Global | Jotup

FTC Signs on to Multilateral Arrangement to Bolster Cooperation on Privacy and Data Security Enforcement

Retrieved on:

Friday, January 19, 2024

Program, Commission, Privacy, Social media, APEC, Policy, Federal Trade Commission, Global, Law enforcement, Commerce, News, FTC, Security (finance)

The FTC’s participation in the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement (Global CAPE) ensures the agency can keep pace with the increasingly global nature of commerce.

Key Points:

The FTC’s participation in the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement (Global CAPE) ensures the agency can keep pace with the increasingly global nature of commerce.
Global CAPE was created to supplement the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-border Privacy Rules (APEC CBPR), which also facilitates cooperation and assistance in privacy and data security investigations among APEC’s Asian Pacific countries.
The Federal Trade Commission works with counterpart agencies to promote sound antitrust, consumer protection, and data privacy enforcement and policy.
For the latest news and resources, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and subscribe to the FTC International Monthly.

FTC Signs on to Multilateral Arrangement to Bolster Cooperation on Privacy and Data Security Enforcement

Retrieved on:

Friday, January 19, 2024

Program, Commission, Privacy, Social media, APEC, Policy, Federal Trade Commission, Global, Law enforcement, Commerce, News, FTC, Security (finance)

The FTC’s participation in the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement (Global CAPE) ensures the agency can keep pace with the increasingly global nature of commerce.

Key Points:

The FTC’s participation in the Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement (Global CAPE) ensures the agency can keep pace with the increasingly global nature of commerce.
Global CAPE was created to supplement the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-border Privacy Rules (APEC CBPR), which also facilitates cooperation and assistance in privacy and data security investigations among APEC’s Asian Pacific countries.
The Federal Trade Commission works with counterpart agencies to promote sound antitrust, consumer protection, and data privacy enforcement and policy.
For the latest news and resources, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and subscribe to the FTC International Monthly.

We used AI and satellite imagery to map ocean activities that take place out of sight, including fishing, shipping and energy development

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Worldwide, ocean-based industries such as fishing, shipping and energy production generate at least US$1.5 trillion in economic activity each year and support 31 million jobs.

Key Points:

Worldwide, ocean-based industries such as fishing, shipping and energy production generate at least US$1.5 trillion in economic activity each year and support 31 million jobs.
This value has been increasing exponentially over the past 50 years and is expected to double by 2030.
But the sheer size of the ocean has made tracking industrial activities at a broad scale impractical – until now.

Operating in the dark

For example, many vessels carry a device called an automatic identification system, or AIS, that automatically broadcasts the vessel’s identity, position, course and speed.
These devices communicate with other AIS devices nearby to improve situational awareness and reduce the chances of vessel collisions at sea.
They also transmit to shore-based transponders and satellites, which can be used to monitor vessel traffic and fishing activity.

Shining a light on activity at sea

Remarkably, we found that about 75% of the fishing vessels we detected were missing from public AIS monitoring systems, with much of that activity taking place around Africa and South Asia.
These previously invisible vessels radically changed our knowledge about the scale, scope and location of fishing activity.
We estimate that the number of wind turbines in the ocean likely surpassed the number of oil structures by the end of 2020.

Supporting real-world efforts

Fishery managers in developing countries can use our data to monitor pressure on local stocks.
Our data can help enforcement agencies identify illegal activities and target patrol efforts.
– Sanction-busting trade: Our data can shed light on maritime activities that may breach international economic sanctions.
For example, United Nations sanctions prohibit North Korea from exporting seafood products or selling its fishing rights to other countries.

The study described in this article was funded by Oceankind, Bloomberg Philanthropies and National Geographic Pristine Seas. The European Space Agency made radar and optical imagery freely available, and Google provided computing resources and technical support. Jennifer Raynor has worked at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Global Fishing Watch.

An opportunity to review and improve the EU’s bank crisis management framework

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

This article analyses the European crisis management framework for banks. It concludes that key areas for improvement are the crisis management options for small and medium-sized banks as well as preparedness for systemic crises. The European Commission’s reform proposal represents an opportunity to implement the lessons learned over the last decade.

