Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 24 January 2015
Econintersect: Here are some of the headlines we found to help you start your day. For more headlines see our afternoon feature for GEI members, What We Read Today, which has many more headlines and a number of article discussions to keep you abreast of what we have found interesting.
Global
Desperate in Davos: policymakers struggle for answers (Reuters) Beneath the veneer of can-do optimism at the World Economic Forum, is a creeping concern that the politicians, diplomats and central bankers who flock each year to this gathering of the global elite are at the mercy of geopolitical and economic forces beyond their control. At the top of the lengthy list of worries is not China, but Europe, whose policymakers remain deeply divided in their approach to the refugee crisis at a time when the bloc faces a host of other threats, from Islamic extremism and the rise of far-right populists, to a possible British exit from the European Union.
U.S.
Snowzilla, biggest snow on record in Baltimore, top 5 in D.C., has ended (The Washington Post) The midnight report: Snow totals have reached 22-35 inches west, north, and northwest of the Beltway, 18-24 inches inches inside the Beltway, and 10-20 inches south and southeast of the Beltway. Snow has ended, except for perhaps an errant flurry or two. Nothing more than a random dusting (good luck noticing!) is expected at this point. With clearing skies, lows are mainly in the near 20 to low 20s range. Highs on Sunday will be around 30F.
Snowstorm socks US East: A look at the effects by state (Associated Press) Reports from 13 states plus the District of Columbia. New York City reports the third deepest snowfall in history with 25 inches in Central Park. But 85 miles north of the city Poughkeepsie received no measureable snowfall.
Monday Be Like Time to Go to Work (Hot 995, Instagram)
California cities and counties race to pass marijuana-growing bans (Al Jazeera) Pot advocates hoped state’s new set of medical marijuana rules would build trust with localities, but it hasn’t happened.
Lindsey Vonn breaks World Cup downhill record (CNN) Lindsey Vonn has broken the record for downhill wins that many felt could never be broken. Her 37th downhill victory Saturday at the Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill race in Italy put her ahead of the 36 wins by Austria’s Annemarie Moser-Proell in the 1970s. Vonn, who holds the record for World Cup victories for women in all events, is now 12 victories behind the all-time record for men and women held by Ingemar Stenmark (86).
France
35 arrested as migrants storm French port, disrupt ferry traffic (CNN) Several hundred migrants, in the presence of supporting demonstrators, broke into the northern French port of Calais, tearing down barriers and allowing about 50 of them to board a ship, the mayor said Saturday. Thirty-five people were arrested, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV. The prefecture said that 24 of those arrested are migrants and 11 are members of the pro-migrant activist group No Borders, according to BFMTV. About 110 migrants were removed from the port zone. The incident disrupted ferry traffic between Calais and Dover, England, for up to two hours, the British firm P&O Ferries said via Twitter.
Germany
How immigration will change German politics, which will change Europe (Fabius Maximus) FM has contributed to GEI. Believing that the European Union made them immune to popular opinion, Europe’s elites acted on their class interests by opening the door to massive immigration, providing cheap workers in their business and homes. Now the resulting popular opposition, still in its early stages of arousal, has forced Germany to take steps to limit the inflow – violating the Schengen Agreement for open borders within Europe but probably insufficient to quiet public protests. They have unleashed the wild forces of populism in Europe.
Syria
U.S. says prepared for military solution against Islamic State in Syria (Reuters) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the United States and Turkey were prepared for a military solution against Islamic State in Syria should the Syrian government and rebels fail to reach a political settlement. The latest round of Syria peace talks are planned to begin on Monday in Geneva but have been at risk of being delayed partly because of a dispute over who will comprise the opposition delegation.
Iraq
Feared Shiite militias back in spotlight after three Americans vanish in Iraq (The Washington Post) Bolstered by a steady flow of arms and cash from Iran, Shiite militias have increasingly come to dominate the security scene in Baghdad, Iraq. Iranian-backed Shiite militias are also thought to be the groups behind the kidnapping of three Americans in Baghdad last weekend. See 2 powerful Shiite militias are top suspects in the abduction of 3 Americans in Baghdad (Business Insider)
Brazil
Zika: Olympics plans announced by Rio authorities (BBC News) The Rio de Janeiro authorities have announced plans to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the Olympic Games later this year. An outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease – which is being linked to severe birth defects – has caused growing concern in Brazil and abroad. Inspections of Olympic facilities will begin four months before the Games to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds. Daily sweeps will also take place during the Games.
Mexico
Mexico speeding efforts to ensure ‘Chapo’ extradited: president (Reuters) The Mexican government is speeding up efforts to extradite notorious drug boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the United States after his recapture earlier this month, President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Friday. Guzman was caught in early January after six months on the run following a spectacular prison break through a tunnel in his cell floor, embarrassing Pena Nieto and his government.
