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Climate change to force 1 billion people to migrate: IOM http://www.ptinews.com/news/414930_Climate-change-to-force-people-to-migrate--IOM Copenhagen, Dec 9 (PTI) Climate change and environmental degradation will force as many as one billion people to migrate over the next four decades to southeast Asia, central America and parts of west Africa, world's leading migration agency has said. A International Organisation for Migration (IOM) report, said between 25 million to 1 billion people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. It also identified Afghanistan, Bangladesh, most of central America and parts of west Africa and southeast Asia as "future hotspots" where large numbers of people are expected to flee as a result of environmental and climate pressures. "In 2008, 20 million people were made homeless by sudden-onset environmental disasters that are set to amplify as global warming increases," the report released yesterday on the sidelines of climate change talks here said.

U.S. unveils plan to rev up clean technology in poor nations Nations pledge funds to make renewable energy more accessible http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/_pf.html By Juliet Eilperin | Washington Post Staff Writer | Monday, December 14, 2009 COPENHAGEN -- Energy Secretary Steven Chu will announce on Monday an international plan to deploy clean technology in developing countries, a $350 million, five-year effort that will include everything from putting solar lanterns in poor households to promoting advanced energy-efficient appliances worldwide, administration officials said. The Climate Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative is an attempt by the United States and other industrialized nations to help curb energy consumption in countries that will help determine if global greenhouse emissions keep rising or level off. "No matter what pledges are made here in Copenhagen, global emissions cannot be cut without widespread deployment of clean energy technologies," said Paul W. Bledsoe, a spokesman with the D.C.-based National Commission on Energy Policy. The initiative -- which includes $85 million from the United States and donations from industrialized nations such as Italy and Australia -- aims to make energy-saving technology that already exists cheap enough to penetrate markets in India, parts of Africa and elsewhere. It is distinct from the major financing package the United States is expected to unveil this week as part of a broader climate deal. Michael A. Levi, an energy and environment fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the launch was unlikely to affect the ongoing negotiations here, "but it will have a big impact on climate change and actual energy use." In Copenhagen, street protests pushing for a more ambitious climate agreement continued as a few dozen ministers met behind closed doors with Connie Hedegaard, the Danish minister chairing the U.N.-sponsored climate conference. Danish police imposed strict controls on the second day of demonstrations, detaining at least 200 activists. Meanwhile, Christian leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa led an ecumenical service focused on global warming. The question of how much rich nations are willing to pay poor ones to secure emission cuts continued to dominate the talks on Sunday. Negotiators working on a provision that aims to curb deforestation, which accounts for roughly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, were forced to take out language calling for cutting deforestation in half by 2050 because of uncertainty surrounding financing. But groups dedicated to preserving tropical forests, such as Conservation International and the Nature Conservancy, said the language was still in flux and might be restored. Chu, the fourth member of President Obama's Cabinet to arrive here, will address attendees at the climate talks on Monday. The plan to deploy clean technology -- which comes out of the ongoing meeting of the world's biggest greenhouse-gas emitters known as the Major Economies Forum -- aims to lower the costs of solar home systems and lanterns; enforce quality control for these products; and coordinate international standards, labels and incentives for high-efficiency appliances. It will also include $50 million for a renewable-energy program under the World Bank, which will advise poor countries on national renewable-energy strategies and help fund some of the capital costs for renewable ventures. Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, welcomed the initiative as "moving us in the right direction," but emphasized that the program would have to deliver on its promises. "It can't just be words," she said. "The words have to translate into action." A number of nonprofits, including the D.C.-based Solar Electric Light Fund and India's Barefoot College, have already funded solar-power projects in impoverished communities that have allowed these to leapfrog over conventional electricity sources. But the systems, including solar lanterns that can replace polluting kerosene wick lamps, are still too expensive for many in the developing world to afford, and their quality varies. An administration official familiar with the new initiative said it could cut the cost of these devices by as much as half. Emerging economies such as China and India have ambitious renewable-energy targets as part of their national climate strategies, and the wind and solar industry representatives are more visible at the climate negotiations this year than ever before. On Monday, solar associations from 16 nations and the European Union are releasing a report titled "Seizing the Solar Solution," projecting the combined production of European and U.S. solar industry alone can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 1 billion metric tons by 2020.

