To use our advanced search functionality (to search for terms in specific content), please use syntax such as the following examples:
For nearly 13 years, Angela Merkel has been the Chancellor of Germany. She has been called the “most powerful woman in Europe” and “the most powerful woman in the world” (Forbes, November 1, 2017). The Chancellor has been deeply involved in the great “European Experiment” we know as the EU, and she is involved in the “Brexit” process as the UK becomes the first...
Southeast Australia has experienced drought-like conditions for years. Yet, worsening conditions are now forcing ranchers to cull their herds because it is becoming too expensive to feed them (The Guardian, June 9, 2018). As usable pasture land shrinks, one rancher observed, “We’re killing a cow and a calf at this late stage of pregnancy.
“Times are getting more difficult for members of minority religions across Europe as nationalism, security fears and anti-immigrant movements gain ground” (Double Helix, June 27, 2018). Harassment is “aimed mostly at Muslims and Jews, although other faiths—including some Christian groups in a few places—also faced discrimination.” Nations like Belgium, Denmark,...
According to the Co-operative Governance Ministry of South Africa, “More than 60 percent of the 257 municipalities are categorized as dysfunctional or almost dysfunctional” (Bloomberg, June 14, 2018). A recent government report revealed that only 33 of the 257 municipalities received a clean audit last year—just 13 percent!
“India is suffering from the worst water crisis in its history and around 600 million people face a severe water shortage” (The Independent, June 17, 2018). Roughly 200,000 people die in India every year due to lack of clean water, and 21 cities—including some of India’s largest—are expected to run out of water in just two years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “Suicide rates are climbing in nearly every demographic, age group and geographic area” in the United States (Time, June 7, 2018). Suicide deaths have increased by almost 30 percent since 1999 and “among all racial and ethnic groups and in every age range except adults older than 75.”
In a recently published study, researchers determined that the detonation of just 100 nuclear warheads by one country would cause catastrophic damage, including widespread food shortages on the other side of the globe (Telegraph, June 13, 2018). Such an event would also bring significant blowback and destruction on the nation that launched the weapons. One...
Public health officials are preparing for what they call “Disease X”—a hypothetical disease that would be virulent and infectious, with the potential to become a pandemic (a worldwide epidemic) and kill large numbers of people (The Economist, March 23, 2018). This disease might be manmade, a brand-new disease or a genetic variant of an existing disease.
This week Pope Francis made a highly anticipated visit to the World Council of Churches (WCC) headquarters in Geneva. In an earlier interview, Evangelical pastor Martin Robra, a senior WCC official, commented, “[I]t looks as if we have reached a new spring with Pope Francis and his initiatives” (Vatican News, May 31, 2018). He stated further that “there is so...
The amount of plastic waste in our environment is skyrocketing worldwide, and it is having a devastating impact. In Thailand, a pilot whale recently died “after swallowing more than 80 plastic bags” (The Guardian, June 2, 2018). Experts estimate that over 100,000 marine animals die each year as a result of plastic ingestion.