Global Agenda articles from April 2006

Global Agenda archives from April 2006

Pappy in the dock; The strange case of Charles Taylor; Liberia's old president is due in court.(Biography)
April 3, 2006... Liberia's ex-president, Charles Taylor, is due to appear in a UN-backed war-crimes court in Sierra Leone. He faces 11 charges relating to his backing for rebels in a brutal conflict that killed hundreds of thousands of people. The UN Security...

After the election in Thailand; Thailand's election; Only uncertainty seems certain.(Thaksin Shinawatra)
April 3, 2006... The snap election called by Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, went ahead largely peacefully on Sunday, despite opposition attempts to have it suspended. But even if he wins more than half the votes, as he hoped, the election may...

Thaksin teetering.(Thaksin Shinawatra)
April 3, 2006... Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, says he will resign if told to go by a committee of "eminent persons" he is creating, to find an end to the country's political crisis. Though Mr Thaksin won most votes in Sunday's snap election,...

Seeking a good connection.(Alcatel mergers with Lucent Technologies )
April 3, 2006... Alcatel of France and Lucent Technologies of America have agreed to merge, creating one of the world's biggest telecoms-equipment firms. A previous merger attempt, five years ago, fell apart in the final stages over who would really be in...

Which side are you on? The Buttonwood column: Delphi's bankruptcy; Time for a showdown over legacy costs.
April 4, 2006... Delphi's bankruptcy highlights the danger of ballooning legacy costs--namely pensions and health care--and is further bad news for its main customer, General Motors. The quicker management and the unions stop singing and start talking, the...

On a collision course.
April 4, 2006... General Motors is selling more than half of its profitable finance arm to a private-equity consortium, raising cash to pay for its own restructuring. But the struggling carmaker's future depends on getting a deal with unions to stop a strike at...

On the up and up; The Buttonwood column: On the up and up; A view from the sunny side of the Street.(Wall Street)
April 4, 2006... Things have never been better IT IS probably fair to say that from Wall Street's earliest days in the 1700s until quite recently the ability to gush about the wonderful outlook for markets, companies and the economy was an essential talent...

Thaksin to quit.(Thaksin Shinawatra)
April 4, 2006... Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has announced his resignation on national television, hoping to end the country's political crisis, which has seen weeks of big rallies on Bangkok's streets. His dramatic move comes just two days...

Thaksin quits.(Thaksin Shinawatra)
April 5, 2006... Thailand's prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, will be replaced by his chief deputy, Chidchai Vanasathidya. The dramatic move comes a few days after Mr Thaksin won a strong but reduced mandate in a snap election that the main opposition...

Republican woes mount.(Tom DeLay resigns)
April 5, 2006... Tom DeLay, a powerful Republican figure, has announced that he is retiring from politics just as troubles are piling up for America's ruling party. Though Mr DeLay said he was going because of a personal campaign against him, accusations of...

Farewell to the apertura petrolera.
April 5, 2006... Venezuela's nationalist government, led by president Hugo Chavez, has seized control of two foreign-run oilfields. Taking advantage of high oil prices, Mr Chavez has confirmed that foreign companies will play a reduced role in the country's...

Seeking a good connection.(Compagnie Financiere Alcatel and Lucent Technologies Inc. merge)
April 6, 2006... Alcatel of France and Lucent Technologies of America have agreed to merge, creating one of the world's biggest telecoms-equipment firms. A previous merger attempt, five years ago, fell apart in the final stages over who would really be in...

On a collision course.
April 6, 2006... General Motors is selling more than half of its profitable finance arm to a private-equity consortium, raising cash to pay for its own restructuring. But the struggling carmaker's future depends on getting a deal with unions to stop a strike at...

Republican woes mount.
April 6, 2006... Tom DeLay, a powerful Republican figure, has announced that he is retiring from politics just as troubles are piling up for America's ruling party. Though Mr DeLay said he was going because of a personal campaign against him, accusations of...

Italy prepares to vote.
April 6, 2006... Italians vote in a general election on April 9th and 10th. The contest between the centre-right coalition of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the centre-left group of Romano Prodi has been closely fought. Whoever wins must face up to the...

Bombed at prayer.
April 7, 2006... The triple bombing of a Baghdad mosque belonging to one of the biggest Shia political parties in Iraq has killed at least 79 people and wounded many more. The attack is likely to disrupt efforts--which were anyway making little headway--to form...

Italy votes.(Italian government and economy)
April 10, 2006... Italians vote in a general election on April 9th and 10th. The contest between the centre-right coalition of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the centre-left group of Romano Prodi has been closely fought. Whoever wins must face up to the...

A victory for the streets.(Laws, regulations and rules of youth employement.)
April 10, 2006... France's government has caved in, agreeing to scrap a controversial youth job law after nine weeks of mass protests, some of them violent, by students and unionists. On April 10th President Jacques Chirac said the law would be "replaced" with...

Prodi's triumph.( )
April 10, 2006... Exit polls suggest that Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition has won majorities over Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right government in both houses of the Italian parliament. But Mr Prodi may come to find that winning the election was the easy...

