tyb
#317 locked per request
it shows locked on muh screen (dash)
but does not show as locked going into catalog in the normal mode
does nao
EXEC1F USAF C-40B on final approach at New Castle Cty. Airport from Manchester Int'l Airport
Wut a rough day for Jill-already went home
09-0017 USAF C-32A looks like it's on a maintenance flight and back to JBA
RCH740T USAF C-17 Globemaster from Denver equipment pick-up began it's descent for JBA
>>71129 pb Fed officials expect recovery from coronavirus recession to speed up
The FOMC Packed A Huge Surprise" - Fed Now Comfortable With "Slightly" Negative Rates'''
While markets were focused on headline hot takes from today's FOMC statement, those reading between the lines and focusing on the market plumbing - such as Curvature Securities' Scott Skyrm - found "a huge surprise": an increase in the RRP counterparty limit from $30 billion to $80 billion per counterparty. While at first look, it seems quite benign, Skyrm notes that "this implies the Fed is very comfortable with zero percent rates and maybe even negative rates."
Let's rewind a little:
This week, Repo GC averaged at .01% and few RRP counterparties showed up at the RRP window. Remember, RRP counterparties invest cash at the Fed in exchange for Treasury securities at a rate of 0.0%. If the cash investors can't get collateral from the Repo market, they go to the Fed. Surprisingly, there was no RRP activity on Monday and today, and only $702 million on Tuesday. Rates are close to zero and the market isn't even using the RRP window. Here's the implication. As Skyrm explains, "if the Fed wanted overnight rates higher, they would have raised the IOER and/or RRP. Instead, they raised the RRP counterparty limit meaning they are very comfortable with rates here at zero, but don't want them to drop into the negatives"… although they now seem to be ok with rates dipping occasionally into the red as they have done recently in GC repo….
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fomc-packed-huge-surprise-fed-now-comfortable-slightly-negative-rates
Blinken presses South Korea to work with Japan in Indo-Pacific
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea "in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific," in a meeting with South Korea's Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong in Seoul.
Agreeing that the U.S.-South Korea alliance is the "linchpin" of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the secretary and the foreign minister confirmed that North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issues are a priority. The top American diplomat also accused North Korea of "systemic and widespread abuses" committed against its citizens, showing a tough stance toward the reclusive state. Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Seoul after a stop in Japan as part of a diplomatic tour of the region. Blinken and Austin are due to meet their South Korean counterparts Thursday in the first two-plus-two meeting between the two countries since 2016. A visit to Seoul so early in the administration "clearly shows the new U.S. administration's emphasis on its allies," Chung said at the start of the meeting. "President Moon Jae-in also appreciates the direction of Korea-U.S. relations since the inauguration of the Biden-Harris administration. Particularly, the president highly appreciates that we are holding the foreign and defense ministers' meeting for the first time in five years," he said. Blinken told Chung that the U.S. side wants to further deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which the Biden administration has placed at the heart of its foreign policy.
"Secretary Austin and I are here to reaffirm the United States' commitment to the alliance but also to build on it with you. We want to achieve our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, anchored by respect for human rights, for democracy, for the rule of law," he said. Seoul has distanced itself from the "free and open Indo-Pacific" concept pursued by Washington and Tokyo, as well as the Quad grouping of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, in part not wanting to burn bridges with Beijing. South Korea's relationship with Japan has soured in the past several years due to historical issues. But the U.S. believes that restoring the three-way partnership between Washington, Tokyo and Seoul will be crucial to its Indo-Pacific blueprint, and Blinken emphasized the issue. A State Department fact sheet updated after Wednesday's meeting, noted that "a robust and effective trilateral relationship" between the U.S., South Korea and Japan "is critical for our joint security and interests in defending freedom and democracy, upholding human rights, championing women's empowerment, combating climate change, promoting regional and global peace, security, and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific and across the globe."
At the meeting, Blinken said, "The authoritarian regime in North Korea continues to commit systemic and widespread abuses against its own people." "We must stand for fundamental rights and freedoms and against those who oppress it," he said. The hard-line stance could provoke North Korea into carrying out missile testing for other forms of provocation, observers say. The Biden White House is in the process of conducting a wholesale review of the North Korea policy. The review includes an "evaluation of all available options to address the increasing threat posed by North Korea," Blinken told a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Since February, the U.S. has attempted to reach out to North Korea through several channels, hoping to establish a line of dialogue with the regime. In the meeting with Chung, Blinken touched on China as well, calling for solidarity among nations that share democratic values. "China is using coercion and aggression to systematically erode the economy in Hong Kong, undercut democracy in Taiwan, abuse human rights in Tibet and asserting claims in the South China Sea that violate human rights law," said Blinken. Separately, Austin met with South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook. "Given the unprecedented challenges posed by both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China, the U.S.-ROK alliance has never been more important," said Austin, using the acronym for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. The defense secretary pledged "extended deterrence" to protect South Korea from the nuclear threat.
