"The WAR on error"
Of course the path to unity continues to be long and difficult; however, we must not be discouraged and must continue go forward on it, relying first of all on the sure support of the One who, before ascending to heaven, promised his followers: "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." To grow and be fruitful, the Judeo-Christian friendship must also be based on prayer. Therefore, I invite everyone to address today a persistent prayer to the Lord that Jews and Christians may respect and appreciate one another and collaborate together for justice and peace in the world.
In the face of such propositions of a false Jesus, Magister insists, Pope Benedict offers the “true Jesus of history,” a Jesus who is, “true God and true man, and does not weary of offering his Gospel to all.”
Serving more wine...
The Vatican has convoked a conference in Asia to spread the social doctrine of the Church. "It is urgent for the Church in Asia to address these new challenges, drawing orientations and lines of action from the social doctrine of the Church." The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church will be presented by scholars, experts and pastors.
Have been wonderin' about him...
Tariq Aziz, a Chaldean Catholic who served as deputy prime minister of Iraq under Saddam Hussein, has issued a plea to the Italian government and the Vatican for permission to live in Rome while he awaits trial on human-rights charges.
Germany's conservative bloc suffered setback Wednesday after one of its key political allies failed to resolve a leadership crisis. It is uncertain, however, if Stoiber will survive until September. Alois Glück president of the Bavarian Parliament said that Stoiber's future "should be settled quickly" in the coming weeks.
Many in Germany are suddenly concerned about the country's energy supplies. The Foreign Minister spoke to Der Spiegel about German and European energy policy.
More Russia, more Middle East, more integration. The Chancellor's blueprint for the next 6 months in Europe is an ambitious one. And along the way, she hopes to find the continent's soul.
Condoleezza Rice and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the international quartet for Middle East peace would meet next month, calling the time ripe for a fresh initiative.
Hello Bibi?...
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz came under renewed pressure to resign after the Israeli army's chief of staff stepped down in the wake of the flawed Lebanon war. The sudden departure of Israel's top military official, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, delivered another setback to the prime minister, whose popularity has plummeted.
Ankara is thinking aloud about a possible military intervention in northern Iraq. As the Kurdish population consolidates its hold on oil-rich Kirkuk, the Turkish government worries about increased sectarian violence among the separatist PKK.
Beirut's daily an-Nahar newspaper ran a caricature of the Iraqi flag adorned with 3 nooses. At the center of the red, white and black banner, the outline of the coiled ropes appears similar to the word "Allah" in Arabic script. The cartoon appears under the caption "The New Iraq."
Condoleezza Rice went to the Middle East this week to garner support for the new US strategy in Iraq. Arab leaders welcomed renewed moves to quell the ensuing chaos but are skeptical that the Iraqi government can take on the Shia militias or curb Iranian influence in the country.
A stepped up military offensive that targets mosques, religious leaders and Islamic customs is leading many Iraqis to believe that the US-led invasion really was a "holy war."
Sudan yesterday summoned the senior US diplomat in Khartoum after it said American troops raided the Sudanese embassy in Baghdad, violating diplomatic conventions.
Iran and Sudan yesterday signed a emorandum of understanding for expansion of mutual defense cooperation.
Thanks, but no thanks...
Iran offered to cut off aid and support for the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas, and promised full transparency on its nuclear program in a secret letter to the US soon after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the British media reported. According to the BBC, the letter was unsigned, but the US State Department understood that it came with the approval of the highest Iranian authorities. The Islamic republic also offered to use its influence to support stabilisation in Iraq, and in return asked for a halt in hostile American behaviour, an abolition of all sanctions, and the pursuit and repatriation of members of the Mujahedeen Khalq (People's Mujahedeen MKO).
The Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Times reports that a “reliable source” in Washington has provided detailed information about the forthcoming US hard-power attack on Iran’s nuclear and oil industries. According to the un-named sources, the US timetable is being driven by the retirement of Tony Blair. The British Prime Minister sacrificed his own popularity to back Bush’s wars in the Middle East. Politically weakened by his loyalty to Bush, Blair is publicly committed to step down from his office this May.
Christian Zionists are dancing the hora in San Antonio. Armageddon appears to be at hand. As George W. Bush sets his sights on Iran, even Republicans are wondering how to constitutionally contain the trigger-happy king. But for an influential group of Christian fundamentalists - White House allies that garner not only feel-good meetings with the President's liaisons to the "faith-based" community but also serious discussions with Bush's national security staff - an attack on Iran is just what God ordered.
Observing President Bush, one has to wonder if the American empire isn’t about to revisit the chaos that accompanied Rome in the 3rd century AD. Certainly, there are some parallels to be drawn between Rome in the 3rd century and what has occurred or is on America’s horizon. President Bush although much younger will never have the backbone that the 69-year-old Emperor Valerian had when he accompanied his troops to fight the Persians. And as long as the state continues to coerce, manipulate, force, bully, or intimidate peoples we will stand on the razor edge that separates social chaos from social order. The only question left is what will tip the scales and plunge the American society into chaos?
With hindsight we may see 2006 as the end of Pax Americana. Ever since WW2, the United States has used its military and economic superiority to promote a stable world order that has, on the whole, kept the peace and spread prosperity. But the US increasingly lacks both the power and the will to play this role.
Fodder for the Paranoid Protestants...
Gordon Brown has called for a “new world order”, to be achieved by reorganising international institutions including the UN and NATO. The Chancellor called for the stalled world trade talks to be restarted and condemned rising protectionism in America and Europe. He said that the EU would have to do more to embrace globalisation, rather than shut it out, saying that it would have to move “from an inward-looking union — the union of a trade-bloc Europe — to outward-looking internationalists, the union of a global Europe” .
Actually less than 5 years...
The group of scientists who run the Doomsday Clock — a countdown to Armageddon that was begun in 1947 — was moved 2 minutes closer to stand at 5 minutes to midnight to reflect climate change and the nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran.
In the wake of reports of unidentified objects flying over Chicago's O'Hare Airport, a retired Air Force pilot has his own mystery with a rash of bright, colorful lights he photographed hovering in skies over western Arkansas last week. "I believe these lights were not of this world, and I feel a duty and responsibility to come forward," Col. Brian Fields told WND. "I have no idea what they were."
American Jewish comedian Jerry Seinfeld was ordered by the court to pay a Sabbath-observant realtor her fee, which he withheld due to her not having answered her phone on Saturday.
The first evidence that beauty is infectious is published today by scientists who have shown that when women see a rival smiling at a man, he becomes more attractive as a result.
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