A Polish priest who led a public burning of items believed to have magical or occult properties has issued an apology, NBC News reported. The items—including Harry Potter titles, Buddhist figurines, and an African mask—were cast into a fire outside a Catholic church in Gdansk, Poland. Scapegoating and vilifying others are common practices in justifying religious violence. […]
Pope Francis refusing to let 19 people kiss his hand has sent critics reeling, the BBC reported Thursday, March 28. A Vatican spokesperson, Alessandro Gisotti, said he asked the pope about it, who responded that it was a “simple question of hygiene.” Where do historical expectations of the pope come from? […]
Italian police switched a famous painting by Pieter Bruegel the Younger with a forgery in anticipation of a theft, the BBC reported. Bruegel and his father were both accomplished Flemish artists whose works are worth millions. Study the diverse paintings of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. […]
For the first time, city officials in a German town took a family dog and sold it on eBay to pay for its owners’ unpaid debts. The city, Ahlen, has claimed the seizure is legal, although the city has drawn criticism. The incident suggests a good time for a refresher look at the takings clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment and eminent domain laws. […]
A new Russian bill limits military personnel’s use of smartphones. Lawmakers cited active-duty soldiers’ use of social media, which has caused several political embarrassments for the country in recent years. In the United States, how much do the Constitution and other laws relate to the digital age and what are the exceptions? […]
As the lunar calendar signals the Chinese New Year, China celebrates the beginning of the “Year of the Pig” with an unlikely guest—the British cartoon character “Peppa Pig.” The surprising runaway viral hit of Peppa’s movie trailer focuses attention on traditional New Year’s practices and long-held cultural beliefs in China. […]
Leaders have always sought to justify war. War takes adults from their families. It costs taxpayers money and uses the nation’s resources. Most important, people die. How do we tell ourselves and our children it’s all worth it? […]
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