US Admits Liability In Helicopter-Jet Crash Over Potomac River

Political

Economic

Summary:

The US government acknowledged in a federal court filing that it was liable for damages resulting from a deadly collision between an Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines Group Inc. jetliner earlier this year near Washington, one of the deadliest crashes in decades.

"The United States admits that it owed a duty of care to plaintiffs, which it breached, thereby proximately causing the tragic accident" on Jan. 29 that killed 67 people, Justice Department lawyers wrote in a court document Wednesday in one of about two dozen lawsuits filed over the crash.

The American CRJ-700 jet and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided as the plane approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, with both aircraft falling into the Potomac River. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas. The helicopter was carrying three people participating in a regular training mission. Family members of the victims have sued the government and American, along with one of its subsidiaries, PSA Airlines.

CNN reported earlier on the Justice Department filing.

Robert Clifford, an attorney representing the wife one of the passengers killed in the crash, said in a statement that the US Army had admitted its "responsibility for the needless loss of life," as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's "failure to follow air traffic control procedure." However, the government was just "one of several causes," Clifford said, pointing out that American and PSA have sought to dismiss the complaints.

American declined to comment on the recent filing but referred Bloomberg to its previous motion to dismiss the case against it. In that motion, the airline said it's "sympathetic to plaintiffs' desire to obtain redress for this tragedy" but "plaintiffs' proper legal recourse is not against American. It is against the United States government."

The FAA referred questions to the Justice Department. The US Army didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment after normal business hours.

The collision was followed by several other aviation mishaps, including crashes and near misses, that resulted in widespread concern among the flying public. Since then, the Federal Aviation Administration has stepped up safety measures at the busy Reagan airport and restricted non-essential helicopter operations.

The case is Crafton vs. American Airlines, 25-cv-03382, US District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).

Source: Bloomberg Europe

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Adam

Economic

Inflation data set for release Thursday morning is expected to show price increases remain above the Federal Reserve's target in the final major piece of US economic data released on an altered schedule due to the government shutdown.

The November Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is set for release at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday and is expected to show headline prices rose 3.1% over the prior year, according to data from Bloomberg.

"Core CPI," which strips out the often-volatile food and energy categories, is expected to rise 3.1% from last year.

In September, the last month for which there is inflation data, both the headline and core CPI measures rose 3% from a year ago.

Thursday's report will mark the first official inflation read since September, after the BLS opted to cancel the October report in light of the US government shutdown. This means November's reading will not have month-on-month comparisons for the headline and core CPI figures.

This should also mark the final time major economic data, notably the monthly jobs report and inflation data, is published on an altered schedule following the government shutdown that lasted 43 days earlier this year.

The November jobs report was released on Tuesday, showing more jobs were created last month than expected, while the unemployment rate hit a four-year high. The December jobs report is set for release on Jan. 9, 2026, returning to its typical spot on a Friday morning.

"Inflation is still above target ... but this should be temporary," said Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial. "As demand cools in the coming months, pricing pressures should ease, giving investors some breathing room."

Economists at Bank of America wrote in a report ahead of the release that goods inflation should "remain sticky owing to tariffs," while services "should be softer driven in part by health insurance."

This push-pull dynamic within the inflation data is likely to keep the Fed on the sidelines at the end of its January meeting, with traders currently pricing in a roughly 25% chance the central bank cuts rates next month.

Last week, the Fed's forecasts suggested it would cut rates only one more time in 2026 after cutting rates by 0.25% at three straight meetings to end 2025.

Source: finance.yahoo

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Gerik

Economic

Treasury Market Cools Ahead of CPI Release

U.S. government bond yields inched downward early Thursday, reflecting investor caution ahead of a closely watched inflation report. At 4:59 a.m. ET, the 10-year Treasury yield declined by 1 basis point to 4.135%, while the 2-year fell by 2 basis points to 3.464%. The 30-year bond saw a minimal dip, settling at 4.818%.

