Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Economy | ANALYSIS Aug 15, 2013
Lies, damn lies, and China's economic statistics
by Kelly Olsen
China has soared almost to the top of the world's economic league tables, but whether the official data underpinning its status can be trusted is a constant headache, analysts say.
World | ANALYSIS Aug 9, 2013
Chinese maritime ambitions swelling
by Sebastien Blanc
China’s communist rulers are making waves in the Pacific as they extend their naval strength and reach while Japan and the Philippines bolster their own fleets, increasing the risk of a maritime conflict, analysts say. Five warships completed China’s first circumnavigation of Japan last ...
Corporate | ANALYSIS Aug 6, 2013
Purchase harks back to age of newspaper titans
by Matea Gold
The Graham family’s decision to sell The Washington Post to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos underscores the re-emergence of wealthy individuals at the helm of major metro dailies as newspapers seek a refuge from the battering they have experienced on Wall Street. The news of ...
World | ANALYSIS Aug 6, 2013
Al-Qaida's Yemen branch rises as core falters
Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri ordered the head of the terrorist group’s Yemen affiliate to carry out an attack, according to intercepted communications that have led to the closure of U.S. embassies and a global travel alert, said a person briefed on the case. In ...
World | ANALYSIS Aug 3, 2013
Iran's Rouhani faces pressure over economy
by Joby Warrick and Jason Rezaian
Iran’s economy is showing signs of foundering just as the country prepares to inaugurate its first new president in eight years, with Western sanctions cutting ever deeper into the Islamic republic’s financial lifelines and increasing pressure for a nuclear deal with the West. New ...
World | ANALYSIS Aug 2, 2013
Putin gives Russian voters what they want in Snowden move
by Ilya Arkhipov and Olga Tanas
Russian President Vladimir Putin is showing his gamesmanship on a global stage by giving his voters what they want with the asylum granted to ex-U.S. contractor Edward Snowden while leaving the White House flustered. The decision is backed by almost twice as many Russians ...
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Aug 2, 2013
U.S. urged to get tough on Russia over Snowden
Russia’s granting of temporary asylum to former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden against Washington’s wishes unleashed calls from members of both parties Thursday for President Barack Obama to take a harder line against his counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Republican senators including John McCain ...
Crime | ANALYSIS Jul 31, 2013
WikiLeaks' founder may be next target
The conviction of U.S. Army Pvt. Bradley Manning on espionage charges Tuesday makes it increasingly likely that the United States will prosecute WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as a co-conspirator, according to his attorney and other civil liberties groups. Judge Denise Lind, an army colonel, ...
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Jul 31, 2013
Poll weakens Cambodia strongman
Cambodia faces a potential political stalemate unless strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen can strike a compromise with a resurgent opposition after hotly disputed elections, analysts say. Allegations of election fraud have flared since the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) claimed it won polls last ...
World | ANALYSIS Jul 23, 2013
Same old, same old for British monarchy
by Denis Hiault
The birth of Prince William and Kate’s son is supposed to give the British royal family an injection of youth, but the crown will likely rest on the head of an older monarch for decades to come, analysts say. At 87, Queen Elizabeth II ...
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Jul 22, 2013
One-party rule back but Abe could blow it
by Ayako Mie
The Liberal Democratic Party's sweeping Upper House election victory ends the divided Diet, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe still faces a battle in tackling vexing issues.
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Jul 21, 2013
U.S. state officials balk at defending 'unconstitutional' laws
by Juliet Eilperin
Once state legislation is passed, it’s usually up to the governor and attorney general to see that the law is implemented. But in a number of high-profile cases around the U.S., top state officials are balking at defending laws on gay marriage, immigration and ...