Christians in Pakistan prepare for 'silent Christmas' http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/14074-1-6-Christians-in-Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan: Catholics in northern Pakistan are preparing for quiet, scaled-back Christmas celebrations as militant attacks continue to terrorize the country. "Most of the scheduled programs are canceled due to this situation," said Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore. The celebrations will be more of a "family" affair with little "pomp and display outside," he added. "This will be a silent Christmas. We shall discover the meaning of Christmas in a quiet way and hope for the return of harmony and peace." The archbishop spoke to UCA News on Dec. 7, before two bomb blasts that evening ripped through a busy market in the center of Lahore, the Punjab province capital, killing at least 36 people. A wave of deadly bombings has rocked the country since the army launched an operation in mid-October against Taliban militants in neighboring North West Frontier Province, which borders Afghanistan. A blast outside a district courthouse in that province\'s capital, Peshawar, also on Dec. 7, killed 11 people and injured 44 others. "I was in a stationery shop several kilometers from the site when I heard a big explosion. Later, I saw a few fire engines speeding through the traffic," a catechist told UCA News. The catechist, who did not wish to be named, said two Catholic churches in Peshawar, the city worst hit by militant attacks in Pakistan, have canceled Christmas celebrations. "Masses will be conducted but not the traditional fairs. We are praying everyday for the improvement of the situation and peace in the country," he said. The annual outdoor Christmas fair at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Faisalabad, Punjab, also has been called off. "The annual diocesan choir event formerly attended by thousands in the open cathedral compound will now be limited only to the cathedral building," said Father Khalid Rashid Asi, vicar general of Faisalabad diocese. "We are very cautious and all programs are being organized ... on a low-scale." The Peshawar and Lahore blasts came less than a week after an explosion at a mosque in Rawalpindi, adjacent to Islamabad, on Dec. 4. Forty people including high-ranking army officers died, while 83 others were injured in that incident. Rawalpindi is the headquarters of the Pakistani army. Meanwhile, prominent Muslim clerics have issued a fatwa (religious edict) declaring suicide attacks and bomb blasts "un-Islamic." Courtesy : UCAN

Rain Fails To Dampen The Spirit: Christmas Bazaar In Abu Dhabi A Big Hit http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=159919# By Steeven D and Claude Fernandes - Team Mangalorean, UAE Click here for photo album Abu Dhabi December 12, 2009: Hundreds of people braved the unexpected Friday drizzle to show their support for the Christmas bazaar held in the St. Joseph's Church premises in Abu Dhabi. A wide range of stalls featuring innovative games, delicious food and other activities were enough to keep the visitors glued to the attractions throughout the day. The annual event, held to raise funds to help charitable causes across the world, was inaugurated by H.E. Paul Hinder, Bishop of the Arabian Vicariate, in the presence of priests of the vicariate and a large number of parishioners. People of all nationalities, including Indian, Filipinos, Lebanese, Sri Lankans and others, showed their enthusiasm by participating in various activities and supporting their stalls. Santa made a grand entry to the venue by arriving on a golf cart along with children of different nationalities taking part in the procession. He imparted the message of Christmas, love joy and peace and conveyed his wishes to the gathering. The evening saw a mini food festival at the bazaar as food stalls featuring delicacies from different parts of the world tickled the taste-buds of the visitors. From spicy Goan sorpotel to warm sannas, from barbecues to exotic kababs, from spicy South Indian fare to Lankan curries  the church compound was the home of a mix of rich aromas. The variety entertainment featured carol-singing by the Circle of hands Choir group, Couples for Christ, Gods flock choir, live band, dances, martial arts and songs by various other church groups and by children of different age groups. Another big attraction at the bazaar was the lucky draw where the grand prize was a Nissan Tiida car. Dolphy Vaz was the main coordinator of this event and he was assisted by Pervez and Joyce Rego. The event also received an enthusiastic response from the corporate sector with companies participating in the various activities.

President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a mixed message to France's Muslim immigrants Call for tolerance comes with a caution on displays of religion http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/_pf.html By Edward Cody | Wednesday, December 9, 2009 PARIS - Faced with swelling unease over the place of Muslim immigrants in France, President Nicolas Sarkozy called Tuesday for tolerance among native French people but warned that arriving Muslims must embrace Europe's historical values and avoid "ostentation or provocation" in the practice of their religion. Sarkozy's appeal, in a statement published by Le Monde newspaper, reflected concern that a government-sponsored debate on France's "national identity," sharpened by a recent referendum banning minarets in neighboring Switzerland, seemed to be contributing to expressions of anti-Muslim sentiment and generating resentment among Muslim citizens and immigrants. "I address my Muslim countrymen to say I will do everything to make them feel they are citizens like any other, enjoying the same rights as all the others to live their faith and practice their religion with the same liberty and dignity," he said. "I will combat any form of discrimination. "But I also want to tell them," he continued, "that in our country, where Christian civilization has left such a deep trace, where republican values are an integral part of our national identity, everything that could be taken as a challenge to this heritage and its values would condemn to failure the necessary inauguration of a French Islam." Sarkozy said he understood the fears of many native French at the growing visibility of Muslims. France has Europe's largest Muslim population, estimated at well over 5 million. That, he said, is what led him to propose the national-identity debate managed by Eric Besson, the minister of immigration, integration and national identity. "This muffled threat felt by so many people in our old European nations, rightly or wrongly, weighs on their identity," Sarkozy added. "We must all speak about this together, out of fear that, if it is kept hidden, this sentiment could end up nourishing a terrible rancor." Dismissing criticisms from leftist figures and some members of his own government, Sarkozy said the Swiss decision Nov. 29 to ban construction of minarets arose from a democratic vote and, instead of outrage, should inspire reflection on the resentment felt by Swiss people and many other Europeans, "including the French people." Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had said he was "a little scandalized" by the Swiss vote and suggested it "means a religion is being oppressed." Intellectuals in the Paris chattering class took their criticism further, suggesting the Swiss vote betrayed bigotry and isolationism. But Xavier Bertrand, head of Sarkozy's political coalition, the Union for a Popular Movement, seemed to indicate that a referendum like the one in Switzerland would be a good idea for France. In an appearance before reporters, he questioned whether French Muslims "necessarily need" minarets for their mosques. Bertrand's stand, and Sarkozy's entry into the controversy Tuesday, were seen against the background of regional assembly elections in March, in which the governing coalition is seeking to make inroads into provincial Socialist Party strongholds. The extreme-right National Front, which could drain votes from Sarkozy's party, openly applauded the Swiss decision and said minarets -- towers beside mosques from which the faithful are called to prayer -- should also be banned here. Along the same lines, members of parliament from Sarkozy's coalition introduced a bill this month giving mayors the authority to ban foreign flags at city hall marriages, aiming at Algerian, Moroccan or Tunisian flags that often accompany the weddings of immigrants' children. Similarly, a mayor from the government majority complained recently that, in his city hall, weddings more often are accompanied by Arab-style ululating than polite applause. While urging Muslims to avoid ostentation and provocation, Sarkozy avoided specific comment on another test soon to be posed for his government, this one over whether Muslim women should be allowed to wear veils that cover their entire faces. Although only a small number do so, a parliamentary commission has held three months of hearings and is expected to issue a report next month proposing legal restrictions. The president has said publicly that "the burqa has no place in France," placing his opposition in the context of women's rights. But since then, a number of political leaders have suggested that the French constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, would make legislating on the question difficult no matter what the angle of attack.

New Pastor for Syro Malabar Catholics in Archdiocese of Toronto Excerpts from: http://www.stmarysbrampton.com/index.html The Archdiocese has appointed Fr. James Cherickal, as pastor for the Syro Malabar Catholic Community in the GTA. This is a mission community of 1000 families spread through out the Archdiocese but does not have its own church. Currently the people in the East celebrate Mass at Precious Blood Church, Scarborough and the west at Michael Gates School, Mississauga. Fr. Cherickal will be living as a resident in one of the rectories in Mississauga. For the past three and half years he was the pastor at St. Mary’s parish in Brampton. Fr. Liborio Amaral will be the new pastor. He grew up in Brampton, learned the basics of service at the altar of St. Mary’s, studied at Cardinal Leger School also in Brampton. The parish celebrated it’s Golden Jubilee in 2009.