Monday, November 25

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.

UN Security Council Looks At Syrian Chemical Weapons
6Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

UN Security Council Looks At Syrian Chemical Weapons

August 6, 2021--Since Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has worked to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons program. On Wednesday, UN Security Council members met to discuss that work. 'Gaps, Inconsistencies And Discrepancies' Thomas Markram, deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, addressed the council with an update. First, the COVID-19 pandemic has faced greater difficulty advancing progress. Second, the Syrian government has yet to fully disclose and destroy its chemical weapons program. "As a result of the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies that remained unresolved," Markram said he could not consider Syria's declaration to be "considered accurate and complete i...
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Mexico Sues U.S. Gun Manufacturers, Saying Defendants ‘Knowingly Sell to Criminals’
5Aug By Patti Mohr1 Comment
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

Mexico Sues U.S. Gun Manufacturers, Saying Defendants ‘Knowingly Sell to Criminals’

It is illegal to sell military-style weapons in Mexico. Lawsuit Sheds Light On Gun Sales And Criminal Cartels August 5, 2021--The government of Mexico filed a personal injury lawsuit against 10 U.S. gun manufacturers yesterday. It's significant that the lawsuit accuses U.S. gun manufacturers of knowingly and willingly selling their products to criminals. "The flow of guns from Defendants’ U.S. manufacturing plants and stores to the streets of Mexico is not an inevitable, natural phenomenon like the migration of monarch butterflies," the lawsuit says. "The flow of guns into Mexico is a foreseeable result of Defendants’ deliberate and knowing decisions to design, market, distribute, and sell guns in ways they know with virtual certainty will supply criminals in Mexico." 10 Defend...
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European Convention on Human Rights Gives More Say to National Governments
2Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief

European Convention on Human Rights Gives More Say to National Governments

August 2, 2021 -- An amended framework for human rights decisions in a 47-member convention came into force yesterday after all members ratified an update called Protocol No. 15. Aside from administrative changes, the addition is meant to strengthen the role of state governments in international treaties. Stronger National Roles in Human Rights According to the explanation, the Court gives greater leeway to national governments to decide how to apply and implement the Convention. "This reflects that the Convention system is subsidiary to the safeguarding of human rights at the national level and that national authorities are in principle better placed than an international court to evaluate local needs and conditions," the explanatory report says. Background The decision to ref...
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UK, US Diplomats Denounce Taliban’s Crimes Against Humanity
2Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

UK, US Diplomats Denounce Taliban’s Crimes Against Humanity

August 2, 2021--Following reporting by a human rights organization about retaliatory killing by the Taliban in Afghanistan, diplomats for the United States and the United Kingdom took to Twitter to call for accountability. The latest report comes after an attack against a UN compound in Herat, Afghanistan. It also follows news from the United Nations about a sharp rise in civilian killings in Afghanistan since May. As violence rises, many international diplomats are questioning whether the Taliban could ever be trusted to govern and take part in peace talks. A UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warns that 2021 is on track to witness the "highest ever number of documented civilian casualties in a single year since UNAMA records began." Retaliatory Killings The Afghanistan Inde...
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Corruption Comes Into Focus After Special Prosecutor Flees Guatemala
2Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Infographic

Corruption Comes Into Focus After Special Prosecutor Flees Guatemala

August 2, 2021--Corruption has long plagued Guatemala, as well as the broader Central American region. It's one of the root causes of mass migration from the region to the United States. Moreover, it has a corrosive effect on the political and economic systems in Northern Triangle. Occasionally, we come across one incident or event that illustrates the larger problem. That happened this Summer as a special prosecutor fighting corruption in Guatemala fled for his life after getting sacked from his position. Who Is Juan Francisco Sandoval? And Why Does He Matter? Juan Francisco Sandoval worked as a special prosecutor fighting corruption in Guatemala. On July 23, he fled Guatemala for his safety after losing his job. Photo credit: La Hora Juan Francisco Sandoval is a respected Gu...
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U.S. Government To Breach $22 Trillion Debt Limit By August 1
29Jul By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Types of News: Brief, United States

