Will the Democrats Win?
TOWNHALL.COM: The Democrats did what everyone knew they had to do: nominate Barack Obama by acclamation on the first ballot of their convention in Denver. But Hillary Clinton made everyone wait until nearly halfway through the balloting before making that inevitable motion, and in so doing underlined the chief lesson of the convention. The delegates were almost evenly split between her and Obama, and the deep division in the party was painfully evident.

The reservation so many delegates had about Obama had one clear cause, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he is black. On the contrary, the fact that he is an African-American counted heavily in his favor, and may have been the decisive factor in his victory. The reservation has to do with his lack of experience. Obama became an attorney, served as a member of the Illinois State Senate for eight years, and was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He has served in that capacity for fewer than four years -- his only experience in a federal office. And now, as intractable problems beset the U.S. economy and the Middle East is wracked by turmoil, he offers himself as a candidate for the presidency of the United States.

One doesn't have to be an excessively partisan Republican, or indeed a Republican at all, to wonder whether a man with a record that anemic is ready to shoulder the somber burdens of the presidency. How broad and deep is his understanding of the American economy -- or indeed, of economic principles in general? Even more important, perhaps, is how ready is such a man to take on the leadership of the world's most powerful nation in its dealings with other countries? Will the Democrats Win? >>> By William Rusher | August 29, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Barack Obama's Speech in full >>>

WELT ONLINE:
Warum viele Amerikaner an Obama zweifeln: Mit einem perfekt organisierten Parteitag und einer brillanten Rede wollte Barack Obama auch die letzten Zweifler von sich überzeugen. Es ist ihm nicht ganz gelungen. Es gibt sie noch, die Abwartenden, Unschlüssigen und entschlossenen Gegner der Demokraten. Was sie über Obama denken >>> Von Torsten Krauel | 29. August 2008

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Russia May Cut Off Oil Flow to the West
THE TELEGRAPH: Fears are mounting that Russia may restrict oil deliveries to Western Europe over coming days, in response to the threat of EU sanctions and Nato naval actions in the Black Sea. 



Any such move would be a dramatic escalation of the Georgia crisis and play havoc with the oil markets. 



Reports have begun to circulate in Moscow that Russian oil companies are under orders from the Kremlin to prepare for a supply cut to Germany and Poland through the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline. It is believed that executives from lead-producer LUKoil have been put on weekend alert. 



"They have been told to be ready to cut off supplies as soon as Monday," claimed a high-level business source, speaking to The Daily Telegraph. Any move would be timed to coincide with an emergency EU summit in Brussels, where possible sanctions against Russia are on the agenda.

Any evidence that the Kremlin is planning to use the oil weapon to intimidate the West could inflame global energy markets. US crude prices jumped to $119 a barrel yesterday on reports of hurricane warnings in the Gulf of Mexico, before falling back slightly.

Global supplies remain tight despite the economic downturn engulfing North America, Europe and Japan. A supply cut at this delicate juncture could drive crude prices much higher, possibly to record levels of $150 or even $200 a barrel.

With US and European credit spreads already trading at levels of extreme stress, a fresh oil spike would rock financial markets. The Kremlin is undoubtedly aware that it exercises extraordinary leverage, if it strikes right now.

Such action would be seen as economic warfare but Russia has been infuriated by Nato meddling in its "backyard" and threats of punitive measures by the EU. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday accused EU diplomats of a "sick imagination".

Armed with $580bn of foreign reserves (the world's third largest), Russia appears willing to risk its reputation as a reliable actor on the international stage in order to pursue geo-strategic ambitions.

