News

As the EU limps along politically and economically, analysts continue to identify more nations that may need to break from or be asked to leave the EU. According to a German newspaper, “The second-largest economy of the European Union has nowadays become a pathetic sight: its problems are so grave that they pose a serious danger to all of its partner countries, especially to Germany, according to an analysis of economic correspondents of the German daily Die Welt.

“‘Yo no creo en nadie’ (I believe in no one). The phrase has become part of the Venezuelan lexicon… The expression was usually uttered in an offhand way by Venezuelans as a joke, a motto of our characteristically joyous disregard for authority” (New York Times, May 21, 2016). In Venezuela, vigilante justice is becoming more commonplace (ibid.).

“Sweden and Finland have taken part in their first-ever Nato foreign ministers’ meeting… Their participation was hailed as a sign that the two non-aligned countries are moving closer to Nato and US security structures…” (EU Observer, May 20, 2016). On May 13 at a White House summit meeting, “Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden” reaffirmed their commitment to a “deep partnership based on shared fundamental values” with the U.S.

A recent British study reports, “About a fifth of all adults around the world and a third of those in the UK will be obese by 2025” (The Guardian, April 1, 2016). With obesity comes a host of health-related issues: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, cancer, shortened life span.