Benedict XVI thanked the people of Lorenzago di Cadore and the surrounding areas for the welcome he received during his summer holiday. He heads to the pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, today and will resume his ordinary duties.
Pope Benedict XVI's private secretary warned of the Islamization of Europe and stressed the need for the continent's Christian roots not to be ignored. Attempts to Islamize the west cannot be denied. The danger for the identity of Europe that is connected with it should not be ignored out of a wrongly understood respectfulness."
The great-granddaughter of the composer Richard Wagner was jeered and booed after staging one of his operas complete with nudity, giant plastic phalluses and "raining" shoes.
Poland's Prime Minister wants to close loopholes that allow German expellees to reclaim land lost after WW2 in Poland. Poles should not have to worry about losing their property, he said.
British MPs have accused Brussels and Government ministers of preventing proper scrutiny of the new EU treaty by failing to provide the House of Commons with an English version of the 277-page text.
The Pentagon may slow or stop its removal of US forces stationed in Western Europe. With the Iraq war spiralling out of control, increasing turmoil in Afghanistan and tensions with Russia, it turns out Western Europe is still an important staging ground.
As 6 nations start a period of shuttle diplomacy over Kosovo's fate, Serbian enclaves within the breakaway province threaten to plunge the region into civil war. If Kosovo declares independence, Serbs within Kosovo may follow suit.
Former Bush speechwriter and Christian rightist Michael Gerson published an op-ed in the Washington Post calling for an attack on Syria to stop its alleged support for the resistance in Iraq. Gerson wants to transform the Greater Middle East, that biblical prophecy might be fulfilled and Jesus come back soon. According to the Book of Revelation, there must be a great war surrounding Israel before that happens, involving kings to the east of the Tigris and Euphrates. That implies war with Persia (Iran). So he wants the US to provoke war with Iran, but if that's not doable just now, he wants an attack on Syria.
Hundreds of religious students at Pakistan's Red Mosque in Islamabad have prevented a government-appointed cleric from leading prayers at its reopening.
Concerned that the international community is "losing momentum" in its bid to use sanctions to deter Iran's nuclear drive, Israel is now energetically lobbying for the imposition of a new batch of stiffer sanctions that would cause "real damage" to the regime.
The Anglo-Dutch energy group, Royal Dutch Shell insists that its activities in Iran will continue despite pressure from US pension funds.
Congress must not capitulate in the White House's attempt to rob it of its constitutional powers. It is not too late for President Bush to spare the country the trauma, and himself the disgrace, of this particular constitutional showdown.
As the nation and the world face 18 more months of Bush's presidency, a chilling prospect is that Bush – confronted with more defeats and reversals – might just "lose it" and undertake even more reckless military adventures.
The great problem of the neocon myth-makers is that their brand of militarism is centered around the solemn worship of Mars, but mischievous Ares keeps popping up unexpectedly at these cultic rituals, making profane remarks and generally spoiling the air of mystic reverence. Militarism really is a religion with these people.
Stock markets across Asia suffered one of the worst falls of the year Friday as contagion spread from Wall Street. By mid-afternoon some indexes in the region were down by more than 4 percent as investors deserted riskier assets.
(WND: Plunge a symptom of trouble)
Oil prices advanced today, clawing back some losses from the previous session when crude fell by nearly $1 a barrel on worries a slowing US economy would cut petroleum consumption.
What does Eve speak to us?
The story of Eve holds such rich treasures for us to discover. The essence and purpose of a woman are unveiled here in the story of her creation. These profound, eternal, mythic themes are written not just here in the coming of Eve, but in the spirit of every woman after. Woman is the crown of creation—the most intricate, dazzling creature on earth. She has a crucial role to play, a destiny of her own. And she, too, bears the image of God. But in a way that only the feminine can speak. What can we learn from her? God wanted to reveal something about himself, so he gave us Eve. When you are with a woman, ask yourself, What is she telling me about God? It will open up wonders for you. First, you'll discover that God is relational to his core, that he has a heart for romance. Second, that he longs to share adventures with us—adventures we cannot accomplish without him. And finally, that God has a beauty to unveil. A beauty that is captivating and powerfully redemptive. (Captivating, p. 26)
Tomorrow in Scripture
"At the end of 7 days the word of YAHWEH came to me: 'Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me...'" (Ezekiel 3:16-7:27)
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