ny How many people still smoke in the UK? By www.bbc.co.uk Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:28:15 GMT The government wants to create a smoke-free generation and restrict the sale and marketing of vapes. Full Article
ny Netanyahu says focus on hostages after Sinwar death By www.bbc.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Oct 2024 19:21:15 GMT Sinwar, who topped Israel's most-wanted list, was a key figure believed to have been behind the 7 October attacks. Full Article
ny No guarantees Trump will give Netanyahu all he wants By www.bbc.com Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:06:22 GMT Trump's win has been welcomed by Israel but the change he brings may not be to its liking, writes Lucy Williamson. Full Article
ny Why Norris wants Silverstone win more than any other By www.bbc.com Published On :: Thu, 04 Jul 2024 17:02:56 GMT McLaren’s Lando Norris explains why he wants to win the British Grand Prix more than any other race in Formula 1. Full Article
ny 'We live in fear' - forced expulsions taint Kenya's safe haven image By www.bbc.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:06:20 GMT Kenya's status as a sanctuary for refugees is questioned after the deportation of four Turkish nationals. Full Article
ny Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station? By www.bbc.com Published On :: Sat, 09 Nov 2024 01:10:41 GMT India has built a 3km-long runway on Agalega and no-one has fully explained why, angering residents. Full Article
ny Watch: 'Any good?' Lineker kicks off 25 years as MOTD host By www.bbc.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:21:27 GMT Watch: First time Gary Lineker presented Match of the Day Full Article
ny Is populism dead? Are We the People now forever under the thumb of unbridled global tyranny? Madame Defarge chimes in By powderedwigsociety.com Published On :: Sun, 06 Jun 2021 13:52:17 +0000 I haven’t written for Powdered Wig since October 2020. This once profitable site has now been destroyed by Big Tech, especially Fascistbook, Twitter, and Google. So, at 66 years old, I find myself making a living in the construction field […] The post Is populism dead? Are We the People now forever under the thumb of unbridled global tyranny? Madame Defarge chimes in appeared first on Powdered Wig Society. Full Article populism globalism trump tyranny
ny “If the Democrats could fight wars as well as they execute Election Fraud, we would have obliterated all of our many enemies throughout the World, and would have nothing to worry about!” ~ Donald J. Trump By powderedwigsociety.com Published On :: Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:34:49 +0000 Touché! .@POTUS45: "If the Democrats could fight wars as well as they execute Election Fraud, we would have obliterated all of our many enemies throughout the World, and would have nothing to worry about!" pic.twitter.com/GpMO46zrNQ — Natalie Harp (@NatalieJHarp) August […] The post “If the Democrats could fight wars as well as they execute Election Fraud, we would have obliterated all of our many enemies throughout the World, and would have nothing to worry about!” ~ Donald J. Trump appeared first on Powdered Wig Society. Full Article 2020 presidential election 2020 election fraud afghanistan donald trump
ny Germany engulfed by political crisis as Scholz coalition falls apart By www.bbc.com Published On :: Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:08:21 GMT Europe’s most powerful economy is left rudderless, when EU leaders are nervous about a new Trump presidency. Full Article
ny Germany plans February election after coalition collapse By www.bbc.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:04:30 GMT Parties agree 23 February vote after chancellor torpedoed the coalition government by sacking finance minister. Full Article
ny News24 | OPINION | Lisa Otto: Isolationism vs hegemony... and the contradictions of Trump's America By www.news24.com Published On :: Wednesday Nov 13 2024 06:18:13 America and Americans must decide what the US' place in the world is and then accept what comes with that, writes Lisa Otto. Full Article
ny velocityconf: @tsantero @garethr No, there's just a lot that goes into producing #velocityconf. Plus the chairs are getting ready for Santa Clara + NY! :) By twitter.com Published On :: Mon, 20 May 2013 16:50:15 +0000 velocityconf: @tsantero @garethr No, there's just a lot that goes into producing #velocityconf. Plus the chairs are getting ready for Santa Clara + NY! :) Full Article
ny News24 | Tony Leon | Will Trump buy what Rasool is selling? By www.news24.com Published On :: Wednesday Nov 13 2024 06:18:35 Donald Trump's rocket fuel is rage and resentment, with a new and very detailed agenda to match. His country, this nation and the world await the full meaning and consequence of his second presidency, writes Tony Leon. Full Article
ny Denzel Washington says he has 'not that many' films left to make before he retires — but one will be 'Black Panther 3' By www.businessinsider.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:10:34 +0000 Denzel Washington may have let slip that director Ryan Coogler is working on a third "Black Panther" film, which Marvel has not yet announced. Full Article Entertainment denzel-washington movies celebrities marvel black-panther
ny Home Depot says shoplifting challenges aren't getting any easier By www.businessinsider.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:29:08 +0000 Home Depot's CFO said investments to combat retail theft are "paying off" but the operating environment is "getting harder and harder." Full Article Retail home-depot organized-retail-crime shoplifting
