From Whiskey To Weed: A Second Amendment Fight

Iran FM Blames U.S. "Contradictions" On Stalled Peace Talks As Tehran Slaps Million-Dollar Hormuz Tax On Ships The U.S. and Iran remain stuck in preliminary talks to end the war, with the main obstacle being Tehran's demand for access to billions of dollars in frozen assets and the Trump administration's refusal to provide upfront cash or broader sanctions relief. Tehran is seeking about $12 billion upfront and $24 billion during a proposed 60-day negotiation window. "Twenty-four billion dollars is not much for America if he wants to reach an agreement with Iran,"...

France Braces For Moody's Downgrade As OAT-Bund Spread Hits EU Crisis Level Highs France faces a potential credit rating downgrade later today as social unrest, a deteriorating welfare state, a deficit crisis, political paralysis, and years of uncontrolled mass migration collide, forcing the government to repair its finances or risk sparking the next Eurozone crisis.  UniCredit fixed-income strategist Francesco Maria Di Bella told clients earlier, "Tonight, Moody's will review France's credit rating, which is currently at Aa3 with a negative outlook."  Di Bella outlined his expectations for Moody's upcoming ratings decision: We expect the rating...

Change Of Plans? By Bas van Geffen, Senior Macro Strategist at Rabobank Brent prices held steady just below the $80-level, as Iran said it reached an agreement with Oman on a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. That’s not the Iran-US deal that Trump had been eyeing, but this agreement raises the prospect of more energy flows resuming through the critical waterway. However, Iran has also said that the deal does not work until the US stops blocking traffic. We are yet to hear when the US lifts its blockade...