North America
SEC judge who took on the ‘Big Four’ known for bold moves | Reuters
Exclusive: Obama considering Citi’s Sheets for senior Treasury post – sources | Reuters
Puerto Rico’s solvency may hang on a potentially unconstitutional corporate tax | MuniLand
Nate Heckmann: Peter Schiff is Wrong About Everything | naked capitalism
Ex-Banker Krawcheck Heads Up ‘Broad’ Effort at Boosting Women in Business – WSJ.com
As U.S. debates oil exports, long-term prices slump below $80 | Reuters
Mexican president to seek OK on telecom, oil reform specifics | Reuters
Europe
BBC News – Fall in eurozone inflation rate fuels deflation concerns
BBC News – Eurozone manufacturing grows strongly in January
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund joins exodus from Israel – FT.com
Tales of brutality emerge from Ukraine protests – FT.com
French businesses push Hollande to ease labour costs – FT.com
Germany must use military more, says president – FT.com
Germany preparing third financial rescue for Greece | World news | The Guardian
ekathimerini.com | Retail sales volume posts rebound after 44 months of drop
ekathimerini.com | Greek manufacturing sector grew in January for first time since 2009
“Markit’s Eurozone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54 in January, its strongest month since May 2011 – a figure above 50 indicates growth. This compares to December’s figure of 52.7 and reflects the overall pickup in eurozone economic activity. But France failed to break the 50 mark.”
London shows signs of house price ‘bubble’, experts warn – Telegraph
A respectable Ukip would be a feeble political force – FT.com
The Swiss National Bank is concerned about a housing bubble in Switzerland, and not only for hot spots like Geneva and Zurich.
Danish PM reshuffles cabinet for seventh time in 28 months – FT.com
China
The $15 trillion shadow over Chinese banks – Telegraph
LinkedIn targets growth in China – FT.com
China’s January official PMI slips to six-month low | Reuters
China losing status as ‘world’s factory’ | South China Morning Post
In defence of China’s shadow banks | FT Alphaville
Emerging Markets
Currency wars loom as capital flows expose the weak – Telegraph
The EM’s ‘fragile 8′ must save themselves | Gavyn Davies
India Slashes Growth Figure to 4.5% – WSJ.com
John Mauldin On The Central Banker Throwdown
“Emerging-market countries like Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, and Indonesia will not sit idly by while the developed central banks of the world weaken their currencies. They too are fighting to keep their currencies from appreciating. They are imposing taxes on investments and savings in their currencies. All countries are inherently protectionist if pushed too far. The battles have only begun in what promises to be an enormous, ugly currency war. If the currency wars of the 1930s and 1970s are any guide, we will see knife fights ahead. Governments will fight dirty, they will impose tariffs and restrictions and capital controls. It is already happening, and we will see a lot more of it….”
Technology
Twitter ‘looking to move into ecommerce’ – FT.com
Newest Hacker Target: Ads – WSJ.com
Bitcoin
Bitcoin ‘Ponzi’ Concern Sparks Warning From Estonia Bank – Bloomberg
Economics of Bitcoin | Econbrowser
Bitcoin’s Emerging Price Stability | TechCrunch