Global Agenda articles from June 2006

Global Agenda archives from June 2006

Taking on the epidemic.
June 1, 2006... A quarter of a century after the first AIDS cases were diagnosed, and after 25m deaths, a UN report shows limited progress made against the disease. But, too often, politics continue to get in the way A GOOD measure of commitment to a cause...

Time and money; Buttonwood: Time and money; Backdated options backfire.
June 1, 2006... Backdated options may be the rare compensation scheme for chief executives that is not only wrong but also illegal SINCE one of the primary tasks of health insurance companies is to ration health care on the basis of cost, they are not...

The war on privacy.
June 2, 2006... A recent ruling on the sharing of airline passenger data helps show how European and American views differ on the competing demands of individual rights to privacy and the public need for security THE demands of security frequently square...

Linking hands across the Atlantic.(securities industry)
June 2, 2006... The creation of NYSE Euronext makes good sense THE Europeans talked incessantly, flirted shamelessly and snubbed each others' advances for months, but in the end it was the Americans who got a deal done. The $10 billion merger agreed...

A horror that will not be buried.(civilian casualities in Iraq)
June 2, 2006... Evidence that marines killed unarmed Iraqi civilians late last year is roiling America's administration. The BBC claims American soldiers executed more civilians in Iraq, in March THE Iraq war, said President George Bush last week, "has...

Breakthrough or stalemate?
June 2, 2006... America promises to talk, if Iran stops enriching uranium. Iran says it might talk, but won't stop the enrichment IN A striking shift of policy, the American administration this week said it would join direct talks with Iran--provided that...

The war on privacy.
June 5, 2006... A recent ruling on the sharing of airline passenger data helps show how European and American views differ on the competing demands of individual rights to privacy and the public need for security THE demands of security frequently square...

Ageing Japan.(economic effects of Japan's low fertility rate)
June 5, 2006... Getting people into work, rather than into the bedroom, matters more for Japan's shrinking population FOR anyone who bothers to look out from the bullet train as it races from Kobe to Tokyo the natural conclusion is that there are just too...

Kaleidoscopic stalemate.(formation of government in Czech Republic)
June 5, 2006... The free-market Civic Democrats try to form a government in the Czech Republic CZECH voters had a clear choice between change and stability in a parliamentary election at the weekend. But they chose not to exercise it. The result splits...

Trading World Cup volatility; Buttonwood: Trading World Cup volatility; Footnotes from the Finanzplatz.
June 6, 2006... Virtual stockmarkets for betting on national soccer teams may have addictive qualities, but probably not predictive ones IT WOULD have been the perfect setting for a performance of "Tommy", the rock opera by The Who, or even―heaven...

A triumph for Africa's Taliban.(Union of Islamic Courts takes Mogadishu in Somalia)
June 6, 2006... An Islamist militia claims it has taken Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. Now America may be funding the Islamists' rivals OUTSIDERS may worry that they have seen this script before. The collapse of a government in an already despotic Muslim...

On the runway.(acquisition of world's largest operator of airports)
June 6, 2006... Ferrovial, a Spanish firm, gets the all-clear from BAA in its bid to buy the world's largest operator of airports INTERNATIONAL mergers, it seems, are in the air. After months of rebuffs, a consortium led by Grupo Ferrovial, a Spanish...

Abbas's gamble.(Mahmoud Abbas)
June 6, 2006... Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has a strategy to get the ruling Islamist group Hamas, effectively, to accept Israel's existence. So far it isn't working THE ten days are up. Mahmoud Abbas's deadline for Hamas to agree to the...

A triumph for Africa's Taliban.
June 7, 2006... An Islamist militias claims it has taken Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. Now America may be funding the Islamists' rivals OUTSIDERS may worry that they have seen this script before. The collapse of a government in an already despotic Muslim...

Abbas's gamble.(Mahmoud Abbas)
June 7, 2006... Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has a strategy to get the ruling Islamist group Hamas, in effect, to accept Israel's existence. The problem is, so far, it isn't working THE ten days are up. Mahmoud Abbas's deadline for Hamas to...

