Under Fire from All Sides

Watchdog ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 179-188
Author(s):  
Richard Cordray

With the Wells Fargo case reaffirming the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mission, its future seemed assured. But a few weeks later in October 2016, Judge (soon-to-be Justice) Kavanaugh wrote an opinion that leveled a direct blow to the bureau’s independence. His ruling for the court of appeals held that the Constitution requires the president to have the power to replace the bureau’s director anytime, for any reason. In November, Donald Trump was elected president. Inauguration Day was only two and a half months away, and the bureau would be under fire from all three branches of the government. With renewed calls from the financial industry for Cordray to be fired, the bureau was at a crossroads. This chapter chronicles the steps that the bureau and Cordray himself took to stave off and, if necessary, contest his firing.

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-26

This section comprises international, Arab, Israeli, and U.S. documents and source materials, as well as an annotated list of recommended reports. Significant developments this quarter: In the international diplomatic arena, the UN Security Council approved Resolution 2334, reaffirming the illegality of Israeli settlements and calling for a return to peace negotiations. Additionally, former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry delivered a final address on the Israel-Palestine conflict, outlining a groundwork for negotiations. Two weeks later, international diplomats met in Paris to establish incentives for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to return to the negotiating table. Despite international discussions of peace talks and the impediment settlements pose to a two-state solution, the Israeli Knesset passed the controversial Regulation Law, enabling the government to retroactively legalize settlements and confiscate Palestinian land throughout the West Bank. Meanwhile, U.S. president Donald Trump took office on 20 January 2017, and he wasted no time before inviting Netanyahu to the White House for their first meeting, in February.


2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson Behm

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that when quitam relators file a multi-claim complaint under the Fraudulent Claims Act (FCA), their share of the proceeds must be based on an individual analysis of each claim. More importantly, the court held that relators are not entitled to any portion of the settlement of a specific claim if that claim was subject to dismissal under section 3730(e)(4) Relator Merena filed a quitam suit against his employer, SmithKline Beecham (SKB), claiming, among other things, that SKB defrauded the government by billing for laboratory tests that were not performed, paying illegal kickbacks to health care providers, and participating in an “automated chemistry” scheme. Soon thereafter, additional relators filed suit.


AGROFOR ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutamuliza EULARIE ◽  
Giramata AURORE

Commercial Banks worldwide are identified to be one of the key players in the financial industry that have positively affected individuals involved in business, and the economy at large, through the functions they perform in the economy. However, inadequate financing in the activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is still the major constraint faced by people involved in business activities. Even though the Government of Rwanda has made effort to improve the accessibility to credit, entrepreneurs still have some challenges to access financial services in order to improve their businesses. The purpose of this research was to assess the contribution of commercial banks in financing SMEs in Rwanda. A sample of 60 SMEs was selected in Kigali and Southern Province of Rwanda. Data was collected from the respondents through a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage distributions. A Pearson Chi-Square Test was used to analyze the relationship between commercial banks and SMEs in Rwanda. The results indicated that the main purposes of loan application were start-up capital, working capital and expansion of businesses. The results also revealed that there was positive relationship between commercial banks and SMEs in Rwanda. The results revealed as well, that commercial banks in Rwanda played a crucial role in contribution to SME’s economic development and small and medium entrepreneurs who got credit from commercial banks expanded their businesses and increased their income.


2021 ◽  
Vol 235 ◽  
pp. 02080
Author(s):  
Shuwei Harold Sun ◽  
Allen Wang ◽  
Huan Yu

This paper uses the relevant data from 2008 to 2017 to construct a multiple linear regression equation, and uses the generalized moment estimation model to explore the impact of financial development on industrial structure adjustment from the perspective of financial scale and efficiency. The results show that financial efficiency can promote the rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure, but the impact of financial scale on industrial structure is two-sided. Increasing financial scale can increase the amount of industrial financing and accelerate the process of industrial structure upgrading. However, blindly increasing the supply of loans will lead to the birth of bad investment, thus failing to promote the rationalization of industrial structure. Based on this, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions, such as promoting the diversified development of the financial industry, improving the imbalance of financial development in various provinces, promoting the reasonable investment structure and the development of high-tech industry, and giving full play to the role of the government.


