In The News

US Withheld Ukraine Military Aid: Washington Post

Seung Min Kim and Colby Itkowitz September 24, 2019
A political leader can legally use aid money and other policies as leverage in guiding countries on specific behaviors. Use of government money or policies for personal political gain is corruption. Donald Trump confirms that he delayed almost $400 million in aid for Ukraine due to concerns about levels of funding provided by European nations. On July 25, shortly after the aid was delayed, the US...

Arab Coalition Backs Netanyahu Opponent: Al Jazeera

September 23, 2019
For more than 25 years, Israel’s leading Arab political parties declined to endorse candidates for the prime minister post. This time they endorsed Benny Gantz, a move that could end the lock on power by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Gantz's centrist Blue and White party won the most seats in the September 17 election with 33 out of parliament's 120 seats, while Netanyahu's...

Climate Strike Spans Continents: Financial Times

Sarah Provan, Philip Georgiadis, Camilla Hodgson, Myles McCormick, Adam Samson September 20, 2019
Millions of students and their supporters are protesting to demand immediate action from political leaders on climate change, ending the reliance on coal and other fossil fuels. Protests are scheduled in about 3,000 cities and more than 160 nations. Many businesses lend their support, with one group ringing fire alarms, responding to an early call of activist Greta Thunberg’s: “I want you to act...

Myth of Unified World Populism: Financial Times

Janan Ganesh September 12, 2019
The world has many populists in power in prominent nations – the US, India, the UK, Brazil, Turkey and the Philippines, to name a few – raising fears of global movement as envisioned by Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Donald Trump. Janan Ganesh expresses doubt that the populists have such capability. Populists thrive on enemies. Once in power, they struggle to take responsibility. Most simply...

Singapore-Style UK: Guardian

Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley September 12, 2019
The economic warnings for a post-Brexit United Kingdom are dire: shortages, traffic and chaos. That could make the country desperate and ruthless, eliminating social and environmental regulations to compete. The country could become a Singapore-on-Thames, she suggested. The UK prime minister’s negotiator advised that the UK seeks a “clean break” from the EU. “Merkel also warned of the economic...

Netanyahu Annexation Pledge: Al Jazeera

September 11, 2019
In a quest for votes prior to the September 17 election, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, applying Israeli sovereignty, if he wins reelection. Sections include the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea, making up 30 percent of the West Bank, as well as Jewish-only settlements in the territory, reports Al Jazeera: The report goes on to...

Politicizing Weather Forecasts: Washington Post

Jane Lubchenco, D. James Baker and Kathryn D. Sullivan September 10, 2019
Accurate weather forecasting saves countless lives and prevents property damage. The agriculture, defense, transportation, energy, travel and other industries rely on accurate forecasts and an expensive infrastructure of observational equipment, supercomputers and models, and researchers. Also, the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contribute to global...