Friday, March 14

Types of News: Brief

News briefs are shorter stories about current events. It’s the who-what-when-and-where. “Just the facts, ma’am.” Please see our writers guidelines.

White House Urges Americans To Strengthen Cybersecurity Tools
3Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos

White House Urges Americans To Strengthen Cybersecurity Tools

March 3, 2022--The White House released a video message on Wednesday encouraging individuals, businesses, and government workers to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. "Given the history of Russia's use of cyber, it's important that we do all we can to prepare and maximize our resilience," said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for a new federal department on cybersecurity. Neuberger said the country is not raising its threat level on cybersecurity at this time. The message is intended as a precaution in case the level rises. Specifically, she is recommending users patch their systems—keeping anti-virus software up-to-date. She is also encouraging people to enhance passwords with multifactor authentication, such as fingerprints, at sign-ins. The Cybersecurity a...
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In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine
2Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

UN General Assembly vote on March 2, 2022 Resolution Calls On Russia To Immediately Cease Its Use Of Force Against Ukraine March 2, 2022--In an extraordinary session of the United Nation's General Assembly, representatives from 141 countries voted to condemn Russia's military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. It was only the 11th time in the organization's history that the General Assembly held an emergency session. The four-page resolution recalls several previous resolutions supporting territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Furthermore, it minces no words about condemning Russia. unga-resolution-Russia-UkraineDownload Belarus Condemned Too The resolution also calls out Russia's ally Belarus. Specifically, ...
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Ukraine Could Become ‘Europe’s Largest Refugee Crisis’ In A Century
2Mar By Jacob DavenportNo Comments
Globalization, Global Disintegration, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Brief

Ukraine Could Become ‘Europe’s Largest Refugee Crisis’ In A Century

Neighbors, Humanitarians Respond To Refugee Crisis In Ukraine Editor's Note: As Russia wages a brutal war on its neighbor Ukraine, people are fleeing the country en masse spurring a call for humanitarian funding and action. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that up to 4 million Ukrainians may seek refuge in other countries. The agency is seeking $1.7 billion in funds to help it provide humanitarian relief to refugees as well as the millions of people who stay behind in Ukraine. The flood of people seeking refuge could become "Europe's largest refugee crisis this century," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said this week. "Casualty numbers are rising fast. This is the darkest hour for the people of Ukraine," UN Humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said, accor...
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As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank
28Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Global Economics, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Sanctions Against Russia Ramp Up, US Blocks Central Bank

The Russian Ruble fell Monday to its lowest level on record. February 28, 2022--The United States added Russia's central bank to its list of targeted sanctions against that country's war on Ukraine. As a result, Americans are barred from doing any business, such as purchasing bonds, with Russia's central bank. The block on the secondary market for ruble or non-ruble denominated bonds for U.S. investors goes into effect immediately. Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia's National Wealth Fund, its Ministry of Finance, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, its CEO and two of its subsidiaries. Global Sanctions in Action Banks around the world started implementing sanctions imposed not only by the United States, but also the European Union, United Kingdom, Ca...
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‘We Were Told They Would Welcome Us,’ Russian Soldier Says
28Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

‘We Were Told They Would Welcome Us,’ Russian Soldier Says

February 28, 2022--In an extraordinary special session by the UN General Assembly, Ukraine's representative read out a text conversation between a Russian soldier and his mom. "Mom, I'm in Ukraine, there's a real war. I'm scared, we shoot at everything in a row, even at peaceful ones. We were told that they would welcome us, but they throw themselves under our military equipment and do not let us pass. They call us fascists. It's very hard for me." Photo of text messageFeb. 28 Special GA assembly Reportedly, the Russian soldier was killed in battle. While the GER cannot independently verify the texts, the message fits with what the Russian president has been saying in his recent speeches. Increduoulsy, Vladimir Putin urged the Ukranian military to "lay down your weapons and immedi...
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United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session
28Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos, UN Security Council

United Nations Holds An Emergency Special Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CdY7t5VKIY February 28, 2022--In only the 11th time in its history, the United Nations is holding an emergency special session in its 193-member General Assembly today. It comes on the fifth day of Russia's war on Ukraine. Members are not only discussing Ukraine's territorial integrity and Russia's breach of that, they are meeting to uphold the UN Charter. As a result of the emergency session, 141 countries voted to condemn Russia’s military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. Read more: In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia's Military Actions in Ukraine.
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Turkey: NATO Should Have Stopped Russia’s Invasion
25Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, International Law, Legal Battles, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Turkey: NATO Should Have Stopped Russia’s Invasion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an joins a virtual NATO meeting on Feb. 25, 2022. Source: Turkey's Government February 25, 2022--As Russia closed in on Ukraine's capital city Kyiv, the NATO alliance held an emergency virtual meeting today. Just hours before the meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an suggested that NATO and the European Union should have stopped the invasion. "NATO should have taken a more decisive step," Erdogan said to reporters, according to Reuters and other press reports. "The EU and all the rest of the West have failed to display a decisive and serious stance. They give plenty of advice to Ukraine. It’s not possible to get a result through this advice," Erdo?an said. Turkey is a NATO member and a neighbor of Russia. In a press release on Thur...
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South Korea Joins G7 Countries In Condemning Russian Invasion
25Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

South Korea Joins G7 Countries In Condemning Russian Invasion

February 25, 2022--South Korea's Foreign Ministry today condemned Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine and promised to respond with economic sanctions against Russia. Up until today, the country stopped short of outright condemning the actions even while voicing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. "As a responsible member of the international community, the Korean government will support and join the international community’s efforts, including economic sanctions, to curb armed invasion and resolve the situation peacefully," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said today in a press release. Previously, South Korean Spokesperson Choi Youngsam had expressed "serious concern" and directed people to a Feb. 22 statement in which the ministry urged the parties "to continue to seek a p...
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G7 Countries Coordinate Actions Against Russian War
24Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

G7 Countries Coordinate Actions Against Russian War

UK, US Intensify Sanctions Against Russian Entities Feb. 24, 2022--Leaders of the G7 countries held an emergency meeting today in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine. The members include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy. They along with the European Union coordinated plans to accelerate financial penalties and restrictions against Russia. In no uncertain terms in their statement, the leaders condemned Russia's war on Ukraine as well as participation by Belarus: "We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) are appalled by and condemn the large-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, directed partly from Belarusian soil," the leaders said. "This...
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Amid Russian War, IEA Closely Watching Oil & Gas Markets
24Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Amid Russian War, IEA Closely Watching Oil & Gas Markets

Photo: IEA February 24, 2022--As Russia intensified its war against Ukraine and G7 countries accelerated sanctions against Russia, the International Energy Agency announced it is closely monitoring the world's supply of oil and gas. Russia is the world's second-largest oil producer. Only the United States produces more oil at this time. According to the IEA, "Russian oil exports transiting Ukraine via the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline to supply Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic" are most likely to be impacted by the conflict. "While the specific impact on world oil markets is yet to be determined, IEA Member Countries stand ready to act collectively to ensure that global oil markets are adequately supplied," the agency said on Tuesday. The United States: 12.1 m...
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