Tag: 2017

Only, the Japanese central bankers kept doing them, too. To begin with, the central bank is (largely) irrelevant. I wrote in April 2016, more than two wasted years ago: Central banks have proven by their own actions, not their words, that they will only allow "their" recovery which in the end means none. Japanese GDP in Q3? Japan's economy peaked in Q3 2017. Japan, as Germany, is uniquely susceptible to trade disruptions; which is where turmoil churning within the global reserve currency system hits first. Economic growth during its more than half decade run has actually been worse than the overall "recovery" as a whole from the 2009 trough. Every single time the Japanese economy, meaning the global economy, begins to take a step forward (reflation) it doesn't get very far for very long (eurodollar squeezes). It's a total disaster not because QQE or the first QE in 2001 was the cause(s), rather by keeping the same ideological blindness in place nothing else is ever tried. It just has nothing to do with QEs or even Economics, except the total purge of any thoughts about QEs as well as to transform Economics back into economics (starting with monetary economics).

Nominations opened today for the 2018 prize, which includes two categories: Political Leader of the Year, for politicians with at least five years in office; and the Emerging Political Leader of the Year, for those with less than five years in office. The latter will receive $20,000 to be used for professional development and growth courtesy of the Susan McKinnon Foundation. Professor Mark Considine, a public policy specialist, University of Melbourne Provost and chair of the 2018 selection panel, said a national conversation about Australian leadership was vital in the current political climate. “Facilitating a national conversation about the qualities Australians expect from their leaders, and celebrating politicians who exemplify those qualities, strengthens our democracy and helps promote the positive work of true political leadership.” ‘A moment where that cynicism dissipated’ The 2017 winners were Senator Dean Smith, recognised for his bipartisan leadership on same-sex marriage, and Councillor Vonda Malone (pictured above) for her collaborative and compassionate leadership as Mayor of Torres Shire Council. “We’re a long way from Canberra, so one of our biggest challenges is getting our voices heard,” Malone said. For a girl in the Torres Strait to be recognised nationally is incredible. “Other leaders in big cities can go home and close the door and be removed from the community. Here you’re surrounded … you have to work with the community and bring them with you, there’s no place for divisions.” Smith said winning the prize had given him a powerful understanding he had achieved something good. “It’s very obvious to me that there’s a high degree of political cynicism in Australia about the political class,” Smith said. The winners will speak at the oration in March next year.

A Republican-controlled Senate panel has said that further evidence has been found to support a US intelligence assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help elect Donald Trump. US and Russian officials hold 'frank' talks before Trump-Putin summit Read more The Senate intelligence committee said “information obtained subsequent to publication” of a January 2017 report by US intelligence agencies “provides further support” to the conclusion that Vladimir Putin and his government aimed to discredit Hillary Clinton and boost Trump. No further detail was given. The discovery was noted on Tuesday in a summary of initial findings from the committee’s review of the January 2017 intelligence community assessment (ICA), which it said was a “sound intelligence product” backed up by evidence. Tuesday’s publication by the committee further isolates Trump, who has repeatedly cast doubt on the conclusion that his campaign was aided by Putin and highlighted denials by the Russian president. A special counsel, Robert Mueller, is investigating possible collusion between Russia and members of Trump’s campaign team. Mueller is thought to be investigating whether Trump has tried to obstruct his investigation. Michael Cohen hints at flipping and says 'first loyalty' is to family – not Trump Read more In the January 2017 report, the CIA and FBI said they had “high confidence” in the conclusion about Putin favouring Trump while the NSA said it had “moderate confidence”. Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said in a statement that it “sees no reason to dispute the conclusions” of the January 2017 intelligence report. His Democratic vice-chairman, Mark Warner, said: “The Russian effort was extensive and sophisticated, and its goals were to undermine public faith in the democratic process, to hurt Secretary Clinton and to help Donald Trump.”