These modest declines reflect the market’s defensive posture, as investors position themselves ahead of inflation data that could significantly influence Federal Reserve policy expectations for 2026. Given that bond yields move inversely to prices, the slight drop suggests cautious demand for safe-haven assets in anticipation of a pivotal macroeconomic release.

Focus Turns to Annual CPI Amid Data Gaps

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release the Consumer Price Index report at 8:30 a.m. ET. This CPI print is especially important as it is the first since the conclusion of the 43-day U.S. government shutdown. Due to data disruptions, the release will not include the usual month-over-month inflation figures. Instead, focus will shift entirely to annual trends.

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones project headline CPI to come in at 3.1% on a year-over-year basis, while the core CPI which excludes food and energy is expected at 3.0%. These figures are significant because they straddle the psychological divide between the high-2% and low-3% range, a threshold that influences monetary policy direction.

Implications for Federal Reserve Strategy

If inflation data surprises to the downside and remains within the high-2% range, it could reinforce expectations for interest rate cuts next year. José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers, emphasized that keeping inflation “in the twos” would strengthen the case for monetary easing in 2026. By contrast, any upward deviation may force the Fed to maintain a more hawkish stance, delaying cuts and keeping borrowing costs elevated.

The anticipated inflation figures will serve as the final price benchmark of the year, effectively setting the tone for early 2026 policymaking. Given the Fed’s dual mandate of managing inflation and maximizing employment, any signal of persistent pricing pressure could complicate its path forward, especially with signs of labor market resilience.

Labor and Housing Data Also in Play

Beyond inflation, investors are also monitoring jobless claims and the state of the housing market. The Labor Department will release its weekly jobless claims data today, offering real-time insight into the labor market’s momentum. Additionally, existing home sales data for November is expected Friday, shedding light on consumer sentiment and credit conditions following a volatile year in real estate.

These indicators, when viewed alongside inflation, will form a broader picture of economic health, which in turn will guide rate path expectations. Lower-than-expected jobless claims could temper enthusiasm for rate cuts, while weak home sales could amplify arguments for easing.

Inflation Print Could Unlock Market Momentum

Thursday’s muted bond yield movements illustrate the market’s suspense. While the CPI data alone may not trigger an immediate rate shift, its interpretation will be crucial for shaping forward guidance. A reading below 3% could trigger a rally in both bonds and equities, as it would validate dovish sentiment and increase confidence in Fed rate reductions next year.

However, any deviation from these expectations could revive uncertainty, prolonging elevated yields and keeping downward pressure on rate-sensitive sectors. As such, the forthcoming inflation data despite lacking monthly granularity is likely to influence asset pricing well into the start of 2026.

Source: CNBC

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Adam

Commodity

The long-standing gap between supply and demand for silver became clear in the second half of the year, especially in the current quarter. The price of the metal has stayed confidently above $60 an ounce and looks set to reach the next key level later this year.

A major factor pushing buyers is the possibility of another interest rate cut by the Fed due to a weakening labor market. Falling yields on US bonds and a relatively weaker US dollar are also creating conditions that could keep silver prices moving higher.

Today, we will see new data on CPI, which suggests that year-on-year inflation may tick slightly above the 3% mark.

Will the Fed Keep Rates Steady Next Year?

Looking at the latest inflation data, which shows a steady rebound, one might question the case for interest rate cuts. However, the Federal Reserve has a dual mandate: it focuses not only on price stability but also on the health of the labor market. Recent data, including revisions to previous figures, make it clear that labor conditions are worsening, as reflected by the highest unemployment rate in several years.

Silver: Key Support Looks Intact Ahead of CPI — What Traders Are Watching Next_1

The current forecast is for two more 25-basis-point rate cuts next year, which may be seen as a minimum given the ongoing weakness in economic data. The market currently assigns less than a 73% probability to no change at the first Fed meeting next year.

Today, new CPI data will be released. With the market consensus at 3.1% year-on-year, the actual figure will indicate whether the recent rebound in price growth continues.

