The Key to a Sustainable Digital Future; Human Rights Safeguards

December 10, 2019

This article will lay out some of the risks to individuals in the digital society and suggest how we can learn from the international human rights framework to implement effective safeguards. Safeguards that enable us to benefit from scientific progress while mitigating risks to human rights through effective due diligence.

Data is not good or bad. Data can be the greatest asset and opportunity to learn and innovate but also dangerous if processed and used without human rights safeguards. It is the manner in which data is collected, processed and shared and the purpose for which this is done that determine its potential as an advantage or danger. Our lives are increasingly online and linked through smart devices and the internet of things (IOT).¹ From smart speakers to smart phones, from social media to cloud storage, our data is collected in various formats by a variety of data controllers that include states, businesses, NGOs and others. Your employer, bank, healthcare provider, social media platforms and others all collect data on us in an effort to “personalise” services and provide us with every day “convenience.” Yet, at what price?

Data collection and processing can provide numerous benefits in our everyday lives and on a larger scale allows business to better understand their customers and states to better understand their citizens. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example, use set indicators measured against a tremendous amount of data points to establish and better understand the progressive realisation of human rights.² “Data is knowledge” is a common expression and one that holds true in today’s society, but is all gathering of data legitimate? Does data collection and processing pose a threat to our human rights? Can businesses do anything to reduce the risks of potential malpractice in the collection, processing and sharing of data?

Why we need to talk about human rights and not ethics

Human rights are important for understanding issues around data protection. The risk to privacy is often highlighted with new technologies and in relation to data breaches but the processing and sharing of data can have serious implications on a wide array of human rights well beyond privacy. Human rights are “rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.”³ International Human Rights law lays out the obligations of governments to protect these rights and freedoms. Human Rights include the right to work, right to effective remedy, freedom of thought, freedom of assembly, right to education, right to benefit from scientific advancement and many more.⁴

The universal declaration of human rights and other human rights conventions together form a basis of rights and freedoms every human being is entitled to. Knowing these freedoms and rights allows us to identify when a harm has occurred. Most importantly, human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. While ethics are often spoken about in company values and in relation to data processing and AI, they are not necessarily universal and can be extremely subjective, making them difficult to comply with and assess industry wide. It is for this reason that it is more effective to speak about human rights rather than ethics when it comes to the opportunities and challenges of data processing.

In the context of data processing the right to privacy and freedom of expression are commonly spoken about through data breaches or content moderation such as in the case of Cambridge Analytica and InfoWars.⁵ An infringement on the right to privacy typically does not stop at the interference with your personal data. If a data controller shares data with another entity who uses it for another purpose and aggregates it with data gathered somewhere else, the merging can result in harmful outcomes for the individual such as affecting the right to work, right to health and others. In this way data, and particularly big data and AI, can greatly affect the enjoyment of human rights.⁶

While data protection is one of the objectives of GDPR which coincides well with human rights, the other objective of GDPR is the free movement of data which more closely reflect commercial and global competition objectives.

Why GDPR is not enough

One interpretation of the General Data Protection Regulation is that it is a human rights instrument hindering and limiting businesses and other data controllers from their work. GDPR, however, does not prohibit data processing but merely limits the means through which data processing occurs. While GDPR contains elements that reflect a human rights based approach, in practice the focus on human rights can many times be lost due to the competing objectives of GDPR. While data protection is one of the objectives of GDPR which coincides well with human rights, the other objective of GDPR is the free movement of data which more closely reflect commercial and global competition objectives.

On a positive note GDPR contains human rights language including recitals on the right of data subjects. This includes the right to receive information, the right to access data about the data subject, the right to rectification, the right to erasure of any data held about the data subject, the right to data portability and the right to object.⁷ It also includes requirement of transparency, and assessments of necessity and proportionality which are directly borrowed from human rights law. It may appear through these references that this is a strong rights guidance, however implementation is made complex by the competing objectives.

The underlying assumption throughout GDPR is that data is being collected. The rights of the data subjected are all consistent with opt-out features, illustrating the clear assumption that data is being processed. This is unlike the consent requirement which has a strict opt-in model.

Because of the commercial objectives of the free flow of data to remain competitive internationally, its implementation is a challenge in a number of ways. One way in which this is evident is through the ineffective use of consent online. Obtaining consent is easier for data controllers than it is to justify the other six legal grounds for processing data.⁸ The reason for this is that GDPR places an excessive burden on the individual to be their own data manager with little negotiating power against large data controllers and relatively little information on the complex data processing.

The problem of consent online

According to GDPR, consent should be “freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.”⁹ While this may sound good, in practice this is difficult in a number of ways.

Informed consent requires the data subject to be given the information required to make an informed decision about what they are agreeing to and the associated risks. When it comes to an online context, however, the lack of foreseeability, specificity, clarity and accessibility make informed consent particularly challenging.¹⁰

“Freely given” consent speaks to the data subject’s control and choice. However, a person cannot meaningfully opt out of being part of the information society nor has a negotiating position when it comes to the terms of the data collection. This is mainly due to the existing power imbalances between data controllers and data subjects and often the monopolies that certain businesses have over particular services and the networking effect.¹¹ The “unambiguous indication” requirement of consent is also dependant on the context in which the data is collected and the nature of the information collected.¹²

While it may appear that consent is completely ineffective in the online/digital context, it is worth questioning the role of consent in other parts of our society. When framing this in terms of human rights, one can consider questions of autonomy and self-determination. Respect for individual autonomy underpins international human rights law, given that the law focuses on respecting and fulfilling individual rights and freedoms. Considering the central role that consent plays in our society and the lack of meaningfulness online, we should think further about when consent is appropriate to use in a digital society.

In order to benefit from scientific progress and not stagger innovation, acquiring adequate safeguards for data processing is key. Rather than relying on ethical principles, which as noted earlier are too subjective and not measurable, the UN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) offer a framework through which adequate safeguards can be put in place mainly through effective due diligence processes.

How the UNGPs can be part of the solution

The UNGPs are the only official guidance the United Nations Human Rights Council have endorsed for States and Businesses. They do not create new human rights obligations but rather explain how existing human rights standards can be upheld. The three pillars of the UNGPs are:

The State duty to protect human rights
The corporate responsibility to respect human rights
Access to remedy

States in the first instance have a duty to protect human rights from third party harm according to the UNGPs. This may include regulations and policies that require mandatory due diligence practices and monitoring such as some countries already have put in place. Furthermore, knowledge sharing and providing expertise to policy makers to understand how data processing works is key to promoting policies that are conscious of the risks or data processing practices.

When it comes to the responsibility of businesses and corporations the actions look a little different. Businesses are not responsible for protecting human rights but are required to “respect” them. This means that they should avoid infringing on the human rights of others and address adverse human rights impacts they are involved in throughout their value chain and their business relationships.¹³

A due diligence process must “identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address their impacts on human rights.

According to the UNGPs, a business should have (1) a public policy commitment to human rights, (2) a human rights due diligence process and (3) a process to enable the remediation of any adverse human rights impacts they cause or contribute to.¹⁴ Having these elements in place allows for clear measurable standards to be in place through which due diligence processes go though. A due diligence process must “identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address their impacts on human rights.”¹⁵ Further detail and guidance exist on how these due diligence processes must be carried out, but important aspects of them are the range of activities that must be covered as part of the process and the nature and context of its operations that may have human rights impacts. Another important aspect is that a due diligence process should be ongoing “recognising that the human rights risks may change over time as the business enterprise operations and operating context evolve.”¹⁶

Drawing the connection between effective due diligence processes and data processing, it is important to better understand the complexity of data processing, and specifically data sharing, to understand the risks and human rights harms that may be suffered at different levels as a result.

Human Rights Safeguards are the way forward

The benefit of businesses committing and applying the UNGPs within their business operations, including in their data processing is that it creates more measurable reporting guidelines that make human rights compliance easier to understand and evokes a race to the top of good corporate human rights performance. Data processing should have effective impact assessments that assess the risk on an ongoing basis, in the same way as other supply chains. The first step is to understand the potential harms that can be caused by data processing beyond privacy. The second step should be the implementation of a human rights due diligence process that assesses risks at every part of the process, from data collection, to storage, analysis, processing and sharing, and that monitors and assesses these practices in an ongoing manner. Implementing these safeguards allows data to be an instrument for innovation while having the right safeguards in place to respect human rights.

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About the Author

Sabrina Rau is a Senior Research Officer in the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology (HRBDT) project based at the University of Essex. Her work focuses primarily on rights, regulation and remedies and the role of business in the digital age.

References
1. Morgan, Jacob, “A Simple Explanation Of ‘The Internet Of Things” https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/#47ba1c1d1d09
2. SDG Indicators, found at https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators / indicators-list/
3. https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/human-rights/
4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights https://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Documents/UDHR_Translations/eng.pdf
5. “How Does Content Moderation Affect Human Rights? Commentary on the Case of Infowars” https://hrbdt.ac.uk/how-does-content-moderation-affect-human-rights-commentary-on-the-case-of-infowars/
6. HRBDT UDHR report https://48ba3m4eh2bf2 sksp43rq8kk-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/UDHR70_AI.pdf
7. GDPR Articles 12-23
8. GDPR Article 6 https://gdpr-info.eu/art-6-gdpr/
9. GDPR Article 4 (11)
10. Consent background Paper https://48ba3m4eh2bf2sksp43rq8kk-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com / wp-content / uploads / 201 9 / 06 / 19.06.09-Background-Paper-on-Consent-Online.pdf
11. Consent background Paper
12. Consent Background Paper
13. UNGP, Art. 13
14. UNGP Art. 15 (a)
15. UNGP Art. 15 (b)
16. UNGP Art. 17 (c)

How Technology Is Transforming Banking for SMES

December 10, 2019

By Alain Vansnick

For years, banks have struggled to deliver a truly engaging digital experience for their customers. However, we now find ourselves at a crossroads – one where data, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence are opening the doors for banking to become more personal and tailored than ever. The impact of this will be felt across many sectors and it’s exciting to consider the implications this will have for SMEs in particular.

As economies grow, there is an opportunity and need for SMEs to scale their business adequately. In the Nordics for example, increasing demand in the domestic market has been creating many opportunities for the growth of SMEs, as have other factors such as the better availability of highly skilled labour and greater digitisation¹.

Alongside trends like these, comes a greater need for borrowing and the types of services that banks provide. According to recent statistics from the European Commission, bank lending accounts for 75% of all SME funding in Europe².

At the same time, around one in five SMEs report that they are struggling to get the funding they need to further develop their businesses³. So, what can banks do to address this issue?

The truth is that SMEs require a specific style of banking compared to larger businesses – one that caters to their specific needs and individual personalities. A small business owner may find that he has all the skills, products or services to succeed but may then run into problems with regard to the admin, bureaucracy and management needed to run a business. And it’s precisely here where banks can leverage AI, data and analytics to help boost SMEs along their journey as they evolve from small firms to larger corporates.

Once banks are able to get a clear view of the business data, as well as the human needs of the owners, they can in turn obtain key information on the unique requirements and potential of small businesses.

The power that data has to unlock the potential of SMEs is massive, given that it helps banks understand what they need and when they need it. A data-driven approach enables banks to make decisions which are in line with the aspirations of SMEs, helping them make recommendations that are better aligned to their goals and aspirations.

Through a smarter analysis of cash flow, banks can help SMEs project future positions and identify pressure points, foreseeing moments when working capital may run low.

Banks can analyse data from the SME, as well as from other businesses with a similar profile, to enable decisions which are based on previous successes. Using the latest cloud technology, banks can also get their information in real time, enabling them to deploy the right advice and services when it matters. After all, SME owners lack the time and resources to analyse data effectively and it’s here where banks can add significant value by doing the work for them.

Through a smarter analysis of cash flow, banks can help SMEs project future positions and identify pressure points, foreseeing moments when working capital may run low. Other key ways that banks can add value is by tailoring activities specific to the SME’s needs which are based on future expected commitments and revenue data. This may include highlighting which payables could be deferred, providing discounts to customers who pay early and offering short term credit options – and all of this ranked in terms of which options other customers found most helpful to their business.

The best part of this data-driven approach is that everybody wins. On one hand, the customer gets to grow a successful business and the bank also continues to get revenue from that customer, who may have otherwise had to file for bankruptcy. It also allows business owners to focus on what really matters, which is building and scaling up their company; not worrying about how to survive.

The banking sector is beginning to realise that cloud-native, API-first technology can deliver this tailored experience that SMEs require. This is further supported by recent research conducted by Temenos and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which shows that data and AI is becoming a vital part of the new technology mix, improving personalisation and enabling more tailored offerings. 61% of banking executives worldwide think AI will create better value for customer by 2025.

But the path will not be without its challenges, stemming mainly from legacy systems and a lack of skills to apply insights effectively. Banks in the Nordics, for example, have always been at the forefront of technology but now find themselves in a position where they might find themselves left behind if they don’t make the shift to the cloud. It’s not a question of if – but a question of when they make this move. The rest of Europe faces a similar situation.

