Daily Archives: September 19, 2013

IBC2013: Minikamera Novo, Novo Stabilizer, Freedom Helmet
Michael Mansouri from Radiant Images presents the miniature camera Novo and accessories for this camera at IBC2013 in Amsterdam: Novo Play is a tablet PC tha...

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IBC2013: Minikamera Novo, Novo Stabilizer, Freedom Helmet - Video

The United States has fallen 15 places since 2000 in a global ranking of economic freedom, while Hong Kong and Singapore maintained their top spots.

The "Economic Freedom of the World" report 2013, compiled by Canada's Fraser Institute, ranks Hong Kong first with an overall Economic Freedom Rating of 8.97, followed by Singapore (8.73). In the area of credit market regulations, both the East Asian City States scored 10 out of 10.

The United States is positioned as the world's 17th freest economy behind nations such as New Zealand, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Finland, Bahrain, Canada, and Australia, who are in the top ten.

Throughout most of the period from 1980 to 2000, the United States ranked as the world's third-freest economy, behind Hong Kong and Singapore.

The U.S. ratings and rankings have fallen in all five areas of the EFW index. The worst reduction was in the area of Legal System and Property Rights, where the rating had slid to 6.93, placing the United States 38th worldwide, tied with Venezuela.

The report blames the slippage of the United States, once considered a bastion of economic freedom, on "overspending, weakening rule of law, and regulatory overkill on the part of the U.S. government."

Major countries ranked below the United States include Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, and India. China, despite being a major economic power, is ranked as low as 123rd in a list of 152 countries.

Eight of the ten lowest-rated countries are located in Africa, with Myanmar and Venezuela ending up in last place.

The index published in the report, which was compiled using data and surveys from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Economic Forum, measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property. The degree of economic freedom to rank countries was measured using five criteria: Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally, and Regulation.

The average chain-linked economic freedom rating for the countries has increased from 5.34 in 1980 to 6.87 in 2011.

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Economic Freedom: Hong Kong, Singapore On Top, US Falls In Ranking

By Emma Gunn

PUBLISHED: 05:12 EST, 19 September 2013 | UPDATED: 11:10 EST, 19 September 2013

Barclaycard has bumped-up the rewards on its Freedom Rewards credit card - just in time to tempt shoppers reluctant to head out to the High Street now the weather has turned.

The Freedom Rewards card will pay a higher reward rate on online shopping through its Freedom Rewards store.

Both new and existing customers will now be able clock up three points for every 1 spent with favourites such as ASOS, Debenhams and House of Fraser. Here's how the new reward offer stacks up.

Rewards cards: If used correctly you could earn money on your online shopping with Barclaycard's Freedom Rewards Credit Card

Barclaycard's Freedom Reward scheme works by holders earning points when the spend, and then using the points to buy vouchers from a list of retailers via the online Freedom Rewards store.

If you are a new customer signing up to the Barclaycard credit card you get an introductory bonus of 10,500 Freedom points (worth 30 in vouchers) when you spend 500 on the card in the first three months.

Apart from that, different types of spending earn different levels of points. You get one point for every 1 spent on general spending and two points on supermarket, petrol and TFL travel bills.

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Barclaycard boosts its Freedom Rewards Credit Card offering