Foreign Policy Magazine’s List Of 100 Top Global Thinkers

George Gershwin died on July 11, 1937, but I don’t have to believe it if I don’t want to.

— John O’Hara, born in 1905

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Over the past year, data journalists on the BBC Visual and Data ... have fundamentally changed how they produce graphics for ...


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CROSS-BORDER TESTING PROGRAM FOR FINTECH STARTUPS

ASIC has announced the launch of the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) and invited applications from fintech startups to be part of a pilot to test their innovative financial products, services or business models across jurisdictions.

GFIN is a group of 28 international organisations including ASIC, committed to supporting financial innovation in the interests of consumers. ASIC Commissioner, John Price, said innovation has the potential to offer consumers better quality and value products and services and to promote improved risk management and compliance outcomes by firms through use of regulatory technology.

Applications are due by 28 February 2019. Fintech startups interested in applying to take part in the pilot cross-border tests should review the list of participating regulators and submit an application [referrals] . ASIC said firms must meet the eligibility requirements of all the jurisdictions in which they would like to test. In Australia, that would mean meeting the eligibility criteria under ASIC's regulatory sandbox licensing exemption [Innovation] . ASIC expects the pilots will run from Q2 2019. The pilot tests will run for a 6-month period, unless regulators agree to extend them.

In addition, ASIC said the GFIN has finalised terms of reference [ASIC GFIN ] for governance and membership of the group, and invited expressions of interest from other regulators and international organisations interested in joining.

ASIC media release 19-017MR, 1 February 2019 [ASIC presser]

GovExec: “A new study released by the Senior Executives Association paints a dire picture of the federal workforce, one that is stretched too thin, hampered by old technology and the target of partisan attacks. Without a significant overhaul, agencies may fail to provide adequate services when they are needed most, the researchers found. The report, released last week, seeks to answer the question in its title: “Are Declines in U.S. Federal Workforce Capabilities Putting our Government at Risk of Failing?” The conclusion of the authors, longtime government observers and practitioners, is not reassuring: “Has the U.S. federal government reached a point where critical operations might fail in stressful events that are likely to occur? This was this project’s animating question. Based on the data collected in this study, it appears the answer to these critical questions is yes.

Foreign Policy Magazine’s List Of 100 Top Global Thinkers. Seriously?

Lists, of course, are always subjective, and of course you’re meant to quibble. That’s kind of the point. But really? Mohammed bin Salman? And get aload of the “artists and activists” category. Barely an artist to be found. And these are “the big ideas of those who shape our understanding of the world?” – Foreign Policy

The memes that might get you jailed in Russia


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You're disgusting': Liberal candidate left shaken by commuter anger

Police are investigating an incident in one of Sydney's most marginal - and previously bitterly contested - seats.