In The News

April 4, 2008
The mortgage-backed securities crisis has resulted in turmoil in the global markets, but politics could get in the way of any quick fixes of the US financial system, reports Thomson Financial News. Three short-term recommendations in the proposal from Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson include expanding a presidential working group on the financial markets; establishing a federal commission to...
Terry Macalister April 2, 2008
Traders have a knack for finding loopholes in subsidies and other policies to gain more profits. The European Biodiesel Board has uncovered a trading scheme that exploits US agricultural subsides, designed to encourage biofuel products made from corn and soy beans, reports Terry Macalister for the Guardian. The schemers ship biodiesel from Europe to the US, add a dash of US fuel to their mixture...
Dominic Lawson April 2, 2008
Proposals to decertify organic crops grown in foreign nations amount to protectionism, argues Dominic Lawson in the Independent. Assumptions that local products require less energy and include fewer chemicals are not always valid. Despite the need for air transport, the vegetables grown in Kenya, without tractors or organic fertilizers, account for fewer carbon emissions than crops grown in the...
Monica Prasad April 1, 2008
The idea of a tax on carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming, is gaining attention worldwide, but there’s little agreement on the best design. Monica Prasad, sociology professor at Northwestern University, notes that for the past two decades, the countries of Scandinavia have had carbon taxes in place. Success in reducing emissions depends on how countries spend that revenue...
James Hookway March 31, 2008
Rice is a staple food product for Asians, and its price has more than doubled in the last year. Anticipating higher prices, rice farmers are hoarding crops, which adds to price increases, reports the Wall Street Journal. Contributing to shortages are rising fuel prices; flooding due to climate change; development of farmland for homes and golf courses; reduced global stocks; rising affluence...
Patrick McGeehan March 31, 2008
Among a company’s most valuable assets is its talent, particularly for financial and technology firms. A report by a business-interest group, Partnership for New York City, argues that America’s visa policies, including caps on the number of highly qualified workers and tough restrictions on extended stays, endanger New York City’s ability to attract and retain top talent. Immigration opponents...
Michael Richardson March 28, 2008
As public pressure builds to curb climate change, every industry that relies heavily on fossil fuels can expect new regulations. This two-part series examines the challenges of regulating global waters and skies. So far, the shipping and aviation sectors of the transportation industry have kept a low profile, because they crisscross national borders and governments do not want to increase the...