The Business of Politics and Lawsuits

Another week in the world of money which saw politics and lawsuits dominate the headlines.

Politics

We start this week in the world of politics where a Brazilian judge has accepted charges filled by state prosecutors against 11 companies for allegedly forming a cartel to control construction and upkeep of the subway and train systems in Sao Paulo just weeks after a corruption scandal involving state oil giant Petrobras was revealed. In other South American news Citigroup was authorized by a US judge to process Argentine dept payments after numerous lengthy court battles while on the other side of the world in the Middle East we saw trouble as conflict in Yemen sent oil prices soaring. Europe saw protestors marching in Madrid against austerity measures called the "march for dignity" while the always complicated relationship between EU and Greece raised its head when Germany and other EU leaders set strict terms for Greek aid.

Legal

But it wasn't just bureaucracy this week as we also saw legal disputes with the Ellen Pao lawsuit taking center stage as her legal team wrapped up arguments. However, they weren't alone with Twitter also being sued for gender discrimination. The technology world also saw the Google anti competitive report leaked and news that Google had become a lobbying powerhouse with near weekly meetings at the White House. Outside of the tech world Ex-American Apparel CEO, Dov Charney, is seeking $40 million in damages after being fired last year.

Stock Markets

We end the week on Wall Street where news of Heinz and Kraft merging had mouths salivating with the prospect of a new super food company and lastly, the stuff dreams are made of, when we heard luxury car maker Porsche gave each of it's employee's a sizable bonus sharing the spoils after a successful year.

What Happened? 2014 Style News

Even with the world facing challenges in 2014 there was still time for beauty to lift the spirit.

Events

The world renowned Fall/Winter Fashion Weeks rolled into New York with everyone from Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren to Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. London Fashion Week had Tom Ford and Pam Hogg showing how it's done while Paris wasn't going to be outdone with Givenchy and more.

Later in the year New York kicked off the Spring/Summer Fashion Week with Rebecca Minkoff and Diane von Furstenburg to Derek Lam and Hugo Boss. London Fashion Week saw Mulberry, Topshop Unique and Marchesa show their wares while Paris took to the stage with Jean Paul Gaultier and Celine among others.

Elsewhere it was the sight of gorgeous amazonian beauties strutting the catwalk at the 2014 Victoria's Secret show that had heads turning in London for the first time. Still in Britain the British Fashion Awards celebrated British Beauties from designers to models.

Designers

Renowned designers dominated the fashion news with Jean Paul Gaultier ending his ready-to-rear line in a blaze of glory and John Galliano returning to the fashion world joining Maison Martin Margiela after his shameful exit in 2011 from Dior.

While some designers redefined their career's others left the fashion world with their legacy. The fashion world lost an icon when Oscar de la Renta passed away in October and in a tragic turn of events L'Wren Scott committed suicide in March.

Celebrities

What would the fashion world be without the rich and more importantly famous dressed to kill on the red carpet from the American Music Awards to the Emmys and the Billboard awards.

While some celebrities made news for their choice of attire others joined brands lending their considerable presence with Jennifer Lawrence with Dior to Julie Roberts and Givenchy campaigns even Maddona appeared in a Versace campaign.

Need to Know - Hong Kong Protests

This week saw an escalation from protestors in Hong Kong as students, with the support of many in Hong Kong, took to government offices and business districts objecting to political interference.

Students Fight Back

Protests began when mainland China reneged on the political promise made in 1997 often called "one country, two systems" opting instead for a new process requiring a committee to pre-approve candidates for election.

Since then there has been a wave of students occupying areas around government offices and business districts with police responding with tear gas and batons. At one point even school children joined university students to protest with many university students being arrested for occupying government buildings.

Financial and Technological Impact

The protests have had a major impact on business in Hong Kong resulting in banks shutting down offices and with no end in sight many Hong Kong stocks tumbled as markets took a hammering. Retailers suffered when the protests spanned China's Golden week holiday which normally results in an influx of shoppers from mainland China with an estimated loss of $2billion Hong Kong dollars.

As protests grew ugly the authorities blocked Instagram along with censoring of other internet services. However protestors have found ways around the censorship using mesh networks for phone to phone communication bypassing restrictions. The Chinese government has apparently used "main-in-the-middle" attack's on Yahoo allowing officials to snoop on communications along with blocking links. There have also been reports of sophisticated malware spying on protestors using Android and iOS devices.

Responses Near and Far

As protests grow more volatile the world has taken notice with the British government deciding to review it's policy of selling tear gas to Hong Kong after it's use on protestors. The website Occupy Central with Love and Peace (OCLP) was created for the international community to send messages of support to students protesting.

With power slowly slipping away the Chinese-state newspaper threatened protestors calling for them to cease immediately warning the end result would be "disastrous" and accusing the protestors of "blaspheming" the rule of law.

As it stands the current Hong Kong leader Chief Executive Leung has refused to step down but has instead offered to talk to protestors.