Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/treasury-market-proposal-and-farmland-expropriation-spark-concerns/
In the financial sector, there’s a brewing concern regarding the treasury market, specifically about the proposal to exclude treasury holdings from the Supplemental Liquidity Ratio (SLR) calculation. This move, aimed at managing risk by determining the reserve requirements for banks, could potentially obscure the true price of interest rates and undermine market transparency. The backdrop to this development is the series of policy changes initiated during the Covid crisis to enhance liquidity, including the Federal Reserve slashing rates and the temporary removal of banks’ reserve requirements. These measures, while intended to stabilize the market, have led to a situation where banks could become perpetual buyers of treasury debt, benefiting from the ability to purchase treasuries without facing mark-to-market losses. This scenario raises questions about the safety and the so-called risk-free nature of government bonds, especially in a market where some bonds are fractionally owned by multiple entities.
Meanwhile, in Waterloo Region of the UK, a contentious debate has emerged over the expropriation of 770 acres of farmland for an undisclosed economic development project. Critics argue the plan lacks transparency and could harm the local economy and environment. However, proponents believe the economic benefits, potentially from a large-scale industrial manufacturing investment, justify the acquisition. This situation highlights the delicate balance between preserving agricultural land and pursuing economic development opportunities that can boost job creation and tax revenue. The region’s history of successful industrial projects, like the Toyota assembly plant in Woodstock, underscores the potential gains from such investments, despite the emotional and environmental costs of expropriation.
On the environmental front, San Francisco has become the testing ground for a novel approach to combat global warming by attempting to increase cloud cover. The Coastal Atmospheric Aerosol Research and Engagement (CAARE) project involves spraying salt particles into the air to enhance the reflectivity of marine clouds. Conducted in secrecy to avoid public backlash, the experiment has sparked debate over the ethics of solar radiation modification and its potential ecological impacts. Critics argue that such experiments, while innovative, fail to address the root causes of climate change and underscore the need for a robust regulatory framework and greater transparency in environmental research initiatives.
Sources
Another Red Flag in the Treasury Market: SLR Rule Change Raises Concerns
The new SLR rule change could allow banks to be an endless buyer of treasury debt.
Source | Submitted by Gamma Geek
Expropriation Battle Erupts in Waterloo Region as Farmland Faces Economic Development
That is the magic formula for auto assembly plants and component manufacturers across Ontario.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Geoengineering Test Launches Salt Crystals into Atmosphere, Raising Concerns
The secrecy surrounding the landmark experiment seems to have been by design, according to The New York Times, which, along with a local newspaper, was granted exclusive access to cover the initial firing of the spray cannons.
Source | Submitted by bcoop