| 1. Where is America in Bible Prophecy? 'Obama' Think-Tank: Israel Should Cede Jerusalem Sovereignty
A think tank which is arguably the most influential in Washington is proposing an “interim” neutral administration to govern Jerusalem instead of Israel. The Center for American Progress (CAP), headquartered just three blocks from the White House in Washington, is regarded as one of the most influential think tanks in the city, if not the most influential. “CAP has been an incubator for liberal thought and helped build the Democratic party platform that triumphed in the 2008 campaign,” according to a Bloomberg.com report, which noted that some of the group's recommendations were adopted by Obama while he was still president-elect. Four weeks ago, CAP held a panel discussion based on the premise that the Old City of Jerusalem is the main impediment in finding a solution to the Israel-Arab problem in the Holy Land. Michael Bell, a former Canadian Ambassador to Jordan, Egypt and Israel, presented a plan entitled the Jerusalem Old City Initiative. The plan does not call for the internationalization of Jerusalem -- but is not far off from that. It recommends that both Israel and a future state of Palestine appoint a third-party administrator that would run and police the city. . . ............................. read more Nafta Superhighway Returns From The Dead
The Trans-Texas Corridor, part of the NAFTA Superhighway projected to link the United States with Canada and Mexico as an integral cog of the North American Union, is back on the agenda . The open plan to merge the US with Mexico and Canada and create a Pan-American Union networked by a NAFTA Superhighway has long been a Globalist brainchild, but fierce opposition to the plan from activists across the country has stalled the plan at least temporarily............................... read more Obama hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality
President Barack Obama says that while he's dedicated to expanding homosexual rights, many Americans still cling to what he calls "worn arguments and old attitudes." At a White House celebration of Gay Pride Month, Obama said he hopes to persuade all Americans to accept homosexuality. ""There are good and decent people in this country who don't yet fully embrace their gay brothers and sisters -- not yet," said the president. "That's why I've spoken about these issues -- not just in front of you -- but in front of unlikely audiences, in front of African-American church members."............................... read more
2. Israel - God's Timepiece Christians look for more than "just another tour" in Israel
For Finnish-born Ylle Makypelto, viewing Israel's holy sites from a tour bus window was just not enough. After vigorously saving his money for the past two years, the 22-year-old theology student wanted to get much more out of his current trip to Israel than the standard tourist fare. "I really wanted to meet Jewish people and see the real Israel," Makypelto, a devout Christian who grew up in a small town on Finland's west coast, told The Jerusalem Post Tuesday. "There were no Jews in my town and meeting the people here and hearing their stories has had a profound impact on me." Makypelto is one of some 40 Christian adults aged 18-30 from around the world participating this week in the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem's (ICEJ) Grafted Program, a 10-day pioneering tour dedicated to both experiencing and contributing to the land of Israel through volunteer activities with some of the country's most underprivileged populations........................... read more In possible signal to Iran, Israel sends subs through Suez Canal
After a long hiatus, the Israeli Navy has returned to sailing through the Suez Canal, recently sending one of its advanced Dolphin-class submarines through the waterway to participate in naval maneuvers off the Eilat coast in the Red Sea. IDF sources said the decision to allow navy vessels to sail through the canal was made recently and was a definite "change of policy" within the service. In 2005, then OC Navy Adm. David Ben-Bashat decided to stop sending Israeli ships through the canal due to growing threats in the area. In the event of a conflict with Iran, and if Israel decided to involve its three Dolphin-class submarines - which according to foreign reports can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and serve as a second-strike platform - the quickest route would be to send them through the Suez Canal.......................... read more 'U.S. can't get Arabs to commit to normal Israel ties'
The U.S. administration has not been successful in securing commitments from Arab countries to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, a senior source in Jerusalem said Wednesday. The source said U.S. President Barack Obama's recent meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not produce a commitment to encourage the other Arab states to begin normalization. "In such a situation, the Americans can't continue demanding gestures only from Israel, such as the demand that Israel freeze settlement construction," the source said. ......................... read more Israel Prepares F-15 Jets for Long Range Attack
The Israel Air Force’s F-15 fleet is undergoing an upgrade, with systems that make it better equipped for complex long distance attack scenarios. The systems are being installed in both the F-15 and the F-15I. The upgrade includes an advanced Israeli armament that operates like a smart bomb. “The system is unique in that it is able to plan the bombing in an accurate way by identifying the target from above,” a knowledgeable source in the IAF explained. “After the identification, the system carries out guidance to the target and only then is impact made.”. ......................... read more
3. A Revived Roman Empire? Setback for Tony Blair's ambition to be president of Europe
Tony Blair's ambition to become Europe's first president have been set back by stiffening opposition from Sweden and Spain, the two countries chairing the EU for the next year. Senior officials in Stockholm, which assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU today, said they feared a President Blair would be a divisive figure, triggering friction between small and large European countries, and added that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, was even more strongly opposed to Blair securing the post and usurping Madrid's running of the union next year. The decision to appoint a new sitting European president, for a maximum of five years, is to be taken before the end of the year if Ireland votes yes in October in a referendum on the Lisbon treaty streamlining the way the EU is run and also creating the new post.. .. .......................... read more
