GOLD PRICE GOLD $13.75 TO $2611.00

SILVER PRICE UP $0.19 TO $29.64

Gold ACCESS CLOSED $2610.35

Silver ACCESS CLOSED: $29.64

Bitcoin morning price:$95,863 DOWN 925 DOLLARS.

Bitcoin: afternoon price: $92,510 down 4278 DOLLARS

Platinum price closing UP $7.25 TO $944.35

Palladium price; UP 15.40 TO $936.85

END

*CANADIAN GOLD: $3751.30 DOWN 17.10 CDN dollars per oz( * NEW ALL TIME HIGH 3,872.51 CDN DOLLARS PER OZ//OCT 30 2024)

*BRITISH GOLD: 2082.62 DOWN 3.90 Pounds per oz// *(NEW ALL TIME HIGH//CLOSING///2161.00 BRITISH POUNDS/OZ) NOV 22/2024

*EURO GOLD: 2,508.60 DOWN 7.50 Euros per oz //* (ALL TIME CLOSING HIGH: 2600.25 EUROS PER OZ//NOV 22 //.2024)

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EXCHANGE;

JPMorgan stopped 2/659

EXCHANGE: COMEX
CONTRACT: DECEMBER 2024 COMEX 100 GOLD FUTURES
SETTLEMENT: 2,628.700000000 USD
INTENT DATE: 12/20/2024 DELIVERY DATE: 12/24/2024
FIRM ORG FIRM NAME ISSUED STOPPED

072 H GOLDMAN 128
099 H DB AG 2
132 C SG AMERICAS 1
167 C MAREX 141
190 H BMO CAPITAL 5
323 C HSBC 490
357 C WEDBUSH 9
363 H WELLS FARGO SEC 211
435 H SCOTIA CAPITAL 143
523 H INTERACTIVE BRO 1
624 H BOFA SECURITIES 1
657 C MORGAN STANLEY 54
661 C JP MORGAN 2
686 C STONEX FINANCIA 26 54
690 C ABN AMRO 10
726 C PLUS500US FINAN 1
737 C ADVANTAGE 18
880 C CITIGROUP 1
905 C ADM 3
991 H CME 17

TOTAL: 659 659

GOLD: NUMBER OF NOTICES FILED FOR DEC/2024. CONTRACT: 659 NOTICES FOR 65,900 OZ  2.049 TONNES

total notices so far: 24,624 contracts for 2,528,300 Oz (78.640 tonnes)

FOR  DEC

SILVER NOTICES: 26 NOTICE(S) FILED FOR 0.130 MILLION OZ/

total number of notices filed so far this month : 9038 for 45.150 million oz

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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 DOWN $13.75 INVESTORS SWITCHING TO SPROTT PHYSICAL  (PHYS) INSTEAD OF THE FRAUDULENT GLD:

HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD INVENTORY AT THE GLD: A MEGA HUMONGOUS 16.66 TONNES OF GOLD VAPOUR INTO THE GLD//

INVENTORY RESTS AT 877.40 TONNES

SLV/

WITH NO SILVER AROUND AND SILVER UP $0.19 AT THE SLV: HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV: A MASSIVE DEPOSIT OF 6.15 MILLION OZ INTO THE SLV

INVESTORS ARE SWITCHING SLV TO SPROTT’S PSLV.

CLOSING INVENTORY: 463.747 MILLION OZ

Let us have a look at the data for today

SILVER//OUTLINE

SILVER COMEX OI FELL BY A HUGE SIZED 1863 CONTRACTS TO 145,514 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 STRONG GAIN OF $0,43 IN SILVER PRICING AT THE COMEX WITH RESPECT TO FRIDAY’S TRADING. WE HAD A HUMONGOUS LOSS OF 1093 TOTAL CONTRACTS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE//FRIDAY’S TRADING.. WE HAD CONSIDERABLE LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S. CONTRACTS ON FRIDAY COMEX TRADING AS THEY DESPERATELY TRIED TO CONTAIN SILVER’S PRICE RISE FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS WHERE THE RAIDS WERE CALLED UPON AGAIN TO QUELL MASSIVE DERIVATIVE LOSSES BY OUR BULLION BANKS. THEY FAILED QUITE A BIT WITH //FRIDAY PRICING AS ZERO LONGS WERE KNOCKED OFF AND DERIVATIVE LOSSES ACTUALLY INCREASED.

WE HAD A  HUMONGOUS 770 CONTRACT EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE ACCOMPANIED BY A HUGE 957 CONTRACT T.A.S ISSUANCE WHICH WILL BE USED IN MONDAY;S TRADING AS THEY PLAY AN INTEGRAL PART IN OUR COMEX TRADING TRYING TO CONTAIN ANY SILVER PRICE RISE. IN ESSENCE WE LOST A HUGE SIZED 1093 CONTRACTS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR HUGE GAIN IN PRICE. WE HAD A CONSIDERABLE TAS LIQUIDATION THROUGHOUT FRIDAY’S COMEX SESSION AND ACCESS TRADING. TWO WEEKS AGO, WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF .5000 MILLION OZ ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK/ THIS WILL BE ADDED TO THE PREVIOUS EXCHANGE FOR RISK ISSUANCE OF .66 MILLION OZ/NEW EXCHANGE FOR RISK TOTALS FOR THE MONTH: 1.16 MILLION OZ.

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 YESTERDAY.

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 FRIDAY NIGHT: A HUGE 957 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 ESPECIALLY WITH YESTERDAY’S TRADING. 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 $0.43) BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN KNOCKING OFF ANY APPRECIABLE NET SILVER LONGS FROM THEIR PERCH AS WE HAD A  HUGE GAIN IN PRICE.

WE HAD A HUMONGOUS 770 CONTRACT ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS) iiii) AN  INITIAL SILVER STANDING FOR COMEX SILVER MEASURING AT 40.435 MILLION OZ (FIRST DAY NOTICE) TO WHICH WE MUST ADD THOSE STUPID “DELIVERIES” CALLED EXCHANGE FOR RISK , TOTALLING 1.16 MILLION OZ. WE ALSO HAD A SMALL 9 CONTRACT QUEUE JUMP FOR 0.045 MILLION OZ AS THESE BOYS WILL TRY THEIR LUCK IN TAKING DELIVERY OVER ON THIS SIDE OF THE PLANET.

// STANDING FOR SILVER//DEC INCREASES TO 45.270 MILLION OZ + .1.16 MILLION OZ EX FOR RISK = 46.430 MILLION OZ

WE HAD:

/ HUGE SIZED COMEX OI LOSS +// HUGE SIZED EFP ISSUANCE/ VI)  HUGE SIZED NUMBER OF  T.A.S. CONTRACT ISSUANCE 957 CONTRACTS)/ TO WHICH WE ADD 1.16 MILLION OZ EX. FOR RISK //

 I AM NOW RECORDING THE DIFFERENTIAL IN OI FROM PRELIMINARY TO FINAL: added 142 CONTRACTS.

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

TOTAL CONTRACTS for 16 DAYS, total 25,870 contracts:   OR 129.350 MILLION OZ  (1617 CONTRACTS PER DAY)

TOTAL EFP’S FOR THE MONTH SO FAR:  129.350 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. 115.970 MILLION OZ ( HUGE THIS MONTH)

DEC: 129.350 MILLION OZ (THIS MONTH WILL BE A HUMDINGER FOR ISSUANCE/ WILL NOT EXCEED MARCH 2022 RECORD OF 209 MILLION OZ)

RESULT: WE HAD AN HUGE SIZED DECREASE IN COMEX OI SILVER COMEX CONTRACTS OF 1863  CONTRACTS DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE OF SILVER PRICING AT THE COMEX//FRIDAY.,.  THE CME NOTIFIED US THAT WE HAD A HUGE EFP ISSUANCE  CONTRACTS: 770 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 DEC OF  40.435 MILLION  OZ ON FIRST DAY NOTICE, FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S 45,000 OZ QUEUE JUMP TO WHICH WE ADD 1.16 MILLION OZ OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK/PRIOR EQUALS 46.430 MILLION OZ

//NEW TOTAL STANDING FOR DEC AT 46.430 MILLION OZ 

WE HAVE A HUGE SIZED LOSS OF 1093 OI CONTRACTS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES DESPITE OUR GAIN IN  PRICE…..THE TOTAL OF TAS INITIATED CONTRACTS TODAY: A HUGE 1957 CONTRACTS TRYING DESPERATELY TO CONTAIN SILVER’S PRICE RISE,//HUGE FRONT END OF THE TAS CONTRACTS WERE LIQUIDATED DURING THE THURSDAY COMEX SESSION + ACCESS. BUT THEY STILL NEED THESE ISSUANCE FOR REPLENISHMENT FOR FUTURE TRADING /THE STRONG TA.S. ISSUANCE//LIQUIDATION DISTORTS THE TOTAL OI CONTRACTS STANDING AT THE COMEX. NO NET LONG SPECULATORS WERE BURNED ON FRIDAY WITH THE GAIN IN PRICE. 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 FRIDAY NIGHT   (957) WILL BE PUT INTO “THE BANK” TO BE COLLUSIVELY USED AT A LATER DATE, AND PROBABLY NOT TODAY.

WE HAD 26 NOTICE(S) FILED TODAY FOR 0.130 MILLION OZ

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

GOLD//OUTLINE

IN GOLD, THE COMEX OPEN INTEREST ROSE BY A FAIR SIZED 830 OI CONTRACTS  TO 458,644 AND CLOSER TO 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 SIZED 1637 CONTRACTS//

WE HAD A SMALL SIZED INCREASE  IN COMEX OI (830 CONTRACTS) OCCURRED WITH OUR GAIN OF $29.85 IN PRICE FRIDAY. THE FRBNY SUPPLIED THE NECESSARY SHORT PAPER.. WE ALSO HAD A GOOD INITIAL STANDING IN GOLD TONNAGE FOR DEC AT 57.284 TONNES ON FIRST DAY NOTICE. FOLLOWED BY A HUGE 479 CONTRACT QUEUE JUMP FOR 47900 OZ ( 1.489 TONNES). WE MUST NOW ADD 14.6836 TONNES OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK ISSUED ON 6 OCCASIONS IN THIS ACTIVE DECEMBER CONTRACT MONTH.

/NEW STANDING 94.413 TONNES

/ ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITH OUR   $29.75 GAIN IN PRICE  WITH RESPECT TO FRIDAY’S COMEX ///. WE HAD A STRONG GAIN OF 6085 OI CONTRACTS (18.926 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 THE WEEK WITH MAJOR TENDERING FOR PHYSICAL VIA THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ROUTE! YOU CAN VISUALIZE THIS WITH THE VIOLENT ACTION AT THE COMEX WITH RESPECT TO 479 CONTRACT QUEUE JUMP TODAY (47,900 OZ)  ALONG WITH THE 14.6836 EXCHANGE FOR RISK ISSUANCE THIS MONTH //NEW TOTAL TONNES OF DELIVERY: 94.413 TONNES

E.F.P. ISSUANCE

THE CME RELEASED THE DATA FOR EFP ISSUANCE AND IT TOTALED A HUGE SIZED 5255 CONTRACTS:

The NEW COMEX OI FOR THE GOLD COMPLEX RESTS AT 457,622

IN ESSENCE WE HAVE A STRONG SIZED INCREASE IN TOTAL CONTRACTS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES OF 6085 CONTRACTS  WITH 830 CONTRACTS INCREASED AT THE COMEX// AND A HUGE SIZED 5255 EFP OI CONTRACT ISSUANCE WHICH NAVIGATED OVER TO LONDON. THUS TOTAL OI GAIN ON THE TWO EXCHANGES OF 6085 CONTRACTS.. WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TAS CONTRACTS INITIATED (ISSUED): A STRONG SIZED BUT CRIMINAL 1542 CONTRACTS ISSUED. WE HAD A STRONG LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S CONTRACTS DESPITE OUR GAIN IN PRICE FRIDAY AS THE NEED FOR REPLENISHMENT WAS STILL IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT ITS PRICE CONTAINMENT STRATEGY IN FUTURE TRADING.

CALCULATIONS ON GAIN/LOSS ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES

WE HAD A HUGE SIZED ISSUANCE IN EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS (5255 CONTRACTS) ACCOMPANYING THE FAIR SIZED INCREASE IN COMEX OI OF 830 CONTRACTS/TOTAL GAIN FOR OUR THE TWO EXCHANGES: 7722 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 DEC 55.117 TONNES FOLLOWED BY TODAY.S 47, 900 OZ QUEUE JUMP TO WHICH WE ADD THOSE CRAZY EXCHANGE FOR RISK ON 6 PRIOR OCCASIONS OF 14.6836 TONNES//NEW STANDING 94.413 TONNES

//NEW STANDING DECEMBER: 94.413 TONNES

 / 3) STRONG T.A.S. LIQUIDATION TRYING TO LOWER GOLD’S PRICE FRIDAY WITH ZERO SUCCESS IN REMOVING SPECULATOR LONGS, AS WE HAD A 1) STRONG $29.75 PRICE GAIN, AND THUS 2) ZERO NET LONG SPECS BEING CLIPPED. HOWEVER, 3)STICKY GOLD’S LONGS ARE NOT FOOLED BY THE RAID IN PRICE AS THEY WERE REWARDED FRIDAY EVENING AS THEY EXERCISED EFP’S FROM LONDON TO TAKE DELIVERY OF BADLY NEEDED PHYSICAL.

  4) FAIR SIZED COMEX OPEN INTEREST INCREASE 5)  HUGE ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL PAPER///STRONG T.A.S.  ISSUANCE: 1542 T.A.S.CONTRACTS// 6.) 479 CONTRACT QUEUE JUMP OR AN ADDITIONAL 47,900 OZ WILL STAND FOR DELIVERY AT THE COMEX.

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

DEC

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

TOTAL EFP CONTRACTS ISSUED: 108,362 CONTRACTS OF 10,836,200 OZ OR 337.05 TONNES IN 16 TRADING DAY(S) AND THUS AVERAGING: 6772 EFP CONTRACTS PER TRADING DAY

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA AS TO THE  SIZE OF THESE EFP TRANSFERS :  THIS MONTH IN 16 TRADING DAY(S) IN  TONNES  337.05 TONNES

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

THUS EFP TRANSFERS REPRESENTS  337.05 DIVIDED BY 3550 x 100% TONNES = 9.49% 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 JUST SHORT OF THE 3RD HIGHEST ISSUANCE EVER RECORDED.

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

NOV: 393.875 TONNES ( A HUGE MONTH////NOW SURPASSED THE PREVIOUS 3RD AND 2ND HIGHEST EVER RECORDED EX FOR PHYSICAL ISSUANCE TO BECOME THE 2ND HIGHEST EVER RECORDED

DEC 337.05 TONNES (we will also have a humdinger of an exchange for physical issuance for this month/maybe this time we will surpass March 2022 record of 409 tonnes for the month)

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 FEB. 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 HUGE SIZED 1863 CONTRACTS OI  TO 145,514 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 770 CONTRACTS

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

DEC 770 and ALL OTHER MONTHS: ZERO. TOTAL EFP ISSUANCE: 770 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 1863   CONTRACTS AND ADD TO THE 770 E.FP. ISSUED

WE OBTAIN A HUGE SIZED LOSS OF OPEN INTEREST CONTRACTS FROM OUR TWO EXCHANGES OF 1093 CONTRACTS

THUS IN OUNCES, THE LOSS ON THE TWO EXCHANGES  TOTALS A HUGE 5.465 MILLION OZ OCCURRED DESPITE OUR $0.43 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/MONDAY MORNING SUNDAY  NIGHT

ASIA TRADING MONDAY MORNING/SUNDAY  NIGHT

SHANGHAI CLOSED DOWN 16.81 PTS OR 0.50%

//Hang Seng CLOSED UP 162.43 PTS OR 0.82%

// Nikkei CLOSED UP 459.44 OR 1.10%//Australia’s all ordinaries CLOSED UP 1.64%///Chinese yuan (ONSHORE) CLOSED DOWN TO 7.3097 CHINESE YUAN OFFSHORE CLOSED DOWN TO 7.3094// Oil UP TO 69.26 dollars per barrel for WTI and BRENT UP AT 72.71 Stocks in Europe OPENED ALL MIXED

ONSHORE USA/ YUAN TRADING BELOW 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

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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

GOLD

 LET US BEGIN:

THE TOTAL COMEX GOLD OPEN INTEREST ROSE BY A FAIR SIZED 830 CONTRACTS TO 458,644 WITH OUR HUMONGOUS GAIN IN PRICE OF $29.75 WITH RESPECT TO FRIDAY’S TRADING. WE LOST ZERO NET LONGS WITH OUR PRICE GAIN FOR GOLD AS WE HAD, AS YOU WILL SEE BELOW, A HUGE NUMBER OF EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ISSUED (5255). THUS WE HAD A STRONG GAIN ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES OF 6085 CONTRACTS WITH OUR HUGE GAIN IN PRICE. OUR FRIENDLY PHYSICAL LONDON BOYS HAD ANOTHER FIELD DAY AGAIN ON FRIDAY NIGHT AS THEY WERE READY FOR THE FRBNY.S CONTINUED ORCHESTRATED MONSTER RAID AS THEY ABSORBED EVERYTHING IN SIGHT FROM THE WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY’S ATTACK AND AGAIN ON FRIDAY AS THEY OFFERED A THANK YOU NOTE TO THE FED FOR THEIR WONDERFUL LARGESSE. THE LONDONERS EXERCISED THEIR BOUGHT CONTRACTS FOR PHYSICAL GOLD VIA THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICAL ROUTE.

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 PAST WEEK. WE HAD CONTINUED WITH CONSIDERABLE T.A.S. LIQUIDATION THIS WEEK INCLUDING FRIDAY..

THE FED IS THE MAJOR SHORT OF AROUND 82+ 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 PODCAST 197 , 199, 2001,AND FRIDAY NIGHTS  202,

203 AND 204 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., 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 THE PRICE OF GOLD LIKE THESE PAST 4 DAYS OF RAIDS.

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.

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 IS SURELY DISTORTING COMEX OPEN INTEREST BUT THAT DOES NOT STOP LONDON’S ACCUMULATION OF PHYSICAL! YOU CAN ALSO 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 DEEP INTO THE ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH OF DECEMBER.…  THE CME REPORTS THAT THE BANKERS ISSUED A HUGE SIZED TRANSFER THROUGH THE EFP ROUTE AS THESE LONGS RECEIVED A DELIVERABLE LONDON FORWARD TOGETHER WITH A FIAT BONUS.,

THAT IS A HUGE SIZED 5255 EFP CONTRACTS WERE ISSUED: :  /DEC  5255 & ZERO FOR ALL OTHER MONTHS:

TOTAL EFP ISSUANCE: 5255 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 GAINED THE FOLLOWING TODAY ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES: A STRONG SIZED TOTAL OF 6085 CONTRACTS IN THAT 5255 CONTRACT LONGS WERE TRANSFERRED AS EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS TO LONDON AND WE HAD A FAIR GAIN OF 830 COMEX  CONTRACTS..AND THIS STRONG GAIN  ON OUR TWO EXCHANGES HAPPENED WITH OUR  HUGE GAIN IN PRICE OF $29.75 FRIDAY// COMEX. THE EXCHANGE FOR PHYSICALS WILL BE USED BY CENTRAL BANKS, TO EXERCISE FOR PHYSICAL GOLD AT THE COMEX AS MENTIONED  ABOVE.

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 FRIDAY NIGHT WAS A GOOD SIZED SIZED 1542 CONTRACTS, AND THESE 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 ORCHESTRATED, ON MONDAY NOV 25, THEIR HUGE RAID TO LOWER THE PRICE OF GOLD TO MAKE THEIR COMEX BETS WHOLE ON OPTIONS EXPIRY WEEK AND THUS THE NEED FOR CONTINUAL STRONG T.A.S. ISSUANCE AND THEN LIQUIDATION (COUPLED WITH THE LIQUIDATION OF CALENDAR SPREADERS ). THE USE OF OUR TWO SPREADER MECHANISMS WERE OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE TO OUR CROOKS IN LATE NOVEMBER’S OPTIONS EXPIRY TRADING. WE HAD CONTINUAL T.A.S. AND FINAL MONTH END SPREADER LIQUIDATION ESPECIALLY ON FRIDAY NOV 29 .THE LIQUIDATION OF T.A.S. SUBSIDED QUITE DRAMATICALLY DURING THE FIRST WEEK AND A HALF OF DECEMBER BUT THAT DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THIS WEEK WITH CONSIDERABLE LIQUIDATION ALL WEK

// WE HAVE A STRONG AMOUNT OF GOLD TONNAGE STANDING:   DEC (94.413 TONNES) WHICH IS HUGE FOR OUR  ACTIVE DEC DELIVERY MONTH.

HERE ARE THE AMOUNTS THAT STOOD FOR DELIVERY IN THE PRECEDING 48 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 . 11.265 TONNES +4.665 TONNES EXCHANGE FOR RISK/TUESDAY + 3.11 TONNES OF EX. FOR RISK/PRIOR = 19.0425 TONNES

DEC: 79.729 TONNES PLUS DEC MONTH EXCHANGE FOR RISK TOTAL 14.6836 TONNES EQUALS 94.413 TONNES

THE SPECS/HFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOWERING GOLD’S PRICE( IT ROSE BY $29.75/)//AND WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN KNOCKING OFF ANY NET SPECULATOR LONGS AS WE DID HAVE A GAIN IN OUR TWO EXCHANGES. AS EXPLAINED ABOVE WE HAD CONSIDERABLE T.A.S. SPREADER LIQUIDATION FRIDAY. WE ALSO HAD A GOOD T.A.S. ISSUANCE FRIDAY NIGHT (FRIDAY MORNING), AS THE NEED FOR REPLENISHMENT WAS STILL EVER PRESENT. THIS COULD NOT STOP CENTRAL BANK LONGS, SEIZING THE MOMENT, EXERCISED AGAIN FOR PHYSICAL IN A BIG WAY TENDERING FOR PHYSICAL FRIDAY EVENING.

EXCHANGE FOR RISK

19 DAYS AGO, FRIDAY NIGHT (EARLY SATURDAY MORNING NOV 30) THE CME ANNOUNCED ANOTHER OF THOSE CRAZY DELIVERIES: THE ISSUANCE OF 250 EXCHANGE FOR RISK CONTRACTS WHICH TOTAL 25000 OZ (.7776 TONNES. HERE THE BUYER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT HE WILL BE DELIVERED UPON IN PHYSICAL METAL. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE AND A HUGE VIOLATION OF THE TRUE DISCOVERY PRICE MECHANISM WHICH IS THE COMEX MANTRA!. AND THEN GUESS WHAT? THE CME ANNOUNCED ANOTHER EXCHANGE FOR RISK, LATE TUESDAY EVENING/ EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, (DEC 5) OF 617 CONTRACTS FOR 61,700 OZ OR GOLD (1.919 TONNES). THEN MUCH TO MY ANGER, THE CME ANNOUNCED A THIRD ISSUANCE FRIDAY NIGHT DEC 7 FOR A MONSTROUS 2254 EXCHANGE FOR RISK CONTRACTS OR 225,400 OZ OR 7.0108 TONNES. NOT TO BE UNDONE, THE CROOKS CONTINUED WITH THEIR NONSENSE WITH ANOTHER 50 CONTRACT EXCHANGE FOR RISK THE MORNING OF DEC 12 FOR 5000 OZ OR .1555 TONNES. AND THIS BRINGS US TO THIS EARLY FRIDAY MORNING (DEC 13) WHERE I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE FOR THE FIFTH TIME THIS MONTH AN ENTRY FOR 250 CONTRACTS OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK FOR 25000 OZ OR .7776 TONNES.THUS ALL FIVE OF THESE ISSUANCES WILL BE ADDED TO THE TOTAL GOLD BEING “DELIVERED UPON”. THIS BRINGS US TO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING DEC 21 WHERE TO MY SHOCK AGAIN WE HAD OUR 6TH ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK TOTALLING 1300 CONTRACTS FOR AN ASTOUNDING 4.043 TONNES. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL ISSUANCE FOR THE MONTH TO 14.6836 TONNES. THE COMEX IS TOTALLY SHATTERED TO PIECES.

TOTAL DELIVERIES

WE HAVE GAINED A TOTAL OF 18.926 PAPER TONNES FROM OUR TWO EXCHANGES, ACCOMPANYING OUR INITIAL  GOLD TONNAGE STANDING FOR DEC (55.167TONNES) ON FIRST DAY NOTICE FOLLOWED BY TODAY’S HUGE QUEUE JUMP OF 47,900 OZ OR 1.489 TONNES, TO WHICH WE MUST ADD OUR 6 ISSUANCES OF EXCHANGE FOR RISK FOR A TOTAL OF 14.6836 TONNES. THUS TAKEN TOGETHER,, THE TOTAL GOLD STANDING FOR THIS VERY ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH OF DECEMBER IS:

79.729 TONNES (NORMAL DELIVERY) +

14.6836 TONNES (EX FOR RISK)

EQUALS: 94.413 TONNES

/ STANDING FOR DEC INCREASES TO 94.413 TONNES

NEW STANDING FOR DECEMBER: 94.413 TONNES (WHICH IS HUGE FOR OUR VERY ACTIVE DELIVERY MONTH)

ALL OF THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITH OUR HUGE GAIN IN PRICE  TO THE TUNE OF $29.75

WE HAD 1637 CONTRACTS REMOVED TO THE  COMEX TRADES TO OPEN INTEREST (CROOKS)//PRELIMINARY TO FINAL.

NET GAIN ON THE TWO EXCHANGES 6085 CONTRACTS OR 608,500 (18.92 TONNES)

confirmed volume FRIDAY 163,249 contracts: very weak //// T.A.S. ENHANCED TO A LITTLE GREATER EXTENT.

//speculators have left the gold arena

END

/ /// THE DEC 2024 GOLD CONTRACT

DEC 23

dealer deposits: 2

i) Into dealer ASAHI 47,335.834 oz real gold

ii) Into dealer Brinks 45,718.,722 oz 1422 kilobars

total dealer deposits: 93,054.556 oz

we have 3 customer deposit

i) Into BRINKS 60,379.578 oz (1878 kilobars)

ii) Into JPMorgan 321,513.000 oz 105000 kilobars)

iii) into Brinks enhanced 196,664.475 oz (or 461 Good london delivery bars each around 400 oz)

total deposits 578,557.053 oz 

strictly a paper gold entry.

withdrawals: 2

i) Out of Brinks 10,049.800 oz

ii) Out of JPMorgan 80,551.125 oz

total 90,599.925 oz (real gold leaving)

TOTAL WITHDRAWALS: 90,599.925 oz

adjustments: 1//Manfra customer to dealer: 25,077.780 oz (780 kilobars)

CALCULATIONS FOR THE AMOUNT OF GOLD STANDING FOR DEC.

For the front month of DEC: we have an oi of 1009 contracts having GAINED 132 contracts. We had A 347 contracts served on FRIDAY, so we GAINED a HUGE 479 contracts or 47,900 oz (1.489 TONNES) underwent a MASSIVE queue jump bolting ahead of others to take delivery of gold over on this side of the planet.

JANUARY LOST 65 CONTRACTS TO STAND AT 4052

FEBRUARY GAINED847 CONTRACTS TO 340,348 .

We had 659 contracts filed for today representing 65,900 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 659 contract(s) of which 0  notices were stopped (received) by  j.P. Morgan dealer and 2 notice(s) was (were) stopped  (received) by J.P.Morgan//customer account   

To calculate the INITIAL total number of gold ounces standing for DEC /2024. contract month, we take the total number of notices filed so far for the month (25,283 x 100 oz ) to which we add the difference between the open interest for the front month of  DEC(1009 CONTRACTS)  minus the number of notices served upon today  (659 x 100 oz per contract( equals  2,563,300 OZ  OR 79.729 TONNES. to which we add 14.6836 tonnes of exchange for risk WHICH EQUALS 94.413 TONNES

thus the INITIAL standings for gold for the DEC contract month:  No of notices filed so far (25,283 x 100 oz +we add the difference for front month of DEC  (1003 OI} minus the number of notices served upon today (659 x 100 oz which equals  2,563.300 oz (79.729 TONNES)  + 14.6836 tonnes of ex. for risk MONTH OF DEC //new total GOLD STANDING 94.413 TONNES

TOTAL COMEX GOLD STANDING FOR DEC.: 94.413 TONNES WHICH IS HUGE FOR THIS  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: 2,092,357.555  oz 65.08 tonnes

TOTAL OF ALL GOLD ELIGIBLE AND REGISTERED GOLD: 20,034.111.697 OZ  

TOTAL REGISTERED GOLD 8,679,816.278/// 269.95 tonnes). 

TOTAL OF ALL ELIGIBLE GOLD: 11,334.295.419 OZ  

REGISTERED GOLD THAT CAN BE SERVED UPON: 6,587,459 oz (REG GOLD- PLEDGED GOLD)= 204.89 tonnes //

JPMorgan enhanced inventory is 3.592 million oz/1,877,000 oz = 19.15% of entire inventory..

END

SILVER/COMEX

DEC 23. 2024

INITIAL

//2024// THE DEC 2024  SILVER CONTRACT//INITIAL

i)  0 dealer  deposit/

total dealer deposit : nil oz

i) We had  0 dealer withdrawal

total dealer withdrawals: 0 oz

We had  2 customer deposits

a) Into JPMorgan 207,657.460 oz

b) Into Manfra: 599.253.176 oz

total customer deposit 806,910.636oz

We had 2 withdrawals

i) Out of CNT 803,327.360 oz

ii) out of Loomis 239,945.821 oz

total withdrawal 1043,273.180 oz

JPMorgan has a total silver weight: 135.207million oz/313.338million  or 43.14%

adjustments 0

TOTAL REGISTERED SILVER: 78.078MILLION OZ//.TOTAL REG + ELIGIBLE. 313.338 million oz

CALCULATIONS FOR THE NEW STANDING FOR SILVER FOR DEC

silver open interest data:

FRONT MONTH OF DEC /2024 OI: 42 OPEN INTEREST FOR A LOSS OF 36 CONTRACTS. WE HAD

45 CONTRACTS ISSUED ON FRIDAY SO WE HAD A FAIR 9 CONTRACT QUEUE JUMP I.E. 45,000 ADDITIONAL OZ WILL STAND AT THE COMEX WHERE THESE BOYS WILL TRY THEIR LUCK AND TAKE DELIVERY OF PHYSICAL SILVER OVER HERE.

JANUARY SAW A LOSS OF 54 CONTRACTS DOWN TO 2168

FEBRUARY SAW A GAIN 0F 8 CONTRACTS TO STAND AT 354

MARCH SAW A LOSS OF 1259 CONTRACTS DOWN TO 116,813

TOTAL NUMBER OF NOTICES FILED FOR TODAY: 26 for 225,000 oz

CONFIRMED volume; ON FRIDAY 62,707 good// CONSIDERABLE, t.a.s. enhanced

To calculate the number of silver ounces that will stand for delivery in DEC we take the total number of notices filed for the month so far at 9038x 5,000 oz = 45.190 MILLION oz 

to which we add the difference between the open interest for the front month of DEC (42) and the number of notices served upon today (26)x (5000 oz)

Thus the  standings for silver for the DEC 2024 contract month:  9038 Notices served so far) x 5000 oz + OI for the front month of DEC(42) minus number of notices served upon today (26)x 5000 oz equals silver standing for the DEC contract month equating to 45.270 MILLION OZ. + to which we add 1.16 million oz of exchange for risk PRIOR////new total 46.430 MILLION OIOZ

 New total standing: 46.430 million oz.

There are 78.078 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//

DEC  23  WITH GOLD DOWN $13,75 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD:A DEPOSIT OF 16.66 TONNES OF GOLD VAPOUR GOLD INTO THE GLD. / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 877.40 TONNES

DEC  20  WITH GOLD UP $29,75 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD:A WITHDRAWAL OF 3.16 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD. / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 860.74 TONNES

 DEC  19  WITH GOLD DOWN $45.00 ON THE DAY; SMALL CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD:A WITHDRAWAL OF .29 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD. / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 863.90 TONNES

DEC  18  WITH GOLD DOWN $8.40 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 864.19 TONNES

DEC  17  WITH GOLD DOWN $6.85 ON THE DAY; SMALL CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 0.23 TONNES INTO THE GLD / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 864.19 TONNES

DEC  16  WITH GOLD DOWN $2.80 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 4.70 TONNES INTO THE GLD / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 863.90 TONNES

 DEC  13  WITH GOLD DOWN $24.55 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A WITHDRAWAL OF 4.78 TONNES INTO THE GLD / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 868.60 TONNES

DEC  12  WITH GOLD DOWN $34.00 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: A DEPOSIT OF 2.59 TONNES INTO THE GLD / // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 873.38 TONNES

 DEC  11  WITH GOLD UP $29.75 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD: // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 870.79 TONNES

 DEC  9  WITH GOLD UP $31.10 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD. // : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 871.94 TONNES

DEC 6 WITH GOLD UP $6.60 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD. A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.71 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD// : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 871.94 TONNES

DEC 5 WITH GOLD DOWN $26.80 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD./ : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 873.65 TONNES

DEC 4 WITH GOLD UP $6.15 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 2.31 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD./ : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 873.65 TONNES

DEC 3 WITH GOLD UP $10.30 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A WITHDRAWAL OF 2.59 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD./ : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 875.96 TONNES

DEC 2 WITH GOLD DOWN $20.20 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD : .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 878.55 TONNES

NOV 29 WITH GOLD UP $16.00 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD : Z WITHDRAWAL OF .86 TONNES OF GOLD FROM THE GLD . .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 878.55 TONNES

 NOV 27 WITH GOLD UP $18.05 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD : . .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 879.41 TONNE

 NOV 26 WITH GOLD UP $3.80 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD : A DEPOSIT OF 1.44 TONNES OF GOLDINTO THE GLD. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 879.41 TONNES

NOV 25 WITH GOLD DOWN $91.60 ON THE DAY; NO CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD :. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 877.97 TONNES

NOV 21 WITH GOLD UP $23.85 ON THE DAY; HUGE CHANGES IN GOLD AT THE GLD A DEPOSIT OF 3.16 TONNES OF GOLD INTO THE GLD/:. .///INVENTORY RESTS AT 875,39 TONNES

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

GLD INVENTORY: 877.40 TONNES, TONIGHTS TOTAL

SILVER

DEC 23 WITH SILVER UP 19 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV/////A DEPOSIT OF 6.15 MILLION OZ INTO THE SLV //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 463.747 MILLION OZ

DEC 20 WITH SILVER UP 43 CENTS //SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV/////A DEPOSIT OF 183,000 OZ INTO THE SLV //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 457.597 MILLION OZ

DEC 19 WITH SILVER DOWN 25 CENTS //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV///// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 457.414 MILLION OZ

DEC 18 WITH SILVER DOWN 19 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.094 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 457.414 MILLION OZ

DEC 17 WITH SILVER DOWN 12 CENTS //SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A DEPOSIT OF 0.456 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 458.052 MILLION OZ

DEC 16 WITH SILVER DOWN 0 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A WITHDRAWAL OF 4.84 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 458.052 MILLION OZ

DEC 13 WITH SILVER DOWN 46 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A WITHDRAWAL OF .536 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 462.892 MILLION OZ

DEC 12 WITH SILVER DOWN 94 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF 5.787 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 463.428 MILLION OZ

DEC 11 WITH SILVER UP 10 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF 2.597 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 469.215 MILLION OZ

DEC 10 WITH SILVER DOWN 8 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF 1.868 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 471.812 MILLION OZ

DEC 9 WITH SILVER UP $0.91 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF 1.367 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 473.680 MILLION OZ

DEC 6 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.00 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV A MASSIVE DEPOSIT OF 4.329 MILLION OZ/// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.047 MILLION OZ

DEC 5 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.23 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV” /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 470.718 MILLION OZ

DEC 4 WITH SILVER UP 26 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV”: A WITHDRAWAL OF 2.206 MILLION OZ FORM THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 470.718 MILLION OZ

DEC 3 WITH SILVER UP 59 CENTS //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 472.924 MILLION OZ

DEC 2 WITH SILVER DOWN 19 CENTS //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV. A WITHDRAWAL OF 1,458,000 OZ FROM THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 472.924 MILLION OZ

NOV 29 WITH SILVER UP 51 CENTS //SMALL CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV. A WITHDRAWAL OF 365,000 OZ FROM THE SLV. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 474.382 MILLION OZ

NOV 27 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.25 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV.. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 474.747 MILLION OZ

NOV 26 WITH SILVER UP $0.10 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:.A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.094 MILLION OZ FROM THE SLV./.. /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 474.747 MILLION OZ

NOV 25 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.96 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:. . /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.841 MILLION OZ

NOV 22 WITH SILVER UP $0.40 //NO CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:. . /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.841 MILLION OZ

NOV 21 WITH SILVER DOWN $0.06 //HUGE CHANGES IN SILVER INVENTORY AT THE SLV:A WITHDRAWAL OF 1.729 MILLION OZ FORM THE SLV. . /// //INVENTORY AT SLV RESTS AT 475.841 MILLION OZ

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

CLOSING INVENTORY 463.747 MILLION OZ//

PHYSICAL GOLD/SILVER COMMENTARIES

1/ PETER SCHIFF/SCHIFF GOLD/MIKE MAHARRY

Will Trump Tariffs Kill Commercial Real Estate?

Friday, Dec 20, 2024 – 03:40 PM

Via SchiffGold.com,

Will the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Chinese, Mexican, and Canadian imports could send shockwaves through the already vulnerable U.S. commercial real estate market? With a 10% tariff on goods from China and 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, the additional cost will be passed along to the US builder and consumer — and is a stiff repudiation to the notion of free markets.

The Fed has predictably failed to get inflation under control before starting its rate-cutting bonanza, and tariffs will cause prices to skyrocket for materials like aluminum, steel and wood, all without addressing deficits. The price increases could a wave ripping through everything from food packaging, cars, trucks, ships, aircraft, and electronics to logistics, housing, and commercial construction. Or, in other words, just about everything. As Peter Schiff recently said:

Why doesn’t every country just impose tariffs if it doesn’t cost anything for their own citizens? …A tariff is a tax. It’s a tax on the consumer for buying stuff. 100% of it is paid by consumers. There’s nobody else to pay it!”

Higher packaging and logistics prices means more expensive products for Amercians across the board. Tariff-fueled price rises could also be the straw that breaks the back of the fragile commercial real estate market, which continues to teeter on the brink with high costs, bad loans, empty office buildings, and overexposed banks creating an explosive cocktail just waiting for a match.    

The cost of essential building materials—like steel, aluminum, and wood—is set to rise significantly. Given that these materials form the backbone of construction, Trump tariffs and the price increases they’re guaranteed to cause could have dire implications for developers, lenders, and the broader economy. 

In 2023, Canada was the US’s single steel supplier. As of 2022, it was also at the top of the list for wood, with China in spot number two and Mexico close behind. The US is a top global importer of iron and steel and is Mexico’s primary customer; Mexico accounted for approximately 15% of the total steel imported while China provided 5%. And while China is a minimal steel importer  to the US compared to other countries, it’s a nation that has become a powerful symbol for the broader implosion of US manufacturing. 

It means that with no manufacturing base to make anything domestically, we have nothing to fall back on. Market forces dictate that two things will happen. One, the goods and supplies that do get sent to the US will start to cost much more money. Two, countries that are heavy exporters to the US will reduce the amounts of goods that they sell us to begin with, creating less supply and driving up prices even more. Either way, the tariff plan is a heavy-handed state intervention that has no ability to empower Trump to lower taxes, as promised. Instead, it’s bound to increase the cost of everything as consumers struggle to figure out where all their clothes, toys, and other goods have gone, with whatever’s left on shelves now priced even more hopelessly out of their budget.

U.S. City Average Dollar Purchasing Power Since 1913, St. Louis Fed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Purchasing Power of the Consumer Dollar in U.S. City Average [CUUR0000SA0R], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CUUR0000SA0R, December 14, 2024.

Meanwhile, iconic American steel producer US Steel is now pushing for a deal to be sold to Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steelmaker [ZH: which has now been blocked]. The outlook for US manufacturing has gotten so bad that many working-class US Steel workers are celebrating, seeing the deal as the only thing that can save their good old American jobs. The Biden administration appears to be preparing to block the deal on the grounds of preserving “national security.” But they’re damned if they do, and the’re damned if they don’t.

As tariffs on Chinese and Mexican goods and materials significantly increase the cost of building, it will become even harder for CRE loans to be repaid as struggling developers have nowhere to go but back to the bank to borrow more money. Developers relying on Canadian, Chinese, and Mexican building materials, equipment, and supplies will face higher project costs as they juggle already razor-thin margins and risks like zoning complications, permitting issues, unexpected legal costs, and other extremely expensive snags common to their industry. 

The economy can only handle so many powder kegs. As Peter Schiff said about tariffs on his November 27th episode of The Peter Schiff Show:

The best thing to do if a country wants to be dumb enough to try to limit the ability of its own citizens to trade freely is not to do the same thing to your citizens. Let your own citizens trade freely, and you’re going to win.”

According to Trepp, a leading provider of real estate analytics, nearly $1.5 trillion in commercial real estate loans are set to mature by 2025. Distressed loans are reaching a fever pitch for commercial properties like retail, buildings, apartments and other residential developments, and offices across the US. 

Mortgage-backed security delinquencies associated with office properties are nearing a rate not seen since the 2008 financial meltdown. And many office buildings associated with these troubled loans haven’t even come close to finding enough renters to fill them, becoming post-COVID phantom buildings in a zombie market. Now that remote work and Zoom meetings have cemented themselves as the permanent New Normal, developers are pivoting to desperate measures like expensive office-to-apartment conversions as a Hail Mary to save their projects.

Banks, particularly regional lenders, are trapped in a prison of overexposure to CRE. The FDIC’s Q2 2024 report shows that real estate loans account for 40% of the total loan portfolios for many small and mid-sized banks across America. The government and Fed like to pretend that it’s not a big deal since these are “smaller” banks, willfully ignoring the fact that a series of small bank failures often portends the unfolding of a broader crisis. A construction slump triggered by rising material costs and inflation from central bank meddling and the higher costs from import tariffs, could conspire with other factors to trigger a full-blown CRE collapse and banking crisis. 

Having no manufacturing base in the US only makes a bad thing even worse. The catch-22 is that Trump wants to use tariffs to cut taxes and hopes it will somehow bring American companies and manufacturing back. But without manufacturing, you have no choice but to sacrifice consumers and developers and builders at the altar of foreign imports. It’s an economic ouroboros where the problem eats the solution. 

The Fed wants to cut rates more to save CRE and banks, and in desperation, may fire up the money printer in big way. But it’s just adding fuel to a different fire. 

In previous crises, such as the 2008 financial crash and COVID, QE “stabilized” markets with an epic run of money printing. With inflation still too hot as the Fed rushed to cut interest rates, it’s backed into a corner as usual: keep cutting to save the banks and CRE, throwing savers to the wolves as their purchasing power tanks, or stifle inflation with higher rates and let a banking and CRE crisis rip. We know what it will do. The Fed never sacrifices the banks to preserve the dollar’s purchasing power. They’d rather sacrifice savers and taxpayers with low rates and QE than play a game of bank failure dominos. Either way, the outlook is horrifying.

The CRE bomb has been building for quite some time now. The next round of upward price shocks, exacerbated by the shock of heavy tariffs when the US has close to zero manufacturing base left, could be what lights the fuse.

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

Alasdair Macleod

3. CHRIS POWELL AND GATA DISPATCHES

This will probably happen beginning in 20025

(Lambourne and Powell)

Lambourne and Powell: If China forces gold reset, ETF gold may be most vulnerable

Submitted by admin on Sun, 2024-12-22 12:10 Section: Daily Dispatches

By Robert Lambourne and Chris Powell
Sunday, December 22, 2024

Anyone who has read the reports published by GATA over the years will understand that owning physical gold and silver is the preferred way to hold monetary metals. 

No history of gold ownership in the United States would be complete without reference to Executive Order 6102, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and meant to confiscate gold owned by the public:

Amid the relentless growth of federal government deficits and debt, physical metal remains the best form of ownership.

China also has economic problems related to high debt, principally because of property speculation and overbuilding. At the end of the second quarter this year, China had a reported non-financial debt-to-gross domestic product ratio of 292%. The U.S. ratio is 249%.

Both countries are in a position where currency devaluation and debt write-offs may be politically attractive options. A gold price reset is one way to achieve this, and in theory either government could decide to make such a move unilaterally. 

If relations between the new Trump administration and China become strained, a gold price reset might form part of a response to substantial tariffs being imposed on Chinese imports to the U.S.

Based on remarks made so far, it seems unlikely that the new Trump administration is ready to launch a gold price reset. Talk of creation of a U.S. government bitcoin reserve suggests that a gold price reset might be considered, but it doesn’t appear imminent.

The situation with China is more opaque, especially as moves are underway there to refinance local government, banks, and property businesses. Recently Chinese authorities announced, as part of refinancing local government, that this included previously unrecorded debts. 

Admission of unrecorded debts is rare. 

A signal of a forthcoming gold price reset might be found in the timing of this admission together with the announcement of a major refinancing being carried out by new government borrowing being used to replace existing debt.

Hence there appears to be a chance of a gold price reset occurring in 2025. There also seems to be a chance that this reset will be driven by China rather than the Trump administration. Hence there could be a financially chaotic period when a gold price reset is forced on the West by China.

So the need to hold gold and silver directly in physical form seems stronger than ever, just as holding a claim on gold or silver by owning shares in an exchange-traded fund carries increasing risk. 

As is well known by followers of GATA, there is considerable reason to be suspicious that Western governments and central banks may not hold all the physical gold they claim to have. This report by gold market analyst Frank Veneroso, published by GATA in 2007, is a reminder:

So is the March 1999 secret report of the staff of the International Monetary Fund to the IMF board, which says central banks don’t want the world to know that much of the gold they claim to own is actually impaired by leases:

In the same vein, GATA also reports on gold swaps arranged by the Bank for International Settlements for one or more of its central bank members whereby gold is swapped for dollars, with bullion banks being the source of this gold. It has long been conjectured by GATA that the gold in the BIS swaps is sourced from exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

It is also conjectured that the swaps might be a mechanism to return double-counted gold to a central bank that had leased or loaned it to a bullion bank acting as custodian for an ETF. The absence of clear reporting on gold transactions makes it impossible for outsiders to confirm or refute these conjectures.

The recent disclosure that the main custodian of the SPDR Gold Shares exchange-traded fund (GLD) is now JPMorganChase rather than HSBC, with possibly more of the ETF’s gold being vaulted in the U.S., is further reason to consider whether gold or silver held in ETFs might be an easier target for confiscation, especially if the U.S. government is forced into a rapid gold price reset after unilateral Chinese action.

Owners of monetary metals should reflect on these developments.

—–

Robert Lambourne is a retired business executive in the United Kingdom who consults for GATA about the involvement of the Bank for International Settlements in the gold market and about U.S. government debt. Chris Powell is GATA’s secretary/treasure

4. OTHER GOLD COMMENTARIES/

END

ANDREW MAGUIRE AND ALASDAIR MACLEOD//LIVE FROM THE VAULT 204

end

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

6 CRYPTOCURRENCY NEWS

END

ASIA TRADING MONDAY MORNING/SUNDAY  NIGHT

SHANGHAI CLOSED DOWN 16.81 PTS OR 0.50%

//Hang Seng CLOSED UP 162.43 PTS OR 0.82%

// Nikkei CLOSED UP 459.44 OR 1.10%//Australia’s all ordinaries CLOSED UP 1.64%///Chinese yuan (ONSHORE) CLOSED DOWN TO 7.3097 CHINESE YUAN OFFSHORE CLOSED DOWN TO 7.3094// Oil UP TO 69.26 dollars per barrel for WTI and BRENT UP AT 72.71 Stocks in Europe OPENED ALL MIXED

ONSHORE USA/ YUAN TRADING BELOW 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 MONDAY MORNING.7:30 AM

ONSHORE YUAN:   CLOSED DOWN AT 7.3097

OFFSHORE YUAN: UP TO 7.3094

SHANGHAI CLOSED CLOSED DOWN 16.81 PTS OR 0.50%

HANG SENG CLOSED CLOSED DOWN 162.43 PTS OR 0.82%

2. Nikkei closed UP 459.44 PTS OR 1.10%

3. Europe stocks   SO FAR:  ALL MIXED

USA dollar INDEX UP TO  107.96 EURO FALLS TO 1.0388 DOWN 33 BASIS PTS

3b Japan 10 YR bond yield: RISES TO. +1.055 Japan buying 100% of bond issuance)/Japanese YEN vs USA cross now at 156.94…… 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 DOWN /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 DOWN FOR UP this morning

3h European bond buying continues to push yields lower on all fronts in the EMU. German 10yr bund YIELD UP TO +2.30000 Italian 10 Yr bond yield UP to 3.465 //SPAIN 10 YR BOND YIELD UP TO 2.995

3i Greek 10 year bond yield DOWN TO 3.145

3j Gold at $2615.45/Silver at: 29.63  1 am est) SILVER NEXT RESISTANCE LEVEL AT $50.00//AFTER 28.40

3k USA vs Russian rouble;// Russian rouble UP 2 AND 77/100  roubles/dollar; ROUBLE AT 100.22

3m oil into the 69 dollar handle for WTI and  72 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 156.94  10 YEAR YIELD AFTER FIRST BREAKING .54% LAST YEAR NOW EXCEEDS THAT LEVEL TO 1.055% 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 0.8969 as the Swiss Franc is still rising against most currencies. Euro vs SF:   0.9315  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: 4.534 UP 1 BASIS PTS…

USA 30 YR BOND YIELD: 4.732 UP 2 BASIS PTS/

USA 2 YR BOND YIELD:  4.321 UP 1 BASIS PTS

USA DOLLAR VS TURKISH LIRA: 35.22…

10 YR UK BOND YIELD: 4.5835 DOWN 2 PTS

10 YR CANADA BOND YIELD: 3.299 UP 2 BASIS PTS

5 YR CANADA BOND YIELD: 3.052 DOWN 1 PTS.

2a New York OPENING REPORT

Futures Flat As Markets Wind Down For 2024

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 08:31 AM

US equity futures entered the last week of 2024 gingerly and steady in subdued trading as traders, already on the ski slopes or in various warm, non-extradition countries, assessed the outlook for economic growth and interest rates. The dollar gained after a US government shutdown was averted in the last minute. As of 8:10am, contracts on the Nasdaq 100 added 0.4% and those on the S&P 500 were little changed, erasing an earlier gain, following a sharp rebound on Friday after the core PCE index increased at the slowest pace since May. Europe’s stock benchmark edged higher. Market gains will likely be capped by the continued rise in rates which has seen 10Y yields rise 2bps to 4.55%. Oil, gold and bitcoin all dropped while a Bloomberg gauge of the dollar rose after sliding 0.5% on Friday. Today’s macro data include the Chicago Fed, Durable Goods, New Home Sales and the Conference Board Consumer Confidence.

In premarket trading, Qualcomm rose 2% as the company prevailed at trial against Arm Holdings Plc’s claim that it breached a license for chip technology that the world’s largest maker of mobile-phone processors acquired when it bought a startup in 2021. Arm slips 3%. Applied Therapeutics fell 3% after William Blair stepped away from its bullish rating due to increased uncertainty around the future of the Govorestat drug and a limited cash runway. Here are some other notable premarket movers:

• Despegar.com (DESP), a Latin American online travel agency, jumps 31% after Prosus entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the booking site.
• Playa Hotels & Resorts (PLYA) rises 11% after executing an exclusivity agreement with Hyatt Hotels Corp. (H) where Playa agrees to negotiate exclusively with Hyatt regarding potential strategic alternatives.
• Rumble (RUM) jumps 43% after the video-sharing platform said Tether is set to acquire a stake in the company for $7.50/share.
• Rigetti Computing and other stocks linked to quantum computing rise on optimism over Alphabet’s Willow chip capabilities. Rigetti (RGTI) +13%, D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) +18%
• Xerox (XRX) rises 2% after agreeing to buy the laser printer maker Lexmark International Inc. from a consortium of Asian investors in a deal valued at $1.5 billion.

As we close out the year, investors are taking a step back after a stream of robust US economic data saw the Federal Reserve scale back the number of cuts it anticipates in 2025. The PCE data reignited hopes of deeper rate cuts, though overall sentiment remains cautious as investors brace for the prospect of sweeping global tariffs imposed by US President-elect Donald Trump, and as China continues to see a lackluster economic recovery.

“Friday’s PCE data was enough to cheer the mood and reignite hopes about the possibility of lower inflation next year, which would allow the Fed to cut rates faster,” said Daniela Hathorn, a senior market analyst at Capital.com. “The avoidance of a US government shutdown over the weekend has also helped ease some of the negative pressure on stocks.”

“There are still hopes that the US stock markets in particular will end 2024 with a positive undertone,” Dana Malas, a strategist at SEB, wrote in a note. “After two explosive weeks of central banking and news, to say the least, it is time for the market to recharge batteries and update forecast models for the world that begins on January 20 with Donald Trump in the White House.”

Europe’s Stoxx 600 index turned higher as drugmaker Novo Nordisk A/S staged a partial recovery from the biggest slump in more than two decades on Friday. Among other individual movers, Evolution AB plunged after the UK Gambling Commission began a review of its Malta operations. Direct Line Insurance Group Plc shares rose after Aviva Plc agreed to buy the insurer in a deal valuing the firm at around £3.7 billion ($4.7 billion). Here are some of the biggest movers on Monday:

• Novo Nordisk shares rise as much as 10%, clawing back some of Friday’s 21% plunge, after the Danish drugmaker’s experimental obesity shot CagriSema failed to meet its own bar for success.
• Direct Line shares rise as much as 3.6% after Aviva agrees to buy the UK insurer in a £3.7 billion ($4.65 billion) deal.
• European Defense shares rise after the Financial Times reported that Donald Trump will demand NATO members increase their defense spending to 5% of their respective GDP, citing people familiar.
• VusionGroup shares rise as much as 14% as the maker of digital shelf labels extends a contract with Walmart to cover the retailer’s 4,600 US stores.
• SBB shares rise as much as 14% after the Swedish landlord said the outcome of its tender and exchange offers had significantly reduced risks in regard to the ongoing litigation in the English High Court.
• Volkswagen shares fall as much as 2.3%, as analysts at Jefferies and Bernstein say the German firm’s agreement with labor unions to cut capacity significantly misses the carmaker’s original goals.
• Fagron falls as much as 16%, the most in almost nine years, after the Belgian supplier of raw ingredients to the pharmaceutical industry said it received an FDA warning letter for its Wichita site, following an inspection.
• Evolution shares slide as much as 12% after the gaming firm says the UK Gambling Commission has started a review of Evolution Malta Holding Limited’s operating license.
• Enagas slips as much as 4.1% after the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes made a ruling over a dispute with Peru over the Gasoducto Sur Peruano concession.

Earlier in the session, Asian stocks rose, rebounding from last week’s selloff, as tech shares rallied after US inflation data supported the case of further interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve next year. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced as much as 1.4%, poised for its first gain in seven sessions, with TSMC and Toyota Motor among the biggest contributors to the benchmark’s move. Taiwanese stocks led gains in the region, after AI powerhouse Nvidia Corp.’s Friday rally and local media reports boosted investor sentiment. A below-than-expected reading on the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge helped cool investor concerns after the central bank’s relatively hawkish stance at its meeting last week. Still, expectations of further trade tariffs by Donald Trump and thin liquidity heading into the holiday season have kept a lid on overall sentiment.

In FX, a Bloomberg gauge of the dollar rose after sliding 0.5% on Friday, and Treasury yields ticked higher. President Joe Biden signed funding legislation to keep the US government operating until mid-March, avoiding a year-end shutdown and kicking future spending decisions into Trump’s presidency.

In rates, treasuries are slightly cheaper across the curve, following wider losses seen across core European bonds over early London session after ECB President Christine Lagarde said in an FT podcast that policymakers remain alert to lingering price pressures in the services sector. Treasury yields cheaper by around 0.5bp to 1.5bp across the curve with spreads broadly within one basis point of Friday’s close. US 10-year yields trade around 4.55% with bunds and gilts lagging by 0.5bp and 1bp in the sector. US session focus includes start of this week’s auctions which kick-off with 2-year note sale Monday, followed by 5- and 7-year notes Tuesday and Thursday. Busy data slate also includes durable goods orders and consumer confidence.

US economic data calendar includes November building permits, Chicago Fed national activity, durable goods orders (8:30am), November new home sales and December consumer confidence (10am). No Fed members are scheduled to speak on the day

Market Snapshot

• S&P 500 futures up 0.3% to 6,020.00
• STOXX Europe 600 up 0.3% to 503.51
• MXAP up 1.2% to 181.37
• MXAPJ up 1.3% to 573.37
• Nikkei up 1.2% to 39,161.34
• Topix up 0.9% to 2,726.74
• Hang Seng Index up 0.8% to 19,883.13
• Shanghai Composite down 0.5% to 3,351.26
• Sensex up 0.6% to 78,511.21
• Australia S&P/ASX 200 up 1.7% to 8,201.58
• Kospi up 1.6% to 2,442.01
• German 10Y yield up 3.5 bps at 2.32%
• Euro down 0.1% to $1.0415
• Brent Futures up 0.5% to $73.27/bbl
• Brent Futures up 0.5% to $73.27/bbl
• Gold spot up 0.2% to $2,629.43
• US Dollar Index up 0.27% to 107.91

Top Overnight News

• US Trade Representative Office has launched a new investigation into Chinese-made legacy chips, may lead to more tariffs.
• US President-elect Trump has selected David Fink to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration: Reuters.
• Brian McCormack, a long-time energy consultant, and Andrew Peek, a seasoned Middle East adviser, will take senior roles on Trump’s National Security Council: CBS
• US government has enacted a budget to avert a shutdown, but the deal does not include President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit: BBC.
• US jury has found that Qualcomm (QCOM) did not breach Nuvia’s license agreement with Arm (ARM) and determined that Qualcomm’s custom CPUs are licensed under its agreement with Arm: Reuters.
• Japan’s antitrust watchdog is set to conclude that Google (GOOG) violated the law in a search-related case: Nikkei.

A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks opened firmer across the board on a holiday-thinned week, following a similar performance from Wall Street on Friday, with broad risk-on sentiment through the US afternoon, albeit with indices closing off peaks. ASX 200 saw its gains supported by gold miners following the rebound of the yellow metal, with IT also among the top performers after a similar stateside sectoral performance on Friday. Nikkei 225 conformed to the broader risk tone amid a lack of macro drivers, whilst a stable JPY also boded well for the Nikkei. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp traded firmer alongside the region as sentiment from Wall Street reverberated through APAC. However, macro news flow remained quiet, and the indices drifted off their best levels.

Top Asian News

• NIO (NIO, 9866 HK) CEO William Li stated that the company will accelerate the construction of battery swapping stations in Europe, with costs for those designed for Firefly EVs reduced by a third compared to stations for NIO-branded cars, according to Reuters.
• Nippon Steel (5401 JT) and US Steel (X) have alleged that the White House exerted impermissible influence over the CFIUS review of their proposed tie-up, a claim the White House denies. The companies have vowed to challenge the expected block of the deal, according to Reuters, citing a letter.
• Nvidia (NVDA) reportedly plans to build an offshore headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, according to CTEE.

European bourses are generally sitting in negative territory, despite a mostly positive handover from overnight APAC trade. In recent trade, a couple of indices are attempting to climb into the green. European sectors opened with a strong negative bias, but are now mixed. Healthcare is by far the clear outperformer today, as Novo Nordisk (+6%) attempts to pare some of the hefty losses seen on Friday. Autos sits towards the lower half of the pile, but with downside in the sector pretty much in-fitting with peers. Volkswagen (-1%) initially opened higher after traders digested news that VW reached a deal with IG Metall to cut 35k jobs and avert a strike; though, did slip into negative territory thereafter. US equity futures are modestly firmer, with slight outperformance in the NQ, in a continuation of the gains seen on Wall St in the last trading day. Honda (7267 JT) and Nissan (7201 JT) announce the signing of the basic agreement to consider integration; Cos and Mitsubishi Motors (7211 JT) sign an MOU on collaborative considerations. Intend to set up the holding Co. in August 2026

Top European News

• ECB’s Lagarde said still believe that ECB should be very vigilant about service; getting very close to that stage when ECB can declare that we have sustainably brought inflation to our medium-term 2% target, via FT; coming close to the end of that process where wages have caught up with price.
• ECB’s Makhlouf said the outlook for next year was probably clouded by “more uncertainty than there was when we went into lockdown; and argued against calls for the ECB to start cutting rates by 50bps at a time in early 2025, via FT. He said his preference was still “for gradual moves rather than big leaps”, unless “the facts and the evidence” suggest otherwise.
• BoE Governor Bailey and FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi will reportedly join UK Chancellor Reeves as part of Britain’s delegation to China next month, according to Sky News.
• Hungarian PM Orban stated that when the dollar strengthens, the forint automatically weakens, adding that the current weakening of the forint is not driven by Hungary’s economic fundamentals, according to Reuters.

FX

• DXY is slightly firmer and currently trades towards the upper end of a 107.68-108.01 range, just eclipsing the round 108.00 mark, but still someway off Friday’s best at 108.54. Docket ahead includes, US Consumer Confidence & Durable Goods.
• EUR is incrementally softer vs the Dollar and also losing vs the GBP; EUR/USD currently holds towards the upper end of Friday’s 1.0342-1.04471 range. German Import Prices printed above expectations, metrics which ultimately sparked little move in the Single-Currency.
• JPY is incrementally lower, with USD/JPY sitting within a very tight 156.33-80 range, given the holiday-thinned conditions. If some pressure appears in the pair, could see a test of Friday’s low at 155.94.
• Cable is flat and currently trades within a 1.2554-1.2588, a little short of the 1.26 mark at best. Further upside could see a test of Friday’s peak at 1.2613 and then its 21 DMA at 1.2659 thereafter. From a macro perspective, the UK posted its Q3 GDP metrics, which saw the YY and QQ both revised a touch lower, with the QQ figure showing no growth within the period. Figures which had little impact on the Pound.
• Antipodeans are very modestly in positive territory, with modest outperformance in Aussie. The Aussie holds towards the upper end of Friday’s 0.6214-0.6274 range; NZD is also a little firmer, and holds around 0.5660.
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1870 vs exp. 7.2880 (prev. 7.1901)

Fixed Income

• USTs are contained in narrow ranges with catalysts light so far. A very slight bearish-bias in play as the US risk tone is robust following the nation avoiding a gov’t. shutdown. As it stands, in a narrow 108-27+ to 109-00+ band which is entirely within Friday’s 108-19+ to 109-08+ parameters, ahead of US Consumer Confidence and Durable Goods.
• Bunds came under modest pressure early doors and remains the fixed income underperformer. Pressure which occurred in limited trade with volumes very light and as such is perhaps not worth reading extensively into, though a better than expected set of import data likely influenced. Spent the morning at the low-end of a 133.72 to 134.06 band, dipping below Friday’s base and matching last week’s trough; however, in recent trade the benchmark has trimmed some downside.
• Gilts opened lower by 21 ticks before extending to a 92.48 base. Pressure which came given the lead from peers and despite downward revisions to UK Q3 GDP and very bleak CBI commentary from its latest indicator. 92.48 base remains comfortably above Friday’s 92.18 low and the contract trough from Thursday thereafter at 91.87.

Commodities

• WTI & Brent were firmer, taking impetus from the APAC/US risk tone; however, they have succumbed to some recent selling pressure to trade around flat currently. Brent Feb’25 briefly dipped below USD 73/bbl, currently pivoting the mark.
• Gold is marginally firmer, benefitting from the tepid European risk tone though with any real advance prohibited by the indications from US futures. At a USD 2633/oz peak, resistance comes into play at USD 2643/oz where the 21-DMA resides and coincides with the peak from last Wednesday.
• Dutch TTF was around flat, but caught a slight bid after Russia’s Kremlin said the situation with European countries that get Russian gas is complicated and needs further attention (somewhat in contrast to weekend comments where Fico said Russia confirmed a readiness).
• US NatGas outperforms on commentary from Qatar.
• 3M LME is firmer, continuing action from APAC trade which saw modest gains for the complex in-fitting with the broader risk tone. However, 3M LME Copper is still yet to comfortably/lastingly eclipse the USD 9k handle.
• Qatar has warned that it will “stop” gas sales to the EU if fined under the due diligence law, according to the Financial Times.
• Slovak PM Fico noted that Russian President Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, according to Reuters.
• Libya’s Acacus Oil Company has achieved oil production of 301.5k BPD, while the Sirte Oil Company has reached 103k BPD over the past two days, its highest output since 2007, according to the NOC spokesman.
• Oil transit through Russia’s Druzhba pipeline resumed on Saturday, according to Belarus’ BelTa state news agency. Earlier, Reuters reported that oil flows from Russia and Kazakhstan to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany via the Druzhba pipeline had been halted since Thursday due to technical issues at a Russian pumping station.
• Russia’s Kremlin says Putin discussed gas, Ukraine and bilateral ties with Slovakia’s Fico; situation with European countries that get Russian gas is complicated and needs further attention.

Geopolitics

• Iranian Foreign Ministry says the nuclear deal will be discussed with Europe in January.
• “Israel plans to launch an attack on Yemen”, according to Sky News Arabia.
• “Israel is considering helping the Kurds in Syria in a non-military way”, according to Sky News Arabia; “Israel is concerned about Turkey’s intention to launch a large-scale military operation against the Kurds in northern Syria”.
• US military announced that it carried out airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi missile storage and command/control facilities in Yemen, according to Reuters. US military stated that it conducted precision airstrikes targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Sanaa, according to Reuters.
• Yemeni Houthis have confirmed targeting central Israel with a ballistic missile, according to Reuters
• China is considering allowing seafood imports from Japan and may lift the ban as early as the first half of 2025, according to Nikkei.
• China condemned the latest US military aid to Taiwan on Sunday, stating that the USD 571mln package violates the “one China principle” and the terms of the joint communique between China and the US, according to Reuters.
• China’s Defence Ministry on Saturday expressed its dissatisfaction over a US report released this week on China’s military, which it said distorted its defence policy and “grossly interferes” in its internal affairs, according to Reuters.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that China will take countermeasures against two Canadian institutions and 20 personnel, specifically targeting Canada’s Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, according to the ministry.

US Event Calendar

• 08:30: Nov. Durable Goods Orders, est. -0.3%, prior 0.3%
• 08:30: Nov. Durables-Less Transportation, est. 0.3%, prior 0.2%
• 08:30: Nov. Cap Goods Orders Nondef Ex Air, est. 0.1%, prior -0.2%
• 08:30: Nov. Cap Goods Ship Nondef Ex Air, est. 0.2%, prior 0.3%
• 08:30: Nov. Chicago Fed Nat Activity Index, est. -0.15, prior -0.40
• 10:00: Nov. New Home Sales MoM, est. 9.8%, prior -17.3%
  • Nov. New Home Sales, est. 670,000, prior 610,000
• 10:00: Dec. Conf. Board Consumer Confidence, est. 113.0, prior 111.7
  • Dec. Conf. Board Present Situation, prior 140.9
  • Dec. Conf. Board Expectations, prior 92.3

2B) EUROPEAN REPORT

European equities mostly lower while US futures gain, USD firmer ahead of data – Newsquawk US Market Open

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 05:27 AM

• European bourses are mostly lower, US futures higher with modest outperformance in the NQ.
• Dollar is firmer and holding around 108.00, GBP little changed after UK shows no growth in Q3.
• Bunds & Gilts pressured in thin trade, USTs flat into data.
• Gas heats up on updates out of Qatar and Russia; Crude/XAU flat.
• Looking ahead, Canadian GDP (Oct), US Consumer Confidence & Durable Goods, supply from US.

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EUROPEAN TRADE

EQUITIES

• European bourses are generally sitting in negative territory, despite a mostly positive handover from overnight APAC trade. In recent trade, a couple of indices are attempting to climb into the green.
• European sectors opened with a strong negative bias, but are now mixed. Healthcare is by far the clear outperformer today, as Novo Nordisk (+6%) attempts to pare some of the hefty losses seen on Friday. Autos sits towards the lower half of the pile, but with downside in the sector pretty much in-fitting with peers. Volkswagen (-1%) initially opened higher after traders digested news that VW reached a deal with IG Metall to cut 35k jobs and avert a strike; though, did slip into negative territory thereafter.
• US equity futures are modestly firmer, with slight outperformance in the NQ, in a continuation of the gains seen on Wall St in the last trading day.
• Honda (7267 JT) and Nissan (7201 JT) announce the signing of the basic agreement to consider integration; Cos and Mitsubishi Motors (7211 JT) sign an MOU on collaborative considerations. Intend to set up the holding Co. in August 2026. Aim to conclude talks around June 2025. Click for full details.
• Click for the sessions European pre-market equity newsflow
• Click for the additional news
• Click for a detailed summary

FX

• DXY is slightly firmer and currently trades towards the upper end of a 107.68-108.01 range, just eclipsing the round 108.00 mark, but still someway off Friday’s best at 108.54. Docket ahead includes, US Consumer Confidence & Durable Goods.
• EUR is incrementally softer vs the Dollar and also losing vs the GBP; EUR/USD currently holds towards the upper end of Friday’s 1.0342-1.04471 range. German Import Prices printed above expectations, metrics which ultimately sparked little move in the Single-Currency.
• JPY is incrementally lower, with USD/JPY sitting within a very tight 156.33-80 range, given the holiday-thinned conditions. If some pressure appears in the pair, could see a test of Friday’s low at 155.94.
• Cable is flat and currently trades within a 1.2554-1.2588, a little short of the 1.26 mark at best. Further upside could see a test of Friday’s peak at 1.2613 and then its 21 DMA at 1.2659 thereafter. From a macro perspective, the UK posted its Q3 GDP metrics, which saw the YY and QQ both revised a touch lower, with the QQ figure showing no growth within the period. Figures which had little impact on the Pound.
• Antipodeans are very modestly in positive territory, with modest outperformance in Aussie. The Aussie holds towards the upper end of Friday’s 0.6214-0.6274 range; NZD is also a little firmer, and holds around 0.5660.
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1870 vs exp. 7.2880 (prev. 7.1901)
• Click for a detailed summary

FIXED INCOME

• USTs are contained in narrow ranges with catalysts light so far. A very slight bearish-bias in play as the US risk tone is robust following the nation avoiding a gov’t. shutdown. As it stands, in a narrow 108-27+ to 109-00+ band which is entirely within Friday’s 108-19+ to 109-08+ parameters, ahead of US Consumer Confidence and Durable Goods.
• Bunds came under modest pressure early doors and remains the fixed income underperformer. Pressure which occurred in limited trade with volumes very light and as such is perhaps not worth reading extensively into, though a better than expected set of import data likely influenced. Spent the morning at the low-end of a 133.72 to 134.06 band, dipping below Friday’s base and matching last week’s trough; however, in recent trade the benchmark has trimmed some downside.
• Gilts opened lower by 21 ticks before extending to a 92.48 base. Pressure which came given the lead from peers and despite downward revisions to UK Q3 GDP and very bleak CBI commentary from its latest indicator. 92.48 base remains comfortably above Friday’s 92.18 low and the contract trough from Thursday thereafter at 91.87.
• Click for a detailed summary

COMMODITIES

• WTI & Brent were firmer, taking impetus from the APAC/US risk tone; however, they have succumbed to some recent selling pressure to trade around flat currently. Brent Feb’25 briefly dipped below USD 73/bbl, currently pivoting the mark.
• Gold is marginally firmer, benefitting from the tepid European risk tone though with any real advance prohibited by the indications from US futures. At a USD 2633/oz peak, resistance comes into play at USD 2643/oz where the 21-DMA resides and coincides with the peak from last Wednesday.
• Dutch TTF was around flat, but caught a slight bid after Russia’s Kremlin said the situation with European countries that get Russian gas is complicated and needs further attention (somewhat in contrast to weekend comments where Fico said Russia confirmed a readiness).
• US NatGas outperforms on commentary from Qatar.
• 3M LME is firmer, continuing action from APAC trade which saw modest gains for the complex in-fitting with the broader risk tone. However, 3M LME Copper is still yet to comfortably/lastingly eclipse the USD 9k handle.
• Qatar has warned that it will “stop” gas sales to the EU if fined under the due diligence law, according to the Financial Times.
• Slovak PM Fico noted that Russian President Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, according to Reuters.
• Libya’s Acacus Oil Company has achieved oil production of 301.5k BPD, while the Sirte Oil Company has reached 103k BPD over the past two days, its highest output since 2007, according to the NOC spokesman.
• Oil transit through Russia’s Druzhba pipeline resumed on Saturday, according to Belarus’ BelTa state news agency. Earlier, Reuters reported that oil flows from Russia and Kazakhstan to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany via the Druzhba pipeline had been halted since Thursday due to technical issues at a Russian pumping station.
• Russia’s Kremlin says Putin discussed gas, Ukraine and bilateral ties with Slovakia’s Fico; situation with European countries that get Russian gas is complicated and needs further attention.
• Click for a detailed summary

NOTABLE DATA RECAP

• German Import Prices MM (Nov) 0.9% vs. Exp. 0.5% (Prev. 0.6%); Import Prices YY (Nov) 0.6% vs. Exp. 0.3% (Prev. -0.8%)
• UK GDP QQ (Q3) 0.0% vs. Exp. 0.1% (Prev. 0.1%); UK GDP YY (Q3) 0.9% vs. Exp. 1.0% (Prev. 1.0%)
• UK Business invest YY (Q3) 5.8% (Prev. 4.5%, Rev. 1.4%); Business Invest QQ (Q3) 1.9% (Prev. 1.2%, Rev. 1.8%)
• UK Current Acc GBP (Q3) -18.099B vs. Exp. -22.75B (Prev. -28.397B, Rev. -24.002B)
• Spanish GDP YY (Q3) 3.3% vs. Exp. 3.4% (Prev. 3.4%); GDP Final QQ (Q3) 0.8% vs. Exp. 0.8% (Prev. 0.8%)

NOTABLE EUROPEAN HEADLINES

• ECB’s Lagarde said still believe that ECB should be very vigilant about service; getting very close to that stage when ECB can declare that we have sustainably brought inflation to our medium-term 2% target, via FT; coming close to the end of that process where wages have caught up with price.
• ECB’s Makhlouf said the outlook for next year was probably clouded by “more uncertainty than there was when we went into lockdown; and argued against calls for the ECB to start cutting rates by 50bps at a time in early 2025, via FT. He said his preference was still “for gradual moves rather than big leaps”, unless “the facts and the evidence” suggest otherwise.
• BoE Governor Bailey and FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi will reportedly join UK Chancellor Reeves as part of Britain’s delegation to China next month, according to Sky News.
• Hungarian PM Orban stated that when the dollar strengthens, the forint automatically weakens, adding that the current weakening of the forint is not driven by Hungary’s economic fundamentals, according to Reuters.

NOTABLE US HEADLINES

• US Trade Representative Office has launched a new investigation into Chinese-made legacy chips, may lead to more tariffs.
• US government has enacted a budget to avert a shutdown, but the deal does not include President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit, according to BBC.
• Japan’s antitrust watchdog is set to conclude that Google (GOOG) violated the law in a search-related case, according to Nikkei.
• US President-elect Trump has selected David Fink to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Reuters.
• Brian McCormack, a long-time energy consultant, and Andrew Peek, a seasoned Middle East adviser, will take senior roles on Trump’s National Security Council, according to CBS’ Jacobs citing sources.
• US jury has found that Qualcomm (QCOM) did not breach Nuvia’s license agreement with Arm (ARM) and determined that Qualcomm’s custom CPUs are licensed under its agreement with Arm, according to Reuters.

