Benches built to push couples to sit closer together, special holidays and monetary incentives are all ways other countries have tried to boost fertility rates, author and demographer Jonathan Last told a Washington audience recently.
The "bad news," said Last, is there are few examples of effective public policy to nudge fertility rates upward. Other countries that have tried to do so failed, the author of "What to Expect When No One's Expecting" said during an April 3 lecture at the Family Research Council.
The world population will peak before the end of this century and then quickly contract, Last predicted in a February opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times. This would be the first time this large and quick of a contraction took place since the Black Plague hit Europe in the Middle Ages.
The cultural debate over "transgender rights" in public schools has moved to California, where a legislative committee passed a bill Wednesday (April 17) that would outlaw sex-segregated bathrooms and athletic teams.
Under the bill -- which passed the Assembly Education Committee by a vote of 5-2 -- a student will be "permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs, activities, and facilities, including athletic teams and competitions," consistent with "his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records."
Nudity and expletives normally reserved for cable television would be allowed on broadcast TV under a proposal from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In an announcement that received little attention but could have a major impact on America's families, the FCC April 1 announced it is considering changes to the current broadcast indecency policies that would permit "isolated expletives" and isolated "non-sexual nudity" on broadcast TV, something that currently could draw a fine.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation Condemns Boston Attacks
Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen, Permanent Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations, released the following statement yesterday in reaction the bombings in Boston:
"The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemns the cowardly attacks in Boston today during the annual celebration of the Boston Marathon.
"The OIC has consistently fought against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. On behalf of the OIC and its member states, we offer our condolences, prayers, and support to the people of Boston and to all those affected by this terrible incident."
Rick Warren Asks for Prayer After Son Takes Own Life
After Rick Warren's son took his own life, the Saddleback Church pastor turned to his staff for intercessory prayer. Charisma News obtained the following e-mail Warren distributed. Please join with us in praying for his family.
To my dear staff,
Over the past 33 years we’ve been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I’ve been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need your prayer for us.
Speaking to MCN, witnesses said, "The aggressors were sheltering behind the Central Security Forces standing outside of the gates, who was protecting these thugs, idly witnessing the throwing of stones at the cathedral.”
“The security forces didn’t only sit back and watch the Copts being assaulted," witnesses continued. "But even fired tear gas at Copts inside the cathedral and are not preventing the attacks coming from outside.”