Sarkozy at the G8 Summit...DRUNK

So France's newly elected Premier, Nicolas Sarkozy, at the recent G8 summit...a little tipsy...check out the video.

So relations between France and the US are to be mended because of the similar views held be Bush and Sarkozy...well they've surely got one thing in common...they're both alcoholics.

Musharraf Puts New Controls On Pakistani Media

Musharraf's regime is facing more criticism than ever these days. Since Musharraf suspended Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the country has divulged into chaos. Mr. Chaudahry is now leading opposition.

So how do you control so much controversy and activism against you?.... you regulate the media...what a dip shit.

Musharraf hastily push through legislation while parliament wasn't even in session in order to put these new controls on media. The new controls extend beyond television to the Internet and broadcasts on mobile phones. There is also a new clause concerning "any foreign non-governmental organisation". It is not yet clear what this will mean.

This is pretty much Musharraf's way of controlling opposition towards him and his regime. Musharraf in the past has denounced media for broadcasting anything related to the opposition.

It is clear Musharraf is losing control and is acting in such a manner by implementing such harsh measures.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6719757.stm

Hong Kong to Develop a Commodities Derivatives Market

So as the boom has been here in the state over the past few years...commodities commodities commodities... this is where the future of the market lies, or at least a major portion of it.

The 70's was all about bonds, the 80's and 90's all about stocks and the emergence of private equity, today is all about futures and options within the commodities market.

Americans are generally pretty quick to catch on to trends in investing, hence the commercial forex boom of today. There are now even television commercials on trading forex.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd., which manages Asia's third largest stock market is now seeking to jump onto the band wagon and is seeking an advisor to set up such a market.

Whats so attractive in this market?? there is always a need for intermediary and raw goods, meaning this market will always flourish regardless of how the over all economy is doing. Beyond this smart investors and those knowledgeable and experienced in futures and options trading can always turn a profit regardless of market momentum and direction as long as one knows exactly when to move based on market volatility. By utilizing put and call options money can be made in both bear and bull markets.

When the Asian markets begin commodities trading as they soon will the market will be all that more powerful, which is great news for someone in my profession, an up and coming commodities broker.

Charles Taylor...No Show at the Hague

Ex Liberian President Charles Taylor failed to show up to his first trial by the ICC on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law.

Taylor supported the massacres in Sierra Leone while in office, as well as suppressing any sort of opposition in Liberia while arming various militias throughout Liberia, namely in the capital Monrovia.

While in office Taylor when ton lavish trips and safaris while at home his countrymen were impoverished.

Liberia, which looked to America for assistance during its most difficult days of fighting and chaos back in 2003, however the only relief America provided were troops to protect the US Embassy and ensure that the weekly shipments of beer were not disturbed, this was documented in a great piece titled "Liberia: An Uncivil War". Don't get me wrong, US efforts did not stop here, once the fighting stopped the US docked a aircraft carrier just off shore and evacuated all Americans.

So now Taylor is boycotting his trial...who does this clown think he is???

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6717485.stm

13 Still Locked Up 18 Years After Tiananmen Square Incident

A group named Chinese Human Rights Defenders claims there are still 13 people jailed from the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989. China claims it has significantly improved its stance on human rights, but 18 freakin years for things as minor as speaking against the government or what the party has dubbed "counter-revolutionary sabotage" a term that again can include things as minor as speaking up against the party.

If China is to improve its human rights record and repertoire it must make small moves such as letting these people free, maybe even publicly pardoning those involved in the Tiananmen Square massacre...perhaps an apology.

has yet to catch up. Yes China still has an China's economy is great and liberalized significantly over the past decade but the governmentofficial communist stance but if it is to be apart of the global community it must adhere to some of the global communities social norms concerning human rights, no?



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/05/wchina05.xml

As Copper And Nickel Prices Increase Indonesia Is Considering Taking Back Mines...

Over the past few months and even years there has certainly been an increase in demand for metals used in telecommunications including copper and nickel amongst various others. Indonesia has some of the worlds largest coal and copper mines and is now thinking resource preservation...a great move for any self interested state. Indonesia is stepping way from the idea of producing, or allowing foreign mining firms, to produce as much as possible.

There are talks that the government may develop a ministry to extract such materials...sounds very Sukarno-esque don't ya think?? regardless, its great for Indonesia as it is South East Asia's largest economy.

Indonesia is seeking 22 billion dollars of outside investment to keep their economy growing...can this be done through halting extraction...sure...though Indonesia isn't a highly developed economy and does rely very heavily on industry, it is a major hub of the region. Indonesia's financial establishments are gaining momentum as more and more people are looking towards investment in developing economies...

The disappointing thing here is that Indonesia will soon allow for a foreign firm to mine copper on the Island of Sulawesi...this is where the Penan live...an untouched society but this will no longer remain nor will the Islands prestine beauty...bummer.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ajH8sUmCI8no&refer=worldwide

A.Q. Khan...Worst Man EVER????

So Abdul Qadir Khan, a Pakistani who has been dubbed "the father of the Islamic Bomb" has been called the most wanted man, and the worst man on the face of the earth...by our very Condi.

AQ Khan was a nuclear scientist who headed Pakistan's nuclear program and is recovered there as a national hero...when India had the bomb he made it possible for Pakistan to also have the bomb.

So why is this man the devil??? because he is a genius businessman. AQ Khan essentially turned nuclear weapons into a marketable combo package if you will. Nuclear proliferation throughout the world is apparently in part due to Khan.

Khan not only sold plans for centrifuges but actually marketed and sold the components required to enrich weapons grade nuclear materials...the guy made tons.

Anyhow I can write about this guy for days and days but would rather not do this now...you can just Google him.

At the end of the day western pressure on Musharraf led him and Pakistani officials to try the man domestically, not in world criminal courts as many suggested. He now lives in a huge mansion outside Islamabad and is on a form of house arrest...but is still a national hero.