Shannon RobertsBugs for Breakfast anyone?Shannon Roberts | 15 May 2013A book just released by the United Nations, Edible Insects: future prospects for food and feed security, discusses the benefits that insect farming could potentially have on the environment and on the supply of food worldwide. It is certainly 'food for thought' on the various food sources we don't even tap into - especially given that the media often postulates on overpopulation and a lack of food. But would we want to?World's Oldest Man Turns 116Shannon Roberts | 29 Apr 2013Ten days ago on the 19th of April, the world’s oldest person celebrated his 116th birthday in Kyoto, Japan, becoming the oldest person ever (well at least that we know of!). He was born all the way back in 1897. Will we rush to study his diet, exercise regime and skincare products?Britain proposes longer school daysShannon Roberts | 23 Apr 2013The demography of society is constantly changing. Michael Gove, the British Education Secretary, considers that it has changed so much since the current education system was put in place that it needs an overhaul to ensure optimal economic success. However, we must first know the values we are trying to achieve via our economic success, before we very likely sacrifice those very things in its name.The New Gold RushShannon Roberts | 7 Apr 2013More and more people continue to be attracted to the money to be made in Western Australia. New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that Western Australia’s population grew by 3.4%, or nearly 82,000 people, over the 12 months to September 2012. According to the Director of ABS Demography, Bjorn Jarvis, this is the highest annual growth rate since the early 1970’s.Easter Around the WorldShannon Roberts | 31 Mar 2013Even in countries where Christianity is a minority religion, Easter is passionately celebrated. Happy Easter!More immigrants proposed for America (well officially at least)Shannon Roberts | 29 Mar 2013The US continues to debate what should be done with the country’s many illegal immigrants who currently pay no tax. New proposed legislation could put the more than 10 million illegal immigrants on the road to citizenship, along with allowing thousands of new workers in to the country. However, it will also hold businesses more responsible for verifying that all their employees are legal citizens. If passed, the legislation will mean the most significant changes to US immigration law in nearly 30 years.Avoiding the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. historyShannon Roberts | 25 Mar 2013We reported on Detroit’s population problems back in October last year. Not surprisingly, with the loss of 25% of its population in the last ten years, those problems have not gone away. A new state-imposed manager, Kevyn Orr, started just yesterday and his job is to try to turn the crumbling city around. First on his agenda is public safety. However, his overall goal is to avoid taking Detroit to the bankruptcy court, which would be the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.Back to School for Aging SwedesShannon Roberts | 15 Mar 2013Sweden, grappling with increasing longevity, is considering both raising the retirement age to 75 and a state education plan for people in their 50s. Will the future see us leaving school at 18 to return for re-training when we’re 50? No matter what the solution, current welfare expectations can no longer be met if the retirement age (and mindset) remains as it is.Japanese politician suggests banning abortion to increase birthratesShannon Roberts | 1 Mar 2013It is common knowledge that Japan is in more economic trouble than most as a result of its low birth rate, and it seems that Japanese politicians are taking the situation increasingly seriously. One Japanese politician has come up with a fairly commonsensible plan to increase the country’s ailing birth rate – ban abortions.subscribe donate
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