In The News

BBC: Russia-Ukraine Tensions Rise

November 26, 2018
Russia is expanding control over Ukraine step by step – annexing Crimea in 2014, supporting militants in eastern Ukraine, inspecting vessels passing through the Kerch strait, and most recently opening fire on and confiscating three naval vessels off the Crimean coast. The Ukrainian vessels were trying to sail from the Black Sea port of Odessa to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, and Russia’s control...

RTÉ : Draft Brexit Deal

November 20, 2018
Great Britain has reached a draft agreement on how it will proceed in exiting its European Union membership. Key players are unhappy, and the Irish – both the nation and Northern Ireland – quarrel whether no deal actually means a hard border. WTO rules require border checks between different customs rules. The British argue for a “better agreement,” too, with numerous disagreements about more or...

Time: French Regulators “Embed,” Monitor Facebook

Casey Quackenbush November 16, 2018
Governments and critics scrutinize Facebook for fake news, hate speech, and foreign advertising that raises questions about democracy and election results and even targets some groups with violence. France’s Emmanuel Macron has called for global regulation to ensure truthful posts and takes steps on regulation. “Starting in January, Facebook will welcome a small team of civil servants from Macron...

DW: Childless People Should Pay More Tax?

Natalie Muller November 10, 2018
Proper care of children – including adequate shelter, food and clothing along with education and exposure to a range of opportunities and ideas – is costly for families and society. Germany’s health minister also views children as future workers who pay for expensive retirement pension programs. “Germany's aging population and the retirement of post-war baby boomers has led to a mounting...

Reuters: The EU and Merkel's Departure

Alastair Macdonald November 1, 2018
Angela Merkel is stepping down as her party’s leader and said her fourth term as German chancellor is her last. Some analysts anticipate “prolonged paralysis and a Germany less inclined to share its wealth and locked in confrontation with its neighbours” and others hope for a stronger coalition supporting integration, explains Alastair Macdonald for Reuters. The next leader for the Christian...

RTÉ: Europe to Ban Single-Use Plastics From 2021

October 24, 2018
Small plastic items that are more fast conveniences than necessities will be banned from Europe as of 2021. “The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly today for an EU-wide ban on single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic cutlery and cotton buds,” reports RTÉ. “The European Commission, the 28-nation EU's executive arm, proposed banning such items that it said account for 70% of the...

BBC: US to Pull Out From Russia Missile Treaty

October 21, 2018
Donald Trump claims that Russia is not abiding by the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty and therefore the United States plans withdrawal. “The deal banned ground-launched medium-range missiles, with a range of between 500 and 5,500km (310-3,400 miles),” reports BBC News. Barack Obama, Trump’s predecessor, likewise accused Russia of breaching the treaty but heeded concerns from...