was facing apocalypcal economic collapse? What will Obama do?

RussiaToday | May 04, 2009 - The world economy is not only showing few signs of recovery, but we are also looking at the end of the American century, according to German author and economist William Engdahl.

Europe curing the symptoms not punishing the culprits, the politicians & bankers.

RussiaToday | December 07, 2010 - The French are promising a new way to vent their anger over the handling of the economic crisis. In place of mass streets protests and crippling strikes, there's a revolutionary call for people to withdraw their life savings from banks. Christoph Hoerstel, a political and business consultant from Potsdam also agrees that the system doesn't work properly and suggests that countries which can't afford the Euro need to get out of the eurozone.

Eric Cantona (former MU striker) Run on the bank in Paris:

ERIC CANTONA "KILL THE BANKS" (A MUST SEE)!

pierre1024 | November 15, 2010 - Enamored by all of the "Conspiracy Theory doom & gloom"? Hanging on to every word AJ and other alarmists put out? No problem, we've all been through it.

The good news is that in addition to waking up and getting informed there is also another thing you can do and that is to ACT!

Something that a lot of the prophets of doom & gloom forget to tell you is you are not some insignificant powerless dupe that has to put up with all the nonsense

In the words of one of the worlds greatest soccer players of all time Eric Cantona, "Kill the Banks!

Bank Run: Eric Cantona Fans withdraw cash from accounts in France

RussiaToday | December 07, 2010 - A group of activists in Paris emptied their bank accounts on Tuesday after a call by football icon Eric Cantona to protest against practices by leading banks. About a dozen activists from French anti-capitalist group "Save the rich" marched in Paris on Tuesday and withdrew money from a branch of Societe Generale. The protesters, dressed in yellow and black prisoners costumes or neon green wigs and boas, then opened accounts with a nearby branch of Credit Cooperatif bank. Activist groups have seized on a call by former France and Manchester United star Cantona in October for depositors to empty their bank accounts.

Bangladesh :: Remittance income eclipse all Aids put together.

Economy crisis hits food industry

AlJazeeraEnglish | December 06, 2010 - The strain of the global economic crisis is affecting the Asian food industry in the UK.

Dualism in EU Economy :

PressTVGlobalNews | November 30, 2010 - EU leaders are scrambling to restore confidence in the state of the eurozone, but many still remain skeptical.

Press TV's Yaldaz Sadakova reports from Brussels.

Irish Nightmare Economy - boom to burst.

TheRealNews | November 29, 2010





- Leo Panitch: U.S. created financial crisis and European banks turned the Irish Miracle into a nightmare.

Ireland :: what American Media Said.

STRATFORvideo | November 22, 2010 - Analyst Marko Papic examines the EU-IMF bailout of Ireland and the opportunities it may present for Germany.

Dispatch: The Irish Bailout and Germany's Opportunity







GRITtv: The F Word: Solving the Irish Crisis

lauraflanders | November 23, 2010 - The financial crisis in Ireland is leading to a political crisis on the heels of a bailout and more "austerity measures." The coalition that currently rules is falling apart, the Green Party detaching from the prime minister's Fianna Fail party, and elections loom.

But just as in colonial days, the "Irish problem" is really a problem from outside. Ireland wouldn't need "help" if it hadn't been robbed by multinationals. Distributed by Tubemogul.

World Business: Ireland's Struggling Economy

worldbusiness | November 25, 2010 - World Business: Ireland, once one of Europe's hottest economies is in a sorry state. Laden with debt, but desperate to avoid asking for help from the IMF and EU, the country has to take drastic action. With four companies going bust every day, and unemployment soaring, it will take all the luck of the Irish to get out of this economic mess.

After Ireland: who will collapse next?

france24english | November 24, 2010 - TALKING POINTS - After Ireland: who will collapse next?
After days of uncertainty, Ireland has finally called Europe to the rescue. With its banks on the brink of collapse and its budget deficit skyrocketing, the government had no choice but ask the European Union and the IMF for financial help. Will the euro come under fire from global financial markets?

Ireland's :: a case of an elite intent on total control.

