Saturday, November 23

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.

Military Tensions Ease on the Korean Peninsula as Denuclearization Discussed
6Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

Military Tensions Ease on the Korean Peninsula as Denuclearization Discussed

March 6-North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he would suspend nuclear missile tests if the United States agrees to hold direct talks, according to South Korean delegates who met with Kim on March 5. Furthermore, Kim is willing to remove his country's nuclear weapons if he can be assured that his regime and country no longer face threats, they said. "North Korea made clear its willingness to denuclearize the Korean peninsula and the fact there is no reason for it to have a nuclear program if military threats against the North are resolved and its regime is secure,” Chung Eui-yong, South Korea's led delegate of the talks, told reporters. It is a significant breakthrough for the two countries, which have been in a technical war since 1953. It is a result of both a softening of relations...
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South Korean Gov’t Delegates Meet With North Korean Leader Kim in Pyongyang
5Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

South Korean Gov’t Delegates Meet With North Korean Leader Kim in Pyongyang

March 5--Delegates from South Korea traveled to Pyongyang, North Korea today to meet with Kim Jong-un., the country's supreme leader. It was the first meeting South Korean officials have had with the rogue leaders since 2011. The diplomatic trip is a sign of the warming relations between the two countries since their athletes and government officials came together during the 2018 Winter Olympics, which South Korea hosted. The South Korean delegation includes 10 government officials, including two ministerial-level envoys: Intelligence Chief Suh Hoon, National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong and Vice Minister for Unification Chun Haesung. Ri Son-gwon, North Korea's chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country, met them at the airport. And Mr. Kim hosted t...
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U.S. Oil Production Surges as OPEC, Russia Plan Reductions
28Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Oil Production Surges as OPEC, Russia Plan Reductions

February 28, 2018--U.S. oil production rose to its highest level since 1970 last November, as the U.S. shale oil production continued to boom. The historic increase contrasted sharply with OPEC and Russian oil production, which is holding steady but expected to decease output to increase prices. U.S. production peaked at 10.057 million barrels a day in November and is expected to average 10.6 million barrels a day in 2018, according to a monthly review by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That's roughly on par with oil production in Saudi Arabia and Russia. It is noteworthy considering that other oil-producing countries are planning reductions to try to boost prices. According to The Economist, Saudi Arabia needs oil prices to reach $70-80 a barrel to maintain a steady e...
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Russia Spends Millions to Interfere in U.S. Politics, DOJ Says
21Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Types of News: Brief, United States

Russia Spends Millions to Interfere in U.S. Politics, DOJ Says

February 21-The U.S. Justice Department filed an indictment on Feb. 16 against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for conducting an "information warfare against the United States." The indictment comes as a result of an ongoing Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller. None of the individuals or companies charged are currently in the United States and are unlikely to be extradited from Russia for trial. The 37-page indictment is significant in that it may indicate the methods in which Russian intelligence officers use tools of democracy against its rivals. It also begins to establish some clarity about Russia's activities in the U.S. political system after more than a year of widespread speculation on the issue, focused mainly on possible collusion with th...
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Government Regulators Raise Alarms on Virtual Currencies
18Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Cryptocurrency, Types of News: Brief

Government Regulators Raise Alarms on Virtual Currencies

As virtual currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple rise in use and value, government regulators around the world are paying closer attention, issuing consumer warnings, and are looking for ways to regulate them. The international nature of virtual currencies, also called cryptocurrencies, allows them to operate outside the reach of national governments. But increasingly, regulators are considering ways to oversee the exchanges or, in some cases, ban them. The Rise and the Risk Cryptocurrencies are gaining in popularity and in dollar terms. The combined value of cryptocurrencies reached $800 billion earlier this year before falling down to $433 billion. In the past five years, Bitcoin's value alone rose from $5 billion in 2013 to $115 billion in 2018. Observers say the wild flu...
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China Outlines Goals for Arctic Trade Route & Development
29Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

China Outlines Goals for Arctic Trade Route & Development

As global warming melts thick ice in the Arctic, countries are increasingly staking out economic claims in the region. China is no exception. This month, China outlined its vision for creating a new trade route through the region and for developing its resources. In a new 12-page White Paper, China called itself as an "important stakeholder" in the region. As Near-Arctic State and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China "shoulders the important mission of jointly promoting peace and security in the Arctic," the paper said. It is a significant policy statement on navigating the delicate environmental and diplomatic interests in the Arctic waters. As the ice melts in the region, the potential for international disputes over shipping and natural resources rises. Governi...
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Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says
25Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says

Economic growth as measured by gross domestic product is necessary for a country's well-being, but it is not enough. To ensure adequate or rising living standards for people, you need sustainable and inclusive growth, according to members of the World Economic Forum. "Any growth, for it to be meaningful, has to be inclusive," said Saadia Zahidi, a member of the WEF Executive Committee. "Unsurprisingly, we find that while growth is recovering, there are still major challenges when it comes to equity and inclusion across both rich and poor economies." The World Economic Forum executive committee released a report this week on inclusive growth as world leaders started to gather at its annual conference in Davos, Switzerland. Global Growth Strong The World Bank predicts the world economy wil...
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Global economic growth expanded in 2017
17Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

Global economic growth expanded in 2017

The global economy rebounded in 2017, rising to 3 percent up from 2.4 percent in 2016, as trade picked up momentum, advanced economies increased investments, and developing countries exported more commodities, the World Bank reported Jan. 9. The bank sees global growth edging up slightly to 3.1 percent in 2018 as developing countries experience greater growth while advanced economies begin to back off emergency monetary policies. These numbers differ from projections the International Monetary Fund made in October. The IMF predicted a 3.6 percent rise in the global economy in 2017 and 3.7 percent in 2018. A Turning Point The numbers suggest the global economy has recovered from the 2008-2009 global economic crisis. The World Bank predicts this year will "be the first year since ...
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U.S. Targets Chinese, Malaysian Firms in New Sanctions
13Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Targets Chinese, Malaysian Firms in New Sanctions

In its latest round of sanctions against Iran, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted two firms based in Shanghai, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both firms are accused of trading in export-sensitive goods and concealing that the buyers were Iranian firms barred under previous sanctions. And both firms risk having their any U.S.-based assets frozen and losing business ties with banks and companies under U.S. jurisdiction. Middle Men One of the firms is a large manufacturing and global trader with a business office in Shanghai, China. Bochuang Ceramic, Inc., makes and sells a specialized chemical that can be used in military weapons, such as torpedoes, mines, aircraft and surveillance. According to Treasury, Bochuang Ceramic sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sensitive...
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China, France Strengthen Trade, Economic Ties
12Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

China, France Strengthen Trade, Economic Ties

French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a three-day state visit to China this week, strengthening the European Union's economic ties to Asia. Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to open their economies to trade and investment and strengthen the global economic governance system. It was Macron's first state visit to China since becoming president, and he pledged to return each year to foster face-to-face diplomacy. As a symbol of friendship, Macron gifted Chinese President Xi Jinping with a prized horse named Vésuve de Brekka, who had served the French Republican Guard. It was in the fashion of China's "panda diplomacy" of gifting its pandas to countries around the world, including France. Trade and Investment China is France's seventh largest export market. China acc...
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