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Features of the week

We have some excellent articles and interview features for you this Friday. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our "Features of the week".

1. "Subprime Shockwaves". Bloomberg TV examines the fallout from the recent wave of subprime mortgage defaults and their effect on the U.S. housing market and the economy.

Guests include Richard Syron, CEO and Chairman of Freddie Mac, economist Robert Shiller, Pimco's Paul McCaulley, Jim Chanos of Kynikos Associates, and investors Marc Faber, Jim Rogers, and Ken Fisher (watch out for the hypnotic hand gestures).

2. Jim Rogers tells Reuters he's cautiously bullish on Chinese shares.

Despite an incipient bubble, the globe-trotting investor sees investment opportunities in companies serving China's needs in railways, education, water, renewable energy, and environmental cleanup.

3. "Blackstone Falls to Record Low in Debt Market Freeze". Shares of Blackstone Group have fallen to a new low, making the buyout firm the worst-performing IPO this year.

4. "Bond Risk Soars to Record as Investors Flee Corporate Debt". This is going to hurt.

5. An FT/Harris poll of wealthy nations reveals a backlash against globalization.

6. "Gloom or doom for global markets?". Marc Faber speaks with Resource Investor.

7. Why technology stocks have come full circle. Views of investor Robert Turner.

8. Blissfully Uneducated. How modern education fails us.

9. "Education: Free and Compulsory", a monograph by Murray Rothbard.

10. Research funded by the Templeton Foundation shows altruism and giving leads to a healthier life. Hat tip to Abnormal Returns.

11. "Absolut Capitalism". The vodka that created a marketing revolution is up for sale.

12. Aleph Blog on the "Five pillars of liquidity".

13. "The Future is Solar", according to energy watcher Robert Rapier.

14. Updated world oil forecasts, including Saudi Arabia. Courtesy of The Oil Drum's ace.

15. "How I became a libertarian", by Robert Stewart.

16. Your moment of Zen. Ted Williams and the Atlantic Salmon.

Have a great weekend, everyone.
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