Pusan National University researchers reveal middle-class families hit hardest by South Korea's cost-of-living crisis
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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 11-Jul-2025 00:10 ET (11-Jul-2025 04:10 GMT/UTC)
As rising prices continue to strain household budgets around the world, understanding who is most affected by inflation has become more urgent than ever. Researchers found that the cost-of-living crisis hit middle- and upper-income households harder than the poorest. A recent study challenges the reliability of traditional inflation measures like the Consumer Price Index and offers fresh insights for designing smarter, more targeted relief policies.
China’s “double reduction” policy, launched in 2021, seeks to ease student stress by limiting homework and curbing off-campus tutoring. Early results show reduced anxiety and greater parent satisfaction, yet challenges remain. Teacher workloads have increased, resource gaps persist in rural schools, and underground tutoring continues. Sustained progress will require systemic reforms and collaboration among schools, families, and policymakers to ensure balanced, high-quality education for all.
A new study by a team of international researchers—including one from Stellenbosch University—found that most people are more likely to support climate policies if they see a connection between extreme weather and climate change. A few extreme weather events also seem to influence support for climate policies in different ways.
A new academic commentary examines the psychological trauma endured by children abducted during the Hamas attack on Israel, with a focus on the forced separation of 3-year-old identical twins. Drawing on decades of research into child development and twin studies, the authors shed light on the unique emotional toll of severed family bonds during wartime. They urge professional organizations and the international community to treat family reunification not only as a humanitarian goal, but as a critical component of psychological recovery for children exposed to war.