ny News24 | Africa has other friends if Trump won't work with it - Kenya's AU candidate By www.news24.com Published On :: Saturday Nov 09 2024 18:36:48 Kenya's candidate for the top job at the African Union said on Saturday that if US president-elect Donald Trump does not want to work with Africa, the continent has "other friends". Full Article
ny In Harmony with Nature By www.readingrockets.org Published On :: Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:29:35 EDT My father, the birder, is often excited to share his sightings with me — especially so this summer when he got back from a long-planned trip to South Africa. 153 species! I love how he finds joy and peace by connecting with the world through observing birds, interacting with fellow birders, and telling tales of his birding adventures. In so many wonderful ways, Dad’s daily routines and way of life are linked to nature and the birds he loves. Full Article
ny Be careful not to touch anything at the Wynn Las Vegas By www.upgradetravelbetter.com Published On :: Sun, 21 May 2017 08:11:57 +0000 Family friends recently returned from a trip to the Wynn Las Vegas, but the first story they had to tell wasn’t about luxurious accommodations, gambling, restaurants, or shows. It was about the snacks on top of their minibar. The motion-detector minibar wasn’t new to me. Those are bad enough: You move any item in the […] The post Be careful not to touch anything at the Wynn Las Vegas first appeared on UPGRADE: TRAVEL BETTER. Full Article Hotels Minibar
ny News24 Business | Instagram rolls out teen accounts as scrutiny mounts By www.news24.com Published On :: Tuesday Sep 17 2024 15:29:16 Meta Platforms is rolling out enhanced privacy and parental controls for Instagram accounts of users under 18 in a significant overhaul aimed at addressing growing concerns around the negative effects of social media. Full Article
ny News24 | Do you have any complaints or feedback about News24's content? Here's how to get in touch By www.news24.com Published On :: Tuesday Oct 08 2024 20:38:59 Any complaints, queries or suggestions about content on News24 may be sent to our public editor George Claassen. Full Article
ny How We Travel with a Cat in Our Tiny 17' Casita Travel Trailer By vagabondish.com Published On :: Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:08:22 +0000 Traveling with dogs is easy; cats not so much. Here's everything we've learned about traveling with cats in a travel trailer or RV. The post How We Travel with a Cat in Our Tiny 17′ Casita Travel Trailer appeared first on Vagabondish. Full Article Features RV Travel
ny My Faith in Nerds: Stronger Than Any Gelatinous Cube By www.43folders.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:01:57 +0000 dConstruct 2010: Merlin Mann - "Kerning, Orgasms & Those Goddamned Japanese Toothpicks" (NSFW) ME - Kerning, Orgasms And Those Goddamned Japanese Toothpicks on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it Let's be honest. I don't go...mmmm...places very often. I sit in this chair. I go to the Safeway with my daughter. Sometimes, I take the train downtown to get a haircut. I check the mail. But, by and large, like most nerds, I'm without question, a bit of a shut-in. Which makes it more than a little ironic that my first trip off the North American continent brought me all the way to Brighton, England's wonderful dConstruct Conference. Which wonderful conference placed me inside a very royal complex, alone on a very large stage, 90 seconds after being informed I'd better be entertaining, because I'd be conducting my oration on the same spot where, a scant 36 years earlier, ABBA had become international stars by singing an up-tempo number about giving up. So, y'know. No pressure. Commanded to this location by two of my web heroes, I was told I could speak about whatever I wanted. So, wow, to quote the ladies of ABBA, how could I ever refuse? Thus, I stood on that stage for over 35 minutes, rambling to 800 talented, creative people about Dungeons & Dragons, japanese toothpicks, torrenting Photoshop, as well as what I used to find myself doing after a long evening of shooting mutants in Stargate.1 But, mostly? Yes. Mostly, I stood on a stage thousands of miles from the chair from which I barely move, and I told a lot of really smart people that they were nerds. I also told them they should get out more. I swear: it made sense at the time. Some Serious Talent My talk about the challenges and opportunities of being a giant nerd seemed well received. Honestly, I'm very happy with how it turned out. But--oh, brother--was I ever up against some heavy hitters. Serious Lou Gehrig shit. I'll leave it to other, more eloquent folks to tell you what a wonderful day this was. But I will very much suggest you learn this for yourself by listening to the audio of the fantastic talks. Because every one of them is a corker. Additionally, like I said, Tom Coates put on one of the loveliest slide decks it's ever been my pleasure to see (56MB PDF). Great speakers, great hosts, wonderful attendees (who aren't above buying a yank a pint [thanks, everybody]). And, Thanks, dConstruct I have to admit, I'm kind of over conferences as a thing, which makes it even more crazy when I go to one, and it blows me out of the water with the care and quality of the event, the speakers, and the attendees. dConstruct was absolutely one of those blown-out-of-the-water events. (photo: