News,

It has been reported that more than 2,500 women have so far been given morning-after pills from pharmacists without prescriptions in Manchester, England, since a pilot scheme was launched there last Christmas Eve. One in five of these women were teenagers, and concerns have been raised that the drug is being given to 13, 14 and 15-year-olds. A similar trial is also underway at 20 pharmacy stores in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. [Daily Express, 24 July] A leading German bishop known for his outspoken views against abortion passed away over the weekend. Archbishop Johannes Dyba of Fulda died of heart failure, aged 70. He had been seen as one of Germany's most conservative clergymen, and described abortion as a "children's holocaust". [AP, Yahoo! News, 23 July] Ann Winterton's Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) bill was again on the agenda last Friday in the British House of Commons, traditionally the day for private members' bills. As on previous occasions, it did not receive any consideration. An order was read for debate to be resumed, but members of parliament shouted "object" and no new day for its resumption was set. [Hansard, 21 July] A Canadian pro-abortion campaigner has claimed that the availability of abortion has led to a reduction in crime. Henry Morgentaler said: "Fewer unwanted children are being born. It is the unwanted children who are likely to be abused or neglected; they are therefore more likely to grow up with emotional problems and a rage in their hearts that leads to violence." [The Vancouver Sun, 21 July; from Pro-Life E-News] Legislation which would block Oregon's assisted suicide law may be brought to a vote in the US Senate before the August recess. Senator Don Nickles' Pain Relief Promotion act, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, had been held up in the Senate. Senator Ron Wyden had threatened to filibuster the legislation unless Senator Nickles supported his own unrelated bill, but the deadlock between the two seems to have been broken and Senator Nickles may now try to move his bill as soon as next week. [Portland Oregonian, 22 July; from Pro-Life Infonet] The American Life League has placed full-page advertisements in Seattle newspapers as part of their Educate Bill Gates campaign launched a year ago. The advertisements bear the message, "In the name of God, Bill, haven't you had enough?" and feature various newspaper headlines concerning the present troubles of Microsoft, Mr Gates' company. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated tens of millions of dollars to United Nations programmes which include the provision of abortion, as well as to the pro-abortion International Planned Parenthood Federation and its affiliates. The advertisements suggest that the downturn in Microsoft's fortunes is a result of prayer over the last year, and conclude: "Some people will believe anything before they'll believe there's a real God for whom even the tiniest human life is far more precious than the greatest earthly treasure." [PRNewswire, Yahoo! News, 21 July]