The contentious issue of whether to legalize same-sex marriage continues to hover around the discussion table in the Australian Parliament.  Just this week, federal MP (Member of Parliament) Adam Bandt, of the Australian Greens Party, looked to boost support amongst MPs for his private “marriage equality” bill that he plans to submit to Parliament.

While most politicians and commentators in Europe are wringing their hands in angst about Greek, Spanish and Italian debt, one commentator is remaining remarkably calm. Why? He has seen it all before, and has a vision that spans 50 years of European union history. Who is this man?

Current research now links night shift work and deadly diseases like diabetes, obesity, and even cancer.  “In a study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, researchers in Denmark found that women who worked night shifts were up to four times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who didn’t work nights” (Time, May 29, 2012).

Have you heard of the “10 percent myth”—the idea that the average person uses just 10 percent of the brain? Many people today take this for granted. What you may not know is that—from the writings of a nineteenth-century psychologist and philosopher, to the set of the popular “Mythbusters” television show—this well-traveled idea is quite brainless on many levels.

In a recent visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed agreements in trade, investment, nuclear power, and banking, and discussed growing military ties—however, there is more to the story.