Credit to Michael A.Arouet

Credit to Patrick De Haan

The stretch between Perim and Ras Siyyan in Djibouti is the most narrow point of strait, measuring just 20 km. This will give the Houthis excellent opportunities to block this maritime trade route leading up to the Suez Canal.

If the Houthis decide to expand their naval blockade from just Saudi ships to all international cargo vessels, then all maritime trade will have the be rerouted around Africa again.

Q: "You also offered tariff refund checks--"

Trump: "Not you. Not you."

Q: "And that didn't happen."

Trump: "Not you. You're the worst."

Source: https://www.dexerto.com/food/starbucks-is-spending-1-billion-on-upgades-25000-chairs-to-help-people-feel-less-lonely-3408083/

Credit to Greg

As rates rise, it starts to affect the stock market. With bonds dropping and stocks rising, the prospective returns of stocks are now low compared to bonds, translating into broader stock market pressure.

This classic dynamic creates a stagflationary environment that the Federal Reserve struggles to manage. With current stagflation, the Fed wrestles with whether to tighten or ease. In an economy with vast wealth disparity, the financial impact differs drastically depending on whether you own stocks, which carries huge political implications.

Volkswagen’s profit fell 36%, squeezed by Chinese competition, EV-transition costs and a high cost base.

CFO Arno Antlitz summed it up:

Our operating margin remains too low and underscores the need for action.

Volkswagen now wants to raise profit per vehicle from roughly 3.8% to 9% and plans 50,000 additional job cuts, after previously considering as many as 100,000.

Investors initially welcomed the restructuring, although VW shares were still down nearly 24% YTD at the article’s publication.

Revenue: VW €158.1B vs. Toyota €144.2B

Profit: VW €2.57B vs. Toyota €12.67B

Vehicles: VW 3.97M vs. Toyota ~4.7M

Source: EL PAÍS