In The News

Japan’s Population Decline: Financial Times

Robin Harding April 12, 2019
Japan’s low fertility rate, less than 1.5 births per woman, and strict immigration policies contribute to a population that is aging and shrinking. Japanese who were part of a baby boom just before World War II are now dying. The population is 126.4 million and without policy changes is projected to drop by half in less than 100 years. “A strong economy and immigration reforms by Prime Minister...

Protests’ Comeback in the Arab World: Economist

April 9, 2019
Recent protests in Algeria and Sudan have brought popular images of the so-called 2011 Arab Spring back to the fore – yet with a stark difference. As an article for the Economist observes, “The wars and chaos that followed the Arab spring have cooled the ardour of activists and their regional patrons …. [and] autocrats have sharpened their tools of repression in order to quash protests at home...

Israel and US Politics: New York Times

Nathan Thrall March 31, 2019
Support for strong US-Israel relations crossed party lines from the 1970s to the start of this century. More recently, though, a rift has opened between the two major parties as surveys show that the least pro-Israel demographics – among black, Hispanic, the young and nonreligious voters – represent a larger proportion of the Democratic Party. "Many blacks and Hispanics draw strong parallels...

Thanking a Global Supply Chain: Times of Israel

Cindy Sher March 21, 2019
A lot of trade goes into a cup of coffee, and at the urging of his son, authur A.J. Jacobs wanted to express his gratitude. So he set out to research the individuals who helped make the routine of a morning cup of coffee possible and wrote a book. “During his quest, which took him from a farm in Colombia to a steel plant in Indiana, he discovered how interconnected the world is,” explains Cindy...

Russia Exports, Bans Fake News: Business Insider

Sinéad Baker March 20, 2019
Investigations by governments and internet companies point to Russian meddling during election campaigns, including the 2016 Brexit vote and the US presidential race, with outlandish social media messages and promotion of falsehoods. Yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law outlining penalties for distribution of whatever the state decides is fake news. “With this new law, Russia...

#MyMosque Shows Packed Places of Worship: Daily Dot

Elizabeth VanMetre March 17, 2019
Social media messages from around the world express support for the victims of a terrorist attack at two Christchurch mosques and defiance against white supremacy. “Photos of packed mosques filled social media, accompanied by the hashtag #MyMosque just hours after terrorists went on a shooting spree at two mosques in Christchurch, killing 49 people,” reports Elizabeth VanMetre for the Daily Dot....

Cheat, Bribe, Lie – US College Admissions Scam: CNN

Eric Levenson March 14, 2019
A college admissions operation involving fraud, conspiracy and racketeering thrived on the allure of American cultural icons –sports, charitable giving, shortcuts and elite universities as the starting point to a life of success. The ringleader pled guilty, and US federal prosecutors have charged 50 defendants associated with the organization known as the Key – including high-profile parents,...