Living up to his reputation as being a humble man, Pope Francis I began his reign as leader of the Roman Catholic Church by refusing many of the luxuries given to previous Popes.
Instead of using the official Vatican City 1 car for a trip back to the Cardinal’s hostel, he rode the communal minibus that carried everyone. Continue reading
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told a public meeting yesterday that more the one in every four schoolgirls, 28% of the age group, is HIV positive.
By comparison, the rate of infection among the full population is just 10%. The rate among schoolboys is just 4%. Continue reading
As news broke of a 15th case and 9th fatality attributed to the recently discovered Novel Coronavirus (NCoV), scientists in Holland have discovered the way the virus infects human cells.
The discovery could provide the key to creating a vaccine against the virus.
The scientists discovered a cell surface protein that connects with the DPP4 receptor in the body. Cells containing the DPP4 receptor are located more in the lower respiratory tract than the upper tract which explains why the virus does not cause flu-like symptoms like other coronoviruses. Continue reading
Christians in Phatachanchara, India were tortured and beaten on February 15th according to a report just released from the Barnabas Fund.
Christians were forced from their homes at 2:30am by close to 60 local police officers who invaded the homes without warning. The Christians were beaten, abused and in some cases made to march miles across rocky, thorny ground in bare feet. Continue reading
Less than a week after their Prime Minister said they would no longer take austerity measures because of an improving economic situation, Greek officials have said unemployment has reached new highs.
The debt-ridden nation’s unemployment rate rose to 26% in the final part of 2012, up from 24.8% in the third quarter of the year and 20.7% a year in 2011. Continue reading
Loud cheers, waving of flags and a burst of manic energy waving through the crowd in St. Peter’s Square met the sight of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney and an announcement to the crowd of “Habemus Papam.”
The smoke began to billow at 7:08pm local time (1:08pm U.S. Central Daylight Time) indicating the 5th ballot had given a candidate at least two-thirds of the vote electing them Pope. Continue reading
The threat of bio-terrorism using smallpox apparently is real enough to make the U.S. government purchase enough medication to treat two million people at a premium price.
The nearly half-billion dollar purchase from small drug company Siga Technologies is drawing complaints from some who feel the purchase is unnecessary and well above fair market value. Continue reading
The Netherlands has raised the country’s terror alert level has been raised to its highest level in four years because of the Syrian Civil War.
Authorities say that many Dutch citizens who have been fighting in the war are returning to the country “more radicalized” and that threatens the national security. Continue reading
A series of advertisements placed on city buses in San Francisco is drawing complaints from those in the city’s Islamic community.
The ads, sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, carry messages from terrorists such as “Killing Jews is worship that brings us closer to Allah.” Continue reading
Scientists in Britain have developed a test that would allow doctors to find markers indicating the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
A report on the test was delivered at the Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference which also stated a “quick and easy test” was being developed for use in health clinics. Continue reading