The global scene is constantly changing, with new opportunities and challenges every day. You’ll want to stay in the know and we’re here to help. 

Globig’s Weekly World Wrap-up is a curation of important or thought provoking news and insights from the international business, privacy, global HR, AI, cybersecurity, legal, trade, regulatory, investment, startup, and technology sectors around the globe – all in one place.

This Week, In A Nutshell: The GDPR has been difficult for small and mid-size businesses to implement, but some analysts see compliance as a strategic opportunity to propel businesses forward. Japanese startups are working to ease the loneliness of working from home, and the Asia-Pacific region is making a tentative return to international travel. Meanwhile, the UK has rejected a Brexit compromise proposed by the EU, while the EU is considering banning US travelers from its borders because of inadequate coronavirus prevention measures. The US has suspended visas for hundreds of thousands of foreigners, a move which has created tension with the business community, and Brazil and other parts of Latin America are coping with a drastic increase in coronavirus cases. 


GLOBAL

We’re Living In The Retro-Future
Via The Atlantic: In some ways, the pandemic put time on fast-forward. In others, it transported us back – way back – into the past. Read More

How the Pandemic Has Affected Passports, Global Entry, TSA, PreCheck and More
Via the New York Times: Travel is gradually returning, but not without disruptions. Here’s what to expect when applying for official travel documents and membership in security programs. Read More

Think You’re ‘Innovative’? Eight Better Words to Use Instead
Via Inc.:There are more unique (and less overused) ways to tell the world what you do. Read More

Are Companies More Productive in a Pandemic?
Via The New York Times: Many claim their employees are hyper efficient while working from home. But there are social and emotional costs to ambition in isolation. Read More


DATA PRIVACY + GDPR

Businesses Face Privacy Minefield Over Contact-Tracing Rules
Via The Guardian: Bars, restaurants, hairdressers and churches face a minefield, privacy campaigners have warned, after the government instructed them to record people’s contact details in case they need to assist with test-and-trace effort. Read More

EU Admits It Has Been Difficult To Implement GDPR
Via The Financial Times: Official report to mark two years of data protection regulation notes burden on small and medium-sized companies. Read More

No Better Time to Propose US Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act
Via Infosecurity Magazine: In the wake of what seems like ongoing high-profile data breaches, such as Marriott and Equifax, consumer awareness surrounding data privacy and cybersecurity is steadily gaining traction. Read More

GDPR: A Strategic Opportunity?
Via Forbes: GDPR compliance can be an opportunity to propel a company to best practices in managing its data and realizing the strategic, competitive, and financial benefits of taking a broader view. Read More


ASIA PACIFIC

Japanese Startups Ease The Loneliness Of Working From Home
Via Nikkei Asian Review: New services offer teamwork exercises and tools for fluid communication for remote workers. Read More

Eight Ways ASEAN Consumer Habits Will Change By 2030
Via World Economic Forum: Over the next decade, ASEAN will become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a roughly $4 trillion USD consumer market. While the entire region will offer abundant growth opportunities, each market will evolve differently. Read More

How to Get Free Products From China: Just Don’t Pay for It
Via China Law Blog: Recently there have been a number of Chinese companies seeking to retain legal representation to oversee their US debt collection efforts or to file a creditor’s claim in a pending bankruptcy or receivership action. Read More

Asia-Pacific Makes A Tentative Return To International Travel
Via The Financial Times: Countries such as Japan and Australia are struggling to establish travel rules in fear of a second wave – but are releasing travel restrictions nonetheless. Read More


EUROPE + UK

UK Rejects Brexit Compromise In Setback To EU Talks
Via Bloomberg: The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator rejected a potential compromise in its trade negotiations with the European Union, saying Britain isn’t prepared to accept tariffs if the country makes laws in its own interests. Read This

EU Considers Barring Americans From Travel List
Via The BBC: The EU aims to start reopening external borders on 1 July, but US travelers may have to wait. Read More

Norway to Ease Travel Restrictions For Europe, Keeps Sweden Out
Via Bloomberg: Norway is continuing to ease travel restrictions to and from the rest of Europe, but is still recommending that its citizens avoid areas with high COVID-19 rates, including neighboring Sweden. Read More


NORTH AMERICA

This Is Who Has Been Blocked From Coming To The US Under Recent Travel Ban
Via the New York Times: Here’s a look at what kinds of jobs are included in President Trump’s new restrictions on visas for temporary foreign workers, and how many people could be affected. Read More

Coronavirus Deaths Soar In Latin America And The Caribbean
Via CBS: Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro has been dismissive of the coronavirus, is the region’s hardest-hit nation by far. Read More

Everything Is Fine And Normal. Just Ask The Mannequin At The Next Table
Via The Washington Post: As restaurants reopen, some new patrons have appeared. They’re not big talkers. Read More

US Suspends Visas Allowing Hundreds Of Thousands Of Foreigners to Work in the US
Via The New York Times: The move is fiercely opposed by business leaders, who say it will block their ability to recruit critically needed workers from countries overseas. Read More


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