Beijing to set up fee system for renewable water

(July 31, 2009) The draft stipulated that the price of Beijing’s recycled water would be specified by the price control department of Beijing Municipal Government in accordance with relevant national provisions, and would take effect after publication. If the price of renewable water cannot make up for water supply costs, the Department of Public Finance will establish a system of subsidy.

Interview with Dambisa Moyo

(July 20, 2009) Dambisa Moyo, economist and author of Dead Aid, discussing problems of foreign aid to the developing world. Moyo believes that pouring more aid into the coffers of African governments will do nothing to promote healthy economic growth. Instead, she calls for an opening of global trade, lower tariffs and a functioning tax system.

Obama’s plan to override Congressional conditions for US funding of World Bank is overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers

(July 17, 2009) President Obama recently received a harsh lesson from Congress after he decided to openly ignore some of the environmental, labour and transparency regulations attached to funds allocated for the  World Bank and IMF. Worse still for the President, the indictment came from both sides of the aisle—with 429-2 voting to negate the recent signing statement.

Beijing Water Crisis: 1949 – 2008 Olympics

(June 26, 2006) Beijing’s policy of draining surrounding regions to ease water shortages in the ancient capital is akin to "quenching thirst by drinking poison," according to a new report by Probe International’s Beijing-based researchers. To keep water flowing to Beijing’s "green" Olympics this August, the water-strapped city is pumping water from four newly-built reservoirs in nearby Hebei province, depriving poor farmers of water for their crops.