Links 22 May 2014

Global Macro / Markets:

• What Kills You and Your Investments – Bloomberg

North America:

• No, we don’t need less democracy – Washington Post
  
• Solving the mystery of health-care prices could save $100 billion – VOX
• Conviction for U.S. inflation rise strengthens – Reuters
• What 60 years of political gerrymandering looks like – Washington Post
• The simple reason Republicans don’t have an answer on the minimum wage – VOX
• White House: New mortgage policy will help home buyers – CNN Money
• U.S. mortgage collectors gag homeowners in loan deals – Reuters

Europe:

• Russia and China seal historic $400bn gas deal – rt.com
• China and Russia Are Said to Reach Major Gas Deal – New York Times
• Far-Right Fever for a Europe Tied to Russia – New York Times
• Iceland Said Close to Inviting Hedge Funds to Talks on Debt – Bloomberg

Asia:

• UPHEAVAL IN CHINA; Facing the People, the Soldiers Fall Back – New York Times
• China opens debt window for local governments – Financial Times
• Chinese real estate is in real trouble – Breakingviews

Local:

• Iron ore feels ‘Python squeeze’ – The AFR
• Hockey’s Budget is not unfair – The AFR
• Asciano begins aggressive job cuts – The AFR
• Gonski attacks Budget education cuts – The AFR
• Tax breaks on super and capital gains cost $300 billion – The AFR
• Energy subsidies to hit $21 billion – The AFR
• Tax cut pay-off, PM vows – The Australian
• Entitlement is over, except for pollies – The Australian
• Poor to wear heaviest Budget burden – Canberra Times
• More than 100,000 youth jobless miss out on welfare – Canberra Times
• Speed key to light rail success – Canberra Times
• Budget pain game is dangerous – Canberra Times
• Belt tightening ahead as real wages fall – Canberra Times
• The good old days of iron ore are over – Business Spectator (Locked)
• Drop PPL plan: Bowen – The Guardian
• Budget defence shifts to attacking critics – The Guardian

Other:

• Angry economics students are naive – Financial Times