U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 4% on Thursday, on pace for a third consecutive session of gains on fears that Israel could strike Iran‘s oil industry in retaliation for Tehran‘s ballistic missile attack this week.
Archiv: Preise / pricing / prices
Oil Price Jumps After Biden Says ‘Discussing’ Israeli Strike on Iranian Facilities
The president was asked about a potential strike on the oil infrastructure of Iran, which accounts for about 2 percent of the world’s supply.
Junge Deutsche unzufrieden mit Politik und sozioökonomischer Entwicklung: Erhebung
Zwei von drei jungen Deutschen zwischen 14 und 29 Jahren sind besorgt über die Verbraucherpreise, die in den letzten Jahren stark gestiegen sind. Etwa die Hälfte macht sich Sorgen um teuren Wohnraum und hat Angst vor Altersarmut, so die Trendstudie „Jugend in Deutschland“.
„Die Aussicht auf ein gutes Leben schwindet“, sagte Simon Schnetzer, Autor und Herausgeber der Umfrage unter 2.042 Personen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen „eine tiefsitzende mentale Verunsicherung mit Verlust des Vertrauens in die Beeinflussbarkeit der persönlichen und gesellschaftlichen Lebensbedingungen“, betonte er.
„Demokratiefördergesetz“ – Was versteht Bundesregierung konkret unter „Verhöhnung des Staates“?
Innenministerin Nancy Faeser hatte am 13. Februar erklärt: „Diejenigen, die den Staat verhöhnen, müssen es mit einem starken Staat zu tun bekommen.“ Doch war bisher in diesem Kontext das Verhöhnen, also sich über Staat und seine Institutionen lustig machen, elementarer und nicht strafbewehrter Bestandteil der politischen und medialen Kultur der Bundesrepublik. Vor diesem Hintergrund wollten die NachDenkSeiten auf der Bundespressekonferenz wissen, was die Ministerin konkret unter „Verhöhnen des Staates“ versteht und wie sie dies jetzt verfassungskonform strafrechtlich verfolgen will.
Regierung prüft Lieferung von Munition an Israel
Da die Industrie die gewünschte Munition nicht sofort liefern kann, werde die Option erwogen, dass die Bundeswehr zunächst Munition aus den Beständen abgibt, heißt es in dem Bericht. So könnte man der Bitte Israels zeitnah nachkommen.
Einige Details seien aber noch unklar. Israel wolle die Lieferungen der Munition bezahlen, derzeit laufen aber offenbar noch Gespräche über die Vertragsdetails und den Preis
1. Wer ist diese junge Bewegung?
Unter dem Banner Land schafft Verbindung haben sich im Oktober 2019 viele tausende Bauern zusammengefunden um unter anderem gegen eine undurchdachte Verbotspolitik, für eine faktenbassierte Diskussion unserer Zukunft, bessere Lebensbedingungen und für ein faireres Miteinander ohne Bauernbashing uvm. zu demonstrieren!
Der Landesverein Landwirtschaft verbindet Bayern e.V. gründete sich im Mai 2020 und ist nachfolgend als LSV-Bayern und auch LvB bekannt.
Dabei ist der LSV betont Verbands- und Parteineutral und sieht sich eher als Mediator zwischen den einzelnen Landwirtschaftlichen Verbänden. Wir sprechen und suchen Lösungen für die Landwirte mit allen Parteien der Demokratischen Mitte und lehnen extreme Tendenzen im Rechten und auch Linken Spektrum entschieden ab.
BAUERN-PROTESTE: Bauernpräsident Joachim Rukwied hält Rede in Berlin vor dem Brandenburger Tor
Der Bauernpräsident betonte mit Blick auf die bundesweiten Proteste der Landwirte, es sei nicht gelungen, das Anliegen in die rechte Ecke zu drängen. Die Bäuerinnen und Bauern seien aufrechte Demokraten und stünden zum Grundgesetz. Rukwied wies darauf hin, dass weiterhin eine sichere Versorgung mit heimischen Lebensmitteln gewährleistet sein müsse. Das sei auch die Grundlage für eine stabile Demokratie.