happy.apple) As I learned over and over again--yes, like me--these folks are nerds. But, brother are they ever talented nerds who care and care. Which I just love so much. I'll take a nerdy bunch of fontdorks and cellists over a splashy mega-conference full of VC pitches and skanks pushing free Red Bull anytime. Anytime. dConstruct was simply a top-notch operation from end-to-end, and I'm insanely grateful that I was invited to participate. Thanks, Clearleft. And, you, the reader? If you get the chance next time, go. Heck, I might even leave this chair and go there, myself. Maybe. I suppose when Dr. Who's over, I could just let these 20-sided dice decide for me. Lemme see...what's my Armor Class and Hit Points...? Listen for Yourself2 dConstruct Podcast MARTY NEUMEIER - The Designful Company The Designful Company on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it BRENDAN DAWES - Boil, Simmer, Reduce Boil, Simmer, Reduce on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it DAVID MCCANDLESS - Information Is Beautiful Information Is Beautiful on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it SAMANTHA WARREN - The Power and Beauty of Typography The Power and Beauty of Typography on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it JOHN GRUBER - The Auteur Theory Of Design The Auteur Theory Of Design on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it HANNAH DONOVAN - Jam Session: What Improvisation Can Teach Us About Design Jam Session: What Improvisation Can Teach Us About Design on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it JAMES BRIDLE - The Value Of Ruins The Value Of Ruins on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it TOM COATES - Everything The Network Touches Everything The Network Touches on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it Kerning, Orgasms And Those Goddamned Japanese Toothpicks ME - Kerning, Orgasms And Those Goddamned Japanese Toothpicks on Huffduffer Download the audio | Huffduff it Hint: Number Three. ↩ Code for these was stolen wholesale from the dConstruct site. Jeremy, et al - don't hesitate to tell me if that's a problem.Srsly. ↩ ”My Faith in Nerds: Stronger Than Any Gelatinous Cube” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 10, 2010. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?" Full Article dConstruct Geeks Knowledge Workers Nerds Speaking
ny VETERAN’S DAY: You’re Gonna Love What One Patriotic Coffee Company Did For The Marines! By clashdaily.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:30:41 +0000 Did you know that the Marines just celebrated their 249th birthday? This is one helluva tribute. The post VETERAN’S DAY: You’re Gonna Love What One Patriotic Coffee Company Did For The Marines! appeared first on Clash Daily. Full Article Videos
ny Testimony before the North Dakota Senate Industry, Business and Labor Committee By signalvnoise.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:04:30 +0000 Chairman Klein and members of the Senate Industry, Business and Labor Committee- My name is David Heinemeier Hansson, and I’m the CTO and co-founder of Basecamp, a small internet company from Chicago that sells project-management software and email services. I first testified on the topic of big tech monopolies at the House Antitrust Subcommittee’s field… keep reading Full Article Uncategorized
ny Judge Juan Merchan Grants Request from Trump's Legal Team and DA in NY Hush Money Case By www.westernjournal.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:24:49 +0000 New York Judge Juan Merchan — who is overseeing President-elect Donald Trump’s business records case — agreed to freeze the case until Nov. 19. There was to be a hearing […] The post Judge Juan Merchan Grants Request from Trump's Legal Team and DA in NY Hush Money Case appeared first on The Western Journal. Full Article News 2024 election Donald Trump New York state Prosecuting Trump
ny Sport | Khanyiso Tshwaku | Markram's T20 run drought no laughing matter as leadership crown weighs heavy By www.news24.com Published On :: Tuesday Nov 12 2024 12:33:48 As captain, Aiden Markram is allowed a long rope from a wonky form perspective, but how long can that rope be as the run river continues to shrivel, asks Khanyiso Tshwaku. Full Article
ny In conversation with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Mon, 16 Sep 2024 19:47:13 +0000 In conversation with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK 17 October 2024 — 10:00AM TO 11:00AM Anonymous (not verified) 16 September 2024 Chatham House and Online The former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine offers insight into the evolution of Russia’s war against his country, and what to expect next. More than two and a half years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Ukraine has consistently adapted to Moscow’s advances by implementing new strategies.Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region demonstrated operational tactical ingenuity, surprising both Russia and Ukraine’s Western supporters. Success against the Russian Black Sea Fleet has already showcased how Ukraine can skilfully beat back Russian aggression. And increasing numbers of targeted strikes on Russian supply depots and airfields are disrupting Russian operations behind the front lines.Critical Western supplies continue to resource Ukraine’s military. But questions linger over the quantity and sustainability of these supplies. Kyiv will be watching the US presidential election in November as its biggest backer goes to the polls with the possibility of an outcome that could seriously affect the war. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to edge forward in Donbas, despite heavy casualties, and strike at Ukrainian towns and cities from the air, demonstrating that President Putin has no intention of relinquishing the fight.Amid these complexities, Ambassador Zaluzhnyi will discuss how the war is changing both sides, advances on the battlefield, and what dangers lie ahead for Ukraine in the coming months. Other key questions include:What kind of enemy is Russia today and how to secure its strategic defeat in Ukraine;How have new strategies, such as the recent incursion into the Kursk region, affected the state of play on the battlefield?What technologies and armaments does Ukraine need from its Western allies in both the short and long term?Individual membership provides you with the complete Chatham House experience, connecting you with a unique global policy community. Find out more about membership. Full Article
ny Lysine Propionylation and Butyrylation Are Novel Post-translational Modifications in Histones By www.mcponline.org Published On :: 2007-05-01 Yue ChenMay 1, 2007; 6:812-819Research Full Article
ny In conversation with James Manyika, Senior Vice President of Research, Technology and Society at Google By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:57:14 +0000 In conversation with James Manyika, Senior Vice President of Research, Technology and Society at Google 12 December 2024 — 11:15AM TO 12:45PM Anonymous (not verified) 29 October 2024 Chatham House and Online A conversation on AI’s global, societal and economic impacts. 2024 has been a landmark year for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, deployment and use, with significant progress in AI-driven science, governance and cooperation. Looking ahead, AI continues to demonstrate economic promise and potential to expand on scientific breakthroughs in areas such as climate and health. This wave of innovation is occurring against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and not all countries are fully able to participate. Heading into 2025, there are urgent questions about how best to maximise shared opportunities when it comes to AI and to advance global cooperation.James Manyika, Senior Vice President of Research, Technology & Society at Google, will unpack what 2025 will bring for AI in science, economics, global governance and international cooperation. Key questions include:What will be AI’s global societal and economic impact in 2025 and beyond? What are the ways AI could help increase economic growth and economy-wide productivity? What factors must be in place for this to happen?How best can we maximise shared opportunities and advance global cooperation when it comes to AI? Where can public-private partnerships unlock scientific breakthroughs for societal progress, combatting shared global challenges such as climate change and global health issues? What are the principles of safe, responsible AI, and how should companies remain responsive to their evolution and integrate them into technology design and implementation? What is the current – and ideal – role of technology companies in emerging mechanisms for global cooperation and national governance on AI?This event is being held in partnership with Google.You will receive notice by 13:00 on Wednesday 11 December if you have been successful in securing an in-person place.The institute occupies a position of respect and trust, and is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue at all events. Event attendees are expected to uphold this by adhering to our code of conduct. Full Article
ny The break-up of Scholz’s coalition government signals the end of Germany’s old economic model By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:12:46 +0000 The break-up of Scholz’s coalition government signals the end of Germany’s old economic model Expert comment jon.wallace 12 November 2024 The coalition could not agree how to fund new support for Ukraine and failed to fully implement the ‘Zeitenwende’. A new government must push through reform. As Europeans were still processing Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election, an acrimonious break up occurred 4000 miles east of Washington DC.Reports had been circulating for weeks about the fragile state of Germany’s ‘traffic light’ coalition government led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, consisting of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Green Party, and liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).The expectation had been that the coalition would hold on for a few more weeks and might even be given a new lease of life by Trump’s re-election. Instead, it collapsed on the day Trump’s win was confirmed. An unusually angry Scholtz announced in a live address that he had fired FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner, effectively breaking up the coalition. Related content Independent Thinking: Can Germany lead in a divided Europe? At the heart of the dispute was the so-called ‘debt brake’ – a constitutional mechanism which restricts Germany’s annual public deficit to 0.35 per cent of GDP. Lindner proposed a set of reforms which were unpalatable to the SPD and the Greens. In response, Scholz suggested declaring an emergency, which would have suspended the debt brake. That in turn was unacceptable to Lindner, leading to his sacking by the Chancellor.Practically, this means the SPD and the Greens are now in a minority