Violence is spreading in the Middle East. “Egypt’s military killed 241 militants in the Sinai from July 1-5, the army said Monday, including militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) who launched spectacular attacks last week” (Al Arabiya, July 6, 2015).

Standards of behavior are rapidly declining. News headlines continue to shock and dismay anyone with a traditional sense of decency and morality. Perverse behaviors are now being lauded as normal that for generations were correctly understood as depraved.

“The Supreme Court on Friday ruled same-sex partners have a constitutional right to marry, sweeping away state bans on gay unions and extending marriage equality nationwide” (Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2015). The high court’s decision came from a 5-4 vote.

A Chinese-led initiative to compete globally against the U.S. dollar has begun.

“The Eurozone is doomed and cannot survive in its current form, regardless of what happens to Greece, a major new study shows.