Category: Uncategorized

Recent developments in the Middle East conflict reflect ever-changing and complex geopolitical dynamics. One of the main highlights is tensions between Israel and Palestine, which have risen again after a series of rocket attacks from Gaza and Israel’s military response. The attacks that occurred in late 2022 and early 2023 saw significant casualties, both Israeli and Palestinian. The UN continues to call for peace talks, but efforts are often hampered by escalating violence. In Syria, the civil war that has been going on for more than a decade is experiencing a new phase with greater involvement of external powers. Government forces backed by Russia and Iran continue to fight opposition groups and ISIS. Meanwhile, the United States still maintains a military presence in the north, providing support to the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) in the fight against the remnants of extremist groups. Tensions between Türkiye and the Kurds have also increased, with Türkiye launching attacks on Kurdish positions in northern Syria, following its fears of instability on their border. Yemen also continues to experience a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict involving the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the Iran-backed Houthis caused thousands of deaths and major instability. Despite a ceasefire agreed to in late 2022, sporadic fighting remains, and access to humanitarian aid remains constrained. The UN continues to strive to facilitate dialogue between the two parties to reach a more permanent resolution. Lebanon is currently also facing a fatal economic crisis with high inflation and shortages of basic goods. Amid political uncertainty, Hezbollah, a militia group with great influence, remains a key player in the internal and regional context. Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel often trigger new threats along the border, especially regarding the issue of controlling oil and gas resources in the Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, the normalization of relations between several Arab countries and Israel, such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, has created a new balance but has also triggered mixed reactions. Some countries, especially Iran, opposed this move and stepped up their anti-Israel rhetoric. The US-brokered Abraham Accords appear to be moving slowly, and regional dynamics point to the need for a more inclusive diplomatic approach to address existing issues. Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and Western countries continue, especially regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. The diplomatic route through the JCPOA agreement appears to have stalled, with sanctions imposed on Iran impacting economic stability and the country’s ability to operate in the international arena. Increased civilian and military activity in Iran’s southern regions is raising concerns of the potential for greater conflict. With all of the factors contributing to these tensions, both regionally and internationally, it is important to understand that conflict in the Middle East remains dynamic and complex. Handling by big countries such as the US, Russia and other regional parties will continue to influence the course of events in this region. Diplomatic management, dialogue and conflict resolution efforts are becoming increasingly crucial to ensuring long-term stability in the Middle East.

The global climate crisis is a serious challenge that affects human life throughout the world. With rising global temperatures, changing weather patterns, and an increase in the frequency of natural disasters, the impact of this crisis is increasingly being felt in various sectors. One of the most direct impacts is the increase in the earth’s average temperature. This causes extreme heat waves, which are potentially dangerous to human health. Diseases such as heat stroke, heart disease, and respiratory disorders increase during prolonged periods of heat. Additionally, vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children are most affected. Climate change also affects food security. Agriculture is highly dependent on weather, and climate uncertainty leads to reduced crop yields. For example, fluctuations in rainfall and increasing temperatures can reduce the productivity of key crops such as rice and wheat. As a result, food price volatility and hunger may increase, especially in developing countries. In addition to the direct impact on health and food, the climate crisis is causing mass migration. Many people have been forced to leave their homes due to rising sea levels and increasingly frequent natural disasters. This phenomenon is known as climate refugees, where people seek safer places to live. Vulnerable countries, such as Bangladesh and several small islands in the Pacific, face critical situations. Ecosystems are also disrupted due to climate change. Global warming causes a decline in biodiversity. Natural habitats are being destroyed, and many species are threatened with extinction. Loss of these species can affect balanced ecosystems, leading to long-term consequences for humans, including the loss of natural resources essential for life. The economic sector is also not immune from the impacts of the climate crisis. Frequent natural disasters, such as floods and storms, damage infrastructure and disrupt economic activities. Companies have to dig deeper into their pockets to repair the damage, and in many cases, small businesses find it difficult to survive in this situation. The climate crisis contributes to increasing social injustice. Poor and marginalized communities often do not have the resources to adapt or recover from climate impacts. As a result, the gap between rich and poor is widening. Policy changes as well as investment in green technology are needed to address this issue equitably. In terms of mental health, the climate crisis is also having a significant impact. Anxiety and uncertainty about the future can cause psychological disorders. Many people feel helpless in the face of this increasingly real threat, leading to increased stress and anxiety. Education and public awareness are also important aspects in facing the climate crisis. Educating the public about the consequences of climate change and ways to mitigate it can help encourage collective action. Educational programs that emphasize sustainability and environmental responsibility are essential for future generations. Finally, global collaboration is urgently needed to address the climate crisis. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aim to limit global temperature rise and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. All countries, especially developing ones, need to work together to reduce carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy to create a more sustainable future. Climate change is not only an environmental problem, but also a complex social, economic and health issue. Skills, knowledge and global cooperation are the keys to facing these challenges for the survival of humans and a better planet.

