More women pause before rushing into marriage. Historically, the institution represented women's only path for financial security, but social and economic pressures have subsided in advanced economies. Research studies along with cultural and demographic trends support decisions to delay...
Singular happiness: Single American women enjoy an evening out, while one in seven Japanese women remain single
NEW YORK: Evidence concerning the state of marriage strongly suggests that women should give serious thought before making the momentous...
The world has a record-breaking number of grandparents, representing almost 20 percent of the global population. “Today’s grandparents play vital and increasingly indispensable roles in modern family life, contributing to the well-being of generations succeeding them,” explains Joseph Chamie. “...
Mutual support: As more families care for grandparents and grandparents care for children, countries around the world like India and Costa Rica set aside special days to celebrate the role of grandparents
NEW YORK: Of the world’s 7.6 billion people...
Homelessness is a mark of failure for communities in providing basic security. Based on national reports, about 2 percent of the world’s population may be homeless. Another 20 percent lacks adequate housing, reports demographer Joseph Chamie. Such statistics come with a caveat. Obtaining accurate...
Under the open sky: Increasing numbers of people are homeless, in both wealthy and poor cities, from Russia to India
NOTE: This article was updated on 21 January 2020 to include the specific cautionary note from the OECD on using the data for...
Prices are climbing for oil, the most traded commodity on global markets and the world’s leading energy source. Much production is in volatile regions, and it comes as little surprise that production and trade in crude oil and refined petroleum products have produced a flourishing illicit market...
Hot commodity: High energy prices can encourage black markets, and oil from a makeshift refinery in Idlib, Syria, can eventually make its way to tankers destined for Europe or the Asia Pacific (Reuters)
BERKELEY: Oil is still the world’s leading...
Protests have paralyzed Hong Kong throughout the summer, putting China’s system of governance for the island into question. While the protesters’ numbers have fallen, the movement has expanded its demands and methods, including disruptions that have forced the Hong Kong airport to close. The...
选择中国共产党最高领导人———九名政治局常务委员——背后的过程冗长、仔细掂量且不为人知。这层神秘的面纱让薄熙来稍微揭起了一点。薄熙来原来似乎有望进入常委的队伍，但因为野心过大而突然被解职。这位被驱逐的重庆市委书记为了获得国家权力，进行了种种运动，包括提供大规模补贴、重拳打击腐败、调动民族主义，用高唱文革时期的歌曲来赞颂毛泽东。目前，九名常委包括主席胡锦涛、总理温家宝、副主席习近平就薄熙来事件站在统一战线上。驻香港记者秦家骢分析了政治局常委的候选人和他们的背景。他预计包括改革派汪洋在内的温和派会上升，这是外国投资者所乐意见到的 。也许政治局会确保不断的合作，...
香港：高调的政治局成员薄熙来突然被撤职，这一事件背后的谜团似乎越来越复杂，影响之一非常明显：中国共产党苦心经营的、为未来十年打造的领导层按原计划将在今年晚些时候揭晓，但薄熙来事件的搅局可能扰乱了这一布局。政治局九名权力极大的常务委员的人选将决定这个国家未来的走向以及与世界的互动。
薄熙来原是重庆市党书记。位于中国西南的重庆是抗战时期的首都，人口三千万。薄熙来苦心孤诣要进入党的最高权力集团，在此过程中造成了领导层的分裂。
自2007年掌政重庆以来，薄熙来为自己及其“重庆模式”...
Multinational apparel companies like Nike have long been accused of running their factories abroad as sweatshops, milking the desperation of poor workers in the name of the bottom line. In a report released by the company itself, Nike further substantiates the allegations of abuse. The report...
Nike, long the subject of sweatshop allegations, yesterday produced the most comprehensive picture yet of the 700 factories that produce its footwear and clothing, detailing admissions of abuses, including forced...
Out-of-wedlock childbirths have become more common worldwide since the 1960s, but with wide variations among and within countries. Inreasing economic independence and education combined with modern birth control methods have given women more control over family planning. In about 25 countries,...
Shifting culture: Women's increasing economic independence contributes to more children born outside of marriage, though acceptance varies widely among countries; throughout much of Latin America, out-of-wedlock births are the norm, left, but some...
