In The News

CSR Asia: Electronic Waste in Asia Is Piling Up

Nick Warelis February 3, 2017
Asia represented half of smartphone unit shipment and sales in 2016. “With populations in Asia becoming increasingly affluent, Asian consumers are using and disposing of more electronics,” reports Nick Warelis for CSR Asia. So Asia, a long-time destination for discarded electronics, produces its own hefty share of electronics waste. The waste includes chemicals harmful for the environment, like...

GPS World: Agriculture Robots Market Projected to Reach US$5.7 Billion by 2024

February 2, 2017
Need to feed a growing global population, along with urban migration and less land dedicated to agriculture, is pushing development of robots for the agriculture industry. Companies in Asia, North America and Europe are developing the robots for precision farming, and these “include UAVs, driverless tractors, automated harvesting machines and more,” reports GPS World, based on a Transparency...

World Post: Entry Ban Punishes Citizens, Not Government

Jamsheed K. Choksy and Carol E. B. Choksy February 2, 2017
A blanket ban on traveling from seven countries is targeting many accomplished individuals who have already demonstrated deep appreciation for the United States by working with the US military or providing public service as research professors or physicians. In an essay for the World Post, Jamsheed K. Choksy and Carol E. B. Choksy agree that the government of Iran, for example, has supported...

Reuters: Private University in North Korea Seeks Texas A&M Academic Help

Jon Herskovitz February 1, 2017
Universities and their innovations thrive with collaboration. “The leaders of the only private university in North Korea asked Texas A&M University, known for its agricultural economics and public health programs, for help on Monday in teaching subjects such as how to grow food in a land of chronic shortages,” reports Jon Herskovitz for Reuters. The Pyongyang University of Science and...

The Wall Street Journal on the Economy’s Hidden Problem: We’re Out of Big Ideas

Greg Ip February 1, 2017
Innovations seem to be plentiful, but many developments so far are not leading to “meaningful advances in Americans’ standard of living,” explains Greg Ip for the Wall Street Journal. He adds that “improvements in everyday life have been incremental, not revolutionary” and an “innovation slump,” due to society’s impatience and fear of risk, contributes to middle-class dissatisfaction. Industry...

Why Trump’s Policies May Increase Terrorism

Daniel Byman January 31, 2017
An executive order that restricts visa-holders from seven Muslim-majority from entering the United States and blocks refugees temporarily, Syrians indefinitely, threatens security on many levels. Allies in the Middle East will struggle to cooperate with the United States. The order signals a general mistrust for Muslims, holding them to higher standards than those for other citizens. Successful...

Alibaba's Olympic Sponsorship Expands Jack Ma, China's Influence in Sports

Daniel Kleinman January 31, 2017
Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce behemoth, will spend about $600 million to sponsor the next six Olympic Games through 2028. The partnership was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos by Alibaba founder Jack Ma and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, the partnership. In addition to providing cloud services and customizing a television channel for Chinese viewers, Alibaba...