John Gennard, a professor of industrial relations at Strathclyde University, reckons that low unemployment in the 1970s was a bigger factor in strengthening unions.

ECONOMIST: Trade unions

The strengthening yen was a factor, making local products less attractive to foreign buyers, but investors were also riled after a parliamentary select committee approved a bill to double consumption tax by 2015.

WSJ: Asian Markets Fall After Spanish Bank Downgrade

As President Obama has said, strengthening our education system is probably the single biggest factor affecting the future success of our nation.

WHITEHOUSE: Education: Changing the Game