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Showing posts from December, 2005

Merry Christmas & the Very Best for 2006!

She is a True Hero!

Amazon nun's killers are jailed Landless peasants celebrated justice for Dorothy Stang ... Two Brazilians have been found guilty of murdering a US-born Catholic nun and peasants' rights activist, and sentenced to long jail terms. Sister Dorothy Stang campaigned on behalf of poor farmers against ranchers and big logging companies. Rayfran das Neves Sales was found to have shot the 73-year-old nun six times on a muddy track in the rainforest. He was sentenced to 27 years and his accomplice, Clodoaldo Carlos Batista, to 17 years in prison. Prosecutors hope the convictions will open the way for three other men to be tried on charges of paying for and ordering the murder. They are in custody and awaiting trial next year, accused of offering more than $20,000 (£11,000) to the gunmen. 'Defence of property' The BBC's Tom Gibb in Sao Paulo says the case is being seen as a crucial test of Brazil's ability and willingness to clean up vigilante violence in the Amazon. Dis...

Is it Goodbye, Red Cross?

In today’s world of political correctness phobia, the issue of trying not to offend others is reaching higher levels of paranoia...The latest being that concerning the symbol to use for the respected (non-religious) organization that for decades has risked its members in desolate, war or disaster zones around the globe to provide first aid to needy people of all colors or creed. Should they have just one internationally recognized acceptable icon as their logo? Should the logo vary from region to another? If 'yes', what should this icon be? The argument is interesting, but definitely a thorny one... Ray de Bono, for Dmaxmalta Red Cross mulls 'neutral' emblem By Imogen Foulkes BBC News, Geneva Israel says it is ready to use the new symbol outside its borders In Geneva diplomats from the 192 countries which have signed the Geneva conventions are meeting to discuss a third emblem for the international Red Cross. Red Cross officials hope approval of a third emblem will f...