“Regulators in the U.S. have moved to block one of Hong Kong’s largest telecommunications companies from accessing domestic networks, citing national security concerns. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced on Wednesday that it had initiated proceedings to potentially bar HKT Trust and HKT Ltd and its subsidiaries from interconnecting with American networks, escalating concerns over its ties to China.” (10/16/25)
“In 2008, power over our financial markets and economy was ceded to the Federal Reserve and it’s ‘extraordinary monetary policy.’ Perhaps its time to scale it back.” (10/15/25)
“Madagascar‘s new military leader, who came to power on the back of a popular rebellion, has announced that he will be sworn in as the country’s president, defying the decision of the African Union (AU) to suspend the island nation’s membership. The military seized power, forcing President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country last week. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced late on Wednesday that he will take his oath as the country’s new leader on Friday, saying the High Constitutional Court will perform the ceremony.” (10/16/25)
“In 1957 the Soviet Union put the first man-made satellite — Sputnik — into orbit. The U.S. response was close to panic: The Cold War was at its coldest, and there were widespread fears that the Soviets were taking the lead in science and technology. In retrospect those fears were overblown. When Communism fell, we learned that the Soviet economy was far less advanced than many had believed. Still, the effects of the “Sputnik moment” were salutary: America poured resources into science and higher education, helping to lay the foundations for enduring leadership. Today American leadership is once again being challenged by an authoritarian regime. And in terms of economic might, China is a much more serious rival than the Soviet Union ever was.” (10/15/25)
“As global rules on carbon emission shift from voluntary pledges to enforceable standards, the United States faces a pivotal decision: how to count carbon in a way that protects industrial competitiveness, reduces compliance costs, and supports its position in global trade. The current mainstream framework, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), was not built for this task.” (10/15/25)
“The U.S. passport dropped from the world’s top 10 most powerful list for the first time in the 20-year history of a key rankings index. The declining strength of the U.S. passport since its No. 1 spot in 2014 ‘signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics,’ per a statement from Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index that was released this week. … Singapore tops the Henley ranking list, which uses data from the International Air Transport Association to examine passports’ visa-free travel. Singaporeans don’t need a visa for 193 of the 227 destinations worldwide. … The U.S., which dropped to 10th in July after sinking to seventh last year, tied with Malaysia at No. 12, with visa-free access to 180 destinations.” (10/15/25)
