United States

Submitted by Erico Matias Tavares via Sinclair & Co.,

The weekly rail traffic report published by the Association of American Railroads (“AAR”) provides a great snapshot of US economic activity almost in real (weekly) time.

Last July we noted that we were starting to witness some signals of a trend change, now suggesting a softening. But much has happened since then, including a broadly unexpected change in the political direction of the US. Have those signals been reversed as a result?

Is Trump Already Finished?

Paul Craig Roberts

It did not take long before we knew there was no hope of change from President Obama. But at least he went into his inauguration with an unprecedented number of Americans on the Mall showing their support for the President of Change. Hope was abundant.

But with Trump, we are already losing faith, if not yet with him, at least with his choice of those who comprise his government even before Trump is inaugurated.

Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

Hours after WaPo reports anonymous sources claiming Trump's national security adviser Flynn contacted Russian officials, and Politico details Hillary's dealing with Ukrainian officials, the Senate Intelligence Committee announced in a statement that it will launch an inquiry to look at any links between Russia and individuals associated with U.S. political campaigns as part of bipartisan inquiry into Russia and cyber activity.

Full Statement: Joint Statement on Committee Inquiry into Russian Intelligence Activities

Tell us if you have heard this one before.

The Washington Post reports that two people familiar with the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claim that President-elect Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, held multiple phone conversations with Russia's ambassador to Washington on the day the US announced retaliation for Moscow's interference in the election.

The phone calls were first reported by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius.