THE DAILY WAR!
Non-pagan/papal date: 11-21
THE HOLY ROMAN
Here is a translation of the address B16 gave yesterday when he recited the midday Angelus with the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square.
According to the bishop, "the fundamental coincidence" between the meeting of the Christian churches and B16's encyclical "God Is Love" is "essential, as if we have gathered here, it is because we work to grow in the unity of all Christians."
EMPIRE OF THE GERMAN NATION
A Turkish film depicting US troops killing and capturing innocent civilians in Iraq should be withdrawn from German cinemas, Edmund Stoiber has said. He was quoted as saying that "Valley of the Wolves: Iraq" was racist and that it could stir animosity between Islam and the West.
As European embassies and flags burn in the Middle East, the already frayed nerves of German security services are being stretched taut. And with the World Cup starting in four months, there's no relief in sight.
EUROPE/RUSSIA
Papers wonder if there has been an over-reaction to the spread of bird flu across the continent. An Italian minister comes under fire for dressing provocatively. And in Spain, a Basque rumour mill grinds to a halt.
Muslim extremists attacked churches at the weekend as the row over the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed continued to spread despite an apology from the Danish newspaper that first published them.
Poland's Foreign Minister Stefan Meller ruled out allowing any Iranian researchers to examine the scale of the Holocaust. "Under no circumstances we should allow something like that to take place in Poland. It goes beyond all imaginable norms to question, even discuss or negotiate the issue."
[WAR: WHY?!! If there's nothing to hide, then bend over backwards and allow them every access to whatever they need. Then let the truth of the evidence and facts prove who's telling the truth!!]
MIDEAST/AFRICA/ASIA
There are currently 2 vectors in international diplomacy: the multilateral approach, based on respect for international law, upholding the need to respect agreements signed and using the UNSC as the proper forum for debate and dialogue on an egalitarian and non-discriminatory basis, and the carrot-and-stick approach, unilateralist, based on the economic interests of elitist cliques, favoured by Washington and its protege, Tel Aviv.
In the last week or so, the West has given Osama bin Laden's program of a relentless jihad against America new credibility, and delivered thousands of new converts to his doorstep. The "war of civilizations" touted by the neoconservatives as "WW4" is darkening the horizon with frightening speed. One has to be forgiven for wondering if, perhaps, someone is quite interested in hurrying it along.
So are U.S. tactical nuclear weapons deployed in the Persian Gulf, on hair-trigger alert, and ready to be launched against Iran at a moment's notice? The use of tactical nuclear weapons against Iran will usher in a new world order.
The Iranian foreign minister says there is still time to negotiate an end to his country's nuclear stand-off, urging the West not to turn to the UNSC.
On March 20 Iran opens a new "bourse" (exchange) on which countries all over the world can buy and sell oil and gas not only for dollars but also for euros.
According to the existing schedule, the IBO will start functioning from March 2006. Some sources have claimed that the US is so sensitive to this move against dollar that it is going to attack Iran before the IOB starts working.
When Bush makes a trip to India next month, he will be visiting a country that, like China, has begun to gear its international strategy to its energy needs. That is one of the biggest diplomatic challenges facing the US, and right now the American strategy is askew.
HOUSE OF ISRAEL
"Mr. Speaker, this resolution is a drumbeat for war with Iran. Its logic is faulty, its premises are flawed, and its conclusions are dangerous. I urge my colleagues to stop for a moment and ponder the wisdom of starting yet another war in the Middle East."
You can always tell when the War Party wants a new war. They will invariably trot out the Argumentum ad Hitlerum.
ECONOMY
Oil prices have risen by more than $1 a barrel today, after fresh violence cut production in Nigeria, the world's 8th largest exporter.
Last week in testimony to the US Congress, Ben Bernanke sought to play down what many consider a grave risk in any trade confrontation with Beijing – that China may decide to sell its huge holdings of US Treasury bills.
Millions of Americans will soon face significantly higher mortgage payments. Unfortunately, many can barely afford their current payment. Why is this happening? What will be the consequences? We are moving ever closer to that day of reckoning. As we do, it becomes evident that the housing bubble appears to have a burning fuse sticking out of it that makes it look more like a bomb than a bubble. Are you prepared for the explosion?
MISC
Sasquatch fever has struck Malaysia, where an animal-protection group now claims to have "scientific evidence" to prove the existence of the legendary creature known as "Bigfoot."
#11-21
