GOLD PRICE CLOSED UP $21.10 TO $2648.30

SILVER PRICE DOWN $0.22 TO $30.94

Gold ACCESS CLOSED $2648.85

Silver ACCESS CLOSED: $30.85

Bitcoin morning price:$93,619 UP 488 DOLLARS.

Bitcoin: afternoon price: $94,002 UP 1841 DOLLARS

Platinum price closing DOWN $12.45 TO $961.15

Palladium price; DOWN $12.35 TO $1024.20

END

*CANADIAN GOLD: $3702.54 UP 25.16 CDN dollars per oz( * NEW ALL TIME HIGH 3,872.51 CDN DOLLARS PER OZ//OCT 30 2024)

*BRITISH GOLD: 2093.96 UP 18.34 Pounds per oz// *(NEW ALL TIME HIGH//CLOSING///2148.36 BRITISH POUNDS/OZ) OCT 30/2024

*EURO GOLD: 2,512.38 UP 28.60 Euros per oz //* (ALL TIME CLOSING HIGH: 2565.55 EUROS PER OZ//OCT 30 //.2024)

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EXCHANGE;

EXCHANGE: COMEX
CONTRACT: NOVEMBER 2024 COMEX 100 GOLD FUTURES
SETTLEMENT: 2,627.100000000 USD
INTENT DATE: 11/19/2024 DELIVERY DATE: 11/21/2024
FIRM ORG FIRM NAME ISSUED STOPPED

---

190 H BMO CAPITAL 20
323 C HSBC 37
363 H WELLS FARGO SEC 13
435 H SCOTIA CAPITAL 4
661 C JP MORGAN 4
690 C ABN AMRO 1
737 C ADVANTAGE 5 2

---

TOTAL: 43 43

JPMorgan stopped 4/43

GOLD: NUMBER OF NOTICES FILED FOR NOV/2024. CONTRACT: 43 NOTICES FOR 4300 OZ  0.1337 TONNES

total notices so far: 2705 contracts for 270500 Oz (8.4136 tonnes)

FOR  NOV

SILVER NOTICES: 4 NOTICE(S) FILED FOR 20,000 OZ/

total number of notices filed so far this month : 90 for 4.500 million oz

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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GLD/

BOTH GLD AND SLV ARE FRAUDULENT VEHICLES//THEY ARE NOW RAIDING GLD AND SLV FOR PHYSICAL

THE CROOKS ARE STEALING GOLD AND SILVER FROM THE GLD/SLV AND REPLACING THE PHYSICAL WITH PAPER DOLLARS.

WITH GOLD UP $21.10 INVESTORS SWITCHING TO SPROTT PHYSICAL  (PHYS) INSTEAD OF THE FRAUDULENT GLD:

HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD INVENTORY AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 0.58 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD./

/ /INVENTORY RESTS AT 872.23 TONNES

INVENTORY RESTS AT 872.23 TONNES

SLV/

WITH NO SILVER AROUND AND SILVER DOWN 22 CENTS AT THE SLV

NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:

INVESTORS ARE SWITCHING SLV TO SPROTT’S PSLV.

CLOSING INVENTORY: 477.572 MILLION OZ

Let us have a look at the data for today

SILVER//OUTLINE

SILVER COMEX OI SURPRISINGLY FELL BY A HUMONGOUS SIZED 2406 CONTRACTS TO 141,287 AND STALLING ON ITS MARCH TO THE RECORD HIGH OI OF 244,710, SET FEB 25/2020, AND THIS HUGE SIZED LOSS IN COMEX OI WAS ACCOMPLISHED DESPITE OUR  GAIN OF $0.10 IN SILVER PRICING AT THE COMEX WITH RESPECT TO TUESDAY’S TRADING. WE HAD A FAIR LOSS OF 426 TOTAL CONTRACTS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR GAIN OF $0.10  IN PRICE. WE HAD HUGE LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S. CONTRACTS ON TUESDAY COMEX TRADING AS THEY DESPERATELY TRIED TO CONTAIN SILVER’S CONTINUAL PRICE RISE FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND FINALLY FAILED YESTERDAY WITH SILVER’S RISE..

WE HAD A HUMONGOUS 1980 CONTRACT EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG 398 CONTRACT T.A.S ISSUANCE WHICH WILL BEING USED IN FUTURE TRADING AS THEY PLAY AN INTEGRAL PART DURING RAIDS TRYING TO CONTAIN ANY SILVER PRICE RISE. IN ESSENCE WE LOST A FAIR SIZED 426 CONTRACTS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE. WE HAD MAJOR TAS LIQUIDATION THROUGHOUT TUESDAY’S COMEX SESSION.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CROOKS NEED A HIGHER SILVER/GOLD T.A.S. TO CARRY ON THEIR CROOKED MANIPULATION ON A DAILY BASIS BUT DEMAND IS JUST TOO HIGH FOR THEM. THE HIGHER ISSUANCE OF T.A.S. IS NOW USED TO TEMPER OUR SILVER/GOLD PRICE RISE OR RAID AS WHAT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LAST MONTH AND AGAIN ON LAST WEEK. THE ACCUMULATED T.A.S. WAS BEING USED TO MANIPULATE PRICES AT THE COMEX BUT THAT ENDED MONDAY..

CRAIG HEMKE HAS POINTED OUT THAT THE CROOKS USE THE MID MONTH FOR MANIPULATION AS THEY SELL THEIR BUY SIDE OF THE CALENDAR SPREAD FIRST AND THEN KEEP THE SELL SIDE TO LIQUIDATE AT A LATER DATE.  THUS WE HAVE TWO VEHICLES THE CROOKS USE FOR MANIPULATION AND BOTH ARE SPREADERS:  1) AT MONTH’S END/SPREADERS COMEX AND 2/ TAS SPREADERS, MID MONTH. TOTAL TAS ISSUED ON TUESDAY NIGHT: A STRONG 398 CONTRACTS. DESPITE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THE CROOKS HAVE VIOLATED POSITION LIMITS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TAS ISSUED HAVE A VALUE  OF ZERO (AS TO POSITION LIMITS FOR OUR CROOKED BANKERS). THE PROBLEM OF COURSE IS THAT THE CROOKS DO NOT LIQUIDATE THE TAS TOGETHER BUT SELL THE BUY SIDE FIRST AND THEN LIQUIDATE THE SELL SIDE TWO MONTHS HENCE. IT IS OBVIOUS MANIPULATION TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE BUT IT NATURALLY FELL ON DEAF EARS WITH OUR REGULATORS (OCC) WHEN THEY RECEIVED OUR COMPLAINTS. IT NOW SEEMS THAT THE OCC HAS ORDERED THE BANKS TO REDUCE ITS NEW LEVEL OF 1 TRILLION DOLLARS IN GOLD/SILVER DERIVATIVES AND THUS THE REASON FOR CONSTANT RAIDS BUT TO NO AVAIL TODAY. IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE THE FED (GOV’T) IS BEHIND EVERY DAY TRADING.

WE HAVE IN THE PAST YEAR SET ANOTHER RECORD LOW AT 114,102 CONTRACTS ///JULY 3.2023//  OUR BANKERS WITH THE HELP OF SPECULATORS AND HIGH FREQUENCY TRADERS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN KNOCKING THE PRICE OF SILVER DOWN (IT ROSE BY $0.10) BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN KNOCKING OFF ANY APPRECIABLE NET SILVER LONGS FROM THEIR PERCH AS DESPITE HAVING A HUGE NET LOSS OF 296 CONTRACTS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES, THE NET LOSS WAS DEFINITELY ATTRIBUTED TO THE HUGE T.A.S. LIQUIDATION//TUESDAY COMEX.

WE HAD A HUGE 1980 CONTRACT ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS) iiii) AN  INITIAL SILVER STANDING FOR COMEX SILVER MEASURING AT 2.810 MILLION OZ (FIRST DAY NOTICE) FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S 20,000 OZ QUEUE JUMP//NEW STANDING ADVANCES TO 4.575 MILLION OZ

// STANDING FOR SILVER//NOV AT 4.575 MILLION OZ

WE HAD:

/ HUMONGOUS SIZED COMEX OI LOSS (ALL DUE TO T.A.S. LIQUIDATION)//HUMONGOUS SIZED EFP ISSUANCE/ VI) STRONG SIZED NUMBER OF  T.A.S. CONTRACT ISSUANCE 398 CONTRACTS)/

 I AM NOW RECORDING THE DIFFERENTIAL IN OI FROM PRELIMINARY TO FINAL: REMOVED 130 CONTRACTS.

HISTORICAL ACCUMULATION OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS NOV. ACCUMULATION FOR EFP’S SILVER/JPMORGAN’S HOUSE OF BRIBES/STARTING FROM FIRST DAY/MONTH OF NOV

TOTAL CONTRACTS for 14 DAYS, total 18,544 contracts:   OR 92.720 MILLION OZ  (1324 CONTRACTS PER DAY)

TOTAL EFP’S FOR THE MONTH SO FAR:  92.72 MILLION OZ

LAST 24 MONTHS TOTAL EFP CONTRACTS ISSUED  IN MILLIONS OF OZ:

MAY 137.83 MILLION

JUNE 149.91 MILLION OZ

JULY 129.445 MILLION OZ

AUGUST: MILLION OZ 140.120

SEPT. 28.230 MILLION OZ//

OCT:  94.595 MILLION OZ

NOV: 131.925 MILLION OZ

DEC: 100.615 MILLION OZ

YEAR 2022:

 JAN 2022-DEC 2022

JAN 2022//  90.460 MILLION OZ

FEB 2022:  72.39 MILLION OZ//

MARCH 2022: 207.140  MILLION OZ//A NEW RECORD FOR EFP ISSUANCE

APRIL: 114.52 MILLION OZ FINAL//LOW ISSUANCE

MAY: 105.635 MILLION OZ//

JUNE: 94.470 MILLION OZ

JULY : 87.110 MILLION OZ

AUGUST: 65.025 MILLION OZ

SEPT. 74.025 MILLION OZ///FINAL

OCT.  29.017 MILLION OZ FINAL

NOV: 134.290 MILLION OZ//FINAL

DEC, 61.395 MILLION OZ FINAL

TOTALS YR 2022: 1135.767 MILLION OZ (1.1356 BILLION OZ)

JAN 2023///   53.070 MILLION OZ //FINAL

FEB: 2023:       100.105 MILLION OZ/FINAL//MUCH STRONGER ISSUANCE VS THE LATTER TWO MONTHS.

MARCH 2023:  112.58 MILLION OZ//FINAL//STRONG ISSUANCE

APRIL  111.035 MILLION OZ(SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THAN LAST MONTH)

MAY 66.120 MILLION OZ/INITIAL (MUCH SMALLER THIS MONTH)  

JUNE: 110.395 MILLION OZ//MUCH LARGER THAN LAST MONTH

JULY 85.745 MILLION OZ (SMALLER THAN LAST MONTH)

AUGUST: 171.43 MILLION OZ (THIS MONTH IS GOING TO BE HUGE //2ND HIGHEST ON RECORD

SEPT: 72.705 MILLION OZ (SMALLER THIS MONTH)

OCT: 97.455 MILLION OZ

NOV.  50.050 MILLION OZ 

DEC. 66.140 MILLION OZ//

TOTAL 2023: 1,104.10 MILLION OZ/

JAN ’24 : 78.655 MILLION OZ//

FEB /2024 : 66.135 MILLION OZ./FINAL

MARCH: 143.750 MILLION OZ// 4TH HIGHEST ON RECORD.

APRIL: 161.770 MILLION OZ (THIS MONTH WILL BE A WHOPPER OF ISSUANCE OF EFPS//3RD HIGHEST EVER RECORDED FOR A MONTH)

MAY: 135.995 MILLION OZ  //WILL BE A STRONG MONTH FOR EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE

JUNE 110.575 MILLION OZ ( WILL BE ANOTHER STRONG MONTH ISSUANCE)

JULY: 108.870 MILLION OZ (WILL BE A STRONG ISSUANCE MONTH/ A TOUCH OVER 100 MILLION OZ/)

AUGUST; 99.740 MILLION OZ//THIS MONTH WILL BE STRONG FOR ISSUANCE BUT LESS THAN JULY.

SEPT: 112.415 MILLION OZ//WILL BE A HUGE MONTH FOR EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE

OCT; 97.485 MILLION OZ (WILL BE SMALLER ISSUANCE THIS MONTH )

NOV. 80.82 MILLION OZ (WILL BE HUGE THIS MONTH)

RESULT: WE HAD A HUMONGOUS SIZED DECREASE IN COMEX OI SILVER COMEX CONTRACTS OF 2406  CONTRACTS DESPITE OUR GAIN OF $0.10 IN PRICE OF SILVER PRICING AT THE COMEX//TUESDAY.,.  THE CME NOTIFIED US THAT WE HAD A HUMONGOUS EFP ISSUANCE  CONTRACTS: 1980 ISSUED FOR DEC AND 0 CONTRACTS ISSUED FOR ALL OTHER MONTHS) WHICH  EXITED OUT OF THE SILVER COMEX TO LONDON  AS FORWARDS.  WE HAVE A GOOD INITIAL SILVER OZ STANDING FOR NOV OF  2.810 MILLION  OZ ON FIRST DAY NOTICE FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S 20,000 OZ QUEUE JUMP WHERE THESE GUYS DECIDED TO TAKE DELIVERY ON THIS SIDE OF THE POND.

//NEW TOTAL STANDING FOR NOV AT 4.575 MILLION OZ 

WE HAVE A FAIR SIZED LOSS OF 426 OI CONTRACTS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR GAIN IN  PRICE…..THE TOTAL OF TAS INITIATED CONTRACTS TODAY: A STRONG 398 CONTRACTS TRYING DESPERATE TO CONTAIN SILVER’S PRICE RISE,//HUGE FRONT END OF THE TAS CONTRACTS WERE LIQUIDATED DURING THE MONDAY COMEX SESSION THUS THE NEED FOR REPLENISHMENT /THE STRONG TA.S. ISSUANCE DISTORTS THE TOTAL OI CONTRACTS STANDING AT THE COMEX AND LOSS IN OI. NO SPECULATORS WERE BURNED ON TUESDAY

/ ZERO NET SHORT COVERING FROM OUR SPEC SHORTS WITH  GAIN IN PRICE TUESDAY/ . ALSO SOME OF OUR LONGS EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT AND TENDERED FOR PHYSICAL SILVER MUCH TO THE ANGER OF OUR BANKERS. SILVER IS NOT BASEL III COMPLIANT SO THE BANKERS CAN TAKE THEIR TIME WITH THE DELIVERY OF SILVER.

THE NEW TAS ISSUANCE TUESDAY NIGHT   (398) WILL BE PUT INTO “THE BANK” TO BE COLLUSIVELY USED AT A LATER DATE AND LATELY ON A DAILY BASIS INCLUDING YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

WE HAD 4 NOTICE(S) FILED TODAY FOR 0.020 MILLION OZ

THE SILVER COMEX IS NOW BEING ATTACKED FOR METAL BY LONDONERS ET AL.

GOLD//OUTLINE

IN GOLD, THE COMEX OPEN INTEREST FELL BY A STRONG SIZED 12,229 OI CONTRACTS  TO 502,952 AND FURTHER FROM THE RECORD (SET JAN 24/2020) AT 799,733  AND  PREVIOUS TO THAT: (SET JAN 6/2020) AT 797,110, BUT WE ARE NOW MUCH FURTHER FROM OUR ALL TIME LOW OF 390,000 CONTRACTS.

THE DIFFERENTIAL FROM PRELIMINARY OI TO FINAL OI IN GOLD TODAY:  REMOVED A HUGE 1257 CONTRACTS//

WE HAD A STRONG SIZED DECREASE  IN COMEX OI (12,229 CONTRACTS) OCCURRED DESPITE OUR  GAIN OF $13.00 IN PRICE TUESDAY. THE FRBNY SUPPLIED THE NECESSARY SHORT PAPER.. WE ALSO HAD A GOOD INITIAL STANDING IN GOLD TONNAGE FOR NOV AT 2.488 TONNES ON FIRST DAY NOTICE FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S 5300 OZ QUEUE JUMP. BUT WE HAD ANOTHER OF THAT CRAZY ISSUANCE OF 1000 CONTRACTS, FRIDAY NIGHT FOR DELIVERY OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK OR 3.11 TONNES OF GOLD//NEW STANDING ADVANCES TO 11.066 TONNES + 3.11 TONNES OF EX. FOR RISK/PRIOR = 14.176 TONNES

NEW STANDING FOR NOVEMBER: 14.176 TONNES

/ ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR  $13.00 GAIN IN PRICE  WITH RESPECT TO TUESDAY’S COMEX ///. WE HAD A STRONG LOSS OF 8094 OI CONTRACTS (2.518 PAPER TONNES) ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES, WITH MANY LONGS, REMAINING AT THE END OF THE DAY, TENDERING FOR PHYSICAL GOLD VIA THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ROUTE, MUCH TO THE ANGER AND HORROR EXHIBITED BY OUR MAJOR BANKER, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK. THE HORROR INTENSIFIED ONCE LONDON STARTED TO TRADE LAST WEEK, AND THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK WITH MAJOR TENDERING FOR PHYSICAL VIA THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ROUTE! YOU CAN VISUALIZE THIS WITH THE DAILY QUEUE JUMPING WE ARE WITNESSING (AND TODAY’S MASSIVE QUEUE JUMP OF 5300 OZ)

E.F.P. ISSUANCE

THE CME RELEASED THE DATA FOR EFP ISSUANCE AND IT TOTALED A STRONG SIZED 4135 CONTRACTS:

The NEW COMEX OI FOR THE GOLD COMPLEX RESTS AT 502,952

IN ESSENCE WE HAVE A STRONG SIZED DECREASE IN TOTAL CONTRACTS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES OF 8094 CONTRACTS  WITH 12,229 CONTRACTS DECREASED AT THE COMEX// AND A STRONG SIZED 4135 EFP OI CONTRACT ISSUANCE WHICH NAVIGATED OVER TO LONDON. THUS TOTAL OI LOSS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES OF 8094 CONTRACTS.. WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TAS CONTRACTS INITIATED (ISSUED): A LARGE SIZED AND CRIMINAL 6109 CONTRACTS ISSUED. WE HAD HUGE LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S CONTRACTS DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE TUESDAY AS THE NEED FOR REPLENISHMENT WAS GREAT IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT ITS PRICE CONTAINMENT STRATEGY.

CALCULATIONS ON GAIN/LOSS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES

WE HAD A STRONG SIZED ISSUANCE IN EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS (4135 CONTRACTS) ACCOMPANYING THE STRONG SIZED DECREASE IN COMEX OI OF 12,229 CONTRACTS/TOTAL LOSS FOR OUR THE TWO EXCHANGES: 8094 CONTRACTS..WE HAVE 1) NOW RETURNED TO OUR FORMER FORMAT OF BANKERS GOING LONG AND SPECULATORS GOING SHORT  ,2.) STRONG INITIAL STANDING AT THE GOLD COMEX FOR NOV 2.488 TONNES FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S 5300 OZ QUEUE JUMP  BUT WE MUST ADD THE NEW AND CRIMINAL ISSUANCE OF 1000 CONTRACTS OF EX. FOR RISK ISSUED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT WHERE BY THE BUYER ASSUMES RISK FROM THE SELLER THAT THAT CONTRACT WOULD BE DELIVERED TO HIM. WHAT A JOKE!

//NEW STANDING NOVEMBER: 11.066 TONNES + 3.11 TONES EX FOR RISK = 14.176 TONNES. 

 / 3) HUGE T.A.S. LIQUIDATION (TRYING TO CONTAIN GOLD’S PRICE WITH ZERO SUCCESS TUESDAY WITH OUR  $13.00 RISE. WE HAD ZERO NET LONG SPECS BEING CLIPPED. STICKY GOLD’S LONGS HOWEVER ARE NOT FOOLED BY THE RAID AS THEY WERE REWARDED MONDAY EVENING AS THEY EXERCISED EFP’S FROM LONDON TO TAKE DELIVERY OF BADLY NEEDED PHYSICAL.

  4)  STRONG SIZED COMEX OPEN INTEREST DECREASE 5)  STRONG ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL PAPER///LARGE T.A.S.  ISSUANCE: 6109 T.A.S.CONTRACTS

HISTORICAL ACCUMULATION OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS IN 2023-2024 INCLUDING TODAY

NOV

ACCUMULATION OF EFP’S GOLD AT J.P. MORGAN’S HOUSE OF BRIBES: (EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL) FOR THE MONTH OF NOV :

TOTAL EFP CONTRACTS ISSUED: 86,193 CONTRACTS OF 8,619,300 OZ OR 268.096 TONNES IN 14 TRADING DAY(S) AND THUS AVERAGING: 6156 EFP CONTRACTS PER TRADING DAY

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA AS TO THE  SIZE OF THESE EFP TRANSFERS :  THIS MONTH IN 14 TRADING DAY(S) IN  TONNES  268.096 TONNES

TOTAL ANNUAL GOLD PRODUCTION, 2023, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD EX CHINA EX RUSSIA: 3555 TONNES

THUS EFP TRANSFERS REPRESENTS  268.096 DIVIDED BY 3550 x 100% TONNES = 7.54% OF GLOBAL ANNUAL PRODUCTION

ACCUMULATION OF GOLD EFP’S YEAR 2021 TO 2023

JANUARY/2021: 265.26 TONNES (RAPIDLY INCREASING AGAIN)

 FEB  :  171.24 TONNES  ( DEFINITELY SLOWING DOWN AGAIN)..

MARCH:.   276.50 TONNES (STRONG AGAIN/

APRIL:      189..44 TONNES  ( DRAMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN AGAIN//GOLD IN BACKWARDATION)

MAY:        250.15 TONNES  (NOW DRAMATICALLY INCREASING AGAIN)

JUNE:      247.54 TONNES (FINAL)

JULY:        188.73 TONNES FINAL

AUGUST:   217.89 TONNES FINAL ISSUANCE.

SEPT          142.12 TONNES FINAL ISSUANCE ( LOW ISSUANCE)_

OCT:           141.13 TONNES FINAL ISSUANCE (LOW ISSUANCE)

NOV:           312.46 TONNES FINAL ISSUANCE//NEW RECORD!! (INCREASING DRAMATICALLY)//SIGN OF REAL STRESS//SURPASSING THE MARCH 2021 RECORD OF 276.50 TONNES OF EFP

DEC.           175.62 TONNES//FINAL ISSUANCE//

TOTALS: 2,578.08 TONNES/2021

JAN:2022   247.25 TONNES //FINAL

FEB:           196.04 TONNES//FINAL

MARCH/2022:  409.30 TONNES //FINAL( THIS IS NOW A RECORD EFP ISSUANCE FOR MARCH AND FOR ANY MONTH.

APRIL:  169.55 TONNES (FINAL VERY  LOW ISSUANCE MONTH)

MAY:  247.44 TONNES FINAL//

JUNE: 238.13 TONNES  FINAL

JULY: 378.43 TONNES FINAL/SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD

AUGUST: 180.81 TONNES FINAL

SEPT. 193.16 TONNES FINAL

OCT:  177.57  TONNES FINAL ( MUCH SMALLER THAN LAST MONTH)

NOV.  223.98 TONNES//FINAL ( MUCH LARGER THAN PREVIOUS MONTHS//comex running out of physical)

DEC:  185.59 tonnes // FINAL

TOTAL: 2,847,25 TONNES/2022

JAN 2023:    228.49 TONNES FINAL//HUGE AMOUNT OF EFP’S ISSUED THIS MONTH!!

FEB: 151.61 TONNES/FINAL

MARCH: 280.09 TONNES/INITIAL (ANOTHER STRONG MONTH FOR EFP ISSUANCE)

APRIL: 197.42 TONNES

MAY: 236.67 TONNES (A VERY STRONG ISSUANCE FOR THIS MONTH)

JUNE: 172.667 TONNES (WEAKER ISSUANCE THIS MONTH)

JULY:  151.69 TONNES (WEAKER THAN LAST MONTH)

AUGUST:  195.28 TONNES (A STRONGER MONTH)//FINAL

SEPT: 254.709 TONNES (WILL BE LARGER THAN LAST MONTH AND A STRONG MONTH)

OCT. 248.09 TONNES. LIKE SILVER, THIS MONTH IS GOING TO BE A STRONG E.F.P. ISSUANCE.

NOV.   239.16 TONNES//WILL BE STRONG THIS MONTH,

DEC. 213.704 TONNES. A STRONG MONTH//

TOTAL FOR YEAR 2023: 2,569.57 TONNES VS  2578 TONNES LAST YEAR

JAN ’24:     291.76 TONNES (WILL BE MUCH GREATER THAN LAST MONTH.//3RD HIGHEST EVER RECORDED EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL)

FEB’24: 201.947 TONNES

MARCH 2024: 352.21 TONNES//2ND HIGHEST EVER RECORDED EFP ISSUANCE.

APRIL: 267.05TONNES (WILL BE AN EXTREMELY STRONG MONTH BUT LESS THAN MARCH 2024)

MAY; 316.606 TONNES (WILL BE ANOTHER STRONG MONTH// 3RD HIGHEST RECORDED EFP ISSUANCE )// NOTICE THE HUGE INCREASES IN EX FOR PHYSICAL THESE PAST FEW MONTHS. THESE CONTRACTS ARE CIRCLED BACK FROM LONDON WHEREBY METAL IS REMOVED FROM THE COMEX.

JUNE 175.11 tonnes HEADING FOR A WEAKER MONTH AND MUCH LESS THAN THE THREE PREVIOUS MONTHS

JULY: 351. 65 TONNES (3RD HIGHEST EVER RECORDED EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL AND THE HIGHEST EVER RECORDED POST BASEL III) 

AUGUST: 274.79 TONNES//THIS MONTH WILL NO DOUBT BE A STRONG ISSUANCE OF EFP’S BUT MUCH LESS THAN LAST MONTH.

SEPT: 335 .104 TONNES//IF THIS CONTINUES WE WILL HAVE A HUMDINGER OF AN EFP ISSUANCE. WE WILL PROBABLY END UP WITH THE 3RD HIGHEST ISSUANCE EVER RECORDED.

OCT. 277.71 TONNES (THIS WILL BE A GOOD ISSUANCE THIS MONTH)

NOV: 268.096 TONNES (WILL PROBABLY BE A HUGE MONTH/MAYBE A RECORD ISSUANCE MONTH//PREVIOUS RECORD ISSUANCE MARCH 2022 OF 409 TONNES.)

SPREADING OPERATIONS

(/NOW SWITCHING TO GOLD) FOR NEWCOMERS, HERE ARE THE DETAILS

SPREADING LIQUIDATION HAS NOW COMMENCED   AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE  NEW  ACTIVE FRONT MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. WE ARE NOW INTO THE SPREADING OPERATION OF  GOLD

HERE IS A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF HOW THE CROOKS FLEECE UNSUSPECTING LONGS IN THE SPREADING ENDEAVOUR ;MODUS OPERANDI OF THE CORRUPT BANKERS AS TO HOW THEY HANDLE THEIR SPREAD OPEN INTERESTS:HERE IS HOW THE CROOKS USED SPREADING AS WE ARE NOW INTO THE  NON ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH OF NOV HEADING TOWARDS THE  ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH OF FEB., FOR  GOLD: AND MARCH FOR SILVER

YOU WILL ALSO NOTICE THAT THE COMEX OPEN INTEREST  STARTS TO RISE BUT SO IS THE OPEN INTEREST OF SPREADERS. THE OPEN INTEREST IN WILL CONTINUE TO RISE UNTIL ONE WEEK BEFORE FIRST DAY NOTICE OF AN UPCOMING  ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH (OCT), AND THAT IS WHEN THE CROOKS SELL THEIR SPREAD POSITIONS BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME OF THE DAY.  THEY WILL USE THE SELL SIDE OF THE EQUATION TO CREATE THE CASCADE (ALONG WITH THEIR COLLUSIVE FRIENDS) AND THEN COVER ON THE BUY SIDE OF THE SPREAD SITUATION AT THE END  OF THE DAY. THEY DO THIS TO AVOID POSITION LIMIT DETECTION. THE LIQUIDATION OF THE SPREADING FORMATION CONTINUES FOR EXACTLY ONE WEEK AND ENDS ON FIRST DAY NOTICE.”

WHAT IS ALARMING TO ME, ACCORDING TO OUR LONDON EXPERT ANDREW MAGUIRE IS THAT THESE EFP’S ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO WHAT ARE CALLED SERIAL FORWARD CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS AND THESE CONTRACTS ARE LESS THAN 14 DAYS.  ANYTHING GREATER THAN 14 DAYS, THESE MUST BE RECORDED AND SENT TO THE COMPTROLLER, GREAT BRITAIN TO MONITOR RISK TO THE BANKING SYSTEM.  IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE, THEN THIS IS A MASSIVE CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD AS WE NOW WITNESS A MONSTROUS TOTAL EFP’S ISSUANCE AS IT HEADS INTO THE STRATOSPHERE.

The crooks also use the spread in the TAS  account  (trade at settlement).  They buy the spot TAS (e.g. June) and sell the future TAS two months out (e.g. August). Then they unload the front month (i.e. unload the buy side first so the price of gold/silver falls. This occurs in the middle  of the  front delivery month cycle. They unload the sell side of the equation, two months down the road.  The crooks violate position limits as the OCC refuse to hear our complaints.

First, here is an outline of what will be discussed tonight:

1.TODAY WE HAD THE OPEN INTEREST AT THE COMEX IN SILVER FELL BY A HUMONGOUS SIZED 2406 CONTRACTS OI  TO 141,417 AND FURTHER FROM THE COMEX HIGH RECORD //244,710( SET FEB 25/2020).  THE LAST RECORDS WERE SET  IN AUG.2018 AT 244,196 WITH A SILVER PRICE OF $14.78/(AUGUST 22/2018)..THE PREVIOUS RECORD TO THAT WAS SET ON APRIL 9/2018 AT 243,411 OPEN INTEREST CONTRACTS WITH THE SILVER PRICE AT THAT DAY: $16.53). AND PREVIOUS TO THAT, THE RECORD  WAS ESTABLISHED AT: 234,787 CONTRACTS, SET ON APRIL 21.2017 OVER  7 YEARS AGO.  HOWEVER WE HAVE NOW SET A NEW RECORD LOW OF 114,102 CONTRACTS JULY 3.2023

EFP ISSUANCE 1980 CONTRACTS

OUR CUSTOMARY MIGRATION OF COMEX LONGS CONTINUE TO MORPH INTO LONDON FORWARDS  AS OUR BANKERS USED THEIR EMERGENCY PROCEDURE TO ISSUE:

DEC 1980 and ALL OTHER MONTHS: ZERO. TOTAL EFP ISSUANCE: 1980 CONTRACTS. EFP’S GIVE OUR COMEX LONGS A FIAT BONUS PLUS A DELIVERABLE PRODUCT OVER IN LONDON.  IF WE TAKE THE COMEX OI LOSS OF 2406   CONTRACTS AND ADD TO THE 1980 E.FP. ISSUED

WE OBTAIN A FAIR SIZED LOSS OF OPEN INTEREST CONTRACTS FROM OUR TWO EXCHANGES OF 426 CONTRACTS

THUS IN OUNCES, THE LOSS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES  TOTALS 2.13 MILLION OZ OCCURRED DESPITE OUR  $0.10 GAIN  IN PRICE  

OUTLINE FOR TODAY’S COMMENTARY

1a/COMEX GOLD AND SILVER REPORT

(report Harvey)

b, ) Gold/silver trading overnight Europe,//GOLD COMMENTARIES

(Peter Schiff)

c) Commentaries from: Egon von Greyerz///Matthew Piepenburg via GoldSwitzerland.com, Pam and Russ Martens

ii a) Chris Powell of GATA provides to us very important physical commentaries

b. Other gold/silver commentaries

c. Commodity commentaries//

d)/CRYPTOCURRENCIES/BITCOIN ETC

2.ASIAN AFFAIRS//

WEDNESDAY MORNING TUESDAY  NIGHT

ASIA TRADING/WEDNESDAY MORNING/TUESDAY  NIGHT

SHANGHAI CLOSED UP 21.98 PTS OR 0.77%

//Hang Seng CLOSED UP 41.34 PTS OR 0.21%

// Nikkei CLOSED DOWN 62.09 OR 0.16%//Australia’s all ordinaries CLOSED DOWN 0.58%///Chinese yuan (ONSHORE) CLOSED DOWN TO 7.2465 CHINESE YUAN OFFSHORE CLOSED DOWN TO 7.2491// Oil UP TO 69.87 dollars per barrel for WTI and BRENT UP AT 77.65 Stocks in Europe OPENED ALL GREEN

ONSHORE USA/ YUAN TRADING ABOVE LEVEL OF OFFSHORE YUAN/ONSHORE YUAN  TRADING WEAKER AGAINST US DOLLAR/OFFSHORE YUAN WEAKER

A)NORTH KOREA/SOUTH KOREA

outline

b) REPORT ON JAPAN/
OUTLINE

3  CHINA
OUTLINE

4/EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
OUTLINE

5. RUSSIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS
OUTLINE

6.Global Issues//COVID ISSUES/VACCINE ISSUES
OUTLINE

7. OIL ISSUES
OUTLINE

8 EMERGING MARKET ISSUES
9. USA

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1. COMEX DATA//AMOUNTS STANDING//VOLUME OF TRADING/INVENTORY MOVEMENTS

GOLD

 LET US BEGIN:

THE TOTAL COMEX GOLD OPEN INTEREST FELL BY A STRONG SIZED 12,229 CONTRACTS TO 502,952 DESPITE OUR  GAIN IN PRICE OF $13.00 WITH RESPECT TO TUESDAY’S TRADING. , WE LOST ZERO NET IN NUMBER LONGS WITH THE MUCH HIGHER PRICE FOR GOLD AS YOU WILL SEE BELOW. WE HAD A STRONG NUMBER OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUED (4135).

THE LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S. CONTRACTS THROUGHOUT LAST MONTH CONTINUES TO DISTORT OPEN INTEREST NUMBERS GREATLY AND IT SURELY WAS ON DISPLAY THIS ENTIRE WEEK SO FAR AND ESPECIALLY DURING YESTERDAY’S HUGE GAIN IN PRICE. WE HAD MASSIVE TA.S. LIQUIDATION.

THE FED IS THE MAJOR SHORT OF AROUND 93+ TONNES OF GOLD OWING TO THE B.I.S. THE FED NEEDS TO COVER AS THEY ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO GOLD PRICES ONCE THE BRICS BEGIN THEIR INITIATIVE AND ABANDON THE US DOLLAR. THIS IS SCHEDULED TO HAPPEN LATE OCT 2024/(AS OUTLINED IN OUR GOLD PHYSICAL COMMENTARIES//VIEW ANDREW MAGUIRE LATEST LIVE FROM VAULT 197 AND 199 AS HE TACKLES THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC). THE FOUR OR FIVE BANKS ARE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THEIR HUGE PRECIOUS METAL DERIVATIVE EXPOSURE (NORTH OF ONE TRILLION DOLLARS) AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE MAJOR REASON FOR GOLD/SILVER’S RISE THESE PAST TWO MONTHS. THEY ARE TOTALLY TRAPPED. THUS THE REASON FOR THE CONTINUAL RAIDING OF OUR PHYSICAL ANCIENT METAL OF KINGS LIKE YESTERDAY, AND THEIR FAILURE TO STOP CENTRAL BANK PURCHASES OF PHYSICAL GOLD IS THE MAJOR ISSUE OF THE DAY! ACTUALLY THE FED HAS COAXED THE SPECULATORS TO GO MASSIVELY SHORT WHILE THEY TAKE THE LONG SIDE AFTER THEY COMMENCE THE AVALANCHE IN LOWERING PRICE OF GOLD

OUR PHYSICAL LONDONERS BOUGHT NEW MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF LONGS AT ANY PRICE AND THIS GOLD BOUGHT WILL BE TENDERED FOR PHYSICAL ON A T + 1 BASIS. BECAUSE GOLD IS BASEL III COMPLIANT, GOLD MUST BE DELIVERED IN A VERY TIMELY ONE DAY. CENTRAL BANKS AROUND THE WORLD, BEING REPRESENTED BY OUR LONDONERS, ARE THE REAL PURCHASERS OF THIS GOLD.

WE HAD A HUGE T.A.S. LIQUIDATION THROUGHOUT LAST WEEK’S TRADING AND AGAIN WITH THIS WEEKS TRADING.

THE PROBLEM FOR THOSE PROVIDING THE SHORT PAPER IS THE SHOCK TO THEM ON RECEIVING NOTICE THAT THE LONGS WANT THE PHYSICAL GOLD AS THEY TENDER FOR THAT SHINY YELLOW METAL. THE HIGH LIQUIDATION OF THE SPREADERS // T.A.S DURING LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK IS SURELY DISTORTING COMEX OPEN INTEREST BUT THAT DOES NOT STOP LONDON’S ACCUMULATION OF PHYSICAL! YOU CAN VISUALIZE THAT PERFECTLY WITH THE HUGE AMOUNTS OF QUEUE JUMPING ORCHESTRATED BY CENTRAL BANKERS BOLTING AHEAD OF ORDINARY LONGS AS THEIR NEED FOR PHYSICAL IS GREAT AS THEY SCOUR THE PLANET LOOKING FOR GOLD

EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE

WE ARE NOW ENTERING INTO THE NON ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH OF NOV.…  THE CME REPORTS THAT THE BANKERS ISSUED A  STRONG SIZED TRANSFER THROUGH THE EFP ROUTE AS THESE LONGS RECEIVED A DELIVERABLE LONDON FORWARD TOGETHER WITH A FIAT BONUS.,

THAT IS A FAIR SIZED 4135 EFP CONTRACTS WERE ISSUED: :  /DEC  4135 & ZERO FOR ALL OTHER MONTHS:

TOTAL EFP ISSUANCE: 4135 CONTRACTS. THESE EFP;S CIRCLE AROUND LONDON ON A 13 DAY BASIS AND ARE NOW USED BY GLOBAL CENTRAL BANKS TO EXERCISE FOR PHYSICAL GOLD WITH THE OBLIGATION TO DELIVER BEING FORCED ONTO COMEX BANKS. THE GOLD DELIVERED COMES FROM LONDON.

ON A NET BASIS IN OPEN INTEREST WE LOST THE FOLLOWING TODAY ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES: A STRONG SIZED TOTAL OF 8094 CONTRACTS IN THAT 4135 CONTRACT LONGS WERE TRANSFERRED AS EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS TO LONDON AND WE HAD A STRONG SIZED LOSS OF 12,229 COMEX  CONTRACTS..AND THIS STRONG LOSS  ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES HAPPENED DESPITE OUR  GAIN IN PRICE OF $13.00 TUESDAY// COMEX. THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS WILL BE USED BY CENTRAL BANKS, TO EXERCISE FOR PHYSICAL GOLD AS MENTIONED  ABOVE. HOWEVER I AM SAD TO REPORT THAT THE CROOKS ISSUED ANOTHER STUPID EXCHANGE FOR RISK OF A GIANT 1,000 CONTRACTS ON LAST FRIDAY NIGHT OR IN OTHER WORDS A BUYER IS TAKING THE RISK THAT THEY WILL DELIVER TO HIM 3.110 TONNES OF GOLD (311,000 OZ). WE WISH THE BUYER ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD.

AS PER OUR NEWBIE TRADE AT SETTLEMENT (TAS) MANIPULATION OPERATION (WHICH CRAIG HEMKE HAS POINTED OUT HAPPENS USUALLY DURING MID MONTH IN THE DELIVERY CYCLE), BUT NOW ON A DAILY BASIS, THE CME REPORTS THAT THE TOTAL T.A.S. ISSUANCE FOR TUESDAY NIGHT, A EXTRA STRONG SIZED 6109 CONTRACTS,  WILL BE USED TO REPLENISH SUPPLIES.. ALMOST ALL OF THE TRADING AND SUPPLY OF CONTRACTS  WAS ORCHESTRATED BY GOVERNMENT (FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK).

THROUGHOUT THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THE BANKERS CONTINUE TO SELL OFF THE LONG SIDE OF THE SPREAD (T.A.S.) WHICH  OF COURSE CONTINUES TO MANIPULATE THE PRICE OF GOLD SOUTHBOUND. (THEY KEEP THE SHORT SIDE OF THE CALENDAR/T.A.S. SPREAD WHICH WILL BE LIQUIDATED IN DAYS HENCE//. IT SEEMS THAT OUR CROOKS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO CONTROL THE PRICE OF GOLD AND THUS THE NEED FOR CONTINUAL STRONG T.A.S. ISSUANCE (AND SPREADERS LATE IN THE MONTH). THE USE OF T.A.S. IS OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE TO OUR CROOKS IN LAST WEEK’S AND THIS WEEK’S TRADING AND ESPECIALLY DURING LAST WEEK’S CONTINUOUS RAIDS.

// WE HAVE A STRONG AMOUNT OF GOLD TONNAGE STANDING:   NOV (14.176 TONNES) WHICH IS HUGE FOR OUR NON ACTIVE NOV DELIVERY MONTH.

HERE ARE THE AMOUNTS THAT STOOD FOR DELIVERY IN THE PRECEDING 47 MONTHS OF 2021-2024:

DEC 2021: 112.217 TONNES

NOV.  8.074 TONNES

OCT.    57.707 TONNES

SEPT: 11.9160 TONNES

AUGUST: 80.489 TONNES

JULY 7.2814 TONNES

JUNE:  72.289 TONNES

MAY 5.77 TONNES

APRIL  95.331 TONNES

MARCH 30.205 TONNES

FEB ’21. 113.424 TONNES

JAN ’21: 6.500 TONNES.

TOTAL  YEAR  2021 (JAN- DEC): 601.213 TONNES

YEAR 2022:

JANUARY 2022  17.79 TONNES

FEB 2022: 59.023 TONNES

MARCH: 36.678 TONNES

APRIL: 85.340 TONNES FINAL.

MAY: 20.11 TONNES FINAL

JUNE: 74.933 TONNES FINAL

JULY 29.987 TONNES FINAL

AUGUST:104.979 TONNES//FINAL

SEPT.  38.1158 TONNES

OCT:  77.390 TONNES/ FINAL

NOV 27.110 TONNES/FINAL

Dec. 64.000 tonnes

(TOTAL  YEAR 656.076 TONNES)

2023:

JAN/2023:    20.559 tonnes

FEB 2023: 47.744 tonnes

MAR:  19.0637 TONNES

APRIL: 75.676  tonnes

MAY: 19.094 TONNES + 1.244 tonnes of exchange for risk =  20.338

JUNE: 64.354 TONNES

JULY: 10.2861 TONNES

AUGUST: 38.855 TONNES(INCLUDING .6842 EXCHANGE FOR RISK)

SEPT: 15.281 TONNES FINAL

OCT.    35.869 TONNES + 1.665 EXCHANGE FOR RISK =37.0355 tonnes

NOV: 18.7122 TONNES + 16.2505 EX. FOR RISK   = 34.9627 TONNES

DEC. 47.073 + 4.634 TONNES OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK =  51.707 TONNES

TOTAL 2023 YEAR : 436.546 TONNES

2024

JAN ’24.      22.706 TONNES

FEB. ’24:  66.276 TONNES (INCLUDES 1.723 TONNES EX. FOR RISK)

MARCH: 18.8398 TONNES + 1.1695 EX FOR RISK = 20.093 TONNES

APRIL: 2024: 53.673TONNES FINAL

MAY/ 2024 8.5536 TONNES + 3.3716 TONNES EX FOR RISK/= 11.9325

JUNE; 95.578 TONNES. + 1.045 TONNES EXCHANGE FOR RISK =96.623 THIS IS THE HIGHEST RECORDED GOLD STANDING SINCE AUGUST 2022

JULY: 11.692 TONNES

AUGUST 69.602 TONNES//FINAL STANDING

SEPT. 13.164 TONNES.

OCT 39.474 TONNES + + 20.917 TONNES EXCHANGE FOR RISK =60.391 TONNES

NOV . 10.8989 TONNES + 3.11 TONNES OF EX. FOR RISK/PRIOR = 14.0089 TONNES

THE SPECS/HFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOWERING GOLD’S PRICE( IT ROSE BY A  $13.00/)//AND WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN KNOCKING OFF ANY NET SPECULATOR LONGS AS EVEN THOUGH WE DID HAVE A STRONG LOSS IN OUR TWO EXCHANGES, WE DID HAVE A HUGE T.A.S. SPREADER LIQUIDATION TUESDAY WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE LOSS IN OPEN INTEREST. WE ALSO HAD A LARGE T.A.S. ISSUANCE AS THE NEED FOR REPLENISHMENT WAS STILL IN FULL FORCE. THIS COULD NOT STOP CENTRAL BANK LONGS, SEIZING THE MOMENT, EXERCISED AGAIN FOR PHYSICAL IN A BIG WAY TENDERING FOR PHYSICAL MONDAY EVENING

WE HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 25.175 PAPER TONNES FROM OUR TWO EXCHANGES, ACCOMPANYING OUR INITIAL  GOLD TONNAGE STANDING FOR NOV (2.488TONNES) ON FIRST DAY NOTICE FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S HUGE SIZED QUEUE JUMP OF 53 CONTRACTS OR 5300 OZ (0.1648 TONNES). THESE GUYS UNDERWENT A MASSIVE QUEUE JUMP BOLTING AHEAD OF OTHER LONGS TO OBTAIN BADLY NEEDED PHYSICAL GOLD. MOSTLY LIKELY THIS IS THE FRBNY DESPERATELY TRYING TO EXTINGUISH ITS MASSIVE PHYSICAL SHORT FALL OF 93 TONNES. HOWEVER WE MUST ADD THAT CRAZY “DELIVERY” OF 1000 CONTRACTS OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK OR 311,000 OZ OR 3.11 TONNES OF GOLD ISSUED ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

//NEW STANDING FOR NOV 11.066 TONNES + 3.11 TONNES EX FOR RISK PRIOR= 14.176 TONNESES

NEW STANDING FOR NOVEMBER: 14.176TONNES (WHICH FOR A NON ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH)

ALL OF THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE  TO THE TUNE OF $13.00

WE HAD 1257 CONTRACTS REMOVED FROM THE  COMEX TRADES TO OPEN INTEREST (CROOKS)//PRELIMINARY TO FINAL.

NET LOSS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES 8094 CONTRACTS OR 809,400 OZ (25.175 TONNES)

confirmed volume TUESDAY 263,175 contracts STRONG //// t.a.s. enhanced

//speculators have left the gold arena

END

NOV 20 NOV  GOLD CONTRACT

/ /// THE NOV 2024 GOLD CONTRACT

Gold	Ounces
Withdrawals from Dealers Inventory in oz	nil
Withdrawals from Customer Inventory in oz	7195.469 OZ BRINKS ENHANCED BARS 18 LONDON GOOD DELIVERY BARS 64.302 OZ 2 KILOBARS TOTAL 725.977 OZ           .
Deposit to the Dealer Inventory in oz	NIL
Deposits to the Customer Inventory, in oz	48,027.389 OZ asahi real gold deposited
No of oz served (contracts) today	42 notice(s) 4200 OZ 0.1337 TONNES
No of oz to be served (notices)	853 contracts    85300 OZ 2.653 TONNES
Total monthly oz gold served (contracts) so far this month	2705 notices 270500 oz 8.4136 TONNES
Total accumulative withdrawals of gold from the Dealers inventory this month	NIL oz
Total accumulative withdrawal of gold from the Customer inventory this month	x

dealer deposits: 0

total dealer deposits:  nil oz

we have 1 customer deposits

i) Into ASAHI: 48,027.389 oz

(real gold deposited)

total deposits 48,027,389 oz 

withdrawals: 0

TOTAL WITHDRAWALS: nil oz

adjustments: 3

customer to dealer:

a) manfra 1446.795 oz

dealer to customer: 2

b) HSBC 5885.33 oz

b) Brinks 6946.510 oz

CALCULATIONS FOR THE AMOUNT OF GOLD STANDING FOR NOV.

For the front month of NOV: we have an oi of 895 contracts having LOST 39 contracts. We had 92 contracts served on TUESDAY so we gained A HUGE 53 contracts as these guys underwent a HUGE SIZED queue jump of 5300 oz (0.1648 TONNES OF GOLD) to which we add the 3.11 tonnes of exchange for risk delivery/PRIOR.

DECEMBER, THE BIGGEST DELIVERY MONTH LOST 14,146 CONTRACTS TO 205,548

JANUARY GAINED 10 CONTRACTS TO STAND AT 453

FEBRUARY GAINED 2114 CONTRACTS TO 212,910 .

We had 43 contracts filed for today representing 4300 oz  

This is a huge major assault on the comex for gold and this time it is physical that will be requested.

Today, 0 notice(s) were issued from J.P.Morgan dealer and 0 notices issued from their client or customer account. The total of all issuance by all participants equate to 42 contract(s) of which 0  notices were stopped (received) by  j.P. Morgan dealer and 4 notice(s) was (were) stopped  (received) by J.P.Morgan//customer account   

To calculate the INITIAL total number of gold ounces standing for NOV /2024. contract month, we take the total number of notices filed so far for the month (2705 x 100 oz ) to which we add the difference between the open interest for the front month of  NOV(895 CONTRACTS)  minus the number of notices served upon today  (42 x 100 oz per contract( equals  355,800 OZ  OR 11.066 TONNES.+ to which we add 3.11 tonnes of exchange for risk delivery//PRIOR //new totals 14.176 tonnes

thus the INITIAL standings for gold for the NOV contract month:  No of notices filed so far (2705 x 100 oz +we add the difference for front month of NOV  (895 OI} minus the number of notices served upon today (42 x 100 oz which equals  355,800 oz (11.066 TONNES)  +3.11 tonnes (ex. for risk/PRIOR) = 14.176

TOTAL COMEX GOLD STANDING FOR NOV.: 14.176 TONNES WHICH IS HUGE FOR THIS  NON ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH IN THE CALENDAR. 

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COMEX GOLD INVENTORIES/CLASSIFICATION

NEW PLEDGED GOLD:

241,794.285 oz NOW PLEDGED /HSBC  5.94 TONNES

204,937.290 OZ PLEDGED  MANFRA 3.08 TONNES

83,657.582 PLEDGED JPMorgan no 1  1.690 tonnes

265,999.054, oz  JPM No 2 

1,152,376.639 oz pledged  Brinks/

Manfra:  33,758.550 oz

Delaware: 193.721 oz

International Delaware::  11,188.542 oz

total pledged gold: 1,627,498.745  oz 50.62 tonnes

TOTAL OF ALL GOLD ELIGIBLE AND REGISTERED GOLD:  17,527,173.260 OZ  

TOTAL REGISTERED GOLD 7,794,300.642/// 242.43tonnes). 

TOTAL OF ALL ELIGIBLE GOLD: 9,734,874.618 OZ  

REGISTERED GOLD THAT CAN BE SERVED UPON: 6,166,802 oz (REG GOLD- PLEDGED GOLD)= 191.81 tonnes //

END

SILVER/COMEX

NOV   20. 2024

INITIAL

//2024// THE NOV 2024  SILVER CONTRACT//INITIAL

Silver	Ounces
Withdrawals from Dealers Inventory	NIL oz
Withdrawals from Customer Inventory	598,723.120oz Asahi .
Deposits to the Dealer Inventory	nil oz
Deposits to the Customer Inventory	nil
No of oz served today (contracts)	4 CONTRACT(S)    (20,000 OZ)
No of oz to be served (notices)	15 contracts  (75,000oz)
Total monthly oz silver served (contracts)	900 Contracts  (4.500 MILLION oz)
Total accumulative withdrawal of silver from the Dealers inventory this month	NIL oz
Total accumulative withdrawal of silver from the Customer inventory this month

i)  0 dealer  deposit/

total dealer deposit : NIL oz

i) We had  0 dealer withdrawal

total dealer withdrawals: 0 oz

We had  1 customer deposits

i) Into Asahi 598,723.120 oz

total customer deposits 598,723.120 oz

We had 0 withdrawals

total withdrawal nil oz

JPMorgan has a total silver weight: 134.401million oz/309.389million  or 44.40%

adjustment 0

TOTAL REGISTERED SILVER: 69.526MILLION OZ//.TOTAL REG + ELIGIBLE. 309.389 million oz

CALCULATIONS FOR THE NEW STANDING FOR SILVER FOR NOV

silver open interest data:

FRONT MONTH OF NOV /2024 OI: 19 OPEN INTEREST FOR A LOSS OF 10 CONTRACTS

WE HAD 14 NOTICE(S) FILED ON TUESDAY SO WE GAINED 4 CONTRACTS OR 20,000 OZ UNDERWENT A QUEUE JUMP AS THEY DECIDED TO LOOK FOR SILVER ON THIS SIDE OF THE POND.

DECEMBER SAW A LOSS OF 4059 CONTRACTS DOWN TO 57,435 CONTRACTS

JANUARY SAW A GAIN OF 42 CONTRACTS UP TO 1294

TOTAL NUMBER OF NOTICES FILED FOR TODAY: 4 for 0.020 MILLION oz

CONFIRMED volume; ON TUESDAY 78,217 huge// t.a.s. enhanced

To calculate the number of silver ounces that will stand for delivery in NOV we take the total number of notices filed for the month so far at 900x 5,000 oz = 4.500 MILLION oz 

to which we add the difference between the open interest for the front month of NOV (19) and the number of notices served upon today (4)x (5000 oz)

Thus the  standings for silver for the NOV 2024 contract month:  900 Notices served so far) x 5000 oz + OI for the front month of NOV(19) number of notices served upon today minus (4)x 5000 oz of silver standing for the NOV contract month equates to 4.575 MILLION OZ. 

 New total standing: 4.575 million oz.

There are 69.526 million oz of registered silver.

The record level of silver open interest is 234,787 contracts set on April 21./2017 with the price on that day at $18.42. The previous record was 224,540 contracts with the price at that time of $20.44.

Now that we have surpassed $28.40 the next big line in the sand for silver is $34.76. After that the moon

END

BOTH GLD AND SLV ARE MASSIVE FRAUDS!

GLD AND SLV INVENTORY LEVELS//

GLD

NOV 20 WITH GOLD UP $22.10 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A DEPOSIT OF 0.58 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 872.23 TONNES

NOV 19 WITH GOLD UP $13.00 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A DEPOSIT OF 1.72 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 871.65 TONNES

NOV 18 WITH GOLD UP $44.20 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A DEPOSIT OF 2.56 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 869.93 TONNES

NOV 15 WITH GOLD DOWN $1.90 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.25 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 867.37 TONNES

NOV 14 WITH GOLD DOWN $12.90 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.91 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 868.62 TONNES

NOV 13 WITH GOLD DOWN $19.30 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.44 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 870.63 TONNES

NOV 12 WITH GOLD DOWN $11.40 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 4.88 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 871,97 TONNE

NOV 11 WITH GOLD DOWN $75.35 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 3.74 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.85 TONNES

NOV 8 WITH GOLD DOWN $11.85 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 2.87 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 883.46 TONNES

NOV 7 WITH GOLD UP $30.50 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 3.45 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 883.46 TONNES

NOV 6 WITH GOLD DOWN $72.80 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.72 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 886.91 TONNES

NOV 5 WITH GOLD UP $4.05 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD:.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 888.63 TONNES

NOV 4 WITH GOLD DOWN $2.45 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 3.16 TONNES OF GOLD OUT OF THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 888.63 TONNES

NOV 1 WITH GOLD UP 0.15 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 0.86 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 891 TONNES

OCT 31 WITH GOLD DOWN $49.55 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 2.87 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 892.65 TONNES

OCT 30 WITH GOLD UP $20.10 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.72 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 889,78 TONNES

OCT 29 WITH GOLD UP $25.35 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 1.72 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 891.50 TONNES

OCT 28 WITH GOLD UP $1.50 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 4.02 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD.// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 889.78 TONNES

OCT 25 WITH GOLD UP $6.40 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 893.80 TONNES

OCT 24 WITH GOLD UP $19.60 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.44 TONNES // // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 893.80 TONNES

 OCT 23 WITH GOLD DOWN $29.40 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 3.45 TONNES // // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 895.24 TONNES

OCT 21 WITH GOLD UP $9.30 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 1.277 TONNES // // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 888.63 TONNES

OCT 18 WITH GOLD UP $22.30 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD // // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 884.59 TONNES

OCT 17 WITH GOLD UP $17.30 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD // // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 884.59 TONNES

OCT 16 WITH GOLD UP $13.60 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD //A MONSTER DEPOSIT OF 4.02 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 884.59 TONNES

OCT 15 WITH GOLD UP $2.85 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD //A MONSTER DEPOSIT OF 4.31 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD.; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 880.57 TONNES

OCT 11 WITH GOLD UP $36.55 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.26 TONNES

OCT 10 WITH GOLD UP $14.50 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.26 TONNES

OCT 9 WITH GOLD DOWN $8.50 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.26 TONNES

OCT 8 WITH GOLD DOWN $28,.95 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; // . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.26 TONNES

OCT 7 WITH GOLD DOWN $1.85 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.15 TONNES OF GOLD OUT OF THE GLD// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 876.26 TONNES

OCT 4 WITH GOLD DOWN $11.20 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD; A DEPOSIT OF 12.57 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD// . // .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 877.41 TONNES

GLD INVENTORY: 872.23 TONNES, TONIGHTS TOTAL

SILVER

NOV 20 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.22 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: . /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.572 MILLION OZ

NOV 19 WITH SILVER UP $0.10 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A DEPOSIT OF 5,742,000 OZ INTO THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477..572 MILLION OZ

NOV 18 WITH SILVER UP $0.68 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A DEPOSIT OF 1,277,000 OZ INTO THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 471,830 MILLION OZ

NOV 15 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.09 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 3,100,000 OZ OUT OF THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 471,830 MILLION OZ 

NOV 14 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.07 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 1,504,000 OZ OUT OF THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 473.653 MILLION OZ

NOV 13 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.16 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 1,274,000 OZ OUT OF THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.157 MILLION OZ

NOV 12 WITH SILVER UP $0.16 //SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 576,000 OZ INTO THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 476.000 MILLION OZ

NOV 11 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.79 //SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 374,000 OZ INTO THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.527 MILLION OZ

NOV 8 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.43 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A DEPOSIT OF 2.005 MILLION OZ INTO THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.846 MILLION OZ

NOV 7 WITH SILVER UP $0.11 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.841 MILLION OZ

NOV 6 WITH SILVER DOWN $1.41 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A WITHDRAWAL OF 3.692 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.841 MILLION OZ

NOV 5 WITH SILVER UP 0.18 :SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.109 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 479,533 MILLION OZ

NOV 4  WITH SILVER DOWN $0.08 :SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A WITHDRAWAL OF 547,000 OZ.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 480.642 MILLION OZ

NOV 1  WITH SILVER DOWN $0.10 : NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 481.189 MILLION OZ

OCT 31  WITH SILVER DOWN $1.26 : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A DEPOSIT OF 3.647 MILLION OZ OF SILVER INTO THE SLV//.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 481.189 MILLION OZ

OCT 30  WITH SILVER DOWN 38 CENTS : NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV.//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.542 MILLION OZ

OCT 29  WITH SILVER UP 49 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A WITHDRAWAL OF 0.628 MILLION OZ OUT OF THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.542 MILLION OZ

OCT 28  WITH SILVER UP 15 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.431 MILLION OZ OUT OF THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 478.180 MILLION OZ

OCT 25  WITH SILVER DOWN $0,02 : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A DEPOSIT OF 3.06 MILLION OZ INTO THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 480.281 MILLION OZ

OCT 24  WITH SILVER UP $0,01 : SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A WITHDRAWAL OF 0.684 MILLION OZ OF SILVER OUT OF THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477.177 MILLION OZ

OCT 23  WITH SILVER DOWN $1.15 : SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A WITHDRAWAL OF 0.228 MILLION OZ OF SILVER OUT OF THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 477,861 MILLION OZ

 OCT 22  WITH SILVER $0.93 : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV’ A DEPOSIT OF 3.329 MILLION OZ OF SILVER INTO THE SLV..//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 478.089 MILLION OZ

OCT 18  WITH SILVER $1.46 : NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV//// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 473.483 MILLION OZ

OCT 17  WITH SILVER DOWN 18 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV//A DEPOSIT OF 3.419 MILLION OZ INTO THE SLV// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 473.483 MILLION OZ

OCT 16  WITH SILVER UP 25 CENTS : NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 470.064 MILLION OZ

OCT 15  WITH SILVER DOWN 2 CENTS : SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A WITHDRAWAL OF 456,,000 OZ FORM THE SLV. //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 470.064 MILLION OZ

OCT 11  WITH SILVER UP 53 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A WITHDRAWAL OF 932,000 OZ FORM THE SLV. //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 470.520 MILLION OZ

OCT 9  WITH SILVER UP 7 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A DEPOSIT OF 2.964 MILLION OZ FORM THE SLV..: /INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 471.432 MILLION OZ

OCT 8  WITH SILVER DOWN $1.41 : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A DEPOSIT OF 2.007 MILLION OZ FORM THE SLV..: /INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 468.468 MILLION OZ

 OCT 7  WITH SILVER DOWN 39 CENTS : HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A WITHDRAWAL OF 684,000 OZ FORM THE SLV..: /INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 466.461 MILLION OZ

OCT 4 WITH SILVER UP 0 CENTS : NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV.: /INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 465.777MILLION OZ

CLOSING INVENTORY 477.572 MILLION OZ//

PHYSICAL GOLD/SILVER COMMENTARIES

1/ PETER SCHIFF/SCHIFF GOLD/MIKE MAHARRY

2. ALASDAIR MACLEOD/JIM RICKARDS/PAM AND RUSS MARTENS/ JAMES RICKARDS/ VON GREYERZ//GOLD AND SILVER COMMENTARY//BILL HOLTER:

3. CHRIS POWELL AND GATA DISPATCHES

Gold and oil: How the Soviet empire’s fall was engineered

Submitted by admin on Tue, 2024-11-19 11:46 Section: Daily Dispatches

By Ed Steer
Ed Steer’s Gold and Silver Digest
Monday, November 18, 2024

The article below was written by Dana Allen — and posted on the www.NewsRevolt.com Internet site back on 17 August 2001.

That website is no longer active, but fortunately I had a hard copy of it stashed away — and I’m posting it again, as I want it available in the public domain for posterity reasons, considering what’s unfolding on the world stage at the moment.

The latest was this news item from Zero Hedge late Sunday afternoon EST headlined “In “Major Policy Shift” Biden Authorizes Ukraine’s Use of U.S. Missiles to Hit Targets Inside Russia” — and linked here.

It has historical significance — and I just wanted to make sure that it didn’t get ‘lost’…if you know what I mean.  Here it is in its entirety — and unedited…except for the fact that I added the “Gold & Oil” part to its headline.  You’ll find out why I did while you’re reading it.

Gold & Oil: How the Soviet Empire’s Fall Was Engineered — Dana Allen

In March 1999 I was privileged to hear from John Browne, Margaret Thatcher’s Foreign Policy Advisor the story of how a plan was developed to end the Soviet Empire. Before that story some background.

I have been a Silicon Valley software executive and entrepreneur most of my career having founded Sequoia Data, the first pure E-commerce company in 1987. Later I merged it to go public with TMS to form TMSSequoia. At the same time as an American I was concerned about news censorship in America and its effect on out country. As I investigated more stories I found out that outfits like CNN and CBS were heavily censoring stories if they endangered their political favorites.

So I helped people like Reed Irvine at Accuracy in Media and reporters like Chris Ruddy that were fighting the news censorship. In the summer of 1998 Chris founded NewsMax.com with my assistance and I became Chairman of NewsMax. It is now a well-known major Internet news service and has a major magazine as well. In March of 1999 we had a party in Palm Beach Florida. A supporter, Sofia Casey, the widow of the former CIA head Bill Casey, hosted it as she wanted to introduce us to investors in that area (we were raising money). I flew in for the event of about 50 people.

