Trump Blames Schumer Immigration Policy For NYC Terror Attack

In a series of tweets this morning following the awful scenes in downtown Manhattan yesterday afternoon, President Trump has laid the blame for the terrorist attack squarely at the feet of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: "The terrorist came into our country through what is called the "Diversity Visa Lottery Program," a Chuck Schumer beauty…"

And then quoted Colonel Tony Shaffer…

The timing of Trump's tweets are interesting as "Fox & Friends" earlier Wednesday morning aired a clip from Mark Levin's radio show in which the conservative host attacked the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, pointing to Schumer's sponsorship of the program.

As The Hill reports, ABC7 in New York reported that Saipov was allowed into the U.S. from Uzbekistan through the program. Various conservative commentators have seized on the report, and have laid blame on Schumer, who played an important role in the program's conception in the 1990s. The program offers visas to people from countries that have relatively few immigrants to the U.S..

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Frontrunning: November 1

  • NYC truck attack: Investigators scour driver’s background (AP)
  • Release of House tax bill delayed until Thursday (Reuters)
  • U.S. pursues direct diplomacy with North Korea despite Trump rejection (Reuters)
  • GOP Braces for ‘All Hell’ to Break Loose Over Tax Bill (BBG)
  • Former Trump adviser’s guilty plea could rattle White House (AP)
  • Disclosure of Papadopoulos’s Email Hunt Sheds Light on Quest for Clinton ‘Dirt’ (WSJ)
  • Brexit May Cost 75,000 U.K. Finance Jobs, Top Regulator Says (BBG)
  • Uber-SoftBank Deal in Jeopardy Over Kalanick’s Role (WSJ)
  • U.K. House Prices Stuck in Low Gear Amid Pressure on Incomes (BBG)
  • China’s Dandong Port Group Defaults on $150 Million in Bonds (WSJ)
  • Obamacare’s Rising Premiums Will Hurt the Middle Class the Most (BBG)
  • Dodgers Force Game 7, Stifling Astros, 3-1 (WSJ)
  • Gold Bugs Embrace Bitcoin, Upending Retail Sellers (WSJ)
  • Razer CEO to Become a Billionaire With Li Ka-shing Backing (BBG)

Overnight Media Digest

WSJ

– Eight people were killed and at least a dozen injured on Tuesday when a truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a lower Manhattan bike path in what officials said was a “cowardly act of terror,” the deadliest attack in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001. on.wsj.com/2gTjndb

– Three U.S. aircraft carriers are scheduled to travel near the Korean Peninsula soon, and the military may decide to keep them in the area for maneuvers that would coincide with President Donald Trump’s coming visit to Asia, U.S. defense officials said. on.wsj.com/2gQNS3f

– Rockwell Automation Inc has rejected a takeover bid by Emerson Electric Co worth roughly $27.5 billion, spurning a deal that would have combined two big U.S. makers of machines and software used in manufacturing. on.wsj.com/2gSvuae

– Samsung Electronics Co shook up its senior ranks on Tuesday in a move that would replace all of its co-chief executives and strip its board chairman of any executive role for the first time as it looks to address concerns about a leadership vacuum at the top. on.wsj.com/2gTqOkz

– Federal trade officials are recommending that the Trump administration impose an import tariff of up to 35 percent on solar panels to protect U.S. solar manufacturers from low-price imports that have undercut the companies’ ability to compete. on.wsj.com/2gS6zDK

 

FT

Britain’s exit deal with the European Union “will probably favour the union on things like money”, Brexit secretary David Davis told members of the House of Lords on Tuesday, hinting that the UK will have to increase its opening 20-billion-euro ($23.27-billion) offer on the divorce bill to move talks on to the next phases.

Fixed-odds betting terminals, which currently allow gamblers to place bets of up to 100 pounds ($132.77) every 20 seconds on games such as roulette, should have maximum stakes of between 2 pounds and 50 pounds, according to a government review into the gambling industry.

Christopher Bailey, who fashioned Burberry Group Plc into a global label, is to leave the company in 2018, calling an early halt to what he had hoped would be a “wonderful” partnership with new chief executive Marco Gobbetti.

 

NYT

– Executives from Facebook Inc, Google and Twitter Inc appeared on Capitol Hill for the first time on Tuesday to publicly acknowledge their role in Russia’s influence on the presidential campaign, but offered little more than promises to do better. Their reluctance frustrated lawmakers who sought stronger evidence that American elections will be protected from foreign powers. nyti.ms/2gS8FU8

– The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Exxon Mobil Corp will pay $2.5 million in fines for flaring gases at eight plants along the Gulf Coast. Agency officials said the announcement was evidence of the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing the nation’s environmental laws. nyti.ms/2gQ0He5

– National Public Radio has placed a top editor on leave after allegations emerged on Tuesday that he had sexually harassed multiple women while at The New York Times. nyti.ms/2gRCdRK

– Google Docs threw some users for a loop on Tuesday when the service suddenly locked them out of their documents for violating Google’s terms of service. The alerts were caused by a glitch, but they served as a stark reminder that not much is truly private in the cloud. nyti.ms/2gSrfvu

– Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, stripped a half-dozen scientists and academics of advisory positions Tuesday and issued new rules barring anyone who receives EPA grant money from serving on panels that counsel the agency on scientific decisions. nyti.ms/2gS8Oa8

– House Republicans delayed the rollout of their tax bill late on Tuesday, in a sign of early trouble for what party leaders had hoped would be a quick victory. nyti.ms/2gT6r6K

 

Canada

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Canadian retailer Metro Inc confirmed that bureau investigators were at its Montreal and Toronto offices “in an investigation that is also targeting other Canadian retailers as well as suppliers,” spokeswoman Marie-Claude Bacon said, noting the bureau is looking into pricing. tgam.ca/2z3HgqF

Backers of British Columbia liquefied natural gas projects say they will fight Ottawa’s anti-dumping duty imposed on imported modules, warning that Canada is at risk of being shut out of the global LNG industry. tgam.ca/2z50UlY

An Ontario court judge will be asked to dismiss all criminal charges against two senior staffers in former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty’s office accused of destroying government records related to the controversial cancellation of two gas-fired power plants. tgam.ca/2z3OvyR

NATIONAL POST

Natural gas producers in Alberta are frustrated with TransCanada Corp for changing the way it operates its gas pipeline network with little notice, which has led to massive commodity price swings. bit.ly/2z3HVIs

 

Britain

The Times

– The head of the Financial Conduct Authority was criticised by MPs yesterday for slowness, complacency and methodological failings in its investigation into the scandal of small companies being deliberately mistreated by Royal Bank of Scotland. bit.ly/2z9SNXc

– Vincent Tchenguiz has ended his long-running 2.2 billion pound ($2.92 billion) court battle against Kaupthing after reaching a confidential settlement with the failed Icelandic bank. bit.ly/2z8DBtq

The Guardian

– The UK’s property market will take this week’s expected rise in interest rates in its stride, according to ratings agency Moody’s, but it warned that the outlook for the buy-to-let market has worsened significantly. bit.ly/2z9TRdE

– The advertising group WPP Plc has lowered its growth forecasts for the third time this year amid shrinking client budgets, but said its UK business was benefiting from Brexit uncertainty. bit.ly/2z8EEd0

The Telegraph

– British fashion house Burberry Group Plc revealed that long-serving creative designer Christopher Bailey, 46, will step down next March from the board but will continue to provide “full support” to Burberry’s team, which includes new boss Marco Gobetti, until the end of 2018. bit.ly/2z72w0E

– BP Plc investors sent shares in the oil major to its highest price this year after the supermajor more than doubled its profits in the last three months, driven by a five-year high in earnings for its fuels, petrochemicals and refining businesses. bit.ly/2zamuYx

Sky News

– Learndirect, the former state-owned training provider, has won a last-ditch reprieve from its lenders as it seeks to rebuild its finances in the wake of a controversial report by the education watchdog. bit.ly/2z53Fnz

– Banks will start taking “irreversible” decisions such as moving staff abroad if no Brexit transition deal is agreed by the end of this year, the head of the City watchdog has warned. bit.ly/2z8GDOk

The Independent

– The maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals will be reduced from 100 pounds to between 50 pounds and 2 pounds, the Government announced on Tuesday – a move designed to protect vulnerable gamblers. ind.pn/2z1zTjt

– Cabin crew members of the Unite union working for British Airways’ mixed fleet unit at Heathrow have accepted a pay deal by a majority of five to one. ind.pn/2z3dCS4

 

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Here Is Another Thing “The Market Has Never Done Before”

In this historic, for global markets, year we are fast running out of things “the market has never done before.”

For today’s entry we go to Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid who looks at the S&P’s performance in the month of October, and writes that the broad index, which ended the supposedly most volatile month of the year 2.33% higher (with the lowest October realized vol on record) finished with a positive total return, meaning that the index has now seen a positive total return for all 10 months so far this year, the first time that this has happened in the 90 years Deutsche Bank has data for. It’s not just 2017, however, becase as Reid notes, “if you go beyond the calendar year end, October now marks the 12th positive month in succession which equals the record set in 1949-1950 and 1935-1936.” In other words, the S&P has not had a single month of negative total returns since Trump was elected almost exactly one year ago.

While there is no stopping the euphoria, Reid has a word of caution:

The S&P’s total return dipped 3.6% and 7.7%
respectively in the subsequent month when these runs ended.
This record run
is coinciding with volatility back down towards the near record lows seen in the
Summer before the North Korean situation escalated. Not only has 2017 seen
such low volatility on measures such as the VIX but it has also seen a remarkable
consistency of positive returns in US equity markets.

And then this: “Will 2017 be the first year to complete the full set of positive monthly S&P 500
returns? History suggest that these times are the exception rather than the norm
so enjoy it while it lasts.”

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Scarlet-Letter Passports Are Unjust and Irrational: New at Reason

The notice, which will appear on the second-to-last page of U.S. passports, is officially known as an “endorsement,” but it is more like a badge of shame. “The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor,” it says, “and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(l).”

The scary notation, which was revealed this week, is the State Department’s response to a 2016 law requiring that the passports of certain registered sex offenders include a “unique identifier” to help maintain their status as pariahs wherever they travel. Although the warning is supposedly aimed at stopping sexual predators from abusing children in other countries, Jacob Sullum says, it will mark the passports of many people who pose no such threat.

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New Details Emerge About NYC Terrorist; Uzbek President Offers Assistance

New details about Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old Uzbek national who allegedly carried out yesterday’s Halloween terror attack in NYC, are starting to emerge.

WaPo writes that Saipov moved to the US from Uzbekistan about six years ago, according to Dilnoza Abdusamatova, 24, who said Saipov stayed with her family in Cincinnati for his first two weeks in the country because their fathers were friends. Abdusamatova said Saipov then moved to Florida to start a trucking company. Her family members think he got married about a year after arriving in the United States and may now have two children. Around that time, she said, he cut off contact with them. Yesterday, it was reported that Saipov had three children, and had been living with a girlfriend in New Jersey.

“He stopped talking to us when he got married,” Abdusamatova said.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that Saipov arrived in Ohio in 2010 – a date that was also given by police. He reportedly arried from Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, knowing little English. He spent his early days in the country learning English and looking for a job. He eventually moved to Fort Myers, Fla. where he met Kobiljon Matkarov, a friend and fellow Uzbek national who was interviewed by the New York Post.

NYC terrorist Sayfullo Saipov

Saipov was reportedly working as a truck driver at the time. “He was a very good person when I knew him,” Matkarov said. “He liked the US. He seemed very lucky, and all the time he was happy and talking like everything is OK. He did not seem like a terrorist, but I did not know him from the inside.”

He eventually moved to New Jersey, settling in Paterson, where he began driving for Uber. By the time of the attack, he had earned a green card, granting him permanent residence in the US. An Uber official told the NYT that Saipov had passed its background checks.

“We have been in contact with the FBI and have offered out assistance,” the Uber official told the Times. “We will remain in close contact with law enforcement and the FBI to assist with their investigation.”

“We are aggressively and quickly reviewing this partner’s history with Uber and at this time we have not identified any related concerning safety reports.”

In a report that echos some of the vagaries surrounding last month’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, officials say they are working to determine what motivated Saipov, who rented the Home Depot rental truck in Passaic, NJ only an hour before the attack began. He also had two facsimile firearms – a paintball gun and a pellet gun, according to reports.

Last night, authorities converged on an apartment building near Genessee and Getty Avenues in Paterson that was believed to be Saipov’s residence.

At one point, Saipov had lived in Heritage at Tampa, an apartment complex near the Hillsborough River. On Tuesday evening, two plainclothes investigators were seen departing the community, WaPo reported, after interviewing several residents and others in the surrounding neighborhood. The investigators declined to answer any questions.

“Four FBI agents came and told me he used to live here,” said Venessa Jones, who said she lives in an apartment above the one Saipov rented. Neighbors at the complex said they didn’t know Saipov.

