Global Agenda articles from July 2008

Global Agenda archives from July 2008

Driving in the slow lane; Business.view.
July 1, 2008... A Hertz-eye view of the global economy NOTHING is more irksome about hiring a rental car than knowing you will be ripped off if you return the car without a full tank of petrol. The rental-car firms invented over-priced gas long before the...

Cuba's slowing economy.
July 1, 2008... How rising costs are hampering Cuban growth Rising international prices of food and fuel, which account for around 40% of Cuban import spending, are affecting domestic output. The vice-president, Carlos Lage, reported in June that he...

The unnoticed emergency; Asia.view.
July 2, 2008... How Bangladesh's generals get away with it IN TERMS of foreign press coverage per head of population, probably no country in the world gets as raw a deal as Bangladesh. It has some 150m people. Yet if it features in the international media...

Avoiding blackouts; South Africa puts up the price of electricity; South Africa puts up the price of electricity.
July 2, 2008... South Africa puts up the price of power Power generator Eskom has been given the go-ahead to increase prices by 27.5% in 2008/09, adding to inflationary pressures. However, many users would prefer guaranteed but expensive power to cheap but...

The unnoticed emergency; Asia.view; How Bangladesh's generals get away with it.
July 3, 2008... How Bangladesh's generals get away with it IN TERMS of foreign press coverage per head of population, probably no country in the world gets as raw a deal as Bangladesh. It has some 150m people. Yet if it features in the international media...

Red turns grey and gloomy.
July 3, 2008... Keep an eye on the mood of the unlucky millions WHETHER you call it transition or convergence, the message is the same. Cut off from the outside world by decades of totalitarian rule, the ex-communist countries have mostly caught up fast....

Upheaval in Mongolia; A state of emergency is declared in Mongolia; A state of emergency is declared in Mongolia.
July 3, 2008... Allegations of electoral fraud lead to riots in Mongolia and the declaration of a state of emergency On July 1st Mongolia's president, Nambarin Enkhbayar, declared a four-day state of emergency. Violence broke out after unofficial results...

Waiting for Microsoft to turn green.
July 4, 2008... Windows XP will do nicely until Midori arrives TWO big things happened at Microsoft this past week. Bill Gates retired from the company after 32 years as co-founder, guiding spirit and undisputed boss. Then, following seven years as its...

Moody surprise; Art.view.
July 5, 2008... A lost Watteau rediscovered after 200 years IT IS easy to dismiss Jean-Antoine Watteau as the Barbara Cartland of early 18th-century French painting. That would be a mistake. True, his bucolic idylls of courting couples and little lapdogs...

Waiting for Microsoft to turn green.
July 7, 2008... Windows XP will do nicely until Midori arrives TWO big things happened at Microsoft this past week. Bill Gates retired from the company after 33 years as co-founder, guiding spirit and undisputed boss. Then, following seven years as its...

Is Africa recovering? The World Bank reports on African stability; The World Bank reports on African stability.
July 7, 2008... The World Bank's latest report on the political state of Africa The World Bank's governance indicators may be imperfect but they are a useful tool for investors. Politicians, donors and businesspeople with African investments...

All eyes on the carry trade; Market.view; When to the yen?
July 7, 2008... When to the yen? If you want to know how investors are feeling, watch the yen. The Japanese currency plays a key role as the currency investors favour when they are getting nervous about developments in the rest of the world. The...

Rebuilding; Reconstruction gets under way in areas hit by the earthquake in China; Reconstruction gets under way in areas hit by the earthquake in China.
July 7, 2008... Reconstruction starts in areas of China hit by the earthquake In the wake of freak snowstorms, violent ethnic protests and a massive earthquake this year, China's vision of a stable and developed western region seems more distant than ever....

Overconfident India.
July 9, 2008... Indians are complacent about the perils of multi-lateral diplomacy, and much else IT CAME like monsoon rain, after a head-aching spell of summer heat. On July 7th, ending months of mixed messages and tiresome speculation, Manmohan Singh,...

Kenyan shuffle; Kenya's finance minister quits, for now; Kenya's finance minister quits, for now.
July 9, 2008... Kenya's finance minister quits, at least temporarily Kenya's finance minister has stepped aside, but insists this is only a temporary measure. A long hiatus could prove politically and economically damaging. The Kenyan finance...

A plague on small businesses; Europe.view; A moving story of Polish bureaucracy.
July 10, 2008... A moving story of Polish bureaucracy IN THE bureaucrats' ideal world, people stay still. Movement creates unpredictability, uncertainty, confusion and the possibility that people will dodge taxes or defraud the taxpayer. So in any...

The iPhone's second coming.
July 11, 2008... The competition this time will be a lot stiffer PITY us poor mobile-phone users in America. While the rest of the world enjoys network speeds that let people watch television on the move, surf the mobile web in its living glory, download...

