Corruption Perceptions Index: Transparency International Public outcry at corruption, impunity and economic instability sent shockwaves around the world in 2011. Protests in many countries quickly spread to unite people from all parts of society. Their backgrounds may be diverse, but their message is the same: more transparency and accountability is needed from our leaders. The 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that public frustration is well founded. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories according to their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The 2011 index draws on assessments and opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions. “This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor. Public sector governance that puts the interests of its citizens first is a responsibility that transcends borders. If we work together, the situation shown by this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index can improve.
Measuring GDP Gross domestic product, GDP, is defined as the total value of all goods and services produced within that territory during a given year. GDP is designed to measure the market value of production that flows through the economy. Includes only goods and services purchased by their final users, so GDP measures final production.Counts only the goods and services produced within the country's borders during the year, whether by citizens or foreigners.Excludes financial transactions and transfer payments since they do not represent current production.Measures both output and income, which are equal. Distinguish between GDP and Gross National product GNP[edit] GDP differs from Gross National Product (GNP), in excluding inter-country income transfers, in effect attributing to a territory the product generated within it rather than the incomes received in it. Essentially, GNP = GDP + NFP Real GDP and Nominal GDP[edit] Relation between Real GDP and Nominal GDP[edit] 1. 2. In this approach, Thus, 3. 1.
Nazi Gold: The Merkers Mine Treasure Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives and Records AdministrationPrologue Page Spring 1999, vol. 31, no. 1 By Greg Bradsher Late on the evening of March 22, 1945, elements of Lt. During April 4 and 5, displaced persons in the vicinity interrogated by the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) personnel of the Ninetieth Infantry Division mentioned a recent movement of German Reichsbank gold from Berlin to the Wintershal AG's Kaiseroda potassium mine at Merkers. Early the next morning, two military policemen guarding the road entering Keiselbach from Merkers saw two women approaching and promptly challenged and stopped them. By noon on April 6 the women's story had reached Lt. With this evidence, Russell requested that the 712th Tank Battalion be ordered to proceed to Merkers to guard the entrances to the mine. Russell also that afternoon told a XII Corps G-5 officer what was going on at the mine site, and word was passed on to the Corps Commander Maj. At 10 a.m. Top of Page
Democracy Index The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy index map for 2012. Greener colours represent more democratic countries. Insufficient information, not rated The Democracy Index is an index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, that measures the state of democracy in 167 countries, of which 166 are sovereign states and 165 are United Nations member states. The index is based on 60 indicators grouped in five different categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. Methodology[edit] As described in the report,[1] the democracy index is a weighted average based on the answers of 60 questions, each one with either two or three permitted alternative answers. The questions are distributed in the five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. Changes from 2010 to 2011 and 2012[edit] Democracy index by region[edit]
The Eurozone debt crisis: Facts and myths Like any crisis, the new one generates myriads of misguided comments and reactions by journalists, financiers and policymakers. Ten myths that are frequently heard clash with ten facts that are frequently overlooked. Myth 1: Greece is bankrupt. Fact 1: There is no reason for the Greek government to default. Fact 2: This crisis started as a panic reaction to fears of default but, as usual, some market players now also bet on a default. Myth 2: Greece is being singled out because it cheated repeatedly. Myth 3: The Greek government is particularly vulnerable because its debt is widely held internationally, in contrast with the Japanese debt. Fact 3: The monetary union is an agreement to take monetary policy out of national sovereignty. Myth 4: This is a euro crisis, which could result in a breakup of the monetary union. Fact 4: A debt default by the Greek government, on its own, would be a non-event. Myth 5: Contagion, already under way, would be destructive. Eichengreen, Barry (2007).
