MAR 23 SIT EC y POL

MAR 23 SIT EC y POL

ZERO HEDGE

US To China: 'Infrastructure Bank' This! - Test-Fires ICBM As A "Visual To The World".  Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. With allies migrating en masse to China's new infrastructure bank (and even the US having to admit it will 'cooperate'), it appears America has fallen back on what has worked for it in the past to ensure the world's largest creditor remains the world's reserve currency ad inifinitum - rattle its nuclear missile sabre... As the following clip shows, The US Air Force just test-fired a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from California, providing a "visual to the world."

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US "Loses" $500 Million In Weapons Given To Yemen, Now In Al-Qaeda Hands. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Just when we thought it was logistically impossible for US foreign policy to be any more incompetent and cluless, we read this...

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Regime Change: America's Failing Weapon Of International Deception. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. After almost two centuries of political and economic meddling in Latin America under the Monroe Doctrine (1823) banner, much of it involving regime change, the US is finally coming to terms with the reality that its influence has not just waned but disappeared. To Washington’s despair, similar results, if for other reasons, are happening throughout North Africa and the extended Middle East; certainly not the results the US had hoped for or anticipated from the revolutionary wave in the Arab Spring, now entering its fifth year. The era of using regime change as a weapon of mass deception may have already ended for the United States of America… and hopefully for the entire world.

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The Real Reason The American Dream In Unraveling. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. “I am for doing good to the poor, but…I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. I observed…that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.” - Benjamin Franklin

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Paul Krugman Is Wrong About The UK And Borrowing. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Krugman wants his US readers to believe that all proper economists now agree that cutting deficits was a bad mistake, and it’s only self-interested finance types and ideologically-motivated politicians and think-tankers that take a different view. But that’s nonsense. Just think about it: “Everyone agrees that austerity was a mistake”… apart from every government in Europe except the Greeks, and the economists and many of the civil servants that advise them. Krugman and his fan-club do not constitute all serious opinion, much as they might like to regard themselves that way. It’s all very nice sitting in a US university office preaching to the Europeans (or, indeed, preaching in the New York Times)

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Fighting The "War on Terror" By Banning Cash. by Joseph Salerno via Mises Institute,  Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. It was just a matter of time before Western governments used the trumped up "War on Terror" as an excuse to drastically ratchet up the very real war on the use of cash and personal privacy that they are waging against their own citizens.  French Finance Minister Michel Sapin brazenly stated  that it was necessary to "fight against the use of cash and anonymity in the French economy."

He then announced extreme and despotic measures to further restrict the use of cash by French residents and to spy on and pry into their financial affairs.

These measures, which  will be implemented in September 2015, include:

Prohibiting  French residents from making cash payments of more than 1,000 euros, down from the current limit of  3,000 euros.

Given the parlous state of the stagnating French economy the limit for foreign tourists on currency payments will remain higher, at 10,000 euros down from the current limit of 15,000 euros.

The threshold below which a French resident is  free to convert euros into other currencies without having to show an identity card will be slashed from the current level of 8,000 euros to 1,000 euros.

In addition any cash deposit or withdrawal of more than 10,000 euros during a single month will be reported to the French anti-fraud and money laundering agency Tracfin.

French authorities will also have to be notified of any freight transfers within the EU exceeding 10,000 euros, including checks, pre-paid cards, or gold.

Just remember... it's for your own protection. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-23/fighting-war-terror-banning-cash

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"Revolution, War, Taxes" - The Complete Paul Tudor Jones Speech. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Paul Tudor Jones ruffled more than a few feathers last week when he warned first that "we're in the middle of a disastrous market mania," and second he explained that "this gap between the 1 percent and the rest of America, and between the US and the rest of the world, cannot and will not persist," concluding that "historically, these kinds of gaps get closed in one of three ways: by revolution, higher taxes or wars. None are on my bucket list." His thesis is simple and profound as the following full speech shows...

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The Difference Between Obama & GOP Budgets (Summarized In 1 Cartoon). Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. [One man's fantasy is another man's fact-asy... Mejor:  “la patada de mula es más letal que la del caballo”.]

