Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
""A lot of us who were sort of united in this Cold War, particularly in the early years, it kind of brought the country together. We realized we were in a Cold War. Indeed, I think we're in a Cold War, a second Cold War now," former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Tucker Carlson on a podcast last week while discussing topics ranging from the current failing trade system to trade deficits and more.
Continuing the second Cold War theme, we told readers in 2022 that "The New Cold War Has Begun."
Over the last decade, the US spent $8.4 trillion on defense, while the rest of NATO spent a fraction of that, around $3.8 trillion.
The 'Trump Effect' has created an urgent need for EU countries to boost defense spending in a world where rising geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia drive global superpowers to modernize their armed forces.
In the Americas, Trump has been bolstering efforts to increase hemispheric defense, whether stronger economic integration between the US and Canada or a hardened defense perimeter stretching from the Arctic to the Panama Canal.
Let's visualize Trump's hemispheric defense that ultimately will deter China ...
Lighthizer's view of a second Cold War taking shape is correct.
Proxy conflicts between global superpowers, an accelerating arms and AI race, economic sanctions, trade wars, and cyber warfare are some of the classic hallmarks of a new Cold War unfolding for the last decade.
Regarding global military expenditures, Goldman analyst Germaine Khong told clients that the figure topped $2.6 trillion in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of GDP - up from 2.2% in 2021-22, with much of the increase coming from European and Asian countries.
Khong cited the Geopolitical Risk (GPR) index, a measure of adverse geopolitical events and associated risks based on a count of newspaper headlines covering geopolitical tensions, which finds heightened perceived risk and tension amid conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as a worsening Sino-U.S. trade war.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Aerospace & Defense-focused funds have been ripping higher and have received inflows totaling $12 billion, with AUM quadrupling to $24 billion, according to Khong, citing fund flow data from EPFR.
In a separate note, Goldman analyst Sven Jari Stehn and others expect EU defense spending to jump from 1.9% of GDP in 2024 to 2.8% in 2027.
We expect defence spending to increase significantly across the currency union, from 1.9% of GDP in 2024 to 2.8% by 2027 (Exhibit 1, left). We then look for defence spending to eventually reach 3% according to our analysis of Europe's military needs. In Germany, defence spending already increased from 1.5% before 2022 to 2.1% in 2024 and will from now on be largely exempted from the constitutional debt brake (Exhibit 1, right). In France, a multi-annual budget law already enshrines defence spending of 2% until 2030, and political leaders broadly concur on further increases. In Italy and Spain, the increase in defence will start from a lower level—at 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively—and will likely proceed somewhat slower than we had previously anticipated, given recent communication by leading party leaders and the Italian and Spanish Prime Ministers.
Surging global defense spending is one of the hallmarks of the second Cold War. The ongoing arms race, strategic deterrence and posturing by superpowers, proxy wars, and shifting industrial and trade policies are all signs of a world fracturing into what appears to be a bipolar era. To combat this in the Americas, Trump will bolster hemispheric defense."
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Telegraph
Robert Lighthizer: "We're In A Cold War, A Second Cold War Now"
"A lot of us who were sort of united in this Cold War, particularly in the early years, it kind of brought the country together. We realized we were in a Cold War. Indeed, I think we're in a Cold War, a second Cold War now," former US Trade Representative…
Forwarded from Blood Meridian
🇭🇰🇵🇦 CK Hutchison sells Panama ports for $19 billion to BlackRock-led consortium
CK Hutchison Holdings, led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has finalized the sale of its strategic port assets in Panama, including two key ports at the Panama Canal, to a consortium led by BlackRock.
The $19 billion deal marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on core businesses.
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#Panama
☠️ Blood Meridian
CK Hutchison Holdings, led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has finalized the sale of its strategic port assets in Panama, including two key ports at the Panama Canal, to a consortium led by BlackRock.
The $19 billion deal marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on core businesses.
🔎 Source
#Panama
☠️ Blood Meridian
The Standard
CK Hutchison to proceed with Panama ports sale
CK Hutchison (0001) is proceeding with the sale of its ports business to a group led by BlackRock as scheduled, according to Bloomberg News.All parties involved are finalizing due diligence, tax, acco...
Forwarded from South Africa Reports
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Forwarded from South Africa Reports
"“Kill the Boer” is a chant that incites violence. South Africa’s leaders and politicians must take action to protect Afrikaner and other disfavored minorities. The United States is proud to offer those individuals who qualify for admission to our nation amid this continued horrible threat of violence."
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https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/55/10?s=1&r=41
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Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
President Donald Trump appeared to invent a new economic statecraft tactic on Monday by threatening what he dubbed “secondary tariffs” on countries that buy oil from Venezuela to choke off its oil trade with other nations.
The move was meant to pressure Venezuela for the “tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals” that Trump said Venezuela has sent to the US.
“China is the main actor this is directed at because it’s essentially the black market for Venezuelan oil. They would not have to do secondary tariffs if it wasn’t for China.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-25/trump-s-threat-of-secondary-tariffs-invents-new-trade-weapon
https://archive.is/ZIeUf
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Bloomberg.com
Trump’s Threat of ‘Secondary Tariffs’ Invents New Trade Tool
President Donald Trump appeared to invent a new economic statecraft tactic on Monday by threatening what he dubbed “secondary tariffs” on countries that buy oil from Venezuela to choke off its oil trade with other nations.
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
Poland has temporarily suspended the right of migrants arriving in Poland via its border with Belarus to apply for asylum.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced it would be happening after the controversial bill, which will allow Polish authorities to suspend this right for up to 60 days at a time, was signed into law by President Andrzej Duda.
Tusk had said it would be adopted "without a moment's delay" while Duda said the changes were needed to strengthen security on the country's borders.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8719dl587zo
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Bbc
Poland suspends migrants' right to apply for asylum
The law will allow Polish authorities to temporarily spend asylum rights at the border with Belarus.
Forwarded from Tupi Report 🇧🇷 • #FreeVenezuela
• Voter Roll Data (1 million records): Voter roll ID, registry ID, location ID, registry table (or voting table), registry order, ID card, surname, address, date of birth, political party, gender, department ID, district ID, zone ID, sectional ID, sectional local ID.
• Personal Information (7,280,754 records): Person ID, full name, surname, place of birth, profession, gender, address, neighborhood, marital status, date of birth.
• Collectors' Information (7,000 records): Collector identity card, name, coordinator ID, barcode, assigned work, and contact details.
The data is claimed to be available in CSV format. The price for the full data is listed as $10,000.
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https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1905207415789797709
@FelipeChannel
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🏛🇺🇸 🤝 🔵 NYSE-Parent ICE to Explore New Products With Circle's Stablecoin, Tokenized Fund
The two will explore potential applications of USDC and money market fund token USYC in derivatives exchanges, clearinghouses and other operations.
Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, said it plans to explore using Circle's stablecoin and tokenized asset to develop new products, joining a roster of U.S. traditional financial giants pushing into crypto under the Trump administration.
According to an agreement announced on Thursday, the two firms will look at how Circle's USDC stablecoin and USYC tokenized money market fund could be integrated into derivatives exchanges, clearinghouses and other services.
https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/03/27/nyse-parent-to-explore-stablecoins-tokenized-funds-with-circle-for-financial-services
@FelipeChannel
The two will explore potential applications of USDC and money market fund token USYC in derivatives exchanges, clearinghouses and other operations.
Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, said it plans to explore using Circle's stablecoin and tokenized asset to develop new products, joining a roster of U.S. traditional financial giants pushing into crypto under the Trump administration.
According to an agreement announced on Thursday, the two firms will look at how Circle's USDC stablecoin and USYC tokenized money market fund could be integrated into derivatives exchanges, clearinghouses and other services.
https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/03/27/nyse-parent-to-explore-stablecoins-tokenized-funds-with-circle-for-financial-services
@FelipeChannel
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CoinDesk
NYSE-Parent ICE to Explore New Products With Circle's Stablecoin, Tokenized Fund
Intercontinental Exchange and Circle will explore applications of USDC and money market fund token USYC in derivatives exchanges, clearinghouses and other operations.
FelipeChannel
#BREAKING 🥇 📈 🚀GOLD spot hit a new All Time High at $3036/oz! Follow @FelipeChannel
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FelipeChannel
#BREAKING 🥇 📈 🚀GOLD Futures at COMEX hit a new All Time High over $3045/oz for the first time ever! Follow @FelipeChannel
#BREAKING
🥇 📈 🚀GOLD Futures at COMEX hit a new All Time High over $3071.3/oz for the first time ever!
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Switzerland is considering amending its surveillance law to expand into new types of monitoring and data collection.
The changes – which experts argue will put people's anonymity and secure encryption at risk – would widen the net of impacted service providers to virtual private networks (VPNs), messaging apps, and social networks, having previously only impacted mobile networks and internet service providers (ISPs).
Consultations are now public and open until May 6, 2025. Speaking to TechRadar, NymVPN has explained how it's planning to fight against it, alongside encrypted messaging app Threema and Proton, the provider behind one of the best VPN and secure email services on the market.
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/secure-encryption-and-online-anonymity-are-now-at-risk-in-switzerland-heres-what-you-need-to-know
@FelipeChannel
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TechRadar
Secure encryption and online anonymity are now at risk in Switzerland – here's what you need to know
An amendment to the Swiss surveillance law would require VPNs and messaging apps to undermine their privacy and security framework. NymVPN, Proton, and Threema are fighting back.
Goldman Sachs on Wednesday raised its end-2025 gold price forecast to $3,300 per ounce from $3,100, citing stronger-than-expected ETF inflows and sustained central bank demand.
https://x.com/DeItaone/status/1905241989848711599
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X (formerly Twitter)
*Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) on X
GOLDMAN RAISED END-2025 GOLD PRICE FORECAST TO $3,300 FROM $3,100
Goldman Sachs on Wednesday raised its end-2025 gold price forecast to $3,300 per ounce from $3,100, citing stronger-than-expected ETF inflows and sustained central bank demand.
Goldman Sachs on Wednesday raised its end-2025 gold price forecast to $3,300 per ounce from $3,100, citing stronger-than-expected ETF inflows and sustained central bank demand.
The full draft of the STABLE Act of 2025 was released yesterday.
Thread will a few takeaways below
➡️ No yield-bearing stables
➡️ Banks, credit unions, and approved nonbanks can issue
➡️ Must have 1:1 reserves of cash, T-bills (<93d), or other highly liquid, safe assets
➡️ Interop standards may be required
➡️ States can certify their own stablecoin regimes — but they must meet/exceed federal standards
➡️ No algo stables for two years
➡️ 2-year registration grace period
https://x.com/inkymaze/status/1905205214509936826
@FelipeChannel
Thread will a few takeaways below
https://x.com/inkymaze/status/1905205214509936826
@FelipeChannel
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X (formerly Twitter)
Nicholas Cannon (@inkymaze) on X
The full draft of the STABLE Act of 2025 was released yesterday. Thread will a few takeaways below
No yield-bearing stables
No yield-bearing stables
Forwarded from Bitcoin
🚀 Tether is investing €10M for a 30.4% stake in media company Be Water to back tech-driven content creation and global expansion. Part of its broader push into media, biotech, and AI 🚀
📰 https://btctimes.com/tether-invests-in-be-water-to-support-media-and-technology-collaboration/
📣 https://x.com/BTCTimescom/status/1905292809382367236
📰 https://btctimes.com/tether-invests-in-be-water-to-support-media-and-technology-collaboration/
📣 https://x.com/BTCTimescom/status/1905292809382367236
BTC Times
Tether Invests in Be Water To Support Media and Technology Collaboration
Tether is investing €10 million for a 30.4% stake in Be Water to support its tech-driven media expansion.
The Trump administration is retreating from global institutions it sees as at odds with his "America First" economic policies. It plans to quit some, such as the World Health Organization, and has cut contributions to others as part of a broad review of federal spending.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-suspends-financial-contributions-wto-trade-sources-say-2025-03-27/
@FelipeChannel
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Reuters
Exclusive: US pauses financial contributions to WTO, trade sources say
The United States has paused contributions to the World Trade Organization, three trade sources told Reuters, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration ramps up efforts to cut government spending.
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
"The signal and "What's that noise overhead?"
As discussions over who said what over Signal swirled among US politicians and journalists -- on Signal -- US consumer inflation expectations leaped to 6.2% y-o-y, which is hardly the anchored level the Fed keeps telling us is the signal they are receiving. Worse, prices paid in the Philly Fed services survey hit 36, the highest since November 2023, with a plunge in activity to -32.5, the lowest since May 2020 in Covid lockdown. In other words, sinking like an anchor. As is a lot else.
The US insists a Russia-Ukraine Black Sea ceasefire has been agreed, lifting restrictions on Russian agri and fertiliser exports in response, even as Russia says it first wants the full lifting of sanctions on its banks in SWIFT, which would require EU approval. If that’s forthcoming, where does it leave EU statecraft: buying Russian gas again, or --sarcasm-- Russian weapons? If Europe says no, what if the US is even more incentivized to just leave and leave Europe the bill, as we saw from that Signal chat? Worse, reports also have US intel saying Russia and Ukraine may prefer a longer war to a quick settlement unsatisfying to either; the US also still sees a risk that Russia may resort to nuclear weapons. In which case, it’s on Europe again.
(...)
Summing things up, HSBC says "globalization as we knew it is over", news to those thinking asset prices go as high as smoothly as they used."
#Geoeconomics
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Telegraph
Globalization As We Knew It, Is Over
By Michael Every of Rabobank The signal and "What's that noise overhead?" As discussions over who said what over Signal swirled among US politicians and journalists -- on Signal -- US consumer inflation expectations leaped to 6.2% y-o-y, which is hardly the…