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California’s ambitious net neutrality bill is back on
In a turnaround akin to scoring two touchdowns in the last five minutes of the game, California’s net neutrality activists rescued an ambitious bill that had been gutted in a committee meeting just two weeks ago. Coupled with the passage of a sweeping privacy law on June 28, California is Read More...
What Americans are not understanding about immigration
Generally, people believe that immigrants are poorer, more dependent on welfare, and more numerous than they really are, according to a new study. But there’s a major discrepancy between perception and reality in the US. One example: On average, US respondents estimated that immigrants made up 36 Read More...
Who really stands to win from universal basic income?
In 1795, a group of magistrates gathered in the English village of Speenhamland to try to solve a social crisis brought on by the rising price of grain. The challenge was an increase in poverty, even among the employed. The social system at the time, which came to be known as Elizabethan Poor Law, Read More...
Some desperate migrants are lucky: they meet Sister Norma at the border
Some of the migrants from Central America arrive at the U.S. border in this small town in Texas. And that means they will be received by Sister Norma and her Catholic Charities team. Her operation has become a remarkable united effort that includes many denominations and works with the government - Read More...
Joint yoga session of Chinese and Indian armies
India and China, the two most populous nations in Asia, share a long history of border disputes and conflicts. Early last year, the two countries clashed along the disputed border between China and Bhutan that is surrounded by India. So, it’s good news that border forces of both countries engaged Read More...
Spain has more organ donors than any other country in the world
In Spain, 47 people per million become organ donors after they die. That makes Spain a world leader. Croatia comes a distant second with 39 donors per million people. Spain has a successful “opt-out” system. That means that every person is a donor unless you specifically make it known that you Read More...
Make love not war: a new political message for Ethiopia
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, has been the scene of civil war for a long time. The country weaves together 80 ethnic groups as well as Christians and Muslims. Since April, Ethiopia has a new prime minister. He’s the youngest ruler on the continent. He brings an extraordinary Read More...
A grass-roots Afghan peace movement grows, step by step
As they march for peace through Afghan villages laced with roadside bombs and bottomless heartache, their numbers keep growing. They come from all walks of life, ages 17 to 65. Among them is a high school student who went home to complete his final exams before rejoining the others; a poet who Read More...
Microsoft employees write open letter, tech industry mobilizes over immigration
The tech industry is mounting more and more protest against the “inhumane” immigration policies of the Trump administration. In an open letter posted to Microsoft’s internal message board, more than 100 employees protested the software maker’s work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Read More...
Couple raises more than $5m for families separated at US border as appeal goes viral
It started with the viral image of a crying two-year-old girl looking up at her mother as she is detained by American border agents. Charlotte and Dave Willner wanted to do something to help the families being locked up and separated as they crossed into the US. So they set up a fundraising page Read More...