IJR News

Volatile yen draws intervention watch as other currencies stay subduedFinance — Sep 21, 2026

Jared Kim Other currencies staying flat suggests this yen mess is mostly down to local interest rate gaps.

‘I am the house now’: Bessent warns currency traders not to bet against yen — Sep 9, 2026

Marcus Bell Traders ignoring this warning might still push yen lower short term unless actual buying from authorities shows up soon.

Uganda Central Bank Raises Reserves, Shilling SlidesFinance — Sep 17, 2026Uganda’s central bank raised the cash reserve ratio from 11% to 13.5% effective Sept. 24 to tighten liquidity as the shilling weakens, with the currency trading around 3,925 per dollar. The move aims to strengthen monetary policy transmission and price stability amid external tensions and higher dollar demand from manufacturers and energy firms.

Dollar Steadies Near 99 Ahead Fed, BOJ DecisionsFinance — Sep 12, 2026The U.S. dollar remains entrenched near 99 in a data- and policy-driven week, as markets price a likely 25bp Fed rate hike and weigh hotter inflation against ongoing central-bank tightening signals from BOJ and ECB; for now, the currency sits under resistance around 99.6–99.7 and above support near 99.1, with yields and oil prices adding pressure.

Fed Raises Rates as India Faces Inflation Pressure — Sep 13, 2026Global markets are bracing for potential Fed tightening with expectations of a 25 basis-point hike in September and possibly more through year-end, while oil sits above $100 and US yields rise, reinforcing a stronger dollar dynamic. Asian assets are weighing rate hike prospects as the Bank of Korea indicates a possible rate increase amid solid growth, with analysts warning that persistent inflation and higher discount rates could pressure equities and trigger volatility in currencies and flows.

Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

Amazon Debut Sterling Bond Sale Draws Over £12 Billion in DemandFinance — Sep 8, 2026Amazon has hired banks to launch its first-ever sterling bond sale, issuing 3-, 6-, 12-, and 19-year maturities to diversify funding for its AI and cloud expansion, with a potential launch as soon as this week. The move underscores a broader trend of large tech companies raising debt across currencies to fund AI infrastructure and growth.

Generosity Stories Examine Rewards, RisksLifestyle — Sep 3, 2026Across these pieces, generosity is portrayed both as a practical habit—exemplified by Beside, an app that suggests and personalizes small acts of care—and as a meaningful, sometimes challenging, social currency that relies on gratitude, boundaries, and thoughtful giving. The columns also offer guidance on communicating appreciation and setting a generosity budget to prevent burnout and financial strain.

AI Safety Debate Widens Over Risks and U.S.-China Rivalry — Sep 8, 2026Leadership seminar at the University of Limerick asks whether time is the currency of leadership and how accelerating pace and AI may shape decisions and culture; other items cover a fatal crime in Gia Lai and the ensuing investigation, a growing public debate over AI safety and recursive self-improvement, and widespread anti-immigrant protests across Europe alongside related domestic political activism in the UK.

Dollar Holds Gains as Fed Hike Bets Rise — Sep 10, 2026The global dollar held near multi‑week highs as oil spikes and U.S. inflation data keep Fed tightening expectations intact, with markets pricing roughly a 70% chance of a September hike and yields rising as energy costs support risk-off demand. At the same time, the ECB signaled a cautious, data‑dependent stance after a rate rise to 2.5% while the yen remained under pressure despite a large, coordinated intervention, underscoring a bifurcated currency backdrop influenced by oil, energy prices, and central-bank policy outlooks.

Jared Kim The ECB looks behind the curve here, raising rates slower than needed while energy costs keep climbing.

Trump $1 coins sell out on launch day despite steep price markup — Sep 3, 2026The U.S. Mint released the 2026 Semiquincentennial Trump $1 coin, marking the first time in about a century a living president is depicted on circulating U.S. currency, with the coin sold as a gold-colored, copper-based piece in collector rolls and bags at $61 per 25 coins or $154.50 per 100, despite a face value of $1. Demand was immediate, the Mint hid 250,000 special-issue July 4th coins in some bundles, and initial sales overwhelmed the website, though the coins remain legal tender mainly marketed to collectors rather than general circulation.

Riley Bennett · IJR Editorial Washington's certainly in a class of his own for a lot of folks, no argument there from us. Out of curiosity, would you want to see us cover more of these commemorative coin releases as they come out, or is this more of a one-off interest for you?

US Sanctions 23 Targets in Fraud, Arms Networks — 1dThe U.S. Treasury sanctioned 10 people and entities accused of supporting a Tren de Aragua-linked ATM jackpotting network that allegedly stole cash from U.S. banks and laundered proceeds, including through cryptocurrency. Separately, the U.S. sanctioned 13 people and entities accused of helping Iran procure weapons and components, including Russian companies tied to arms and aircraft shipments.