Last Saturday, I was out shopping and saw a big sign that read: Only 14 more shopping days until Christmas! I thought this was rather bizarre, to say nothing of ironic. After all, how does one define "shopping day" in a culture where many stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Tesco will operate 555 stores 24 hours a day in the week before Christmas. This includes 205 of the large ‘Extra’ stores, 349 superstores and one Metro.

Asda said 216 of its supermarkets will trade 24 hours a day in the week before Christmas. More than 100 others will open for longer than normal.

Sainsbury’s will open 25 supermarkets around the clock in the week before Christmas.

All 126 M&S stores at BP Connect petrol stations will be open throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day. Most will open 24… click here to read whole article and make comments

Iran’s Islamic regime may regard the West as morally decadent but trends in Iran are making them more alike. Take divorce.

Over the past decade, divorces have increased from 50,000 to 150,000. Nationwide there is one divorce for every seven marriages, but in the capital, Tehran, the ratio is one divorce for every 3.76 marriages, reports the New York Times. Marriages are also failing early -- 50 per cent in the first five years. The authorities so concerned that they renamed Marriage Day this year No Divorce Day and banned the issuing of any divorce permits on that day.

What’s behind it?

Conservative commentators call the problem a social ill on par with drug addiction and prostitution. Senior officials and members of Parliament have increasingly referred to the issue as a “crisis” and a “national threat.” Explanations for the rising divorce rate vary. More liberal commentators emphasize factors… click here to read whole article and make comments