What We Read Today 18 November 2014

Econintersect: Every day our editors collect the most interesting things they find from around the internet and present a summary “reading list” which will include very brief summaries (and sometimes longer ones) of why each item has gotten our attention. Suggestions from readers for “reading list” items are gratefully reviewed, although sometimes space limits the number included.

• Stocks in Japan reverse course and surge on fiscal stimulus hopes (Investing.com) Stocks in Tokyo reversed course and surged more than 2% on Tuesday, partially recovering from the biggest one-day rout this year (-3%) as expectations for stimulus measures in Japan rose a day after the country reported that its economy slid into recession.

• Madoff trustee recoups nearly $500 million more for customers (Jonathan Stempel. Reuters) This brings the total recovered to $10.3 billion, 59% of the estimated $17.5 billion of principal (before any investment gains represented by Madoff to clients) that was lost. Of this, the article says that less than $6 billion has been distributed so far. Nor mentioned in the article is what has happened (or will happen) to the remaining $4.3+ billion? Will some of this ber going for court expense and attorney fees?

• Republicans weigh government shutdown to stop Obama on immigration (Bill Trott, Anna Yukhananov and Alina Selyukh, Reuters) We think we understand the strategy here: Shut down the government and then impeach the president for failure to carry out executive responsibilities. Is this why Ronald Brownstein asks in The Atlantic: “Is The Political System Broken Beyond Repair?” He is discussing the Heartland Poll which in its latest edition found a 9% approval rating for Congress.

• Articles about events, conflicts and disease around the world

Ebola

Sierra Leone doctor dies of Ebola at Nebraska hospital (Reuters)

Greece

Greek Bailout Review Stalls as Troika Demands Final Steps (Bloomberg)

Syria

German motorcycle gang follows Dutch bikers into fight against Islamic State (The Washington Post)

Mexico

Mexican Political Party on the Verge of Dissolution (Telesur)

There are 14 articles discussed today ‘behind the wall’.

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