. . . .the battle line is between an elite intent on total control, and the masses of people who should have the right to govern their own lives.

'European Debt Union: Ireland in Euro Cage'

RussiaToday | November 22, 2010 - Rt discusses Irish bailout with British conservative MP Douglas Carswell.

'Irish bailout a gamble, Eurozone days numbered'

RussiaToday | November 22, 2010 - Debt-stricken Ireland WILL receive a massive bailout of over a hundred billion dollars from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. It's the second emergency rescue package organized by the Eurozone, after similar measures were taken for Greece. RT talks to Sam Bowman, head of research at the Adam Smith Institute in London.

Max Keiser - "Financial Terrorists Taking Ireland Down!"

Tressco | November 16, 2010 - If Europe's single currency fails, so would the Union itself. The warning comes from the EU president, who was speaking ahead of the meeting of the Eurozone's finance ministers. Portugal has warned it could be forced out of the Eurozone, and Ireland is also being urged to use European bailout money to prevent bankruptcy. But Financial analyst Max Keiser says going to the IMF for help would be even worse...

Malaysia Household Debt now at RM560b - 77% of GDP.

BNM reported Household debt at RM560b - 77% of GDP
Asean Financial Crisis 1997 household was at circa 60% of GDP
Creditors Category more than 70% housing loans.

Hutang isi rumah membimbangkan :: Cause of concerned - household debts.







Bajet 2011 abai masalah hutang isi rumah :: 2010 budget did not look into household debts.

Communist China Raises Key Interest Rate. . . and bailout

. . . America as Money Pours Into the Greenback.

FinancialNewsOnline | October 19, 2010 - The safe-harbor dollar gained sharply across the board Tuesday after China surprised investors by raising its key interest rates in an effort to ease the nation's rapid economic growth, raising the possibility of a potential slowdown.

The surge the greenback is receiving is in direct opposition to recent trends, as it has been under pressure with investors expecting further quantitative easing by the Fed.

The news also led investors to blow out of positions in commodities like oil and gold as concern regarding slowing Chinese growth could lead to a decline in demand for the commodities.

New Zealand sheep farming industry facing crisis:

AlJazeeraEnglish | November 19, 2010 - The price of lamb has been hitting record highs around the world but in New Zealand, sheep farmers say the industry is in crisis.

A series of droughts was followed by spring storms earlier this year, resulting in the country's lowest lamb yield in nearly 50 years.

Al Jazeera's Gerald Tan reports from the farming belt of Napier on the North Island.

America initiated Global "money laundering" of the highest order!

TheRealNews | November 18, 2010 - Parasitical Capital Not Lack of Gold the Problem - Jane D'Arista: Discusses Head of World Bank suggestion return of gold standard is grasping at straws.

China in Latin America : The Dragon in the Room

TheRealNews | November 16, 2010 - Kevin Gallagher: Chinese investment in resources creating lopsided economy in Latin America.

World Bank Says Remittances Growing Again.

VOAvideo | November 15, 2010 - The World Bank says that the amounts of money that people who live outside their countries of birth are transfering home to developing countries is again on the rise after a steep decline during the recession. Mil Arcega tells us about it.

Hot Money Creating Havoc in Global Economy.

TheRealNews | November 12, 2010 - Kevin Gallagher: Countries Using Capital Controls to Defend Against Speculators:

FOOD-INFLATION-GOLD

rocksiphone | November 09, 2010 - Inflation Gold Silver Food Prices Rising

G20: The Dollar System as Reserved is Broken!

RussiaToday | November 12, 2010 - With William Engdahl, The G20 has agreed to work to prevent currency wars, which could threaten global trade growth. b The summit in Seoul was overshadowed by tensions between the U.S. and major exporters China and Germany. The countries have been accusing each other of manipulating currency rates.

American Naked Capitalism - QE2, G20 & the currency wars!

Naked Capitalism's Yves Smith: Banks to Cash In on QE2 "Carry Trade" - Fed's 600 B quantitative easing may well make more profits for bankers. Kevin Gallagher: Quantitative easing forces crippling cost on developing countries.

