(February 9, 2007) Quite often when you read newspapers, listen to radio and watch television in the West you learn how poor Africans are and how corrupt African leaders are. But you will never watch, read or hear anything in these media outlets about the role being played by Western banking institutions; property development and estate companies; the big corporations; and the western political and business elite in promoting corruption in Africa.
Report: Skeletons in the Cupboard: Illegitimate Debt Claims of the G7
(February 9, 2007) If the Group of Seven (G7) nations are serious about cleaning up corruption and promoting good governance and transparency, they should look to the past. A damning new NGO report presenting case studies of past loans made by the Group of Seven nations (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S.), reveals that some loans are not legitimate and that the lenders are at fault.
Salween Dams Global Day of Action
(February 9, 2007) On February 28, 2007 join activists from around the world.
Biofuel craze is water madness
(February 9, 2007) If water were a globally traded commodity, with unmet demand in China and India reflected in its price, the world might shed its newfound craze for biofuels.
A Law-and-Economics Analysis of Odious Debts
(February 7, 2007) Much of the debate surrounding odious debts begs the question of whether the ‘odiousness’ of a debt can serve as a qualification for the rule of state succession. The legal and economics rationales of the rule date back to the classical writings on the subject and can be derived from state practice.
A Law-and-Economics Analysis of Odious Debts
(February 7, 2007) Much of the debate surrounding odious debts begs the question of whether the ‘odiousness’ of a debt can serve as a qualification for the rule of state succession. The legal and economics rationales of the rule date back to the classical writings on the subject and can be derived from state practice.
Bank’s graft crusade exaggerated, critics say
(February 7, 2007) Watchdog groups cite conflicts of interest in the Bank’s core mission, and the Washington-based lender’s keenness to brush up its image.
Legal scholars to hold another public debate on odious debt
(February 7, 2007) In an unprecedented run of public debate on the issue of odious debts, North Carolina will again serve as the setting for a second conference on odious debt.
Ecuador may default on foreign debt deemed “illegitimate” debt, economy minister says
(February 7, 2007) Ecuador’s Economy Minister Ricardo Patino said late last month that his country had set up a commission to audit Ecuador’s US$10.3 billion external debt, and that Ecuador would not pay foreign debt that the commission declared "illegitimate."
Anti-corruption efforts
(February 7, 2007) Companies need the incentive of prosecution, fines and reputational risk to tackle bribery more effectively. The abandoning of a probe into BAE Systems’ dealings in Saudi Arabia shows a lack of will to deal with these issues, says Alexandra Wrage.
Water woes plague China’s economy
(February 7, 2007) High in the hills above the sprawling city of Chongqing lies a tiny settlement, whose name translates as Dragon Spring village. It was given that name because its water was so clear and plentiful. But, in a bitter twist of fate, its famous springs have now run dry.
Prosperity or pollution?
(February 5, 2007) Following the release of an authoritative United Nations report that unequivocally links human activities with climate change, the rulers of the world’s most populous country are faced with the quandary of balancing prosperity against pollution.
Dolphin extinction shows river degradation
(February 5, 2007) Sand-dredging and river pollution are threatening the very existence of white fin in the Yangtze River.
Quenching China’s thirst
( February 2, 2007) On January 3, 2007, the level of the Yangtze River was seen to plummet at the point where it passes through the city of Shashi, in central China’s Hubei province, two metres below the average for this time of year.
Renegotiating the odious debt doctrine
(February 1, 2007) Following the United States’ invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq,1 the U.S. government argued that the successor government in Iraq was not responsible for Iraq’s Saddam-era debt under the purported doctrine of odiousregime debt. This purported doctrine apparently excused—by operation of law—all successor regimes from repaying debts that were incurred by oppressive predecessor regimes.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 