Taking down the flag in Belgrade.
June 7, 2006... The Balkan countries want closer union, if not with each other, at least with the rest of Europe FEW noticed the symbolism of it all. On Monday June 5th, after a vote in the Serbian parliament, the caretaker of the building popped outside...

Turning against same-sex marriage.
June 7, 2006... Pope Benedict XVI, Australia's John Howard and Canada's Stephen Harper have all grumbled in the past week about gay marriage. But America's Senate has turned down an amendment to ban such unions THE debate on gay marriage in America seems...

Same-sex marriage holds its ground.
June 7, 2006... Pope Benedict XVI, Australia's John Howard and Canada's Stephen Harper have all grumbled in the past week about gay marriage. But America's Senate has turned down an amendment to ban such unions THE debate on gay marriage in America seems...

On the runway.
June 8, 2006... Ferrovial, a Spanish firm, gets the all-clear from BAA in its bid to buy the world's largest operator of airports INTERNATIONAL mergers, it seems, are in the air. After months of rebuffs, a consortium led by Grupo Ferrovial, a Spanish...

A symbolic change in Belgrade.
June 8, 2006... The Balkan countries want closer union, if not with each other, at least with the rest of Europe FEW noticed the symbolism of it all. On Monday June 5th, after a vote in the Serbian parliament, the caretaker of the building popped outside...

Let the games begin.(FIFA World Cup 2006)
June 9, 2006... The greatest show on earth kicks off in Germany. For the host country, at least, there is more riding on the tournament than mere sporting success FOOTBALL'S World Cup kicked off in Germany on Friday June 9th, unleashing a month-long...

The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
June 9, 2006... The killing of Iraq's bloodiest terrorist leader will boost the new government of Nuri al-Maliki--but not necessarily for long ON JUNE 7th, American troops killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the self-proclaimed boss of al-Qaeda in Iraq, in an...

Time to close.
June 12, 2006... Three suicides at the American-run prison camp for terrorist suspects, and clumsy handling of the situation by officials, have provoked widespread calls for Guantanamo Bay to be shut THE first three suicides among inmates at Guantanamo Bay...

The shrinking power of America's unions.
June 12, 2006... America's main carmakers union, the United Auto Workers, is showing a new spirit of compromise. It has little choice CONCESSIONS and conciliation do not come easily to trade-union leaders in the United States. So Ron Gettelfinger, chief of...

Desperate for a brighter future.
June 12, 2006... Al-Qaeda says it has a new leader in Iraq, while Iraq's government gets down to the business of trying to unite the country MOST seem to agree. Though the death last week of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in an American bomb attack was a good thing,...

Time to close.(calls for Guantanamo Bay to be shut)
June 13, 2006... Three suicides at the American-run prison camp for terrorist suspects, and clumsy handling of the situation by officials, have provoked widespread calls for Guantanamo Bay to be shut Three suicides last weekend among inmates at Guantanamo...

The shrinking power of America's unions.
June 13, 2006... America's main carmakers' union, the United Auto Workers, is showing a new spirit of compromise. It has little choice CONCESSIONS and conciliation do not come easily to trade-union leaders in the United States. So Ron Gettelfinger, chief of...

Mr Bush goes to Baghdad.
June 13, 2006... George Bush has made a surprise visit to Baghdad, where the government of Nuri al-Maliki is enjoying a rare period of success. But nobody doubts that Iraq continues to face enormous problems MOST seem to agree. Though the death last week of...

Upwards and onwards.(trends in interest rates)
June 13, 2006... Why higher interest rates are making the markets feel queasy A MONTH ago the Dow Jones Industrial Index was edging close to a record high and spirits were up. Now it is looking--along with markets in Britain, France, Germany and...