* * *

Meanwhile, in a gesture of cooperation, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent his condolences to US President Donald Trump and offered his country’s assistance in investigating Tuesday’s Halloween attack in New York City after Saipov was taken into custody at the scene. Saipov is suspected of killing eight people and injuring nearly a dozen more when a truck he was driving plowed down a riverfront bike path along the West Side Highway in Lower Manhattan before colliding with a school bus leaving Stuyvesant High School five blocks away from the World Trade Center memorial.

Officials who weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity identified 29-year-old  as the attacker. They say he came to the U.S. legally from Uzbekistan in 2010.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also offered condolences to families of the victims in a statement Wednesday.

Uzbekistan borders Afghanistan and is one of the most closed off post-Soviet republics. Previously, Uzbek officially never commented or acknowledged any security incidents abroad involving Uzbek nationals.

Meanwhile, the Argentine foreign ministry has released the names of the five Argentinian citizens killed during Tuesday’s attack. They are: Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij, and Hernan Ferruchi. Another Argentine national, Martin Ludovico Marro, is recovering from injuries at Manhattan’s Presbyterian Hospital. The victims were part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their graduation from the Polytechnic School of Rosario, Argentina. The government gave its condolences and said that all Argentines are sharing in this terrible moment of profound sadness.

Saipov jumped a barrier and turned his truck onto the West Side Highway bike path at 3:05 pm Tuesday and began a vicious 20-block run that saw him mow down unsuspecting cyclists and pedestrians. The sunny fall day along the Hudson River erupted in chaos just around the time students at nearby Stuyvesant High School were finishing up for the day. Saipov collided with a school bus carrying children home from the school. Witnesses say the speeding truck struck unsuspecting bicyclists and pedestrians while onlookers screamed and scattered. The truck then veered left toward Chambers Street, where it collided with the small bus, injuring two adults and two children.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during yesterday’s press conference that there was no evidence of a wider plot. Elaine Duke, the acting head of DHS, released a statement to WaPo: “We have recently seen attacks like this one throughout the world,” said acting homeland security secretary Elaine Duke. “DHS and its law enforcement partners remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the American people.”

Saipov is expected to survive, meaning investigators will soon interrogate him about his motive for the attack, but so far, they said, he appears to have been a “lone wolf’’ suspect: someone who acted alone after being inspired, but not directly instructed, by ISIS. The investigation is being led by the FBI with the participation of the NYPD.

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World Stocks Soar To New Record Highs As Oil, Metals Surge Ahead Of The Fed

US equity futures have hit a new records, helped by surging Asian and European stocks which have all started November on a euphoric note. Surging commodity prices, optimism about tax reform and hope for a new dovish Fed chair all combined to drive global stock markets to record highs on Wednesday, with the MSCI’s world stock index climbing 0.3% to a fresh all time high. Mining stocks lead gains as nickel and other industrial metals soar. Oil rose above $55 a barrel for the first time since the start of the year in the longest winning streak in three months, on hopes that major producers would maintain their output cuts. The dollar firmed ahead of a Fed rate decision while bitcoin surged to a record high just under $6,600.

As Bloomberg summarizes in its Macro Squawk Wrap, equities globally extended gains as investors await Fed developments, with a rate decision due today and announcement of the next chair expected on Thursday. Euro Stoxx 50 futures advance for a third-straight day, while S&P 500 futures set fresh day highs in the European session. Treasury futures trade in tight ranges after earlier weakening; block trades emerge, consistent with selling of U.S. bonds and buying of German debt. U.K. Oct. manufacturing PMI beats estimates, buoying sterling and sending GBP/USD above 1.3300 for the first time in weeks. WTI futures climb above $55/bbl to hit highest level since January; base metals gain broadly as nickel futures trade limit up in Shanghai.

Among the proposed explanations for today’s melt up is that we are witnessing a compressed and accelerated version of the Halloween rally, as summarized in the following Robeco chart:

Whatever the reason, the buying today is unstoppable, with the European STOXX 600 index climbing to its highest level since August 2015 as stock markets in London, Paris and Frankfurt gained 0.5 to 1.2 percent in early trade. As a result, the Stoxx 600’s relative strength index has now climbed above 70, a level that indicates overbought conditions, for the first time in more than 2 weeks, and is heading for its highest level since Aug. 2015, led by cyclical sectors including miners, automakers and technology.

Europe’s jump followed a rally in Asia, where stock markets hit 10-year highs, with most of the 19 industry sectors rising. As of Tuesday’s close, 45 percent of MSCI Europe companies had reported results for the third quarter, of which 66 percent either beat or met expectations, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S data.  The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index rose 0.3 percent to the highest in a week.  Germany’s DAX Index increased 1.3 percent to the highest on record. DAX outperforms as German participants return to market from Reformation Day

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.9%, led by a 1.3% jump in South Korea. South Korea’s economic growth accelerated to its fastest pace in seven years last quarter. Growth in Taiwan during the same period was the strongest in 2 1/2 years.  Of note in Asia was Japan, where the stock meltup was most pronounced with the Nikkei rising nearly 2%, and the Topix index rising to the highest in more than a decade, buoyed by a weaker yen, as a surge in U.S. consumer confidence in October served as the latest confirmation of a global economic recovery ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision on Wednesday. Electronics makers gave the biggest boost to the Topix as Sony jumped 11% to the highest level since June 2008 after lifting its annual operating profit outlook to a record, after the company announced record annual profit in 2017 owing to strong sales of semiconductors and favorable exchange rates. Tokyo Electron surged after posting results that beat expectations. The Nikkei 225 gained 5.5% in October, its strongest showing in 11 months. “Investors are gaining confidence as the global economy is solid,” said Masaaki Yamaguchi, an equity market strategist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Tokyo. “Not only exporters but also domestic-demand-oriented companies are improving earnings.” “Business confidence and corporate earnings are good in the U.S., and business sentiment is improving globally,” said Mitsushige Akino, an executive officer with Ichiyoshi Asset Management Co. in Tokyo. “Stocks are inclined to rebound, with a series of good earnings results. There’s more room for high-tech related shares to rise.” 

India’s benchmark equity indexes climbed to fresh records after a World Bank report showed it’s easier to do business in the nation. The S&P BSE Sensex rose 1.2% to 33,600.27 while the NSE Nifty 50 Index jumped 1% in Mumbai. Twelve of the 19 sectoral sub-indexes compiled by BSE Ltd. climbed, led by a gauge of telecom companies. Bharti Airtel Ltd. gained the most on the Sensex after the country’s largest wireless carrier said “reputed global investors” had expressed interest in buying a stake in its Bharti Infratel unit.

The dollar and Treasuries held steady ahead of a Federal Reserve decision expected to signal a rate rise is still in the cards for December. The New Zealand dollar surged after the country’s unemployment rate fell, while the yen led losses on reports Japan may plan for an increased budget and reappoint Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. European stocks jumped to a two-year high. The dollar’s index against a basket of six major currencies stood at 94.60, down from last week’s three-month peak of 95.15. The euro was little changed at $1.1644, some distance from the three-month low of $1.1574 it touched on Friday after the European Central Bank’s stance was perceived to be more dovish than expected. The biggest currency mover was the New Zealand dollar. It jumped over 1 percent to $0.6931 after the country’s jobless rate sank more than expected to a nine-year low of 4.6 percent. Bitcoin hit another record high above 6,600, boosted by bets the crypto-currency might enter the financial mainstream after the world’s largest derivatives exchange operator said on Tuesday it would launch bitcoin futures. The yield on 10-year TSY rose 1bp to 2.39%. Germany’s 10-year yield also climbed 1 bp to 0.37% while Britain’s 10-year yield rose less than one basis point to 1.335%.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index climbed to the highest since March as WTI crude rose above $55 a barrel and industrial metals advanced, buoyed by optimism that demand from China won’t falter after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing suggested growth momentum remains robust. Nickel has been on a tear since Tuesday after Trafigura joined Glencore in revealing bullish forecasts because of the popularity of electric cars. Nickel sulphate is a key ingredient in lithium-ion batteries.

Meanwhile, in the US, Wall Street’s three main indexes, the Dow, S&P and Naz, ended October with their biggest monthly gains since February.  The focus remains firmly on central banks. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates on hold Wednesday while signaling an all-clear for a December hike. An announcement on who will helm the U.S. central bank is due by the end of the week, with current board member Jerome Powell said to have the edge over the likely more hawkish John Taylor. The Bank of England will probably lift borrowing costs on Thursday for the first time in a decade.

One potential threat to the markets’ risk-on mood could come from the unfolding investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian interests after the first indictments from Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos claimed campaign officials approved a pre-election meeting with Russian representatives. US House Tax Committee Chairman Brady said that after consultation with President Trump and leadership team, they have decided to post pone the tax plan release to Thursday. There were initial reports that GOP tax plan would delay repeal of estate tax and will have corporate taxes cut to 20% during the 1st year, according to sources. (WSJ) However, there were later conflicting reports that stated some House GOP Representatives were said to consider phasing out 20% corp. tax over a number of years

Elsewhere, bitcoin soared to a record after CME Group, the world’s biggest exchange operator, said it plans to launch futures trading on the cryptocurrency by year-end.

Economic events include Fed’s rate decision, manufacturing data from ISM and Markit. Companies reporting earnings include Facebook, Kraft Heinz, Qualcomm.

Bulletin Headline Summary from RanSquawk

  • Buoyant commodity prices and corporate earnings have help lift European bourses this morning
  • GBP failed to sustain gains in the wake of upbeat UK manufacturing PMI ahead of tomorrow’s BoE announcement
  • Looking ahead, highlights include ADP employment change, ISM manufacturing, DoEs and FOMC rate decision

Market Snapshot

  • S&P 500 futures up 0.4% to 2,583.00
  • STOXX Europe 600 up 0.6% to 397.40
  • MSCI Asia up 1% to 169.66
  • MSCI Asia ex Japan up 1% to 556.40
  • Nikkei up 1.9% to 22,420.08
  • Topix up 1.2% to 1,786.71
  • Hang Seng Index up 1.2% to 28,594.06
  • Shanghai Composite up 0.08% to 3,395.91
  • Sensex up 1.2% to 33,607.95
  • Australia S&P/ASX 200 up 0.5% to 5,937.77
  • Kospi up 1.3% to 2,556.47
  • German 10Y yield rose 0.3 bps to 0.366%
  • Euro down 0.03% to $1.1642
  • Brent Futures up 0.9% to $61.49/bbl
  • Italian 10Y yield fell 2.1 bps to 1.561%
  • Spanish 10Y yield fell 0.7 bps to 1.454%
  • Gold spot up 0.3% to $1,275.46
  • U.S. Dollar Index up 0.04% to 94.59

Top Headline News from Bloomberg

  • A suspected terrorist plowed a truck down a bicycle path in lower
    Manhattan blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, killing eight
    and seriously wounding several more before an officer shot and arrested
    him
  • The biggest changes to the FOMC statement will probably come from an upgrade in its description of the U.S. economy. That would further cement the case for a move in December, though it’s unlikely that the committee will change the statement’s language to explicitly signal a rate hike; see FOMC decision day guide here
  • House tax writers pushed back the reveal of their highly guarded, long awaited tax bill by a day, a sign that disputes among Republican lawmakers are threatening their effort to pass comprehensive legislation by Thanksgiving
  • While an interest-rate hike by the BOE on Thursday is almost fully priced in, its nature is still in question, sending overnight volatility in cable to levels not seen since the Fed’s meeting in September
  • Caixin China October manufacturing purchasing managers’ index at 51, matching estimates and unchanged from September
  • One potential threat to the markets’ risk-on mood could come from the unfolding investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian interests after the first indictments from Special Counsel Robert Mueller
  • As investors eagerly await President Donald Trump’s Federal Reserve chair nomination, the central bank’s policy-setting committee will meet quietly in the background this week with many expecting them to keep interest rates unchanged
  • Treasury 10-year yield is set to climb toward 3 percent as the Fed could tighten three times in 2018 after a likely move in December, said James Ashley head of international market strategy Goldman Sachs Asset Management at the money manager
  • Best Buy Co. said it stopped some sales of Apple Inc.’s iPhone X and iPhone 8 after consumers complained about the retailer charging a $100 premium on the already expensive smartphones
  • Mylan NV’s second-ranked executive took an active role in a vast and “sinister” price-fixing conspiracy among global makers of generic pills that kept prices of the medications artificially high, dozens of states alleged in a new complaint; Mylan Bond Spreads Widen Amid Price-Fixing Probe
  • Former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos made a significant claim in an email: Top Trump campaign officials agreed to a pre-election meeting with representatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin
  • Bank of England’s governor Mark Carney faces a defining credibility test on Brexit-era rates
  • U.K. Hints at Compromises on Brexit Bill as Date Set for Talks
  • Macau Oct. Casino Rev. Rises 22.1% Y/y; Est. 14.5% Rise

Asian equity markets began November solidly on the front-foot led by the Nikkei 225 (+1.95%) as exporters benefited from a weaker JPY and with Sony at its highest in over 9 years after its H1 profit more than tripled. Elsewhere, KOSPI (+1.3%) extended on record levels and ASX 200 (+0.5%) was also higher amid strength in commodity-related stocks. Hang Seng (+0.6%) and Shanghai Comp. (+0.1%) both initially conformed to the broad positive sentiment amid continued liquidity efforts by the PBoC, although mainland indices then trimmed gains in late trade. Finally, 10yr JGBs were flat with demand subdued amid the heightened risk appetite and with a firmer 10yr auction also largely ignored. Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI (Oct) 51.0 vs. Exp. 51.0 (Prev. 51.0). PBoC injected CNY 140bln via 7-day reverse repos, CNY 40bln via 14-day reverse repos and CNY 60bln via 63-day reverse repos. PBoC set CNY mid-point at 6.6300 (Prev. 6.6487)

Top Asian News

  • Hong Kong Stocks Advance as Tencent Climbs Most in a Month
  • China’s Onshore Junk Bonds Show Resilience on Supply-Side Reform
  • Iron Ore Flips as Traders Bet on Revival When China’s Curbs Ease
  • Japan Shares Jump on Yen Weakness; Sony Leads Tech Stock Surge
  • Noble Bonds Show Bet on Deal Delay as Hedge Funds See Trap
  • Tencent’s Red-Hot E-Book IPO Sets Stage for Music Arm Debut

European bourses have been likewise lifted by surging commodity prices and corporate earnings. However, Next’s (-5.4%) Q3 financial results have sent shares tumbling as much as 7%, which is also weighing on the retail sector with Marks & Spencer and AB Foods feeling the pressure. Standard Chartered have suffered losses this morning after their results printed lower than expected. DAX outperforms as German participants return to market from Reformation Day. Not even an upbeat UK manufacturing PMI and upward revision to the previous headline read enough to jolt Gilts, which high-ticked just ahead of the release before drifting back a mere 4 ticks or so. The range remains extremely narrow between 124.19-35, with the 10 year bond basically marking time ahead of BoE super Thursday to see what else the MPC has up its sleeve on top of the all but priced in ¼ pt rate hike. Bunds also trapped within tight parameters and poised for bigger market-moving events, like the FOMC and monthly US jobs data alongside the aforementioned BoE policy announcements (and QIR). US Treasuries a tad off recent highs/yields slightly firmer, also awaiting Trump tax reforms (now expected Thursday) and his long awaited choice as next Fed chair.

Top European News

  • Next Suffers as Warm Autumn Keeps Shoppers From Stores
  • Greece Is Said to Plan Debt-Swap Exercise Worth EU30 Billion
  • Turkey Raises Year-End Inflation Estimate to 9.8% vs 8.7%
  • U.K. Clothing Retailers May Decline After Next Sales Slump

In FX, GBP has moved above 1.33 this morning for the first time since mid-October, which comes ahead of the Bank of England’s ‘Super Thursday’ meeting, where it is expected they will raise the bank rate to 0.5%. The question is, whether this will be the beginning of a sustained hiking cycle or a readjustment from last year’s QE measures. Within the option market, O/N GBP/USD breakeven is at 100 pips for the ATM straddle. UK Mfg. PMI rose above analyst estimates, providing a modest lift to GBP, although the move had been somewhat contained given the focus on tomorrows BoE decision. The beginning of a new month sees a change in the direction for NZD. Having found support at the 2017 low (0.6817), while also looking stretched on the downside. NZD has seen a move back above 0.6900, which came after a strong NZ jobs report, in  which unemployment unexpectedly fell to a 9-yr low, while jobs growth rose 2.2%. Given that the new PM is looking at reforming
the central bank act to have a dual mandate (inflation + employment) this somewhat raises the prospect of a rate hike. However, a
rate hike is not seen in OIS markets until Q4 2018 at the earliest.
JPY continues to weaken against the greenback amid the uptick in UST yields, which is looking to make a retest at 2.4%. Although,
114.00 has kept a lid on the gains in USD/JPY for now, touching a high of 113.97 overnight. Levels past 114.00 that could act as
near term resistance is the highs seen in May and July at 114.45 and 114.49 respectively.

In commodities, precious metals have been gaining throughout the morning to trade at intra-day highs with gold up USD 7.5/oz. Newsflow has been on the lighter side, however, according to Chinese state media, China’s 9-month gold consumption rose 15.5% Y/Y. WTI has extended on recent gains following a larger than expected drawdown in headline API crude inventories and as all other components of the release also showed declining stockpiles US API weekly crude stocks (23 Oct, w/e) -5.09M (Prev. 0.52M). Flows to Ceyhan have fallen to 216k bpd from 288k bpd seen yesterday, according to a port agent.

Looking at the day ahead, the key event on Wednesday evening will be the FOMC meeting there is no scheduled Yellen press conference after. Along with the meeting we’ll also get some important data releases in the US including the ADP employment report, ISM manufacturing print for October and monthly vehicle sales. In the UK October house price data and the manufacturing PMI will be out. Facebook and Tesla are amongst the notable earnings reports.

US Event Calendar

  • 7am: MBA Mortgage Applications, prior -4.6%
  • 8:15am: ADP Employment Change, est. 200,000, prior 135,000
  • 9:45am: Markit US Manufacturing PMI, est. 54.5, prior 54.5
  • 10am: ISM Manufacturing, est. 59.5, prior 60.8; Prices Paid, est. 67.8, prior 71.5; New Orders, prior 64.6; Employment, prior 60.3
  • 10am: Construction Spending MoM, est. -0.15%, prior 0.5%
  • 2pm: FOMC Rate Decision
  • Wards Total Vehicle Sales, est. 17.5m, prior 18.5m; Domestic Vehicle Sales, est. 13.7m, prior 14.3m

DB’s Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

October wasn’t a particularly scary month for investors with 32 out of our 39 regularly tracked global assets seeing a positive return in our monthly performance review. The S&P 500 (+2.33%) finished with a positive total return, meaning that the index has now seen a positive total return for all 10 months so far this year, the first time that this has  happened in the 90 years we have data for. If you go beyond the calendar year end, October now marks the 12th positive month in succession which equals the record set in 1949-1950 and 1935-1936. A word of warning though, the next two months saw the run break spectacularly with returns at -3.6% and -7.7% respectively. See the note “S&P 500: The longest winning streak on record soon?” we did last month for more on this.

October didn’t end in a particularly exciting manner but the action kicks off today and continues apace until the end of the week. However there is a European holiday today so the usual first of the month PMI releases across the continent will be delayed until tomorrow. We do see the important ISM in the US though as well as ADP which will provide some clues to the storm bounce back in Friday’s payroll release.

