The term “Down Under” as a somehow blessed space separate from the realities of the rest of the world really ought to be banished, at least from discussions about economics. The direction of monetary policy in Australia and New Zealand is headed upside down after years of exceptionalism. As four central ba-nks across Asia reduced int- erest rates last week, ...

While China’s industrial sector crashes, one corner is booming. Oddly enough, it’s probably bad news for participants. Fixed-asset investment in mining increased 27.4 percent from a year earlier in July, continuing an extraordinary run this year that puts growth at the fastest pace in a decade. One commodity is likely to have dominated: Investments in mining and preparing coal have ...

Rather unexpectedly, Republicans have become a minor font of ideas on fighting climate change. There’s been talk of clean-energy tax credits, a boost to carbon-capture technology, a renewed push for nuclear power, even a new “Roosevelt Conservation Caucus” dedicated to green issues. Above all, they say, the fight against climate change must take advantage of American innovation. That’s no doubt ...