麻豆约拍

There have been new developments in US banking investigations. Standard Chartered agreed to pay a penalty of $340 million over alleged breaches of sanctions against Iran. And we had confirmation that the investigation into manipulation of the interest rates known as LIBOR has spread to additional banks. Philip Augar, a writer and former investment banker says these developments point to a wider cultural problem.

And as the end of Ramadam approaches, the Jordanian economist Samer Sunuqrot says the fasting has an impact on productivity and on the pattern of consumer spending.

(Image: A market seller in Yemen displays his corn. Credit: AP Photo / Hani Mohammed)