Thousands and thousands of farmers, truckers and other hard working citizens took to the streets of Berlin today to remind their government and the globalists of one simple thing: “We are The People and we are taking back control.”
This is just the beginning.
The German firefighters are supporting the farmers’ protests in Berlin. Solidarity!
PROTEST IN BERLIN: „Hau ab!“ Wut auf Lindner! Bauern kündigen schon neue Proteste an | WELT Stream
Zu der Kundgebung kamen nach Polizeiangaben 8500 Menschen und rund 6000 Fahrzeuge. Der Bauernverband sprach von rund 30 000 Demonstranten mit fast 10 000 Fahrzeugen.
„Eine INSA-Umfrage für BILD zeigt: 69 Prozent der Befragten unterstützen die Bauern-Proteste gegen die geplanten Kürzungen der Ampel-Regierung!“
BAUERNPROTESTE IN DEUTSCHLAND: Fleischhauer „Die haben den Kanal bis oben hin voll!“ | WELT Meinung
Am Brandenburger Tor in Berlin wurden fast 700 Fahrzeuge gezählt, in Erfurt sprach die Polizei von mehr als 2000 Traktoren und anderen Zugmaschinen. Im VW-Werk Emden wurde die Produktion gestoppt, weil die Beschäftigten nicht zur Arbeit kommen konnten. In einigen Städten erhielten die Bauern Unterstützung – etwa von Lastwagenfahrern und Handwerkern. Nach Angaben des Innenministeriums in Stuttgart nahmen in Baden-Württemberg etwa 25 000 Fahrzeuge an 270 Aktionen teil.
Die Wut der Bauern | ZDF spezial
Seit Montag protestieren die Bauern im Rahmen ihrer Aktionswoche gegen die geplanten Kürzungen der Ampelregierung. Deutschlandweit ziehen sich Traktorenkonvois durch Städte.
Sicherheitsbehörden warnen derweil …
Aktionswoche
Diese Liste wird ständig aktuell gehalten solange unsere Aktionen laufen!
Großdemos in Bayern:
08.01.2024 München, Odeonsplatz
10.1.2024 Augsburg, Plärrer
12.1.2024 Nürnberg, Volksfestplatz
Regional gibt es auch viele Aktionen, hier könnt ihr die schauen wo in eurem Regierungsbezirk etwas läuft:
Landwirtschaft und Transportgewerbe demonstrieren gemeinsam ab 8. Januar
Bundesweit werden in allen Bundesländern über 100 Aktionen stattfinden, um Bevölkerung und Politik davor zu warnen, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und die Existenz der Landwirte und mittelständischen Transportunternehmen aufs Spiel zu setzen.
Für eine wettbewerbsfähige Landwirtschaft sind eine Förderung von Agrardiesel sowie die Kfz-Steuerbefreiung unerlässlich. Der Deutsche Bauernverband fordert daher gemeinsam mit den Landesbauernverbänden und LsV Deutschland, die von der Bundesregierung geplanten Steuererhöhungen für die Landwirtschaft zurückzunehmen.
Der Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL) e.V. fordert die Einhaltung der Koalitionszusage zur Vermeidung einer doppelten CO2-Bepreisung bei Maut plus Diesel, eine Verdopplung der Mautharmonisierungsprogramme auf 900 Mio. Euro sowie mehr Geld für intakte Straßen und Brücken, Lkw-Stellplätze und verlässliche Förderprogramme für einen klimafreundlichen Straßengüterverkehr.
Für den 15. Januar 2024 ist ab 11:30 Uhr eine gemeinsame Großkundgebung in Berlin geplant.
„Impf-Gegner“, „Putin-Trolle“, „Kartoffel-Mob“ – es ist einfach unerträglich, wie alle, die mit der Regierungspolitik nicht einverstanden sind und deswegen auf die Straße gehen, wüst beschimpft und in die rechte Ecke geschoben werden, um legitimen Protest zu delegitimieren.
