Links 21 February 2014

Global Macro / Markets:

• How to make the world $600 billion poorer – The Economist

North America:

• All Cities Are Not Created Unequal – Brookings.edu
• Study Finds Greater Income Inequality in Nation’s Thriving Cities – New York Times
• Why Companies That Build Homes Are Having A Hard Time Finding Workers – Business Insider
• Colorado pot market exceeds tax hopes – AP.org

Europe:

• EU to press Ukraine for early elections – Wall Street Journal
• EU ministers should discuss peacekeepers for Ukraine – EU Observer
• Wages rise but still below inflation – The Telegraph
• IMF urges European Central Bank to mull cutting interest rates below zero – The Guardian

Asia:

• Record Japan trade deficit highlights risk of economic stumble – Reuters
• Nationalistic Remarks From Japan Lead to Warnings of Chill With U.S. – New York Times
• Washington regrets the Shinzo Abe it wished for – Financial Times
• Adviser to Japan prime minister offers nationalist fuel for push to strengthen country’s economy, military – Wall Street Journal

Local:

• Oversupply leaves law students jobless – The AFR
• SMEs hardest hit by post-GFC lending changes – The AFR
• Labor: replace ASIC with new corporate cop – The AFR
• Medicare proposals stir debate – The AFR
• Audit report delivery sparks rumours of cuts – The AFR
• Santos CSG project leaps forward with NSW deal – The AFR
• Coalition plans sweeping review of workplace laws – Canberra Times
• Award wage deals more flexible – The Australian
• Big growth is the answer, says big boss – The Australian
• Rejig welfare to help needy work – The Australian
• Childcare plan a trap for families – The Australian
• APRA denies new rules will hurt banks – The Australian
• WA election re-run prompts battle – The Guardian
• WA half-Senate election spells uncertainty for Abbott – The Guardian
• Penny Wong: Australia’s FTA with Korea should be scrutinised – The Guardian
• Wages boom alarmists are the economic equivalents of climate change deniers – The Guardian