The People’s Bank of China has spent much of 2024 locking horns with bond bulls. Yet when treasury yields dipped to record lows this week, officials stayed quiet. That’s in part because there’s less concern about rampant speculation, but also because the insatiable appetite for sovereign debt fits nicely with Beijing’s plan to sell more of it. That resets the bar for intervention. A dire economic outlook in the first half of the year helped fuel the bond rally. The yuan was testing its one-year low against the dollar while the benchmark CSI300 stock index .CSI300 dipped to a five-year nadir. Investors flocked to safe havens. But whenever the 10-year yield CN240011= dived towards 2%, the central bank would cry foul. It warned that smaller banks’ rising sovereign bond holdings were creating excessive risk, and even went as far as short-selling long-term government bonds to try to push yields up. The intervention did not cool the bond rally, though. Beijing’s stimulus package did. After the PBOC started implementing it in late September, yields rebounded and the CSI300 surged more than 30% within a month. Yet as reality sank in about how little the measures could meaningfully boost growth, capital started to find its way back to bonds from stocks. In the past two months, the yield on the 10-year benchmark dipped 20 basis points, hitting a record low this week. There’s less official fuss, though, because some key issues have changed. First, the bond funds and banks doing much of the buying now appear to be long-term bondholders, not speculators. More importantly, low yields work in Beijing’s favour. Citing sources, Caixin Globalreported the government is planning to raise at least 2 trillion yuan in each of the next three years to finance its stimulus measures. The lower the bond bulls drive yields, the less it will have to pay in interest on the new debt. It’s a tricky balancing act, though. Regulators are expected to meet later this month at the Central Economic Work Conference to map out plans for 2025. Investors will be looking for measures that support the stock and property markets as well as faster economic growth. If those don’t materialise, they’re likely to flock to the bond market as a safe haven. CITIC Securities 600030.SS is already projecting the benchmark yield to drop to as low as 1.6% next year. If investors’ economic doom-and-gloom scenarios are the driving force, Beijing is likely to intervene once again. The yield on China’s benchmark 10-year government bond dropped below 2% on Dec. 2 to hit its lowest point since records began in 2002. Using data from China Central Depository & Clearing, Reuters reported it’s only one of a handful of times that the yield has been below 2%. Source: Reuters Breakingviews (Editing by Antony Currie and Aditya Srivastav)JERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza , where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Rescuers and residents search for victims Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut, Lebanon. Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Giants QB Tommy DeVito has a sore throwing arm after loss to BucsDELAND, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Johnson scored seven of his 26 points in overtime to lead Mercer to an 89-83 victory over Stetson on Sunday. Johnson had five rebounds and three steals for the Bears (5-4). Alex Holt added 23 points and seven rebounds. Ahmad Robinson scored 16. Robinson made the first of two free throws with 1 second left to force overtime tied at 73. The Hatters (1-8) were led in scoring by Jordan Wood, who finished with 23 points and two blocks. Josh Massey added 22 points and eight rebounds. Mehki also had 14 points and six assists. The Hatters extended their losing streak to eight in a row. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
The rapid evolution of online and phone scams has made fraud more sophisticated and harder to detect. What were once simple schemes have now turned into complex operations capable of deceiving even the most tech-savvy individuals. Origins of Rondesse Rondesse was founded in response to the growing number of scam victims across the United States. The idea took shape after someone close to the founders lost over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam, which not only wiped out his savings but also led to severe personal consequences, and discord within his family. This incident highlighted the lack of a comprehensive service that could prevent scams, assist in recovering losses, and support victims in rebuilding their lives. The founders quickly realized that any effective solution must operate within legal frameworks and involve collaboration across multiple disciplines. Cybersecurity experts, digital forensics professionals, private investigators, cryptocurrency analysts, and legal representatives are all critical in addressing the complexities of modern scams. Rondesse was created to bring these diverse experts together, providing an integrated approach to