Later this afternoon, Janet Yellen must fulfill her role as “Soother-in-Chief” of the world economy. Can she accomplish that without compromising her role as “Truth-Teller-In-Chief?” It will be a tightrope walk.

Since the middle end of August, lethargy seems to have haunted almost every market you can name.

We’d like to begin with Volkswagen’s suicidal attempt to skirt pollution sensors and controls on their automobiles, essentially creating a fraud that at some point may lead to criminal charges.