No monopoly on generosity.(G-8 loan forgiveness to developing countries)
June 13, 2006... How some new donor countries are proving troublesome ACTS of noblesse oblige are one way the wealthy and the grand distinguish themselves from the riff-raff. Russia, which currently holds the presidency of the G8 group of grand and wealthy...

Japan's contrarian pleasures; Buttonwood: The furtive pleasures of Japan; How the stockmarket is like a Roppongi bar.
June 13, 2006... Twitchy foreign hedge funds have sold too soon JUST shy of six months ago, this Asian embodiment of Buttonwood made the cheerful prediction that for the next year or four Japan's stockmarket would be the world's last best place to prosper,...

Upwards and onwards.(trends in inflation and interest rates)
June 14, 2006... Why higher inflation and interest rates are making the markets feel queasy A MONTH ago the Dow Jones Industrial Index was edging close to a record high and spirits were up. Now it is looking--along with markets in Britain, France, Germany...

A worried world.(public opinion on world affairs)(Survey)
June 14, 2006... A new opinion poll, conducted in 15 countries, confirms that people still worry a great deal about America's presence in Iraq, but also about Iran's nuclear ambitions, about Hamas and about global warming POLLS are something like inkblot...

Into the fire.(Kentucky Fried Chicken)(Centre for Science in the Public Interest)
June 14, 2006... A group based in Washington, DC, launches a lawsuit against KFC for frying its chicken in unhealthy oil A SECRET blend of 11 herbs and spices has drawn millions of customers to KFC (formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken) since the chain first...

Upwards and onwards.
June 15, 2006... Why higher inflation and interest rates are making the markets feel queasy A MONTH ago the Dow Jones Industrial Index was edging close to a record high and spirits were up. Now it is looking--along with markets in Britain, France, Germany...

An EU summit, none dead.
June 15, 2006... Europe's leaders meet in Brussels, but little will be achieved. Jacques Chirac, the French president, will stamp on the one popular suggestion under discussion BRITISH representatives in Brussels spent the evening before the European-Union...

Putting Taylor on trial.
June 15, 2006... The way is cleared for Charles Taylor, Liberia's former president, to be tried for war crimes, after Britain's government said space would be found for him in a British prison, if he is convicted BRITAIN has agreed to let Charles Taylor, a...

Putting Charles Taylor on trial.
June 16, 2006... The way is cleared for Charles Taylor, Liberia's former president, to be tried for war crimes, after Britain's government said space would be found for him in a British prison, if he is convicted BRITAIN has agreed to let Charles Taylor, a...

Good news on the deficit.
June 16, 2006... New figures show that America's mammoth current-account deficit narrowed slightly in the first quarter of the year. Though the news is welcome, there is still every reason to expect the dollar to drift downwards COULD America's enormous...

Muddy waters.(commercial whaling)
June 16, 2006... Japan hopes to win the right to restart commercial whaling, to the horror of environmentalists. The hunters may win preliminary skirmishes at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission THE International Whaling Commission begins its...

A sleepy summit.(EU meeting in Brussels)
June 16, 2006... A meeting of EU leaders in Brussels achieves little BEFORE the European Union's summer summit began on Thursday June 15th, Eurocrats themselves were forecasting that it would be boring and pointless. They were right. Little of substance was...

Putting Charles Taylor on trial.
June 19, 2006... The way is cleared for Charles Taylor, Liberia's former president, to be tried for war crimes, after Britain's government said space would be found for him in a British prison, if he is convicted BRITAIN has agreed to let Charles Taylor, a...

Not soaking up.
June 19, 2006... If Europe's leaders want to debate the "absorption capacity" of the European Union, they are really looking for ways to keep aspiring members out WHICH countries should be in the European Union? European leaders do not like precise...

The populist choice.(political scenario in Slovakia)
June 19, 2006... Victory for a left-leaning opposition party in Slovakia is a blow for one of the best-regarded reforming governments in the post-communist world SPECTACULAR success followed by tragic failure. That might seem the verdict of the weekend's...

