The White House, which has hosted all sorts of people from the Dalai Lama to dinner party crashers - welcomes a group that has never been formally invited before; atheists.

The Houston Chronicle reports that, "the Secular Coalition for America, a lobby group including atheists, humanists, nontheists, and others, will meet with the Obama administration to discuss religious discrimination in government, faith-based initiatives, military proselytizing and faith-healing."

In 2009, China's total import and export value surpassed 2.21 trillion U.s. dollars, a drop of 13.9 percent year-on-year, as disclosed by China's National Bureau of Statisitics (NBS).

According to the China Daily, "of this total, the value of goods exported was 1.2 trillion U.S. doollars, down 16 percent year-on-year, while the value of goods imported was 1.01 trilion U.s. dollars, decreasing by 11.2 percent from the previous year, according to the report released on NBS' official website Thursday."

The OAS (Oraganization of American States) has accused President Hugo Chavez of Venezula of endangering democracy, intimidating opponents and curbing freedom of speech in his nation.

The Guardian Unlimited UK reports that, "in a 319-page report published this week, the body's human rights branch - the Inter-American Commission on Human /rights - painted an alarming picture of repression and intolerance in Venezuela."

President Barack Obama's efforts to antagonize China is now harming his plans for a greener and cleaner global environment. China is finding new ways to strike back at the White House. To make certain the Obama administration gets the message, Beijing boldly announces its 'retaliation' strategies through the Chinese Communist Party-sponsored media.

The China Daily reports that, "China has no intention of capping its greenhouse gas emmissions even as authorities are committed to realizing the nation's target to reduce carbon intensity through new policies and measures, the country's top climate change negotiators said yesterday."

Apparently, Sea World has a killer whale that's living up to the murderous reputation of its name. Tilikum, the killer whale, has been implicated in the homicides of three human beings. Perhaps, he should be called, Tilikum, the serial-killer whale.

According to the Guardian Unlimited UK, "the fate of the whale that killed its trainer in Orlando, Florida, yesterday has not yet ben decided, although this is the third time the animal has been involved in the death of a human."

The Supreme Being is getting accolades from mental health specialists who claim they are discovering that having faith in God plays a positive role in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

The Washington Times reports that, "University of Toronto psychologists reported last year that 'believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, 'their research showcasing 'distinct brain differences' betwen believers and non-believers."

Rick Perry of Texas has governed the Lone Star state without causing the state budget to go into a deficit. While other state economies are facing difficult times, the Texas economy remains strong. So it comes as no surprise that more prominent conservatives have joined the bandwagon by endorsing his re-election bid for governor.

According to Fox News, "Texas Gov. Rick Perry is building up his conservative credentials in a tough Republican gubernatorial primary race against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, earning the endorsement Wednesday of the leader of the Minuteman Project Jim Gilchrist."

Van Jones, the race-baiting, Republican-hating, scourge of Glenn Beck, the Fox News TV show host, will soon receive an illustrious Image Award from the NAACP. Mr. Jones resigned in disgrace last year from his duties as the 'Green Czar' for the White House.

CNN reports that, "the group considers him a pioneering hero for the environment and civil rights - so much so that it is awarding him one of its highest honors Friday: an NAACP Image Award. It's a move that is just becoming public now, which is sure to stoke the fire from Jones' critics."