Nach den #Corona-Maßnahmenkritikern und den Befürwortern von #Diplomatie statt #Ukraine-Waffengeschenken sind jetzt die Bauern dran, die aus Existenznot gegen Steuererhöhungen protestieren, weil sie sich von den Ampel-Nebelkerzen beim #Agrardiesel nicht blenden lassen.
Wer wie die Bundesregierung meint, bei den anhaltenden Bauernprotesten in ganz Deutschland geht es nur um Agrardiesel und Kfz-Steuer, versteht nicht die existentiellen Nöte vieler landwirtschaftlicher Familienbetriebe. Den #Bauern steht das Wasser bis zum Hals. Sie kämpfen um ihre Zukunft und dagegen, dass die #Ampel ihnen 1 Milliarde Euro wegnehmen will, während die Bundesregierung gleichzeitig Waffengeschenke für die Ukraine locker auf 8 Milliarden Euro in diesem Jahr verdoppelt.
Die halbe Rolle rückwärts der Ampel jetzt bei den geplanten Steuererhöhungen für die Bauern verfängt nicht. Die Landwirte fallen auf den Ablenkungsversuch ganz offensichtlich nicht herein.
Statt gesellschaftliche Spaltung durch Ausgrenzung und Ächtung der Regierungskritiker immer weiter zu forcieren, ist es an der Zeit, die fatale Ampel-Politik zu korrigieren, die mit hohen Energiepreisen infolge unsinniger Wirtschaftssanktionen Bürger belastet, Bauern ruiniert und Deutschland deindustrialisiert.
Es ist die Politik der Ampel, die Deutschland 2023 als einzige Industrienation in die #Rezession geführt hat; 2024 könnte die Wirtschaft bei uns weiter schrumpfen, so die düstere Prognose des Instituts der Deutschen Wirtschaft. Versicherungen rechnen mit zehntausenden Firmenpleiten.
Es ist die Politik der Ampel, die gerade Gering- und Normalverdiener in Deutschland 2024 durch Erhöhung von Steuern und Abgaben stark belastet. Millionen Haushalte müssen mit mehreren Hundert Euro Mehrkosten zurechtkommen.
Wir brauchen wieder eine Politik für wirtschaftliche Vernunft und soziale Gerechtigkeit, die die hart arbeitenden Menschen in den Mittelpunkt stellt, in der Stadt wie auf dem Land, im Betrieb wie auf dem Bauernhof.
#Bauernprotest #Mistgabelmob
Bayerische Staatsregierung steht hinter Forderungen der Bauern – Polizei bereitet sich auf Aktionen und Proteste vor
Wie Herrmann erläuterte, stellen die Versammlungsbehörden im Freistaat ein enormes Mobilisierungspotential fest: Seit Mitte Dezember (14. Dezember 2023 bis 4. Januar 2024, 16 Uhr) fanden in Bayern bereits 71 einschlägige Versammlungen statt, an denen sich insgesamt mehr als 8.000 Personen beteiligten. Weitere 208 Versammlungen wurden zudem allein für die kommende Woche angezeigt (Stand: 4. Januar 2024, 16 Uhr). Der Bayerische Bauernverband organisiert in Abstimmung mit dem Verein ‚Landwirtschaft verbindet Bayern e.V.‘ eine Reihe großer Versammlungen wie am 8. Januar 2024 mit angezeigten 5.000 Teilnehmern in München am Odeonsplatz, am 10. Januar mit angezeigten 3.000 Teilnehmern in Augsburg und am 12. Januar mit angezeigten 5.000 Teilnehmern in Nürnberg.
