In Europe, some harken to the ancient Hapsburg line of emperors, and a Christian past now maligned or ignored. Otto von Hapsburg turns 94 and is celebrated as "Mr. Europe". If the "problem of Europe" weighs heavily on the heart of this Bavarian pope, no one man better personifies a truly Catholic response to it than does Dr. Otto von Habsburg, heir of the last great Catholic monarchy and visionary architect of today's expanding EU. His decades of public service in the political arena exemplify the best in Europe 's Christian past and its hopes for a peaceful, united and still Christian future. Born to a 700-year-old imperial dynasty, the present-day head of the House of Habsburg has, in his own way, taken up the same mantle of responsibility borne by the Austrian emperors, and the Holy Roman Emperors before them, without benefit of any of the office's perks or powers.
Thought criminal...
A 67-year-old far-right activist was convicted of incitement and sentenced to the maximum 5 years in prison for anti-Semitic activities, including contributing to a Web site dedicated to Holocaust denial.
A group of 9 member states have issued an open declaration calling for more promotion of social Europe, asking that the issue raised at an EU leaders summit in 2 weeks time. France, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Hungary, Belgium and Greece have all signed up to a two-page long declaration in which they argue that the 27-country bloc should be more than just an internal market. Even calls for a protocol on social Europe to be attached to the EU constitution are likely to cause rifts with some states worried about Europe getting any sort of foothold into social policy - a jealously guarded national domain.
Serbia's prime minister warned of dangerous consequences if the breakaway province of Kosovo gets independence. He told a rally that Kosovo's independence would represent a "dangerous precedent" and "violence against a democratic European nation."
President Putin promoted hawkish Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov to first deputy prime minister in a reshuffle just over a year before presidential elections in which the close Putin ally is seen as a top contender.
Gas, terrorism, and Palestine were the key issues raised during President Putin's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. "No matter what we started to discuss with our partners during the trip, we invariably began and ended with Palestine."
Prime Minister Olmert has agreed to a Turkish inspection of construction work near Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque which has sparked violent Palestinian protests and angered Muslims across the world. "Olmert showed me photographs of the construction ... but they have failed to convince me 100%. I proposed to send a technical team to inspect on site the work that is being done and he (Olmert) has agreed."
Radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has ordered heads of his Mehdi Army militia to leave Iraq and asked the government to arrest "outlaws" under a US-backed crackdown.
The Rwandan President says that his country will cement its bitter divorce from France and the French-speaking world, which he holds responsible for the 1994 slaughter of up to one million of his countrymen, by joining the Commonwealth later year. "There are many benefits for us in joining the Commonwealth — cultural, economic, political."
"Militarists are still craving for a confrontation with the U.S. because this can strengthen their status. Their future will depend on the outcome of the standoff."
The Iranian capital's vast market is the centre of the nation's economy. But President Ahmadinejad's foreign policy, and the sanctions it has provoked, are proving bad for business.
During a meeting with new Cypriot ambassador to Tehran, Ahmadinejad said today is the era of wisdom and friendship and world problems can merely be solved through logic, understanding and justice.
Iran does not have a military nuclear program, said Iran's Ambassador to the UN. "Iran has put on the table various proposals that would remove any possibility that Iranian program could be one day diverted to non-peaceful use." He stressed that throughout previous negotiations, Iran has presented proposals that unfortunately have not been even discussed, because the US simply rejected them. "Even today, if you ask Secretary Rice, she is insisting on a pre-condition that everybody knows will not be met. And that is why she is saying that if this condition is met, I'm willing to do X ,Y and Z, because she knows and she prays that that the pre-condition is never met. I can assure you that the nuclear issue could be resolved in a relatively short period of time, because we don't have a nuclear weapon program."
Faced with growing public opposition to the US war in Iraq, the Bush administration has been desperately trying to divert attention to Iran. It is extremely dangerous for the Bush administration to misrepresent and exaggerate Iranian actions and to engage in hyperbole and threats.
No...
If we were still a republic, reversing the stupidity and hubris of this administration and bringing troops home, much less avoiding this so-called inevitable attack on Iran, would be achievable, and even normal.
A group of US religious leaders will leave Saturday for meetings with Iranian clergy and political leaders, including President Ahmadinejad. "We are making this trip hoping it will encourage both governments to step back from a course that will lead to conflict and suffering."
Top Democrats in the Congress have warned President Bush that he does not have the authority to go to war with Iran.
Frustrated by the inability of Democrats in Congress to pass a resolution opposing President Bush's policies in Iraq, state legislators across the country, led by Democrats and under pressure from liberal advocacy groups, are pushing forward with their own resolutions.
President Bush has not been shy about asserting robust powers for the presidency in waging war, but lately he has seemed to concede that Congress has a role to play as well. But as the debate in Congress shifts from nonbinding resolutions of disapproval for adding troops in Iraq to attaching conditions on funding for the war, a constitutional clash between the legislative and executive branches may be inevitable.
A paid FBI informant was the man behind a neo-Nazi march through the streets of Parramore that stirred up anxiety in Orlando's black community and fears of racial unrest that triggered a major police mobilization.
The world is witnessing the passing of the US as the greatest industrial power and the most self-sufficient republic the world had ever seen. Yet, no one acts. Why?
German press...
Rumors are flying that DaimlerChrysler may split up after announcing 13,000 layoffs. But would that be the correct strategy? German commentators consider.
