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December 24, 2005
Problems facing the Catholic church
The new Pope - Joseph Ratzinger - has so far given us few clues as to how he intends to tackle the daunting problems that his worldwide church faces.
These challenges include: the de-Christianisation of Europe, the poaching of believers in Latin America by evangelical sects, the sex scandals involving Catholic priests in the US and other countries, the deafness of countries like China and Saudi Arabia to calls from Rome for greater religious freedom for Catholic minorities.
BBC NEWS | Europe | Low-key start for new Pope
Posted by thdyck at December 24, 2005 | Comments (0)
Reducing pancreatic cancer risk
Eating at least five portions a day of certain fruit and vegetables could cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 50%, US researchers believe.
Onions, garlic, beans, carrots, corn, dark leafy vegetables and citrus fruits were among the most protective foods, according to the study.
A University of California team compared the diets of 2,200 people.
Cancer experts said previous studies had revealed similar findings, but more research was still needed.
More than 10,000 people die each year in the UK from pancreatic cancer. It remains largely untreatable, with the five-year survival rate at under 3%.
BBC NEWS | Health | High-veg diet 'wards off cancer'
Posted by thdyck at December 24, 2005 | Comments (0)
December 11, 2005
Brazil's largest home-grown fast food restaurant
The most popular products at Habib's are the esfiha - a small, round flatbread topped with minced beef or cheese - and the kibe - a croquette of beef shaped like a rugby ball.
These are deliberately priced as low as possible. Esfihas sell for 69 Brazilian centavos (31 cents; 18p) each, with the price falling to 39 centavos in some special offers.
Poster outside Habib's restaurant on Avenida Interlagos, Sao Paulo Habib's aims to be affordable for the majority of Brazilians
Last year, Habib's sold a record 600 million esfihas - more than three for every man, woman and child in Brazil - and 60 million kibes.
BBC NEWS | Business | Giving Brazil a taste of Arabia
Posted by thdyck at December 11, 2005 | Comments (0)
December 8, 2005
Amate: Love! art display
Amate: Love! by Elma Eidse-Neufeld
Amate: Love! is an exhibit of handcast paper sculptures tracing the appearance of human symbols since the dawn of time. Thirty-two pieces form the narrative. A “thread of red” runs through the work, contemplating the love of God in creation and redemption, and suggesting how God enters our world of signs and symbols to transform it through His Son, who is “the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3).
The show imparts a timeworn, hallowed feel. Accompanying commentary incorporates the visual arts with literature and history, interpreting the work through quotes from the ancients (Malachi, Augustine, Milton) and historical interaction. The viewer is drawn to the text through the texture of the sculpture; the reader is led to the artwork through the artistry of the writing. In this way, the art show focuses on the communicative word – visual, symbolic, literary – as well as on the Person of the Word. The devotional tone of Amate thus encourages personal approbation of the truths behind the language of emblem.
xhibits from Dominican Republic and Elma Eidse-Neufeld - MC Canada
Posted by thdyck at December 8, 2005 | Comments (0)
Eloquence on torture
The law lords' unanimous finding that the men's appeal should be allowed began with a forthright condemnation of torture by Lord Bingham, the former Lord Chief Justice, who headed the panel of seven law lords.
He said the English law had regarded "torture and its fruits" with abhorrence for over 500 years.
"I am startled, even a little dismayed, at the suggestion (and the acceptance by the Court of Appeal majority) that this deeply-rooted tradition and an international obligation solemnly and explicitly undertaken can be overridden by a statute and a procedural rule which make no mention of torture at all."
Another member of the panel, Lord Carswell said: "The duty not to countenance the use of torture by admission of evidence in judicial proceedings must be regarded as paramount and to allow its admission would shock the conscience, abuse or degrade the proceedings and involve the state in moral defilement."
BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Lords reject torture evidence use
Posted by thdyck at December 8, 2005 | Comments (0)
UN caught between Mugabe and their relief work
Mr Egeland spent Monday meeting people living in camps and said some of them were living in inadequate conditions - much worse than before.
When questioned on whether UN staff on the ground were negligent by failing to help Zimbabweans by seeking to avoid confrontation, he said he had raised the issue of criminal behaviour with Mr Mugabe.
"It's a criminal act to bulldoze someone's home who owned their land - there should be prosecutions."
BBC NEWS | Africa | Zimbabwe in meltdown - UN envoy
Posted by thdyck at December 8, 2005 | Comments (0)
December 7, 2005
Philip Pullman on the Narnia books
It's not the presence of Christian doctrine I object to so much as the absence of Christian virtue.
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Pullman attacks Narnia film plans
Posted by thdyck at December 7, 2005 | Comments (0)
December 6, 2005
Don't fight when you are in the hospital
The Ohio State University team focused on 42 married couples and found wounds on hostile couples healed at 60% of the healing rate for non-hostile couples.
The team told the journal Archives of General Psychiatry the findings showed hospitals should try to minimise stress for patients ahead of surgery.
This could lead to shorter hospital stays and save money, they added.
BBC NEWS | Health | Stress 'hinders healing process'
Posted by thdyck at December 6, 2005 | Comments (0)