Protestwoche ab dem 8. Januar
Hier ein kleiner Auszug der Ereignisse, mit denen die Bauern zusätzlich seit den letzten 2 Jahren zu kämpfen haben:
– Absenkung des Steuersatzes für pauschalierende Betriebe von 10,7% auf 8,4%
– Abschaffung der Gewinnglättung
– Streichung der Investitionsförderung von 195 Mio € für den von der Gesellschaft gewollten schnellen Umbau der Landwirtschaft
– Kürzung der Zuschüsse für die ldw. Sozialversicherung und Berufsgenossenschaft
– Höhere CO2 Abgabe, die bis 2026 auf 19,8 Cent/L steigt
– 4% Flächenstilllegung von ertragreichen Flächen, ohne Ausgleich
– Verschärfung der Geruchsimmissionsrichtlinie (GIRL)
– Ausweitung der Stoffstrombilanz
– Verschärfung des Errosionsschutzkatasters
– Fehlende Investitionsförderung für den Umbau zu mehr Tierwohl, ohne Absicherung der höheren Betriebskosten
– Fehlende Ausschreibungsmengen bei Biogas
– Vermehrte Schäden durch Wolf, Bieber usw. bisher immer noch mit keiner Lösung
Um den Fortbestand der kleinstrukturierten Betriebe in Bayern aufrecht zu erhalten, bestehen wir darauf:
– Dass importierte Waren mindestens den deutschen Anforderungen an Umwelt- Tierschutz- und Sozialstandards entsprechen (Lieferkettengesetz)
– Auf eine klare 100% Herkunftslandkennzeichnung für alle landwirtschaftlichen Produkte, auch in verarbeiteten Lebensmitteln und Restaurants, damit der Verbraucher leicht erkennen kann, woher diese genau kommen.
– Menge, Preis und Lieferzeit für unsere Produkte müssen im Vorfeld geklärt sein. (Marktrahmenbedingungen)
Notenbank-Konferenz in USA – Inflation: EZB setzt auf straffe Zinspolitik
Der Kampf gegen die hohe Inflation ist nach den Worten der Präsidentin der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB), Christine Lagarde, noch nicht gewonnen. Das bedeute, dass die EZB so lange an einer strikten Geldpolitik festhalten müsse, bis eine mittelfristige Teuerungsrate von zwei Prozent erreicht werde, sagte Lagarde am Freitag auf der Notenbank-Konferenz in Jackson Hole in den USA.
Bank-of-England-Vize: Wohl „einige Zeit“ weiter hohe Zinsen
Die Folgen des Preisanstiegs würden wahrscheinlich nicht so schnell verschwinden, wie sie entstanden seien, sagte der Vizegouverneur der Bank of England (BoE), Ben Broadbent, laut Redetext gestern auf dem Treffen von Zentralbankern und Ökonominnen in Jackson Hole im US-Staat Wyoming.
„Vor diesem Hintergrund könnte die Geldpolitik noch einige Zeit restriktiv bleiben.“
Bank of England warns UK rates need to remain high for some time
(Sat 26-08-2023)
“It’s unlikely that these second-round effects will unwind as rapidly as they emerged,” Broadbent said at the Federal Reserve’s annual gathering of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “As such, monetary policy may well have to remain in restrictive territory for some time yet.”
The BOE has raised rates 14 times in a row to 5.25%, the highest level in almost 16 years, to tame inflation.
Dollar steady as Fed‘s Powell says higher rates may be needed
(August 25, 2023)
Powell, in a speech at an economic summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, said policymakers would „proceed carefully as we decide whether to tighten further,“ but also made clear that the central bank has not yet concluded that its benchmark interest rate is high enough to be sure that inflation returns to the 2% target.
Suppose we have an interest rate / inflation spiral now, and it’s been created by the Bank of England?
I suspect the Bank to deny this, but they have already admitted their models of inflation based on their own understandings of the issue do not work, so little weight should be given to that.
Instead it‘s time to cut rates and remove the only excuse businesses have to increase prices because interest rates are the only cost expected to remain high, and excessively so, from now into the future.
Gas Price Plunge Brings Relief to Europe After Energy Panic
European gas prices have plunged to the lowest since mid-2021, when Russia was just beginning to squeeze supplies before its invasion of Ukraine, helping to reverse a surge in inflation and bring relief to consumers.
Bank of England raises UK interest rates to 4.5%
(11 May 2023)
The Bank of England has raised interest rates by a quarter of a point to 4.5% as it forecast inflation would stay higher for longer than previously expected and the economy would perform more strongly.
Supermarkets ‚to be urged to cap price on some foods‘
The scheme would aim to get retailers charging the lowest possible amount for some basic products like milk and bread, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
A Number 10 source said the plans are at „drawing board stage“ and would not involve government-imposed price controls.
