Friday, December 27

Domestic Politics

IMF: Crypto, Stocks Surged In Response To Central Bank Policies Since 2020
11Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Cryptocurrency, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief, United States

IMF: Crypto, Stocks Surged In Response To Central Bank Policies Since 2020

In Effect, The Policies Pose The Risk Of Shocks To The Financial Systems Photo by BTC Keychain January 11, 2022--Cryptocurrencies and stock market equities skyrocketed as central banks produced loose monetary policies amid the 2020 global pandemic. Although cryptocurrency prices and some high-growth stocks have dipped since the start of the year, they both "surged amid easy global financial conditions," the International Monetary Fund reported on today. That may come as no surprise among high finance investors who carefully watch interest rates established by central banks, especially those in the United States and Europe. But today's report by the IMF appears to be the first acknowledgment from the multilateral organization that government agencies are fueling the boom in r...
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Capital Attack Case ‘Far From Done,’ Justice Dept Says
6Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Capital Attack Case ‘Far From Done,’ Justice Dept Says

On the first anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol by American protestors, the U.S. Justice Department said its ongoing investigation has resulted in more than 725 arrests nationwide and would continue to "follow the facts wherever they lead." "Those involved must be held accountable, and there is no higher priority for us at the Department of Justice," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland commented in a speech. "In the aftermath of the attack, the Justice Department began its work on what has become one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in our history." January 6, 2021 It was a day that showed the fragility of the U.S. democratic republic. A new president had been elected, and the U.S. Congress was fulfilling its constitutional duty t...
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PROFILE: Gabriel Boric, Who He Is And Why He Matters
31Dec By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Democracy, Domestic Politics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

PROFILE: Gabriel Boric, Who He Is And Why He Matters

"We are a generation that emerged in public life demanding our rights be respected as rights and not treated like consumer goods or a business," Gabriel Boric said after winning the Chilean presidency on December 19, 2021 with 56 percent of the vote. Chile's New Leader Brings A New Kind Of Left To Latin America December 31, 2021--By this point, talking about controversial leaders in Latin America might be a cliché in itself. But still, almost every election in the region has at least one person that can raise a few eyebrows. Chile had two: Pinochet defender José Antonio Kast and Gabriel Boric, the far-left leader, and elected president. Boric is an interesting leader. For one, he is the youngest president to rule the Andean* country. Also, at age 35, he is the first president to b...
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After Venezuelan Elections, Those Who Wanted Change Look For New Strategy
10Dec By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

After Venezuelan Elections, Those Who Wanted Change Look For New Strategy

Editor's Note: The elections this Fall in Venezuela marked the first time in four years the opposition took part. The Opposition represents the interim government led by Juan Guaidó, who is recognized by the United States and 50 other countries as the rightful leader of the country in the aftermath of the 2018 fraudulent election. The opposition boycotted the 2018 and 2020 elections. But with recent talks between the opposition and the government in Mexico, they are engaging more in politics For many of the nearly 6 million expats who left the country in the wake of political and economic crises since 2015, the hope is for a new government and a better life for the Venezuelans left behind. Ernesto Rodriguez, one of those expats, analysizes the outlook for that in the essay below. By ...
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Germany’s New Coalition Government Puts Values First In Foreign Policy
8Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Diplomacy, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Human rights, Types of News: Analysis

Germany’s New Coalition Government Puts Values First In Foreign Policy

A Tougher Stance On China Is Likely December 8, 2021--It's a momentous day for Germany, Europe's largest economy, as that country replaces Angela Merkel with a new chancellor after 16 years of her leadership in and out of the country. The Bundestag officially recognized Olaf Scholz as head of the government. Scholz represents the center-left Social-Democratic Party (SDP). This Fall, the party signed an agreement with the Green Party (Greens) and Liberal Democrats (FDP) to rule the country. The coalition deal promises "an innovative alliance" of parties that represent different traditions and perspectives. 50% Off your first digital audiobook. "We can make a contribution to softening political divisions and can initiate new political creativity. In this way, we can modernize soc...
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Ahead Of Honduras Critical Election, Political Violence Emerges
26Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Domestic Politics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

Ahead Of Honduras Critical Election, Political Violence Emerges

U.S. And China Vie For Influence In Honduras As Taiwan Arises As An Issue November 26, 2021—Ahead of Sunday's election in Honduras, the people face a critical choice between a corrupt status quo and an alternative that may bring in a left-wing and perhaps "communist" agenda. The election has implications for Central America and beyond. The battle is between the conservative National Party, in power since a 2009 coup and run by a corrupt leader, versus the left-wing Libre Party. The Libre Party candidate Xiomara Castro is leading in the polls. If she wins, she's expected to usher in change. Story Update: Libre Party candidate Xiomara Castro, 62, won the election after running on an anti-corruption platform. She replaces President Juan Orlando Hernández as the country's top lea...
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A Critical Look At Fossil Fuel Subsidies
17Nov By Guest WriterNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

A Critical Look At Fossil Fuel Subsidies

If We Want To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, We Should Not Pay People To Burn Fossil-Fuels By Max Roser November 17, 2021--Instead of making fossil fuels more expensive, many governments do the opposite: They subsidize them. Having access to reliable and affordable energy is important to people, so it’s understandable that governments support energy access. But if these subsidies support the consumption of fossil fuels it comes with a large downside, air pollution and accelerated climate change. This year, world leaders agreed to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. It is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that they want to reach by 2030. As so often with progress, the world rarely solves a problem through a single event. Repealing subsidies is a process. H...
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U.S. Deficit For FY2021 Reached $2.8 Trillion, CBO Says
10Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Types of News: Brief, United States

U.S. Deficit For FY2021 Reached $2.8 Trillion, CBO Says

November 10, 2021--For the fiscal year that ended September 30, the U.S. government ran a $2.8 trillion budget deficit, the Congressional Budget Office reported on Monday. The figure was $360 billion less than the deficit in 2020 but three times the deficit from 2019. As a share of the GDP, the 2021 deficit was 12.4 percent the size of the economy. That's down from 15 percent at the peak of the pandemic in FY2020 but up from 3.2 percent in 2016. Federal spending increased above normal levels in 2020 and 2021 in response to the pandemic. They included the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Meanwhi...
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Fed Decision ‘Skews Risk Toward Inflation’
3Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Finance, Investing, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief, United States

Fed Decision ‘Skews Risk Toward Inflation’

Despite Economic Recovery And Rising Prices, U.S. Central Bank Keeps Interest Rates Near Zero November 3, 2021—The Federal Reserve announced today it will begin reducing the amount of Treasury securities it purchases every month, in light of economic progress. However, in a move that mirrors the European Central Bank decision, the U.S. central bank is maintaining an accommodative stance on monetary policy, meaning it will continue to increase the money supply. Specifically, the committee is keeping the Federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25 percent, which is slightly above Europe's negative rates. A key point is the Fed is no longer basing the decision on the U.S. unemployment rate, which is historically low. The measure of success for the central bank now includes the labor participat...
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Coal, China And Climate Change
1Nov By Ramsha ZubairiNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Domestic Politics, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Analysis

Coal, China And Climate Change

Editor's Note: As the COP26 takes place this week, many leaders on climate action are pointing to China and calling on the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas to do more. This is the first of a series of reports on coal production and consumption by contributing writer Ramsha Zubairi. China's Climate Goals Are 'Unimpressive,' Observers Say November 1, 2021—China is the biggest producer, consumer and importer of coal, and as the country’s economy continues to grow post-pandemic, its demand for the commodity moves in the upward direction. That makes China's absence from this year's COP26 especially worrisome for climate activists. With global climate change happening now, it is increasingly necessary to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. More than 70 percent of e...
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