Over the last few years, SMEs have evolved from a position of struggling to survive, to one where they are legitimately challenging the larger players in their markets. As a result, today banks are competing more than ever for the attention of SMEs. Those that succeed will be the ones that deliver the tailored service they need – one that meets the disruptive, customer-focused, data driven nature of their own business. Banks must craft an offer that meets the challenges of an SME’s growth cycle through embedded data and people-focused engagement technology.

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About the Author

Alain Vansnick is Regional Director for Benelux and the Nordics at Temenos, the World’s #1 Banking Software Company. Mr. Vansnick joined Temenos in his current role in March 2019. Prior to joining Temenos, Mr. Vansnick was Senior Vice President at TAS Group where he led business development for the EMEA region. In his previous roles at ACI Worldwide, Clear2Pay and OpenWay, Mr. Vansnick delivered financial software solutions to the global payments, banking and consulting markets. Mr. Vansnick has more than 25 years’ of experience in senior management roles driving high growth in international organizations and motivating multi-cultural teams through inspirational leadership.

References
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/707314/survey – on – future – growth – potential – of – smes – in – selected – nordic – countries/
2. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sme-growth – markets%3A – eus – long – term – solution – to – sme – funding – 2019 – 09 – 10
3. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/sme – growth – markets%3A – eus – long – term – solution – to – sme – funding – 2019 – 09 – 10

World Economy On The Brink

December 10, 2019

By Graham Vanbergen

2019 has already proved to be the weakest global expansion in a decade and another fracture in the financial system is producing yet more rising dangers in shifting political economies – ill-prepared for a second assault like the last. Graham Vanbergen makes the case that there is a lot more at stake than just another recession.

It was Benjamin Franklin that opined that in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Both, of course, are the normal consequences of living and since the birth of money – so are economic recessions. And it appears that no matter how much meddling and tinkering we humans do, even with the advantage of our collective history and technical advances – all three are as assured as each other.

It was not so long ago that the global banking system suffered its near-death experience. In its death rows, flashbacks of the 1920s depression years came and slowly went. The lessons of these and other recessions have still not been learned though. Our species is, after all, inherently flawed as are the financial systems we build around us.

That global economy is in a synchronized slowdown and is now performing at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis.

Last year, in an article for The European Financial Review (The Predicted 2020 Global recession Oct 2018), I wrote that by late summer 2019, economists all over the democratic West would be talking of another financial crisis. They are, but with ever more shrill warnings of a repeat of the most ruinous economic slump in history, which is yet still to fully recede.

The IMF reports that that global economy is in a synchronized slowdown and is now performing at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis. In its October report – rising trade barriers, increased geopolitical tensions, low productivity growth and aging demographics in advanced economies are the key issues. Investor confidence is also draining away. All these issues are a problem, but they were not unexpected.¹

The real problem is that the world has not faced up to the real aftermath of what happened in 2008 and unexpected events now dominate global growth as a result.

The impact of the last crash has been far more devasting than the financial ruin of millions. In its wake, the democratic world is seeing a shift of ideologies – the rise of populists, the far-right and religious conservatism. Isolationism, nationalism and racism are some of the hallmarks of its progress and declining middle-classes along with austerity is its ringleader.

Steve Bannon, the architect of Donald Trump’s ascendency to the Whitehouse likes to brand it ‘economic nationalism.’ The falsity of this is that its ideology takes greater control of the markets – far from the free-market system he espouses.

Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England has recently made the point that another global financial crisis is not just inevitable but actually en-route.

The Western banking system has proved beyond doubt that it was neither robust nor disciplined enough to make the necessary adjustments to future-proof markets and as King asserts – the democratic West is strolling blindfolded straight into a new slump, turning the Great Recession into an epoch.

King rightly warns that – “Another economic and financial crisis would be devastating to the legitimacy of a democratic market system – and sticking to the new orthodoxy of monetary policy and pretending that we have made the banking system safe means we are sleepwalking towards that crisis.”

King goes on to say that – “No one can doubt that we are once more living through a period of political turmoil. But there has been no comparable questioning of the basic ideas underpinning economic policy. That needs to change.”

Roubini makes the point that there are four global collision courses being played out. First, is the zero-sum game of chicken represented by the US-China trade war.

Nouriel Roubini the economist that advised the IMF, the US Federal Reserve and World Bank also warns of the rising dangers of these shifting political economies.

Roubini makes the point that there are four global collision courses being played out. First, is the zero-sum game of chicken represented by the US-China trade war. Then, the escalating and highly divisive political trench warfare in the UK over Brexit and its effects upon the European Union – (just as America starts prodding it with tariff barriers to force the EU to comply to its own standards reductions). Then, there is the potential fallout in the Middle-East as American influence wanes and finally, the economic implosions of South America.³

Roubini says that additional economic pressures are building into political outcomes and King asserts that the institutions put in place to protect global economies from another bank-led crisis don’t have the firepower to insulate from another emergency.

Roubini:

“A full-scale trade, currency, tech, and cold war between the US and China would push the current downturn in manufacturing, trade, and capital spending into services and private consumption, tipping the US and global economies into a severe recession. A failure to compromise would lead to a collision, most likely followed by a global recession and financial crisis.”

King:

“Following the Great Inflation, the Great Stability and the Great Recession, we have entered the Great Stagnation. It is the failure to face up to the need for action on many policy fronts that has led to the demand stagnation of the past decade. And without action to deal with the structural weaknesses of the global economy, there is a risk of another financial crisis, emanating this time not from the US banking system but from weak financial systems elsewhere.”

The lethal combination of Trump’s global trade wars, Britain’s democratic failure to contain Brexit alongside, Europe’s fragile euro and the aforementioned triggers of economic difficulties almost guarantees another fracture in a system ill-prepared for a second assault like the last.

2019 has already proved to be the weakest global expansion in a decade.

Last month’s United Nations trade and development body, Unctad warned that- “A spluttering north, a general slowdown in the south and rising levels of debt everywhere are hanging over the global economy: these combined with increased market volatility, a fractured multilateral system and mounting uncertainty, are framing the immediate policy challenge.”

The UN argues that the slowdown in growth in all the major developed economies around the world are relying on easy monetary policy and asset price rises to stimulate demand. This failure to act on the crisis of the last decade will produce, at best, “ephemeral’ growth, while tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals is failing to trigger productive investment.