The Laundromat: How the price cap coalition whitewashes Russian oil in third countries
Well into the second year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU, most of the G7 countries, and Australia have cracked down on their imports of Russian crude oil and oil products. At the same time, these countries, which are all part of the price-cap coalition whose objective is to limit Russia’s revenues from fossil fuel exports, have increased imports of refined oil products by leaps and bounds from the countries that have become the largest importers of Russian crude oil.
A Price Cap Loophole Is Undermining Sanctions On Russian Oil
Europe has boosted imports of refined petroleum products from countries that have raised imports of Russian crude oil, as a major loophole in the sanctions risks undermining the effectiveness of the price cap and embargoes, a report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed on Wednesday.
The EU, Australia, and most of the G7 countries have banned direct imports of Russian crude oil, but they have raised indirectly imports of Russian oil by purchasing higher volumes of oil products from countries that have become the biggest buyer of Russia’s crude, the Finland-based center said.
Prices Rally As Crude Oil, Products Draw Down
This week, SPR inventory dropped for the third week in a row losing another 1.6 million barrels for the week to reach 368 million barrels—the lowest amount of crude oil in the SPR since October 1983.
U.S. crude oil production rose during the week ending April 7, to 12.3 million bpd. U.S. production is now 800,000 bpd lower than the peak production seen in March 2020, but 500,000 bpd higher than this time last year.
Will OPEC’s Surprise Production Cuts Push Oil Prices To $100?
It was Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait who led the surprise cuts, alongside OPEC’s second-largest producer Iraq and another half a dozen OPEC+ producers, including Russia.
While Russia’s extension of its own 500,000-bpd cut until the end of the year was no surprise – analysts had largely baked in a drop in Russian production in view of the embargoes and price caps on its oil – the move from OPEC’s heavyweights came as a surprise. And sent a clear message to the market—we are in charge.
Montag, 27. März: Megastreiktag – ver.di und EVG rufen gemeinsam zu Verkehrs- und Infrastrukturstreiks auf
Das hat es in dieser Form noch nie gegeben: Aus Protest gegen unzureichende Angebote in den Tarifauseinandersetzungen für die rund 2,5 Millionen Beschäftigten von Bund und Kommunen und für die Beschäftigten von Gesellschaften der Deutschen Bahn AG legen die Mitglieder der DGB-Mobilitätsgewerkschaften ver.di und EVG am kommenden Montag (27. März) gemeinsam die Arbeit nieder. Es wird bundesweit zu erheblichen Einschränkungen in der Verkehrsinfrastruktur kommen.
Passport Office strike: How will five-week walkout affect your travel plans?
(Friday 17 March 2023)
In a “significant escalation” of a dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union says more than 1,000 members will walk out at all seven offices in England, Wales and Scotland from 3 April to 5 May. Staff at the Passport Office in Belfast may join the strike later.
The union says the walkout will have a “significant impact” on the delivery of passports as the summer approaches.
Bid to end teacher strikes as government and education unions agree to hold ‚intensive talks‘ on pay and workload
(Friday 17 March 2023)
The news follows the breakthrough in the NHS dispute on Thursday, with union leaders representing thousands of nurses, ambulance crews and other health workers agreeing to suspend further strikes while ballots are held on a new pay offer.
Junior doctors in England agree to pay talks after three-day strike
(17 Mar 2023)
On Friday night the Department of Health and Social Care said the British Medical Association had agreed to enter negotiations on the same terms as unions representing nurses, ambulance staff and other NHS workers in talks that concluded this week.
Government FINALLY reaches pay deal with NHS unions after months of strikes
(16 Mar 2023)
After three months of strikes, the Government has offered a one off bonus this year of 2.5% for the best paid and 8.2% for the worst paid.
The offer, recommended by most of the main NHS unions, comes on top of the 4% increase already implemented for 2022/23.
This award had come with inflation at over 10% and had sparked the strikes.
