Benedict XVI says he hopes the 90th anniversary of Mary's apparitions in Fatima will help the faithful to grow in their appreciation of the rosary.
Liberation theology, which the pope once called "a fundamental threat," retains its appeal in Latin America.
President Köhler has refused clemency for a former leader of the far-left Red Army Faction. The decision was welcomed by conservatives, who had fiercely opposed mercy for the man, a key figure during the terrorist group's most violent period 30 years ago. Edmund Stoiber, the conservative premier of Bavaria, said that refusing Klar's request for early release was "in tune with the sense of justice of a great majority in Germany."
Now that Nicolas Sarkozy has won the French election and appears to be the favorite of the French people—who are apparently as easily brainwashed as Americans, but of course with typical if oft satirized arrogant French élan—we can expect the idea of a supranational Europe, previously rejected by the people of France, to take center stage. Sarkozy's immediate task will be to make sure there are no more silly mistakes and one world globalization remains unflinchingly on track.
(German press: France's new strongman)
(PINR: Sarkozy faces huge challenges)
(LX op/ed: Sarkozy's world)
(UPI: Paris back in Europe)
(LT: Op/ed cartoon)
Several EU member states have criticised the European Commission's draft spending hikes for the 2008 budget, ahead of the first debate on the budget proposal to be held by finance ministers today.
A leader of Serbia's hardline Radical party has been elected to the powerful post of parliamentary speaker.
Germany is favorably considering a request to extend its mandate as leader of the naval component of the UN force in Lebanon, government spokesmen said on Monday.
Germany's Foreign Minister has urged both sides to continue negotiations toward a permanent settlement. His remarks came after meeting his Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem.
The US has presented Israel and the Palestinians with a new plan for enhanced security, movement and access - but if initial reactions are any indication, its fate might be no better than previous, never-implemented plans.
A senior diplomatic official called the cancellation of Secretary of State Rice's Israel visit unprecedented, Israel Radio reported today. According to the official, Washington's decision could be interpreted in the region as meaning that the US believed the peace process could not move forward due to the situation in Israel.
The devastating official report on Israel's bungled war in Lebanon last year has destroyed the trust between Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni. While Israel's top diplomat has chosen to stay in the government, the premier's days would seem to be numbered.
More than six months after assuming power, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe finally made his first trip to Washington on April 26. He then travelled on to visit five major oil producers in the Middle East, demonstrating that one of the fundamentals of the US-Japan alliance is energy.
Iran's Foreign Minister said that Iran calls for trade balance with the European states. "The Iranian government calls on the European trade partners to adopt a new strategy for ensuring trade balance with Iran."
Iran's missile arsenal consists of artillery rockets and short-and medium-range missiles with a range of up to 1,300 kilometers, too short to reach middle Europe. This does not mean, however, as the US claims, that Europe is at risk of a missile attack from Iran.
The governments of Saudi Arabia and the US are working with other states in the Middle East to sponsor covert action against Iran, according to a report in this month's edition of The Atlantic. The report also suggests that covert attacks may occur against Iran's oil sector.
A pair of postgraduate students at MIT have produced a detailed assessment of the Israeli Air Force's ability to destroy Iran's potential nuclear weapon manufacturing plants.
Vice President Dick Cheney departs today on a 6-day tour of 4 key Middle Eastern nations, and senior intelligence sources in the US and the region believe that the top item on the Veep's agenda will be a military confrontation with Iran. Once such an Israeli strike is launched, Cheney and his backers reason, Congressional and public opposition to a showdown with Tehran will evaporate, and the US will step in to back Israel.
Journalist J. D. "John" Cash, best known for his 12-year investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing, died Sunday at a hospital in Tulsa.
(FT: "Shut him up forever")
[WAR: I'm very saddened by the loss of this GREAT investigative reporter. I had been in contact with him via the phone, and was finally able to meet him in Tulsa on the last day of Carol Howe's trial and share a "victory" breakfast with him and Ambrose Evans-Pritchard the next morning. In the years that followed, I was just in occasional contact with JD - and always waiting for that one day when his efforts would finally be rewarded by having the truth revealed and justice served. Roger Charles wrote to me yesterday: "He will be missed, and his legacy will be his incredible work on OKBOMB. The fight to expose the truth on that issue will continue." Yes, the fight - armed with JD's legacy of work - will continue...]
British newspapers were scathing today about President Bush's blundering welcome for the Queen, labelling him "Dumb Dubya" and saying he had the "gift for the gaffe".
President Bush signed an agreement creating a "permanent body" that commits the US to "deeper transatlantic economic integration," without ratification by the Senate as a treaty or passage by Congress as a law. The "Transatlantic Economic Integration" between the US and the EU was signed April 30 at the White House by Bush, German Chancellor Merkel and European Commission President Barroso.
(WND: Give your opinion on this)
Gov't from the top, down...
How deep and dark the thoughts of Republicans have become these days! There is a streak of authoritarianism in Conservatism in the US, and there always has been. However, that streak is getting wider, taking over much more of the Conservative Republican soul. This desire to be led, to be ruled, to succumb to "one-man rule," will lead surely lead to dictatorship. It will lead to dictatorship because too many Republicans want it to lead there. They want a führer, and they are not likely to stop until they get one.
US average gasoline prices rose to a record $3.07 per gallon last week according to the latest Lundberg report.
A militant group active in oil-rich southern Nigeria says it has bombed three major oil pipelines.
Corporations in America, especially the big, multinational ones, are increasingly without scruples, without morality, without any sense of right and wrong.
The archeologist who located King Herod's tomb at Herodium said Tuesday that the grave had been desecrated, apparently shortly after his death, but called the discovery a "high point." The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced Monday night that it has uncovered the grave and tomb of Herod, who ruled Judea for the Roman empire from circa 37 BCE.
Reader Q&A
Q: Quick question regarding the Corsican. Since he crowned himself, can he really be classed as any sort of holy roman / babylonian emperor?
A: Great question! And the answer is NO!! All he was was the Emperor of France - this is what the Pope was going to crown him as, because there was already a Holy Roman Emperor ruling the HRE of the German Nation. France had nothing to do, whatsoever, with the HRE - they were 2 separate entities: one was Israelite, the other Gentile/Assyrian. And most of the time they were at war with each other. So an Israelite slew the Beast - gave it its "mortal wound" in 1806 - and soon the Beast will rise again to slay Israel. I don't know why the ministers/prophets of the COG can't see this.
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