Beasts

» A tough and aggressive strain of red ants, called "crazy ants" by locals, has destroyed almost 10,000 acres of crops in Colombia, and they threaten to consume 100,000 more acres of surrounding farmland. Many of the region's farmers, powerless to protect their land from the insects, have abandoned their properties. The ants also attack animals, clinging to their nostril hairs, and often causing death by asphyxiation.

» A 3-year-old Florida boy died on September 29 from nearly 200 wasp stings. Harrison Johnson died at a local hospital after he was stung when he fell into a nest of yellow jackets near a mobile home park where he was playing. The sheriff's office is investigating this unusual death.

» U.S. officials have declared war on the Asian Longhorned Beetle, which has infiltrated America and is destroying trees in several states. Officials estimate that the beetle, native to China, Japan and Korea, could do $138 billion in damage to the nation's economy if it becomes established here.

Earthquakes

1998's earthquake activity has so far proven to be less than 1997's. Compared to last year, magnitude 6 quakes are down by 17% and magnitude 7 quakes by 41%. However, this year has produced one of the largest temblors in the past few years, an 8.2 tremor in Antarctica.

European Union

» The European Union (EU) and 71 developing countries began talks to overhaul their relationship on September 30. The negotiations, held in Brussels, will refashion the Lome Convention, a treaty that has governed their trade since 1975. The EU proposes far-reaching changes that will give these nations, among the world's poorest, preferential access to the huge EU market.

» At a conference on EU-Palestinian partnership, officials from both sides agreed that the EU should intensify its peacemaking role in the Middle East. Between 1993 and 1997, the EU contributed $1.9 billion to the Palestinian Authority, but it has remained in the shadow of the U.S. in areas of peace mediation.

Morality

» Most American teenagers think interracial dating is "no big deal." Nearly half (47%) have dated someone of another race, and 36% said they have not but would in the future. Only 17% said they had not and would not.

» Thirty-two percent of United Methodist clergy have signed a letter supporting "covenant services of holy union"—marriage—for same-sex couples. In 1996 the denomination's convention voted against such ceremonies.

Russia

The autumn has not been a good one for Russia. Reports surfaced that corruption costs its ailing economy $15 billion each year. Many workers have not been paid in weeks or months, feeding internal dissatisfaction with economic "reforms." More than 44 million (30%) Russians live below the poverty line, which the government puts at $32/month. Serious crime in Russia leaped nearly 18% in the first nine months of 1998, including 400 attacks by bandits and increased terrorism (up 20%).

Violence

In 1995 some 23,000 people were murdered in the U.S., and 32,000 Americans committed suicide. Children ages 10-15 are now twice as likely to commit suicide as they were 15 years ago.