Catalonia, Germany, Canada, China, Russia, Prince Harry

Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 27, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

GEOECONOMICS

Puigdemont calls for Catalonia to leave EU: The Times reports, the ousted Catalan leader came under pressure from his own pro-independence party today after suggesting that Catalonia should be allowed a vote to quit the European Union.

Barely a quarter of Catalans want to pursue split from Spain according to a poll published in El Pais newspaper on Monday.

Germany edges towards new government: Bloomberg reports, the political stalemate in Berlin is showing signs of easing as the main opposition Social Democrats began haggling over the terms of a renewed coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc, rather than seeking to block an alliance between Germany’s two largest parties. 

FT: Brussels rattled as China reaches out to eastern Europehttps://goo.gl/XQT1UW

Canada PM Justin Trudeau to visit China in December.

China's electric-car push sparks gold rush for lithium: Nikkei reports, companies chase deals with Chilean and Australian miners.

Trump, Xi and the siren song of nationalism: A new generation of world leaders is embracing nationalist themes.
FT - Gideon Rachman

Nikkei: Xi Jinping bids adieu to his fellow princelings: Obedience, not bloodline, is the currency that counts in the new team. https://goo.gl/d5Gk5p

Political football: For better or worse, the World Cup will put Russia in the global spotlight. https://goo.gl/yt6fTA

CNN Money: Next stop $10,000? Bitcoin's incredible surge hits new heights https://goo.gl/gpDLto

1 Bitcoin equals 9772.98 US Dollars

Ending NAFTA would hurt growth, competitiveness of United States, Canada: Reuters reports, terminating the North American Free Trade Agreement would harm the U.S. and Canadian economies and reduce their competitiveness versus Asia and Europe, a report issued by the Bank of Montreal said on Monday.

AMERICAN POLITICS

Congress confronts jam-packed agenda with shutdown deadline looming: WP reports, bitter divides over spending, health care and immigration threaten to set up an impasse with government funding set to expire on Dec. 8. Leaders of both parties are set to meet Tuesday with President Trump in a summit that could smooth the path — or inflame simmering fights.

US senators under pressure to back tax reform: FT reports, Trump to meet lawmakers as party tries to firm up numbers.

Senate Republicans are rushing to secure votes to push a tax plan through the Senate as early as this Thursday. 

Some form of tax reform will pass in the coming months - probably not this calendar year but certainly before Election 2018.

LAT: Consumer bureau's deputy director sues to stop Trump appointee from taking temporary control of agency

WP: Official sues Trump to block his pick for head of consumer watchdog agency

@markknoller: Both Mulvaney and English are expected to start their day at @CFPB, each claiming to be Acting Director.

Bernie makes moves pointing to 2020 run: Politico reports, the Vermont senator is taking aggressive steps to address long-running political weaknesses, like his lack of foreign policy bona fides.

BRIGADOON SUNDANCE 2018 SPEAKERS 

City Hall, Corner Kicks, Cannabis, Computers, Cryptocurrency, Congress = some of the speaker topics for Brigadoon Sundance 2018. You can see the current list of speakers here:  http://thebrigadoon.com/speakers/

ENTERPRISE

Meredith and the Koch brothers buy Time Inc. for $2.8 billion deal. Meredith is the publisher of Family Circle and Better Homes and Gardens, will take over a roster that includes Time, Sports Illustrated and People.

Victoria Beckham lands £30 million private equity investment: FT reports, Neo Investment Partners will take an undisclosed stake in fast-growing fashion brand.

Uber in Israel: A court in Israel ordered Uber on Monday to halt a trial program in the Tel Aviv area.

Bloomberg: Why Tencent could become an advertising powerhouse like Facebook https://goo.gl/Nz1ECM

CULTURE

Prince Harry is engaged to his girlfriend Meghan Markle. The wedding will take place in the spring of 2018.

SPORT

China club taps Ajax to build 'best football academy': AFP reports, Dutch football giants Ajax announced a five-year partnership with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F on Monday that will attempt to build the best youth academy in China. The multi-million-euro deal is the latest in a series of football link-ups between Europe and China, as the Asian superpower -- under football fan President Xi Jinping -- throws money at developing football in the country.

Toronto Star: Argos stun Stamps with fourth-quarter comeback to win Grey Cup