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China Records 1st Population Drop In Decades As Births Fall

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BEIJING, China  — China’s population went down for the first time in a long time last year as its birthrate fell, according to official figures released Tuesday, putting additional pressure on leaders to keep the economy growing despite an aging workforce and rising tensions with the United States.

Despite official figures, some experts believe China‘s population has been declining for several years — a dramatic shift in a country that once attempted to control population growth through a one-child policy.

Many wealthy countries are trying to figure out what to do about their aging workforces, which can slow down economic growth. Some experts think it will be especially hard for a developing economy like China to deal with this demographic shift.

“China had gotten older before it got rich,” Yi Fuxian, a demographer and expert on Chinese population, said.

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China Had 850,000 Fewer People in 2022

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the country had 850,000 fewer people in 2022 than the previous year. The number only includes people who live in mainland China. It does not include people who live in Hong Kong, Macao, or other countries.

Official numbers show that over 1 million fewer babies were born than the year before. This was because the economy was slowing, and widespread pandemic lockdowns existed. In 2022, the bureau reported 9.56 million births and 10.41 million deaths.

It was unclear whether the covid 19 outbreak influenced the population figures. Some experts say China is underreporting deaths from the virus by saying other things caused them. However, no estimates of how many people have died have been made public.

Yi says that China’s population has started to drop nine to ten years earlier than Chinese officials and the UN thought it would. The country has long been the world’s most populous, but it is expected to be surpassed by India soon, if not already.

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Ending The One Child Policy Has Increased It Only Slightly

Since the end of the one-child policy in 2016, China has sought to increase its population. Since then, China has tried, with limited success, to encourage families to have second, mirroring attitudes in much of East Asia, where birth rates have fallen precipitously. The cost of raising children in cities is frequently cited as a cause in China.

Yi’s research shows that China’s population has decreased since 2018. This means that the population crisis is “much worse” than was thought before. According to him, China now has one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, second only to Taiwan and South Korea.

That means China’s “true demographic crisis is beyond imagination” and that “all of China’s previous economic, social, defense, and foreign policies were based on faulty demographic data,” according to Yi.

Yi says that China’s coming economic crisis will be worse than Japan’s, partly blamed on a shrinking population.

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China’s Latest Decline Caused By ‘The Great Leap Forward’

Aside from demographic challenges, China is increasingly competing economically with the United States, which has restricted access to American technology for some Chinese companies, citing national security and fair competition concerns.

The last population decline in China is thought to have occurred during the Great Leap Forward.

According to China’s statistics bureau, there were 875.56 million people between the ages of 16 and 59 who were working-age, making up 62% of the country’s population. There were 209.78 million people 65 and older, making up 14.9% of the total.

According to Stuart Gietel-Basten, professor of social science at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, a declining population does not always imply a weaker economy.

“It’s a major psychological problem. “Perhaps the largest,” Gietel-Basten said.

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Women Still OutNumber Men

According to statistics bureau data, men outnumbered women by 722.06 million to 689.69 million, owing to the one-child policy.

The figures also showed an increase in urbanization in a traditionally rural country. The permanent urban population will increase by 6.46 million to 920.71 million, or 65.22%, by 2022.

Last year, the United Nations estimated that the world’s population reached 8 billion, and that India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country in 2023. The last census in India was scheduled for 2022 but was pushed back due to the pandemic.

The United Nations said in a report released on World Population Day that global population growth will fall below 1% in 2020 for the first time since 1950.

Also on Tuesday, the statistics bureau released data showing that China’s economic growth slowed to the second-lowest level in at least four decades last year, owing to anti-virus controls and a real estate slump.

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Economy Only Grew By 3%

According to the data, the world’s second-largest economy grew by 3% in 2022, less than half of the previous year’s 8.1%.

Gietel-Basten said that China has been adapting to changes in its population for years by making policies to move its economic activities up the value chain of innovation. He used the growth of the semiconductor manufacturing industry and the financial services industry as examples.

“India’s population is much younger and growing. But there are many reasons you wouldn’t bet your entire fortune on India overtaking China economically shortly,” he said.

Among India’s many challenges is a much lower level of female labor-force participation than in China, according to Gietel-Basten.

“Whatever population you have, it’s not what you have but what you do with it… to some extent,” he said.

