Today’s Big Story

Falling Out of Flavor?

Chocolate chip ice cream is reportedly going extinct

Ice cream is a little like pizza. Even bad ice cream is still good ice cream, right? But that doesn’t mean tastes and trends don’t evolve with the time. And I’m sorry to report that a classic American flavor has been falling out of favor for years, and now sits outside the top 10 entirely. What’s happening to good ol’ chocolate chip?

I’m not talking about mint chocolate chip, which happens to be a favorite of mine. That’s right near the top of the list. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the most popular ice cream flavors are cookies ’n cream, old fashioned vanilla and chocolate. Nowadays, if you want chocolate chips, it’ll come in minty ice cream or stuck inside chocolate chip cookie dough.

National manufacturer Blue Bell Creameries told the New York Times that vanilla chocolate chip was once a core offering in its lineup, but only until the early 2000s, after which it was deprioritized to accommodate flavors better suited to Americans’ evolving tastes. Of course, this is a big part of what’s happening here, according to The Takeout: our preferences evolve with the times, and that’s as true for ice cream as it is for any other food. “Remember when sun dried tomatoes were on everything and none of us could get enough gastropub flatbread pizza?”

It also seems like we’re all enticed by more exotic, novelty and premium flavors. When I was kid, we didn’t have the mind-blowing varieties we do today, from ranch dressing to everything bagel or even just ice cream swirled with bits of Girl Scout cookies. A recent IDFA survey found that 58% of consumers reported purchasing “premium” ice cream, compared to less than 24% buying “regular” ice cream.

And maybe because we’re buying the good stuff, or simply trying to be healthier, but on a whole, Americans are scooping less ice cream overall these days. The average American spoons around 12 pounds of the cold stuff into their body each year, down from over 18 pounds nearly 50 years ago, according to USDA data.

Does U.S. Have a ‘Red Line’ for Israel?

Israel moves into Rafa, but hasn’t shown U.S. a plan for protecting civilians in Gaza

Tens of thousands of people in Rafah have evacuated, fearing an imminent Israeli invasion as battles rage across Gaza. Israel has already sent some tanks into Rafah, and it has warned for months that it will launch a full-scale ground assault on the city—aiming to destroy what they have called the last significant Hamas stronghold.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS’s Face the Nation that Israel has not shown the U.S. a plan for protecting civilians in Gaza, or for how the enclave could be run after the war's end. “A lot of armed Hamas will be left no matter what they do in Rafah,” he said. But despite President Biden’s comments on the U.S. withholding military assistance, Blinken declined to identify the administration’s “red line.”

The White House’s decision to pause any weapon delivery prompted backlash from Republicans as well. On Saturday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the House will vote next week on legislation which, if passed, would require delivery of military aid to Israel within 15 days. And the backlash hasn’t just fallen along party lines. On Friday, a group of 26 House Democrats sent a letter to Biden saying they are “deeply concerned about the message the Administration is sending to Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist proxies by withholding weapons shipments to Israel.”

There Aren’t Enough Babies

Birthrates are falling around the globe, ​with serious economic, social and geopolitical ​consequences

As we discussed last month, birthrates have fallen to historic lows here in the United States. But it’s not just an American problem. Fertility is falling almost everywhere, for women across all levels of income, education and labor-force participation, reports the Wall Street Journal. The world is at a startling demographic milestone: Sometime soon, the global fertility rate will drop below the point needed to keep population constant. It may have already happened.

In high-income nations, fertility fell below replacement in the 1970s, and took a leg down during the pandemic. It’s dropping in developing countries, too. Last year, India surpassed China as the most populous country, yet its fertility is now below replacement. “The demographic winter is coming,” said Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, an economist specializing in demographics at the University of Pennsylvania.

​Many government leaders see this as a matter of national urgency. They worry about shrinking workforces, slowing economic growth and underfunded pensions; and the vitality of a society with ever-fewer children. Countries have tried everything from cash to patriotic calls to duty to reverse drastically declining birth rates—none of it has worked. Smaller populations come with diminished global clout, raising questions in the U.S., China and Russia about their long-term standings as superpowers. The usual prescription in advanced countries is more immigration, but that of course comes with its own political and cultural struggles and problems.

Missed Those Northern Lights?

Nature's light show should continue into this week

Over the weekend, social media was packed with stunning images of the night sky glowing with streaks of pink, violet and green as a massive G5 category solar storm rages on, making bursts of the northern lights visible all across the continental United States. If you missed it, don’t worry: The latest forecasts have Earth-affecting geomagnetic storm activity taking place this evening and into Tuesday, at least.

The celestial light shows are rarely viewable in the continental U.S., and when they are, they are not usually so widespread or visible as far south. But experts predict that the lights should be visible in several parts of the the U.S.—potentially reaching New York, Chicago, and as far south as Alabama, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said.

So what, exactly, is happening when we see those wavy bands of light? According to NBC News, the solar activity accelerates electrons as they aim for Earth and ultimately collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms and other molecules in the upper atmosphere. The collisions with the gases of the upper atmosphere create the wondrous array of colors in an aurora sky. As the NOAA points out, “it’s the only way for most people to actually experience space weather.”

Refresh Your Pool Kit

Huckberry has everything you need for a day in and out of the water

Hanging by the pool for a few hours? Maybe you’re headed down to the beach or spending some time on a boat. Make sure you're outfitted with breezy pieces that can transition from swimming to lounging and everything in between. Huckberry’s swim shop is loaded up with everything you need to look and feel your best in and out of the water. From stylish trunks and quick-drying terrycloth shirts to some handsome suede slip-ons. Don't forget to bring along plenty of water-resistant sunblock, some tunes (thanks to a wireless speaker inspired by a military radio) and a handy roomy bag that can keep all your belongings secure and safe from the elements.

Eyes on your own paper.