Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 29 October 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
Asia stocks slip, dollar strong as Fed opens door to Dec hike (Reuters) Asian shares fell and the dollar stood tall on Thursday, after the U.S. Federal Reserve revived market expectations that it might still be on track to raise interest rates by year-end. While Wall Street ended a volatile session with solid gains, apparently underpinned by the Fed’s vote of confidence in the U.S. economy, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan extended losses to 1%.
You probably have herpes, the WHO says (Reuters) Two-thirds of the world’s population under 50 have the highly infectious herpes virus that causes cold sores around the mouth, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, in its first estimate of global prevalence of the disease.
U.S.
Cueto’s 2-hitter sends Royals over Mets for 2-0 Series lead (Associated Press, MSN Sports) Johnny Cueto pitched a two-hitter, Eric Hosmer drove in two more runs and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Mets 7-1 Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the World Series. Cueto struck out four, walked three and reinforced why the Royals got the dreadlocked ace from Cincinnati in late July.
ISIS is attacking the U.S. energy grid (and failing) (CNN) ISIL is beginning to perpetrate cyberattacks according to Caitlin Durkovich, assistant secretary for infrastructure protection at the Department of Homeland Security. She said that the attacks have been unsuccessful. But their is concern that the Islamic State supporters will gain more advanced technology which could increase their chances of causing damage.
10 states hogging America’s energy (24/7 Wall St., MSN Money) No surprises, actually. The top ten energy consuming states per capita are either leading oil producers or major agricultural states, in some cases both.
EU
Migrant Children, Arriving Alone and Frightened (The New York Times) There is a quiet corner of Europe’s migrant crisis: In the human tide washing up on the Continent, tens of thousands are children and teenagers who arrive on their own. Last year, more than 23,000 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in the 28 member countries of the European Union, according to the United Nations. That was before the number of refugees surged this year. By now, 30,000 are estimated to live in Germany alone. A majority of the unaccompanied children are boys 14-17 but some are as young as 8.
Flow of migrant boats is constant off the shores of Lesbos (BBC News) The looming threat of winter and rough waters in the Aegean Sea is no deterrent. People trafficking has become a multi-million dollar industry for the smugglers and up to 9,000 people are landing on the shores of Greece every day.
UK
Top US trade official warns on Brexit (Financial Times) A British exit from the EU would see it lose its chance to strike a preferential trade relationship with the US, and leave it facing the same tariffs and other restrictions as emerging economies such as Brazil, China and India, the top US trade official has warned.
Germany
Volkswagen, Hit by Emissions Scandal, Posts Its First Loss in Years (The New York Times) Volkswagen has reported its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years and as it has begun the costly process of absorbing the expense of fixing millions of cars designed to cheat on emissions tests. Poorer sales in China also impacted results. See VW Hit by China and Emissions Scandal – Presented by: The Aol. On Network (Nasdaq.com)
Iran
Syria conflict: Iran to attend talks in Vienna (BBC News) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will attend multilateral talks on finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria in Vienna this week, a government spokeswoman has said. It will be the first time Iran – an ally of President Bashar al-Assad – has attended such a summit with the US. Representatives of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will also attend the talks. Earlier, the US said an invitation had been extended to Iran – a move Syria’s Western-backed opposition questioned.
China
Li Floats New China Five-Year Growth Minimum of Around 6.5% (Bloomberg) Premier Li Keqiang highlighted a minimum growth estimate for China in the coming five years that could indicate the leadership’s readiness to accept the weakest period of expansion since the economy was opened up three decades ago.
Quiet Air Zone Shows China’s Struggle to Control Contested Seas (Bloomberg) Since setting up the East China Sea air zone — through which the U.S. swiftly flew B-52 bombers — China has quietly stopped seeking to actively enforce it, according to military officials and policy advisers who have followed the issue. That’s despite initial warnings the military might use force against planes that failed to follow rules including the requirement to file flight plans.
South Africa
Protesters bring Johannesburg to standstill (Reuters) Thousands of so-called Economic Freedom Fighters in pursuit of economic justice march through South Africa’s richest square mile, the latest sign of anti-government dissent over high unemployment and political corruption.
New Zealand
China’s New Zealand farm-buying runs into opposition (BBC News) Chinese conglomerate Shanghai Pengxin Group has been on a buying spree ever since it entered New Zealand in 2011. The food giant has bought 29 farms through local subsidiaries to become the country’s third largest dairy producer. Pengxin’s expansion plans in New Zealand seemed to be going smoothly until last month when the government unexpectedly rejected its $56 million (£36 million) bid to buy the sprawling and iconic Lochinver farm. Now, Pengxin has pulled the plug on other offers it has made, saying it was “not confident” of approval from the government, considering its last experience. .
Mexico
What happens to kids caught in Mexico’s migrant crackdown? (Al Jazeera) Thousands of children fleeing Central America are deported long before they reach the US-Mexico border.
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