NEWS BRIEF: Week of March 27, 2017
Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week.
BUSINESS
An era ends for Starbucks and Howard Schultz
Next month, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz steps down from the once-flailing coffee shop empire and will continue his advocacy work on social causes. In the weeks proceeding his resignation, read about his storied career making coffee a luxury commodity and steering Starbucks away from financial ruin during the 2008 recession.
HEALTH
How health care works around the world
While the US debates the future of health care, nations like the UK grapple with concerns about demand and finance. Read how the US compares to Canada, the UK, France, and Germany.
CULTURE
How the rise of a liberal, social media–savvy generation is changing Chinese society
In the face of what many consider to be a return to the Mao era under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the younger generation pushes for social liberalization. Social causes like women’s and LGBTQ rights are gaining more support, and while China’s future is unpredictable, it will likely be “shaped from the bottom up, not from the top down.”
POLITICS
Source: ICE is targeting ‘sanctuary cities’ with raids
“Sanctuary cities” are “states, cities, and/or counties with policies designed to limit cooperation or involvement in the enforcement of federal immigration operations.” Officials in sanctuary cities report that an increase in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) raids may be “a part of a broader strategy to coerce cooperation.”
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Counterfeit drugs are putting the whole world at risk
Although less common in industrialized countries, counterfeit or substandard quality medicines can inadequately deliver treatment and even cause harm (e.g. contributing to antimicrobial resistance). A widescale strategy to curtail counterfeit drugs should include sharing knowledge, detecting fakes, improving quality, and enlisting all stakeholders.