Sofia was an exceptionally graceful hostess. At the party she charmed everyone with her conversation and twinkly eyes. I remember thinking that Bill Casey, whom I have never met, was lucky to have a wife like Sofia. She has since passed on this year.

Chris Ruddy with his trademark public speaking skill started it off by introduced three people. First he introduced John Browne, who as mentioned already was Margaret Thatcher’s Foreign Policy Advisor, then he introduced me as the Chairman of NewsMax and TMSSequoia, and then he introduced Former White House Chief of Staff General Alexander Haig. Sure enough I looked over and there was Al Haig. After that John Browne was given the floor to give a speech. The topic was how the Soviet Empire was toppled. John is an excellent public speaker, but what made his speech possibly the most fascinating I have ever heard is that it was so historic, intriguing and from an insider. John Browne had met with Gorbachev before Thatcher. He then set up the first meeting between Thatcher and Gorbachev. That started the ball rolling on Russia’s new “openness” policy and Thatcher made her famous phrase “I can work with this man” after that meeting.

It is fairly well known that Ronald Reagan was a sincere Anti-Communist as was Thatcher. The depth of this was made apparent to me when I had lunch (also in 1999) with Michael Reagan, his son and a Talk Radio host. Michael told me that upon Ron losing the 76 primaries to Gerald Ford that Michael had tried to comfort his dad. Ron told Michael that he did not particularly care whether he became President or not, instead his disappointment was in regard to not being able to topple Communism and in particular being able to walk out of an arms negotiation with the Secretary General of the Soviet Union after telling him “nyet“. This story from Michael Reagan dovetailed with what John Browne was to reveal in his talk.

Browne said that after Reagan came to office ties were established with Thatcher on the common goal of ending the evil of Soviet Communism. Eventually this movement grew to include America, England and the Pope.

Independent to Browne’s talk other researchers have reported that the Pope having grown up under the National Socialist’s of Hitler then the Soviet Communists in Poland was naturally an Anti-Communist from his personal experience. But he had an extra motive. In 1917 there were those girls in Portugal (Fatima) that said they received messages from the Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church has given official credence to their prophecies.

What they said is less well reported than the event. They said they heard that a great evil would appear in Russia and would fight against the Church and almost win. Well about six months later the Communists did come to power in Russia and did later murder millions in its quest to stamp out Christianity. Other part of the prophecy was that the Pope would be shot (which he was in 1981 by the Communists) and that the Russian Communist atheists would fall. It was apparently believed by Pope John Paul II that the timing of that would likely fall in his term. It has been reported that he felt it was his mission to help make this happen. The official Vatican site for this prophecy is linked here.

So the players and their motivation were in place. Browne said the key individuals in this were President Reagan, Bill Casey of the CIA, Thatcher, Browne and the Pope. Reagan thought differently than previous presidents and the State Department, who thought just containing and living with the Soviets was the best policy. Reagan wanted to actively topple them.

The participants on this mission came up with the following plan. Instead of a bloody war, the Soviets could be bankrupted into surrender. America would first build up our military inducing the Soviets to try and keep up with us and thus spend more and at the same time we would figure out ways to reduce their foreign exchange income.

As part of the buildup America started the “Star Wars” defense program. Star Wars frightened the Soviets because technology wise they were inferior to the U.S. and knew it. Thus the KGB mounted a propaganda offensive to try and get the U.S. to drop it, and received assistance from many in our establishment media wittingly or not.

Next we applied pressure. For the first time land was reclaimed from Communists (in Grenada) a psychological blow. Then the U.S. backed the freedom fighters in Nicaragua and Afghanistan, which required massive spending by the Soviets to contend with. It also put them on notice that we would no longer concede countries they had mostly gained control of.

Then just as Reagan had told his son he would in 1976, he walked out of the Iceland arms negotiations with Gorbachev. The American press at the time said it was a disaster for Reagan. The Soviets after their fall admitted it was a turning point in the battle and a brilliant move by Reagan. Of course the American Establishment Press always said an arms race could not be won, until after it was won.

The Pope applied moral pressure especially on his visit to Poland. That was a key event in changing the psychology in Eastern Europe. Great Britain assisted in diplomacy, intelligence and military spending.

Remember the 2nd prong in bankrupting the Soviets, reducing their Foreign Exchange income? The first step on that was to determine where the Soviets income mostly came from. It turned out to be Oil and Gold. Then Browne said that this is where the CIA came in, they in a very sophisticated manner went around the world and manipulated markets to drive down the price of both Oil and Gold. Remember where Oil and Gold were when Reagan took over? They were in the neighborhood of $30 a barrel and $500 an ounce. Both fell dramatically under Reagan. As Browne made this and other points I would look across the patio and look at Mrs. Casey and Al Haig and both would be nodding in agreement with Browne’s points.

The conclusion of the speech was that it worked, and the Soviets ran out of money and fell.

There are people who believe that the American government is today manipulating the price of gold downward for their own purposes. I do not know if this is true, however I do know they have the capability to do so as they did it in the 1980s to bankrupt the Soviets. In that case I applaud what they did, it was in our countries best interest, it freed millions from Communist slavery and it may have saved millions of lives in future wars that were prevented.

It is encouraging to know that a huge problem that went unsolved for 70 years was solved when one person with the assistance of others decided for the first time to tackle it proactively. A lesson for all of us when someone says a problem is too big to tackle.

Dana Allen
President
American Media Revolution
www.NewsRevolt.com [no longer active]

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

The above essay prompted me to undertake what turned into 2-year odyssey, with the end result being my first major commentary on the Internet back in late 2002 headlined “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: The Story of Canada’s Gold?“

My writing skills and style have improved greatly since then…at least I’d like to think they have. If I’d written it today, it would have been done a bit differently — and with somewhat less hyperbole.  Some of the text on this website is obscured by the right side-bar — and there’s nothing I can do about that.  This is not the website it was originally posted on, but it’s all I could find using the Goggle search engine.   A lot of the charts and photos have vanished — and a lot of the links are inactive as well…like for the Dana Allen piece above.

It’s very long…but it’s something else that I didn’t wish to see disappear…especially considering what’s going on in the world now 20+ years later…starting with the rise like the proverbial Phoenix of the new Mother Russia under Vladimir Putin…the resurrection of gold as a Tier 1 asset with the BIS — and the ongoing rush to gold by the world’s central banks et al.

The link to that is here.

NOTE:  I have the complete text-only version of this available — and if interested, contact me and I’ll send it to you.

— Ed

* * *

END

The best and worst U.S. states for sound money in 2025

Submitted by admin on Wed, 2024-11-20 12:38 Section: Daily Dispatches

From Money Metals News Service, Eagle, Idaho
Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The newly released 2025 Sound Money Index has identified Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska as the states with the most favorable policies toward constitutional sound money, while Vermont, Maine, and California take the most hostile stances.

Released annually by the Sound Money Defense League and Money Metals Exchange, the Sound Money Index is a comprehensive scorecard evaluating how each U.S. state promotes or impedes sound money policies.

Ranked policies include sales, income, and gross revenue taxes connected with precious metals, state affirmation of gold and silver as money, strengthening protections of gold and silver clause contracts, state precious metals depositories.

Additional criteria include issuing or investing in gold bonds, inclusion of physical gold or silver in state pension or reserve funds, state mechanisms to accept and remit taxes and other payments in gold and silver, and crippling regulatory burdens imposed on precious metals dealers and investors. …

… For the remainder of the report:

https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2024/11/20/wyoming-south-dakota-top-the-2025-sound-money-index-five-states-still-fully-tax-gold-and-silver-003631

4. OTHER GOLD COMMENTARIES//LIVE FROM THE VAULT/no 199 ANDREW MAGUIRE

LIVE FROM THE VAULT/ANDREW MAGUIRE KINESIS 199

5 B GLOBAL COMMODITY ISSUES/FOOD IN GENERAL//FREIGHT/COMMODITIES:

6 CRYPTOCURRENCY NEWS

ASIA TRADING WEDNESDAY MORNING/TUESDAY  NIGHT

SHANGHAI CLOSED UP 21.98 PTS OR 0.77%

//Hang Seng CLOSED UP 41.34 PTS OR 0.21%

// Nikkei CLOSED DOWN 62.09 OR 0.16%//Australia’s all ordinaries CLOSED DOWN 0.58%///Chinese yuan (ONSHORE) CLOSED DOWN TO 7.2465 CHINESE YUAN OFFSHORE CLOSED DOWN TO 7.2491// Oil UP TO 69.87 dollars per barrel for WTI and BRENT UP AT 77.65 Stocks in Europe OPENED ALL GREEN

ONSHORE USA/ YUAN TRADING ABOVE LEVEL OF OFFSHORE YUAN/ONSHORE YUAN  TRADING WEAKER AGAINST US DOLLAR/OFFSHORE YUAN WEAKER

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

1.YOUR EARLY CURRENCY VALUES/GOLD AND SILVER PRICING/ASIAN AND EUROPEAN BOURSE MOVEMENTS/AND INTEREST RATE SETTINGS WEDNESDAY MORNING.7:30 AM

ONSHORE YUAN:   CLOSED DOWN AT 7.2434

OFFSHORE YUAN: DOWN TO 7.2491

SHANGHAI CLOSED CLOSED UP 21.98 PTS OR 0.66%

HANG SENG CLOSED CLOSED UP 41.34 PTS OR 0.21%

2. Nikkei closed DOWN 5209 PTS OR 0.16%

3. Europe stocks   SO FAR:  ALL GREEN

USA dollar INDEX UP TO  106.50 EURO FALLS TO 1.0562 DOWN 45 BASIS PTS

3b Japan 10 YR bond yield: RISES TO. +1.065 Japan buying 100% of bond issuance)/Japanese YEN vs USA cross now at 155.77…… JAPANESE YEN NOW FALLING AS WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE RE EMERGING OF THE YEN CARRY TRADE AGAIN AFTER DISASTROUS POLICY ISSUED BY UEDA

3c Nikkei now  ABOVE 17,000

3d USA/Yen rate now well ABOVE the important 120 barrier this morning

3e Gold UP /JAPANESE Yen DOWN CHINESE ONSHORE YUAN: DOWN OFFSHORE: DOWN

3f Japan is to buy INFINITE  TRILLION YEN worth of BONDS. Japan’s GDP equals 5 trillion USA

Japan to buy 100% of all new Japanese debt and NOW they will have OVER 50% of all Japanese debt.

3g Oil UP for WTI and UP FOR BUP this morning

3h European bond buying continues to push yields lower on all fronts in the EMU. German 10yr bund YIELD UP TO +2.37785 Italian 10 Yr bond yield UP to 3.6012 //SPAIN 10 YR BOND YIELD UP TO 3.084

3i Greek 10 year bond yield UP TO 3.214

3j Gold at $2631.50 /Silver at: 31.00  1 am est) SILVER NEXT RESISTANCE LEVEL AT $50.00//AFTER 28.40

3k USA vs Russian rouble;// Russian rouble UP 0 AND 17/100  roubles/dollar; ROUBLE AT 100.41

3m oil into the 69 dollar handle for WTI and  77 handle for Brent/

3n Higher foreign deposits moving out of China//  huge risk of outflows and a currency depreciation. This can spell financial disaster for the rest of the world/

JAPAN ON JAN 29.2016 CONTINUES NIRP. THIS MORNING RAISES AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT THEY WILL PURCHASE UP TO .5% ON THE 10 YR BOND///YEN TRADES TO 155.77  10 YEAR YIELD AFTER FIRST BREAKING .54% LAST YEAR NOW EXCEEDS THAT LEVEL TO 1.065% STILL ON CENTRAL BANK (JAPAN) INTERVENTION//YEN CARRY TRADE IS NOW UNWINDING.

30 SNB (Swiss National Bank) still intervening again in the markets driving down the FRANC. It is not working: USA/SF this 0.8848 as the Swiss Franc is still rising against most currencies. Euro vs SF:   0.9343  well above the floor set by the Swiss Finance Minister. Thomas Jordan, chief of the Swiss National Bank continues to purchase euros trying to lower value of the Swiss Franc.

USA 10 YR BOND YIELD: 4.430 UP 5 BASIS PTS…

USA 30 YR BOND YIELD: 4.618 UP 5 BASIS PTS/

USA 2 YR BOND YIELD:  4.308 UP 4 BASIS PTS

USA DOLLAR VS TURKISH LIRA: 34.47…

10 YR UK BOND YIELD: 4.542 UP 6 PTS

10 YR CANADA BOND YIELD: 3.395 UP 6 BASIS PTS

5 YR CANADA BOND YIELD: 3.211 UP 5 5 PTS.

2a New York OPENING REPORT\

US Futures, Global Markets Slide, Dollar And Yields Jump On Ukraine War Escalation

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 – 08:24 AM

Stocks fell, with European equities shedding almost 1%, and global bonds and the dollar climbing on worries over the latest escalation in the Ukraine. Sentiment was spooked after Vladimir Putin signed a decree lowering Russia’s threshold for a nuclear strike in the event of a massive conventional attack on its soil. The warning came just minutes before Ukrainian forces carried out their first strike within Russian territory with a Western-supplied ATACMS missile, although the tepid Russian response indicated that Putin is in no rush to retaliate to this provocation by the deep state. As of 8:00am S&P 500 futures dipped 0.3%, but were well off their session lows; Nasdaq futures dropped 0.2% with TSLA down 1.5% and NVDA up +0.8% pre-market. The yield on 10-year Treasuries fell three basis points to 4.38% after earlier dropping to 4.33%. The moves were steeper in Europe, with German bond yields dropping to the lowest since October. The euro retreated 0.3%. Poland’s main stock index sank more than 3%. However, bunds then pared gains and their outperformance over Treasuries as traders unwind haven buying after Russia reports limited damage following Ukraine’s missile attack using US weapons, a move seen as Putin’s unwillingness to push the world into WW3. Commodities are mixed: oil is flat, base metals are mixed with copper and iron ore higher, and Precious Metals are higher. Today, the key focus will be LOW and WMT earnings pre-market. On macro data, we will receive Housing Starts and Building Permits.

In premarket trading, Walmart rose 4% after the company boosted its outlook for the year on strong demand from US consumers searching for value. Alphabet dropped 0.5% on reports that top Justice Department antitrust officials decided to ask a judge to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser to break its monopoly search. Bakkt jumped another 18% after the Financial Times reported that Trump Media and Technology Group is in advanced talks to buy the crypto trading firm, citing people familiar with the matter. Here are some other notable premarket movers:

• Incyte drops 11% after the company announced it will pause enrollment in a Phase 2 study of MRGPRX2, which is aimed at a chronic skin condition.
• Super Micro Computer jumps 23% after the company hired a new auditor and filed a plan to come into compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements.
• Symbotic soars 30% after the robotics warehouse automation company provided a 1Q revenue outlook that beat estimates.
• XPeng ADRs gains 5% after the electric-vehicle maker’s fourth-quarter forecast beat estimates, with the company forecasting sales of 87,000 to 91,000 units — higher than the average estimate of 73,960.

Markets were rattled by reports that Ukrainian forces reportedly carried out their first strike on a border region in Russia using Western-supplied missiles. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin had approved an updated nuclear doctrine that expanded the conditions for Russia to use atomic weapons, including in response to a massive conventional attack on its soil. Putin had pledged in September to revise the doctrine.

“The market reaction is logical, one could feel already yesterday that the tension was rising,” said Andrea Tueni, head of sales trading at Saxo Banque France. “For the moment the market reaction is contained, some are still in a wait-and see-mode.”

Traditional haven assets including the Japanese yen, Swiss franc and gold gained. Ukraine’s sovereign dollar bonds – which had risen sharply in recent days on hopes for a Trump-led ceasefire, fell the most among emerging-market peers, with a note due February 2029 losing 1.6 cent on the dollar.

Also on Tuesday, traders were discussing how Trump’s nomination of Treasury secretary could shape policy. The transition team is considering pairing Kevin Warsh, a former Fed official, in the Treasury secretary role, with hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as director of the White House’s National Economic Council, according to people familiar with the matter. “Kevin Warsh was in the FOMC, so the likelihood of political interference into the Fed policy making is certainly diminishing if he were to become the Treasury secretary,” said Gero Jung, chief economist of Mirabaud Asset Management in Geneva.

Europe’s Stoxx 600 fell as much as 1% on concerns Russia’s war in Ukraine is escalating. The turbulence boosted the region’s defense stocks, several of which are among the top gainers alongside Aeroports de Paris and Imperial Brands. At the other end of the index, Siemens and Husqvarna fall on respective broker downgrades. Here are the biggest movers Tuesday:

• European defense stocks rise while airlines slide after RBC Ukraine says Ukrainian armed forces carried out their first strike in a border region within Russian territory
• Imperial Brands shares rise as much as 3.5%, briefly hitting their highest level since 2019, after the tobacco giant reported annual results that were broadly in-line with its pre-close update
• Aéroports de Paris rises as much as 6.2% after Bank of America and Stifel upgrade the stock to buy, predicting that earnings momentum and the group’s strong international platforms will provide upside
• Bodycote shares rise as much as 7.8%, marking its biggest jump in 20 months, after the heat treatment specialist said its full-year performance should meet market expectations
• Avon Technologies gains as much as 9.9% to a three-year high, after the respiratory-protection equipment maker reported preliminary full-year earnings, with mid-term targets a key positive
• Vesuvius shares rise as much as 8%, the most in almost 16 months, after the molten metal flow engineering firm delivered a resilient trading update despite tough conditions in its end markets
• Siemens falls as much as 4.1% after being downgraded to neutral at Bank of America, with the broker quoting “limited” 2025 momentum and a slow recovery for its key Digital Industries division
• Husqvarna drops as much as 6.8% after the Swedish gardening equipment manufacturer was cut to sell at SEB, with the broker no longer seeing any major recovery from 2024 lows
• Italian shares declined, with the FTSE MIB being the second-worst performer in the world. Large domestic lenders dragged the index down as investors took profit following YTD gains
• CaixaBank shares drop as much as 5.1% after the Spanish bank unveiled a new strategic plan. KBW noted that the capital distribution targets are now less clear
• Novo Nordisk shares erased what was left of this year’s once lofty gains as concerns around the impact of competition and supply constraints cool excitement around the Danish drugmaker’s obesity drugs
• Spie drops as much as 4.5%, briefly hitting their lowest level since January, after one of the company’s investors offered to sell shares at a discount compared to Monday’s close

Earlier in the session, Asian stocks rose, extending a rebound from recent losses, led by Taiwan and Australia after gains in US peers overnight. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 1.1%, with TSMC and Commonwealth Bank of Australia among the biggest boosts. Tech and financials were among the largest drivers amid broad advances across sectors. US and European stock futures rose as a decline in Treasury yields bolstered the appeal of holding equities. The rally follows a decline of 3.9% in the Asian benchmark last week, its worst in seven months. Investors remain focused on US President-elect Donald Trumps’ plans including the heavy tariffs he has vowed on China, as well as the response planned by the latter as it continues to try and revive its economy.

In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar index rose 0.1%, while USDJPY dropped as much as 0.9% to 153.29, before paring losses; one-week volatility spiked by 60 basis points to 10.34% after the Russia headlines hit the wires; the Swiss franc also inches higher.

In rates, treasuries held flight-to-quality gains garnered during London morning following report Ukraine had carried out its first strike on Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles. Yields, off session lows, remain 4bp-5bp richer across the curve. Scant US economic data and Fed speeches are slated. Treasury 10-year yields are around 4.37% vs session low 4.343%; gilts in the sector lag by around 1bp while bunds trade broadly in line; curve spreads are within 1pm of Monday’s closing levels

In commodities, natural-gas futures gained as much as 1.1%, trading near their highest levels in a year. Oil traders, meanwhile, appeared unfazed by the latest developments, with WTI falling 0.8% to $68.60 a barrel after Europe’s largest oil field gradually restarted following a power outage. Spot gold climbed 0.9% or $23 to around $2,634/oz.

Bitcoin is back in the vicinity of an all-time high, climbing above $92,000. The digital asset has been supported by a series of developments highlighting the deepening embrace of the digital-asset industry by Trump.

Today’s economic data calendar includes October building starts and housing permits at 8:30am. Fed speaker slate includes Kansas City’s Schmid at 1:10pm

Market Snapshot

• S&P 500 futures down 0.6% to 5,885.75
• STOXX Europe 600 down 0.9% to 498.07
• MXAP up 1.0% to 183.95
• MXAPJ up 0.7% to 581.32
• Nikkei up 0.5% to 38,414.43
• Topix up 0.7% to 2,710.03
• Hang Seng Index up 0.4% to 19,663.67
• Shanghai Composite up 0.7% to 3,346.01
• Sensex up 0.5% to 77,692.91
• Australia S&P/ASX 200 up 0.9% to 8,374.03
• Kospi up 0.1% to 2,471.95
• German 10Y yield little changed at 2.29%
• Euro down 0.6% to $1.0535
• Brent Futures down 0.8% to $72.74/bbl
• Gold spot up 0.8% to $2,631.64
• US Dollar Index up 0.28% to 106.57

Top Overnight News

• Haven assets gained as Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing Russia to use nuclear weapons in the event of a massive conventional attack on its soil. It will also view aggression against itself or allies by a non-nuclear state backed by other nuclear powers as a joint attack. Adding to the tension, Ukrainian forces carried out their first strike within Russian territory with a Western-supplied ATACMS missile. BBG
• Japan and China sold Treasuries last quarter ahead of the US election. Japanese investors sold a record $61.9 billion, while funds in China offloaded $51.3 billion, the second biggest sum on record. BBG
• China is “scrambling” to secure meetings w/members of the incoming Trump administration. FT
• The BOJ may raise policy rates to “a neutral rate” of 1% by March 2026, MUFG Chairman Kanetsugu Mike said. BBG
• Lebanon and Hezbollah agreed to a US proposal for a cease-fire with Israel with some comments on the content. Reuters
• NATO’s 15 largest European members may have to double defense spending to $720 billion annually to meet the challenge of Russia’s war in Ukraine and the possibility of less American support. BBG
• Trump is leaning towards Warsh as Treasury Sec with Bessent as head of the White House’s National Economic Council. BBG
• Trump is said to be pressuring senators to confirm Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, according to Axios. However, it was also reported that Trump admitted Gaetz may not be confirmed by the Senate, according to NYT.
• Trump’s cabinet picks could face obstacles from as many as 9 Republican Senators. The Hill
• Alphabet shares down ~70bps premarket after people familiar said the DOJ will push for Google to sell its Chrome browser to break its monopoly. Officials are also seeking action on data licensing and AI. BBG

A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks traded mostly in the green following the similar performance stateside although gains were capped amid relatively quiet newsflow with no major fresh macro catalysts to drive price action. ASX 200 outperformed and notched a fresh record high with all sectors in the green and the advances led by a tech resurgence and strength in gold miners, while there were recent amiable Xi-Albanese comments and Morgan Stanley raised its ASX 200 target. Nikkei 225 traded higher and shrugged off a firmer currency as Japan aims for cabinet approval of an economic package soon. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp swung between gains and losses despite better-than-expected earnings from Xiaomi which failed to lift shares in the smartphone/EV maker, while support pledges by regulators did little to boost sentiment and the EU is also reportedly to demand tech transfers from Chinese companies in return for EU subsidies which would apply to batteries but could be expanded to other green sectors.

Top Asian News

• PBoC asks financial institutions to stop buying offshore Local Government Financing Vehicle (LGFV) bond under southbound connect scheme, via Reuters citing sources
• PBoC’s Zhu said China will deepen Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor reforms, while it will support Hong Kong to develop the offshore yuan market.
• Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said they will support more quality enterprises to list and issue bonds in Hong Kong, as well as support Chinese financial institutions in Hong Kong to expand their business.
• China’s NFRA chief said Chinese banks have sufficient buffers for risk and they will implement the new CNY 60bln limit on local government debt and support financial institutions in debt restructuring to ease pressure on local governments. Furthermore, efforts will focus on improving financial service facilitation in the Greater Bay Area through interoperability of regulatory mechanisms and targeted policy issuance, while there are encouraging Chinese-funded banks and insurance institutions to set up their regional headquarters in Hong Kong to support its economic development.
• China CSRC Chairman Wu Qing said they will support listings inside and outside of the mainland.
• EU is reportedly to demand technology transfers from Chinese companies in return for EU subsidies, while the requirements would apply to batteries but could be expanded to other green sectors, according to FT.
• Hong Kong jailed all 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners in the city’s largest security trial with legal scholar Benny Tai sentenced to 10 years in prison for subversion and student leader Joshua Wong sentenced to 4 years and 8 months, while it was later reported that the US strongly condemned the jailing of the democracy activists, according to AFP.
• Japanese Economic Revitalisation Minister Akazawa said they are aiming for cabinet approval of the economic package soon and it is crucial to boost pay for all generations with the package, while DPP head Tamaki also said that they aim for cabinet approval of economic measures by Friday.
• Japanese Finance Minister Kato said it is important for currencies to move in a stable manner reflecting fundamentals and they will continue to take appropriate action against excessive forex moves. Kato stated there is absolutely no change to their stance on forex and they have been seeing somewhat one-sided, sharp moves in the forex market since late September, while he reiterated they are closely watching FX moves with the utmost sense of urgency.
• RBA Minutes from the November 5th meeting stated the Board is vigilant to upside inflation risks and policy is needed to remain restrictive, while it saw no immediate need to change the Cash Rate and reiterated it is not possible to rule anything in or out on future changes in the Cash Rate. RBA Minutes noted their forecasts were based on the technical assumption for the Cash Rate to stay steady until mid-2025 and the Board considered what might warrant future change in cash rate or prolonged steady period, as well as discussed scenarios where policy would need to stay restrictive for longer or tighten further but also considered scenarios where a rate cut would be justified, including weak consumption. Furthermore, RBA noted the supply gap might be wider than assumed, necessitating tighter policy and rates might need to rise if the Board judged policy was not as restrictive as assumed, while it also stated that the Board had “minimal tolerance” for inflation above forecasts and would need more than one good quarterly inflation report to justify rate cut.
• Xpeng (XPEV/ 9868 HK) Q3 (RMB): adj eps -1.62 (prev. -1.61), revenue 10.1bln (prev. 9.91bln), vehicle deliveries 87-91k (+44.6-51.3% Y/Y).
• China’s chip advances stall as US curbs hit Huawei AI products, via Bloomberg.

European bourses opened on a mixed/modestly firmer footing. Thereafter, Russia’s Kremlin said “Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in an event of aggression”. This sparked a safe-haven bid, with equities selling-off to session lows, whilst the JPY and bonds soared to highs. This move has since stabilised, with equities currently residing at lows. European sectors opened entirely in the green, but sentiment has since slipped and now shows a mostly negative picture in  Europe. A clear defensive bias is seen in Europe; Utilities top, whilst Autos and Consumer Products lags. US equity futures are entirely in the red, with sentiment hit following comments via Russian Kremlin that noted it could respond to aggression in a nuclear manner. Goldman Sachs lowers its 12 month Stoxx 600 target to 530 from 540 (currently 502). Cuts FTSE 100 target to 8500 from 8800 (currently 8138)

Top European News

• UK PM Starmer announced the relaunch of UK-India free trade talks, while it was also reported that Starmer met with Japanese PM Ishiba and agreed to start “2 + 2” economic and trade cooperation talks between the UK and Japan.
• ECB’s Panetta says the ECB should move to a neutral monetary stance, or expansionary if necessary; forthcoming change in the US govt adds uncertainty to the inflation outlook. Still a long way from the neutral rate. ECB needs to give more explicit indications of its policy rate intention.
• BoE Governor Bailey says services inflation is still above level that is compatible with on-target inflation. Says BoE must watch services inflation carefully. Says a gradual approach to removing monpol restraint will help observe risks to the inflation outlook.
• BoE Deputy Governor Lombardelli says we have seen a fall in services inflation and wage settlements; sees risks to inflation on both sides.
• BoE’s Taylor says disinflation is unfolding as we should expect.
• BoE’s Mann says forward-looking price and wage indicators have been flat and above target for four months, raises risk of inflation persistence. Says financial market inflation expectations suggest BoE will not get to 2% inflation in the forecast horizon. Latest Budget offers opportunity for firms to realise price increases that are inconsistent with 2% inflation target. Even before the Budget, higher minimum wage was causing firms problems in maintaining wage differentials.
• Moody’s says total industry costs from Britain’s review into motor finance commissions could reach GBP 30bln

FX

• DXY is firmer vs. peers (ex-JPY) after a sluggish start to the session which appeared to be a signal of USD consolidation from its post-election run of gains. However, the risk-off move prompted by Russian Kremlin comments managed to provide some reprieve.
• EUR/USD has been swept up in the broader risk-averse move which provided the USD some reprieve. Today’s EZ HICP (Final) metrics were unrevised, and as such had little impact on the Single-currency. EUR/USD briefly slipped below the bottom end of yesterday’s 1.0529-1.0607 range.
• JPY attempting to claw back some of yesterday’s lost ground vs. the USD with Japanese Finance Minister Kato attempting to lend a helping hand, with familiar jawboning overnight. USD/JPY selling exacerbated with the pair breaking below the bottom end of yesterday’s 153.84-155.35 range due to risk-aversion prompted by comments from the Russian Kremlin.
• GBP struggling against the USD, pulling back below the 1.2650 level and hovers just above yesterday’s trough at 1.2611. The TSC Hearing is currently ongoing at time of publish; so far, BoE’s Mann has repeated her familiar hawkish rhetoric, whilst Governor Bailey largely reiterated comments made at the last BoE meeting.
• Antipodeans are both softer vs. the USD with both currencies hampered by the current risk environment and scaling back some of yesterday’s gains. AUD/USD managed to advance to a high of 0.6523 earlier but has since pulled back below 0.65 (vs. yesterday’s trough at 0.6447).
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1911 vs exp. 7.2305 (prev. 7.1907).

Fixed Income

• USTs have marched higher in early trade with a safe-haven bid emerging from comments by the Russian Kremlin that it could respond to aggression in a nuclear manner. Fresh US-specific macro drivers are currently lacking in what is set to be a week that contains a light data slate. Dec’24 UST cleared a slew of highs from last week as well as the 110 mark and matched the 12th November high at 110.04.
• Bunds are higher in-fitting with global counterparts as macro updates from the Eurozone remain light for today’s session thus far; focus ultimately lies on Flash PMIs on Friday. Bunds have taken out a slew of highs from last week with the next upside target coming via the 133 mark with the 30th October high just above at 133.02.
• Ahead of the BoE TSC Hearing, the 2038 Gilt auction was fairly weak vs the prior outing (pre-Budget). Gilts topped 94.50, but has since edged back below that level to a current 94.25. The TSC Hearing is currently ongoing at time of publish; so far, BoE’s Mann has repeated her familiar hawkish rhetoric, whilst Governor Bailey largely reiterated comments made at the last BoE meeting.
• UK sells GBP 3.25bln 3.75% 2038 Gilt: b/c 2.74x (prev. 3.28x), average yield 4.558% (prev. 4.131%) & tail 0.6bps (prev. 0.1bps)

Commodities

• WTI and Brent are on the back foot, having initially started the European session with incremental losses. Pressure in the complex accelerated following commentary from Russia’s Kremlin which noted that, “Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in an event of aggression”. On the supply front, Equinor said production has restarted at its Johan Sverdrup oilfield. Brent’Jan 25 sits towards the bottom end of a USD 72.72-73.53/bbl range.
• Precious metals are on a firmer footing continuing the price action seen overnight. XAU specifically caught a bid owing to its safe-haven status, following the aforementioned geopolitical updates via Russia’s Kremlin.
• Base metals began the European session entirely in the green, benefiting from the positive risk tone overnight and amid support pledges by Chinese officials. Some pressure, with sentiment hit following the above geopolitical related headlines.
• Equinor (EQNR NO) says production has restarted at its Johan Sverdrup oilfield; expects the oilfield to produce at 2/3 of normal capacity during morning hours today. Still working to restore full output capacity.
• Chinese October crude iron ore output -4.1% Y/Y at 86.45mln tonnes, according to stats bureau. Alumina output +5.4% Y/Y at 7.43mln metric tons. Lead output -5.3% Y/Y at 661k tons. Zinc output -9.5% at 565k tons.

