India’s Soaring Currency Attracts Foreign Investors, but Exports Suffer

The Indian rupee has climbed 9% against the dollar in the last 16 months.  That has taken a toll on a key Indian export -- textiles -- because it makes exporting more expensive.  Instead of fighting the appreciation like Brazil, however, India is letting the currency strengthen for now.  A stronger currency is helping the country to develop a modern consumer economy, and is fueling a boom in inward investment from giant shopping malls to new car dealerships.

India’s Soaring Currency Attracts Foreign Investors, but Exports Suffer

Once Banned, Dogs Reflect China’s Rise

Twenty years ago, there were hardly any dogs in Beijing. In the communist era, dogs were likely to be herders, guards, or meals, rather than companions. China's rapid globalization and increasing wealth, however, means that dogs are common these days, and increasingly pampered.

Once Banned, Dogs Reflect China’s Rise - NYTimes.com

Aviation World at Odds Over Loans for Aircraft

This week, negotiators from the U.S., E.U., Japan and Brazil are meeting to discuss the sensitive topic of how airliner sales should be financed and how much government assistance should be permitted to state-owned airlines in buying new aircraft.  Under a current "home-market" rule, airlines based in the U.S., France, Germany, Britain and Spain cannot use government loans to help them buy aircraft.  That may change under a new agreement.

Aviation World at Odds Over Loans for Aircraft - NYTimes.com

The Simpsons

In response to allegations that The Simpsons outsources most of its animation to a company in South Korea, UK graffiti artist Banksy created this controversial opening sequence for the show last week.



YouTube - Simpsons: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Jili Journal - Silk Craft Fades in Village That Clothed Emperors

The Chinese village of Jili was once known throughout the world as a producer of extremely high quality silk.  Using traditional methods of sericulture, villagers produced silk for emperors and royalty everywhere.  Now, industrialization means most silk is produced in factories.  Environmental degradation means the water in Jili is no longer clean enough for sericulture.  And higher wages in booming cities elsewhere means there are no longer any young people willing to learn the craft of silkmaking in Jili.  Within a few years, the town will probably close its last silk mill, as the NY Times reports.

Jili Journal - Silk Craft Fades in Village That Clothed Emperors - NYTimes.com

Singapore Casino Experiment Pays Off

Singapore Casino Experiment Pays Off - WSJ.com

Rampant Fraud Threat to China’s Brisk Ascent

From students who cheat on college entrance exams to pilots who fake their flying credentials to dairy companies that sell poisoned infant milk to scholars who promote fake or unoriginal research, rampant fraud is beginning to emerge in China. Fang Shimin (above), exposes academic fraud on his website, New Threads. He has exposed more than 900 cases of fakery, some involving university presidents and nationally known researchers.

Rampant Fraud Threat to China’s Brisk Ascent - NYTimes.com

China's Car Economy Revs Up

China has built more than 30,000 miles of expressways in the last decade.  Auto sales were up 46% last year to 13.6 million vehicles, and there are expected to be 200 million vehicles on the road by 2020.  Business models that started in the U.S. fifty years ago to capitalize on this new car culture are taking off in China.  From McDonald's drive-in's (there are currently 105 with 100 more planned for each of the next three years) to suburban strip malls to big box retailers to hotels to tourism to parking lots to commercial radio stations, the domestic car culture is driving big investment -- and big profit potential -- for these industries.

China's Car Economy Revs Up - WSJ.com

Yum Brands Raises Profit Outlook, Helped by China

Faced with a mature market and slow growth in the U.S., Kentucky-based Yum Foods (which owns the Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut brands) has looked to China to propel new profits.  That strategy is paying off, with the company reporting a 6% jump in revenue in China, compared to only 1% in the U.S.

Yum Brands Raises Profit Outlook, Helped by China - WSJ.com

In Vietnam, Politburo Tries 'Friending'

In communist Vietnam, the authoritarian government clings to tight control of the media and squashes dissent even while the economy is allowed to flourish under relatively free enterprise rules.  The rise of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter has the government worried about subversives, so the government has launched its own social media site, go.vn, with many features that would look familiar to a Facebook user.  The big difference?  Pre-registration with a person's real name and government-issued ID number, as well as government monitors who closely read what's posted online.

In Vietnam, Politburo Tries 'Friending' - WSJ.com

Volkswagen Aims At Fast Lane in U.S.

German automaker Volkswagen says it wants to overthrow Toyota to become the world's biggest carmaker.  In order to do that, it has to do something to improve its sales in the U.S., which at 2.2% market share are behind even Kia.  Now, VW says it's about to do something it's never done before -- tailor its cars for mainstream American driving tastes.

Volkswagen Aims At Fast Lane in U.S. - WSJ.com

Philippine Low Cost Carrier Jazzes Up Inflight Safety Demo to Lady Gaga