Key Points:

This article analyses the European crisis management framework for banks. It concludes that key areas for improvement are the crisis management options for small and medium-sized banks as well as preparedness for systemic crises. The European Commission’s reform proposal represents an opportunity to implement the lessons learned over the last decade.

International reaction to Gaza siege has exposed the growing rift between the West and the Global South

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

But the numbers tell only half the story; equally significant was the way the votes fell.

Key Points:

But the numbers tell only half the story; equally significant was the way the votes fell.
Those voting against the resolution included the United States and four members of the European Union.
Meanwhile, about 45 members abstained – including 15 members of the EU, plus the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan.
But they have been joined by the leaders of Brazil, South Africa and other Global South nations in taking a firm stand.
While the U.S. has used the word genocide in relation to Russia’s action in Ukraine, the Biden administration has pointedly said the term doesn’t apply to current events in Gaza.

The Global South’s coming of age

The growing influence of China and the fallout of the war in Ukraine – in which many Global South countries have remained neutral – has upended international relations.
And 2023 has been the year that has seen the coming of age of this more assertive Global South.

In August, Johannesburg hosted a summit of the BRICS group – a bloc that consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – during which 21 countries from across the Global South applied to join.
In contrast, the Group of Seven leading economies, or G7, represents less than 10% of the world’s population and 30% of the global economy.
The question is, can the BRICS+ – and more generally the Global South – do likewise given that it includes an array of countries with very different political and economic systems?

Latin America’s pushback

Historically, many African and Asian nations have tended to support the Palestinian cause – Indonesia does not even recognize the state of Israel.
But perhaps more surprising has been the strong reaction in Latin America to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Western denialism

The voting patterns of Western representatives at the U.N. suggest the answer is “no.” In turn, this only adds to the general discontent across the developing world with the current structure of the U.N. Security Council and its lack of representativeness.
The fact that no country from Africa or Latin America is among the permanent members that enjoy veto power – compared with Western Europe, which is represented by both France and the U.K. – has long been a source of irritation in the Global South.
Western commentators and analysts from think tanks in London and Washington even contend that the very term “Global South” should not be used – with much of the criticism against the term directed at its alleged imprecision, but also because it would contribute to greater international polarization.
And no amount of Western denialism will be able to block it.

Jorge Heine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Navigating Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: Key Takeaways from the Inaugural Meeting of the Global PETs Network

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Key Points:

Australia's not likely to catch a cold, just a sniffle from China's economic downturn

Retrieved on:

Thursday, September 7, 2023

There are few more reliable narratives in the business and financial press than, “If China sneezes, Australia will catch a cold”.

Key Points:

There are few more reliable narratives in the business and financial press than, “If China sneezes, Australia will catch a cold”.
In the middle of last year, indicators emerged that China’s large, and iron-ore-hungry, property construction sector was struggling.
This meant, according to an analysis published by News.com.au, that “disaster loomed” for the local economy.
Since the end of last year, China’s share of Australia’s goods exports has jumped from 30.2% to 39.4%.

Might the coming year be different?

But there is little hard evidence suggesting it will be.
Resources giant BHP says the impact on China’s demand for iron ore from weak housing construction is being offset by “solid demand from infrastructure, power machinery, autos and shipping”.
Not surprisingly, then, iron ore future contracts put the price in September next year at more or less the same level as now.

Visitor numbers start to climb

That’s still well down on 80,680 in pre-pandemic June 2019, but quadruple the flow before Beijing relaxed its border controls last December.
In July, visa applications from would-be Chinese international students in Australia’s higher education sector stood at 8,379.
Going back even further, China’s growth rate suddenly halved when it was hit by the effects of the Global Financial Crisis.

