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UK Economic Growth: Beyond the Glitter

The UK economy may be growing at an impressive clip; the spurt is powered by borrowed money and, as such, akin to a bubble. The same holds true for the seemingly impressive economic performance of the United States. With a

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France – New Elan Takes Hold of Economy

The triple terrorist attacks that rocked France last week will have a negligible impact on the country’s economy. According to Economics Professor Todd Sandler of the University of Texas Dallas business confidence is seldom affected when terrorists strike in advanced

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Charlie Hebdo Attack: The Triumph of the Last Laugh

In the wake of the terrorist attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which left ten staff members and two police officers dead, it is more important than ever to remember – and indeed emphasise – the difference between

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China’s High-Speed Rail: the Rapid Growth of a New Travel Option

BEIJING – China has the world’s largest and still expanding high-speed rail (HSR) network, but whether ridership would materialize has been the subject of much debate. A new World Bank paper finds initial traffic volumes are promising, with traffic growing from

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Forbidden Pleasures: France Flouting EU Budget Rules

“A budget proposal written by poets and alchemists.” That’s how a visibly annoyed EU diplomat in Brussels described the 60-page draft budget for 2015 France submitted last week to the European Commission. While the document speaks of “substantial efforts at

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Angela Merkel: Managing Europe’s Manifest Destiny

The job of German chancellor is not one for the faint of heart. It all boils down to leading one of the world’s greatest powers, and safeguarding its many interests, without ever giving in to the temptation to actually flex

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United Kingdom – Splitting Rage Takes Root

For all admiration the British nation inspires, anglophiles and others slightly less impressed are wondering what is wrong with the United Kingdom and its people. It’s not just that Scotland mulls independence, but also that the remainder of the UK

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Matteo Renzi to the Rescue? European Union – Looking for a Leader to Reassert Its Role

To the pundits and other talking heads who wrote off Europe as a spent force: You ain’t seen nothing yet! The hand-wringing is about to be cut short as the old world prepares for a makeover. Indeed, the exercise may

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The Euro – A Paradox Checks Into Hotel California

It could have been conceived a bit more thoughtfully, but as a project the European common currency is not altogether farfetched or indeed destined for failure. The euro was specifically created to offer an alternative to the erstwhile all-mighty US

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From Armenia to France and Back – Francis Kurkdjian

Fragrances from the Past Though born in France, celebrated perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has remained in close touch with his Armenian roots. On the most recent of his many visits to Yerevan Mr Kurkdjian was received by Minister of Diaspora Affairs

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