A demographic turning point
For the first time in U.S. history, there were more recorded deaths than births among white Americans in 2012, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data. The difference was tiny—there were just 12,400 more deaths among non-Hispanic whites than births—but marked a demographic turning point, as the white population shrinks.
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Officials turn down Senate races
In recent months, more than a dozen popular Republican and Democratic elected officials in such states as Iowa, Michigan, Georgia, and Nebraska have turned down chances to run for U.S. Senate seats out of concern that nothing is accomplished there. “At the federal level, it’s so partisan, it’s dysfunctional,” said Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who turned down a chance to run for an open Senate seat.
The Wall Street Journal
Income inequality in the music world
Income inequality even extends to the world of rock ’n’ roll. Between 1982 and 2003, the top 1 percent of popular musicians doubled their share of concert revenue, from 26 percent to 56 percent. The top 5 percent collected nearly 90 percent of all concert income.
The Washington Post
China's urbanization project
In a massive act of social engineering, China plans to relocate 250 million of its citizens from farms and tiny villages to newly constructed small cities over the next 12 years. The urbanization project—designed to modernize China and boost its economy—is equivalent to moving the entire population of the world’s 12 largest metropolitan areas.
The New York Times
A new tool for law-enforcement
Law-enforcement officials in 26 states are using face-recognition technology to search driver’s license photos in criminal investigations.
The Washington Post