Not least since September 21st last year, when a big earthquake struck the island.

ECONOMIST: Taiwan

At least, not until last year.

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In a sign no Google effort was too small to go unnoticed by Microsoft, John Sampson, a director of Microsoft's federal politics operations, last year urged at least one member of Congress from Washington state not to support a Google event in Seattle last year called "Get Your Business Online" that catered to small businesses.

WSJ: Behind Google's Antitrust Escape

This show of largesse has been enabled by a 21.4% increase in government revenue last year (thanks not least to big oil profits and better tax collection methods).

ECONOMIST: Reforms to keep things the same

That was enough for Lester, who looked more like the pitcher who won at least 15 games every year from 2008-11 and not the one who went 9-14 last year.

WSJ: Lester, Red Sox shut down Yankees on opening day

For one thing, candidates must be nominated by parties or groups of parties who won at least 15% of the vote in last year's legislative elections, although they need not be party members themselves.

ECONOMIST: Good sense in the local elections

At least 21 London tower blocks rated as a high fire risk by local councils were not visited by firefighters last year - despite flawed visits being a factor in the fatal Lakanal House fire.

BBC: No fire checks for tower blocks despite Lakanal fire

That business has slowed substantially since last year as uncertainty about the company continued, leaving room for others to take share, not least of which is Berkshire Hathaway 's (nyse: BRK - news - people ) new bond insurance operation.

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