Politics & Current Affairs

Neither happiness nor success “can be pursued,” says Viktor Frankl. These states of being must “ensue…as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.” 

Domestic violence might seem random, but it can actually correlate with what’s going on in the broader world.

When it comes to preparing first generation college students to succeed, it’s about tuition assistance, but also much more than that.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced new proposed rules to protect individuals from predatory lending services. And Google’s taking part as well.

The Indian government has a new and ambitious plan for reforestation. Learn about the energy and economic benefits of trees, and whether or not it’s likely the plan will ever come to fruition.

What does solar energy adoption look like across America? The cost of solar panels have gone down significantly, but state incentives maybe what’s most helping to drive this solar surge.

The decision to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 brought up an opportunity to feature historical Native American leaders on U.S. currency. 

Did Haiti just get the help it needs from an innovative startup?

A new DNA study of ancient mummies shows the complete extinction of first Americans after the arrival of Europeans and provides support for the Bering Strait Theory.

A recent study shows that non-believers are more tolerant of Islam than Christians and other groups.

How did immigration policy and a lack of integration help cause the Brussels attack?   

Bill Nye the Science Guy breaks down the abortion “debate” very nicely in just over 4 minutes.

If a politician’s broken promises ever broke your heart, Beethoven knew how you feel.

We over-worry about terrorism when the latest attack makes news, and grow complacent when the headlines fade, and both our excessive and insufficient fears create risks all by themselves.

Norway announced plans this week to construct a system of cycleways safely connecting nine of its biggest cities to outer suburbs. The project is estimated to cost just under $1 billion and is part of a broader transportation initiative to be completed by 2030.

The Italian city of Milan is giving commuters a cash incentive to cycle to work. The city is trying to clear its air pollution, a major risk factor for the environment and public health.

The FBI has ordered Apple to create a special version of its software that would remove a security feature, providing investigators with a backdoor to unlock the iPhone through “brute force” methods. Did we mention this iPhone belongs to a terrorist?

A record number of American convicts were exonerated in 2015. Most of them were minorities, many mentally handicapped. A new report presents data that suggests there are hundreds (potentially thousands) of other innocent people behind bars in the United States.

Rural states dominate the list of those most dependent on the $43 billion firearm industry for jobs, tax revenue, political contributions, and gun ownership, a fact that could prove decisive for Bernie Sanders this month.

Chinese activist Ai Weiwei is the most political artist on Earth. Did he just sell his soul to a department store?

The American Hispanic electorate is growing rapidly, but facts about voting trends among minorities and youths indicate they’re still years away from holding real power.

If you ask an American politician, God is crushing hard on America. 

No doubt you’ve heard one of these arguments given as a reason against gun control. Problem is, it’s very dubious logic.

The battle over gun control is really about fear.

Living longer, but worrying more. Why?

New research suggests that positive interactions between strangers create empathy where it wasn’t before.

Street vendors benefit the economy in all kinds of ways.

It’s time to address the gorilla in the room, and the high percentage of his income he’s spending to rent it.

President Barack Obama is giving away a special holiday gift to inmates.

When the news doesn’t tell you everything.