The Bahá'ís: Who is Bahá’u’lláh? Bahá’u’lláh is recognized by millions throughout the world as the Messenger of God for this age. The Bahá’í Faith is founded on His teachings. Born in 1817 to a prominent family in Iran, He showed from childhood an unusual intellectual precocity, although unschooled in the kind of learning prevalent in 19th century Iran; He demonstrated, too, a particular devotion to relief of the condition of the poor. His given name was Mírza Husayn ‘Alí, but He identified Himself as Bahá’u’lláh, which means “Glory of God,” a title by which He was addressed by His Forerunner, the Báb. Because of His teachings, He was banished into an exile, eventually lasting forty years, that took Him to the Holy Land. Links The Life of Bahá’u’lláh A photographic narrative about the life of the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita Countries by 2013 GDP (nominal) per capita.[1] This is a list of countries sorted by their gross domestic product per capita at nominal values. This is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, converted at market exchange rates to current U.S. dollars, divided by the average (or mid-year) population for the same year. These figures should be used with caution. Non-sovereign entities (the world, the European Union, and some dependent territories) are included in the list because they appear in the sources. All data are in current United States dollars. Jump up ^ Based on the IMF figures. How Interest Rates Affect The U.S. Markets Changes in interest rates can have both positive and negative effects on the U.S. markets. When the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) changes the rate at which banks borrow money, this has a ripple effect across the entire economy. Below, we will examine how interest rates can have an effect on the economy as a whole, the stock and bond markets, inflation and recessions. Tutorial: Economics Indicators To Know How Interest Rates Affect SpendingWith every loan, there is a possibility that the borrower will not repay the money. To compensate lenders for that risk, there must be a reward: interest. The existence of interest allows borrowers to spend money immediately, instead of waiting to save the money to make a purchase. The Effect of Interest Rates on Inflation and RecessionsWhenever interest rates are rising or falling, you commonly hear about the federal funds rate. These changes can affect both inflation and recessions. Conversely, falling interest rates can cause recessions to end.
Achtiname of Muhammad The Ashtiname of Muhammad, also known as the Covenant or (Holy) Testament (Testamentum) of the Prophet Muhammad, is a document or ahdname which is a charter or writ allegedly ratified by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad granting protection and other privileges to the Christian monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery. It is sealed with an imprint representing Muhammad's hand.[1] Ashtiname (pronounced Āshtīnāmeh) is a Persian word consisting of two parts: آشتی (Āshtī) meaning Peace and نامه (nāmeh, nama) meaning Book or Letter and آشتینامه ('the Book of Peace') is the Persian word for Treaty and Covenant.[2] Document[edit] English Translation of the Ashtiname by Richard Peacocke[edit] English Translation of the Ashtiname by Anton F. This is a letter which was issued by Mohammed, Ibn Abdullah, the Messenger, the Prophet, the Faithful, who is sent to all the people as a trust on the part of God to all His creatures, that they may have no plea against God hereafter. [Haddad, Anton F., trans.
List of countries by GDP (nominal) This article includes a list of countries in the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP), the market value of all final goods and services from a nation in a given year. The GDP dollar estimates presented here are calculated at market or government official exchange rates. Several economies which are not considered to be countries (world, the EU, and some dependent territories) are included in the lists because they appear in the sources. The figures presented here do not take into account differences in the cost of living in different countries, and the results can vary greatly from one year to another based on fluctuations in the exchange rates of the country's currency. Some countries/regions may have citizens which are on average wealthy. The first list includes data compiled by the United Nations Statistics Division for 2012. (Click on one of the small triangles in the headings to re-order the list according to that category.)
Economic integration Economic integration is the unification of economic policies between different states through the partial or full abolition of tariff and non-tariff restrictions on trade taking place among them prior to their integration. This is meant in turn to lead to lower prices for distributors and consumers with the goal of increasing the combined economic productivity of the states. The trade stimulation effects intended by means of economic integration are part of the contemporary economic Theory of the Second Best: where, in theory, the best option is free trade, with free competition and no trade barriers whatsoever. Etymology[edit] In economics, the word integration was first employed in industrial organisation to refer to combinations of business firms through economic agreements, cartels, concerns, trusts, and mergers—horizontal integration referring to combinations of competitors, vertical integration to combinations of suppliers with customers. Objective[edit] Stages[edit] Notes[edit]
10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” – Ben Franklin, famously “Put no trust in the benefits to accrue from early rising, as set forth by the infatuated Franklin …” – Mark Twain By Leo Babauta Recently, reader Rob asked me about my habit of waking at 4:30 a.m. each day, and asked me to write about the health benefits of rising early, which I thought was an excellent question. Unfortunately, there are none, that I know of. However, there are a ton of other great benefits. Now, let me first say that if you are a night owl, and that works for you, I think that’s great. Greet the day. How to Become an Early Riser Don’t make drastic changes.
List of countries by military expenditures This article is a list of countries by military expenditure, the amount spent by a nation on its military in a given year. Military expenditure figures[2] are presented in US$ based on either constant or current exchange rates. These results can vary greatly from one year to another based on fluctuations in the exchange rates of each country's currency. Such fluctuations may change a country's ranking from one year to the next. Currently, the world's six largest military spenders are the United States, China,[3] Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan and France, all of whom are recognized as world powers. The UK, US, Russia, China and France are all veto-wielding permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The first list is based on the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2013 which includes a list on the world's top 15 military spenders in 2012, based on current market exchange rates. SIPRI Yearbook 2013 – World's top 15 military spenders[edit]
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