World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

The massive influx of refugees into Germany has added new vigor to the country’s small right-wing.   Polls indicate a high degree of political uncertainty as Germans begin to ponder what the long-term effects of the demographic shift might be.  In the city of Leipzig a small demonstration by neo-Nazi supporters led to a counter-demonstration by lefties that exploded into violence.  Many were injured as the police tried to restore order.

Fifty-five journalists in the world have been killed so far in 2015.  Unfortunately, that number is consistent with earlier years and is testimony to the incredibly difficult conditions in which journalists work.  Some of the murders, like the ones at Charlie Hebdo in Paris, get media attention.  But many of the murders are not well-reported.  The occupation is incredibly important for global civic society and the campaign against press freedom needs to be addressed.

Japan has a serious demographic problem: the number of elderly people is increasing dramatically and the number of young workers is not keeping pace.  One way to solve this labor problem is to utilize robots as workers.  One hotel in Japan has moved in that direction and one can be greeted by a dinosaur concierge or other such human substitutes.