Luxembourg gives large aid package to Burkina Faso

It strikes me how much Luxembourg is spending under the responsibility of one Department: the Ministry of of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action headed by Marie Josée Jacobs. Here $84 million, according to the Washington Post.

http://tinyurl.com/6dkz4t6

This is not the only big ticket from the same Department. Similar numbers have been presented for other recipients.

http://egidethein.blogspot.com/2010/08/luxembourg-buys-hot-air-from-estonia.html

It's nice to have or to get those amounts. I would however point out two facts of life: Luxembourg itself has 15% of its population teetering in poverty, despite having the highest per capita BNP. The second is the otherwise debated usefulness of those programs and the dangers of misappropriation of those funds.

http://egidethein.blogspot.com/2009/11/luxembourg-lesson-of-democracy-that.html

Ah, the fact that some of the programs financed here are supervised by the United Nations! I'm so relieved to know that!

Luxembourg richest country in the world

There is such a thing like a tendency to bragging in Luxembourg mentality: we tend to be first most great excellent champions. Compensation I suppose.

World, you have to know this story.:

http://www.richestpersons.net/top-ten-richest-countries-in-the-world-2010/

OK, it is a little sensationalist, a broad public concoction. But we are the champions.

I had of course to make a choice: there was another survey out these days from the World Bank, where we got beaten by several others. The World Bank! How modest!

A leak in paradise

A leak in paradise

One unusual way in which banking secrecy can hurt people. A bad affair for the whistleblower. the bank and clients. Was it worthwhile for anyone?

The Anomalous Success of Luxembourg

A foreign look at Luxembourg, on Geocurrents.info by Martin Lewis.

http://geocurrentevents.blogspot.com/2011/01/anomalous-success-of-luxembourg.html

A very interesting analysis, without any make-up from official interviews. And at the end a good comment by "Aurelien"

UK and Swiss authorities to tackle tax evasion - 13 Jan 2011 - Accountancy Age

UK and Swiss authorities to tackle tax evasion - 13 Jan 2011 - Accountancy Age

Hard times stimulate creativity, and compromise. Such a compromise would not be possible if Switzerland were a member of EU.

US Ambassador to Luxembourg resigns

US Ambassador to Luxembourg resigns

Though we called her Madam! OK, we know the Public Affairs mill's jargon and what that explains. I couldn't have done it better. But really? You stayed for about a year, for a territory that makes almost 4 digits: 999 sq-miles. That's about 3 sq-miles per day!

We are going to miss you, Madam!

Here is the good part: welcome back to the US.

10% workers in Luxembourg are in poverty

10% workers in Luxembourg are in poverty

Pretty surprising statistics for a country that boasts among the highest per capita incomes in the world. Totally confusing and sounding like a failure (or is it excessive social protection?), is tha fact that unemployed workers are better off than the poorest workers!