news | Media roundup on Brexit: politics and education

The UnTied Kingdom.

Credit: author

In a historic vote on Thursday, the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union, causing panic in worldwide markets and a sea change in British politics. The end of Britain's 43-year relationship with the European Union shocked the world, shrouding the entire continent's future in uncertainty. Here's what you may have missed.

news | Activists rally for nuclear-free statewide clean energy plan

A rally held after a public hearing of the renewable energy proposal in lower Manhattan. Credit: Author

Some want nuclear power gone with the wind.

NEW YORK – Local environmental groups met at the corner of Church and Vesey streets on Tuesday to call for a clearer vision of New York State’s renewable energy proposal. The rally, held shortly after a public hearing, attracted about fifty people including citizen activists and members of environmental groups.

news | Journalists publish a searchable database with information from Panama Papers

A screenshot of the ICIJ database, Tuesday, May 10, 2016. (Author) 

On Monday, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists announced a searchable database with information compiled from the massive Panama Papers leak last month. While the database doesn’t contain copies of the original, leaked documents and information, it uses an interactive graphic to show the connections between shell companies, corporate structures, and their owners.

news | Apple store rallies reveal wider rights issue

A reporter interviews an activist outside the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue. Credit: Author

NEW YORK—A small knot of about 20 people stood outside the flagship Apple Store on Fifth Avenue early Tuesday evening to show solidarity with Apple as it continues to fight a government request to unlock an iPhone used by Syed Rizwan Farook, the shooter in the San Bernardino attacks. Although the debate centers around Apple’s refusal to bypass or disable security features in the shooter’s smartphone, activists at the rally revealed a deeper, ideological debate about privacy, security, and government overreach in the digital age.

opinion | SEALs cover-up reveals high level mismanagement

The New York Times has reported on allegations of a cover-up by the Navy SEALs after the beating of Afghan locals resulted in death to a detainee under murky moral circumstances. The report has rightfully stoked outrage and debate about our control of the armed forces. These are, after all, the very men and women we expect to uphold the finest qualities in America, the vanguards of the liberty and democracy we enjoy every day.

But in spite of the clear need for safeguards and accountability to prevent this disgrace from recurring, the allegations have revealed a deeper mismanagement of resources at a higher level.

news | SCORES DEAD AS FRANCE DECLARES EMERGENCY FOLLOWING PARIS ATTACKS

France has declared a state of emergency late Friday evening following a string of deadly attacks in Paris that have left more than 100 dead, multiple sources have reported. The attacks included scores dead at a concert venue following a hostage situation, shootings at two restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, and explosions near the Stade de France soccer stadium. The AFP has reported a total of seven attacks throughout the city.

news | Strife in Turkey highlights restrictions on freedoms

Suicide bombers attacked a peace rally in Ankara, Turkey on Saturday, killing at least 97 and injuring dozens more. The bombings come in the midst of nationwide turmoil, as Turkey prepares to hold snap elections on November 1st. Opposition leaders have accused the Turkish government of using the current political climate to censor and restrict news coverage and curtail freedoms of speech and of the press.

Saturday’s attack is the third of its kind, following an attack at another political rally in Diyarbakir that killed four in June, and an attack that killed 33 in Suruc in July.

news | Financial Times acquired by Nikkei for £844m

Japanese media company Nikkei acquired the FT Group from current owner Pearson for £844m (US$1.3m) in a deal announced earlier today. When finalized, the deal will bring the British business newspaper Financial Times under the control of Japan’s largest media company, adding to an already impressive but largely domestic media empire spanning radio, print, and television broadcast companies.

news | Ford and GM attempt to move into luxury sector with release of new models

Marking a resurgent entry into the highly competitive luxury automobile sector, Cadillac and Lincoln have both unveiled new high-end sedans at the New York Auto Show intended to compete with leading German marques. The resurrection of the storied Lincoln Continental brand marks parent company Ford's effort to broaden its portfolio following the sale of its luxury marques late in the last decade. Cadillac's CT6 represents GM's efforts to compete with offerings like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW's 7-series.