Human Interest

The last 4 months have seen a notable change in the jobless claims regime. After ratcheting lower week after week for 5 years, initial jobless claims have risen from 42 year lows at 243k in October to 293k today. The first time we reached these levels was July 2014 and claims are rising at the fastest rate since the financial crisis. Crucially for those who look at 'record' low jobless claims as a positive, history tells us that is the time to worry as recessions loom on the upswing.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif have built a personal trust that has enabled diplomacy to begin overcoming decades of distrust, but this promising U.S.-Iranian relationship remains fragile and could disappear once a new president takes office, warn Trita Parsi and Tyler Cullis. By Trita Parsi and Tyler Cullis…

2015 was officially the hottest year on record, following a gradual rise in temperatures worldwide for over a century. The Hindu reports: The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and NASA announced on Wednesday that 2015 was by far the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping. The NOAA said 2015’s temperature was 58.62°F (14.79°C), passing 2014 by a record margin of 0.29°F. That’s 1.62°F above the 20-century average. NASA, which measures differently, said 2015 was 0.23°F warmer than the record set in 2014.

Bob Dole slammed Ted Cruz and warned against nominating him:

“I don’t know how he’s going to deal with Congress,” he said. “Nobody likes him.”

But Mr. Dole said he thought Mr. Trump could “probably work with Congress, because he’s, you know, he’s got the right personality and he’s kind of a deal-maker.”

The remarks by Mr. Dole reflect wider unease with Mr. Cruz among members of the Republican establishment, but few leading members of the party have been as candid and cutting.

You know America's economy (and politicians) has become entirely financialized when Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says the following:

• *REID: LAWMAKERS SHOULD `STAY CALM' DESPITE STOCK MARKET DROP
• *REID: TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT RESPONSE TO STOCK-MARKET DROP

Stocks are down 10% from their highs after doubling or more for 6 years. Speechless.

Here's why!!