Geopolitics: Middle East

• Against the backdrop of Amos Hochstein’s visit to Beirut – the US administration is warning “not to read too much” his visit as a sign that a deal may be imminent – as negotiations are ongoing, via Kann News’s Stein
• Iranian Foreign Minister says “We consider the recent Israeli aggression on our territory a new attack and deserves a response from our side”
• Lebanon and Hezbollah agreed to the US proposal for a ceasefire with Israel with ‘some comments’ on content, according to a senior Lebanese politician who stated the US ceasefire proposal is the most serious attempt yet to end the fighting.
• Hezbollah said it bombarded a gathering of Israeli enemy forces south of the town of Khiam, according to Al Jazeera.
• Israeli Foreign Minister urged the UN to pressure Iraq after attacks by pro-Iran factions and said the government of Iraq is responsible for any actions that occur within or from its territory, according to Sky News Arabia and Asharq News.
• Iran’s Foreign Ministry said new EU and UK sanctions against Iran are unjustified, baseless and contradict international law.
• Iranian Ambassador to Russia said there are no obstacles to concluding a strategic cooperation agreement between Russia and Iran, according to Asharq News.

Geopolitics: Ukraine

• Russia’s Kremlin says the updated nuclear doctrine signed by Putin is a “very important text”, “Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in an event of aggression”
• Ukraine reportedly makes first ATACMS strike inside Russia, according to Ukraine press.
• US Ambassador to the UN said on Monday that the US will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days, according to Reuters.
• French President Macron said US President Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine the use of US-provided weapons to strike inside of Russia is a good decision, according to Reuters.
• Kremlin spokesperson said Russia is ready to normalise ties with the US but will not tango alone, while a spokesperson also said that Russia’s amendments to its nuclear doctrine have been formulated but not formalised yet, according to TASS.
• Russia and Chinese foreign ministers discussed ‘unprecedented’ strategic bilateral relations on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brazil, according to Russian agencies cited by Reuters.
• EU foreign chief Borrell said the role of China is becoming bigger and bigger in the Ukraine war and without Iran and China, Russia could not support its military effort.

US Event Calendar

• 08:30: Oct. Housing Starts MoM, est. -1.5%, prior -0.5%
• 08:30: Oct. Housing Starts, est. 1.33m, prior 1.35m
• 08:30: Oct. Building Permits MoM, est. 0.7%, prior -2.9%, revised -3.1%
• 08:30: Oct. Building Permits, est. 1.44m, prior 1.43m, revised 1.43m

Central Bank Speakers

• 13:10: Fed’s Schmid Speaks on Economic Outlook , Policy

DB’s Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

One thing we pointed out in our LT Study was how this era has some uncanny parallels to the end of the last quarter-century 25 years ago. For instance, equities have surged over the last couple of years, with a narrow rally that’s been driven by tech stocks, just like in the dot com bubble. Moreover, the Fed are easing policy in that environment, just like they did in 1998, whilst valuation metrics like the CAPE are currently sitting at historic highs. In light of that, Henry took a look at how the current situation resembles three other periods when valuations were historically high: the dot com bubble, the pre-GFC era, and 2021. You can see the report here.

Risk assets began to stabilise yesterday, with the S&P 500 (+0.39%) picking up again after its decline of more than -2% last week. There wasn’t really a major catalyst behind the moves and it was a fairly quiet day on the whole. But the Magnificent 7 (+1.22%) saw a sizeable outperformance thanks to a +5.62% surge in Tesla’s share price, so that helped to drag up equities more broadly. Those moves for Tesla followed a Bloomberg report that the Trump transition team had said to advisers they’d make a federal framework for self-driving cars a priority for the Transportation Department, so that was very good news from their perspective. The equity gains were reasonably broad beyond tech, with nearly two thirds of the S&P 500 higher on the day, although the Dow Jones (-0.13%) lost ground amid underperformance for industrials. Over in Europe the story was one of small declines, with the STOXX 600 down -0.06%.

Government yields had a topsy-turvy day in the US. At the close 10yr Treasury yields (-2.5bps) and 30yr yields (-0.7bps) were lower and 6-8bps down from their intra-day highs, which saw 30yr yields touch their highest levels since May. The reversal was driven by a decline in real yields, with breakevens higher on the day and the US 2yr inflation swap up +3.1bps to a 7-month high of 2.66%. Overnight, yields on 10yr USTs have slipped -0.8bps lower trading at 4.406%.

This dialing up of investors’ inflation expectations came amid a strong day for oil prices with Brent crude up +3.18% to $73.30/bbl, which in large part reflected an increased focus on geopolitical tensions after the weekend’s news that President Biden authorised Ukraine to use US long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia. Gold (+1.84%) posted its best day in three months, with a stronger day for commodities also facilitated by a decline for the dollar index (-0.39%) for the first time in seven sessions.
Over in Europe, markets closed before the US bond rally took hold, with yields on 10yr bunds (+1.6bps), OATs (+1.1bps) and BTPs (+1.5bps) all inching higher. That came against the backdrop of several ECB speakers yesterday, but there wasn’t much deviation from expectations. For instance, Greece’s Stournaras said that for the December meeting, he thought “25 basis points is an optimal reduction.” And Ireland’s Makhlouf said that he believed “in a prudent and cautious approach”. So that seemed to steer away from speculation about a larger 50bps cut from the ECB in December, and investors moved to dial back the chance of a 50bp cut to just 17% yesterday, down from 23% on Friday.

Elsewhere, the question of appointments to the Trump administration remains a key focus, and we’re still waiting to see who’ll be nominated as the new Treasury Secretary. Interestingly, there was growing speculation about Kevin Warsh yesterday after an initial push over the weekend. He is a former Fed governor during the financial crisis from 2006-11, who previously served in the George W. Bush administration. The other names in the frame recently have been Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick. A Bloomberg report yesterday evening said that Trump’s transition team is considering pairing Warsh as Treasury Secretary with Bessent as the director of the National Economic Council. Warsh is seen as more hawkish on monetary policy and less protectionist than the other candidates so on the former point the surge on Polymarket.com for the likelihood of him getting the Treasury job (45% as I type) may have been a big factor in the intra-day Treasury rally yeaterday.

Asian equity markets are higher outside of China this this morning with the S&P/ASX 200 (+0.89%) leading the gains with the Nikkei (+0.64%), the KOSPI (+0.14%), the Hang Seng (+0.12%) also higher. On the other hand, mainland Chinese stocks are lagging with the Shanghai Composite (-0.54%) edging lower ahead of the PBOC’s decision on its benchmark loan prime rate later this week. Outside of Asia, US stock futures are indicating a positive start with those on the S&P 500 (+0.13%) and NASDAQ 100 (+0.15%) trading slightly higher.

In central bank news, the minutes from the RBA’s recent policy meeting indicated that the board remains vigilant to upside inflation risks and believes policy needs to remain restrictive as it sees no “immediate need” to change the cash rate.
In FX, the Japanese yen (+0.14%) is has been edging higher (154.42) amid concern of possible government intervention given the current levels. Looking forward, the focus this week is on CPI data for October, due on Friday.

There was very little data to speak of yesterday, although we did get the NAHB’s housing market index from the US. That ticked up to 46 (vs. 42 expected), marking its third consecutive monthly increase, which took the index up to a 7-month high.

To the day ahead now, and data releases include US housing starts and building permits for October. Central bank speakers include BoE Governor Bailey, the BoE’s Lombardelli, Mann and Taylor, the ECB’s Elderson, Muller and Panetta, and the Fed’s Schmid. Finally, earnings releases include Walmart and Lowe’s.

2B) European report.

NS

Positive risk tone sees equities gain, DXY bid & Gilts underperform post-CPI, NVDA due – Newsquawk US Market Open

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 05:48 AM

• Equities are entirely in the green as sentiment improves; NVDA earnings due after-hours.
• Dollar is back on a firmer footing, JPY underperforms and gives back the prior day’s haven-induced strength.
• Bonds are on the backfoot, and with clear underperformance in Gilts after the region’s hotter than expected CPI figures.
• Crude is incrementally firmer, XAU edges lower and base metals benefit from the risk tone.
• Looking ahead, ECB President Lagarde, de Guindos, BoE’s Ramsden, Fed’s Barr, Cook, Bowman & Collins, Supply from the US. Earnings from NVIDIA, Snowflake, Palo Alto, NIO, TJX, Williams-Sonoma.

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EUROPEAN TRADE

EQUITIES

• European bourses opened the session entirely in the green and have generally traversed best levels throughout the morning.
• European sectors hold a strong positive bias, with only a couple of sectors found in negative territory. The breadth of the market to the upside is fairly narrow, with no clear outperformer. Construction & Materials tops the pile, joined by Tech and then Basic Resources; the latter pair buoyed by the positive risk tone. Real Estate is found at the foot of the pile, given the relatively higher yield environment.
• US equity futures (ES +0.2%, NQ +0.2%, RTY +0.2%) are modestly firmer across the board, attempting to build on the prior day’s gains and as traders remain laser-focused on NVIDIA (+0.3% pre-market) results after-hours.
• Click for the sessions European pre-market equity newsflow
• Click for the additional news
• Click for a detailed summary

Newsquawk NVIDIA Preview

• The AI bellwether will report Q3 earnings on November 20th, at around 16:20EST/21:20GMT. Option Traders are pricing in a 9.9% move on earnings, and the stock has averaged a 9.8% move in recent quarters. NVIDIA is expected to report Q3 EPS of 0.74/shr on revenue of USD 32.87bln, with Data Centre sales expected at USD 28.51bln. For Q4, the street expects NVIDIA to guide EPS of 0.82/shr, on revenue of USD 36.78bln (and Data Centre sales of USD 31.96bln). For the FY25, the street looks for EPS to be guided at 2.85/shr, on revenue of USD 125.62bln (and Data Centre sales of USD 109.77bln). According to Refinitiv’s data, 21 brokers rate NVDA as a ‘Strong Buy’, 36 rate it as a ‘Buy’, while six rate it as a ‘Hold’; the street has a median price target of 165.00 (vs Tuesday’s closing price of USD 147.01). Ahead of its earnings release, Morgan Stanley raised its H2 2025 projections for NVIDIA, but maintains cautious near-term expectations due to supply constraints on Blackwell and H200. the bank predicts strong revenue from Blackwell in January, but lower margins initially. MS expects NVIDIA’s growth to continue in the latter half of 2025, with the Blackwell cycle driving upside. Despite being a transitional quarter, NVIDIA remains MS’s top pick. At Tuesday’s close, NVIDIA was the second largest S&P 500 component, with a 6.9% weight, and the largest stock in the Nasdaq-100, with a 8.7% weight.

FX

• After three sessions of losses, DXY is notably higher as the USD out-muscles all peers alongside a pick-up in US yields. Fed speak today includes Barr, Cook, Bowman & Collins. DXY is currently in touching distance of yesterday’s 106.63 peak.
• EUR is swept up by the broadly firmer USD with EUR/USD’s brief foray above 1.06 overnight very much in the rear-view mirror. The latest EZ wage data saw a jump in Q3 to 5.42% from 3.54% but this had little follow-through for EUR. EUR/USD is currently holding above yesterday’s low at 1.0523. ECB’s Lagarde and de Guindos due to speak later in the session.
• Yesterday’s geopolitically-induced support for JPY has proved to be short-lived with USD/JPY resuming its trend seen since the US election. USD/JPY has printed a fresh WTD peak at 155.84.
• Cable vaulted higher in early trade following across-the-board hotter-than-forecast inflation metrics. GBP/USD rose from sub 1.27 levels to a peak of 1.2714. Note, the Y/Y services print was in-fitting with MPC forecasts.
• Antipodeans are both softer vs. the broadly stronger USD and trimming recent gains with fresh macro drivers on the light side.
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1935 vs exp. 7.2386 (prev. 7.1911).
• Click for a detailed summary
• Click for NY OpEx Details

FIXED INCOME

• A softer start for USTs as they continue to unwind Tuesday’s Russia-driven haven bid, taking USTs below Tuesday’s 109-19 base but still over 10 ticks clear of Monday’s 109-04+ base. Benchmark was largely unreactive to UK data or most recently EZ negotiated wages. Fed speak ahead include Barr, Bowman, Collins & Cook.
• Bunds were directionally in-fitting with peers, but magnitudes slightly more contained going into the release of the EZ Negotiated Wage Rates (Q3); a release which saw Bunds slip back to the 132.00 mark but pared almost immediately to pre-release levels. A well received German outing had little impact on Bunds.
• Gilts gapped lower by 48 ticks and then slipped another 23 to a 93.44 trough after hotter than expected inflation data for October. A release which has further reduced the odds of a December cut. It is worth noting that whilst the Services Y/Y figure surpassed the consensus, it matched the BoE’s own forecast.
• Germany sells EUR 0.804bln vs exp. EUR 1bln 1.80% 2053 Bund and EUR 0.818bln vs exp. EUR 1bln 0.00% 2052 Bund.
• Click for a detailed summary

COMMODITIES

• WTI and Brent are in the green, having climbed to session highs in early European trade; more recently, the complex has edged off worst levels. Reuters reported that President Putin is open to talking about a ceasefire with President-elect Trump; news which ultimately had little impact on price action.
• Gold is in the red though only modestly so, and still comfortably clear of Tuesday’s USD 2610/oz base and by extension significantly above Monday’s USD 2562/oz base.
• Copper is firmer, but only modestly so. Benefitting from the general rebound in risk sentiment. 3M LME copper is in the green but only modestly so holding in a narrow USD 9.12-9.17k band.
• Trading Hub Europe announces the gas storage neutrality charge from January 2025 is EUR 2.99/MWh
• Equinor’s (EQNR NO) Johan Sverdrup oilfield (775k BPD peak) output capacity is fully restored following a power outage. Producing steadily at normal levels.
• Private inventory data (bbls): Crude +4.8mln (exp. +0.1mln), Distillate -0.7mln (exp. -0.02mln), Gasoline -2.5mln (exp. +0.9mln), Cushing -0.3mln.
• Click for a detailed summary

NOTABLE DATA RECAP

• EU EZ Negotiated Wage Rates (Q3). 5.42% (Prev. 3.54%).
• UK CPI YY (Oct) 2.3% vs. Exp. 2.2% (Prev. 1.7%); MM 0.6% vs. Exp. 0.5% (Prev. 0.0%)
• UK Core CPI YY (Oct) 3.3% vs. Exp. 3.1% (Prev. 3.2%); MM 0.4% vs. Exp. 0.3% (Prev. 0.1%)
• UK CPI Services YY (Oct) 5.0% vs. Exp. 4.90% (Prev. 4.90%); MM 0.4% vs. Exp. 0.20% (Prev. -0.30%)
• UK ONS House Prices (Sep): 2.9% Y/Y (prev. 2.8%)

NOTABLE EUROPEAN HEADLINES

• UK PM Starmer is to visit Saudi Arabia and UAE to try to secure investment, according to FT.
• The Resolution Foundation think tank says the UK’s ONS may be underestimating the number of people in employment by almost 1 million and overstating the extent of the country’s inactive workforce problem, according to The Times.
• ECB warns of bubble in AI stocks, low cash buffers at funds.
• ECB’s de Guindos says current low growth scenario has to more with structural policy; monetary policy is not almighty.
• ECB’s Escriva says floods in Spain to impact the Spanish economy by 0.2% in Q4.

NOTABLE US HEADLINES

• Economists expect Trump to impose 38% tariffs on Chinese goods early next year, according to a Reuters poll. Trump’s proposed tariffs may cut China’s 2025 growth by around 0.5-1%. China are likely to roll our more stimulus to counter these tariffs

GEOPOLITICS

MIDDLE EAST

• Hezbollah’s Qassem to speak in today’s session (time TBC). In response to the announcement that US Envoy Hochstein will arrive in Israel this evening
• Israeli army said Hezbollah fired 75 rockets from Lebanon towards Israel on Tuesday, according to Asharq News.
• US Envoy Hochstein will stay in Lebanon until Wednesday and then go to Israel, while the new wording of the proposal stated that each side has the right to self-defence if attacked, provided the US guarantees that Israel does not carry out pre-emptive strikes. However, Israel’s Channel 13 noted Hochstein’s visit to Tel Aviv may be delayed due to large gaps between Israel and Lebanon, while the main dispute at the moment is Israel’s demand to maintain freedom of military action in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
• Saudi representative to the Security Council said they condemn Israeli military actions against Lebanon and reject the threat to its security and stability, according to Asharq News.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi told French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Barrot that Tehran warns France, Germany and Britain about submitting a resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governor’s meeting, while Araqchi added the European resolution draft contradicts the ‘positive atmosphere’ created between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog and will complicate matters.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

• Russia’s Kremlin says Putin constantly states that he is ready for contacts and negotiations on Ukraine; also says the option of freezing the conflict will not suit Russia.
• Ukrainian air defence units attempted to repel a Russian air attack on Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s military.
• US State Department said the US embassy in Kyiv received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20th, while the Kyiv embassy will be closed and it recommended that US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced, according to a post on X cited by Reuters.
• North Korean troops participated in some battles as part of Russia’s airborne unit and marines in the Ukraine war, according to News1. It was also reported that North Korea shipped howitzers and multiple rocket launchers to Russia, while a South Korean lawmaker said South Korea’s spy agency is still trying to determine any North Korean troop casualties and surrenders in the Ukraine war, according to Reuters.
• Russian President Putin is reportedly open to talking about a Ukraine ceasefire with US President-elect Trump, via Reuters citing sources; but rules out making any major territorial concessions. Russia could broadly agree to freeze the front-line conflict in any deal; insists Ukraine abandons ambitions to join NATO; could be open to withdrawing from patches of territory in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions. Finally, there could be negotiating room over dividing up Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin continues to climb higher and holds above USD 93k.

APAC TRADE

• APAC stocks traded mixed following the price swings seen across global markets on Tuesday in which the US indices staged a recovery from the initial risk-off conditions triggered by the Ukraine-Russia escalation, while participants now await NVIDIA’s earnings.
• ASX 200 pulled back from recent record highs but with losses contained by a quiet calendar and light macro newsflow.
• Nikkei 225 traded indecisively despite the mostly better-than-expected Japanese trade data, while there were firm gains seen in Seven & I Holdings and media powerhouse Kadokawa following respective M&A-related headlines.
• Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp swung between gains and losses with price action indecisive following the lack of fresh major catalysts in the region, while there were also no surprises from the PBoC’s announcement of the benchmark Loan Prime Rates which were maintained at their current levels following last month’s 25bp cuts.

NOTABLE ASIA-PAC HEADLINES

• Japanese gov’t to invest JPY 200bln in Rapidus (chipmaker) in FY-2025, via Nikkei.
• China’s GDP growth seen at 4.8% in 2024, 4.5% in 2025 (unrevised from October), according to a Reuters Poll
• Chinese Loan Prime Rate 1Y (Nov) 3.10% vs. Exp. 3.10% (Prev. 3.10%); 5Y 3.60% vs. Exp. 3.60% (Prev. 3.60%)
• China’s SCIO is reportedly to hold a briefing on Friday to outline measures for stabilising foreign trade growth, while the Vice Commerce Minister and officials from MOFA, MIIT, PBoC and Customs will attend the briefing, according to source on X.
• US vowed more sanctions on Hong Kong officials after 45 pro-democracy activists were recently jailed, according to SCMP.
• US Democratic Senator Blumenthal said Elon Musk’s China ties are a profound threat to US national security and his business interests could be exploited by Beijing, according to SCMP.
• China’s smartphone sales -9% Y/Y during Singles’ Day 2024, via Counterpoint Research. Huawei sales +7% Y/Y. Apple (AAPL) and Honor both declined by double-digit %.

DATA RECAP

• Japanese Trade Balance Total (JPY)(Oct) -461.2B vs. Exp. -360.4B (Prev. -294.3B, Rev. -294.1B)
• Japanese Exports YY (Oct) 3.1% vs. Exp. 2.2% (Prev. -1.7%)
• Japanese Imports YY (Oct) 0.4% vs. Exp. -0.3% (Prev. 2.1%, Rev. 1.8%)

2C ASIAN REPORT

APAC mixed as geopolitical tensions rise, supply and Fed speak ahead – Newsquawk Europe Market Open

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 01:12 AM

• APAC stocks traded mixed following the price swings seen across global markets on Tuesday in which the US indices staged a recovery.
• European equity futures are indicative of a positive cash open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future +0.4% after the cash market closed lower by 0.8% on Tuesday.
• USD is broadly firmer vs. peers, JPY lags across the majors, EUR/USD failed to sustain a move onto a 1.06 handle.
• President Biden approved the provision of antipersonnel mines for Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.
• Looking ahead, highlights include German PPI, UK CPI, EZ Negotiated Wage Rates (Q3), ECB President Lagarde, de Guindos, BoE’s Ramsden, Fed’s Barr, Cook, Bowman & Collins, Supply from Germany & US, Earnings from NVIDIA.

SNAPSHOT

More Newsquawk in 3 steps:

1. Subscribe to the free premarket movers reports

2. Listen to this report in the market open podcast (available on Apple and Spotify)

3. Trial Newsquawk’s premium real-time audio news squawk box for 7 days

US TRADE

EQUITIES

• US stocks mostly closed higher on what was a choppy day across markets as sentiment swung between the European and US sessions with initial risk-off trade seen amid heightened geopolitical tensions after Russia’s Kremlin said “Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in an event of aggression” and Ukraine conducted its first ATACMS strike inside Russia. This triggered a flight to quality which underpinned treasuries, gold, the dollar and haven currencies, while stocks and oil sold off, although the moves were then reversed as sentiment improved in US trade.
• SPX +0.40% at 5,917, NDX +0.71% at 20,685, DJIA -0.28% at 43,269, RUT +0.80% at 2,325
• Click here for a detailed summary.

NOTABLE HEADLINES

• Fed’s Schmid (2025 voter) said it remains uncertain how far interest rates can fall, though the initial reductions made by the Fed are a vote of confidence that inflation is returning to its 2% target and noted that now is the time to dial back restrictiveness of policy.
• US President-elect Trump picked Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary and picked former Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon for Education Secretary. It was also reported that Trump will interview former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan for the Treasury Secretary role and is expected to name his choice for Treasury Secretary as soon as today, according to Bloomberg and CNN, while Rowan was separately reported to have emerged as the top contender for the position, according to FT.

APAC TRADE

EQUITIES

• APAC stocks traded mixed following the price swings seen across global markets on Tuesday in which the US indices staged a recovery from the initial risk-off conditions triggered by the Ukraine-Russia escalation, while participants now await Nvidia’s earnings.
• ASX 200 pulled back from recent record highs but with losses contained by a quiet calendar and light macro newsflow.
• Nikkei 225 traded indecisively despite the mostly better-than-expected Japanese trade data, while there were firm gains seen in Seven & I Holdings and media powerhouse Kadokawa following respective M&A-related headlines.
• Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp swung between gains and losses with price action indecisive following the lack of fresh major catalysts in the region, while there were also no surprises from the PBoC’s announcement of the benchmark Loan Prime Rates which were maintained at their current levels following last month’s 25bp cuts.
• US equity futures (ES +0.2%, NQ +0.1%) remained afloat after yesterday’s intraday recovery but with gains limited as the attention turns to Nvidia’s earnings.
• European equity futures are indicative of a positive cash open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future +0.4% after the cash market closed lower by 0.8% on Tuesday.

FX

• DXY eked marginal gains in rangebound trade following the prior day’s two-way price action whereby an initial risk-off theme, spurred by Ukraine-Russia escalation, underpinned the dollar before the moves were gradually faded as sentiment in stateside improved. There were also recent comments from Fed’s Schmid which had little sway on the dollar as he noted it remains uncertain how far interest rates can fall and the initial reductions made by the Fed are a vote of confidence inflation is returning to its 2% target, while he added now is the time to dial back restrictiveness of policy.
• EUR/USD was little changed after failing to sustain a brief return to 1.0600 territory and with participants now awaiting central bank rhetoric including from ECB’s Lagarde and de Guindos.
• GBP/USD edged closer towards the 1.2700 level following yesterday’s fluctuations, while the recent slew of BoE rhetoric ultimately had little sway on the currency heading into the latest UK inflation numbers.
• USD/JPY gradually strengthened to breach resistance at the 155.00 level despite mostly better-than-expected Japanese trade data.
• Antipodeans held on to recent sentiment-driven gains but with upside capped by the flimsy risk appetite and lack of catalysts.
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1935 vs exp. 7.2386 (prev. 7.1911).

FIXED INCOME

• 10yr UST futures were lacklustre after fading yesterday’s haven bid with demand contained ahead of Fedspeak and a 20yr auction.
• Bund futures took a breather following recent whipsawing and as the attention turns to German PPI data and 30yr Bund supply.
• 10yr JGB futures pared some of their recent gains and trickled beneath the 143.00 level following mostly better-than-expected Japanese trade data, but with downside cushioned as risk sentiment in Asia waned.

COMMODITIES

• Crude futures lacked direction after the choppy performance on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions dominated macro newsflow, while private sector inventory data was mixed which showed a larger-than-expected crude build and a surprise drawdown in gasoline.
• Private inventory data (bbls): Crude +4.8mln (exp. +0.1mln), Distillate -0.7mln (exp. -0.02mln), Gasoline -2.5mln (exp. +0.9mln), Cushing -0.3mln.
• Spot gold edged marginally higher in a continuation of its resurgence from beneath the USD 2,600/oz level.
• Copper futures remained afloat following the rebound in risk sentiment stateside but with gains capped amid cautiousness in Asia.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin was indecisive overnight after mildly pulling back from yesterday’s fresh record high above the USD 94,000 level.
• US President-elect Trump is said to consider crypto lawyer Teresa Goody Guillen to lead the SEC, according to CoinDesk and Reuters.

NOTABLE ASIA-PAC HEADLINES

• Chinese Loan Prime Rate 1Y (Nov) 3.10% vs. Exp. 3.10% (Prev. 3.10%)
• Chinese Loan Prime Rate 5Y (Nov) 3.60% vs. Exp. 3.60% (Prev. 3.60%)
• China’s SCIO is reportedly to hold a briefing on Friday to outline measures for stabilising foreign trade growth, while the Vice Commerce Minister and officials from MOFA, MIIT, PBoC and Customs will attend the briefing, according to source on X.
• US vowed more sanctions on Hong Kong officials after 45 pro-democracy activists were recently jailed, according to SCMP.
• US Democratic Senator Blumenthal said Elon Musk’s China ties are a profound threat to US national security and his business interests could be exploited by Beijing, according to SCMP.

DATA RECAP

• Japanese Trade Balance Total (JPY)(Oct) -461.2B vs. Exp. -360.4B (Prev. -294.3B, Rev. -294.1B)
• Japanese Exports YY (Oct) 3.1% vs. Exp. 2.2% (Prev. -1.7%)
• Japanese Imports YY (Oct) 0.4% vs. Exp. -0.3% (Prev. 2.1%, Rev. 1.8%)

GEOPOLITICS

MIDDLE EAST

• Israeli army said Hezbollah fired 75 rockets from Lebanon towards Israel on Tuesday, according to Asharq News.
• US Envoy Hochstein will stay in Lebanon until Wednesday and then go to Israel, while the new wording of the proposal stated that each side has the right to self-defence if attacked, provided the US guarantees that Israel does not carry out pre-emptive strikes. However, Israel’s Channel 13 noted Hochstein’s visit to Tel Aviv may be delayed due to large gaps between Israel and Lebanon, while the main dispute at the moment is Israel’s demand to maintain freedom of military action in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
• Saudi representative to the Security Council said they condemn Israeli military actions against Lebanon and reject the threat to its security and stability, according to Asharq News.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi told French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Barrot that Tehran warns France, Germany and Britain about submitting a resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governor’s meeting, while Araqchi added the European resolution draft contradicts the ‘positive atmosphere’ created between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog and will complicate matters.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

• US will send Ukraine at least USD 275mln in new weapons in a push to bolster Kyiv ahead of Trump, according to AP. It was later reported that President Biden approved a provision of antipersonnel mines for Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.
• Ukrainian air defence units attempted to repel a Russian air attack on Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s military.
• US State Department said the US embassy in Kyiv received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20th, while the Kyiv embassy will be closed and it recommended that US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced, according to a post on X cited by Reuters.
• North Korean troops participated in some battles as part of Russia’s airborne unit and marines in the Ukraine war, according to News1. It was also reported that North Korea shipped howitzers and multiple rocket launchers to Russia, while a South Korean lawmaker said South Korea’s spy agency is still trying to determine any North Korean troop casualties and surrenders in the Ukraine war, according to Reuters.

EU/UK

NOTABLE HEADLINES

• UK PM Starmer is to visit Saudi Arabia and UAE to try to secure investment, according to FT.
• The Resolution Foundation think tank says the UK’s ONS may be underestimating the number of people in employment by almost 1 million and overstating the extent of the country’s inactive workforce problem, according to The Times.

3B NORTH KOREA/SOUTH KOREA

NORTH KOREA/RUSSIA/UKRAINE

END

3C JAPAN

3D. CHINA/TAIWAN/INDO PACIFIC

CHINA/DENMARK

this is unbelievable: Danish navy hunts down Chinese ship Yi Peng 3 suspected of sabotaging Baltic sea cables. The Danish have now boarded the Chinese ship

(zerohedge)

Danish Navy Hunts Down Chinese Ship Suspected Of ‘Sabotaging’ Baltic Sea Cables

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 07:29 AM

Update (0800ET):

The Finland National Bureau of Investigation published a statement that, based on a preliminary investigation, it has “decided to open a criminal investigation into the damage caused to the sea cable.”

Here’s the statement:

Based on preliminary inquiries, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has decided to open a criminal investigation into the damage caused to the sea cable between Finland and Germany. The suspected criminal act is currently investigated as aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.

The National Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into the damage caused to Cinia’s C-Lion-1 telecoms cable. The decision to open a criminal investigation was made today on Wednesday 20 November in cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor General. Cinia submitted a request for an investigation to the NBI on Tuesday 19 November.

At this stage, the suspected criminal act is investigated as aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications, but these may change as the investigation progresses. 

The police will be releasing information on the progress of the criminal investigation at a later date.

*   *   * 

Update (0729ET)

On Monday, the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, was suspected of damaging two fiber-optic data cables beneath the Baltic Sea, which connect Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania. The bulk carrier is anchored in Kattegat Bay alongside a Danish Naval vessel. 

The ship tracking website MarineTraffic shows the Danish Naval vessel “DNK NAVY PATROL P525” alongside Yi Peng 3 in Kattegat Bay. Both vessels are anchored. 

X user Visegrád 24 claims military personnel from the Danish military vessel boarded Yi Peng 3. 

“Denmark exercised the right under Art. X of the Submarine Cables Convention. It’s been done only once before, by the USA in 1959,” the X user said. 

A Danish Navy vessel boarded the Chinese cargo vessel Yi Ping after it was discovered it had destroyed 2 undersea telecom cables in the Baltic Sea.

Denmark exercised the right under Art. X of the Submarine Cables Convention. It's been done only once before, by the USA in 1959 pic.twitter.com/cIQgGl2yvp

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 20, 2024

And this. 

BREAKING:

The Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 has been chased, intercepted, and boarded by Danish Navy vessel Y311 Søløven after the Chinese vessel destroyed 2 undersea telecom cables linking Finland-Germany and Sweden-Lithuania.

The vessel sailed from Russia & the captain is Russian pic.twitter.com/gRJ3rxobBC

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 20, 2024

On Tuesday, Germany’s defense minister called severing the Cinia C-Lion1 submarine cables an act of sabotage. 

“Nobody believes that these cables were severed by accident,” Germany’s minister of defense, Boris Pistorius, told journalists ahead of a meeting in Brussels. 

Pistorius said, “Therefore we must state — without concrete knowledge of who was responsible — that this was a hybrid action,” adding, “And we must assume, without being certain, that this was sabotage.”

