“We can only help people to help themselves.” Wolfgang Schäuble, German Finance Minister, in a press conference after a difficult meeting with the Yanis Varoufakis, the finance minister of Greece over Greek debt and austerity. He also said “we agreed…

Captured Jordanian F-16 fighter pilot Mu’ath AlKassasbeh was burned alive in a cage by the Islamic State. His jet crashed in IS controlled territory in Syria. Images of the highly-choreographed video posted to the internet, showed the pilot in an…

“In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father’s message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds.” John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Catholic, announcing that Pope Francis has…

“Journalism isn’t a crime and should not be treated as such.” Bob Satchwell, of the British Society of Editors, in response to Prime Minister David Cameron’s call for a ban on encrypted messages. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/13/freedom-of-expression-anti-snooping-campaign-launched-ripa-changes

“And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” U.S. President Barack Obama, at the…

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has heard from four adult children of gay parents describing what it is like to grow up in the environment of gay marriage. They believe that government approved same-sex marriages could lead to…

“We’ve just been hit at the heart of our liberty.” Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, after gunmen killed 12 people at the editorial offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Another five were killed in other shootings around Paris, plus…

“You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit.” Pope Francis, after the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris in which 17 people died. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30835625

The Mormon Church has decided to back certain gay rights, but with one caveat, if the rights of religious groups are protected too. Church leaders said they would support anti-discrimination laws for LGBT people if gay rights advocates and the…

Chile has proudly approved civil unions between same-sex couples giving them many of the rights that married couples have, such as property inheritance, health plan coverage and pension benefits. Some benefits are even greater than traditional marriage. The bill also…

“The greatest miracle of all time… is the universe. It is the miracle of all miracles, one that ineluctably points with the combined brightness of every star to something—or Someone—beyond itself.” Eric Metaxas, Wall Street Journal, December 25, 2014. “A…

The worst drought in history is spreading from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro and beyond. Taps have run dry and lights have gone out across large swaths of Brazil affecting more than 4 million people by rationing and rolling…