Iran’s Game Plan For The South Caucasus

The recent war of words between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the developments of the last several weeks, have demonstrated that both sides are far from inking a peace deal, which was promised by the end of 2022. Although both states vowed to intensify joint efforts on the final peace treaty in October 2022 on the sidelines of the Prague summit, little has been done since. On the contrary, the failure to hold peace negotiations has been magnified by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s controversial statements regarding Moscow’s non-recognition

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/International/Irans-Game-Plan-For-The-South-Caucasus.html

Are Copper Prices Poised To Climb Higher In 2023?

Via AG Metal Miner The Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.87% from November to December. As with other base metals, copper prices broke out of range to the upside last month as China began to pivot away from zero-COVID. Copper prices rallied to a peak on November 11 before a brief and modest retracement. Shortly after that, prices resumed their ascent. By December 8, copper prices had established a new higher high. CPI Data Sparks Optimism, Fed Slows Rate Hikes According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the November Consumer Price

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Metals/Commodities/Are-Copper-Prices-Poised-To-Climb-Higher-In-2023.html

Citi Commodity Analyst: EU Gas Price Cap Numbers Are Silly

Citi’s Global Head of Commodities Research Ed Morse has lambasted the EU’s new gas price cap, terming it as silly, impractical, and unlikely to work in tight gas markets because gas markets are global and not bifurcated into individual countries, meaning the forces of demand and supply are more likely to prevail in determining gas prices, Bloomberg reports. As such, Morse says the price cap is likely to lead to gas shortages in Europe especially during winter months when demand is high. Further, the commodity analyst says that

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Citi-Commodity-Analyst-EU-Gas-Price-Cap-Numbers-Are-Silly.html

Coal Is Fueling A Pollution Problem In Central Asia

Coal-powered plants and the stoves of residential homes in Central Asia’s largest cities are pumping toxins into the sky, icy roads are thick with slow-moving, aging vehicles, and social media chatter is full of talk about how bad the air is and where to buy the best air purifier. Air pollution, and especially dirty winter air, has long been a problem in the region, but it is now beginning to resemble a catastrophe. The political will to combat air pollution has traditionally been weak, but with public awareness of the problem growing and the health

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/The-Environment/Global-Warming/Coal-Is-Fueling-A-Pollution-Problem-In-Central-Asia.html

Putin’s Ploy To Lure In Fighters From Central Asia Is Falling Short

On November 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing foreign citizens to serve in the Russian Armed Forces, both as contractors and conscripts. Previously, foreigners could serve in the armed forces only as contractors, as conscripted military service was saved exclusively for Russian citizens (Topwar.ru, November 14). The decree was framed by the authorities in Moscow as an opportunity that would generate interest primarily among residents of the Central Asian countries. Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/International/Putins-Ploy-To-Lure-In-Fighters-From-Central-Asia-Is-Falling-Short.html

Atlantic Freight Rates Could Collapse As Carriers Ramp Up Trade Lane Capacity

While freight rates have been dropping consistently on most trades, they have remained at high levels on the Transatlantic due to capacity issues. However, according to Sea-Intelligence, this is about to change, as carriers inject serious amounts of capacity into the trade lane. From North Europe, capacity growth is scheduled to begin spiking from mid-December 2022, reaching a temporary apex at the end of the month, with capacity growth at 43% Y/Y. Once we head into February, the current deployment indicates a capacity growth of 48%. Compared

Read more at: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Atlantic-Freight-Rates-Could-Collapse-As-Carriers-Ramp-Up-Trade-Lane-Capacity.html

Disney shares fall following softer-than-expected ‘Avatar’ opening weekend

Analysts pegged the long-awaited “Avatar” sequel as a box office winner for Disney and are viewing the holiday season as a make-or-break period for the film.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/disney-shares-fall-after-avatar-opening-weekend-comes-in-soft-.html

Homebuilder sentiment drops for the 12th straight month, but a bottom may be near

Homebuilder sentiment hit the lowest level since 2012 in December.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/homebuilder-sentiment-falls-bottom-may-be-near.html

Millionaires plan to cut their holiday spending due to inflation

Millennial millionaires are the most likely to cut back on spending as a result of inflation, with 100% saying they plan to spend less.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/millionaires-plan-to-cut-their-holiday-spending-due-to-inflation-.html