Temple dispute; Strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia; Strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
July 11, 2008... Relations between Cambodia and Thailand may come under strain On July 7th Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was designated a World Heritage Site by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This is a major victory for...

Once upon a good deed.
July 14, 2008... An American collector's attempt at philanthropy has reaped unexpected rewards The saga of the Rev Alfred Shands and his ten original illustrations to Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, itself borders on the fairy-tale. Happily in this...

Nigeria's delta force; A big rebel group in the Niger Delta calls off its ceasefire; A rebel group fighting in the Niger Delta has called off its ceasefire.
July 14, 2008... A big rebel group in the Niger Delta calls off its ceasefire One of the main rebel groups fighting in the Niger Delta has called off its unilateral ceasefire, just weeks after announcing the truce. This further reduces the chances of...

A double-edged sword; Surging Czech, Hungarian and Polish currencies; Surging Czech, Hungarian and Polish currencies.
July 15, 2008... Strong Czech, Polish and Hungarian currencies bring benefits and costs The Polish, Czech and Hungarian currencies have risen by 9-10% against the euro this year, buoyed by rising interest rates, strong economic growth and positive investor...

No smooth sailing to Africa.
July 16, 2008... As China wades deeper into the continent's economies, the turbulent pull of African politics grows stronger "Adopt a low profile and never take the lead," was an axiom of China's elder statesman, the late Deng Xiaoping. When it comes to...

Belgium's pitiful politics; Belgium's government collapses; Belgium's government collapses.
July 16, 2008... The woeful state of Belgian politics Belgium has been plunged into yet another political crisis after the prime minister, Yves Leterme, offered his resignation on July 15th over a long-running dispute on regional autonomy. His five-party...

Who's captive now?
July 17, 2008... A question about Russia Each year since 1959, in the third full week of July, America has marked Captive Nations Week. The original Congressional resolution is worth reading. It highlights both what the drafter, the late Lev Dobriansky,...

Aggressive Azerbajan; Talk of war from Azerbajan; Talk of war from Azerbajan.
July 17, 2008... Talk of war from Azerbajan, over Nagorno-Karabakh Having spent heavily on its military, Azerbaijan has raised the possibility of recovering Nagorno-Karabakh and its other occupied territories by force. Although the forthcoming presidential...

It's in your genes--maybe.
July 18, 2008... Peering into your medical future is risky IT HAS already delivered ever cheaper and more powerful computers. Now Moore's Law--the prediction four decades ago by Gordon Moore, one of the founders of Intel, that computer chips would roughly...

War at the ministry; War at Russia's defence ministry; War at Russia's defence ministry.
July 18, 2008... Civilians are wresting control of Russia's military After years without meaningful military reform, Russia's civilian defence minister is wresting control of the armed forces from the General Staff. This is one of the first signs of change...

Collecting collectors.
July 20, 2008... Immortality can be had for a price. The first in a short summer series JAMES STOURTON, the chairman of Sotheby's UK, is a tall, stooping man with a faintly academic air about him who manages to make his work his play. He collects...

Is sleep for wimps too?
July 20, 2008... Extending trading hours makes little sense WAKING up earlier than your rivals is one of the more primitive forms of human competition. The fight for market share between established stock exchanges and upstart trading platforms has already...

Can green be groovy?(Surya)
July 21, 2008... The pros and cons of an eco-friendly nightclub IT IS often said that environmentalists are too dour and self-denying to convert the frivolous mass of consumers to their cause. Tell that to the owners of Surya, a new disco in London that...

Pressure in Zimbabwe; Foreign firms under pressure in Zimbabwe; Foreign firms under pressure in Zimbabwe.
July 21, 2008... Foreign firms are being pressed to withdraw from Zimbabwe It is not just the government that is in an increasingly difficult position--firms with operations in Zimbabwe are coming under increasing pressure to withdraw. Talks about...

Of b-schools, scores and scandal; Business.view; A test used by business schools to help choose students is at the centre of a controversy.
July 22, 2008... A test used by business schools to help choose students is at the centre of a controversy IT WOULD make great material for a business ethics course. In late June ScoreTop.com, a website that helped users prepare for the Graduate Management...

Surveillance sweep; A new surveillance law causes a rumpus in Sweden; A new surveillance law causes a rumpus in Sweden.
July 22, 2008... A new surveillance law causes a rumpus in Sweden Recently approved legislation in Sweden that allows for increased surveillance of crossborder telecommunications traffic has triggered the country's most heated political debate in years and...

This is Japan; Asia.view; What a 50-year-old periodical tells about how the country has changed--and how it has not.
July 23, 2008... What a 50-year-old periodical tells about how the country has changed--and how it has not THE cover is a cliche: a frothy crested wave with Mount Fuji in the background. Emblazoned on the image of Hokusai's woodblock print from the 1830s...

