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Our Chief Cross-Asset Strategist Serena Tang discusses how rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions could make stocks and bonds move in the same direction, challenging one of the key principles of portfolio diversification.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Serena Tang, Morgan Stanley's Chief Cross-Asset Strategist. Today: what happens if your main diversification strategy suddenly stops working because of oil price moves? It's Tuesday, March 10th, at 10am in New York. For decades, investors have relied on the idea that stocks and bonds return tend to move in opposite directions. When equities fall, bonds often rise, helping cushion portfolio losses. But that relationship isn't guaranteed. Between 2021 and 2023, coming out of the pandemic, stocks and bonds sold off together, and the traditional 60/40 equity-bond portfolio suffered its worst annual performance in nearly a century. Now, recent geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices are raising a familiar concern for investors: Could that uncertainty dynamic return? At first glance, oil prices may seem like a narrow commodity story. But in reality, they can shape the entire macroeconomic environment. The classic negative correlation between stocks and bonds depends on a fairly simple economic pattern: growth and inflation moving in the same direction. When economic growth accelerates, inflation often rises as well. In that environment, equities may perform well while bonds weaken. But when growth and inflation move in opposite directions, the relationship between stocks and bonds can flip. That's what happened coming out of the pandemic. Bond investors worried about rising inflation, while equity investors were worried about slowing growth. In that scenario, both asset classes' returns declined at the same time.A sustained oil price shock could potentially recreate those conditions. Higher oil prices can push up inflation while also weighing on economic activity – a combination that economists often refer to as stagflation. If markets begin to price in that kind of environment again, the relationship between stocks and bonds could shift back toward that less favorable regime. Despite recent volatility tied to tensions in the Middle East, the relationship between stocks and bonds today still largely reflects the traditional pattern. Overall, stock-bond returns correlation remains negative, meaning bonds can still help diversify equity risk. In fact, correlations between U.S. stocks and 2-year Treasury returns have been trending negative since 2024, and on a longer-term basis they are now extremely negative relative to the past three years. But the key point here is that not all bonds behave the same way. Many investors think of government bonds as a single asset class. But the maturity of the bond – how long it takes to repay – matters a lot for diversification. Shorter-dated bonds, such as 2-year U.S. Treasuries, have maintained stronger negative correlations with equities. Longer-dated bonds, however – particularly the 30-year Treasury – have behaved a bit differently. Their correlation with stocks has been stickier and less negative, partly because markets increasingly view longer-dated bonds as risky. As a result, the difference between how 2-year and 30-year Treasuries move relative to stocks has remained unusually wide for several years. In recent days oil prices have been rising -- linked in part to concerns around the Strait of Hormuz. That's pushing up yields at the front end of the Treasury curve, creating what's known as a bear-flattening. In other words, short-term interest rates are rising faster than long-term ones, reflecting markets placing more emphasis on inflation risks. And that brings us to the key questions for investors: Which risks will dominate from here – is it going to be higher inflation or slower growth? The answer could determine which assets provide better diversifications in the months ahead. So the takeaway is this: Higher oil prices and geopolitical risks could increase the chances that stocks and bonds move together again. But diversification isn't disappearing. It's just becoming more nuanced. For investors, the real question isn't whether bonds diversify portfolios. It's which bonds do. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.
pWotD Episode 3233: Mojtaba Khamenei Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 518,042 views on Monday, 9 March 2026 our article of the day is Mojtaba Khamenei.Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (born 8 September 1969) is an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who has been the third supreme leader of Iran since 8 March 2026. He is a member of the Khamenei family and the second son of the second supreme leader Ali Khamenei.Born in Mashhad, a city in northeastern Iran, into the Azeri–Persian Khamenei family, he was nine when his father emerged as a leading figure in the Iranian Revolution. He received early education in Sardasht and Mahabad, and graduated high school from Tehran, after which he studied Islamic theology under the guidance of his father and Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1987 and served in the Iran–Iraq War. In 1999, he continued his studies in Qom to become a cleric, and joined the Qom Seminary as a theological teacher afterwards. He took control of the Basij paramilitary volunteer militia in 2009.Following the assassination of his father in the 2026 Iran war, Mojtaba was elected as his successor by Iran's Assembly of Experts. He has previously been sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury in 2019 as part of their policy of sanctioning individuals linked to Ali Khamenei.In political ideology and jurisprudence, he is considered to be among the most hardline of the Iranian principlists, and has close ties to some of the "most ideologically extremist clerics" per a report from Atlantic Council. Analysts have generally seen him as more favorable to developing an Iranian nuclear weapons program than his father, supporting a reinterpretation of Ali Khamenei's fatwa against nuclear weapons.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:23 UTC on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Mojtaba Khamenei on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Kendra.
Russell Kaplan, co-founder of Cognition — the company behind Devin — and previously at Scale AI and Tesla, joins the podcast to discuss what “software abundance” could mean for government. Our conversation covers… Why government software is so broken — Despite spending over $100B annually on IT, critical systems at agencies like the Social Security Administration and U.S. Department of the Treasury still run on decades-old code that few engineers know how to modify. How two-year software projects become three-week ones — why AI agents are particularly good at the painful migration and modernization work engineers tend to avoid. What “software abundance” actually means — AI agents can handle the tedious work of switching systems 24/7, collapsing the switching costs, and forcing software vendors to compete on value rather than locking customers into outdated systems. AI for cybersecurity — From triaging massive vulnerability backlogs to automatically fixing CVEs, AI will be essential for defending critical infrastructure as attackers gain the same tools. The coming “post-coding” world — As models converge in capability, the key bottleneck shifts from writing code to understanding problems, reviewing systems, and deciding what should be built in the first place. Plus, the future of procurement in an AI world, fraud detection in government datasets, the DMV as a software problem, and why Kaplan thinks the real skill of the future is knowing which problems matter. Thanks so much to Cognition for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crypto rebounds as Bitcoin demonstrates strength against oil-driven global volatility and geopolitical risks, bolstered by major corporate buys like MicroStrategy's $1.3B addition and ETF inflows. Tokenization advances (Nasdaq-Kraken collab) and stablecoin funding highlight growing TradFi integration, while privacy tools get nuanced regulatory nods. Markets up modestly—watch macro signals like oil reserves and Fed cues.Sources:https://decrypt.co (Florida stablecoin bill, Kazakhstan reserves, BTC outflows, etc.—some carryover but updated context)https://www.coindesk.com (BTC resilience, MicroStrategy buy, Nasdaq/Kraken, KAST funding, Treasury on mixers)https://cointelegraph.com (oil shocks, BTC technicals, ETF inflows, MicroStrategy)https://coinmarketcap.com & https://www.coingecko.com (prices, market cap, movers) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
US futures are lower, but off their low points, with S&P down ~1.5%, following lower close on Friday, ending not far from worst levels, with major indices posting sharp weekly declines. US dollar is lower against Loonie but higher elsewhere. Bonds lower. Treasury yields higher across the board. Bund up ~3bps to 2.89% while Gilts little changed at 4.57%. Brent crude higher, peaked at $116/bbl; WTI also above $100/bbl. However, both well off earlier highs. Precious metals lower. Base metals mixed. Bitcoin lower. Brent crude forwards surged 18%, WTI up more than 20% in early Monday trading with both blends trading at $110/bl, first time crude prices traded near $100 since start of Covid pandemic. Sharp increase came after Israel attacked Iranian oil facilities, other middle east oil producers said they would curtail output, and as shipments through Strait of Hormuz ground to standstill. Companies Mentioned: KKR&Co., Agilent Technologies, Hims&Her Health
Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) Iran named the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new supreme leader and President Trump called $100 oil a “small price to pay,” with neither side showing any sign of deescalating a war now entering its 10th day. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, won a “decisive vote” in Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Sunday. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of Iran’s most powerful and feared organizations, pledged full obedience to the new leader in a statement. Trump, meanwhile, said the US and Israeli military campaign against the Islamic Republic was worth any near-term pain because it would bring long-lasting benefits.2) Equities tumbled as deepening turmoil in energy markets sent oil above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022. Bond losses accelerated while the dollar hit the highes level in nearly two months. Futures for the S&P 500 fell 1.5% as the opposing sides in the US-Israeli war against Iran showed little sign of backing down after more than a week of conflict. Brent soared 15% after Middle Eastern producers cut output, stoking fears of an inflation shock that pushed the 10-year Treasury yield five basis points higher to 4.19%. Selling swept across regions and asset classes as the geopolitical flareup added fresh stress to markets that are already under pressure from AI disruptions and worries about the potential for cracks in credit markets.3) Authorities are investigating potential terrorism links to two suspects in custody over what New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said was an improvised explosive thrown near Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence, people familiar with the investigation said. While Tisch did not elaborate on the investigation, people familiar with the investigation said the suspects — identified as Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi by the commissioner — told detectives they believed the leader of an anti-Muslim protest near Mamdani’s residence had insulted their religion and described the devices as retaliation. Investigators also found the men had watched Islamic State propaganda videos before the protests, the people said. Authorities on Saturday arrested a total of six people connected to the broader unrest stemming from the anti-Muslim demonstration outside the residence near East End Avenue and East 87th Street starting at about 11 a.m. local time. Mamdani is the city’s first Muslim mayor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Government's setting up a Ministerial Oversight Group on economic security to focus on fuel and supply chains. The Middle East conflict's forced crude oil over $100 USD a barrel, and made New Zealand's sharemarket plunge, 3.27 percent down so far. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the group will be briefed by MBIE weekly and have input from Treasury, the Reserve Bank, MFAT and others. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Government's acknowledged the Middle East crisis will be tough on everyone, but New Zealand can stay in good shape. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9/3 Il Wti supera brevemente i 115$ al barile, Brent in rally. Sale il dollaro, corre il rendimento del Treasury, scendono oro e argento, tiene Bitcoin. In Asia, sell-off generalizzato, il Kospi arriva a cedere fino l'8% (circuit breaker attivato per 20 minuti) pesanti SK Hynix e Samsung. Nikkei, il rosso arriva al 7%. Il Giappone valuta il rilascio delle riserve, Cina inflazione a febbraio core sale ai massimi da marzo 2029. Won sudcoreano in discesa libera, rupia indiana minimi storici. Oggi G7 dei ministri delle finanze e banchieri centrali di emergenza, si valuta rilascio riserve strategiche con IEA. Futres a Wall Street in forte calo, disruption delle forniture: Kuwait, Emirati e Iraq riducono produzione. I segnali dall' Arabia Saudita. Trump: “piccolo prezzo da pagare”, Bessent valuta rimozione sanzioni greggio Russia. Georgieva (IMF) aumento petrolio 10$ porta possibile incremento inflazione 0,4%. La partita strategica dei desalinizzatori. Europa, futures in Rosso. Oggi Macron a Cipro, si riunisce Eurogruppo a Bruxelles. Germania, dati su industria. Focus su Eni. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Each week, no nonsense economist Leith Van Onselen gives his common sense takes on the economic issues of the week. Real money talk, bullsh*t free.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticJoin The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0KThe Nintendo Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Over Tariffs (2026) is heating up as Nintendo of America files suit on March 6, 2026, in the United States Court of International Trade. In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz dives into the high-profile case where Nintendo demands a full refund—with interest—of tariffs paid under now-invalidated policies imposed by the Trump administration starting February 1, 2025.The tariffs, enacted via executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), targeted imports from numerous countries, including key Nintendo manufacturing hubs like Vietnam and Cambodia. The Supreme Court ruled on February 20, 2026, in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA does not authorize such tariffs, deeming them unlawful and triggering over 380 similar corporate lawsuits (with thousands more including prior cases) from companies like Costco, Toyota, and GoPro seeking refunds on billions collected—estimates range from $166 billion to over $200 billion in total duties.Nintendo claims substantial harm from these "unlawful trade measures," citing impacts like delayed U.S. pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 (originally set to begin April 9, 2025, but postponed due to tariff uncertainty) and price hikes on the original Switch and some Switch 2 peripherals in 2025 to offset costs. The suit names agencies including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Commerce, and the U.S. Trade Representative, plus officials like Scott Bessent and Kristi Noem.Refunds face delays: CBP cites manpower shortages, outdated systems, and massive volume, though a new processing system is expected in about 45 days. A federal judge has ordered reimbursements to begin, but logistical hurdles persist amid broader industry fallout, including potential future pressures like global RAM shortages.Analytic Dreamz breaks down the timeline, Supreme Court ruling, Nintendo's financial arguments, and what refunds could mean for console pricing across gaming—potentially stabilizing or lowering costs for Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox, and hardware in 2026–2027 if the wave of litigation succeeds.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/exclusive-contentPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
#695: The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, pushing unemployment to 4.4 percent.That result contradicts a different report released two days earlier showing 63,000 jobs added, leaving economists trying to square the circle. Many agree that we're in a "low hire, low fire" jobs environment.We walk through several major economic stories using a three-layer framework: the household economy, markets and policy, and long-term forces shaping the future.First, the household layer. Hiring has become uneven across sectors. Health care and education previously drove much of the job growth, but layoffs in those areas now appear in the data.Job openings have also fallen to 6.54 million, the lowest level since the pandemic began. Workers are switching jobs less often, and the pay bump for job-hopping has shrunk.Mortgage rates recently crossed 6 percent, influenced in part by rising Treasury yields and concerns about inflation. Gas prices climbed about 26 cents per gallon in a week, partly due to tensions affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil supply.The episode also looks at household finances. Six percent of workers in Vanguard plans took hardship withdrawals from their 401(k)s in 2025, up from five percent the year before. That increase suggests some households are leaning on retirement savings to manage financial stress.At the end of the episode, economist Dr. Ben Zweig, CEO of Revelio Labs, joins us to unpack the conflicting employment reports and explain why the labor market may look weaker than expected. He also discusses why health care hiring may be slowing and how economists interpret mixed signals across multiple labor data sources. (0:00) February jobs shock(1:02) Three-layer economy framework(2:03) BLS job losses explained(3:12) ADP vs BLS data gap(4:30) Job openings decline(5:39) Layoffs and AI cuts(7:15) Mortgage rates near 6 percent(8:26) Gas price spike(10:02) Markets react to oil shock(16:00) Record 401k withdrawals(19:30) Asset owners vs nonowners gap(21:22) Supreme Court tariff ruling(23:31) AI costs collapse, usage surge(27:03) Fed reactions to jobs report(33:33) Economist Ben Zweig interview Share this episode with a friend, colleagues, and your job recruiter: https://affordanything.com/episode695 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michael Reinking, NYSE Senior Market Strategist, recaps a volatile week shaped by intensifying AI‑related job fears and new geopolitical pressures. AI‑driven layoffs and sector rotation weighed on tech and financials, even as headline index moves stayed relatively contained. Operation Epic Fury pushed oil sharply higher and sent Treasury yields up on renewed war‑flation concerns. Markets swung on shifting headlines around Hormuz security and potential backchannel talks. With key jobs data and inflation reports ahead, investors remain cautious and highly reactive to both AI sentiment and Middle East developments.
