lifestyle leader

Politique
-Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso announced a new, Y15,400bn fiscal stimulus package.

-All criminal charges against Jacob Zuma are dropped, clearing the way for the ANC head's election to the presidency later this month.

-An East Asia summit is cancelled as Thailand stands on the brink of "revolution." Elsewhere, tens of thousands of protesters rallied in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi for Saakashvili's resignation.

-An earthquake killed at least 250 people in Italy, leaving near 20,000 others homeless.

Economia
-Wells Fargo stunned Wall Street with a profitable Q1 2009, contributing to the fifth straight weekly gains for US stocks.

-The FT ran an interesting article on Japanese bank Nomura's move towards more "western-style" contracts for employees.

-Underlining the collapse of trade in Asia, Singapore's GDP "probably" shrank for the fourth straight quarter, the deepest recession in the country's history.

The Rest
-In Europe, Barca looked unbeatable in their thrashing of Bayern Munich, a sublime Adebayor goal put Arsenal in the driver's seat and Chealsea stunned Liverpool at Anfield.

-A Reuters piece asks, "Is America's love affair with the 'exurbs' over?"

-Art prices fell 35% in Q1 2009.