Signatures of Supersymmetry in B Decays - A Theoretical Perspective

We discuss precision tests of the standard model in radiative and semileptonic rare B-decays and CP-violating asymmetries, and possible signatures of supersymmetry in these processes. Motivated by current data, and with an eye on the forthcoming measurements, we restrict ourselves to the processes in which the bench marks set by the standard model have either been met by ongoing experiments or are expected to be met shortly. This includes the mixing-induced CP asymmetry, measured through $\sin 2 \beta$, and branching ratios for the radiative and semileptonic rare decays $B \to X_s \gamma$, $B \to K^* \gamma$, $B \to X_s \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to (K,K^*) \ell^+ \ell^-$, where $\ell^\pm =e^\pm, \mu^\pm$.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures (requires sprocl.sty and epsf); invited talk, to be published in the proceedings of the International Conference on Flavor Physics ICFP2001, Zhang-Jia-Jie City, Peoples Republic of China, May 31 - June 6, 200

Inequality and the Dynamics of Poverty and Growth

This paper models the dynamic interactions between growth and distribution in the analysis of the behavior of poverty over time. The model permits formal analysis of the factors that led to the growth collapse as well as the rise in poverty in Africa and other developing regions, except Asia, during 1975-96 period. Using indicators of average country performance during this period-- in terms of the rate of acceleration of growth, changes in poverty and extent of inequality—the model suggests tentative strategies for dealing with poverty. The main policy recommendation of this analysis is that, for the majority of countries—36 out of 47—any serious strategy for poverty reduction must include both policies for accelerating growth as well as measures for effecting more equitable income distribution. Moreover, the latter must be sufficiently deep either to shake-off the "transitional", though lingering, "low equilibrium trap" that characterizes some economies; or to more others from the "bad" equilibrium of stationary, but high, poverty.

Insolvency – Temporary management of an insolvent bank

In this paper the author analyses the arguments put forward by parties in the case of Century National Merchant Bank v Davies before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council pursuant to an appeal from the Court of Appeal of Jamaica [1998] 2 WLR 779 (PC). Article published in Amicus Curiae - Journal of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and its Society for Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London

Convergence of Corporate Governance and Islamic Financial Services Industry: Toward Islamic Financial Services Securities Market

This paper briefly discusses the significance of corporate governance for the Islamic financial services industry. Furthermore, it predicts that the Islamic financial services industry is likely to converge to modern governance practices. The paper also argues that the industry needs to have a homogenous and specialized regional securities market to realize its true potential