April, 2016

• 20 April

  The trouble with Cambodia’s new law on trade unions

    Cambodia’s National Assembly has adopted a Law on Trade Unions but labor groups, human rights advocates, and opposition politicians warn that it could be used to stifle the workers’ movement in the country. Despite the delay in its passage caused by protests, the bill was unanimously approved by the members of the ruling party without amendment. The draft law ...

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• 20 April

  China’s Mediterranean Odyssey

  

  “Let the ship sail and bring the Golden Fleece,” said China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) Chairman Xu Lirong on April 8, after the state-owned shipping giant sealed a deal to purchase the Greek port of Piraeus, southwest of Athens. Beyond the romantic evocations of Greek heroes such as Jason and the Argonauts, this “made in China” golden fleece amounts to ...

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• 20 April

  Did Occupy Central Movement really fail?

  

    Now that Joshua Wong, former student leader of Scholarism and one of the forces behind the Occupy Central Movement, has started a political party, it may be a good time to look back on what initiated this newest phase of Hong Kong’s politics: the Umbrella Movement. One imagines that Joshua Wong, Chan Ho-Tin of the Hong Kong National Party, ...

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• 20 April

  Stocks swing at 3-month high amid earnings as oil slips

  

    BLOOMBERG U.S. and European shares fluctuated near the highest levels in at least three months as investors focused on companies with results that beat estimates, offsetting declines among energy producers that slumped with the price of crude. The dollar strengthened. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index swung near 2,100, a level it breached Tuesday for the first time in ...

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• 20 April

  Emirates Securities Market down by -0.24 percent

  

    ABU DHABI / EMIRATES BUSINESS The Emirates Securities Market Index has decreased by -0.24% to close at 4677.63 points. Accordingly the Market Capitalization has lost AED 1.8 billion attaining AED 758.77 billion. A total of 0.7 Billion Shares were traded with a total value of AED 0.9 billion during the trading session of 20-04-2016 through 8272 transactions. The number of companies ...

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• 20 April

  Housing starts in US slumped more than forecast in March

  

    Bloomberg New-home construction in the U.S. slumped more than projected in March, reflecting a broad-based retreat that showed the industry lost momentum heading into the busiest time of year. Residential starts decreased 8.8 percent to a 1.09 million annualized rate that was the lowest since October and weaker than any forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg, Commerce Department data ...

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• 20 April

  Weak locations hamper Shake Shack’s avid growth

  

    Bloomberg Shake Shack Inc., which has tantalized investors with promises of rapid growth, may have its expansion plans hindered by weaker real estate skills. The burger chain doesn’t have the management experience or information needed to pick prime locations, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence study from analytics provider Fishbowl. Newer Shake Shack locations were in areas that scored lower ...

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• 20 April

  Michigan endowment adds venture capital, realty commitments

    Bloomberg The University of Michigan’s endowment has bolstered its alternative assets with more than $100 million in commitments to venture capital and real estate funds. Michigan also plans a new commitment of $50 million, subject to approval, to CD Capital Natural Resources Fund III, a London-based pool that will invest in early-stage mining opportunities, according to the agenda for ...

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• 20 April

  The ‘Iron Rooster’ boom that’s driving China’s steel rally

  

    Bloomberg The unexpected rebound in China’s steel market this year is set to keep rolling because record output by mills has so far failed to replenish inventories as the government cranks up stimulus to boost growth. Stockpiles of steel reinforcement bar, used in construction, sank for a sixth week, contracting 6.8 percent in the period to April 18 in ...

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• 20 April

  Midtown Manhattan development site to be new homes for seniors

  

    Bloomberg Hines, the developer behind the ultra-luxury condo tower rising by New York’s Museum of Modern Art, has a new project coming to midtown Manhattan: a senior-living community. The builder, in a partnership with senior-housing owner Welltower Inc., acquired a site at the corner of 56th Street and Lexington Avenue for an undisclosed price, according to a joint statement ...

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