Economy & Markets

Oil Prices Shoot Up, Stocks Trend Downward as Middle East Flare-Up Ripples Into Markets

The escalation has pushed crude above $85 per barrel while the S&P 500 fell for a third consecutive session amid supply concerns.

By Marcus Webb · Monday, August 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

Hosting G20 Meeting, Bessent Tries to Rally Allies on Iran as Tariffs Strain Ties

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is pushing for international support to isolate Iran through sanctions while facing diplomatic friction from U.S. tariff policies.

By Marcus Webb · Monday, August 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

Treasury Department Denies Credentials to Reporters From NYT, WSJ, Bloomberg for G20 Meeting

The blocked journalists include Alan Rappeport of The New York Times, who has covered Treasury since 2017; the meeting includes discussions on Iran, sanctions, bond markets and inflation.

By Marcus Webb · Monday, August 31, 2026 · 3 min read
Economy & Markets

Inside Economic Warfare and the Fight to Dismantle Iran’s Financial Lifelines

Treasury's Operation Economic Outcast takes aim at banks enabling Tehran's sanctions evasion, with a proposed action against Banque Misr UAE branches that processed $1.8 billion for Iranian front companies.

By Marcus Webb · Monday, August 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

NPR Politics Roundup: Trump Administration Tariff Moves, Voting Access Order, Kushner-Jeffries Meeting

The weekly politics digest covers escalating trade measures targeting multiple countries, a federal directive on mail-in voting access, and an unusual bipartisan discussion between former and current congressional leaders.

By Marcus Webb · Sunday, August 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

Warsh Raises Stakes for Fed's Next Meeting, and Other Takeaways From Jackson Hole Conference

The Fed chair opened the door to a September rate hike while noting that underlying inflation has not meaningfully improved despite some relief at the pump.

By Marcus Webb · Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Economy & Markets

Federal Appeals Court Rules Nevada Can Regulate Prediction Markets as Gambling

The Ninth Circuit decision conflicts with an earlier Third Circuit ruling, raising the prospect of Supreme Court review.

By Marcus Webb · Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

Virginia Democrats Embed Provision in State Budget to Remove Final Confederate Statues From Capitol Grounds

The three statues depicting Stonewall Jackson, William Smith, and Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire had stood on Capitol grounds for over a century before removal began Friday.

By Marcus Webb · Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Economy & Markets

U.S. Targets Egyptian Bank's UAE Branches Under New Push for Iran's Economic Isolation

Treasury proposes rule cutting Banque Misr's Emirati operations from dollar system, marking first concrete action under Operation Economic Outcast.

By Marcus Webb · Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Economy & Markets

Melissa Farris Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Alleged WWII Memorial Vandalism in Washington, D.C.

The Kentucky woman faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of destroying a veterans' memorial and government property after allegedly spray-painting the monument with pink paint.

By Marcus Webb · Friday, August 28, 2026 · 4 min read