In The News

The Lancet: Mental Health for All – A Global Goal

Helen Franish, Niall Boyce and Richard Horton October 12, 2018
More than 1 billion people – one out of every seven worldwide – suffer from mental or substance-use disorders. The suffering has consequences for entire communities, and treatment varies worldwide. “Human rights violations remain common and people with mental disorders are often marginalised and even abused, with large numbers of people forcefully detained or locked away in institutions,”...

Forbes: Climate Change’s Threat for Children

Sophie Aziakou October 11, 2018
A new UN report warns that the world will face climate change catastrophe from drought, floods, wildfires, food and water scarcity by 2030 – just 12 years from now. A growing world population also adds pressure – now standing at 7.7 billion, expected to near 10 billion in 2050 – up from 2.5 billion in 1950. “The most disadvantaged children, who often live in the world’s poorest and most polluted...

South China Morning Post: Concern Over Chinese Leaders of Global Bodies

Sarah Zheng October 9, 2018
Interpol is the world’s largest international police organization of 192 member countries that cooperate on solving and fighting crimes, and so the sudden disappearance of Interpol’s president activated immediate global attention. The detention of Meng Hongwei during a trip to China, followed by a bribery accusation with little explanation and his resignation, has shaken confidence in Chinese...

Bloomberg: Nordhaus, Romer Win Nobel Prize

Jonas O Bergman and Rich Miller October 8, 2018
The 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to William D. Nordhaus of Yale University and Paul M. Romer of New York University’s Stern School of Business for research “addressing some of our time’s most basic and pressing questions about how we create long-term sustained and sustainable economic growth,” announced the Royal Swedish Academy. Nordhaus created the first model that studies...

National Review: Robot Overlords

Kevin D. Williamson October 7, 2018
People, nervous about robots taking away jobs for humans, also expect immediate and affordable information, service and comforts. Kevin Williamson, writing for National Review, describes how regulation can quickly devolve into protectionism, designed to contain rapid change and preserve traditions. He notes that an individual’s views can swing wildly between Libertarianism or fascism depending on...

Natural Blaze: Coffee and the Environment

Melissa Kravitz October 4, 2018
The world drinks about 1.4 billion cups of coffee per day, according to the International Coffee Organization. Only four countries – Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia – produced more than 500,000 metric tons annually in recent years. Routine habits of the world’s 7.4 billion people, like morning coffee, take a toll on the environment, explains Melissa Kravitz for Natural Blaze. She urges...

Project Syndicate: Makings of a 2020 Recession

Nouriel Roubini and Brunello Rosa October 1, 2018
A global recession is anticipated in 2020, and Nouriel Roubini and Brunello Rosa suggest it could be severe. Fiscal-stimulus policies are unsustainable and contribute to overheating and inflation, which in turn drives up interest rates. US trade disputes with China, Europe, Mexico and Canada disrupt supply chains and contributes to slowed growth. Adding complications: a US crackdown on...