While defending the traditional teachings that reject divorce and gay marriage, the synod said the modern church must focus more on the “positive elements” in such relationships, rather than their shortcomings, and open a patient and merciful dialogue with the people involved. The ultimate aim, it said, is to use these “seeds” of goodness to bring people more fully into the church. MORE

Neapolitan archbishop: “God as the giver of life is offended” (I hope this is not retroactive!)

Rome (kath.net/KAP) Catholics who throw away food, must not receive Communion according to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe (photo). Whoever wastes food in the face of millions of hungry people, puts themselves outside of the human family, said the Archbishop of Naples in the context of an environmental conference, according to the Italian Catholic news agency SIR (Friday). This type of waste is insulting to the needy and to “God as the giver of life”. MORE

Inadequate protection against Ebola: The newest case of Ebola to reach the United States raises questions about the effectiveness of the protective gear health care workers wear when treating patients. A hospital worker in Dallas tested positive for the disease Sunday. The nurse treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the first Ebola patient to die in this country. MORE

A former RAF navigator has become the oldest person in Britain to have sex change surgery – at the age of 81.

The NHS op for Ruth Rose, once a man named James, drew criticism because of her age. But she said: “I always knew I was in the wrong body.”  MORE

A Massachusetts startup is launching a new device that transforms almost any bicycle into an electric-hybrid vehicle using an app on a smartphone.

The device, called the Copenhagen Wheel, is installed as part of a rear hub of a bike wheel and is packed with a proprietary computer, batteries and sensors that monitor how hard a rider is pedaling and activate an onboard motor whenever support is needed. MORE

A new study from UC Berkeley researchers found that mice who drank their fill of sweetened grapefruit juice gained less weight on a high-fat diet than their counterparts who drank sweetened water. The juice-drinking mice also had better measures of metabolic health, including blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. MORE

Rock and awe: Indonesian volcano Mount Sinabung spews out lava and ash as it continues to erupt for fourth successive day. The 2,460-metre volcano on the island of Sumatra, had been dormant for 400 years before it erupted in August 2010 killing at least two people and displacing 30,000 others. An eruption in February this year killed 16 people. MORE

Everyday animals suffer and are tortured for the name of entertainment.  The next time you ride an elephant think of the brainwashing and brutality this beast has to go through for your 5 minutes of enjoyment to be on top of the world. MORE

When in Rome do as the Romans do? Romans were civilized, so it was easier to adjust.  But to find yourself in front of an oppressed country, it could be daunting and very, very, unappetizing.  It’s hard to get out of your head. MORE

Paul Joseph Watson and Anthony Gucciardi discuss what is actually going on with the current Ebola scare and why the CDC’s actions are so cavalier. (Rivero saying at the least get black-light bulbs for existing fixtures, a mix of UV blacklight with ordinary bulbs, have bleach, gloves and masks, stockpiles of vitamin C and cinnamon on hand and make your own colloidal silver with 999 or preferably 9999 silver coinage. MORE How to make your own colloidal silver VIDEO: MORE

Update on impact of Typhoon Phanfone: Officials: Typhoon caused significant increase in radioactive releases from Fukushima — Record levels of ‘highly toxic’ nuclear material found in ground outside reactor — Among the most poisonous substances at plant MORE

In college, I met a number of individuals who were Christians and pacifists. At first I was intrigued by their interpretation of the Bible. They quoted many verses that seemed to support their case. However upon further investigation, I soon found that Christian pacifism is a philosophy that contradicts the Bible’s teachings. The Bible teaches that sometimes Christians should be physically violent. MORE

A new report reveals some of the intense family drama behind pro-abortion activist Jane Fonda’s parents. The report describes how Fonda’s father was cold and a bully, as well as a shameless womaniser and Jane always blamed her manic depressive mother Frances for their break-up. MORE