Notations On Our World (Special Friday Edition): On The Status of the World Economy

The Economist released this earlier this week on the status of the World Economy in 2018:

This is as this was released from Goldman Sachs:

Strong growth and divergence in inflation and monetary policy are among the key themes likely to define the year ahead for the US, Euro area, and Asia Pacific region, according to 2018 macroeconomic outlooks from Goldman Sachs Research. As discussed in a new video series, GS Research's regional economists forecast: Above-trend growth in the US, Euro area, and Japan, and continued strength across Asia (albeit a modest slowdown in China). India in particular is likely to see a rebound, with Chief Asia-Pacific Economist Andrew Tilton predicting 8% growth as aftershocks from 2017's demonetization and new taxes wane. Firming inflation in the US and Asia, but continued "lowflation" for Europe. While the Euro area, like the US and Asia, has seen economic slack decline over the last year, Chief Europe Economist Huw Pill says subdued wage growth and price pressures in Germany should keep area-wide inflation well below the ECB's ~2% target. As such, you can expect... Monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve and Asian central banks, but continued dovishness from the ECB. The Fed in particular is likely to lean against "too much of a good thing" by meeting above-trend growth, low unemployment, and firming inflation with four interest rate hikes in 2018 -- a forecast that puts Chief Economist Jan Hatzius above market and FOMC expectations. Watch videos Read report

Notations On Our World (Special Thursday Edition): On #IranProtests

As we went to press, protests seem to have dissipated a bit--although sporadic protests are continuing.   Thousands have been under arrest and a number of detainees have died in custody.   One of the leading internal voices of dissent inside Iran, Professor Zibakalam of Tehran University, released this on his Twitter Feed earlier today Tehran Time that is in Farsi:

جناب آقای رئیس جمهور باسلام،
"خودکشی"بازداشتی هادرحال افزایش اند ایضادستگیری های معترضینی که فرمودیددرچارچوب"حقوق شهروندی"از حق اعتراض برخورداربوده اند. اصل۱۱۳قانون اساسی نخستین وظیفه جنابعالی را"اجرای قانون اساسی" برشمرده.آیارفتارهای فوق حسب قانون اساسی می باشند؟
صادق زیباکلام

— صادق زيباكلام (@sadeghZibakalam) January 11, 2018

Our team's "rough" translation of this entails the fact that such deaths are against the Iranian Constitution and he has been derelict in his duty to abide by the Constitution.     Our team will continue to assess....

Notations On Our World (Special Mid-Week Edition): #StandUp4HumanRights

It is the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The UN has embarked on a unique project for all to participate to "Read out Loud" Rights which we hope all can join--Our team plans to:

#StandUp4HumanRights & join @antonioguterres & people around the world by reading your #RightsOutLoud here: https://t.co/yjAPdRVSYk pic.twitter.com/6z5M25wjfK

— United Nations (@UN) January 7, 2018

We present these compilation of thoughts courtesy of +Jonathan Huie and his team on this anniversary and as we gear up for #MLKDay to embrace the outlook and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr On January 15: 

Hatred does not cease by hatred,
but only by love;
this is the eternal rule.
- The Buddha

Return love for hate.
- Anonymous

Hate destroys, Love builds.
Hate tears down, Love renews and creates.
Hatred holds no hope for the future.
Love creates Today as its own better future.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie