North America
Fed ‘needs to do more’ to stimulate economy – FT.com
“Mr Kocherlakota said the Fed should improve its communication about how it will behave once the unemployment rate falls below its existing threshold of 6.5 per cent. He said the pledge made in December of low rates “well past” that point is not sufficient. “The problem with what’s in the statement right now is its going to become increasingly less useful once we fall below 6.5 per cent,” said Mr Kocherlakota. Rather than lower the 6.5 per cent threshold, he said the Fed could bring in new guidance about how it will behave until unemployment hits 5.5 per cent, perhaps with a tighter get out clause on inflation.”
The Week That Was – Tim Duy’s Fed Watch
THE RETAIL DEATH RATTLE « The Burning Platform
Martin Luther King Jr.: Leader of Millions in Nonviolent Drive for Racial Justice
Obituary from 1968
Asia
Why Japan’s debt hasn’t wreaked havoc yet | vox
Do you buy any of this stuff? Seriously? It makes no sense to me.
China’s Working Population Fell Again in 2013 – Real Time Economics – WSJ
China’s Central Bank Providing Short-Term Cash to Lenders – WSJ.com
BBC News – China’s no-win situation
CNOOC eyes 4.3 pct rise in 2014 output, excluding Nexen | Reuters
China’s 2013 New Home Sales Hit $1.1 Trillion, Record High – Bloomberg
Beijing Lays Siege to China’s Steel Output – China Real Time Report – WSJ
China’s Property Market Fueled Growth in 2013 – China Real Time Report – WSJ
China’s 2013 oil demand up 1.6 pct, slowest rise in 5 years
China’s Economy Slows on Investment Spending – China Real Time Report – WSJ
What China’s Electricity Usage Said About GDP Growth in 2013 – China Real Time Report – WSJ
Elsewhere
Why Empathy Is Your Most Important Skill (and How to Practice It)
Markets
Bitcoin is not a currency, it’s a commodity, says Finland’s central bank | Financial Post
Bitcoin: miracle or madness? | Gavyn Davies
UBS to outsource fixed income trading platform – FT.com
Deutsche Bank posts shock 1.2bn euro loss for fourth quarter – Telegraph
Irish Bonds Lead Rally in Euro-Area Debt After Moody’s Upgrade – Bloomberg
Technology
FBI snatches Google Glass off the face of innocent AMC movie-goer
The worst password of all is no longer ‘password’ according to hacked accounts chart | 9to5Mac
Economics
IMF warns on threat of income inequality – FT.com
In U.S., 67% Dissatisfied With Income, Wealth Distribution
‘Peak demand’ oil theory fails scrutiny test – FT.com
Argentina Sees Agreement on $10 Billion Debt With Paris Club – Bloomberg
Europe
Ukip more popular than the Tories, shows poll – FT.com
Low Interest Rates Fueling Real Estate Price Increases in Austria – Real Time Economics – WSJ
ekathimerini.com | Greek archaeologists reject call for private firms to manage ancient sites
Number of homes for sale dips to lowest level since 2007 – Telegraph
European Banks Face $1 Trillion Gap Before Review, Study Shows – Businessweek