North Korea broke its silence toward the Biden administration Tuesday when Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of the regime's leader Kim Jong Un, spoke out against the joint exercise being conducted by U.S. and South Korean forces through Thursday. "If [the new U.S. administration] wants to sleep in peace for the coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step," the younger Kim said, hinting that the regime is prepared to abandon the inter-Korean military agreement. During a seldom-held congress opened by the ruling party in January, Kim Jong Un pledged to expand the North's nuclear capabilities, casting the U.S. as the "greatest enemy" to the nation. Experts believe that the regime is intentionally heightening tensions to draw the attention of the Biden administration. "Kim Jong Un may begin flight testing an improved ICBM design in the near future," Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of the U.S. military's Northern Command, told lawmakers in a written testimony Tuesday.
The same day, CNN reported an analysis by the U.S. intelligence community shows the North is likely preparing to conduct a missile or rocket engine test. Administration officials are discussing how to publicly respond if a test does take place, according to the report.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Blinken-presses-South-Korea-to-work-with-Japan-in-Indo-Pacific
U.S. Treasury has mailed out 150,000 paper checks, made 90 million direct deposits
The U.S. Treasury on Wednesday said it has sent 90 million direct payments worth about $242 billion to Americans from President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, with more payments to be distributed in coming weeks. Most of the payments were sent by direct deposit to recipients’ bank accounts starting on Friday, the Treasury said in a statement, adding that the first payment batches were now fully available to be spent. The Treasury said it also mailed out 150,000 paper checks worth $442 million.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the large number of checks and deposits made showed the administration was working to accomplish Biden’s promise to deliver 100 million payments to Americans in 10 days. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also reassured the governors of Kentucky and South Carolina that her department was racing to get funds to families, states and local governments. The Treasury said Yellen spoke earlier on Wednesday with Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Henry McMaster of South Carolina, who co-chair the economic recovery task force of the National Governors Association. “Secretary Yellen conveyed how the Treasury Department is working around-the-clock to get funds to families, states, and local governments, quickly and efficiently, as Americans continue to combat the pandemic and recover from the current health and economic crises,” it said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-treasury-payments/update-1-u-s-treasury-has-mailed-out-150000-paper-checks-made-90-million-direct-deposits-idUSL1N2LF3ER
logged out
RCH740T USAF C-17 Globemaster west after JBA ground stop-inbound from Denver Int'l
Since they had the equipment issue with the 757 on monday and AC that was supposed to transport some of this stuff was used for press so this one must be going back to DIA to fill in the coverage gap created by that change of plan
Brazil kicks off interest rate hikes more aggressively than expected
Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday delivered its first interest rate hike in nearly six years, a surprise 75 basis point hike to 2.75% and flagged a similar increase in May to fight inflation even as the economy reels during the pandemic. The decision to raise borrowing costs comes at a fragile moment, as a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping Latin America’s largest economy. Brazil’s death toll and case count trails only the United States, and its economy is on course to contract in the first quarter. Still, the bank’s rate-setting committee, known as Copom, said its decision to raise the benchmark rate from a record-low 2.00% was unanimous, and signaled a hike of the same size at its next meeting unless the outlook changes significantly. All but one of 30 economists polled by Reuters had expected a smaller increase to 2.50%.
With 12-month inflation running at 5.2%, well above the central bank’s year-end target of 3.75%, Copom said in its accompanying statement that this marks the start of a “partial normalization” process for monetary policy. “Copom members consider that the current conditions ceased to prescribe an extraordinarily stimulus,” policymakers said, noting that inflation expectations are above target for the relevant policy horizon, including this year and 2022. “For the next meeting, unless there is a significant change in inflation projections or in the balance of risks, the Committee foresees the continuation of the partial normalization process with another adjustment, of the same magnitude, in the degree of monetary stimulus,” they said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/brazil-economy-rates/update-2-brazil-kicks-off-interest-rate-hikes-more-aggressively-than-expected-idUSL1N2LF3QD
Russia recalls its U.S. ambassador for consultations after Biden comment on Putin
Russia on Wednesday called its ambassador to the United States back to Moscow for consultations on the future of U.S.-Russia ties after President Joe Biden said Vladimir Putin would ‘pay a price’ for alleged election meddling. Biden made his comments after a U.S. intelligence report supported longstanding allegations that Putin was behind Moscow’s election interference in the United States, an accusation Russia called baseless. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had called its ambassador, Anatoly Antonov, back to Moscow to discuss the future of Russia’s relationship with the United States. The move was designed to ensure bilteral ties did not degrade irreparably, it said.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/17/russia-recalls-its-us-ambassador-for-consultations-after-biden-comment-on-putin.html
Japan’s Last Three F-4EJ Phantoms Have Just Flown For The Last Time
On March 17, 2021, the remaining three F-4EJ Phantom aircraft of the JASDF made their last flight at Gifu Air Base, north of Nagoya. With the retirement of the airframes 17-8301/301, 47-8336/336 and 07-8431/431 the career of the F-4 in the JASDF has eventually come to an end. The aircraft operated with the Air Development and Test Wing (the unit that specializes in pre-operational testing and verification of JASDF equipment).
