Written by Econintersect
Early Bird Headlines 12 December 2019
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, published Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which has many more headlines and a number of article discussions to keep you abreast of what we have found interesting.
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Key Articles
Global
- Asia stocks mixed as Fed signals no rate hikes in 2020 (CNBC) Stocks in Asia were mixed on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled overnight that it would not raise interest rates in 2020. Shares in mainland China were lower on the day. The U.S. dollar index was lower at 97.096 after touching highs above 97.5 yesterday. Oil prices rose in the afternoon of Asian trading hours. The international benchmark Brent crude futures contract added 0.44% to $64.00 per barrel while U.S. crude futures gained 0.2% to $58.88 per barrel. Spot gold was flat at $1,474.71 per ounce, as of 0453 GMT. U.S.treasury yields were mixed with the yield curve steepening.
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U.S.
- Opinions | Trump will survive impeachment – and be stronger for it (The Washington Post) This Op Ed admits that the articles of impeachment have merit. However, the Senate will not convict:
The reasons for the Senate’s likely resistance, meanwhile, are timeless – survival and power. No matter how much some Republicans may disagree with Trump’s methods, his style and his atrocious rhetoric – a daily slaughter of the English language heretofore confined to kindergartens and saloons – the GOP’s base is unbudgeable. My grudging suspicion is that, thanks to the Democrats, that base will expand.
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- Maybe, just maybe, Republicans should try directing their rage at Trump this time (The Los Angeles Times) The Republicans are mad that Democrats have just introduced two articles of impeachment against him, ensuring a shameful place for him in the history books, regardless of the final outcome. Deomocrats are mad that Trump behaves as if he is above the law, and is likely to get away with trying to bribe a foreign head of state to do his domestic political bidding. The author says:
I didn’t agree with constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley’s conclusions about the speed of the impeachment or the dearth of evidence, but he did say something last week that resonated with me:
“I get it. You’re mad. The president’s mad. My Republican friends are mad. My Democratic friends are mad. My wife is mad. My kids are mad. Even my dog seems mad – and Luna is a goldendoodle and they don’t get mad.”
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Other important articles
Global
- The race to lay claim on the Bering Strait as Arctic ice retreats (The Guardian)
- NASA solar probe snaps elusive asteroid trails for the first time (c/net)
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U.S.
- After bipartisan pushback, Trump ditches effort to kill major federal agency (The Washington Post) The Office of Personnel Management will remain the human resources manager of the civilian workforce of 2.1 million employees, and its functions will not – for the foreseeable future at least – be parceled out to the White House and the General Services Administration.
- Pence’s office denies Schiff request to declassify call with Ukrainian leader (The Hill)
- Senate Republicans look to hold short impeachment trial despite Trump’s desire for an aggressive defense (The Washington Post)
- Vulnerable Democrats feel heat ahead of impeachment vote (The Hill)
- Fox host lambasts Trump over ‘most sustained assault on press freedom in US history’ (The Guardian) Chris Wallace, admired for breaking ranks with some in the conservative network, drew applause with most stinging critique yet.
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EU
- Senate committee passes bipartisan bill to stop Trump withdrawing from Nato (The Guardian)
- Christine Lagarde faces her first real test at ECB debut meeting (CNBC)
- Easterners threaten to wreck EU 2050 climate neutrality push (Reuters) Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic were threatening on Thursday to wreck the European Union’s new push for climate neutrality by 2050.
UK
- Tory hopes of decisive majority in doubt as voters head to polls (Financial Times)
Turkey
Israel
- Israel faces third round of polls as political deadlock grips (Financial Times)
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Aramco touches $2tn in value on second day of trading (The Guardian) Shares rose from Wednesday’s close of 35.2 Saudi riyals to a high of 38.7 riyals before easing back to 37.3 riyals.
India
China
- High-stakes White House meeting expected Thursday to debate US-China tariffs: Sources (CNBC)
- Hong Kong’s protesters need a leader now more than ever (Financial Times) Without visionary leadership, the territory is headed into a new spiral of violence.
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Argentina
- ‘We’re back’: Alberto Fernflndez sworn in as Argentina shifts to the left (The Guardian) Center-left leader calls for healing as Peronists, including ex-president Cristina Fernflndez de Kirchner, return to power.
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Mexico
- Arrest of Top Crime Fighter Stuns Mexico, Where Corruption Is All Too Routine (The New York Times)
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