A small German village containing just 102 residents and with almost no infrastructure will have to accommodate as many as 750 asylum seekers after a decision by the regional authorities. Villagers fear the area will be unable to cope with the burden. [...]

Dating apps are causing a massive rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the heterosexual population, a health expert has claimed. Dr Peter Greenhouse warned the popularity of dating apps such as Tinder and Happn could have disastrous consequences, including an "explosion of HIV." [...]

In a true show of community spirit, an American island too far from the mainland came together as one to build their own internet service powered by radios in trees. Orcas Island off Washington State has been transformed by its people’s inventiveness. [...]

Women arming themselves in Austria as migrant rape epidemic hits Europe. Private gun sales are exploding in Austria as women prepare to defend themselves against migrant rapists. “All long guns are currently completely sold out,” a Czech TV station reported. “Those arming themselves are primarily women.” [...]

Over 80 percent of the asylum seekers recently arrived in Germany have no formal qualifications, and only eight percent have a college degree, local media reported citing research by the country's Federal Employment Agency. Germany (population 80 million) may receive 1.5 million asylum seekers this year alone. [...]

Hand guns and rifle sales are spiking in Austria, with some shops reporting they are running out of stocks of shotguns, since no license is needed to buy them. “Yes, I can confirm, the demand in Austria for weapons is growing. My revenue doubled in September. And in October it has doubled again, and we are still in October,” a gun shop owner told RT. [...]

The UN has finally come out with a verdict on meat, with a report indicating that processed meat like sausages and ham can cause cancer, with red meat also under suspicion. The Monday report issued by WHO is set to once again heat up the ongoing debate over the health dangers of a carnivorous diet. [...]

The United States is in decline. While not all major shocks to the system will be devastating, when the right one comes along, the outcome may be dramatic. Not all explosives are the same. We all know you have to be careful with dynamite. Best to handle it gently and not smoke while you’re around it. [...]

From Ferguson, Missouri to the deserts of Afghanistan the specter of US aggression is fueling the flames of civil strife and military conflict around an increasingly volatile planet. Much of the problem may be connected to the breakdown of the American psyche. Before attempting to shed some light on America’s mental condition, let’s open with a pop quiz question: What is the top-selling pre [...]

Anti-TTIP activists have submitted a 3 million-signature petition to the European Commission in London and Brussels in a bid to halt secret trade negotiations between the EU, US and Canada. The petition, believed to be one of the largest ever compiled, calls for an immediate end to Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. [...]

One need do nothing more than take a look around to see that the situation in the world is dire. A dire situation, however, does not mean there is no possibility of change; a dire situation means that the timing is ripe for change. Exactly the transformational change that is the subject for contemplation today. [...]

Conservative-minded Britons are more likely to think they are morally superior to everybody else than left-wing people, according to a new study. While lefties are often accused of brandishing their moral superiority, the new study by polling firm YouGov appears to flip that claim on its head. [...]

Two years after Edward Snowden leaked information about the US government's mass surveillance to reporter Glenn Greenwald, the two were joined by other journalists and leaders to draft an international pact for privacy rights called the Snowden Treaty. Officially called The International Treaty on the Right to Privacy, Protection Against Improper Surveillance and Protection of Whistleblowers, t [...]

It is important what you do for your country, not the names you are being called, Russian President Vladimir Putin told CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ saying that the nickname ‘tsar’ does not fit him. Charlie Rose sat down with Putin to discuss, among other issues, how the world views the Russian leader. CBS has published a preview of the interview. [...]

When Trust In Leadership Is Declining. Pope Francis Address to Joint Meeting of Congress Pope Francis addressed Congress on the third day of his visit to Washington, praising American values but urging changes to better serve the dignity of all. Pope Francis becomes the first pontiff in history to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress. In the hour-long speech on Thursday morning [...]

Russia’s second-largest city Saint Petersburg has been named this year's best destination in Europe at the World Travel Awards. The city was recognized for its exceptionally rich history, centuries-old traditions and bright future, according to the travel industry's most prestigious awards program. It's the first time a Russian city has won this category in the award’s 22-year history. [...]

There is much the ancient world can still teach us, and one of the key lessons today is that mass migration - motivated by war, societal collapse, and poverty - is capable of destroying even the mightiest of empires. At the height of its power, the Roman Empire was so vast and omnipotent that it was run on the basis of the dictum: "Roma locuta est. Causa finita est" (Rome has spoken. The cause [...]

Cancer-detecting dogs are to participate in a trial at a UK hospital, after showing off their amazing ability to identify the of prostate tumors – getting the right answer in 93 percent of cases, according to a recent study. The trial, a brainchild of the charity Medical Detection Dogs, has been approved by Milton Keynes University Hospital to conduct further research on the special dogs, whi [...]

Tired of the day-to-day grind we call life? Stop googling “how to battle depression” and start living by the “F̶̷̲̅ᴜ̶̷̲̅ᴄ̶̷̲̅ᴋ̶̷̲̅  That” mantra. The instructions are easily detailed in a new meditation guide – just “breathe in strength” and breathe out you-know-what. While some may spend hundreds, even thousands, on a counselor to get them through tough tim [...]

The number of Americans "extremely proud" to be citizens of the US continues to fall, with a new Gallup poll revealing a three percent drop from the previous year. Of those surveyed, 54 per cent said they’re “extremely proud” to be Americans. In 2013 and 2014 that figure stood at 57. [...]

WikiLeaks has published secret "core text" related to the controversial trade agreement currently being negotiated behind closed doors between the US, EU and 23 other countries. Big corporations look to be the biggest winners in the deal. Leaked documents of TiSA (Trade in Services Agreement) negotiations reveal that the treaty is looking to undermine “governments involved in the treaty” by [...]

A study polling American and emigrant adults found that 35 percent would consider leaving the US, according to TransferWise, an international money transfer company. The most popular reason for wanting to leave was to seek a better quality of life. Despite the results of the survey, 59 percent said it was home. Another 58 percent said romantic and family ties were important reasons for staying [...]