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On October 17th, according to the Financial Times, Anthropic is offering Blackstone Group a yield exceeding 10% to raise funds to support its latest chip deal. This $60 billion debt financing program, dubbed "Project North Star," will help Anthropic procure approximately 1.5 gigawatts of custom semiconductors, or TPUs, developed by Google. It is expected to be the largest chip financing deal to date and a key test of investor demand for AI-related debt. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Blackstones funds will invest $9 billion to purchase debt backed by Anthropics chip lease payments over the next five years, representing half of its approximately $18 billion in subprime loans. Blackstone has received a coupon rate offer of 10%, and the total yield will be even higher after accounting for new debt issuance discounts and other fees. According to the Intercontinental Exchanges Bank of America BB-rated U.S. High Yield Bond Index, borrowers with similar credit profiles typically pay around 7% yields when financing in the public bond market.According to the Financial Times, Anthropic offered Blackstone Group a double-digit yield in its latest chip financing deal.In an executive order, U.S. President Trump stated that he would waive certain sanctions, restrictions, and tariffs applicable under the Graham Act on sanctions against Russia and Iran, effective immediately.On October 17th, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on the 16th that, in response to attacks by Ukrainian authorities on Russian industrial enterprises and fuel and energy complexes, the Russian armed forces continue to strike Ukrainian military-industrial complexes and related facilities. Putin stated that the Russian military is accelerating its offensive across the entire front, and the "safe zone" along the border with Ukraine has significantly expanded in recent months. One of the main tasks on the ground remains the "liberation" of Donetsk. The Russian militarys control of Dobropilya was a landmark event in the special military operation, opening up a passage to Donetsk.On October 17th, German Chancellor Merz stated in Brussels, Belgium, on the 16th that the EU should exercise fiscal restraint in negotiating the next long-term budget, opposing a significant increase in its size and emphasizing that limited funds must be prioritized for defense and competitiveness. Following the conclusion of the two-day EU summit, Merz explicitly opposed the proposal to increase the next budget by approximately 50% at a press conference. He said that drastically increasing the EU budget is "fiscally unfeasible," and the final budget figure must be significantly reduced based on the European Commissions proposal. Merz posted on social media on the 15th that Europes funds are limited and clear priorities must be set. "We must invest funds in key areas that will determine Europes future—defense and competitiveness."

Some EU states urge Belgium to ban the importation of Russian diamonds

Haiden Holmes

Sep 26, 2022 11:18

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Five of the bloc's 27 member states have requested that the EU cease its purchases of diamonds from Russia as it prepares new sanctions against Moscow for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.


Antwerp, Belgium, has previously resisted a requirement that the EU, which has enacted six rounds of sanctions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, requires unanimity to approve.


The partial military mobilization and annexation of eastern Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin pushed the bloc into action.


This week, the EU's executive Commission will likely recommend more measures.


Poland, Ireland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia advocated for a ban on diamond imports from Russia.


The Antwerp World Diamond Center stated that sanctions will result in a 30% decline in sales and a rise in rival trading centers, adding that clients must decide if they need Russian jewels.


The foreign ministry and EU representative of Belgium remained silent.


On September 14, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo stated that a ban would be "devastating" for an industry that contributes for 5% of the country's exports and 30,000 jobs.


According to EU officials and diplomats preparing more sanctions on Russia, Belgium is poised to forego its veto.


In response to the Commission's proposal for new penalties, ambassadors and ministers will deliberate until agreement is reached; if not, the 27 national leaders will meet in Prague on October 6-7.