News Roundup

Afghanistan's Islamic clergy have warned President Hamid Karzai to stop missionaries from converting people to Christianity, saying the missionaries threaten Islamic Shariah, the Constitution and political stability: "If not prevented, God forbid, catastrophe will emerge, which will not only destabilize the country, but the region and the world."

The New York Times looks at anti-Mormon bias, wondering why, in our post-denominational age, some are still uncomfortable with Mitt Romney's religious beliefs. The article contrasts Mormonism's wholesome public symbols with its secret sacred rituals: "The marriage of these opposites leaves outsiders uncomfortable, wondering what Mormonism really is."

Tourists aren't helping the environment, a group of New Zealand researchers say. Carbon emissions from tourists' air travel to New Zealand equal the country's total emissions from coal, gas and oil. In other environmental news, some biofuels are worse for the environment than fossil fuels.

It's Grand Theft Auto for girls! The Coolest Girl in School is the first mobile role playing game geared for a female audience, so the content isn't surprising: "Experiment with fashion! Experiment with drugs! Experiment with sexuality! Cut class! Spread rumors! And avoid dying of embarrassment - literally!"

California schools are paying teachers bonuses to attract teachers to poor schools, but Walt Gardner says it won't work. The schools need 700,000 teachers, and the combat pay may attract some teachers but it won't make them stay: "Working conditions and student characteristics matter far more than salary in attracting and keeping teachers."

A Baton Rouge business wants to offer fortune telling, but a Livingston Parish ordinance forbids it. The ordinance bans "soothsaying, fortune telling, palm reading, clairvoyance, crystal ball gazing, mind reading, card reading and the like for money or other consideration." Gryphon's Nest Gifts Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the ban as promoting Christianity over paganism.

Oklahoma City major Mick Cornett has challenged his corpulent constituents to shed 1 million pounds in 2008, attempting to mend Oklahoma City's reputation as one of America's fattest cities.

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