The foreign ministries of Finland and Germany released a statement on Monday night, warning:

“Our European security is not only under threat from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies.”

“Some of the Baltic Sea countries affected by the destruction of undersea telecom cables by the Chinese vessel Yi Peng have announced how they’re classifying their investigations,” Visegrád 24 noted. 

BREAKING:

Some of the Baltic Sea countries affected by the destruction of undersea telecom cables by the Chinese vessel Yi Peng have announced how they’re classifying their investigations.

🇩🇪 – Sabotage
🇸🇪 – sabotage
🇱🇹 – Terrorism

The Danish Navy has boarded the Chinese ship pic.twitter.com/mkxSbujUix

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 20, 2024

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, and other EU countries have found in preliminary investigations that the cables were likely severed in Swedish economic waters.  

“The likely motive behind this clandestine offensive is to spread panic, bind security resources, and increase pressure on Western governments by boosting political parties who are campaigning against the massive aid provided to Ukraine, according to politicians, security and law-enforcement officials and intelligence operatives from several European nations and the U.S,” WSJ said. 

Data disruptions have so been minor for European countries…

“We prepare for events like this, and there are multiple cables and routes for contingency, so the net result of this is only slower service for some providers,” a senior Finnish official said.

Our report on Monday noted that repair work to restore data transmission via Cinia C-Lion1 submarine cables fully could take upwards of two weeks. 

*   *   * 

Authored by John Konrad of gCaptain,

A day after the C-Lion1 and BCS subsea data cables in the Baltic Sea, connecting Finland and Germany as well as Sweden and Lithuania, were damaged, specifics of the incident remain unconfirmed.

The incident is reminiscent of a similar event in 2023 when the Balticonnector between Finland and Estonia was damaged. Hong Kong-registered container vessel NewNew Polar Bear was later found to have dragged its anchor across the pipeline.

Danish authorities appear to have narrowed down a possible culprit to Chinese bulker Yi Peng 3, which traveled over the reported incident site at the time of the failure. Its AIS track shows the vessel drifting back and forth for around an hour the morning of November 18.

By the time Yi Peng 3 reached Danish waters the country’s Navy had dispatched several vessels shadowing the vessel. Online reports suggest that a Danish pilot was placed onboard the vessel during the afternoon of November 19 as it continued passing through the Danish Straits.

AIS data show several Danish patrol vessels in the vicinity of Yi Peng 3 and shorebased webcams confirm Navy vessels loosely following in its wake.

The foreign ministers of Germany and Finland issued a joint statement expressing concern about the incident. “The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times,” the statement reads.

“A thorough investigation is underway. Our European security is not only under threat from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies,” the statement continued.

Incidents with damage to subsea cables and pipelines across Europe have increased in recent years, including in the Arctic. In 2022 Norway reported that an undersea fiber optic cable connecting a satellite ground station on Svalbard to the Norwegian mainland was severed. Norwegian media reported a Russian vessel traveling back and forth several times over the damaged section.

The Finnish investigation of the NewNew Polar Bear incident concluded that the vessel dropped its anchor during a storm dragging it over the Balticonnector pipeline. The vessel had been spotted with a missing anchor during its first port call following the incident.

After initial stonewalling by Chinese authorities Finnish counterparts launched their own investigation and eventually admitted that the pipeline’s damage was caused by NewNew Polar Bear. Like Yi Peng 3, NewNew Polar Bear had departed from a Russian port prior to the incident.

4.EUROPEAN AFFAIRS//UK /SCANDINAVIAN AFFAIRS

GERMANY

We are now back to Nazi Germany!

‘Jews & Homosexuals Are No Longer Safe In Berlin’, Warns City’s Police Chief

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 02:00 AM

Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix News,

Jews and homosexuals are no longer safe in Berlin and should hide their identity in certain neighborhoods, Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik has claimed.

In a wide-ranging interview with Berliner Zeitung about security risks, anti-Semitic danger zones in Berlin, and the effects of austerity measures on police work, Slowik warned that the German capital has become less tolerant in areas with high Arab populations and the police have insufficient resources to tackle the problem.

While she maintained that Berlin is “as safe as many other cities in Germany and safer than some other European capitals,” Slowik admitted there are parts of the city where heightened vigilance is necessary.

“Basically, there are no no-go areas,” she said.

“However, there are areas — and we have to be honest at this point — where I would advise people who wear a yarmulke or are openly gay or lesbian to be more careful. In many metropolises, you should be vigilant in certain public places to protect yourself from any crime.”

Slowik pointed to neighborhoods with large Arab populations as particular areas of concern.

“Unfortunately, there are certain neighborhoods in which the majority of people of Arab origin live who also have sympathies for terrorist groups,” she explained.

“Open anti-Semitism is expressed there against people of Jewish faith and origin. We have initiated over 6,200 investigations since Oct. 7, 2023. A large proportion are hate postings on social media, another large proportion are damage to property, and a significant proportion are propaganda crimes.”

She added, however, that 1,300 of these investigations involved violent crimes, many of which were directed at police officers during protests and public gatherings. “I am very concerned that people from the Jewish-Israeli community in Berlin are aware of the total number of anti-Semitic crimes and that this increases their fear of becoming the target of an attack.”

Protests against Israel have become a daily occurrence in Berlin following the Israeli response to the Hamas terror attack in October 2023. Slowik detailed the difficulty of managing these intimidating demonstrations, stating, “Various organizers have been registering meetings regularly since Oct. 7 last year. Sometimes there is hysterical chanting and slogans that are difficult for the majority of society to bear. But all of this is allowed on German roads.”

When asked whether hardcore demonstrators could be quantified, Slowik said, “We have had over 360 meetings, a large proportion of which were loud. We are registering people in the lower three-digit range who commit crimes at gatherings. However, as the police, we regularly supervise and accompany meetings with thousands of participants who behave largely peacefully.”

She acknowledged the challenges of banning demonstrations, which are protected under German law. “A ban is not a panacea or a permanent solution. After Hamas’ attack on Israel, we banned 24 gatherings in the weeks that followed. It was about celebrating those murdered in Israel. So criminal offenses were approved under the guise of the right to assembly. Since then, it has been about current topics that are covered by freedom of expression.”

The depleted police force is struggling financially

Beyond the challenges of managing public safety, Slowik expressed deep concern about the financial state of Berlin’s police force. Chronic budget shortfalls have left officers struggling to maintain operations.

“For years, the police have only been equipped in such a way that the funds are usually spent in the fall, and we then have to juggle our way through until the end of the year and find leftovers, also to finance fuel or to pay support staff for large locations,” Slowik said.

She revealed that 2024’s investment funds fell far short of requirements. “This year, instead of €14 million in investment funds, which we urgently needed, only €6 million was made available to the (State Criminal Police Office) LKA. This despite the fact that the senator for the interior has already asked all areas of her department to pay in order to support her police. In 2025, we will have even less, even though we have fully justified that we need €100 million more. Criminals are taking advantage.”

Slowik stressed the urgent need for technological upgrades, including AI-driven video surveillance, to relieve pressure on officers. “We urgently need object-related video surveillance, especially at embassies, also using AI. That would relieve us enormously. When it comes to property protection, we have never had such a dire situation.”

The lack of funding extends to infrastructure and staffing. Slowik described the dire state of police properties, revealing that the renovation backlog has doubled under her tenure. “When I took office, the renovation backlog in police properties was €1.1 billion. It has now grown to €2.2 billion. This is also and especially due to the increased construction costs, but also because the deterioration of buildings is progressing exponentially.”

She also highlighted issues with the police vehicle fleet. “Our fleet now needs €50 million immediately in order to be properly positioned again. Up to 40 percent of our cars are in the workshop every day. This will also affect the response times of the radio cars.”

Despite some improvements, such as modernized control centers and faster water patrol boats, Slowik emphasized that these advancements are overshadowed by the scale of the challenges. “We currently need 380 law enforcement colleagues from the police and criminal police to support the 1,500 property security forces to meet the calls for protection since Oct. 7. This roughly corresponds to the number of personnel in a police department and two operational units. This will be noticeable in the city,” she explained.

Slowik’s candid remarks underscore the multifaceted challenges facing Berlin’s police force. From rising intolerance and safety concerns in Arab neighborhoods to protests and financial shortfalls, the city’s law enforcement is stretched thin at a time when cultural segregation and crime are on the rise.

Read more here…

END

UK

Traders trim Bank of England rate cut bets after U.K. inflation rebounds

ByJamie Chisholm

MarketWatch

Nov. 20, 2024 at 7:13?a.m. ET

The chances of another rate cut this year by the Bank of England has diminished after data showed an acceleration in the pace of Britain’s inflation last month.

The U.K.’s Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that the annual headline consumer price index rose 2.3% in October, climbing from 1.7% in September.

The increase primarily reflected higher utility costs after a 10% increase last month in Britain’s energy price cap lifted households’ gas and electricity bills.

Economists had expected a 2.2% October CPI inflation reading. The Bank of England has a target of 2%.Core annual inflation, which excludes more volatile items such energy and food, rose by 3.3%, faster than the 3.2% recorded in September. Service sector inflation, on which the Bank of England is particularly focused because it signifies underlying domestic price pressures, climbed by 5.0% compared to 4.9% in September.

Analysts said the CPI report highlighted the volatile nature of U.K. inflation and that would give the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee pause before agreeing to another reduction in official borrowing costs.”

The latest inflation numbers make it more likely that the MPC stays put next month, in line with our expectations. Disinflation is underway, in fits and starts, which should keep the BoE aiming for gradual rate cuts,” said Alexandros Xenofontos, economist at GlobalData TS Lombard.

The BoE has lowered its bank rate by two 25 basis point cuts to 4.75% since the start of August.Ruth Gregory, deputy chief U.K. economist at Capital Economics, said that unfavorable base effects from items like clothing, cars and recreation may take inflation above the 2.7% she has been forecasting for January.”

That will strengthen the case for caution at the Bank of England. And it suggests that, barring a major downside surprise in November’s inflation data (due on 18th December), the Bank will almost certainly leave rates unchanged at 4.75% at its next meeting in December.”

Gregory added.

Investors pared bets on the pace of likely MPC rate reductions, down from about 65 basis points of cuts by the end of 2025 before the inflation data to around 60 basis points after. The most likely next cut is in March, markets imply.

The 10-year gilt yield TMBMKGB-10Y 4.463% rose 6.9 basis points to 4.509%, though the pound GBPUSD -0.21% gave up gains against the broadly stronger dollar to trade down 0.2% at $1.2660.London’s FTSE 100 index UKX-0.19% of blue chip stocks was flat, underperforming the continent as housebuilder shares slipped on concerns of higher mortgage costs as interest rates were likely to stay high for longer.

5 RUSSIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS

ISRAEL/HEZBOLLAH/

Israel at war: What happened on day 410?

Several troops, civilians wounded in North • IDF provides war scorecard for past month • Hezbollah rockets hit UNIFIL twice

By YONAH JEREMY BOB, JERUSALEM POST STAFF, YUVAL BARNEANOVEMBER 20, 2024 05:31

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Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Omer Moshe Gealdor was killed by a Hezbollah drone attack while fighting in southern Lebanon, the IDF announced on Tuesday. Gealdor, 30, from Jerusalem, served in the 5111 Battalion in the Golani Brigade.

He and three others were seriously wounded by a drone attack about two kilometers from the border while they were engaged in security operations on Tuesday. Of the four wounded, Gealdor succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.He is survived by his wife, Adi, and two children, three-year-old Neta and eight-month-old Alouma.Previously, he lived in Neve Tzuf in southwestern Samaria.

“Today, we pay a very painful price, and we mourn the death of the hero Omer, who left his wife and children and went to defend the people of Israel. He gave his life for all of us. The State of Israel will continue to strike its enemies in his merit until complete victory. We embrace his wife, Adi, and the entire family,” Mateh Binyamin Regional Council leader Israel Ganz said.

Five other individuals who were wounded in a combat zone in the North were brought to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed on Tuesday evening. All of them were in moderate condition.

Moreover, Hezbollah launched rockets at central Israel and the Tel Aviv corridor for the second time in under 24 hours, with rocket sirens blaring in Kfar Saba, Herzliya, Ra’anana, Netanya, Hadera, and many other towns early Tuesday.

Four people were lightly wounded by broken glass when the windows of a concrete building they were in shattered from a Hezbollah rocket.

Another civilian was lightly wounded after a Hezbollah rocket struck a residence in Karmiel near Haifa.

The IDF said Hezbollah fired around 40 rockets on northern and central Israel, spread out over a series of barrages.In addition, the military said it shot down several drones that Hezbollah launched in multiple rounds over the course of the day.

An initial IDF probe into Hezbollah’s rocket attack on the Israeli-Arab town of Shfaram on Monday found that although the woman who was killed was in a safe room, there were irregularities regarding how the room was built.

In addition, the rocket that hit the safe room was identified as a Fajr-5 rocket, a more powerful rocket than those Hezbollah would tend to use before the current war in occasional flare-ups between the sides.

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The military did say it had shot down three of the four rockets fired into the area by Hezbollah.

Next, on Tuesday, the IDF provided a series of summaries about the war’s progress since early October.

IDF kills Hamas terrorists 

In Gaza, the military has been in an on-and-off more intense fight with Hamas in Jabalya.

On Tuesday, the IDF said it had killed 1,300 Hamas members there in the last six weeks.

Although this is a low number in terms of progress compared to the early months of the war when the military sometimes killed several thousand Hamas terrorists in one month, it is far more than the IDF had killed over an average of six weeks since February of this year, when the war largely slowed down. This excludes a week in March at Shifa Hospital and five weeks in May and June in Rafah.

IDF Division 99 continued with smaller skirmishes in central Gaza, and the Gaza Division continued with occasional smaller fights in Rafah.

IDF struck Hezbollah targets

Over the last week, the military has struck 150 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including 60 in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s top organizational area in Beirut, and 11 attacks in that area since Sunday of this week.

Since the start of the September 30 invasion, the IDF has killed around 1,500 Hezbollah fighters and many more in airstrikes before that in September, as well as several hundred in the 11 months before that.

Divisions 98 and 36 are penetrating deeper into Lebanon, in some cases even five kilometers from the border, to target larger Hezbollah bases and forces that have not yet been dealt with.

Further, divisions 91 and 146 are still mopping up Hezbollah weapons and storage areas closer to the border, with less need for ongoing fighting.

Also, the military announced on Tuesday that it had killed Hezbollah’s chief of mid-range rocket fire, who himself had already replaced the original Hezbollah official in that position after Israel killed him earlier in the war.

On defense, the IDF has shot down 22 out of 27 drones launched against Israel since Thursday of last week. Unfortunately, some of the drones that have hit have caused deaths and serious injuries.

The military has also shot down most of the 400 rockets fired on it recently by Hezbollah, but again, the ones that slipped through have caused significant injuries both this week in Shfaram and Ramat Gan, as well as last week in Nahariya and elsewhere on two consecutive days.

Last week, there were also six soldiers killed and four wounded in one single incident, and soldiers are unfortunately expected to continue to be wounded or killed on a somewhat rolling basis as the invasion of southern Lebanon progresses.

UNFIL hit by rocket fire

Meanwhile, multiple UN Interim Force in Lebanon bases were hit by rocket fire on Tuesday morning and then again in the afternoon, one in the region of Ramyeh, another near Chamaa, and additional locations were hit later, UNIFIL said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a report was received that a UNIFIL post in the area of Ramyeh had been hit, causing several injuries and damage to the post.

Later, UNIFIL statements clarified that four Ghanaian peacekeepers had sustained wounds from the attack.An IDF review determined that Hezbollah fired a rocket that fell short and hit the UNIFIL post, the military said.UNIFIL largely agreed with this, saying the rocket was “fired most likely by non-state actors within Lebanon.”According to the IDF assessment, the rocket was fired from the area of Deir Aames, one of many fired by Hezbollah in a barrage launched at Israel at 9:50 a.m.

The UNIFIL West headquarters was hit by five rockets, which damaged the maintenance workshop; no peacekeepers were injured, according to UNIFIL.

During a meeting of European defense ministers on Tuesday, Italy’s Guido Crosetto said it was intolerable that Israel had bombed a UNIFIL base, according to the ANSA news agency.

“Today, there was a new attack. Three rockets fell on Chamaa. It is intolerable.”

The same base had been hit earlier in November by artillery fire.

UNIFIL troops were also harassed by small arms fire while patrolling near the village of Khirbat Silim, though no injuries were reported.

END

HEZBOLLAH/ISRAEL/TIMES OF ISRAEL

THIS WILL NOT PASS

(times of Israel)

US envoy says Lebanon ceasefire ‘within grasp’ as soldier killed in drone strike

Lebanese speaker notes some details still need to be worked out after meeting with Amos Hochstein, who may travel to Israel Wednesday; IDF division expands southern Lebanon incursion

By Emanuel Fabian, Follow
Lazar Berman Follow
and Agencies19 November 2024, 10:03 pm

Amos Hochstein, center, US special envoy for Lebanon, is received ahead of a meeting with Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, November 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A senior US mediator said Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon was “within our grasp” as he arrived in the region to clinch a long-sought halt to the war.

Special Envoy Amos Hochstein’s trip to Lebanon Tuesday came as fighting showed little sign of easing, with dozens of rockets fired into northern Israel, an Israeli reservist killed in a Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon and a key Hezbollah commander killed in an airstrike.

Hochstein said he had held “very constructive talks” with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah who is mediating on the group’s behalf.

“Specifically today, we have continued to significantly narrow the gaps,” the envoy told reporters after the two-hour meeting.

“I came back [to Lebanon] because we have a real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end,” Hochstein said at a press conference after the meeting, adding that gaps between the sides had been “significantly narrowed” in the talks Tuesday.

“It’s ultimately the decisions of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict…It is now within our grasp,” he said.

Hochstein also met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun.

Berri said the “situation is good in principle,” though some unresolved technical details remain. The Lebanese side was now waiting to hear the results of Hochstein’s talks with Israeli officials, he told the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

A handout picture provided by the Lebanese Army Press Office shows Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun (R) meeting with US special envoy Amos Hochstein at his office in Yarze, east of Beirut on November 19, 2024. (Lebanese Army Press Office / AFP)

“We are waiting for what he will bring from there,” said Berri.

The speaker said that Hochstein told him that the US had already coordinated with the Israelis about the proposal.

An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Hochstein would likely travel to Israel on Wednesday, though the visit is not certain.

The proposal on the table entails both the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group and Israeli ground forces withdrawing from southern Lebanon, where a UN buffer zone would be bolstered by thousands of additional UN peacekeepers and Lebanese troops.

Israel has called for a stronger enforcement mechanism to keep Hezbollah from rebuilding its force near the Israeli border, where it could threaten northern Israel towns with anti-tank missile fire or an armed infiltration. Israel reportedly wants to reserve the ability to redeploy against any Hezbollah threats, something Lebanon is likely to oppose.

On Monday, a top Lebanese official told Reuters that Lebanon and Hezbollah had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal — though each had some reservations — describing the effort as the most serious yet to end the fighting.

“Lebanon presented its comments on the paper in a positive atmosphere,” said Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Berri, declining to give further details. “All the comments that we presented affirm the precise adherence to (UN) Resolution 1701 with all its provisions.”

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, requires Hezbollah to have no armed presence in the area between the Lebanese-Israeli border and the Litani River, which runs some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the frontier — clauses the terror group violated from the get-go.

An armored vehicle of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is stationed near a border point in Lebanon’s Khiyam plain, opposite the northern Israeli town of Metula (background) on October 11, 2023. (Photo by Joseph EID / AFP)

The resolution also forbids Israel from entering Lebanese airspace, which Beirut says Israel repeatedly broke over the years. Israel reportedly demanded last month that the Air Force have freedom of operations in Lebanese airspace as part of its ability to disarm Hezbollah, while Lebanon may be seeking to beef up enforcement of the airspace restrictions.

According to Saudi-based al-Arabiya, Lebanon dropped some demands regarding “state sovereignty” that had constituted sticking points in favor of pressing its demands on the airspace issue.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Jerusalem was insisting on the deal including a cause allowing its troops to act in case of a Hezbollah threat, while Lebanon did not believe the deal needed to include such language.

The sides have also failed to come together on the makeup of the bolstered buffer zone force, with Israel insisting on Western countries contributing troops and Lebanon seeking contributions from Arab countries, Channel 12 reported.

A possible solution, according to the channel, would be a force made up of troops from the US, France, the UN and an Arab country to be named later, overseen by a general from the US’s Central Command.

In the UAE, French defense minister Sebastien Lecornu urged wealthy Gulf states to find ways to bolster Lebanon’s armed forces, including “operational support,” saying they will be crucial for securing border areas after Israel’s war with Hezbollah.

“To secure the border between Israel and Lebanon, and to reinforce Lebanon’s sovereignty, the armed forces must be properly armed,” he told AFP.

Israeli troops have been fighting near the frontier in southern Lebanon since October 1, where they have carried out raids aimed at destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, including bunkers, tunnels, rockets and small arms.

It launched the intensified campaign against Hezbollah in September to halt a year of rocket attacks on northern Israel that have displaced some 60,000 people living near the border, with the goal of allowing them to return home safely.

A reservist was killed in the fighting early Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said, marking the 71st fatality among troops in Lebanon and near Israel’s northern border. Israel says 44 civilians have also been killed.

Sgt. First Class (res.) Omer Moshe Gaeldor (IDF)

Sgt. First Class (res.) Omer Moshe Gaeldor, 30, of the Golani Brigade’s logistics unit, was killed some two kilometers from the Israeli border in southern Lebanon, where his unit was providing security for soldiers fighting deeper inside the country.

According to an initial Israel Defense Forces probe, Gaeldor and three other soldiers were hit by an explosive-laden drone launched by Hezbollah.

Near the eastern end of the frontier, troops from the 98th division were expanding into new areas of southern Lebanon to locate and destroy Hezbollah infrastructure threatening the Kiryat Shmona area, the military said Tuesday.

Before the operation, the IDF launched numerous airstrikes on the area, which had been used by Hezbollah for rocket attacks on the Galilee Panhandle and Kiryat Shmona, Israel’s largest city on the border.

A photo taken from the southern Lebanese city of Tyre shows smoke rising from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Qlaileh on November 19, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)

The army also confirmed that it had killed Ali Tawfiq Dweiq, the commander of Hezbollah’s medium-range rocket unit, in an airstrike a day earlier on the village of Jouz, adjacent to the southern Lebanon city of Nabatieh.

The medium-range rocket unit is responsible for attacks on Haifa and other areas deep in northern Israel, as well as central Israel. The IDF said Dweiq was responsible for over 300 rockets launched at Israel since he took over the role.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem was expected to give a speech Tuesday, but the group postponed the address moments after it was announced. No reason was given.

The IDF said that since Sunday, over 150 strikes were carried out against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including 25 weapon depots and some 30 rocket launchers. At least 11 strikes were carried out in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Lebanon said three of its soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike on an army post in southern Lebanon. The health ministry earlier said at least two people were killed in the strike near Beirut, and 28 others were killed Monday.

Workers unload humanitarian aid packages provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to residents of the predominantly Christian village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon on October 15, 2024. (AFP)

UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, said four Ghanaian Blue Helmets were injured when a rocket fired by a “non-state actor” hit their base.

The IDF said Hezbollah had twice fired rockets on Tuesday that damaged UNIFIL posts.

It tallied at least 70 rockets and drones fired into central and northern Israel Tuesday, where they lightly injured five people and caused damage to some areas.

Hezbollah in the past week has launched some 400 rockets at Israel. Since Thursday, the IDF said, 22 out of 27 drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon were intercepted.

On Monday, one woman — Safaa Awad, 41– was killed, and dozens of others were wounded in several Hezbollah rocket barrages. Among the wounded victims were a woman aged 41 and a 4-year-old boy in serious condition, Rambam Hospital in Haifa said.

People at the scene where a missile fired from Lebanon hit and caused damage in the northern Israeli city of Karmiel, November 19, 2024. (David Cohen/Flash90)

According to Lebanon, 3,544 people have been killed by Israel since Hezbollah began firing over the border in October 2023. The figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters.

The IDF estimates that some 3,000 Hezbollah operatives have been killed in the conflict, most of them in Lebanon. Around 100 members of other terror groups, along with hundreds of civilians, have also been reported killed in Lebanon.

The UN said Tuesday that over 200 children had been killed in Lebanon in less than two months since Israel escalated its attacks targeting Hezbollah in September.

“Despite more than 200 children killed in Lebanon in less than two months, a disconcerting pattern has emerged: their deaths are met with inertia from those able to stop this violence,” James Elder, spokesman for the UN children’s agency UNICEF, told reporters in Geneva.

“Over the last two months in Lebanon, an average of three children have been killed every single day,” he said.

Elder declined to comment on who was responsible for the killings, saying that it was clear to anyone who follows the media.

“It’s become a silent normalization of horror,” Elder said. “In Lebanon, much the same as has become the case in Gaza, the intolerable is quietly transforming into the acceptable.”

People inspect a destroyed building hit on Monday evening by an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, November 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there, which began when the Hamas terror group launched its cross-border onslaught into southern Israel the previous day.

Hezbollah has since expanded its attacks to also target cities in central and northern Israel with rockets, in addition to the attacks on the border, though in recent days the IDF has seen a decrease in the number of attacks.

END

ISRAEL HEZBOLLAH

Judging from Hezbollah’s action on the USA ceasefire, they seem to be in trouble!

(JerusalemPost)

Hezbollah chief says group received US ceasefire proposal

Hezbollah’s deputy chief maintained that the group would continue fighting while negotiations proceeded.

By SHIR PERETSNOVEMBER 20, 2024 16:18Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 17:22

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Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem said in a televised speech that a halt to hostilities was now in Israel’s hands after he and his group had reviewed and given feedback on a US-drafted ceasefire proposal to end fighting in a televised address on Wednesday.

Qassem said he is letting ceasefire talks continue to see if they will produce results or not, saying a halt to fighting relies on Israeli response and Netanyahu’s ‘seriousness.’

“If you attack Beirut, we will be attacking Tel Aviv,” he said.

“We will not stand by while our capital is attacked.”

According to him, “The attacks on us were painful, but our organization managed to recover from the price it suffered. We have strong and determined fighters.”

“We have two choices,” he said, “either the basket, or humiliation, and humiliation is out of our reach.”

Negotiating while fighting

He maintained that Hezbollah would negotiate and fight at the same time.

Qassem claimed the terror organization would contribute effectively to a presidential election after the ceasefire.

The Taif Agreement

He additionally stated that any political steps taken and state affairs would be under the Taif Agreement.

According to Arab Studies Quarterly, the Taif Agreement called for “a disbanding and disarming of all militias and the building of a nonsectarian national army and police.”

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The agreement also demanded “the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops and the departure of Syrian peacekeepers within two years.”

HEZBOLLAH/ISRAEL/UN/ITALY

Italy defense ministry admits rockets were from Hezbollah, not Israel

Last week Italy had said an unexploded artillery shell hit the base of UNIFIL base, putting the blame on the IDF.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFNOVEMBER 20, 2024 02:11

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Italy’s defense ministry admits Hezbollah staged an attack on itself when a UN Interim Force in Lebanon base was hit by rocket fire that it initially blamed on Israel, Barron’s reported on Tuesday. 

Last week, Italy said an unexploded artillery shell hit the base of UNIFIL base, putting the blame on the IDF.

According to Barron’s, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto had initially said in Brussels that the IDF had staged the attack on the UN base in Lebanon.

Israel’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had promised Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani an ‘immediate investigation’ into the shell incident.

However, an IDF review determined that Hezbollah was responsible for firing the rocket hit the UNIFIL post, the military said.

According to UNFIL, the strikes hit areas where no peacekeepers were present, and no serious injuries were reported.

Hezbollah attacks

On Tuesday morning, multiple UN Interim Force in Lebanon bases were hit by rocket fire and then again in the afternoon, one in the region of Ramyeh, another near Chamaa, and additional locations were hit later, UNIFIL said.

According to the IDF assessment, the rocket was fired from the area of Deir Aames, one of many fired by Hezbollah in a barrage launched at Israel at 9:50 a.m.

UNIFIL agreed with the IDF report that these strikes were from Hezbollah, saying the rocket was “fired most likely by non-state actors within Lebanon.”

END

end

ISRAEL//HAMAS

Touring Gaza, PM vows Hamas won’t return to power, offers $5 million NIS for hostages

Netanyahu says captives will be freed regardless, even as defense officials said to warn him that a ceasefire deal is the only way to rescue them

By ToI StaffToday, 12:09 am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip on November 19, 2024. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday that Hamas would not rule in Gaza after the war, seemingly rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire with the terror group still partially intact as he visited an Israeli military position in the enclave.

The premier also reiterated an offer to lavishly pay Gazans who turn over Israeli hostages, upping the reward to $5 million NIS for each captive, after previously suggesting Israel would pay “several million” for their recovery.

The visit came as Israel presses an offensive in northern Gaza to root out resurgent Hamas activity, and amid dire warnings about the condition of the Israeli hostages who remain captive some thirteen months after they were abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023.

In a video of the visit later published by Netanyahu’s office, the prime minister said that IDF troops in the enclave had “achieved excellent results toward our important goal — that Hamas will not rule in Gaza. We are destroying its military capabilities in a very impressive manner, and we are moving on to its ruling capabilities… Hamas will not be in Gaza.”

In addition, he said, Israel is also doing everything it can “to locate our hostages, and return them. We are not letting up. We will continue to do so until we get them all — both the living and the dead.”

Addressing “those who are holding our hostages,” Netanyahu said, “Whoever dares to harm our hostages — he is a marked man. We will pursue you and we will get you.”

Netanyahu spoke after visiting the Netzarim corridor, a belt running the width of the Strip where Israeli troops have dug in for several months, controlling access between the northern and southern halves of the enclaves and building out infrastructure for a semi-permanent presence, though Hamas has insisted that the IDF fully withdraw in any ceasefire and hostage release deal.

In his remarks, the premier offered $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza for anyone who turns over a hostage, seemingly upping a previous offer.

“The choice is in your hands, but the result will be the same. We will bring everyone home,” he said.

Families and supporters of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, hold photos of their loved ones during a protest calling for their release, in Jerusalem, November 18, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.

Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 37 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the military as they tried to escape their captors.

Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.

Netanyahu has insisted that Israel can both continue fighting and recover the rest of the captives, despite mediators insisting that the best way to get the hostages out is via a deal. Reports in recent days have suggested that senior defense officials concur, warning Netanyahu that the captives are being endangered by the ongoing war and advising him that striking a deal with the terror group is the only way to free them.

The prime minister was slated to participate in a high-level meeting Tuesday night about the condition of the hostages, where defense officials were expected to warn him again that continuing the war could harm the captives that remain alive, Channel 12 reported.

On Sunday, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, who accompanied him to Gaza, were each briefed separately by senior defense officials on the subject of the hostages, and were presented with a grim picture of the surviving captives’ condition, according to Channel 12.

Last week, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum health team assessed that some of the remaining hostages have lost around half of their body weight due to the lack of food in captivity, which will reduce the chances of their survival in the upcoming winter.

Negotiations to free the captive and reach a Gaza ceasefire have been at a virtual standstill for several months, with no apparent horizon for a meaningful resumption of talks.

Palestinians inspect the damage at the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 19, 2024. (Eyad BABA / AFP)

Polling has found a large majority of Israelis support a hostage deal with Hamas that would end the war in Gaza, and critics of Netanyahu have accused the prime minister of keeping the war going to ensure the survival of his right-wing coalition — which includes far-right elements who want the fighting to continue and for settlements to be established in northern Gaza — and not due to security concerns, preventing an agreement.

Netanyahu was recorded late last month telling Likud lawmakers that Israel could not accept Hamas’s demand to end the war in exchange for the hostages, ostensibly over concerns that a deal would allow Hamas to remain in Gaza in some form.

