Gold Smuggling In India

The CommodityOnline opinion piece on gold business/smuggling in India @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Why-Gold-smuggling-is-big-business-in-India-12511-3-1.html was interesting. Despite the economic liberalization of gold imports, smuggling still occurs in India, really.

The RAID Report

I am an avid listener of the BBC Radio. The BBC interview with a RAID spokesperson on illegal exploitation of DR Congo's mineral wealth caught my attention. It's really disturbing. I found the RAID report on companies alleged to be involved in the illegal export of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo @ http://www.raid-uk.org/work/corp_acct.htm insightful.

Useful links:
www.raid-uk.org
www.escr-net.org
www.oecdwatch.org

Art Update

The Economist article on Greek art + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12538492 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.bonhams.com

A Two-Way Street

Carolina A. Miranda's article on street art and their undeniable impact into mainstream galleries and museums + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2570 was insightful.

Argyle Pink Diamond Tender

According to Argyle Pink Diamonds spokesperson, the 24th annual Argyle Pink Diamond Tender was a success. Australia's Argyle mine, the source of these pink stones, is set to close in 2018. I think the consumers for these diamonds are likely to be collectors, celebrities, and the real rich. Given the rarity, it's a worthwhile investment till a new mine is discovered somewhere in the world. Right now, natural, untreated pink is the real king of diamond.

Useful links:
www.argylepinktender.com
www.riotintodiamonds.com

Pressmart

Pressmart = Digital simulation of print publications. Go to www.pressmart.net for further info. Brilliant!

Kumon

I am really amazed by Kumon's skill and consistent worldwide growth in education via word-of-mouth advertising and patience. Go to www.kumon.com for further info.

Boom/Bust

Raaphy Persitz's opinion piece in Haaretz on deceptive natures of the stock and commodities markets + modern examples of market crash @ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032990.html was educational and insightful.

The Letters of Menakhem-Mendl and Sheyne-Sheyndl: AND Motl, Peysi the Cantor's Son by Aleichem is a brilliant book on stock-market exploits. A must read.