SOURCE – (AP)

 

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden engaged in a conversation with his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, regarding collaboration on migration policy. This discussion took place as the U.S. leader contemplates the possibility of implementing executive measures to address the influx of migrants coming at the southern U.S. border.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

During his daily press conference in Mexico City on Monday, López Obrador stated that the call took place on Sunday at Biden’s behest. Biden and López Obrador issued a joint statement, stating that their call focused on their collaborative endeavors to “efficiently oversee” migration and “enhance operational effectiveness” at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We have periodic discussions,” López Obrador stated. “I actively search for him, and he actively searches for me, and then we engage in conversation.”

The Mexican leader stated that significant advancements have been achieved in managing unlawful migration by effectively convincing numerous migrants to abstain from using illicit means to traverse nations.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

López Obrador also praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s January ruling, which permitted Border Patrol officials to recommence the removal of razor wire that the state of Texas had put along the border as a means to discourage migration.

The joint statement said that Biden and López Obrador had instructed their respective national security advisors to promptly implement specific measures to decrease irregular border crossings. However, the statement did not provide more details regarding the nature of these actions. According to the statement, the policies will also safeguard human rights.

Following the failure of border legislation in Congress earlier this year, the White House has not dismissed the possibility of President Biden issuing an executive order regarding asylum laws in an attempt to decrease the influx of migrants at the U.S. southern border.

Any unilateral action would probably rely on a president’s authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows extensive authority to prevent the entry of specific immigrants if it is considered harmful to the national interest.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

Administration officials have extensively examined multiple alternatives for months, although Biden has not yet decided how to proceed with unilateral steps. White House advisers have observed that there is currently no pressing need for the president to take any action, as the number of unlawful border crossings has decreased since reaching a peak of 250,000 in December, thanks to increased enforcement operations by Mexican officials.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92
Dan Rather CBS Evening News

Dan Rather was synonymous with CBS News before the veteran anchorman left in bitterness in 2006, following a discredited report on then-President George W Bush has died at the age of 92.

Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life.

After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Rather left under a cloud following a botched investigation into then-President George W. Bush’s military record. Rather signed off as anchor for the last time on March 9, 2005, and exited the network when his contract ended 15 months later.

With continued enmity between him and since-deposed CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Rather essentially became a nonperson at the news division he dominated for decades.

“Without apology or explanation, I miss CBS,” Rather told correspondent Lee Cowan in the interview that aired Sunday. “I’ve missed it since the day I left.”

Dan Rather

Rather questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service: Image Vox

Dan Rather escaped official blame for the report that questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service but, as the anchor who introduced it, was identified with it.

CBS could not vouch for the authenticity of some documents upon which the report was based, although many people involved in the story still believe it was true.

In the documentary “Rather,” debuting Wednesday on Netflix, Rather said he thought he would survive the incident, but his wife, Jean, told him, “You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign. What did you think was going to happen?”

Rather did not retire after leaving CBS, doing investigative journalism and rock star interviews for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. Over the past few years, he has become known to a new generation as a tart-talking presence on social media.

This past week, he posted on X during former President Trump’s hush money trial: “Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?”

“You either get engaged and you get engaged in the new terms … or you’re out of the game,” Rather said in the CBS interview, filmed at his home in Texas. “And I wanted to stay in the game.”

The Netflix documentary traces his career from coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and Watergate, through his anchor years and beyond. It includes some of the then tightly-wound Rather’s odder incidents, including an assault in New York City by someone saying, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth,” then later appearing onstage with R.E.M. when the group performed its song of the same name.

In both the documentary and in the CBS interview, Rather bypasses his career when talk turned to his legacy.

“In the end, whatever remains of one’s life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you’re remembered,” he said.

Source: The Associated Press

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Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

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The city of Omaha, located in Nebraska, is the subject of this article. On Saturday, residents began examining the debris following a tornado that tore through suburban Omaha, Nebraska. The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and businesses as it traveled miles across farmland and into residential areas.

A crowd assembled in the streets of the Elkhorn region in Omaha amidst the fragmented remnants of the residences. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen intends to visit the area and after that conduct a press briefing on Saturday in Omaha.

The tornadoes that occurred on Friday night caused extensive destruction in the Midwest. One building collapsed, trapping numerous individuals inside, while hundreds of residences were either destroyed or damaged.

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Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Multiple injury incidents have been documented. However, no deaths have been reported.