Adults are buying toys for themselves, and it’s the biggest source of growth for the industry

“Kidults” are responsible for one-fourth of all toy sales annually, around $9 billion worth, as they buy everything from Star Wars to Lego products.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/kidults-biggest-sales-driver-toy-industry.html

Inside the largest mansion for sale in Malibu, going for $58.8 million

The six-bedroom, 10-bath home is built around an open-air courtyard with lush palms and a koi pond.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/inside-a-malibu-mansion-on-sale-for-58point8-million-.html

What’s next for Netflix, Disney and the NFL? 12 media executives predict 2023’s big moves

CNBC asked 12 past and present media executives for one industry-shaking prediction for 2023 under the veil of anonymity.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/18/media-executive-predictions-2023-netflix-disney-nfl.html

Millionaire investors haven’t been this bearish since 2008

Rich investors are betting on double-digit declines in stocks next year, according to the CNBC Millionaire Survey.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/millionaire-investors-havent-been-this-bearish-since-2008.html

Mesa and American cutting ties as the regional airline expands deal with United

American Airlines said its final flight with Arizona-based Mesa Air will be on April 3.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/17/american-airlines-is-dropping-regional-carrier-mesa-citing-financial-and-operational-problems.html

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ opens to $134 million, just missing box office expectations

“Avatar: The Way of Water” fell short of box office expectations, but international ticket sales spark hope that the sequel will pull in a substantial haul.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/18/avatar-the-way-of-water-opens-to-134-million-just-missing-expectations.html

Dollar General’s new Popshelf stores chase inflation-weary shoppers in the suburbs

Dollar General said it sees opportunity to grow to 3,000 Popshelf stores across the country.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/13/inflation-dollar-general-chases-suburban-shoppers-popshelf.html

Drug overdose deaths among teenagers surged during the pandemic driven by illicit fentanyl

Fentanyl was involved in 84% of the deaths while opioids of any type were involved in 91%.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/fentanyl-drug-overdose-deaths-surged-among-teenagers-during-pandemic.html

Op-ed: Here are 5 questions to ask your financial advisor before the end of the year

The end of the year is not just a great time to celebrate and give thanks but a chance to review your financial goals and plans with your financial advisor.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/5-questions-to-ask-your-financial-advisor-before-the-end-of-the-year.html

Global coal use is on course to hit an all-time high this year, IEA says

Higher gas prices have led to an increased reliance on coal, the IEA said.

Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/the-planets-use-of-coal-slated-to-hit-all-time-high-this-year-iea.html

Bankman-Fried ‘Wants To See US Indictment’ Before Agreeing To Extradition: Lawyer

Update (1250ET): Bankman-Fried reportedly wants to see the indictment against him before agreeing to extradition to the United States, according to Reuters, citing a statement made by SBF’s attorney to a court in the Bahamas on Monday.

As Cointelegraph notes, Some members of the crypto space, including the team behind YouTuber Ben Armstrong, also known as Bitboy Crypto, reported on Twitter they appeared in person at the hearing to “look SBF in the eyes.”

We ready. About to go in. Guess who is in front of the line? Finally getting to look @SBF_FTX in the eyes this morning. pic.twitter.com/TtdYXZiUnD

— Ben Armstrong (@Bitboy_Crypto) December 19, 2022

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/bankman-fried-expected-be-extradited-soon-today

Ukraine Blasts ‘Appeaser’ Henry Kissinger For Urging Peace Negotiations

It didn’t take long for the Ukrainian government to blast and dismiss former US Secretary of State Kissinger’s peace plan proposal as “appeasing the aggressor”.

“Mr. Kissinger still has not understood anything… neither the nature of this war, nor its impact on the world order,” Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said in response to the 99-year old influential US statesman’s Saturday op-ed in The Spectator entitled How to Avoid Another World War.

President Putin and former US Secretary of State Kissinger have over prior years interacted on multiple occasions.”The prescription that the ex-Secretary of State calls for, but is afraid to say out loud, is simple …

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-slams-appeaser-henry-kissinger-urging-peace-negotiations

The Era Of Cheap Oil Has Come To An End

Authored by Irina Slav via OilPrice.com,

The recent crude price slump may not be indicative for what is to come in oil markets according to several investment bank analysts.

