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America celebrates its Declaration of Independence from Britain on July 4th. These sentences from the document forged in Philadelphia in 1776 still rank among the most stirring words ever written in a political text:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Of course, the nation has often fallen far short of the social and political revolution announced by the founding fathers. It took a brutal civil war to end slavery and federal troops to topple Jim Crow. The battles between farmers and the moneyed interests, capital and labor, were long and often violent. Nevertheless, after 56 democratically held Presidential elections, it’s fair to say that America’s political revolution has been remarkably durable and successful.

Question is, is America losing its economic independence 234 years later? And if so, does declining economic independence threaten the nation’s hard-fought political gains? More→

It’s no secret that doctors, lawyers and senior executives at large corporations typically earn six figures or more. But where are the $100,000 jobs for the rest of us — the 140 million American workers who lack the inclination, the aptitude or the tolerance for student debt to go for the classic big-money careers?

It turns out that in the 2000s, there are quite a number of six-figure occupations. Here are just a few worth your consideration: More→

You might have blinked and missed it, but currently under construction in the Indian city of Mumbai is a new 320 metre tall residential tower with the Bondesque name, Palais Royale.

With an octagonal floorplate that dictates the overall appearance of the tower and follows through Vastu philosophy, the scheme has a white Corian clad frame with balconies and recessed floor to ceiling glazing behind it.

Designed by Talathy and Panthaki, the Corian cladding was specifically chosen because it resembles marble, but without the weight and needless to say, the cost.

Thanks to the girth on show, the development looks surprisingly short for a 320 metre tall tower, something that is further magnified by the fact that not every floor is marked. Rather it’s a case that the external frame shows off double height glazing as well as individual levels making it appear rather shorter from some angles than the 66 storeys it reaches.

Despite the copious amounts of glazing, due to the wind-flow in and around the building that gets particularly strong during the monsoon season, not all apartments will have windows that open meaning they will have a number of other facilities fitted to compensate include ionisers.

The building is already under construction and is being built by Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Ltd who aim for a 2010 finished, something that is quite ambitious as its concrete frame has reached less than a third of its height.

Dubai International Financial Centre launches DIFC Lighthouse Tower

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced the launch of DIFC Lighthouse Tower, a landmark 400-metre luxury office tower that will be constructed in the heart of the DIFC District, adjacent to the famous ‘Gate’ building.

Environmentally sensitive design to set benchmark for energy conservation.  More→

Those with property investment interests in the UAE may welcome research from HSBC which shows that property prices are rising in the emirates.
The new Property Ladder study shows that there has been a marked growth in the UAE property sector, in part spurred by a relaxation of maximum loan-to-value (LTV) rates that have allowed more people to get on the housing ladder. More→

In its attempt to shed brands on its way to a smaller, more efficient company, General Motors Corp. announced it has sold its Hummer brand to a Chinese company. Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company bought the Hummer brand, marking the company’s first foray into the automobile industry. The sale confirms Hummer won’t be launched in India.

The announcement came a day after GM filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York, adopting a strategy that gives the federal government 60% ownership. GM officials said they hope to emerge from bankruptcy leaner and more efficient within 60 to 90 days. Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company bought the Hummer brand, marking the company’s first foray into the automobile industry. Reports said the sale would save about 3,000 jobs in the U.S., at Hummer plants and dealerships.

Egypt is fast becoming the latest investment property hotspot for buyers who are looking for an exciting investment which gives impressive rental yields, high capital growth and low property prices.

Following recent reforms, purchasing Egyptian properties is now far more straightforward and transparent than it once was and the economy has performed strongly over the last few years.

Cultural reasons to consider Egypt include miles of sandy white beaches, reliable climate, excellent diving and water sports and a real sense of history.

Access to the country from Europe is also very easy and cheap, enticing millions of tourists each year and holiday home buyers and investors will love the low cost of living that Egypt still offers in comparison to other equivalent countries.

The US’s recent announcement of the lifting of restrictions on visits and transfers to Cuba is predicted to bring a huge boost to the island’s economy, tourism and by extension, property investment. After over five decades of being subjected to severe limitations from its giant neighbour, the recent changes mean Cuba is set to receive thousands more visitors a year. More→

If you like the high life, you may be interested to hear that construction has started on what will be China’s tallest building, Shanghai Tower and one of the ten tallest buildings in the world. More→