Bill Powers interviews Adrian O'Brien of Midnight Sun Mining at PDAC in Toronto about the company's copper discovery in the Zambia–DRC copper belt amid competing US- and China-backed rail corridors to access regional copper. O'Brien recounts the company's transformation from a ~$20–25M market cap to ~C$300M after regaining 100% ownership of its flagship Dumbwa target, raising C$10M and later C$30.5M, building institutional support, and hiring COO Kevin Bonel (formerly Barrick) to apply a Lumwana-style exploration approach. Midnight Sun is drilling its 20 km Dumbwa target soil anomaly systematically on a grid with multiple rigs, targeting a large near-surface basement-dome copper system, awaiting many assays, and positioning as an explorer aiming for eventual M&A while also monetizing an oxide resource. https://midnightsunmining.com/ TSXV:MMA OTCQX:MDNGF 00:00 Intro 00:28 Meet Midnight Sun 01:34 From Microcap to Funded 03:29 De Risking the Story 05:14 Africa Copper Hotspot 07:41 Rail Corridors Clash 09:33 Why First Quantum Missed 12:14 Basement Dome Geology 14:37 Valuation and M&A Benchmarks 16:10 Kevin Bonel Joins 18:45 Grid Drilling Like a Major 21:34 Assay Backlog Reality 23:08 Explorer to Sale Strategy 24:12 Data Room Interest 25:09 Methodical Not Boring 26:55 Geology Twists and Bornite 28:29 What Makes a Great Hole 29:56 Lens Model and Grades 31:42 Treasury and Drill Costs 33:42 Financing Discipline 36:22 Assay Turnaround and Visual Core 37:50 Tickers and Contact Info Sign up for our free newsletter and receive interview transcripts, stock profiles and investment ideas: http://eepurl.com/cHxJ39 Sponsor Midnight Sun Mining pays MSE a United States dollar ten thousand per month coverage fee. The forward-looking statement disclaimer found in Midnight Sun's most-recent company slide deck found at www.MidnightSunMining.com applies to everything discussed in this interview. Bill Powers will not buy any MMA.v shares until five trading days after MSE's initial interview. Mining Stock Education (MSE) offers informational content based on available data but it does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. It may not be appropriate for all situations or objectives. Readers and listeners should seek professional advice, make independent investigations and assessments before investing. MSE does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of its content and should not be solely relied upon for investment decisions. MSE and its owner may hold financial interests in the companies discussed and can trade such securities without notice. If you buy shares of any company featured on MSE, you should, for your own protection, assume MSE's owner is personally selling you those shares. MSE is biased towards its advertising sponsors which make this platform possible. MSE is not liable for representations, warranties, or omissions in its content. By accessing MSE content, users agree that MSE and its affiliates bear no liability related to the information provided or the investment decisions you make. Full disclaimer: https://www.miningstockeducation.com/disclaimer/
In today's Banking With Life Q&A, James answers questions such as, “Do life insurance companies have exposure to private equity firms?”, “What would happen to life insurance companies if the U.S. Treasury revalued gold reserves?”, and “Can financial calculators actually prove that dividends are higher on the base policy than on PUAs?” As always, we hope you enjoy and thank you for listening!Make sure to like and subscribe to join us weekly on the Banking With Life Podcast!━━━Become a client! ➫ www.bankingwithlife.com/how-to-fast-t…ur-own-bankerBuy Nelson Nash's 6.5 hour Seminar on DVD here: ➫ www.bankingwithlife.com/product/the-5…ecorded-live/ (Call us at (817) 790-0405 or email us at myteam@bankingwithlife.com for a DISCOUNT CODE)Register for our free webinar to learn more about Infinite Banking... ➫ www.bankingwithlife.com/getting-started-webinar━━━Implement the Infinite Banking Concept® with the Infinite Banking Starter Kit...The Starter Kit includes Becoming Your Own Banker by R. Nelson Nash and the Banking With Life DVD by James Neathery.It's the perfect primer for everyone interested in becoming their own banker.Buy your starter kit here: ➫ www.bankingwithlife.com/product/becom…pecial-offer/━━━Learn more about James Neathery here: ➫ bankingwithlife.com━━━Listen on your iPhone with Apple Podcasts: ➫ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bank…st/id1451730017Listen on your Android through Stitcher: ➫ www.stitcher.com/podcast/bank...Listen on Soundcloud: ➫ @banking-with-life-podcast━━━Follow us on Facebook: ➳ www.facebook.com/jamescneathery/━━━Disclaimer:All content on this site is for informational purposes only. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of James C. Neathery & Associates, Inc., unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by James C. Neathery & Associates, Inc. as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Micaela Paschini, Team Lead: Tax Legal at Tax Consulting SA about a major court ruling that could reshape how tax policy is made in South Africa. The Western Cape High Court has found that a section of the VAT Act allowing Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to change the VAT rate without parliamentary approval is unconstitutional. The court suspended the order for 24 months to give Parliament time to fix the law, and the ruling will still need confirmation from the Constitutional Court of South Africa. In other interviews, Philip Myburgh, Group Head of Trade for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank talks about the broad improvements in trade‑enabling infrastructure and the rising business confidence highlighted in the latest Standard Bank Africa Trade Barometer. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Host: Cindy Allen Show: Simply Trade – Cindy's Version Published: March 6, 2026 Length: ~13 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center Ready For It? CBP's IEEPA Refund Proposal Drops—Here's What's Next Cindy Allen, CEO of TradeForce Multiplier, dives into the latest trade developments through Taylor Swift's “Ready For It?”—perfect for the “let the games begin” drama unfolding in IEEPA refund hearings. From DHS shakeups and Section 122 lawsuits to CBP's just‑filed refund blueprint, Cindy unpacks the mechanics, open questions, and what importers/brokers should do now. What You'll Learn in This Episode DHS leadership change Secretary Noem removed; scuttlebutt suggests more exits at DHS/CBP headquarters. New nominee: Oklahoma senator with broad congressional/President support (not yet formal). Section 122 tariff challenges 24 states sue in Court of International Trade, arguing Section 122 doesn't meet “imbalance of payments” requirement for universal tariffs. Commerce Secretary Besant hints at 15% rate hikes for specific industries, potentially violating Section 122's uniform application rule—no movement yet (as of Friday afternoon). USMCA signals Congress supports extension, but President has final say. Discussions on trilateral vs. bilateral (U.S.–Canada, U.S.–Mexico); some push for 1‑year extension to renegotiate post‑tariff chaos. Global disruptions Iran war halts Strait of Hormuz traffic, backing up oil tankers and vessels reliant on that fuel—broad transportation ripple effects. USTR advisory opportunity Nominations open for 4 USTR trade advisory groups (separate from COAC)—check Federal Register notices. Chance to influence policy, build government/industry relationships. Why “Ready For It?” Cindy channels Taylor Swift's “Ready For It?” for the IEEPA refund “dating game” between DOJ, CBP, and CIT: Federal Circuit rejected government's 90‑day delay request, remanded immediately to CIT. CIT hearing (March 4) was “entertaining” bickering—judge ruled no suit needed for non‑final entries and ordered CBP to liquidate without IEEPA duties. CIT conference (March 6, closed): CBP filed a refund proposal. CBP's IEEPA Refund Proposal Breakdown How it would work: Importers file ACE declaration with Excel list of affected entries. ACE runs validations, auto‑recalculates IEEPA refund. CBP verifies declaration accuracy. ACE auto‑liquidates; CBP certifies; Treasury issues refunds (as normal). Estimated 45 days for CBP programming. Open questions: Entry updates: ACE is system of record—will underlying entry summaries be corrected? (Critical for protests, PSCs, reconciliation, drawback.) Broker involvement: ABI required? Broker systems need programming? Push/pull updates? Reconciliation: How handled in bulk process? PSC/audit impact: Can filers still correct misclassifications post‑bulk liquidation? (Protests harder than PSC.) Liquidation halt: CBP questions authority to pause during 45‑day programming (hundreds of thousands liquidated March 6). Key Takeaways CIT has jurisdiction; expect CBP proposal review/dialogue—trade associations pushing entry updates. Programming delays + ABI sync = potential months before refunds flow. Liquidation is automatic unless stopped—monitor your entries closely. “Let the games begin”—are you ready for the IEEPA refund process? Credits Host: Cindy Allen Producer: Annik Sobing Listen & Subscribe Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade Connect with Simply Trade Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod Join the Trade Geeks Community Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/
This show has been flagged as Clean by the host. In our next look at the game mechanics for Civilization V we examine a new feature in Civilization 5, City-States. These are independent cities controlled by the computer that are also players to some degree in the game, and you can interact with them. And they are key to winning a Diplomatic Victory. Playing Civilization V, Part 9 - City States This was a newly introduced feature in Civ 5, and they play an important role in the game. They represent the small countries that are not running the world. They do not produce Settlers, so they do not expand beyond the one city, though that city can, and will expand its borders in a similar way to how your cities can grow. They do not start with a military unit, but they can produce military units and defend themselves. They can also build buildings in the city, but not Wonders. They do have a single vote each in the World Congress (or later the United Nations), making them a key to a Diplomatic victory. City States start out neutral with regards to the players, but your interactions with them can affect how they feel about you. For example, if you send units through their territory they will get hostile, but if you give them gifts they will get friendly. And if you wish you can go to war with them and take them over. This will affect your diplomatic relations with other players and other city states, but if you have decided on a war of conquest as your victory type, that won't matter to you, right? As mentioned, if you want to go for a Diplomatic victory you want to be allied with as many of them as possible to get their votes in the World Congress or the United Nations. But even if you don't need their votes, there are other benefits from friendly relations. There are two levels to friendly relations: Friendly, and Allied, and the benefits get better as the relations improve. City State Types With the expansions there are 5 types of City State: Militaristic, Maritime, Cultured, Mercantile, and Religious. The benefits you get are: Militaristic – If you are friends the city state will periodically gift you a unit, which will appear in your city which is closest to the city state. If you are allies the units will show up more often. Maritime – If you are friends they will add two food to your Capital city. If you are allies they will add one more food to every city you have. Cultured city states share their culture with you, at one rate if you are friends and at double the rate if you are allies. Mercantile city states give you an added 3 Happiness when you are friends. If you are allies you keep the added happiness, but in addition get access to a luxury resource that cannot be obtained any other way, and that also adds Happiness. Religious city states give you a one-time bonus of Faith when you first meet them, then provide added Faith per turn. Note that Cultured and Religious city states increase the amount of Culture or Faith they provide with each new era, so the earlier you develop your relations with them the better the benefit. Managing Relations With City States There is a mechanism in the game which keeps track of points to define your relations with city states. On this numerical scale, Neutral has a value of 0, Friendly 30 or above, and Allied 60 or above. In the other direction, once you go into negative numbers they become Angry, if if you go negative enough it becomes War. A city state can only ever have one ally. If only one player has more than 60 influence points, that player will become the patron of the city state and they will ally to that player. If two or more players have more than 60 influence points, the player with the most points gets the ally. As the game goes on, you may get a message that a city state you had as an ally has suddenly allied to someone else. This is the result of the other player gaining influence points in some way, often by gifts. You can also gain influence points by promising to protect a city state, but do this with your eyes open. If you do not follow through on your promise it will enrage the city state and you will lose a lot of influence with them. Your influence with a city state has a natural resting point at 0, or Neutral. That means that barring other factors, a positive number will fall over time, and a negative number will rise over time. So if you sent one of your units through their territory they will be