Author(s):  
Xiaomin Du ◽  
Xiangxiang Lang

Due to the three functions of cost reduction, disintermediation, and information asymmetry, internet finance continues to impact the traditional banking business in the financial industry, posing a new competitive risk for commercial banks. In developing countries such as China, given the imperfect development of the financial market, the government needs to introduce a series of policies, but new policies will bring the risk of market uncertainty. Due to the double uncertainty of the market and the system in developing countries, commercial banks are caught between competitive and new policy risks. Therefore, exploring the impact of these two risks on the performance of commercial banks is very important to allow commercial banks to discern, resist, and respond to risks. This research uses the data of A-share listed banks for the past 10 years. Empirical research shows that internet finance and interest rate liberalization have a negative impact on bank performance. The liberalization of interest rates further increases the negative impact of internet finance on bank performance.


2019 ◽  
pp. 441-450
Author(s):  
Scott MacDonald

Russian-American filmmaker Maxim Pozdorovkin has made a series of films documenting Russia in the age of Putin, including the well-known Pussy Riot (2013), about the radical feminist performance group. This interview focuses specifically on Our New President (2017), which traces the Hillary Clinton/Donald Trump presidential race and the Trump election as depicted in Russian propaganda. Pozdorovkin’s film is a significant contribution to the recent history of recycled cinema. The political weaponizing of media to produce “fake news” is the focus of Our New President. Pozdorovkin demonstrates that in the 2010s propaganda is not so much misinformation carefully embedded in an otherwise informative context, but an attempt to overwhelm by creating total media confusion. He makes clear that in Russia the government controls all major news outlets and hacking into the online networks of other nations is considered patriotism.


Humanomics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-370
Author(s):  
Faried Kurnia Rahman ◽  
Mohammad Ali Tareq ◽  
Rochania Ayu Yunanda ◽  
Akbariah Mahdzir

Purpose The halal industry is one of the most growing industries in the world. It refers to the industry in line with Islamic principles and requirements. The emergence of this industry aims to fulfil the requirement of Islamic-compliant products and services. Surprisingly, the industry has been growing in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. Assessing the performance of the industry will be notable for ensuring that it obtains its objectives. The proper performance measurement should highlight business perspectives and religious aspects. This study aims to explore the current issues and challenges in developing Maqashid Al-Shari’ah-based performance measurement in the halal industry. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative research using in-depth interviews, and uses content analysis to interpret and explain the interview result. Interviews were conducted with experts in Maqashid Al-Shari’ah and Islamic capital markets. Findings The existence of the concept of Maqashid Al-Shari’ah is to create maslahah for all human beings. The development of Maqashid Al-Shari’ah performance measurement for the business is very important. It has only been developed for Islamic financial industry. Unfortunately, it is found that the development of Maqashid Al-Shari’ah performance measurement has not been carried out comprehensively in non-financial industry. The main issue is the absence of the applicable measurements. Therefore, collective decision is required to develop the appropriate measurements. Practical implications There is a necessity for regulator to produce standards on Maqashid Al-Shari’ah-based performance measurement. The government policy plays an important role in the development and implementation of Maqashid Al-Shari’ah -based measurement index. Originality/value This paper highlights the issue of the development of Maqashid Al-Shari’ah -based performance measurement in halal business and commerce which has not much discussed in prior studies.


