As of last Monday, the whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak in three Illinois counties included more than 500 diagnosed cases.  Public health officials say the actual number of cases is much higher, but that the 500 represent solely “medically diagnosed” cases.  In McHenry County alone there were 172 cases on Monday—up from just nine cases during the entirety of last year.  Officials do not know the exact reason for the outbreak.

When British Prime Minister David Cameron exercised the United Kingdom’s national veto last Friday at the European Union Summit in Brussels—the first EU national veto ever exercised by a British Prime Minister—he surprised most observers and sent shock-waves through the Union as never before in the UK’s 39-year involvement in the grand European project.

In another groundbreaking announcement this week, the White House highlighted its “wide-ranging effort to use U.S. foreign aid to promote rights for gays and lesbians abroad, including combating attempts by foreign governments to criminalize homosexuality.”  Aid typically used to support and establish democratic governments, fight oppressive dictatorial regimes, and feed the hungry, will now be further diluted in order to support the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender individuals.  This broad-reaching edict will affect the following U.S.

After the winning field goal, the quarterback of the Denver Broncos NFL football team dropped down on one knee and said a quick prayer. This act, which quarterback Tim Tebow has repeated in other games, is his way of expressing his faith, in that he believes he should give glory to his God for his accomplishments. Now, “Tebowing”—the act of dropping down on one knee to pray, elbow planted on knee—is widely mimicked both to praise and to mock the young star quarterback’s faith.

Last week, Iranian protesters in Tehran stormed the British Embassy.  According to the Geneva Convention, host nations are responsible for the safety and protection of foreign diplomats on their soil, yet virtually no protection or intervention was provided by Iranian security forces.  In response, the British Foreign Secretary announced the immediate closure of the Embassy and withdrawal of embassy staff. Additionally, he expelled Iranian diplomats from Britain and closed Iran’s London Embassy.