coalition, without agreement on the 2025 budget or the votes in parliament to pass it. They also still face the challenge of the debt brake.A vote of confidence will take place in December, with elections to be held before the end of February 2025 latest.The end of Germany’s economic modelAt the root of Germany’s political crisis is the country’s economic model. For decades, Germany relied on a system that depended on cheap Russian gas, cheap imports of consumer goods from China, high-value exports – particularly in the automotive sector – and the US security umbrella.With Russian energy no longer viable, the global economic landscape shifting, and Donald Trump on his way back to the White House, that model is no longer workable. And Germany’s economy is expected to contract by 0.2 per cent in 2024 – a contraction for the second year running. Germany has struggled to turn around its economic woes, with the car industry particularly affected. The ‘Zeitenwende’, announced by Scholz in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, should have signalled a turnaround of both foreign and economic policy, given how much the two are interconnected. Yet on both fronts, too little changed.Germany’s reliance on Russian gas did come to an abrupt end in 2022. And Germany is Ukraine’s second largest military aid donor after the US, while accepting the most Ukrainian refugees.But the ‘Zeitenwende’ turnaround ended there. Scholz’s coalition government failed to prepare for long-term investment in defence at the levels required by creating an off-budget defence spending fund which would have run out in 2027. The draft budget for 2025 showed defence spending would have been cut, as would support for Ukraine.Germany has also struggled to turn around its economic woes, with the car industry particularly affected. Cheap Chinese EVs and new energy technologies are competing with Germany’s most powerful companies. Volkswagen, the country’s largest car manufacturer, has announced plant closures and layoffs due to shrinking profit margins. To the west, Trump’s threat to impose 10 to 20 per cent tariffs on all EU imports meant share prices of Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedez-Benz and Porsche all dropped between 4 to 7 per cent following news of his re-election.To the east, trade tensions between the EU and China are intensifying. Yet rather than choosing to diversify, German companies have doubled down on their bets in China, with German investment in the country rising from €6.5bn for the whole of 2023 to €7.3bn in the first half of 2024 alone – only exposing carmakers further.Germany’s support for UkraineLike French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz had already been weakened by the results of the European Parliamentary elections in June. With the collapse of his traffic light coalition, the EU’s Franco-German ‘engine’ is now well and truly stalled – until new leadership can be found. This weakness comes at a perilous moment when clear, united European leadership, and much increased funding, is needed to shore up support for Ukraine. Full Article
ny The New Political Landscape in Germany and Austria By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100 Full Article
ny Planning for Africa's Future: Youth Perspectives from Kenya and South Africa By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100 Full Article
ny Undercurrents: Bonus Episode - Germany and the European Elections By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Thu, 23 May 2019 00:00:00 +0100 Full Article
ny Screening Room: Port of Destiny By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000 Full Article
ny Brexit in a Historical Context: Pursuing a Global Vision at the Expense of Domestic Harmony? By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000 Full Article
ny Britain’s Soft Power Potential: In Conversation with Penny Mordaunt By f1.media.brightcove.com Published On :: Wed, 05 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Full Article
ny Undercurrents: Episode 55 - Benjamin Netanyahu's Trial, and the Identity Politics of Eurovision By brightcove.hs.llnwd.net Published On :: Thu, 28 May 2020 00:00:00 +0100 Full Article
ny Deplatforming Trump puts big tech under fresh scrutiny By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Fri, 22 Jan 2021 16:32:14 +0000 Deplatforming Trump puts big tech under fresh scrutiny Expert comment NCapeling 22 January 2021 The response of digital platforms to the US Capitol riots raises questions about online content governance. The EU and UK are starting to come up with answers. The ‘deplatforming’ of Donald Trump – including Twitter’s announcement that it has permanently banned him due to ‘the risk of further incitement of violence’ after the riots in the US – shows once more not only the sheer power of online platforms but also the lack of a coherent and consistent framework for online content governance. Taking the megaphone away from Trump during the Capitol riots seems sensible, but was it necessary or proportionate to ban him from the platform permanently? Or consistent with the treatment of other ‘strongmen’ world leaders such as Modi, Duterte and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who have overseen nationalistic violence but whose accounts remain intact? Such complex decisions on online expression should not made unilaterally by powerful and unregulated tech actors, but instead should be subject to democratic oversight and grounded in the obligations of states and responsibilities of companies under