According to World Bank's 2008 World Development Report, 2.1 billion people live on less than US$2 a day. 880 million of these live on less that US$1 a day

Oil giant Exxon Mobil made a profit of $11.68 billion between April and June, breaking its own record for the highest quarterly profit by a US company.

Foreign Affairs magazine reported that in 2005 six hedge funds managers pocketed €2.15 billion dollars between them

A car enthusiast in the Arabian state of Qatar wanted the very best when his Lamborghini needed a service so he had it flown all the way to London. Specialist mechanics checked the oil on the Murciélago LP640, at a cost of £23,500, including £3,552 for the service. A spokesman for Lamborghini UK said: "This sort of thing is not unheard of."

According to the Central Statistics Office southern Irish bosses had "invested" €2,003 billion abroad by the end of last year - yes that over two trillion euro. Talk about capital flight....

Issue 105 of Workers Solidarity Sept/Oct 2008

[PDF of southern edition of WS 105] [PDF of northern edition of WS 105]