Tag: news

“Hong Kong Risks Losing Its Role As A Financial Capital,” Deutsche Bank Chief Economist Warns

“Hong Kong clearly has its work cut out holding on to its role as the entry way to [investing in] mainland China,” warns Deutsche Bank’s Chief Economist Taimur Baig as he reflects on the civil disobedience this weekend. Even before this weekend’s riots, Baig believes “Hong Kong will have to shape up,” and while his base case suggests the unrest will not have a major detrimental effect on the economy per se, he fears it will add to investor angst – and along with macro uncertainty – leaves Hong Kong more precariously positioned than Singapore as Asia’s major financial capital.

 




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1qOCrDV Tyler Durden

Spot The Total Logic Fail

It appears the leadership in Spain has reached its panic-point. Following Catalonia’s President Artur Mas signing of a decree calling for an ultimately democratic referendum on independence for the region, Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy uttered this mind-numbing phrase:

  • CATALAN VOTE PROFOUNDLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, RAJOY SAYS

It appears Rajoy’s perspective on democracy and the will of the people is a little different as the situation has become serious enough that he has gone full-Juncker.

As The BBC reports,

“Catalonia wants to speak,” he said after signing on Saturday. “Wants to be heard. Wants to vote. Now is the right time and we have the right legal framework to do so.”

 

The referendum’s two questions

 

“Do you want Catalonia to be a state?”

 

“If so, do you want Catalonia to be an independent state?”

 

Soon after the decree was signed, the Catalan hash tag EstemConvocats9N (“We called it for 9 November”) became the highest trending topic on Spanish Twitter.

 

Until recently, few Catalans had wanted full independence, but Spain’s painful economic crisis has seen a surge in support for separation, correspondents say.

 

There is resentment over the proportion of Catalan taxes used to support poorer regions.

And Rajoy is clearly concerned…

  • *CATALONIA GOVT HAS TAKEN UNILATERAL DECISIONS, RAJOY SAYS
  • *SPAIN TO CHALLENGE CATALAN INDEPENDENCE VOTE, RAJOY SAYS
  • *CATALAN VOTE WON’T HAPPEN, IS AGAINST CONSTITUTION: RAJOY
  • *CATALAN VOTE IS AGAINST RIGHTS OF SPANISH CITIZENS: RAJOY

Then followed that up these 2 stunners!!!

  • *CATALAN VOTE PROFOUNDLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, RAJOY SAYS
  • *LAWS CAN CHANGE THROUGH DEMOCRATIC MEANS, RAJOY SAYS

And concluded…

  • *CATALONIA STILL HAS TIME TO CHANGE COURSE, RAJOY SAYS
  • *DIALOGUE OVER CATALONIA MUST RESPECT THE LAW, RAJOY SAYS
  • *CATALONIA’S MAS MUST COMPLY WITH THE LAW, RAJOY SAYS

So in summary:

1. The Catalans want to exercise a right to democratically vote for their independence.

 

2. But Spanish PM Rajoy say a vote is anti-democratic and against the law

 

3. And then adds that laws can be changed through democratic means… (like voting for independence?)

Lost in translation?




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1ryoKyb Tyler Durden

Martin Armstrong Warns The West "Sanctioning Russia Is A Big Mistake"

Judging from the plunge in stocks and the Ruble and along with proclamations that Russia is "isolated" (when it is clearly not), The West's sanctions appear to be achieving their goals (propaganda-wise). However, Martin Armstrong warns "politicians just keep making the same mistakes over and over again," as he explains, to the people of Russia, "sanctions only make Putin stronger for they allow him to point to the West as the evil empire."

 

Via Armstrong Economics,

Politicians just keep making the same mistake over and over again.

MickyMouseClub

 

They perpetually turn to sanctions bankrupting private business with no respect whatsoever as the USA is wiping out farmers in Europe.

But worst of all, there is not a single incident where sanctions have EVER worked even once. They often remain in place beyond a decade even as in Iran, but there is no change in politics.

Sanctions only make Putin stronger for they allow him to point to the West as the evil empire that covertly toppled the Soviet Union with a CIA plot.

Tomcat

 

The most popular T-Shirt in Russia says: "This particular tree [which is also the name of a weapon] is not afraid of sanctions."

The one in the middle says: "Sanctions? Don’t make our Iskanders laugh" (Iskander SS-26 Stone is the missile system shown).

The Mickey Mouse Club would be nice if there were really qualified people instead of questionable lawyers.

 




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1vpxszQ Tyler Durden

Martin Armstrong Warns The West “Sanctioning Russia Is A Big Mistake”

Judging from the plunge in stocks and the Ruble and along with proclamations that Russia is "isolated" (when it is clearly not), The West's sanctions appear to be achieving their goals (propaganda-wise). However, Martin Armstrong warns "politicians just keep making the same mistakes over and over again," as he explains, to the people of Russia, "sanctions only make Putin stronger for they allow him to point to the West as the evil empire."

