News Brief Archives

Trump Administration Moves to Establish Federal Rules for Crypto Markets

6Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

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

Trump Administration Moves to Establish Federal Rules for Crypto Markets

Following Trump's Directive, the CFTC and SEC Request Public Feedback on Proposed Rulemaking The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has begun the process of establishing a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrency markets. It follows a similar draft proposal by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Both proposed rules are now available for public review and comment. The crypto industry is one of the most active in Washington, DC, not only in terms of financing campaign activity in the run-up to the midterm elections, but also in shaping policy. President Trump is actively engaged in promoting the cryptocurrency industry. He hosted crypto and stock trading executives at the White House ahead of the CFTC meeting in August. Attendees included Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, R...

Progressives Take Economic Agenda Global as Spain Tests the Model

6Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Capitalism, Democracy, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Types of News: Brief

Progressives Take Economic Agenda Global as Spain Tests the Model

Spanish PM Calls for Snap Elections in November Amid Housing Crisis October 6, 2026—On the sidelines of the United Nations general debate in September, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was the featured guest at a breakfast hosted by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The two politicians, along with other progressives, put forward an economic agenda focused on larbor rights, a higher minimum wage, housing regulations and rent control, and social protections across borders. https://youtu.be/JWbihVjDirM While he is celebrated among progressive circles overseas, back home Sánchez faces a crucial test. On Monday, he called for snap elections on November 29. It comes at a time of political crisis in Spain and neighboring France over affordability. The impact of the November 29 el...

Senator Seeks Accountability for Nine Americans Killed by Israeli Settlers and Military

1Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, Types of News: Brief, United States

Senator Seeks Accountability for Nine Americans Killed by Israeli Settlers and Military

Senate Rejects West Bank Human Rights Report in 51–47 Vote UNITED STATES October 1, 2026—Since 2022, nine Americans have been killed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and Israeli security forces. The fallen include three teenagers, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmad al-Khdour, Amer Rabee, and six adults, Omar Assad, journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, Sayfollah Kamel Musallet, Khamis Ayyad, and Nasrallah Abu Siyam. To date, none of the deaths has resulted in a publicly documented criminal conviction. While Israeli authorities have examined some of the cases and the FBI reportedly started an investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, the families have received no criminal accountability, according to the senators sponsoring the resolution. Senate...

Government Consumer Watchdog Investigating AI

1Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Types of News: Brief

Government Consumer Watchdog Investigating AI

FTC Oversight Includes Treatment of Consumer Data, Potential Deceptive Practices FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson resists the notion that AI can go rogue on its own. Ultimately, companies and the humans who use AI are responsible. UNITED STATES October 1, 2026—The consumer watchdog agency, the Federal Trade Commission, is investigating artificial intelligence companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, examining not only how children interact with the technology but also potential use of deceptive practices by firms. The investigation is not surprising given widespread concerns voiced by industry insiders and the public over the seemingly unlimited power of AI. Recent news stories on hacking and autonomous AI agents have fueled controversy. The New York Times, citing an unnamed source...

US Bond Yields Rise Again as China Competes for Capital

29Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

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

US Bond Yields Rise Again as China Competes for Capital

September 29, 2026—U.S. borrowing costs climbed even further on Tuesday, as the yields on the 10-year and 30-year Treasury bonds rose to 5.26 and 5.59, respectively. That brings the 30-year bond to the highest level since 2002. The rising yield not only raises the interest payments on the U.S. national debt of $40 trillion, it also makes borrowing costs higher for consumer loans on mortgages and cars. Today, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.25 percent. That is up a full percentage point in a year. Lenders typically use Treasury’s 10-year note as a baseline for credit vehicles. Surging sovereign debt has fueled a sell-off in long-term debt, despite efforts by officials to calm markets. Investors are looking elsewhere, including in stocks of AI-driven compani...

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

17Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Arms Sales, Military Industry, Eastern Europe, Sanctions

U.S. Treasury Assesses Impact Of Sanctions On Russia

U.S. Government Warns About Secondary Sanctions To People Or Entities Supporting Russia's War October 17, 2022—As Russia has waged war against Ukraine and Ukraine fought back, Western governments have carefully weighed in on the battle through the global financial system. It's a powerful economic coalition that comprises 37 countries. The U.S. government alone issued roughly 1,500 new sanctions and amended 750 more. They target Russia's defense industrial base, the aerospace sector, the microelectronic industry, financial institutions, elites and oligarchs, luxury goods, and oil refining. The sanctions are having an impact on the Russian economy. But is it enough to have an impact strong enough to end the war? Impact of Sanctions On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department rele...

NATO Reaffirms Support For Ukraine, Strengthens Air Defense

13Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Arms Sales, Military Industry, Eastern Europe, Geopolitics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

NATO Reaffirms Support For Ukraine, Strengthens Air Defense

Photo by Kongsberg October 13, 2022—As NATO ministers met in Brussels yesterday and today, Russia's bombardment of Ukraine's capital and nine other cities was fresh on their minds. The war intensified, and NATO and the G7 nations of Western countries strengthened their support for Ukraine. Ukraine has asked the military alliance of 30 countries to fast track its request for membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that would lead to World War II. And many NATO-member leaders took heed. "We do not want world war," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter. Germany, meanwhile, is leading the effort to strengthen Europe's military defense. Air Defense System While NATO treads lightly on expansion. Today, 14 NATO members agreed to jointly develop an air de...

Regionalization Is Replacing Globalization, Kazakh President Says

17Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism

Regionalization Is Replacing Globalization, Kazakh President Says

Kazakhstan Aims To Strengthen Economic Ties With Eurasian Economic Union, China And India June 17, 2022—As global trade breaks apart into regional blocks, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says Kazakhstan aims to strengthen trade and economic ties with the Eurasian Economic Union. "The key partner for Kazakhstan has always been Russia," Tokayev said, adding that he intends to "fully respect commitments to traditional partners." The union is led by Russia and includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, Tokayev said he sees the union of post-Soviet states building stronger ties with China, India and the Middle East. "Kazakhstan firmly believes that Eurasia is our common house, and the states of our continent must closely cooperate together," Tokaye...

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

31May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Sanctions

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

European Council Plans To Accelerate Transition To Alternative Energy May 31, 2022-The 27 heads of government of the European Union agreed today to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to accelerate a transition to alternative sources of energy. The decision sets the EU on a course to ban up 90 percent of Russian oil imports by the end of the year. It is part of the sixth round of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to Russia's war against Ukraine. "The European Council is committed to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus to thwart Russia’s war against Ukraine," the Council said in an 11-page document. "The European Council calls on all countries to align with EU sanctions. Any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means must be s...

IMF Adjusts Economic Forecast for New Fragmented World

19Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Economics, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council

IMF Adjusts Economic Forecast for New Fragmented World

Inflation Expected To Remain High 'For Much Longer' April 19, 2022—War, rising energy costs, and a de-globalizing world are impacting the global economy in large and small ways. The International Monetary Fund is taking note and is adjusting its projection for economic growth to 3.6 percent for 2022 and 2023. That's down from 6.1 percent growth last year. Russia's war on Ukraine and the retaliating sanctions against Russia and Belarus are having the largest impact, according to Pierre-Olivier Courinchas, a lead economist with the IMF. But other factors are weighing down growth prospects too: Inflation, a slowdown in China, and monetary tightening by central banks. Fragmentation Reversing Gains From Globalization The IMF is trying to keep the world integrated, Courinchas said. D...