Mainstream News

Sterling crisis looms as UK current account deficit balloons

"Some of the reasons for this need little explanation. Low growth has undermined attempts to reduce the fiscal deficit, which remains one of the highest in the OECD. This in turn is likely to lead to the loss of Britain’s prized triple A credit rating this year, making the UK comparatively less attractive to overseas investors. What’s more, capital flows from the eurozone to perceived 'safe havens' such as the UK are slowing as the crisis eases. There is also evidence of elevated concern among investors about Bank of England money printing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSterling crisis looms as UK current account deficit balloons

Britain should stay in European Union, says Obama administration

"The Obama administration issued a direct challenge to David Cameron over Europe, on Wednesday when it warned of the dangers of holding a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. A senior US official questioned the merits of holding a referendum as the prime minister's campaign to reset the terms of Britain's EU membership also came under assault from Brussels and Dublin. With just weeks to go until Cameron delivers a landmark speech in which he is expected to promise to hold a referendum on a 'new settlement' for Britain in the EU, the US assistant secretary for European affairs warned that 'referendums have often turned countries inwards'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBritain should stay in European Union, says Obama administration

Critics object to Obama nominating ‘Mr. Drone’ John Brennan to CIA head

"The nomination of President Barack Obama’s top counter-terrorism advisor John Brennan to head the CIA has sparked outrage and concern about America’s growing drones programme and its use for targeted killings of suspected Islamic militants. Brennan has been a key architect of drones policy under Obama and many experts believe that the use of the unmanned robot planes in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia is likely to increase if he becomes America’s top spy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCritics object to Obama nominating ‘Mr. Drone’ John Brennan to CIA head

Colleges Lose Pricing Power

"Facing stagnant family income, shaky job prospects for graduates and a smaller pool of high-school graduates, more schools are reining in tuition increases and giving out larger scholarships to attract students. Moody's also attributed the enrollment decline at some public universities to a 'heightened scrutiny of the value of higher education' after years of tuition increases and stagnating family income. The credit-rating firm said in its report that more students are 'increasingly attending more affordable community colleges, studying part time, or electing to enter the workforce without the benefit of a college education.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColleges Lose Pricing Power

Palm Beach County teachers seeking gun training, permits in wake of Sandy Hook shooting

"Following last month’s fatal shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, gun ranges throughout Palm Beach County — and the country — are reporting an increase in teachers coming in for gun training and concealed weapons permits. Some may see it as an unorthodox response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, given that Florida law still bars teachers and others from carrying firearms on school grounds. But local gun shops say the uptick is a natural response." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalm Beach County teachers seeking gun training, permits in wake of Sandy Hook shooting

A new cheating scandal: Aspiring teachers hiring ringers

"Interesting story in the AJC today on a cheating scandal involving hired ringers taking the teacher qualification exam for candidates in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. The ringers used faked IDs to sit for the Praxis exam, administered by the Educational Testing Service. Praxis exams are required by 40 states and territories to measure the academic achievement and proficiency of newly minted teachers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA new cheating scandal: Aspiring teachers hiring ringers

Google chief Eric Schmidt urges North Korean leaders to adopt Internet freedom

"Schmidt said he told North Korean officials they should open up the country’s Internet 'or they will remain behind'. 'As the world becomes increasingly connected, their decision to be virtually isolated is very much going to affect their physical world, their economic growth and so forth, and it will make it harder for them to catch up economically,' he said. 'Once the Internet starts, citizens in a country can certainly build on top of it. The government has to do something. It has to make it possible for people to use the Internet which the government in North Korea has not yet done.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle chief Eric Schmidt urges North Korean leaders to adopt Internet freedom

China becomes second-largest movie market

"Moviegoers in China spent 17 billion yuan ($2.7 billion) on tickets last year, turning the country into the second-largest film market in the world, the state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday. Sales rose 30 percent from 2011, it said, citing the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), underscoring the rapid growth that has long attracted Hollywood despite China’s tight restrictions on foreign films. China in 2012 agreed to increase the number of films allowed in annually from the United States — which is the world’s largest movie market — from 20 to 34, whereas 893 domestic films were produced last year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina becomes second-largest movie market

Ireland Lobbies to Have Europe Share Banking Risk

"Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny would ideally like to use the ESM as a way of getting European taxpayers to shoulder the risks associated with all the debts of the Irish banking sector. He intends to use the six months of his European presidency to push through a banking union that would also make the bailout fund responsible for dealing with toxic assets in the European banking system left over from the financial crisis of 2007-2008. The [existing] €68 billion ($90 billion) in bailout funds are only expected to meet the country's financial needs until the end of 2013." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIreland Lobbies to Have Europe Share Banking Risk