statism

Chicago Public Schools’ pain is these financial firms’ gain

"Struggling to make payments for pensions and pay down billions of dollars in debt, the Chicago Public Schools last week announced 1,050 layoffs and $200 million in spending cuts to keep the school system afloat. Dozens of financial and legal firms have been paid $18.1 million in fees from CPS borrowing and debt-refinancing deals since 2011, according to records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. CPS still owes billions on borrowing deals dating to the mid-1990s, when then-Mayor Richard M. Daley took formal control of the school system, which then began renovating and building schools using borrowed money." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChicago Public Schools’ pain is these financial firms’ gain

Greeks awake to shuttered banks on day after voters reject austerity

"Greeks awoke Monday to the stark reality of the country's accelerating crisis — shuttered banks and ATMs with little cash — hours after they voted resoundingly to reject more austerity measures in exchange for another bailout. The results — 61% voted 'no,' compared with 39% for 'yes' — left the bankrupt country's future in the European Union and its euro currency uncertain. Greece entered a second week of severe restrictions on financial transactions and faced the prospect of even limited amounts of cash drying out, with no prospect of an immediate infusion. Greece imposed the restrictions to stem a bank run after the vote was called and its bailout program expired." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreeks awake to shuttered banks on day after voters reject austerity

Indian in US? Your Account is Now Under Delhi Surveillance

"Thousands of Indian citizens in the US – from IT workers, health professionals, students and everyone else under the sun – will soon be innocent victims to snooping by the Indian government. If an Indian citizen holds a bank account in the US, minute details about his/her bank account will be shared with New Delhi by Washington. Although India gets access only to bank account information of Indian citizens, the US can get access to even information of 'non-US entities' operating in India if it has even one American working for them. That means information about any Indian corporation or organisation would be provided to Washington on request, if it has an American on rolls." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIndian in US? Your Account is Now Under Delhi Surveillance

India gold smuggling at all-time high, despite Nepali kingpin’s death

"In two years--since government increased duty on gold to 10% to rein in a yawning current account deficit—gold smuggling has grown by 900%. That as an accepted principle seizures could be less than 10% of actual smuggling, the figures look even more ominous. Sources say gold has also begun to be smuggled in ever unique ways and from rather unexpected corners. There is a silver lining to the grim story though. There is an unexpected drop in Nepal which had seen a massive spurt in gold smuggling in the past couple of years. The reason: the kingpin of illicit yellow metal trade in the Himlayan nation died under the rubble of his house in Kathmandu during the recent quake." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIndia gold smuggling at all-time high, despite Nepali kingpin’s death

BRICS establish $100bn bank and currency pool to cut out West

"The group of emerging economies signed the long-anticipated document to create the $100 bn BRICS Development Bank and a reserve currency pool worth over another $100 bn. Both will counter the influence of Western-based lending institutions and the dollar. The new bank will provide money for infrastructure and development projects in BRICS countries, and unlike the IMF or World Bank, each nation has equal say, regardless of GDP size. Each BRICS member is expected to put an equal share into establishing the startup capital of $50 billion with a goal to reach $100 billion. The BRICS bank will be headquartered in Shanghai." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBRICS establish $100bn bank and currency pool to cut out West

Fed looks at imposing exit fees on bond funds

"Federal Reserve officials have discussed whether regulators should impose exit fees on bond funds to avert a potential run by investors, underlining concern about the vulnerability of the $10 trillion corporate bond market. US retail investors have pumped more than $1 trillion into bond funds since early 2009. This has created a boom environment for fixed income money managers, but raises the prospect of a massive disorganized flight of money out of the industry should interest rates rise sharply in the coming years. Exit fees would seek to discourage retail investors from withdrawing funds, thereby making their claims less liquid and making a fire sale of the assets more unlikely." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFed looks at imposing exit fees on bond funds

American Airlines cuts Venezuela flights after Maduro threat

"American Airlines says it is cutting almost 80% of its flights to Venezuela from next month. Tight foreign currency controls make it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate money from ticket sales in Venezuela. The authorities have restricted access to dollars and want to make them more expensive to purchase, which may lead to losses for companies that are still waiting for cash from as far back as 2012. In January, Ecuadorean airline Tame also suspended flights to Venezuela, demanding $43m (£26m) in overdue payments for tickets. President Nicolas Maduro said at the time that airlines that reduced their operations in Venezuela would face 'severe measures'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmerican Airlines cuts Venezuela flights after Maduro threat

Bulgarian Pres. Blames ‘Lack Of Faith In Institutions’ For Bank Runs

"Bulgarians’ lack of faith in institutions sparked runs on two banks and triggered the worst financial crisis in 17 years, the nation’s president said. 'Let me make this very clear: there is no banking crisis in my country, but there is a crisis of confidence,' Rosen Plevneliev said today. With low trust in institutions, rumors, attempts at destabilization and speculative attacks can 'create a panic,' the president said. The central bank blames an 'organized attack' of 'criminal actions' for the run on First Investment Bank. Corporate Commercial Bank lost deposits because of a dispute between a majority shareholder and a large depositor, Capital newspaper reported June 18, citing unidentified people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBulgarian Pres. Blames ‘Lack Of Faith In Institutions’ For Bank Runs

Fed fears risks posed by exit tools; plan almost done

"The sheer magnitude of the amounts of money used to combat the crisis - $2.6 trillion sitting at the Fed as bank reserves and $4.2 trillion held by the Fed in various securities - may complicate the U.S. central bank's ability to control its target interest rate once the decision is made that it should be raised. The Fed has neared consensus that its workhorse tool will be the interest it pays banks on excess reserves on deposit at the Fed. Another tool would have a similar impact but apply more broadly, using overnight repurchase agreements that would let money market funds and other institutions as well as banks essentially make short-term deposits at the Fed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFed fears risks posed by exit tools; plan almost done

Neofeudalism’s Tax Donkeys and the Battle for Control of Resources

"Those with access to the low-interest unlimited credit spigot of the Federal Reserve are free to snap up tens of thousands of houses and tens of thousands of acres of productive land, along with other rentier assets such as parking lots and meters, fossil fuels in the ground, and of course the engines of credit creation, the banks. Should a legitimate (as opposed to black market/cash business) small business manage to open its doors, it faces a blizzard of junk fees, permits and taxes that make its survival a dubious prospect. No wonder self-employment and small business are in structural decline." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNeofeudalism’s Tax Donkeys and the Battle for Control of Resources