Russian Business Environment Update – Part I14 Apr 2012

Economic Fundamentals Economic indicators over the past year were mixed, although a consensus view appears to be forming that they were a net negative and, notably, underscored the long-run structural deficiencies in Russia’s economic developme...

Jackson-Vanik: Exit, Stage Left14 Mar 2012

There is a now-infamous study on the subject of “decision fatigue,” which looked at decisions by Israeli judges to grant vs. deny parole. The researchers found a wildly skewed trend in the judge’s decisions, but not by criminal hist...

What to Make of Putin’s Anti-Offshore Crusade22 Jan 2012

Last month, PM Putin addressed the Government Commission on Electricity Generation. At the meeting, Putin launched into a searing critique of Russian companies using offshore “front companies.” Indeed, Putin noted, “Taking the Russi...

Tipping Points – Handicapping the Chances of an ‘Arab Spring’ in Russia6 Jan 2012

Who are the Protesters? VTSIOM recently published a survey of the protesters, conducted at the rally at Sakharov Prospekt on Dec. 24. The survey results confirmed other reports that the protesters are mainly drawn from educated, urbanized elites, pro...

The Ghost of Medvedev’s Presidency Lives on … in Putin12 Nov 2011

Yesterday, PM Putin did his annual sit-down with the Valdai discussion club. Since its inception, the Valdai meeting has come to be seen as a forum where Putin relaxes the message discipline and says what he thinks without much of … Continue re...

Mervyn King warns on UK growth as eurozone 'tears itself apart' - The Guardian16 May 2012

The GuardianMervyn King warns on UK growth as eurozone 'tears itself apart'The GuardianSir Mervyn King has warned that Britain's recovery from the biggest financial crisis in its history was being hampered by a eurozone that was "tearing itself apart". Stressing that there was a risk of a "storm heading our way from the continent", ...BOE Cuts Forecast, Warns Of Euro StormWall Street JournalBoE cuts growth forecastFinancial TimesBlow as Mervyn King warns taming inflation will take 12 more monthsEvening StandardTelegraph.co.uk -Scotsman -The Associated Pressall 763 news articles »

"Procedural mistake" made by prosecution in Mladic trial - Xinhua16 May 2012

CTV.ca"Procedural mistake" made by prosecution in Mladic trialXinhuaTHE HAGUE, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The trial of Ratko Mladic, which started on Wednesday in The Hague, may be adjourned after the prosecution failed to deliver key material about the first witnesses in time. The trial against the former Bosnian Serb army ...Ratko Mladic: Brutal villain to many, hero to othersCNNMladic's genocide trial begins at war crimes tribunalFox NewsFormer Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic mocks survivors as his trial ...Evening StandardThe Associated Press -BBC News -Reutersall 1,557 news articles »

Theresa May heckled and jeered during police conference speech - The Guardian16 May 2012

The GuardianTheresa May heckled and jeered during police conference speechThe GuardianThe home secretary, Theresa May, had to endure heckling and jeering by rank and file police officers as she defended 20% funding cuts to policing and reforms to their pay and conditions. May's 25-minute set-piece speech to the 1200 strong Police ...Police Federation humiliates Theresa May by forcing her to make speech in ...Telegraph.co.uk'Take share' of cuts, Theresa May tells policeBBC NewsPolice give Theresa May the silent treatmentChannel 4 Newsic Scotland.co.ukall 411 news articles »

Germany says wants stable Greece within euro zone - Reuters16 May 2012

Telegraph.co.ukGermany says wants stable Greece within euro zoneReuters| BERLIN May 16 (Reuters) - Germany wants to stabilise Greece within the euro zone but Athens must stick to its agreements with international lenders, a German government spokesman said on Wednesday. "We want to stabilise Greece within the euro.Greece euro exit fears hit marketThe Press AssociationEuropean shares plumb fresh 2012 lows on Greek traumaReuters UKEuropean debt crisis: what does it mean for your holiday euros?Telegraph.co.ukWall Street Journal -AFP -ABC Newsall 5,088 news articles »

Greek banks see steady deposits outflow - Financial Times16 May 2012

The HinduGreek banks see steady deposits outflowFinancial TimesGreek banks have seen a steady outflow of deposits this month, reflecting savers' concerns over the failure of political leaders to form a coalition government and the prospect of another inconclusive election, which will be on June 17.Greece's anti-bailout SYRIZA leftists lead in pollReuters UKGreek chaos continues to roil world marketsThe IndependentCourt official to be appointed Greek interim PMThe Associated PressBBC News -Wall Street Journal -Xinhuaall 5,917 news articles »