Declining birth rates throughout much of Western Europe and America, and in other developed nations like Japan, have alarmed social scientists. Concern is most acute in nations where a shrinking workforce will be expected to pay for the rising costs of a much larger retiring population. But on the opposite end of this spectrum, rapid…

Toyota is revamping its 4Runner SUV in nearly 15 years and introducing a hybrid engine option for the first time. The 2025 model’s hybrid option reflects the growing popularity of hybrids, with their market share nearly doubling to almost 10% at the end of 2023, according to Edmunds.com. Toyota announced last week that U.S. auto sales…

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled a Civil War-era law banning nearly all abortions can be enforced. Toyota announced a major change to its 4Runner SUV. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Arizona Supreme Court rules near-total abortion ban is enforceable The Arizona State Supreme Court has upheld an…

Several people are dead in the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, and the future of Disney will be decided today in a boardroom vote. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Several dead after major earthquake rocks Taiwan At least nine people have died and more…

Japan raised interest rates for the first time since 2007 from -0.1% to a range of 0%- 0.1%, ending an era of negative interest rates that was initiated years ago to help stimulate its struggling economy. The move came in response to rising inflation and wages. Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan argues that while…

Indianapolis, Indiana, is known for many things: the Indy 500, being the birthplace of actor Brendan Fraser and talk show host David Letterman, and the home of the Peyton Manning-led Super Bowl XVI champion Colts. But now the town whose nicknames include Circle City and the Crossroads of America is seeking a new title: the…

Over the past two years, concern over global inflation has made news headlines in every developed economy around the world. But the opposite risk — deflation — can also devastate modern economies. Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan is actually more concerned about deflation than inflation. Zeihan explains that while inflation can be self-regulating, deflation…

Demographic momentum, roughly understood as a population’s ability to grow its economy over generations, is a key determinant for forecasting economic progress. For instance, the continent of Africa has mostly positive demographic momentum because the average age of the population is very young and can be expected to produce more and more wealth in the…

It just got a little bit harder for China to try and take Taiwan or impose its will in the western Pacific. That’s because Japan just moved a battery of its new Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles to Okinawa. Ryukyu Shimpo, a media outlet in Japan, reported the country’s Self Defense Force, the official name of…

President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month, amid rising concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and Chinese actions in the South China Sea. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday, March 18, the first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit on April 11, underscoring the…