DECEMBER 2, 2009

Full News Archive

• Headline: Obama's Troop Surge and Withdrawal Timeline. Impact: By sending more troops to Afghanistan while planning an exit, Obama inadvertently sparked an intense debate over U.S. foreign policy. This led to the rise of think tanks that churn out endless reports, most of which were just glorified PowerPoints with more bullet points than solutions.. Fact: Did you know that 'exit strategy' was actually code for 'let's hope they forget we were ever here'?.
• Headline: Reviving America's Rum Cocktail Culture. Impact: The resurgence of rum cocktails led to a global obsession with tiki bars, resulting in a thriving economy for Hawaiian shirt manufacturers. Little did they know, this fashion trend would haunt us all at beach parties for decades.. Fact: Rum was so popular in the 1700s that it was used as currency. So, if you ever wondered why your wallet feels lighter after a night out, it’s not you; it’s the rum!.
• Headline: Yukos Shareholders Win Legal Battle. Impact: The decision to allow Yukos shareholders to seek damages opened the floodgates for legal claims against governments. This led to a new era of lawyers becoming the world's highest-paid professionals, proving once again that crime does pay—if you're a lawyer.. Fact: The saga of Yukos is a dramatic tale of corporate intrigue, where oil and politics mix like a bad cocktail—bitter, expensive, and likely to ruin your night..
• Headline: A Quaking Brings No Collapse. Impact: The tremors felt in Dubai's financial sector led to a global reassessment of investment risks. This ultimately resulted in a new trend of 'financial feng shui,' where hedge fund managers started rearranging their portfolios like they were fixing their living rooms.. Fact: Dubai's financial troubles remind us that sometimes the only thing that collapses faster than a financial institution is the confidence of its investors..