Surprise presidential choice; A blow to Nepal's Maoists; A blow to Nepal's Maoists.
July 23, 2008... A blow to the Maoist in Nepals Nepal has elected its first president after abolishing the monarchy and declaring the country a republic. Surprisingly, however, the winner of the July 21st run-off vote was not the candidate backed by the...

For your freedom and ours; Europe.view; Captive nations inside Russia.
July 24, 2008... Captive nations inside Russia Is Cornwall a "captive nation"? As last week's Europe.view noted (see article) , influential Russians are pushing for America to rewrite the resolution that marks its Captive Nations Week (the third week in...

The pain in Panama; The pain of high inflation in Panama; The pain of high inflation in Panama.
July 24, 2008... Inflation has reached a 28-year high Panama, with its dollarised economy, sophisticated financial sector and years of solid economic growth, is not used to dealing with the macroeconomic instability and inflationary woes typical of other...

Home warriors; Tech.view; Telecommuters need more than e-mail and a broadband connection.
July 25, 2008... Telecommuters need more than e-mail and a broadband connection THE best thing about being a foreign correspondent is not having to commute to the office every day, attend dreary meetings, dress soberly, and generally get distracted from the...

Oil change; Equatorial Guinea's government is reshuffled; Equatorial Guinea's government is reshuffled.
July 25, 2008... Equatorial Guinea's government is reshuffled The appointment of the former finance minister to take charge of Equatorial Guinea's oil and gas sector is the most significant change in a cabinet reshuffle undertaken by the president, Teodoro...

Inflation or deflation? Market.view; The markets have become incredibly volatile as investors vacillate between these outcomes.
July 27, 2008... The markets have become incredibly volatile as investors vacillate between these outcomes The first two weeks of July were dark indeed, as investors feared that high oil prices were both heralding recession and preventing central banks...

All in the family; Art.view; A conversation with Jacob Rothschild, art collector.(Interview)
July 28, 2008... A conversation with Jacob Rothschild, art collector NATHANIEL Charles Jacob, the 4th Baron Rothschild, known as Jacob, was born in 1936 with a golden spoon in his mouth. His taste in art was channelled and encouraged by his mother, Mary...

Staying the courser; Green.view; Indian conservationists strive to convince politicians of a small bird's existence.
July 28, 2008... Indian conservationists strive to convince politicians of a small bird's existence WHEN in 2006 conservationists petitioned Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (AP), to designate the Jerdon's courser as the official...

New face; Morocco's Islamist-leaning PJD party elects a new leader; Morocco's Islamist-leaning PJD party elects a new leader.
July 28, 2008... Morocco's Islamist-leaning PJD party elects a new leader Morocco's Islamist-leaning Parti de la justice et du developpement (PJD), the second-largest party in parliament, has elected a new leader following a party congress attended by many...

Staying the courser; Green.view; Indian conservationists strive to convince politicians of a small bird’s existence.
July 29, 2008... Indian conservationists strive to convince politicians of a small bird’s existence WHEN in 2006 conservationists petitioned Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (AP), to designate the Jerdon’s courser as the...

In sickness and in wealth; Business.view; Steve Jobs and the case for succession planning.
July 29, 2008... Steve Jobs and the case for succession planning IS HE sick, or isn’t he? And if he is sick, just how serious is his condition? Ever since an emaciated Steve Jobs appeared on stage at a conference in June to introduce Apple’s new...

SAARC chasm; Asia.view; South Asia discusses regional friendship.(South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation)
July 30, 2008... South Asia discusses regional friendship THERE may be some awkward pauses this week in Colombo, where South Asia’s leaders are due to meet to discuss, among other shared concerns, terrorism. It is not that they will be unprepared....

Mexican energy; A Mexican opposition party submits a rival energy-reform bill; A Mexican opposition party submits a rival energy-reform bill.
July 30, 2008... An opposition party submits a rival energy-reform bill Mexico’s government continues its efforts to get lawmakers to support its energy reform proposals, following completion of a 71-day period of national and congressional debate on...

SAARC chasm; Asia.view; South Asia discusses regional friendship.(South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation)
July 31, 2008... South Asia discusses regional friendship THERE may be some awkward pauses this week in Colombo, where South Asia’s leaders are due to meet to discuss, among other shared concerns, terrorism. It is not that they will be unprepared....

Vague but sinister; Europe.view; Russia’s new foreign policy concept.
July 31, 2008... Russia’s new foreign policy concept AS LAUNCHES go, it was more an ominous fizzle than a big bang. At a briefing in Brussels on July 28th, Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, answered most questions about the...

No prime minister yet; Haiti has yet to install a new prime minister, months after the last one was ousted. Haiti has yet to install a new prime minister, months after the last one was ousted.
July 31, 2008... Haiti government is in paralysis Haiti has yet to install a new prime minister, months after the ousting of Jacques Edouard Alexis from that post in April following widespread protests against the high price of food. The process of...