We’re starting off our week with the usual assortment of fascinating reads to get ready for what should be an exciting time — more primaries in the US tomorrow, growing discussion of the Australian election, and much, much more. Take a peek into what we’re reading behind the scenes, and please, comment with what you’ve got up in your browser too!
‘How the modeling industry exploits young and vulnerable workers‘ (CNN Money)
This is the start of an absolutely stellar series on CNN exploring the dark side of the modeling industry. We think of modeling as glamorous, fun, and wildly lucrative, but in fact, for the vast majority of models, that’s not the case. This searing collection of pieces explores the parts of the industry that you don’t see on the runway.
From an analysis of pay stubs and financial statements, interviews with dozens of current and former models, attorneys, labor experts and even a former agency executive, a CNNMoney investigation has found that the fashion world often treats its models in ways that would be unheard of in many other industries. And due to a significant lack of regulation, these abuses can be completely legal.
‘Trump’s empty administration‘ (Politico)
Donald Trump may think of himself as a bold representative of the anti-establishment, but it’s a sentiment that could get him in trouble, as the GOP is distancing itself more and more by the day. Major Republican minds are of the #NeverTrump camp, and should he take the White House, his administration could be a tangled nightmare of potentially dangerously inexperienced staffers.
Politico interviewed nearly five dozen Republicans over the past two weeks — people with experience working in government and who understand how Congress can enact, or shred, a new president’s agenda — and heard the same sentiment expressed repeatedly. If Trump doesn’t change his tune or extend much longer olive branches, many of these government veterans say they intend to cede highly coveted administration posts to less-experienced competitors.
‘Democracy cranks its foul sputtering engines and prepares to disgorge Australia’s 45th parliament‘ (First Dog on the Moon/The Guardian)
We’re huge fans of First Dog on the Moon here at Global Comment, and a previous Editor in Chief once described this brilliant political cartoonist as a ‘national treasure.’ You’ll want to read the latest, and when you’re done, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss another sharp commentary on Australian political life and culture.
‘The TTIPing Point: Protests Threaten Trans-Atlantic Trade Deal‘ (Der Spiegel)
Many in the United States have been paying attention to the Trans Pacific Partnership, but there’s another looming trade negotiation that’s equally important. Not all Europeans are on board — and Americans might want to rethink their involvement as well.
Three years after the beginning of negotiations, events protesting free trade agreements have become part of everyday life in Germany. In cities and towns, thousands of events are being held to express opposition to deals like TTIP, CETA, as the recently negotiated agreement with Canada is called, and TISA, an international deal covering trade in services.
‘Former fishermen sue state for hiding Bikini atoll H-bomb fallout records‘ (Japan Times)
The Japanese community isn’t just taking action on Okinawa, the ‘junk heap of the Pacific.’ It’s also aiming to hold the Japanese government accountable for failing to address the aftermath of nuclear testing that affected the lives and futures of sailors.
They will also point out that the government failed to conduct follow-up health studies on the crews of ships other than the Fukuryu Maru and failed to offer compensation after Japan and the United States reached a political settlement in January 1955.
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