In The News

Worldwide, People Rally in Support of Women’s March on Washington

Karla Adam January 23, 2017
More than 1 million people marched in the United States on January 21 and more than another million joined with at least 650 sister marches around the globe. The goal was to promote human rights, gender equality and a new wave of political activism. “Organizers said that demonstrators wanted to send a bold message to President Trump on his first full day in office that women’s rights are worth...

Britain Heads for “Hard” Brexit

January 20, 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May outlined plans for Great Britain’s exit from the European Union. Parliament will vote on the deal. The country won’t attempt to stay in the European single market or the customs union, but will pursue access. The customs union eliminates tariffs among EU members and imposes common tariffs on outside goods, and “The single market allows the free movement of goods...

Fake Messiah: As Trump Withdraws From Globalization Stakes, Xi Steps In - But to What Avail?

Nayan Chanda January 18, 2017
President Xi Jinping is praising globalization and suggesting that China is ready to assume leadership of a globalized world – even as the United States signals its withdrawal on some fronts and rejects global commitments like the Paris agreement on climate change. During his keynote address at the World Economic Forum, Xi pointed out that China once resisted globalization and opening its economy...

Dementia Rates “Higher Near Busy Roads”

James Gallagher January 17, 2017
The noise and fumes of highways may contribute to dementia. Public health researchers in Ontario followed nearly 2 million people in Canada and found higher rates of dementia among those living close to roadways. About 50 million people have multiple forms of dementia worldwide. “Compared with those living 300m away from a major road the risk was: 7% higher within 50m, 4% higher between 50-100m...

China Opens Unique Free Electron Laser Facility

Dennis Normile January 16, 2017
Physics research contributes to economic growth in many industries including manufacturing, aerospace, medical applications, information technology and more. “China is joining the elite club of countries that have equipped researchers with the potent sources of high-energy photons called free electron lasers,” reports Dennis Normile for Science Magazine. China reviewed options at other facilities...

Volkswagen Agrees to Plead Guilty in Diesel-Emissions Scandal

Tom Schoenberg, Christoph Rauwald and David McLaughlin January 16, 2017
Volkswagen has agreed to plead guilty to charges brought by the US Justice Department over its emissions conspiracy. VW admits relying on so-called “defeat device with algorithms that misrepresented emissions during testing. More than 11 million cars worldwide contained these devices, which allowed engines to cheat on carbon emissions tests. This conclusion to the 16-month investigation also...

China Is the De Facto Leader of Globalization

Nathan Gardels January 13, 2017
China is preparing to take a leading role on the world stage as the US president-elect dismisses worries about climate change and the benefits of globalization. The rhetoric about an “America first” policy suggests that the United States could reverse US stances on global trade and climate change. Europe is in disarray, too. Some world leaders are avoiding the World Economic Forum in Davos this...