America & G20

US Fed Policy Complicates G20 Summit :

VOAvideo | November 10, 2010 - Concerns about an impending currency war are being stoked again as leaders gather in South Korea for a meeting of the world's top 20 economies. At issue -- the Federal Reserve's plan to pump 600 billion dollars of additional liquidity to jump-start the sluggish U.S. economy. Some analysts say the U.S. plan will hurt emerging markets by driving other currencies higher, scuttling hopes for a multilateral agreement on many trade issues. Mil Arcega reports.

Obama defends economic policies ahead of G20 summit:

AlJazeeraEnglish | November 10, 2010 - World leaders have arrived in South Korea's capital Seoul to take part in the two-day G-20 summit, which kicks off on Thursday.

The meeting of finance ministers and other official representatives of the world's 20 largest economic powers comes amid deep divisions in the bloc, particularly over the US Federal Reserve's decision last week to buy $600b of government bonds. The buyout seeks to boost the world's largest economy, but critics say it will weaken the dollar to the detriment of other nations.

A day before his arrival in Seoul on Wednesday, Barack Obama, the US president, sent a letter to the G-20 leaders defending his economic policies.

"A strong recovery that creates jobs, income and spending is the most important contribution the United States can make to the global recovery," Obama said.He also called for countries to work together in pacing the global economic recovery."When all nations do their part, emerging no less than advanced, surplus no less than deficit, we all benefit from higher growth," the president said.

Does the IMF help or hurt the poor nations?

Riz Khan, AlJazeeraEnglish : October 09, 2010 - As countries around the world struggle to emerge from the global economic crisis, are institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) part of the problem - or the solution? Critics accuse the organisation of pushing poorer nations deeper into debt and poverty through its conditional loans.

America is Seeing Red:

US slams China in major smear campaign.

RussiaToday | November 01, 2010 - China's emergence as a major economic superpower has raised concern among policymakers in Washington. They fear Beijing's rise could result in a U.S. fall. But the trade wars between the two have some experts saying that America is out to bankrupt China's rising economy.

China, Russia & Iran: Scapegoats for Con-men?

RussiaToday | November 09, 2010 - An improvised Chinese Bogeyman is dawning on the U.S. - thanks to a rising wave of sentiment in Washington. Officials warn the portrayal of Beijing as an enemy could spark a risky trade war with America's biggest creditor. But as RT's Gayane Chichakyan reports, it is not just China being used to spook the US.

American foreign policy - A global nutty twist?

America is trying to influence others, probably "arm twisting" included, such as Turkey, a bug time trading partner of Iran to cease trading with Iran.

Banned Iranian pistachios a boon for US farmers :

AlJazeeraEnglish | November 06, 2010 - US pistachio farmers are reaping the benefits of a ban on Iranian pistachios, which are included in the latest round of sanctions against the country for refusing to curtail its nuclear activities. Rob Reynolds reports from California.

How international businesses see the US sanctions against Iran:

Does a Higher Minimum Wage Reduce Jobs? US Experience.

TheRealNews | October 07, 2010 - Dube: New study shows higher minimum wage has little effect on jobs and helps raise other wages & Do Undocumented Workers Take Jobs and Lower Wages? October 13, 2010 - Dube: Increasing evidence that legalizing undocumented workers has a positive effect on the economy.

No Rain, No Grain: Who makes money on 'food crisis' fears?

RussiaToday | September 06, 2010 - The international community's worried this year's low wheat harvest may not meet demand. Drought-stricken Russia, a major global supplier, has decided it won't be exporting any grain until the end of next year's harvest. But as RT's Staci Bivens reports, fears of a global food crisis may be exaggerated by some looking to make a profit...

India's soaring economy hurts poor.

AlJazeeraEnglish | November 01, 2010 - Property in India's financial capital Mumbai is among the most expensive in the world.

But the high demand for housing is coming at a cost to the poor. Families of Dharavi slum are being evicted to make way for billion-dollar apartment developments.

Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri reports from Mumbai.

G 20 CURRENCIES fixed

USA flooding the world with greenbacks is causing havocs!

Ancient Italian Town Turns Against Chinese Migrants.

