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Goldman Sachs Explores Entering Crypto Market, CoinDesk Reports
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is looking into investing in digital assets, the latest move by a U.S. bank to enter the world of cryptocurrency, website CoinDesk reported. The New York-based bank issued a request for information to at least one crypto custody player at the end of 2020, according to the portal, which cited an unidentified person. Goldman’s initiative was part of a broad digital strategy, CoinDesk said. Representatives for Goldman Sachs didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment during weekend hours.
The possible entrance by Goldman would be the latest in a broader trend to bring digital currency into U.S. banking. Earlier this month, Anchorage Digital Bank became the first cryptocurrency firm to win a charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/goldman-sachs-explores-entering-crypto-market-coindesk-reports-1.1549456
They have already done it-this is the cycle…put out feelies that "we are exploring it" to herd peeps into it
China to fund $940m Philippine railway linking former US bases
Beijing pledges to donate vaccines on top of infrastructure support. The Philippines and China have sealed a deal for a $940 million freight railway project that will link two former U.S. military bases in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Saturday.
The railway represents the biggest Chinese government-funded project in the Philippines to date and underlines Beijing's growing role as Manila's infrastructure funder under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. "Our cooperation continues! China and the Philippines just signed the commercial contract for the Subic-Clark railway project," Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said on Facebook.
Huang's announcement came during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the Philippines, the last leg of a Southeast Asian tour that also included Myanmar, Indonesia and Brunei. Wang's diplomatic engagements, which centered on pledges for infrastructure funding and coronavirus vaccine donations, came ahead of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration next week. Philippine government officials did not immediately respond to request for comments about the contract signing. The Chinese ambassador said the construction of the 71-kilometer, single-track freight railway will take 42 months. "Once completed, the railway will build resilient linkages between the commercial zones along the Subic-Clark corridor," Huang added. "Glad to see the improvement in logistic efficiency and other economic activities in the region."
Subic was the site of a former repair and supply base for the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet. Clark was a U.S. Air Force base. Both have been converted into economic and free port zones.
Official statements from Manila's Finance and Foreign Affairs departments did not specifically mention the contract signing for the railway project. The Department of Finance said both countries "signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation," which grants Manila 500 million yuan ($77 million) "to support the implementation of infrastructure projects and other development initiatives of the Duterte administration."
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Wang said China planned to donate 500,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines in line with President Xi Jinping's commitment to Duterte. The Philippines had earlier secured 25 million doses of Chinese company Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac. A statement from Duterte's office said: "Foreign Minister Wang underscored China's commitment under President Xi Jinping to work closely with the Philippines to sustain the positive trajectory of the valued and special bilateral relations."
Ties between Manila and Beijing have improved since Duterte came to power in 2016. The Philippine president has won investment pledges and infrastructure funding from Beijing as he put both countries' South China Sea territorial dispute on the back burner.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-to-fund-940m-Philippine-railway-linking-former-US-bases
AF2 USAF VIIP C-32A departed JBA west
This is the AC used as secondary AF2 and used by State Dept. too.
I do
yesterday had sort of the LV vibe meaning shit going down and many still confused so yeah with you on that
VP heading out here to Central Valley
https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1350488174384930820
VP Pence to visit Naval Air Station Lemoore on Saturday
Vice President Mike Pence will spend part of his last week in office in the South Valley.
Pence will visit Naval Air Station Lemoore on Saturday to tout the "Trump Administration’s historic foreign policy achievements,” according to his office.
Second Lady Karen Pence will accompany the Vice President and "highlight employment solutions" for military husbands and wives, building on her 2018 campaign to "elevate and encourage military spouses.” The couple previously visited Lemoore and the San Joaquin Valley in 2019.
moar
https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2021/01/15/vp-pence-visit-naval-air-station-lemoore-saturday/4166401001/
RAF RRR2138 Airbus A330 departing SoCal logistics Airport, Victorville CA after an overnight-inbound RAF Brize Norton
This used to be George AFB and was decommissioned in 1992
Italy public debt to hit new post-war record in 2021 at 158.5% of GDP
Italy forecasts its debt to soar to a new post-war record level of 158.5% of gross domestic output (GDP) this year, surpassing the 155.6% goal it set in September, a government source told Reuters on Saturday. The new estimate reflects the impact of a stimulus package worth 32 billion euros ($39 billion) announced this week, which will drive the 2021 budget deficit to 8.8% of national output, up from 7% previously targeted.
The extra spending will be used to help the hard-pressed national health service, fund grants and furlough schemes to businesses forced to close due to coronavirus lockdowns, and provide cover for a postponement of tax payment deadlines. The government is due to update its debt and deficit targets in April.
Rome’s huge public debt is the second highest in the euro zone after that of Greece. Despite the higher forecasts for 2021, however, the debt figure for 2020 is expected to come in lower than previously estimated, the source said, asking not to be named.
Rome is now expecting the 2020 debt-to-GDP ratio to be 156.5%, below the official target set in September of 158%, which previously was the highest level since World War II. The 2020 deficit is seen at between 10.5% and 10.8% of national output.
The final deficit and debt figures for last year will be published by national statistics bureau ISTAT in March.
https://www.reuters.com/article/italy-budget-debt/italy-public-debt-to-hit-new-post-war-record-in-2021-at-158-5-of-gdp-source-idUSL8N2JR0EQ
doggo