Chicago Tribune (August 8)
“For Japan, where there’s such pressure to maintain things the way they are, the decision to retire is even bigger. This has the making of an unmistakably modern moment: trying something new, even if it feels uncomfortable. Japan should thank Emperor Akihito for his unexpected decision and wish him a long, happy retirement.”
Tags: Decision, Emperor Akihito, Japan, New, Pressure, Retire, Uncomfortable, Unexpected
Reuters (January 29)
“The Bank of Japan unexpectedly cut a benchmark interest rate below zero on Friday, stunning investors with a move aimed at shielding the country’s sluggish economy from volatile markets and slowing global growth.”
Tags: Benchmark, BOJ, Economy, Growth, Interest rates, Investors, Unexpected, Volatility
Time (February 25)
Seven years after becoming Pope, “his strength is gone, and in a striking, even revolutionary act of humility, Benedict has announced his resignation as the Vicar of Christ, effective at 8 p.m. Rome time on Feb. 28. A figure as controversial as John Paul II was popular, Benedict XVI has yet again flummoxed his many critics by becoming the first Pope in six centuries to abdicate the Chair of Peter. And it is now possible that his most enduring act of public witness to the Gospel will be the remarkable spectacle of a prince of the church voluntarily surrendering the things of this world… an example of Christian piety that was quite unexpected.”
Tags: Abdicate, Benedict, John Paul II, Pope, Resignation, Unexpected
