At last the Pope has jumped on nature’s band-wagon. In early September, Pope Benedict joined about 300,000 young Roman Catholics for an eco-friendly festival at the shrine of Loreto, in Italy. Wearing green vestments, the pontiff told the crowd it was up to them to save the planet from development which often upset “nature’s delicate …
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Category:Living
Embrace Islam
What a good idea! It sounds strange given the geopolitical tension around the world. But embracing Islam would be a whole lot more productive than condemning it. Now, being atheist, I’m not advocating religion. Rather, I’m suggesting that a positive attitude that embraces people would have better results than a divisive and condemning one that …
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China also turning away from the death penalty
China’s Supreme Court has ordered judges to be more sparing in the imposition of the death penalty, ordering that execution should be reserved for “an extremely small number of serious offenders”. The Supreme Court said murders triggered by family disputes should not always result in the death penalty and the death penalty should be withheld …
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UK gambling down despite online options
Surprising data from the UK’s Gambling Commission shows that the internet and other new forms of gambling have not led to an increase in gambling since 1999. In fact, due to a drop in the National Lottery sales, the numbers of people gambling fell from 72% in 1999 to 68%. The Gambling Prevalence Study questioned …
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Vatican’s relationship with China thaws
The rapprochement between China and the Vatican continued in September as the appointment of a bishop by China’s Patriotic Church (catholic) was tacitly approved by the Vatican. Pope Benedict previously initiated reconstruction of the relationship by writing to the Patriotic Church. China severed ties with the Vatican in 1951, angry at the Vatican’s recognition of …
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Tennessee, US, bans execution
Tennessee, made another bid to halt the death penalty in the US by ruling the method of execution inappropriate. This is a step away from recognising that the death penalty itself is inappropriate, though the time until that is recognised at a national, Federal level is uncertain. A Federal judge in Tennessee ruled that the …
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Banning smoking works
Recent studies on the effect of the smoking ban brought in to Ireland in March 2004 shows a strong reduction in related disease, proving the costs of smoking. This does not mean a prohibition is appropriate, but definitely supports a public place ban and better information for consumers. Dr Edmond Cronin and colleagues at Cork …
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Pocket money reinforces culture of consumption
A recent study by Hibernian Life in Ireland shows that children are given substantial amounts of pocket money – € 10 per week on average at primary and € 20 per week on average at secondary. More than half of the children spend all of their pocket money. This indicator, coupled with the continuous stream …
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Costly payback for clerical abuse
The Catholic diocese of San Diego recently agreed to pay $198.1 million to settle 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy, the second-largest payment by any diocese and over $ 1 million per claimant. The diocese had sought to shield its assets by declaring bankruptcy, but the judge threatened to dismiss the diocese’s case if …
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US cosmetics fast turning eco-natural
A new report from Organic Monitor, UK-based organic industry analysts, shows that the natural and organic sector is the fastest growing in the North American cosmetics and toiletries industry, with sales increasing by 20% a year and strong growth projected with its share of the total US personal care products market doubling to 15% in …
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