Fed’s Evans: Keep Easing and Economy Will Hit ‘Escape Velocity’ by 2014

"The U.S. economy should emerge from the doldrums next year if the Federal Reserve sticks to its super-easy monetary policies, a top Fed official said on Thursday, even as he warned that cutting back too early would be a 'big mistake.' The Fed is buying $45 billion in Treasuries and $40 billion in mortgage bonds per month, its third round of 'quantitative easing,' and has said it will continue the purchases until it sees substantial improvement in the labor market outlook. 'I don't think we are anywhere near the end of the program,' Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans told reporters after speaking to the CFA Society of Iowa here." Continue reading

Continue ReadingFed’s Evans: Keep Easing and Economy Will Hit ‘Escape Velocity’ by 2014

British terror suspects quietly stripped of citizenship… then killed by drones

"At least five of those deprived of their UK nationality by the Coalition were born in Britain, and one man had lived in the country for almost 50 years. Those affected have their passports cancelled, and lose their right to enter the UK – making it very difficult to appeal against the Home Secretary’s decision. Last night the Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader Simon Hughes said he was writing to Ms May to call for an urgent review into how the law was being implemented. The leading human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce said the present situation 'smacked of mediaeval exile, just as cruel and just as arbitrary'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBritish terror suspects quietly stripped of citizenship… then killed by drones

West Sacramento Police officer in custody in sex assault, kidnap charges

"A West Sacramento police officer has been arrested for investigation of assault and kidnapping charges involving a half dozen women in the West Capitol Avenue area, the department announced today. The department called an unusual 7 p.m. press conference to announce that Officer Sergio Alvarez (left), who had been with the city of West Sacramento since 2007, allegedly had carried out the acts while performing uniformed patrol duties. The investigation identified six female victims ranging in age from 20 to 47 years old, police said." Continue reading

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Jack Lew and Citigroup: How the Corrupt Rich Get Unjustly Richer with Crony Capitalism

"Warren Buffett lined his pockets by making a government-subsidized investment in Goldman Sachs during the financial crisis. The just-confirmed Treasury Secretary Jack Lew was given a huge bonus for leaving Citigroup several years ago. He was showered with money specifically for leaving the company to take a 'high level position with the United States government'. But Lew’s loot is pocket change compared to the $115 million that former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin received for helping to steer the company into financial collapse." Continue reading

Continue ReadingJack Lew and Citigroup: How the Corrupt Rich Get Unjustly Richer with Crony Capitalism

Subway Founder: ‘Wouldn’t Exist’ If Started Today Due to Regulations, Then Calls For Min. Wage Hike

"Deluca said the environment for entrepreneurs in the U.S. has 'continuously gotten worse because there are more and more regulations. It's tough for people to get into business, especially a small business.' The Subway founder pointed to a number of government regulations that are degrading the business environment for entrepreneurs. Examples include the Affordable Care Act, an increase in the minimum wages and the end of the payroll tax holiday. The Affordable Care Act is 'the biggest concern of our franchisees,' Deluca said. 'They don't know what to expect. It's causing a lot of concern, but that too will be passed on to the consumer.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingSubway Founder: ‘Wouldn’t Exist’ If Started Today Due to Regulations, Then Calls For Min. Wage Hike

Japan seen nominating “deflation basher” as BOJ head

"Japan's prime minister is likely to nominate an advocate of aggressive monetary easing - Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda - as the next central bank governor to step up his fight to finally rid the country of deflation. The yen fell on the nomination news to a 33-month low and the yield on five-year government bonds hit a record low as markets moved to factor in bolder monetary policy. Kuroda has long criticized the BOJ as too slow to expand stimulus, and is expected to push for more radical efforts to achieve a 2 percent inflation target set in January." Continue reading

Continue ReadingJapan seen nominating “deflation basher” as BOJ head

Upcoming European Financial Trading Tax: “All Markets, All Actors, All Products”

"The tax would be owed no matter where the trade took place, as long as a European security or European institution was involved. If a French bank bought shares in an American company on the New York Stock Exchange, the tax would be owed. To get out of the tax, a financial institution would have to do more than simply move its headquarters out of the 11 countries that now plan to impose the tax. It would also have to forgo serving clients in any of those countries and trading in securities or derivatives from any of the countries. Officials are confident that no major institution will be willing to forsake such large markets as France, Germany, Italy and Spain." Continue reading

Continue ReadingUpcoming European Financial Trading Tax: “All Markets, All Actors, All Products”