Independent thinking for complex markets and current events
Details include: – No vessel can use these ports – The threat continues until US blockade is lifted – The US blockade on Iran has begun Top Middle East Ports by Cargo Volume (Million Tons/Year): 1. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia (Jeddah Islamic Port) — ~130+ MT2. 🇦🇪 UAE (Jebel Ali Port) — ~140+ MT3. 🇮🇷 Iran …
The U.S. Postal Service will charge an 8% fee on all package shipments to offset rising fuel costs from Trump's Iran war. This is the first time USPS has ever imposed fees for fuel costs. pic.twitter.com/e5AVQsUsaB — FactPost (@factpostnews) March 25, 2026 The @USPS is planning to levy an 8% surcharge on all package deliveries …
An EU Trade War with China? In an expedited procedure, the European Commission recently raised tariffs on ceramic and porcelain products from China. Additional tariff measures are also being considered to protect the European internal market from the Chinese export engine. Is the EU economy now facing a trade war with Beijing, alongside the potential …
Australia launches youth social media ban it says will be the world’s ‘first domino’ More than 1 million social media accounts held by users under 16 are set to be deactivated in Australia in a divisive world-first ban that is being closely watched elsewhere. Can children and teenagers be forced off social media en masse? …
Elon Musk’s X social network was slapped with a lower-than-expected €120 million fine for violating the EU's controversial content-moderation law https://t.co/4tC8js3GyT — Bloomberg (@business) December 5, 2025 Today, we have issued a fine to X for breaching its transparency obligations under the #DSA. The breaches concern the deceptive design of its blue checkmark, the lack …
Newsom just signed SB53, forcing AI companies to submit detailed reports to California bureaucrats and creating new penalties for “noncompliance.” The state that can’t fix homelessness or keep the lights on now wants to regulate the entire AI industry. 32 of the world’s top 50 AI firms are California-based, giving Sacramento global control. Meta warned …
The government of the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on Thursday imposed a nighttime curfew following protests, which saw police use rubber bullets and tear gas to quash demonstrations over ongoing water and power cuts.
France is cracking under its own weight. Debt has surged past €3.35 trillion, more than 114 percent of GDP. The government’s answer is €5 billion in emergency cuts scraped from unspent funds and health insurance. “France faces €5bn in fresh cuts as debt balloons to record high” RFI The cuts are theater. The deficit is …
Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution specifically reads: “No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.” Yet despite this clear prohibition, and his oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, Trump is unilaterally imposing export taxes. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) August 13, 2025 I voted for Trump …
China has more than 7,000 chikungunya cases mostly in Guangdong. The virus spreads by mosquitoes and causes fever and bad joint pain that can last a long time. The U.S. CDC said travelers should “exercise increased caution.” https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/cdc-chikungunya-warning-china-20803276.php China is using strict COVID-style rules to fight this virus. Sick people must stay in hospital. When …
Something doesn’t ring true about the tariff ultimatum. Trump announced a 25 % tariff on India plus an added “penalty” for purchasing Russian energy and military goods starting August 1, framing it as both punitive and principled. He claimed India has “tariffs among the highest in the world” and uses “obnoxious non‑monetary trade barriers,” before declaring India …
Online freedom faces total control. https://twitter.com/UKPatriott/status/1948477650781306967 Starting July 25, every adult site accessible in the United Kingdom must verify user age using hard credentials. No more checkboxes. No more birthday fields. If you want access, you’ll need to prove you’re over 18. That means photo ID, credit card validation, facial scans, or third-party digital wallets. …
China reportedly imposes "exit ban" on Wells Fargo executive https://t.co/LpE4nIjMDS — Axios (@axios) July 18, 2025 The big picture: “The case underscores multinational companies’ fears about the risks of operating in China, especially in regard to staff safety and restrictions on movement,” Bloomberg reported. “It could also further discourage corporate travel to the country and …
After imposing a naval blockade on the port of Eilat and an air blockade of Ben Gurion Airport, Yemen announced that from now on no ships will have the right to enter the port of Haifa. pic.twitter.com/wxhiYmYACu — Sprinter Press (@SprinterPress) May 19, 2025 The Yemeni Armed Forces, led by AnsarAllah, have escalated their military …
Trump calls off reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. Doubles down on tariffs with China, now with a 125% tariff. Continues to impose a 10% tariff on the rest of the world. Despite the pause, the U.S. remains the highest tariff industrialized country. pic.twitter.com/Ue4g1a1gRb — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) April 9, 2025 cant say earnings don't matter …
Donald Trump has ordered his Cabinet nominees not to post on social media without approval. In a stunning move, Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles told those who will become his top lieutenants to get anything they put on X, or other networks, cleared first. It came after a MAGA ‘civil war’ erupted this week …
It’s like hearing from a judge you were going to get life but instead we only gave you 60 years. — Brent Matseas (@matseasbrent2) November 18, 2024 See also baseline budgeting, where a spending increase less than a default is considered a cut. h/t Peter Hanely
In a bid to regain control, the government declared an indefinite nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm on Sunday. This drastic measure is the first of its kind during the current wave of protests. Additionally, a three-day general holiday was announced, starting Monday, in an attempt to calm the situation. The government also moved to …
🚨Update: Russia is planning of declaring its own ‘no fly zone!’ Over the Black Sea! Will shoot down any NATO surveillance drone flying near Crimea giving targeting information to Ukraine!! War is about to heat up quick!! pic.twitter.com/nKMwBiFyf8 — US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) June 24, 2024 Russia hasn’t declared a no fly zone over …
As New York unveils its staggering $237 billion state budget, concerns mount over its long-term implications, particularly for New York City. The decision to institutionalize a temporary surcharge on high-income earners amidst rising out-migration and quality-of-life concerns raises questions about the state’s fiscal responsibility and its impact on urban centers. Key points: New York’s latest …
In a concerning development, China appears to be wielding economic sanctions against Israel, with repercussions felt in the import of crucial electronic components. Israeli officials have bluntly asserted a connection to the recent conflict, adding a layer of geopolitical tension to the economic strain. The impact is particularly felt in the technology sector, as Israel …
South Korea’s decision to ban short-selling shares until June in the name of creating a “level playing field” is a striking move. South Korea will ban short-selling shares until June to ensure a "level playing field." Absolutely wild. Financial markets are being manipulated all over the world right now. You know what actually needs a …
🇧🇬#Bulgaria calls on #NATO to stop Russian provocation after Russia blocked Bulgaria's economic zone in the Black sea, for "military exercise". pic.twitter.com/WrBr4hbBRX — Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) September 14, 2023 https://twitter.com/_/status/1702401509491638281 Russia closes part of Black Sea to ships: Bulgaria talks with NATO about response to provocation Bulgaria is negotiating with its NATO allies on how …
Canada- New Bill will criminalize anyone who speaks out against or hurts a transgender’s feelings, you will also be fined $25,000. pic.twitter.com/dpSV1uzzZa — Viola Bergeron WILL NOT COMPLY!!!! (@StarSeed_2020) June 27, 2023 The Schedule enacts the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Safety Zones Act, 2023. The Act provides that the Attorney General may designate 2SLGBTQI+ community safety zones. …