U.S. Government To Breach $22 Trillion Debt Limit By August 1

Total Public Outstanding Debt Is $28.4 Trillion Photo by Alexander Schimmeck. July 29, 2021—The United States government is expected to run out of borrowing authority on August 1. That is two to three months sooner than expected. As a result, beginning tomorrow, July 30, the Treasury will suspend sales of certain securities. The debt limit, however, is actually not so simple. Significantly, the implications are larger than sales of securities. Already Exceeding the $22 Trillion Limit Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote to Congress late last week, asking lawmakers to either increase the current limit or continue suspending it. She said that would "simply allow Treasury to pay for previously enacted expenditures." Reaching the debt limit occurs every few years. It means ...
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Global Economy Rebounds to 6 Percent Growth
29Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Global Economy Rebounds to 6 Percent Growth

IMF projections, July 2021 Trade Expected to Grow by 9.7 Percent July 29, 2021--The global economy is returning to strong growth this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Trade, travel and economic activity are resuming following the global pandemic. In the United States, growth is projected at 7 percent. The Euro area is expected to have a 4.6 percent increase. And emerging markets and developing economies are rebounding from the recession with 6.3 percent growth this year. Prices & Inflation Consumer prices are increasing by 2.4 percent on a global basis. Commodity prices are rising, with oil jumping by 56.6 percent. Trade Trade is expected to pick up by nearly 10 percent this year and then to 7 percent in 2022. According to the IMF, "The merchan...
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Arab Spring’s Sole Democracy Erupts in Crisis
27Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Democracy, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

Arab Spring’s Sole Democracy Erupts in Crisis

Tunisian President Fires Prime Minister, Raids Media And Takes Control July 27, 2021-- Tunisia, while seen as the Arab Spring’s “success model” has entered into its largest political crisis since 2011. Tunisia is one of many countries hit especially hard by the global pandemic. Its economy shrank by 8 percent in 2020. People are expressing anger and demanding changes. As the country faces an economic crisis and mass protests, Tunisian President Kais Saied is intensifying efforts to control the crisis. On Monday, he removed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi from office. Saied has since imposed a curfew through August 27 and banned gatherings of more than three people. "The most dangerous thing faced by countries and societies is an internal explosion, internal fighting," Saied sa...
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In Rebuff to Brussels, Budapest Plans Referendum On ‘Sexual Propaganda’ Law
27Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief

In Rebuff to Brussels, Budapest Plans Referendum On ‘Sexual Propaganda’ Law

July 27, 2021—Hungarian President Viktor Orbán doubled down on his country’s law barring any mention of LGBTQ issues in education and the media. Instead of acquiescing to the European Union Parliament’s recent condemnation of the domestic law, Orbán is planning a national referendum on the issue. The vote is to take place by late 2021 or early 2022. The video is available in French by the AFP. Orbán said the law protects children from “sexual propaganda” and that any EU sanctions were unjust. Earlier this month, the EU Parliament voted overwhelmingly to suspend European funds to Hungary because of the new law. EU leaders said the law “constitutes a clear breach of the EU’s values, principles and law.” Rebuke of EU 'Abuse' Orbán said the proposed five-question referendum is mean...
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UK’s Johnson Sees Chance for Green Investments; Will He Seize It?
22Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

UK’s Johnson Sees Chance for Green Investments; Will He Seize It?

July 22, 2021 -One-time climate change skeptic UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson now sees an opportunity where he once saw only a grim warning. That opportunity is the chance to attract private investment in a green economy. "We're confident that green technology and green investments are the roots to not just cutting emissions but to long-term job creation and economic growth," Johnson said during a recent meeting with a parliamentary liaison committee. Johnson said he sees "huge" investments happening in wind energy and enormous potential for investments along the British coast. Johnson rolled out a plan that includes a blueprint for private sector investments late last year. The plan targets a 78 percent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2035 when compared to 1990 levels an...
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