Three individuals sustained injuries in Lancaster County, Nebraska, as a result of a tornado striking an industrial structure, leading to its collapse while containing 70 occupants. Multiple individuals were confined. However, all individuals were successfully removed from the premises, and the injuries sustained were deemed non-fatal, as stated by the police.

A devastating tornadoes traveled a considerable distance on Friday, first affecting agricultural land before causing significant damage to residences and other buildings in the suburban areas of Omaha. Omaha has a population of 485,000 people and a metropolitan area of approximately 1 million.

Images shared on social media platforms also depict extensive destruction in the small town of Minden, Iowa, which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Omaha.

During a briefing on Friday, Jeff Theulen, the top deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, stated that 40 to 50 homes had been entirely demolished. Two injuries were documented, but none risked the individuals’ lives.

According to him, school buses have been sent to provide transportation for residents who require it to leave the area. He requested that others refrain from entering the area due to its high level of hazard, characterized by fallen power lines and heaps of debris where houses once stood.

“It is truly distressing to witness these individuals who have suffered the loss of their homes, vehicles, and essentially their entire livelihood until they are able to reconstruct it,” he expressed.

The Saturday forecast was foreboding. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for northern Texas and western Oklahoma on Saturday morning.

“There is a possibility of tornadoes, potentially significant tornadoes, occurring on Saturday afternoon and evening,” stated Bruce Thoren, a meteorologist from the weather service in Norman, Oklahoma.

Areas of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas were under tornado warnings. Meteorologists warned that significant hail and powerful gusts of wind could occur.

Omaha police Lieutenant Neal Bonacci reported that numerous residences in Omaha, particularly in the Elkhorn district in the city’s western region, sustained damage on Friday. In response, police officers and firefighters visited households to provide assistance.

Several recently constructed, spacious residences in a specific section of Elkhorn sustained significant damage. A minimum of six structures were severely damaged, with one completely demolished and others experiencing significant damage to their upper sections. A multitude of emergency cars swiftly arrived at the location.

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AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

According to Pat Woods, a resident of Elkhorn, we observed the touchdown of the object approximately 200 yards away before seeking shelter. “We were able to perceive its approach.” Upon our arrival, we discovered that our fence had disappeared. As we gazed towards the northwest, we observed that the entire neighborhood had vanished.

Kim Woods, his spouse, stated, “The entire residential area located to the north of our location has been severely devastated.”

According to Dhaval Naik, who claims to work with the owner of the residence, three individuals, including a toddler, were present in the basement of the destroyed house during the tornadoes. However, they managed to escape unharmed.

A video from KETV-TV depicted the evacuation of a woman from a destroyed residence in Blair, a city located to the north of Omaha. The woman was transported on a stretcher.According to Bonacci, two individuals were brought for medical care, both of whom sustained minor injuries.

“The few serious injuries were prevented because people were given warnings,” stated Omaha Police ChiefTodd Schmaderer.

A tornado warning was issued in the Omaha vicinity on Friday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled departure of students from school. Several schools implemented a shelter-in-place protocol for kids until the storm subsided.

“Was it a single continuous tornado or were there multiple tornadoes?” Kern from the National Weather Service inquired.

According to her, the agency intended to dispatch numerous teams in the next few days to assess the quantity and intensity of the tornadoes. This process could last up to a fortnight.

A tornado struck an area on the eastern periphery of Omaha, causing direct damage to sections of Eppley Airfield, the city’s airport. Aircraft operations were temporarily suspended to assess the damage, but the facility was subsequently reopened, according to Steve McCoy, Chief Strategy Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority.

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AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Although the tornadoes did not directly strike the passenger terminal, McCoy stated that individuals promptly sought refuge in storm shelters until the tornadoes subsided.

Following its path through the airport, the tornado over the Missouri River entered Iowa, specifically to the north of Council Bluffs.

According to sheriff’s officials, in Lancaster County, three individuals sustained injuries as a result of the collapse of an industrial facility. Additionally, there have been reports of a train that has tipped over near Waverly, Nebraska.

Approximately 10,000 customers in the Omaha area experienced a power outage, as reported by the Omaha Public Power District. On Saturday morning, the number had decreased to slightly over 4,300.

Pillen, the governor of Nebraska, announced on the social media platform X that he had directed the allocation of state resources to assist in the emergency response and help first responders evaluate the extent of the damage.

SOURCE – (AP)

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