United States
WSJ/NBC News Poll: Obama’s Approval Rating Hits New Low – WSJ.com
Zach Galifianakis Is Now The Top Driver Of Traffic To HealthCare.gov | TechCrunch
This video is pretty funny
Study: Women Who Can Do Math Still Don’t Get Hired – NYTimes.com
“With no information about the job “applicants” other than their appearance, the managers (of both sexes) were twice as likely to hire a man over a woman.”
New In-Depth Study Shows How Debt Collectors Abuse Legal System and Borrowers | naked capitalism
Morgan Stanley: Face it, the economy’s slow growth is now permanent
Bill Black Slams New York Times for Wink and Nod Endorsement of Criminal Conduct | naked capitalism
‘Mediocre’ Gross overpaid at $200 million: Trustee
Wholesale Inventories Piled Up in January as Sales Tumbled – Real Time Economics – WSJ
“Merchandise piled up on wholesalers’ shelves in January, likely reflecting a shift in consumer spending toward heat and healthcare during a bad-weather month. Wholesale inventories climbed 0.6% from December, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Sales tumbled 1.9%, the sharpest decline since the tail end of the recession in March 2009.”
Clinton’s Keystone-pipeline dodge causes donors to rethink support | Financial Post
Ukraine
BBC News – Ukraine president: Russia ‘is refusing crisis talks’
Washington Does Not Have a Natural Gas Weapon Against Moscow | naked capitalism
US to violate own laws by financially aiding Ukraine’s coup-installed govt – Moscow — RT News
“Ukraine’s ousted president, Viktor Yanukovich, said on Tuesday that the US plans to loan $1 billion to the country’s new authorities are illegal. “Indeed, in accordance with the amendments introduced to the 1961 law (Foreign Assistance Act) a few years ago the provision of foreign assistance is prohibited to ‘the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree.’ The relevant provision is contained in 22 US Code § 8422,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “
Sanctions nerves ripple through Moscow – FT.com
““It’s my view that the Obama administration and other European leaders are deliberately raising the spectre of serious economic sanctions as a means to reach a political settlement in the short term,” said outgoing US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul. “They understand the long-term consequences of actively implementing these measures and would much prefer a resolution over having to implement difficult sanctions that would be very costly for the Russian economy and which would be difficult for European powers and the West to execute over the long term.””
“No successful Eastern European government has been asked to impose a dramatic austerity and reform program prior to democratic elections; it would be utter folly to start now.”
BBC News – Ukraine crisis: John Kerry rejects Vladimir Putin talks
Japan
Facing weak home demand, Japan refiners look to push up exports | Reuters
Why an extra $26 a month may decide fate of Abenomics – FT.com
Japan Inc. to Boost Wages – WSJ.com
Behind PM Abe’s Wage Push in Japan: Dueling Economists – Japan Real Time – WSJ
Japan Business Sentiment Soars: A Flash in the Pan or Here to Stay? – Japan Real Time – WSJ
Japanese Consumer Pessimism Hits New High Under Abe – Japan Real Time – WSJ
What if Japan’s Export Boom Never Shows Up? – Real Time Economics – WSJ
China
Sober Look: Xu Shaoshi says all is well with China’s economy
China Slowdown Is Rocking Raw Materials – WSJ.com
China shadow lending slows sharply – FT.com
China fears trigger dramatic drop in copper – FT.com
“The copper market is spooked. After falling 4 per cent on Friday, the red metal tumbled as much as 2.6 per cent on Monday on the London Metal Exchange. At $6,608 a tonne for three-month delivery, the price was within a whisker of its lowest price in nearly four years. “
Europe
Scottish deficit adds to independence fiscal concerns – FT.com
The Bank of England will never unwind QE, nor should it – Telegraph Blogs
Industrial production growth slows – Telegraph
Industrial Output Falls in Euro Zone – WSJ.com
ekathimerini.com | Contraction in 2013 revised to 3.85 pct
ekathimerini.com | Budget posts primary surplus of 2.07 bln euros in Jan-Feb 2014
The spectre of eurozone deflation – FT.com
Peripheral banks rush to bonds | Capital City | IFRe
“Mediobanca, Banco Santander, Bank of Ireland and CaixaBank opened books for new senior and covered bond issues and quickly attracted strong demand despite spreads being at five-year lows, showing that more and more investors are buying into the European banking system recovery story.”
Bank of Ireland raises €750m in long-term secured funding – Independent.ie
“The five-year covered bond attracted strong demand with the order book of €2.2m about three times over-subscribed. The yield was 1.82pc with the issue sold to a range of over 140 international investors.”
UniCredit falls to record €14bn loss before stress tests – FT.com
“UniCredit has announced a record annual net loss of €14bn as Italy’s biggest bank by assets cleaned up its balance sheet by taking big writedowns on bad debts and goodwill ahead of European stress tests later this year.”
Spain
La prima de riesgo abre sin cambios en mínimos de 2010
Spanish bond spreads to Bunds are at the lowest level since 2010 and yields are the lowest since 2006.
La extra de los funcionaros sube el coste laboral un 3,2% | Economía | Cinco Días
Labor costs rose 3.2%in Spain in 2013
La venta de viviendas cae en 2013 un 17,4% respecto a 2012
House sales fell 17% in 2013 in Spain.
La banca española, la más expuesta a los emergentes
Spanish banks are the most exposed amongst developed economy sectors to the emerging markets.
La tasa de inflación se sitúa en el 0 % en febrero
Slight deflation in Spain on a year over year basis of 0.1%
Argentina
La producción de gas cayó 5% el último año
Natural gas production fell 5% in Argentina last year.
Technology
An online Magna Carta: Berners-Lee calls for bill of rights for web | Technology | The Guardian
EU’s Neelie Kroes on How to Protect Data Without Resorting to Protectionism
Neil Young’s Pono music player smashes $800,000 Kickstarter target in one day | The Verge
Jimmy Iovine’s Beats Music Is Said to Raise Up to $100 Million – Bloomberg
Secret-Sharing App Whisper Raising Another $30 Million at $200 Million Valuation | Re/code
Elsewhere
Beyond Immersion: Learn a New Language with Better Listening Skills
“Keynesian” Myths and Misunderstandings | PRAGMATIC CAPITALISM
I’m a Telemarketer. Here’s How to Get Rid of Me