In The News

World Bank Can Be Sued: NPR

Tim McDonnell March 7, 2019
The US Supreme Court, in a 7-1 ruling, ruled that international organizations can be sued when overseas development projects bring harm to local communities. A group of farmers and fishermen in Gujarat, India, filed the lawsuit in 2015 after a coal-fired power plant came on line and contaminated local water sources despite promises of environmental protections. The decision in Jam v....

China’s Social Credit System: Channel NewsAsia

Tom McGregor March 6, 2019
As populations grow, governments want to control social behavior, encouraging citizens to follow rules. China has instituted a social credit system that gives citizens points and benefits for good behavior. “‘Discredited’ Chinese citizens face greater scrutiny from the public, meet tougher challenges when applying for new credit cards, getting bank loans and in more severe cases, may be blocked...

All The Presidents’ Meals: Foreign Policy

C.K. Hickey March 5, 2019
Since 1933, the White House has hosted 14 administrations and almost 400 state dinners. Culinary trends emerged during the various periods that represented the societal zeitgeist. State dinners were characterized by modesty during the 1930s through the 1950s, gradually transforming into lavish cuisine from the Kennedy administration onward. The changes in taste also reflect sensitivity-driven...

Japanese Whaling: Asia-Pacific Journal

Fynn Holm March 4, 2019
Japan, in withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission, plans to resume commercial whaling in July within the country’s exclusive economic zone, suggesting the country “remains committed” to managing such resources. Whaling has been part of Japan’s culture for four centuries, and the industry became a target of fierce international criticism since 1990. The country will cease a...

Sexual Abuse of Migrant Youth in US: Axios

Caitlin Owens, Stef W. Kight and Harry Stevens February 26, 2019
The US Department of Health and Human Services received more than 4,500 complaints of alleged sexual abuse against unaccompanied minors between 2014 and 2018. The Justice Department received 1,300 more complaints. There may be some overlap. Border agents separated immigrants and children attempting to enter the country when they suspected the adults were not parents or had a criminal background....

Rappler Editor Arrested: New York Times

Alexandra Stevenson February 13, 2019
Bullying authoritarian leaders cannot endure criticism or democratic checks on their policies by journalists or courts. Agents with the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Maria Ressa, editor of the online news site Rappler. Rappler is a publishing partner of YaleGlobal Online. “Her arrest is the most dramatic sign of Mr. Duterte’s crackdown on the free press in the Philippines,” reports...

Medium: No Thank You, Mr. Pecker

Jeff Bezos February 7, 2019
Jeff Bezos, the wealthiest person in the world, went public with communications from the National Enquirer urging him to stop investigations in exchange for not printing personal photos and texts. “AMI, the owner of the National Enquirer, led by David Pecker, recently entered into an immunity deal with the Department of Justice related to their role in the so-called ‘Catch and Kill’ process on...