GEOPOLITICS

MIDDLE EAST

• Iranian Foreign Ministry says the nuclear deal will be discussed with Europe in January.
• “Israel plans to launch an attack on Yemen”, according to Sky News Arabia.
• “Israel is considering helping the Kurds in Syria in a non-military way”, according to Sky News Arabia; “Israel is concerned about Turkey’s intention to launch a large-scale military operation against the Kurds in northern Syria”.
• US military announced that it carried out airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi missile storage and command/control facilities in Yemen, according to Reuters. US military stated that it conducted precision airstrikes targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Sanaa, according to Reuters.
• Yemeni Houthis have confirmed targeting central Israel with a ballistic missile, according to Reuters

CHINA

• China is considering allowing seafood imports from Japan and may lift the ban as early as the first half of 2025, according to Nikkei.
• China condemned the latest US military aid to Taiwan on Sunday, stating that the USD 571mln package violates the “one China principle” and the terms of the joint communique between China and the US, according to Reuters.
• China’s Defence Ministry on Saturday expressed its dissatisfaction over a US report released this week on China’s military, which it said distorted its defence policy and “grossly interferes” in its internal affairs, according to Reuters.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that China will take countermeasures against two Canadian institutions and 20 personnel, specifically targeting Canada’s Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, according to the ministry.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin is on a slightly softer footing and holds just shy of USD 96k; ETH sees losses to a larger magnitude, and holds around USD 3.3k.

LATAM

• Panama’s President Mulino said that every square metre of the Panama Canal and its surrounding area belonged to Panama after Trump threatened to retake the canal, stressing that the country’s independence is non-negotiable, the Panama Canal sovereignty agreement is indisputable, canal fees are not set arbitrarily, and the canal remains free from influence by China or any other country, remaining under Panama’s control, according to Reuters.
• US President Biden is considering a tariff exemption for solar modules imported from Mexico, according to Bloomberg News.
• Mexico’s Financial Stability Council stated that the country’s financial system remains solid and resilient, according to Reuters.
• Mexico’s Economy Ministry stated that the government does not agree with the panel’s decision on GM corn, but will respect the ruling, emphasising that the USMCA dispute resolution system is a key component of the treaty, according to Reuters.
• El Salvador’s president has sent a bill to Congress aimed at overturning the ban on metals mining, according to Reuters.
• Fitch Ratings said that Brazil’s fiscal and monetary tensions created a negative feedback loop, according to Reuters.
• US President-elect Trump has appointed Mauricio Claver-Carone as the Envoy for Latin America, according to Reuters.

APAC TRADE

• APAC stocks opened firmer across the board on a holiday-thinned week, following a similar performance from Wall Street on Friday, with broad risk-on sentiment through the US afternoon, albeit with indices closing off peaks.
• ASX 200 saw its gains supported by gold miners following the rebound of the yellow metal, with IT also among the top performers after a similar stateside sectoral performance on Friday.
• Nikkei 225 conformed to the broader risk tone amid a lack of macro drivers, whilst a stable JPY also boded well for the Nikkei.
• Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp traded firmer alongside the region as sentiment from Wall Street reverberated through APAC. However, macro news flow remained quiet, and the indices drifted off their best levels.

NOTABLE ASIA-PAC HEADLINES

• NIO (NIO, 9866 HK) CEO William Li stated that the company will accelerate the construction of battery swapping stations in Europe, with costs for those designed for Firefly EVs reduced by a third compared to stations for NIO-branded cars, according to Reuters.
• Nippon Steel (5401 JT) and US Steel (X) have alleged that the White House exerted impermissible influence over the CFIUS review of their proposed tie-up, a claim the White House denies. The companies have vowed to challenge the expected block of the deal, according to Reuters, citing a letter.
• Nvidia (NVDA) reportedly plans to build an offshore headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, according to CTEE.

2C ASIAN REPORT

US gov’t adverts a shutdown, APAC stocks firmer across the board – Newsquawk Europe Market Open

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 01:08 AM

• APAC stocks opened firmer across the board on a holiday-thinned week, following a similar performance from Wall Street on Friday.
• US government has enacted a budget to avert a shutdown, but the deal does not include President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit.
• DXY was flat in a 107.68-84 range to start the holiday-thinned week, with quiet news flow; Crude futures showed an upward bias amid the positive risk tone.
• European equity futures indicate a flat/subdued cash open, with the Euro Stoxx 50 down 0.1% after cash closed -0.4% on Friday.
• Looking ahead, highlights include UK GDP (Q3), Canadian GDP (Oct), US Consumer Confidence & supply from the US.

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US TRADE

EQUITIES

• US stocks closed in the green on Friday but still ended the week notably in the red, as they were especially weighed on in wake of the hawkish FOMC on Wednesday.
• To conclude the week there was broad risk-on sentiment through the US afternoon, albeit closing off peaks, highlighted by US equity and Treasury strength, and Dollar weakness, although the latter was still significantly firmer on the week on account of the aforementioned hawkish Fed.
• SPX +1.09% at 5,931, NDX +0.85% at 21,289, DJIA +1.17% at 42,839, RUT +0.86% at 2,241.
• Click here for a detailed summary.

NOTABLE HEADLINES

• US government has enacted a budget to avert a shutdown, but the deal does not include President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit, according to BBC.
• Japan’s antitrust watchdog is set to conclude that Google (GOOG) violated the law in a search-related case, according to Nikkei.
• US President-elect Trump has selected David Fink to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Reuters.
• Brian McCormack, a long-time energy consultant, and Andrew Peek, a seasoned Middle East adviser, will take senior roles on Trump’s National Security Council, according to CBS’ Jacobs citing sources.
• Federal Reserve Vice Chair of Supervision Barr has sought legal advice amid speculation that President-elect Trump might want to remove him, according to Reuters sources.
• US jury has found that Qualcomm (QCOM) did not breach Nuvia’s license agreement with Arm (ARM) and determined that Qualcomm’s custom CPUs are licensed under its agreement with Arm, according to Reuters.
• Canadian PM Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, keeping the finance, innovation, and foreign ministers in place, according to Reuters.

APAC TRADE

EQUITIES

• APAC stocks opened firmer across the board on a holiday-thinned week, following a similar performance from Wall Street on Friday, with broad risk-on sentiment through the US afternoon, albeit with indices closing off peaks.
• ASX 200 saw its gains supported by gold miners following the rebound of the yellow metal, with IT also among the top performers after a similar stateside sectoral performance on Friday.
• Nikkei 225 conformed to the broader risk tone amid a lack of macro drivers, whilst a stable JPY also boded well for the Nikkei.
• Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp traded firmer alongside the region as sentiment from Wall Street reverberated through APAC. However, macro news flow remained quiet, and the indices drifted off their best levels.
• US equity futures extended Friday’s gains, with sentiment also supported by the US government enacting a budget to avert a shutdown. Still, the deal did not include President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit.European equity futures indicate a flat/subdued cash open, with the Euro Stoxx 50 down 0.1% after cash closed -0.4% on Friday.

FX

• DXY was flat/subdued in a 107.68-84 range to start the holiday-thinned week, with news flow also quiet.
• EUR/USD traded horizontally in a current 1.0425-45 range and in close proximity to Friday’s 1.0447 peak.
• GBP/USD moved within a narrow 1.2557-88 band, well within Friday’s 1.2471-1.2613 range, with no reaction seen to reports that BoE Governor Bailey and FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi would reportedly join UK Chancellor Reeves as part of Britain’s delegation to China next month.
• USD/JPY was largely unchanged in holiday-thinned trade, with the pair oscillating on either side of 156.50 in a 156.35-69 range.
• Antipodeans saw little action aside from modest USD-induced movements, despite the broader positive risk tone as participants wound down for the Christmas break.
• PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.1870 vs exp. 7.2880 (prev. 7.1901)

FIXED INCOME

• 10yr UST futures saw overall flat trade after catching a bid on Friday following softer-than-expected US PCE, and were further supported by easing inflation expectations from UoM alongside Fed speak.
• Bund futures traded horizontally around the 134.00 level amid a lack of macro catalysts ahead of the holiday period.
• 10yr JGB futures faded the initial upward bias as futures initially caught up to action seen stateside following the softer-than-expected US PCE.

COMMODITIES

• Crude futures showed an upward bias amid the positive risk tone, while geopolitics saw no major updates over the weekend, and volumes remained light ahead of the holiday period.
• Spot gold saw largely uneventful trade after the yellow metal rose back above its 100 DMA (USD 2,609.28/oz) on Friday, with drivers quiet as markets wound down for the Christmas holidays.
• Copper futures held a mild upward bias as APAC players reacted to the US PCE, although price action remained limited amid a lack of macro impulses ahead of the holidays.
• Baker Hughes Rig Count: Oil +1 at 483, Nat Gas -1 at 102, Total unch. at 589.
• Qatar has warned that it will “stop” gas sales to the EU if fined under the due diligence law, according to the Financial Times.
• Slovak PM Fico noted that Russian President Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, according to Reuters.
• Libya’s Acacus Oil Company has achieved oil production of 301.5k BPD, while the Sirte Oil Company has reached 103k BPD over the past two days, its highest output since 2007, according to the NOC spokesman.
• Oil transit through Russia’s Druzhba pipeline resumed on Saturday, according to Belarus’ BelTa state news agency. Earlier, Reuters reported that oil flows from Russia and Kazakhstan to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany via the Druzhba pipeline had been halted since Thursday due to technical issues at a Russian pumping station.
• Chile’s Codelco produced 125.5k metric tonnes of copper in November, 18% above the same month a year earlier, via internal document.

CRYPTO

• Bitcoin was choppy but ultimately traded with modest gains above USD 95k.

NOTABLE ASIA-PAC HEADLINES

• Honda (7267 JT) and Nissan (7201 JT) are considering manufacturing cars in each other’s factories to deepen ties, with Honda also exploring the possibility of supplying hybrid vehicles to Nissan as part of a potential merger, according to Kyodo. Honda (7267 JT) and Nissan (7201 JT) aim to conclude merger talks in June, according to Kyodo sources.
• NIO (NIO, 9866 HK) CEO William Li stated that the company will accelerate the construction of battery swapping stations in Europe, with costs for those designed for Firefly EVs reduced by a third compared to stations for NIO-branded cars, according to Reuters.
• Nippon Steel (5401 JT) and US Steel (X) have alleged that the White House exerted impermissible influence over the CFIUS review of their proposed tie-up, a claim the White House denies. The companies have vowed to challenge the expected block of the deal, according to Reuters, citing a letter.
• Nvidia (NVDA) reportedly plans to build an offshore headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, according to CTEE.

GEOPOLITICS

MIDDLE EAST

• “Israel plans to launch an attack on Yemen”, according to Sky News Arabia.
• “Israel is considering helping the Kurds in Syria in a non-military way”, according to Sky News Arabia; “Israel is concerned about Turkey’s intention to launch a large-scale military operation against the Kurds in northern Syria”.
• US military announced that it carried out airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthi missile storage and command/control facilities in Yemen, according to Reuters. US military stated that it conducted precision airstrikes targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Sanaa, according to Reuters.
• Yemeni Houthis have confirmed targeting central Israel with a ballistic missile, according to Reuters

CHINA

• China is considering allowing seafood imports from Japan and may lift the ban as early as the first half of 2025, according to Nikkei.
• China condemned the latest US military aid to Taiwan on Sunday, stating that the USD 571mln package violates the “one China principle” and the terms of the joint communique between China and the US, according to Reuters.
• China’s Defence Ministry on Saturday expressed its dissatisfaction over a US report released this week on China’s military, which it said distorted its defence policy and “grossly interferes” in its internal affairs, according to Reuters.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that China will take countermeasures against two Canadian institutions and 20 personnel, specifically targeting Canada’s Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, according to the ministry.

OTHER

• US President-elect Trump’s team has informed European officials that the incoming US president will demand NATO member states increase defence spending to 5%, while planning to continue supplying military aid to Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.

EUROPE/UK

NOTABLE HEADLINES

• ECB’s Lagarde said still believe that ECB should be very vigilant about service; getting very close to that stage when ECB can declare that we have sustainably brought inflation to our medium-term 2% target, via FT; Coming close to the end of that process where wages have caught up with price.
• ECB’s Makhlouf said the outlook for next year was probably clouded by “more uncertainty than there was when we went into lockdown; and argued against calls for the ECB to start cutting rates by 50bps at a time in early 2025, via FT. He said his preference was still “for gradual moves rather than big leaps”, unless “the facts and the evidence” suggest otherwise.
• BoE Governor Bailey and FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi will reportedly join UK Chancellor Reeves as part of Britain’s delegation to China next month, according to Sky News.
• Elon Musk has called for German Chancellor Scholz to resign, according to Reuters.
• Hungarian PM Orban stated that when the dollar strengthens, the forint automatically weakens, adding that the current weakening of the forint is not driven by Hungary’s economic fundamentals, according to Reuters.

LATAM

• Panama’s President Mulino said that every square metre of the Panama Canal and its surrounding area belonged to Panama after Trump threatened to retake the canal, stressing that the country’s independence is non-negotiable, the Panama Canal sovereignty agreement is indisputable, canal fees are not set arbitrarily, and the canal remains free from influence by China or any other country, remaining under Panama’s control, according to Reuters.
• US President Biden is considering a tariff exemption for solar modules imported from Mexico, according to Bloomberg News.
• Mexico’s Financial Stability Council stated that the country’s financial system remains solid and resilient, according to Reuters.
• Mexico’s Economy Ministry stated that the government does not agree with the panel’s decision on GM corn, but will respect the ruling, emphasising that the USMCA dispute resolution system is a key component of the treaty, according to Reuters.
• El Salvador’s president has sent a bill to Congress aimed at overturning the ban on metals mining, according to Reuters.
• Fitch Ratings said that Brazil’s fiscal and monetary tensions created a negative feedback loop, according to Reuters.
• BCB’s Roberto Campos Neto stated that there is significant uncertainty regarding the factors that will drive global disinflation going forward, adding that the inflationary challenge ahead will be quite tough. He also noted that central bank autonomy is not yet complete and expressed a desire to make the central bank fully autonomous, according to Reuters.
• Brazilian President Lula said he would remain watchful for the need for further fiscal measures and told the upcoming BCB chief Galipolo that he would never interfere in the central bank, according to Reuters.
• Colombia Central Bank cut rates by 25bps to 9.50% (exp. 9.25%), with the decision backed by a “majority” of board members.
• US President-elect Trump has appointed Mauricio Claver-Carone as the Envoy for Latin America, according to Reuters.

3B NORTH KOREA/SOUTH KOREA

Insanity

North Korean Soldiers Suffer 1,100 Casualties In Ukraine War, Seoul Alleges

by Tyler Durden

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 11:25 AM

South Korea’s military on Monday issued a surprisingly high figure regarding North Koreans killed or wounded fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced its assessment that more than 1,000 have been killed or wounded since entering the conflict theatre. “Through various sources of information and intelligence, we assess that North Korean troops who have recently engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces have suffered around 1,100 casualties,” the official statement said.

“We are particularly interested in the possibility of additional deployments” of North Korean soldiers in support of Russia’s war effort, it continued. South Korea’s military stressed its belief that Pyongyang is “preparing for the rotation or additional deployment of soldiers.”

The majority of the 1,100 casualties figure is said to involve troops being wounded and injured, given that last week Seoul’s spy agency told lawmakers it assesses that at least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed.

They first reportedly entered combat in December, and appear concentrated in Russia’s Kursk region, which suffered a cross-border offensive by Ukrainian troops last August. The North Koreans have reportedly been helping their Russian ally regain its own territory.

There’s as yet been little to no evidence that North Koreans are actually fighting inside Ukraine, in the Donbas front line region for example.

But Western intelligence has estimated that some 10,000 DPRK troops were sent to Russia. The White House and NATO officials have called attacks on these foreign troops legitimate and said they are “fair game”. 

The NY Times has newly speculated as to why these forces are taking such heavy casualties: 

The troops that North Korea deployed are from its “​Storm” Corps​, special forces that are among the military’s best trained ​and most heavily indoctrinated. But they were badly prepared for​ drone attacks and the unfamiliar terrain far from their isolated homeland, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.

More than 100 of them were killed and 1,000 others wounded in their first battles, the intelligence agency told South Korean lawmakers in a briefing on Thursday. The agency said a general-ranking officer may be among those killed, according to Lee Seong-kweun, a lawmaker who spoke to reporters after the closed-door briefing.

Already, Pyongyang has long faced accusations that it is shipping weapons, and especially artillery shells, to Russian forces for use in Ukraine.

Kiev has spoken of an ‘axis’ which is at war against Ukraine, including Russian, Iran, and now North Korea. South Korea’s military has also of late accused the Kim Jong Un regime of sending suicide drones to Russia to bolster Putin’s UAV arsenal.

The Kremlin has defended the presence of foreign partner forces in Russia, helping to regain territory in the south, given this past summer Putin and Kim signed a military and security treaty. The treaty included agreements for each to assist if the other’s sovereign territory comes under attack.

end

3C JAPAN

end

3D. CHINA/USA

China is weaponizing their rare earth metals. They are certainly blocking the uSA from obtaining these metals.

(John Mills)

China Weaponizes Rare Earth Metals

MONDAY, DEC 23, 2024 – 11:00 AM

Authored by John Mills via The Epoch Times,

In the waning days of the Biden administration, the constriction of Chinese access to semiconductors continues.

On Dec. 2, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced another round of rules aimed at inhibiting the flow of semiconductors to China. The Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released new rules, stating they are “designed to further impair the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) capability to produce advanced-node semiconductors that can be used in the next generation of advanced weapon systems and in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, which have significant military applications.”

Likely adding urgency to the Dec. 2 action is a U.S. Senate report from September showing how Russia’s war effort in Ukraine is substantially supported by China. The report highlights the Chinese regime’s aggressive worldwide campaign to purchase U.S. chips and use third-party countries to re-ship the items to Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Within days of the semiconductor ban, China retaliated by banning the export of some key rare earth metals (REMs) used in chip production. According to the MIT Technology Review, China ceased the export of three critical REMs: gallium, germanium, and antimony. In addition, the export of superhard materials used in manufacturing was banned.

Why does China now disallow the export of REMs when it needs the chips? It’s because the availability of REMs is one of China’s advantages in the trade war with the United States.

China’s Strategic Play in Rare Earth Metals

While China is vulnerable in energy and food production, REMs provide a significant advantage. China controls 60–70 percent of the world’s extraction of REMs and 90 percent of its refining capacity. Since the 1980s, China has viewed REMs as a strategic asset.

“Recognizing the strategic importance of these metals, China began heavily subsidizing its rare earth mining and processing industries. This allowed Chinese producers to undercut international competitors, driving many mining operations in the U.S., Australia, and elsewhere out of business,” reports Zimtu Capital Corporation of Canada.

Western countries, by contrast, regarded the extraction and processing of REMs as dirty, labor-intensive, and best left to other nations. Meanwhile, China prioritized this sector. “Lax environmental regulations and low labor costs gave China a cost advantage that other nations struggled to match,” Zimtu noted. While these practices drew criticism, they enabled China to dominate the market.

The American government has prioritized semiconductor production in partnership with Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands. However, by controlling the extraction and refining of REMs, China can undermine and disrupt the production of semiconductors. If China cannot obtain semiconductors from the American-dominated process, it can ensure no one else can either by leveraging control over the REM supply chain.

A Promising US Response to China

While Taiwan’s TSMC is the world’s largest semiconductor producer, it requires REMs from China for its renowned chip-building process. President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of key officials—such as Peter Navarro as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing—signals a strong stance on trade. Navarro, known for his aggressive trade policies, has been empowered to use tariffs and other measures to compel China to adhere to fair trade practices.

Navarro could receive significant support from former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who shares Navarro’s views on the malign nature of China’s trade practices. Ambassador Rick Grenell, appointed to the new role of presidential envoy for special missions, adds further muscle to this team. Grenell’s past close relationship with Trump suggests he will play a critical role in resolving obstacles related to REMs. Together, this team will likely focus on reviving U.S. REM extraction and refining capabilities while countering China’s REM dominance.

‘Refine, Baby, Refine’

Although many REMs exist outside of China, their production has been largely shuttered due to environmental concerns. By revisiting government regulations to balance environmental safety and economic necessity, the United States can reinvigorate its REM extraction and refining industry. For example, antimony is already being extracted in Idaho, and the United States and partner nations possess significant deposits of other REMs, including gallium and germanium. However, refining capacity remains the primary bottleneck.

A new corollary to Trump’s famous “drill, baby, drill” might be “refine, baby, refine”—a rallying cry to reestablish REM refining processes in the United States and trusted foreign partners.

Leadership, determination, and investment are needed to bring new refining plants online.

The resources exist; the challenge is overcoming the legacy of globalism that led Western nations to abandon REM industries.With the incoming Trump administration, the United States appears poised to rebuild its REM supply chain and hold the Chinese regime accountable.

END

4.EUROPEAN AFFAIRS//UK /SCANDINAVIAN AFFAIRS

END

GERMANY

Another migrant attack on a Christmas market but a twist

(zerohedge)

At Least 2 Dead, 60 Injured After Car “Attack” On German Christmas Market, Saudi Driver Arrested

by Tyler Durden

Friday, Dec 20, 2024 – 03:34 PM

Watch Live UK News

Summary:

• At least 2 dead
• At least 60 injured
• The suspect is a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who first came to Germany in 2006
• Suspect has been arrested.
• “Lone perpetrator”
• END

Strange (Convenient) Narrative Emerges In Horrific Christmas Market Attack…

Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 – 09:20 AM

It’s a twist that is incredibly convenient for the current failing progressive government in Germany as they face a severe political backlash for their open border immigration policies and a rising tide of populism.  The primary suspect in the Christmas Market terror attacks in Magdeburg, a doctor and refugee from Saudi Arabia, is allegedly also a supporter of the right-wing AfD party, Tommy Robinson, Elon Musk and Alex Jones according to authorities. 

50-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy from the Saudi Arabian city of Hofuf, moved to Germany in 2006 and lives in Bernburg. He has been recognized as a refugee since 2016.  Taleb is a critic of Islamist governments and a pro-asylum activist for people seeking to escape oppressive Sharia law.  Reports claim the Saudi Government may have tried to extradite him multiple times, which Germany refused.  

German authorities cite posts by the suspect on X showing support for the AfD and popular anti-mass immigration figures.   

In June, he retweeted AfD party leader Alice Weidel: ‘The left are crazy. We need the AfD to protect the police from them.’

He also retweeted AfD activist Naomi Seibt with the following quote: ‘Tyranny is based on the docility of cowards. I choose to be brave.’ 

Posts cited as “pro-Tommy Robinson and pro-Elon Musk” are better represented as anti-censorship and an observation on the speech restrictions enforced by the German government.

At the same time, Taleb argued that Germany wasn’t doing enough to support asylum seekers from Saudi Arabia and that they were engaged in “crimes” against refugees:

Another tweet from 2006 after Taleb arrived in Germany suggests hostile intent against his new home:

He was arrested following the market crash which took place at 7:04pm in the city of Magdeburg, according to unidentified government officials in the state of Saxony-Anhalt who spoke to the dpa news agency.

It goes without saying, but the ideological standards are completely contradictory, bordering on the suspicious.  

Why would an Arab refugee who wants to secure asylum for people trying to escape oppressive regimes in countries like Saudi Arabia also support a party like the AfD which is seeking to shut German borders and end the flood of migrants from Muslim countries?  

And, if he is truly anti-Muslim, why would he drive a car through a Christmas Market where he is most likely to kill native Germans and non-Muslims?  Trying to determine a motive is a mind boggling prospect.

Reports suggest that Taleb was critical of the German government’s antagonism towards anti-Islam activists, but this still does not explain his alleged actions.  His recent social media resume reads like a schizophrenic cartoon character; but the media descriptions of him are a perfect amalgam of all the political positions that the progressive German establishment would like to demonize. 

Currently, the German government is debating a move to ban the AfD from participating in upcoming elections.  The AfD is currently the second most popular party in Germany and leftists are fearful that the movement could defeat them and disrupt their mass immigration agenda.  Leftist governments across Europe and the UK have been engaging in a subversive campaign to thwart democratic elections and prevent the public from voting for right wing candidates. 

It would not be surprising to see more attacks like the Christmas Market in Germany, blamed on populist and right wing supporters.  After all, it makes perfect sense that conservatives who are winning would suddenly engage in a terror campaign that might ruin their political chances for years to come and hand victory over to the progressive establishment.

END

SWEDEN/MIGRANT/ASSASINATION OF SWEDISH RAPPER

Swedish Rapper “Gaboro” Gunned Down As Scandinavian Nation Plagued With Gang Violence

by Tyler Durden

Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 – 07:35 AM

A shocking video surfaced on X early Friday, appearing to show an assassin holding a smartphone to film the killing of Swedish rapper “Gaboro.” This brutal execution highlights the ongoing plague of gang violence in the Scandinavian nation amid a national migrant crisis.

Swedish rapper Gaboro was chased down by an individual holding a smartphone and filming with what appears to be a 9mm pistol.

According to the Mirror, the assassination occurred in the city of Norrköping and comes just six months after rapper “C.Gambino” was gunned down. 

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🇸🇪 Famous Swedish Rapper ”Gaboro” was shot multiple times and killed in a car park!

You can hear him screaming out loud ”I beg you” in Swedish in the end.

Crazy … Sweden was a safe country. pic.twitter.com/W9aV4b581t— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) December 20, 2024

Here’s more about the shooting incident from the UK newspaper:

The murder of Gaboro, 23, was even allegedly recorded by his gunman with the terrifying footage being shared on social media. The disturbing footage looked to have been filmed by the gunman as he repeatedly attacks the star as he tries to get away. Sadly, Gaboro, whose real name is Ninos Khouri, was unable to evade the incident.

The footage shows a man heading towards a vehicle in a car park before he is attacked. A number of gunshots are then heard before the shooter stands over the stricken man and fires more. It appeared as though the man was pleading for his life before the final fatal shots.

Police were informed of a shooting in a parking lot in the city centre at around 8pm last night and have said no arrests have yet been made in connection to the tragedy. It’s said police arrived at the scene to find the rapper with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to hospital but sadly died shortly after from his injuries.

Research firm Geopolitical Intelligence Services recently pointed out that the Scandinavian country has the “highest rate of gangland killings in Europe” and has “transitioned from being a model of inspiration to becoming a warning example.” 

GIS continued:

“The main cause of the crisis is a combination of an open-door migration policy with no accompanying policy to help the newcomers integrate. The consequence has been the emergence of neighborhoods where almost all residents are immigrants, where unemployment rates are very high and where the children of immigrants go to schools where no other children, often not even teachers, are proficient in Swedish. This has served as an incubator for crime, as gangs take over where society fails.”

None of this should come as a surprise to readers…

• Sweden Turns To Military For Help Amid Daily Shootings, Bombings In Migrant Gangland Chaos
• Sweden Introduces Draconian ‘Security Zone’ In Gang-Crime Hotspot, Indiscriminate Police Powers To Search Anyone
• Criminals Rake It In As Violent Crimes Soar In Sweden

It’s remarkable that Sweden was once considered a model country, but now it has become a crime-infested gangland after nation-killing mass immigration from third-world countries. Well done, liberals!

END

GERMANY

German deep state wants to ban AfD. They have so far failed

(ReMix)

German ‘Deep State’ Effort To Ban AfD Faces Major Setback

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 02:00 AM

Via Remix News,

A motion to ban the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is unlikely to move forward, as there is less than a week left to vote on such a ban in this legislative period, and sources involved with the effort say there is no majority in place for such a move.

The motion, originally put forward by CDU MP Marco Wanderwitz, who previously said he would retire after this term, will definitely not be put forward this term, co-signer Carmen Wegge (SPD) told the Rheinische Post.

As Remix News previously reported, it appeared as if a ban procedure would almost certainly move forward just a month ago, with 105 MPs voicing cross-party support, including from MPs like Claudia Roth and Katrin Göring Eckardt from the Greens, and Ralf Stegner and Helge Lindh from the SPD, just to name a few.

The motion will only move forward if there is a majority, but so far, the CDU and the SPD have spoken out against it. There are grave worries that such a ban procedure could take years, and in any case, with elections expected to take place in February, it could lead to a substantial boost for the AfD. Currently, the SPD and CDU also see no success with the Constitutional Court, which has the final say in such a ban procedure.

So far, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and CDU leader Friedrich Merz do not back the ban, although both have hinted that they may support such a procedure in the future.

Notably, politicians involved in the ban procedure are once again resorting to claims of protecting democracy by banning what is currently the second-largest party in the country.

“Due to the early elections, it is not yet clear whether we can put our motion to a vote in this legislative period,” said Wegge.

“The AfD represents the greatest threat to our democracy.”

She claims the party’s goal is to abolish democracy, despite the AfD actually putting forward motions for direct democracy in the country, which would allow the country to make decisions via nationwide referendums — undoubtedly a purer form of democracy than what currently serves as democracy in Germany.

Meanwhile, as Remix News previously reported, the Greens are working on an alternative ban procedure which would be more gradual but which MPs of the party, and other parties, believe would have a better chance of succeeding.

Efforts to ban the AfD are certainly not helped by the fact that it is the second most popular party in the country at the moment, routinely polling between 18 and 20 percent. A move to outright ban the party would be seen as a catastrophic blow to democracy.

Read more here…

END

5 RUSSIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN AFFAIRS

END

ISRAEL///USA/YEMEN SATURDAY MORNING

Hypersonic missile lands in Jaffa and totally missed by the Iron Dome

(JerusalemPost)

Houthi Hypersonic Missile Renders Iron Dome Useless, Slams Into Tel Aviv Area

Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 – 09:55 AM

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched its second hypersonic missile attack on Israel in just days, striking the Tel Aviv area early Saturday morning. The attack marked a rare instance where a hypersonic weapon overwhelmed Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, underscoring the challenges posed by these new ultra-fast missiles. 

“Between the Yemeni Armed Forces regarding the implementation of a military operation targeting a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied Jaffa area with a hypersonic ballistic missile Palestine 2,” Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on X. 

Footage post on X shows the failed interception of the hypersonic missile by the Iron Dome system. 

Here’s another view. 

And another. 

No fatalities were reported, but The Jerusalem Post stated that emergency services treated 16 people who were injured by glass shards following the missile impact. Israeli police confirmed that property damage had also occurred.

According to Reuters, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 25 people in Gaza on Friday. This hypersonic attack on Israel via Houthis could be in response to those airstrikes. Also, earlier in the week, Houthis launched two hypersonic missiles targeting military sites in the Jaffa region. 

This week’s exchange of strikes between the Iranian-backed Houthis and Israel shows how exactly the next major conflict will play out, especially with the use of hypersonic weapons. 

“Future wars are all about drones & hypersonic missiles,” Elon Musk wrote on X last month, while commenting on a Joe Rogan podcast with Marc Andreessen. 

The Free Press’ Jay Solomon recently asked: “Is World War III Already Here?”  

END

same story as above from Times of Israel

A missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis exploded in a public park in Jaffa, south Tel Aviv, overnight Friday-Saturday after attempts to intercept it failed.

Medics said 16 people were lightly injured by shattered glass, including a three-year-old girl, while 14 were bruised while rushing to shelters.

Footage from the park showed a crater where the missile had impacted.

The missile launch caused sirens to sound throughout central Israel at 3:44 a.m., sending millions rushing to shelters from their beds.

It was the second time in as many days that a Houthi missile sparked sirens in the country’s center in the middle of the night.

The military confirmed that a missile originating in Yemen impacted in Tel Aviv, saying “attempted interceptions did not succeed.”

This picture shows debris in a bedroom in Tel Aviv early on December 21, 2024, after a projectile fired from Yemen struck near the building (Jack GUEZ / AFP)

It said details of the event were being looked into.

https://x.com/i/status/1870297992588042736

A crater next to a childs’ play area in a park in a residential area of Tel Aviv caused by a missile fired from Yemen early on December 21, 2024. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)

מערך ההגנה האווירית של חיל האוויר שיגר שני מיירטים מסוג חץ וכיפת ברזל לעבר הטיל החותי. שניהם החטיאו. pic.twitter.com/SYAZ18vdlI

— Or Heller אור הלר (@OrHeller) December 21, 2024

A video showed the impact site in the park in Tel Aviv.

Footage also showed exploded windows and debris in several surrounding apartments, apparently as a result of the shockwave.

On Thursday, a drone was intercepted off the Tel Aviv coast and on Monday a missile triggered sirens across the country.

The latest missile attack from Yemen came only two days after the last one, and after the Israeli Air Force carried out a major strike on the country.

Early on Thursday morning, a Houthi projectile was partially intercepted outside Israeli airspace by air defenses. However, the warhead didn’t explode in the air and crashed into an empty school building in the city of Ramat Gan, causing severe damage but no injuries.

Shortly afterwards, the IDF carried out intense airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen (the operation had been planned for weeks, with the planes already in the air when the missile was launched). Dozens of planes struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast and, for the first time, in the rebel-held capital Sana’a,

Fourteen fighter jets, alongside refuelers and spy planes, flew some 2,000 kilometers and dropped over 60 munitions on Houthi military targets, the IDF said.

Israeli military sources said the strikes in Yemen were aimed at paralyzing all three ports used by the Iran-backed group. The targets included fuel and oil depots, two power stations, and eight tugboats used at the Houthi-controlled ports.

All tugboats used to bring ships into ports were struck in the Israeli attack, as were power stations. A previous attack on the Hodeida port targeted cranes used to unload shipments.

Israel now believes that all activity at the ports controlled by the Houthis is paralyzed, sources said Thursday.

The military, which released videos of the strikes and the aerial refueling amid the operation, called the destruction of the targets a major blow to the military operations of the Houthis.

Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli airstrikes in Yemen and aerial refueling operations, early December 19, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

Houthi rebels have repeatedly fired drones and missiles toward Israel, with most being shot down but some managing to reach the country and cause death and destruction. Thursday’s strikes marked Israel’s third counterattack on areas in Yemen held by the rebel group.

The Houthis began their attacks following Hamas’s October 7 massacre in Israel, seeking to add pressure on Israel, along with other Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah. The Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year. According to the IDF, the vast majority did not reach Israel or were intercepted by the military and Israeli allies in the region.

The group has also carried out repeated missile and drone attacks on some 100 merchant vessels attempting to traverse the Red Sea, forcing many carriers to avoid the key waterway and hamstringing global shipping.

After Thursday’s strikes in Yemen, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the rebel group was among the last Iranian proxies still active “after Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria.” The Houthis, he said, “are learning and they will learn the hard way that anyone who attacks Israel pays a very heavy price.”

END

the story continues…

Houthi ‘hypersonic missile’ slams into Tel Aviv area, sixteen lightly wounded

MDA said that ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and medicycle EMTs were dispatched to the scene.  

By MAYA GUR ARIEH, SAM HALPERNDECEMBER 21, 2024 04:01Updated: DECEMBER 21, 2024 21:43

Sixteen people were lightly wounded by glass shards early on Saturday morning after a rocket fired from Yemen slammed into Jaffa. Prior to the impact, sirens sounded across the center of the country at 3:50 a.m.

Magen David Adom also treated 14 others who sustained minor injuries as they made their way to protected areas. The ambulance service additionally treated another seven who suffered from anxiety.

MDA said that ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and medicycle EMTs were dispatched to the scene and that the wounded, all of whom were in stable condition, were evacuated to Wolfson Medical Center in Holon and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

“The scene was complex as the blast impact affected apartments in the nearby buildings,” MDA paramedic Noam Weisbuch and senior EMT Noa Shimony stated.

“Initially, several mildly injured patients from glass shards and people suffering from anxiety arrived. We conducted searches in the apartments, treated and evacuated 16 lightly injured individuals from the scene, including a three-year-old girl, and also treated those affected by anxiety.”

Most of the wounded were discharged later on Saturday morning after their condition was assessed and care provided, Maariv reported.

Houthis claim responsibility

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Qasim Sare’e said the Iranian-backed Yemeni terror organization had conducted the attack. The Houthis claimed to have targeted an IDF military target with a hypersonic ballistic missile.

Sare’e stated the operation was part of the “promised conquest and the holy jihad.” The spokesperson added that it was also part of the group’s retaliation for Israeli military activity against Yemen.

jpost.com/breaking-news/article-834308

“The missile force of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted a military target of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of Jaffa with a hypersonic ballistic missile, Type Palestine 2,” Sare’e claimed in an English-language statement. “The missile struck its target accurately and the defense and interception system failed to intercept it.”

Hamas praised the attack in a statement on its Telegram channel on Saturday.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, highly values the genuine stance of our brothers in Ansar Allah [the Houthis] in brotherly Yemen, as they continue to support our Palestinian people and champion their just cause. We in Hamas reaffirm the strong and solid relationship that binds the Palestinian and Yemeni peoples,” the Hamas statement said.

Security forces, police investigating 

The Israel Air Force is reportedly investigating the failure to intercept the missile, with reports indicating that there was a failure to intercept it both above and below the atmosphere, KAN said.

KAN noted that after the missile from Yemen was identified and alerts activated, interceptors were launched to the upper atmospheric layer but missed the target just outside of Israel’s borders. As such, interceptors were launched toward the lower atmospheric layer, which also failed in intercepting the missile.

Walla reported that missile remnants have been collected and are being examined by experts to identify its type.

According to Walla, the ballistic missile launched by the Houthis is large, heavy, and fast, and it requires an equally large and fast Arrow interceptor to counter it. The Arrow system uses its radar to detect the target and locks on using an infrared sensor that identifies it by its heat signature during the final phase of the interception.

However, destroying the warhead does not prevent all damage. In some cases, the interception is incomplete, and the missile is only damaged and deflected from its path. Remnants of a ballistic missile may be heavy and fall to the ground at fast speed, causing significant damage upon impact, Walla noted.

https://player.jpost.com/public/player.html?player=jpost&media=3818390&url=www.jpost.comIDF Home Front Command personnel at the scene of a Houthi rocket strike in the Tel Aviv area. December 21, 2024. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

The Israel Police said in a statement that it received multiple reports “regarding the fall of weapon fragments in one of the communities in the Tel Aviv District.

“At this stage, no injuries have been reported, but property damage has occurred.”

Bomb squad isolated the impact sites

This is a developing story.

END

ISRAEL/HOUTHIS/OPINION

Long battle ahead: ‘Last man standing’ Houthis have not been deterred by allies’ fall – analysis

The Houthis are one example where precision strikes on infrastructure such as ports may not work to win the conflict. 

By SETH J. FRANTZMANDECEMBER 21, 2024 12:42Updated: DECEMBER 21, 2024 17:01

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fmiddle-east%2Farticle-834323&unitId=2900003088&userId=1938e01a-2e38-4f76-9d42-6dd0304d8a0a&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241217_aa84504b51132e177071b3b0f984430fcda56c53&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

The Iranian-backed Houthis launched a missile attack targeting Tel Aviv in the early morning hours of Saturday. It came two days after another similar long-range missile attack had led to Israeli retaliation against the Houthis. There was also an attack on December 16 by the Houthis.

This group is now posing as the “last man standing” in Iran’s axis of “resistance” groups that have been attacking Israel. However, it does not appear to be deterred by Israeli attacks on various types of infrastructure.

It’s important to understand that Israel has carried out three rounds of retaliatory strikes on the Houthis, one in July, then in September and now in December. However, the group continues to attack.

Struggles Israel faces

 In fact, it is increasing its attacks, using long range missiles and drones. Yemen is more than 2,000 kilometers away from Israel, making retaliation difficult. Warplanes have to fly a long mission, with refuelers to accomplish the strikes on the enemy.

The Houthis know this. They also know that Hezbollah has been weakened, Hamas is weakened and that Iran has been pushed out of Syria by the fall of the Assad regime. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq appear to have also stepped back from attacks on Israel.

This leaves the Houthis as one of the main fronts Iran can use in attacks, which is why they are increasing the strikes. In the Thursday attack debris from a missile fell on a school, collapsing part of it. The attack took place early in the morning, so no one was harmed.

However the attack on Saturday morning did injure people. The IDF said that “overnight, a missile was fired from Yemen into central Israel, and a fallen projectile was identified in the Tel Aviv-Yafo area. IDF Home Front Command teams and additional rescue forces were dispatched to the scene and began searching the area along with additional security forces, local officials, and emergency services to investigate the scene of the fallen projectile.”

Several civilians were injured. The missile impacted a site near Jaffa. This is a dangerous escalation and shows that Israel cannot sit back and just let the Houthis attack, as has been the case for a year and two months. Israel has focused on other fronts.

It also shows that photos atop Mount Hermon with Israeli officials and top military brass seemingly declaring victory are not enough to stop the Houthis, or Hamas, which continues to hold 100 hostages.

Israel also faces challenges with Hezbollah. Many people have not returned to the border, because the two-month ceasefire could be fragile. This illustrates that a sense of victory that Israel has felt may be misplaced.

The enemy is still there in most cases. The Houthis are one example where precision strikes on infrastructure such as ports may not work to win the conflict.

END

ISRAEL/HOUTHIS/MONDAY

PM vows escalated fight against Houthis; officials said urging direct attack on Iran

Netanyahu: Same force employed against Iran’s other terrorist arms will be used against Yemeni rebels; Mossad chief said to warn striking Houthis not enough; Tehran said to fear direct attack

By Lazar Berman, Follow
ToI Staff and Agencies22 December 2024, 11:55 pm

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a video statement announcing a stepped-up campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, December 22, 2024. (Screenshot/GPO, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Israel would act against the Houthi rebels in Yemen with the same force it used against Iran’s other “terrorist arms,” appearing to indicate the start of a stepped-up campaign against the Islamic Republic’s proxy group, after a ballistic missile crashed into a Tel Aviv playground over the weekend.

At the same time, Israeli reports said that senior defense officials, including the head of the Mossad spy agency, believe the correct move is to attack Iran directly, rather than go for its proxy group in Yemen.

In a video statement issued after a meeting of his security cabinet in the northern Israel town of Safed, Netanyahu stressed that Israel was not alone in operating against the Houthis, pointing to repeated strikes carried out by American and British forces against Houthi targets over the past year.

“The US, and also other countries, like us, see the Houthis as a threat, not only to world shipping, but also to world order.”

“Just as we acted forcefully against the terrorist arms of Iran’s evil axis, so we will act against the Houthis…with force, determination and sophistication,” the premier said.

Netanyahu’s comments came a day after a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed group exploded in a playground in south Tel Aviv on Saturday, wounding 16 and causing extensive damage after attempts to intercept it failed.

Israeli emergency responders inspect a crater at the site where a projectile fired from Yemen struck, in Tel Aviv early on December 21, 2024. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)

It was the second time in as many days that a Houthi missile sparked sirens in the country’s center in the middle of the night, after a warhead launched on Thursday was partially intercepted outside Israeli airspace and crashed into an empty school building in the city of Ramat Gan, again causing severe damage but no injuries.

Shortly after the strike in Ramat Gan, the IDF carried out a wave of intense airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The timing of the operation was coincidental, as it had been planned for weeks and the planes were already in the air when the missile was launched.

Dozens of planes struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast and, for the first time, in the rebel-held capital Sana’a.

Israeli military sources said the strikes were aimed at paralyzing all three ports used by the Iran back group. The targets included fuel and oil depots, two power stations, and eight tugboats used at the Houthi-controlled ports.

An IAF F-16 takes off for an attack on Houthi sites in Yemen on December 19, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

Indicating that similar strikes could be in store for the Houthis at a future date, Netanyahu on Sunday promised that even though the operation against the rebel group may take time, the results will be the same as those seen in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Seemingly confirming future strikes in Yemen, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel that “Houthis are now the focus” of Israel’s defense establishment.

“There are going to be more attacks,” the official said.

The strikes on Houthi targets over the last year appear to have had a financial impact on the group, as the Turkish state-owned Anadolu news agency recently reported that the Houthi-run Yemeni Transport Ministry and Red Sea Ports Corporation announced that strikes on the port city of Hodeida in Western Yemen since July have caused $313 million in losses.

A large fire and plume of smoke is visible in the port city of Hodeida, Yemen, September 29, 2024, after Israeli strikes on the Houthi-controlled city. (AP Photo)

The Houthis began their attacks on Israel and against global shipping routes in the Red Sea last November, in the the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror onslaught in southern Israel that sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

The group has launched more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in the past year, although the IDF has said that the vast majority did not reach the country or were intercepted by the military and its allies in the region.

The Iran-backed rebels have also carried out repeated missile and drone attacks on some 100 merchant vessels attempting to traverse the Red Sea, forcing many carriers to avoid the key waterway and hamstringing global shipping.

Tehran said fearful of Israeli attack

Even as Israel appears poised to ramp up its attacks on the Houthis, Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening that almost all of the top brass of Israel’s defense establishment think that Israel should attack “inside Iranian territory.”

The rival Channel 13 news reported that among these senior officials is Mossad chief David Barnea, who reportedly told government officials in recent meetings: “We need to go for the head [of the snake], for Iran — if we only hit the Houthis, it’s not certain we’ll manage to stop them.”

According to Channel 12, the question of tackling Iran — a possible reference both to efforts to deter the Houthis and to target Iran’s nuclear facilities — has come up repeatedly in security cabinet meetings, even as the focus has been on finding ways to counter the upsurge in Houthi missile attacks.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets prepare to head out for strikes in Iran, early October 26, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

Israel has assessed that the Houthis took a decision to escalate missile and other attacks, the network stated, and that the group’s actions are not always coordinated with Iran, or even appreciated by Iran.

Quoting unnamed Israeli political and military leaders, Channel 12 reported that Tehran’s leadership believes Israel may soon attack it, and is holding frenzied consultations to decide what to do in the event that it does.

The report, which the outlet stressed was approved by the military censor, said that at recent meetings of Israel’s political and military leadership, officials have said Iran believes Israel chose to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon in order to free up resources to deal directly with Iran and exact a price from the regime.

It stated that Israeli sources believe Tehran is concerned for three key reasons: because Israel has destroyed Iran’s air defenses in a way that enables access for the Israeli Air Force; because it accepted the ceasefire in Lebanon; and because of US President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory.

The report also stated that Israel’s leadership has discussed doing everything in its power to ensure Iran is not able to regain its grip on Lebanon after the severe blows dealt to Hezbollah by Israel, or on Syria following the ousting of deposed president Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

Despite the reported support by senior defense officials for direct strikes on Iran, Channel 12 also cited unnamed sources as saying Israel should avoid a protracted confrontation with Tehran right now since it would not serve Israel’s interests — though it must still nurture and advance its operational capabilities regarding Iran.

US fears Iran may focus on nukes

While the setbacks to Tehran’s regional influence are reportedly seen as an opportunity by Israel, the US is concerned that, in its weakened state, Iran could turn its attention to building a nuclear weapon.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during an onstage interview Tuesday evening at the 92nd Street Y, New York, on December 18, 2024. (Rod Morata/Michael Priest Photography)

Speaking to CNN on Sunday, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he was briefing Trump’s team on the risk that the Biden administration believes to be credible.

Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities, including missile factories and air defenses, have reduced Tehran’s conventional military capabilities, Sullivan told CNN.

“It’s no wonder there are voices (in Iran) saying, ‘Hey, maybe we need to go for a nuclear weapon right now… Maybe we have to revisit our nuclear doctrine,’” Sullivan said.

He added that he has told the Trump team to be “vigilant,” adding: “It’s a risk that I’m personally briefing the incoming team on about the threat of nuclear escalation.”

Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful, but it has expanded uranium enrichment since Trump, in his 2017-2021 presidential term, pulled out of a deal between Tehran and world powers that put restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief.

END

ISRAEL/SYRIA/HAMAS/HEZBOLLAH IRAN

(JERUSALEMPOST)

PM Netanyahu: ‘I’m not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas’ – WSJ

“We’re not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It’s not going to happen,” he said amid calls by many to accept a ceasefire-hostage release deal in the Palestinian enclave.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 20, 2024 23:13

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fisrael-news%2Fbenjamin-netanyahu%2Farticle-834296&unitId=2900003088&userId=1938e01a-2e38-4f76-9d42-6dd0304d8a0a&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241217_aa84504b51132e177071b3b0f984430fcda56c53&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would not “agree to end the war before we remove Hamas” in an interview with Wall Street Journal editorial writer Elliot Kaufman, which was later published in the US newspaper on Friday.

“We’re not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It’s not going to happen,” he said amid calls by many to accept a lasting ceasefire-hostage release deal in the Palestinian enclave. The Journal op-ed notes that the Israeli prime minister only envisions such a deal to be a partial one if the Palestinian terrorist organization is still intact.

The Israeli leader told Kaufman that Israel is “winning big” against its opponents with the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah and the dismantlement of Syria’s Assad regime, the op-ed notes.

Netanyahu also claimed in the interview that only days after October 7, some Israeli military officials suggested going more after the Hezbollah terrorist organization so that Hamas would be left “intact in the south,” to which the prime minister disagreed and said, “We shouldn’t conduct a two-front war. One massive front at a time. We’re here to uproot Hamas—not to deliver deterrent blows, but to destroy it.”  

Netanyahu then defended Israel’s position to control the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza’s south, saying, “It’s not enough to destroy Hamas if you don’t control the southern closure.”

He then discussed the US withholding weapons should Israel enter Rafah, which Netanyahu described as a “legitimate case” and appreciated the pressure US President Joe Biden was under on the matter, Kaufman’s op-ed stated, with the Israeli leader saying “It’s not easy to be president, let’s face it, with these very radical fringes in his party. It wasn’t easy to do what Mr. Biden did.”

Netanyahu says Islamic Republic and its proxies are weakening

Looking towards Israel’s northern border, Netanyahu told Kaufman that before his assassination, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah “was literally taking over the command of the military actions. But the thing that startled me was that I realized he was the axis of the axis, replacing [Qassem] Soleimani.”

He later said that Iran “has no supply line,” saying the Islamic Republic spent billions of dollars on Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas. “We warned Assad not to let Iran supply Hezbollah with weapons through Syria. He played dumb,” he added. “I don’t know if we killed anyone, but we certainly smashed the weaponry of the Syrian army,” he said regarding the Israeli bombing of Syria’s chemical weapons facilities. “We don’t want all the stuff the Syrians amassed falling into the hands of the jihadists.”

He then made it clear that he was optimistic about US President-elect Donald Trump returning to the Oval Office, saying that he “places the onus squarely on Hamas and tells them there will be consequences.”

end

ISRAEL//HAMAS

Israel requests 34 hostages in first phase of deal, including 11 off-limits by Hamas – report

Al-Ghad’s sources said that some of the names on Israel’s list include hostages that Hamas considers to be soldiers, whereas Hamas says it will only release the sick, the elderly, and children.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 22, 2024 00:20Updated: DECEMBER 22, 2024 00:23

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Israel reportedly presented Hamas with a list of 34 hostages that it insists must be released as part of the first phase of a deal, including 11 names that do not meet Hamas’s criteria for a deal, Egyptian news channel Al-Ghad reported, citing official sources, on Saturday night.

Al-Ghad‘s sources said that some of the names on Israel’s list include hostages that Hamas considers to be soldiers, whereas Hamas says it will only release the sick, the elderly, and children.

The sources added that the first phase of the deal would include the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages.

The two parties are also reportedly discussing the key sticking points, such as the Rafah crossing, the withdrawal of the IDF from the Netzarim axis, and the return of displaced Gazans to the north of the Strip.

However, it is worth noting that Israeli officials denied that any officials were in Egypt to discuss a deal, stating on Saturday, “There is no Israeli delegation on the way to Cairo, nor is one planned.”

Hamas and Israel are also debating the terms of a gradual IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor.

Al-Ghad also said that an Israeli delegation had arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss the deal and that the delegates had met with key Egyptian officials.

From the Egyptian side, the discussions allegedly focused on the management of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes.

The Al-Ghad correspondent added that “there are arrangements to hold an Egyptian-Qatari-American-Israeli meeting in Cairo to discuss the truce agreement in Gaza.”

Progress of the deal

Hamas said in a statement earlier on Saturday that “The possibility of reaching a deal is closer than ever if Israel stops imposing new conditions.”

The statement comes following a Friday meeting between a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, head of the negotiating team for a hostage deal and ceasefire, and representatives of the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Also on Saturday, a Palestinian official told the BBC that talks to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas are 90% complete.

The remaining 10% allegedly includes the Philadelphi corridor and the possibility of a buffer zone between Israel and Gaza.

END

ISRAEL/HAMAS

TIMES OF ISRAEL

Israel says Hamas has yet to give list of living hostages to be released — report

Arab diplomat tells ToI that main hang-up is wording about end of war vs. end of ‘operation’; Israel reportedly to provide a list of 70-100 security prisoners it refuses to release

By ToI Staff22 December 2024, 12:12 am

People protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and call for the release of hostages, held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas terror group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Hamas has still not provided Israel with a list of living hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip that would be exchanged during a hostage-ceasefire deal, according to a Saturday television news report citing Israeli officials.

Channel 12 news first reported that the terror group had yet to hand over the list of names, but said that nevertheless, Israeli officials believe that progress is being made in the ongoing negotiations.

Earlier on Saturday, Hebrew media reported that the head of the IDF intelligence corps, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, visited Cairo over the weekend for meetings with his Egyptian counterparts. The report clarified that the visit was not focused on the hostage talks, but rather security cooperation.

Channel 12 reported later that Israel denied that Binder had visited Cairo.

However, delegations of leaders from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine did convene in Cairo on Friday to discuss the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

In a readout of the meeting, Hamas said the possibility of reaching a deal “is closer than ever if the enemy stops setting new conditions.”

Delegations of leaders from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine meet in Cairo on December 20, 2024. (Courtesy)

All three terror groups are believed to be holding hostages throughout Gaza, kidnapped during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre in southern Israel.

The factions “stressed everyone’s keenness to stop the aggression against our people,” the Hamas statement said, apparently referring to its demand for a permanent ceasefire.

The nature of the ceasefire deal is the main issue of contention in the talks, with Hamas demanding a permanent end to the fighting, while Israel is seeking a temporary pause during which some of the hostages would be released followed by a resumption of its fighting to finish dismantling the terror group’s military and governing capabilities, an Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel earlier this week.

Israel has sought to have the agreement refer to the ceasefire as one that “end[s] the military operation,” while Hamas is insisting that the text states that the ceasefire will “end the war.”

Palestinians carry UN-donated flour in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday December 14, 2024.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stance against a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying he would only agree to a temporary pause as part of a hostage release deal, and reiterating his plan to see Hamas completely dismantled.

“I’m not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas,” he said. “We’re not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It’s not going to happen.”

Also on Saturday, responding to a media report that Palestinian security prisoner Marwan Barghouti’s family recently visited Qatar to discuss his release to Turkey as part of a hostage deal, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement declaring, “the terrorist Marwan Barghouti will not be released if and when a deal is made to release the hostages.”

Hamas has reportedly demanded the release of the top Fatah figure and jailed intifada leader as part of the hostage deal with Israel.

Barghouti, 64, is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for his part in planning three terror attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.

He is often touted as one of the top candidates to succeed octogenarian Mahmoud Abbas as leader of the Palestinian Authority. He is especially favored by the younger generation, who perceive him as untainted by the PA’s corruption and collaboration with Israel.

Men walk past a section of Israel’s security barrier painted with a portrait of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti, held in an Israel jail, on November 6, 2023 in Bethlehem in the West Bank. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)

Following the PMO’s vow not to release Barghouti, Channel 12 reported that Israel was insisting on presenting a list to the mediators with the names of 70 to 100 security prisoners who it would refuse to release as part of an agreement.

Numerous attempts to reach a new hostage deal since a week-long truce in November, 2023, saw the release of 105 hostages have repeatedly failed, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of sabotaging efforts and refusing to budge on key issues.

However, the current round of negotiations has seemingly come close to securing a deal that would guarantee the release of at least some of the 96 hostages abducted during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel last year and still being held captive in Gaza.

A rally calling for the release of the Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza, marking 442 days since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, December 21 2024. (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

During the attack, some 3,000 terrorists rampaged through Israel’s southern communities, murdering some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, mostly civilians, many amid acts of brutality and sexual assault.

Four hostages were released before the temporary truce in November. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 38 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

END

ISRAEL/IRAQ (IRANIAN BACKED MILITIA)

This is interesting!

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militias announce intention to stop actions against Israel – report

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militias have reportedly agreed to halt actions against Israel, according to Hezbollah-affiliated media, while maintaining their anti-Israel stance.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 23, 2024 07:48Updated: DECEMBER 23, 2024 08:34

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Pro-Iranian Iraqi militias have reportedly reached an agreement to halt their actions against Israel, the Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Monday.

According to Al-Akhbar, the leader of the Iraqi Al-Nujaba movement, a US-designated terrorist group, confirmed that the militia reached an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani that “the factions decided not to interfere in Syrian affairs and to follow the situation from a distance, in addition to waiting to know the orientations of the US President-elect, Donald Trump, and his policy towards the Middle East, specifically Iran.”

The leader confirmed that the group would also stop all military operations against Israel.

He stated that “the Islamic Republic of Iran gave us the freedom to decide regarding the Syrian scene and the control of the terrorist groups called Haya’at Tahrir al-Sham.”

‘Unity of arenas’

Additionally, the spokesman for the Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades, Kazem al-Fartousi, told Al-Akhbar that “circumstances determine the positions of the factions, and the principle of unity of arenas is not linked to a temporary alliance between the factions of the axis of resistance, but rather it is a matter of principle and doctrine, and whatever the losses, the Iraqi factions have not and will not abandon the principle of unity of arenas.”

/HOUTHIS/USA

USA also conducting strikes on the Houthis

(JerusalemPost)

CENTCOM conducting strikes on Houthi military facilities in Yemen’s Sana’a

Initially, reports attributed the attack to Israel but then shifted to the US.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 21, 2024 22:08Updated: DECEMBER 21, 2024 23:18

The US began conducting strikes on Iran-backed Houthi missile storage and command facilities in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, on Saturday night, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported.

CENTCOM reported it was carrying out precision airstrikes in order to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations.”

The Houthis have carried out multiple attacks on international maritime vessels, disrupting trade routes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

CENTCOM added that the attacks on US Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden were the reasons for their strikes on December 21.

During the operation, CENTCOM forces reportedly also shot down multiple Houthi one way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) over the Red Sea.

The operation comprised of US Air Force and US Navy, including F/A-18s.

“The strike reflects CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment to protect US and coalition personnel, regional partners, and international shipping,” the report added.

False attribution to Israel

Initially, reports attributed the attack to Israel but then shifted to the US.

This marks the fourth time the US has struck Yemen this week. The attacks renewed after the US aircraft carrier “Harry Truman” returned to the region.

END

HOUTHIS YEMEN/ISRAEL ET AL/opinion

Israel should strike Houthi leadership, anti-Houthi Yemeni figures say – report

The figure urged Israel to target one of the Houthi’s key military commanders, Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim, who he described as the “military brain” of the Houthis.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 21, 2024 22:23

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A figure close to the anti-Houthi government told KAN on Saturday that Israel should go further than retaliatory strikes and should target the Houthi leadership as they did Hezbollah’s.

Israel struck several Houthi-held parts of Yemen after the Houthis fired a drone at Tel Aviv earlier in the week. The Houthis fired a missile at Tel Aviv early on Saturday morning.

The figure is close to the anti-Houthi government in southern Yemen and said, “It seems that the recent Israeli attacks against the Houthis are not enough.” 

The target list

The figure urged Israel to target one of the Houthi’s key military commanders, Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim, who he described as the “military brain” of the Houthis.

The elimination of Hakim would be a severe blow not just to the Houthis but also to the Iranians, with whom he is close, the same source said.

He also highlighted Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the group; his brother Abd al-Khaliq al-Houthi, a senior commander; and Abdul Reza Shahla’i, the commander of the Iranian Quds Force in Yemen.

Arabic media sources have reported that the Houthi leadership has already fled from the capital, Sana’a, out of fear of assassination attempts by Israel or the United States.

END

ISRAEL //IRAN AND ALL/NEW YORK TIMES

The dire financial shape of Iran right now

(JerusalemPost via |New York Times)

‘A powder keg ready to explode’: Sanctions, Israeli strike pose Iran with dire energy crisis – NYT

The report cited multiple reasons for the situation, among which were the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic and Israel’s strike on Iran.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 22, 2024 12:35Updated: DECEMBER 22, 2024 12:54

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Iran is facing a dire energy crisis, forcing schools, colleges, governmental offices, and shopping malls to operate at a reduced capacity, according to a Saturday New York Times report. 

The report cited multiple reasons for the situation, including the sanctions imposed on Iran and an Israeli strike on the Islamic Republic.

According to the NYT, citing an official from the country’s Petroleum Ministry and Hamid Hosseini, a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s energy committee, a covert Israeli attack last February, which struck two gas pipes belonging to the Islamic Republic, forced the country to use its emergency gas reserves.

Now, Iran reportedly faces a deficit of some 350 million cubic meters a day, with demands surging with the onset of winter.   

“We are facing very dire imbalances in gas, electricity, energy, water, money, and environment,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised speech earlier in December, according to the NYT.

“All of them are at a level that could turn into a crisis,” he added. 

‘A powder keg that can explode’

Hosseini told the NYT that the country was attempting to “contain the damage because this is like a powder keg that can explode and create unrest across the country.”  

Chief of the Islamic Republic’s Coordination Council of Industries Mehdi Bostanchi labeled the situation “catastrophic,” according to the NYT. 

According to him, the recent week’s deficit could cut production in the country by 30% to 50%, costing it billions of dollars. 

“Naturally, the damages from the widespread and abrupt power outage that has lasted all week will be extremely serious for industries,” Bostanchi reportedly noted.

risks of World War Three 4IDF troops reach Damascus’ doorstep, uncover Syrian military weakness 5Why are Iran and Turkey moving to condemn Israel’s role in Syria? 

end

IRAN

SAME STORY AS ABOVE

(TIMES OF ISRAEL)

Iran plagued by energy crisis partially caused by strikes attributed to Israel

Outdated and underfunded energy sector’s problems further compounded by depleted gas reserves caused by attack on two major pipelines back in February

By ToI Staff and AgenciesToday, 3:29 amUpdated at 11:34 am

An Iranian security guard sits in the Safavieh Bazaar in the capital Tehran on December 17, 2024, after a decision by the Tehran Chamber of Trade Unions and Guilds to limit opening hours in an attempt to tackle severe energy shortages in the country. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

An energy crisis in Iran has left its leadership scrambling to find a solution after schools and government institutions across the country were forced to close their doors last week due to widespread power outages that Tehran, in its current state, is ill-equipped to deal with.

After a summer of blackouts, the energy crisis in the Islamic Republic has become exacerbated by harsh winter conditions, and severe cold, snow and air pollution have added to the woes of an energy sector unable to deal with seasonal surges due to years of underinvestment and sanctions.

The New York Times reported on Saturday, however, that one other factor has contributed to the dire state of the country’s energy supplies — a pair of attacks on major gas pipelines back in February, which were attributed to Israel by the Times.

The attacks disrupted the flow of gas to millions of people across Iran and caused widespread outages across five separate provinces.

Israel did not comment on the blasts at the time, and Iran’s oil minister Javad Owji also appeared hesitant to place blame.

According to the Times, the Iranian government attempted to minimize the impact of the damage caused to the gas pipelines by dipping into emergency gas reserves. While the strategy worked in the short term, preventing disruptions for millions of people, it has left the government with a depleted energy supply that, despite Iran’s vast natural gas and oil reserves, it is struggling to replenish.

Iran’s inability to bounce back from the crisis is due to several problems, the Times stated, including “mismanagement, corruption, and cheap prices that fuel wasteful consumption.”

Iranians walk past a closed bank in the capital Tehran on December 17, 2024, after a decision by the Tehran Chamber of Trade Unions and Guilds to limit opening hours in an attempt to tackle severe energy shortages in the country. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

Heavy sanctions placed on Iran by the West over its nuclear program have also led to an inability for the country to modernize its energy sector, analysts told the Times, as it lacks the investors needed to be able to do so.

Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, despite the fact that it involves uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels, beyond civilian necessity.

In 2015, during Iran’s pact with world powers to roll back the program in exchange for sanctions relief, the rial was at 32,000 to $1.

On July 30, the day that Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, elected on a promise to ease the sanctions, was sworn in and began his term, the rate was 584,000 to $1.

US president-elect Trump, during his first term in office, unilaterally withdrew the US from the nuclear accord in 2018, and imposed a “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, but US intelligence agencies and the IAEA say the country had an organized military nuclear program up until 2003, and Israel contends it never truly abandoned the program.

The impact of the rolling power outages already seemed to be felt across Iran’s manufacturing industry, as one engineer at a household appliance production factory told the Times that production costs had already risen as a result of the outages.

He feared that the factory could soon fire people in an attempt to keep up with costs by downsizing.

Compounding Iran’s problems, the rial fell to its lowest level in history last week, losing more than 10% of its value since Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November.

The rial traded at 777,000 rials to the dollar, traders in Tehran said, down from 703,000 rials on the day Trump won.

Iran’s Central Bank has in the past flooded the market with more hard currencies in an attempt to improve the rate.

Tehran’s domestic troubles follow a series of blows on the international stage, as its regional proxy groups, chief among them Hezbollah in Lebanon, have been battered by Israel’s year-long military campaign.

Hezbollah began launching near-daily attacks on Israel on October 8, 2023, in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza, also backed by Iran, which launched a deadly cross-border onslaught in southern Israel on October 7 last year, resulting in the ongoing war.

The conflict between Israel and Iran’s Lebanon-based proxy escalated in September when an airstrike in Beirut killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Israel launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

The two sides agreed to a shaky ceasefire in late November, but Iran was dealt one more blow when former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebel forces, just two weeks after they launched a new offensive against his regime.

Assad’s abrupt departure from Syria further eroded Tehran’s ability to project power and sustain its network of proxy groups across the Middle East, and Hezbollah head Naim Qassem revealed that the terror group had lost the land route that allowed Iran to send convoys of weapons to Lebanon.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei blamed Israel and the United States for the fall of Assad and vowed that despite the setbacks, the so-called Axis of Resistance would only grow stronger moving forward.

END

IRAN/ISRAEL/EUROPE

They do not stop:

(JerusalemPost)

Iran is hiring minors to attack Israeli, Jewish targets in Europe – report

A pattern of incidents in Sweden, Belgium, and Norway has exposed a campaign by Tehran to expand its proxy war against Israel into European territories.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFFDECEMBER 21, 2024 20:31

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Iranian-linked operatives have been recruiting minors for attacks on Israeli and Jewish institutions across Europe, according to a Bloomberg report on Saturday.

A troubling pattern of incidents in Sweden, Belgium, and Norway has exposed a covert campaign by Tehran to expand its proxy war against Israel into European territories. In Stockholm, a 15-year-old boy boarded a taxi in May with a loaded gun and asked to be taken to the Israeli embassy. However, the teenager, unaware of the embassy’s exact location, had to call an associate for directions. Swedish police, who had been monitoring the boy, stopped the cab before it reached the destination.

In Gothenburg, a 13-year-old was caught firing shots at the headquarters of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company. A separate attack at the same facility involved a 16-year-old who, alongside a 23-year-old accomplice, placed homemade explosives near the building’s main entrance. The bombs were concealed in thermos flasks, and while the investigation could not establish who issued their instructions, prosecutors believe the attackers were acting on behalf of a larger network.

These incidents underscore Iran’s broader effort to expand its conflict with Israel beyond the Middle East by exploiting local vulnerabilities in Europe. In Brussels, Belgian authorities thwarted a planned attack on the Israeli embassy in May involving minors as young as 14. Norway, meanwhile, temporarily heightened its terror alert to high in October after reports of Iranian-linked threats. Both Sweden and Norway have issued warnings about Tehran’s growing use of organized crime networks to target Israeli interests.

The aftermath of a failed attack in Stockholm provides further evidence of these operations. On October 1, shots were fired at the Israeli embassy building, prompting a police response. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already fled on a southbound train to Copenhagen. Later that night, two loud explosions were reported near the Israeli mission in the Danish capital. Security officials suspect that the same individual, also linked to Iran, was behind these incidents.

Social media as a method of recruitment

Iranian operatives are reportedly using platforms such as Telegram and TikTok to reach out to potential recruits, Bloomberg stated. The financial incentives are minimal, with payments as low as €120 for petrol bomb attacks and €1,500 for more serious crimes, such as murder, according to Peter Nesser, a terrorism researcher from Norway. Many of the recruits are teenagers, some unaware they are working on behalf of a foreign power.

Swedish security officials emphasized that some young perpetrators do not grasp the broader implications of their actions. For instance, the Stockholm teenager tracked and arrested before he could reach the Israeli embassy was allegedly unaware of his handlers’ affiliations, the report claimed. The same ambiguity surrounds the perpetrators of the Gothenburg bombing, who appeared to be acting under external instructions but with limited understanding of the wider agenda.

Sweden and Norway, long seen as open societies with minimal policing, are now grappling with vulnerabilities exploited by both international crime syndicates and hostile foreign actors. Sweden, where immigrants constitute approximately 20% of the population, has seen rising gang violence and difficulties in integrating new arrivals. In Norway, political leaders have expressed concerns about similar patterns of criminal recruitment crossing the border from Sweden.

The issue has also influenced political discourse, with Sweden’s government introducing youth detention centers to address growing concerns over juvenile crime, Bloomberg stated. Norway, facing elections next year, is debating similar measures, with the far-right Progress Party calling for stricter policies to tackle youth violence.

The incidents are part of a larger strategy by Tehran to destabilize Israeli targets globally. Iran’s regional proxies, weakened by Israel’s military responses in Gaza and Lebanon, appear to be redirecting their focus toward vulnerable communities in Europe. Officials fear that the exploitation of minors, combined with the low cost of attacks, will make such operations increasingly difficult to preempt.

Despite the weakened state of its proxies, Iran continues to pose a significant threat to European security. Security experts warn that the network’s covert activities will require heightened vigilance and international cooperation to prevent further attacks.

END

IRAN/ISRAEL

PM: Iran ‘dumbfounded’ by Israeli strikes, saw investment in proxies go ‘down the tubes’

In interview with WSJ, Netanyahu lauds Lebanon op, says he dismissed Gallant’s call to strike Hezbollah immediately after Hamas attack, rejects permanent truce in Gaza

By ToI StaffToday, 10:14 p

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in the Knesset, December 16, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg FLASH90)

Iran was “dumbfounded” by Israel’s major retaliatory attack on the Islamic Republic in October and currently wishes to avoid conflict with the Jewish state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday.

The Iranians “were dumbfounded when we took out their critical air defenses,” Netanyahu told the Journal, “which means they now have to calculate how much ammo they have, because it’ll take them several years to resuscitate [their ballistic-missile production effort] — assuming we don’t hit it again.”

The wave of Israeli airstrikes on October 26 targeted Iranian air defenses as well as its ballistic missile program, striking factories, storage sites, launchers, and research facilities, and targeting one facility believed to be used for the regime’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

The attack came weeks after Iran fired some 200 ballistic missiles directly at Israel in early October, in what it said was retaliation for Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran months earlier. (Israel was widely blamed for the latter’s assassination, though it did not claim responsibility.)

Israel’s air defenses intercepted the vast majority of the missiles in that attack. Some caused limited damage to airbases, but the Israel Defense Forces said operations were not compromised.

Israel’s counterattack did not include major strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities, apart from the one research center.

When asked about Iran’s alleged pursuit of a bomb — the country has surged its enrichment of uranium — and a possible Israeli strike, Netanyahu was reserved.

“I’m not going to talk about that,” the prime minister said, adding, “I’ve always said the jury’s out, still out on all of us [on the Iranian nuclear issue], and I don’t exclude myself.”

A cleric walks past Iranian domestically-built missiles as he visits National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, November 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran’s money ‘down the tubes’

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said that as part of its conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel had also greatly damaged Iran’s activities around Israel.

“We knocked down Hezbollah, which was supposed to protect Iran. And Iran didn’t protect Hezbollah either. And neither of them protected [Syria’s Bashar al-] Assad.

“So, we just split that whole axis right down the middle,” he said. Iran “spent probably $30 billion in Syria, another $20 billion in Lebanon, God knows how much on Hamas. And it’s all gone down the tubes,” he said.

The Iranians now “have no supply line,” Netanyahu said, adding: “We warned Assad not to let Iran supply Hezbollah with weapons through Syria. He played dumb.”

The Syrian dictator fell to a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels earlier this month, in a development partly attributed to the weakness of his ally Hezbollah following its war against Israel.

Syrians celebrate the ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s government, at Umayyad Square, in Damascus, Syria, December 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Addressing the decision to kill Nasrallah in a massive September airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, Netanyahu said he realized at the time that the long-time Hezbollah leader “was the axis of the axis,” explaining, “it’s not only that Iran was using him. He was using Iran.”

Hezbollah started attacking Israel last year, a day after its ally Hamas in the Gaza Strip launched a cross-border onslaught against Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, mostly civilians.

Former defense minister Yoav Gallant attends a plenum session at the Knesset in Jerusalem, November 13, 2024. (Chaim Goldbergl/Flash90)

The prime minister said that following the Hamas onslaught, then-defense minister Yoav Gallant and some military chiefs had tried to encourage him to go after Hezbollah before Hamas, reasoning that the massively armed terror group in Lebanon was a far greater danger to Israel. Netanyahu said he refused, saying the perpetrators of the attack “couldn’t be left to stew” and Israel could not conduct a war on two fronts.

Pager operation was ‘historic’

The prime minister addressed this past September’s pager operation which precipitated its major offensive against the Lebanon-based terror group, when thousands of pagers held by Hezbollah operatives simultaneously exploded across Lebanon, disabling many key operatives.

Israel took credit for the action last month, having previously declined to comment on it.

“There were those who had misgivings about using it at all,” Netanyahu said. “But since it was time-sensitive, I pushed it through.” He called the result “a shock and awe of historic proportions” and “the greatest surgical targeting in history.”

Following the pager operation, Israel launched its air offensive against Hezbollah leadership and weapons sites, crippling the group.

Netanyahu feted the “improved plan, which was actually brilliant, because among other things [Israel] took over Lebanese television” to warn civilians to evacuate their homes. “In six hours, we wiped out most of the ballistic missile stockpiles Hezbollah had amassed.”

The almost two-month-long operation, which included a limited ground offensive, came to a halt last month with a ceasefire agreement, after Hezbollah lost almost its entire leadership and was left with greatly diminished capabilities.

Mourners carry the coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed during the recent war with Israel, during their funeral procession in the southern Lebanese village of Kherbet Selm on December 4, 2024. (MAHMOUD ZAYYAT / AFP)

Speaking to the objectives of the Lebanon operation, Netanyahu said it also targeted Hezbollah’s underground network in south Lebanon, which was similar to the tunnels Hamas used for its October 7 attack last year and throughout the ensuing war with Israel.

The terror group’s tunnel system “was going to be Hezbollah’s main thrust for an invasion of the Galilee. They could reach Haifa, easily, and beyond, The subterranean network turned out to be enormous—much bigger than we thought,” he said. (The Israeli military says the vast tunnel network was to be used in a planned invasion, though only one tunnel was found to actually cross the border, by a few meters.)

Netanyahu noted that he had overruled internal opposition to a campaign against Hezbollah by some in Israel who argued that “we’re going to get a ceasefire anyway… so, why not skip the fighting?”

The prime minister’s response: “It makes a hell of a difference whether we make the ceasefire after we cut Hezbollah down to size or after we leave it intact.”

A soldier is seen in a Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon, late October 21, 2024. (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)

‘It’s not easy to be president’

Netanyahu has also found himself at odds with the United States throughout the war in Gaza, with Washington often criticizing Jerusalem over civilian deaths and the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza — but the prime minister acknowledged America’s overarching support, and praised US President Joe Biden for his solidarity visit at the beginning of the war, which made him the first US premier to visit Israel during wartime.

Netanyahu said he understood the pressure Biden was under at times to take a hard line with Israel. “The US withheld critical weapons,” Netanyahu said, citing delays in shipments of heavy bombs.

“It’s not easy to be president, let’s face it, with these very radical fringes in his party. It wasn’t easy to do what Mr. Biden did” in supporting of Israel, he added, including during Israel’s counterattack on Iran this past October.

Netanyahu also told the WSJ he remains hopeful that US support will remain strong during President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming second term in the White House. The prime minister expressed optimism that the new president would help bring about another hostage deal in Gaza, as well as a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.

