AIDS

Over the past two years, mutant forms of the HIV virus have increasingly resisted many of the drugs commonly used to treat the infection. Drug-resistant strains of the virus have been a problem since the early years of the AIDS epidemic, but until recently this resistance emerged only as the virus inside a patient became resistant. Now, however, doctors say these resistant viruses apparently are spreading to others in significant numbers. The cause of this upswing is the widespread use of powerful "drug cocktails" that have revolutionized the treatment of AIDS since 1996. These medicines have made HIV a more manageable condition, but they have also increased the number of outwardly healthy people who harbor resistant strains of the virus. Often, the medicines fail to work as well, and a virus gradually emerges that is resistant to one or more of the drugs being taken.

Terrorism

A former aide to Osama bin Laden says he was ordered in 1993 to try to buy uranium, which prosecutors say the terrorist leader wanted for a nuclear weapon. Bin Laden was allegedly prepared to spend $1.5 million for black-market uranium as part of his holy war against Americans. The aide describes arranging a series of meetings with shadowy dealers, saying one bin Laden terrorist organization was "very serious" about the purchase. He says he does not know if the deal was ever completed.

Catholic Church

Earlier this year, Pope John Paul II presided over the largest-ever induction of cardinals into the Roman Catholic Church. He handed red hats of office to 44 new cardinals at a Vatican ceremony. "Today is a great day for the universal Church," the pope said. "You come from 27 countries, four continents and speak various languages. . . . Is this not a sign of the ability of the Church, now spread to every corner of the world, to comprehend people with different traditions and languages, and to bring to all of them the word of Christ?" The ancient, elaborate induction ritual includes a moment when the pope presents his new "princes" with a challenge when he bestows the red, three-cornered hat. The color signifies that the cardinals are required to "be ready to spill blood if need be to spread the faith." Each cardinal recites a Latin oath of eternal fidelity to Christ, obedience to the pope, and a promise never to reveal any secret entrusted to him that could bring shame upon the Church.

Germany

According to a new survey, almost every second young East German thinks that the Nazi regime "had its good side." Overall, racist crime in Germany, including displaying Nazi symbols and shouting Nazi slogans, rose by 45% in 2000. Between January and November, 13,753 rightwing, xenophobic and anti-Semitic crimes were carried out, compared with 9,456 in the same period in 1999. Almost half the crimes took place in the former East Germany, though only 21% of the country's population lives there and far fewer foreigners live there than in the west. The regional emphasis of the violence clearly is East Germany, including Berlin. A survey into young people's attitudes also showed a regional divide: 47% of 14- to 25-year-old East Germans think the Nazi ideology had its good sides compared with 35% of young West Germans. Forty-six percent of East Germans think there are too many foreigners in Germany, compared with 40% of West Germans.

Agriculture

In addition to low crop prices, American farmers must now contend with soaring costs for energy and fertilizer. The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute reports that net farm income is likely to drop 20%, or $9 billion, over the next two years unless the federal government infuses fresh aid. Fuel costs for tractors, combines and irrigation equipment jumped 31% last year. Though prices may drop slightly in coming months, growers will likely experience a 33% increase in fertilizer costs because nitrogen-based fertilizer is made from natural gas. Cotton farms in California and Texas that rely heavily on irrigation may be among the hardest hit over the next few years, as will rice farms of all sizes. Wheat and soybean farmers, whose fertilizer and fuel costs are generally lower, will probably fare a little better.