VOAvideo | October 23, 2010 - An estimated 40,000 Chinese, both legal residents and illegals, are living in the Italian town of Prato, not far from Florence. They constitute a quarter of the town's population and are one of the biggest concentrations of Chinese in Europe. Most come from one town in China, Wenzhou near Shanghai. Nearly all are involved in manufacturing textiles and cheap clothes on a huge scale - producing up to one million garments a day. In recent months, tensions in Prato between Italian residents and the Chinese have spiked with accusations that the migrants aren't playing by the rules. Henry Ridgwell visited this town in the heart of Tuscany confronting the reality of a globalized world.

China's Rare Earths Leverage

Dispatch STRATFORvideo | October 20, 2010 - Analyst Matt Gertken examines the geopolitical ramifications of China constricting exports of rare earth elements for its own economic reasons.

UK budgets cuts vs US stimulus spending.

Counting the Cost - Anarchy in the UK?

AlJazeeraEnglish | October 23, 2010 - We look at George Osborne's budget cuts for the UK and explore the notion of spending versus austerity.

Chinese economic model replacing Washington consensus.

Read full report :

Currency war!

China yuan warning ahead of US currency report

Countries including the US have accused China of keeping the yuan artificially low

The US should not use the weak yuan as a "scapegoat" for its own economic problems, a Chinese government spokesman has said.

At a regular briefing, commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said China would continue to reform its currency policy, but at its own pace.

The US government has delayed a report - which was expected on Friday - which could officially brand China a "currency manipulator".

Despite criticism, the US has so-far stopped short of that formal move.

Read full report:-

'Euro sheer lunacy, get national money back'.

RussiaToday | October 13, 2010 - It is not the people of Germany but rather the political class, that wants to support the euro, said business consultant and author, Professor Max Otte. "The political class almost unanimously wants it supported. There are some dissidents, but it is part of the German reason of state that we are good Europeans, we are good citizens of the world," he said. "We forgot that Germany also has national interests of its own. Of course, we should cooperate. Of course, we should be good partners, but we do not have to do everything. The political class is firmly behind the euro, so in this case it does not matter what the population is thinking."

US weddings halted by poor economy & UK Austerity.

AlJazeeraEnglish | October 05, 2010 - Wedding ceremonies are usually big business in the United States. More than $70 billion dollars are spent on average per year on the glamourous occasion in the country.

But in the current economic climate, almost half of American adults have decided to put off a walk down the aisle in hopes for a more promising future that will let them fulfill their ideal wedding experience.

John Terret reports from Washington DC, the US capital

Euro Doom? Germany wants Deutschmark back:

RussiaToday | September 25, 2010 - In spring indebted nations such as Greece, Portugal and Spain nearly dragged the Euro zone into the abyss. It was only a seven hundred and fifty billion Euro bailout package that maintained the shaky balance. But many experts still believe what we've witnessed, is the beginning of the end. Some of them have gathered in Berlin. RT's Laura Emmett talks to Jurgen Elsasser, one of the organizers of the Euro conference.

Mozambique’s Food Riots Are the True Face of Global Warming

Thirteen people died and hundreds were wounded last week in the African nation of Mozambique when police cracked down on a three-day protest over a 30 percent hike in the price of bread. The UN says the riots in Mozambique should be a wake-up call for governments that have ignored food security problems since the global food crisis of 2008, when countries around the world saw angry protests in the streets over the rising prices of basic food items. We speak with author and activist Raj Patel. 

Democracynow.org

To cover losses due to Mexico Gulf oil spills

BP May Sell Venezuela Oil Stakes to Russian Venture.

BP said July 27 it plans to dispose of as much as $30 billion in assets in the next 18 months, after reporting a record second-quarter loss because of the costs of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. BP is in talks with TNK-BP over the sale of a $1 billion package of Venezuelan projects, the Times reported earlier today, without saying where it got the information.

“TNK-BP views this as an opportunity to further develop its international business portfolio and expand its presence in Venezuela,” TNK-BP spokesman Nikolay Gorelov said by e-mail today.

