Sneaker companies claim solidarity with protesters, but can they back it up?

Corporations of all sorts are condemning racism and voicing their anger at police violence against black Americans while protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, and a legacy of others roil the US. Companies from Amazon to Under Armour have issued statements on social media proclaiming a vague need to stand...

2h

South Africa’s long-standing alcohol abuse problem reemerged a day after lifting a lockdown ban

Just 24 hours after South Africa’s coronavirus-responsive ban on alcohol sales was lifted, there are already calls for it to be reinstated.On social media, the hashtag #alcoholmustfall was trending on Tuesday (June 2), and the far-left opposition party EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) said it would hold president Cyril Ramaphosa personally responsible...

4h

How behavioral science can help enforce social distancing

By necessity, Covid-19 has transformed our day-to-day lives nearly beyond recognition. A big part of this change has been enforced by legal and rule-based changes that dictate people’s behavior, such as mandated isolation and the closing of schools, offices, non-essential shops, bars, and restaurants.But not all behavior can be legislated. No one can...

6h

The US stock market’s wealth generator has failed black Americans

Nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer, are renewing attention to the ways that African Americans have been failed by everything from policing to job creation and public health. Many black Americans have also been unable to improve their quality of life through stock market investing—an...

8h

The “rioters vs. businesses” narrative is just a distraction from the real problem

Since George Floyd was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, cities all over the world have erupted in protests. Some of these demonstrations have turned violent. In Minneapolis, protestors appeared to burn down buildings and loot a local Target; other cities have witnessed similar looting and damaged or vandalized property.These events have resurfaced an...

9h

Research suggests we can “hear” hand gestures even when we can’t see them

Here’s an experiment to try the next time you’re on the phone with a colleague or friend: As you’re listening to the other person talk, see if you can guess whether they’re also gesticulating with their hands and how.There’s a strong chance that your conversation partner’s movements will leave an acoustic signature that you may be able to perceive,...

10h

TikTok’s new CEO faces his first challenge—navigating America’s police brutality protests

TikTok’s new CEO Kevin Mayer faced a major test on his very first day on the job—assuring Americans the platform isn’t suppressing the visibility of videos linked to the police brutality protests across the US.The Disney veteran took over the reins from the app’s former head, Alex Zhu, yesterday (June 1), as part of the platform’s efforts to show American...

11h

Lessons for the class of 2020 from the class of 2008

As director of career development at a women’s college, I have the privilege of working with students as they plan their way to post-graduate life. It’s pure joy watching them puzzle through a seemingly endless sea of options to find a pathway that gives them a sense of purpose in the world. My colleagues and I were on this same annual pilgrimage with...

16h

Despite challenges, the Covid-19 lockdown has opportunities for India’s realty sector

The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown up monumental challenges for India’s real estate industry.The sector, which has been struggling with a slowdown for the past five years, had started seeing some green shoots of recovery earlier this year. However, the coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown that ensued has led to a slump in sales, halt in construction...

19h

George Floyd’s killing touches a nerve with Africans who know police brutality at home and abroad

When a high ranking official condemns state brutality against citizens in an interaction between African countries and the United States, Africa is typically on the receiving end.This week, the tide turned as the African Union (AU) issued a strongly worded statement condemning the killing of George Floyd, the African American killed by Minneapolis police...

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