angry for a period, but if nothing else happens they will return to Neutral. But on the other side, you don't stay allied with them forever unless you find ways to keep adding influence points. One way is to eliminate barbarian camps near to the city state. In fact, this is one exception to the rule about sending units through their territory. If you are doing it to attack the barbarians, you are seen as a protector, not an invader, and there is no penalty. Another way to gain influence is by completing a quest from a city state. Each city state you are in contact with will periodically give you a quest, and if you fulfill it you will gain influence points. This can include killing a barbarian camp or killing nearby barbarian units (though you can do that at any time, you don't need a quest). Some others include acquiring a Great Person of a certain kind, building a certain World Wonder, bullying another city state, finding a Natural Wonder, and so on. You do not need to fulfill a quest. For example, if your strategy calls for allying with other city states, you might want to pass on bullying another city state. There is no penalty for not fulfilling a quest, just a bonus when you do fulfill one. Another way to gain influence is with gifts. The most effective is Gold, and one large sum is more effective than several small ones. For a Diplomatic victory strategy, you should plan on having a large Treasury as you approach the end game so that you can buy allies in time for the crucial vote. You can also gain a small amount of influence points by gifting units. I make it a practice to do this whenever I have units that I don't want any longer. These could be obsolete units that have no upgrade path, for instance. I don't want to pay maintenance on them as that is a drain on my Treasury, and I could just delete them, but gifting them to a city state gives me a small amount of influence. Another way to get a big jump in your influence with a city state is to capture and then a return one of their Workers. Most often this happens when a barbarian has captured the Worker, and then you capture it. You have the option of keeping the Worker for yourself, and in the early game I would probably do that because the Worker is so valuable. But at a certain point I have enough Workers, and getting the 45 influence points for returning it starts to be more effective. Remember that you have to keep earning influence points to keep up your relations, so even if you get an ally of a city state for a few turns. it will naturally decay back to Neutral. By around the middle of the game if you playing well you can start to invest the resources needed to maintain your relationships. City States and War If you are allied with a city state and you get into a war with another player, a city state you are allied with will join you in the war. Of course, the same is true for the other player, so the war between the two players could also involve 3-4 city states dragged in as allies. You cannot make peace with a city state while it is allied to a player you are at war with. You have to first make peace with that player (or wipe them out if that suits you). However, if you can get more influence with that city state and supplant the other player you can get that city state to ally with you can turn around and attack your enemy. Generally a large cash gift can do this, once again showing the utility of a fat Treasury. Exploration You cannot have diplomatic relations with a city state you haven't met, so this reinforces the idea that you have to explore the map as soon as possible. Of course, you have to balance this with other priorities, such as expanding your cities and defending them, but finding the right balance is what all the Civilization games are about. On most maps this means you should be giving some attention to developing your naval power and technologies. There seems to be a bias to city states being coastal, and in many cases they are on small islands. Of course there are a number of motivations for exploring the map. First of all, you need intelligence of what you are up against with the other players. And unless you are on a very large land mass, you will want to find added lands for settlement. Finding Natural Wonders adds to Happiness in your Empire, so finding them all is important. And last, the unexplored sections of the map have a strong tendency to spawn barbarian units against you. Early on you cannot traverse Ocean tiles and need to stick to Coastal tiles. The unit here is the Trireme, which you can build once you discover Sailing. I will usually build 1-2 Triremes in a coastal city to go around the coast of the land mass I am on and scout out the situation. If another land mass or island is sufficiently close I can cross to it without entering an Ocean tile and extend my exploration. But to really explore the whole map you need to get to Caravels. This Renaissance Era unit becomes available when you discover Astronomy, and is essentially a naval scouting unit. It can enter Ocean tiles. Links: https://civilization.fandom.com/wiki/City-state_(Civ5) https://civ-5-cbp.fandom.com/wiki/Detailed_Guide_to_Diplomacy https://www.palain.com/gaming/civilization-v/playing-civilization-v-part-9/ Provide feedback on this episode.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Micaela Paschini, Team Lead: Tax Legal at Tax Consulting SA, about a major court ruling that could reshape how tax policy is made in South Africa. The Western Cape High Court has found that a section of the VAT Act allowing Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to change the VAT rate without parliamentary approval is unconstitutional. The court suspended the order for 24 months to give Parliament time to fix the law, and the ruling will still need confirmation from the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Markets navigate rising Treasury yields and geopolitical tensions as investors assess defense spending, energy shocks, and global trade risks. Plus, strategists point to opportunities in aerospace, defense, and diversification beyond megacap tech as earnings remain resilient. And later, economists break down how oil price spikes could affect inflation, Fed rate cuts, and a cooling labor market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This Day in Legal History: Boston MassacreOn March 5, 1770, a confrontation between British soldiers and American colonists in Boston turned deadly in what became known as the Boston Massacre. Tensions had been rising for months as British troops occupied the city to enforce parliamentary taxes that many colonists believed were unjust. On that evening, a crowd gathered near the Boston Custom House and began taunting a British sentry, shouting insults and throwing snowballs and debris. As the situation escalated, additional soldiers arrived to support the guard, but the crowd continued to press in. In the confusion and fear of the moment, the soldiers fired into the crowd. Five colonists were killed and several others were wounded, including Crispus Attucks, who is often remembered as the first casualty of the American Revolution.The incident quickly became a flashpoint in colonial politics, with patriot leaders using it as evidence of British tyranny. Yet the legal response that followed was notable for its commitment to due process despite intense public anger. British Captain Thomas Preston and eight soldiers were arrested and charged with murder. Future president John Adams agreed to defend the soldiers, arguing that the rule of law required even deeply unpopular defendants to receive a fair trial. During the proceedings, Adams emphasized the evidence suggesting the soldiers had been surrounded and threatened by a hostile crowd. The jury ultimately acquitted six soldiers and convicted two of the lesser charge of manslaughter.The trials demonstrated an early American commitment to the principle that legal judgments should be guided by evidence rather than public pressure, even during moments of political upheaval.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey cannot use sovereign immunity to protect New Jersey Transit from personal injury lawsuits filed by riders injured outside the state. The unanimous opinion, written by Sonia Sotomayor, resolved a conflict between the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the New York Court of Appeals over whether the transit agency qualifies as an “arm of the state.” The dispute arose from two lawsuits filed by passengers injured in NJ Transit bus crashes that occurred outside New Jersey.The justices focused heavily on how the agency was structured. During oral argument, several members of the Court questioned why New Jersey created NJ Transit as a corporation with the ability to sue and be sued while also disclaiming responsibility for its debts. Some justices suggested those design choices undermined the state's argument that the agency should receive sovereign immunity protections.New Jersey's lawyers argued that the agency's independence is largely formal and that the governor maintains significant control over the system. They also warned that allowing such lawsuits could subject the state to litigation in other states' courts. However, the Court appeared unconvinced by those arguments and emphasized that the plaintiffs were private individuals seeking compensation rather than other states trying to regulate New Jersey.The ruling ultimately sided with the New York court's earlier decision and overturned the Pennsylvania ruling, allowing the personal injury lawsuits to proceed.Supreme Court Rejects NJ Immunity Defense In NY, Pa. SuitsRegulators are increasingly focusing on dynamic or algorithmic pricing, a practice that uses personal data—such as location, browsing history, and purchasing behavior—to set individualized prices for consumers. The approach has raised concerns among privacy and consumer protection regulators because it relies on large amounts of personal data and may affect price transparency. Although grocery pricing has drawn the most attention, the practice is also used in industries like travel, financial services, and online retail.The Federal Trade Commission has been studying the issue but has not clearly stated whether dynamic pricing violates any specific federal law. In 2024, the agency issued subpoenas to companies that develop pricing algorithms to learn how they collect consumer data, train their systems, and influence the prices consumers see. A preliminary research summary released in 2025 confirmed that these tools rely heavily on consumer data and can adjust prices in real time, but it did not identify specific legal violations.While the federal approach remains uncertain, state regulators are taking more direct action. The office of Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, launched an investigative sweep in January 2026 to examine how companies use consumer data to personalize prices. Investigators sent letters to retailers, grocery stores, and hotels requesting information about pricing algorithms, data sources, and disclosures to consumers.Meanwhile, the New York Attorney General's Office is investigating companies' compliance with the state's new Algorithmic Pricing Disclosure Act. The law requires businesses to clearly inform consumers when prices are generated using algorithms that rely on their personal data. Regulators have warned that disclosures hidden behind hyperlinks may not satisfy the law's requirement that notices be clear and conspicuous.Other states are considering similar legislation, including proposals targeting surveillance-based pricing or banning dynamic pricing in certain industries. As scrutiny increases, companies that use personalized pricing tools are being urged to review their data practices, pricing disclosures, and compliance with emerging state privacy laws.Amidst uncertainty from FTC, states zero in on dynamic and algorithmic pricing | ReutersThe U.S. civilian federal workforce decreased by about 12% between September 2024 and January 2026, according to newly released government data. The reductions reflect efforts by Donald Trump's administration to shrink federal agencies, a policy he promoted as a way to reduce government size and increase efficiency.Several major departments experienced significant staffing losses. The U.S. Department of the Treasury saw its workforce drop by roughly 24%, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lost about 20% of its employees during the same period. These reductions represent some of the largest declines across federal agencies.One notable exception was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which slightly increased its workforce by less than 1%. The agency's growth reflects the administration's continued focus on immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.Overall, the data indicates that the administration's push to cut federal staffing has had a broad impact across much of the government, significantly reducing the number of civilian employees in many departments.US government workforce shrunk by 12% since September 2024 | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Tonight's BizNews Briefing opens with Piet Viljoen's case for South African assets, despite what he calls political irrationality, arguing that resilient business people, strategic minerals and geography still matter. We then move to a market update led by Firstrand's strong interim numbers, Implats' mixed reaction, Treasury losing budget-office DDG Edgar Sishi, and STADIO's upbeat growth signal. Peter Major follows with the view that Iran cannot shift global minerals markets and that South Africa has gained little from the relationship, before Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon says markets are still trying to work out the Iran endgame.
Our Deputy Global Head of Research Michael Zezas and Head of Public Policy Research Ariana Salvatore assess the potential market outcomes of the Middle East conflict, weighing its possible duration and economic impact.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michael Zezas: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Michael Zezas, Morgan Stanley's Deputy Global Head of Research. Ariana Salvatore: And I'm Ariana Salvatore, Head of Public Policy Research. Michael Zezas: Today we're discussing the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict, the market reaction, and what investors should be watching for next. It's Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30am in San Francisco. Ariana Salvatore: And 10:30am in New York. Michael Zezas: So, Ariana, I'm in San Francisco at Morgan Stanley's TMT Conference, but obviously events in the Middle East have captured everyone's attention. There's uncertainty around the conflict and really important questions about how it affects all of us. And of course, markets have to discount all sorts of future uncertainty about very specific impacts – to financial asset prices, to commodity prices – and really look at it through that narrow lens.And so, Ariana, the administration has suggested that this conflict and this campaign could last a few weeks. But also it said it could continue as long as it takes. So, what are the clearest signals investors should watch for to gauge duration? Ariana Salvatore: For now, we're focused on three main indicators. First, I would say, and most important, is clarity around the objectives. The president and others in the administration have referenced things like eliminating Iran's missile arsenal, its navy and limiting proxy activity. Those goals are broader than the earlier focus on just the nuclear programs. Each objective, of course, implies a different timeline. A narrower objective likely means a shorter engagement. Broader ambitions, conversely, would extend it. So that's the first thing. Second, obviously extremely important is traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. We'd viewed a full closure as unlikely, given the economic consequences for Iran itself. But tanker flows have at least temporarily fallen close to zero, and that's significant because production across the region has not been impaired. This is not about oil fields going offline. It's about whether or not oil can actually move. If shipping lanes normalize within weeks, markets can recalibrate. However, if flows remain materially curtailed beyond five weeks, the risks rise meaningfully. Third, the frequency of strikes and proxy activity. Sustained or escalating engagement would suggest a longer conflict. Signs of diplomacy, on the other hand, might indicate de-escalation. Michael Zezas: Right. So, let's build on that and talk about oil. And our colleague, Martijn Rats has really laid this out with a lot of different scenarios. But what we're seeing right now is that when it comes to oil, this is really a shock to the transport of it, not necessarily a shock to its production. So, oil supply exists. The question is really – can it be delivered or not? So, if tanker flows normalize and the geopolitical risk premium fades, what Martijn is saying is that global oil prices could move back towards $60 to $65 a barrel. If the logistical disruption lasts four to five weeks, then prices maybe trade in the $75 to $80 range. And if disruption extends beyond five weeks and flows are materially constrained, then you could see a situation where oil prices have to rise towards $120 or $130 a barrel. And at that level, demand destruction is what becomes the balancing mechanism in setting price for oil. So, one signal to watch is longer dated oil prices. Early month contracts can spike during geopolitical stress, but a sustained move materially above $80 to $85 [per] barrel would likely require longer dated prices to move higher as well. And that might signal that markets believe the disruption is persistent and not temporary. Ariana, what about natural gas here? How does gas situation fit into the energy story? Ariana Salvatore: As of this recording, Qatar has halted liquified natural gas production putting roughly 20 percent of global supply at risk. Prices have, as you might expect, risen sharply, which likely reflects expectations of a relatively short disruption. If exports were to resume quickly, prices could retrace. But, of course, if the outage lasts longer, prices could move meaningfully higher. Again, duration of the conflict is really critical here. Michael Zezas: So, let's bring this back to the U.S. Ariana, how does this conflict feed into the domestic, political and economic backdrop? Ariana Salvatore: When we're thinking about the midterm elections later this year, the way we see it, the clearest transmission channel is gasoline prices. Polling shows a majority of Americans oppose military action related to Iran, but voters typically prioritize domestic issues: things like inflation, cost of living, affordability over foreign policy. However, there's a very clear caveat here. If oil prices stay elevated, gasoline prices rise, and that's where this becomes politically more salient. Michael Zezas: Right, and so our economists and our chief U.S. Economist Michael Gapen has been all over this. And the way he assesses it is if oil prices remain about 10 percent higher than where they were before the conflict for several months, headline inflation would likely rise by 0.3 percent before dissipating. Historically, oil price shocks primarily affect headline inflation rather than underlying inflation. That's an important distinction that they point out. So maybe that could delay Federal Reserve rate cuts, even if policymakers ultimately look through the move. But if oil prices rise enough to weaken economic activity, particularly in the labor market or consumer spending, then our economists say the Fed could pivot toward easing despite elevated inflation. Ariana Salvatore: So, given that backdrop, what's the simple takeaway for investors in stocks or bonds? Michael Zezas: Right. So, I think we have to think about this in terms of duration of conflict and economic impact. So, if tanker flows normalize within a few weeks and oil prices move back towards that $60 to $65 range, then our economists are saying economic damage would be limited. And historically geopolitical events alone have not led to sustained volatility for U.S. equities. So, in that environment, our cross-asset team points out that stocks would likely remain supported. If instead, oil prices remain elevated long enough to push inflation higher and weigh on growth, the picture would change. A sharp and persistent rise in oil prices – that can pose a risk to the duration of the business cycle, and in that scenario, we'd expect stocks to struggle. Importantly, bonds may not provide the same diversification benefit if inflation remains sticky as a consequence of all of this. We could see stock and bond prices move in the same direction. That could challenge traditional balanced portfolios. Ariana Salvatore: And what are we seeing specifically in U.S. Treasury markets? Michael Zezas: So, as Matt Hornbach and our global macro strategy team have pointed out here, you've got two competing forces in the U.S. Treasury market. There's been some demand for safety, but investors are also focused on the risk that higher oil prices would lift inflation. So far, inflation concerns have taken precedence over growth concerns. How long that balance holds – that might depend on incoming data, especially labor market data. If you get weaker labor market data suggesting that growth could weaken, then you could see treasuries rally more meaningfully and yields come down. If you don't see that and inflation concerns dominate, then maybe you're not going to see yields come down as much. And bonds rally as much. Ariana Salvatore: So, stepping back, it seems like the key variables remain tanker traffic, longer dated oil prices and duration of the conflict itself. Michael Zezas: I think that's right. Ariana, thanks for speaking with me. Ariana Salvatore: Always a pleasure, Mike. Michael Zezas: And thanks to our listeners for joining us. We'll continue tracking developments and what they mean for markets. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please take a moment to rate and review us wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague.Important note regarding economic sanctions. This report references jurisdictions which may be the subject of economic sanctions. Readers are solely responsible for ensuring that their investment activities are carried out in compliance with applicable laws.
