Newsletter Archive

Menacing social media propaganda that played on fears of Islam, Muslim criminality and foreigners in general, helped Germany’s far-right populist party win 100 seats in yesterday’s elections. That unexpectedly strong showing eclipsed Angela Merkel’s re-election as German chancellor, and will propel Alternative for Germany (AfG) from the fringes of German politics to closer to the center of power in Berlin.

Nation states that attempt to subvert elections are a new challenge for internet communities, says Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, as the tech industry faces increasing scrutiny from Washington over Russian use of social media to influence the US elections. At a recent San Francisco event focusing on emerging technologies, entrepreneurs contemplated how to solve a problem caused by innovation with more technology.

Pakistan plans to regulate Friday’s sermons at local mosques to curb militancy emanating from parts of its territory. Religious scholars from different sects have already agreed on a 13-point policy guide for mullahs to follow. The move apparently is aimed at making sure  mullahs preach without indoctrinating or brainwashing followers.

From dishwasher to millionaire. As a child, Tashitaa Tufaa worked alongside his 13 siblings on the family farm. When he came to the US, the Ethiopian refugee got a job washing dishes at a hotel. Today, he runs a multimillion-dollar transportation company with hundreds of employees. Tufaa believes his initial willingness to take menial jobs is key to his success, and an important lesson for all African immigrants pursuing their American dream.

‘There is no ‘Rohingya’ in Burma.’ There’s a simple reason why Myanmar’s government won’t negotiate with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which recently attacked police and army posts, prompting a military crackdown that’s sent more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh. Officially, the government says it doesn’t negotiate with ‘terrorists,’ but the reality is that many Burmese believe the Rohingya have no business being in Myanmar.

United Airlines flight attendant Kayra Martinez often volunteers at refugee camps in Greece. Last year, she took art supplies into the refugee tents and came out with pieces that she posted on Facebook. After receiving offers to buy the art, Martinez realized she was on to something and now sells refugee art around the world.

Police are looking into the structure and motives behind a fake news syndicate they recently busted in Indonesia. Fake news played a role in Indonesia’s recent elections and false online reports continue to be a problem. Authorities arrested leaders of the fake news group called Saracen, which police say operates 800,000 social media accounts that disseminate ‘hate speech.’