In The News

Kathy Chu and Bob Davis December 15, 2015
China’s factory workers were once willing to work long hours for wages as low as “a few dimes an hour,” report Kathy Chu and Bob Davis for the Wall Street Journal. But China is aging, workers expect higher wages; factories invest in technology: ‘The changes will mark a new chapter in the history of globalization, where automation is king, nearness to market is crucial and the lives of workers and...
Guy Faulconbridge and Jonathan Saul December 14, 2015
Among the many rebel groups determined to overthrow the Assad regime since Syria’s civil war began in 2011 is the Islamic State. The terrorist group quickly targeted oil fields in northern Syria and Iraq to fund its campaign. A US treasury official, speaking at a Chatham House forum in the United Kingdom, suggests that Islamic State extremists have made more than $500 million selling oil. The...
Charles Mkoka December 14, 2015
The Chinese Embassy is pledging support for a Stop Wildlife Crime campaign to stop ivory trafficking in Malawi. China’s ambassador to Malawi said that blame for such smuggling often centers on Chinese nationals, but the government opposes the criminal activity. Zhang Qingyang, China’s ambassador to Malawi, “added that China has put into force a number of laws and regulations and consistently...
Gregory Viscusi December 14, 2015
An anti-immigrant, anti-EU party did not fare well in France’s regional elections – despite predictions that coordinated terrorist attacks on Paris could swell support for the National Front, explains reports Gregory Viscus for BloombergBusiness. Candidates in the regional races must win 10 percent in the first round of voting to proceed to the second round. For the second round, though two other...
Peter Müller, Ralf Neukirch and Andreas Ulrich December 11, 2015
European leaders are meeting behind closed doors to tighten the continent’s external borders and stem the flow of refugees from areas of conflict in the Middle East. Spiegel Online reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel seeks to finalize a deal that includes Turkey: “Essentially, it calls for Europe to provide billions in aid to Turkey in exchange for Ankara doing all it can to prevent...
Nick Hanauer December 10, 2015
Immigration is interconnected with US values, innovation and prosperity. Some US presidential candidates propose denying entry to refugees fleeing civil war and terrorism in Syria. One candidate went so far as to propose a sweeping, unworkable and unconstitutional ban on Muslims entering the United States. In an opinion essay for the Seattle Times, venture capitalist Nick Hanauer argues that US...
David Dapice December 10, 2015
The scientific evidence is overwhelming that climate change threatens the global economy for future generations. Strategies to combat climate change are well known: increased reliance on renewable energies, decreased subsidies for fossil fuels, imposing a carbon tax, incentives for fuel efficiency and conservation, international transfers so poor countries avoid burning coal. Countries attending...