In The News

Russia Exports, Bans Fake News: Business Insider

Sinéad Baker March 20, 2019
Investigations by governments and internet companies point to Russian meddling during election campaigns, including the 2016 Brexit vote and the US presidential race, with outlandish social media messages and promotion of falsehoods. Yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law outlining penalties for distribution of whatever the state decides is fake news. “With this new law, Russia...

Investors and Globalization’s Decline: Barron’s

Avi Salzman and Nicholas Jasinski March 18, 2019
The bout of protectionism and transactional approaches to trade will linger even after China and the United States reach a trade agreemen. “Globalization is being overwhelmed by populism, nationalism, and protectionism,” explain Avi Salzman and Nicholas Jasinski for Barron’s, adding that globalization has long moved in cycles and is “no longer the dominant force.” Trade growth has slowed,...

#MyMosque Shows Packed Places of Worship: Daily Dot

Elizabeth VanMetre March 17, 2019
Social media messages from around the world express support for the victims of a terrorist attack at two Christchurch mosques and defiance against white supremacy. “Photos of packed mosques filled social media, accompanied by the hashtag #MyMosque just hours after terrorists went on a shooting spree at two mosques in Christchurch, killing 49 people,” reports Elizabeth VanMetre for the Daily Dot....

Battle for Global Internet Grid: Wall Street Journal

Jeremy Page, Kate O’Keeffe and Rob Taylor March 14, 2019
Huawei, headquartered in China, manufacturers an array of telecommunications equipment and pursues contracts worldwide, including building and equipping the vast undersea cable networks that carry global internet data. “About 380 active submarine cables – bundles of fiber-optic lines that travel oceans on the seabed – carry about 95% of intercontinental voice and data traffic, making them...

Nations, Not US, Ground Boeing 737 Max 8: AP

Richard Lardner and Tom Krisher March 13, 2019
Fatal aircraft crashes are rare, and concerns quickly emerged after two Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft crashed soon after takeoff within six months: one in Indonesia and the other in Ethiopia. “The rest of the world typically takes it cues from the FAA, long considered the world’s gold standard for aircraft safety,” report Richard Lardner and Tom Krisher for the Associated Press. Safety regulators in...

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...