Something to keep an eye on. A new influenza virus, H7N9, has been detected in China. Additional cases have been found in other countries as well, but China seems to be ground zero for the strain. It is exceedingly difficult to figure out how flu viruses will spread, and most of the time the viruses do not really catch hold in human populations. In those rare cases, however, when they do become easily transmissible the consequences can be deadly (the 1918 influenza pandemic killed millions). Disease has often had a decisive effect on world politics, so we should watch how this new bug evolves.
The Guardian and a number of intrepid journalists have begun to pull the cover off of the huge amount of money being held in offshore accounts by individuals wishing to avoid taxation. Obviously, it is very difficult to get a handle on the total amount, but estimates are that as much as $20 trillion could be hidden away (out of a total World GDP of about $70 trillion). Just think what your taxes would be like if everyone paid their full share.
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