Patti Mohr

AI Reshaping the Corporate Credit Market

15Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Types of News: Brief

AI Reshaping the Corporate Credit Market

April 15, 2026—The momentum to infuse artificial intelligence throughout the economy is likely to reshape not only the job market, but also power centers and credit markets. Many observers refer to this as the “AI revolution”—the transformational, massive adoption of AI and machine learning to automate tasks. It’s a movement that represents a sea change in the workplace, business models, and the credit markets. Already, the AI disruption is impacting corporate credit, according to a new analysis by Moody’s Analytics Asset Management Research. The firm is adjusting its modeling for evaluating corporate credit risks and signaling that “a tipping point” is near. The report, Falling defaults, rising fragility, projects that U.S. corporate default rates are likely to decline through 20...

Trump to Headline Controversial Memecoin Event at Mar-a-Lago

14Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Trump to Headline Controversial Memecoin Event at Mar-a-Lago

Event Highlights Questions About Pay-For-Access April 14, 2026—President Donald Trump is expected to headline an upcoming cryptocurrency memecoin conference giving top investors exclusive access at a luncheon at the Trump family’s Mar-a-Lago estate later this month, according to advertisements for the event. It’s an indication that even as the president implements public policy, he takes time off his official role to make money from sales of his personalized, celebrity memecoin. It is another sign of the merging of government and business. Furthermore, it raises concerns about political influence-for-sale amid the opaque world of cryptocurrency. Exclusive Gamified Invite The April 25 event is an exclusive, invite-only gala for people holding the $TRUMP token. It is the second ...

Risk to Global Economy, Food Security, IMF, IEA & World Bank Warn

14Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Global Economics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

Risk to Global Economy, Food Security, IMF, IEA & World Bank Warn

The IMF is holding its annual spring meetings this week. Photo from April 14 2026 press conference. April 14, 2026—The International Monetary Fund warned of market stress, higher inflation, and disproportionate harm to emerging markets due to ongoing war in the Middle East. The fund adjusted its global economic growth projections downward from 3.4 percent in 2025 to 3.1 percent in 2026, with the largest decline impacting countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. The full report for the “World Economic Outlook” and related materials won’t be available until April 30, 2026. A second report, the Global Financial Stability Report, warned of risks to financial stability. Writing in an IMF post accompanying the report, Tobias Adrian, director of the IMF's Monetary and Capital Marke...

Fed Nominee Discloses $100 Million in Assets, Corporate Positions

14Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

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

Fed Nominee Discloses $100 Million in Assets, Corporate Positions

April 14, 2026—Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee to head the Federal Reserve, disclosed assets worth $100 million and professional positions and associations. Warsh is expected to face questions about the independence of the central bank. The Senate Banking Committee could hold a confirmation hearing for Warsh this week or next. Senators are reportedly awaiting his response to a committee questionnaire. At least one senator, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, has expressed reservations about confirming a new chair while the Trump administration maintains a criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank’s renovations. Powell’s term as chairman expires on May 15, but he has the option of staying on the board. Disclosures Display Deep Ties with Wall Street Warsh’s discl...

U.S. Shadow Diplomacy by Billionaire ‘Volunteers’

11Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Diplomacy and International Law, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Videos

U.S. Shadow Diplomacy by Billionaire ‘Volunteers’

Trump Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner Dominate U.S. Foreign Policy Making April 11, 2026—As the world remains on pins and needles, awaiting the outcome of peace talks mediated by Pakistan in a US-Israel-Iran war that has lasted nearly a month and a half, observers are beginning to question why diplomacy failed and who is responsible. One of the most apparent things is that U.S. diplomacy is largely outsourced to two billionaires serving as special envoys without government pay: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Both are billionaires with interests that extend beyond U.S. priorities. Witkoff, President Trump’s assistant and special envoy for peace missions, receives no government salary. Kushner does not even have an official title other than the president’s son-in-law and un...

