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Lebanon Seeks to Distance State from Hezbollah After Cyprus Drone Incident

                                                         File photo: Youssef Ragg Lebanon has urged Cypriot authorities and the public not to conflate the Lebanese state with Hezbollah following a drone strike that originated from Lebanese territory and hit Cyprus six days earlier. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi emphasized that the attack was carried out independently by Hezbollah and does not reflect the policies, values, or intentions of the Lebanese government.  Raggi stressed that Lebanon rejects any attempt to use its territory for external agendas and reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions fall outside the state’s legal authority. He called on Cyprus to distinguish between the official Lebanese government and groups operating autonomously, noting that Lebanon has consistently affirmed its sovereignty ...
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Fiscal Challenges Ahead: U.S. Bonds Face Uncertainty Under Trump’s New Term

 

As Donald Trump begins his new term as U.S. President, the fiscal landscape presents significant challenges that could impact the nation’s bond market. The prospect of rising government debt levels has already influenced investor sentiment, pushing U.S. government bond yields higher.

Trump’s trade and tax policies are expected to reignite inflation, exacerbating the fiscal strain. This scenario has led to concerns among investors, often referred to as “bond vigilantes,” who may dump government debt over worries about increasing deficits. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield has already risen to 4.479% in response to these concerns.

A critical hurdle for the new administration will be the reinstatement of the federal debt ceiling on January 2, 2025. This ceiling, which was suspended in 2023, must be approved by a majority of lawmakers. Past disputes over the debt limit have brought the country close to default, affecting its credit rating.

Analysts predict volatility in the bond market around these negotiations, even if a default is avoided. Measures such as Treasury puts or credit default swaps might be used to hedge against this volatility. The Treasury Department may need to employ extraordinary measures to fund the government until the so-called X date, when it can no longer meet all its obligations.

In summary, Trump’s presidency is expected to bring fiscal challenges that could strain the U.S. bond market, with rising deficits and potential volatility as key concerns for investors.


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