Blog
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The Race for Economic Recovery : China v. U.S.
Written by: Jamie Davila, Associate Editor Covid-19 has disrupted the global economy for months, shutting down virtually every industry worldwide. As countries began to grasp and contain the outbreak of new cases of the virus, their economies have commenced the recovery process. Every nation is employing their own economic recovery plan; however, the World Bank has projected that the global economy will contract 5.2% by summer 2021. The main economies to examine their road to recovery are the two major economies, China and the United States. Considered the epicenter of the corona virus outbreak, China has distinguished themselves from the world with their rapid economic recovery. China’s implementation of a…
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Nagorno-Karabakh Demands Intervention
Written by: Christopher Waters, Associate Editor An area of the Southern Caucuses which most around the globe have scarcely heard of is experiencing intense civil strife and demonstrates the need for stronger global leader involvement. Indeed, the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a contested area of land between Armenia and Azerbaijan; it has experienced intense violence since late September which has claimed the lives of an estimated 300 people and displaced thousands. The region, like many in post-Soviet nations, is not ethnically representative- it is officially Azerbaijan territory but houses a large Armenian population. The conflict demonstrates the need for a stronger international response as well as more permanent peace discussions. These…
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‘OUR RIGHT TO VOTE’: HOW COVID-19 IS INFECTING DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD
By Audrey Bimbi, Associate Editor COVID-19 has caused disruptions in more ways that many could have anticipated. Now added to the list of disruptions is the virus’ threat to democracy and the right to vote. As of April 15, 2020, several countries have postponed their elections to avoid putting people’s lives at risk, with South Korea currently standing out as an exception. With approximately 14,000 disinfected voting stations, South Korea is carrying out its elections in the strictest form, requiring voters to wear masks and stand about 3 feet from each other. Even those who are infected can vote by mailing the ballots. Regardless of whether countries will continue to…
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Global Mask Treasure Hunt Ensues Amid Rapid COVID-19 Spread
By Elena Delella, Associate Editor As of April 7th, 2020, the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases has risen to 1,280,000, while the global death toll has reached 72,780. COVID-19’s rapid spread has led to a global scramble for personal protective equipment (PPE). N-95 masks are one specific type of PPE that is hardest to find. These masks and other PPE are so difficult to obtain that the French are referring to the global race as “guerre des masques” – the war of the masks. Countries are not the only opponents in this war. Individuals are also fighting to amass masks as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the…
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Governments Across the World Race to Buy Medical Equipment in order to Respond to COVID-19’s Increasing Reach
By Gabriel Diaz, Associate Editor On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a global pandemic. With nearly 700,000 confirmed cases and 34,000 deaths globally COVID-19 has quickly become the only topic of conversation. Cities around the world are almost completely deserted as measures to tackle the pandemic continue. Governments have halted flights, locked down towns and urged people to stay at home. Healthcare professionals internationally on the other hand are not given the same advice. Medical workers and first responders are on the frontline fighting against the global pandemic. Some of which are doing so without the luxury of proper equipment and safeguards to protect themselves…
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COV-19: China Leads Global Pandemic Containment – International Commerce Delayed
By: Kenneth D. Knight, Associate Editor On December 31, 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified by the China Country Office that there were multiple cases of pneumonia with an unknown source, originating from Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. In their first situation report, dated January 20, 2020, 282 total cases had been reported, resulting in six deaths, spanning across seven countries and territories. Although these reports cover a short period of time to date, the results recorded have changed drastically over time. On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared COV-19, or informally referred to as Coronavirus, a global pandemic and announced a national state of emergency in…
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The COVID-19 Pandemic: Are the PHEIC Protocols Doing Their Job?
By Kara Rockey, Associate Editor Since the first reported case of COVID-19 emerged in China in December 2019, there have been over 416,000 confirmed cases and over 18,000 confirmed deaths, all spurring from 197 affected countries. Ultimately, the rapid spread of the virus has highlighted a global vulnerability to the spread of novel infectious diseases, particularly ones spread easily through close proximity and social interaction. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been at the forefront of global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by providing leadership and guidance to many affected countries, contributing to research efforts, and setting global standards and monitoring their implementation. The IHR is a binding instrument…
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As Coronavirus Cases Rise Globally So Too Do Risks for International Businesses and Transactions
By Cody Lind, Associate Editor Coronavirus (COVID-19) has captured the world’s attention and concern as it continues to spread globally – leaving the international community with more questions than answers. As of March 3, 2020, The Word Health Organization has confirmed 91,783 cases of the virus worldwide, totaling 3,123 deaths. The virus has been confirmed in 74 countries, including China (80,303) where it was first detected, South Korea (4,812), Iran (2,336), Italy (2,036), and the United States (64). While the virus’s human impact is clear, the coronavirus’s impending threat to the global economy cannot be understated. In the past week, stocks in Europe and Asia have plummeted. In the US, the…
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Crypto Hub of Asia Has First Legal Battle Decided
By Greg Browne, Associate Editor Singapore’s Court of Appeals just ruled on its first legal dispute involving cryptocurrency. Four out of five judges concluded that Quoine Exchange, one of the world’s major bitcoin exchange operators, should pay damages for wrongfully reversing seven transactions on its platform in April of 2017. What is most interesting about this case is that the actors of both parties were a bunch of algorithms; there was no human error involved. In April 2017, B2C2, an electronic market maker, successfully sold 309 ether for 3,092 bitcoins, generating a profit of $3.7 million. Quoine claimed a glitch arose as it was reconfiguring passwords for its hacker defense…
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Coronavirus: The International Outbreak
By Conor Bowers, Associate Editor On the final day of 2019, the Chinese government reported a few cases of pneumonia that stemmed from a seafood market in Wuhan, a large inland city of around 11 million people. Initially, both local and national Chinese governments were reluctant to announce publicly the outbreak. These suspicious pneumonia cases ultimately became what we know today as the coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. This specific coronavirus has never been identified before, and unlike many coronaviruses that only cause moderate illness, such as the common cold, this respiratory virus has become lethal. On Thursday, January 29, the virus had become so widespread that the World Health Organization declared the…