Today we had the honor of welcoming three powerhouse guests from Lazard for an engaging discussion at the intersection of geopolitics, global security, and energy markets. Joining us were Admiral Bill McRaven, Retired Four-Star Admiral in the U.S. Navy and Senior Advisor at Lazard, Theodore Bunzel, Head of Lazard Geopolitical Advisory, and George Bilicic, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Power, Energy and Infrastructure. Bill is a Professor of National Security at the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and previously served as Chancellor of the University of Texas System. During his military career, he commanded special operations forces at every level and led U.S. Special Operations Command. He oversaw the missions to capture both Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. He joined Lazard as a Senior Advisor in 2021. Teddy has spent his career at the intersection of international political and economic affairs and financial services. He joined Lazard from BlackRock and also serves as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy. George Bilicic previously led Lazard's Midwest Advisory Business and has over 20 years of experience at Lazard in the investment banking business. His prior roles include senior positions at Cravath, Merrill Lynch, KKR, and Sempra Energy. Our conversation began with Bill's insights into the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, including what we are learning four days in, the difference between a more “surgical” campaign and a broader strike strategy, and the ways Tehran may try to expand the conflict and prolong it. Bill shares his assessment of the military operation so far, why Iran's missile and drone response was expected, what surprised him tactically, how decentralizing command and control complicates targeting, and why regime change is far more complex than simply removing leadership. We explore the risks around the Strait of Hormuz, the realities of stockpiles and logistics, the strain of sustained deployments, and what seamless U.S.-Israel military coordination signals to China and Russia as they assess this new geopolitical map. George outlines what this volatility is doing in boardrooms around the world, from capital allocation and cost of capital to supply chain realignment, tariff sensitivity, and the growing premium on reliable 24/7 power. Teddy explains how Lazard integrates real-time geopolitical analysis into client strategy, why regulatory decision-making is becoming more discretionary, how European leaders are grappling with structural energy vulnerability and higher costs, how allies and European boardrooms are reassessing U.S. reliability, and why “trusted supply” is becoming central to LNG contracting and long-term energy security. We end by looking at the uncertain path forward, including the limits of prediction, the sustainability of current operations, and how geopolitics is increasingly embedded in corporate decision-making. Thank you to Bill, Teddy, and George for the insightful and timely discussion. Mike Bradley started off by noting that this week's macro conversation has been dominated by U.S. military strikes against Iran and the potential short- and intermediate-term market fallout. In rates, the 10-year Treasury yield moved up to 4.06% (up 12 bps), while some perceived safe havens like gold and silver were ironically lower on the week. In crude, WTI spiked Tuesday to roughly $78/bbl before pulling back to around $74/bbl, amid reports that the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut—halting approximately 15 mmbpd of oil shipments. Oil retraced from intraday highs as markets focused on President Trump proposing financial security and military escorts for tankers in and out of the Gulf, rather than an SPR release. Refined products moved sharply higher, with wholesale diesel, gasoline, and heating oil up roughly 20% this week. Globally, Qatari LNG was shut down for the first time in 30+ years, help
Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti break down a volatile market session as investors try to determine whether disruptions tied to the Middle East conflict are a short-term shock or something more lasting. The S&P 500 swung sharply intraday as oil prices, shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz, and global investor positioning drove heavy overnight selling followed by a sharp afternoon rebound.Chuck and Marc also explore why U.S. oil producers aren't rushing to ramp up production despite rising prices, how oil shocks translate into gasoline prices for consumers, why Treasury yields are rising instead of falling during geopolitical stress, and the increasingly controversial rise of prediction markets that allow users to bet on everything from elections to global crises.
President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind crypto firms in their high-stakes battle with U.S. banks over whether they can offer interest-like returns on stablecoins.~This episode is sponsored by BTCC~BTCC 10% Deposit Bonus! ➜ https://bit.ly/PBNBTCC00:00 intro00:06 Sponsor: BTCC00:33 You Will Pay00:44 Trump FINALLY Takes a side01:45 Brad Garlinghouse01:57 David Sachs & Eric Trump02:12 Patrick Witt ends negotiations?03:04 Jamie Dimon fuming03:29 Stablecoins vs Banks04:05 CLARITY Odds Are Wrong04:28 Why Trump didn't burn Democrats04:59 Oops05:24 Charles Hoskinson backs CLARITY!05:46 Treasury allowing yields?05:59 DeFi Wins Major Court Case!06:39 Banks Cyber Attacks vs Deposit Flight?07:26 Media Reaction To Cyber Attack Fear08:43 ICE Budget Should've went to Cyber Defense09:01 Kristi Noem DESTROYED by Congress10:20 Thom Tillis holding CLARITY Act!?11:11 outro#Crypto #Trump #XRP~Trump Just NUKED Banks Over Stablecoin Yields!!!
Over 130 treasury professionals – including young talent – gathered at BNP Paribas' offices in the heart of Paris to mark ten years of the Journeys to Treasury initiative with a day of exploring the past, defining the present, and shaping the future. While the agenda stretched from 2016 to 2035, the underlying message was consistent: transformation is no longer coming, it's already here and operational. In other words, the future is now.
Phong Le is CEO of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), and David Bailey is CEO & Chairman of KindlyMD. This conversation was recorded live at Bitcoin Investor Week in New York. In this conversation, we discuss Strategy's evolution from a bitcoin holding company to a leveraged treasury and now a digital credit platform, including the launch of its perpetual preferred product designed to offer bitcoin exposure with lower volatility and yield. We also cover capital markets strategy, competition among bitcoin treasury companies, macro impacts, and bitcoin's continued integration into Wall Street and global finance.======================BitcoinIRA: Buy, sell, and swap 80+ cryptocurrencies in your retirement account. Take 3 minutes to open your account & get connected to a team of IRA specialists that will guide you through every step of the process. Go to https://bitcoinira.com/pomp/ to earn up to $1,000 in rewards.======================Arch Public is an agentic trading platform that automates the buying and selling of your preferred crypto strategies. Sign up today at https://www.archpublic.com and start your automated trading strategy for free. No catch. No hidden fees. Just smarter trading.======================0:00 - Intro0:25 - Strategy's three phases of buying bitcoin7:04 - Bitcoin's graduation into Wall Street & traditional finance10:11 - Macro economy & Fed policy12:01 - Would they ever sell their bitcoin holdings?15:26 - Bitcoin, government policy, & political adoption19:52 - The responsibility of running a public bitcoin company26:35 - The future of bitcoin treasury models & consolidation
Rachel Reeves has today delivered her much anticipated spring statement, her opportunity to address the looming energy crisis, the uncertainty in the Middle East and the crashing Labour market … unfortunately, she did none of the above.The Treasury promised that the spring statement was going to be boring – and at least it delivered on that pledge. For twenty painful minutes, Reeves rattled off her familiar lines about ‘stability' and Liz Truss. Is this another wasted opportunity for Labour and the Chancellor? What will it mean for her own ‘stability'?Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are we in a repeat of the post-FTX "forging in the fire" era? Tyler Evans and Pierre Rochard provide a candid look at the current 50% drawdown and why Market-to-NAV compression is a rite of passage for the new class of Bitcoin Treasuries. They break down why Nakamoto ($NAKA) is doubling down on "Information-to-Capital" flywheels while the marginal equity investor is tapped out, and how yield-bearing preferred shares are becoming the go-to instrument for the next wave of institutional adoption.Chapters: 00:53 - Tyler's origins in Bitcoin03:40 - Vision of BTC Media13:04 - Acquisition of BTC Media & UTXO by Nakamoto16:56 - Bear Bitcoin Market24:39 - Scalability of Financing for Bitcoin Treasury Companies30:30 - New Products from Nakamoto34:16 - Bitcoin's Motivating Factor for Countries38:27 - Potential Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?46:16 - One last fun question…46:45 - The Critical Necessities for a Bitcoin Treasury CompanyDISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BTC Inc., Bitcoin Magazine, or any affiliated entities. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Nothing contained in this show constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. Viewers should consult their own advisors before making financial or business decisions.
Host Emily Abdow talks with Coast Guard Commander Nolan Cain about his article on the Treasury-class cutter sunk by a German U-boat in January 1942—the Coast Guard's first loss of WWII.
