Humphrey Hawksley

Gold and Christian values

Humphrey — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:32:55 +0000

My investigation on illegal gold trading and child labour from the Democratic Republic of Congo prompted a BBC Today Programme Thought for the Day from Rev Dr Michael Banner http://bbc.in/2OvMi

http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/humphrey_hawksley

China — Cold War

Humphrey — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:54:35 +0000

China views US strategic shift to Asia Pacific as a new Cold War alliance. The time for such alliances has past — right now Russia-China-DPRK etc Vs US, Australia, India etc.

http://bit.ly/KXW0pk

The Third World War — A Future History

Conflict Gold — Special Report

Humphrey — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:05:08 +0000

As demand for gold booms around the world, the UN is calling for tougher measures to prevent smuggling and the exploitation of workers in unregulated mines. Much of the gold bought and sold each year cannot be properly sourced, making it difficult for even the most scrupulous of traders to avoid using conflict metals. Humphrey Hawksley reports from Nyamurhale in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18067721

Britain’s democracy

Humphrey — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:21:56 +0000

Argument against reform of Britain’s House of Lords: “People are really interested in the economy and how much money they have in their pockets — they don’t worry how their Lords are elected.”

Isn’t this exactly China’s argument when it’s lectured to about democracy?

Click here: Democracy Kills — Kindle Edition

Not-State Players

Humphrey — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:51:10 +0000

William Hague flags up new, encroaching style of warfare in Sunday Telegraph http://tgr.ph/J0Rf2h — non-state players-organised crime and cyber attacks.

Scarborough focuses defence spending

Humphrey — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:40:17 +0000

War talk around China and the Philippines in the South China Sea shows up defence spending differences. China officially spends US$106 billion a year against the Philippines US$1.5 billion. China’s military investment is one seventh of America’s US$739 billion, but three times more than its regional rival, India, which stands at US$32 billion.

Therefore if China is ever to balance the United States and if India is to catch up with China, we’re looking at the mother of all arms races in the Asia-Pacific.

The Third World War — A Future History

India-China-Philippines

Humphrey — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:26:33 +0000

Whatever the outcome of the China-Philippines standoff at the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, it will be seen as a marker of the New World Order. China has to deny it’s preparing for military action; the Philippines’ ramshackle democracy would need international help; the power that steps in is India. http://bbc.in/KXiQg4

The Third World War — A Future History

Democratic Deficit?

Humphrey — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:35:34 +0000

Reforming the House of Lords is a topic that, for some, can have a soporific effect (much like too many buttered crumpets in the peers’ tea room). But is this torpor – and the slow pace of change – adding to a democratic deficit, asks Will Self

http://bbc.in/IrLEOM

In the past year the British have proved themselves shy in embracing a greater system of elected representation unlike, say, the Americans or Iraqis. They havegenerally rejected proportionate representation and more city mayors and now there’s pressure to shelve the latest plans to reform the upper house of parliament. What does that say about definitions of democracy?

Click here: Democracy Kills — Kindle Edition

China’s bursting bubble

Humphrey — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:51:46 +0000

Warnings continue to come in about China’s economic bubble. In the past four years, property speculation has soared with residential housing alone now making up ten per cent of GDP. China helped stabilise the 2008 crash and has continued in a key role with the Euro crisis. But who will step in if China’s economy collapses and would the global impact make the sub prime catalyst look like a picnic?

The Third World War — A Future History

North Korea test

Humphrey — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:14:31 +0000

The Monterey Institute’s Center for Non-Proliferation Studies reports that recent rhetoric coming from Pyongyang combined with a number of indicators visible on satellite images indicates that North Korea is preparing for its third nuclear test — possibly with a new uranium weapons design.

The Third World War — A Future History