The Moscow-based company, which is half owned by BP, supports moves by the U.K. company to “strategically realign” its asset base in Venezuela and is examining the opportunity, Gorelov said.

Read more from Bloomberg Business 

Targeting Women - the "unbanked" by The Microfinance monghuls.

AlJazeeraEnglish | December 28, 2008 - In contrast to the global financial crash, one area of banking seems to be thriving. Microfinance institutions are continuing to grow based on their record for low risk and solid returns. But at the same time, there are now 2.1 billion people in the world who are "unbanked."

to Vid 2

Keeping the British Pound.

AlJazeeraEnglish - Inside Story | July 06, 2010 - To keep or to ditch the British Pound has been an ongoing debate in the UK since the introduction of the Euro, over a decade ago. The current eurozone crisis could result in an even more Euro - resistant UK. Was it a wise decision to stay out of the eurozone in the first place?

G20 - TORONTO: Each country to decide on own deficit policy

TORONTO G20 - THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

TheRealNews | June 28, 2010 | Are extraordinary police powers and cuts to people's safety net the G20 plan for the future?

David Cameron and Barack Obama at G20

itnnews | June 28, 2010 - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, David Cameron and the US President on financial commitments made at the G20 meeting in Canada.

Thai drought threatens rice exports

June 27, 2010 | Thailand is the world's number one exporter of rice providing one third of the world's total supply. But the country is suffering from the worst drought in 20 years, and that could have consequences for the entire economy.

Al Jazeera's Aela Callan reports from northern Thailand.

World Cup: what's next for the workers?

france24english — June 07, 2010 — SOUTH AFRICA - With the World Cup just a week away, the construction of South Africa's stadiums, airports and roads has nearly come to a close. Yet while millions of soccer fans are just gearing up for the games, nearly 400,000 of South Africa's workers are finding themselves newly unemployed.

US Meltup

InflationUS — May 13, 2010 | The beginning of a U.S. currency crisis and hyperinflation.

Riba the untold story

Riba the untold story

View more presentations from Fuqaha.

Euro on way to a crash?

TheRealNews — April 22, 2010 — Jayati Ghosh: The future of the eurozone itself is now at stake

She is one of the founders of the Economic Research Foundation in New Delhi and is on the board of various other social research organizations. Since 2002 she has been the Executive Secretary of International Development Economics Associates (IDEAS), an international network of heterodox development economists www.networkideas.org. She was the Chairperson of the Commission on Farmers’ Welfare in 2004 constituted by Andhra Pradesh Government. She continues to be closely involved in working with progressive organizations and social movements.

IMF proposes two new bank taxes

itnnews — April 21, 2010 — The IMF have proposed two new taxes to cover the costs of any future bank bailouts.

Islamic Microfinance – An overview.

IslamOnline - Islamic Finance | 15 March 2010 - Micro-finance as a means of offering basic banking and small loans to those typically unable to gain such services in the mainstream finance markets was pioneered by Bangladeshi economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Dr Yunus was awarded the Nobel Prize for his immense contribution in poverty alleviation of Bangladesh.

Islamic Microfinance Contracts

Micro Islamic or Sharia compatible products use the same contracts and methods as traditional mainstream Islamic Banking.

Counting the Cost - Insurance industry jitters.

March 06, 2010 | AJazeeraEnglish - There have been some interesting movements in insurance in the last week or so, most notably the impending purchase of AIG's Asian business by British giant Prudential. Counting the Cost looks at the impact this news has had on Prudential's share price. Plus, why the slogan "the car in front is a Toyota" really could not be truer in Middle East.

Prudential PLC Explores Bid For Asian Arm Of AIG.

(Feb. 28, 2010, -AP) Prudential PLC, Britain's largest life insurer, is exploring a bid for the Asian life-insurance arm of American International Group Inc., according to media reports Saturday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter it did not name, reported a deal could come in a week. Prudential would pay with a mixture of cash and stock, but the terms are still being negotiated, it reported. Talks of a deal were first reported by Sky News.

1Malaysia - People first being cheated!

