SNB & CHF

The wordsmiths at the Federal Reserve wisely omitted the line about a “sound and resilient” banking system in its statement on January 31. That same day shares of New York Community Bank plunged when the bank announced a loss of thirty-six cents per share when analysts expected earnings of twenty-seven cents a share for the fourth quarter. Internal or external auditors occasionally comb through individual loans in a bank’s portfolio and make judgments as to whether...

No one was surprised last November when the Pentagon failed its sixth audit, serving up a sorry record of zero and six. The accomplishment received little mainstream media coverage. Scott Ritter excoriated his former employer (and mine) over the fraud, pointing out that the money wasted and the scope of the United States military activity is so massive, it is nearly incomprehensible to most Americans. Ritter points out that audits are done by accountants, and while...

In a 1922 essay about Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in his book Prejudices: Third Series H.L. Mencken asked, “Am I the first American to note the fundamental nonsensicality of the Gettysburg Address”? One example of the nonsense of Lincoln’s rhetoric as explained by Mencken is as follows: “Think of the argument in it. Put it into the cold words of everyday. The doctrine is simply this: that the Union soldiers who died at Gettysburg sacrificed their lives to the cause...

Bob goes solo to give a point-by-point rebuttal to James Lindsay's recent essay arguing that "national divorce means national suicide." Bob argues that James employs inconsistent claims and ignores the tremendous economic boon to an independent Texas. James Lindsay's Article "National Divorce is National Suicide": Mises.org/HAP434a Bob's Book "Common Sense: The Case for an Independent Texas": Mises.org/HAP434b AntiWar.com Article on Gaza: Mises.org/HAP434c Scott...

It’s been a year since a devastating series of earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. In this week’s Inside Geneva podcast we take a look at earthquake response: how do emergency workers even begin, when the destruction, as it was last year, is so great? When whole towns are flattened? How do international teams work with local emergency services? Join host Imogen Foulkes to learn more 👇 🎧Apple podcasts:...

Today we look back at the long battle for universal suffrage in Switzerland. Women only gained the right to vote in federal elections after a referendum on February 7, 1971. Tap here for more 👉 https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/video-this-day-in-history--when-swiss-women-got-the-vote/49170142 --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more...

The International Court of Justice (the United Nations’ top court) is considering charges of genocide against Israel. The case was brought by South Africa. Can that really work? Or will this high-profile case simply distract from other human rights violations? Find out all about it in our Inside Geneva podcast 👇 🎧Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/a-look-into-south-africas-genocide-case-against-israel/id1506227169?i=1000642605195 🎧Spotify:...

It’s one year since devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. Inside Geneva talks to search and rescue teams who were there:   Filip Kirazov, from Search and Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID) says: “Every member of SARAID is a volunteer. So no one gets paid for any of the work we do. Our sole aim is to minimize human suffering, due to the impact of natural or manmade disasters.”   And to local business leaders who had tried to prepare for such a...

As Switzerland’s first female defence minister, Viola Amherd has overcome the masculine power structures of the Swiss Army. ⁠ ⁠ 🔗Tap here to to read more about her personal life and career. 👉 https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/after-conquering-army--viola-amherd-steps-into-role-of-swiss-president/49089984 --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international...

From a campaign against street harassment to high speed on the ski slopes and rising prices for streaming services. 🚫🎿📺 Here are three news stories from Switzerland this week. What do you think about them? Let us know in the comments. And follow the links below to read more. 🎿Most Swiss skiers exceed 50km/h: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/most-swiss-skiers-exceed-50km-h/49166644 📺 ‘Massive’ price increases for video streaming services in Switzerland:...