| Stepping Beyond Civil Society: Prospects for the Multitudes of ...
The correlation between free market capitalism and the democratic organization of society through civil society institutions and their members is steadily declining. The post 9/11 political order, seen as an accelerated mode of democratically unchecked globalization, is marked by increased militarization and repression of social organizations and democratic rights. Increasingly traditional civil society is relegated to a marginal, merely nominal role in the greater scheme of things. The discussion of civil society, its roles, functions and relevance for social order might be near the final frontier of meaningful advances in a democracy under the spell of globalization. The concept of civil society has become fixated on representative democracy and subservient to established political elites and economic hierarchies.
A family worth meeting
Jokes range from suited frogs modeled after the hip jazz-band members from "Back to the Future" to more subtle bits of humor that appeal to older audiences. Don't forget the now-cult-like image of a Dinosaur bilingually complaining about the proportions of his arms and head (if you haven't seen the trailer, don't even bother trying to understand). The film is earnest enough that even the most cynical of students can find themselves loving the warm-hearted Robinson family and the optimistic, innovative nature of Disney's Tomorrow Land.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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Fijian Troops are "Rotated" to UN in Iraq through Limitless ...
One correspondent wondered, Why can't the UN respond and be transparent Another noted that Fijian troops are prized by the UN in part because many of them like to visit the Holy Land, and have done so on bus tours organized by Israel. Fiji, like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and others, makes money from its soldiers. On January 5, 2007, Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson if he would implement the statements of Kofi Annan on the use, or dis-use, of Fijian peacekeepers. "What was previously said, stands," the spokeswoman answered. Video here, from Minute 11:28. On April 3, 2007, Inner City Press asked the spokesperson to confirm or deny that Mr. Ban has changed this policy, and has told the head of the Commonwealth that "we need these troops." "I cannot confirm this at this point," the spokesperson said.
Low-hanging fruit: ripe or already gone?
With mobile markets in India and China generating growth in numbers that few can get their mind aroundbut offering revenue and market share that many are fighting to get their hands onits little wonder that the industry is looking farther afield for similar opportunities.
This just in: there are no other countries on Earth with populations in excess of one billion that currently are enjoying steady economic growth and, therefore, explosive demand for mobile handsets and services. But a combination of factors points to several large, prospering nations as the next battleground for rapid growth in handset shipments.
Whether those factorstheres conventional wisdom as well as caveats and qualifiersfavor the large multinational handset vendors or the multitude of smaller players may depend on the scale needed for success.
AND JESUS SPOKE
Over the last five years Spain has become one of the largest contributors to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Jamaica, investing some US$1.5 billion during that period mainly through the hotel sector. This first wave of Spanish investment has alerted other Spanish companies who are keen to set up shop on the rock. This new influx of Spanish investment will not solely concentrate on the tourism sector but will include pharmaceuticals, energy/petrochemical and housing.
Last month the Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had a successful meeting in Madrid with Spain's largest private sector body, the Spanish Confederation of Entrepreneurial Organisations. At that meeting many companies outside of the tourism sector expressed an interest in investing in Jamaica. Speaking at that special meeting the Prime Minister said:
"The impact of Spanish tourism investment on our island is enormous in terms of potential foreign exchange earnings, economic and regional diversification and employment generation.
Finance ministry maintains GDP projection
CHIANG MAI -- Thailand's revised economic growth projection for 2007 by the World Bank, which sees a retreat to only 4.3 per cent from an earlier projected 4.6 per cent, is in line with forecasts by the finance ministry, a ministry spokesman said Friday. Spokesman Somchai Sujjapongse said despite the reduced World Bank projection, his ministry maintains that this year's growth will be some 4 - 4.5 per cent, and that discussions among concerned officials will take place if Thai economic growth declines below 4 per cent. This year's projected growth will be reviewed by concerned government agencies next month, he said. On Thursday, the World Bank announced that Thailand's political uncertainties and policy blunders leading to a slowdown in investment would slow the country's economic growth to 4.3 per cent in 2007 compared to 5 per cent in 2006.
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