Short Stuff

CompuServe , one of the largest world-wide commercial internet service providers, blocked access to sexually explicit and other potentially offensive material on the internet after a German prosecutor reportedly threatened to sue the service for distributing illegal material in Germany. Because it lacked the technical ability to block only its 220,000 German subscribers, CompuServe restricted internet access for all of its four million customers worldwide. The action was the first major self-imposed censorship on the internet and has sparked debate about freedom of expression on the internet.--
Evangelical Press News Service.

The 38th annual Grammy awards broadcast Feb. 28 awarded CeCe Winan's album Alone in His Presence the best contemporary soul gospel album. Other gospel category winners included Lesson of Love, by Ashley Cleveland (rock); I'll Lead You Home, by Michael W. Smith (pop/contemporary); and Amazing Grace--A Country Salute to Gospel, by various artists (southern, country or bluegrass).
EPNS

In honour of the 100th anniversary of the motion picture, a Vatican committee selected the 45 best movies of all time. The list includes The Mission, Gandhi, Chariots of Fire, Schindler's List, It's a Wonderful Life, Wizard of Oz and many Italian films, particularly those by Fellini. Modestly titled, "Some Important Films", the list is a churchwide effort to encourage Catholics to make good choices in movies they watch.
EPNS

80% of Europe's movie box-office receipts come from American films. In 1990, 21 of the 25 top movies in Japan were American.
Current Thoughts and Trends

In less than a year in print, Angels on Earth, a Guideposts magazine, has reached a circulation of 275,000. It recounts stories of angels helping people through real-life crises. New Man, Promise Keeper's new national magazine, is already at 350,000 and growing fast.
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