Author: Barry D. Wood

Barry D. Wood is a writer, teacher and journalist in Washington, DC. His focus is the global economy and financial markets. He has reported from 60 countries and specializes in US China relations, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa. His 2017 book is Exploring New Europe, A Bicycle Journey.
Allan Winde, Cape Argus, Cape Town, cycling, David Bellairs, South Africa, Table Mountain

Up Against the Wind in Cape Town

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA The 65-mile Argus bicycle tour has been an annual fixture in Cape Town since 1978. A charity event run in part by the local Rotary Club, the Argus has evolved into the world’s biggest timed bicycle race. This year’s event on March 9th drew 35,000 cyclists, 90% of whom were South African. This year’s winners completed the scenic circuit winding around … Continue reading Up Against the Wind in Cape Town

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Adam Jonas, consumer reports, elon musk, gigafactory, lithium ion battery, supercharger, tesla

Tesla’s Battery Magic

Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk are on a roll. The Silicon Valley start-up’s stock price has nearly doubled in recent months after rising 400% last year. Consumer Reports named Tesla’s luxury Model S the best overall car of the year. And the company is unveiling plans for a $5 billion ‘gigafactory’ to produce lithium ion batteries in the desert southwest. Under consideration for a … Continue reading Tesla’s Battery Magic

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http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, hyperinflation, International Monetary Fund, Patrick Chinamasa, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, South African rand, Tendai Biti, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s Transition to What?

Zimbabwe is entering an unsteady transition politically and economically.  Robert Mugabe, its sole leader since independence in 1980, turns 90 on February 21st.  He can’t live forever.  Who will follow Mugabe and what course will his successors steer? After four years of gradual improvement, the economy is again deteriorating.  Money is in short supply. Workers are losing jobs.  Government is starved of tax revenue because … Continue reading Zimbabwe’s Transition to What?

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ca, elon musk, fremont, General Motors, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, lithium ion battery, nummi, palo alto, panasonic, silicon valley, tesla, toyota, uaw

Potholes Ahead for Tesla

WASHINGTON, DC: Tesla Motors is on a roll. Last year its share price quadrupled and it sold over 20,000 cars. There’s a waiting list for every four-door sedan that rolls out of the Fremont, California plant. But with a single factory and a more complicated SUV expected down the line later this year, can Tesla nearly double production as planned? Other potholes include batteries, dealer … Continue reading Potholes Ahead for Tesla

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basketball, college sports, East Lansing, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, MSU, Title IX, women and girls

Michigan State Women’s Basketball and Title IX

EAST LANSING, MI: On a snowy Sunday in mid-Michigan, 9,000 people came out to watch the Michigan State women’s basketball team play Big Ten rival Penn State. Admittedly, the crowd was somewhat swollen by 2,000 free tickets handed out to local Girl Scouts. But typically over 6,000 spectators show up for each of the 15 or so home games that the MSU women play from … Continue reading Michigan State Women’s Basketball and Title IX

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