Euro-area recovery set to continue while politics get messier

Jan 12, 2016 18:36 pm UTC| Commentary Politics

The bad economic news these days comes out of China and from the US manufacturing sector while the Euro area performs reasonably well by its potential. In 2015, economic output increased by 1.5% and employment by around...

US democracy trumps all as a dysfunctional disgrace

Jan 12, 2016 03:43 am UTC| Politics

As the rest of the world looks upon Americas 2016 presidential race and what has become a disgrace of a democratic system, its bewilderment can be organised around a series of hows and whys. How can a political and...

South Africa's ANC at 104: its rhetoric is no longer connected to reality

Jan 11, 2016 15:05 pm UTC| Politics

When language is alive and searches for new ways to illuminate reality and possibility, it can attain real power. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre wrote: Words wreak havoc … when they find a name for what had...

Congress' bipartisan Christmas gifts will lead to ballooning deficits

Jan 11, 2016 14:04 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Christmas came early for Congress this year as politicians from both sides of the aisle came together to pass by wide margins a US$1.8 trillion package of tax cuts and new spending. At year end, Washington seemed...

Migrant Crisis Series

Cologne – smells terrible for Merkel

Jan 11, 2016 13:08 pm UTC| Commentary Politics

No sweet cologne for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. On New Years Eve, in German town of Cologne, 120 people most of whom were attacked by group of people, who are allegedly migrants. Charges include mostly theft to...

Hard Evidence: this is the Age of Dissent – and there's much more to come

Jan 11, 2016 06:54 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The year 2011 is widely viewed as the peak of protest and dissent in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the austerity agenda that followed it. It was the year of the Arab Spring, Occupy, UK Uncut, indignados, urban...

Taiwan's economic data still weak; focus on election results

Jan 11, 2016 02:04 am UTC| Commentary Politics Economy

Taiwans economic data remained disappointing. Exports contracted for the 11th straight month in Dec15 (-13.9% YoY), as shipments to emerging markets continued to fall and the seasonal demand for electronics started to...