Mt. Gox, once the largest exchange for Bitcoin trading, filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan on February 28th. The exchange owed $63.6 million after losing almost 750,000 of its customers’ bitcoins and 100,000 of its own to fraud. Mt. Gox also filed for US Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection on March 10th to temporarily halt US […]
Category: Nation & World
All Gears In Reverse
Not that any individual can do much about it, but perhaps it’s nice to sit and wonder on a balmy day — where the hell is the world headed? Technology’s rapid progression has allowed us a glimpse into our future. Cars used to be science fiction, apparently — in what age, I wouldn’t know. Perhaps, someday, the […]
Seven Changes to the SAT
Last year, the number of students who took the ACT, an aptitude test which largely measures knowledge acquired in school, was greater than the SAT, which measures test-taking abilities. The College Board, makers of the SAT, recently announced that in the spring of 2016, they will be changing the current format of the test to […]
Highlights of the 2014 Winter Olympics
After 17 action-packed days of competition in Sochi, Russia, the 2014 Winter Olympics have come to a close. Many astonishing records were set this year, including the costliest Olympics ever. With over $50 billion in expenses, Russia made the 2014 games the most extravagant Olympics ever—bigger than London 2012, and bigger than Beijing 2008. Russia […]
Security At What Cost?
The Edward Snowden leaks unleashed a firestorm of controversy and debate over the extent of NSA spying. With an increasing number of young, Internet-savvy Americans praising Snowden’s actions, the controversy reveals a significant generational gap regarding online rights. Many people in Washington argue that collecting data is necessary for anti-terrorism efforts and national security, but […]
Why Dollar Coins Are Not Preferred (And How They Could Be)
A dollar bill is crisp and thin. While its value isn’t classy whatsoever, the feeling of a bill most definitely is—at least when it is compared with a coin. The jingle of coins is mostly associated with beggars and people below the poverty line. Due to such psycho-social reasons, the switch to the dollar coin […]
In Remembrance of a Legend: Nelson Mandela
This world has known a number of great men and women. Some reached pinnacles of innovation, some stunned the world with their ingenuity, and some—a handful of these extraordinary people—gave the ultimate sacrifice. They made your goal their goal, gave their lives to benefit yours, and bent down so you could stand on their shoulders. […]
Shanghai Reaches Hazardous Air Pollution Levels
One of China’s largest cities, Shanghai, reached record levels of air pollution last week. By December 6, the city was shrouded in thick layers of smog, which were high in pollutants and low in visibility. The opaque air obscured the city skyline, and citizens wore face masks for protection. The city’s air pollution index ranged […]
Strategy Beyond Mere Charity
International development aid for underdeveloped countries has traditionally been looked upon as a form of charity by Western nations, including the United States. The idea of giving to poor African or Latin American countries is one that resonates in the minds of most Americans. The results of aid, however, have been terrible. Development aid has […]
After the Storm: Typhoon Haiyan
Imagine you’ve just seen your life’s work torn to pieces. You can’t blame anyone for it: no scapegoats, no revenge, no way to wrap your mind around what was essentially being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn’t your fault. Millions felt like this last week in the Philippines. As the death […]