A victory for the streets.(France drops youth job law )
April 11, 2006... France's government has caved in, agreeing to scrap a controversial youth job law after nine weeks of mass protests, some of them violent, by students and unionists. On April 10th President Jacques Chirac said the law would be "replaced" with...

Prodi's paper-thin victory.(election campaign of Italy)
April 11, 2006... Results from Italy's election finally suggest that Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition has narrowly beaten Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right grouping, but by a desperately slim margin. Mr Berlusconi may yet challenge the result; many observers...

The bugs are back.
April 11, 2006... High prices for gold, zinc, copper and other metals, and for other commodities like oil, are delighting producers. In London gold futures passed $600 a troy ounce and copper surpassed $6,000 a tonne on Wednesday. Prices are not approaching...

Scowling at Iran.
April 11, 2006... The war of words between America and Iran, which is suspected of developing a nuclear weapons programme, has intensified. A report--dismissed by some as "wild speculation"--that America may consider a tactical nuclear strike against Iran's...

Where angels fear to tread; The Buttonwood column: Where angels fear to tread; Securitisation east of the river Oder.
April 11, 2006... Securitisation in Russia and central Europe: the next big thing RUSSIAN bankers were out in force in Berlin a couple of weeks ago, at a forum on securitisation east of the river Oder. No surprise, really: the turning of loans and other...

Scowling at Iran.
April 11, 2006... The war of words between America and Iran, which is suspected of developing a nuclear weapons programme, has intensified. A report--dismissed by some as "wild speculation"--that America may consider a tactical nuclear strike against Iran's...

Iraq's sorry politics.
April 12, 2006... The formation of a new government in Iraq is in disarray, as Shiite politicians prepare to give up on their current nominee for prime minister. As politicians fail to get their house in order, terrorists continue to spread mayhem WILL Iraq...

The passions of spring.
April 12, 2006... NASDAQ's surprise acquisition of nearly 15% of the London Stock Exchange for [pounds sterling]448m ($781m), on April 11th, makes it a favourite to complete a possible future takeover. But there are rumours aplenty of mergers and takeovers among...

The nuclear row over Iran.
April 13, 2006... The war of words between western countries and Iran, which is suspected of developing a nuclear weapons programme, continues to intensify. Iran says it has enriched a small amount of uranium and boasts of plans to enrich much more. The...

Where angels fear to tread; The Buttonwood column: Where no angels tread; Securitisation east of the river Oder.
April 13, 2006... Securitisation in Russia and central Europe: the next big thing RUSSIAN bankers were out in force in Berlin a couple of weeks ago, at a forum on securitisation east of the river Oder. No surprise, really: the turning of loans and other...

The passions of spring.
April 13, 2006... NASDAQ's surprise acquisition of nearly 15% of the London Stock Exchange for [pounds sterling]448m ($781m), on April 11th, makes it a favourite to complete a possible future takeover. But there are rumours aplenty of mergers and takeovers among...

The nuclear row over Iran.
April 14, 2006... The war of words between western countries and Iran, which is suspected of developing a nuclear weapons programme, continues to intensify. Iran says it has enriched a small amount of uranium and boasts of plans to enrich much more. The...

The bugs are back.
April 17, 2006... High prices for commodities--not only oil, but also metals like gold, zinc, and copper--are delighting producers. In London gold futures have passed $600 a troy ounce and copper is well over $6,000 a tonne. Prices are not approaching historic...

The passions of spring.
April 18, 2006... NASDAQ's surprise acquisition of nearly 15% of the London Stock Exchange for [pounds sterling]448m ($781m) makes it a favourite to complete a possible future takeover. But there are rumours aplenty of mergers and takeovers among the world's big...

After the Tel Aviv bombing.
April 18, 2006... Ehud Olmert, Israel's interim prime minister, and his cabinet, have decided not to order a military strike in response to a Palestinian suicide bomb attack that killed nine people (aside from the bomber himself) and injured over 60 in Tel Aviv...

Be careful what you wish for; The Buttonwood column: Be careful what you wish for; A stronger Chinese currency might prove painful for America.
April 18, 2006... Should Americans really want China's currency to rise? THIS week China's Hu Jintao makes the most important trip of his presidency, his first official visit to Washington. Though much nail-biting has attended its preparation, this columnist...

After the Tel Aviv bombing.
April 19, 2006... Ehud Olmert, Israel's interim prime minister, and his cabinet, have decided not to order a military strike in response to a Palestinian suicide bomb attack that killed nine people (aside from the bomber himself) and injured over 60 in Tel Aviv...

Reasons to be cheerful.
April 19, 2006... The International Monetary Fund published a hopeful report on the global economy on Wednesday, April 19th, predicting another year of GDP growth of nearly 5%. With many of the best recent economic performances seen in developing countries, the...

Hamas on the spot.
April 19, 2006... The consequences of Monday's bombing in Tel Aviv could be significant, despite a decision by Israel not to retaliate using massive military force. The Palestinian Authority controlled by Hamas looks increasingly isolated and--despite some...

