Liberal democracies face a challenge from 'good life states' that promote specific visions of human flourishing, threatening liberal values of pluralism and individual choice. The author argues liberals must craft an attractive moral vision without sacrificing freedom.
Japan's pet care market is experiencing significant growth, with companies like Lucky Industries and Unicharm pivoting from baby products to pet supplies. This trend is driven by declining birth rates and an increasing number of people treating pets as family members.
A comprehensive review of IVF add-ons found most lack reliable evidence of effectiveness, offering false hope and financial strain to patients. Only three showed weak evidence of possible benefit.
Jim Penman, CEO of Jim's Group, argues in a new book that declining birthrates are linked to blunted dopamine responses caused by modern distractions like sex, drugs, and social media. He proposes that scientific interventions, including gene editing or drugs, may be necessary to restore brain sensitivity and encourage procreation.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi acknowledged the nation's declining birthrate, which hit a record low in 2025, as a "quiet crisis" and a critical challenge. She pledged to increase disposable income for young people and enhance support for struggling parents to encourage marriage and childbirth.
Japan's birthrate has hit a record low, with just over 671,000 newborns in 2025 and a total fertility rate of 1.14, both marking the lowest figures since records began. The number of births has fallen below 700,000 for the second consecutive year.
Japan's birthrate has hit a record low, with an estimated 670,000 newborns in 2025, marking the 10th consecutive year of decline. The total fertility rate dropped to 1.14, the lowest since 1947, with Tokyo at 0.96. Despite a slight decrease in deaths, natural population decrease remains high.
Japan's birthrate has fallen to a record low for the tenth year in a row in 2025. Despite government measures, the declining birthrate persists. Experts point to a diversification of lifestyles and a shift in values, suggesting that even if economic issues were resolved, the birthrate would remain at 1.6, far from the 2.07 needed to maintain the population.
Japan's birthrate has hit a new low, with 671,236 births in 2025, a record for the 10th consecutive year. The total fertility rate also dropped to 1.14, the lowest in three years. This decline is happening faster than projected, with significant implications for daily life.
Japan's birthrate fell to a record low of 671,236 in 2025, marking the 10th consecutive year of decline. The total fertility rate also hit a historic low of 1.14, highlighting the nation's worsening demographic crisis.
Japan's birthrate in 2025 hit a record low of 671,236, the lowest since statistics began in 1899. The total fertility rate also dropped to a record low of 1.14, indicating a continuing decline in birth rates.
UK birthrates are at a record low, with many young people delaying or forgoing children due to the high cost of raising a family. The government is investing heavily in childcare but is now investigating private equity's role in the sector due to concerns over hidden fees and profit-driven practices.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson plans to make IVF funding a central promise in his re-election campaign, aiming to boost the country's record-low birthrate by offering state-funded IVF for additional children. This move targets female voters amid concerns over declining fertility.
A new app, futi, analyzes Premier League teams' tactical styles, focusing on process over results. Arsenal's defense, Man City's dribbling, and Brentford's set-pieces are highlighted.
The National Audit Office has warned that England's falling birthrate is creating a surplus of school places and will lead to a £1bn reduction in pupil funding over the next three years. The DfE only began specifically tracking demographic risks in 2024, despite primary enrolments falling since 2018, with a further 7% decline expected by 2030. The report forecasts funding cuts of £288m in 2027, £410m in 2028 and £334m in 2029, prompting concerns about school closures and mergers affecting educational quality.