On Monday, during his address to the Knesset plenum, the prime minister said, “We will bring home dozens more hostages, I hope in the near future,” but it was not clear what that assessment was based on.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Defense Minister Israel Katz visit the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip on November 19, 2024. (Itai Bet-On/GPO)

During his visit to Gaza, Netanyahu toured the Netzarim Corridor, alongside Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. There, he and Katz met at an observation point with 99th Infantry Division commander Yoav Brunner and Southern Command Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, for a survey of the region.

Later, the two officials met with commanders of reserve units on the Gaza coast, who reviewed the achievements and challenges of the ongoing fighting in the strip, a statement from the Government Press Office said.

It was Katz’s first visit to the enclave since he was appointed defense minister earlier this month. Netanyahu tapped him for the role after firing Yoav Gallant, citing a lack of mutual trust.

L-R: IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sit to discuss the ongoing war against Hamas, during a visit to the Gaza Strip, November 19, 2024. (Maayan Otef/GPO)

According to Gallant, he was sacked over disagreements with Netanyahu about the need to plan for a post-Hamas government in Gaza and the trade-offs involved in a hostage deal with Hamas, among other matters.

Speaking from Gaza, Katz identified the “rescue” of the hostages as “the most important mission,” adding, “everyone here sees it,” while also vowing, “We need to make sure that Hamas does not rule here on ‘the day after.’”

end

Netanyahu Says Israel Offering $1.3 Million Reward For Each Hostage Freed

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 – 05:20 PM

On Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare surprise visit to the Gaza Strip, specifically to the area of the Netzarim Corridor, which runs through the center of the strip.

He was there to deliver a message, showing that Hamas does not and will not rule Gaza. He also issued a warning to those terrorists that are holding Israelis hostage, vowing that they’ll pay a heavy price.

He proclaimed that Israel Defense Forces troops in Gaza have “achieved excellent results toward our important goal — that Hamas will not rule in Gaza. We are destroying its military capabilities in a very impressive manner, and we are moving on to its ruling capabilities… Hamas will not be in Gaza.”

Israeli authorities have in recent months said that over 60 living hostages remain somewhere in Gaza, of the about 100 who were never returned.

Of these, Netanyahu said “we are not letting up” and that Israel “will continue to do so until we reach everyone — both the living and the dead.” He also at one point addressed “those who are holding our hostages,” saying that “whoever dares to harm our hostages — will bear the responsibility. We will pursue you and we will get you.”

He offered a reward of NIS 5 million (or just over $1.3 million) to anyone in Gaza who turns an Israeli captive over the Israel. It’s not the first time a monetary reward has been offered, but the money has been greatly increased with this announcement.

“I gave an order to increase the reward for those who bring information about the hostage – NIS 5 million for each hostage instead of NIS 1 million and safe passage for the informant and his family,” Netanyahu said.

The Jerusalem Post writes that “In his public comments, he stressed that Israel is willing to do small deals, by which captors would be given monetary rewards and free passage out of Gaza in exchange for releasing the hostages in their custody.”

The hope is that which such a large sum, families of Hamas members tasked with hosting and guarding hostages might come forward and free the hostages. Or else, individual Palestinians who might know where hostages are being kept might step forward with the information. It could also entice Hamas members to turn on their leadership.

Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, accompanied him during the brief tour of the central Gaza area.

“The choice is in your hands, but the result will be the same. We will bring everyone home,” Netanyahu said. During a Monday debate in the Knesset, he addressed the outrage by victims’ families over his handling of the hostage crisis. 

IDF forces fight in Notzirath, Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/CD7WEKQEvy

— POV combat footage (@Zoma3mk) November 17, 2024

“Demonstrations by hostage families and civilian protesters inside and outside the Knesset during the debate underscored the turbulence surrounding the several dozen Israelis believed to still be alive in Gaza,” one report observed. “Multiple individuals were escorted out of the meeting due to outbursts and disruption.”

(JERUSALEM POST0

ISRAEL.HEZBOLLAH/.OPINION

END

ISRAEL/HAMAS/GAZA

Cigarettes for $1,000: regulated aid in Gaza leads to rise in looters, smugglers

The blockade and tightly regulated aid have led to the resurgence of the smuggling industry.

By YOAV SHUSTERNOVEMBER 20, 2024 02:59Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 03:00

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fmiddle-east%2Farticle-829922&unitId=2900003088&userId=1938e01a-2e38-4f76-9d42-6dd0304d8a0a&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241119_f652d93d637421222d6d7fba483182c97f7c62e7&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

A report from The Washington Post highlights the growing strength of smuggling gangs in Gaza, which have capitalized on restrictions on the entry of goods. These groups now control the flow of multiple products, including tobacco. Cigarettes, in particular, have become a form of currency, reportedly selling for up to $1,000 per pack.

Last week, the Kissufim border crossing reopened for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, alleviating some of the immense strain on residents who had endured severe shortages during October, when minimal aid was allowed in. This reopening also averted an American threat to impose an arms embargo. 

Regulated aid

However, conditions in Gaza have drastically changed since the war began. The blockade and tightly regulated aid have led to the resurgence of the smuggling industry. Tobacco products, now more expensive than ever and in greater demand, have become a critical commodity. 

Control over these goods has given immense power to those handling them, allowing them to operate largely without interference from IDF in designated closed areas, according to the Washington Post.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza described cigarette smuggling as a “real cancer.”

Georgios Petropoulos, head of the Gaza sub-office of the UN Co-ordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated, “Recently, we’ve found cigarettes hidden inside cans and other food products. This suggests the smuggling process starts during packaging, likely in Egypt.”

UN reports from the end of the week revealed that aid trucks entering Gaza are frequently looted upon crossing the Kerem Shalom border from Israel. Of the 109 trucks that passed through last Saturday, 98 were hijacked. Drivers were forcibly removed, detained for hours, and in some cases severely beaten. Gangs of masked gunmen reportedly fired on the convoys and used grenades during these attacks.

According to reports, these gangs are not affiliated with Hamas but are instead local smuggling groups that have grown significantly since the war began. Their rise is attributed to the collapse of Hamas’ civilian infrastructure, including its policing mechanisms.

UN data cited by The Washington Post indicates that armed gangs operate with impunity even in areas under IDF control. Some reports allege that these groups have established “control headquarters” in zones cleared of civilians and declared closed military areas by the IDF.

The stealing of humanitarian aid has become widespread in Gaza. These gangs, often linked to local crime families, are stealing not just food but other essential goods arriving through Israeli crossings. Gaza residents stress that these armed looters are unaffiliated with Hamas. Historically, these crime families were targets of Hamas police and intelligence efforts.

---

---

Israeli authorities have denied these allegations, stating that the IDF is implementing “targeted preventive measures against the looters and is consistently working to facilitate the transfer of aid to civilians.” An anonymous Israeli official told The Washington Post that Israel is aware that “some looters have ties to Hamas, and some do not.”

end

ISRAEL./HEZBOLLAH/

IDF kills Hezbollah anti-tank missile commanders, says group’s firepower ‘dramatically reduced

The IAF also struck over 100 terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers, weapons storage facilities, command centers, and military structures over the past day.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFNOVEMBER 20, 2024 13:12Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 13:15

https://player.jpost.com/public/player.html?player=jpost&media=3802233&url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-829965IAF strikes Hezbollah rocket launchers on Sunday that fired at the Haifa Bay area, November 20, 2024. (IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fisrael-news%2Farticle-829965&unitId=2900003088&userId=0825748c-83eb-4fa6-9d99-5d5781551d74&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241119_33e53e43a0f26c1c46a2a7a521ff784a0307a076&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

The Israel Air Force (IAF) eliminated the commanders of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile and operations unit in the coastal sector, the military announced on Wednesday. 

The commanders were responsible for terror attacks against Israeli citizens, including missile attacks on civilian communities in the Western Galilee and Israel’s coastal area. 

Additionally, while operating in southern Lebanon, IDF soldiers located weapons storage facilities and struck terrorist command centers both on the ground and in the air. 

The IAF also struck over 100 terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers, weapons storage facilities, command centers, and military structures over the past day.

This announcement came after Northern Command chief, Major-General Ori Gordin, conducted a situational assessment in southern Lebanon.

During the assessment, commanders discussed IDF actions on the ground and creating the necessary conditions for the safe return of northern residents to their homes. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of both reservists and soldiers in active service for continued operations, the military said. 

He was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the Northern Corps and the Maneuvering Unit in the Ground Forces, Major-General Dan Goldfus, Commanding Officer of the 98th Division Brigadier-General Guy Levy, and Commanding Officer of the 7th Brigade, Colonel Elad Tzuri, the military said. 

Gordin says ‘good achievements’ have been made in southern Lebanon

During the assessment, Gordin stated, “We are in the middle of an offensive in this area. There have been very good achievements so far, and you have played a big role in them.”

Gordin said that the IDF has dramatically reduced Hezbollah’s firepower, saying, “It begins with our firepower targeting the organization’s firepower capabilities, which have been dramatically reduced.”

He also addressed soldiers and reservists who served in Lebanon, remarking, “Every one of you has set aside something important — whether it be your wedding date, the birth of your children, an exam at school, or a major project at work. All these things are deeply meaningful to all of you, and you’ve put them aside.”

---

---

“This is just one example of your dedication, your pursuit of values, and the essence of Israeli society, which is so vital. For this, once again, my deep appreciation. And we must continuously express our gratitude to everyone involved.”

end

ISRAEL/GAZA

(TIMES OF ISRAEL)

IDF reservist killed, senior officer wounded in clash with gunmen in northern Gaza

Death of Sgt. First Class (res.) Roi Sasson, 21, of Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion, brings toll for IDF and police on and since Oct. 7, 2023, to 800; Netanyahu visits Strip

By Emanuel Fabian Follow
and AgenciesToday, 11:47 am

Sgt. First Class (res.) Roi Sasson, killed fighting in northern Gaza on November 19, 2024. (IDF)

An Israel Defense Forces reserve soldier was killed and a senior officer was seriously wounded during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the military announced the following morning, bringing Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and military operations along the border with the Strip to 379.

The slain soldier was named as Sgt. First Class (res.) Roi Sasson, 21, of the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion, from the Jerusalem suburb of Mevaseret.

The battalion’s commander, Lt. Col. Yoel Glickman, was seriously wounded in the same incident. According to an initial IDF probe, the two were hit in an exchange of fire with gunmen in the Beit Lahiya area.

Sasson’s death brought the total number of soldiers killed in fighting since the October 7, 2023, attack — including police and other security officers killed that day — to 800.

The announcements came after the IDF said troops had killed over 1,300 terror operatives during an ongoing operation in the nearby Jabalia area of northern Gaza.

The operation being carried out by the 162nd Division was launched over a month ago.

IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip, in a photo cleared for publication on November 16, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

More than 1,000 members of Hamas and other terror groups have also been detained, according to the military’s latest estimates released Tuesday, which added that some 100-200 operatives remain in the area.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday expressed grave concern for hospitals still partly operating in northern Gaza, with one hospital director describing the situation as an “extreme catastrophe.”

“We are very, very concerned, and it’s getting harder and harder to get the aid in. It’s getting harder and harder to get the specialist personnel in at a time when there is greater and greater need,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told journalists in Geneva.

She said the organization was “particularly concerned about Kamal Adwan Hospital” in Beit Lahiya, where Israeli forces launched an offensive against Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups last month.

The director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, Hossam Abu Safiyeh, told AFP by phone: “The situation in northern Gaza is that of an extreme catastrophe.

“We’re beginning to lose patients because we lack medical supplies and personnel,” he said.

A convoy led by a United Nations vehicle drives past displaced Palestinians fleeing Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip on the main Salah al-Din road on November 17, 2024. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP)

A statement from COGAT, the Defense Ministry body responsible for civil affairs in the West Bank and Gaza, said Tuesday: “COGAT-led humanitarian efforts in the medical field continue.”

In its latest update on the situation in northern Gaza, the UN humanitarian office OCHA said Tuesday that “access to the Kamal Adwan, Al Awda and Indonesian hospitals remains severely restricted amid severe shortages of medical supplies, fuel and blood units.”

Israel has said it seeks to minimize civilian fatalities and stresses that Hamas uses Gaza’s civilians as human shields, fighting from civilian areas including homes, hospitals, schools, and mosques.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an Israeli military position in Gaza on Tuesday, vowing that Hamas would not rule in the Palestinian enclave after the war, seemingly rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire with the terror group.

The premier also reiterated an offer to lavishly pay Gazans who turn over Israeli hostages, upping the reward to $5 million for each captive, after previously suggesting Israel would pay “several million” for their recovery.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip on November 19, 2024. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)

The visit came amid dire warnings about the condition of the Israeli hostages who been held for some 13 months, since thousands of Hamas-led terrorists burst across the border into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, seizing 251 hostages, and sparking the ongoing war in Gaza.

Later on Wednesday, the UN Security Council is slated to vote on a resolution demanding “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza along with the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.

In Gaza, the Hamas-run health ministry says more than 43,000 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting so far, though the toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Israel says it has killed some 18,000 combatants in battle.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report. 

ISRAEL/GAZA/HAMAS

Hamas, Fatah officials warn: We will start wars in Israeli prisons

An imprisoned senior Hamas official told the Israeli Prison Service Commissioner: “You will end the war outside; we will start it in prison.”

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, ALON HACHMONNOVEMBER 20, 2024 11:22Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 14:28

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fisrael-news%2Farticle-829950&unitId=2900003088&userId=0825748c-83eb-4fa6-9d99-5d5781551d74&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241119_f652d93d637421222d6d7fba483182c97f7c62e7&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

Israel Prison Services (IPS) Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi told the Knesset National Security Committee that a senior Hamas official in prison threatened a war inside Israeli prisons.

Yaakobi said that an imprisoned senior Hamas official told him, “You will end the war outside; we will start it in prison.”

He also stated that a senior Fatah official told Yaakobi, “We will have our Independence Day inside the prison.”

During the Knesset session, Yaakobi said, “These quotes reverberate with me, and I am preparing myself with the means and preparing the team accordingly.”

Yaakobi became the new Israel Prison Service chief in May of 2024, and his appointment was approved by the government.

In an interview with Maariv on Wednesday, Yaakobi underscored the critical role of IPS in safeguarding public security, referring to security prisons as “Israel’s eighth front.”

“The prison service must have strong intelligence,” Yaakobi stated. “We possess the potential to greatly enhance both security and crime prevention, directly impacting public safety beyond prison walls.”

Prisons as ‘Israel’s eighth front’

Yaakobi expressed concerns over the infiltration of staff by criminal and terrorist organizations, calling for rigorous preventive measures. “Prominent crime organizations attempt to infiltrate our ranks,” he said. “That’s why polygraph tests are essential.” He further disclosed the dismissal of several staff members involved in smuggling contraband.

Focusing on the threats posed by security prisoners, Yaakobi characterized the situation as akin to other major fronts Israel faces. “This is an active and existing front,” he explained. “We call it the ‘eighth front,’ alongside Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq. We’re adapting leadership and developing offensive tools to confront it.”

Yaakobi also addressed intelligence coordination efforts. “We’re seizing hundreds of weapons and intercepting countless plots,” he noted. Intelligence, shared by IPS and Shin Bet, has revealed numerous plots to harm staff members. “These threats remain very real,” Yaakobi warned, calling for adequate funding to bolster intelligence capabilities.

END

ISRAEL/WESTBANK/JENIN

Border Police, Shin Bet eliminate terrorists, destroy four explosives labs in Jenin raids

Israeli security forces conducted operations in the areas of Jenin and Qabatiya in the West Bank, eliminating terrorists and explosives labs.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFNOVEMBER 20, 2024 11:38Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 14:15

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fbreaking-news%2Farticle-829953&unitId=2900003088&userId=0825748c-83eb-4fa6-9d99-5d5781551d74&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241119_f652d93d637421222d6d7fba483182c97f7c62e7&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

Five terrorists were neutralized, and explosives labs were destroyed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank, the IDF said on Wednesday. 

Over the past two days, IDF, Border Police, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) forces conducted a counter-terrorism operation in Jenin. As part of the operation, they eliminated five terrorists and seized weapons, the military said. 

Additionally, four explosive labs, an operations center, and dozens of explosives were destroyed. 

A total of seven wanted persons were arrested. 

Near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, four wanted suspects were arrested, weapons were confiscated, and dozens of other suspects were questioned. 

Additional operations in the Qabatiya area

Undercover Border Police soldiers, along with the IDF and the Shin Bet, eliminated three terrorists, including one wanted person, in the city of Qabatiya in the Jenin area in the West Bank, the Israel Police said in a statement on Wednesday. 

The wanted person, who was the target of the operation, had previously carried out several terrorist attacks and was planning to carry out another attack in the immediate future against Israeli citizens, the police said. 

During the raid, the wanted person attempted to escape from the roof of the house towards another house nearby while two additional terrorists hid with him and barricaded themselves, firing at the soldiers.

The undercover soldiers used missiles, grenades, and gunfire to eliminate the three terrorists. 

END

ISRAEL //HAMAS//UN/USA

US vetoes Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN as it didn’t condition truce on hostages’ release

By Jacob Magid Follow
and ReutersToday, 5:23 p

Members of the United Nations Security Council attend a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, on October 16, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP)

The United States vetoes a UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, after a senior US official accused council members of cynically rejecting attempts at reaching a compromise.

All other countries on the 15-seat council voted in favor of the resolution sponsored by the panel’s 10 non-permanent members.

The resolution calls for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” along with an “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

The American official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said ahead of the vote that the US would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire.

“As we stated many times before, we just can’t support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages,” the official said.

In March, the US abstained from a resolution that similarly called for an immediate ceasefire during the Ramadan holy month along with an immediate and unconditional release of the hostages in Gaza. The demands were merged into the same sentence at the request of the US, which argued then that this was sufficient to prevent it from vetoing. The US argued then that the resolution effectively conditioned a ceasefire on a hostage deal even though this linkage wasn’t explicit in the text.

Like the March resolution, the text submitted today also places the demands for an immediate ceasefire and immediate and unconditional hostage release in the same sentence, albeit without an explicit conditionality between them.

Spokespeople for the US Mission to the UN did not respond to requests for clarification on what led Washington to shift its stance on the matter.

This is the fourth Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza vetoed by the US since the start of the war.

In June, the Security Council passed a resolution sponsored by the US that backed the staged ceasefire proposal being brokered by Washington, Egypt and Qatar. That framework has yet to lead to an agreement, though, and the sides remain at an impasse.

END

ISRAEL //SYRIA

Israel strikes residential buildings, industrial zone in Palmyra, Syria, state media says

An Israeli airstrike hit residential and industrial areas in Syria’s historic Palmyra on Wednesday, killing 36 and wounding over 50.

By REUTERSNOVEMBER 20, 2024 13:28Updated: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 18:02

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fbreaking-news%2Farticle-829969&unitId=2900003088&userId=1938e01a-2e38-4f76-9d42-6dd0304d8a0a&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241119_33e53e43a0f26c1c46a2a7a521ff784a0307a076&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

An Israeli attack on Syria’s historic city of Palmyra killed 36 people and wounded more than 50 on Wednesday after it hit residential buildings and an industrial zone, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

The Israeli military declined to comment when asked about the attack.

“At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack from the direction of the al-Tanf area, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, which led to the martyrdom of 36 people (and) the injury of more than 50 others,” SANA said, quoting a military official.

It added that the attack also caused significant damage to the targeted buildings and surrounding area.

Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.

Syrian transport of weapons to Hezbollah

The Israeli military said last week it had attacked transit routes on the Syrian-Lebanese border that were used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah.

Syrian state media reported several Israeli attacks last week in the vicinity of Homs province, which borders Lebanon. Palmyra is located in Homs.

Palmyra’s ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was seized by Islamic State militants in 2015 and partially destroyed before it was recaptured by the Syrian army.

IRAN

end

/RUSSIA///UKRAINE/USA

VERT WORRISOME

USA expects attack on USA embassy in Kiev

(zerohedge)

Bracing For Retaliation, US Shuts Embassy In Kiev Over Air Attack Risk

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 09:05 AM

Washington appears fully aware it has poked the Russian bear, after President Biden greenlighted Ukraine striking Russian territory with long-range missiles.

US officials have warned Wednesday that “potential significant air attack” on Kiev is likely coming, and have announced the closure of the US Embassy in the capital “out of an abundance of caution”. This follows immediately on the heels of Ukrainian forces having struck an arms depot inside Russia with U.S.-supplied weapons, specifically the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), on Tuesday.

“Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” a new alert on the embassy website said. “The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”

Embassy diplomats and all staff are being asked to observe the following precautions:

• Monitor local media for updates
• Identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert
• Immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced
• Follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency

The embassy closure is also happening the day after Putin signed a decree which updates and expands Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which effectively lowers the threshold for nuclear weapons use. “As we said earlier this month, we were not surprised by Russia’s announcement that it would update its nuclear doctrine; Russia had been signaling its intent to update its doctrine for several weeks,” the White House National Security Council responded in a statement.

Other Western embassies have also shuttered their operations amid air raid warnings in Kiev and other regions, including Italy, Spain, and Greece.

Al Jazeera notes that “Germany’s embassy in Kyiv remains open in a limited capacity and can still be contacted by German nationals who are in the country, a German Foreign Ministry official has said.”

“We are in constant contact with our colleagues on the ground so that we can take appropriate measures if the situation changes,” the official said.

Ukraine’s military has since said that warnings of a large-scale missile attack from Moscow forces are likely a “psychological operation” carried out by Russia, precisely in order to instill fear and cause further embassy closures. According to the military statement:

It said Russia is conducting a “psychological attack against Ukraine”, warning of fake messages circulating on social media on alleged increased missile threats that it said were part of a “psychological operation”.

It appears Russia may bomb the US embassy in Kyiv today. The state dept response will be to provide additional arms, funding and longer range missile strikes inside of Russia. This is the escalatory trap we've all been warning about. Congress needs to hear from us: No more funds. https://t.co/Z6foXbc6EW

— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) November 20, 2024

With merely two months to go until Trump is sworn into office, many Republicans have blasted the Biden administration and his national security officials for risking World War 3, and at least assuring major escalation, by at the last minute greenlighting long-range strikes on Russia–even knowing full well the Trump administration plans to pursue peace negotiations. 

END

RUSSIA/UKRAINE/

KUB-M

Robert H to us;

“10 years ago throughout Belarus and in smaller villages in Russia shelters for nuclear war were being built. Everyone visiting wondered why they were spending funds for this purpose. Today in Belarus every village has access to shelters.

Today all of Moscow’s [population has access to shelter.
Ask yourself what your country has done for you? Where will you hide? Assuming that you want to face the horror of a world after a nuclear exchange in any major city.

There is a reason why Deagal projects mass population reduction in the West in 2025.
When Biden signed off on long range weapons at 1:00 PM Sunday for use by Ukraine echoed by Britain and France he set the course for war on the horizon. Ukraine firing 6 such missiles with limited success has set the stage for escalation and a response.
Come next year the likes of BlackRock and Cargill etc. will see enormous losses in their dreams  of financial glory in Ukraine.
As usual politicians lie and send the innocent to die.”

https://youtu.be/b68iuU_O0n0

END

RUSSIA/UKRAINE/USA

Biden Rushes $275M More In Weapons To Ukraine Before Trump Enters Office

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 – 07:40 PM

There are just two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, and Ukraine hawks are feeling the pressure. For them, apparently it’s time to flood Zelensky’s coffers with as much money as possible ahead of the possibility that Trump may cut off the tap, after having on the campaign trail called Zelensky “the greatest salesman on earth”.

“The Pentagon will send Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons, US officials said Tuesday, as the Biden administration rushes to do as much as it can to help Kyiv fight back against Russia in the remaining two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office,” The Associated Press reports Tuesday afternoon.

And alarmingly, the same report observes that “In rapid succession this week, President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the authority to fire longer-range missiles deeper into Russia and then Russian President Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons.”

Contents or details of the new aid package have yet been made public, but there could be more missiles and equipment supporting the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which was used by the Ukrainians Tuesday against Russian territory, marking a new escalation.

The geopolitical analysis blog Moon of Alabama has zeroed in on why US authorization for ATACMS attacks on Russian soil is such a big deal:

We do not know yet if the new authorized use for ATACMS munition on targets within Russia is only relevant for the cluster ammunition missile type or for high explosive ATACMS missiles with a reach of 300 kilometer.

However, the Russian President Vladimir Putin has correctly pointed out that ANY use of ATACMS requires the involvement of NATO (U.S/UK) assets for acquiring the targeting data and for planning and programming the missile’s mission.

Any use of ATACMS onto Russian proper is thus an act of war by NATO against the Russian Federation. The Russian response to such will be appropriate but may well surface in a theater far from Ukraine.

Indeed President Putin and Kremlin officials have echoed precisely this point of view of late, which is also why Putin signed into effect a new expansion of Russia’s nuclear doctrine.

According to the newly expanded doctrine, in the event Western powers assist another nation in a major attack on Russian soil, those same Western powers will also be held responsible. This can trigger Russian nuclear launch. But so far Russian officials have made it clear that they do not anticipate nuclear war.

Clearly the Kremlin is awaiting patiently the return of Donald Trump to the White House, hoping this will stop NATO’s steady escalation of involvement in the war on Ukraine’s behalf.

Meanwhile, with all that money for Ukraine floating around, and constant transfers of arms, this exchange is important to recall…

Stewart uses some bad language here, but consider for a moment her attitude. This is what elitism looks like. This is what people on on the left and right are upset about. Elites who laugh at millions of dollars being wasted, precisely because they can’t be found… pic.twitter.com/GnBeONkXDC— Fr. George (@FrGeorgedeIdaho) November 19, 2024

END

RUSSIA/UKRAINE/USA

Very very scary! Ukraine fires British storm shadow ballistic missiles into Russia

(zerohedge)

Stocks Slump As Ukraine Fires UK Storm Shadow Missiles Into Russia

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 09:34 AM

Ukraine’s armed forces fired British cruise missiles at military targets inside Russia for the first time, a Western official familiar with the matter said.

As Bloomberg reports, the strikes using Storm Shadow missiles were approved in response to Russia deploying North Korean troops in its war against Ukraine, a move by Moscow that the UK government considered to be an escalation of the conflict, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The reaction across markets is less notable than yesterday’s with stocks seeing the biggest impact (lower)…

Treasury yields are down a little, gold up a little and bitcoin extending gains.

Developing…ND

RUSSIA.UKRAINE/USA

ROBERT H

War sadly cometh very soon.

Part A

“Every time the sun rises is a day to behold the gift of life each person has been given to question the purpose of one’s existence while offering a helping hand to those people met. We all do this daily whether it is done consciously or not.

For some people those days are now numbered be-it with knowledge or not. Because a broader war is coming quickly. And even dates are now set for action. Perhaps events will cause delay but do know Neocons are in full parade to move before a new administration takes office.

More immediately expect the news of imminent large scale strikes upon Ukraine perhaps as early as this evening. The Russians have no time to waste and they will cause the country that never was to go dark quickly now. The hunt is on for any longer range missiles Ukraine has on their soil and that number is less than 50. Even today in Kursk, the dumb assed fools are losing their ass as new Russian Drones immune to electronic interference take their toll. Human slaughter perfected has always been battlefield tested. And the same holds true today.

In Europe, the talk of Article 5 being invoked over broken cables is widely discussed. Why discuss unless you really know or is this a false flag? Talk of a dirty bomb in a European Capital is the pondering of mad fools! Europe can not afford a WAR let alone win one. And Neocons have no empathy for human loss in their insane quest for war. Wars destroy much more than they give. Think peace and rebuilt life.

Russians are no different than anyone in the west in wanting to live in peace. And no they are not going to invade Europe. For what purpose is there a need? Let the Bear rest winter is here. The main difference in Russia is that Russians have bitter ingrained memories of war in their DNA. No one lost more in WWII than Russia with most families losing members. History shows many invaders from Mongol hordes to French dreams of glory. Russia has for centuries been an empire under seize and many invaders have enriched Russian soil. Perhaps each party had quest of riches only to lie down and die.

The sad horror of today is that any direct conflict with Russia is now running the very risk of many millions of people dying on their soil in a flash. Escalation is rising daily now as Neocons attempt to ignite war before January.
Be aware and be prepared to alter travel plans abruptly because being tardy will not prove wise.”

PART B

“ The United States, Spain, Italy, and Greece have closed and evacuated their Embassies in Kiev”. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING BLASTED AS MAJOR NEWS AROUND THE WORLD? Earlier this week i wrote about how Putin had left at 3:00 AM for the Urals and many senior Kremlin types were also leaving with their families. No cares it seems because there are no mass demonstrations in the streets for PEACE! Well please remember that what now is oncoming is not a selected carpet bombing of facilities or the fire bombing of cities like Dresden during WWII ( should have been a war crime). Nuclear missiles can and will destroy entire cities in seconds. It is simply their purpose of existence. This time the victim of war initially as an expendable proxy is the remaining Ukrainian people who will be sacrificed. Perhaps when cities like Kiev and Lviv disappear the world will realize the horrors of what a broader conflict truly means for us all. And the silent revolution will burst onto streets calling for peace. Because if we do not rise and stop bought and paid for politicians, they will do the bidding of Neocons and many more millions will die. When you hear and see the broadcasts of RS-26 missiles striking you will know and see the horror of modern war. And be not fooled that a western response will not be met by a combination of missiles flying not just from Russia but other nations like China. You will be told that Russia will not dare to strike the West. Wrong! Ukrainian blood will pay the price of warning the rest of us to wake up before it is too late. 

Today, we stand on the verge of great angst and upcoming slaughter of lives that can easily affect many more people. We are now past the point we were at with the Cuban missile crisis. 

Yesterday, i wrote about how KUB-M SHELTERS were being built across Belarus and smaller villages in Russia at great expense then. Today, they are in serial production availed for factory buildings and the like to protect workers. Ask yourself what we in the West have? Yes, we may have a cellular alert systems if we are lucky. And that is meaningless in today’s age and should be a clear indication of how little we matter in our own countries. Is it not time to end foreign adventures that have consequences?

I leave that for you decide. 

END

UKRAINE/RUSSIA/USA

Violating His Own Policy, Biden OKs Antipersonnel Mines For Ukraine

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 11:05 AM

Determined to leave an even bloodier legacy, President Biden has violated his own policy and approved the shipment of antipersonnel mines to Ukraine, two US officials have told the Washington Post. The move — which threatens to cause civilian injuries and deaths even after the war ends — comes in the face of months of Russian battlefield success in which its army has posted the fastest pace of territorial gains since 2022. 

The land-mine approval is Biden’s second intensification of US military support in just the last few days: Acting very much like a man whose life in politics and life on Earth are both rapidly nearing their ends, Biden over the weekend approved Ukraine’s use of long-range, US-supplied, ATACMS missiles against targets deep inside Russia. Brushing aside concerns that such an escalation would nudge the world’s foremost nuclear powers closer to World War III, Ukraine wasted no time flexing its new freedom, striking a Russian military facility near the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region — about 71 miles from the Ukraine border. 

In 2022, Biden restored an Obama-era policy that bars America’s provision of antipersonnel mines anywhere other than the Korean Peninsula. Biden had condemned then-President Trump as being “reckless” in nixing Obama’s policy, saying “It will put more civilians at risk of being injured by unexploded mines, and is unnecessary from a military perspective.”  

Now, however, Biden has thrown that sentiment out the window. While the 164-nation Ottawa Convention bans both the use and transfer of anti-personnel mines, neither the United States nor Russia is a signatory. However, Ukraine is. 

As has been the case with various other types of weapons systems, the Biden-Harris administration had for years refused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s pleas for anti-personnel mines — only for Biden to now cave just two months before he turns the Oval Office over to Trump, who’s promised a swift, negotiated end to the war that has raged since Russia’s February 2022 invasion in support of separatists in Ukraine’s eastern regions.   

One of the officials who spoke to the Post acknowledged that Biden’s policy change reflected the Ukrainian army’s relentless loss of territory:  

“Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that they’re suffering. So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this.”

Ukraine is already among the world’s most-mined countries: According to Human Rights Watch, mines cover about 30% of its territory, an expanse about as large as Florida. As of last February, 1,000 civilian deaths were attributed to land mines — however, most of these deadly incidents involved anti-vehicle mines. Both Russia and Ukraine have liberally deployed anti-personnel mines, and Human Rights Watch had condemned Ukraine for using rocket-deployed anti-personnel mines, which litter a territory with small explosive devices which often come in colors that could invite the curiosity of children.  

Anti-personnel mines are reviled because of their inability to distinguish between combatants and innocents. Organizations that oppose their use were quick to condemn Biden’s decision. “It’s a shocking and devastating development,” Mary Wareham, deputy director of the crisis, conflict and arms divisionat Human Rights Watch, told the Post. 

Seeking to allay concerns about anti-personnel mines’ notorious record for causing civilian casualties, one of the US officials described the mines in question as being “non-persistent” — that is, they self-destruct or run out of battery power in a way that supposedly renders them harmless. Civilians better cross their fingers and hope they’re not around when these mines randomly blow up or are made to explode in some other unintended fashion — perhaps as an ex-president Biden is simultaneously sunning on a Delaware beach. 

END

RUSSIA/UKRAINE/USA

Trump’s peace deal with Russia as to how it would look like:

(zerohedge)

‘Contours Of A Trump Peace Deal’: Kremlin Insiders Discuss Putin’s Initial Reaction

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 01:05 PM

In a lengthy investigative report, Reuters has presented what it says is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initial reaction to the incoming Trump administration’s plans to pursue ceasefire negotiations leading to a final end of the Ukraine war, which reached its 1,000th day this week.

As Putin “eyes contours of a Trump peace deal,” five sources privy to Kremlin thinking say that Putin is “open” to discussing a ceasefire with Donald Trump, but will reject giving up territory acquired in Ukraine’s east – namely the annexed Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

A key sticking point will also be that Kiev totally abandons ambitions to join NATO. The Wall Street Journal revealed earlier this month that the current options being considered by Trump all involve imposing a ‘freeze’ on the war, which to Kiev’s dismay would involve “cementing Russia’s seizure of roughly 20 percent of Ukraine” while imposing a 20-year suspension on Ukraine pursuing NATO membership.

And now, Reuters writes, “In the first detailed reporting of what President Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, the five current and former Russian officials said the Kremlin could broadly agree to freeze the conflict along the front lines.”

The Kremlin is believed less interested in a short-term truce, fearing that it would just be used to rearm Ukraine, and that the same problems which caused the war would persist. Putin said at the Valdai discussion group weeks ago, “If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine.”

“Why? Because this would mean that Ukraine will be constantly used as a tool in the wrong hands and to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation,” he added. Thus from Moscow’s viewpoint, a solid and lasting peace deal would permanently address those elements which could lead to resumption of future conflict. Putin had emphasized a deal must reflect “realities” on the ground.

“Putin has already said that freezing the conflict will not work in any way,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters on Tuesday. “And the missile authorization is a very dangerous escalation on the part of the United States.”

Perhaps the most important part of the Reuters report is seen in the following:

While Russia will not tolerate Ukraine joining NATO, or the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, it is open to discussing security guarantees for Kyiv, according to the five current and former officials.

Other Ukrainian concessions the Kremlin could push for include Kyiv agreeing to limit the size of its armed forces and committing not to restrict the use of the Russian language, the people said.

This certainly creates a diplomatic opening. Ukraine officials are demanding robust security guarantees agreed to by Russia and backed by the West. They will especially press this point if Kiev is forced to abandon its NATO membership aspirations.

Mostly likely this would center on locking in security guarantees backed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Importantly, a Russian official cited in the Reuters report acknowledged there will likely be no agreement unless Ukraine is granted security guarantees, but that for Moscow it all hinges on one thing: “The question is how to avoid a deal that locks the West into a possible direct confrontation with Russia one day.”

But with two months still to go with the Biden administration, and his hawkish national security officials bent on constant escalation (recklessness which is now being paralleled in the UK’s greenlighting Storm Shadow missiles launched on Russian territory), will the region even make it to Jan.20 before exploding into bigger NATO-Russia war?

JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov says Russia is waiting for a proposal from US President-elect Trump to end the war in Ukraine.

"Every politician who claims to be for peace, not for war, deserves attention." pic.twitter.com/zboOVRkZAu

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 15, 2024

Moon of Alabama has observed of the latest escalatory policies issued from the White House:

U.S. president Joe Biden was found to be too senile to stand for re-election. But that does not hinder the powers that be to let him launch world war III.

After ‘allowing’ Ukraine to fire U.S. controlled ballistic missiles onto targets in Russia the Biden administration is adding largely prohibited antipersonnel mines into the mix.

Over 160 countries, including Ukraine, have signed treaties which prohibit the use of antipersonnel mines. During his campaign Biden had spoken against the use of such weapons.

Ukraine is still vowing to fight on, despite all the reports of President-elect Trump’s plan to push hard for peace. Zelensky on Wednesday said his country “will not rest until every last Russian soldier is ejected from its territory – based on the borders it gained after the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union.”

6.COVID ISSUES/VACCINE ISSUES//DRUG AND HEALTH ISSUE

GLOBAL ISSUES

MARK CRISPIN MILLER

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In memory of those who “died suddenly” in the United States and worldwide, November 11-18, 2024

Actors Paul Teal (35, C, “One Tree Hill”), Huckleberry Fox (“Terms of Endearment”); video game producer Erin Fusco (38, C, “Diablo 4”); baseballer Kevin Lynch (41); 28 infants; & more

Mark Crispin MillerNov 20

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UNITED STATES

Actor Paul Teal dies of cancer at 35

November 18, 2024

Versatile actor Paul Teal has tragically died of cancer at age 35 onNovember 15. As a TV actor Teal played Josh, the ‘sleazy movie star,’ for seven episodes of One Tree Hill. Teal also had roles in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Dynasty, Good Behavior, Psychodrama, USS Christmas, American Rust, Outer Banks, and more.

Link

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Former child actor Huckleberry Fox dies at 50

November 14, 2024

George Miller “Huckleberry” Fox, the former actor best known for playing the youngest son of Debra Winger and Jeff Daniels in Terms of Endearment, died Nov. 3 in Washington, DC, at the age of 50. Fox went on to work as a scientist and diplomat of the United States Department of Agriculture.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Diablo 4 artist and producer dies at 38 after cancer battle

November 12, 2024

Orange, CA – Erin Fusco, 38, the talented artist and game producer for Blizzard’s Diablo 4, passed away on November 8 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to her husband, Adam. While Fusco was continuing treatment, she suffered a septic infection which sent her into the ICU. Unfortunately, she did not survive the infection. “Erin Fusco passed on from this world while surrounded by her loving friends and family at UCI Douglas Hospital,” her husband wrote. “Thank you all for making Erin’s journey that much brighter with all your loving support.”

Link

Ex-FSU baseball player Kevin Lynch dies unexpectedly at 41

November 13, 2024

Known for his fierce competitiveness, Kevin Lynch didn’t shy away from any situation when on the pitcher’s mound. Lynch, who followed his older brother and fellow pitcher Matt Lynch to Florida State University, died unexpectedly last weekend, according to his family. He was 41. Lynch, who also played three years in the Angels organization, remained in Tallahassee, FL, following his playing days and worked at Capital City Bank.

No cause of death reported.

Link

September 11 hero dies at 66

November 12, 2024

On November 9, 2024, a hero of September 11 peacefully passed at age 66 after a short illness. After beginning his career working with his mother at Parkchester Pharmacy in the Bronx, Augustin “Gus” Gonzalez joined the NYPD, taking on tough assignments that included walking a beat in the South Bronx. Eventually he was promoted to detective. When 9/11 happened, Gus sprang into action. He escorted thousands of people from the Twin Towers to safety aboard ferry boats to New Jersey. Following the attack, he worked tirelessly at Ground Zero for many days, with little regard for his own personal safety.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Former mayor of Summerville dies of leukemia

November 15, 2024

Summerville, S.C. – Wiley Johnson, who served as mayor of the town of Summerville, SC, from 2016 to 2019, died Thursday, November 14, after a three-year-long battle with leukemia. At Thursday night’s council meeting, current Summerville Mayor Russ Touchberry and the Town Council honored Johnson with a moment of silence.

No age reported.

Link

Former Pender County, NC, commissioner passes away

November 12, 2024

Hampstead, NC – Wendy Fletcher-Hardee, a Pender County commissioner who served from 2022-2024, passed away Monday. Fletcher-Hardee, who resigned in May to focus on her health and well-being, passed away at her Topsail residence Monday at the age of 54.

No cause of death reported.

Link

North Carolina to require “vaccine” verification for state employees, urges other government agencies and private employers to do the same:

Link

Hubbard County [MN] Attorney Jonathan Frieden, 43, dies of cancer

November 12, 2024

Jonathan Frieden loved being a county attorney and dreamed of being a judge. The Hubbard County Attorney applied for the bench, but he had to decline a job interview because he was dying, his wife, Sarah Frieden, told the Minnesota Star Tribune on Monday evening. Frieden, diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in early summer 2023, died Saturday at the age of 43. Frieden was appointed county attorney in 2017 — then only 36 years old — to fill a retirement vacancy. He ran unopposed the next year and in 2022. He oversaw four attorneys in the Park Rapids office.

Link

Head of US-based diaspora charity dies

November 16, 2024

Bronx, New York – The Jamaican diaspora in New York has lost another community stalwart with the passing of Dr. Michelle Malcolm-James, president of the Organization for International Development (OID). She died suddenly last Sunday at the age of 56. Dr. Malcolm-James was a member of OID for more than 26 years and recently began spearheading the organization’s Mobile Women’s Health Services Mammography Initiative, aimed at providing breast and cervical cancer screening for women in rural, urban and remote areas of Jamaica.

No cause of death reported.

Link

28 infants “died suddenly”:

Baby Braswell, infant

November 14, 2024

Summerville, SC – Baby Braswell, infant of Jermal Seth Braswell and Alexandria Isabel Mancha, died Saturday, November 9, 2024, at home in Summerville, SC. Baby Braswell was born November 9, 2024.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Xionora-Tan Mintoria Avery Marie Vann, stillborn

November 14, 2024

Clinton, North Carolina – Xionora-Tan Mintoria Avery Marie Vann, infant, beloved daughter of Tameisha Lofton and Telvin Vann, was born sleeping on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Reported on November 5:

Hunter Grey and Brewer Lee Cosper, stillborn

November 5, 2024

Claude, TX – Hunter Grey Cosper and Brewer Lee Cosper were born into the arms of Jesus on Oct 27th, 2024, at 12:30 a.m. and 12:31a.m. Hunter and Brewer are the infant sons of Christian and Rebecca Cosper. After being loved in the womb for 36.5 weeks, they were welcomed by angels, never having to experience the hurts of this world, only the faithful and eternal love and goodness of God.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Jensen Ryan Cox, 0

November 14, 2024

Berea, Kentucky – Baby Jensen Ryan Cox, a precious soul taken too soon, graced this world with his presence on November 7, 2024, in Richmond, Kentucky. Jensen, as he was lovingly known, passed on the same day, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of his family.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Na’zeer Kasai Sibley, 0

November 14, 2024

Champaign, Illinois – Our beloved son, Na’zeer Kasai Sibley, born on November 7, 2024, at the Carle Foundation Hospital, Na’zeer weighed a precious 2.5 pounds. Though his time with us was not so, his impact on our lives will be everlasting.

No cause of death reported.

Link

Baby Jose Antonio Lozada III, 4 days

November 14, 2024

North Miami Beach, Florida – Baby Jose Antonio Lozada III, was born on November 1, 2024, and passed away on November 5, 2024. Though his time with us was short, Baby Jose brought immeasurable joy and love to his parents.

No cause of death rep

DR PAUL ALEXANDER

Breaking! Putin/Russia now threatens US with ‘nuclear war by Christmas’ in chilling WW3 warning as Biden approves Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia & Ukraine has

now done that with 6 missiles; A former spokesperson for Putin has warned of ‘nuclear war by Christmas’ after Ukraine was granted permission to fire Western long-range missiles.

Dr. Paul AlexanderNov 20

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IMO, Biden et al. are seeking a way to force USA into a nuclear world war, WW III now before Trump gets in. This is very potentially catastrophic. Putin is warning.

‘The US has been given a chilling ‘WW3 by Christmas’ warning by pro-Putin spokesperson Sergey Markov.

Western allies, also including Britain and France, have taken a “big jump” towards a nuclear conflict by giving Ukraine permission to fire Western long-range missiles into Kremlin territory, Markov claims.

Alexander News Network (ANN): Trump’s War 2.0 for America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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A regular Putin “mouthpiece”, Markov warned that the shock move by President Joe Biden could mean that Britons could be facing a Christmas in shelters.’

‘The threat, in an interview on the BBC Radio 4’s The World At One, was also echoed by President-Elect Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jnr, who suggested that those behind the move to approve Ukraine’s use of the missiles wanted to “make sure they got World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives”.’

Russia threatens ‘nuclear war by Christmas’ in chilling WW3 warning – World News – News – Daily Express US

END

I nominate Dr. Peter McCullough for the Job of Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a physician & also for Surgeon General! Read his recent stack on Bobby Kennedy Jr. as a

Courageous and Impactful Nomination as HHS Secretary! I agree 100%! Having a massive impact on healthcare administration in the United States! BOOM! McCullough is my pick given his acumen & leadership

Dr. Paul AlexanderNov 20

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‘The medical establishment is waking up to a new reality of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, having a massive impact on healthcare administration in the United States. I appears on One America News with mainstream host Stella Escobedo and said “Kennedy will bring a team of clinical and scientific experts to Washington who will restore the usual processes of leadership including: framing issues, identifying stakeholders, getting expert input, building consensus, then executing public health policy.” This is vastly different from our past two HHS secretaries Alex Azar and Xavier Becerra who during the pandemic suspended standard operating procedures, and became autocrats.

SLAY NEWS

The latest reports from Slay News

Germany Issues Alert over ‘Striking’ Safety Signal Found Among Covid-Vaxxed ChildrenResearchers in Germany have issued an alert after discovering a “striking” safety signal among children who received Covid mRNA “vaccines.”READ MORE

Ex-CDC Director Blows Whistle on Covid & mRNA ‘Vaccines,’ Blames Fauci for 20 Million DeathsFormer U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield has dropped several whistleblowing bombshells on the Covid pandemic and mRNA “vaccines” in a new interview.READ MORE

Republicans Move to Ban Men from Using Women’s Bathrooms in CongressRepublicans are moving to ban men from using the women’s bathroom facilities as the House of Representatives prepares for the first “transgender” member of Congress to be sworn in in January.READ MORE

Utah Authorities Offer $30,000 Reward for Information After Wild Horse Found Shot to DeathAuthorities in Utah have issued an appeal for information after a federally protected wild horse was found shot dead in the Onaqui Herd Management AreaREAD MORE

Trump Calls for Investigation into Top Pollster Ann Selzer over ‘Fake’ Poll Showing Harris VictoryPresident Donald Trump is calling for an investigation into discredited Iowa pollster Ann Selzer.READ MORE

Pete Hegseth ‘Extorted’ for Money by Woman After ‘Consensual’ EncounterPete Hegseth’s lawyer has revealed that the incoming Department of Defense secretary has been “extorted” for money. READ MORE

Democrat Sen Fetterman: Trump in ‘Strongest’ Position Since 2016Democrat Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has admitted that President Donald Trump has never been stronger.READ MORE

Hakeem Jeffries Pushes Back Against Warnings That Pelosi Is Undercutting His LeadershipHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has pushed back against warnings that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is undermining his leadership.READ MORE

Melania Trump Launches New Digital Series for Growing Blockchain BusinessMelania Trump’s latest venture into digital artwork highlights her commitment to her growing blockchain business.READ MORE

Harris Campaign Blew $10 Million on Celebrity Events During Election Day Eve AloneVice President Kamala Harris’s disastrous presidential election campaign blew through a staggering $1.5 billion, pumping millions of dollars into events featuring out-of-touch celebrities, according to a new report.READ MORE

High School Girls Volleyball Team Forfeits Playoff Game over ‘Male Athlete’ Playing for Opponent: ‘God’s Word Is Truth’A California Christian high school volleyball team has forfeited a championship semifinal game after discovering that an opponent is a “male athlete.” READ MORE

‘One Tree Hill’ Actor Paul Teal Dead at 35: ‘Too Young to Die’Actor Paul Teal, star of the hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” has died, his family has revealed.READ MORE

MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts Announce ‘Different’ Direction After Meeting with TrumpThe hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” have just announced that they will be taking a “different” direction in response to President Donald Trump’s historic landslide election victory.READ MORE

EVOL NEWS

Dennis Prager’s Co-Host Pleads for Prayers After Giving Update on His Condition – EVOLREAD MORE…

LATEST NEWS:

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules Against Democrats Who Defied Law to Count Illegal Ballots – EVOLRead more…Trump Reveals What Was Discussed in Meeting with Scarborough, Brzezinski – EVOLRead more…Appeals Court Abruptly Postpones Trump Bid to Oust Fani Willis from RICO Case – EVOLRead more…Trump Campaign Official Says Pennsylvania Dems Will Face Jail Time Over Ballot Recount – EVOLRead more…TIMBER: “Mainstream Media” Outlet Intends to Reduce Work Force By 8%! – EVOLRead more…Trump Makes History After Latest Ballot Drop – EVOLRead more…Sanctuaries Kept 22K Criminal Illegals From ICE Under Biden – EVOLRead more…Trump expected to attend Starship launch with Elon Musk – EVOLRead more..

NEWS ADDICTS

LATEST REPORTS FOR NEWS JUNKIES

Russia Issues Warning After Biden Crosses Putin’s Red Line: ‘A Qualitatively New Situation’Russia is bristling with anger over a Biden administration decision to allow Ukraine to use longer-range weapons than previously approved to strike Russian territory.READ THE FULL REPORT

President Trump announces his nomination for Commerce SecretaryPresident-elect Trump has just announced his nomination for Commerce Secretary, confirming what we reported earlier that it was his Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick.  President Trump announces that @howardlutnick will join his administration as Secretary of Commerce. pic.twitter.com/XkLZj2NIqN — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 19, 2024  This was the man Elon Musk wanted to be Treasury Secretary, but getting …READ THE FULL REPORT

Ukraine Fires American Long-Range Missiles at Russia for the First Time, Putin Makes Nuclear MoveIn the final months of the Joe Biden Presidency, the war in Ukraine hit a new milestone. In an attack on Tuesday, Ukraine for the first time used American long-range missiles to strike inside Russian territory, according to The New York Times. And it came on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin made a move on the use of …READ THE FULL REPORT

Alvin Bragg Opposes Dismissal of Trump’s Case Despite Election VictoryManhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicated Tuesday he would oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss his case. Bragg suggested Judge Juan Merchan consider delaying remaining proceedings until Trump’s term ends in 2029. “The People deeply respect the Office of the President, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency and acknowledge that Defendant’s inauguration will raise unprecedented …READ THE FULL REPORT

‘Morning Joe’ Hosts Blistered Over Attempt to ‘Restart Communications’ with TrumpThe hosts of MSNBC’s flagship morning show “Morning Joe” announced on Monday that they were attempting to mend fences with President-elect Donald Trump — but not everyone was ready to simply forget their years of pointedly negative coverage. Hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski explained during Monday morning’s broadcast that they had met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend …READ THE FULL REPORT

MICHAEL EVERY/PHIL MAREY/OR OTHER EXECS //RABOBANK

Once You See “World War 3” Headlines You Might As Well Buy Everything Because Why Not

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 10:25 AM

By Michael Every of Rabobank

What, me worry?

Bloomberg went with a one-word headline in Asia this morning: “Escalation”, which was what I said on Monday while proposing it might be to de-escalate in places. Bloomberg then shifted to “Shambles” to complain ‘Chaos in Rio Shows a World Untethered Even Before Trump Returns’, referring to a G20 meeting with a backdrop of North Koreans fighting in Europe, Israel resisting Middle East US ceasefire attempts, China practicing blockading Taiwan, and nuclear threats now commonplace. Yet going from “All is well (except Trump)” to “PANIC!” lacks nuance. Indeed, while I recently told clients attending our financial market outlook presentations that 2025 was ‘The Year of Living Dangerously’, not everything is worth worrying about equally. Allow a professional worrier to show you how to do it properly!

First, once you see “World War 3!” headlines you might as well go risk on because why not? Ahead of the first Ukrainian ATACMS strike in Russia proper yesterday President Putin had changed his nuclear doctrine so it can use nukes if an attack on its territory is supported by a nuclear power, which it elsewhere stated includes US ATACMS. That saw bond yields fall before reversing. So far, this Russian red line appears to have been crossed without any nuclear fallout. If that all changes, I won’t be writing this Daily, and you won’t be reading it.

Good luck collecting "YES" pic.twitter.com/7pwt34PuOv

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) November 19, 2024

‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ doesn’t apply to lower-level wars, but there’s room for optimism. In the Middle East, Hezbollah is reportedly not yet willing to sign a ceasefire allowing Israel to still defend itself, without which a pause in fighting will be used to rearm – but a deal might yet be struck. There has been a dialling down of rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. Even in Ukraine, everything is about escalating to be in the best position to de-escalate ahead.  

So, if you want to worry, look at less glamorous but arguably more significant headlines that don’t point to world war, per se, but to world disruption, and major world market volatility.

Official allegations of sabotage were made in the EU as: two of Finland’s five nuclear plants had to be shut down; a key Norwegian oilfield was shut by a power outage; the support cable on a Finnish suspension bridge broke; and two key Baltic EU data cables were severed. The Chinese vessel Yi Peng has been flagged as a possible cable culprit and at time of writing was forcibly moored in Denmark. This is likely to prompt a strong Chinese diplomatic response; and perhaps an EU one if it proves a Chinese ship damaged key seafloor infrastructure (again: this also happened to a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia in October 2023).

Europe is already confronting China in saying its battery producers – and all green tech – can only avoid EU tariffs and set up factories benefiting from subsidies if there is tech transfer. This mirrors Chinese policy back at it, long warned as the only way to avoid deindustrialisation. China might say no, which means one set of problems. Yet even if it says yes, Europe needs huge scale, so huge subsidies, so huge changes to its fiscal rules or banking sector; and huge supplies of inputs like lithium, which “are uneconomic” to develop domestically, and tied up by China internationally. The geopolitical bifurcation of supply chains is still just beginning.  

On bifurcation, Howard Lutnick is going to be US Commerce Secretary. Although this isn’t the Treasury Secretary he’d wanted, Lutnick – as representative of US businesses – has flagged tariffs and ‘Made in the USA’ tax breaks in tandem as a policy he wants to see put in place. Again, we see a mirror of China’s strategy back at it and rapid bifurcation of global supply chains.

On The Search for Spock the US Treasury Secretary, Trump is today speaking to ex-Fed member Warsh and hedge fund manager Rowan, while Senator Haggerty and Trump economic advisor Bessent are still in the mix. For markets thinking there is a chance someone who doesn’t like tariffs might get the top role, think again: why would Trump appoint a pro-tariff Commerce Secretary, who usually opposes such measures by default, only to then select a Treasury head who would not support his trade agenda?  

Moreover, with a Trump ally urging 60% duties on Chinese goods shipped via its new port in Peru, or any port in Latin America, the US is perhaps dipping into its Monroe Doctrine economic statecraft playbook to show what it wants the new world economic geography to look like: it won’t stand for trans-shipment of Chinese goods, so people are going to have to take sides. Relatedly, if China builds a railway across the Andes from Brazil to Peru to allow iron ore and soy access to the Pacific it may trigger the US to build a larger navy to rule the waves. Given China builds far faster than the US, that requires structural changes in its economy and tying ship-building allies like South Korea and Japan into a US bloc; and for national security reasons, Japan will require the US to show a firm hand vis-à-vis Taiwan – a red line for China.

In short, try not to worry about the obvious stuff like “World War 3!” Do worry about whether we are drifting towards a world split in three, geopolitically and economically: the US and allies, China and allies, and would-be ‘neutrals’. Markets might have priced in the leading edge of the Trump Trade, but they haven’t begun to grasp what the above scenario truly looks like.

The Financial Times understands the gravity with its op-ed today explaining ‘Why Trump’s trade war will cause chaos’, and that “tariffs, especially on one country, will lead to an unholy economic and political mess.” It’s right that every Trump cabinet nomination so far shows a determined approach to up-end old ways of doing things, including trade.

That said, the hoary old textbook arguments the FT uses to make its chaos case show it still doesn’t understand international trade. It’s wrong on how comparative advantage works, which Ricardo said assumes no mobile international capital, not free-flowing, free-wheeling capital; on savings vs. investment as the driver of trade when talking about forced-savings mercantilists vs. free traders, not free traders vs. free traders; on assuming the US shifting trade from China to others is a nasty side-effect of a trade war rather than a deliberate aim of one; and on not being able to join the dots from a US no longer able to sustain its global military primacy -on which the plump, pink free-market Financial Times ultimately rests- and the US being forced to run persistent trade deficits by mercantilists which deindustrialise it.

Really: worry that some high-level people still can’t grasp key fundamentals even when they are right in front of them alongside the socio-economic and geopolitical failure of the policies they keep advocating for instead. Worse, this is the same op-ed writer, Martin Wolf, who recently claimed that ‘Market forces are not enough to halt climate change’ and ‘Investor returns imply that the welfare of future human beings is close to irrelevant’; but free trade is obviously sacrosanct. Because reasons.

You can certainly worry that these kinds of prognostications are rapidly going to look like those of holier-than-thou Professor Lichtman of the magical ’13 keys’ that didn’t unlock a Harris victory two weeks ago as expected. As another commentator put it more civilly, “The failure of Allan Lichtman’s keys is not merely a personal failure; rather, it reflects the decline of the political expert class in America” as the epistemological foundations upon which these “experts” have sat crumbles away.

At the very least, you can worry that nobody in D.C. is listening to what Wolf is saying.  

END

7.OIL AND NATURAL GAS ISSUES/GLOBAL

8. EMERGING MARKETS//AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ISSUES//

CANADA

END

YOUR EARLY CURRENCY/GOLD AND SILVER PRICING/ASIAN CLOSING MARKETS AND EUROPEAN BOURSE OPENING AND CLOSING/ INTEREST RATE SETTINGS WEDNESDAY MORNING 6;30AM//OPENING AND CLOSING

EURO VS USA DOLLAR:  1.0562 DOWN 45

USA/ YEN 155.77 UP 1.051 NOW TARGETS INTEREST RATE AT 1.00% AS IT WILL BUY UNLIMITED BONDS TO GETS TO THAT LEVEL…//YEN  STILL FALLS//END OF YEN CARRY TRADE BEGINS AGAIN OCT 2024/Bank of Japan raises rates by .15% to 1.15..UEDA ENDS HIKING RATES AND NOW CARRY TRADES RE INVENTS ITSELF//

GBP/USA 1.2658 DOWN .0025

USA/CAN DOLLAR:  1.3979 UP 0.0025 (CDN DOLLAR UP 25 BASIS PTS)

 Last night Shanghai COMPOSITE CLOSED UP 21.98 PTS OR 0.68%

 Hang Seng CLOSED UP 41.34 OR 0.21%

AUSTRALIA CLOSED DOWN .58%

 // EUROPEAN BOURSE:     ALL GREEN

Trading from Europe and ASIA

I) EUROPEAN BOURSES:  ALL GREEN

2/ CHINESE BOURSES / :Hang SENG CLOSED UP 41.34 PTS OR 0.21%

/SHANGHAI CLOSED UP 21.98 PTS OR 0.66%

AUSTRALIA BOURSE CLOSED DOWN 58%

(Nikkei (Japan) CLOSED DOWN 62.09 PTS OR 0.16%

INDIA’S SENSEX  IN THE GREEN

Gold very early morning trading: 2628.80

silver:$30..98

USA dollar index early WEDNESDAY  morning: 106.50 UP 36 BASIS POINTS FROM  TUESDAY’s CLOSE.

WEDNESDAY  MORNING NUMBERS ENDS

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And now your closing  WEDNESDAY NUMBERS 1: 30 AM

Portuguese 10 year bond yield: 2.822% UP 4 in basis point(s) yield

JAPANESE BOND YIELD: +1.067% UP 2 AND 3/ 10   BASIS POINTS /JAPAN losing control of its yield curve/

SPANISH 10 YR BOND YIELD: 3.078 UP 3 in basis points yield

ITALIAN 10 YR BOND YIELD 3.600 UP 4 points in basis points yield ./ THE ECB IS QE’ ING ITALIAN BONDS (BUYING ITALIAN BONDS/SELLING GERMAN BUNDS)

GERMAN 10 YR BOND YIELD: 2.3670 UP 4 BASIS PTS

END

IMPORTANT CURRENCY CLOSES :   WEDNESDAY  

Closing currency crosses for day /USA DOLLAR INDEX/USA 10 YR BOND YIELD/1:00 PM

Euro/USA 1.0542 DOWN .0066 OR 66 basis points

USA/Japan: 155.67 UP .950 OR YEN IS DOWN 95 BASIS PTS//

Great Britain 10 YR RATE 4.5410 UP 6 BASIS POINTS //

Canadian dollar DOWN 43 OR 37 BASIS pts  to 1.3999

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The USA/Yuan,  CNY ON SHORE CLOSED DOWN 7.2465 (ON SHORE)  

THE USA/YUAN OFFSHORE:    (YUAN CLOSED (DOWN)…. (7.2545)

TURKISH LIRA:  34.54 EXTREMELY DANGEROUS LEVEL/DEATH WATCH/HYPERINFLATION TO BEGIN.//

the 10 yr Japanese bond yield  at +1.067

Your closing 10 yr US bond yield UP 4 in basis points from MONDAY at  4.423% //trading well ABOVE the resistance level of 2.27-2.32%)

 USA 30 yr bond yield  4.610 UP 4 in basis points  /11:00 AM

USA 2 YR BOND YIELD: 4.300 UP 3  BASIS PTS.

GOLD AT 11;00 AM 2645.00

SILVER AT 11;00: 31.16

Your  11:00 AM bourses for Europe and the Dow along with the USA dollar index closing and interest rates: WEDNESDAY CLOSING TIME 11:00 AM//

London: CLOSED DOWN 13.95 PTS OR 0.17%

German Dax :  CLOSED DOWN 55.55 OR 0.29%

Paris CAC CLOSED DOWN 31.19 PTS OR 0.43%

Spain IBEX CLOSED UP 1.10 OR 0.01%

Italian MIB: CLOSED DOWN 97.03 OR 0.28%

WTI Oil price  69.93 12 EST/

Brent Oil:  73.65 12:00 EST

USA /RUSSIAN ROUBLE ///   AT:  100.80 ROUBLE DOWN 0 AND  3/100      

GERMAN 10 YR BOND YIELD; +2.3670 UP 3 BASIS PTS.

UK 10 YR YIELD: 4.4690 DOWN 8 BASIS POINTS

CDN 10 YEAR RATE: 3.410 UP 8 BASIS PTS.

