Although Olivia and Liam are the two most popular names for newborns right now, according to data from the Social Security Administration released Friday, another name is rising in popularity, especially in red states. That name is Oaklee, or Oakley, or Oakleigh or a similar variant. The name is usually, but not always, given to girls. (Ulaby, NPR)
Read MoreBelief in life after death is widespread around the globe, as is the belief that spirits can reside in animals and in parts of nature such as mountains, rivers or trees, according to a Pew Research Center survey of three dozen countries with a wide range of religious traditions. (Evans et al., Pew Research Center)
Read MoreThe Chicago-born Prevost has chosen to take the name Pope Leo XIV, signaling a kinship with the 19th-century Pope Leo XIII, who was known for opening the doors of the church to the world and made Catholic social teaching a central issue during his pontificate. (Giangravé, Religion News Service)
Read MoreThe Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out of the military and give others 30 days to self-identify under a new directive issued Thursday. (Baldor, AP News)
Read MoreWith its denunciation of women who obtain abortions as "murderers," the [Operation Save America] movement once represented the fringe of the anti-abortion movement. But since Roe fell, some Republican legislators have shown a new openness to its policy prescriptions. (Yousef, NPR)
Read MoreIn the recently released World Happiness Report, the United States dropped to its lowest ranking since that survey began—and that result was driven by the unhappiness of people under 30 in this country. So what’s going on? (Brooks, The Atlantic)
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