The Economist: News analysis and viewsNews analysis and viewsRegional heads of state step in to try to defuse an escalating political crisis in Bolivia- September 17, 2008 An escalating political crisis in BoliviaResponding to an escalating political crisis in Bolivia, nine heads of state from the 12-member Union of South American States (Unasur) met in an emergency meeting on September 15th in Santiago, Chile, to voice their support for the embattled president, Evo Morales. The nascent regional entity also promised to send representatives to try to mediate between the government and opposition governors in several eastern provinces, where protests against the...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/395108830/displaystory... British canals- September 17, 2008 Admiring what remains of an antique networkhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394112846/displaystory... AIG, an insurance giant, is bailed-out by America's government- September 17, 2008 America&8217;s government comes to the rescue of a giant insurance company AMERICAN finance has a new, if reluctant, kingpin: the government. In a dramatic move on the evening of Tuesday September 16th the Federal Reserve agreed to provide American International Group with a loan of $85 billion to help it stave off bankruptcy. In return, either the Fed or Treasury will take effective control of the company, which until recently was an icon of private-sector capitalism. In the space of nine...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/395088785/displaystory... Labour costs- September 16, 2008 What it costs to sack a workerAFTER years of fat profits and bonuses, cost-cutting is once again at the top of the corporate agenda. For companies wanting to chop out middle-management dead wood or sack factory workers, costs can vary enormously across the world. America, New Zealand and Tonga are among the most company-friendly countries, requiring no penalties or compensation to fire a full-time employee of 20 years. By contrast, a business in Zimbabwe must shell out well over eight years'...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394350997/displaystory... The EU is closer to adopting a target for 20% of its power to come from renewables by 2020- September 16, 2008 The EU gets closer to a target for renewable energyThe European Parliament&8217;s industry and energy committee has voted to approve an amended version of the draft directive aimed at stimulating investment in renewable energies and (more controversially) biofuels.The Commission&8217;s proposal, tabled last January, is a crucial element of the EU strategy for curbing Europe&8217;s dependence on fossil fuels and combatting global warming. It would set differentiated national targets for member...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394262274/displaystory... Business.view- September 16, 2008 Even chief executives are human. Really&8220;IT&8217;S lonely at the top. But at least there is something to read,&8221; observed a tongue-in-cheek billboard advert for The Economist in 1990. Little did we know how lonely. Strip away the huge salary and the executive jet, and you find much solitary misery. According to &8220;The Secrets of CEOs&8221;, a new book based on interviews with over 150 current and former chief executives from around the world, &8220;being a CEO should be one of the...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394154708/displaystory... John McCain and Barack Obama are neck-and-neck in the polls- September 16, 2008 John McCain has wiped out Barack Obama's lead in the polls BOUNCES are, by definition, temporary. Nearly a fortnight has passed since the end of the Republican convention and it is clear that it, and the Democratic get-together beforehand, have produced more than just a bounce. The conventions, and especially John McCain&8217;s choice of Sarah Palin, have changed the course of the presidential race. On Monday September 15th both candidates sought to make tough statements on the demise of Lehman.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394133109/displaystory... Damien Hirst's works make a tidy sum at auction- September 16, 2008 An auction of works by Damien Hirst belies the turmoil in financial marketsA VISIBLE show of support from his two main dealers and determined bidding by a mystery telephone buyer, believed to be Russian, helped dispel the gloom surrounding the financial markets. Enthusiastic bidding lifted the first round of Damien Hirst&8217;s marathon two-day sale of new work at Sotheby&8217;s in London on Monday September 15th. ...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/394133110/displaystory... Shark attacks- September 15, 2008 Where shark attacks are most commonLARGE sharks, such as the Great White and Tiger, generally prey on big marine mammals. So seals and dolphins as well as large fish and turtles need to keep an eye open at all times. But most shark attacks on humans are thought to be the result of mistaken identity&8212;hapless bathers and seals apparently look much the same to these giant predators of the deep. But if you don't want to fall prey to a shark (and the chances are fairly remote anyway) some places.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/393286327/displaystory... Revised Japanese GDP shows a bigger contraction- September 15, 2008 Japan faces problems as the world economy slowsMounting economic gloom is combining with political turmoil in Japan. New data show that the country's economic decline in the second quarter of 2008 was larger than originally estimated. Real GDP contracted by 0.7% quarter on quarter in the three months to June, according to the government's Cabinet Office. This compares with the Cabinet Office's previous estimate of minus 0.6%. On an annualised basis, the revision is even starker, with the...http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/economist/news_analysis_and_views/~3/393286328/displaystory... |