News Summary

• US national debt has ballooned and the costs of the Iran war are mounting.
• Investors now must consider which poison will cause the least harm.
• The one thing over which there is no dispute is that, if there is a meltdown, interest rates will provide the trigger.
• Unlike the global financial crisis, where debt problems emerged out of left field, monetary authorities and market regulators are warning and preparing for the worst this time around.
• In Australia, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is taking a helicopter view of national financial markets to ensure they are operating for the interests of all.