Saturday, November 23

Author: Patti Mohr

Patti Mohr is a U.S.-based journalist. She writes about global diplomacy, economics, and infringements on individual freedom. Patti is the founder of the Global Economic Report. Her goal is to elevate journalistic principles and share the pursuit of truth in concert with others.
Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights
Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights

June 26, 2024—Nearly three years into reclaiming its rule over Afghanistan, the Taliban government is raising revenue auctioning mining rights to gems and critical minerals to the highest bidders. The Islamic Taliban government has struggled economically and diplomatically since it took control of the country in August 2021. But since the beginning, its leaders asserted they have their own sources of income. Notably, the land is rich in gold, gemstones, metals, oil and gas, and minerals. Mining Rights As Diplomacy The Financial Times examined 128 contract sites, finding that more than half are developed or expanded. The paper notes that auctioning of mineral and gem rights might help the government form relations with other governments and raise billions of dol...
Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC

May 28, 2024--Three years ago, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. The time period included the 2014 Israel-Gaza War, in which 2,300 Palestinians were killed. The investigation would put hundreds of Israelis, including soldiers and political figures, at risk of prosecution. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda promised a fair process that would bring accountability and justice for Palestinians and Israelis. “In the end, our central concern must be for the victims of crimes – both Palestinian and Israel – arising from the long cycle of violence and insecurity that has caused deep suffering and despair on all sides,” said Bensouda. 'Fiercely Resisted' Inquiry The Guardian described it as a "long...
ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders

May 20, 2024—The International Criminal Court announced they are taking the first step to provide accountability in the Israeli-Hamas war that started October 7, 2023. The prosecutors applied for arrest warrants today for three Hamas leaders and two Israeli leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif), Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yoav Gallant. ICC Prosecutor Khan announces arrest warrants against Hamas and Israeli leaders. Specifically, the ICC charged the Hamas officials—Sinwar, al-Masri, and Haniyeh—with the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed October 7, 2023: Extermination; Murder; Taking hostages; Rape and sexual violence; Torture; Other inhumane acts; Cruel treatment...
U.S. Massive Deficits Pose ‘Significant Risk’ for the Global Economy
Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Massive Deficits Pose ‘Significant Risk’ for the Global Economy

IMF Warns the United States and China about Massive Deficits April 19, 2024--Even though consumer prices are coming down, high interest rates due to U.S. and China's deficits pose significant costs to other countries and carry a risk to global financial stability, the International Monetary Fund warned this week. "Loose fiscal policy in the United States exerts upward pressure on global interest rates and the dollar. It pushes up funding costs in the rest of the world, thereby exacerbating existing fragilities and risks," said Vitor Gaspar, IMF director of fiscal affairs. Rising Debt Poses Costs By the end of the decade, global debt is likely to reach 99 percent of global GDP. The rising debt levels are increasing "volatility in the United States, raising risks elsewhere thr...
Top PAC Recipients in the U.S. House 2023-2024
Domestic Politics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief, United States

Top PAC Recipients in the U.S. House 2023-2024

Eye on Politics March 6, 2024-As the U.S. political cycle kicks into higher gear, it's time to take a closer look at who is running with what resources. Political action committees, known as PACs, play a significant role in U.S. elections. Below is a list of House members receiving the most PAC money, according to data from Open Secrets. The top receiver, Jason Smith, Republican from Missouri, is chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. The top five contributors to Rep. Smith in the 2023-2024 cycle are the National Association of Realtors, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Apollo Global Management, Herzog Contracting, and the Alliantgroup.
The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East

The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories

February 23, 2024-It's day 5 of the hearings by the International Court of Justice on Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories. The hearings are an outcome of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution requesting an advisory opinion. https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2503451/sp/250345100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/43914941/partner_id/2503451?iframeembed=true&playerId=kplayer&entry_id=1_1pg5qd8i&flashvars[streamerType]=auto
Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

Appeals Court Decision Comes As U.S.-Mexico Meet On Root Causes Of Migration January 25, 2024—As President Biden faces pressure at home to stop the flow of irregular migration to the United States at the southern border, Mexico is drawing attention to one of the root causes: U.S.-made weapons in the hands of cartels. Mexico's Defense Department said this week drug cartels are armed with U.S.-made weapons intended for military use, such as grenade and rocket launchers and fully automatic machine guns. Mexico wants the weapons trafficking to stop. Furthermore, the government is demanding answers from the Biden administration.   "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said on Monday. Mexico has the third...
EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough
Europe, EU, Eurozone, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...
Senators Say ‘No’ To Biden’s Unapproved Arms Transfers To Israel
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Types of News: Brief

Senators Say ‘No’ To Biden’s Unapproved Arms Transfers To Israel

January 9, 2024—A group of 12 Senate Democrats are pushing back against President Biden's request to gain authority to permit arms transfers to Israel without going through the normal process. Biden's Arms Transfers To Israel Since October 7 Since October 7, 2023, President Joe Biden has twice invoked emergency authority in shipping military weapons to Israel without first securing congressional authority. On December 9, Biden released a $106.5 million sale of high-explosive anti-tank shells, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Notably, it included consulting services by "U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support." The second unauthorized ...
Iraqi PM Says Its Time For US Troops To Go Home
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Geopolitics, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

Iraqi PM Says Its Time For US Troops To Go Home

January 6, 2024—As Israel and Hamas continue battling in Gaza, the conflict is having a destabilizing impact on the wider region. It is impacting Iraq and Syria, where the U.S. military has forces, as well as Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and shipping in the Red Sea. This week Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is making it clear to the U.S. government that he is ready for the 2,500 U.S. troops stationed there to go home. The government started "setting the date for the start of the bilateral committee to put arrangements to end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq permanently," the prime minister's office said on Friday, according to a Reuters news report. "We stress our firm position in ending the existence of the international coalition after the justif...

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