Who’s celebrating Fed’s interest rate hike?

Edition: US - Today's top story: Why higher interest rates should make you happy [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 16 March 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the third time since the financial crisis, lifting its benchmark rate a quarter point to a range of 0.75 percent to 1 percent. The highly anticipated move may be bad for borrowers – especially anyone with a big credit card balance – but it’s good news for many others, including travelers, savers and German beer lovers, as [Ohio State’s Jay Zagorsky explains](. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is on a tour of Asia after North Korea launched another missile test earlier this month. Former National Security Council member and State Department staffer Flynt Leverett of Penn State warns, “the Trump administration’s Asia strategy could end up [triggering the world’s next major war.](” And, UC Santa Cruz historian David Brundage explains [why smiles might be tight]( when the Irish prime minister arrives at the White House for a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration later today. Bryan Keogh Editor, Economics and Business Top story if you like to drink (or sell) German beer, higher rates are a wonderful thing. Matthias Schrader/AP Photo [Why higher interest rates should make you happy]( Jay L. Zagorsky, The Ohio State University While borrowers may not be thrilled by the Federal Reserve's decision to raise rates, many of us have plenty of reason to celebrate. Politics + Society - [North Korea and the dangers of Trump's diplomacy-free Asia strategy]( Flynt L. Leverett, Pennsylvania State University Tensions in Asia may soon boil over. If U.S. leaders fail to seek pathways to peace, the consequences may be grim, warns former National Security Council member. - [Donald Trump and Enda Kenny celebrate a tense St. Patrick's Day]( David Brundage, University of California, Santa Cruz The Irish prime minister is in Washington for the annual shamrock photo op. But, with Trump in the White House, even usually placid U.S.-Irish relations are a bit dodgy. - [Populist Wilders may have come up short, but Dutch intolerance is still real]( Annemarie Toebosch, University of Michigan The famous anti-immigrant crusader fizzled at the polls, but The Netherlands still has a legacy of intolerance to turn around. Science + Technology - [How online hate infiltrates social media and politics]( Adam G. Klein, Pace University Today's radical right is remaking its profile, using online communications to spread its message farther and deeper into our society than ever possible before. Environment + Energy - [A big pawprint: The environmental impact of pet food]( Cailin Heinze, Tufts University Pet food is a multi-billion-dollar industry that consumes huge amounts of animal protein. A veterinary nutrition specialist explains how to feed dogs and cats healthily and sustainably. - [“Pets can have a large ecological footprint, and their food is a big contributing factor.”]( Cailin Heinze Tufts University [Read more]( [Cailin Heinze] Ethics + Religion - [How a Christian movement is growing rapidly in the midst of religious decline]( Brad Christerson, Biola University; Richard Flory, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences A Christian movement led by popular independent religious entrepreneurs, often referred to as 'apostles,' is changing the religious landscape of America. Health + Medicine - [Why US communities should be designing parks for older adults]( Jay Maddock, Texas A&M University You don't often see many of the nation's 75 million seniors hanging out in parks. There may be a reason. Most parks are not designed with seniors in mind. Here are some ways to change that. Arts + Culture - [Revenge isn't always sweet, but it can be beautiful]( Stephen Yoshimura, The University of Montana; Susan Boon, University of Calgary Most revenge isn't violent or dramatic, but instead involves petty acts against coworkers or lovers. And some types work better than others. Stories of note - [Largest deportation campaign in US history is no match for Trump's plan]( Kelly Lytle Hernandez, University of California, Los Angeles In 1954, US Border Patrol's Operation Wetback promised to deport millions of undocumented Mexicans. It fell far short of its target, but made a mark in the minds of immigrants who lived in fear. - [Why prison building will continue booming in rural America]( John M. Eason, Texas A&M University The number of prisons in the US swelled between 1970 and 2000, from 511 to nearly 1,663. Here's the story of why one town in Arkansas welcomed a correction facility. - [The House health plan: Here's how the numbers don't add up for the poor]( Megan Foster Friedman, University of Michigan House Speaker Paul Ryan called the new health care proposal an 'act of mercy.' The bill could help the healthy and wealthy, but it is unlikely to be merciful to the poor. [Donate and keep independent journalism alive]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111