“It would be the natural expansion of the Abraham Accords that we forged under President Trump’s leadership,” he said, referring to a series of normalization agreements with Arab states that were brokered under Trump’s first administration.

US President-elect, then-candidate Donald Trump (left) hosts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Florida, July 26, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

No permanent truce in Gaza

Netanyahu also reiterated his stance against a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying he would only agree to a temporary pause as part of a hostage release deal, and reiterating his plan to see Hamas completely dismantled.

“I’m not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas,” he said. “We’re not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It’s not going to happen.”

His critics have warned that this could leave the majority of the remaining hostages languishing in Gaza indefinitely.

It is believed that 96 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 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.

Hamas had long asserted that it would not agree to a ceasefire without an Israeli commitment to end the war. Recent reports have indicated it may have softened its position to allow a limited release of so-called humanitarian cases without such a commitment, though it would likely hold on to the majority of the hostages until the final phase of a deal, when a permanent cessation of hostilities is agreed upon.

Netanyahu has also thus far refused to allow a role for the Palestinian Authority in the post-war management of Gaza.

Israel’s security establishment has warned this robs Jerusalem of a viable alternative to Hamas’s rule, and all but ensures that the IDF will continue fighting the terror group for the foreseeable future, as vacuums temporarily created by military operations are re-filled by Hamas shortly thereafter.

end

END

SYRIA/USA

US Reveals It Has More Than Twice As Many Troops In Syria Than Previously Disclosed

Friday, Dec 20, 2024 – 05:20 PM

Only now after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad does Washington come clean about the actual number of American troops it has in Syria.

On Thursday, the Pentagon revealed it has roughly 2,000 troops occupying northeast Syria, home to the country’s vital supply of oil and gas, which is over twice the number it has been officially disclosing for years.

US military spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said this has been the figure for a “while”—apparently long before the dramatic events of this month. Ryder claimed the he had just “learned” the true troop number.

“As you know, we have been briefing you regularly that there are approximately 900 US troops deployed to Syria. In light of the situation in Syria and the significant interest, we recently learned that those numbers were higher, and so asked to look into it. I learned today that in fact there are approximately 2,000 US troops in Syria,” he said.

He then tried to pass off the discrepancy as merely a distinction between the 900 long term deployments and those forces rotating in on a more temporary basis.

“As I understand it and as it was explained to me, these additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that deploy to meet shifting mission requirements, whereas the core 900 deployers are on longer-term deployments,” Ryder said.

The Pentagon and CENTCOM have also recently been reviving talk of the ‘counter-ISIS’ mission as justification for keeping the US occupation ongoing. This even as NATO member Turkey has been seeking to drive out the Kurdish-led SDF from northern Syria, which the US backs.

The Biden administration has also this week said it is in direct contact with designated terror organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which holds Damascus and major cities. 

Obviously this is some absurd gaslighting of the American public by the Pentagon. The question remains: why reveal it now?

The US is likely to use its possession of the oil and gas fields in Deir Ezzor, which was previously vital to meeting the Syrian population’s domestic consumption needs, as leverage to get HTS leadership to fall in line with Washington’s agenda for the region.

The US had long occupied the energy fields in the first place in order to tighten the economic blockade noose around Assad’s neck, but ultimately it is the common people who suffer most.

end

RUSSIA/UKRAINE/USA

European officials state that the incoming US president will demand Nato member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, but plans to continue supplying military aid to Ukraine,” FT writes.

NATO’s existing target of 2% of GPD for defense spending certainly has not been met by all members… not even close. The 2% is being met by only 23 of the alliance’s 32 members, and so a significantly higher bar set of more than double that is certainly going to rile Europe.

European NATO leaders have long been trying to figure out how to ‘Trump proof’ future defense aid for Ukraine, as has the Biden administration.

But there’s at least one severe critic – Hungary’s Viktor Orban. He estimated in a radio interview on Friday that the US and the EU have pumped over $300 billion in financial aid and military assistance into Kiev’s coffers since the war’s start.

“During the negotiation with the Americans, I received the figure that Europe and America together have spent €310 billion so far. Those are huge numbers!” the Hungarian prime minister declared.

He went to describe that such a massive amount “could have done wonders” for European people themselves, instead of sinking the funds into an unwinnable war, while avoiding the necessity of negotiations with Moscow.

The 5% defense spending for NATO members could also be a ‘tough’ tactic as the new administration deals with NATO allies. According to more from Financial Times:

One person said they understood that Trump would settle for 3.5 per cent, and that he was planning to explicitly link higher defense spending and the offer of more favorable trading terms with the US.

“It’s clear that we are talking about 3 per cent or more for [Nato’s June summit in] The Hague summit,” said another European official briefed on Trump’s thinking.

Meanwhile…

As for Trump pledging to keep the money flowing, this is likely for the purposes of keeping leverage on the table while planning to quickly push Kiev into negotiations with Moscow. Earlier this week, former US diplomat Jim Jatras evaluated the prospects for Trump succeeding toward achieving peace at the negotiating table, which can be accessed here.

END

SYRIA/TURKEY/ISRAEL/KURDS/OPINION

Israel should not gamble on the Kurds, our strategy should be based in reality – opinion

With the stars aligning, Israel, as a regional power, should use its new and improved position to advance its security interests, basing them on the reality on the ground, not wishful thinking.

By ATAR PORATDECEMBER 22, 2024 16:37

https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity-player.php?language=en&pageURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jpost.com%2Fopinion%2Farticle-834458&unitId=2900003088&userId=1938e01a-2e38-4f76-9d42-6dd0304d8a0a&isLegacyBrowser=false&isPartitioningSupport=1&version=20241217_aa84504b51132e177071b3b0f984430fcda56c53&useBunnyCDN=0&themeId=140&unitType=tts-player

The common wisdom in Israel is that Israel’s geopolitical strategy should create an alliance with the Kurds against hostile forces in the region.

The Kurds, after all, have a common historical story similar to the Jews- they are the largest nation without a state, a situation that Jews can identify with. They are seen as more progressive and egalitarian- they incorporate women in combat roles, and they fight jihadi extremists, most notably ISIS. All of these reasons are valid, except they overlook realpolitik logic in the everchanging Syrian landscape.

Currently, Syria is turning from an Iranian client state to a Turkish one. The Turks not only directly control the Syrian National Army from their own military but also have connections to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the smaller factions that make up HTS at the logistical and intelligence levels.

Whatever political order Syria enters, the Turks will have significant influence and hold sway in any new arrangement. This gives President Erdogan huge leverage over the incoming US administration and other regional actors.Turkey, other than Israel and Iran, is a regional power, possessing the second largest military and NATO and having a formidable military force.

Turkish pragmatism

Although hostile to Israel, especially during the current war, Turkey has shown pragmatism in matters of national security when the national interest pointed them to reaching some collaboration with Israel.

Turkey’s relationship with Israel has known its fair share of ups and downs, but in the end, the Turkish national interest was the actual driver of policy, even with Erdogan as its President. 

The SDF, the Kurds’ militia that controls Northeastern Syria, referred to as “Rojava,” includes the YPG militia, which is the PKK.

The PKK (The Kurdistan Workers’ Party) is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union, Israel, and, of course, Turkey. The biggest national security threat to the Turks is the militant Kurdish groups seeking autonomy.

The Kurds are Turkey’s largest minority, comprising about 20% of the population, and their presence near the Turkish border with Syria is a serious security threat. For the Turks, the PKK is what Hamas is to Israel. This is without mentioning that the PKK collaborated with Palestinian terrorist organizations during the first Lebanon war and is hostile to Israel and Zionism as part of their revolutionary Marxist-Leninist ideology. 

Currently, the Kurds are losing in Syria. Erdogan is preparing his military for another military operation in the strategic city of Kobani near the border, the positions taken by the Kurds are encroached by the SNA and there is great animus between HTS and other groups and the Kurds since they collaborated with Assad.

The commander of the Kurdish SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), Mazloum Abdi, has recently said about the clashes between his group and Turkish-backed groups that he is willing to reach a truce with Turkey by telling non-Syrian Kurdish forces to leave. He knows that his forces are outnumbered and, therefore, is willing to negotiate. 

Moreover, President-elect Trump has indicated multiple times that he does not intend to intervene in Syria and has called for the removal of the remaining 900 US troops from Syria. Back in 2019, it ordered the withdrawal of troops from northern Syria against the position of the US security establishment.

The Pentagon has slow-walked previous orders by Trump to evacuate from Syria. The sentiment to take out US troops is even stronger now in the MAGA-sphere, Trump’s main base, because of the previous resistance from the US security establishment, which impeded his previous attempts. This would only reinvigorate Trump to finish what he could do in his first term.

In the current geopolitical landscape, it is not wise for Israel to bet on a losing horse. Instead, Israel’s strategy should be realpolitik. Israel could find the common interests it shares with Turkey, which also sees Iran as a regional threat and a historic rival.

Currently, in the geopolitical contest between the West and the Axis of Evil (Iran-Russia-China- North Korea) together with the Global South, Turkey has been playing both sides with some favoritism to the West (it is still a NATO member).

Israel could reach an accommodation with Turkey regarding spheres of influence in Syria- Israel would exert its influence on southern Syria by collaborating with the Druze, and Erdogan would have the rest of Syria with some buffer between the areas. This logic is what guided great powers in the past when they had to divide spheres of influence between themselves (the French and the Brits divided the Middle East based on this logic).

Under this proposal, the US could be the “shock absorber” between Israel and Turkey and use its vast military alliance with both countries to reach an accommodation that is tolerable for Israel. President Trump reportedly has a congenial relationship with President Erdogan and a very close view of Iran as Israel.

With the political stars aligning, Israel, as a regional power, should use its new and improved geopolitical position to advance its security interests by playing “smart” and based on the reality on the ground, not wishful thinking. Supporting the Kurds is anything but that.

RUSSIA/UKRAINE

END

RUSSIA/UKRAINE

END

6.GLOBAL ISSUES//COVID ISSUES/VACCINE ISSUES/HEALTH ISSUES

THE mRNA INJECTION IS THE NEW SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION – Dr. Daniel Nagase

https://www.bitchute.com/video/5Hzs8oRR03mp/

END

MARK CRISPIN MILLER

Julian Lennon has skin cancer; Randy Moss has liver cancer; Ryne Sandberg’s cancer has come back; Montell Jordan and Adrian Wojnarowski both have prostate cancer; rocker Doug Aldrich has throat cancer

US Senate chaplain Barry Black in hospital after brain bleed; Springbok center Andre Snyman “navigates brain tumor diagnosis”; drummer Clayton Holyoak’s daughter, 5, has leukemia; and more

UNITED STATES

John Lennon’s son Julian has emergency surgery after skin cancer diagnosis

John Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon [61], has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time. On Wednesday, Julian took to social media to reveal his diagnosis in a lengthy post on X, starting with a disclaimer. “Disturbing images…” “Well, here’s how this goes… Before I flew to New York from Los Angeles, for good morning America, Sirius XM, iHeart Radio & My Fotografiska Q&A Book Signing Event, I went to see, as I usually do when in LA, My lovely Dermatologist – Dr Tess, was the one who caught & operated on My Mole/Skin Cancer, a few years ago, and literally saved My Life,” he wrote. “Anyway, after having just finished ‘GMA,’ I received a message from Dr Tess, with some urgency to return to Los Angeles, as I had 2 locations on My Skin, Shoulder & Forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP! So instead of going home to put my Christmas tree up and happily finish the year off, relaxing at home, I flew directly back to Los Angeles, after all my work in New York was done, and went directly from LAX airport, to surgery, with a surgeon recommended by Dr Tess – who spent several hours cleaning up and operating on me, with large margins, in the hope that we have, at the end of the day – clear margins, which would mean being free from cancer,” he continued. Julian noted that while the operation was “a success,” the results of the biopsy are still pending. “We may not receive [the results] before Christmas,” he wrote before thanking his medical team.

Link

Upgrade to paid

Senate Chaplain Barry Black Hospitalized After Brain Bleed

December 12, 2024

U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, 76, has been hospitalized after suffering a subdural hematoma, a bleed on his brain. The chaplain, known for his distinctive bow-tied appearance, has been in his role since 2003, offering daily prayers and spiritual guidance to senators and staff.

Link

Jamie Foxx’s Health Scare, Explained: ‘Brain Bleed Led to Stroke’

December 10, 2024

In May of 2023, Jamie Foxx [56] suffered a health scare that had fans fearing the worst: Covid, heart attack, even death! Jamie was hospitalized under mysterious circumstances, and the infrequent updates on the Oscar winner’s condition were not encouraging. On his December 10 Netflix special, we finally got the whole story. During the special, Jamie tearfully revealed that he suffered a “brain bleed that led to a stroke.” The first doctor he visited gave him a cortisone shot and discharged him. (“I don’t know if you can do Yelps for doctors, but that’s half a star,” Foxx joked.) Jamie then went to Piedmont Hospital, where, according to him, the “angel” staff “saved [his] life” and “put [him] back together again.” “’He’s having a brain bleed that has led to a stroke. If I don’t go in his head right now, we’re going to lose him,’” Jamie recalled one doctor saying to his sister. “’We didn’t find where it was coming from, but he is having a stroke. He may be able to make a full recovery but it’s going to be the worst year of his life,’” the same physician said after his surgery.

Link

Randy Moss battling liver cancer, according to Larry Fitzgerald Sr.

December 10, 2024

NFL legend Randy Moss [47] has been out of the spotlight of late dealing with what has been a mysterious health issue. And it is reportedly quite a serious one. Moss has liver cancer, according to longtime sports reporter Larry Fitzgerald Sr., who shared that he’d learned this at the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame ceremony. Fitzgerald relayed the news with a brief message on social media. Moss has been out of the public eye and stepped away from his role as an NFL analyst on ESPN while dealing with his health. His absence from ESPN’s NFL coverage was announced in early December. “Randy Moss will step away from ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge,” ESPN said in a statement.

Researcher's Note - ESPN and CBS are both mandating that workers covering games and events get a “vaccine” booster shot by Jan 24, [2022]: https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-and-cbs-mandating-booster-shot-remote-workers-covering-games.html

Link

Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg says cancer he beat over summer has returned

December 10, 2024

Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg [65] announced Tuesday that the prostate cancer he defeated earlier this year has returned. The Chicago Cubs legend wrote in an Instagram post that the cancer, which he thought had been eliminated by radiation, has spread. “Unfortunately, we recently learned the cancer has relapsed, and it has spread to other organs,” he wrote Tuesday. “This means that I’m back to more intensive treatment.”

Link

Springbok Legend Andre Snyman Battles Vestibular Schwannoma.
The former center seeks support as he navigates a brain tumor diagnosis

December 13, 2024

Andre Snyman, the former Springbok center renowned for his electrifying speed and agility on the rugby field, is currently facing an arduous journey as he navigates significant health challenges. At 50 years old, Snyman recently received the disheartening news that he has developed a vestibular schwannoma—a benign tissue growth located near the ear. This condition, while non-cancerous, poses serious consequences, affecting both his balance and hearing and fundamentally altering his day-to-day life. Today, living in the United States and coaching rugby in Denver, Snyman’s focus has shifted from training aspiring athletes to seeking support for his impending health challenges.

Link

Montell Jordan Reveals Cancer Diagnosis to Fans

December 9, 2024

On Tuesday, December 5, singer Montell Jordan celebrated his 56th birthday, and this birthday proved to be like no other for him. The singer announced on his Instagram account that he was just a few days past having major surgery for prostate cancer and revealing that he was suffering in silence since his diagnosis in January. Jordan shared in his video announcement that in January of 2024, he was diagnosed with early-stage 1 prostate cancer. Since then he has been undergoing treatment including surgery in November doctors discovered that his cancer was more progressive. Doctors removed his prostate and ALL of the cancer.

Link

DR PAUL ALEXANDER

BREAKING! Islamic peaceful religion strikes AGAIN in Europe, in German market, now unfolding, so far 11 DEAD, car ploughs into INNOCENT peaceful shoppers, muslim attackers; what do we do? when will it

end? what peacefulness is this? who is to blame? how will justice be served? it is now I say thank God for Trump for with all his imperfections & terrible mistakes in COVID & OWS & Malone mRNA vaccine

Magdeburg Germany Christmas market

we need him to lay fucking waste, lay siege on these 6th century medieval feral beasts, these low life animals I argued we should have never allowed out of the desert and we should have let them drink their own fucking oil…we don’t negotiate or tolerate animals…leave them in the 6th century and we come around in 1000 years and check on them then…not now…these will always be animals. and mind you, some of that filth is my heritage…thank God Christian and fled there 100 years ago…left the animals behind.

OSINTdefender on X: “Reports of at least 11 Killed and over 60 Injured, after a Car drove Full-Speed into a Christmas Market in the Eastern German City of Magdeburg, with Police investigating the Incident as a Terrorist Attack. https://t.co/ex0oWKC3qH” / X

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.

EVOLS NEWS

SLAY NEWS

NEWS ADDICTS

LATEST REPORTS FOR NEWS JUNKIES

Here Is Full List of Republicans Who Opposed Spending Bill Which Received Unanimous Dem SupportOn Friday, the House of Representatives passed a government funding bill, narrowly averting a shutdown just before the midnight deadline. The bill, which received unanimous support from Democratic lawmakers, faced opposition from 38 Republican members who voted against it. The approved legislation provides temporary funding to keep federal operations running until March 14, 2025, and includes $100 billion for disaster …READ THE FULL REPORT

Here Is What Is Included in the American Relief Act 2025 (H.R. 10545)In a dramatic last-minute effort to avert a government shutdown, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) late Friday evening, funding federal agencies through March 14, 2025. The bill passed with a 366-34 vote and now awaits Senate approval and Biden’s signature to become law. More Democrats supported the new bill, with a vote count of 196 …READ THE FULL REPORT

BIG Speaker Johnson says they’ve reached a CONSENSUSSpeaker Johnson is now telling reporters that they have reached a consensus and there will not be a government shutdown. The CR will be combined with disaster relief and aid for farmers. BREAKING: Speaker Johnson says there will not be a government shutdown. pic.twitter.com/KsUf2Qgtve — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) December 20, 2024  SPEAKER JOHNSON says they’ve reached a consensus – …READ THE FULL REPORT

80 Injured After Saudi Arabian Man Drives Car Into Christmas MarketA tragic incident occurred on Friday when a black BMW SUV drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The vehicle traveled about 400 meters through the market, resulting in at least two fatalities, including a small child, and injuring between 60 to 80 people with some in critical condition. The driver, a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor …READ THE FULL REPORT

Tim Walz Suffers Political Defeat in His Own StateMinnesota Governor Tim Walz’s (D-MN) political machine hit a major roadblock after a Democrat candidate was ruled ineligible to serve, handing Republicans a significant victory and opening the door for a shift in control of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A Ramsey County District Court judge ruled Friday that newly elected Democrat Curtis Johnson did not meet residency requirements and …READ THE FULL REPORT

MICHAEL EVERY/PHIL MAREY/OR OTHER EXECS //RABOBANK/

7.OIL AND NATURAL GAS ISSUES/GLOBAL

8. EMERGING MARKETS//AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ISSUES//

CANADA

Et Tu Jagmeet? Trudeau Game Over Looms As Key Ally Vows To Topple Him

Friday, Dec 20, 2024 – 04:40 PM

In what could be the final act of a political drama swirling around Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has thundered in with a no-confidence motion that could topple the government, Reuters reports.

“We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons,” said Singh.

The motion, set to unfold as the House of Commons returns from winter recess on January 27, has sent shockwaves through Ottawa’s political corridors already rattled by internal Liberal strife and a high-profile cabinet resignation.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wants to ‘urgently’ reconvene parliament so that lawmakers can hold a no-confidence vote ahead of schedule.

The undercurrents of discontent have been bubbling for months, but the situation came to a head when Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau’s stalwart Finance Minister, abruptly vacated her post amid a cloud of controversy. Sources close to the matter cite irreconcilable differences over policy directions and leadership style, with Freeland’s departure exposing cracks in the Liberal foundation.

[W]hen Trudeau informed Freeland five days later that she would soon be out as finance minister, she was deeply upset. Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor and a darling of global markets, was taking over, Trudeau told her. But he had another important job in mind for her: a cabinet role managing Canada’s suddenly fraught relations with the US and President-elect Donald Trump. It did not, however, come with running a government department.

…

Freeland was having none of it. To her, this was a major demotion — one delivered over a Zoom call, no less. She spent the weekend agonizing over how to respond, according to people familiar with the course of events — stewing with the same frustration she had experienced in the summer, when reports emerged that Trudeau was courting Carney as her possible replacement. –Bloomberg

Meanwhile, Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet on Friday, days after Freeland’s departure. Ontario MP David McGuinty was named Canada’s minister of public safety, while Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has been named the new housing minister.

Amid this backdrop, Singh’s declaration couldn’t be more dramatically timed to twist the knife. In a scathing open letter, he lambasted Trudeau’s leadership, painting the Liberal government as too entangled in internal conflicts and corporate interests to effectively govern. Sing’s letter sets the stage for a potential early election if the no-confidence vote gathers steam across opposition benches​.

As Singh points out, the cost of living and housing crises are hitting Canadians hard, and with Trump-era tariffs looming, economic pressures could intensify, making the political stakes even higher.

Political pundits suggest voter fatigue with the Liberals is palpable. A slew of recent polls underscores a grim forecast for Trudeau’s party, which could face a drubbing at the polls if an election were called today. The political landscape in Canada is crackling with anticipation of a shake-up as the NDP appears to pivot away from its previous support of the minority government, a move that could redraw the lines of allegiance within the House of Commons​.

As January 27 looms, all eyes will be on Ottawa.

END

YOUR EARLY CURRENCY/GOLD AND SILVER PRICING/ASIAN CLOSING MARKETS AND EUROPEAN BOURSE OPENING AND CLOSING/ INTEREST RATE SETTINGS MONDAY MORNING 6;30AM//OPENING AND CLOSING

EURO VS USA DOLLAR:  1.0388 DOWN 33 BASIS PTS

USA/ YEN 156.94 UP 0.930 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 1.2519 DOWN .0041

USA/CAN DOLLAR:  1.4414 UP 0.0009 (CDN DOLLAR DOWN 9 BASIS PTS)

 Last night Shanghai COMPOSITE CLOSED DOWN 16.81 PTS OR 0.50%

 Hang Seng CLOSED UP 162.92 OR 0.82%

AUSTRALIA CLOSED DOWN 1.64%

 // EUROPEAN BOURSE:     ALL MIXED

Trading from Europe and ASIA

I) EUROPEAN BOURSES:  ALL MIXED

2/ CHINESE BOURSES / :Hang SENG CLOSED UP 162.43 PTS OR 0.82%

/SHANGHAI CLOSED DOWN 16.81 PTS OR 0.50%

AUSTRALIA BOURSE CLOSED DOWN 1.64%

(Nikkei (Japan) CLOSED UP 459,55 PTS OR 1.10%

INDIA’S SENSEX  IN THE GREEN

Gold very early morning trading: 2617.05

silver:$29.63

USA dollar index early MONDAY  morning: 107.96 UP 60 BASIS POINTS FROM  FRIDAY’s CLOSE.

MONDAY  MORNING NUMBERS ENDS

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And now your closing  MONDAY NUMBERS 1: 30 AM

Portuguese 10 year bond yield: 2.802% UP 8 in basis point(s) yield

JAPANESE BOND YIELD: +1.060% UP 1 AND 7/ 10   BASIS POINTS /JAPAN losing control of its yield curve/

SPANISH 10 YR BOND YIELD: 3.019 UP 4 in basis points yield

ITALIAN 10 YR BOND YIELD 3.491 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: 2.3130 UP 3 BASIS PTS

IMPORTANT CURRENCY CLOSES :  MONDAY  

Closing currency crosses for day /USA DOLLAR INDEX/USA 10 YR BOND YIELD/1:00 PM

Euro/USA 1.0390 DOWN .0021 OR 21 basis points

USA/Japan: 157.03 UP 1.07 OR YEN IS UP 107 BASIS PTS//

Great Britain 10 YR RATE 4.6055 UP 2 BASIS POINTS //

Canadian dollar DOWN .0093 OR 93 BASIS pts  to 1.4415

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The USA/Yuan,  CNY ON SHORE CLOSED DOWN 7.3069 (ON SHORE)  

THE USA/YUAN OFFSHORE:    (YUAN CLOSED (DOWN)…. (7.3068)

TURKISH LIRA:  35.22 EXTREMELY DANGEROUS LEVEL/DEATH WATCH/HYPERINFLATION TO BEGIN.//

the 10 yr Japanese bond yield  at +1.0600

Your closing 10 yr US bond yield UP 3 in basis points from FRIDAY at  4.553% //trading well ABOVE the resistance level of 2.27-2.32%)

 USA 30 yr bond yield  4.745 UP 3 in basis points  /11:00 AM

USA 2 YR BOND YIELD: 4.336 UP 2  BASIS PTS.

GOLD AT 11;00 AM 2616.35

SILVER AT 11;00: 29.58

Your  11:00 AM bourses for Europe and the Dow along with the USA dollar index closing and interest rates: MONDAY CLOSING TIME 11:00 AM//

London: CLOSED UP 18.11 PTS OR 0.22%

German Dax :  CLOSED DOWN 35.90 OR 0.28%

Paris CAC CLOSED DOWN 2.16 PTS OR 0.03%

Spain IBEX CLOSED DOWN 31.10 OR 0.28%

Italian MIB: CLOSED DOWN 26.39 OR 0.08%

WTI Oil price  69.21 12 EST/

Brent Oil:  72.40 12:00 EST

USA /RUSSIAN ROUBLE ///   AT:  101.51 ROUBLE UP 1 AND  5/100      

GERMAN 10 YR BOND YIELD; +2.3180 UP 3 BASIS PTS.

