WSJ says US bombing of Iran resumes by end-November, with up to 10,000 more troops and a third carrier on the way, though one carrier-watcher says it is only a rotation. The definition of insanity…
The global long end keeps breaking: the 10Y touched 5.34%, UK 30s went past 6%, France's CDS hit a 13-year high, and the IMF then announced that bond markets are orderly. Remain calm, all is well…
Trump told TIME that some inflation helps pay off debt. He also says the US "might" take Intel-style stakes in OpenAI and Anthropic, with no terms given. He really is jewish, isn’t he?
Hormuz: fifth tanker struck this week, this time inside the US-protected lane. It caught fire; the crew is reported safe. NYT data shows Iran averaging ~30 drone and ~10 anti-ship missile attacks per week since early August, and 13+ ships hit since Sept 10.
Diesel ultimatum. Washington told France and Germany to release 120M bbl of diesel over six months (~660k b/d) or face a US export ban. The same day, Chinese refiners suspended October fuel exports. The US diesel export ban morphs from a plan for making things better for consumers (it wouldn’t have) to a blunt object for beating other countries.
Kyiv's bridges are now grid targets. After Geran-5 jet-drone strikes, the Southern Bridge is closed both ways and the Paton and Metro bridges are restricted. The NYT reports an intercepted Russian winter plan to cut 90% of power and heat in Kiev, Kharkiv and Odesa. This reinforces yesterday’s report that Russia was now in the remote demolition business.
Russia's MoD says it downed 646 inbound drones overnight. There is a fire at the Samara oil pumping station, and the Volgograd refinery was targeted.
Putin points out Trump’s retarded logic in attempting to stop bombing of specific targets between Ukraine and Russia: “So, they stop the strikes, and we end up with a surplus of diesel—the kind that is in such high demand in, say, the United States. We would have more of it. We have enough diesel as it is. But it wouldn't reach global markets because of the bans and sanctions currently in place against our oil and petroleum products. How, then, would our diesel reach the global market while sanctions remain in effect? It wouldn't. Yet, in return, we would be expected to stop striking targets that are economically sensitive for them. You have to admit, that just looks absurd.” He goes on to state that Ukraine is a buffer state that cannot exist under its own aegis, particularly because it has already lost its statehood and sovereignty and is controlled by outside interests. He also adds this zinger: When asked if Russia should break apart the EU, Putin says there is no need as the corrupt alliance will collapse on its own from self-destructive policies. How refreshing it is to hear an actual adult speak on current events. For more details check out latest substack article from Simplicius.
A couple of interesting nuggets from the FlyDubai farce: review of so-called passenger photographs shows they are from two different planes; also, photos from a plane that was supposedly in a steep dive shows water cups sitting level on tray tables. The fake and gay is off the charts on this one…
In France, school riots by “students” have injured 83 police officers and 32 teachers, with schools and buses set on fire. Certainly doesn’t sound like a neighborhood with “good schools”.
CNN investigation: Kushner's Affinity Partners is the largest shareholder in an Israeli firm that invests in Israeli military suppliers, while he negotiates on Gaza. Uh oh, CNN veering dangerously close to noticing there…
The United States Postal Service is running a pilot program to put cameras in its mail carrier trucks that continuously scan roads and signs, map roadways and sidewalks, to improve “community safety,” according to a letter posted by a labor union and a statement from the agency to 404 Media. Once again just cover for that which is already happening…
Pete Hegseth says Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget will help fund a major transformation of the Pentagon, with Steve Feinberg serving as his “secret weapon” to overhaul how the department operates. As part of that push, he announced a new four-star Autonomous Warfare Command, calling AI-enabled drone warfare the biggest battlefield revolution in generations. Did he say (((Feinberg)))???!?
Rubio shows off new passport design with a barely concealed Star of Remphan.
Japan raises permanent residency fee by 20 times. Maybe Japan isn’t completely lost just yet in spite of that treacherous woman that’s leading them…
Lumentum's CEO expects laser supply to fall 70% short of demand in 2027. Sorry, sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads are off the menu…
Headline: State Department revokes over 250,000 visas in broad immigration vetting crackdown. A win is a win, no matter how small.
That’s the news for today, have a pleasant Friday frens…
