The top ecumenical officer of the Russian Orthodox Church reports that his December 7 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI was "an important moment on the path to Christian unity." Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk told L'Osservatore Romano that his visit to Rome had given him "great feelings of hope."
In his 2nd papal encyclical, Spe Salvi, Latin for "Saved by Hope," Pope Benedict XVI stays true to his many writings as a theologian in taking a basic Christian concept and "breathing new life into it, seeking to reinvigorate Catholic identity."
The encyclical was issued Nov. 30 as a means of teaching and exhorting, directed at the entire church. Some sections, however, such as the Pope's detailed analyses of translated Greek words, are extremely scholarly in nature and would have little interest for average laypersons. The new encyclical is evidence that "Pope Benedict is the best-trained theologian we've ever had as Pope."
The Church offers to the world a vision of man that emphasizes his eternal destiny, as well as the need for charity and justice in this world, says the author of an encyclopedia on Catholic social thought. Richard Myers, professor of law at the Ave Maria School of Law, is a co-editor of the 2-volume "Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science, and Social Policy."
The work is a compilation of the teachings of the Church on society, social relations and the human person. In this interview with ZENIT, Myers explains why he believes the encyclopedia is needed, and why Catholic social teaching remains one of the Church's best-kept secrets.
[WAR: Well, it's not a secret to the Daily Warriors. For years, I've been pointing out the vital importance of the social doctrines and how they form the blueprint of how the coming HRE will be run.]
Shawqi Jabriel Armali, director of the office of representation to the Holy See of the PLO, asked Benedict XVI for an "active" Vatican presence in Middle East peace talks. The Vatican press office confirmed that the Pope received the Palestinian diplomat in audience today, but did not offer any details of the meeting. According to the agency, the Palestinian diplomat recognized "the important role of the Vatican in the question of Jerusalem's status."
The Holy See and Israel are "very close to a historic conclusion" to the Fundamental Accord signed in 1993 and after many starts and stops, nearing the end of negotiations, according to statements by Israel's Ambassador to the Holy See during a debate in Rome. He also said that "approximately 85% of the text was approved by delegates from both parties." The agreement deals with economic issues, as well as with the legal and financial status of Church properties in the Holy Land and the Church's activities in the region.
Germany has mounted a last-ditch effort to get the EU flag, anthem, motto and single currency recognised in the new EU Reform Treaty. Along with 15 other nations, Germany is attempting to add a new clause that enshrines those symbols of the EU that were not included in the original treaty. It comes just days before the controversial treaty - which is almost identical to the rejected EU Constitution - is signed in Lisbon.
Germany wants the document to support the EU "Stars" flag, the anthem Ode to Joy, and its motto "United in Diversity". The single European currency - the euro - would also be formally recognised.
A Cold War-style stand-off over the future of Kosovo loomed last night as the EU looked ready to join the US in defying Russia and Serbia over independence for the breakaway Balkan province.
(Also: Kosovo: What could happen?)
Vladamir Putin is arguably the most popular leader in Russian history, although you'd never know it by reading the western media. Putin's popularity derives from many factors. He is personally clever and charismatic. He is fiercely nationalistic and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of ordinary Russians and restore the country to its former greatness.
Russia is no longer up for grabs like it was after the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin put an end to all of that. He reasserted control over the country's vast resources and he's using them to improve the lives of his own people. Russia is no longer for sale.
Putin has charted a course for social change that conflicts with basic tenets of neoliberalism, which are the principles which govern US foreign policy. He is not a member of the corporate-banking brotherhood which believes the wealth of the world should be divided among themselves regardless of the suffering or destruction it may cause. Putin's primary focus is Russia; Russia's welfare, Russia's sovereignty and Russia's place in the world. He is not a globalist.
The release of an Iranian and a Lebanese convicted of the murder of 4 opponents of Tehran in Germany might be a prelude for a new prisoner swap between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, a western diplomatic source said Tuesday.
A western diplomat in Beirut told DPA the release the pair was linked to negotiations on a "2nd phase" of a German-mediated prisoners' swap between Israel and Hezbollah. "This step is a prelude to for a new prisoner swap but bigger than the one we witnessed on October 15." A UN-appointed mediator, believed to be a German intelligence officer, is working on a deal to get the soldiers exchanged for Lebanese and other prisoners.
EU External Relations Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said Monday she was "very much concerned" at Israel's decision to allow further construction of Jewish settlements in Occupied East Jerusalem. The EU's criticism of Israel's tactics of expansion and occupation were echoed in UN officials' call for Israel to end a fuel and electricity shortage, partly caused by Israeli sanctions.
No Iranian president in recent memory has faced so much scathing and frequent attack from so many Iranian factions, or created so many powerful enemies, over issues that range from his imperious management style and eclectic economic policies, to snooty gibes from elite critics about lack of "intellectualism," analysts say.
But despite the criticism, Ahmadinejad's bold political moves have succeeded in increasing the power of his office, turning it into a post with more influence and power than at any time since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.
President Sarkozy hosted Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris on Monday, and said he would support further UN sanctions against Iran's nuclear program. "We must continue to pressure Iran on the nuclear issue, including a new UN Security Council resolution on sanctions."
Sources in Netanyahu's entourage said "Sarkozy did not diverge from his firm stance on the Iranian issue, the American intelligence report on the issue notwithstanding, and the report was barely mentioned in the conversation."
Washington's political earthquake...
A high-level report that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003 marked a sensational reversal for the US intelligence community. Conservatives like John Bolton are calling it "politics disguised as intelligence," but the report also raises the question of whether Bush lied to Americans.
Behind the scenes, Jerusalem is furious with Washington. The Israelis feel upstaged by the CIA, and they remain convinced that their intelligence on Tehran's plans is still the best. They also continue to assume that Iran could have nuclear weapons by late 2009. "We had hoped that the Americans would take care of this with a military strike against the Iranian facilities. Now we're on our own," a close associate of Olmert told Spiegel.
Facts and truth have no relevance at all to Bush. That makes him a truly dangerous president. He and Dick Cheney really should be impeached, although that will not happen because Congress is full of cowards. The American people have a right to expect a fact-based foreign policy. What they get from Bush is a foreign policy based on a secret agenda and perhaps, God forbid, even mental fantasies.
(Also: Bush: World Warmonger #1)
(Also: Neocons strike back on Iran)
Ron Paul:
The latest National Intelligence Estimate has been greeted by a mixture of relief and alarm. As I have been saying all along, Iran indeed poses no quantifiable imminent nuclear threat to us or her neighbors. It is with much alarm, however, that we see the administration continue to ratchet up the war rhetoric as if nothing has changed.
The truth is, Iran is being asked to do the logically impossible feat of proving a negative. They are being presumed guilty until proven innocent because there is no evidence with which to indict them.
Our badly misguided foreign policy has already driven this country's economy to the brink of bankruptcy with one war based on misinformation. It is unthinkable that despite lack of any evidence of a threat, some are still charging headstrong into yet another war in the Middle East.
The executive branch runs roughshod over the US Constitution and then demands, "trust us," which means don't take away any of the illegitimate power that the executive branch has claimed and exercised or hold anyone accountable for abusing executive power.
Unfortunately for the future of liberty in America, a number of the Republican justices see the issue as one of the separation of powers. The Republican justices or most of them are, or were, members of the Federalist Society, an organization of Republican lawyers committed to increased power for the executive. These Republican justices will be inclined to decide the case in the interest of executive power.
The Bush Regime has made the most determined assault the Anglo-American world has seen on the principle of habeas corpus. The previous assault was by Stuart kings who destroyed their rule by proclaiming the "divine right of kings." Now Americans are faced with Bush/Cheney and the solicitor general of the US DOJ proclaiming the divine right of President Bush and his Justice Department.
Standing on the deck of an oil tanker in Massachusetts Bay on Monday, Venezuelan energy officials kicked off the 3rd year of a controversial program of delivering subsidized home-heating oil for the US poor. A Houston unit of a state-owned company backed by President Chavez, will supply oil at 40% below market prices in 23 states, an expansion from 16 states last year.
"This is the biggest social program any oil company has ever done in this country," the Citgo Petroleum president told reporters. "We didn't stop and think about politics. We need to share a little bit of our tremendous profits."
They were the original neighbours from hell. England and Scotland, for centuries, were implacable foes, their mutual military incursions ranging from constant border raids to full-blooded invasion. The Scottish kings pursued a policy of alliance with France, England's traditional enemy. Then, by an accident of dynastic succession, James VI, King of Scots, inherited the English throne as James I, at the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
President Sarkozy wants to regroup France's different military commands into one new headquarters on the edge of Paris, a ministry official said on Monday. Sarkozy has already announced plans to set up a US-style national security council of advisers on security matters.
Morgan Stanley has issued a full recession alert for the US economy, warning of a sharp slowdown in business investment and a "perfect storm" for consumers as the housing slump spreads. In a report "Recession Coming" released today, the bank's US team said the credit crunch had started to inflict serious damage on US companies.
"Slipping sales and tightening credit are pushing companies into liquidation mode, especially in motor vehicles. Three-month dollar Libor spreads have jumped by 60 to 80 basis points over the last month. High yield spreads have widened even more significantly. The absolute cost of borrowing is higher than in June. As delinquencies and defaults soar, lenders are tightening credit for commercial, credit card and auto lending, as well as for all mortgage borrowers."
For better or worse, big chunks of the Western financial system are falling like ripe fruit into the laps of petrodollar sheikdoms and well-heeled Asian governments. Whatever the blunders made by European, British and American bankers at the height of the credit bubble, sovereign wealth funds seem more than able to plug the gap - and repair capital ratios. Indeed, they are lining up to buy banks.
Germany is drawing up legislation to stop "giant locusts" gaining a stranglehold over energy supplies or using stakes to gain sensitive technology. The move is mainly aimed at Russia and China, both viewed with suspicion by Berlin as potential predators.
The European Commission is drawing up EU-wide ground rules to stop funds using a friendly base in one EU state to launch raids on the rest of the single market but said last week that it had dropped plans for legislative action "at this stage". The EU campaign is clearly aimed at Britain, where the City has been the key hub for Asian and Mid-East investors.
The secret to a long life lies in strictly following a Mediterranean diet and taking regular exercise, 2 major studies have found. Eating plenty of fish, fruit and vegetables can cut the risk of dying early by a fifth. Another study found that taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week reduces the risk of an early death by more than a quarter.
If germs were really the true cause of disease, how could any of us survive? Without bacteria to consume garbage, we would have long ago been smothered under the refuse nature and we create. Good bacteria (probiotics) on our skin and in our mouths and intestinal tract actually help thwart the bad bacteria.
Don't buy the simplistic germ-view of how we get disease. True, certain pathogenic organisms can be associated with disease, but likewise so are crows and buzzards associated with road kill. The buzzard is not responsible for the road kill, neither are the pathogenic organisms responsible for disease.
We are not victims. Disease does not strike us. We are in control of our own defenses. We either create the setting for health or the meal for pathogens. Our choice.
Remarkable new images of Earth's highest and most mysterious clouds have been captured by a NASA spacecraft. Noctilucent, or "night-shining", clouds appear as thin bands in twilight skies, some 50 miles above the surface. The AIM probe has now returned the first truly global pictures of these phenomena which appear to be increasing in frequency and extent.
NO!...
WND's executive news editor Joe Kovacs hits the airwaves this morning to explain just what is biblical, and what is not when it comes to the birth of Jesus Christ. He's scheduled to be on today from 11:15 - 11:55a.m. EST.
(Also: Xmas loo roll sparks row)
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