Global Affairs at Brookings

global affairs

The global affairs field spans a broad range of issues, including international relations, conflict and peacebuilding, human rights, economic development, gender studies and foreign policy. The fields are interconnected and share a common goal of understanding the world’s problems and working towards solutions.

Brookings experts are leaders in their fields, providing policymakers and stakeholders around the globe with trusted insights and recommendations to advance peace and prosperity. They are at the forefront of examining the causes and effects of major global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing complex challenges such as climate change, geopolitical competition, global health and sustainable development.

A global affairs student will develop a comprehensive knowledge of the world through courses that are both interdisciplinary and subject-specific, with concentrations in topics such as international development, political economy, security and conflict, and diplomacy. These courses will provide a foundation for students’ future career pursuits in the public, private and non-profit sectors in the United States and abroad.

Students in this program will also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through a capstone project during their senior year, applying their academic training in a policy task force with an external partner such as a government agency, nongovernmental organization or nonprofit group or a company in the United States and abroad. Capstones can be completed during the fall of the senior year (for graduates who graduate in the spring) or in the final semester for students graduating in the fall.

What Is Business News?

Business is an enterprising activity carried out with the purpose of earning profit by producing or selling goods and/or services. Businesses can be private or public, and they can be for-profit or non-profit. Businesses can also be organized as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, or joint ventures. The structure of a business is defined by the legal and regulatory environment in which it operates. Business news encompasses reporting on the activities of businesses and their impact on society, economy, and financial markets.

With a wide variety of businesses offering a range of products and services, it’s important to understand the differences between them. For instance, while Amazon is known for its ecommerce platform and book catalogue, Apple is well-known for its innovative electronic devices such as laptops, phones, and earphones.

Responsible and impactful business news reporting has become a vital part of the media scene as it helps maintain transparency, promotes informed decision-making, and assists industrial growth. Its role as a watchdog allows it to expose fraudulent activities and ensure corporate accountability. It empowers investors by providing information about various industries, global trends, and market shifts.

In addition to providing relevant economic insights, business news channels inform consumers about the effects of new government policies and regulations on businesses. They provide details on mergers and acquisitions, analyze industry performance, and report on current market trends. Additionally, they help consumers understand complex financial jargon and make data-driven decisions. By focusing on consumer needs and providing engaging short-form content, business news channels are expanding their reach and achieving high engagement rates.

How Does the Presidential Race Work?

There are a lot of people who want to be President and they all have their own ideas about how government should work. Those with similar ideas belong to the same political party. Once a year parties hold Primaries and Caucuses to decide who will represent them at the national conventions. The party’s presidential nominee is selected from there. Candidates then go out on the campaign trail and debate other candidates. They are asked tough questions and have to defend their policies and stances on issues against other candidates.

On election day, Americans vote for a president and vice president. Those with the most votes win. However, each state has a different system for counting its electoral votes. Those that lean heavily one way or the other are called battleground states. Usually, the candidate with the most popular votes in each state wins its electoral votes. However, there are a few exceptions. In some states, voters can cast multiple ballots for the same person, allowing them to split their votes and give a boost to a different contender.

In the event of a tie, the U.S. House of Representatives selects the winner from among the top three contenders for the presidency. The same process is used for the vice presidency, with an absolute majority of the states casting their votes required to elect a candidate. The duly elected President and Vice President are sworn in on January 20 (or 21, if it is a Sunday). The modern nominating process was never written into the Constitution but has evolved over time by the political parties to clear the field of candidates.

Economic Forecast

Economic forecast is the process of making predictions about economic variables using time-series models. The goal is to develop a model that incorporates empirical regularities from historical data and a theoretical understanding of the economic processes behind those observations. The results are then used in a wide range of activities including monetary policy setting, state and local budgeting, financial management, and engineering design.

Most forecasts are geared toward predicting quarterly or annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates, the top-level macro number on which businesses and governments base their decisions with respect to investments, hiring, spending, and other important policies that impact aggregate economic activity. Business managers rely on these numbers to make decisions about purchasing equipment and materials, as well as to plan their operating activities. Many companies employ in-house economists to focus on forecasts that are relevant to their specific business. Others rely on academic economists attached to think tanks or private consultants.

A variety of forecasting models have been developed over the years. The most sophisticated use mathematically rigorous econometric models that apply a computation to a series of inputs to generate a prediction for one or more variables. These models may be multivariate or n-variate and can incorporate either linear or nonlinear assumptions. In addition to the model-based methods, there are also a variety of judgmental techniques that rely on the expertise of individual forecasters. These include survey-based forecasts, economic base analysis, shift-share analysis and the Grinold and Kroner model.

State of Emergency

State of emergency is a term used by states to indicate that, due to a particular crisis or disaster, the normal functioning of the state is suspended and certain rights are restricted. In practice, state of emergency powers allow governments to put through policies they would not normally be able to. Such emergencies include natural disasters, civil unrest or armed conflict and medical pandemics or epidemics.

Many states have specific statutes that permit the declaration of a state of emergency, or the governor may invoke emergency powers based on the advice of the council. The scope of such statutes varies from state to state, but typically the declaration allows for the activation of the state’s response plans and other authorities, including suspending constitutional rights and imposing curfews.

The use of state of emergency is an essential tool for addressing unexpected crises, enabling governments to react more rapidly and effectively than they would under normal circumstances. These tools also help to address legislative gridlock and the influence of special interests that might otherwise delay or block necessary action.

In New Zealand, the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 empowers the Government and local-body councils to declare a state of emergency within an area of the country or a region, depending on their needs. A state of emergency usually expires seven days after the date of a declaration unless extended, but may be renewed by the Minister of Civil Defence or a local mayor.

The Right to Political Asylum

Many people from around the world leave their home countries because they fear persecution, whether it is based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or social group. Asylum is a way to find safety and protection in another country while being allowed to work legally, access healthcare and become a permanent resident. However, asylum is not a guarantee of security or a free pass to citizenship.

The right to asylum is rooted in the nonbinding 1951 Refugee Convention, which set forth the definition of a refugee and states that refugees should not be returned to situations where their lives and liberty would be threatened (the principle of non-refoulement). It also allows immediate family members to receive asylum along with the principal applicant.

In the United States, individuals can seek affirmative asylum at a U.S. port of entry or apply for defensive asylum in immigration court after being detained by ICE or other law enforcement agencies. Individuals can also seek more limited forms of protection, such as withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

People seeking asylum often have to wait years before their cases are resolved and may be exposed to financial hardship. In addition to legal costs, they must pay for housing, food, transportation and child care. Depending on their case outcomes, some asylum seekers are eligible for government assistance programs. An ORR office or a public benefits specialist can help determine which services an asylum seeker should apply for.

The Unemployment Rate – A Key Economic Indicator

Unemployment rate is a key economic indicator and is often used to evaluate the health of a nation’s job market and economy. It measures the number of people who are jobless but are actively looking for work as a percentage of the total population in the labor force. However, the unemployment rate can be misleading because it excludes many people who do not wish to work or are unable to find employment. In addition, changes in the unemployment rate can often mask other important economic trends.

For example, the slack in the labor market may be due to frictional unemployment, which results from workers moving between jobs. This can be a normal part of the business cycle and helps prevent inflation, but it can also lead to slower growth. Another factor is the natural rate of unemployment, which is determined by an economy’s institutions and policies, such as strong labor unions or strict labor regulations. The natural rate of unemployment tends to vary across countries because of these differences.

The unemployment rate is most accurately measured through a household survey, but it can also be obtained from administrative records and government surveys. In the US, the government uses several measures of unemployment, ranging from the U-3 to the more inclusive U-6. The U-3 measure counts only people who do not have a job but who are actively searching for one, while the U-6 includes discouraged workers, marginally attached workers and those who want to work but gave up looking for a job.

How to Personalize a Daily Update for Your Action

Daily update is an internal communication tool that fosters alignment, engagement, and trust by keeping employees on the same page about organisational priorities and initiatives. A daily update can take the form of an email, app notification, brief meetings, or a platform like tchop(tm).

When you enable daily updates for your Action, users receive a push notification that they can tap to invoke one of your Action’s intents and engage in a daily update conversation with it. You can personalize the content of that conversation by collecting custom parameters from users when they register for the triggering intent and using those values in your daily update response.

For best results, offer a daily update subscription right after you’ve shown your user the benefit of your Action. Otherwise, your user might be confused about why they’re being prompted to subscribe to the same content every day. Also, be sure to limit your daily update conversation to one or two responses to keep it short and meaningful. Lastly, avoid repeating your daily update subscription prompt mid-conversation or as a suggestion chip when the user exits your Action successfully.

How to Identify the Best Tech Startup Ideas

A tech startup is a business that brings new technology-based products or services to the market. These innovative solutions can help solve problems that we didn’t even know existed. They also offer a more efficient way of doing things that improves customer experience.

Creating such a business requires time and resources investment, so it’s important for aspiring entrepreneurs to prepare well ahead of the process. Having an adaptive mindset, setting clear goals, and assembling a team that complements your skills can help you transform your unique vision into a real-world business.

Tech startups are often inspired by modern influences and the latest market trends. Moreover, they focus on utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies to deliver the smartest solutions for their customers. This is why a good way to identify the best tech startup ideas is by keeping an eye on all technological advancements and industry developments.

For example, a tech startup named LIA Aerospace develops propulsion systems for small satellites and spacecrafts. Their patented technology simplifies maneuvering and orbital change for such vehicles. In addition, it can support different fuels and reduce overall system weight.

Other tech startups are focused on delivering specific software products. For instance, the property management software company called Kittl automates online rental applications, tenant screening, maintenance requests, and rent collection. Another tech startup, Parachute Health, helps medical providers digitally ePrescribe durable medical equipment and supplies to patients. Similarly, the AI-powered meeting assistant and conversation intelligence platform called Avoma provides on-call insights, coaching, and conversations for sales teams to shorten their sales cycles.

How to Structure an Acquisition Deal

An acquisition deal is a business transaction in which a company that already owns a product or service purchases a company and takes over its operations. While some companies have internal corporate development teams to look for potential opportunities, most acquisitions are made by larger businesses with existing revenue streams seeking growth opportunities through new product lines or expansion into new geographic markets. Acquisitions are typically more complex than startup ventures and can involve multiple layers of stakeholders including decision-makers, lawyers, accountants, and owners.

A successful acquisition can lead to a boost in revenues and profits and can allow the acquiring company to become a leader in its industry. However, a bad acquisition can have the opposite effect and may cost a lot of money to get back on track.

The first step in structuring an acquisition deal is preparing for due diligence. This involves digging into the target company’s financial records, contracts and legal matters to find out how they operate their business. This can also reveal any hidden liabilities and pitfalls that may impact the transaction.

Once the due diligence process is completed, the next step is the negotiation phase. This is the most crucial part of the acquisition process and should be done with an experienced attorney to ensure that you get a fair deal.