One man's fantasy is another man's facts... said Townhall

Source: Townhall 

[Hay que reformar el gráfico: una sola mula partida en dos. No caballo, es un animal inteligente. La parte de la cabeza (Demos), lleva un nuke missile en vez de unicorn (una pata en esta parte de la mula esta coja, doblada). La otra parte, el trasero (GOPs),  con dos patas pateando la 1ra parte de la mula. Una pata lleva un war-ship , y la otra,  un tanque. La diferencia: una parte piensa con la cabeza de nuke y la otra con el trasero armado. Arriba de ambas partes, la cabeza del tio Sam diciendo “I need you both” o la de un plutócrata –quiza la imagen de una empresa que fabrica WMD, o un banquero-  diciendo lo mismo.  Ver el original: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-23/difference-between-obama-gop-budgets-summarized-1-cartoon ]

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First Oil, Now Shale Gas Set To Crash Amid "Orgy Of Over-Production". Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Bank of America fears sub-$2 gas prices now that winter heating worries are over. Low natural gas prices affect the economics for gas-rich oil production in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian basin plays as well as for the shale gas plays. Meanwhile, an orgy of over-production is taking place in the Marcellus Shale... Investors should carefully examine why shale gas players have not reduced rig counts more. Continued drilling in the Marcellus will crush natural gas prices further.

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Rats And Sinking Ships: Chairman Of Greek Bank Rescue Fund Resigns. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015  With "The objective of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund is to contribute to the maintenance of the stability of the Greek banking system, for the sake of public interest," it appears the Fund's Chairman has decided to add some instability and leave the sinking ship:

• *GREEK BANK RECAPITALIZATION FUND CHAIRMAN RESIGNS: STATEMENT

Ironic (or coincidental) timing as Draghi proclaims he is not blackmailing Greece and Merkel says "Nein" to more liquidity.

[Then I was right when I said  “there is moments in history in which to much hidden fat-rats in a house and humans cannot live together  .. either the rats are kicked out or house is burned  .. after humans escape ..  both could happens in a sequence.. “  See my comment to Prospect of Greek default raises tensions as Merkel and Tsipras meet in Berlin  In: http://nd-hugoadan.blogspot.com/2015/03/mar-23-sit-ec-y-pol.html . The news today is the confirmation that rats and humans cannot live together in the same house .. humans escape before the house is burned with rats inside]

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Merkel/Tsipras "Get Rid Of Stereotypes" Press Conference - Live Feed. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. The future of Europe being decided?

*'WE WANT GREECE TO BE ECONOMICALLY STRONG,' MERKEL SAYS SHE IS SEEKING TRUSTFUL COOPERATION WITH TSIPRAS
*TSIPRAS: GREEK BAILOUT INCREASED SOCIAL INEQUALITY
*TSIPRAS: GREEK ECONOMY NEEDS BAILOUT DISBURSEMENT (please?)
*MERKEL SAYS SHE CAN'T 'OFFER ANY LIQUIDITY' ON HER OWN (nein!)

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Don't Show Stanley Fischer This Chart. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Careful to follow the status quo's meme, Fed vice-Chair Stanley Fischer just uttered the following...

FISCHER SAYS DOLLAR'S RISE ALSO REFLECTS RELATIVE U.S. STRENGTH

Which is odd because a) Jim Bullard said this morning that it was ECB QE that was responsible for the strong dollar; and b) US growth expectations have collapsed as the USD soared. Don't show him this chart... 

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The Fed - Hawk, Dove, Or Chicken?. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. We often hear various Fed officials described as hawks or doves but Janet Yellen’s Fed brings to mind another avian metaphor. They are afraid to raise rates for fear that doing so would upset the asset market inflation process and derail what is left of their theory. In her press conference last week Yellen said that stock market valuations were on the high side of historical norms, an appellation that only works if one includes the stock bubble of the late 90s. It seems that she and the other members of the FOMC have decided that another epic stock market bubble is better than admitting they were wrong. This FOMC doesn’t have any hawks or doves, only chickens.

