RSS Feed

Calendar

February 2014
M T W T F S S
« Jan   Mar »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728  

Search

Tag Cloud

Archives

New York Times (February 18, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 18 by jd in Global News

“Some analysts and public officials say the beleaguered euro zone is finally on the road to recovery…. But theirs is an overly optimistic view.” Europe risks falling into deflation “if government officials and central bankers do not take steps to bolster the economy.” Coordinated efforts would be ideal, but with European governments unlikely to work together “it is up to the central bank to act when it meets again next month.”

 

Financial Times (February 16, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 17 by jd in Global News

The “US and EU must not lose momentum on the TTIP talks.” Successfully concluding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) “would not only bolster prosperity in the participating countries; it could be a springboard for new global trade talks.”

 

Wall Street Journal (February 16, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 16 by jd in Global News

“It’s getting ugly in Venezuela.” The economy is crumbling with inflation north of 56% and wide-spread shortages, which have caused some factories to close. Amid growing protests, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is consolidating power using deaths at recent protests “to justify a government crackdown on growing civic unrest directed at his leadership and a deteriorating economy.” A natural “strongman,” President Maduro is now following “the Cuban model.”

 

The Economist (February 15, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 15 by jd in Global News

“Rule changes have made activism easier and therefore more commonplace. Nor is it restricted to America: shareholder activism is gaining in popularity around the world, in places such as Japan and continental Europe, where it was once unknown.” While there are instances where activists cause damage in pursuit of short-term gains, “recent academic studies suggest that, by and large, activists are good for companies. An analysis of around 2,000 interventions in America during 1994-2007 found not only that the share prices and operating performance of the firms involved improved over the five years after the intervention, but also that the improvement was greatest towards the end of the five-year period.”

 

Washington Post (February 14, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 14 by jd in Global News

Russia’s refreshingly independent TV Dozhd may soon be off the air as cable and satellite providers, apparently under duress, drop the channel from their offerings. “This knives-in-the-night approach is typical of the latter-day Putin regime. While Mr. Putin once caused a stir with a highly publicized takeover of the independent TV channel NTV, now he is stealthier, working his will from the shadows…. But the result is the same: It looks like yet another light in Russia’s democratic struggle—the refreshing openness of TV Dozhd—is about to go dark.”

 

New York Times (February 13, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 13 by jd in Global News

On September 18, Scotland will vote on whether to go independent or remain in Great Britain, which also includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. “As the countdown begins for the fateful vote, the Scots should certainly weigh the potential economic consequences, but also the pros and cons of dropping out of ‘Team G.B.’”

 

Euromoney (February Issue)

2014/ 02/ 12 by jd in Global News

In Mexico, “cheaper electricity will lower manufacturing costs across the board, and the country could become a competitor in energy-intensive industries such as aluminum and steel production.” President Enrique Peña Nieto introduced sweeping reforms to liberalize the electricity and oil and gas sectors, prompting analysts to add “an extra 1.5% to future GDP growth rates as a direct consequence of the scope of these reforms and many say the risks are on the upside. Suppliers, contractors and a whole host of other industries will benefit.”

 

Los Angeles Times (February 11, 1964)

2014/ 02/ 11 by jd in Global News

“With their bizarre shrubbery, the Beatles are obviously a press agent’s dream combo. Not even their mothers would claim that they sing well. But the hirsute thickets they affect make them rememberable, and they project a certain kittenish charm which drives the immature, shall we say, ape.”

 

Forbes (February 10, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 10 by jd in Global News

“Beijing is becoming more dependent on the U.S. and the rest of the world for its strength and prosperity.” Though it may be the largest holder of U.S. Treasuries, this is not a sign of strength. “The idea that a government gains strength by piling up dollars or other foreign currencies is a mercantilist holdover from the 16th to 18th centuries, when France, Spain and others thought amassing gold and silver was how a country became wealthy. Trade, not hoarding, makes for a powerful economy.”

 

The Economist (February 8, 2014)

2014/ 02/ 09 by jd in Global News

China is getting “a small breath of fresh air” as new policies stipulate “official data, formerly held secretly, should be published.” This marks “an important step, not just for China’s environment, but also because it gives new power to the large and growing movement of citizen activists who have been lobbying for the government to clean up.”

 

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »

[archive]