Patti Mohr

Russia, Ukraine Foreign Ministers Talk In Turkey

10Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Eastern Europe, Types of News: Analysis

Russia, Ukraine Foreign Ministers Talk In Turkey

March 10, 2022--It was a valiant effort by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to host diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine today. After all, it's the 15th day of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine and its citizens with no end in sight. The table was already set for meetings as Turkey was hosting a diplomacy forum in Antalya. So the mood for some kind of breakthrough in peace talks or at least a ceasefire for humanitarian relief seemed possible. But that did not happen when Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba faced one another across a large U-shaped table. That was the extent of the progress. No Breakthroughs Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey is encouraging the ongoing process taking place in Belarus. He e...

10Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

US Inflation Reaches 7.9 Percent

March 10, 2022--The Consumer Price Index increased to 0.8 percent in February, bringing the annualized inflation rate to 7.9 percent, the Labor Department reported today. The goods with the highest price increases include gasoline, shelter and food. Gas prices rose 6.6 percent in February alone and are continuing to rise. They increased 38 percent for the year. Meanwhile, energy services, such as electricity and utility, rose 43 percent over a 12-month period. Also, the index for food prices experienced the largest monthly jump of 2.3 percent since March 2010. The inflation figures are likely to factor into the Federal Reserve's decision-making meeting on March 15-16. The next release date for inflation figures is April 12.

9Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

US, Venezuela Resume Diplomatic Talks

U.S Prisoners Held In Venezuela Return Home March 9, 2022--As the United States cuts off imports of oil from Russia, it opens doors for a resumption of trade with other countries under U.S. sanctions. Namely, it opens possibilities for Venezuela and Iran. In the latter case, Iran, negotiations have been ongoing in Vienna for months. Talks Resume In the case of Venezuela, diplomats restarted talks that had stalled. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Tuesday U.S. envoy had traveled to resume talks on "a range of topics" and those talks are ongoing. Venezuela backed Russia on a recent UN vote, abstaining from a resolution on by the UN Human Rights Council. And Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro stands firm in his commitment to his communist revolution. His Twitt...

Council Of Inquiry Launched On Russia’s War Against Ukraine

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Human rights, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

Council Of Inquiry Launched On Russia’s War Against Ukraine

The UNHRC established a Commission of Inquiry on Russia's war on March 4, 2022. UN Human Rights Council Votes 32-2 On Resolution (Full Text) March 7, 2022—While wars may seemingly be created overnight, as in the case of Russia's aggression against its neighbor, no-fly zones and official state support for the territory violated are not. It is too soon to predict where this is heading. Even as Western leaders rule out the involvement of the NATO alliance, they and the rest of most of the world are carefully trodding towards confronting Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. Moral And Legal Support Mounts Moral support for Ukraine continues to grow, and an accumulation of legal and diplomatic is mounting. On March 4, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemni...

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

March 7, 2022--Europe is notoriously dependent on Russian oil and gas. That reliance is making strict penalties on Russia's invasion difficult to carry out. But that trade isn't set in stone. In a new report, the International Energy Agency recommends 10 steps for European leaders who want to break that dependency. Under the IEA plan, Europe would be able to reduce its natural gas imports from Russia from 155 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year to 95 bcm--a savings of one third. These figures assume Europe refills is gas storage facilities in 2022. According the the report, the steps are in line with the European Union's goals for climate action and a European Green Deal. However, the agency also recommends additional steps in light of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. 10 Steps ...

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Economics, WAR: Dispatches & Dialogue

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

Energy Price Spikes Lead Economic Impact Of War March 7, 2022—By far, the greatest cost of Russia's war against Ukraine is the humanitarian costs: the lives lost, the forced displacement, and the psychological trauma. As the world faces down Russia's aggression, we also need to recognize and prepare for the economic effects. The battle and emerging breakdown of global trade are also having an economic impact, and it is helpful for individuals to brace themselves for that. "The near-term effects on the U.S. economy of the invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing war, the sanctions, and of events to come, remain highly uncertain," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said recently. "We will need to be nimble in responding to incoming data and the evolving outlook."-House Financial Service...

White House Urges Americans To Strengthen Cybersecurity Tools

3Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

White House Urges Americans To Strengthen Cybersecurity Tools

March 3, 2022--The White House released a video message on Wednesday encouraging individuals, businesses, and government workers to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. "Given the history of Russia's use of cyber, it's important that we do all we can to prepare and maximize our resilience," said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for a new federal department on cybersecurity. Neuberger said the country is not raising its threat level on cybersecurity at this time. The message is intended as a precaution in case the level rises. Specifically, she is recommending users patch their systems—keeping anti-virus software up-to-date. She is also encouraging people to enhance passwords with multifactor authentication, such as fingerprints, at sign-ins. The Cybersecurity a...

Biden Shifts From Partisan Agenda To One Of Unity

3Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Types of News: Analysis, United States

Biden Shifts From Partisan Agenda To One Of Unity

Russia's War Is Uniting Democrats, Republicans, And Independents In Fight For Freedom March 3, 2022—Before the war in Europe started a week ago, you could say U.S. President Joe Biden led a country deeply divided by bitter politics and a populace upset by soaring inflation. The foul mood was evident in day-to-day life, even if you avoided the daily barrage of noise and diatribes of cable news. "Biden," a man muttered as we crossed paths in the post office parking lot in late February. It happened to be Presidents Day—a U.S. holiday celebrating past presidents—and the very mention of the word brought on a tirade of complaints. "Gas prices... That Biden." Then just a few days later, everything changed in America. It happened when Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent his troops and mis...

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

2Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

UN General Assembly vote on March 2, 2022 Resolution Calls On Russia To Immediately Cease Its Use Of Force Against Ukraine March 2, 2022--In an extraordinary session of the United Nation's General Assembly, representatives from 141 countries voted to condemn Russia's military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. It was only the 11th time in the organization's history that the General Assembly held an emergency session. The four-page resolution recalls several previous resolutions supporting territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Furthermore, it minces no words about condemning Russia. unga-resolution-Russia-UkraineDownload Belarus Condemned Too The resolution also calls out Russia's ally Belarus. Specifically, ...

As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank

28Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank

The Russian Ruble fell Monday to its lowest level on record. February 28, 2022--The United States added Russia's central bank to its list of targeted sanctions against that country's war on Ukraine. As a result, Americans are barred from doing any business, such as purchasing bonds, with Russia's central bank. The block on the secondary market for ruble or non-ruble denominated bonds for U.S. investors goes into effect immediately. Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia's National Wealth Fund, its Ministry of Finance, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, its CEO and two of its subsidiaries. Global Sanctions in Action Banks around the world started implementing sanctions imposed not only by the United States, but also the European Union, United Kingdom, Ca...