international human rights law. The speed and scale of digital information has left governments across the world struggling with how to tackle online harms such as hate speech, extremist content and disinformation since the emergence of mass social media 15 years ago. The US’s hallowed approach to the First Amendment, under which speech on public issues – even hate speech – occupies the highest rank and is entitled to special protection, has contributed to a reluctance to regulate Silicon Valley’s digital platforms. But the irony is that by not regulating them, the government harmed freedom of expression by leaving complex speech decisions in the hands of private actors. Meanwhile at the other extreme is the growing number of illiberal and authoritarian governments using a combination of vague laws, censorship, propaganda, and internet blackouts to severely restrict online freedom of expression, control the narrative and, in some cases, incite atrocities. Regulation is on the way The happy medium – flexible online content regulation providing clarity, predictability, transparency, and accountability – has until now been elusive. But even before the deplatforming of Trump, 2021 was set to be the year when this approach finally gained some traction, at least in Europe. The EU’s recently-published draft Digital Services Act puts obligations on dominant social media platforms to manage ‘systemic risks’, for example through requirements for greater transparency about their content decisions, algorithms used for recommendations, and online advertising systems. The UK will shortly publish its Online Safety Bill, which will establish a new regulatory framework for tackling online harms, including the imposition of a duty of care and codes of conduct on Big Tech, to be overseen by an independent regulator (Ofcom). Both proposals are based on a ‘co-regulatory’ model under which the regulator sets out a framework substantiated with rules by the private sector, with the regulator performing a monitoring function to ensure the rules are complied with. Both also draw on international human rights standards and the work of civil society in applying these standards in relation to the online public square, with the aim of increasing control for users over what they see online, requiring transparency about tech companies’ policies in a number of areas, and strengthening the accountability of platforms when they fall foul of the regulation. The procedure for both proposals has also been inclusive, involving extensive multi-stakeholder consultations with civil society organizations and Big Tech, and the proposals will be subject to scrutiny in 2021, notably from the EU and UK parliaments. Both proposals are at an early stage, and it remains to be seen whether they go far enough – or indeed will have a chilling effect on online platforms. But as an attempt to initiate a dialogue on globally coherent principles, they are positive first steps. They also provide food for thought for the new Joe Biden administration in the US as it turns its attention to the regulation of Big Tech. For some time civil society – most prominently David Kaye, the former UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion – have called for content regulation to be informed by universal international human rights law standards. The EU and UK are peculiarly well-placed to take the lead in this area because European countries have for decades been on the receiving end of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights on the appropriate limits to freedom of expression in cases brought under the European Convention on Human Rights. In deciding these cases, the court has to balance the right to freedom of expression against the restrictions imposed – for example in the context of incitement to violence, political debate, and satire. Deciding where to draw the line on what can and cannot be expressed in a civilised society which prizes freedom of expression is inevitably a difficult exercise. International human rights law provides a methodology that inquires whether the interference to freedom of expression was prescribed by law and pursues a legitimate aim, and also whether it was necessary in a democratic society to achieve those aims – including whether the interference was necessary and proportionate (as for example in Delfi AS v Estonia, which involved a news portal failing to take down unlawful hate speech). To be effective, online content regulation has to bite on tech companies, which is a challenge given the internet is global but domestic law normally applies territorially. The EU’s proposals have an extraterritorial element as they apply to any online platforms providing services in the EU regardless of where the platform is headquartered. Further, both the EU and UK want to give the regulator strong enforcement powers – it is proposed for example that Ofcom will have powers to fine platforms up to ten per cent of their turnover for breaches. Although the proposals would not apply directly to the deplatforming of Trump which occurred in the US, the philosophy behind the EU and UK approach is likely to have an impact beyond European shores in promoting a co-regulatory model that some of the bigger tech companies have been inviting for some time, reluctant as they are to ‘play God’ on content moderation decisions without reference to any regulatory framework. In the absence of regulation, the standards of tech platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have already evolved over time in response