Author: CCH Research Team
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Trump’s Re-Election: A Wake-Up Call for New Democratic Approaches
Donald Trump’s foreign policy could undergo dramatic changes, focusing on “America First” ideas such as non-interventionism and protectionism. His intentions for Ukraine include pressing peace talks and delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership, a posture condemned as compromising European security. In the Middle East, Trump pledges to deliver “peace” but provides few details; he is likely to take…
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Social Media Algorithms and the Importance of Informed Voting
The BBC invented “Gabriela,” a fictional voter, to investigate how social media sites use algorithms to influence political beliefs. Gabriela’s feeds were initially apolitical, but after Elon Musk’s platform improvements, X (previously Twitter) began to prioritize Trump-related information. Meanwhile, TikTok’s algorithm promoted a pro-Kamala Harris video that reflected her identification as a Latina voter, while…
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Breaking Free from the Google Echo Chamber: The Need for Diverse Perspectives in Search
Google’s search engine frequently tailors results based on the language of users’ queries, which can perpetuate confirmation bias by returning results that support a user’s implicit position. For example, the same questions framed in positive or negative phrases produce different viewpoints, influencing how people perceive issues. Google argues that its algorithms offer a variety of…
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Philippines’ National ID Push: Are Data Security Risks Being Overlooked?
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with assistance from the World Bank, recently hosted a workshop to assess the impact of the PhilSys National ID system on financial inclusion, social services, and government efficiency. The event focused on PhilSys’ role in accelerating digital transformation and strengthening public services. Furthermore, the PSA warned against unlawful ID printing,…
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Taiwan’s Right to Self-Defense
The United States approved a $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan to bolster the island’s defenses amid increasing Chinese military threats. Taiwan expressed gratitude, highlighting the importance of self-defense for regional stability. China criticized the move, stating it undermines its sovereignty and harms U.S.-China relations, warning of countermeasures. The arms deal follows recent Chinese military…
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Lessons from COVID-19 Compliance in Disaster Response in the Philippines
Families in high-risk areas of Antique province are being advised to evacuate preemptively due to Typhoon Leon’s expected heavy rains. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is closely monitoring water levels, particularly at the Sibalom River. Schools across 17 local government units have suspended in-person classes, with alternative learning modes activated for safety.…
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Billions in Mismanaged Climate Funds Raise Questions on Accountability and Transparency
According to an Oxfam investigation, the World Bank mismanaged at least $24 billion in climate change money due to poor record-keeping and unusual accounting procedures. The missing cash result in an estimated $4 billion loss for the United States, the bank’s biggest shareholder. Despite the World Bank’s denials, Oxfam highlighted problems in getting spending data…
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Israel’s Escalating Military Campaign in Iran Spurs Regional Instability
Israel launched a large-scale bombardment on Iran, reportedly comprising 140 planes targeting military targets, in retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage on October 1st. Israel justified the operations, which targeted Iranian military bases in Tehran and Syria, as self-defense in the face of repeated Iranian attacks. US officials admitted advance notice of the operation but denied…
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Israel’s Escalating Military Campaign in Iran Spurs Regional Instability
Israel launched a large-scale bombardment on Iran, reportedly comprising 140 planes targeting military targets, in retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage on October 1st. Israel justified the operations, which targeted Iranian military bases in Tehran and Syria, as self-defense in the face of repeated Iranian attacks. US officials admitted advance notice of the operation but denied…
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Government Actions and Authoritarian Trends to Erode Free Speech
A resurfaced 2019 video shows Kamala Harris arguing for the Department of Justice to crack down on extremist speech and holding social media firms accountable for failing to police their material. This is consistent with broader worldwide efforts to repress dissent, as seen in the United Kingdom and France, where governments censor and jail citizens…