scam prevention and recovery. The name “Rondesse,” derived from "Rondë" meaning “vaulted roof,” reflects the company’s mission to shield and protect its clients. Comprehensive Expertise Rondesse combines expertise from various fields, including law, cybersecurity, digital forensics, accounting, and cryptocurrency analysis. This multidisciplinary approach allows Rondesse to offer a unique service that not only prevents scams but also intercepts them in real-time. The company also focuses on remediation, helping victims recover their losses and regain financial stability. Through services such as its SOS hotline, scam intervention, legal guidance, and personalized support, Rondesse addresses the full spectrum of challenges faced by scam victims. Merle’s Case: A Demonstration of Impact One of Rondesse’s notable cases involves Merle, a widow from Charlotte County, Florida, who lost $1.3 million to scammers posing as representatives from PayPal and Bank of America. After exhausting local resources and being turned away by more than 40 law firms, Merle was referred to Rondesse by the same law enforcement agency she initially approached. This referral underscores Rondesse’s reputation and its collaborative work with various law enforcement agencies. The scammers used spoof emails and social engineering tactics to gain control of Merle’s devices, isolating her from her family and ultimately draining her life savings. Rondesse deployed its global network and worked closely with local investigators and law firms, particularly in India, where the perpetrators operated. Their efforts led to the arrest of key figures, including Vikramjeet Singh and Anchal Mittal, who were part of a global call center scam. In total, the investigation resulted in more than 25 arrests, the freezing of 127 bank accounts, and the recovery of approximately $800,000 in assets. This progress, achieved within months, contrasts with the typically slow pace of international scam investigations. Despite jurisdictional challenges and instances of corruption, Rondesse’s work caught the attention of the Enforcement Directorate, India’s equivalent of the U.S. Department of Justice. This collaboration not only brought the perpetrators to justice but also set a precedent for future cross-border cybercrime investigations. Merle is expected to recover a significant portion of her stolen funds in the coming months. A New Standard in Scam Prevention and Recovery Rondesse’s involvement in Merle’s case highlights its ability to navigate the complexities of international cybercrime while delivering tangible results for victims. The company’s integrated approach and strategic partnerships have established a new benchmark for efficiency in scam prevention and recovery. In addition to its specialized legal services, Rondesse provides critical support to victims, helping them rebuild their lives after financial loss. By offering tailored solutions that address both prevention and remediation, Rondesse plays a vital role in tackling the challenges of the digital age. Victims of online scams can turn to Rondesse for real-time assistance and expert support.
[Written by ] Bermudian motocross rider Jazuri Easton Thompson has reached a new milestone in his career, securing a podium finish at the prestigious Thor Mini O’s competition held at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua, Florida. The 17-year-old impressed in the 250cc Limited Supercross main event, earning third place – a result he described as the “highlight” of his blossoming career. The Thor Mini O’s is one of the largest and most competitive amateur motocross events in the United States. “I’m pretty stoked with how the competition has gone so far,” Easton Thompson told Bernews. “I’ve got a few more days of racing left this week.” Easton Thompson’s motocross journey began at the age of six on the Southside Motocross Track in St David’s. Now, he trains full-time at the South of the Border Motocross Facility in South Carolina, dedicating himself to the sport. “It’s like a football school, but for motocross,” he explained. “I’m training there five days a week as I look to achieve my dream of turning pro.” The former Warwick Academy student is joined in Florida by a close-knit team, including his father and team manager Jamel Thompson, younger brother Jazai Easton Thompson, and fellow Bermudian riders Aaron Cannonier and his son A’Kyo Cannonier. Bermudian Motocross rider Jazuri Easton Thompson claimed a third-place finish in the 250cc Limited Supercross main event at the Thor Mini O's in Florida — BernewsSports (@BernewsSports) Jazai, 12, is also gaining valuable experience at the Mini O’s as he continues to develop his skills. “It’s been good so far,” said Jazai, a Warwick Academy student. “I’m definitely getting better and hope to do well in my next two races. “I’ve been working on my technique, jumping, [and] getting on the throttle. “I want to be able to beat my brother one day!” : , ,
B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans
