Unit 1: Cuba moves towards a mixed economy

Thanks to tutor2u for this summary of the changes afoot in Cuba (Use the hyperlinks)

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/economics/comments/castros-command-move-to-a-mixed-economy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economics_news+%28tutor2u+Economics+Blog%29#When:15:16:00Z

a) Explain how the plans mean Cuba's economy will become more like the mixed model

Unit 1: The end of cheap cotton clothes?

An interesting article and video from Sky news suggesting the price of cotton clothes is set to rise

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Cotton-Price-Cost-Hike-Could-Mean-End-Of-Cheap-Clothing-As-Bargain-Chains-Raise-Shop-Prices/Article/201009415743868?f=rss

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of cotton clothes is due to rise
b) Comment on the staement that low price chains such as Primark may be hit disproportionatelt by this rise in the price of cotton

Unit 1: Increasing demand for pies in the UK

An interesting article from Sky news

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sales-Of-Pies-And-Pasties-Rise-In-Recession-Says-Mintel-Research/Article/201009315732750?f=rss

a) What type of good would pies and pastries appear to be? Explain your answer

Unit 2: How to alter your exchange rate

This BBC clip explains how the Japanese cental bank intervened in the market to force down the value of the Yen

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11310620

a) Why did the central bank intervene?
b) Using a S&D diagram, explain how they manipulated the value of the Yen downwards (ie a depreciation)

Unit 2: UK inflation in Sept 2010 at 3.1%

The BBC explains why inflation remains above target

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11299602 video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11294957 article

....as does anforme (with a graph)

http://www.anforme.co.uk/blog/?p=1533

Unit 1: Litter

An ITV documentary: It may only be available for 7 days; we'll see

http://video.stv.tv/bc/catchup-tonight-20100909-part1/

Unit 1: The price of coffee

Thanks to tutor2u for directing me to this article

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1311303/Cost-morning-latte-set-soar-devastating-crop-shortages.html

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain why the price of coffee is set to rise

Unit 1: House Prices Down Again As Supply Rises

An article from Sky news

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/House-Prices-In-August-Suffer-Most-Widepread-Falls-Since-May-2009-As-Supply-Increases/Article/201009215727490?f=rss

a) Using the information in the first paragraph, draw a S&D diagram to show why house prices have fallen

Unit 2: UK's worst ever trade deficit

Tales of woe fron Sky news

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/UK-Trade-Deficit-Surge-In-Oil-And-Chemical-Imports-Widens-Gap-To-New-Record/Article/201009215723952?f=rss

a) What is meant by a trade deficit?
b) Why has it worsened?

Unit 2: Interest rates: What are they and how do they work in the economy

A nice video from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11238317

Unit 2: The shrinking Greek economy

A useful article from the BBC explaining the shrinking Greek economy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11229042

a) Using the Aggregate demand formula, explain why the Greece's GDP is falling

Unit 1: The price of wheat

The drought continues in Russia according to this BBC video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11202745

a) Using a S&D diagram, explain the likely effect on the world price of wheat by the reduced Russian harvest/Russian export ban
b) Using a S&D diagram, explain the likely effect of this on the price of products that have wheat as a major component (eg bread, cornflakes, beef etc)

Unit 2: Why have a spending review?

A nice summary from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10810962

Unit 2: Macroeconomic introduction

A brilliant introduction to the UK macroeconomy from tutor2u

http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/presentations/ukeconsep2010/player.html

Unit 2: Australia's economic growth

The BBC reports strong economic growth in Australia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11154030

a) Explain why interest rates might rise as a consequence of this strong growth in the Australian economy

Unit 1: Negative externalities associated with alcohol

Another clip from the BBC outlining some of the negative externalities associated with alcohol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11155591

Unit 1: Demand for amour plated cars in Mexico

A nice clip from the BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8955232.stm

a) Using demand theory, explain the rise in demand for amour plated cars in Mexico
b) Show the effect of this on a demand diagram