Local news focuses on events, issues, and activities that affect a specific geographic area. It plays a critical role in building community identity by covering stories that resonate with residents, reflecting their culture and concerns. By keeping citizens informed about local government decisions and public services, it encourages civic engagement and participation.

The vast majority of local news is produced by commercial broadcasting stations that are affiliated with national television networks. They may produce their own standalone local newscasts or short segments that air attached to national network morning newscasts. Most of these stations’ audiences live within the geographic boundaries of their designated media markets (DMAs), which are based on population and physical reach of their broadcast signal. In some cases, media conglomerates own multiple local television and radio stations within the same DMA.

Most Americans who get local news say they are highly satisfied with the quality of the reporting they receive. Those who consume local weather news are the most satisfied, followed by those who follow local traffic and sports news. About four-in-ten adults who follow news about the local economy and politics and those with young children also report being very satisfied with the quality of their local news.

Increasingly, local news organizations are finding new ways to thrive in the modern media environment. They are leveraging innovative technologies, diversifying revenue streams, and strengthening their connections with communities. They are redefining the meaning of success to ensure long-term sustainability, resilience, and innovation.

An economic forecast is an estimate of future economic conditions based on current trends and assumptions. It is used for a variety of purposes, including to help make business decisions. Forecasts can be made at a high level of aggregation, such as GDP and inflation, or more disaggregated, targeting specific economic sectors or individual firms. Economic forecasts are produced by national governments, central banks and other financial institutions, private firms, research institutes, and international organizations such as the IMF and OECD.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to moderate from 3.7 percent this year to an average of 4.2 percent in 2025 and 2026-27, reflecting a weaker external environment and domestic headwinds. A sharp rise in trade barriers and elevated policy uncertainty are expected to weigh on activity. High government debt and interest rates, consolidation driven by rising debt-servicing costs, and reduced official aid are also constraining regional development.

On the upside, surging investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and a more favorable outlook for global finance could provide a backstop to 2025 growth. However, continued exuberance is at risk of triggering tighter monetary policies, denting wealth and consumption, raising debt-servicing costs, and depressing savings and borrowing — especially in the U.S. where delinquency rates on credit cards, student loans, and auto debt continue to rise. This would stifle capital spending, dent household spending, and dampen employment gains. More frequent extreme weather events are also a potential threat to the outlook.

The abuse of entrusted power for personal gain can warp politics and harm society. It may taint institutions, reduce public trust in politicians and government agencies, or prompt calls for reforms and stronger safeguards. Historical scandals, like Watergate or Iran-Contra, have had lasting effects, reshaping the public discourse about corruption and influencing political leadership.

Political scandal is a dynamic force in the life of any democracy, but how do we understand its causes and consequences? This Special Issue draws on research in various disciplines to explore the nuances of political scandal and its effects. The articles in this volume use a variety of methodologies and theoretical frameworks, including social psychology, communication science, and political science. They examine how political scandals are generated, how they are framed and reported in the media, and how they impact public perception and behavior.

A well-known characteristic of political scandals is that they often arise from polarization. Politicians and other actors with power have incentives to manipulate what is framed as a scandal in order to influence public debate and smear competitors. The more extreme the ideological split between parties is, the more the aligned party will try to protect its politician from accusations of misconduct and the opposing side will be willing to throw baseless accusations at him or her.

In addition, the way a political scandal is reported in the media has a large influence on its perceived seriousness and legitimacy. For example, experiments show that when a news item is about a small norm transgression, people tend to evaluate the scandal as less serious than when it involves a larger sum of money.

Political asylum is a form of protection granted by host countries to people who are fleeing persecution or fear of persecution in their home country on the basis of one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. People seeking asylum typically do so because they cannot return safely to their home country, due to violence, poverty, or other factors. In FY 2024, USCIS found 70,549 people to have a credible fear of persecution.

People can apply for asylum either affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or defensively through an immigration judge in removal proceedings. Defensive applications are growing at a rate of fivefold, according to TRAC, and they have surpassed affirmative asylum cases since 2014.

The government can grant or deny asylum, but it is required under international law not to return someone to a situation where their life or safety would be in danger (the principle of non-refoulement). This means that the U.S. must be willing to offer safe haven to everyone who comes to its borders or territory seeking asylum, regardless of whether they are arriving at a port of entry or are already in the United States.