Top of the bill (pardon the pun) today was supposed to be the next stage of the tax reform story. However, this morning we found out that the plans will be delayed until tomorrow, reflecting “the challenge of crafting and then passing a complex bill by Thanksgiving”. By then, we’ll see if there are any compromises in preserving deductions for state and local taxes which could impact Republican support in California and NY. We’d expect there to also be some focus on whether there is a phasing in of corporate taxes as per the leaks on Monday. Overnight, President Trump noted that “we’re not looking at that (phase in)”, but did left the door open by noting “it’s something, some people have mentioned, but hopefully not”. So all eyes on the House tomorrow. The FOMC meeting today should largely be a non-event, especially as there is no press conference. With a December hike priced at around 85%, it seems unlikely the Fed would want that number to change too much at the moment as it seems to suit them as things stand. They want to raise rates next month but leave a little wiggle room not to if events transpire against them over the next few weeks. DB’s Brett Ryan has previewed the meeting here.

Turning to Catalonia where tensions appear to have cooled further. Speaking in Brussels, ousted Catalan President Puidgemont denied he is seeking political asylum as he is here as a normal “EU citizen”. Further, he noted “the  (Catalan) republic cannot be built on violence” and that he would return to Spain “immediately” if he gets “guarantees” of a fair trial. Note that the Spanish National Court has charged him for sedition where if convicted could carry jail terms of up to 30 years. Finally, he will press on with the region’s case for independence, but will respect the outcome of the new regional election scheduled on 21 December. As a reminder, El Mundo reported on Monday that opinion polls suggest Catalan secessionists could win 65 seats in a new election, but fall short of the 68 seats needed for new majority. On the other side, Spanish government officials told Bloomberg that there has been no signs  of disobedience so far in Catalonia and article 155 measures are now fully in place. Yesterday, the Spanish markets rebounded further on increased signs of a return to normality with the IBEX up 0.74% and 10y yields down 3.5bp.

Now onto Brexit headlines, where there appears to be more signs that the UK may partly concede to break the stalemate in Brexit talks. One of the key issues is the potential financial settlement the UK owes to the EU bloc, where prior reports suggest the EU bloc want €60bln, while the UK only offered €20bln. Yesterday Brexit Secretary Davis noted “the withdrawal agreement…will probably favour the EU in terms of things like money and so on”. On the other hand, UK government spokesman James Slack noted that Brexit preparations have been accelerated with c3,000 new government jobs created to support Brexit planning, and that “each of these plans prepares the country for the range of negotiated outcomes and a no deal scenario”. Elsewhere, the main UK opposition party is seeking to apply parliamentary pressure on the government to release 58 studies on how leaving the EU will affect industries that make up c90% of the economy. Turning to the EU, the chief negotiator Barnier has offered some support and noted “I’m ready to speed up negotiations”, with the next round of Brexit talks to begin from 9th November.

This morning China’s October Caixin manufacturing PMI was in in line and steady at 51. Markets are rebounding, with the Nikkei (+1.28%), Kospi (+1.11%), Hang Seng (+0.52%) and ASX 200 (+0.57%) all up as we type. Now recapping markets yesterday. Despite broadly supportive macro data, US bourses only edged slightly higher (S&P +0.09%, Dow +0.12%), as investors await for more news re the FOMC, Fed Chair and draft tax plans. The Nasdaq rose a tad more (+0.43%) to a fresh record high, partly aided by further positive momentum from Apple shares (+1.39%). European markets were broadly higher too, with the Stoxx 600 up 0.33%, with gains led by real estate, energy and tech stocks, with partial offsets from financials including BNP Paribas (-2.67%) post its results. Across the region, the FTSE (+0.07%) was up slightly while the DAX was closed for the day and Spain’s IBEX gained 0.74% as tensions in Catalonia cooled further.

Over in government bonds, yields were mixed but little changed post the mini bond rally on Monday. The UST 10y rose 1.1bp while core European yields slightly outperformed (Bunds & Gilts -0.3bp; OATs -0.8bp) following lower than expected core inflation prints for the Eurozone (0.9% yoy vs. 1.1% expected). Peripherals continued to outperform, with Italian and Spanish 10y yields down 2bp and 3.5bp respectively.

Turning to currencies, the US dollar index (-0.01%) and the Euro (-0.04%) were broadly flat, but Sterling gained 0.57%, partly aided by an expectation of a rate hike this week and news that UK First secretary of state Damian Green was appointed as the new head of Brexit and Trade cabinet sub-committee, as some view him as having a pro-EU stance. In commodities, WTI oil rose +0.42% while precious metals weakened modestly (Gold -0.38%; Silver  -0.82%), but LME nickel jumped 5.31%, in part as some see materially higher usage of the metal in electric cars. This morning, other base metals are broadly trading higher (Copper +1.30%; Zinc +1.57%; Aluminium +0.12%).

Away from the markets, the world’s large exchange owner (CME) is planning to have futures on Bitcoins by the end of the year. The contracts are expected to be settled in cash and use a daily price from the CME CF Bitcoin reference rate, with likely data feeds from digital exchanges such as Bitstamp, GDAX, itBIT and Kraken. A functioning derivatives markets on the digital currency could increase accessibility as professional investors could get exposure to its volatility and trade it on regulated venues as well as using the futures as a hedging tool. As a reminder, the price of a Bitcoin will set you back c$6,425, where the price has tripled from c3 months ago, up c8x since 12 months ago and up c475x since 5 years ago.

Turning to central banker commentaries, the ECB’s governing council member Visco noted that the Eurozone low inflation “reflects very moderate wage dynamics in several economies, which are a consequence of still large  labourmarket slack”. Elsewhere, he noted that ECB’s QE recalibration ‘will ensure a high degree of monetary accommodation’. Then onto Italy more specifically, he noted their internal surveys suggests a “gradual pick up of credit  demand, supported by a recovery of investment” and core tier 1 ratios for Italian lenders have improved to 13.1% (from 11.5%), which partly supports S&P’s recent upgrade of Italy’s sovereign rating to BBB.

Following up the indictments by Mueller from yesterday, Bloomberg noted former Trump adviser Papadopoulos claimed in an email that top Trump officials agreed to a pre-election meeting with representatives of the Russian President Putin. However, there was no indication such meeting took place and the email was NOT included in court documents as part of his guilty plea.

Before we take a look at today’s calendar, we wrap up with other data releases from yesterday. In the US, the macro data was in line to above expectations. The CB consumer confidence rose to 125.9 (vs. 121.3 expected) –  marking a record 17 year high. In the details, the present situation index rose 4.2pt to 151.1 (highest since 2001) and the expectations index rose 6.1pt to 109.1 (highest since March). The October Chicago PMI also rose 1pt to a 6 year high of 66.2 (vs. 60 expected). Elsewhere, the 3Q employment cost index (Fed’s preferred metric of wage inflation) was in line at 0.7% qoq, while the August Corelogic house price index was slightly above expectations at 0.45% mom (vs. 0.4%), leaving an annual growth of 5.9% yoy.

Across Europe, there was a deluge of macro data where broadly speaking inflation was lower than expected but GDP growth and unemployment beat expectations. In the Eurozone, the October core CPI was below expectations at 0.9% yoy (vs. 1.1%) even if some considered that there was noise in the series which included German holiday prices which might not persist. The 3Q GDP was higher than expected at 0.6% qoq (vs. 0.5%) and 2.5% yoy (vs. 2.4%  expected) – the strongest rate of growth since 1Q11. The unemployment rate for September also beat at 8.9% (vs. 9% expected).

In France, 3Q GDP was in line at 0.5% qoq, but data revisions to prior readings meant the annual growth was a tad higher at 2.2% yoy – highest since 2Q11. Elsewhere, the October CPI was in line at 0.1% mom and 1.2% yoy, while the September PPI was slightly above last month’s reading at 0.5% mom (vs. 0.4% previous). In Italy, the October CPI was below expectations at 0% mom (vs. 0.2%) and 1.1% yoy (vs. 1.3% expected) and the September PPI was also  lower than the prior reading at 0.3% mom (vs. 0.5% previous). However, the September unemployment was in line at 11.1%. In the UK, the October Gfk consumer confidence reading was in line at -10.

Looking at the day ahead, front and centre on Wednesday evening will be the FOMC meeting although it’s worth noting that there is no scheduled Yellen press conference after. Along with the meeting we’ll also get some important data releases in the US including the ADP employment report, ISM manufacturing print for October and monthly vehicle sales. In the UK October house price data and the manufacturing PMI will be out. Onto other events, UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox testifies before a parliamentary panel on plans for post-Brexit trade while BoJ Deputy Governor Nakaso is due to speak. Facebook and Tesla are amongst the notable earnings reports.

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Communism Turns 100: New at Reason

The 100th anniversary of the Communist revolution in Russia is nothing to celebrate.

John Stossel writes:

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of one of the worst mistakes ever made: the Communist revolution in Russia.

Communist regimes went on to kill about 100 million people. Most died in famines after socialist tyrants forced people to practice inefficient collective farming. Millions of others were executed in political purges.

Yet when the Russian Revolution happened, people both inside and outside Russia were excited. Crowds cheered Lenin. No longer would nobles rule; no longer would capitalists exploit workers. Now the people would prosper together.

British journalist Theodore Rothstein wrote, “The undivided sway of the Imperialist nightmare is at an end… (there will be) rule of the labouring classes.”

But you can’t have government plan every aspect of people’s lives and expect things to go well. Instead, you get bureaucratic planning commissions and secret police.

View this article.

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Why Today’s Big Fed Risk Is A “Dovish Surprise”: One Trader Explains

In our preview of today’s FOMC, we said there is virtually no way the Fed could surprise on the hawkish side, especially with Trump set to unveil Jay Powell as the new head of the Fed: after all, the December rate hike is over 80% priced in at this point. But what about the opposite – can the Fed surprise on the dovish side? That, according to Bloomberg macro commentator and former Lehman trader Mark Cudmore is the biggest risk today. As he writes, “growth is solid, but not spectacular. It would be a brave stretch for the committee to upgrade its outlook. The strong advance 3Q estimate was distorted by the impact of hurricanes on net exports and inventories. Far more probable is that the comments on inflation are tweaked to account for the fact that CPI is picking up slower than anticipated, while the preferred core PCE measure remains close to six-year lows.”

Perhaps, but one also has to consider the possibility of a hawkish Fed surprise on Thursday, one in which Trump ignores the consensus and goes with Taylor, or Warsh. The good news here is that according to Morgan Stanley, no matter who the next Fed chair is, any pronounced market moves are to be faded.

But before we get there, we have to go through today’s FOMC decision, which is why here is Cudmore’s full Macro View preview of the only possible way Yellen can surprise markets:

There’s much greater potential for rates to fall than rise in reaction to the Fed decision and statement on Wednesday. 

 

The base case is for no major reaction in either direction. A December hike is already more than 80 percent priced with six weeks to run until the decision. There’s little room for a hawkish surprise to impact rates markets.

 

Fed officials won’t pre- commit, nor do they have any desire to unnecessarily lock themselves on a set path. They won’t guarantee a December rate rise.

 

The most hawkish outcome (aside from moving at this meeting) would be an improvement in the Fed’s economic outlook without a simultaneous emphasis on the failure of core personal consumption expenditure to accelerate sufficiently. But even that would lead to a climb of no more than a couple of basis points in the front end.

 

And it’s unlikely to happen. Growth is solid, but not spectacular. It would be a brave stretch for the committee to upgrade its outlook. The strong advance 3Q estimate was distorted by the impact of hurricanes on net exports and inventories.

 

Far more probable is that the comments on inflation are tweaked to account for the fact that CPI is picking up slower than anticipated, while the preferred core PCE measure remains close to six-year lows.

 

Given that there’s no press conference and no updated dot plots, a perceived downgrade of the inflation outlook could have a real impact across rates markets, and hence all other asset prices.

 

While an anticlimactic Fed decision may be a reasonable base case, it’s rare to approach such a meeting where the potential market reaction is so largely skewed in one direction.

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France: New Anti-Terrorism Law Takes Effect

Authored by Soren Kern via The Gatestone Institute,

  • The new law authorizes prefects to order the closure of mosques or other places of worship for a period of up to six months if preachers are deemed to express "ideas or theories" that "incite violence, hatred or discrimination, provoke the commission of acts of terrorism or express praise for such acts."
  • French police and intelligence services are surveilling around 15,000 jihadists living on French soil, Le Journal du Dimanche reported on October 9. Of these, some 4,000 are at "the top of the spectrum" and most likely to carry out an attack.
  • Of the 1,900 French jihadists fighting with the Islamic State, as many as one-fifth have received as much as €500,000 ($580,000) in social welfare payments from the French state, Le Figaro revealed on October 26.

French President Emmanuel Macron has formally signed a new counter-terrorism law which gives prefects, police and security forces wide-ranging powers — without the need to seek prior approval from a judge — to search homes, place people under house arrest and close places of worship. The measure also authorizes police to perform identity checks at French borders.

The new law, adopted by the French Senate on October 18, makes permanent many of the previously exceptional measures imposed under a two-year-old state of emergency, which was introduced after the jihadist attacks in Paris in November 2015. That state of emergency was slated to expire on November 1.

During a signing ceremony at the Élysée Palace on October 30, Macron said the compromise measure strikes the right balance between security and respect for civil liberties. Hardliners counter that the new law does not go far enough, while human rights groups complain that it will leave France in a permanent state of emergency.

The new law — Law to Strengthen Internal Security and the Fight Against Terrorism (Loi renforçant la sécurité intérieure et la lutte contre le terrorisme) — consists of seven main parts:

Security Zones. The new law gives prefects, the top government official in each of France's departments or regions, the power to designate public areas and sporting or cultural events, including music concerts, that are deemed to be at risk of terrorism, as security zones. The law authorizes police to search all persons or vehicles attempting to enter such areas or events. Anyone refusing to submit to such searches will be denied access.

 

Closing Places of Worship. The new law authorizes prefects to order the closure of mosques or other places of worship for a period of up to six months if preachers are deemed to express "ideas or theories" that "incite violence, hatred or discrimination, provoke the commission of acts of terrorism or express praise for such acts." Violations are punishable by six months in prison and a fine of €7,500 ($8,750). Opponents of the law argue that "ideas" and "theories" are subjective and therefore open to abuse.

 

House Arrest. The new law authorizes the Minister of the Interior to confine suspected Islamists, even those who are not accused of a specific crime, to the town or city of their domicile. Any individual for whom there are "serious reasons to believe that his or her conduct constitutes a particularly serious threat to public security and public order," may be placed under house arrest — without the prior approval of a judge — for a period of three months, renewable for additional periods of three months to a maximum period of one year. Individuals subject to such confinement will be required to report to their local police station once a day. Alternatively, individuals may be placed under mobile electronic surveillance. The Minister of the Interior may also prohibit individuals from being in direct or indirect contact with certain persons, named by name, who are believed to pose a threat to public security. Violations of the measures are punishable by three years in prison and a fine of €45,000 ($52,500).

 

Search and Seizure. The new law authorizes a prefect to ask a judge for a warrant to search the home of anyone suspected of posing a threat to public security. The individual being searched may be detained for up to four hours if he or she represents "a threat of particular gravity for security and public order" and has "habitual contact to persons or organizations with terrorist aims" or supports and adheres to ideas inciting to such acts. The law also authorizes police to seize any documents, objects or electronic data at the place being searched.

 

Radicalized Public Servants. A civil servant working in fields related to national security or defense can be transferred or even dismissed from the public service if he or she is found to hold beliefs that are "incompatible with the exercise of his or her duties." Soldiers can also be discharged for similar motives.

 

Electronic Surveillance and Data Collection. The new law authorizes the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Transport to collect the telephone and email communications of suspicious individuals "for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offenses and serious crimes." The law also allows security services to access travel information, including from travel agencies, about airline and maritime passengers. Data collection "shall exclude personal data that may reveal a person's racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, political opinions, trade union membership, or data relating to the health or sexual life of the person concerned."

 

Border Checks. The new law authorizes police to conduct warrantless identity checks at more than 118 border areas and 373 airports, seaports and train stations, as well as the surrounding areas up to a radius of 20 kilometers. This encompasses 28.6% of French territory and 67% of the French population, according to Le Monde. Critics say this includes many mainly immigrant suburbs and could lead to harassment of ethnic minorities.

Macron insisted that the new law will allow authorities to combat terrorism "without abandoning our values and principles" and that it will enshrine "full and permanent respect for France's constitutional order and traditions of liberty." He also pledged to review the law in two years and to make any changes deemed necessary.

Pictured: Police patrol the Champs-Élysées in Paris after a terrorist attack on April 21, 2017, in which one police officer was killed and another wounded. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the anti-immigration National Front party, criticized the law for being too weak:

"This law is a scam, it is a sub-state of emergency, we will not vote for this harmful text. It will be even less effective than the state of emergency because it is less applicable. This text does not address either the specific Islamic dimension of terrorism or the Islamist ideology that has declared war on us."

Civil rights groups, by contrast, complained about what they have described as a "normalization of emergency powers." Human Rights Watch wrote:

"The law takes elements of emergency practices — intrusive search powers, restrictions on individuals that have bordered on house arrest, closure of places of worship — that have been used abusively since November 2015, and makes them normal criminal and administrative practice. It does all this in a way that weakens the judiciary's control over and ability to check against abuse in the way the new counterterrorism powers are used by prefects, the Interior Ministry's appointed delegates in each region."

Amnesty International echoed these concerns:

"Rather than ushering in a period of restored freedoms and civil liberties, the legislation threatens to do the opposite by embedding a raft of repressive measures into ordinary law."

The new law has encountered little resistance from the public. A September 26 poll conducted for Le Figaro found that 57% of respondents said they were in favor of the new law; 62% of respondents said the measure will infringe on civil liberties; 85% said it would improve their security.

More than 230 people have been killed in jihadist attacks in France since January 2015, when Islamic radicals attacked the headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in central Paris.

The latest fatalities occurred on October 1, when a 29-year-old illegal immigrant from Tunisia stabbed two women to death at the central train station in Marseille. The man, identified as Ahmed A., was using seven different identities and had a long history of petty crime. He had been arrested just days before the attack for shoplifting, but those charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence. It remains unclear why he was never deported.

French police and intelligence services are surveilling around 15,000 jihadists living on French soil, Le Journal du Dimanche reported on October 9. Of these, some 4,000 are at "the top of the spectrum" and most likely to carry out an attack.

Of the 1,900 French jihadists fighting with the Islamic State, as many as one-fifth have received as much as €500,000 ($580,000) in social welfare payments from the French state, Le Figaro revealed on October 26.

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Brickbat: Police Action

pillsPalm Beach County, Florida, sheriff’s deputy Jason Cooke has resigned after he was caught on security video entering a dying man’s home and stealing his medication. The man’s children had called deputies after cameras in his home failed to detect any movement. Deputies found him on the floor of the bathroom, where he’d fallen and hit his head, and called an ambulance to take him to the hospital. About an hour and a half later, the security system detected movement and the children saw a deputy enter the home and start going through cabinets and placing items in his pockets. Cooke reportedly told investigators he used the garage code in the dispatch log to enter the home.

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