One new force on the block, Appinions, provides contextual analysis, focusing more on topic-based comparisons, and less on creating an individual score.

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The taboo topic of gender-based violence is also being acknowledged and recognized in a popular program targeting one of Guatemala's most vulnerable groups, indigenous Mayan girls.

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Who influences is very topic driven and based on real-time dynamic responses .

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Curiously, a fee-based arrangement isn't the only topic of discussion, as it's also said that Sprint is exploring a spectrum sharing arrangement with Dish that would put the satellite company's unused spectrum licenses to use.

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Unlike regular degree programs, which provide a macro education on a general topic (say, Computer Science), badges certify micro-based competency in a very specific skill (say, JavaScript).

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That issue was the topic of recent forums in the U.S. organized by the New York-based Asia Society, where Loh and representatives of Eurasian, ethnic Indian and Southeast Asian groups in Hong Kong (including this writer) spoke.

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Malcolm Dowden, a UK-based environmental law consultant and solicitor, had much to say on the topic in a recent issue of the UK Law Business Review.

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