UK 10 YR YIELD: 4.6035 UP 2 BASIS POINTS

CDN 10 YEAR RATE: 3.309 DOWN 2 BASIS PTS.

CDN 5 YEAR RATE: 3.075 UP 2 BASIS PTS

CLOSING NUMBERS: 4 PM

Euro vs USA 1.0407 DOWN 0.0015 OR 15 BASIS POINTS

British Pound: 1.2535 DOWN 0.0025 OR 25 basis pts

BRITISH 10 YR GILT BOND YIELD:  4.5430 UP 4 BASIS PTS//

JAPAN 10 YR YIELD: 1.055

USA dollar vs Japanese Yen: 157.12 UP 1.11 BASIS PTS// HEADING FOR 160 TO THE DOLLAR

USA dollar vs Canadian dollar: 1.4374 UP.0053 CDN DOLLAR UP 53 BASIS PTS

West Texas intermediate oil: 69.39

Brent OIL:  72.79

USA 10 yr bond yield UP 7 BASIS pts to 4.588

USA 30 yr bond yield UP 6 BASIS PTS to 4.776%

USA 2 YR BOND: UP 3 PTS AT  4.3443

CDN 10 YR RATE 3.312 UP 3 BASIS PTS

CDN 5 YEAR RATE: 3.069DOWN 1 BASIS PTS

USA dollar index: 107.85 UP 49 BASIS POINTS

USA DOLLAR VS TURKISH LIRA: 35.20 GETTING QUITE CLOSE TO BLOWING UP/

USA DOLLAR VS RUSSIA//// ROUBLE:  101.21 UP 1 AND  72/100 roubles

GOLD  2,610.35 3:30 PM

SILVER: 29.67 3:30 PM

DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE: UP 81.78 PTS OR 0.19%

NASDAQ up 214.02 PTS OR 1.01%

VOLATILITY INDEX: 17.03 DOWN 1.33 PTS OR 7.24%

GLD: $240.96 DOWN 1.14 OR 0.47%

SLV/ $26.99 UP 0.07 OR 0.26%

TORONTO STOCK INDEX// TSX INDEX: UP 111.35 PTS OR 0.45%

end

USA AFFAIRS

Big-Tech Dies Hard As Bonds, Bullion, & Bitcoin Dump After Dismal Data

ZEROHEDGE HEADLINE

II USA DATA

Durable Goods Orders Tumbled In November, But…

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 08:50 AM

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

The preliminary headline US durable goods order data for November shows a much worse than expected 1.1% MoM decline (-0.3% exp) which dragged orders down 6.3% YoY on fewer orders for commercial aircraft.

Source: Bloomberg

But, orders placed with US factories for business equipment rebounded in November, posting the strongest monthly advance in over a year.

The value of core capital goods orders, a proxy for investment in equipment excluding aircraft and military hardware, increased 0.7% last month after a revised 0.1% decline in October.

Source: Bloomberg

So take your pick…

Source: Bloomberg

As always baffle ’em with bullshit on these noisy datsets.

end

Conference Board Confidence Unexpectedly Tumbles Post-Election, Because…

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 10:40 AM

Americans’ consumer confidence apparently (and unexpectedly) tumbled in December (104.7 from 112.8 prior vs 113.2 exp), driven largely by a plunge in expectations (which dropped from93.7 to 81.1)…

Source: Bloomberg

“The recent rebound in consumer confidence was not sustained in December as the index dropped back to the middle of the range that has prevailed over the past two years,” Dana Peterson, chief economist at the Conference Board, said in a statement.

And if that is a little confusing given the surge in confidence we have seen among small business, large business, and various other sentiment indicators (like UMich), the explanation is simple….

It’s not the economy, it’s partisan ideologues, stupid!

In write-in responses to the survey, consumers increasingly cited politics and tariffs. A special question showed that 46% of respondents expected tariffs to raise the cost of living, while 21% expected tariffs to create more US jobs.

While we saw the party-denominated confidence from Umich show Dems plunged as Republicans soared, The Conference Board does not break the survey down that way… but we can get a glimpse…

New England and Mountain regions saw confidence collapse while the middle of the country saw confidence surge…

Source: Bloomberg

And drilling down further – Dem-dominant states like NY and CA saw consumer expectations plunge while Republican-heavy states like Texas saw expectations soar… and so did Pennsylvania…

Source: Bloomberg

On the bright side, the labor market showed signs of improvement in December…

Source: Bloomberg

So is the economy going to do great (like Texans think) or will it crash and burn in hell (like Californians think)?

III USA ECONOMIC NEWS

Monroe doctrine initiated again?

(zerohedge)

Make Monroe Doctrine Great Again? Trump Threatens To Take Back Panama Canal Amid Chinese Takeover Fears

Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 – 12:15 PM

President-elect Donald Trump seems poised to revive the Monroe Doctrine, signaling a renewed focus that the US will continue Western Hemisphere domination for decades and will no longer tolerate any other competition in controlling strategic maritime chokepoints or natural resources in the region.

On Saturday evening, Trump vented on Truth Social how “President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave away” the Panama Canal for one dollar. He explained, “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else.”

The core issue is that China now controls two of the five ports adjacent to the canal: Balboa on the Pacific and Cristobal on the Caribbean. While the US spent three decades engaged in nation-building activities across the Middle East, China transformed Panama into a geographic and commercial hub, strategically positioning itself for political, economic, and military advancement. 

“The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for US Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to US ports,” Trump said. 

He also touched on the high fees for US ships to transit the canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete “rip-off” of our Country will immediately stop….” 

The big picture is that the Monroe Doctrine may be revived during Trump’s second term to counter China’s efforts to dominate the Western Hemisphere without firing a shot. This likely implies that the Trump administration will aim to reclaim control of geostrategic chokepoints—critical ports—and ensure the flow of natural resources remains under US control for decades to come. 

“I’ve been trying to persuade folks for a while now that Trump is serious about a return to the Monroe Doctrine, but even I didn’t have “Trump demands return of Panama Canal as early Christmas present” on my bingo card,” Emma Ashford, a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, wrote on X. 

Here’s a quick refresher course on the Monroe Doctrine.

About 5% of global maritime traffic uses the Panama Canal, with around 1,000 ships passing through each month, traversing the waters between South America, Asia, the US East and Gulf Coasts. 

END

Central Banks Will Prioritize Government Spending Over Inflation In 2025

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 10:45 AM

Authored by Danile Lacalle,

Independence of central banks has been under question for many years. However, the disappearance of “higher for longer” in 2024 erased any doubt about the monetary authorities’ lack of independence.

The Federal Reserve panicked in June 2024 and decided to delay the normalization of its balance sheet, coinciding with a period of massive deficit spending and Treasury debt issuance at elevated rates.

The Federal Reserve proceeded to implement an unnecessary 50 basis point rate cut during a period when financial conditions were at their loosest in years, growth was allegedly robust, and employment was solid, according to the Fed, but inflation remained above target.

It was not only the Fed. The ECB has been more dovish than any other central bank, apart from the Bank of Japan, despite stubbornly elevated inflation rates in many of the eurozone countries. The ECB has kept the “anti-fragmentation” tool and all its liquidity measures and incentivized France, Spain, and others to continue bloating government debt.

Given the lack of evidence of sustainable disinflation, especially in the second half of 2024, central banks should not have initiated an easing cycle. It was clear that central banks had one priority: keeping the government debt bubble alive.

The situation will remain unchanged in 2025. It’s important to keep in mind that in 2024, elections took place in over 70 nations, leading to a significant increase in government spending. Central banks will prefer to maintain government debt costs stable rather than to combat inflation in a year in which many emerging economies face a large maturity wall of dollar-denominated debt issued during the pandemic spending spree.

Furthermore, according to SP Global, global debt maturities will rise from nearly $2 trillion in 2024 to a peak of $2.78 trillion in 2026. The FT reports that the average annual rollover of existing global debt is nearly $50tn.

What does this mean for investors? Central banks will inject as much liquidity as needed to avoid a reckoning moment, especially for sovereign issuers. Central banks will prefer zombification and stagflation to a sovereign debt cost burst. And what does “liquidity” mean? Money supply growth.

Governments print money through massive deficit spending, and central banks must ease their policies to avoid a slump in asset prices, which means abandoning their long-forgotten target of price stability. This means that markets cannot accept 4–5% annual money supply growth. By now, in an economy that grows only 2.5%, “liquidity” needs to rise at least eight percent. Simultaneously, the risk associated with Treasury issuances increases and the foreign demand for US government bonds decreases, thereby limiting the central bank’s ability to conceal fiscal policy imbalances and federal insolvency. Powell may say what he wants about being “data dependent,” because the only data they depend on is the supply of new debt and the yield it demands.

The central banks set price stability as their target precisely to limit governments’ endless appetite for monetary destruction. However, independence vanished when central banks abandoned or ignored price stability, blaming inflation on various absurdities instead of government spending and money supply growth.

Yellen’s inclination toward short-term borrowing strategies will come back to haunt the Fed in 2025-2026. Though disinflation showed some promise earlier in the year, its stalling after June highlights the persistence of inflationism, often veiled by hollow hawkish promises. The Fed will not fight the government. It will pass the bill to consumers.

Yes, 2024 was a year of insane government spending. In 2025, central banks will have to handle most of the government debt maturities from 2020’s insane spending spree, along with the short-term borrowing maturities that Yellen has favoured. This means that central banks will likely increase their balance sheets, and global liquidity will soar again. In 2024, global money supply rose $1.6 trillion, and disinflation stalled after June. Inflationism is not back; it never left. It was only disguised by empty promises.

END

Demand At Food Banks Has Soared To Record Levels All Over The US

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 03:05 PM

Authored by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog,

Why is demand at food banks all over the country higher than it has ever been before?  The media keeps insisting that economic conditions are just fine, but it has become quite obvious to everyone that this is not true.  In particular, the rising cost of living has been absolutely crushing households from coast to coast.  In the old days, most of the people that would show up at food banks were unemployed.  But now food banks are serving large numbers of people that actually do have jobs but that don’t make enough to pay for all of the basics.  The ranks of the “working poor” are growing very rapidly, and this is creating an unprecedented crisis all over America.

Perhaps you think that I am exaggerating.

Let me share some specific examples that will prove that I am not.

In Pennsylvania, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank saw “its highest need on record this past year”…

A new report shows the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank saw its highest need on record this past year. It comes as we mark Hunger Action Month across the country.

Toi Payne of Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood gets emotional thinking about how the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne and other local pantries have been lifesavers for her for the past 30 years.

“We need these places,” Payne said. “Without the food banks, I think a lot of people would be struggling even more, you know, and it helps like the elderly and people like me that’s on disability.”

We are also seeing record demand in Montana…

North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish served 613 families a Thanksgiving meal – a record high.

They anticipate more than 1,000 food bank customers for their Christmas holiday distribution on December 18-19.

“Year round here we’re feeding over a 1,000 of our neighbors every week and the need goes up during the holiday season,” said North Valley Food Bank Director of Development Mandy Gerth.

And in the San Francisco area…

This holiday season, food banks say they’re facing greater need than ever before. In Silicon Valley, they say 1 in 6 people are coming in for food assistance. In San Francisco, that number is 1 in 5. But the organizations say donations are not keeping up with demand.

For all the food banks, December is a big month. Both in terms of need, and in terms of fundraising. And they say what happens now will impact the entire year ahead.

In some parts of the nation, food banks are absolutely shattering all of the old records.

At one location in New Jersey, demand has actually “quadrupled” since the peak of the pandemic…

Food banks across the Garden State are struggling to keep up with rising demand that may soon outpace donations.
At the Salvation Army’s Kroc Community Center in Camden, requests for services have quadrupled since the height of the pandemic, according to a spokesperson.

They keep telling us that everything is fine.

They keep telling us that there is no reason to be concerned.

But in some areas of the country demand at food banks is now four times higher than it was during the worst moments of the pandemic.

Wake up.

They aren’t telling you the truth.

In St. Louis, some people actually had to wait in line for eight hours just to receive a free Thanksgiving meal…

That high demand is felt all over the state. In St. Louis, people waited eight hours to get a free Thanksgiving meal from the Urban League.

This isn’t normal.

Poverty is rapidly growing all around us.

When will our leaders finally admit the truth?

In the state of Washington, approximately one-fourth of the entire population is now experiencing food insecurity…

The rising cost of living, particularly in housing and groceries, is pushing more families in Washington state to seek assistance from food banks.

According to Robert Ojeda of Food Lifeline, the largest hunger relief organization in the state, food insecurity affects about 25% of Washingtonians, meaning one in four residents is struggling to access enough food.

Ojeda said, “The percentage of food insecurity in Washington state is about 25%, so 1 in 4 Washingtonians are experiencing food insecurity.”

And the largest network of food banks in the state of Washington is reporting that overall demand has nearly doubled since the pandemic began…

• Before the pandemic, Food Lifeline served about 800,000 people annually.
• During the pandemic, that number rose to 1.1 million and has continued increasing, reaching 1.5 million in 2023 and 1.7 million in 2024, Coleman said.

Hunger in America is getting progressively worse.

Poverty in America is getting progressively worse.

Economic pain in America is getting progressively worse.

Meanwhile, the party on Wall Street never seems to end, and young bankers are “snorting lines of Adderall at their desks”…

Young Wall Street bankers working 90 hours a week are snorting lines of Adderall at their desks in a new office drug culture.

While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks.

One young banker that was interviewed openly admits that he uses Adderall to help him cope with 22 hour days…

Jonah Frey, a former investment banker for Wells Fargo in San Francisco, said one colleague would snort lines of crushed Adderall pills at his desk and that “nobody blinked an eye”.

Mr Frey told the Wall Street Journal he began taking the drug in 2020 because his colleagues told him it would help with the long hours, frequently pushing through from 4am until calls with the East Coast office at 2am the next day.

They are so busy making money on Wall Street that some workers hardly get any sleep at all.

But at the same time economic suffering is spreading like wildfire in communities all over the nation.

If our economic pain is this bad while the party on Wall Street is still raging, what is our country going to look like once the party on Wall Street finally ends?

These people do not value life to any degree.

(zerohedge)

Migrant Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Setting Woman On Fire In NYC Subway Car

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 08:30 AM

A Guatemalan migrant has been arrested for allegedly lighting a woman on fire while she was asleep in a subway car in Brooklyn.

The victim burned to her death while the suspect allegedly sat on a bench “calmly” watching the fire consume her body. 

The New York Post reports the disturbing crime was one of the most savage to take an innocent life in the city of New York.

As AP reports, Transit police apprehended the suspect after receiving a report from three high school students who had recognized the man.

They had seen images of the suspect taken from surveillance and police body cam video and widely distributed by police.

“New Yorkers came through again,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who described the case as “one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being.”

After the train came to a stop, surveillance video from the subway car showed the man “calmly” walk up to the victim, who was seated motionless, possibly sleeping, and set her clothing on fire with what appeared to be a lighter.

The woman’s clothing then “became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds,” Tisch said.

Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspect had remained at the scene and was seated on a bench on the subway platform, just outside the train car, Tisch said.

Body cameras worn by the officers caught a “very clear, detailed look” at the suspect and those images were publicly disseminated.

Officials said the 33-year-old suspect came to the US in 2018 from Guatemala.

He was detained by border patrol agents in Arizona in June of that year, sources said. His legal status wasn’t immediately clear Sunday night.

He received a transit summons in May 2023, but his criminal record in New York City was largely clean otherwise, sources said. He was living at a shelter on Randall’s Island at the time of the infraction.

The police reportedly do not believe the migrant and the victim he burned to death knew each other before the disturbing killing. The woman had not yet been identified as of Sunday night.

end

Elon Musk: “The Fed Is Absurdly Overstaffed” 

by Tyler Durden

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 02:05 PM

The Ron Paul ‘Revolution‘ could be on the horizon as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month. Elon Musk, one of Trump’s top advisors, wrote on X about creating efficiencies at the Federal Reserve. 

“The Fed is absurdly overstaffed,” Musk wrote on X early Monday morning, responding to Chamath Palihapitiya’s post about the Fed’s latest interest rate decision (read here). 

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A recent note from the Mises Institute pointed out that about 23,000 people work at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington and 12 regional reserve banks across the US. 

The Federal Reserve System

“But there’s more to it than that. The financial statements reveal that the Board of Governors expenses and currency costs were $2 billion. If this constitutes salaries, then total salaries and pension costs at the Fed become closer to $7 billion. Dividing this figure by 23,000 people equals around $304,000 per employee,” Mises said.

Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been tasked with streamlining federal operations through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The department aims to create a leaner, more efficient government, including $2 trillion in spending cuts. The wish list of potential efficiencies continues to grow – with a ‘really bold plan for day one ‘ …

Days before the presidential election, Ron Paul asked on X if he could join DOGE in Trump’s second term. Musk responded: “Would be great to have Ron Paul as part of the Department of Government Efficiency!” 

Last week, Ron Paul wrote on X, “We should wean ourselves off The Fed, like we weaned ourselves off the mainstream media.” Musk responded: “Yes!! Ron Paul ftw.” 

Let’s not forget about 400 PhD economists at the Fed failed to forecast the inflationary storm triggered by the rapid expansion of the money supply by trillions—only for them to dismiss it as “transitory.” Such a massive misreading underscores the urgent need for restructuring. Errors of this magnitude are unacceptable. 

With a workforce of 23,000, the Fed still manages to lose money—upwards of $200 billion.

Perhaps Fed chair Jay Powell’s days are numbered. 

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

TUCKER CARLSON INTERVIEWING

KING REPORT

SWAMP STORIES FOR YOU TONIGHT

Biden does not believe in capital punishments? Commutes death row sentences to life in prison

(zerohedge)

Biden Commutes Sentences Of Dozens On Death Row

Monday, Dec 23, 2024 – 09:00 AM

President Joe Biden on Monday announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 out of 40 prisoners currently sitting on the federal government’s death row – which will reclassify their sentences to life without the possibility of parole.

The three men who were not spared for “terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder” are: “Robert D. Bowers, 52, who in 2018 gunned down 11 worshipers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh; Dylann Roof, 30, who opened fire on Black parishioners in 2015 at a church in Charleston, SC, killing nine people; and Boston Marathon Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 31.

The decision comes weeks before Biden is set to leave office.

“I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement – before suggesting that the US must abolish the death penalty at the federal level except in cases of terrorism and mass murder.

“Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden continued. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.“

Here’s a few of those who received commutations (via @stillgray):

Thomas Sanders: Convicted for the horrific murder of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts, whom he shot four times and slit her throat, after killing her mother.

Jorge Avila-Torrez: Killed two young girls, Laura Hobbs (8) and Krystal Tobias (9), and later strangled Amanda Snell (20), a naval officer, in her barracks.

Kaboni Savage: A drug kingpin convicted of orchestrating the murder of six people, including four children, in a firebombing attack aimed at silencing a witness. The deliberate targeting of children and the use of arson to kill increase the severity of his crimes.

Iouri Mikhel: Involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of five immigrants despite receiving ransom payments.

Anthony Battle: While serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of his Marine wife, he murdered a prison guard with a hammer.

Lezmond Mitchell: Convicted for the brutal murder of a 63-year-old grandmother and her nine-year-old granddaughter in 2001. He forced the child to watch her grandmother’s murder before killing her as well, with extreme cruelty, including mutilation.

Wesley Ira Purkey: Convicted of the violent rape, murder, and dismemberment of a 16-year-old girl, and the murder of an elderly woman.

Dustin Lee Honken: Murdered five people, including two men who were to testify against him and a mother with her two young daughters, to prevent them from testifying.

Daniel Lewis Lee: Part of a white supremacist group, he was convicted of murdering a family of three, including an eight-year-old girl. The method of execution (suffocation with plastic bags and duct tape, followed by disposal in water) adds to the cruelty of the act.

Alfred Bourgeois: Convicted of physically abusing, sexually molesting, and then beating to death his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

Thomas Silverstein: Known as “Terrible Tom,” he was convicted of multiple murders, including the killing of a correctional officer in 1983. His history of violence while incarcerated, including the murder of inmates and guards, marks him as one of the most dangerous inmates.

Ronell Wilson: Convicted for the execution-style murders of two undercover NYPD detectives during a drug sting operation in 2003.

Richard Matthew Allen: Convicted of the 2017 murders of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana, in a crime that shocked the state.

As the Epoch Times notes further, President-elect Donald Trump made it clear during his campaign that he would resume the death penalty and expand its use to include child rapists and illegal immigrants who kill U.S. citizens and law enforcement officers.

Biden’s commutations are final and cannot be overturned.

“In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted,” the president said in his statement.

In July 2020, President Trump’s Justice Department resumed federal executions after a 17-year pause. During the final six months of his first term, Trump oversaw the execution of 13 federal death row prisoners.

After Biden took office, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum in July 2021, imposing a moratorium on all federal executions.

“The Department of Justice must ensure that everyone in the federal criminal justice system is not only afforded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States, but is also treated fairly and humanely,” Garland said.

“That obligation has special force in capital cases.”

In his statement, Biden said his decision was consistent with the moratorium his Justice Department has imposed on federal executions.

Among the individuals whose sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment are Jorge Torrez, a former Marine con­vict­ed in 2014 for the killing of a fel­low service member; Thomas Sanders convicted in 2014 for the killing of a 12-year-old girl; and Kaboni Savage, a drug dealer convicted in 2013 for his role in the deaths of 12 peo­ple.

In recent weeks, the president faced increasing pressure from civil rights groups to commute federal death sentences—a campaign promise he made in 2020—before Trump takes office.

The announcement, made just before Christmas, is also significant for Pope Francis, who recently urged Biden to commute the sentences of death row inmates.

“Today, I feel compelled to ask all of you to pray for the inmates on death row in the United States,” the Pope said in his weekly address in early December.

“Let us pray that their sentences may be commuted or changed. Let us think of these brothers and sisters of ours and ask the Lord for the grace to save them from death.”

Biden spoke with the Pope on Dec. 19 and scheduled to meet with him during his trip to Italy from Jan. 9 to 12, according to the White House.

end

GREG HUNTER INTERVIEWING MARTIN ARMSTRONG

Depression, Debt, Default & Destruction in 2025 -Martin Armstrong

By Greg Hunter On December 21, 2024 In Market Analysis, Political Analysis103 Comments

By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com (Saturday Night Post)

Legendary financial and geopolitical cycle analyst Martin Armstrong is back with a new round of predictions, and they are not going to make life easy for President Elect Trump.  Armstrong says, “Our computer has been projecting that we are going into a depression in some areas and a recession in other areas.  A depression most likely in Europe and a recession in the United States up until 2028. . . . At my November conference, everybody was celebrating after Trump won.  I stood up and told my clients, ‘I’m sorry, Trump is not going to have a blissful administration, and he’s not going to prevent the economic decline.’  (Please remember, Armstrong predicted Donald Trump would win in a landslide many months before the November 2024 Election.)

Armstrong goes on to say, “We have a serious, serious problem on a global scale. . . . The sovereign debt crisis is really going to start percolating in 2025.  It’s probably going to reach a major crisis by 2026 and 2027.  Why?  They have dictated all these banks and pension funds . . . 70%, generally, must be invested in government bonds. . . . They say it’s ‘safe,’ but it’s the worst debt possible. . . .  So, if the government goes into a sovereign default, what happens?  You wipe out the banking system and the pensions.”

Does Armstrong think the governments around the world are going to go into a sovereign default?  Armstrong says, “Oh yeah.  How does a government default?  We are in this Ponzi Scheme.  They have to keep selling new debt to pay off the old debt. . . . When you can’t sell the new debt, that’s when the default happens because you can’t pay off the old debt.”

What should the average guy do now?  Does Armstrong think people should get to the bank and get cash?  Armstrong says, “Yes, cash, physical paper money.  We just had two hurricanes here in Florida.  This idea of Bitcoin and CBDCs are very nice, but what’s the reality?  The internet was down for 10 days.  A credit card did not work.  You wanted something, it was cash only.  It was the same in Canada when they froze all the accounts of the truckers.  They could not even buy food.  Unless you had cash, you were dead in the water.  This is why I am saying to have cash in this point in time.”  Armstrong still likes physical gold, too.

Armstrong says the digital currencies that are getting a lot of attention lately are only a control mechanism.  Armstrong contends digital money will stop bank runs.  Armstrong still thinks the world will be at war by April or May of 2025.  Armstrong says watch Turkey with its huge conventional army.  Armstrong says Jordan and Lebanon may also be taken over, and like Syria, Turkey will be orchestrating this move.  Armstrong says the Middle East is setting up for a major conflict starting in 2025, and there will be destruction.  Armstrong also predicts Europe will be on the losing end of the next world war.

In closing, Armstrong says, “They can’t stop Trump from taking office, but they can delay him with martial law.  Martial law has been enacted 60 times in the United States. . . . The neocons are scared to death of Trump and really want to trap him in war before he takes office.”

There is much more in the 56-minute interview.

Join Greg Hunter of USAWatchdog.com as he goes One-on-One with Martin Armstrong where he gives his analysis on a major debt crisis coming in 2025 with the defaults and destruction that come with it on 12.21.24.

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After the Interview: 

To see the trailer of “The Forecaster” that features Martin Armstrong, click here.

You can watch the first 30 minutes or “The Forecaster” for free and pay to see the rest by clicking here.

 There is free information, analysis and articles on ArmstrongEconomics.com.

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