Economists predict that geo-engineering, performance drugs and artificial intelligence will shape our future

February 14, 2014 8:24 pm

Forecast: The world in 2114

Economists predict that geo-engineering, performance drugs and artificial intelligence will shape our future

Martin Weitzman

If there is one natural bridge spanning the chasm between today and a century from now, it is climate change. We can envision only the foundation of this bridge. Even so, we can make out enough features to sense that something big and possibly ominous may be on the distant horizon. Read more of this post

(Isia) – Global investors are heading back to Indonesia and sending stocks, bonds and the currency soaring, in a sharp reversal of sentiment after months of turmoil as the economy shows signs of improvement.

Investors Head Back to Indonesian Assets

Recent Data Indicate Improving Fundamentals

ANJANI TRIVEDI

Feb. 14, 2014 8:17 a.m. ET

Global investors are heading back to Indonesia and sending stocks, bonds and the currency soaring, in a sharp reversal of sentiment after months of turmoil as the economy shows signs of improvement.

The rupiah gained 3.4% against the dollar on Friday, the biggest one-day gain in four months, according to data provider CQG. For the week, the rupiah advanced 5%, making it Asia’s top-performing currency this year. Read more of this post

First of NYSE-Delisted China Stocks Launches Asian Offering

China Firm Preps for Hong Kong IPO

First of NYSE-Delisted China Stocks Launches Asian Offering

PRUDENCE HO

Updated Feb. 14, 2014 6:47 a.m. ET

HONG KONG—Two years ago, as Chinese companies listed in the U.S. battled a perception for being weak, or were tainted with fraud, many Chinese companies were taken private by their owners. Now, 15 months after it was bought out by its founder, the former New York-listed Gushan Environmental Energy Ltd. is raising up to US$96 million in a Hong Kong initial public offering. Read more of this post

South Korea has an unexpected new hit movie: the story of factory workers who became ill working for a company that looks a lot like the Korean giant Samsung.

South Korea’s Surprise Hit Film

South Korea has an unexpected new hit movie: the story of factory workers who became ill working for a company that looks a lot like the Korean giant Samsung

JEYUP S. KWAAK

Feb. 14, 2014 7:33 p.m. ET

South Korea has an unexpected new hit movie: the story of factory workers who became ill working for a company that looks a lot like the Korean giant Samsung. The makers of “Another Family”—the second-highest-grossing film to debut in South Korea last week—say it is based on the true story of a working-class family whose daughter contracted leukemia while working at a Samsung semiconductor factory and died of the disease in 2007. Read more of this post

China Prices a ‘Smoothed Version of Reality’

China Prices a ‘Smoothed Version of Reality’

ALEX FRANGOS

Feb. 14, 2014 7:03 a.m. ET

China’s economy faces many challenges. Rising prices aren’t one of them, at least according to official data.

Consumer prices in January were up 2.5% from a year earlier, matching December’s pace and within Beijing’s comfort zone. While such low inflation might normally make authorities feel safe opening the credit spigots, that’s unlikely to happen given the concern about the economy’s mounting debt load. Read more of this post

Bill Gates’ Energy Co. Files For Bankruptcy

Bill Gates’ Energy Co. Files For Bankruptcy

Tyler Durden on 02/14/2014 13:00 -0500

Submitted by Charles Kennedy via OilPrice.com,

Bill Gates’ Texas energy company has filed for bankruptcy protection as the depressed power market results in untenable financial losses.

The company, Optim Energy (EnergyCo LLC), owned by a Gates investment fund, filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy papers on Wednesday for its three power plants in eastern Texas, citing their inability to counter growing losses in the current market. Read more of this post