 One from my mailbox

 

1 MALAYSIA SENTIASA DITIPU...

 
Kenapa Proton tak jual harga macam kat Arab Saudi?
Apa istimewanya orang Arab?

Kata ”Rakyat didahulukan”…..
Kenapa orang Arab lebih diutamakan?

Haaaa…..Jawapannya ialah…..Pemilik Proton di Malaysia semuanya dah kena tipu …

Harga Persona kat Saudi  = SR 36,100
Harga Gen2 kat Saudi = SR 33,600
Harga Waja kat Saudi = SR  37,950

1 Saudi Riyal = RM 0.94

Key Asian markets fall after US Fed raises discount rate

Friday, 19 February 2010  |  KUALA LUMPUR the edge : Key Asian markets fell at the midday break today, with Hong Kong the most affected after the US Federal Reserve unexpectedly raised its discount rate to 0.75% from 0.5%.

Though the FBM KLCI seemed the least affected by the rate-hike news, heavyweight Genting Bhd, Genting Malaysia and the call warrants of Genting Singapore extended their losses from the previous day.

Survey shows prices have shot up.

Sun, Feb 7, 2010 | PENANG: A survey by the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) has revealed that the prices of essential items like lentils, mung beans, garlic and brown sugar have increased to between 50 and 140 percent over the past four months.

CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said garlic registered the highest increase, from RM2.50 to RM6 a kilogramme.

Bank of America sued over Merrill Lynch bailout

Thursday, 4 February 2010 | Legal action has begun against Bank of America and its former bosses, accusing them of duping investors and taxpayers during the takeover of Merrill Lynch.

The defendants are accused of intentionally withholding details of huge losses Merrill was suffering.

WEF 2010 - Rethinking Market Capitalism

February 02, 2010  |  A sudden global recession, massive government bail-outs and a steep loss of public trust in corporations have forced a re-examination of the spirit and structure of capitalism.

What elements of market capitalism should be rethought? FORUM 28.01.2010

1.  Herman Gref, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sberbank, Russian Federation; Global Agenda Council on the Future of Russia

2.  H.R.H. Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Economic Development Board of Bahrain

3. Guy Ryder, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Belgium

4. Tony Tan Keng-Yam, Chairman, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, Singapore

5. Ben J. Verwaayen, Chief Executive Officer, Alcatel-Lucent, France

6. Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman, Investor AB, Sweden; Global Agenda Council on the Future of Long-term Investing

Kraft Foods completes Cadbury takeover .

Tuesday, 2 February 2010 | US firm Kraft Foods has sealed its takeover of Cadbury after shareholders in the UK chocolate maker voted in favour of the deal.

Cadbury said it had received valid acceptances of the offer from investors representing 71.7% of the firm.

Kraft chief executive Irene Rosenfeld said: "I warmly welcome Cadbury employees into the Kraft Foods family."

Cadbury chocolate takeover deal.

Gordon Brown has been criticised after it was revealed the taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland is funding the takeover of Cadbury by a US company.

(18 January, 2010)  British chocolate-maker Cadbury has been swallowed up by the US food giant Kraft for just under $20 billion.

Kraft has been trying to take control of Cadbury for some time now, and this improved offer seems to have sealed the deal.

IMF head in 'double-dip' global economy warning

Monday, 18 January 2010 | The International Monetary Fund head has warned that the global economy could experience another downturn - a so-called double dip recession.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (picture) said countries should not exit from stimulus packages that have bolstered growth through huge amounts of government spending.

Greece faces New Year debt woes

With the global economy still struggling, the Greek government insists there is no danger of the country defaulting on its debt and needing a bail-out from partners in the euro zone.

It comes after panic hit the Athens stock exchange in December, when leading agencies downgraded Greeces credit rating after a sharp rise in the deficit.

Zimbabwe eyes tourism revival

Zimbabweans are hoping a steady return of tourists will help jolt its economy towards recovery.With the Victoria Falls as one of its major attractions, the country had 1.4 visitors in 1999.

But numbers took a plunge in 2000 following unrest related to the land-redistribution policy implemented by President Robert Mugabe. Now they are slowly bouncing back, but the country still has a long way to go to become a major tourist destination again.