If globalization is to produce wealth equitably, it is necessary to globalize solidarity, says Benedict XVI. "There is a pressing need for unity of intent among leaders to ensure they face the challenges of a globalized world ... with true solidarity. He said that this virtue "must inspire the action of individuals, of rulers, of international organizations and institutions and of all members of civil society, committing them to work for the just growth of peoples and nations, having as the objective the good of each and all."
Theologians must deepen understanding of Christ's humanity and his solidarity with the poor, but this must not cloud his divinity, asserted the Vatican spokesman.
Barely a week after Pope Benedict XVI disclosed his dislike for the "prophets of pop" and Bob Dylan in particular, the Jesuits in Rome have embraced Waits as a Christian role model. As a cardinal, Pope Benedict condemned rock music as the work of the Devil.
Weeping over Stoiber leaving?...
The believers could hardly believe their eyes. The Madonna statue in a hostel for pilgrims in the Bavarian village of Heroldsbach suddenly started crying recently. But is it real? The local priest wants to have the tears sent to a lab for an authenticity test.
A European Constitution must include a reference to God, "to the Judaic-Christian tradition of Europe and to its long-lasting effectiveness," said the German bishops in a declaration published this week.
Religion in central and eastern Europe is waning—and plagued by scandal.
The European Union has been far more successful than anyone expected when the Treaty of Rome was signed half a century ago. But, argues John Peet, it now has three big problems to solve.
Polish President Kaczynski told Chancellor Merkel his country would not block efforts to revive the EU's constitution and would sign an EU declaration marking the bloc's 50th birthday.
Germany sent a thinly veiled warning to the US on Saturday not to try to split Europe into "old" and "new" with its plans to deploy parts of an anti-missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The announcement by the US government of plans to station a missile defence system in Poland and a radar facility in the Czech Republic has led not only to an increasingly hostile atmosphere between Russia and the US, but also to considerable tensions inside the EU as a result of an increasingly aggressive US foreign policy.
German press on...
The sweeping confession of alleged al-Qaida mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who has claimed involvement in 31 terror plots, has been met with skepticism from German commentators. Some editorialists have stronger feelings about the "show" trial against Mohammed than whether or not he is telling the truth.
Saudi Arabia will be hosting an Arab summit later this month. On the agenda will figure two of the Middle East's most burning issues - the war in Iraq and the situation in the Palestinian territories. However, at the center of the debate will figure a much older point of contention: the power play between Iran and the Arab world for control of the region.
Iran's Oil Minister has said that the Islamic Republic will sell its oil in all currencies. Iran has already said it will carry out all its oil-industry related equipment purchases in euros instead of dollars and previously said it has informed its oil buyers that they should pay Iran in euros for the crude oil they purchase.
Iran is threatening to retaliate in Europe for what it claims is a daring undercover operation by western intelligence services to kidnap senior officers in its Revolutionary Guard.
Blair was absolutely correct to remind the Scottish people that voting for the SNP meant independence and the break-up of the United Kingdom - which this year celebrates its 300th anniversary and which is easily the most successful union of two former enemies that the world has ever seen. Blair's presence in Scotland Friday proved without any shadow of doubt that a truly desperate battle is under way to save the United Kingdom.
One of the largest supervolcanoes in the world lies beneath Yellowstone National Park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Though the Yellowstone system is active and expected to eventually blow its top, scientists don't think it will erupt any time soon. Yet significant activity continues beneath the surface. And the activity has been increasing lately, scientists have discovered. In addition, the nearby Teton Range of mountains, in a total surprise, is getting shorter.
Commodities investment guru Jim Rogers stepped into the US subprime fray, predicting a real estate crash that would trigger defaults and spread contagion to emerging markets. "You can't believe how bad it's going to get before it gets any better."
I've never been shy about saying "I told you so." Now we're seeing the foreclosures I predicted back during the real-estate boom. A lot of people are going to end up holding paper that isn't worth the price of the ink on it.
Global investors are worried about many things. Why is America's current-account deficit not one of them?
The stress factor in human life may be approaching that of the honeybee, which seems to be vanishing at alarming rates and for some of the same reasons that people feel pressured. An economic crime against nature is creating massive strains on all environments, and on all creatures great and small which depend on those environments. Commonly dubbed a globalization that is spreading wealth and democracy wherever it goes, the blight on natural and social environments is nothing but old-fashioned capitalism.
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