Rachel Reeves has today delivered her much anticipated spring statement, her opportunity to address the looming energy crisis, the uncertainty in the Middle East and the crashing Labour market … unfortunately, she did none of the above.The Treasury promised that the spring statement was going to be boring – and at least it delivered on that pledge. For twenty painful minutes, Reeves rattled off her familiar lines about ‘stability' and Liz Truss. Is this another wasted opportunity for Labour and the Chancellor? What will it mean for her own ‘stability'?Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Michael Simmons.Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East is shaking markets as higher oil prices revive inflation fears and push Treasury yields up. Jason England says the 10-year could move toward the high end of the 4.30% range, with stress already visible in areas like Blackstone's private credit funds. He recommends active fixed-income strategies, cash preservation, and disciplined commodity trend-following until the Fed's policy outlook becomes clearer.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Geopolitical instability in the Middle East and tariff-driven market shock are forcing investors to reassess risk across assets. Jake Dollarhide warns that a surge in oil above $100 is possible could delay the Fed interest rate cuts until 2027, even as Treasury yields spike and global markets sell off. While cracks are emerging in private credit, Jake says disciplined investors who stay long through the volatility are likely to be rewarded.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
What does it take to lead treasury during a once-in-a-generation investment cycle?In this episode, we chat with Andrew Binnie, Group Treasurer at SSE plc and uncover how treasury is powering SSE's £33 billion transformation - driving strategy, navigating funding, and building purpose-led teams.This week's guest is Andrew Binnie, Group Treasurer at SSE plc. With an impressive career spanning Vodafone, BT, and now SSE, Andrew has led treasury through large-scale corporate transformations, capital market transactions, and strategic reorganizations.Andrew shares the inside story of his transition to SSE and how he's leading the treasury function through one of the UK's largest investment programs in energy infrastructure. From IPOs and hybrid capital to leadership philosophies and capability building, this episode offers a masterclass in treasury leadership during transformation.What We Cover in This Episode:SSE's £33bn “Transformation for Growth 2030” investment planTreasury's role in funding £15bn of that investment through debt and hybrid capitalBuilding and integrating high-performing treasury teamsLeading with clarity, purpose, and a co-created team visionAndrew's lessons from Vodafone's M&A, IPO, and high-yield venturesHow BT's £25bn fiber investment reshaped its treasury functionCareer insights: when to take risks, and when to build foundationsWhy strong leadership and aligned values matter more than job titlesThe importance of communication, planning, and preparation in treasuryTreasury's evolving role: from support function to strategic enablerYou can connect with Andrew Binnie on LinkedIn.---
When Iran struck Saudi Arabia, every historical model predicted mortgage rates would drop. Investors flee to Treasury bonds in a crisis — that's how it's always worked. Rates went up instead. Back over 6%. The pattern that buyers, agents, and analysts have relied on for decades just broke in real time. We break down why that happened, what it means for anyone waiting on rates to fall, and what the Home Depot earnings call quietly revealed about where the Fed is actually headed. We also get into the number that stopped Reddit cold this week: a record 18% of California property transfers are now happening through inheritance. Not purchases. Inheritance. The WSJ called it. We get into what it means for buyers, sellers, and anyone trying to crack into the most expensive real estate market in America. Plus — a viral video where a young woman chooses free Starbucks over a Bitcoin worth $60,000. The financial literacy conversation is bigger than the clip. Women are projected to control 75% of America's wealth by 2030. That wealth transfer is already happening. Is the industry ready for it?
Overview: Tune into this week's episode of Launch Financial as we discuss major losses in the markets following geopolitical conflicts. Markets had nowhere to hide as gold pulled back, volatility spiked to its highest level since November, and oil surged for a second straight day — pushing Treasury yields higher on renewed inflation fears just as investors are counting on Fed rate cuts. Show Notes:
Mortgage rates aren't just moving… they're skyrocketing — and today we break down why this is happening right now:• Stock markets plunged• Geopolitical unrest (Middle East + Iran risks)• Inflation pressures still lingering• MBS & Treasury yields jumping• What you should do now if you're buying or refinancingWe follow the data — not the headlines — and show you exactly how markets are reacting in real time.
World War 3 is heating up and most people are missing the bigger strategic picture. What just went down in Iran and why anthropic got blacklisted by the Pentagon.
Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NdZ2Sm In a Monday Dividend Cafe recorded before the market close, David Bahnsen discusses the market and energy implications of weekend U.S. military actions involving Iran, emphasizing the show is not for strategic or editorial war analysis. He notes futures opened down about 500 points but equities recovered to roughly flat, while oil rose about 6–9% to around $70 and U.S. LNG-related names moved on the prospect of greater export demand if Middle Eastern supply is disrupted. He highlights the absence of a traditional “flight to safety,” with Treasury yields higher across the curve (10-year up about 9 bps, 2-year up about 11 bps) and defensives lagging while energy and technology led. Bahnsen argues outcomes hinge on conflict duration, but elevated valuations and broader uncertainties (AI, private credit, tariffs, courts) raise risk and volatility. 00:00 Monday Market Setup 00:51 What This Show Covers 02:21 Futures Drop Then Recover 03:26 Oil Moves And LNG Angle 04:50 Conflict Duration Scenarios 06:47 Why Markets Stay Calm 08:16 Bonds And Sector Signals 10:09 Valuations And Uncertainty 11:59 Closing Thoughts And Prayer Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com
The League Episode #43 – Show Notes In episode 43 of The League, Treasury has released initial guidance on Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules, reshaping tax credit eligibility, supply chains, and project financing across the clean energy industry. In this episode, Benoy Thanjan and David Magid break down what the guidance means for developers, investors, and manufacturers and provide a deep dive into the latest trends in New York's interconnection queues. Host Bio: Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/ Learn more: https://reneuenergy.com https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com Host Bio: David Magid David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry. Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/ If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.
This week on The GovNavigators Show, Robert Shea and Adam Hughes sit down with Deep Grewal, Vice President of Public Sector at MinIO, to unpack the findings of a new survey on the federal government's AI readiness, and why so many agencies are still stuck in the pilot phase.While AI ambition is everywhere, Deep explains that the real bottleneck is in data management. From lineage and governance to infrastructure, portability, and total cost of ownership, the conversation makes the case that the unglamorous foundational work will determine which agencies actually scale AI and which remain in perpetual experimentation.They dig into the tension between cloud-first and cloud-smart, the rise of hybrid and sovereign architectures, the GPU and storage crunch, and why AI must become a mission-wide capability rather than a bolt-on “innovation project.” Deep also lays out a practical checklist for moving to enterprise AI: get your data house in order, modernize infrastructure, upskill the workforce, establish governance, and prove the ROI.If you're trying to move from AI pilots to real production, this episode is your roadmap. Show Notes:MinIO's Federal AI Readiness GapAnthropic's stand-offOne man's big bet against DOGEWhat's on the GovNavigators' Radar:Mar 4, 2026Alliance for Digital Innovation's Understanding OneGov: Discussions with GSA LeadershipMar 5, 2026The MUST ATTEND Driving Government Efficiency SummitMar 11, 2026 Data Foundation event on Treasury's Do Not PayMar 19, 2026 RSM Webinar: AI Governance and Responsible Adoption in Government
Follow Proof of Coverage Media: https://x.com/Proof_CoverageFollow Henry McPhie: https://x.com/henrymcphie_In this episode, Connor talks with Henry McPhie, co-founder and CEO of Streamex (NASDAQ: STEX), about bringing the gold market on-chain through regulated tokenization. They discuss the launch of GLDY, a yield-bearing gold-backed token that pays holders 3.5% APY through gold leasing, how it stacks up against Tether Gold and Pax Gold, Streamex's revenue model, and the roadmap to tokenize silver, copper, oil & gas, and beyond.Timestamps:02:05 - Launch Day Overview03:07 - How Gold Yield Works04:43 - Risk and Insurance Layers06:13 - Chains and Early Demand07:33 - Bitcoin Vs Gold09:16 - Henry's Origin Story11:49 - Why Go Public13:38 - Team and Advisors16:50 - Treasury and Seeding Liquidity18:43 - Revenue Model Breakdown22:42 - GLDY Versus Other Gold Tokens27:58 - Retail and Institutional Access30:04 - Where to Learn MoreDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured War and global uncertainty create major swings in financial markets — from falling Treasury yields to a surging dollar and energy concerns around the Strait of Hormuz. Chris discusses the “flight to quality,” why geopolitical crises trigger market chaos, and why smart investors don't try to trade the panic.Learn why investing during uncertainty is like escaping a rip current — you don't fight it, you move strategically and wait for opportunity.
