Why does China restrict the rare earths trade?
Many of the high-tech devices we depend on—cell phones, laptops, and hundreds of others—would not exist without an obscure group of earth elements called rare earths. China supplies over 97% of the world’s rare earth needs but has enforced strict export restrictions, creating controversy and uncertainty about future global supplies of these critical raw elements.
Trends in international arms transfers: the recipients
According to new data 10 countries accounted for 89% of all exports of major conventional weapons in the last five years (2006-2010). USA (30%), Russia (23%) and Germany (11%) are the top three major exporters. Which are the top three importers? India, China and South Korea. Let’s see which are the regional trends.
. USA (30%), Russia (23%) and Germany (11%) are the top three major exporters. Which are the top three importers? India, China and South Korea. Let's see which are the regional trends. "Pin It")
Philanthropy and the World’s Billionaires Forbes list 2011
A new edition of the Forbes List has been released and the world’s top billionaires 2011 unveiled. Mexican Carlos Slim holds the first place in the ranking and Bill Gates is second. However, if Gates didn’t allocate money to philanthropy he would still be the richest person in the world.
The power of rare earths minerals: your iPod is made of them
Rare earths minerals are crucial to producing high-tech goods such as smart phones, electric cars and wind turbines. China accounts for about 97% of global rare-earth production. Recently China announced it would cut its export quota by 35 percent for the first half of 2011 compared with a year earlier. iPod future is not clear…
1 billion internet users are English or Chinese speakers
On 30 June 2010 there where in the world almost 2 billion internet users. Half of them were english and chinese speakers. The rise of China in the internet has been exponential, with an increase of 1,277% between 2000 and 2010. Today chinese community is the second in importance on the net.
The Amazon is taking a deep breath
In year 2009 the brazilian tropical forest experienced the lowest deforestion rate of the last 21 years, with ‘only’ 7,464 square km being deforested. That is to say more than the surface of the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo.
How many carbon emissions are generated when producing one unit of GDP?
In Ukraine almost 3 kg of carbon emissions are generated just to produce one US$ of GDP. On the contrary, in Egypt only 15.5 g are emitted. Why? Because of the energy mix and the energy intensity.
If you suffer from vertigo… Don’t buy gold!
Until 2009 a total of 165,000 tonnes of gold have been mined in human history. At current’s gold price it would mean US$ 7,085.6 billion, or more than twice Germany’s GDP. Its value, and its extraction, keeps accelerating.
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