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Deutsche's Three "What If" Scenarios: What Happens After The Grexit  Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015 - 10:26

HOPE  vs.  REALITY

THE HOPE

More REAL effects of Grexit in Europe and the world by Hugo Adan

Effects          Scenario 1               Scenario 2                 Effects in Germany

Europe         Spain quit EU ..       Fran-Port –Ital out   Merkel love x EU exhausted

World           Join China plan     US-WB-IMF crisis    Join China & become strong

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  Who Left the Crash Window Open?. by Charles Hugh-Smith of OfTwoMinds blog, Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. Can stocks keep hitting new highs even as sales and profits fall? . Can stocks keep hitting new highs even as sales and profits fall? History suggests we've reached Peak Central Banking--the faith that central bank easing can push markets higher forever, regardless of fundamentals, has reached near-euphoric levels. Few fear a decline or an increase in volatility. So it's all smooth sailing even as the global economy slides into recession? That is a disconnect from reality that beggars belief.Perhaps the VIX will soon awaken from its slumbers, reflecting a "surprise" plummet in stocks. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-23/who-left-crash-window-open

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Illiquid Corporate Bond Market Will End In "Very Unpleasant Fashion". Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. The hunt for yield is driving investors into riskier debt at just the wrong time. With liquidity in the corporate bond market drying up thanks to new regulations, the rush to the exit is likely to be "very unpleasant," one analyst says.

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Another "Worst Since Lehman" Moment: 70% Of The "Developed" World Has Inflation Less Than 0.5%. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. "Proactive central banks figure this out early and fight the inevitable slowdown by implementing QE and weaker currencies. They grab the other guy’s pizza slice. Their asset markets soar.  As Figure 5 shows, 70% of the world’s developed markets have inflation below 0.5% – almost as high as the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. - Bank of America.

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Saudi Production Comments Send WTI Sliding To $45 Handle. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. The 'supply' weakness in crude has been tempered somewhat by a tumbling USD (EUR surging) for now (and also by news from Sinopec of major capex cuts).

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Frontrunning: March 23

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015 - 07:32

• Saudis keep on pumping, oil prices keep on slumping (Reuters)
• Tenet Healthcare Nearing Deal to Buy United Surgical Partners (WSJ)
• Dizzying Pre-IPO Tech Values Spurred by Rush of Hedge-Fund Money (BBG)
• Russia threatens to aim nuclear missiles at Denmark ships if it joins NATO shield (Reuters)
• Torrent of Cash Exits Eurozone (WSJ)
• Draghi Cheerleads for Euro-Area Economy as Greek Risk Looms (BBG)
• Fortescue Mines for More Financing Options (WSJ)
• Topix Charts Evoke Calm Before ’13 Rout as Momentum Gains (BBG)

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Buying Euphoria Fizzles Ahead Of Make Or Break Tsipras-Merkel Talks. Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/23/2015. as we go into today's critical "final ultimatum" meeting between Merkel and Tsipras, is the why the Dax was lower by 1.1% at last check, even if the EURUSD continues to trade like an illiquid, B-grade currency pair whose only HFT purpose is to slam all stops within 100 pips of whatever the current price may be.

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EURONEWS.com

Prospect of Greek default raises tensions as Merkel and Tsipras meet in Berlin . Dimitris Sotiropoulos, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Athens sees it as a clash between eurozone and Greek national interests: “We have a clash between a democratic mandate to change economic and social policy on one hand, and the requirements of running smoothly an economy within a wider, economic integration project which is European unification.” [ there is moments in history in which to much hidden fat-rats in a house and humans cannot live together  .. either the rats are kicked out or house is burned  .. after humans escape ..  both could happens in a sequence.. ]

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Sarkozy’s UMP party knocks National Front into second place in French local elections. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative UMP party and their allies have won the first round of French local elections, denying Marine Le.  [el burlado por la CIA regresa  a la lucha]

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Anti-austerity sentiment takes root in Andalusia . The Socialists (PSOE) have emerged as winners in the Spanish region of Andalusia in a…  [ el desmontaje de la UE se aproxima raudo ]

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REBELION

Venezuela:  Cómo reaccionar ante la amenaza de Obama?. Atilio Borón. http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=196796

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Brasil. “El FSM encarna la resistencia, la búsqueda de alternativas, la esperanza”

Entrevista a Leonardo Boff por Mauricio Mamanni  http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=196830

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USA reacciona ante vuelco británico hacia el banco de inversiones chino. Juan Luis Berterretche  “Ah,...nada como la amistad de los ingleses. Esa sí que dura... nanosegundos. Nada como la confianza que inspiran los banqueros londinenses... siempre listos para cambiar de bando.” A.L.R. http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=196808

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PRESSTV

Okinawa blocks US base project. Tue Mar 24, 2015 The governor of Japan’s Okinawa Island orders a halt to erecting a new US military base on the island.

