Patti Mohr

IMF: Crypto, Stocks Surged In Response To Central Bank Policies Since 2020

11Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Brief

IMF: Crypto, Stocks Surged In Response To Central Bank Policies Since 2020

In Effect, The Policies Pose The Risk Of Shocks To The Financial Systems Photo by BTC Keychain January 11, 2022--Cryptocurrencies and stock market equities skyrocketed as central banks produced loose monetary policies amid the 2020 global pandemic. Although cryptocurrency prices and some high-growth stocks have dipped since the start of the year, they both "surged amid easy global financial conditions," the International Monetary Fund reported on today. That may come as no surprise among high finance investors who carefully watch interest rates established by central banks, especially those in the United States and Europe. But today's report by the IMF appears to be the first acknowledgment from the multilateral organization that government agencies are fueling the boom in r...

Geneva Talks Avert US-Russian Conflict Over Ukraine, For Now

10Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Types of News: Brief

Geneva Talks Avert US-Russian Conflict Over Ukraine, For Now

January 10, 2022--U.S. and Russian diplomats meeting in Geneva this week face a tall task: Deescalate tensions over Ukraine. Russia has around 100,000 troops positioned near the Russian-Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, the United States is saying it will strengthen its defensive agreement with Ukraine. So far, the meetings appear to be promoting diplomacy as the answer. Since the leaders from the two countries met virtually just over a month ago, both sides have significantly raised the stakes and preferred worst-case scenarios. US-Russian diplomats met in Geneva Jan. 10, 2022. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman represented the United States to meet with Sergey Ryabkov, Russian's deputy foreign minister. Russia Seeks Security Guarantees Russian President Vladimir Putin laid...

Capital Attack Case ‘Far From Done,’ Justice Dept Says

6Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Capital Attack Case ‘Far From Done,’ Justice Dept Says

On the first anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol by American protestors, the U.S. Justice Department said its ongoing investigation has resulted in more than 725 arrests nationwide and would continue to "follow the facts wherever they lead." "Those involved must be held accountable, and there is no higher priority for us at the Department of Justice," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland commented in a speech. "In the aftermath of the attack, the Justice Department began its work on what has become one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history." January 6, 2021 It was a day that showed the fragility of the U.S. democratic republic. A new president had been elected, and the U.S. Congress was fulfilling its constitutional duty t...

Central Banks Fuel Stock Market Expansion in 2021

30Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Types of News: Analysis

Central Banks Fuel Stock Market Expansion in 2021

Low-Interest Rate Environment Also Contributing To Rising Cost of Housing December 30, 2021--With near-zero interest rates by central banks in the United States and Europe, companies raised $12 trillion in 2021 sales of stocks, bonds, and new loans. That's up 17 percent from 2020, according to reporting by the Financial Times. Low-interest rates make borrowing easier and increase the money supply. The downside is they encourage riskier investments, benefit those who already own assets, and can skew the societal risk toward inflation. In effect, investors benefit while consumers pay more. Cash to Keep Flowing in 2022 The trend is likely to continue in 2022. Research by J.P. Morgan suggests the U.S. Federal Reserve will continue a "broadly accommodative" policy despite its tape...

Israeli, Palestinian Authority Leaders Met In Person, And That In Itself Is Significant

30Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Middle East, Types of News: Brief

Israeli, Palestinian Authority Leaders Met In Person, And That In Itself Is Significant

December 30, 2021--Although there are no peace talks in place between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz in central Israel this week. It's significant in that it was the first time Abbas visited Israel in a decade. It also marks a sign of support by Israel for the weak Palestinian government. Abbas represents Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. His leadership is often overshadowed by the Palestinian leadership in Gaza, which is controlled by militant Hamas. The year has seen rising tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, including a 22-day war between Israel and Hamas in May. Meeting Outcomes According to reporting by the Times of Israel, Gantz announced on Wednesday that Israel will offer the foll...

Russian Court Closes International Nonprofit Critical of the Soviet Union

29Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Human rights, Types of News: Brief

Russian Court Closes International Nonprofit Critical of the Soviet Union

December 29, 2021--A Russian court closed a human rights organization called International Memorial for failing to mark a number of its social media posts as coming from a "foreign agent," the BBC reported on Tuesday. On its website, International Memorial is a Moscow-based nonprofit organization “studying political repressions in the USSR and in present-day Russia.” According to reporting by the BBC, the court prosecutor called the organization a “public threat,” saying it receives money from the West and focuses on crimes by the Soviet Union. Separately, a Moscow court closed its affiliate Memorial on Wednesday, the Financial Times reported. Representatives from many Western governments condemned the action. For example, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the group was...

Biden And Putin To Talk Thursday To Try To Ease Tensions

29Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Biden And Putin To Talk Thursday To Try To Ease Tensions

December 29, 2021--Amid rising tensions between the West and Russia, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet by phone on Thursday. The talks come as military tensions rise between Russia and the West over Ukraine. The phone conversation comes ahead of diplomatic meetings scheduled in January in Geneva between Russia and the United States. "By and large we are seeing positive traction at this point," Putin said of the discussions during his Dec. 23 annual press conference. He said the topic of Ukraine is "a formidable issue" concerning Russia's security. He added that conflict "is not our choice." https://youtu.be/fwThVdceKv4 Conflict "is not our choice," Putin said during his Dec. 23 annual press conference. Relations between Russia...

Eurozone Inflation Varies Widely By Country

28Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

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

Eurozone Inflation Varies Widely By Country

As the euro-area grows, so does euro-area inflation rate. Overall, the inflation rate reached 4.9 percent by year's end. Some see the rise in prices moderating next year. While others see it persisting and posing a threat to the economic recovery. With the rise in oil prices and supply bottlenecks making global trading more expensive in 2021, consumers around the world are coping with higher prices. Central banks in Europe and the United States are beginning to reduce their stimulus programs. Yet the European Central Bank plans to continue purchasing assets, albeit at a slower pace, while maintaining its policy of zero-to-negative interest rates into 2022. What's interesting is that the inflation rate varies widely in the eurozone, from a moderate 2.2 percent annualized increase in ...

Timeline of Nuclear-Related Talks With Iran

22Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Sanctions, Types of News: Infographic

Timeline of Nuclear-Related Talks With Iran

Here's a visual depiction of the talks hosted by the IAEA to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. Included are decisions about sanctions by the United States and the UN Security Council. timeline_iran_talks_vienna_nuclear_and_sanctionsDownload This content is supported by affiliate marketing. The GER chooses our partners carefully. Please consider purchasing products from our advertising partners. To support our work, please make sure your browser enables cookies for tracking.

Fed Keeps Funds At Near Zero, Focuses on Labor Participation Rate

15Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics

Fed Keeps Funds At Near Zero, Focuses on Labor Participation Rate

December 15, 2021--Despite high and rising inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided today to keep its federal funds rate between zero and 0.25 percent. The Federal Reserve statement acknowledged that inflation has "exceeded 2 percent for some time." Furthermore, the unemployment rate is at 4.2 percent--which is significantly close to the 4 percent target that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell mentioned in March. Defining Employment In his comments to reporters in a virtual conference held today, Powell seemed to expand the definition of "maximum employment" that the Fed has traditionally considered. For example, asked to define maximum employment, Powell discussed not only the unemployment rate but also "a broad range of indicators" including: the labor participation rate...