@16:12, 4/9/19

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1

Seattle Real Estate in March: Sales down 7.8% YoY, Inventory up 136% YoY from Low Levels

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 1 hour ago

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported Housing Market Rebounds From February Freeze Both pending sales and new listing activity around Western Washington surged during March as buyers, sellers, and brokers emerged from February's record snowfall. ... At month end, there were 12,017 active listings of single family homes and condos in the Northwest MLS database. That represents *an increase of more than 36 percent from a year ago* when there were only 8,825 active listings. Inventory more than doubled in King County compared to a year ago, rising from 2,060 active listings t... more » 

These are not happy numbers.

2 

News Analysis: In Trump, Netanyahu Sees an Ally Who Helps Him Push the Envelope

MARK LANDLER at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

President Trump has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the political cover to embrace a position that critics say would all but extinguish the dream of a viable Palestinian state.

The election is too close to call.

Wait for the count.

The shooting will continue.

3 

Political Memo: Democrats Used to Campaign. Now Everyone Has a ‘Movement.’

ASTEAD W. HERNDON at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago

The language shift reflects a party that is seeking to appease its newly empowered activist base, which has been emboldened since President Trump’s surprise victory in the 2016 election

"I am a member of no organized party.

I am a Democrat."        Will Rodgers

 4 

Philly Fed: State Coincident Index

es increased in 42 states in February

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 3 hours ago

From the Philly Fed: The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has released the coincident indexes for the 50 states for February 2019. Over the past three months, the indexes increased in 44 states, decreased in three states, and remained stable in three, for a three month diffusion index of 82. I*n the past month, the indexes increased in 42 states, decreased in four states, and remained stable in four*, for a one-month diffusion index of 76. emphasis added Note: These are coincident indexes constructed from state employment data. An explanation from the Philly Fed: The coincid... more » 

The Federal Reserve will hold interest rates.

5

U.S. Readies $11 Billion in Tariffs on E.U.

ANA SWANSON at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago

The U.S. and Europe said they are preparing to impose tit-for-tat tariffs as part of a long dispute over aerospace subsidies.

Trump shoots self in foot.

6 

William Barr Says Mueller Report Will Be Public ‘Within a Week’

KATIE BENNER, NICHOLAS FANDOS and CHARLIE SAVAGE at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago

Pointless.

7

Eric Swalwell, California Congressman, Is Running for President

MAGGIE ASTOR at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago

Mr. Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, has gained notoriety as a critic of President Trump’s foreign and immigration policies.

He is welcome to try.  He must attend Congress.

8 

BLS: Job Openings Decreased to 7.1 Million in February

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 6 hours ago

Notes: In February there were 7.581 million job openings, and, according to the February Employment report, there were 6.235 million unemployed. So, for the twelfth consecutive month, there were more job openings than people unemployed. Also note that the number of job openings has exceeded the number of hires since January 2015 (over 4 years). From the BLS: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary *The number of job openings fell to 7.1 million on the last business day of February*, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires and separations were littl... more » 

Ancient history.

9

Live Briefing: Barr to Appear Before Congress as Lawmakers Await the Mueller Report

KATIE BENNER and NICHOLAS FANDOS at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago

Attorney General William P. Barr is hoping for a routine budget hearing, even as lawmakers plan to grill him about his handling of the special counsel’s findings.

Congress will not wait.

11 

Devin Nunes Sues McClatchy Newspaper Chain, Alleging ‘Character Assassination’

DANIEL VICTOR at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago

The congressman from California, who sued Twitter last month, is now seeking $150 million in a defamation lawsuit over an article in The Fresno Bee.

Truth is an absolute defense.

12 

Small Business Optimism Index increased slightly in March

Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 7 hours ago

CR Note: Most of this survey is noise, but there is some information, especially on the labor market and the "Single Most Important Problem". From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): March 2019 Report: Small Business Optimism Index *The Small Business Optimism Index improved slightly, increasing 0.1 points to 101.8*. Three Index components fell, two were unchanged, and five improved. The major soft spot was in inventories: stocks were viewed as too large (a negative in the Index) and plans to invest in inventories turned slightly negative (e.g. more firms plan re... more » 

Believing Trump is dangerous to your wealth.

13 

A Police Officer Shot a Woman in Pajamas. Here’s Why It May Be Hard to Convict Him.

RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr. at NYT > Politics - 9 hours ago

Prosecutors may not find it easy to convince a jury that a former Minneapolis officer committed a crime when he fatally shot an Australian woman while on duty. Here’s why.

The police are easily frightened.

14 

Mnuchin Says White House and Treasury Discussed Trump Tax Return Request

ALAN RAPPEPORT at NYT > Politics - 9 hours ago

The Treasury secretary, who is testifying before House lawmakers on Tuesday, said it would be “premature” to comment on how Treasury would respond to the request.

The treasury has no choice.  They will send the papers.

15 

The Ongoing Libyan Catastrophe

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 10 hours ago

It’s worth remembering that before Hillary Clinton convinced Barack Obama to support bombing the hell out of Libya, Libya had the highest standard of living in Africa. Today, it has open air slave markets and is fought over by various Jihadist groups. The so-called central government is a punching bag. Even if you thought Libya […]

France must have been important.

16 

On Politics: Trump’s Purge of Homeland Security

NYT > Politics - 15 hours ago

President Trump moved to purge top officials from Department of Homeland Security, including its cabinet secretary and the head of the Secret Service.

The Mexicans are not going home.

17 

Pompeo Bars 16 Saudis From U.S. in Response to Khashoggi Killing

DAVID E. SANGER at NYT > Politics - 15 hours ago

The list included one of Prince Mohammed’s closest aides, but not the prince himself, despite U.S. intelligence agencies concluding he was responsible for sending the team to kill Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump wants cheap oil.

18 

Justice Dept. Works on Applying Sentencing Law as Critics Point to Delays

KATIE BENNER at NYT > Politics - 19 hours ago

A key part of the sweeping criminal justice overhaul passed in December was supposed to be in place within 30 days.

Trump is a sadist.

19 

Eric Swalwell, California Congressman, Is Running for President

MAGGIE ASTOR at NYT > Politics - 19 hours ago

Mr. Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, has gained notoriety as a critic of President Trump’s foreign and immigration policies.

trump does not read.

20 

News Analysis: In Trump, Netanyahu Sees an Ally Who Helps Him Push the Envelope

MARK LANDLER at NYT > Politics - 19 hours ago

President Trump has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the political cover to embrace a position that critics say would all but extinguish the dream of a viable Palestinian state.

A new genocide.

21 

Push to Obtain Trump’s N.Y. Tax Returns Wins Cuomo’s Support

JESSE McKINLEY at NYT > Politics - 19 hours ago

Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined state lawmakers in an effort to compel elected officials, most notably President Trump, to release their tax returns.

Knowledge is better.


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