Tuesday, April 8

Globalization, Global Disintegration

Pause in Turkey’s Offensive Gives Syrian Kurds Chance to ‘Get Out’
20Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Middle East, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Brief

Pause in Turkey’s Offensive Gives Syrian Kurds Chance to ‘Get Out’

October 20, 2019-The United States and Turkey reached an agreement on Syrian operations late last week after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an demanded that "all the terrorists" lay down their arms and "get out of the safe zone that we have designated." As a result of the agreement, Kurdish fighters, known as the People’s Protection Units (YPG), and their families are to evacuate from a designated zone along the Syrian-Turkish border. If they do not evacuate, Turkey has promised to relaunch its military offensive. While U.S. President Donald Trump called it a "ceasefire," others referred to the pause in fighting as a period of mass evacuation. It is not immediately clear if YPG fighters are leaving the area, but tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing to Iraq for safety. ...
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Do-or-Die Brexiteer Boris Johnson to Become UK Prime Minister
23Jul By Patti MohrNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

Do-or-Die Brexiteer Boris Johnson to Become UK Prime Minister

July 23, 2019--Boris Johnson, outspoken Eurosceptic politician in the United Kingdom won the conservative party's election to succeed Theresa May as head of party and state in a sweeping victory. Johnson won 92,153 Tory-party votes, nearly double that of his opponent Jeremy Hunt. That gives him a strong mandate to lead his country out of the European Union -- a process that proved too difficult for his predecessor. In his victory speech following the vote count, Johnson said it is "a pivotal moment in history." He said leaders have to reconcile "the deep desire for" friendship, free trade and mutual support for security between the Britain and Europe and "the simultaneous desire, equally deep and heartfelt, for democratic self government." A 'Do-or-Die' Brexit Strategy ...
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U.S. Treasury Cracks Down on Cuba-Related Travel
13Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Globalization, Global Disintegration, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Treasury Cracks Down on Cuba-Related Travel

June 13, 2019-Just a week after the U.S. government announced tougher restrictions on traveling to Cuba, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it reached settlement agreements with internet-travel firm Expedia and Hotbeds USA for apparent violations of the U.S. Cuban Assets Control Regulations. The two actions, which relate to separate areas of the U.S. sanctions law, demonstrate the new emphasis in the United States on tightening and enforcing sanctions against Cuba. Enforcement Targets Travel Agencies Today, the U.S. Treasury 's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced settlement agreements with travel groups Expedia and Hotelbeds USA for assisting Americans for unauthorized Cuba-related travel. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Expedia Group agreed to pay $325,40...
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U.S.-Mexico Promise to Combat Migration, Invest in Central America
9Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Global Trade, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Brief

U.S.-Mexico Promise to Combat Migration, Invest in Central America

June 9, 2019-After a week of negotiations between Mexican and U.S. officials, the United States and Mexico promised to work together to curb irregular migration and promote economic growth and good governance in Central America. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a message on Twitter that new tariffs on Mexican goods would be "indefinitely suspended." Against widespread opposition in Congress and Wall Street, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of 5 percent starting June 10 and 25 percent in October, saying that Mexico needed to do more to curb migration flows from Central America to the United States. "I think Mexico has to step up. And if they don’t, tariffs will go on," Trump said June 5 during a joint press briefing with Ireland's Prime Minister. "And if they go high, the co...
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Japan’s Abe Promotes Indo-Pacific Strategy in Trade Talks
29May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Global Economics, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

Japan’s Abe Promotes Indo-Pacific Strategy in Trade Talks

May 29, 2019--As the U.S.-Japan continued a dialogue over trade between their two nations over the weekend, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe put the talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in the context of a wider free-trade agenda for the region. Specifically, Abe emphasized an Indo-Pacific strategy, which would engage the United States in stronger economic ties with the region. "In today’s summit meeting, we welcomed the steady progress of U.S.-Japan cooperation, looking toward the creation of free and open Indo-Pacific, including the areas such as energy, digital, and infrastructure," Abe said at a joint press conference with Trump in Tokyo on Monday. "Going forward, we will walk hand in hand and promote the cooperation for the realization of this common vision of our two nation...
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Trump Proposes Merit-Based U.S. Immigration System
17May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Brief, United States

