Day: 2 February 2023

LLYC has launched “The Hidden Drug” (THD) to raise awareness of growing global polarization

Stuart Mitchell

Polarization in Ibero-America has grown by nearly 40% over the last five years, and every year more and more people engage in polarizing conversations on social media. Since the arrival of the pandemic, the level of involvement or engagement in polarizing conversations is growing at levels of 8% per year in Ibero-America and as much as 15% in the USA. Drawing on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence techniques, LLYC’s and Más Democracia report, titled ‘The Hidden Drug. A Study on the Addictive Power of Polarizing Public Debate’, analyzes conversations over…

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RNIB responds to guidance from the Electoral Commission for Returning Officers

Stuart Mitchell

The right to vote independently, and in secret, is a cornerstone of our democracy. Yet blind and partially sighted people continue to face unacceptable barriers. As a result of the RNIB’s ‘Blind Voters Count’ campaign and the tireless work of Conservative peer Lord Holmes, the Government backed changes that strengthened the legislative wording of the Elections Act. It also introduced new responsibilities for the Electoral Commission, including one to create guidance for Returning Officers on their requirement to deliver an independent and secret vote for voters with sight loss and…

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Tetra Laval donates power and heat generators to Ukraine

Stuart Mitchell

Tetra Laval, the group which comprises Tetra Pak, Sidel and DeLaval is donating power and heat generators to a value of EUR 10 million as humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine, currently suffering major power shortages as a result of the Russian war on Ukraine. The equipment, including more than 200 generators, will be donated directly and with immediate release to Ukrainian authorities for onward distribution to the areas worst affected by the lack of power in the country.  “I am grateful to Tetra Laval for its donation which…

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Ceres presses for more ambitious emissions standards

Stuart Mitchell

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acted to reduce dangerous smog-forming pollutants from trucks, issuing a rule targeting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. However, the final rule will not be enough to properly address this pollution in a timely manner, said Zach Friedman, director of federal policy at Ceres. The EPA opted today for the less ambitious of its proposed NOx standards and delayed the proposal of greenhouse gas emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks until 2023. Heavy-duty vehicles are the largest source of greenhouse gas and NOx…

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Amazon and The Learning Foundation launch new scheme to provide disadvantaged schools with devices and digital support

Stuart Mitchell

Amazon and digital education charity, the Learning Foundation have launched Tech4Schools, a new scheme that provides low-income schools serving disadvantaged communities with new devices, digital skills training and tech support. The scheme is funded by Amazon, and will be rolled out in collaboration with charity In Kind Direct, who will connect schools with their devices, and education charity Teach First, who will identify schools to participate in the scheme, all of whom will be part of Teach First programmes. Tech4Schools is an initiative designed to tackle the issue of digital…

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