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Moody's Considers Municipal Ratings Changes That Could Push Illinois Into Junk Territory

Moody's Considers Municipal Ratings Changes That Could Push Illinois Into Junk Territory

A few weeks ago, we expressed some level of astonishment that the rating agencies, in their infinite wisdom, decided to bestow an investment grade rating upon a new $3 billion bond issuance by the City of Chicago.  Of course, this wouldn't be such a big deal but for the fact that the state of Illinois is a financial disaster that will undoubtedly be forced into bankruptcy at some point in the future courtesy of a staggering ~$150 billion funding gap on its public pensions, a mountain of debt and $16.4 billion in accrued AP because they can't even afford to pay their bills on a timely basis.

Austria's Anti-Immigrant Freedom Party Enters Government; Wins Key Ministry Posts

Austria's Anti-Immigrant Freedom Party Enters Government; Wins Key Ministry Posts

Two months ago, in Europe's latest shocking, anti-establishment outcome, Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz became the world's youngest leader after his conservative People's Party won the Austrian National Council elections, making him Austria's youngest Chancellor in history, while the establishment Social Democrat party suffered its "worst result since Hitler rule."

Sebastian Kurz and his girlfriend Susanne Thier

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