Author(s):  
Ingan Tarigan ◽  
Taty Suryati

Abstrak Pogram Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) salah satunya bertujuan memberikan perlindungan finansial khususnya biaya katastropik terhadap semua peserta. Penerima manfaat JKN berhak mendapatkan berbagai layanan sebagai bagian dari paket manfaat dasar tanpa mengeluarkan biaya pelayanan, dan diharapkan Out of Pocket (OOP) akan lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan mereka yang tidak memiliki asuransi kesehatan. Tujuan penulisan akan membandingkan total pengeluaran untuk kesehatan dari peserta jaminan kesehatan dengan yang tidak memiliki jaminan kesehatan pada awal era JKN. Dalam analisis ini, pengukuran pengeluaran perawatan kesehatan hanya mencakup biaya pengobatan langsung, seperti biaya konsultasi, pemakaian kamar di rumah sakit dan obat-obatan. Analisis dengan menggunakan data Susenas 2014 terdiri dari 274.673 individu dan 71.051 rumah tangga di 33 provinsi di Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada awal era JKN ada sedikit perbedaan OOP pada penduduk miskin dibandingkan dengan penduduk dimana proteksi finansial terhadap penduduk miskin untuk pengeluaran kesehatan masih rendah.Kepemilikan jaminan kesehatan memberikan proteksi finansial akibat pengeluaran biaya kesehatan, khususnya pengeluaran biaya katastropik dibandingkan dengan yang tidak memiliki jaminan kesehatan. Kepesertaan penduduk miskin ditargetkan tahun 2019 sudah terpenuhi sehingga target pemerintah tentang Universal Health Coverage (UHC) perlindungan finansial pada penduduk miskin dan hampir miskin semakin tinggi atau OOP semakin mendekati nol. Kata kunci: OOP, Pembiayaan, Asuransi Kesehatan Abstract One of the main objectives of the JKN program is to provide financial protection, especially catastrophic costs to all members. JKN beneficiaries are entitled to various services as part of the basic benefit package without incurring service costs, and it is expected that Out of Pocket (OOP) will be lower than those who do not have health insurance. The purpose of writing will be to compare the total health expenditures of health insurance participants or beneficiaries and those without health insurance. In this analysis, the measurement of health care expenditures only includes direct medical expenses, such as consultation fees, hospital room usage and medication. Using Susenas data 2014 consists of 274,673 individuals and 71,051 households in 33 provinces in Indonesia. At the beginning of the JKN implementation, there was little difference of out of pocket in the poorest population compared to the richest population. This shows that financial protection to the poor for health expenditures are still low. The ownership of health insurance tends to provide financial protection due to health expenditures, especially catastrophic expenses compared to those without health insurance. In the Year of 2019 where the government targeted to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) expected protection financial on the poor and near poor is getting higher or out of pocket or getting closer up to zero. Keywords: OOP, Financial Protection, Health Insurance


Subject Cuba tourism challenges. Significance The US State Department in March reduced tourist visas for Cuban nationals, in a further sign of cooling bilateral relations. Under US President Donald Trump, several confidence-building bilateral measures introduced under former President Barack Obama have been rolled back, with limits on tourist visits and investment in Cuba by US firms reinstated. This is set to have a major impact on the tourism industry, one of the main drivers of Cuba’s economic growth and a key sector for investment by US companies. Impacts The Venezuela crisis will exacerbate Cuba-US tensions, with Washington blaming Havana for supporting Caracas. The government will prioritise tourism investment over social spending, potentially reducing incomes for Cubans. Conversely, tighter US rules may trigger a brief surge in US tourism to Cuba, for fear that the window of opportunity to visit is closing.


1945 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-463
Author(s):  
Albert B. Saye

Fully as interesting as the provisions of the proposed new constitution that will be submitted to the voters of Georgia at a special election on August 7, 1945, is the method by which the document was framed. The constitution of the state now in force, adopted in 1877 soon after the state was freed from carpet-bag rule, is a long and complicated document, filled with detailed limitations on the government, particularly in the field of finance. As a result of the inclusion of numerous provisions statutory in nature, the document has been amended three hundred and one times in a period of sixty-eight years. Recognizing the need for a new constitution, the Institute of Public Affairs of the University of Georgia drew up A Proposed Constitution for Georgia in 1931. This document proposed a thorough revision of the structure of the government, including such radical changes as the substitution of 30 districts for the existing 161 counties as the basis of representation in the General Assembly. The widespread publicity given the document served to stimulate interest in constitutional revision, and most of the press of the state, notably the Atlanta Journal, has in recent years actively supported the movement.In March, 1943, the General Assembly passed a resolution, sponsored by Governor Ellis Arnall, providing for a commission of twenty-three members to revise the constitution. The commission was to be composed of the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, three members of the senate appointed by the president, five members of the house appointed by the speaker, a justice of the supreme court designated by the court, a judge of the court of appeals designated by the court, the attorney general, the state auditor, two judges of the superior courts, three practicing attorneys-at-law, and three laymen to be appointed by the governor. The resolution provided that the report of this commission should be submitted to the General Assembly either in the form of proposed amendments to the constitution or as a proposed new constitution, to be acted upon by the General Assembly and submitted to the people for ratification or rejection.


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