Politics

The U.S. monthly international trade deficit increased in October 2016 according to the U.S. Census Bureau, rising from $36.2 billion in September (revised lower from $36.4 billion) to $42.6 billion in October, higher than the $41.8BN consensus estimate, as exports decreased and imports increased which was to be expected following the recent surge in the US Dollar. The goods deficit increased $6.3 billion in October to $63.4 billion. The services surplus decreased $0.1 billion in October to $20.8 billion.

With last Friday's phone call between Donald Trump and Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen which broke decades of US protocol, still creating ripples among diplomatic circles and the political punditry, not to mention continue to fascinate the media which leads today with such speculative headlines as Wooed by Trump, Taiwan Trembles, China urges U.S. to block transit by Taiwan president, U.S.

The oil company company responsible for constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline has openly stated that they will defy an order by the Army Corps of Engineers who refused to grant them permission to extend the pipeline beneath a Missouri River reservoir on Sunday. Energy Transfer Partners have said that the denial of an easement necessary to drill under the river is of no consequence for its plans to complete the project.

Update: it appears that early elections are indeed coming to Italy, which could be another major calendar event for Italy, and one which would have far more significant consequences for the political make up of the country should M5S win as many expect. From Reuters:

ITALY INTERIOR MINISTER, SPEAKING AFTER CONVERSATION WITH RENZI, SEES NEW ELECTIONS LIKELY IN FEBRUARY - CORRIERE DELLA SERA 

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Back in November 2015, when the world (or at least parts of it) was trying to answer one simple question: where does ISIS get its money, we first provided the answer in "Meet The Man Who Funds ISIS: Bilal Erdogan, The Son Of Turkey's President." Subsequent articles such as "ISIS Oil Trade Full Frontal: "Raqqa's Rockefellers", Bilal Erdogan, KRG Crude, And The Israel Connection" only shed more light on the illegal cash-for-oil transfer taking place between Turkey's ruling family and the Islamic State.