UN peacekeeping at new highs after post-Cold War surge and decline
The number of UN peacekeeping forces around the world has peaked in recent months after falling off in the late 1990s, following a period of trial and error for UN interventions.
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Smartphone Ownership and Internet Usage Continues to Climb in Emerging Economies
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, both economically and socially, technology adoption remains one of the defining factors in human progress. To that end, there has been a noticeable rise over the past two years in the percentage of people in the emerging and developing nations surveyed by Pew Research Center who say that they use the internet and own a smartphone.
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Global opinion varies widely on use of torture against suspected terrorists
The view that torture may be justified is most common in sub-Saharan Africa, where a median of 55% hold this view; it is least common in Latin America (a median of 25%). In the U.S., 58% say torture can be justified as part of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks.
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Refugee crises, climate change are top risks in next 10 years, experts say
Large-scale refugee flows and lack of progress in slowing global warming are the top risks that the world faces in the coming decade, according to a survey by the World Economic Forum of executives and experts.
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The Middle East’s sectarian divide on views of Saudi Arabia, Iran
The tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are often characterized as sectarian, and public attitudes toward the two countries in five Middle Eastern nations surveyed bear this out.
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As smog hangs over Beijing, Chinese cite air pollution as major concern
Beijing experienced more than 200 days of air pollution categorized as “unhealthy” or worse in 2014, including 21 days that were “hazardous.”
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Women, more than men, say climate change will harm them personally
In wealthier nations, women are more likely than men to consider climate change a serious problem, be concerned it will harm them personally and say that major lifestyle changes are needed to solve the problem.
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In Africa, Pope Francis will find religious vibrancy and violence
The three countries on the pope’s itinerary — Uganda, Kenya and the Central African Republic — all have sizable Catholic populations. But they also have seen violent clashes in recent years.