Russia‘s War In Ukraine Helps Oil Giant Saudi Aramco Post Historic $161 Billion Profit In 2022
The announcement came off the back of energy prices rising after Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022, with sanctions limiting the sale of Moscow‘s oil and natural gas in Western markets. Aramco‘s results mirror the huge profits seen at U.S. and British oil giants.
Saudischer Ölkonzern Aramco meldet 161 Mrd. Dollar Gewinn
Der saudi-arabische Ölkonzern war erst 2019 an die Börse gegangen. Er ist das zweitwertvollste Unternehmen der Welt nach Apple. 2022 meldeten auch fünf weitere Ölgiganten Rekordgewinne: Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP und TotalEnergies.
Big Oil to take centerstage at Houston meet as markets, alliances shift
The war in Ukraine sparked a rally in crude oil and fuel prices that led to record industry profits, prompting the U.S. government and others to accuse Big Oil of profiteering and for Britain and some other governments to impose windfall taxes on energy companies.
Oil prices down after report on UAE debating OPEC exit
Oil prices slumped on Friday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the United Arab Emirates had an internal debate about leaving OPEC and pumping more oil, but retraced some losses after a source told Reuters this was not true.
What Exxon and Chevron Are Doing With Those Big Profits
(Feb. 1, 2023)
The variables that will determine oil companies’ profitability this year are largely out of their control — in both supply and demand. The war in Ukraine could expand or not; a recession in the United States and Europe could be deep or averted entirely. Prices for fuels, and inflation generally, will largely depend on how events play out.
Shell Reports Record Profits As Oil Giants—Including Exxon, Chevron—Cash In On Sky-High Prices After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
(Feb 2, 2023)
Shell reported an annual profit of nearly $40 billion in 2022, the highest in the firm’s 115-year history.
The figure is more than double the $19.3 billion the firm reported in 2021 and far greater than its previous record of $31 billion in 2008.
Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties
The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.
More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.
Saudi Arabia warns sanctions on Russia could lead to energy shortages
(05.02.2023)
Western sanctions against Russia could result in a shortage of energy supplies in future, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Saturday.
He was answering a question at an industry conference in Riyadh over how trade measures would affect the energy market.
Shell Reports Record Profits As Oil Giants—Including Exxon, Chevron—Cash In On Sky-High Prices After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
(Feb 2, 2023)
Shell reported an annual profit of nearly $40 billion in 2022, the highest in the firm’s 115-year history.
The figure is more than double the $19.3 billion the firm reported in 2021 and far greater than its previous record of $31 billion in 2008.
Price and Prejudice: A Note on the Return of Inflation and Ideology
With the acceleration of inflation in the post-pandemic recovery, the debate seemed to be limited to whether the inflationary spike would be short-lived or persistent and become imbedded into inflationary expectations. While some Keynesian authors like Paul Krugman initially believed that inflation was caused by cost-push factors including by the sharp rises in energy and foodstuff prices as a result of the Ukraine war, and that it would quickly subside, the debate shifted rapidly and a new consensus according to which inflation was, in part the result of over stimulation of demand during the pandemic coupled with supply side shocks that lowered the potential level of output which provides the main theoretical justification for raising interest rates. Thus, even when most authors accept the notion that snags in the supply chain played a role in the acceleration of inflation, the main cause is to be seen on the excess demand side with the economy beyond its potential output level.
The challenge to conventional wisdom, and its emphasis on demand, has come from left
of center authors, like Robert Reich, that suggest inflation is caused by greedy corporations that have increased their profit margins during a crisis. This has brought back the old debate about the relationship between administered prices and inflation, and the proposition that inflation is directly related to highly concentrated market structures, or what might be termed oligopolistic inflation.
In other words, there is an ideological divide between those that blame inflation in an incompetent government and central bank reaction to the pandemic versus those that suggest that the real culprits are greedy corporations rising their mark up above their costs.
U.S. Quietly Revises Q4 Inflation Up, Bombshell January CPI On Deck
While the rest of America was gearing up for the Super Bowl Sunday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised Q4 inflation numbers higher on Friday.
This is actually huge news.
