Earthquakes

A federal scientist has discovered two new faults under Puget Sound that are capable of generating quakes of 6.5 or greater in the Seattle, Washington, area. Another known fault under Seattle is moving faster than scientists had estimated, meaning it could be more dangerous than previously thought.

Weather

» In late January, a three-night freeze in Florida killed the bean, corn, zucchini and squash crops for some of the biggest winter vegetable growers, resulting in at least $10 million damage. Dade County produces more than half of the nation's winter fruits and vegetables.

» Two geologists say the 1995-96 winter was a "mini ice age" in the northern reaches of Germany. Geo magazine reported that the Baltic Island of Rugen had the coldest winter of the past century and a half, with 126 days of sub-freezing temperatures.

Religion

» Liberal Roman Catholics in New York called on the church's leadership to "catch up" with its members and relax its position on ordination of women, celibacy and homosexuality. Members of We Are Church are calling on the church to give lay people a voice in the selection of pastors and bishops and to allow them to exercise their judgment on issues like birth control—because a silent majority are doing this already.

» Because of communist and/or Islamic political ideologies, China, Sudan, Pakistan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Egypt, Nigeria, Cuba, Laos and Uzbekistan are actively persecuting Christians. The 500 known imprisonments are, according to experts, only "the tip of the iceberg."

Israel

A U.S. Congressional Task Force report warns that Syria, Iran, Iraq and the Palestinian Authority are cooperating in preparation for imminent war with Israel. The PLO is rapidly building a chain of well-fortified command centers, ammunition and weapons-storage areas underground in Gaza. They are also stockpiling anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and missiles, though these are forbidden by the Oslo Accords.

Disease

Of the ten most frequently reported infectious diseases in 1995, five of them were sexually transmitted diseases (STD), accounting for 87% of newly reported infections. Annually, 12 million new cases of STDs are reported, 3 million of them among teens. The Centers for Disease Control found that two-thirds of young women have little or no knowledge of STDs, and 72% say they are not concerned about contracting one, though they comprise the group with the highest risk.

Germany

The defense ministers of Germany, France and Poland signed an inclusive defense and security agreement. A coordinating committee will draft proposals for common military and security policies. The presidency of the committee will rotate among the three nations annually, beginning with France.