Earthquakes

» A 7.1 quake hit near Tonga on April 16, causing little destruction. On May 2 a 6.4 temblor struck near Beijing, China, killing 5 and leaving thousands homeless. For the first time in years, a strong earthquake (5.4) rocked Seattle, Washington, also on May 2.
» Large earthquake totals for 1996 as of May 2:

+6.0s: 51
+7.0s: 6

European Union

» Recently, a European consortium won a billion dollar tender to build a refinery in Alexandria, Egypt. The refinery is being set up as a joint venture between Europe, Israel and Egypt. Some analysts think this kind of economic partnership could eventually lead to Israel and other Mediterranean countries joining the European Union (EU).
» EU foreign ministers met on April 22 to consider the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. German foreign minister Klaus Kinkel indicated that Europe may soon play a role in the mediation.

Jerusalem

To speed the "permanent status" peace talks, the Palestine National Council on April 24 accepted Yassir Arafat's request to revise their National Covenant denying Israel's right to exist. Jerusalem is the key point of conflict. The Palestinians are adamant in claiming East Jerusalem as their capital, while the Israelis declare that it will not be divided again. Real negotiations will not begin until after the May 29 Israeli elections.

Russia

On March 15 Russia's lower house, the State Duma, called for the reuniting of the Soviet Union. Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze immediately called for an emergency summit of former Soviet republics, warning of a "return to a totalitarian regime."

Technology

» All U.S. military personnel globally will be issued a new identification device named "MARC" (Multi-technology Automated Reader Card). This "smart card" utilizes a bar code, magnetic strip, embossed data, printed data, a digitized photograph and a microchip.
» Ontario, Canada, announced in February that it will issue "smart" ID cards to all its residents within a year. Each card contains a microchip capable of storing and processing large amounts of personal, medical and driving data.

Ecumenism

In March a Catholic priest from Pittsburgh helped formulate a covenant with Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal bishops to work and pray together, to eradicate bigotry and intolerance of other religions and to minister to the needy. Over the past 30 years, similar covenants have been made in five other states.

Health

» U.S. teens testing positive for HIV is doubling every 14 months.
» With nearly 11 million alcoholics, America's most common drug abuse problem is alcoholism.

Abortion

» The United Nations reports that 45 million abortions are performed annually around the world, meaning that for every 3 children born, one life is aborted.
» Russia's Labor Ministry reports that it led the world in abortions in 1994 with between 2.8 and 3.5 million, double the number of births.