Tax Havens Disappearing

The number of tax havens in the world is diminishing under mounting international pressure.Longtime havens in Switzerland and Liechtenstein have been joined by four more nations recently in a pledge to adhere to more open banking practices.Malaysia,Costa Rica,Uruguay and the Philippines have accepted information exchange standards,according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Angel Gurria,Secretary General of the OECD,announced that the new countries intend to offer authorizing legislation for the standards sometime this year.The old tax haven concept is seen as hindering the ability of nations to deal with crises by depriving them of revenue that is justly theirs.It may also be cloaking activities that contributed to the financial crisis.The OECD is based in Paris.Founded in 1960,it seeks the welfare of its 29 developed member states,and fosters aid to emerging markets.It is also a major source of economic and environmental data.

Nature Note:Good Planting Weather

The past few days have brought cold and wet conditions.Although unpleasant,these have protected hay fever sufferers from tree pollen flying around and getting into their bodies.They have also presented growers with a good chance to plant shrubs and trees.It is easier to dig the moist earth,and it isn't necessary to water the newly planted shrubs and trees.I planted some holly trees to complement a female holly I had planted last year.Another holly,a male plant,didn't survive the winter.It had been nibbled by a cottontail rabbit.The female holly made it somehow,so I planted her a new male,as well as a second female.Without a male tree,the female hollies cannot produce their bright red berries in the autumn.The new hollies are of the Blue cultivar,while the older female is of the China cultivar.

World Bank Predicts Shrinkage

The World Bank has joined other institutions in forecasting global economic shrinkage in 2009.Emerging markets will see growth drop to 2.1% from the 4.4% prediction of November 2008.A decline in exports,commodity demand and foreign investment is responsible for that.Even should growth resume a better pace,the problems created by shrinkage will continue as far out as 2011,the World Bank thinks.Emerging markets might need as much as 1.3 trillon dollars in aid to cover debt payments and current account deficits.Overall global growth is seen as contracting 1.7%,in the World Bank's view.It would be the first global contraction since World War II.

Nature Note:Chionadoxa

Chionadoxa,the glory of the snow,got a rare chance to live up to its name today.There was indeed a dusting of snow on the ground this morning,and the small blue flower with a white center was at peak bloom.This could be a record for accumulating snow.I can't recall a later date for it.The crocuses are no longer in bloom,but have spread their leaves out to make food for next spring.Plants don't leave anything for later.As soon as they can,they do what needs to be done for next year.

Global Trade In Decline

The World Trade Organization says global trade will shrink by 9% this year,which is the worst performance since World War II.Jakob Kirkegaard of the Petersen Institute of International Economics thinks that is truly devastating.It starts the stuttering halt to the engine of globalization.The idea of decoupling will definitely have taken a shot across the bow.Asia has been dependent on ultimate demand by the U.S. and Europe.The bailouts are going to promote protectionism.There is a sense that tax money must be spent on domestic industries,Mr.Kirkegaard indicated.

Nature Note:Two Winds

While lower level winds blew cirrus clouds from the north,upper level winds blew cumulus clouds from the south,creating quite a spectacle.The cold lower winds and clouds were a reminder of winter just past,and the southern upper winds and clouds heralded the spring just arrived.There had been a thunderstorm earlier in the day.Now the sun was out and the clouds raced past one another in different directions at different heights.It was a rare instance of air masses made graphic,of seasonal change made visible.

Ford Backs Cologne Plant

Ford Motor Company is standing behind its Cologne,Germany plant,despite Ford's program of cost cuts and capacity rollbacks to deal with the financial crisis in Europe.Ford will invest 260 million dollars to sustain the plant through the crisis.The plant employs about 800 workers.No job cuts or layoffs are planned in the face of weaker European sales.Minister President Juergen Ruettgers of North-Rhine Westfalia announced the new support.Ford is the only major U.S. automaker not to accept U.S. government aid,having shored up its finances early on.France is suspected of protectionism because of its aid to Renault plants in the south of France.