Thursday, October 8

Types of News: Videos

House Rep Pitches Bessent for Free Financial Flows to Breakaway ‘Somaliland’
Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

House Rep Pitches Bessent for Free Financial Flows to Breakaway ‘Somaliland’

"The sun descends, painting the city in warm, golden light. A spectacular sunset view." Somaliland is a part of Somalia that is on the strategic Gulf of Aden, across from Yemen. Photo by Go to Abdulkadir Hirabe's profilevia Unsplash UNITED STATES  September 27, 2026—Given the national attention on inflation, the cost of war, uncertain outlook for interest rates, one might expect a congressman representing a largely middle-class district in Tennessee to ask the Treasury Secretary about an array of issues affecting Americans. But when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared before the House Financial Services Committee this month, Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., had a different part of the world in mind: The Horn of Africa. What is curious is that Rose asked about a breakaway movement ...
Geopolitics Driving Bond Yields Higher, Fed Chair Says
Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Videos

Geopolitics Driving Bond Yields Higher, Fed Chair Says

September 16, 2026—Citing geopolitical shocks and elevated inflation, the Federal Reserve Board voted unanimously to raise federal funds interest rates by 0.25 percent to 4 percent. It was the first time the Fed raised interest rates in three years. It comes under the new leadership of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh. For more on the Fed's decision, see Fed Raises Rates. https://youtu.be/5aFzaFqOByU?si=8rtMx6YuZ6a_Rau2
Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Scolding on U.S. Embargo on Cuba
Human rights, Sanctions, Types of News: Videos

Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Scolding on U.S. Embargo on Cuba

Rep. Waters: 'Stop Trying to Kill All the Families in Cuba' September 17, 2026—At Tuesday's House Financial Services Committee hearing, Ranking member Rep. Maxine Waters gave with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the U.S. embargo on Cuba. https://youtu.be/fw_t0aiMd8g?si=OXwBwyEtiX9Zl5jH “And a word about Cuba. You cut off all the oil to Cuba. You’re starving the families. You are starving the children. They don’t have electricity. They can’t get food in. What are you doing, Mr. Secretary? Why are you being so cruel? I know we have a cruel president, but do you have to be a puppet? Do you have to do whatever he wants you to do? What are you doing to this country? You are making us not only look bad, but act bad, all over the world. And I want to tell you, history is not go...
U.S. Shadow Diplomacy by Billionaire ‘Volunteers’
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...
China, Russia Cite ‘Root Causes’ in Veto of Resolution on Strait of Hormuz
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
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 ...
Arab Group Condemns Israel’s Illegal Annexation Plans
Diplomacy and International Law, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Middle East, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

Arab Group Condemns Israel’s Illegal Annexation Plans

Israeli Settlers and Military Committed a Thousand Crimes in a Week, Report Finds February 10, 2026—The Arab Group, a regional coalition of 22 member states, called on the international community to condemn the Israeli government’s plans to annex the occupied West Bank—a key part of the territory meant for a Palestinian state. Led by Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s representative to the United Nations, the group of ambassadors from Arabs states said it is building diplomatic support to prompt the UN Security Council—the principal body for resolving international disputes—to act. “We want the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and show resolve and determination,” Mansour said. “We stand for defending international law. We stand for justice. We stand for the rights of the P...
Trump Makes International Law Moot
Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Types of News: Videos

Trump Makes International Law Moot

January 16, 2026—In one phrase and many acts, President Donald Trump made international law obsolete. In an exclusive interview with the New York Times, U.S. President Donald Trump said out loud what many of his actions have shown: International law is no longer relevant. NYT: “Do you see any checks on your power on the world stage? Is there anything that could stop if you wanted to?” Trump: “Yeah, there’s one thing: my own morality, my own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me. And that’s very good. I don’t need international law. I’m not looking to hurt people.” NYT: “Do you feel your administration needs to abide by international law on the global stage?” Trump: “Yeah, I do. I do, but it depends what your definition of international law is.” The interview continu...
US Vetos UNSC Resolution Calling for A Ceasefire
Diplomacy and International Law, Human rights, Middle East, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Videos

US Vetos UNSC Resolution Calling for A Ceasefire

December 8, 2023--The United States vetoed another resolution in the UN Security Council regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The meeting came as António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, invoked a rarely used tool in the UN Charter to call for a special meeting in the UNSC. Article 99 gives the Secretary-General the right to bring to the Security Council any matter that "may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.” It is the first time Guterres used it. Thirteen members of the Security Council voted for the resolution. The United Kingdom abstained. The United States voted against it, effectively vetoing it as one of the five permanent members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2TrUKMw_6Q
Biden’s War Policy Clashes With Public Opinion
Middle East, Types of News: Videos

Biden’s War Policy Clashes With Public Opinion

November 20, 2023--As U.S. public support grows for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza War, President Biden says "no." He wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post suggesting that the war would "pursue our positive vision for the future."International calls grow louder. This week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo became the first leader to ask Biden to stop the "atrocities" during a televised White House meeting. That comes as five countries led by South Africa ask the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes. French President Macron is the first G7 leader to call for a ceasefire. https://youtu.be/H3hkK9d9jTo?si=Jc1zHdMbvwO7qU7E