Rising economic and political failure

The result of this failure of economic management is evidenced all over the world and even in historically stable countries. From months of rioting in France to mass public protests in Britain. The ‘just about managing’ are reacting against a political economy that is not working for them.

Anti-government protests or one-sided political economies have ignited protests in a dozen other countries around the world- and as the saying in Chile goes – “If there’s no bread for the poor, there’s no peace for the rich.”

The decade long economic perfect storm was passing but political ripples are once again turning into the breaking waves of economic shocks and dramatic political change with far-reaching implications.

Today, we are witnessing the failure of neoliberalism to deliver its ‘trickle-down’ promises and as this 40-year project of failure continues, the liberal global order is disintegrating. Autocratic rulers, demagogues and populists are now leading countries that contain well over half the world’s population.⁴

Our system of financing the global economy is the very cause of its own demise – with democracy now at threat even in places like Britain.

Britain is a burning example of economic failure where vulture capitalists now circle and hedge funds are backing its decline and shorting its currency. Brexit is nothing more than the accomplishment of disaster capitalism – itself nothing more than evidence of economic mismanagement.

Neoliberalism is crushing its most revered jewel where tolerance, freedom and economic prosperity has quickly been replaced with its ugly twin – Steve Bannon’s economic nationalism, not just in America but of all places in the world – in Britain.

It is not just the world economy that stands on the brink but the social democratic political systems that underpinned it.

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About the Author

Graham Vanbergen is the founder and contributing editor of TruePublica and author of Brexit – A Corporate Coup D’état

1. https://blogs.imf.org/2019/10/15/the-world-economy-synchronized-slowdown-precarious-outlook
2. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/oct/20/world-sleepwalking-to-another-financial-crisis-
3. https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/playing-chicken-with-global-economy-trump-china-
4. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/dangerous-rise-of-populism

What does a VIN number tell you?

December 10, 2019

VIN refers to the Vehicle Identification Number. You can find the complete history of a vehicle with the help of this number. The VIN number check report contains information related to maintenance records, vehicle’s lien, title and other records related to its history.

If you are buying a new or second-hand vehicle then a VIN number is really essential. A second-hand vehicle comes with a variety of features and functions that you should need to check before making a final call for purchase.

Social Security Number

In any case of robbery, you can use a VIN number while filing a report to the police and that will help the police in finding the vehicle. It is a security number for your vehicle. The alphanumeric identifiers are unique for each vehicle. You can track everything related to a vehicle using this number. The recalls for your vehicle, require the VIN number.

When Do You Need It?

The number is required while you make warranty claims for your vehicle, during manufacturing recalls and while insuring the vehicle. We have already mentioned in the starting that you should ask for the VIN number while buying a second-hand vehicle.

1. Information For Buyer

The information that is crucial for you as a buyer include:

Accident Records
Maintenance History
Airbag Deployment
Robbery Records
Product recalls
Past owner history
Lemon status
Current liens and a lot of other specifications.

2. Information for Seller

If you are planning to sell your vehicle then it is again important for you to go through the VIN check where you will get a complete knowledge of the problems that are likely to arise with the buyers. This way you can inform them about these things in advance to maintain transparency. The buyer might raise certain questions that you should be prepared to answer beforehand.

VinCheck.Info offers vehicle history report for free and that can be really helpful for you if you are planning to buy a new vehicle. You can use the VIN decoder tool for free and it will provide you with all the important information related to your vehicle. So, always make a vehicle purchase after going through its VIN check.

How to find your VIN number

A VIN number contains 17 letters and digits. These digits are visible through the wind shades from the driver’s side and are provided on a small tag on the dashboard. The vehicles that were manufactured before 1981 used to contain 11-17 digits. The other locations in your vehicle where you can find the VIN number are:

On the rear side of the door frame on the inner side of the driver’s door
Usually on the front side of the engine block
Under the extra tire

Where else can you find the VIN number are :

Registration card
Insurance Documents
Vehicle’s Titles

The number that is mentioned on your vehicle is found to be most reliable. The campers, utility trailers, boats have their VIN numbers as well. The number is present on RV’s at the same place as it is mentioned in the cars. In the trailers, the VIN number is however found on the cabinet.

Decoding VIN

A VIN is a composition of letters and digits. Each letter and digit or a group of them contains some information related to the vehicle’s design and manufacturer. Let’s see how:

The 1st digit on the left tells about the location of the manufacturer

The 2nd and 3rd digit contains the name of a manufacturing company

The digits from 4 to 8 tells contains information about the size and type of engine

The 9th digit contains the manufacturer’s security code.

The 10th digit contains the model year

The 11th digit contains the manufacturing plant

The digits from 12 to 17 contain the serial number of the vehicle

Generally, every vehicle manufacturer issues a VIN decoder. This helps in decoding the VIN and the checker learns what each digit represents in the specific VIN. This helps the manufacturer in learning what each single-digit represents in its model and makes. You can attain this piece of knowledge by searching for the manufacturer’s name or by accessing the VIN Number Decoder.

You can learn in detail about every particular specification of a vehicle using sources that provide the VIN check at free of cost.

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How to Manage a Part-Time Job While Studying Online

December 10, 2019

Many people want and need to get an excellent grade to better their careers. To do this, many people opt to concentrate on their studies full time, giving themselves a better chance of working harder on their course material. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone, as some have to balance school work and working. To help you increase your chances of getting good grades, below are tips and tricks on how to manage a part-time job while studying online

1. Pick A Flexible Online Program

To better your chances of dealing with a job and learning online, you need first to choose the ideal online program. Fortunately, to cater to the increasing online program demand, the number of schools offering a reliable online program has grown. A great way of how to manage study with a Flexible Part time jobs for students is to look through the courses you have at your disposal. Choose one that offers a flexible schedule that you can structure into your own life.

2. Manage Your Time Effectively

Many people make the mistake of assuming that online learning programs are more laid-back than regular courses. Usually, this is due to the misconception that they aren’t accountable to a physical tutor; hence, they can do as they please. Unfortunately, this isn’t true and to succeed in your studies you have to put in serious work. Typically, online programs require an input of almost 40+ hours a week. A great tip on how to study while working is to take time management seriously. Put a rain check on parties.

3. Have A Smart Study Plan

As you are basically in charge of your study material, a great way of balancing work and school is to create a smart study plan. Get an overview of the course material for the whole month and print it out. Look it over and create a study plan based on what you need to do. Keep track of your progress through various study activities. Additionally, keep track of assignment deadlines and additional course submissions you need to turn in. Doing this allows you to have sufficient time to study without feeling overwhelmed by your part-time job.

