Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-commonly known as AIDS-has affected the entire globe, but is nowhere more devastating in its effect than on the continent of Africa. Callisto Madavo, vice president of the World Bank African region, recently said: "Too much of Africa will enter the 21st Century watching the gains of the 20th evaporate." Madavo's comments flowed from the fact that AIDS is wiping out economic achievements of the past century in large parts of Africa.

The Internet is a powerful tool for good. Many wonderful, educational and worthy web sites inform, facilitate business and provide entertainment for millions of users. However, as in everything man has devised, the Internet also has a perverted, dark side.

The mind-destroying power of pornography is easily available to anyone who has a computer connected to the web. This evil aspect of the Internet has been recognized by Israel's ultra-Orthodox rabbis who, in a rare and courageous show of unity have forbidden their followers from using the Internet.

What's wrong with the weather? As part of the United States experiences heat-wave conditions, fear of drought and its consequences are heightening in many states. Is there cause for worry? Does God cause drought? Are droughts and floods just flip sides of a "weather coin?" What can we know about current and future droughts—are they prophesied in the Bible?

So, it's the Fourth of July (in the U.S.A.)—big deal! Are national holidays like this really important?

A few hours ago, the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were each struck by airplanes in obvious terrorist attacks against the United States! Then, we heard that a third plane crashed into the Pentagon—the seat of the entire United States defense establishment in Washington, DC. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska commented: "This is the second Pearl Harbor!" But for us, in this brief commentary, we need to ask: "Why?" Why have these attacks taken place? What is the meaning behind all of these things?