He's Baaaaaaack

"Ruh-roh"  Scooby Doo

"Vladimir V. Putin, who for more than a decade has labored to consolidate authority in Russia under his control, will run for president next year, replacing his protégé, Dmitri A. Medvedev, and possibly extending his rule until 2024.  Analysts have long speculated that Mr. Medvedev would act as a placeholder for Mr. Putin, who can now legally return to the presidency for a third term after spending four years as prime minister."

Source: NY Times

It's not like he ever left, did he?

"Sleep securely, our new leadership is in place. I hope that Putin doesn't get a hold of him!"
Random Roving, January 7, 2011

Regulatory Coordination

Printing money like mad-men is bad enough, but removing the "short" option really tells you something.
"Short-selling bans on selected European bank stocks have been extended by regulators until the end of September in an unprecedented degree of regulatory co-ordination."
Source: FT

Opa All Over Again?

As Yogi Berra might say "is it Opa all over again?". 

"European stock markets fell sharply on Monday, with banks like Societe Generale SA sinking on concerns Greece could default on its debt ahead of crisis talks aimed at determining whether the embattled nation gets the next round of much-needed aid."
Market Watch, 9/19/11

"We are moving apart. Organizations like the European Union are in the process of "fragmenting". During an upward trending mass social mood, we make peace and sign peace treaties. We form cooperative organizations during these times and merge currencies. Now, the tide has shifted. Keep an eye on the EU. As Greece, Spain, and others continue to feel "the pain", their partners in the EU will continue to ask 'why are we being dragged down by them?'."
Random Roving, March 30, 2010

Opa 1

Opa 2

Opa 3