 

Via Armstrong Economics,

Politicians just keep making the same mistake over and over again.

MickyMouseClub

 

They perpetually turn to sanctions bankrupting private business with no respect whatsoever as the USA is wiping out farmers in Europe.

But worst of all, there is not a single incident where sanctions have EVER worked even once. They often remain in place beyond a decade even as in Iran, but there is no change in politics.

Sanctions only make Putin stronger for they allow him to point to the West as the evil empire that covertly toppled the Soviet Union with a CIA plot.

Tomcat

 

The most popular T-Shirt in Russia says: "This particular tree [which is also the name of a weapon] is not afraid of sanctions."

The one in the middle says: "Sanctions? Don’t make our Iskanders laugh" (Iskander SS-26 Stone is the missile system shown).

The Mickey Mouse Club would be nice if there were really qualified people instead of questionable lawyers.

 




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1vpxszQ Tyler Durden

Hong Kong's Luxury Shopping Street Right Now

The protests in Hong Kong continue to spread. The following images from Causeway Bay – one of HK's most affluent neighborhoods with many higher-end stores – show calm and well-organized protesters  (carrying slogans such as "Democracy is now here", "Occupy Hong Kong", and "We Are Not Enemies") have blocked a long section of a major thoroughfare called Hennesy Road (and have created first aid posts to attend to any injured). Locals report virtually no police presence for now, but that is likely to change as night turns to early morning.

 

 

 

h/t Tinky




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1vpxrff Tyler Durden

Hong Kong’s Luxury Shopping Street Right Now

The protests in Hong Kong continue to spread. The following images from Causeway Bay – one of HK's most affluent neighborhoods with many higher-end stores – show calm and well-organized protesters  (carrying slogans such as "Democracy is now here", "Occupy Hong Kong", and "We Are Not Enemies") have blocked a long section of a major thoroughfare called Hennesy Road (and have created first aid posts to attend to any injured). Locals report virtually no police presence for now, but that is likely to change as night turns to early morning.

 

 

 

h/t Tinky




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1vpxrff Tyler Durden

"This Is What We Do" Warns 2nd Oklahoman ISIS-Supporter Arrested For Threatening To Behead Co-Worker

It appears the appeal of ISIS-supporting beheadings in Oklahoma is growing. In what can only be described as an uncomfortable coincidence for the state, a 2nd Oklahoma man was arrested Friday for threatening to behead a co-worker. As The Oklahoman reports, Jacob Mugambi Muriithi, 30, who was recently fired from his job at a nursing home, threatened a female christian co-worker that he “represented ISIS and that ISIS kills Christians.” When she asked him why, he replied, “This is just what we do,” according to the affidavit.

 

 

Via The Oklahoman,

An Oklahoma City fired nursing home employee, Jacob Mugambi Muriithi, 30, is being held in the Oklahoma County jail on a terrorism complaint with bail set at $1 million, according to The Oklahoman.

 

“We take these threats very seriously,” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told The Oklahoman.

 

The co-worker reported that Muriithi, a native of Kenya and self-described Muslim, threatened her while they were both working at the Bellevue Nursing Home last week, a police detective wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.

 

The woman, who was not identified, said that Muriithi said he “represented ISIS and that ISIS kills Christians.” When she asked him why, he replied, “This is just what we do,” according to the affidavit.

 

“The victim said Jacob asked her what time she got off work and she replied by asking him in a joking manner if he was going to kill her,” the detective wrote. “Jacob told the victim, ‘Yes,’ he was going to cut her head off. The victim asked Jacob what he was going to cut her head off with and he said, ‘A blade,’ then told her after he did it he was going to post it on Facebook.

 

“The victim said Jacob was serious when speaking and never made any statements that he was joking or playing around.”

 

Muriithi repeated the threat in front of another employee that he was going to use a blade as the woman left work the detective reported, according to The Oklahoman.

*  *  *

Time to unleash the MRAPs… and ban machetes.




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1uW90DO Tyler Durden

“This Is What We Do” Warns 2nd Oklahoman ISIS-Supporter Arrested For Threatening To Behead Co-Worker

It appears the appeal of ISIS-supporting beheadings in Oklahoma is growing. In what can only be described as an uncomfortable coincidence for the state, a 2nd Oklahoma man was arrested Friday for threatening to behead a co-worker. As The Oklahoman reports, Jacob Mugambi Muriithi, 30, who was recently fired from his job at a nursing home, threatened a female christian co-worker that he “represented ISIS and that ISIS kills Christians.” When she asked him why, he replied, “This is just what we do,” according to the affidavit.

 

 

Via The Oklahoman,

An Oklahoma City fired nursing home employee, Jacob Mugambi Muriithi, 30, is being held in the Oklahoma County jail on a terrorism complaint with bail set at $1 million, according to The Oklahoman.

 

“We take these threats very seriously,” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told The Oklahoman.

 

The co-worker reported that Muriithi, a native of Kenya and self-described Muslim, threatened her while they were both working at the Bellevue Nursing Home last week, a police detective wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.

