Articles on the US dollar’s birthday, Europe’s latest bailout plan and the impact on the UK, China's fake Apple Stores, what ails the American economy, and the National Post’s excellent archive of articles about Canada in Afghanistan.

Happy birthday.

Financial Times – Greenback’s Birthday
The US dollar, which turned 150 this week, is finally starting to act its age.

Bailout me.

Financial Times – EU Leaders Agree to Euro 109 bn Greek Bail-Out
European leaders have agreed a new €109bn bail-out of Greece under which private bondholders will be called on to participate for the first time, contributing a target of a further €37bn.

Related.

Financial Times – Treasuries Lose ‘Risk Free’ Status
The Greek rescue package unveiled in Brussels implies its credit rating is likely to be cut to selective default.

The Euro fallout on the UK economy.

Guardian – Monetary Union, Always Unworkable, Has Set In Train a European Disaster
At last, a real crisis.

The fake Chinese Apple Store. Thanks to Ken of Tokyo/Hong Kong.

Reuters – Fake Apple Store in China Even Fools Staff
Chinese counterfeiters have had a field day pumping out knockoffs of Apple Inc's best-selling iPhones and iPads, but one appears to have gone a step further -- a near flawless fake Apple Store that even employees believe is the real deal.

Demographics and dependency.

Give me liberty or give me death!

Wall Street Journal – The End of the Growth Consensus
This month marks the two-year anniversary of the official start of the recovery from the 2007-09 recession.

 

What for?

National Post – The Long Road
Our two-week-long special series on Canada's decade of war in Afghanistan has concluded. Explore our complete archives here.