The perception is not necessarily the reality

The University of Western Australia’s Nic Groenewold modelled the effect of a permanent three percentage-point fall in Chinese GDP growth.
While not trivial, given Australia’s current growth rate, these estimates are hardly enough to justify prophecies of doom.
Using a different modelling technique, the Reserve Bank of Australia estimated the implications of a sudden four percentage-point fall in Chinese growth.
This channel is much weaker in the case of China, where Australia’s investment stock is only $62.5 billion.

Australia’s safety net

If there ever was a collapse in Chinese demand for Australian iron ore, the Australian dollar would immediately depreciate, improving export competitiveness across the board.
There would still be some painful costs, of course, such as households having to pay more for imported goods, and government revenues taking a hit.
If China sneezes, whatever the headlines might blare, don’t be surprised if Australia only gets a mild case of the sniffles.

World Cup kiss: feminist progress is always met with backlash, but Spain's #MeToo moment shows things are changing

Retrieved on:

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Spain is now one of only two teams who are world champions in both the male and female competitions (Germany is the other).

Key Points:

Spain is now one of only two teams who are world champions in both the male and female competitions (Germany is the other).
In a society where feminist progress has historically been met with backlash, it shows how far Spanish society has come to reject rancid machismo instantaneously.
Read more:
Luis Rubiales: these seven tactics made his speech excusing his assault on Jenni Hermoso a textbook case in silencing women

Machismo, on and off the pitch

The kiss was not the only moment of such machismo that this team has had to contend with.
In the autumn of 2022, 15 players demanded better working conditions, because they feared for their physical and mental health.
These legitimate concerns made in private were leaked to the press and spun as a revolt of spoilt, female brats against the head coach Jorge Vilda.

Backlash to progress

While there was slow but steady progress for women’s rights in the 1980s and 1990s, it was not until the administration of José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (2004-2011) that progress accelerated, and the longstanding machismo culture began to face a real challenge.
Two landmark legislative changes were made to combat gender violence in 2004 and progress gender equality in 2007.
The most recent new legislation, passed in October 2022, strengthens criminal charges for sexual aggression, among other advancements for women’s rights.
Even during the dictatorship in the 1960s, the slightest progress for female rights was perceived as a danger to a male-dominated society.

Solidarity

Female and male feminists from all walks of life took to the streets demonstrating in Spanish cities, showing Rubiales the red card.
An editorial in El País is brutally frank in its judgement of this powerful man who has behaved like a textbook perpetrator.
No country can control its lunatics, but how it deals with them is a sign of its maturity.

Crawford Lake: What the past can teach us about urban living today

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Further, as a limnologist studying inland waters I have long understood that lakes are sentinels of climate change.

Key Points:

Further, as a limnologist studying inland waters I have long understood that lakes are sentinels of climate change.
Small changes in environmental conditions can lead to larger changes in a lake’s physical, chemical and biological processes, impacting the ecosystem services they provide.
And what, if anything, can it teach us about how we interact with our environments?

A local history of environmental change

This varving allows for particularly accurate historical dating of environmental events.
But even beyond its status as a Golden Spike candidate, Crawford Lake’s sediments tell a powerful story of human history that is both local and global.
Thus, in one continuous sediment core, we witness Indigenous and colonial local histories, as well as the global signature of an inflection point in Earth systems due to human activities.

The impacts of intentions

Ultimately, Crawford Lake’s sediments teach us that humans have always — and will always — change our environments in some way.
But it is our cultures, discourses and attitudes towards our environment that ultimately determine what this change will look like.
It’s easy to focus on the negative impacts that humans can have on the environment.

Reversing urban impacts

As we are — for the first time in human history — a predominantly urban species, it is now more important than ever to design our cities to help ensure our urban areas create net positive outcomes to local biodiversity and climate impacts.
The possibilities are as diverse as the landscapes where the cities are situated, compounded with the collective creativity of their inhabitants.
Toronto, the largest urban area close to Crawford Lake, might adopt measures being undertaken by other cities around the world, for instance creating wildlife habitat corridors connecting its existing ravine systems, and expanding the efforts of locals using their private yards as refuges for native plants.
We can tap into the best that our species is capable of, improving our quality of living along the way.