SECURITY: Netanyahu's Office Counters Reporting On Gaza Ceasefire
Jan-15 13:34
Multiple sources, including Reuters, reporting that the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that "Hamas has not yet given its response to Gaza proposal," countering recent reports that a ceasefire announcement is imminent.
- Amichai Stein notes on X: "Israeli Prime Minister's Office: Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organization has not yet returned its response to the deal."
- The comments appear to contradict reports, however, Netanyahu's posture is consistent with a series of non-committal public statements his office made in the hours before a ceasefire with Hezbollah was formally announced on November 27.
- Roi Kais at Kan notes that Arab sources continue to report that Hamas has responded positively to the agreement: "Senior Palestinian official to Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel: Hamas responded positively to the proposal. The signing is expected this evening or tomorrow."
- Elior Levy at Kan notes that a Palestinian source familiar with the details of the negotiations said, "a crucial meeting of the Hamas leadership ended early this morning, in which all points were agreed upon and all disputes were resolved, including most of the details on the map issue - but not all of them."
- Levy continues: "The source estimated that the announcement of the agreement between Hamas and Israel will be made tomorrow (Thursday). The source also estimated that the agreement will begin to be implemented and carried out within 24-48 hours of its announcement."
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US: MNI POLITICAL RISK - McConnell Urges Trump To Bolster Military
Dec-16 13:31
- A raft of US President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees are on Capitol Hill again today. Health Secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will meet Republican Senators for the first time.
- Trump named Richard Grenell his ‘special missions’ envoy, tasked with directing policy on Venezuela and North Korea.
- Congressional leaders are still working out the details of a Continuing Resolution to extend government funding, cutting it close to the December 20 deadline.
- Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said that health care could be targeted as the Trump administration looks to fund the extension of Trump’s first-term tax cuts.
- Trump’s Commerce Secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, is bucking predictions that he would be less hawkish on trade than Trump's first-term USTR, Robert Lighthizer. Companies have stepped up a behind-the-scenes lobbying effort, suggesting that Trump's tariff threats are being taken as a credible risk to business.
- Trump's transition team is expected to recommend a global tariff on battery components to stimulate the domestic US battery supply chain.
- US officials confirmed that the Biden administration has established direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted former president Bashar al-Assad.
- Outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has written a lengthy op-ed in Foreign Affairs magazine calling on Trump to “reverse the neglect of military strength.”
- Poll of the Day: Much of Trump's agenda gets a green light from voters, but Americans are sceptical of tariffs.
Full article: US Daily Brief
MNI: US NY FED EMPIRE STATE MFG INDEX 0.2 DEC
Dec-16 13:30
- MNI: US NY FED EMPIRE STATE MFG INDEX 0.2 DEC
- US NY FED EMPIRE MFG NEW ORDERS 6.1 DEC
- US NY FED EMPIRE MFG EMPLOYMENT INDEX -5.8 DEC
- US NY FED EMPIRE MFG PRICES PAID INDEX 21.1 DEC
UK: Chancellor Reeves to deliver Spring forecast 26 March
Dec-16 13:27
- Chancellor Reeves has asked the OBR an updated Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO) to be published on 26 March 2025.
- The forecast is normally published in March - but a little earlier in the month - and has historically been accompanied by tax changes or a full Budget.
- Labour has previously committed to only small changes being made outside of an annual Autumn Budget, so this year there may be fewer tweaks to fiscal policy than usual.
- Also, the DMO usually doesn't usually announce its funding plan for the upcoming fiscal year until this date, accompanying the EFO.
- The next investor / GEMM DMO consultations are due to be held on Monday 17 March (which is now a week and a half before the EFO is due to be published).
- It is quite possible that the DMO will therefore announce some tenders at the beginning of the 2025/26 fiscal year to give the market some time to digest the full calendar.
- It is also unclear if this means that the multi-year "Spending Review" that is due to conclude in the Spring will be announced on this day, or if that will be kept for a date later in the spring.
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