In this episode, Rogoff - former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund - explains how the US dollar came to enjoy this hegemonic status, what being the world’s reserve currency actually means in practice, and why he believes the dollar is now in decline.
September 02, 2026
Is the World Giving Up on the US Dollar? | The Global Story
Sep 2, 2026 | America’s national debt recently hit a new milestone of $40 trillion. It is estimated that interest payments on the national debt are now the second largest expense in the US government budget, trailing only Social Security. How was the US able to borrow so much and for so long? One answer according Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff is the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.
In this episode, Rogoff - former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund - explains how the US dollar came to enjoy this hegemonic status, what being the world’s reserve currency actually means in practice, and why he believes the dollar is now in decline.
In this episode, Rogoff - former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund - explains how the US dollar came to enjoy this hegemonic status, what being the world’s reserve currency actually means in practice, and why he believes the dollar is now in decline.
Camilla Tominey, Ed Conway & Jenny Chapman Debate Andy Burnham's Take on Britain's "Wrong Turns"
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Global Bond Sell-off Deepens as US Launches Fresh Attacks on Iran • FRANCE 24 English
Democracy Now! US Empire in Decline: Richard Wolff on Iran War, Rising Inequality, $40 Trillion National Debt & More
Sep 2, 2026 | We speak to Richard Wolff, a prominent Marxist economist, about the economic fallout from the war on Iran, which recently reached the six-month mark.
"Because it's only been going on for a few months, the impact on the prices we pay is about to unload itself," says Wolff. The US national debt, which recently topped $40 trillion, is "one of the many signs of an economy and of an empire that is now in decline," says Wolff. "
There is an enormous increase in defense spending, or now war spending, that is scheduled, and no comparable increase in revenue."
Wolff also discusses how a global sell-off of US government bonds means increasing borrowing costs for everyday consumers.
Democracy Now! can be supported here »
"Because it's only been going on for a few months, the impact on the prices we pay is about to unload itself," says Wolff. The US national debt, which recently topped $40 trillion, is "one of the many signs of an economy and of an empire that is now in decline," says Wolff. "
There is an enormous increase in defense spending, or now war spending, that is scheduled, and no comparable increase in revenue."
Wolff also discusses how a global sell-off of US government bonds means increasing borrowing costs for everyday consumers.
Democracy Now! can be supported here »
Treibt Trump die USA in den Kollaps? | Sandra Navidi
DER STANDARD darf hier unterstützt werden.
Burnham Blames Brexit and Thatcher: Is He Right about Britain’s Problems? | Jeremy Vine
September 2, 2026 | In his first Commons address as Prime Minister, Burnham blamed both for years of low growth, saying Britain needs more substantial change on the economy and cost of living.
Supporters say he has a point. They argue Brexit damaged trade, investment and confidence, while decades of privatisation and underinvestment left Britain with weak growth, poor infrastructure and squeezed public services.
Critics say Burnham is looking backwards. They argue Margaret Thatcher left office more than 35 years ago, Brexit happened a decade ago, and the new Prime Minister now needs to focus on solutions rather than blame.
There is also the question of delivery. With bills, food prices, mortgages and energy costs still putting pressure on households, can Burnham really make people feel better off?
So is Burnham right to blame Brexit and Thatcher, or should he stop pointing to the past and prove he can fix the future?
Distance lends perspective. As a one-time huge fan of Thatcher, I have the following to say…
Margaret Thatcher was the architect of many of our economic problems today. She did some things that were very good; it’s true. But it must also be said that she harmed the British economy as well, especially by selling off so many of this country’s valuable assets. As Harold Macmillan said: Thatcher sold off the family silver. This is his actual quote:
Further, Thatcher (and her buddy, Reagan, in the States) were the root cause of the huge wealth gap that we have today.
So much for Thatcherism; so much for Reaganomics! — © Mark Alexander
Supporters say he has a point. They argue Brexit damaged trade, investment and confidence, while decades of privatisation and underinvestment left Britain with weak growth, poor infrastructure and squeezed public services.
Critics say Burnham is looking backwards. They argue Margaret Thatcher left office more than 35 years ago, Brexit happened a decade ago, and the new Prime Minister now needs to focus on solutions rather than blame.