4. The Gog/Magog War Russia Is Back on the Warpath
With President Barack Obama's trip to Moscow on Monday, you might expect Russia to avoid stirring up any trouble. Yet the Russian media are now abuzz with speculation about a new war in Georgia, and some Western analysts are voicing similar concerns. The idea seems insane. Nonetheless, the risk is real. One danger sign is persistent talk of so-called Georgian aggression against the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent states after the war last August. Russia is currently engaged in large-scale military exercises in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and adjacent regions. Russia has also kicked out international observers from the area. The expulsion of neutral observers seems odd if Russia is worried about Georgian aggression. But it makes sense if Russia is planning an attack. What would the Kremlin gain? A crushing victory in Georgia would depose the hated Mr. Saakashvili, give Russia control of vital transit routes for additional energy resources that could weaken its hold on the European oil and gas markets, humiliate the U.S., and distract Russians from their economic woes. Mr. Piontkovsky also believes the war drive comes from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is anxious to reassert himself as supreme leader............................ read more Turkey losing interest in EU - Now following 'pro-Arab Islamist' foreign policy
After years of being refused entry into the European Union, Turkey is losing interest and is looking eastward where it has many friends. And it is seeking to reassert the influence it once held in traditionally Turkic countries, according to a report in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin. Formally, Ankara remains committed to joining the EU, but the idea of joining has lost much of its appeal after years of rejection and additional European demands to repeatedly prove that it is worthy. Turkey, however, has made efforts to develop better relations with Arab states and such other countries as Russia, Syria and Iraq – and even Armenia, a traditional foe. Arab countries which never were enamored with the post-Ottoman leadership now look with admiration to what is referred to as the "Turkish model." In addition, Turkey is looking to re-establish its historical influence in the Turkic countries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan............................. read more
5. Apostate Christianity Episcopal Leaders Prepare for Homosexuality Debates
Episcopal Church leaders are scheduled to meet in a private session next week with the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. Members of the Episcopal House of Deputies are expected to address homosexuality issues and how LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) members are involved in The Episcopal Church during the meeting with Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, according to the Episcopal News Service. The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe of the Diocese of California told the denomination's news service that the meeting will be set in the context of the "Listening Process," in which Anglicans worldwide are encouraged to listen to gay and lesbian persons and all sides of the homosexuality debate. Episcopal head Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has expressed support for homosexual ordination as well as the blessing of same-sex unions. In addition to homosexual ordination, the Episcopal General Convention will also be considering resolutions calling for the development of rites for blessing same-gender relationships. The Diocese of Massachusetts is further calling on the legislative body to amend references in the national church's canon laws on marriage from "a man and a woman" to "two adults."............................ read more Government Minister Pushes For Homosexual Weddings To Be Celebrated In Church
Chris Bryant, who once posed in his underpants on a gay dating website, said he wanted clergy to be "much more open" to the idea of treating civil partnership ceremonies like traditional marriages. However, his suggestion goes directly against the rules of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, which state that only the union of a man and a woman can be celebrated by a priest in church. It comes as the Government is pushing through an Equality Bill that religious groups fear will force them to give jobs to homosexual youth workers or secretaries, even if their faith maintains that same-sex relationships are sinful. Mr Bryant, a former deputy leader of the Commons who is now a junior Foreign Office minister, trained as an Anglican priest and served as a curate before becoming the MP for the Rhondda............................. read more
6. The Rise of Islam Obama speech inspires mass Quran distribution - CAIR plans to give 'holy texts' to 100,000 local, state leaders
The Council on American-Islamic Relations intends to launch a nationwide campaign to distribute copies of the Islamic Quran to 100,000 local, state and national leaders, a campaign the organization's public relations department claims was inspired by President Obama's speech to Muslims earlier this month... ........................... read more Film exposes dark underbelly of Shariah law
Opening in select theaters today, "The Stoning of Soraya M." is a movie based on a true story, depicting how women behind the Muslim curtain are victimized by corrupt forces wielding Shariah law to justify and cover their tyranny. WND interviewed Stephen McEveety, maker of cutting-edge films such as "An American Carol" and "The Passion of the Christ" and producer of "The Stoning of Soraya M." "When we started this movie, I had no idea that it would be as relevant as it has become today, on the date we're releasing the film," McEveety said. "Now, with the elections turning out the way they did in Iran, it's particularly interesting because it gives an insight into the way politics can corrupt a society. "This movie puts you right there in Iran," McEveety continued. "It's real, it's honest, it's truthful and you get a very good indication of what parts of society are like in that country." The film, based on the true account reported by an French-Iranian journalist who went undercover to reveal Soraya's story, focuses on two women: Soraya, whose philandering husband disposes of her by manipulating the law into having her stoned for adultery; and Zahra, who pleads with the journalist to escape the village and tell Soraya's story to the world. .. ........................... read more America soon to crumble to 'The Third Jihad'?
Can the United States of America as we know it crumble from within in just a few short years? The stunning possibility is more than just a dream to some enemies of the greatest nation on Earth. It is a fast-becoming probability. "We all know about terrorism. This is the war you don't know about," declares "The Third Jihad," an eye-opening movie now available on DVD. The movie, the newest offering from the producers of the captivating documentary film "Obsession," explores the existence of radical Islam in America and the emerging risk that this "homegrown jihad" poses to national security, western liberties and the American way of life.. ........................... read more
7. Increase in Knowledge/New Technologies RFID could be in all cell phones by 2010
All cell phones will come packed with an RFID chip by next summer — giving your phone the possibility of also becoming the keys to your car or house. That was the prediction of Ericsson's vice-president of systems architecture, Håkan Djuphammar, speaking at the company's Business Innovation Forum in Stockholm on Tuesday............................ read more
8. Christian Worldview/Issues Survey: Churches Losing Youths Long Before College
The Bible calls the Church "the Body of Christ." Today, that body is bleeding profusely, says a Christian author and sought-out speaker. "The next generation of believers is draining from the churches, and it causes me great personal and professional concern," said Ken Ham, founder and president of Answers in Genesis and a Young Earth creationist. Hoping to shed light on what he believes is a monumental problem, Ham enlisted the services of America's Research Group to study why young people were leaving. The results, published in Already Gone, will shake many churches to their very core, Ham states in the new book. While previous surveys have shown that Christian students tend to quit church during their college years, the data collected by ARG found that most of them were already gone in middle school and high school........................... read more Ark of the Covenant Story Update
The leader of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church today backed off on a much-anticipated announcement about the Ark of the Covenant -- the ancient container holding the Ten Commandment -- which he claims to have seen. But no other evidence or, indeed, even any announcement, was made public today when word had been expected. Ark hunters and Bible enthusiasts have been buzzing for two days on the report from the Italian news agency Adnkronos that Patriarch Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI this week, said, "Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies for centuries." He had suggested the possibility the artifact might be viewable in a planned museum. . . ................. read more Christian Left Mounts Political Campaigns
Randy Brinson, a conservative political consultant in Alabama, has been fielding anxious calls for weeks from business interests across the South. Their concern is massive ad blitz on Christian and country-music stations across 10 states. The ads, funded by a left-leaning coalition, urge support for congressional legislation to curb greenhouse-gas emissions -- by framing the issue as an urgent matter of Biblical morality. "As our seas rise, crops wither and rivers run dry, God's creation cries out for relief," begins one ad, narrated by an evangelical megachurch pastor. Another opens with a reference to the Gospel of John, slams energy interests for fighting the bill, and concludes: "Please join the faithful in speaking out against the powerful." Dr. Brinson tells his clients they are right to be worried. Such an aggressive political campaign by the religious left is unexpected, he says, and could prove powerful. "This is the first time I've seen a moderate group of evangelicals come together and do a coordinated campaign," said Dr. Brinson. He is warning clients: "You're going to hear a lot more of this." ..................... read more The Rise Of Paganism
Look out, here come the pagans. It's late May in central London and a man dressed as a tree, a witch in a velvet robe and a woman pretending to be a raven with a long black beak are dancing through the streets of Holborn, with several hundred others, moving to the rhythm of a dozen loud drums. They could wake the god of thunder with their noise but it's OK, the people at the back with the broadswords and shields are followers of Thor. This is a parade to celebrate pagan pride, and it would be wise not to get in the way. "We are moving into a new time," says the leader, brandishing a huge set of antlers. "We are becoming more accepted. Paganism is reasserting itself."..................... read more
9. Other Events To Watch Restoring Babylon? U.S., Iraqi experts developing plan to preserve Babylon
The remains of what was once the greatest city in the world occupy a vast site on the bank of the Euphrates River. Their roots go back 3,800 years to when the city of Babylon was the heart of a Mesopotamian empire, and the remnants include great slabs of stone that are said to be the remains of King Nebuchadnezzar’s castle. A giant stone lion guards one end of the fortifications, but the most stunning remnants were removed by European archaeologists in the early 20th century. Now soldiers with the 172nd Infantry Brigade are exploring the ruins as part of a U.S.-Iraqi effort to preserve the ancient city and plan for the return of Western tourists............................ read more African Nations Debate How Much Power To Give to African Union
African Union (AU) members have agreed a plan to give its executive arm enhanced powers to co-ordinate common-interest policies, officials say. But the African Authority will not be able to act internationally unless it has a mandate from heads of state. The compromise on the draft came after hours of heated debate in a closed session in the Libyan town of Sirte. Correspondents say its creation is regarded as a stepping stone towards a federal government for the continent. This is of the ambition of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who wants a United States of Africa............................ read more |
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