Sunday, March 9

Domestic Politics

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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
Assassination The Latest In String Of Haitian Hardships
13Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Assassination The Latest In String Of Haitian Hardships

July 13, 2021—With Haiti’s political and economic future in flux following the assassination of President Jovanel Moïse last week, the GER offers a brief primer on who he was. Jovanel Moïse Age: 53 years Party: Haitian Tèt Kale Party, a center-right party Family: Married with three children Career: Politician and Banana Exporter Jovanel Moïse, center, from May 2021 Moïse, whom even critics have said wanted to end monopolies that favored the country’s elites, also reputedly looked to make money off of government contracts for his banana company (NY Times, July 7). He presented himself as a reformer and battler of corruption who wanted to change the constitution to better serve the people. The country scheduled three elections this year, including a constitutional ref...
Read More
EU Invests In Western Balkan States, Discusses Enlargement Plans
9Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

EU Invests In Western Balkan States, Discusses Enlargement Plans

German Leader Angela Merkel hosts the 2021 Berlin Process in a virtual meeting. Angela Merkel Hosts 8th Annual Berlin Process Engaging Western Balkans July 7, 2021-European Union leaders said they are encouraged by the progress Western Balkan countries are making in pursuit of EU membership. Writing on Twitter, EU President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needs to “speed up the enlargement process.” She also said the process aids the applicants. The EU restated its commitment to helping the Western Balkans with post-pandemic economic recovery efforts via infrastructure investments, as well as financial and technical assistance among other avenues. Berlin Process for Admission The Berlin Process is the lengthy path to EU membership for Albania (applied 2009), Bosnia and Herz...
Read More
8Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief, United States

Biden Extends Emergency Designation On Transnational Criminal Organizations

July 8, 2021—U.S. President Joe Biden extended a previous national emergency designation regarding the continued threat of transnational criminal organizations to U.S. national security and private interests. The White House’s announcement said transnational criminal organizations "continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States." The order allows the U.S. government to block property of organizations involved in criminal activities in two or more countries. Extension of Obama Executive Order The declaration is actually a continuation of executive order 13581 first issued by President Barack Obama in 2011 and continued in 2016. That order named the following organizations: The Brothers' Circle, Camorra...
Read More
EU Presses Hungary To Restore Rule of Law, Human Rights
8Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Democracy, Domestic Politics, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief

EU Presses Hungary To Restore Rule of Law, Human Rights

European Parliament debates a Hungarian law blocking broadcasts that include homosexuals. July 8, 2021. Source: European Commission. European Lawmakers Grow Increasingly Discontent Over Dismantling of Democracy in Hungary July 8, 2021--Six months into a new law linking EU funds to a condition requiring members to uphold the rule of law, European lawmakers are primed to use the new power in a case against member-state Hungary. Today, the European Parliament voted in favor of a resolution condemning Hungary for "state-sponsorship" of censorship against homosexuals. The vote of 459 for, 147 against and 58 abstentions came as a new Hungarian law banning depictions of homosexuals in media took effect. Today's resolution condemns "in the strongest possible terms" the Hun...
Read More
Biden Orders Review of Supply Chain, Promises to Increase Domestic Production
27Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Trade, Types of News: Brief, United States

Biden Orders Review of Supply Chain, Promises to Increase Domestic Production

Feb. 27, 2021--Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and consumers around the world have faced shortages of food, medical supplies and prescriptions, industrial parts, and consumer staples. Supply chain interruptions, manufacturing delays and export restrictions have all impacted the way the world trades its goods. Policymakers are taking note, and the United States is no exception. Executive Order on Supply Chains This week, President Joe Biden ordered an administration-wide review of supplies for multiple industries, including semiconductors, high-capacity batteries, critical minerals and materials, such as rare earth elements, and pharmaceuticals. "We shouldn’t have to rely on a foreign country — especially one that doesn’t share our interests or our v...
Read More
Europe Agrees on 2030 Emissions Targets, Changes to Energy and Transport Sectors
11Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief

Europe Agrees on 2030 Emissions Targets, Changes to Energy and Transport Sectors

Dec. 11, 2020--A year after introducing the Green New Deal, the European Council agreed today to targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade. The plan envisions cutting emissions by 55 percent of 1990 levels by 2030. The deal requires significant changes to the energy and transportation sectors. It also calls for investment in energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure for electric cars. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement "future-proofs" the European Union. "Today's agreement puts us on a clear path towards climate neutrality in 2050. It gives certainty to investors, to businesses, to public authorities and to citizens," von der Leyen said in remarks given after the European Council meeting today. Leaders emerge fr...
Read More
‘America Is Back,’ Biden Says, Promising Renewed Global Ties
11Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief, United States

‘America Is Back,’ Biden Says, Promising Renewed Global Ties

November 11, 2020--A week after the U.S. national election, Joe Biden, the presumptive president-elect, said he is beginning to renew U.S. ties with global partners and institutions and is confident he can work with a bipartisan Congress on achieving results. Biden won victories in a high enough number of states to reach the magic 270 electoral votes needed to make the election official in December. Since most media outlets named Biden the president-elect over the weekend, he has taken calls from at least six foreign leaders, including those representing the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Turkey. New Tone in Washington Biden said he is telling his counterparts the United States will reengage with the world under a Biden presidency. "First of all, I'm letting them kno...
Read More

Contact Us