Jamie Dimon Calls for a Rewrite of Banking Regulations

9Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals

Jamie Dimon Calls for a Rewrite of Banking Regulations

April 9, 2026—In his annual letter to shareholders, JP Morgan Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon warned of risks of geopolitical tensions, economic shocks, “stickier inflation” and interest rates. He cited risks to private credit markets, particularly to highly indebted companies, due to weaker lending standards. JP Morgan is the world’s sixth largest private asset management firms. Dimon has built a reputation as a strong leader and most influential bankers in the United States. His focus as leader of the bank tends to emphasize both U.S. and global interests. In his 2026 letter, he proposes America first “though not alone.” “Now, because of the war in Iran, we additionally face the potential for significant ongoing oil and commodity price shocks, along with the reshaping of global supply...

China, Russia Cite ‘Root Causes’ in Veto of Resolution on Strait of Hormuz

9Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Global Trade, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Middle East, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

China, Russia Cite ‘Root Causes’ in Veto of Resolution on Strait of Hormuz

UN Security Council Positions Reflect Differences of Law Based on Alliances April 9, 2026—A trickle of shipping traffic went through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after a tenuous two-week ceasefire came together through last-minute negotiations mediated by Pakistan. Iran maintains control over the narrow passage, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies once flowed. On Tuesday, in the 10130th meeting of the UN Security Council, delegates considered a draft plan to “compel Iran to implement” a UN resolution, 2817, which condemned attacks on the Gulf states and reaffirmed the “exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law.” The meeting revealed the vastl...

Cross-Border Gun Trafficking to Cartels: The Legal Side of the Issue

19Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Videos

Cross-Border Gun Trafficking to Cartels: The Legal Side of the Issue

https://youtu.be/CnnpLrYnr_8?si=NKwSMDJZNQVE67E8 Interview with Attorney Jonathan Lowy of the Global Action on Gun Violence: March 19, 2026—In a landmark case that made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Mexico and a team of lawyers sued U.S. gun manufacturers for crimes committed by criminals and cartels armed with military-grade U.S.-made weapons. The Supreme Court shut that case down last June, upholding immunity for gun makers. But the story didn't end there. The case garnered worldwide attention—a factor that impacts public interest and policymaking. Moreoever, the litigating team is still active. Mexico and its team of lawyers are litigating a separate case in Arizona against gun dealers. Jonathan Lowy, founder and president of Global Action on Gun Violence, provides an ...

War Escalates as Israel Strikes World’s Largest Gas Field

18Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

War Escalates as Israel Strikes World’s Largest Gas Field

Iran Vowed to Retaliate Against Gulf Energy Sites March 18, 2026—The Israeli military struck the world’s largest natural gas field, the South Pars Field, which is shared between Iran and Qatar. Two senior Israeli officials confirmed responsibility for the strike, Axios reported. President Donald Trump posted early today on his family-owned Truth Social that “Remember, for all of those absolute “fools” out there, Iran is considered, by everyone, to be the NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERROR. We are rapidly putting them out of business!” It comes amid the “largest supply disruption” of the global oil market in history, according to the International Energy Agency. The price of oil jumped to $108.8 a barrel (Brent) and $99 (WTI). Iran vowed via the Tasmin News Agency, a semi-officia...

U.S. Allies and China Respond to US Request for Help with the Strait of Hormuz

17Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

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

U.S. Allies and China Respond to US Request for Help with the Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz. Photo pulled from Vessel Finder March 17, 2026 March 17, 2026—As the US-Israel-Iran war impacted oil markets and a key shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump called on other countries for help. Here's what they had to say. Near Closure The narrow strait, which runs between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and Oman, reflected “a highly constrained operating environment, with vessel movements remaining selective and below average,” Marine Traffic reported on Monday. Geopolitics kept the strait nearly closed on Monday. Many ships remained anchored in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Reports indicated a continued uneven pattern of traffic, with ongoing attacks against some ships, while “sanctioned and shadow-fleet vessels supporting a...