US employers cut 17,000 jobs from their payrolls in January, US Labor Department figures showed. Economists had been expecting a rise of 80,000. If this figure proves to be in line with actual events (after adjustments), it shows severe declines in economic activity in the US. There has been modest wage inflation over the past …
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Category:9 Regions
The world likes China
Link to original article here. How the World Sees China by Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center December 11, 2007 The rise of anti-Americanism in recent years has given China a decided image advantage over the United States. Considerably more people around the world have an unfavorable view of the America than think poorly of …
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IBM report explores sustainable economic development in Africa
The Global Innovation Outlook 3.0 report explores sustainable economic development in Africa. GIO is sponsored by IBM. It attempts to synthesise a consensus from more than 150 business, government, academic and NGO leaders across nine deep dive sessions. Read the summary here or download the report here (3.8mb pdf).
Will US vindication of Iran promote softer diplomacy?
The US National Intelligence Directorate issued a report today stating that Iran has not pursued nuclear weapons development since 2003. This is in stark contrast to the US’s aggressive words in international circles and the snubbing of Iran’s President on a recent visit to the US. The IAEA continuing to analyse the nature of Iran’s …
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Middle east peace: after Annapolis
This report and linked reports by the BBC analyse the problems and opportunity for peace in the Middle East which the Bush administration has sponsored. Unfortunately there remain fundamental differences which will impede progress, including the exclusion of important stakeholders in the process (such as Hamas) and the favourable bias that many feel the US …
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The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush
The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush by Joseph Stiglitz When we look back someday at the catastrophe that was the Bush administration, we will think of many things: the tragedy of the Iraq war, the shame of Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib, the erosion of civil liberties. The damage done to the American economy does not …
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Emperor Qian Long to King George III
This link came across my desk and I share it because of my ties to Hong Kong and fondness for China. It is the text of a famous letter from Emperor Qian Long sent to King George III at the height of Chinese civilisation in the 18th century. China entered into a 200-year period of …
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Is Japan joining the US as a global pariah?
Japan has started to fingerprint and photograph all foreigners when they arrive in the country, joining the United States in checking foreigners in this way. (Japan will require foreigners resident in Japan, as well as visitors, to be checked each time they enter.) This kind of checking is a sad comment on the way humanity …
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Will Money Solve Africa’s Development Problems?
A Templeton conversation. The concensus seems to be No. Either was the participants are well informed and offer a broad insight to the challenges of Africa. Read it here. Will Money Solve Africa’s Development Problems?
Report on Iran’s nuclear programme is not the drama expected
The report by the IAEA on Iran’s nuclear programmes is not the dramatic revelation that some expected. In Iran’s favour, most of the data reveals authentic energy applications of nuclear material. On the other hand, questions remain about what current activities are. And those questions are being asked. The response by both Iran and the …
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