to pressure from civil rights groups, users, and advertisers, including updated policies on protecting civic conversation and hate speech. Facebook has also set up an independent Oversight Board, whose members include leading human rights lawyers, to review decisions on content including – at its own request – the decision to indefinitely suspend Trump from Facebook and Instagram. Decisions on the Board’s first tranche of cases are expected imminently. Gatekeeper status is key Online content regulation also needs to address the role of Big Tech as the ‘digital gatekeepers’, because their monopoly power extends not just to editorial control of the news and information we consume, but also to market access. The decision of Apple, Google, and Amazon to stop hosting right-wing social network Parler after it refused to combat calls for violence during the US Capitol riots was understandable in the circumstances, but also underlined the unilateral ability of Big Tech to decide the rules of the market. Again, it is Europe where efforts are underway to tackle this issue: the EU’s draft Digital Market Act imposes obligations on online gatekeepers to avoid certain unfair practices, and the UK’s new Digital Markets Unit will have powers to write and enforce a new code of practice on those technology companies with ‘substantial and enduring’ market power. Subscribe to our weekly newsletterOur flagship newsletter provides a weekly round-up of content, plus receive the latest on events and how to connect with the institute. Enter email address Subscribe In the US, Biden’s team will be following these developments with interest, given the growing bipartisan support for strengthening US antitrust rules and reviving antitrust enforcement. The EU’s recently published proposals for an EU-US tech agenda include a transatlantic dialogue on the responsibility of tech platforms and strengthened cooperation between antitrust authorities on digital markets. Ultimately a consistent – and global – approach to online content is needed instead of fragmented approaches by different companies and governments. It is also important the framework is flexible so that it is capable of applying not only to major democracies but also to countries where too often sweeping state regulation has been used as a pretext to curtail online expression online. The pursuit of a pluralistic framework tailored to different political and cultural contexts is challenging, and international human rights law cannot provide all the answers but, as a universal framework, it is a good place to start. The raft of regulatory measures from the EU and UK means that, regardless of whether Trump regains his online megaphone, 2021 is set to be a year of reckoning for Big Tech. Full Article
ny Facebook's power under scrutiny as Trump ban upheld By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Thu, 06 May 2021 09:04:43 +0000 Facebook's power under scrutiny as Trump ban upheld Expert comment NCapeling 6 May 2021 Keeping Donald Trump’s Facebook ban in place shows the vast power social media platforms hold, raising questions of whether that power is appropriately used. Kate Jones From a human rights perspective, the Oversight Board’s decision is a strong one, and not at all surprising. The board decided Facebook was right to suspend the former president’s access to post content on Facebook and Instagram, but not indefinitely. It found Donald Trump’s posts violated Facebook’s community standards because they amounted to praise or support of people engaged in violence and that, applying a human rights assessment, Facebook’s suspension of Trump was a necessary and proportionate restriction of his right to freedom of expression. It is in content amplification, not just content moderation, that Facebook should face scrutiny and accountability for the sake of the human rights of its users However the board also found Trump’s indefinite suspension was neither in conformity with a clear Facebook procedure nor consistent with its commitment to respect human rights. Its decision requires Facebook to make a new decision on the future of Donald Trump’s account, grounded in its rules. While opinions on this result will differ, the increased call for clear and accessible rules and respect for human rights in their implementation that the Oversight Board brings to Facebook’s operations is welcome. But the Oversight Board’s powers are limited to content moderation – Facebook declined to answer the board’s questions about amplification of Trump’s posts through the platform’s design decisions and algorithms. This limitation on the board’s role should be lifted. It is in content amplification, not just content moderation, that Facebook should face scrutiny and accountability for the sake of the human rights of its users. Fundamentally, human rights is not a veneer which can mask or legitimize underlying power dynamics or public policy – those still fall to be assessed for themselves. The Trump/Facebook saga does highlight the vast power Facebook and other major social media platforms have over political discussion and persuasion. Through granting or denying, or through amplifying or quietening the voices of political figures, Facebook has the power to shape politics, electorates, and democratic processes. Improving content moderation through the Oversight Board, although important, does little to constrain that power. Facebook itself, unlike a government, has no accountability to the general public, and the Oversight Board must not distract us from the need