One Week Later....

China shivers

In China: cracks show in the ice, we wrote that life is becoming more difficult in China for people and policymakers alike, with the immediate problem for millions this year being the freeze.

• Freak cold and snow across the southern half of China over the past month killed 107 people and caused $15.4 billion in direct economic losses, Xinhua news agency has said.
• Mention will be made of the snow at the March National People's Congress. However, more time will be devoted to longer-term problems.

Sarkozy slump

In The 'Carla Effect', we wrote that there was an aversion to 'le style Sarkozy': the president's popularity rating plunged 13 points in January to 41%.

• A survey by polling group Ipsos for the magazine Le Point, scheduled for publication on February 14, shows his favorable rating has fallen even further, to only 39%.

SocGen: takeover talk

In SocGen's risky business, we wrote that the focus of the investigation into the multi-billion-euro rogue trader scandal at Societe Generale should widen. .

• Takeover talk continues to swirl around the bank, with French banks BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole seen as the most likely candidates.

Political Masterstroke

The World Next Week Political Masterstroke award goes to Barack Obama, whose 'politics of hope' rhetoric has produced a previously unthinkable lead against Hillary Clinton.  The 'hopemonger' is riding high.

Analytica™

Worthy of note, or news to us.

Hezbollah chief threatens Israel

Hassan Nasrallah says Hezbollah is ready for "open war" with Israel at a Beirut funeral for a senior militant. (BBC)

Kenya constitution

The OSCE, Europe's main election watchdog, has said it will boycott Russia's presidential election on 2 March. (BBC)

And finally…

The FBI has issued a public alert on its website this week about a Valentine's Day computer virus making the rounds. (GameSHOUT)