Leading the Conversation

IHS monitors major industries for emerging trends and directional circumstances that are likely to affect change or have an impact on a particular industry or market. Select a topic below to learn more about what is of interest to our customers.

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  Russian Finance Minister's Dramatic Ouster Deepens Concerns over Economic Reform Agenda

  The recently announced position swap between Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin claimed its first head as the country's finance minister of 11 years was unceremoniously pushed ... More
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  Analysis: the UK MoD's revolving door

  The resignation of Liam Fox and the immediate selection of transport minister Philip Hammond on 14 October as UK defence secretary marks the sixth change at the helm of the ministry since 2005. More
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  Italy and Spain Endure Rising Sovereign Debt Funding Costs

  The Greek bailout plan announced on 21 July initially helped to ease some of the pressure on Spain, but bond yields have moved up again given increasing market concerns about the lack of detail relating to the new funds needed by the European Financial Stability Facility to meet its much wider remit. More
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  Thailand's Post-Election Security Outlook Remains Uncertain

  Thailand's official 3 July election results released today confirmed that an overwhelming majority of the country's electorate rejected outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's military-backed government and, by extension, at least some of the elites that the defeated administration was intended to protect. More

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  French Government Moves to Cut 2012 Healthcare Budget

  As part of a EUR65-million austerity plan, French prime minister François Fillon has announced that healthcare spending will be reduced to 2.5% year-on-year growth for 2012. More
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  European Gas: All about Asia

  Despite weak demand, European gas prices are likely to remain range bound as a result of supply constraints and continued strong Asian demand which is pulling liquefied natural gas east. More
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  Will Electric Rates Be as Smart as the Meters?

  As utilities across North America invest in advanced “smart” meters, one of the most often-cited benefits is the ability to offer time-differentiated “dynamic” electric rates to mass-market customers, potentially inducing significant price-driven demand response and generating system benefits. More
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  US Army Fields Lightweight Mortar System

  A special forces unit received the first M224A1 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar Systems in June, according to the army's Program Executive Office (PEO) for Ammunition, which oversees the programme. More

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  Italian Parliament Approves New Austerity Measures Worth EUR48 Bil.

  The Italian parliament has given its final approval to another layer of austerity measures worth EUR48 billion in order to eliminate the budget deficit by 2014, while trying to soften the scale of the contagion hitting Italy from the Eurozone debt crisis. More
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  Apple Patents Touchscreen Technology

  Apple has been awarded the patent for capacitive touchscreens in the US after first applying for the right back in 2007. There are two different types of touchscreen technology: capacitive and resistive, with the former first used by Apple in the first iPhone, which has now become the industry standard with other manufacturers. More
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  Champix Linked to Heart Risk in Study

  A study published in the latest issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) has raked up doubts over the safety profile of the smoking-cessation drug Champix/Chantix (varenicline), developed and marketed by US pharma major Pfizer. More
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  Latest GDP Report Shows US Recession Was Deeper and Recovery More Anemic Than Previously Thought

  Second-quarter GDP growth came in at only 1.3%, and revisions to previous quarters show a deeper recession and a weaker recovery than previously portrayed. Immediate growth prospects look bleak given the lack of underlying momentum and the damage to confidence from the debt-ceiling stand-off More