After the FED dropped rates … the illusion continues

John Mauldin writes convincingly that the Fed is trying to preempt the negative consequences of the housing collapse. However, the players in the market are behaving as if a bail out had occurred. In order for the message to be correctly heard, other signals need to be forthcoming. The problem is that asset markets are …
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Environmental regulations around the world

This paper by IHS Engineering, highlighted by GreenBiz in September, surveys the environmental landscape around the world to provide an overview of environmental regulations. It projects those regulations onto corporations to identify and detail the internal use models needed to confidently support those regulations with appropriate due diligence. Finally, it details the best ways to …
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US FDA takes another swipe at natural ingredients

The US FDA has caved into “pressure” from the powerful sugar and artificial sweetener lobby and issued a warning letter to Celestial Seasonings for using a popular natural sweetener in some of its teas. The letter indicates the FDA classifies the herb stevia as “unsafe”, even though it is a main staple sweetener in countries …
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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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Torture isn’t justified

That’s my conclusion after reading an essay on torture by The Economist.  The analysis indicates that generally torture is not effective or justified, though the  argument that it might save lives is that of the devil’s advocate and does not stand up to ethical scrutiny.  Its justification can only ever be self-serving and therefore unbalanced.

Parents are the problem with children’s diets.

Yes, we are. It seems only fair to note that children’s poor diet is a direct consequence of what they are fed by their parents. And if you don’t believe it’s a life or death issue, have a look at this story of the death of a 16-year-old boy who collapsed and died during a PE …
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Stress worse for health than disease (again)

As we’ve said before “Many health and happiness problems today are related to stress“. A World Health Organisation report (published in the Lancet) on the largest population-based worldwide study that explores the effect of depression in comparison with four other chronic diseases on health state found that  depression is more damaging to everyday health than …
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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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EU rates held at 4%

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged at 4% on 7 September, but it is not clear that they will not be increased to 4.25%  soon. The ECB is reacting to the increase in perceived risk in financial markets, catalysed by the sub-prime meltdown.  At the same time as the hold on rates increase, …
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