London keeps lead as global financial center

March 19, 2012   London(1), New York(2) and Hong Kong(3) keep their place at the head of the Global Financial Centres Index by think-tank Z/Yen Group, with London slightly ahead of the other two cities.                                                                            -  What's on the Horizon?                                                     Brussels could take control of struggling European banks under secret plans             May 27 2012  - Struggling European banks could be seized and controlled by Brussels as part of secret plans being drawn up, it has emerged.  Politicians hope the proposals, which would be funded by a new tax on banks, will stem the rapid escalation in the debt crisis witnessed in recent weeks.  "Once you have got to a point intellectually where you are comfortable with a central European guarantee on all bank deposits, it takes only another small step to accept that this fund should have broader powers," the Sunday Times quoted one financier working on the plans as saying.                                                                                        - I wrote it over and over, that it's time for an EU Superstate, only one thing is lacking, the crippling demise of the United States of America.                                                              Guess who itsn't in favor of the financial tax on Europe's banks?                                                                                There are no coincidences here-                                        UK's Cameron To Fight Transactions Tax  May 25, 2012 

BRUSSELS -- U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said early Thursday he will fight a financial transactions tax "all the way," hours after the European Parliament approved the tax.

Speaking to reporters after a summit of European leaders, Cameron said "a financial transactions tax is a bad idea. It will put up people's insurance and pensions' costs, he said. "I will fight it all the way."

The European Parliament backed a transactions tax by a large majority on Wednesday, although the issue is one that member states have a veto over.   The U.K. has long said it will veto the plan put forward last year by the European Commission.

-UK's David Cameron will never get the chance to veto it.                                                                            Myanmar power protests

May 26, 2012                                                           Previous uprisings have started as small affairs sparked by complaints over the economy and then snowballed into large-scale challenges to authority. "Protests like this in Myanmar always have the potential to escalate and lead to political unrest," said Trevor Wilson, a former Australian envoy to Myanmar.

Suu Kyi has endorsed the protests, which have seen demonstrators holding candlelight vigils and marching in public streets.                                                                          He said the democracy leader will meet Tuesday morning in Myanmar with the visiting Indian prime minister. She will leave for Bangkok either that evening or on Wednesday. “These ethnic people have long long time suffering for so many years with many difficulties," Myanmar's military government arrested NLD leaders and activists and many fled to India, Thailand and the United States where they formed a government in exile.                                                                 

Indian PM Visits Myanmar Amid Energy Quest  May 26, 2012                                        Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh departed sunday on a three-day visit to Myanmar that underscores India's quest for energy supplies and concerns about China's strong influence in the Southeast Asian country.                                                    In the 1980s and early '90s, India was a strong supporter of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her fight against the country's military. Singh will meet with Suu Kyi on Tuesday.                                    

India and China competing for Malacca Straits in Myanmar(Burma)                                     June 23, 2009                                                       If the strait were closed, nearly half of the world’s tanker fleet would be required to sail further. Closure would immediately raise freight rates worldwide. More than 50,000 vessels per year transit the Strait of Malacca. The region from Burma to Banda Ache in Indonesia is fast becoming one of the world’s most strategic chokepoints. 

 

Mid-Point - March 21st, 2013                                                God Bless,                                                                             Gail