"We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a Cold War," said President Dmitry Medvedev. Russia May Cut Off Oil Flow to the West >>> By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | August 29, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
Analysis: Should We Fear a New Cold War?: With his liking for Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia seems an unlikely heir to the Kremlin's dour collection of Cold War leaders >>> By David Blair, Diplomatic Editor | August 28, 2008

THE INDEPENDENT:
South Ossetia ‘Will Become Russian’ >>> | August 29, 2008

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Allyson Rowen Taylor on Shari'ah Finance
Watch Fox video: HERE
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Europe: Veils, Veils, and More Veils
YNET NEWS: Wealthy Muslims are proceeding to buy Europe, as well as its conscience

In the coming days, tens of thousands of Israelis will be returning from their vacations abroad. After they unpack their suitcases and take out the perfumes they bought at the duty-free store, and after the kids go back to school, memories of their trip overseas will resurface.

And among other things, what they will remember is this: Veils. Plenty of veils. Black veils made of simple cloth, expensive veils made of silk, long veils, and short veils.

Europe is putting on a veil over its face. For years now this has been the picture encountered by guests who arrive there for a brief moment (and who are more aware of these things) in the major streets of large cities, and also in small towns.

Yet it appears that an all-time record was broken this summer – but perhaps we are still far away from the record?

Money can buy almost anything

A common sight these days is a Filipino man following his veiled woman on the streets of Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin, while carrying her shopping bags. In large luxury stores, wealthy Muslim customers ask managers to keep other clients out of the store before proceeding to buy half of it, at times spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on one occasion. Muhammad is buying Europe. Opinion: The Veiled Continent >>> By Eitan Haber | August 27, 2008

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Pound Could Slide to $1.50 against the Dollar
THE TELEGRAPH: The pound could slide as low as $1.50 against the dollar in the coming years as the exodus of foreign investors from sterling gathers pace, experts have warned.

The days of the $2 pound are gone for at least five years, they added, as sterling dropped to a new two-year low against the greenback. The pound dropped almost two cents compared with its previous close to $1.8386 - the first time it has dipped beneath the $1.84 mark since mid-2006. It also hit a new 12-year low on its trade-weighted index, which measures it against a basket of other currencies, falling 0.1 points to 90.5.

On a day that saw the dollar climb yet further against most of its major counterparts, the pound lost more ground, as investors speculated that the Bank of England will soon have to cut interest rates to help support the weakening economy. Pound Could Slide to $1.50 against the Dollar >>> By Edmund Conway, Economics Editor | August 26, 2008

BBC:
Euro Gains as Dollar Rally Stalls >>> | August 27, 2008

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Die Araber setzen über das Rote Meer
NZZ Online: Ein saudischer Geschäftsmann plant den Bau einer Brücke über die Meerenge zwischen der Arabischen Halbinsel und dem Horn von Afrika. Das Projekt mag utopisch erscheinen, doch Investoren aus dem Golf sind schon eifrig daran, ihre Geschäfte in Afrika auszubauen.

jbi. Djibouti, Ende Juli

Am 29. Juli ist in der kleinen ostafrikanischen Republik Djibouti das Projekt einer Brücke vorgestellt worden, welche die Meerenge von Bab al-Mandeb zwischen der Arabischen Halbinsel und dem Horn von Afrika überspannen soll. Initiator des Plans ist der in Dubai domizilierte Geschäftsmann Tarik bin Ladin, Spross einer Familie, die das grösste Bauunternehmen Saudiarabiens beherrscht, und Halbbruder des Kaida-Führers Usama bin Ladin. Neben dem Brückenschlag zwischen Asien und Afrika umfasst Tarik bin Ladins kühne Vision auch die Errichtung je einer «Stadt des Lichts» an den zwei Brückenköpfen in Jemen und Djibouti. Die beiden Städte sollen eine Freihandelszone bilden, in welcher Häfen, Flughäfen, Industrie, Dienstleistungsunternehmen, Hochschulen und kulturelle Institutionen die Entwicklung der ganzen Region – Djibouti und Jemen gehören zu den ärmsten Ländern der Welt – in Gang setzen sollen. Die Araber setzen über das Rote Meer: Saudischer Geschäftsmann plant Brücke über den Bab al-Mandeb >>> | 26. August 2008

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FTSE Falls as Sterling Falls to Two-Year Low
TIMESONLINE: London's leading shares today tumbled by 134.1 points as the pound slid to its lowest level against the dollar since July 2006 and fears rose another Wall Street bank is close to collapse.

The FTSE 100 index of blue chip stocks fell to 5,373.4 points in early trading, after investors were also spooked by a warning from the Bank of England's Deputy Governor, Charles Bean, that the current slowdown will continue for a "considerable time".

The index was dragged down by mining companies after the price of copper in China slumped while the dollar strengthened against sterling, sending the pound down to a two-year low at $1.84.

Today's fall in the FTSE follows a torrid day in the US yesterday when the Dow Jones industrial average closed 2 per cent lower, on speculation that another investment bank is set to follow in Bear Stearns footsteps, and seek a bail-out to stop it from going under.

British investors were also unnerved by comments on the UK economy from Mr Bean who said yesterday: "We have our fingers crossed but there is the recognition there is still quite a long way to go yet. FTSE Falls as Sterling Falls to Two-Year Low >>> By Dearbail Jordan | August 26, 2008

BBC:
Dollar Increases against the Euro: The dollar has climbed back to a six-month high against the euro, as continuing fears about the European economy hit the single currency >>> August 26, 2008

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Britain’s Economy Grinds to a Halt
TIMESONLINE: Britain's economy is teetering on the brink of recession as official figures showed that output ground to a halt between April and the end of June. This is the weakest performance since 1992, the tail-end of the last recession and will increase pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates to prevent a full blown economic slump.

Official figures released this morning showed that output did not grow at all in the second quarter, contrary to initial estimates showing that the economy grew by 0.2 per cent between April and the end of June.

On the year, GDP was 1.4 per cent higher, revised down from an initial reading of 1.6 per cent and the weakest since the final quarter of 1992.

The downward revision came after grim news from the manufacturing and services sectors with surveys suggesting acitivity has contracted for at least three months in a row.

The stagnation of the economy raises the prospect of recession as businesses struggle in increasingly difficult conditions. A technical recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of falling output. Britain’s Economy Grinds to a Halt >>> By Grainne Gilmore | August 22, 2008

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Georgia and Russia’s Riviera Riches
Image of Villa Leopolda courtesy of The Vancouver Sun
TIMESONLINE: I'm back in Paris from Moscow but the news is still Russian. President Sarkozy has warned the Kremlin of the dire consequences that will ensue if it fails to pull its troops out of Georgia. If it does not, he will... call a special meeting of the European Union council. That will give Vladimir Putin pause for thought.

And we have confirmation today that a spectacular Belle Epoque villa on the Riviera is being bought by Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia's biggest billionaires, for the astonishing sum of 496 million euros (731 million dollars). The world record real estate deal emerged last week, but the identity of the mystery Russian was only reported yesterday by Nice Matin newspaper.

The two events can be linked. The Russian purchase of the Leopolda villa [above] is an in-your-face display of the power enjoyed by the oligarchs who have amassed fortunes with the indulgence of Russia's governing caste. In January last year, Prokhorov, 42, [picture below], who made his fortune in nickel, was humiliated by French prosecutors who detained him at Courchevel, the glitzy ski resort. He was held for four days on suspicion of bringing dozens of prostitutes from Moscow to entertain his Alpine party guests but no charges were brought. The episode was seen in Moscow as a French plot to humiliate a leading Russian. Georgia and Russia’s Riviera Riches >>> By Charles Bremner | August 18, 2008

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Credit Suisse Targets Same Sex in the City
THE TELEGRAPH: Credit Suisse has become the first major bank to target the pink pound with a bespoke private banking service provided by gay advisers.

The Swiss banking giant’s new service will cover all the traditional aspects of private banking, alongside tailored services to deal with events such as civil partnership and adoption.

Credit Suisse said that gay role models - such as Boris Johnson’s chief of staff Nicholas Boles - have helped boost the confidence of the younger gay community - leading to an increased desire to be dealt with by those that understand their lifestyle.

Many of the bank’s rivals, including HSBC, Barclays and UBS, offer no specific service or products for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. UBS said that it does not “segregate clients in this way”, while HSBC offers other dedicated services such as a diamond and jewellery arm and a family office within its private banking business.

Stephen Connolly, who is leading the Credit Suisse service, said: “Clients with us have no need to explain their lifestyles or - as we know happens in some cases - almost feel the need to justify the way they choose to live their lives.”

With earnings of £81bn last year, Britain’s 3m-strong gay and lesbian community could provide a lucrative client list for Credit Suisse. As Mr Connolly, 38, points out, the majority have no school fees to contend with, freeing up much of their short-term finances and allowing for greater risk taking and earlier retirements. Credit Suisse Targets Same Sex in the City >>> By Emma Thelwell | Auguat 17, 2008

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Sterling’s Decline Against Dollar Hits Run Not Suffered Since 1975
TIMESONLINE: Sterling fell against the dollar for the eleventh day in a row yesterday, its longest consecutive decline since 1975, as concerns mounted over Britain’s faltering economy.

The pound hit a more than two-year low of $1.8514 – a level not seen since July 2006 – further extending a seismic shift in currency markets in recent days as interest rate expectations for big economies change.

This latest fall came only days after the Bank of England struck a doveish note in its quarterly Inflation Report, leading analysts to believe that the door may be open for rate cuts once spiralling inflation starts to fall.

Investors are fleeing to the dollar after reassessing the merits of the US economy against those of the UK and the eurozone.

They are betting increasingly that the US Federal Reserve’s next move will be to raise interest rates, while gloomy data from the UK and the eurozone this week suggested that rate cuts could be on the cards.

Analysts say that sterling’s fall is not over yet. Bilal Hafeez, a Deutsche Bank foreign exchange strategist, said: “We could level off at this rate for a while but I expect the pound will fall further.” Sterling’s Decline Against Dollar Hits Run Not Suffered Since 1975 >>> By Gráinne Gilmore, Economics Correspondent | August 16, 2008

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Riba-Free Financing

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Symposium on Islamic Finance

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The Dollar Rebounds
BBC: The dollar has hit a six-month high against the euro and its highest in almost two years against the pound.

The US currency has bounced back from record lows against euro on fears that European growth may slow sharply.

The UK is also struggling with high inflation and faltering growth, causing a slide in sterling.

The European currency hit a six-month low of $1.4812, while the pound hit a 21-month low of $1.9012 in trading on Tuesday morning.

Commodity boost

The US economy is still suffering from the credit crisis but analysts say the deteriorating outlook elsewhere in the world has buoyed the currency's standing. Pound Suffers as Dollar Rebounds >>> | August 12, 2008

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Muslims Push for a Caliphate: Its Currency
CALIPHATE ONLINE: The Caliphate’s currency is based on the gold and silver standards where the coins and notes in circulation are 100% backed by gold and silver. Islam did not leave any question unanswered, especially questions concerning the complexities of economic life. The Shari’ah has therefore defined the Islamic currency as gold dinars and silver dirhams along with their corresponding weights in gold or silver. The Shari’ah rules related to money such as zakat, blood money (diyah) and hoarding all specify values in gold and silver.

Unlike the paper standard operating in the world today, the Bait ul-Mal (State Treasury) is not allowed to print any money unless it has the corresponding amounts of gold and silver in its reserves. This means the persistent inflation found in the world today would not exist in the Caliphate as the currency always keeps its value. Currency of the Caliphate >>> | July 17, 2008

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43 Nations, 800,000 Million Inhabitants Form “Historic” Mediterranean Union

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE:
Will Sarkozy’s Mediterranean Union Be More Than a Big Photo-op? >>> By Katrin Bennhold | July 14, 2008

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Round-up of the State of the European Markets
THE INDEPENDENT:
FTSE Slides Into Bear Market >>> | July 8, 2008

MAILONLINE:
Black Tuesday as FTSE Plummets >>> By Becky Barrow, Niall Firth and Nicola Boden | July 8, 2008

FT.COM:
FTSE on Brink of Bear Market >>> By Michael Hunter | July 8, 2008

NZZ Online:
AKTIEN SCHWEIZ/Verlauf: Über Tagestief markant schwächer – Banken unter Druck >>> | 8. Juli 2008

NZZ Online:
AKTIEN FRANKFURT/Sehr schwach – Sorgen über Ausweitung der Finanzkrise >>> | 8. Juli 2008

LE FIGARO:
Le CAC 40 a effacé trois ans de gains >>> Par Perrine Créquy | 8. 7. 2008

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Crisis Exposes Brown Boomers
THE TELEGRAPH: Executives who cut their teeth during the ''Brown boom" confess they are ill-prepared to lead their firms in a bear market, says a research study.

The so-called ''Brown boom generation" admit they lack the experience to handle a downturn after benefiting from a buoyant economy when the Prime Minister was Chancellor.

Half the 120 business leaders canvassed by consultants Hay Group say their shortcomings in managing a downturn is a serious threat.

A similar proportion also acknowledge that they lack the vision needed to lead their business through a period of economic turbulence. Crisis Exposes Brown Boomers >>> By Roland Gribben | July 8, 2008

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Britain Is Close to Recession, Warns British Chamber of Commerce
THE TELEGRAPH: Britain is on the brink of a recession and unemployment is set to rise 300,000 by the end of next year, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.


In a dire warning it said the economic outlook for the business sector was "grim and ominous" and the downturn could be "longer and nastier" than previously expected. The report followed a survey of 5,000 large and small businesses across the country and led to calls for an early cut in interest rates amid concerns that the economy is showing parallels with the start of the recession in the early 1990s.

However, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is likely to ignore the pleas when it meets on Thursday as it battles inflation currently running above 3 per cent.

The pessimistic forecast came as one of the City’s leading banks warned that it could take 20 years for the British housing market to recover. In a note to clients Mark Hake, an analyst at Merrill Lynch said: "[Compared] with the 1990 correction... it looks significantly worse, with house prices falling faster and further and very little recovery in real terms expected over 20 years."

He added: "House prices are expected to be below their August 2007 peak in a further 10 years' time." Britain Is Close to Recession, British Chambers of Commerce Warns >>> By Nick Allen | July 8, 2008

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Equities Tumble as Bad News Hits Home
THE TELEGRAPH: Shares in London have suffered their biggest slide since the collapse of Bear Stearns in March, amid a barrage of bad news on the domestic and international economy.

Markets were shaken by a double dose of bad news for housing and manufacturing, followed by rumours that some of Europe's biggest banks are about to see their profits plunge even further.

As the second half of the year started, the FTSE 100 index of leading UK shares was 146 points or 2.6pc down to 5479.9 - the lowest close, and biggest fall, since March.

It came as:

• Economists warned that the manufacturing sector is now in recession territory after activity unexpectedly collapsed in June.

• Nationwide said house prices are now falling at the fastest rate in 16 years, with the average property having lost £14,000 of its value since prices peaked in October last year.

• Oil prices touched a new record high, with crude touching $143 a barrel.

• A YouGov/Citigroup survey showed that households' expectations for the rate of inflation leapt to a record high of 4.6pc in June, putting more pressure on the Bank of England to consider raising interest rates. Equities Tumble as Bad News Hits Home >>> By Edmund Conway, Economics Editor | July 2, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
House Prices Decline at Sharpest Rate Since 1992 >>> By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Correspondent | July 2, 2008

THE TELEGRAPH:
The Financial Crisis in Full: The credit crunch that began in America’s sub-prime mortgage market has erupted into a financial crisis.

Bear Stearns has collapsed and the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates as it fights to return confidence to financial markets. The US economy faces recession, credit markets are in distress and the rest of the world may enter a downturn >>>

DAILY EXPRESS:
M&S the Latest Victim as UK Economy Shudders to a Halt >>> By Geoff Marsh | July 2, 2008

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