for a full conversation about the extent to which Facebook’s power is appropriately held and properly wielded. Emily Taylor This decision marks a coming of age for Facebook’s content moderation process. For years, decisions to take down content or ban users have been opaque, conducted by a human workforce that Facebook and other platforms have been hesitant to acknowledge. The platforms have also been worried that being seen to exercise an editorial function might put at risk the legal protections which prevent the platforms being held responsible for user-generated content. When the Oversight Board was first posited, observers questioned whether a body funded by Facebook could properly exercise a legitimate appeals function. Now there is a reasoned decision which partly supports the decision to de-platform a serving president, but also takes issue with the indefinite nature of the ban. If the process is to gain respect as a truly independent oversight on the platform’s decisions, greater transparency over the identity of decision-makers will be needed Facebook specifically asked the Oversight Board to consider specific challenges involved when the person involved is a political leader. The board concluded that Trump’s ‘status as head of state with a high position of trust not only imbued his words with greater force and credibility but also created risks that his followers would understand they could act with impunity’. The storming of the US Capitol and role President Trump played in stirring up the violence underlined that political leaders’ words can motivate others to take harmful actions. Just as the events of January 6 remain shocking, it remains shocking that private platforms have exercised the power to curb the speech of a US president. It also remains shocking that the platforms sat back and took no action over the previous four years, but waited until the final days of the transition. The board’s decision is an evolution in private-sector content moderation, with a diverse board giving a reasoned opinion on a Facebook decision. But to fully comply with the principles of open justice, board decisions should include more detail on the individuals who have made the decision – at present, it appears all members of the board review the decision but it is not clear which individuals were involved in its drafting, or that they were clear from conflicts. If the process is to gain respect as a truly independent oversight on the platform’s decisions, greater transparency over the identity of decision-makers will be needed. Subscribe to our weekly newsletterOur flagship newsletter provides a weekly round-up of content, plus receive the latest on events and how to connect with the institute. Enter email address Subscribe Mark Zuckerberg expressed concern about Facebook becoming an arbiter of truth or free speech and, overall, the difficulty of having private companies managing the application of fundamental rights on their platforms has not been solved. Just because companies have the financial resources to do it, does not mean they necessarily should. Yet no other international governance or arbitration system has emerged to handle the complexities of platform power over speech. In the context of that vacuum, the Oversight Board’s decision is a welcome step. Full Article
ny Tariffs on Germany a card Trump seems willing to play, analyst says By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Tue, 21 Jan 2020 14:34:30 +0000 Source CNBC URL https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/12/03/tariffs-on-germany-a-card-trump-seems-will... Release date 03 December 2019 Expert Dr Lindsay Newman In the news type Op-ed Hide date on homepage Full Article
ny Intransigent Netanyahu brings Groundhog Day for Israel By www.chathamhouse.org Published On :: Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:29:53 +0000 Source Arab News URL https://www.arabnews.com/node/1634966 Release date 29 February 2020 Expert Professor Yossi Mekelberg In the news type Op-ed Hide date on homepage Full Article
ny A translation of “classification of four-vectors of an 8-dimensional space”, by Antonyan, L. V., with an appendix by the translator By www.ams.org Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:21 EDT L. Oeding Trans. Moscow Math. Soc. 83 (), 227-250. Abstract, references and article information Full Article
ny De Branges-Rovnyak spaces and complete Nevanlinna-Pick kernels By www.ams.org Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:05 EST Cheng Chu Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 152 (), 5289-5297. Abstract, references and article information Full Article
ny Community scrambles after top insurance company refuses to pay out homeowners following destructive hurricane: 'Denied or closed with no payment' By www.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-11T21:00:00Z Full Article
ny Sarah Palin, NY Times have explored settlement, as judge sets defamation retrial By www.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-12T17:07:41Z Full Article
ny Bees help tackle elephant-human conflict in Kenya By www.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-12T16:22:37Z Full Article
ny Here are 5 signs you’re financially healthy in America even if you don't feel like it — how many do you show? By finance.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-12T12:42:00Z Full Article
ny Too many wild deer are roaming England's forests. Can promoting venison to consumers help? By www.yahoo.com Published On :: 2024-11-12T05:07:22Z Full Article