L'operazione "Epic Fury" contro l'Iran riporta il rischio geopolitico al centro dei mercati energetici. Il nodo è lo Stretto di Hormuz: da lì transitano circa 20 milioni di barili al giorno su 105 di domanda globale, ma soprattutto quasi metà del petrolio scambiato via mare, cioè quello che fa davvero il prezzo. Il Brent sale oltre 78 dollari, il WTI sopra 71. Il gas europeo balza a 45 euro/MWh (+40%), dopo che QatarEnergy ha annunciato lo stop alla produzione di GNL a Ras Laffan a seguito degli attacchi. Per il petrolio esiste ancora un cuscinetto di offerta - anche grazie agli Stati Uniti, oggi a 13,5 milioni di barili al giorno - ma sul gas la situazione è molto più fragile. L'Europa, che ha sostituito 150 miliardi di metri cubi di gas russo con GNL, dipende in modo cruciale dal Qatar: il 20% del GNL globale passa da Hormuz. Senza alternative immediate, ogni tensione si scarica direttamente sul TTF e quindi sulle bollette elettriche, soprattutto in Italia. L'Opec+ annuncia un aumento di produzione ad aprile, ma mantiene massima flessibilità. Il mercato, però, guarda alla continuità dei flussi: se Hormuz si blocca, il surplus globale si azzera.La reazione dei MercatiNon è panico, è riduzione del rischio. I mercati stanno ricalibrando le probabilità. Il petrolio è il primo termometro, ma i segnali arrivano anche da oro, Treasury e Vix, ai massimi del 2026. Bitcoin inizialmente scende del 4% per poi recuperare rapidamente: segnale che l'escalation viene considerata, per ora, circoscritta. Le Borse europee cedono terreno, in particolare industriali e banche. Salgono energia e difesa. Il FTSE MIB è in netto ribasso. Il punto chiave è la parte lunga della curva Usa. A febbraio il decennale è sceso sotto il 4% nonostante petrolio in rialzo e PPI sopra le attese. È una divergenza anomala: se il greggio consolidasse sopra 80-100 dollari, i rendimenti potrebbero risalire per timori inflattivi. Se invece continuassero a scendere, il mercato starebbe prezzando un rallentamento economico più profondo. La domanda centrale resta una: shock energetico temporaneo o cambio di ciclo macro? La risposta arriverà dai tassi americani. Interviene Giacomo Calef, Responsabile per l'Italia di NS Partners.Caos nei cieli del Golfo: spazio aereo off limits e oltre 5mila voli cancellatiLa chiusura simultanea degli spazi aerei di Iran, Israele, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrein, Kuwait, Siria ed Emirati Arabi riporta il trasporto aereo a uno scenario da emergenza globale. Oltre 5.000 voli cancellati in due giorni, con gli hub di Dubai, Doha e Abu Dhabi particolarmente colpiti. Gli scali di Dubai e Abu Dhabi hanno subito danni diretti; nello Zayed International Airport si registra anche una vittima. Più di 20 mila passeggeri assistiti negli Emirati, ma il problema è sistemico: quegli hub movimentano circa 90 mila passeggeri al giorno e sono snodi cruciali tra Europa, Asia e Africa. Non è solo una crisi regionale: la chiusura del Golfo spezza corridoi intercontinentali, altera rotte globali e aumenta costi e tempi. L'aviazione civile è tra i primi settori a pagare il prezzo dell'instabilità geopolitica. Il commento è di Gregory Alegi, professore di Storia e politica delle Americhe presso l'Università Luiss, ed esperto del settore aeronautico.
This conversation explores the introduction of USDCX into the Cardano ecosystem, detailing the implications of the Circle Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), the bridging process, and strategies to attract liquidity to the ecosystem. It also acknowledges community contributions, discusses Wanchain's role in facilitating cross-chain transfers, and raises important questions about treasury funds and profit sharing. The discussion concludes with an optimistic outlook for Cardano's future.TakeawaysUSDCX is now available on the Cardano ecosystem.The CCTP uses a burn-and-mint model for asset transfers.Bridging assets is simplified through a new protocol.Attracting liquidity requires competitive rewards.Community contributions were vital for USDCX's launch.OneChain plays a key role in cross-chain transfers.Treasury funds and profit sharing are contentious topics.The Cardano ecosystem is seeing an increase in liquidity options.User experience in bridging assets is crucial.The future looks promising for Cardano with ongoing developments.Chapters00:00 USDCx is now on Cardano03:31 Difference Between Circle CCTP and Bridges06:03 How to Use the USDCx Bridge to Cardano08:14 Min of $20 USD09:04 How Long Does It Take?10:30 Additional Tutorials10:42 Protocols Attracting More USDCx12:59 How Much Has Been Minted?13:30 Checking My USDCx Transfer14:00 Who to Thank15:06 Other Existing Options17:06 Why Now? Why Not 4 Years Ago?18:09 The Drama19:17 Fees and ProfitsDISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.
On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of the independent equity research firm Agency Partners and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss Wall Street's worst day of 2026 on AI worries and lower than expected new US jobs creation; Israel and the United States attack Iran, killing the country's top leaders as Tehran retaliates against Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; worries that a prolonged conflict will take a toll on already depleted US weapons stocks, aging weapons and personnel; the conflict sends energy prices soaring; the Trump administration's blacklisting of Anthropic from doing business with the US government and threat to seize its technology after the company expresses concerns over the use of it's Claude model for autonomous weapons and mass surveillance as OpenAI strikes a deal with the Pentagon; the spat between Britain's Treasury and Defense Ministries spills into the open as UK firms work to position themselves for growth; Ukraine's desire to help produce the Patriot missiles it depends on to counter Russian attacks; BWXT, Heico, Hensoldt, Leonardo, MTU, and Rolls-Royce earnings as L3Harris holds its investor day; takeaways from the Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium last week in Denver including plan to accelerate production of Northrop Grumman's B-21 bomber; updates on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programs including engines to power a new generation of unmanned aircraft; the White House's decision to back the US Navy's FA-XX to develop a next generation carrier aircraft; and what to expect at commercial edition of Joanna Speed's Aerospace Event next week at the Beverly Wilshire in LA.
Why did the academic elite fail to see Bitcoin coming? Dr. Adam Back (@adam3us), the inventor of Hashcash, explains that professors were too obsessed with centralized bank models to conceive of a proof of work system that replaces central authority. While the ivory tower refined flawed systems, cypherpunks built a reality that does not require a middleman.Adam's journey started on the front lines of digital privacy, using his PhD as a license to hack. He laid the foundation for electronic cash by prioritizing sovereign rights. As the founder of Blockstream, he is an OG who never sold out, famously moving past shitcoin bribes to protect his ethical reputation.We tackle the reality of scaling. Adam argues that while Bitcoin is hard to change by design, the lightning network and sidechains allow for high-speed trade without risking the base layer. This modular approach lets Bitcoin evolve into a global financial layer while staying decentralized, proving the skeptics wrong one block at a time.In El Salvador, the government rejected shitcoin pitches to double down on Bitcoin. Adam notes this homegrown success could see the country rival major powers like Germany. It is a blueprint for using sound money to leapfrog the legacy financial system.Adam is now focused on filling innovation gaps from privacy to treasury reserves. The mission to replace fiat is just beginning. Subscribe and comment. Is El Salvador the next Singapore?—Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Adam BackX: https://x.com/adam3usBlockstream X: https://x.com/BlockstreamHashcash Web: http://www.hashcash.org/Cypherspace Web: http://www.cypherspace.org/adam/Blockstream web: https://blockstream.com/Github: https://github.com/BlockstreamThe Liquid Network: https://liquid.net/Blockstream Jade: https://blockstream.com/jade/ Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: https://www.twitter.com/BitcoinBeach IG: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeach Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 Intro01:33 How Bitcoin achieves decentralized trust without banks. 04:49 Has institutional Bitcoin ruined the cypherpunk mission? 10:48 How Adam Back spotted and rejected shitcoin scams. 12:43 Is Tether (USDT) a systemic risk to the Bitcoin ecosystem? 15:44 Why El Salvador succeeded where other nations failed. 20:32 Scaling Bitcoin via Blockstream, sidechains, and Lightning. 25:50 Adam Back on the 100-year mission for sound money.Live From Bitcoin BeachLive From Bitcoin Beach
Eric Criscuolo, NYSE Market Strategist, covers a week where AI‑driven disruption fears and new tariff moves sparked volatility across tech and financials. Markets steadied after Monday's drop, with software rebounding and the S&P holding its 250‑point range. Nvidia delivered strong results but still slipped, underscoring shifting momentum between hardware and software. Defensive sectors led as crude softened, crypto wavered, and Treasury yields dipped. With major earnings, labor data, and global indicators ahead, markets enter March navigating tight ranges and persistent AI uncertainty.
Trump isn't just weaponizing the DOJ, he's dome the same at the Treasury Department, and now a senior leader and huge Trump donor who has objected to massive spying by Treasury on the American people has quit, calling attention to the use of “Geographic Target Orders” by Treasury in violation of the 4th Amendment. Popok explains that the spying scandal coming to light may explain why Trump was so hot and bothered about “Somali fraud” during the SOTU. Soul: Go to https://GetSoul.com and use code LEGALAF to get 30% OFF your order! Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Friday's Mark Levin Show, the Supreme Court majority issued a very messy and problematic decision on tariffs. The fact is the majority agreed on an outcome but not so much on the reasoning for the outcome. It struck tariffs under a single statute, yet created chaos or, actually, left it to the president to decide if and/or how to treat the revenue those tariffs already created for the federal Treasury. The question is not who has the power to tax per se, but a more complicated question about where the separation of powers is. The majority, apparently, chose to duck the question and stick with the indirect tax characterization and focus on a single statute, which is outrageous. Also, Tucker Carlson is an indecent grifter with inexplicable ties to Qatar and an attraction to the Third Reich. He is gravely damaging the Republican Party, the midterm elections, and the Trump administration. Later, Jon Levine of the Washington Free Beacon calls in to explain that NYC Mayor Mamdani is fulfilling his campaign promises by staffing his administration with individuals from radical Islamist and far-left progressive circles, united by a shared hatred of the West and Jews. Mamdani is also pressuring Governor Hochul to impose a wealth tax by threatening massive property tax increases on roughly 3 million homeowners—effectively holding the entire city hostage in a "look what you made me do" tactic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices