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A sustainable solution to Afghanistan’s refugees crisis
In the past two years more than 835,000 Afghans, who fled their country for Pakistan during years of civil war, have returned to their home country. To cope with this challenge, aid agencies are working with local communities relying on the centuries-old local Pashtunwali code that prioritizes Read More...
Four ways to survive the end of net neutrality
As of yesterday, federal net neutrality protections, which basically prohibit internet service providers from giving preferential treatment to certain websites, are no more. They essentially were killed on December 14, 2017, when the FCC voted to turn back the clock and restore the unregulated Read More...
The most (and least) peaceful countries worldwide
The 12th annual "Global Peace Index" has been released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an international and independent non-profit think tank. The index reveals that the world is less peaceful today than at any time in the past decade with 92 countries seeing their scores deteriorate Read More...
A manifesto to save Planet Earth (and ourselves)
The impacts of human actions on our home planet are now so large that many scientists are declaring a new phase of Earth’s history. The old forces of nature that transformed Earth many millions of years ago, including meteorites and mega-volcanoes are joined by another: us. We have entered a new Read More...
California city mayor proposes to combat poverty with guaranteed income
Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, Calif., has planned an 18-month experiment to provide citizens living in poverty with $500 a month to see how they use the cash. The initiative will be privately funded by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes' philanthropic Read More...
These digital activists are reclaiming democracy in Africa through the Internet
In African countries where occasions to gather in public spaces and criticize governments are slim or dangerous, the Internet has become an arena for political battle. Governments, increasingly aware of this, have cut off the Internet and blocked social media outlets, depriving activists of the Read More...
The UK plans to ban grocery stores from selling candy in checkout aisles
For a kid, the most thrilling part of the supermarket is the checkout aisle. Piled with brightly-wrapped candies, it’s the perfect opportunity to test your abilities as a cat burglar—can you sneak a chocolate bar by your mom while she’s rummaging through her purse?—or as a trial lawyer, Read More...
Globalization is not in retreat
Even as its detractors erect new impediments and walk away from free-trade agreements, globalization is in fact continuing its forward march—but along new paths. In its previous incarnation, it was trade-based and Western-led. Today, globalization is being driven by digital technology and is Read More...
These researchers found an easier way to teach robots housework
Unlike humans, computers have a hard time breaking a request such as “Make coffee,” into multiple steps they can execute in succession. Today researchers working at MIT and the University of Toronto announced a system, called VirtualHome, which aims to teach home helper robots the components Read More...
Europe plans ban on plastic cutlery, straws and more
Europe is proposing a ban on single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws and cotton buds in a bid to clean up the Read More...