In The News

The Economist: UN Refugee Agency for Palestinians Running Out of Cash

July 13, 2018
The Trump administration’s decision to withhold $305 million of $365 million annually directed to the UN’s Relief and Works Agency is poised to cause further damage to the 2 million people of Gaza. Moreover, the crisis looms large against the backdrop of increased tension between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs Gaza. Since the end of March, a series of protests near the border...

New York Times: Migration and Climate Change

Lauren Markham July 13, 2018
The Trump administration has targeted immigrants and asylum seekers, while rejecting scientific research along with programs that strive to stem climate change and promote family planning, despite the many connections and repercussions. Droughts, flooding and other extreme weather events contribute to environmental disasters and mass migration. “Drought and rising temperatures in Guatemala are...

The Guardian: Israel Deploys Border Reinforcements as Syrians Flee Strikes

Patrick Wintour July 13, 2018
Efforts to facilitate a broad ceasefire in southwest Syria broke down at the end of June, prompting the Syrian military to initiate a fresh round of air raids in the Daraa province – an area inside the de-escalation zone agreed on by the US president, the Russian president and the Jordanian government. The Syrian government claims to control of more than half of the province. The increase in...

South China Morning Post: Spousal Visas for Hong Kong Same-Sex Couples

Chris Lau July 12, 2018
Hong Kong’s top court ruled in favor of LGBTI rights in early July, “requiring immigration authorities to grant same-sex partners spousal visas previously available only to heterosexual couples.” The decision was unanimous and will give the city a boost in welcoming skilled foreign workers. Marriage in Hong Kong is still confined to between a man and a woman, but the special administrative region...

Financial Times: Trade War Escalation Rattles Global Stocks

Joe Rennison, Pan Kwan Yuk and Gabriel Wildau July 12, 2018
The United States announced additional tariffs worth $200 billion on Chinese imports, and retaliation is anticipated from China. US tariffs would cover nearly half of Chinese imports. Global stock markets, especially chipmaker, industrial and mining sectors, are in decline. “The escalating trade war is adding to downward pressure on China’s economy from a slowdown in infrastructure investment and...

Daily Naya Digantha: Bangladesh as Pakistan or Kashmir?

Minar Rashid July 11, 2018
Political opponents can be counted on to issue dire warnings to sway support their way. Supporters of the Awami League warn that the party’s loss could make Bangladesh similar to Pakistan, and some observers suggest India may be working to boost the Awami League in the elections to be held later this year. With more than 160 million people, Bangladesh ranks as the world’s eighth most populous...

The Guardian: Accountability Only Way to End Violence in Myanmar

Yanghee Lee and Georgia Drake July 11, 2018
Local and international organizations have reported serious violations and abuses in Myanmar for decades, and sexual violence cases overwhelmingly feature members of Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw. Yanghee Lee and Georgia Drake report for the Guardian: “Myanmar has faced civil war since shortly after independence in 1948, and there are countless instances of its peoples facing serious...