Reasons to be cheerful.
April 20, 2006... The International Monetary Fund published a hopeful report on the global economy on Wednesday, April 19th, predicting another year of GDP growth of nearly 5%. With many of the best recent economic performances seen in developing countries, the...

Violence at the top of the world.
April 20, 2006... Pro-democracy demonstrators in Nepal defied a curfew on Thursday April 20th, taking to the streets to call for the removal of King Gyanendra. At least three people were killed. After two weeks of protests, strikes and widespread arrests, many...

Violence at the top of the world.(King Gyanendra of Nepal has bowed to demands that he return power to elected leaders)
April 21, 2006... King Gyanendra of Nepal has bowed to demands that he return power to elected leaders. His announcement came after two weeks of protests, which led to several deaths. Some may be mollified, but after over a year of frustration with the king many...

Handbags at dawn.
April 21, 2006... Luxury-goods firms are leading the way when it comes to enforcing intellectual-property protection in China, the world's centre of counterfeiting. This week one of them, Louis Vuitton, won a small but significant victory. But despite some...

Indians at the polls.
April 21, 2006... Two state elections beginning this week in India, in West Bengal and in Kerala, are likely to pass off peacefully. They will each be won by leftist parties, but show the world's largest democracy quietly--and successfully--at work IF AN...

Iraq's sorry politics.
April 24, 2006... The formation of a new government in Iraq is in disarray, as Shiite politicians prepare to give up on their current nominee for prime minister. As politicians fail to get their house in order, terrorists continue to spread mayhem WILL Iraq...

Violence at the top of the world.
April 24, 2006... Violence continues to flare in Nepal where protests against King Gyanendra and an ongoing insurgency by Maoist rebels threaten to plunge the country into chaos. Although the king has agreed to return some power to elected leaders, after weeks...

A darkening mood over Doha; A darkening mood; The Doha trade talks are not in good shape.
April 24, 2006... Efforts to liberalise world trade have suffered a setback, after large trading powers admitted that a self-imposed deadline of April 30th for preparing a deal on farm and industrial goods will be missed. Ministerial talks planned for this...

Mr Maliki's challenge.
April 24, 2006... Iraqis have finally agreed on a prime minister-designate but Jawad al-Maliki, who is known as a staunch Shiite, must now put a government together. He will be expected to show he can compromise as politicians try to build a common front against...

An end to violence at the top of the world?(King Gyanendra reinstates suspended parliament)
April 25, 2006... King Gyanendra of Nepal has announced--to the cheers of protestors who have brought the country to chaos--that he will reinstate the suspended parliament. The king promises a full return to democracy and the opposition has called off its strike...

On the move.
April 25, 2006... Companies are scrabbling to take advantage of a boom in an old-fashioned business--building transport infrastructure. Those who own and operate toll-roads, airports and ports expect rising demand for their services and, in some local cases,...

Revival; The Buttonwood column: Revival; Europe's IPO market is looking sprightly.
April 25, 2006... Europe's IPO market is looking sprightly again IN THIS season of hope, when camellias illuminate Buttonwood's London garden and posters reading "Christ is Risen" adorn doors in his terraced street, his thoughts (heathen that he is) turn to...

Egypt prepares to pick up the pieces, again.
April 25, 2006... The impact of a bomb attack on the tourist resort of Dahab in Egypt on Monday April 24th, evidently by home-grown Islamic terrorists, may be profound. It appears to confirm that even stringent security measures often fail in the face of...

The Pope considers a life-saving new policy.
April 26, 2006... Pope Benedict XVI has asked a team of experts to prepare a statement on the use of condoms by married people who carry infectious viruses such as HIV. Even the most cautious discussion of this subject marks a encouraging change in approach by...

Egypt prepares to pick up the pieces, again.
April 26, 2006... The impact of a bomb attack on the tourist resort of Dahab in Egypt on Monday April 24th, evidently by home-grown Islamic terrorists, may be profound. It appears to confirm that even stringent security measures often fail in the face of...

Staggering back towards war.(Sri Lanka)
April 26, 2006... A suicide bomb attack against Sri Lanka's army chief and retaliatory air strikes against rebels have killed several people and heightened fears of renewed war. A formal ceasefire between Tamil separatists and the government had already been...

Calculating the costs of pricey oil.
April 27, 2006... Despite excitement among traders and grumbles from motorists, the high oil price has so far had only a limited impact on America's economy. But George Bush and other politicians want to be seen to act. This week the president called a temporary...

Calculating the costs of pricey oil.
April 28, 2006... Despite excitement among traders and grumbles from motorists, the high oil price has so far had only a limited impact on America's economy. But George Bush and other politicians want to be seen to act. This week the president called a temporary...

A dog's dinner for Romano Prodi.(houses of parliament )
April 28, 2006... Italy's political uncertainty may continue as Romano Prodi, who narrowly won the general election, struggles to assume control of both houses of parliament as well as over his leftist allies. The choice of speaker of the Senate, an unusually...

Microsoft on trial.
April 28, 2006... At a public hearing in a Luxembourg court, Microsoft has been appealing against antitrust penalties ordered by the European Commission two years ago. The corporate giant argues that bureaucrats should not decide how software is designed or how...