Futures Fall, Oil Rises As Mideast Violence Flares Up

Iran Mulls Hormuz Shipping Pause To Preserve Talks, Avoid Trump Blockade Showdown, As US Pushes 20-Year Nuclear Freeze Summary Diplomacy is not yet dead, as Bloomberg reports Iran is mulling a short-term pause to shipments through Hormuz Strait, in order to avoid a fresh clash with US forces & avoid testing Trump's blockade. Mediators are scrambling to put together another round of US-Iran talks in the coming days: Iran is reportedly offering a 5-year moratorium on nuclear program, while US demands 20. Saudis are among those calling for an end to the US...

Chaos Erupts In Bolivia As Socialists Unleash General Strikes And Riots Socialists in Bolivia, mobilized through the national labor union, highland farmer federations, and supporters of former left-wing President Evo Morales, have ignited social unrest over the U.S.-backed, market-oriented policy agenda of President Rodrigo Paz. The turmoil comes as the Trump administration seeks to shift the Americas away from socialist regimes and closer to Washington's pro-capitalist stance. En Bolivia, obreros, campesinos, maestros de escuela, indígenas y transportistas, llevan mas de 2 semanas paralizando el país contra las políticas neoliberales del gobierno...

A New York Times investigation reveals the US aided in an attack on a cattle and dairy farm in Ecuador earlier this month. The Department of War claimed the operation targeted a drug lab.  In early March, the US and Ecuador conducted joint military operations against alleged drug targets. “The operations are a powerful example […]