2026
US extends shipping law waiver 90 days, to allow freer movement of oil, commodities
WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump extended for 90 days a waiver of a shipping law to allow foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other commodities between US ports, a White House official said on Friday. Reuters reported on Thursday that industry sources said the administration would extend the waiver on the more…
Bitcoin vs gold: 1 BTC now buys only 18 ounces of gold
Gold and bitcoin are both seen as a hedge against currency debasement, yet the balance of power between them has more than halved within a year. On Thursday, November 12, one bitcoin cost about $71,300 and a troy ounce of gold $3,885. One bitcoin was therefore worth 18.4 ounces of gold. In December 2024 the…
Iraq establishes special security force to combat oil smuggling, protect pipelines
Yakoota Al Ahmad and Mohammad Sio 13 November 2026•Update: 13 November 2026 Iraq has established a specialized security force to combat oil smuggling and theft and protect its pipeline network, alongside additional measures to tighten security at oil fields and monitor facilities, an official said Friday. Lt. Gen. Hamid al-Husseini, director general of Iraq’s Energy…
Why is the Swiss Franc the weakest major currency this week?
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the worst-performing major currency this week as rising expectations of further interest rate hikes in the US and elsewhere make the lower-yielding Franc less attractive. Source link
Fed Chair Warsh Wants Answers on AI Inflation—and Bitcoin May Feel the Impact
The Federal Reserve is examining whether AI will lower prices or keep inflation elevated, a question that could shape interest rates. Source link
France and Germany close to agreement on ECB leadership
France and Germany are nearing an agreement on senior ECB posts, with Pablo Hernández de Cos considered the favourite to succeed Christine Lagarde. Source link
Mortgage and refinance interest rates today, Friday, November 13, 2026: Mortgage rates continue to rise from week-ago levels
Mortgage rates continue to rise from week-ago levels, according to Zillow rate data supplied to Yahoo Finance, as markets are pricing in a Fed rate increase following its December meeting. One Fed governor even suggested a 50-basis-point hike is on the table. The average 30-year fixed purchase rate today, Friday, November 13, 2026, is 7.14%,…
DriveWealth gains MiCA licence in Lithuania
DriveWealth, a Brokerage-as-a-Service infrastructure provider for banks, fintechs, digital wallets, and brokers, has announced that its European affiliate, UAB DriveWealth Europe, is now authorised by the Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos bankas) as a crypto-asset service provider under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The company expects the services to become available in 2027, with…