Silver: Key Support Looks Intact Ahead of CPI — What Traders Are Watching Next_2

Are 2-Year Bonds on the Verge of a Support Break?

Since September, US 2-year government bond yields have mostly moved within a consolidation range. However, the lower boundary, a key long-term support around 3.45%, is facing consistent downward pressure.

Silver: Key Support Looks Intact Ahead of CPI — What Traders Are Watching Next_3

If the anticipated breakout happens, the next technical targets drop below $3. If the breakout fails, a move above the main downward trend line could drive yields toward the 4.10 resistance level.

Is the Silver Pullback a Buying Opportunity?

Strong demand is preventing the market from retreating to more favorable prices, so any pullbacks are mostly sideways consolidations. If this momentum carries gold toward $70 an ounce, traders may look at the trend line and local support near $65 as potential entry points for long positions.

Silver: Key Support Looks Intact Ahead of CPI — What Traders Are Watching Next_4

A decline below current levels could set the stage for a wider rebound, with the next target near $60 an ounce.

Investing: source

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Warren Takunda

Economic

President Donald Trump’s glowing account of progress under his watch Wednesday was out of tune with the experience of price-squeezed Americans and the story told by some of his government’s own statistics.

In a speech from the White House, Trump assailed the record of his Democratic predecessor and boasted expansively about his record so far. Not all of those boasts were credible.

Among them:

On inflation

TRUMP: He blamed Democrats for handing him an “inflation disaster,” “the worst in the history of our country,” and said that now, the prices of turkey and eggs have come down and “everything else is falling rapidly. And it’s not done yet. But boy, are we making progress.”

THE FACTS: His claim that prices are falling rapidly is not seen in the inflation numbers, which are about where they were when he took office, after having fallen significantly before the end of Joe Biden’s presidency. Nor is it true that the Biden era gave the country its worst inflation ever.

The consumer price index was 3% in September, the same rate as in January, a tick up from 2.9% in December, Biden’s last full month in office. In an AP-NORC poll this month, the vast majority of U.S. adults said they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts in recent months.

Biden-era inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, a consequence of supply chain interruptions, potentially excessive amounts of government aid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving up food and energy costs. Americans have known even worse and more sustained inflation than that: higher than 13% in 1980 during an extended period of price pain. By some estimates, inflation approached 20% during World War I.

Inflation had been falling during the first few months of Trump’s presidency, but it picked back up after the president announced his tariffs in April.

On investment

TRUMP: “I secured a record-breaking $18 trillion of investment into the United States.”

THE FACTS: Trump has presented no evidence that he’s secured this much domestic or foreign investment for the United States. Based on statements from various companies, foreign countries and the White House’s own website, that figure appears to be exaggerated, highly speculative and far higher than the actual sum.

Even the White House website offers a far lower number, $9.6 trillion, and that figure appears to include some investment commitments made during Biden’s presidency.

Trump has routinely claimed rosy investment numbers, without offering the details to support them. Trump nailed down some of the investment terms in an October trip to Japan and South Korea, but they’re over multiple years and it remains to be seen how ironclad those commitments and others will be.

A landslide?

TRUMP: “I was elected in a landslide, winning the popular vote and all seven swing states and everything else, with a mandate to take on a sick and corrupt system.”

THE FACTS: Trump won a decisive victory but hardly a landslide one, however you define a landslide. Trump, who became president with 312 electoral votes, won fewer than Democrats Barack Obama in 2008 (365) and 2012 (332) and Bill Clinton in 1992 (370) and 1996 (379).

The electoral performance of those men pales in comparison with the sweeps by Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 (523), Lyndon Johnson in 1964 (486), Richard Nixon in 1972 (520) and Ronald Reagan (525) in 1984.

Trump did win more popular votes than his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, but not quite a majority of them. His win in 2024 ranks among the more narrow.

