Breaking News, Business, Financial and Economic News, World News from EconoTimes

Become a contributor

Bookmark Econotimes

Mon, Sep 14, 2026 10:14 AM All times are UTC

Follow Series

©Econometrics LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Rubrick Biegon

Associate Lecturer, Politics and International Relations, University of Kent

Rubrick joined the University of Kent in 2010 to pursue a PhD in International Relations, which he completed in 2014. Formerly a lecturer in international political economy, he currently convenes the undergraduate module on terrorism and political violence. He has taught seminars on American foreign policy, political science, political research and analysis, conflict analysis and resolution, international security, and terrorism and national security. Rubrick also convenes the politics module for Kent’s international foundation programme in the Centre for English and World Languages.

He has previously lectured on the American studies programme at Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to coming to Kent, he worked as a policy analyst with an international consulting firm based in Washington, where his reporting focused on political and economic developments in Latin America and US policy towards the region. He also completed internships with several human rights organisations. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and an MA in International Politics from the American University’s School of International Service.

Rubrick’s research interests are concentrated in the areas of US foreign policy, inter-American relations, and international political economy. He is interested in debates over power in international politics and the global economy and, more specifically, the status and impact of US power in the international relations of the Western hemisphere. His forthcoming book, to be published with Routledge in 2016, is titled US Power in Latin America: Renewing Hegemony.

Trump’s hawkish Cuba order will damage US influence in Latin America

Jun 22, 2017 09:17 am UTC| Insights & Views

Donald Trump has issued a directive to tighten travel and business restrictions on Cuba. He is effectively reversing Barack Obamas efforts to normalise relations with the island; at a rally in Miami, he said that I am...

Economy

Dollar Rises as Fed Hike Bets Weigh on Asian Currencies

Asian currencies weakened against the U.S. dollar on Monday as investors raised expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike this week. The Japanese yen remained close to a seven-month high as traders also...

BOJ Flags Import Costs and Yen Shocks as Persistent Inflation Risks

The Bank of Japan is increasingly concerned that rising import costs and currency fluctuations can trigger sharp inflation in Japan, suggesting these supply-driven price pressures should play a greater role in monetary...

Asian Stocks Fall as AI Fears and Oil Surge Hit Markets

Asian stocks declined on Monday as concerns over a potential slowdown in artificial intelligence development pressured technology shares, while oil prices above $100 a barrel fueled inflation fears and expectations for...

Hormuz Vessel Traffic Drops to Single Digits

Commodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to single-digit daily levels over the weekend, highlighting growing disruption to one of the worlds most important energy and shipping routes. Preliminary...

Goldman Sachs Forecasts Fed Rate Hike as Inflation Risks Rise

Goldman Sachs now expects the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 25 basis points at its September meeting, reversing its previous forecast for no change as inflation concerns intensify across U.S. financial...

Politics

Trump Open to Chinese Automakers Building Cars in US

President Donald Trump said he would not oppose Chinese automakers opening manufacturing plants in the United States, provided they build vehicles domestically and employ American workers. If China wanted to come in and...

Trump Touts $5,000 Checks if Republicans Win Congress

President Donald Trump said the United States could afford to send $5,000 payments to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in this years elections, though lawmakers said the proposal would require...

Takaichi-Backed Koja Wins Okinawa Governor Race

A candidate supported by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis government has won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, potentially clearing the way for Tokyo to expand its military presence across the strategically...

Philippines Holds Historic Bangsamoro Election Amid Tight Security

Voting began Monday in the Philippines Muslim-majority south in a landmark Bangsamoro election, with security tightened after pre-election violence left three people dead and 15 others wounded. The vote is considered a...

China’s Global Times Slams Anthropic CEO’s AI Slowdown Plan as ‘Cold War’ Strategy

Chinas state-backed Global Times has criticized Anthropic CEO Dario Amodeis proposal to slow the development of advanced artificial intelligence, arguing that the initiative reflects a U.S. Cold War playbook aimed at...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

SoftBank Shares Plunge 11% After OpenAI Rules Out 2026 IPO

SoftBank Group shares plunged on Monday as investors reacted to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ruling out a public listing in 2026 and growing calls to slow the pace of artificial intelligence development. SoftBank (TYO: 9984)...

Z.AI Shares Slide 7% After $5 Billion Fundraising

Z.AI shares tumbled nearly 7% on Monday, reaching a 5-1/2-month low after the Chinese artificial intelligence company completed a roughly $5 billion fundraising package involving discounted new shares and convertible...

Anthropic Eyes Second Straight Profitable Quarter Ahead of Potential IPO

Anthropic expects to post positive adjusted operating income for a second consecutive quarter, signaling improving financial performance as the artificial intelligence company moves closer to a potential IPO, the Financial...

Trump Vows to Keep U.S. Ahead of China in AI Race

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States must maintain its artificial intelligence lead over China, pushing back against calls from prominent technology leaders to slow AI development amid growing safety...

Samsung, SK Hynix Reject KEPCO’s $18.7 Billion Power Funding Plan

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have rejected a proposal from Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) that would require the chipmakers to provide 25 trillion won ($18.7 billion) in upfront funding to secure electricity...