Trump Proposes Merit-Based U.S. Immigration System

May 17, 2019-U.S. President Donald Trump introduced sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system. "We are proposing an immigration plan that puts the jobs, wages, and safety of American workers first," Trump said while outlining the plans on Thursday. If enacted by Congress, the new system would reshape the American immigration system by increasing merit-based admissions while accepting fewer family-based and humanitarian immigrants. It would identify-candidates based on age, talent, vocation and academic records. Meanwhile, it would prioritize immediate family relationships such as parent and child. 'Dead on Arrival' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the plan was "dead on arrival" in Congress. She said the plan had "repackaged the worst" of immigration ...
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British Prime Minister Survives Leadership Challenge Amid Brexit Uncertainty
12Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

British Prime Minister Survives Leadership Challenge Amid Brexit Uncertainty

Dec. 12, 2018-British Prime Minister Theresa May survived a leadership challenge by members of her party today on a vote of 200-117. The 117 members of the conservative Tory party support Brexit -- the divorce of the United Kingdom from the European Union, but they oppose the deal she negotiated with EU representatives. Ms. May is scheduled to travel Brussels again tomorrow to discuss a path forward. She said she would seek legal and political assurances from the European Council over unresolved questions over the Ireland-Northern Ireland border--the only land border the United Kingdom has with the EU. Britain has until the end of March to agree to a framework for its separation from the EU before a 21-month transition period begins.
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Britain, Ireland in Turmoil As Brexit Vote Cancelled
11Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Britain, Ireland in Turmoil As Brexit Vote Cancelled

Dec. 11, 2018-A day after British Prime Minister announced she would not submit her Brexit deal to the parliament today as planned, both the draft plan she negotiated and her own political future face a potential end. May said the agreement her government negotiated with the European Union would have been rejected by the parliament had it gone to a vote. That leaves few options for Britain: schedule another parliamentary vote on the current deal, have a messy no-deal exit from European Union treaties and governance structures, or hold another U.K. referendum on whether to leave. Border and Money May said the deal would honor the result of the 2016 referendum that called for leaving the European Union. "We will take back control of our borders, by putting an end to the free m...
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Mexico’s New President Promises to Root Out Corruption, Reverse ‘Neoliberal’ Policies
3Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

Mexico’s New President Promises to Root Out Corruption, Reverse ‘Neoliberal’ Policies

Dec. 3, 2018--Mexico swore in Andres Manuel López Obrador as its new president on Saturday, bringing in a new era of governance and a dramatic shift in direction for Latin America's second largest economy. Mr. López Obrador, known by his populist name "AMLO," ran on a campaign to root out corruption and cronyism and eliminate government privilege. He also promised to empower the people, especially in poor and indigenous regions, both economically and through direct representation, such as referendums. It was perhaps that message or simply a wariness against the corrupt status quo that brings López Obrador to power. He won office last July in a landslide victory. He secured with 53 percent of the vote -- 30 percentage points above the closest rival. While The Economist magazine sug...
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A Closer Look At Central America as Migrant Caravan Pauses in Mexico City
8Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Analysis

A Closer Look At Central America as Migrant Caravan Pauses in Mexico City

Nov. 8, 2018--Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to stop the flow of migration coming from their countries, the presidents of Guatemala and Honduras are urging migrants to return home and calling for an investigation to determine the cause of the latest waves of migration. Honduran President Juan Hernández said the migrants "were tricked into embarking on this irregular crossing, which was organized for political ends," Xinhua news reported. He promised to generate more jobs for Hondurans by investing in infrastructure. Meeting with Hernández on Monday in Tegucigalpa, Guatemala President Jimmy Morales said he shares his concerns and wants to prosecute people who incited and directed the migration caravan. "We are very much in agreement with President Hernández and we ...
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