Source: AP

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Glendon

Forex

Economic

Underlying US inflation rose in November from a year earlier at the slowest pace since early 2021, marking a respite from months of stubborn price pressures, according to a report complicated by the federal government shutdown.

The core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes the often-volatile food and energy categories, increased 2.6% in November, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data out Thursday. That compares with a 3% annual advance two months earlier. The overall CPI climbed 2.7% in November from a year ago.

The BLS was unable to collect much of the October price data due to the government shutdown, limiting the agency's ability to determine month-over-month changes for the broader measures of inflation and many key categories in November.

The BLS said the core CPI rose 0.2% over the two months ended in November, restrained by declines in costs of hotel stays, recreation and apparel. Prices of household furnishings and personal care products rose.

Despite numerous caveats, the report offers hope that inflationary pressures are easing after remaining stuck in a narrow range since early this year.

Stock-index futures extended gains, while Treasury yields and the dollar fell after the report.

It's not clear whether the CPI report will sway Federal Reserve policymakers, who remain divided on the course of interest rates next year. Last week, the Fed lowered interest rates for a third straight meeting to guard against a more concerning deterioration in the labour market.

Fed chair Jerome Powell said last week the CPI data "may be distorted" because of the record-long government shutdown that ended on Nov 12.

Source: Theedgemarkets

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Adam

Commodity

Light Crude Holds Firmer as Traders Assess Geopolitical Supply Threats

Daily Light Crude Oil Futures

Light crude oil futures traded slightly higher on Thursday, stabilizing after surrendering earlier gains that lifted prices to an overnight high of $56.85. Futures are now leaning on the minor pivot at $55.845, a level that has taken on outsized importance after Tuesday’s drop to a five-year low at $54.84. The market’s response to this pivot is shaping short-term sentiment as traders gauge whether consolidation will hold or sellers will press for another test of the week’s lows.

At 11:19 GMT, Light Crude Oil Futures are trading $55.92, up $0.11 or +0.20%.

Geopolitical Pressure Builds: Are Sanctions the Next Catalyst for Oil Prices Forecast?

Fresh headlines surrounding potential U.S. sanctions on Russia added a firm tone to crude early in the session. Bloomberg reported that Washington is preparing additional measures targeting Russia’s energy sector should Moscow refuse to move toward a peace agreement with Ukraine. While a White House official told Reuters that President Donald Trump has not made final decisions, traders treated the possibility as a credible risk that could tighten supplies. Analysts noted that expanded sanctions on Russian crude would likely carry more weight for the global market than the separate blockade threat tied to Venezuela.

Venezuela Blockade Raises Supply Concerns but Enforcement Remains Unclear

The proposed U.S. blockade of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil has introduced another layer of uncertainty. According to ING, as much as 600,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan exports—mostly destined for China—could be disrupted. About 160,000 bpd of flows to the United States would probably continue, supported by existing authorizations that allow Chevron vessels to depart. Most other Venezuelan shipments were halted on Wednesday, although PDVSA managed to restart loading after a cyberattack temporarily shut operations.

Enforcement Questions Keep Traders Focused on Crude Oil News Today

Uncertainty over implementation remains significant. The U.S. Coast Guard already seized a Venezuelan tanker last week, and sources indicated Washington may prepare for additional interdictions. Still, full details on how a blockade would function are unclear, keeping traders wary but not yet pricing in a severe supply shock. Venezuelan crude accounts for roughly 1% of global supply, meaning enforcement outcomes matter more than the headline volume alone.

Market Levels and Oil Prices Projections Point to a Cautious Bullish Bias

With futures consolidating between $54.84 and $56.85, holding the pivot at $55.845 is essential for any late-session rebound. A push higher would bring the short-term upside target of $57.60 into view, followed by resistance at $58.82 and the 200-day moving average at $60.57. Given the geopolitical backdrop and early buying interest, the near-term outlook leans cautiously bullish, provided the market maintains support above the pivot and avoids another test of the weekly low.