Size matters.
June 19, 2006... Siemens and Nokia join forces to make telecoms equipment. There should be savings, but the deal may yet cause headaches THE telecoms-equipment business, like many others where suppliers see their big customers teaming up, is consolidating...

Charles Taylor flies to The Hague.
June 20, 2006... Charles Taylor, Liberia's former president, arrives in The Hague to face trial for war crimes ON TUESDAY June 20th, Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia and one of Africa's most brutal warlords, was secretly flown under heavy...

Size matters.
June 20, 2006... Siemens and Nokia join forces to make telecoms equipment. There should be savings, but the deal may yet cause headaches THE telecoms-equipment business, like many others where suppliers see their big customers teaming up, is consolidating...

Muslim futures.
June 20, 2006... Two of Europe's leading Muslims conduct a fiercely polite debate on the place of Islam in Europe FEW questions are more important to Europe's future than the integration of the continent's 20m-odd Muslims. Non-Muslim politicians and...

Buttonwood: Debt puts on its dancing shoes; Buttonwood: Credit derivatives; Debt puts on its dancing shoes.
June 20, 2006... Companies find that investors in bonds and derivatives are getting smarter and more demanding "SISTERS are doin' it for themselves," says Tim Frost, founder of a $15 billion credit hedge fund called Cairn Capital, borrowing from Aretha...

Making fireworks.
June 20, 2006... North Korea grabs attention by threatening to go ballistic REPORTS from United States intelligence that North Korea appears ready to test-launch a three-stage ballistic missile have sparked a flurry of diplomatic concern. The Taepodong-2 is...

Muslim futures.
June 21, 2006... Two of Europe's leading Muslims conduct a fiercely polite debate on the place of Islam in Europe FEW questions are more important to Europe's future than the integration of the continent's 20m-odd Muslims. Non-Muslim politicians and...

Making fireworks.
June 21, 2006... North Korea grabs attention by threatening to go ballistic REPORTS from United States intelligence that North Korea appears ready to test-launch a three-stage ballistic missile have sparked a flurry of diplomatic concern. The Taepodong-2 is...

A warm embrace.
June 21, 2006... China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, conducts a seven-country safari of Africa, hoping to win access to more natural resources and to develop stronger trading ties WHAT lies behind the latest African tour by a senior Chinese politician?...

Wage rage.
June 22, 2006... Both politics and economics lie behind Democrats' calls for a higher minimum wage WITH unemployment as low as 4.6%, America's labour market might be expected to be painfully tight. In fact there seems to be some slack in it. Labour force...

Under investigation.
June 22, 2006... Antitrust troubles for British Airways "WE ARE starting to see some light at the end of a five-year tunnel"--said Giovanni Bisignani, head of the International Air Transport Association, earlier this month, reflecting on the airline...

Under investigation.
June 22, 2006... Antitrust troubles for British Airways "WE ARE starting to see some light at the end of a five-year tunnel", said Giovanni Bisignani, head of the International Air Transport Association, earlier this month, reflecting on the airline...

Hopeful in Ukraine.
June 23, 2006... A new political deal may finally provide stable government in Ukraine--or it may not THE twists and turns of the plot would stretch the conventions of romantic comedy. But after one final burst of tantrums and tears, Ukraine's two...

Fear in America.
June 23, 2006... A terrorist plot is apparently foiled in Miami and seven men are charged with conspiring to work with al-Qaeda. But uncomfortable questions remain unanswered IT WAS a classic sting. Narseal Batiste, the alleged leader of a group of...

Buttonwood: Debt puts on its dancing shoes; Buttonwood: Credit derivatives; Debt puts on its dancing shoes.
June 26, 2006... Companies find that investors in bonds and derivatives are getting smarter and more demanding "SISTERS are doin' it for themselves," says Tim Frost, founder of a $15 billion credit hedge fund called Cairn Capital, borrowing from Aretha...