There is also the question of delivery. With bills, food prices, mortgages and energy costs still putting pressure on households, can Burnham really make people feel better off?
So is Burnham right to blame Brexit and Thatcher, or should he stop pointing to the past and prove he can fix the future?
Distance lends perspective. As a one-time huge fan of Thatcher, I have the following to say…
Margaret Thatcher was the architect of many of our economic problems today. She did some things that were very good; it’s true. But it must also be said that she harmed the British economy as well, especially by selling off so many of this country’s valuable assets. As Harold Macmillan said: Thatcher sold off the family silver. This is his actual quote:
“The sale of assets is common with individuals and states when they run into financial difficulties. …At the time, it seemed that she was working miracles with the UK economy, but those apparent miracles turned out to be short-term fixes — short-term dreams, but long-term nightmares.
First of all the Georgian silver goes, and then all that nice furniture that used to be in the saloon. Then the Canalettos go.” — Harold Macmillan, November 8, 1985
Further, Thatcher (and her buddy, Reagan, in the States) were the root cause of the huge wealth gap that we have today.
So much for Thatcherism; so much for Reaganomics! — © Mark Alexander
September 01, 2026
Google Surrenders to Trump, Renames Lake Ontario | The Palki Sharma Show
Trump’s 100-year Plan for Venezuela’s Oil | The Palki Sharma Show
September 1, 2026 | US President Donald Trump is pushing deeper into Venezuela’s oil industry under a new agreement with Caracas. Reports say a US-linked joint venture would receive drilling rights across 17 fields containing 65 billion barrels of confirmed reserves. The US could also buy 20% of production at cost and receive first refusal over the remainder.
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez describes the project as an investment that will create jobs, production. and government revenue. But the arrangement could significantly expand Washington’s influence over Venezuela’s biggest asset and put existing Chinese and Russian oil interests in the country under pressure.
That woman, Delcy Rodríguez, in Venezuela is either ectremely naïve which I very much doubt, very stupid, which I also very much doubt, or complicit in this Trump-favourable deal. How the Venezuelans are tolerating this is beyond my comprehension. Basically, Trump is stealing Venezuela’s most valuable asset: oil! — © Mark Alexander
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez describes the project as an investment that will create jobs, production. and government revenue. But the arrangement could significantly expand Washington’s influence over Venezuela’s biggest asset and put existing Chinese and Russian oil interests in the country under pressure.
That woman, Delcy Rodríguez, in Venezuela is either ectremely naïve which I very much doubt, very stupid, which I also very much doubt, or complicit in this Trump-favourable deal. How the Venezuelans are tolerating this is beyond my comprehension. Basically, Trump is stealing Venezuela’s most valuable asset: oil! — © Mark Alexander
Is MBS Out of Money as Saudi Seeks Loan to Cover Costs due to Iran War? | Vantage on Firstpost
September 1, 2026 | The Gulf spent years building an economic fortress on the back of oil wealth, diversification and a promise of stability. But the Iran war is putting that model under unprecedented pressure.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring billions of dollars in fresh borrowing, Qatar is facing a severe LNG shock, while Bahrain and Kuwait are seeing mounting financial stress. Even the UAE, the region’s most diversified economy, has taken a hit.
Growth forecasts for the GCC have been sharply downgraded. The message is clear: the Gulf may have enormous financial reserves, but when war disrupts energy, trade and transport, even the region’s deepest pockets can feel the strain.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring billions of dollars in fresh borrowing, Qatar is facing a severe LNG shock, while Bahrain and Kuwait are seeing mounting financial stress. Even the UAE, the region’s most diversified economy, has taken a hit.
Growth forecasts for the GCC have been sharply downgraded. The message is clear: the Gulf may have enormous financial reserves, but when war disrupts energy, trade and transport, even the region’s deepest pockets can feel the strain.
The Biggest Oil Deal or Theft at Gunpoint? US Claims Majority Control of Venezuela's Oil Reserves
September 1, 2026 | The U.S. has struck a deal to take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves, nine months after the U.S. military abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a raid on Caracas and two months after The New York Times revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become the de facto viceroy of Venezuela, effectively controlling Venezuela's finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government. The new oil deal gives the Department of Defense a 35% stake in a joint U.S.-Venezuelan private company that now holds 100-year leases to 17 oil fields. It also gives the U.S. the right to buy some of the oil produced at cost — a major triumph for the Trump administration as the war on Iran depletes the United States' strategic oil reserves. Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez claims U.S. investment in Venezuela's oil industry will jumpstart the country's floundering economy, but critics, including Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodríguez, say the deal is not only "unfavorable to Venezuela" but also appears to violate the Venezuelan Constitution.
"The whole history around this is extremely shady," adds Rodríguez, who previously led Venezuela's Congressional Budget Office and now teaches at the University of Denver. "It's clear that this is not a deal that any Venezuelan government would have entered into unless this country had been subject to an invasion, and unless its authorities had been held at gunpoint. So, I think we've replaced gunboat diplomacy now for gunpoint diplomacy."
Democracy Now! can be supported here »
As I have said before, the poor Venezuelans appear to have been shafted by the Trump regime! — © Mark Alexander
"The whole history around this is extremely shady," adds Rodríguez, who previously led Venezuela's Congressional Budget Office and now teaches at the University of Denver. "It's clear that this is not a deal that any Venezuelan government would have entered into unless this country had been subject to an invasion, and unless its authorities had been held at gunpoint. So, I think we've replaced gunboat diplomacy now for gunpoint diplomacy."
Democracy Now! can be supported here »
As I have said before, the poor Venezuelans appear to have been shafted by the Trump regime! — © Mark Alexander
The Last Days of Europe’s Most Paranoid Communist State | 60 Minutes Australia
Aug 31, 2026 | For nearly half a century, Albania operated as Europe's most isolated, secretive, and paranoid communist state under the iron-fisted rule of Marxist-Leninist leaders.
In 1990, just before the regime collapsed, 60 Minutes reporter Jennifer Byrne gained rare access to "The Land Time Forgot," exploring a bizarre society where foreign debt and contraceptives were banned, and the average citizen earned just sixty dollars a month.
In 1990, just before the regime collapsed, 60 Minutes reporter Jennifer Byrne gained rare access to "The Land Time Forgot," exploring a bizarre society where foreign debt and contraceptives were banned, and the average citizen earned just sixty dollars a month.
The Brexit Campaign | BBC Newscast
Sep 1, 2026 | Today, we hear what it was like to be inside the leave and remain camps from those who managed the campaigns behind the scenes.
Sir Craig Oliver, who was in charge of communications for the Remain campaign, and chief executive of Vote Leave Matthew Elliott meet for the first time in the Newscast studio.
Sir Craig Oliver, who was in charge of communications for the Remain campaign, and chief executive of Vote Leave Matthew Elliott meet for the first time in the Newscast studio.
Steve Rosenberg: Modi Calls on Putin to Move towards Peace. How Should We Interpret the Response?
August 31, 2026
Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines
Democracy Now! can be supported here »
It seems pretty clear to me that the Venezuelans have been shafted by Trump and his regime with this oil deal! — © Mark Alexander
‘Trump Pushes Canada Out of NATO?’: Mark Carney Drops Stunning Europe Bomb Amid Tariff War
Steve Rosenberg: “The Destruction of the World Order Can No Longer Be Stopped,” Warns Russian Paper
August 30, 2026
En Islande, les eurosceptiques l’emportent lors du référendum sur l’UE après une nuit sous tension
LE FIGARO : Les Islandais ont rejeté ce dimanche la reprise des négociations avec l’Union européenne. Le « non » s’est imposé au terme d’un scrutin très serré, marqué par une forte mobilisation.
La bataille électorale s’annonçait serrée. Elle l’a été jusqu’au petit matin. Au bout d’une course haletante, le «non» a fini par l’emporter avec 52,8% des voix, contre 47,2% au « oui ». Appelés samedi aux urnes pour se prononcer sur la reprise des négociations avec l’Union européenne, les Islandais se sont déplacés massivement.
Vers 22 heures, pourtant, rien ne laissait encore présager le naufrage du « Jár ». Au Musée d’Art de Reykjavik, où plusieurs centaines de partisans de l’adhésion à l’UE s’étaient retrouvés pour suivre les résultats. Bières, DJ set, parties d’Uno entre sympathisants… L’ambiance est légère. En attendant les premiers chiffres, la soirée vire au rendez-vous politique. » | Par Louis Dubar et Victor Di Bartolo, envoyés spéciaux à Reykjavik | dimanche 30 août 2026
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Island lehnt neue EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen ab: Die Isländer stimmen über die Wiederaufnahme von EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen ab. Das Nein-Lager setzte sich bei dem Referendum durch. »
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Iceland Votes to Steer Clear of European Union Talks: After a divisive national debate, Icelanders rejected a proposal to resume negotiations on joining the bloc, according to the national broadcaster. »
The Iran War Is the Biggest Strategic Blunder in US History (w/ John Mearsheimer) | TCHR
August 29, 2026
Iran unter wachsendem Druck: Handel bricht ein, Hormus-Streit dauert an
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Teheran gibt die wachsende wirtschaftliche Not im Land zu – weicht im Konflikt mit den USA aber keinen Schritt zurück.
Dieses Foto stammt aus diesem Artikel. | Junge Männer fahren mit Motorrädern am Ufer entlang, während ein Traktor Geräte aus dem Wasser zieht und Handelsschiffe in der Straße von Hormuz vor Anker liegen. | © Razieh Poudat/ISNA/AP/dpa
Sechs Monate nach Beginn des Krieges mit den USA und Israel gerät Irans Wirtschaft zunehmend unter Druck. Präsident Masoud Pezeshkian zufolge ist der Außenhandel infolge amerikanischer Sanktionen und der Blockade iranischer Häfen um fast 35 Prozent eingebrochen. Die jährliche Inflationsrate erreichte zuletzt 66 Prozent, berichtet Reuters. Dennoch signalisiert die Führung in Teheran weder militärisch noch politisch einen Rückzug.
Die Regierung bezeichnete die Bewältigung der wirtschaftlichen Belastungen durch Krieg und Sanktionen in einer über Staatsmedien verbreiteten Erklärung als zentrale Aufgabe. Genannt wurden der Kampf gegen die Inflation, die Stabilisierung der Märkte, die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen und Investitionen in die heimische Produktion. Zudem soll Iran schrittweise unabhängiger vom US-Dollar werden.
Auch der neue oberste Führer Ajatollah Mojtaba Khamenei forderte die Regierung schriftlich auf, sich ernsthaft mit Inflation, Arbeitslosigkeit und steigenden Lebenshaltungskosten zu befassen.
Öffentlich gesehen wurde er seit dem amerikanisch-israelischen Angriff vom 28. Februar nicht mehr. Dabei war sein Vater und Amtsvorgänger Ali Khamenei getötet worden. Mojtaba Khamenei soll bei dem Angriff verletzt worden sein. » | Sophie Barkey | Samstag, 29. August 2026
Sechs Monate nach Beginn des Krieges mit den USA und Israel gerät Irans Wirtschaft zunehmend unter Druck. Präsident Masoud Pezeshkian zufolge ist der Außenhandel infolge amerikanischer Sanktionen und der Blockade iranischer Häfen um fast 35 Prozent eingebrochen. Die jährliche Inflationsrate erreichte zuletzt 66 Prozent, berichtet Reuters. Dennoch signalisiert die Führung in Teheran weder militärisch noch politisch einen Rückzug.
Die Regierung bezeichnete die Bewältigung der wirtschaftlichen Belastungen durch Krieg und Sanktionen in einer über Staatsmedien verbreiteten Erklärung als zentrale Aufgabe. Genannt wurden der Kampf gegen die Inflation, die Stabilisierung der Märkte, die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen und Investitionen in die heimische Produktion. Zudem soll Iran schrittweise unabhängiger vom US-Dollar werden.
Auch der neue oberste Führer Ajatollah Mojtaba Khamenei forderte die Regierung schriftlich auf, sich ernsthaft mit Inflation, Arbeitslosigkeit und steigenden Lebenshaltungskosten zu befassen.
Öffentlich gesehen wurde er seit dem amerikanisch-israelischen Angriff vom 28. Februar nicht mehr. Dabei war sein Vater und Amtsvorgänger Ali Khamenei getötet worden. Mojtaba Khamenei soll bei dem Angriff verletzt worden sein. » | Sophie Barkey | Samstag, 29. August 2026
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