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Issues & Experts Archive > Papacy, politics, dating and crime — Issues and Experts
Papacy, politics, dating and crime — Issues and Experts
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Oct 01, 2003
Prayers for the pope…An increasingly frail Pope John Paul II is said to be ill, possibly with terminal stomach cancer, and in need of prayers, according to Vatican officials. October marks his papacy’s 25th anniversary (Oct. 16) and the beatification of Mother Teresa (Oct. 19.) He recently elected 31 new cardinals to join the 109-member College of Cardinals, the body charged with electing a new pope. SFU historian Himar Pabel can look at the state of affairs for the ailing pontiff, and the prospects of a change in the papacy.
Liberals prepare for victory…Short of a Tory miracle, Ontario’s Liberal Party appears to be on its way to an easy victory over the ruling Conservatives after voters hit the polls in a provincial election Oct. 2. A poll released this week shows the Liberals ahead by 19 points, and projections indicate they could double their seats and claim a majority government. SFU political scientist Patrick Smith can look at how Tories’ "big blue machine" failed.
Justice ministers to toughen crime measures…Getting tough on child killers and police murderers will be key items for discussion when justice ministers from across Canada meet in Quebec City this week. Other issues include creation of a national sex offender registry, the challenges of prosecuting organized criminals and anti-child pornography measures. SFU criminologistNeil Boyd can look at the issues raised.
Older women seeking younger men… One of the largest surveys conducted on dating habits of mid-life unmarried singles in the US has found about one third of women between 40 and 60 are going out with younger men. SFU evolutionary psychologist Charles Crawford says the notion that older women want younger men often surfaces. He points to an earlier study of what people desire in a mating partner, conducted in 37 cultures, which shows that men prefer women about three years younger, while women prefer men about three years older. (Also, see the Oct. 2 issue of SFU News www.sfu.ca/mediapr/sfunews for Crawford’s opinion on same-sex marriage).
Graduates celebrate achievements…For some 1,400 SFU students, this fall marks the end of their studies — and a cause for celebration. They’ll take part in convocation ceremonies on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3. Ceremonies begin with long, colourful processions of graduands across campus and into convocation mall. They begin each day at 9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. On Thursday morning, an honorary doctor of letters will be conferred on Vancouver Sunarts writer Max Wyman. On Thursday afternoon, an honorary doctor of science will be conferred on Viennese neurologist Lüder Deecke.
- HilmarPabel;604.291.5816;hilmar_pabel@sfu.ca
Liberals prepare for victory…Short of a Tory miracle, Ontario’s Liberal Party appears to be on its way to an easy victory over the ruling Conservatives after voters hit the polls in a provincial election Oct. 2. A poll released this week shows the Liberals ahead by 19 points, and projections indicate they could double their seats and claim a majority government. SFU political scientist Patrick Smith can look at how Tories’ "big blue machine" failed.
- Patrick Smith, 604.291.1544(h); psmith@sfu.ca
Justice ministers to toughen crime measures…Getting tough on child killers and police murderers will be key items for discussion when justice ministers from across Canada meet in Quebec City this week. Other issues include creation of a national sex offender registry, the challenges of prosecuting organized criminals and anti-child pornography measures. SFU criminologistNeil Boyd can look at the issues raised.
- Neil Boyd, 604.291.3324; neil_boyd@sfu.ca(is away after Friday Oct. 3)
Older women seeking younger men… One of the largest surveys conducted on dating habits of mid-life unmarried singles in the US has found about one third of women between 40 and 60 are going out with younger men. SFU evolutionary psychologist Charles Crawford says the notion that older women want younger men often surfaces. He points to an earlier study of what people desire in a mating partner, conducted in 37 cultures, which shows that men prefer women about three years younger, while women prefer men about three years older. (Also, see the Oct. 2 issue of SFU News www.sfu.ca/mediapr/sfunews for Crawford’s opinion on same-sex marriage).
- Charles Crawford, 604.291.3354; crawford@sfu.ca
Graduates celebrate achievements…For some 1,400 SFU students, this fall marks the end of their studies — and a cause for celebration. They’ll take part in convocation ceremonies on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3. Ceremonies begin with long, colourful processions of graduands across campus and into convocation mall. They begin each day at 9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. On Thursday morning, an honorary doctor of letters will be conferred on Vancouver Sunarts writer Max Wyman. On Thursday afternoon, an honorary doctor of science will be conferred on Viennese neurologist Lüder Deecke.
- Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323