The three Samurai Phantoms (two F-4EJ and an F-4EJ “Kai”) took off at around 8:55 AM LT, and flew for about 40 minutes. Then they performed several passes over the base before landing for the last time. After landing, they passed through the water arch by the water cannon and were greeted by the JASDF personnel gathered on the apron with an applause. Interestingly, Phantom #301, an F-4EJ that has not been modernized to the “Kai” (“extra”) variant, is also the first F-4 imported from the U.S. in 1971, hence the oldest Phantom in Japanese service. The aircraft was given special markings to celebrate the 50 years of service since the F-4 Phantom was first delivered to the JASDF in 1971: it sports a large “Thank You 1971-2021” text under the central fuselage, “Phantom Forever” on both sides of the air intakes.
Phantom #301, is one of the first two aircraft produced by McDonnell Douglas (with eleven others being assembled locally by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from parts manufactured and shipped from the U.S.) and has not received the upgrades: it has flown until today with more or less the same “hardware” it had 50 years ago. It was quite popular among local spotters because of its peculiar tail marking that is often referred to as the “shock wave and satellite orbit”.
https://theaviationist.com/2021/03/17/japans-last-three-f-4ej-phantoms-have-just-flown-for-the-last-time/
C3.Ai, Inc. Chief Executive Officer sold : $287.56m-Mar 8-17
C3.ai, Inc. (C3.ai) is an enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) software company. The Company provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) application that enables deployment of enterprise-scale AI applications. C3.ai provide two families of software solutions: C3 AI Suite and C3 AI applications. Its C3 AI Suite is an end-to-end platform-as-a-service allowing customers to design, develop, provide, and operate enterprise AI applications. The Company's customers can utilize the C3 AI Suite to build and operate their own enterprise AI applications. Its C3 AI applications is a portfolio of turnkey cross-industry and industry-specific enterprise AI applications, which is built using the C3 AI Suite that can be installed and deployed. The Company offers turnkey enterprise AI applications to serve the needs of a list of vertical market segments including oil and gas, chemicals, utilities, manufacturing, financial services, defense, intelligence, aerospace, healthcare, and telecommunications.
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/C3-AI-INC-116373775/company/
Thomas M. Siebel-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer C3.ai,inc.
Thomas Siebel's software company C3.ai raised about $50 million from BlackRock in September 2019 at a $3.25 billion valuation. Today, C3.ai is focused on enterprise AI, but it started as a clean energy firm. It was briefly named C3IoT in 2016 to chase the IoT market. Siebel was a salesman at Oracle. He left in 1990, built software firm Siebel Systems and sold it to Oracle for $5.8 billion in cash and stock in 2006. In 2016 he donated $25 million to his alma mater, U. of I. Urbana-Champaign, to build an innovation-focused design center that will bear his name.
https://finviz.com/insidertrading.ashx?oc=1031530&tc=7&b=2
Statement Regarding Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Operations
In light of the sustained smooth functioning of markets for agency commercial mortgage-backed securities (agency CMBS), the Open Market Trading Desk (the Desk) at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will no longer conduct regular operations to purchase agency CMBS at the conclusion of the current schedule. The agency CMBS purchase operation currently scheduled for March 23, 2021 is expected to be the last regularly-scheduled purchase operation. Details of this operation are available on the Agency CMBS Operation Schedule page, last updated on March 12, 2021-see below.
Consistent with the most recent FOMC directive, the Desk remains ready to conduct agency CMBS purchase operations as needed to sustain smooth functioning of markets for these securities.
https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/opolicy/operating_policy_210317a
Taking away the punch-bowl for CMBS because "In light of the sustained smooth functioning of markets…."
last one (for now) on March '23 for $250m- for Ginne Mae Loans
https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/domestic-market-operations/monetary-policy-implementation/agency-commercial-mortgage-backed-securities/agency-commercial-mortgage-backed-securities-schedule
nite wakes
6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Algerian Coast: US Geological Survey
A shallow 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Algerian coast on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said. The USGS said the quake hit 20 kilometres north-east of the city of Bejaia at 1:04 am local time (0004 GMT), at a depth of 10 kilometres.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/6-0-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-off-algerian-coast-us-geological-survey-2393200
Joe stayin' in tomorrow…really tough day scheduled for him.
Georgia tomorrow perhaps-they put two C-17 T flights in at Dobbins ARB-nw of Atlanta yesterday.
9:30 AM est The President and The Vice President receive the President’s Daily Brief
12:30pm est Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge
1:15pm est The President and The Vice President receive a COVID-19 briefing
2:15pm est The President and The Vice President receive the Weekly Economic Briefing
3:15pm pst The President delivers remarks on the state of vaccinations
https://factba.se/biden/calendar/
That is it………..
frb
outta here nao
Supposed to be a Nightwatch departing from Osan AB in SoKo for India (Sec. of Defense and should be TITAN25) and SAM910 757 should be leaving soon after to Anchorage for the meeting with the chinese.
If you need something to keep ya awake…
Nite
o7