OPEC has not consistently produced more than 30 million bpd since 2015-2018.

Structural underinvestment in new oil supply may lead to structurally higher prices.

In its latest monthly report, OPEC revealed it had yet again failed to produce as much oil as it agreed to produce the last time it discussed output. And it wasn’t by a few thousand barrels per day, either. The shortfall was some 1.8 million barrels daily, but more importantly, that sort of undershooting of its own target has become a regular thing for the cartel. Meanwhile, the United States federal government needs to buy some oil for its strategic petroleum reserve after releasing close to 200 million barrels from it this year as a way of countering fuel price inflation. Yet U.S. drillers are not in a rush to boost production. On the contrary, it seems production growth has lost its place among these companies’ top priorities.

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/era-cheap-oil-has-come-end

TWITTER FILES: How The FBI Moved To Quash Hunter Laptop Story Before, And After, NY Post Bombshell

In the latest episode of ‘THE TWITTER FILES,’ journalist Michael Shellenberger reveals “How the FBI & intelligence community discredited factual information about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings both after and *before* The New York Post revealed the contents of his laptop on October 14, 2020.”

In Twitter Files #7, we present evidence pointing to an organized effort by representatives of the intelligence community (IC), aimed at senior executives at news and social media companies, to discredit leaked information about Hunter Biden before and after it was published.

— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) December 19, 2022

Continued…

The story begins in December 2019 when a Delaware computer store owner named John Paul (J.P.) Mac Isaac contacts the FBI about a laptop that Hunter Biden had left with him

On Dec 9, 2019, the FBI issues a subpoena for, and takes, Hunter Biden’s laptop.

https://nypost.com/2020/10/14/email-reveals-how-hunter-biden-introduced-ukrainian-biz-man-to-dad/

Read more at: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/twitter-files-how-fbi-moved-quash-hunter-laptop-story-and-after-ny-post-bombshell

Who is striking? How Tuesday 20 December’s walkouts will affect you

More canceled appointments and medical disruption as nurses strike again – by the BBC’s Zoe Conway.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63999154?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Elon Musk: Twitter users vote in favor of boss resigning

Some 57.5% of users voted “yes” when Elon Musk asked them if he should quit as Twitter’s chief executive.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-your-money-64021412?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Will Elon Musk’s ultimatum cost him Twitter?

The BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman looks at the future of Musk and Twitter.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64003232?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

Promoter Reliance Retail to sell 2% stake in Just Dial

Promoter and promoter group entities together hold a 76.98% stake in Just Dial

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/promoter-reliance-retail-to-sell-2-stake-in-just-dial/articleshow/96351291.cms

US stocks open flat, Tesla rises on Musk poll outcome

The main U.S. benchmarks sold off sharply in December, putting them on course for their worst annual declines since the 2008 financial crisis, after mixed economic data and the Fed’s hawkish stance fueled worries of a recession

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/us-stocks-open-flat-tesla-rises-on-musk-poll-outcome/articleshow/96349480.cms

7 pharma stocks down over 25% in 2022 can rise up to 50%

Nifty Pharma index is amongst the top laggards of 2022. The index is down about 11% in the year 2022, after having two good previous calendar years. In 2020, the index surged up about 60% and was up about 10% in 2021. In 2022, 7 stocks from the index have fallen over 25% so far.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/7-pharma-stocks-down-over-25-in-2022-can-rise-up-to-50/articleshow/96338739.cms

The Moneyist: ‘He wants to appease her’: My father’s long-term girlfriend, 20 years his junior, wants him to leave her his $1 million home. What should we do?

‘I can tell my dad is being cautious about this transaction, but he wants to appease her.’

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-7166-16FB230C1017%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

Market Snapshot: Dow drops over 300 points as recession fears keep pressure on stocks

Investors have become concerned about a recession they feel is all but inevitable given the hawkish stance of major monetary authorities.

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-716C-24F116DCABBF%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

The Moneyist: ‘I don’t just want to survive — I want to thrive’: I’m 29, work part-time, and left a 15-year abusive relationship. How do I get back on my feet financially?

‘I want to have the ability to retire, something my generation has often given up on. I want financial wisdom and skill, but I have no idea whom to ask.’

Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B20C06575-04D4-B545-7169-B89C216BA709%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1