4. Utilize Vacation Time

One of the main advantages of having a part-time job while working online, you have a lessened workload when compared to students who work and study full time. For most people, this usually translates to more vacation time where you have nothing but free time. An effective way of how to balance work and study is to take advantage of the downtime and do more studying. Look into accelerated course options during vacations and take advantage of them. Overall, utilizing your vacation time allows you to further your studies at a more rapid pace hence enabling you to get more credits during breaks.

5. Maximize Every Minute

Working part-time means that you dedicate a section of your day to day activities to putting in hours to make a living. However, when you look carefully, many people waste a lot of time during the day waiting around. Carefully analyze your daily activities and look for areas where you can squeeze in school work. Consider simple aspects as studying during work hours by cutting your breaks. Additionally, factor in any spare minute you can get like waiting in line at the groceries, doctor’s appointment, etc. With this, the minutes quickly turn into hours, reducing the amount of time you need to sit down and study at the end of the day.

Conclusion

As seen above, due to your already packed schedule finding time to study can be challenging. For this reason, you need to make time for learning. Create a solid study plan and stick to it. Are you’re still finding it challenging to show up for all of your classes? If yes, probably you have asked yourself this question, “should I pay a professional online class taker to take my statistics class for me?” That a common question to most online students but it’s worth thinking about it. By paying someone, you lessen your load and still manage to get a good grade on your course.

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Effective Offline Marketing Strategies You Need To Know

December 10, 2019

One of the essential parts of growing your business is marketing. Marketing involves the activities that help people get to know your brand and convinces them to try out your goods and services. There are two types of marketing; online and offline marketing. Online marketing has to do with marketing strategies via the internet whole offline does not deal with the internet. Here we are going to focus solely on offline marketing. The most common question people ask when it comes to this type of marketing is, what are the best strategies to market products /services offline? Well, we are here to help you. Some of the best effective offline marketing strategies you should be conversant with are;

1. Networking

If you are in business or in any way into marketing, networking should be at the top of your list regarding offline marketing activities. Networking can encompass a wide range of things like going for meetups, attending seminars, and conferences, among many other things. The bottom line in all of these things is face to face conversations. If you want to get your product/service out there, you need to talk to people and tell them about what you are marketing. Furthermore, if you are going to be a pro at networking, you should also ask them about what they sell/deal with and listen to them. This helps in building a bond that can open many doors.

2. Print Publications

Even though we are in the digital era, print media is still a valid form of marketing. If you want to be known or your products/services to get attention, then you should try getting your products/services advertised in newspapers. Many people purchase newspapers, and as they go through them, they might land on your post, and you will get a lot of recognition.

Magazines are also a form of print media advertising; therefore as a marketer or entrepreneur, you should try as much as possible to attend all the magazine interviews you are invited to. When people see your interviews and the reason you are there, they will get curious. Their inquisitive nature will make them search for your company, and there, your products/services will be out known and recognized.

3. Cold Calls

In the offline marketing space, having a connection /resonating with prospective clients is one of the best things which can actually take you far. One of the ways of getting to a personal level with people is through making direct phone calls.

The most important thing you should know about this type of offline marketing is that you need to have a concrete reason for making a call to a prospective client. You do want to be calling a potential client every single time trying to pass a message that does not carry a lot of weight. It may look like you are bothering them, and that may make you lose clients. You should also be mindful of the time you call them.

4. Print Advertising

Offline marketing with flyers is also a way of getting your company in front of clients. You can have people go around giving out your flyers to people. You may not attract all of them to your company, but there is a high probability that two or three may ask for your services after observing your flyer templates. It is through those few people that you grow and expand to greater horizons as you attract more. Vinyl banners are also forms of print advertising. With such huge fonts printed on a banner and placed on a busy road/street, you will get people talking about your products /service.

Conclusion

Offline marketing has been existing for years now and has played a vital role in the growth of numerous huge companies we know today. If you are new to this, there are a few methods of offline marketing you can use to get your company known. One of these methods is by use of print media. Print media includes things like magazines and newspapers. With this, people can read about your company and get to know what you provide. Another means of offline marketing is using cold calls. In this case, you make direct phone calls to connect with clients on a personal level and get your name out there. Print advertising and networking and are also effective means of offline marketing.

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Becoming a Global Hub for Start-ups

December 10, 2019

By Ramy Jallad

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost Emirate in the UAE. While not in the global spotlight as much as its neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it has nevertheless been working quietly to transform itself into a hub for entrepreneurs.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are, in effect, the backbone of national economies, generating employment, fostering innovation and delivering inclusive growth. In the UK, one study last year suggested they accounted for 51% of private sector turnover. Another study in the US claimed they generated more than half the country’s jobs.

The Gulf is a region people don’t associate with SMEs. They can think certain industries dominate, assume legislation is oblique and support is limited. In 2019 they couldn’t be further from the truth.

As well as playing a significant role helping oil-dependent economies diversify, the SME sector is fuelling fantastic opportunities for growth in the region, helping tackle the growing challenge of creating jobs for the 20 million young people in the region expected to join the workforce by 2025.

A case in point is Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost Emirate in the UAE. While not in the global spotlight as much as its neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it has nevertheless been working quietly to transform itself into a hub for entrepreneurs.

In Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), the Emirate’s fast-growing business hub, primary source markets for investments are India, Egypt, Jordan, France, Italy and Germany.

While the UAE has the seventh largest oil reserves in the world, Ras Al Khaimah has never been able to rely on oil and consequently had to start the process of diversification fairly early on. This head start has given the Emirate a thriving industrial, real-estate, and manufacturing sector, and a growing tourism industry. And all of that has led to a dynamic environment for a rapidly expanding SME sector.

You might think that because they are SMEs they aren’t international but actually to many, Ras Al Khaimah is their second home. In Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), the Emirate’s fast-growing business hub, primary source markets for investments are India, Egypt, Jordan, France, Italy and Germany. Reliable infrastructure, strong government institutions, and excellent domestic and international transport links have had a huge role to play in making the Emirate a draw for global entrepreneurs.

The UAE has had a historically close relationship with the UK, with a large expat population and high levels of trade and investment between the two countries. The UAE is already home to around 5000 UK-based businesses in sectors such as infrastructure, FMCG, fintech, media and ICT. As the country grows and diversifies, more opportunities are available in food and beverage, trading and education. Also appealing to expats is Ras Al Khaimah’s ‘small town’ feel and low rents and general cost of living as compared to other cities in the region.

In RAKEZ alone, a large proportion of the 14,500 companies hosted are SMEs. Recognising the need to attract and sustain entrepreneurs, RAKEZ was an early pioneer in offering co-working spaces, accelerators and incubator programmes, which have really taken off. For example, the Mubader Package, aimed at entrepreneurial young graduates and final year students has been receiving high enquiries and demand so far. It offers low-cost packages that include operating licences, shared workspaces, and a gamut of additional support services that are vital for a small business.

Women entrepreneurs are yet another resource for the SME sector. According to the Melinda Gates Foundation, only 2% of venture funding goes to women-led start-ups globally. This is a barrier that needs to be dismantled. Encouragingly, in the Middle East, we are seeing an increasing trend in the venture capital community to look at gender diversity as an important investment criterion.

Ras Al Khaimah has created a unique economic ecosystem that thrives on diversity and fosters the growth of SMEs from anywhere and everywhere.

In the UAE, women are pivotal to our economic future – they make up around 70% of university graduates and 44% of the workforce. Recognising this, RAKEZ has just launched a first-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE to encourage more women to get into business. The RAKEZ BusinessWomen Package provides simplified set-up processes, fast-track visas and licences, and cost-effective office space for women entrepreneurs. RAKEZ already has over 900 women-owned businesses in fields spanning FMCG to media. Since the launch of the initiative, more than a hundred additional applications have been received, and the number is steadily increasing.

However, the UAE can confound entrepreneurs with the same barriers they face throughout the world, most notably securing financing and seed capital. According to a recent World Economic Forum report, while SMEs in the MENA region represent about 96% of registered companies and about half of employment, they account for only 7% of total bank lending – the lowest level
in the world.

Governments across the region are looking at solutions to close that gap, including the UAE. In Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ recently hosted Startup Weekend, a global congregation of entrepreneurs with experience of setting up start-ups. Not only did it provide a meeting ground for like-minded entrepreneurs to learn from each other’s experiences, but it also offered access to venture capitalists, which is crucial. At a government level, the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah is one of the few banks in the region to maintain its focus on SME lending; in fact, it is the largest small business bank in the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah has created a unique economic ecosystem that thrives on diversity and fosters the growth of SMEs from anywhere and everywhere. So committed is the government that it has launched RAK International SME Fair 2019 organised by the Emirate’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Running from 14th-16th November, this is set to be a huge international event with SMEs from all corners of the globe coming together to network, build relationships, meet potential partners and investors, and exhibit new ideas and products.

All this suggests the environment for SMEs has never been more conducive – particularly in places like Ras Al Khaimah. For those businesses hungry for growth, footholds in new markets mean access to new customers, fresh talent and ambitious innovation.

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About the Author

Ramy Jallad is the Chief Executive Officer of RAKEZ. His role is to develop and drive strategic growth, creating a thriving commercial and industrial business hub that attracts and welcomes investors from all around the world.
Mr Jallad has over 25 years of professional experience, where he has developed and led various commercial and industrial free zones, business parks and mixed-use real estate developments. Mr Jallad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is also a Lead Assessor of the European Foundation for Quality Management and a certified trainer in sales, marketing, and customer care as well as people management.

CBD Oil: A Frontier Market Investors Should Now Ignore

December 9, 2019

Legal cannabis has been one of the fastest-growing markets of the decade. According to a report from Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics, “State of the Legal Cannabis Markets,” between 2018 and 2024, the estimated value of products sold within licensed establishments is predicted to exceed the $40 billion mark.

This rapid rate of growth is one of the main reasons why investing in marijuana stocks had become so popular – and a niche that has gained some of the biggest traction is CBD.

There have been all sorts of medical reports showing its vast potential benefits, ranging from improving skincare and pain relief to helping to cure cancer.

However, US investors are now better off avoiding the CBD market and here’s why.

But first, a bit of background.

Wall Street Loves CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD), along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is one of the main two compounds produced by the marijuana plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not have any psychoactive properties but has a plethora of perceived health benefits.

For example, CBD Kyro details the story of a young girl named Charlotte Figi from Colorado. She was born in 2006 with a form of chronic epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome. After exhausting all modern medicine, her parents turned to cannabis to treat their daughter’s illness when she was just 5 years old.

The results for this were almost instantaneous, with Charlotte’s seizures stopping almost instantly after she had consumed a small dose of CBD oil extracted from a high-CBD cannabis strain.

This is just one of many cases where CBD has helped to treat some serious conditions.

But note the importance of the term “perceived” health benefits mentioned previously. This is because the FDA has only approved one medical use of CBD, namely Epidiolex, for treating rare forms of epilepsy. There is still a lot of research needed before it can be categorically stated that CBD can be used for treating several ailments.

But this has not stopped the public from using it. Particularly in North America, many people have bought into CBD-based products. According to the Brightfield Group, CBD sales in the US alone are predicted to increase from $591 in 2018 to $22 billion by 2022. This represents a 147% growth rate per annum.

One of the reasons behind this massive growth was the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. This key piece of legislation made the industrial production of hemp legal at the federal level. Considering hemp is rich in CBD, this was a big deal.

As reported by Daily CBD Mag, the more that scientists and researchers look into CBD and its benefits, it becomes increasingly likely that we’ll find more reasons to use it, leading to more products becoming available.

As a result, some large Canadian cannabis businesses have made their way south of the border to join in. Of the 14 major Canadian cannabis growers, 6 have announced that they plan on entering the US market. 3 more are expected to announce their own plans within the next 12 months.

In their eyes, the opportunity is too big to miss out on right now. Combine this with the fact that CBD products like CBD oil, flawless cbd, edibles, topical applications and even foods and drinks are priced far higher compared to dried cannabis, and you can start to see why they are so eager to sell in the US.

Unfortunately, while on the face of it, the CBD market looks like a very lucrative business, there’s one aspect that investors are failing to notice – and it’s the very reason why you should now be ignoring this market:

US hemp and CBD hemp oil is heavily crowded compared to what the Canadian companies are used to dealing with.

The US CBD Market Is More Competitive Than Investors First Thought

Here is a selection of cannabis companies expected to enter the US CBD market:

Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC)
HEXO (NYSE: HEXO)
Tilray (NASDAQ: TLRY).

And now here’s a brief summary of their plans:

Canopy Growth are dedicating $150 million to a hemp-processing facility in New York State. They have also acquired ebbu to help with the production of CBD derivatives.
HEXO have formed a US subsidiary company. They have published reports stating their plans to enter 8 US states in 2020.
Tilray acquired Manitoba Harvest in March 2019. This gives them access to a distribution network north of 16,000 stores, as well as a direct method for selling CBD products in the US.

Now, while their plans to enter the US market and reap the rewards of a booming market sound exciting, they are overlooking how now that industrial hemp is legal to produce in the US, established brands like Charlotte’s Web are already taking advantage too. This could make it very difficult for these Canadian businesses to get a stronghold of the consumer base.

To make things worse for the above-named companies, smaller US businesses in the legal cannabis and CBD industry can now access legal financing options from banks and investment firms. As a result, what was once considered an advantage for the large Canadian corporations has now become a level playing field.

On top of this, general stores in the US will no doubt get involved in the act, causing further disruption to the market. Arcview and BDS Analytics reported that two-thirds of all CBD sales were still occurring in licensed U.S. dispensaries as of 2018. But by 2024, it’s expected that 70% of all CBD spending will move to general retail stores.

This comes as a big blow to companies like Canopy, HEXO and Tilray as they rely on their branded licensed dispensaries for sales – this approach is not quite the best way to succeed in such a diverse environment

Of course, CBD could still end up being a very profitable venture for Canadian companies in the US market. If they didn’t think it could work, they wouldn’t have bought assets like processing facilities, etc.

If you are interested in looking at some of the biggest US CBD companies, Gift Wits has compiled a convenient list to check out.

However, blindly thinking that because Canadian pot stocks were profitable investment opportunities north of the border does not guarantee they will bring the same levels of success in the US. Given how diverse and the sheer amount of competition already here, Canadian businesses face an uphill task.

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Coolest Hotels Around The Nation Quick Guide

December 9, 2019

When you start planning a vacation, one of the most important pieces is figuring out where you are going to stay.

More often than not, you are going to pick a hotel because they will have pretty much everything you are looking for, from bed and breakfast to WiFi.

But there are some hotels in the US that are just a cut above the rest, whether it’s the number of amenities on offer or just the atmosphere you feel while you’re there.

Like in popular Sonesta hotels near Colorado, once you arrive, you will never want to leave.

Here are some of the coolest hotels around the nation.

Halekulani, Honolulu, Hawaii

This may not be inland, but it is certainly one of the coolest hotels around the nation. When you think of Hawaii, your mind automatically goes to gorgeous beaches and chilling out to the max. At Halekulani, you would be right. It’s situated on Waikiki Beach, one of the best places on the entire island. What makes it really cool is it remains Zen-like due to the beautiful gardens that surround it. The rooms are pretty low-key too, with all the features assembled to focus on the ocean views. To top it all off, its beachfront freshwater pool has an orchid at the centre, made from 1.2 million pieces of blue glass. Truly stunning.

Amangiri Resort, Canyon Point, Utah

Utah may not be one of the first places that come to mind when you think about cool hotels – but this is precisely why it makes the list. The Amangiri Resort at Canyon Point embraces its desert setting, something that many others would avoid. To sum it up in one feature, its main pool wraps around a giant piece of sandstone. Further, once you step inside, you’ll notice the rough timber furnishings and a brownish color scheme, adding to the overall theme. That being said, you can still expect a luxury stay here. The suites also have breathtaking views of the desert – cool right?

Trump International Hotel And Tower, Chicago

This is one of the coolest hotels in the US for one simple reason: it’s rooftop bar. As mentioned by CoolThingsChicago, it has stunning views over the Chicago area. You will see most of the city’s biggest landmarks across the skyline and can enjoy the environment around you. There are also both full indoor and outdoor sitting areas to relax and enjoy a nice evening drink or some breakfast the next morning. The seating is very comfortable, with stools, couches and lounges all available. So, whether you’re out with friends or having a romantic time with a loved one in Chicago, be sure to try out Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Aria Hotel, Las Vegas

You can’t talk about the coolest hotels around the nation without mentioning the city with some of the biggest properties in the world. Las Vegas is home to the most famous names but it’s the Aria, in particular, that takes the crown. According to Vegas For All, the Aria is the highest-rates property in Las Vegas, but it’s not hard to see why. Aria is all about luxury and you they spare no expense to give you the best possible stay. It looks amazing and they have all sorts of things to do there, from concerts to world-famous performances – oh, and there’s the casino of course.

Lotte New York Palace, New York

Next up is the Lotte New York Palace New York. It’s been newly renovated after being bought by Lotte for more than $800 million back in 2015. You can certainly say that it’s been money well spent. From the outset, the whole experience is very impressive. When you enter the lobby, you will bask at the crystal chandeliers that hang overhead in the high coffered ceilings. The windows are stained-glass to enhance the luxurious sensation – and these windows have been made by Tiffany no less. You can expect just as much from the rooms too, from the marble bathrooms to plush decor. It’s really cool and has even made appearances in shows like Gossip Girl.

The Roosevelt, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New Orleans

Moving South, The Roosevelt is another very cool hotel that you must see if you’re in the area. Sure, some of the hotels may be newer, but none of them can match this hotel in terms of beauty and style. It first opened way back in 1893, so it’s full of history. The decor is full of an era gone by, demonstrated by its gold-gilded pillars and original floor mosaics. But what’s really cool is that these were discovered during renovations after Hurricane Katrina. There is also the legendary Sazerac Bar, where the cognac-based cocktail originates, to enjoy. You can find this in the lobby.

The Setai, Miami Beach, Florida

Miami Beach is one of the coolest places in the world, so it hardly comes as a surprise that a hotel in this part of the country makes the list – namely The Setai. Thanks to its high-rise appeal and unique architecture, it’s less of a beachfront resort and more of an urban hotel. This makes it a welcome change compared to its self-absorbed and flashy neighbors. Once you’re there, the suites are much more sophisticated than you’d expect too. There are also three pools, each heated to different temperatures and they are no more than a few steps from South Beach itself – perfect!

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

To conclude the coolest hotels around the nation comes the Post Ranch Inn, California. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s situated right on top of a cliff, surrounded by redwood forest. One awesome feature of this hotel is that it’s super eco-friendly! Another is that each of the dwellings gives you an unprecedented panorama of the Big Sur coastline. It’s unlike anything you have ever seen. Plus, you’re kitted out with great amenities like hot tubs, private terraces and outdoor showers. Back at the hotel are heated and award-winning spas to keep you relaxed all day long.

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Operation Condor 2.0 – Expanded

December 7, 2019

By Peter Koenig

According to US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the US will help “legitimate governments” in Latin America, in order to prevent protests from “morphing into riots”.

From what we are seeing this “legitimization” may be expanded to rest of the world. Because Washington instigated destabilizing unrest goes on throughout the world. We may as well call it “Operation Condor 2.0 – Expanded”. It promises to become devastating, oppressive and murderous on all Continents. A transformation from whatever ‘freedom’ may have existed to neoliberal dictatorships bending towards neofascism.

The original “Operation Condor” was a campaign by the United States to bring ‘order’ into her backyard, i.e. Latin America. In other words, it was a repressive move that started in 1968 and concluded around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. We are talking about more than 20 years of right-wing repression, especially but not exclusively directed on the Southern Cone of South America.

It included such military dictators like Jorge Rafael Videla in Argentina. He came to power in 1976 by a US supported military coup, deposing Isabel Martinez de Perón. Comandante Videla stayed in power during five years until 1981, period in which he brutally oppressed Argentinians, especially the opposition. It is reported that during this period more than 30,000 people ‘disappeared’ – never to return. They were tortured and killed. Some of the dissidents were dropped from helicopters into the Rio de Plata.

Another, better known dictator was Augusto Pinochet, who was directly helped by the CIA and then President Nixon’s National Security Adviser, Henry Kissinger – to overturn the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende in a bloody coup on 11 September 1973. Pinochet introduced as a first in Latin America neoliberal economics through a group of economists from the Economic School of Chicago, the so-called “Chicago Boys”. The resulting austerity brought extreme poverty and famine to Chileans. The ensuing 17 years were a horror, with over 40,000 people ‘disappeared’ or outright murdered.

Other countries that went through one or several “Operation Condor” cleansings, included Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and possibly others. It was a despicable and deadly period for Latin America. In all, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people were killed and some 400,00 taken as political prisoners.

Secretary Pompeo’s words could not be clearer. He added that protests in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador reflect the “character of legitimate democratic governments and democratic expression. We’ll work with legitimate governments to prevent protests from morphing into riots and violence that don’t reflect the democratic will of the people.”

Not to forget any invented villains, he added, the US will “continue to support countries trying to prevent Cuba and Venezuela from hijacking those protests.” He went on accused Russia of “malign” influence in Latin America and of “propping up” the democratically elected Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro.

Such remarks come after the US-led November 10 military coup in Bolivia. Amazing that nobody dares stand up and answer him. Are all afraid?

And this especially in the light of having in Bolivia now an opposition dictator, the self-declared interim President (much like Venezuela’s Juan Guaidó),Jeanine Añez, who acts with impunity following fascists and racist orders from Washington – indiscriminately killing her own country-women and men – who happen to be indigenous people. Although she promised new elections, Añez has not set a date, but rather is undoing almost everything Evo Morales has achieved for the people of Bolivia, by privatizing public assets and services, as well as abolishing social safety nets by decree.

Pompeo concluded by saying there remains an “awful lot of work to do” in the region, meaning Latin America as the US’s “back yard.” He also warned against “predatory Chinese activities” in the region, which he claimed can lead countries to make deals that “seem attractive” but are “bad” for citizens.

The new repression that we see in Latin America is not homogenous. In Chile at the surface it looks like the protests started over a metro-fare hike of the equivalent of 4 cents (US-dollar cents) – and then expanded violently to oppose political and economic injustice in Chile, directed against Chile’s neoliberal President, Sebastian Piñera. In Bolivia protests are against an US-induced military coup; in Ecuador they are directed against an austerity-inflicting IMF loan, in Colombia, they appeared suddenly against the corruption and injustice of the Iván Duque presidency; and in Brazil, against the neofascist austerity reforms by Jair Bolsonaro. Copy cats? What’s good for our neighbors, is good for us? – I don’t think so.

It looks much more like a concerted effort by the US to enhance and bolster protests from whatever side they come, to be able to install fully repressive governments, of course, with the help of the US and her secret services – funded by the usual NED (National Endowment for Democracy) and other NGOs that would help install within the respective governments strong 5th Columns, so as to detect early warning signals and crackdown in time on any opposition.

“Operation Condor 2.0 Expanded” – Expanded refers to similar violent protests going on in other parts of the world – practically simultaneously. Take Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Ukraine, Afgnaistan, and now France – no matter from which side they come – repression and state of siege, if necessary, are of the order – total repression, that is. All with the help of the US – and, not to forget NATO. This is certainly a key justification to keep NATO alive – to avoid opposition to spread and to risk abolishing the faltering US hegemony.

The rogue nation and bulldozer won’t stop necessarily in front of your borders. To the contrary, they may seek any entry they can get – as they are already doing in China with Hong Kong, not letting go despite the various concessions already made by HK’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, supported by Beijing.

We are, indeed, in the midst of a new “Operation Condor”; or “Operation Condor 2.0 – Expanded”. Full repression worldwide. In preparation of the next planned global recession, planned by the US-led western banking and financial sector. A recession that will likely outdo whatever we have known in the recent past, and make the 2008 /09 downfall look like a walk in the park. The repression now, it is hoped, will prevent people from going on the barricades when they suffer the next cut in salaries, pensions and other social services, already at an unlivable level. Authoritarianism and tyranny must be efficient and total with a para-military police, enhanced by the armed forces, if necessary. It’s going to be another transfer of assets and social capital from the bottom to the top.

This has been sensed perhaps intuitively by the French – who have been protesting in the form of Yellow Vests against Macron’s regime for more than a year – and now in the form of a CGT- syndicate organized open-ended general strike. Repression is massive – an estimated 1.5 million people in the streets of the major French cities, all public transportation disrupted. There have even been rumors that the police forces may also join the strike, because they realize they are part of the oppressed and abused by Macron’s neoliberal austerity policies. This is reflected by the four times higher suicide rates among police officers, as compared to the average French.

China and Russia beware. The rogue nation and bulldozer won’t stop necessarily in front of your borders. To the contrary, they may seek any entry they can get – as they are already doing in China with Hong Kong, not letting go despite the various concessions already made by HK’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, supported by Beijing; and also in the autonomous Region of Xinjiang, with the mostly Muslim Uyghur people, many of whom are being recruited by the CIA across the border from Afghanistan, trained and funded to cause destabilizing unrest.

In view of all of this, President Putin’s recent overture to Israel, especially to PM Netanyahu, is worrisome. Netanyahu is by all accounts part of the repressive wave engulfing our Mother Earth, and, in addition, with his cruel policies against Palestine, he may be considered a mass-murderer.

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About the Author

Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research; ICH; RT; Sputnik; PressTV; The 21st Century; Greanville Post; Defend Democracy Press, TeleSUR; The Saker Blog, the New Eastern Outlook (NEO); and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion – An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed – fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! – Essays from the Resistance. Peter Koenig is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization.

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