International News

Rwanda: Economy Grew By 9% In First Half Of 2009

Despite a looming global financial downturn, Rwanda's economy grew at an average of 9% in the first half of 2009. Finance and Economic Planning Minister James Musoni, said the economy grew by 10% in the first quarter of 2009, driven mainly by both an expanding industrial base and a good crop yield. In the second quarter, the economy grew by 8%, largely due to better agricultural output. On average, this means that first half GDP growth stood at 9% National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda showed that inflation was contained at single digit of 5% as of August, compared to 22% at the beginning of the year. The data also showed per capita incomes for individual Rwandans had grown above US$500 in the fist half of the year, from US$492 in 2008.

French Vogue In Blackface Model Row

Why hire a black model when you can go the minstrel route (sarcasm)? French Vogue and its fiery editor Carine Roitfeld - who has often been talked of as a potential successor to Anna Wintour as editor of U.S. Vogue. are mired in controversy after publishing pictures of a white model in blackface (hat tip: Drudge Report). Roitfeld, who - along with controversial photographer Steven Klein - has been denounced as "culturally insensitive" by U.S. fashion site Jezebel. "What Klein and Roitfeld should know is that painting white people black for the entertainment of other white people is offensive in ways that stand entirely apart from cultural context," said Jezebel. SOS Racisme, a French anti-racism group, described the pictures as "tactless". Shevelle Rhule, fashion and beauty editor at black women's magazine Pride, commented: "It's as if we've stepped back in time." Only last week the American singer and actor Harry Connick Jr was visibly shocked when an Australian talent show he was appearing on allowed a skit about the Jackson Five, performed in blackface.

Barbados Gets A Downgrade

Barbados may have gotten a high quality of living stamp but its bond rating was yesterday downgraded to the brink of junk (hat tip: BlackElectorate.com). Moody`s Investors Service yesterday lowered the Barbados government bond rating to the brink of junk territory, stating that the nation's government debt has more than doubled. Barbados' bond rating was lowered to Baa3, or just one notch into investment grade. Moody's expects the island's debt to exceed 100% of its economic output, compared with 65% in 1999. Moody's said structural issues have led to a higher debt burden for the Caribbean nation, which is heavily dependent on tourism and offshore financial services for its income. The Moody's report comes just four month after Standard & Poor's Rating Services cut Barbados' credit ratings closer to junk territory, putting the rating at BBB, or two notches above junk.