But asylum laws and policies are complicated, and they change from time to time, reflecting the priorities of different presidential administrations. As a result, many people are confused about how to proceed and are stuck in lengthy backlogs. Ultimately, though, a person’s legal status does not fully capture who they are as a child, teacher, artist, parent, football fan, or any other human being.

As the world’s strongest military power and largest economy, the United States has outsized influence. Its foreign policy has to balance its own national security and economic interests with democratic values and complex relationships across the globe. It must also keep pace with evolving global challenges and threats, such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism, or the threat of nuclear proliferation.

The goal of foreign policy is to shape and manage a country’s interactions with other countries, using diplomatic, economic, and military tools. Developing and maintaining diplomatic relations, negotiating trade agreements, and offering development assistance are key areas of foreign policy. So are addressing global issues and securing the country’s role in international organisations, such as the UN or the International Monetary Fund. Many countries also have specialised teams that monitor international events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or a country’s deteriorating human rights situation.

A large part of a government’s foreign policy is managing the public’s expectations and priorities. This year’s Datapraxis poll found that a plurality of Britons prioritise promoting UK national interests, followed by addressing immediate humanitarian concerns. A smaller number, however, think that the UK’s top priority should be supporting other nations’ long-term development.

A parliamentary vote is the procedure by which a legislative body votes on legislation. This system of voting is used in a number of countries across the world that have a parliamentary model for their government structure.

Parliamentary systems often combine the functions of the executive and legislative branch in one person, known as a Prime Minister. This individual, who leads the Cabinet, has a powerful veto over legislation that is passed by the legislature. Many parliamentary systems also have a specialized constitutional court with the ability to review laws and declare them unconstitutional.

During an election, each voter marks a cross on their ballot paper to choose their preferred candidate in each electoral district, called a constituency. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency is elected as an MP. Elections are usually held every five years. When an MP dies or retires, a by-election is held to replace them.

Most parliamentary systems use first-past-the-post voting to elect Members of Parliament. However, some — including the United Kingdom and Australia — use Single Transferable Vote (STV) to elect their members. This system counts a voter’s first preference and then transfers any second preferences to other candidates until the quota is reached.

Some parliamentary systems require a supermajority vote for dissolving the parliament or for passing certain types of legislation. While this has been successful in breaking deadlocks in the past, it can be circumvented through the enactment of an Act bypassing these requirements.

Election results determine winners and losers in electoral contests, and are the basis for allocating seats in many electoral systems. They also provide the evidence that supports or undermines citizens’ trust in the fairness of the electoral process. For this reason, it is essential that elections be held in a way that can be trusted and verified by the public, including by election observers and the media.

Achieving this goal requires that election officials be transparent in their communications with the public about when election results will be final and certified. This includes announcing unofficial results on election night, and providing information to the public about the various steps that must take place before that happens (e.g., counting of ballots, canvassing, a recount, and certification). It is also important that the media and other sources be factual and balanced in their reporting on the election, rather than exaggerating or sensationalizing headlines.

Previous research has shown that electoral expectations are influenced by partisan biases, and that disconfirmation is jointly influenced by one’s expectation or forecast (link 1.a) and the outcome of the election (link 1.b). A disappointing outcome will lead to lower satisfaction with democracy, but the exact nature of this response will depend on the magnitude of the surprise and voters’ perceptions of how well their expectations were met. For example, if an unexpected result leads to greater satisfaction with democracy than expected, it may reduce perceived electoral integrity but not the desire for electoral reform.

A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a UN body. Resolutions are written and approved through a lengthy, complicated process in which multiple countries participate; they must be adopted by a majority of the members of a particular body. Resolutions follow a very specific format and are usually published online.

This resolution spelled out the boundaries for the two states of Israel and Palestine: the Jewish state would contain 56% of Mandate Palestine and the Arab state 40%, with Jerusalem being protected as a holy site in both states. The resolution also set out requirements for both states, including respect for minorities and free access to holy sites.

General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but they can create a framework that helps guide future negotiations on issues involving the Security Council or other UN bodies. A resolution can be passed by a simple majority (more yes votes than no votes) or, if the Assembly determines that it is an “important question,” it requires a two-thirds majority of the full membership.

A similar type of formal action is a decision, which deals with procedural matters such as elections, appointments and the time and place of meetings, and the taking of note of reports. Decisions and resolutions of subsidiary bodies are normally incorporated in the report of the body to its parent organ.