CDN 5 YEAR RATE: 3.233 UP 7

CLOSING NUMBERS: 4 PM

Euro vs USA 1.0537 DOWN 0.0069 OR 69 BASIS POINTS

British Pound: 1.2644 DOWN 0.0049 OR 49 basis pts

BRITISH 10 YR GILT BOND YIELD:  4.4 DOWN 2 BASIS PTS//

JAPAN 10 YR YIELD: 1.047

USA dollar vs Japanese Yen: 154.70 UP .092 BASIS PTS// HEADING FOR 160 TO THE DOLLAR

USA dollar vs Canadian dollar: 1.3969 DOWN 0.0053 CDN dollar UP 53 BASIS PTS

West Texas intermediate oil: 69.61

Brent OIL:  73.36

USA 10 yr bond yield DOWN 3 BASIS pts to 4.386

USA 30 yr bond yield DOWN 3 BASIS PTS to 4.573%

USA 2 YR BOND: DOWN 1 PTS AT  4.278

CDN 10 YR RATE 3.347 UP 7 BASIS PTS

CDN 5 YEAR RATE: 3.168 UP 6 BASIS PTS

USA dollar index: 106.16 DOWN 4 BASIS POINTS

USA DOLLAR VS TURKISH LIRA: 34.47 GETTING QUITE CLOSE TO BLOWING UP/

USA DOLLAR VS RUSSIA//// ROUBLE:  100.80 DOWN 0 AND  3/100 roubles

GOLD  2,650.25 3:30 PM

SILVER: 30.87 3:30 PM

DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE: UP 139.53 PTS OR 0.32%

NASDAQ DOWN 16.66 PTS OR 0.08%

VOLATILITY INDEX: 17.32 UP 0.97 PTS OR 5.93%

GLD: $244.61 UP 1.36 OR 0.89%

SLV/ $28.10 DOWN 0.40 OR 1.40%

TORONTO STOCK INDEX// TSX INDEX:UP 16.64 PTS OR 0.067%

end

USA AFFAIRS

USA TRADING TODAY IN GRAPH FORM

Missiles, Michelle, & Missed Targets Spark Stock Dump’n’Pump; Bitcoin & Gold Jump

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 04:00 PM

Geopolitically, more missiles were reported to have been sent into Russia overnight and that dragged stocks down early… and the micro and the macro kept stocks down for most of the day. Late on, buyers appeared as FOMO spread ahead of NVDA’s earnings. That lifted The Dow into the green for the day…

On the Micro side, it was all about Target’s epic fail…

Then, on the Macro side, round 12ET, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman poured some hawkish water on the dovish hopes:

“We have seen considerable progress in lowering inflation since early 2023, but progress seems to have stalled in recent months,” ‘Miki’ noted.

“I would prefer to proceed cautiously in bringing the policy rate down to better assess how far we are from the end point,” because progress in reducing inflation has slowed.

That sent December rate-cut odds significantly lower (33% now)…

Source: Bloomberg

Mega-Cap tech was slammed at the open, erasing all of yesterday’s gains…before the FOMO buyers stormed in late…

Source: Bloomberg

Treasury yields ended the day higher with the short-end hit hardest (but still only 3bps)

Source: Bloomberg

Bitcoin accelerated to yet another new record high today (within a few bucks of $95,000)…

Source: Bloomberg

Gold rose for the third day in a row, back to its initial low from the election…

Source: Bloomberg

Notably gold and bitcoin rose together today amid the geopolitical chaos, but decoupled shortly after the US equity market opened…

Source: Bloomberg

The dollar rallied strongly, erasing Monday’s losses…

Source: Bloomberg

Crude prices slipped lower this afternoon to end the day unchanged with WTI hovering around $69…

Source: Bloomberg

Finally, in case you were worried, the ‘Trump Trade’ continues to work..

Source: Bloomberg

..and will continue – if history is any guide – until the inauguration.

END

MORNING TRADING

II USA DATA

III USA ECONOMIC NEWS

target shares crash on profit miss and downgraded outlook. Also market share loss as Walmart continues to dominate

(zerohedge)

Target Shares Crash On Profit Miss, Downgraded Outlook, & Market Share Loss As Walmart Reigns Supreme

by Tyler Durden

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 09:25 AM

The current consumer environment is very dire for households making less than $100k a year, with the surge in the trade-down phenomenon—driven by both wealthy and low-income consumers grappling with record credit card debt and sliding personal savings—solidifying Walmart’s dominance as ‘America’s low-cost budget retailer,’ quickly eroding market share from competitors like Target and Dollar General into the end of the year.

Target reported a disappointing margin performance for the fiscal third quarter on Wednseday and slashed the annual EPS forecast over market share losses. 

It reported higher digital fulfillment and supply chain costs, resulting from elevated inventory levels and increased digital sales volumes.

“We saw several strengths across the business, including a 2.4% increase in traffic, nearly 11% growth in the digital channel, and continued growth in beauty and frequency categories,” Chief Executive Brian Cornell wrote in a statement, adding, “We encountered some unique challenges and cost pressures that impacted our bottom-line performance.” 

Here’s a snapshot of third-quarter results (courtesy of Bloomberg): 

Comparable sales +0.3% vs. -4.9% y/y, estimate +1.48%

• Comp digital sales +10.8%, estimate +4.69%

Sales $25.23 billion, +0.9% y/y, estimate $25.74 billion

Gross margin 27.2%, estimate 28.7%

Ebit $1.20 billion, -11% y/y

Ebitda $1.95 billion, -5.5% y/y, estimate $2.16 billion

Customer transactions +2.4%

Average transaction amount -2%, estimate -1.08%

Digital sales as share of total sales 18.5%

Total stores 1,978, estimate 1,972

Operating margin 4.6%, estimate 5.63%

Store comparable sales -1.9%, estimate +1.49%

Stores originated sales 81.5%, estimate 82.7%

Adjusted EPS $1.85 vs. $2.10 y/y, estimate $2.30

Operating income $1.17 billion, -11% y/y, estimate $1.46 billion

Target expects fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.85 to $2.45, versus the current Bloomberg Consensus of $2.65

• Sees adjusted EPS $1.85 to $2.45, estimate $2.65

Several months after Target executives raised financial targets, these rosy outlooks have reversed into the holiday shopping season amid weak consumer trends: 

• Sees adjusted EPS $8.30 to $8.90, saw $9 to $9.70, estimate $9.57 (Bloomberg Consensus)

“It’s disappointing that a deceleration and discretionary demand combined with some cost pressures have caused us to take our guidance back down after raising it last quarter,” Michael Fiddelke, Target’s chief operating officer and former chief financial officer, told investors on the earnings call, adding, “We believe it’s prudent to take this conservative approach.”

The quarter’s dismal earnings and revised outlook spooked investors, prompting some to question whether Walmart’s ‘rollback deals’ are eroding Target’s market share in the consumer space.

Target shares crashed 18% in premarket trading in New York. 

Commenting on Target’s earnings report, Goldman’s Eric Mihelc and Scott Feiler told clients this morning:

TGT (-18%) the clear focus this morning which is weighing on other general merch names too (DG, FIVE, DLTR -3%)…though it’s not all bad for consumer; witness WMT comps +5% yest, DAL saying premium consumer is ‘thriving’ and TJX +0.5% on earnings this morning. Some helpful takeaways from Scott here: link. Elsewhere, GIR updates MF and HF positioning post 13F filings. Most active high touch yesterday: UAA, CELH, SKX, KHC, WMT, AS, WRBY, FND, GIS, SBUX, MLCO, KO, CCL, GAP, KMB.

The analysts continued:

TGT -20%…Expectations were muted, which is why short interest was near 4 year highs. However, the low bar was on the comp sales, which were not much worse vs expectations. Bar was not low for a big EPS issue, which they ended up having one. Gross margins 100 bps light for 3Q and 4Q margins are also implied to be well below. The stock is down 20% in the premarket on an 8% FY EPS cut, so it does feel extreme. Having said that, almost nobody I spoke to had this big of an earnings miss/cut as their base expectation. Details: 3Q EPS of $1.85 vs Consensus $2.30 on comp sales +0.3% vs Consensus +1.5% (we think bogey was +0.5%). The issue of course is EPS/margins miss, with gross margins 130 bps light (SG&A was in-line, so gross margin drove all the downside). 4Q EPS well below at $2.15 (mid) vs Consensus $2.65 on comps of flat vs Consensus +1.3%.

Peer read? TGT did have +2.4% traffic growth vs +3% last quarter, so traffic is ok. As a result, Scott does not think all of Retail needs to get aggressively sold. However, when a name like TGT is down 20% and has 60% discretionary exposure, the natural reaction will be for other discretionary general merchandise names to see some underperformance. Would expect an elevated focus on DLTR, DG, FIVE, TJX (reports this morning also), ROST, BURL, etc…

On a separate note, Goldman’s Feiler explained to clients that the current consumer environment is a “winner-take-all” situation. So far, Walmart appears to be the king of deals (see: latest WMT earnings beat), and cash-strapped consumers are responding to deals by flooding the big box retailer’s stores nationwide.

Here are Feiler’s six points on the current consumer environment:

• Takeaway # 1: We are in a Consumer environment that is steady enough that winners can continue to outperform (see WMT yesterday with +5.3% Walmart US comp sales and stock was +3% to new all-time highs, despite the elevated multiple to history).
• Takeaway #2:  However, we are not in a Consumer environment that is good enough that it is a rising tide lifts all boats. There will be winners (WMT) and there will be share donors (see TGT this morning).
• Takeaway #3: Dispersion is the name of the game and the current consumer environment supports a winners/losers environment.  I would expect that to continue into the rest of EPS season and 1H25.  We are seeing it in COST/WMT vs TGT. We are likely to see it in grocers and big box discounters vs dollar stores. We have seen it in footwear with ONON/DECK vs NKE, in MCD vs peers and in many other end markets as well.
• What Happened This Morning?: TGT is down 20% in the premarket. Expectations were muted, which is why short interest was near 4 year highs. However, the low bar was on the comp sales line, which was not much worse vs expectations (+0.3% vs Consensus +1.5% and the bogey for +0.5%). The bar was not for a big EPS issue, which ended up being the big surprise here($1.85 vs Consensus $2.30). Gross margins are 100 bps light for 3Q and 4Q margins are also implied to be well below.
• What to Do Here? The stock is down 20% in the premarket on an 8% FY EPS cut, so we are seeing some further multiple compression, despite 4-year high short interest. Having said that, almost nobody I spoke to had this big of an earnings miss/cut as their base expectation.  I would expect to see some short covers, but do not think long buyers will be quick to step in and take a more constructive view.
• Peer read? TGT did have +2.4% traffic growth vs +3% last quarter, so traffic is ok. As a result, I do not think all of Retail needs to get aggressively sold. However, when a name like TGT is down 20% and has 60% discretionary exposure, the natural reaction will be for other discretionary general merchandise names to see some underperformance. Would expect an elevated focus on DLTR, DG, FIVE, TJX (reports this morning also), ROST, BURL, etc.

Other Wall Street analysts offered their take on TGT ER (courtesy of Bloomberg):

Citi (neutral from buy, PT $130 from $188), Paul Lejuez

• “Very poor” 3Q results and an “uninspiring” 4Q outlook show Target is probably losing market share to Walmart, Lejuez writes
• With Walmart’s share gains coming “largely from higher income consumers,” Target is at risk of losing additional share
• “We believe TGT is likely to need to be more promotional to drive traffic/sales, which we believe makes F25 much more uncertain, especially because in 3Q TGT did not show an ability to adjust SG&A to offset the sales/gross margin weakness,” he says

Oppenheimer (outperform), Rupesh Parikh

• Parikh said in his Target earnings preview note that he expected comparable sales and earnings for 3Q to show a “material” shortfall compared with Street estimates, but the actual bottom line miss is even “deeper” than he anticipated
• Awaits the conference call to “better understand margin dynamics for the balance of the year and into FY25”
• The stock pullback this morning is “much greater” than the possible downside in the mid-$130s/low $140s he envisaged with the preview note

Stifel (hold), Mark Astrachan

• “We view results as disappointing, with comp. [sales] worsening sequentially y/y and on a 2-year basis,” Astrachan writes
• This suggests that Target is underperforming compared with larger peers, and is losing market share in key categories, which probably is also hurting gross margin
• Expects shares to decline by more than the anticipated ~10% reduction in the annual consensus EPS

Bernstein (market perform), Zhihan Ma

• “Disappointing quarter calls Target’s ability to generate profitable growth into question,” Ma writes, adding that she wonders if the company can “exceed both sales and profitability expectations at the same time over the long term”
• Target needs to invest in pricing and drive e-commerce growth to support top-line growth, but both of these actions are “margin dilutive”
• She believes Target is less likely to turn profitable in e- commerce than Walmart due to its “smaller scale and limited investment in automated e-commerce fulfillment capabilities”

RBC (outperform), Steven Shemesh

• “The conclusion investors seem to be drawing is that there aren’t a ton of margin levers left to pull if top line remains on the weaker side throughout 2025,” Shemesh writes
• “Back of the envelope math suggests that ~flat to +1% comp in 2025 and ~flat op margin would yield EPS around $9.50, which at ~15x gets us to somewhere around $140-145, roughly ~10% upside from where shares are trading pre-market ($128)”
• Premarket share reaction (down around 18%) probably fades throughout the day, but with visibility into a sales recovery limited, he wouldn’t advise shorter-term investors to chase the stock here
• For longer-term investors, $10.50-$11.00 in EPS seems achievable in 2026

Vital Knowledge, Adam Crisafulli

• “This weak TGT print underscores how a big part of Walmart’s strength is market share gains while the consumer overall continues to witness headwinds,” Crisafulli writes
• Results likely don’t bode well for the likes of Kohl’s and the dollar stores

Considering the current challenging consumer environment…

…let’s remember that in July, we cited Goldman as saying…

Attention Cash-Strapped Americans: Goldman Finds Top Supermarket Offering The Best Grocery Deals https://t.co/0WSTOWex5J

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 15, 2024

And in October. 

twitter.com/ZeroHedgeNotes/status/1849405346831303090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E184940534

A more recent note by Goldman analysts found the “trade-down phenomenon” has occurred across “high-end and low-end consumers.” 

The last time “trading down” mentions spiked on earnings calls, it was GFC.

Bidenomics has transformed American households into a nation of Walmart customers …

END

MSNBC, CNBC On The Chopping Block As Comcast Greenlights $7 Billion Spinoff

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 10:05 AM

Comcast on Wednesday announced that it will move forward with plans to spin off its NBCUniversal cable TV networks – including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and the Golf Channel. (of course a season 2 Firefly reboot might have saved the whole thing… hint to the new buyer).

All together, the assets generated around $7 billion in revenue in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, the WSJ reports.

The company will keep Bravo – known for the “Real Housewives,” as well as the Peacock streaming service and NBC broadcast network. Executives are betting that their remaining assets – including in broadcast TV, sports, movies and theme parks, will be better positioned for growth.

Of course, the decision also comes as a major source of ad revenue – pharmaceutical companies, are about to get the monkey hammer of justice from RFK Jr.

And guess who’s most exposed?

Meanwhile, years of cord-cutting have taken a big toll on both subscribers and viewership – with every major media company pulling back on spending. Comcast, however, is the first to carve out nearly the entire business into a separate firm.

The transaction, structured as a tax-free spinoff to Comcast shareholders, is expected to take around a year to complete. The new cable venture will have an ownership structure that mirrors Comcast’s, with Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts holding a one-third voting stake. Roberts won’t be on the board of the new venture.

Mark Lazarus, who is currently the chairman of NBCUniversal’s media group, with oversight of TV and streaming platforms, will be named chief executive of the new venture. Anand Kini, who has served as chief financial officer of NBCUniversal, will be the CFO and operating chief of the new company. -WSJ

Other leadership changes related to the spinoff include Chief Content Officer Donna Langley transitioning to the chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios – which will allow her greater authority to greenlight productions and more control over content spending. She will also oversee the entire entertainment portfolio’s marketing efforts.

Comcast veteran Matt Strauss – who heads the direct-to-consumer business, will beecome the chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, while Cesar Conde will remain chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, which oversees NBC News, Telemundo and local TV stations.

You’re doing great guys…

END

Biden Asks Congress To Approve $100 Billion Supplemental For Disaster Relief

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 – 02:05 PM

Authored by Emel Akan via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

WASHINGTON—The Biden administration is urging Congress to allocate $100 billion in disaster relief to assist communities across the Southeast affected by the recent hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“With the Congress now back in session, I write to request urgently needed emergency funding to provide for an expeditious and meaningful Federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters,” President Joe Biden said in a letter to Congress addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Nov. 18.

The administration on Nov. 18 submitted a funding request that included $40 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture, and $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“The last time Congress passed a comprehensive disaster package was in December of 2022 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023,” Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters during a call.

“Since then, numerous deadly storms and disasters have struck communities across the country. Those, of course, include hurricanes Milton and Helene.”

Biden is seeking funding for a total of 16 agencies, with additional allocations such as $8 billion for the Department of Transportation, $4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, $3 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, and $2 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The request came after Johnson signaled that the House might delay appropriations bills until early 2025, when Republicans are set to control both Congress and the White House.

“We’re running out of clock; December 20 is the deadline,” Johnson told Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday” on Nov. 17. “We’re still hopeful we might be able to get that done, but if not, we will have a temporary measure. I think it would go into the first part of next year and allow us the necessary time to get this done.”

Young said the administration has already allocated funds for a range of other disasters, including the fires in Maui, tornadoes across the Midwest, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and severe storms in Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Mexico, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and other states.

“That is why we need comprehensive disaster relief in order to ensure that our communities can fully recover and rebuild,” she said.

The funding request also includes critical support for the SBA’s disaster loan program for small businesses, which has completely exhausted its funding, according to Young.

“Homeowners also use this funding as a critical source of rebuilding,” she said.

During the call, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also emphasized the importance of the urgent funding, noting that “2024 has been a year of records.”

“For example, in 2023, we had 114 disaster declarations, and as of today, in 2024, we’ve had 172,” she said.

During a visit to Western North Carolina last month, Johnson pledged that Congress would take bipartisan action to support recovery efforts once cost assessments are completed.

When asked about a lawsuit against FEMA in Florida brought because emergency workers allegedly skipped houses with Trump signs in front, a senior administration official stated during a call on Nov. 18: “We’re not able at this time to comment on an open and active investigation. I can tell you that FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters.

“And our core values are fairness, respect, integrity, and compassion. And that is the ethos of the organization.”

IIIB USA COMMENTARIES RE ISRAEL/HAMAS WAR/ and  PERVASIVE ANTISEMITISM/WOKISM

end

iiiC USA COVID //VACCINE ISSUES/IMPORTANT MEDICAL ISSUES

END

FREIGHT ISSUES/USA/

END

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON OR NEWT GINGRICH/TUCKER CARLSON

KING REPORT

The King Report November 20, 2024 Issue 7374

Independent View of the News

Ukraine strikes Russian territory with ATACMS for first time, source says The strike targeted a military facility near the city of Karachev in the Bryansk region… Karachev is located near Bryansk, approximately 130 kilometers from the Ukrainian border… https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-strikes-russian-territory-with-atacms-1732011994.html   Putin lowers nuclear strike threshold after Biden approves Ukraine long-range strikes Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine on Tuesday stating that any attack on Russia supported by a country with nuclear power could be grounds for a nuclear response… https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-signs-revised-doctrine-lowering-threshold-nuclear-response-russia-attacked   Russia President Dmitry Medvedev @MedvedevRussiaE: Russia’s new nuclear doctrine means NATO missiles fired against our country could be deemed an attack by the bloc on Russia. Russia could retaliate with WMD against Kiev and key NATO facilities, wherever they’re located. That means World War III.   Russia says Ukraine attacked it using U.S. long-range missiles, signals it’s ready for nuclear response https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/russia-says-ukraine-attacked-it-using-us-made-missiles.html   Russia’s War Against Ukraine Is Entering Dangerous New Phase – BBG   Biden calls climate change the ‘existential issue humanity faces’ as Kremlin accuses him of pushing world to brink of WWIII https://trib.al/byzweNd   ESZs traded mostly lower but sideways from the Nikkei opening until they rallied after 21:23 ET.  The rally was modest; ESZs then traded sideways until they broke down at 3:34 ET on reports of the Ukraine’s ATACMS attack on Russia.  ESZs hit a low of 58852.00 at 4:30 ET.  After a plodding rally to 5908.25 at 7:11 ET, ESZs rolled over.  They commenced a decline at 8:17 ET that pushed ESZs to a daily low of 5855.00 near 9:00 ET.   ESZs and stocks then soared after numerous money managers and market gurus proclaimed that ‘Putin is bluffing about using nukes.’  ESZs hit 5929.00 at 11:40 ET and then rolled over into a modest retreat.  A tepid Noon Balloon took ESZs to 5932.25 at 12:38 ET.  After a modest retreat, the afternoon rally began on schedule.  ESZs rallied to a daily high of 5947.50 at 13:57 ET.   After a retreat to 5927.50 at 14:41 ET, ESZs plodded to 5942.25 at 15:50 ET and were 5941.25 at 16 ET.   After a 1-day drop on reports of Blackwell AI chips overheating in servers, Nvidia soared as much as 4.9% on panic buying for the release of Nvidia’s results today.  Nuclear war, schnuclear war!   The Wilshire 5000 to US GDP ratio (202%!!!) is at an all-time high.  How is this not a ‘bubble?’  https://x.com/Barchart/status/1858666039501877753/photo/1   The FT: Corporate insiders cash in on post-election US stock market surge Insider sales reach all-time high as executives from Goldman Sachs to Tesla lock in equity gains https://www.ft.com/content/56adeab0-2957-481b-81e4-9a9ac8181c6a   Fangs in a titanic bubble; Wilshire 5k bubble; record insider selling; yet PE Powell and his ilk aver that Fed monetary policy is restrictive!  They are imbeciles and/or they think Americans are ignorant.   China military now a ‘significant threat’ capable of winning in a conflict with U.S. — report Beijing escalating coercion against Japan, congressional panel warns     Two decades of large-scale military expansion by China focused on building large numbers of missiles, ships, aircraft and other systems for a future Indo-Pacific conflict, said the 793-page report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission…     “China has significantly improved each of these capabilities over the past two decades, with an increased capability to disrupt or paralyze an adversary’s C4ISR system and a large arsenal of missiles with ranges capable of posing a threat to U.S. forces,” the report said, using the military term for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance… https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/nov/19/china-military-significant-threat-capable-winning-/   Positive aspects of previous session Fangs rallied sharply because they are ‘one-decision stocks’, like the Nifty 50 in the -60s.   Negative aspects of previous session The Ukraine-Russia War escalated; nuclear strike rhetoric appeared; US pundits insouciantly dismissed it. Fangs are in a bigger bubble than techs stocks in The Great US Stock Bubble of 1999.   Ambiguous aspects of previous session What will Russia do in retaliation for Ukraine’s ATACMs attack?   First Hour/Last Hour Action [S&P 500 Index]: 1st Hour from NYSE Open: Up; Last Hour: Up   Pivot Point for S&P 500 Index [above/below indicates daily trend to traders]: 5898.59 Previous session S&P 500 Index High/Low: 5923.51; 5855.29   Reportedly Comcast will announce it is spinning off NBCUniversal channels including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and the Golf Channel.  NBC, Bravo and Peacock to remain under NBCUniversal.   Trump nominated Howard Lutnick to be his Commerce Secretary.   CNN: Linda McMahon expected to be named as Education Secretary, sources say   Trump campaign official says Pennsylvania Dems will face jail time over ballot recount ‘They will go to jail,’ Chris LaCivita posted to X https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-campaign-official-says-pennsylvania-dems-face-jail-time-over-ballot-recount   Obama-Biden-Clinton nuclear giveaway to Russia a decade ago comes back to bite America Vladimir Putin has cut off exports of Russian uranium to the United States, exploiting a dangerous dependence cemented by Obama-era deals…      “[The] United States used to produce its own nuclear materials for bombs and then for nuclear energy, and it was the Clinton administration they made this deal with the Russians way back in the 90s to purchase all of this down blended material from, you know, the decommission nuclear warheads from Russia,” Seamus Bruner, co-author of the book, told the John Solomon Reports podcast on Monday. “That got us addicted to Russia’s supply,” he said, explaining that it led to a cratering of domestic supply.     Two deals, which took place during Obama’s vaunted “Russian Reset” that began in 2009, cemented the United States’ dependence on Russia nuclear fuel, Bruner said… https://justthenews.com/government/security/hldthe-obama-biden-clinton-nuclear-giveaway-russia-decade-ago-about-bite   Netanyahu says he ignored Biden’s war counsel – and threats that Israel would be ‘left alone’ without US help – The U.S., he said, also was hesitant about Israel’s plans to enter Gaza City, Khan Younis and “strongly opposed entry into Rafah,” threatening to force Israel to fight without U.S. aid.     “President Biden told me that if we go in, we will be left alone,” Netanyahu said. “He also said that he would stop shipments of important weapons to us. And so he did. A few days later, [U.S. Secretary of State Antony] Blinken appeared and repeated the same things and I told him – we will fight with our nails.”…  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/israel-netanyahu-biden-war-counsel   Ex-SEAL @mchooyah: Every single time we conduct a nuclear war game, it ends the same: Complete Global Annihilation.  Get that through your partisan head.   Biden approves antipersonnel mines for Ukraine, undoing his own policy – WaPo on Tuesday night The move comes as Russia’s advances in eastern Ukraine threaten to overwhelm front-line defenses…     One official said the type of antipersonnel land mine is “nonpersistent,” meaning that the mines self-destruct or lose battery charge to render them inactive, limiting the danger to civilians…     “Russia is attacking Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the casualties that they’re suffering,” one of the officials said. “So the Ukrainians are obviously taking losses, and more towns and cities are at risk of falling. These mines were made specifically to combat exactly this.”… https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/11/19/biden-landmines-ukraine-russia/   Today – Nvidia reports results after the close.  The known world is massively long NVDA, which is bubbling up.  Though it seems like an Onion or Babylon Bee satire, traders on Tuesday insouciantly dismissed the Ukraine-Russia war escalation and the Russian threats of nuclear strikes on Ukraine, or even NATO countries.  Yes, Virginia; bubble psychology is so entrenched into The Street’s psyches that it is eschewing threats of a nuclear strike on Ukraine and possibly NATO countries!   “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.” – Sir Isaac Newton   Despite Biden handlers’ further escalation of the Ukraine-Russia War, suppling anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, ESZs are +11.25 and NQZs are +4.00 at 20:25 ET on Nvidia madness.   Expected economic data and Fed speakers: Oct Housing Starts 1.337m, Permits 1.44m; KC Fed Pres Schmid 13:10 ET on Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy   Expected retailer earnings: TGT 2.30, TJX 1.09, NVDA .74   S&P Index 50-day MA: 5789; 100-day MA: 5647; 150-day MA: 5521; 200-day MA: 5421 DJIA 50-day MA: 42,523; 100-day MA: 41,394; 150-day MA: 40,553; 200-day MA: 40,126 (Green is positive slope; Red is negative slope)   S&P 500 Index (5916.98 close) – BBG trading model Trender and MACD for key time frames Monthly: Trender and MACD are positive – a close below 5218.49 triggers a sell signal Weekly: Trender and MACD are positive – a close below 5557.29 triggers a sell signal Daily: Trender and MACD are positive – a close below 5850.21 triggers a sell signal Hourly: Trender and MACD are positive – a close below 5849.20 triggers a sell signal   GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene issues warning to Republicans opposing Matt Gaetz nomination Amid intensifying pressure for the release of a congressional report into alleged sexual misconduct that could sink Gaetz’s nomination, Taylor Greene demanded similar full disclosure of what she claimed were multiple reports of assault and sexual harassment filed against fellow Republican Congress members.  She also said she had filed one of the claims herself…      “Yes.. all the ethics reports and claims including the one I filed, all your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with tax payer money, the entire Jeffrey Epstein files, tapes, recordings, witness interviews but not just those, there’s more, Epstein wasn’t/isn’t the only asset. If we’re going to dance, let’s all dance in the sunlight,” she wrote… https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/19/trump-cabinet-gaetz-marjorie-taylor-greene   @bennyjohnson: Lara Trump promises to seek prosecution of election riggers after Bucks County, PA caught counting illegal ballots to steal Dave McCormick’s Senate seat: “We had eyes watching everything. We caught them in this act… Obviously, it is against Pennsylvania law.” https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1859008222616842282   Bucks County Democrat Commissioner Who Bragged About Law Violations Now Claims Her Words Were Misinterpreted    https://conservativeroof.com/bucks-county-democrat-commissioner-who-bragged-about-law-violations-now-claims-her-words-were-misinterpreted/   Merchan cancels Trump sentencing without explanation in NY ‘hush money’ case: report Judge Juan Merchan is still considering how to proceed with sentencing given that Trump is now the president-elect and is preparing to take office in January… https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/trump-sentencing-adjourned-without-explanation-ny-hush-money-case-report

SWAMP STORIES FOR YOU TONIGHT

GREG HUNTER INTERVIEWING BO POLNY

Death and Rebirth of America – Bo Polny

Death and Rebirth of America – Bo Polny

By Greg Hunter On November 19, 2024 In Market Analysis, Political Analysis1 Comment

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com 

Biblical cycle timing expert, geopolitical and financial analyst Bo Polny predicted long ago that Donald J. Trump would be swept back into office.  After Trump’s stolen election in 2020, Polny steadfastly said he would still get two terms.  He was right on both counts.  What does Polny see now?  Polny says, “God used Trump as the cheese to bring out all the rats.  Right before the election, everybody exposed themselves of what side they are sitting on.  All these people in Hollywood were saying all this crazy stuff right into the election.  All the players exposed what side of the fence they are sitting on.  Think about it.  So, now you know all the players. . . . We are going to find out more very soon because this is not done yet.  As great as the victory was in 2016, for the next four years, it was Russia-gate, China-gate, warfare, lawfare and impeach.  I ask a simple question:  What is going to change this time around?  Demons only know how to steal, kill and destroy.  We saw that for four years, and we are going to see that again for four more years, but God is going to intervene, and we are not going to see that.”

Polny says that the economy is going to be rebuilt, and gold and silver are going to jump even higher in price.  Months ago, Polny predicted Bitcoin would hit $100,000 per unit by the end of 2024.  It hit $94,000 before settling back down on Tuesday (11/19).  Polny says, “We have not had the wealth transfer yet.  We have seen Bitcoin jump, but we have not seen gold and silver jump yet.  It’s going to explode.  My first target is $68 to $70 in a single day for silver and gold over $4,000 per ounce in a single day.”

Later in the interview, Polny predicts his top price targets for both gold and silver, and they are both going many times higher than the price today.

Polny says expect the Left to do desperate things.  Just look at the Pharoah of ancient Egypt in the Bible when he chases the Israelites down and corners them at the Red Sea.  Polny says, “Pharoah brought everything he had.  He brought all his chariots, and he brought all his army.  He brought everything he had.  So, if you compare that to now, what would they do?  They will bring everything they’ve got to destroy us because they want to bring in their plans.  What does that mean?  Everything we’ve got right now is the threat of nuclear war.  Is that on the table?  Yes, absolutely.  It’s going to get very scary. . . . At the Red Sea, it was a freak out session.  That is what we are stepping into.  It’s a very scary timepoint, and it has to be this way.  Israel prayed, and it looked like there was no way out.  Then, suddenly, and the best word in the Bible is ‘suddenly.’  Suddenly, God showed up and the Red Sea parted.  Israel went through, and then Pharoah, out of pride and arrogance, thought his god opened it.  So, he went into the Red Sea, only to walk into the greatest trap in history, and then he got destroyed.  So, expect all this to happen.  Expect the threat of nuclear war because they are not going to back down.  They can’t back down because they can’t let the truth come out about what they have done. . . . There are going to be wars and rumors of wars, but the end is not now.  See to it you are not alarmed.  What we are witnessing is the beginning of birth pains. . . . We are stepping into the birth of the Kingdom of David. . . .We are stepping into the rebirth of America.  The Babylonian system has to come down. . . . Babylon is expected to fall into year end.”

So, the America that is today has to die to make way for the rebirth of a new America.

Polny contends, “The system is so corrupt, so evil, and all these people have a secret handshake globally.  Trump wanted to drain the swamp, and Trump found out the swamp wasn’t just the United States–it was a global swamp.  That’s what Babylon is.  It turned from the United States and into a global syndicate.  Unless we have a Godly intervention, and we are going to have a Godly intervention, that is going to bring us into the Golden Age. . . .  Jesus died on the cross.  We are victorious through Jesus.  He redeemed us.  People talk about fear.  What is there to fear exactly?  We can step on the heads of snakes, scorpions and serpents in the name of Jesus.  In the name of Jesus, there is nothing to fear.”

There is much more in the 1-hour 23-minute in-depth interview.

Join Greg Hunter of USAWatchdog.com as he goes One-on-One with Biblical cycle expert and financial analyst Bo Polny, author of the new book called “Revelation: The Good News” for 11.19.24.

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Death and Rebirth of America – Bo Polny

After the Interview:

You can find free information on Gold2020Forecast.com.

SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY