Earlier this morning, the UK government suspended Parliament, following a request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The move is seen as an attempt from Johnson to push for a no-deal Brexit and even trigger a constitutional crisis. Alexandra Cirone, professor in Cornell University’s department of government and an expert in European politics, says that today’s developments leave the opposition scrambling for ways to challenge the move on legal grounds. 

Arts and Sciences

International

Law and Policy

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On Thursday, Pope Francis announced new norms for the Catholic Church’s internal handling of sexual abuse accusations. The law, titled ‘Vos estis lux mundi,’ sets global standards for officials who report and investigate sexual abuse allegations against clergy, and offers protection for whistleblowers. Kim Haines-Eitzen, professor of religious studies at Cornell University, says that the law is a step towards more accountability.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Mabel Berezin, professor of sociology at Cornell University, is an expert on French politics and the history and development of populism and fascism in Europe. Berezin comments on the “yellow vest” protest that have called for their fourth demonstration on Saturday in Paris. The movement, which started as a response to a proposed hike in fuel taxes, is continuing to protest despite the government’s decision – earlier this week – to walk back the tax increase.

International Reach

Arts and Sciences

Law and Policy

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Cornell University experts are available to weigh in on Congress taking up either Biden's immigration wide-ranging bill or smaller pieces of legislation, offering historical, legal and labor perspectives.

Law and Policy

Industrial and Labor Relations

Arts and Sciences

Law School

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On Monday, Japanese carmaker Nissan announced that it was firing its chairman, Carlos Ghosn after authorities had arrested him for alleged financial misconduct. Ghosn is accused of having under-reported over $44 million in pay and of having diverted company funds for personal use. Arthur Wheaton, a car industry expert at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says that Ghosn’s case is an – unsurprising – example of corporate greed.

Economics and Business

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

International Reach

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Mason Peck, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University and former NASA Chief Technologist comments on the failure of a Soyuz rocket launch and emergency landing.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Engineering

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This week, Audi announced it would cut up to 9,500 jobs, roughly one in ten of its total staff, to focus more efforts and funding toward electric vehicle production. The company has also announced that it will add 2,000 positions in the areas of electric mobility and digitalization.  Thomas Jungbauer, professor of economics in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, studies tech firms and high-skilled labor markets. He says that by changing its work force, Audi is attempting to create a competitive advantage within a highly disrupted industry.

International

Economics and Business

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved into an intensive care unit after his coronavirus symptoms worsened. Alexandra Cirone, professor in Cornell University’s department of government and an expert in European politics, says that Johnson’s worsening condition poses the question of what an emergency leadership selection would look like for U.K.’s Conservative Party.

International

Arts and Sciences

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Sarah Kreps and Rebecca Slayton, experts on digital governance and cybersecurity at Cornell, comment on the launch of China's global data security initiative.

International

Law and Policy

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Next week, Israelis will head to the polls in a snap election, where the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face off against Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White alliance. Netanyahu, who has failed to form a coalition after a narrow electoral victory in April, has mounted an aggressive campaign ahead of next week’s vote including pledging to annex additional parts of the West Bank.   Uriel Abulof, visiting professor at Cornell University’s Government Department and a senior lecturer of politics at Tel-Aviv University, says that despite Netanyahu’s unlikely chances at the polls next week, his influence as a populist may reach beyond Israel.

International

Arts and Sciences

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