Category Archives: Regulations and regulators

The Super Cold Covid Vaccine Distribution Problem

The more you look at Pfizer’s vaccine, the more you have to think they really really needed that first mover advantage.

Why Google Is Facing Serious Accusations of Monopoly Practices

The regulatory worm seems to be turning against Google in many countries, even in the U.S. where it had been hibernating.

China Takes Step Against Securitization, Consumer Borrowing With Suspension of Ant IPO

With its smackdown of Ant and its billionaire founder Jack Ma, China has made clear that financiers do not call the shots.

Gig Worker Employment Fights Like Those in California Pit Flexibility Against a Livable Wage – But ‘Platform Cooperatives’ Could Ensure Workers Get Both

A proposal to improve gig worker bargaining power and solidarity.

How Donald Trump Is Putting American Workers at Risk

A partial catalogue of how Trump has left worers high and dry.

“Shadow” Lobbyists Run Rampant in the Swamp

Unregistered lobbyists, including former members of Congress, are a key resource for lobbying firms

Goldman Gets Off Easy in 1MDB Scandal Despite Further $2.9 Billion in Payments, Criminal Charge Against Malaysian Sub

Despite the big numbers, Goldman gets the kid glove treatment relative to the severity of its 1MBD misconduct.

Waste Watch: Right to Repair as Remedy for School Computer Shortage?

A right to repair can reduce the digital divide and mitigate global warming, by reducing energy costs of waste disposal and production.

Waste Watch: New York Begins Enforcing Plastic Bag Ban

New York begins to enforce its ban on single-use plastic bags, delayed since March by the pandemic and various lawsuits.

EU Wins WTO Ruling on Boeing Subsidies, Following WTO Ruling for the US on Airbus Subsidies. Tariff War On?

WTO rulings on tit-for-tat aircraft manufacturer disputes look likely to produce dueling tariffs at least in the near term.

What Did Billionaire Leon Black of Apollo Get for >$50 Million in Fees to Jeffrey Epstein?

The more we learn about Leon Black’s relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the less there is to like.

Citi’s Recidivist Rule-Breaking and Incompetence Shows Persistence of Too Big/Complex to Fail Problem

Citi’s latest run-in with regulators shows why comparing big banks “too big/complex to fail” problems to those of Big Tech is all wet.

Pandemic Erects Barriers for Prized Bloc of Voters in Nursing Homes, Senior Facilities

How voters in retirement facilities are being disenfranchised.

CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost Says She’s Not in Charge and Lies to the Board About Receiving a Warning from the Fair Political Practices Commission

CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost doesn’t even bother to lie well.