A union in New Zealand got fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks to raise their workers’ wages by 50 percent; Palestinian books don’t indoctrinate children against Jews after all; and perhaps, rather than fear Massive Online Open Courses, we should embrace this opportunity for cheap widespread online education. These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

How Fast Food Workers Super-Sized Their Pay in New Zealand

Recent strikes at Walmart and fast food restaurants in New York City have opened new horizons for unions in the United States.

Holy Moley Batman–Palestinian Textbooks Don’t Demonize Jews!

If you are quiet and can hear a loud cracking noise in the distance, that’s the sound of the Hasbaraniks losing one of their favorite stock charges against the “big, scary, bad” Palestinians.

The Brooklyn College BDS Debacle Highlights the Perils of Pro-Israeli Overkill

Far more Americans know of the Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement today than did a week ago.

The Internet Will Not Ruin College

As cheap online educational options spread like wildfire, critics are sounding the alarm. They’re too late.

More Austerity Cuts Coming to the States

The Great Recession has quietly devastated public services on a state-by-state basis, with Republican and Democratic governors taking turns leading the charge.