Russia Joins the WTO?

 

From the BBC:

 

Russia and US poised for WTO deal

The leaders of the US and Russia can put their heads together in Hanoi

Russia has finally cleared the last hurdle in its bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The US has agreed in principle to approve Russia’s membership, after holding out in lengthy bilateral talks.

Russia and the US hope to sign a WTO accession deal at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam next week.

Despite previous Russian hopes of a break-through, negotiators failed to clinch a deal at the G8 summit in July.

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Beijing’s Bird Nest

The 2008 Olympic games are some time off yet, but I’ve been following the construction of China’s national stadium, which will host the games. I wanted to post a few photos to give yet another example of how China is pushing the envelope in the 21st century. Though it was designed by a Swiss firm (architects: Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron) the final decision regarding design was left to the public. There were three finalists, but the Herzog and Meuron design won China’s heart.

With its enormous, criss-crossing beams, I finally understand where all of America’s Rustbelt steel is going. Love it or hate it, you have to admit, these guys are on a mission.

Photos: