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In the United States,atheism is growing faster than any religious group. Nearly 20% of Americans now avoid “organized religion in favor of a non-defined skepticism about faith.” Many are leaving organized religion as American society becomes more secular. These church dropouts are turned off by the increasingly political nature of organized religion and by “...
In Sweden, “gender equality” begins in preschool. Sweden’s national preschool curriculum states, “Preschools should counteract traditional gender patterns and gender roles. In preschools, girls and boys should have the same opportunities to test and develop abilities and interests without being limited by stereotypical gender roles.”
Last week, North Korea celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s founding president, Kim Il-Sung. The centerpiece of the celebrations was a rocket launch to put a satellite into orbit. However, the rocket disintegrated a few minutes after lift-off. South Korean president Lee criticized the launch, and “said the estimated $850 million cost...
In a recent meeting of the exclusive “EU Club” (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain), the group discussed merging the current positions of President of the European Council (Herman Van Rompuy) and President of the European Commission (José Manuel Barroso).
Just prior to President Obama’s arrival in Colombia for a conference with Latin American leaders, U.S. Secret Service and military personnel apparently held a party in a “secure hotel” with about 20 invited prostitutes. As the news broke, the primary concern was that critical security details may have been leaked (Associated Press, April 17, 2012). Sadly, the...
The European financial crisis that began last year has nudged Germany into becoming a more assertive nation intent on pursuing its own course on the world stage. According to a recent report (csmonitor.com, January 30, 2012), Germany’s postwar romance with Europe is coming to an end as the hard-working Germans are not willing to continue writing checks to bail...
“A European team said on Wednesday [March 28] that about 40 percent of red dwarf stars—the most common type in the Milky Way—have a so-called “super-Earth” planet orbiting in a habitable zone that would allow water to flow on the surface.” This could equate to tens of billions of planets! However, these same researchers also caution that “…the rocky worlds...
Two weeks ago in New Delhi, the BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa held their annual meeting. Critics note that “nothing appreciable” resulted from the meeting. Others wonder what future effects this alliance between nations representing almost half of the world’s population might have.
“Pirates off the coast of Somalia will now have to contend with an EU naval force mandated on Friday by EU member states to launch attacks on its inner coastal territory.” Two French warships have now joined the four existing EU ships in order to add strength and versatility (EU Observer, March 26, 2012).
“Four [U.S.] Navy minesweepers will soon be on their way to the Persian Gulf… as part of an effort to boost American military capability in the region amid rising tensions with Iran, a Navy official says.” In March, the U.S. Navy moved four airborne mine countermeasure helicopters to the area to assist the British who are already there. The idea is “to beef up...