Links 20 February 2014

Global Macro / Markets:

• Why gold is back despite reasons to sell – The AFR

North America:

• Fed Minutes Show Optimism About the Economy – New York Times
• The Impact of a Minimum-Wage Increase – New York Times
• New Jersey Debt Reaches Record $40.4 Billion in 2013 – Bloomberg
• Health experts warn of water contamination from California drought – Reuters
• Obamacare’s Latest Surprise for Taxpayers? – Bloomberg
• Snowpocalypse Aside, U.S. Economy is Weakening – Wall Street Journal

Europe:

• Clashes in Kiev Kill Dozens as Protesters Cling to Square – New York Times
• Video shows Ukrainian protester being gunned down – Channel4.com
• Greece Just Posted Its First Current Account Surplus In History – Business Insider

Asia:

• More on Abenomics and the wage-employment tradeoff – Financial Times
• China Training for ’Short Sharp War’ with Japan – USNI.org
• China to spend $330 billion to fight water pollution – Reuters
• Is China at Risk of a Debt Crisis? Not Really,Bank Says – Wall Street Journal
• Japan says prices ’rising moderately’ for first time in more than five years – Reuters
• China Digs Itself Deeper Into Dollar Trap – Bloomberg
• Credit not steel, China’s new use of iron ore props up demand – Reuters

Local:

• Coalition preps Qantas Sale Act changes – The AFR
• Medicare costs set to rise under Coalition revamp – The AFR
• Is technology creating a Downton Abbey economy – The AFR
• Lack of competition keeps inflation up – The AFR
• Soft wages growth hints at hard economic slog – Business Spectator
• Offer childcare loans: Business – The Australian
• Government in push to slash wages – The Age
• Don’t believe the hype on wages growth – The Age
• Government stays cool on public sector pay freeze – Canberra Times
• Commission of Audit “rigged” – Canberra Times
• Mining tax: It’s time for all Aussies to realise they are being ripped-off – The Guardian

Other:

• Understanding Quantitative Easing by Cullen O. Roche – SSRN.com