A tale of two worlds

US, Philippines Launch Their 'Biggest Ever' Balikatan Drills With Large Japanese Contingent Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com, The US and the Philippines on Monday launched what’s being billed as the "biggest ever" Balikatan Exercise, an annual military drill that, for the first time, includes a significant contingent of Japanese troops as Tokyo increases its military activity in the region, ramping up tensions with China. The drills are scheduled to take place from April 20 to May 8 and will involve more than 17,000 troops, including about 1,400 Japanese military personnel. US Army photo Importantly, exercises...

France's Debt Spiral: Tax Hikes Mask A Looming Crisis Submitted by Thomas Kolbe On both sides of the Franco-German border, the same problem persists: overburdened and reform-averse politicians struggle against a rapidly accelerating debt spiral. Their preferred tool: higher levies. Last week, France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescure reported a revision of the projected budget deficit for the current year. Initial estimates for 2026 had suggested a deficit well above five percent. Yet numerous fiscal measures brought last year’s deficit down to 5.1%. For 2026, the Finance Ministry expects it to stabilize at around...

Four Signs That Bitcoin Has Recovered To 'Full' Bullish Momentum Authored by Nancy Lubale via CoinTelegraph.com, Market analysts said Bitcoin’s (BTC) upside remained intact despite the 2.5% correction from its multi-month high of $82,800 reached on May 6. Key takeaways: Bitcoin has successfully re-entered expansion territory as the Bull Market Support Band turned to support. Bitcoin’s Stablecoin Supply Ratio has recovered from historic lows, indicating fresh liquidity is returning. Bitcoin’s spot taker CVD flips positive, suggesting real spot demand is back Bitcoin’s price momentum is expanding Private wealth manager Swissblock stated that Bitcoin is “still at full...