 

The woman, who was not identified, said that Muriithi said he “represented ISIS and that ISIS kills Christians.” When she asked him why, he replied, “This is just what we do,” according to the affidavit.

 

“The victim said Jacob asked her what time she got off work and she replied by asking him in a joking manner if he was going to kill her,” the detective wrote. “Jacob told the victim, ‘Yes,’ he was going to cut her head off. The victim asked Jacob what he was going to cut her head off with and he said, ‘A blade,’ then told her after he did it he was going to post it on Facebook.

 

“The victim said Jacob was serious when speaking and never made any statements that he was joking or playing around.”

 

Muriithi repeated the threat in front of another employee that he was going to use a blade as the woman left work the detective reported, according to The Oklahoman.

*  *  *

Time to unleash the MRAPs… and ban machetes.




via Zero Hedge http://ift.tt/1uW90DO Tyler Durden

This Speed Camera Handed Out $77,550 Worth of Tickets in One Day

A speed camera on Ocean Avenue near a highway off-ramp and
Lincoln High School in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn gave out 1,551
tickets one day earlier this year,
according to the New York Post.

The information comes from a Department of Transportation report
that just got released. The big pay day came on July 7, when school
wasn’t even in session. Each ticket is $50, so the city snagged a
cool $77,550. It’s
one of 10 speed cameras on Ocean Parkway.

From the Post:

The area’s city councilman, Chaim Deutsch, praised it for making
roadways safer.

“If anyone is speeding . . . they deserve a summons,” he told
the blog Sheepshead Bites.

But Councilman Mark Treyger has blasted the camera’s location as
a speed trap.

Speed-camera violations are issued to anyone going more than
10 mph over the posted speed limit, which in this case is 30 mph.
…

“So someone slowing from 50 to 40 mph or from 45 to 35 would not
receive a violation,” a DOT spokesperson said.

The city is currently adding 120 new speed cameras near public
schools, expected to be in place by the end of 2015.

The agency said earlier this month that its 20 existing cameras
issued 183,000 tickets since January, netting about $9.2
million.

The local Sheepshead Bites blog
quotes one resident who believes, “This camera seems to be
conveniently placed so close to the exit ramp that you are almost
guaranteed to set off this speed trap.”

Various analyses have poked holes in the idea that video
surveillance makes the roads safer.

A British study on speed cameras last year determined that “the
number of collisions appears to have risen enough to make the
cameras worthy of investigation in case they have contributed to
the increases.”

Likewise, many reports have indicated that red light cameras in
the U.S. increase
accidents. 

from Hit & Run http://ift.tt/YHmKaZ
via IFTTT

Californians Seem Ready for More Sentencing Reform

Two years ago, by a
margin of more than 2 to 1, California voters
approved Proposition 36, which reformed the state’s draconian
“three strikes” law by requiring that the offense triggering a
mandatory sentence of 25 years to life be “serious or violent.”
That initiative made about 3,000 prisoners eligible for
resentencing. Now Californians
seem to be on the verge of approving
Proposition 47, which would redefine certain low-level,
nonviolent felonies as misdemeanors. The initiative would have a
broader impact than Proposition 36, allowing some 10,000 inmates to
seek shorter sentences.

Proposition 47
covers simple drug possession, plus several property
crimes, including theft, shoplifiting, check forgery, and receiving
stolen property, when they involve a loss of $950 or less. The
maximum sentence for these offenses would be one year in jail. By
contrast, cocaine possession, if charged as a felony, currently can

result in up to three years in prison. So can check kiting,
another “wobbler” that can be
treated as a misdemeanor or a felony. Under Proposition 47,
check kiting would have to be charged as a misdemeanor if it
involves $950 or less, as opposed to the current limit of $450.

As The Drug War Chronicle‘s Phillip Smith
notes, recent polling data bode well for passage of Proposition
47. A Field
Poll conducted in June and July put support at 57 percent,
while a poll conducted this month by the Public Policy Institute of
California found that
62 percent of voters favored the measure. Like Proposition 36,
Proposition 47 boasts
support from prominent law enforcement officials, including San
Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and former San Diego
Police Chief William Lansdowne. It promises to reduce the severe
overcrowding of California’s prisons and cut spending on
incarceration (although it earmarks the savings for a Safe
Neighborhoods and Schools Fund, which would turn the money over to
the Department of Education, the Victim Compensation and Government
Claims Board, and the Board of State and Community Correction).

Opponents include the California District Attorneys Association
and the California Correctional Supervisors Association.

In a
column earlier this month, Steven Greenhut looked forward to
passage of Proposition 47 as another sign that Californians are
reconsidering irrationally harsh criminal sentences. Further
evidence of that: Last night Gov. Jerry Brown
signed the California Fair Sentencing Act, which
eliminates the sentencing disparity between the smoked and
snorted forms of cocaine.

from Hit & Run http://ift.tt/1uWtVXy
via IFTTT