Month: September 2014

The Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong: a second Tiananmen?

Are political developments in Hong Kong heading for a second Tiananmen massacre? A fortnight ago, partly to provoke discussion, partly to sound an alarm, I suggested in a radio interview that unless the Chinese government wisely handled the fast-unfolding dynamics, things in Hong Kong might well come to that. At the time, it seemed a rash remark. Given events of the past several days, it is now the most pertinent consideration, the core driver of the fate of what many Hong Kong citizens are calling the Umbrella Revolution.

Factory construction boosts economy

USA TODAY: … A 12.6% surge in spending on non-residential structures — notably new and expanding factories — was a big reason for last week’s upward revision of second quarter economic growth. The Commerce Department said the economy expanded at a 4.6% annual rate, up from its previous 4.2% estimate and the strongest growth in […]

Hong Kong: Protesters defiant amid stand-off

BBC: Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters are blocking Hong Kong’s streets, shutting down its business hub and ignoring appeals to leave. The demonstrations have spread to other areas including a shopping district and a residential area. Riot police withdrew on Monday after overnight clashes in which they used batons and fired volleys of tear […]

Trial over AIG bailout set to open Monday

USA TODAY: … Starr International, the investment firm of former AIG CEO Maurice Greenberg, 89, alleges in the lawsuit that the government broke the law by taking control of AIG as part of the bailout… Government lawyers deny the Court of Federal Claims allegations. They contend Starr lacks legal standing to bring the case on […]

Christie rallies GOP troops for Corbett

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Gov. Christie’s travels brought him closer to home Friday night when he stopped in the Harrisburg area to exhort Pennsylvania Republicans to ramp up their efforts to reelect Gov. Corbett. In his 25-minute keynote speech at the Pennsylvania GOP’s Fall Meeting, Christie used humor, anger, and Jersey-style threats to rouse more than 600 […]