Hopeful in Ukraine.(new government to be formed)
June 26, 2006... A new political deal may finally provide stable government in Ukraine--or it may not THE twists and turns of the plot would stretch the conventions of romantic comedy. But after one final burst of tantrums and tears, Ukraine's two...

Fear in America.
June 26, 2006... A terrorist plot is apparently foiled in Miami and seven men are charged with conspiring to work with al-Qaeda. But uncomfortable questions remain unanswered IT WAS a classic sting. Narseal Batiste, the alleged leader of a group of...

Mittal's victory.
June 26, 2006... Arcelor has finally accepted a takeover bid from Mittal, the world's largest steelmaker. It marks a victory for Lakshmi Mittal and for Europe's shareholders THE fierce takeover battle between Arcelor and Mittal Steel has brought a dose of...

A triumph for Africa's Taliban.
June 27, 2006... Islamist militias claim they have taken Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. Now America may be funding the Islamists' rivals OUTSIDERS may worry that they have seen this script before. The collapse of a government in an already despotic Muslim...

Seeking calm amid the violence.(Somalia)
June 27, 2006... Islamists in Somalia offer a faint chance of peace, as outsiders grow increasingly concerned SEVERAL hundred youths rioted on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia's war-ravaged capital, on Sunday June 25th. Throwing up barricades and...

Unity, at last.(Al Fatah and Hamas sign agreement)
June 27, 2006... Fatah and Hamas, the two main Palestinian factions, appear to have reached a deal on the "prisoners' document". That means a joint government--but it is not clear what else AFTER weeks of wrangling, there seems to be a deal. On Tuesday June...

The tanks go in.
June 28, 2006... Israeli forces have started rolling into Gaza to put pressure on the kidnappers of a soldier. Can a new Fatah-Hamas agreement defuse tensions? OVERNIGHT and in the early hours of Wednesday June 28th, Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip...

Rejecting the proposed cure; The Buttonwood column: Rejecting the cure; Efforts to clean up America's financial markets fall apart.
June 28, 2006... Efforts to clean up America's financial markets fall apart AFTER the stockmarket crash of 1929 and the ensuing depression, Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to bring some sort of order to the markets. The...

The tanks go in.
June 29, 2006... Israeli forces have entered Gaza to put pressure on the kidnappers of a soldier. Several Palestinian ministers and officials from the ruling Hamas group have been seized OVERNIGHT and in the early hours of Wednesday June 28th, Israeli...

Frowning at Gantanamo Bay.(Supreme Court rules military courts)
June 29, 2006... The Supreme Court has ruled that special military commissions, designed for the trial of suspected terrorists at Gantanamo Bay, are illegal. It has also ruled that the Geneva Conventions require that all detainees be treated humanely. It is a...

Small weapons of mass destruction.
June 29, 2006... A United Nations meeting this week on the illegal flow of small arms serves as a reminder of the existence of a mass killer. But there is no agreement on what to do next NUCLEAR, chemical and biological weapons may grab the world's...

One step more.(Ben Bernanke of Federal Reserve Board)
June 30, 2006... The chairman of America's Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, announces another quarter point rise in interest rates, to 5.25%, significantly above expectations earlier this year IMAGINE trying to steer a boat that may take 18 months to complete...

Frowning at Guantanamo Bay.
June 30, 2006... The Supreme Court has ruled that special military commissions, designed for the trial of suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, are illegal. It has also ruled that the Geneva Conventions require that all detainees be treated humanely. It is a...

Limited options.
June 30, 2006... Few dare to express any hope for the Doha development round. Ministers meeting in Geneva until July 2nd to push for trade liberalisation face an almost impossible task "WE CAN'T let this round fail." So suggested George Bush at a European...

The choice.
June 30, 2006... Mexico prepares to vote on Sunday July 2nd, but the presidential race remains too close to call, while Congress is likely to be divided in thirds A CAMPAIGN rally is a bad place to decide who is likely to win an election. But standing in...