Preprogrammed algos bought billions in stock off of November and December CPI off of faulty assumptions about inflation going away easily, which sparked the huge rally.
The inflation revisions are a double whammy.
This is the economic buzzword we should all be paying attention to
Over the past year, an alphabet soup of otherwise wonky economic statistics have become household names as American families suffered through the worst inflation in 40 years: CPI (Consumer Price Index), PPI (Producer Price Index), PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures and ECI (Employment Cost Index).
Stock market news today: Stocks soar as investors look ahead to inflation data
Tuesday‘s CPI reading will come as investors recalibrate expectations for high interest rates will go this year after Fed Chair Jerome Powell implied in a speech last week that the battle against inflation was in its early stages. For much of the year, many were betting the U.S. central bank would pause its interest rate hiking campaign this year.
Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC
(13.12.2022)
President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.
Shell Reports Record Profits As Oil Giants—Including Exxon, Chevron—Cash In On Sky-High Prices After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
(Feb 2, 2023)
Shell reported an annual profit of nearly $40 billion in 2022, the highest in the firm’s 115-year history.
The figure is more than double the $19.3 billion the firm reported in 2021 and far greater than its previous record of $31 billion in 2008.
Oil surges to multi-year highs as Russian supply shortfall looms
Crude prices posted their largest weekly gains since the middle of 2020, with the Brent benchmark up 21% and U.S. crude gaining 26%. The most commonly traded oil futures closed at levels not seen since 2013 and 2008, respectively.
Russia Discussed With Several OPEC+ Members Plans To Reduce Crude Oil Production – Kremlin
Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia would voluntarily reduce crude oil production by 500,000 barrels per day in March in order to contribute to the restoration of market relations.
‘There is only so much patience one can have’: Biden appears to back off vow to punish Saudi Arabia
(03.02.2023)
Now almost a month into the new session of Congress, lawmakers have yet to hear from administration officials about launching a coordinated review of the US-Saudi relationship, despite repeated statements over the past few months by the White House that congressional input would be key to such an assessment
Months after President Biden promised Saudi Arabia would suffer “consequences” after OPEC+ announced it would cut production, his administration has no plans to punish – let alone significantly reorient its posture toward – the country, sources say
(03.02.2023)
Today is the biggest day of strike action in the history of the NHS. My question to those in positions of leadership: what side of history do you want to be on?
(06.02.2023)
Donate to support striking workers
As UNISON members continue to take strike action, the union is asking for donations to its strike fund
NHS Strikes: Nottingham NHS staff say ‘enough is enough after 10 years of below-inflation pay’
Nottingham NHS staff taking part in the biggest strike in the history of the service say they are suffering a ‘huge’ impact on their mental health because of their jobs.
Hundreds of nurses, healthcare assistants and clinicians took to picket lines across Nottinghamshire alongside paramedics, technicians, call handlers and other staff working for East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Upcoming strikes in Edinburgh as firefighters and teaching staff take industrial action
Here are the main public service strikes planned for the coming months, and the dates that these unions will be staging industrial action across Edinburgh.
Workers stage largest strike in history of Britain‘s health service
Nurses and ambulance workers have been striking separately since late last year but Monday‘s walkout involving both, largely in England, is the biggest in the 75-year history of the NHS.
Nurses will also walk out on Tuesday, ambulance staff on Friday, and physiotherapists Thursday, making the week probably the most disruptive in NHS history, its Medical Director Stephen Powis said.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, January 6. 2023
Q Thank you. I have two foreign policy questions, John. First, on — the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the administration easing tension with Saudi Arabia, and they might not go ahead with the review. Can you comment if this is actually accurate? And how far are we in the review?
And second, on Turkey: As you know, there’s this kind of rapprochement between Turkey and the Assad regime, with the mediation of the Russians. Do you believe that this is the right step from the administration’s point of view? And will the Kurds pay the price for this?
MR. KIRBY: To the second question, the answer — short answer is: No. We haven’t normalized relations with the Assad regime, and we — we wouldn’t encourage any nation-state to normalize relations with the Assad regime.
But we’ll see where these talks go and what actually comes out of this. I don’t want to get ahead of where they are. But we obviously don’t support normalization with Assad.
On — I’m sorry, your first question was?
Q On the Saudis.
MR. KIRBY: Saudis. Thank you. The President has been consistent and clear that he wants this bilateral relationship, like any bilateral relationship we have, to be well suited to the interests of the American people and to our national security. And we’re going to continue to take a look at that relationship.
Look, Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner — 80-some-odd years. And — and it’s important that that strategic partnership continue, but it’s also important that it continues in a way that is completely consistent with our values and our interests. And the President wants to continue to take a look at it to make sure that that’s the case.
US Confirms Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia
(7 January, 2023)
The United States has once again expressed its keenness to maintain its 80-years strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.
NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby reiterated in an interview with Al-Arabiya channel that Saudi Arabia is a „strategic partner“ of the United States, recalling that the bilateral relations date back to more than 80 years.
U.S.-Saudi Tensions Ease as Concerns About Iran Grow
The Biden administration has dropped threats to retaliate against Saudi Arabia for an oil-production cut last year and is moving to step up security coordination to counter Iran in 2023, U.S. and Saudi officials said, three months after ties hit a historic low point.
Officials pointed to signs of improved U.S.-Saudi cooperation in recent weeks as falling U.S. gasoline prices, better-than-expected midterm election results for Democrats, and heightened concerns about Iran take the edge off a long-simmering spat that spilled into the open in October when the Saudis rebuffed White House requests to delay the production cut.
Saudi Arabia May Cut Oil Prices To Asia Even Further
The price was set at a $3.25 premium to the Dubai/Oman benchmark, a cut by $2.20 per barrel from the prior month’s price.
Now, according to the four analysts surveyed by Reuters, Aramco could cut the price of Arab Light by another $1.50 per barrel for February shipments. This would bring the premium over Dubai/Oman to just $1.75 per barrel.
How Saudi Arabia‘s crown prince snubbed Biden repeatedly to forge ties with authoritarian China and Russia
(Jan 1, 2023)
Crown Prince Mohammed has more affinity with the ideology of fellow strongmen Xi or Putin than with the US, said Alterman.
„They share a belief that a significant liberalization of domestic life would lead to social chaos, the collapse of morality, and political polarization,“ said Alterman.
„The Saudi leadership is much more comfortable with Saudi Arabia pursuing the Chinese path of tightly managed politics, strong state-owned companies, and limited social freedoms than pursuing the US model,“ he said.
Israel can normalize ties with Saudi Arabia – with Biden‘s help – opinion
“First, a written agreement defining our strategic partnership and what the US commitment is to our security if we’re attacked.
“Second, a status that assures us that US weapons sales will be reliable. It’s intolerable that from one month to the next we don’t know anymore if the US will fulfill its commitments. We need to be treated more like NATO or Israel where we can disagree on political and economic issues, but the underlying commitment to sell us what we need to defend ourselves doesn’t change.
US Holds Back on Saudi Moves as Tensions Ease
(27.12.2022)
Despite threats of „consequences“ made by the Biden administration during the run-up to US midterm elections in early November, no concrete actions have materialized.
One of the top potential measures, passage of the „Nopec“ antitrust legislation, has not advanced, after quietly failing to be included in a targeted bill this month.
Israel‘s Netanyahu urges US to reaffirm commitment to Saudi Arabia – Al Arabiya
(December 15, 2022)
„The traditional (U.S.) alliance with Saudi Arabia and other countries, has to be reaffirmed. There should not be periodic swings, or even wild swings in this relationship, because I think that the alliance…is the anchor of stability in our region,“ Netanyahu told the Saudi-owned website.
„I‘m to speak to President Biden about it,“ Netanyahu said according to a published transcript of the interview.
Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC
(13.12.2022)
President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.
Euro forecast to be worth less than a dollar after Christine Lagarde’s ‘kamikaze’ rate rises
He said: “It‘s like the ghost of Trichet has come back and taken over.”
Recession fears driven by soaring gas prices and looming blackouts pushed the euro to a 20-year low of $0.9536 against the dollar in September.