Immigrants from Russia make up a surprisingly large percentage of the Israeli population. Find out why this is so, now more than ever.
Tag Archives: Current Events
Trash-mapping expedition sheds light on “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”
A garbage dump twice the size of Texas? In the Pacific Ocean? Find out what scientists and volunteers have discovered and what they are saying about this human-caused disaster.
El Niño
Learn about the periodic weather system known as El Niño and how it affects weather on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
8-year-old empties piggy bank, campaigns to save Syrian refugees
As the circumstances of those fleeing Syria’s long civil war grow more dire, it sometimes seems like too daunting a problem for one person to help solve from half a world away. A Washington elementary student thinks otherwise, though.
Moving Innovation in Education Forward
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presents an initiative to foster innovation in the educational system.
This year marks a new language shift in how English speakers use pronouns
The use of “they” as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun has been growing recently. But the 2015 Word of the Year has a surprisingly long history.
A Civil War journal, up close and personal
An American literature class at California University of Pennsylvania recently undertook the digital transcription of a journal written by a Civil War soldier. The task required them to decipher a text that was not only faded, but written in a style of English different from what we speak today.
Modern day Canterbury Tales refreshes Chaucer to tell the lost stories of refugees
In June 2015, a group of academics set out to re-create The Canterbury Tales by walking 80 miles across the North Downs in England and telling the stories of refugees along the way. Their goal was to give a voice to those who are often unheard.
Order vs. Disorder
The world may seem chaotic today, in part due to the failure of the Arab Spring to live up to its great promise. Pulitzer-winning writer Thomas Friedman notes that one cause of this disorder may be inequality of freedom: Many of those who have won freedom from oppression have yet to gain freedom to conduct their lives as they wish.
Why it’s time for South Africa to take down its walls
In recent decades, South Africans who can afford it have erected ever more daunting walls around their homes to keep out crime. One South African writer argues that only removing or lowering the walls will improve the situation.
Mountains and planning lessened punch by Hurricane Patricia
Hurricane Patricia, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the western hemisphere, did remarkably little damage to the Mexican coast where it made landfall. Find out what natural forces caused it to form and to dissipate so rapidly.
Hurricane Katrina: Then and Now
Ten years after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the recovery of New Orleans continues. See the progress from 2005 to 2015 in this photo essay.
Ten Years Without a Hurricane Hit, Is Florida’s Lucky Streak About to End?
Newcomers to Florida might not be prepared to face a hurricane. This news report provides information about important preparations that people should make to deal with this natural disaster.
“Brave Man’s” glass bridge offers vertigo-inducing views
Would you walk across this bridge if it were made of glass? See how some tourists in China are crossing a glass bridge and facing their fear of height in this video.
As pope evokes nation of immigrants, a report shows it’s not reflected in Congress
A study by the Pew Research Center shows a lack of Congressional representatives who are immigrants, and some think that an increase in that number would lead to a better understanding of complex immigration issues.
Beyond Denali: Restoring Native American names
Read about the movement to change the names of national natural sites back to their Native American names.
The heroes of the French train attack have given us all a gift—hope
The passengers who thwarted an armed assailant on a European train didn’t just save dozens of lives. They also inspired hope and action around the world.
Germany’s leap of faith in migrant crisis
With migrants from Syria and other troubled locales flooding into Europe comes an opportunity for one nation to change its image.
Target to move away from gender-based signs
Responding to criticism that gender-based signs are unnecessary, Target stores will start to remove them in toy and bedding departments.
World Press Freedom Index
Freedom of the press is an essential liberty guaranteed in the U.S. by the First Amendment. Use this interactive map to find out how other countries rate.