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Iraq warplanes target ISIL positions . Tue Mar 24, 2015 Iraq’s Ministry of Defense releases a footage of the army’s airstrikes against ISIL positions in Tikrit.

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Cracks in Washington’s Evil Empire. Tue Mar 24, 2015 Britain, Germany, France, and Italy are reported to have defied Washington’s orders and applied to join the Chinese-led Asian Investment Bank.

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Graham warns Obama of violent backlash. Mon Mar 23, 2015 Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has warned Obama of a violent backlash from Congress if a nuclear deal with Iran goes to the UN for approval first.

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WH: Israel’s ‘50-yr occupation’ must end. Mon Mar 23, 2015 US President Barack Obama’s top aide has called for the end of Israel’s “50-year occupation” of the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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Debate: Militants target civilians in Syria. Mon Mar 23, This edition of the Debate focuses on an HRW report that says Syria's militants target civilians in government-held areas.

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‘NATO seeking to legitimize its existence’. Mon Mar 23, 2015 An analyst says NATO’s recent actions are aimed at legitimizing its existence.

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US Constitution benefits corporations. Mon Mar 23, 2015 US corporations have begun to replace powerless individuals as direct beneficiaries of the First Amendment, a new study suggests.

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Greece calls on EU for more aid. Mon Mar 23, 2015 Greece PM warns EU leaders it will need their help to settle its debts.

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‘66 Syrian civilians dead in US-led raids’. Mon Mar 23, 2015 Over 60 civilians are reportedly killed in US-led strikes in Syria.

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‘Ukrainians reject Poroshenko policies’. Mon Mar 23, 2015 A recent poll shows that two-thirds of Ukrainians disapprove of the way their country is run by President Poroshenko.

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‘US government is corrupt oligarchy’ . Mon Mar 23, 2015 The US government is an undemocratic “oligarchy” where members of Congress are awash in corruption, a political analyst says.

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UK OK’s arms sales to states of HR worries, Mon Mar 23, 2015 The UK has reportedly approved billions of dollars in arms sales licenses to countries of human rights concern.

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Israel snubs UN session on Gaza war. Mon Mar 23, 2015 Israel shuns the UN Human Rights Council’s special session on the 2014 Gaza war.

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‘US carrier in UK before ISIL strike’ . Mon Mar 23, 2015 A US aircraft carrier anchors off the British shore before deployment in the Middle East, says report.

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Okinawa orders halt to US base work. Mon Mar 23, 2015 The governor of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture orders a halt on the construction of a controversial US military airbase there.

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‘US never brings to justice war criminals’. Mon Mar 23, 2015 An American army infantryman says the US would never bring to justice real war criminals.

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Palestinians slam Israel water policy. Mon Mar 23, 2015 Palestinian authorities censure Israel's unjust distribution of water resources.

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‘Riyadh promoting sectarian war in Yemen’. Mon Mar 23, 2015 A political analyst says Saudi Arabia is promoting sectarian wars between Shia and Sunni groups throughout the Arab world, including in Yemen.

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NATO urges all-out aid, arms for Kiev. Mon Mar 23, 2015 NATO’s top military commander urges the West to employ all tools to help Kiev in response to Moscow’s support for pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine.

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‘Syrian opposition groups lack mass support’ Mon Mar 23, 2015 A political analyst says since the Syrian opposition rely on foreign assistance to be able to continue their fight against the Syrian government.

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‘US' WMDs biggest threat to world’ . Mon Mar 23, 2015 A political analyst says the WMDs produced by the US and its allies are the main threats to global security.

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