1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS. 2-Quake sets off Asian tsunami alert. 3-Britain has biggest mainland earthquake of the year. 4-Quake jolts central Japan. 5-Quakes hit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea. 6-Heavy snow warnings Northwest and Southeast. 7-Violent Christmas storms rip up Florida. 8-New woes for Aceh as floods kill 90, force 300,000 to flee. 9-At least 200 killed in fire at vandalised pipeline in Nigeria. 10-The United States to Support Palestinian State With Temporary Borders. 11-Achmadinijad's Secret Weapon. 12-Nepal's mystery Buddha boy reappears. 13-Hindu Extremists in India Beat Christian Couple, Pastor. 14-vatican: Whatever happened to Christmas. 15-Religious Education and Neighborhood Rehabilitation Endangered. 16-Jordan Invites Hamas PM, Abbas For Talks-Palestinian Aide. 17-Likud Leaders: Olmert's Policies Threaten Central Israel. 18-Oil rises to near $63 as Iran bristles at sanctions. 19-Views on Enlargement Differ in European Union.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)
Update time = Wed Dec 27 12:01 AM EDT
DEC 27,06 NO QUAKES YET
DEC 26,06
MAP 5.2 KEPULAUAN SANGIHE, INDONESIA
MAP 2.5 OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 5.4 TAIWAN REGION
MAP 5.4 TAIWAN
MAP 5.6 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 3.4 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 7.0 TAIWAN
MAP 7.1 TAIWAN REGION
MAP 4.7 EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 5.0 SOUTHWEST OF AUSTRALIA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.5 JUJUY, ARGENTINA
MAP 2.9 GULF OF ALASKA
MAP 2.9 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
DEC 25,06 CHRIST MAS DAY (PRAISE OUR SAVIOUR)
MAP 2.8 NEVADA
MAP 3.0 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 5.8 KYRGYZSTAN
MAP 2.7 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 2.6 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.6 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.7 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.1 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 4.8 INDIAN OCEAN TRIPLE JUNCTION
MAP 3.3 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.5 NEVADA
MAP 2.6 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.7 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.8 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.0 CENTRAL ALASKA
DEC 24,06
MAP 2.5 OREGON
MAP 5.8 NEAR THE NORTH COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.4 NEW MEXICO
MAP 4.5 CRETE, GREECE
MAP 5.2 NEW GUINEA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MAP 5.2 BALI SEA
MAP 4.5 LAKE BAYKAL REGION, RUSSIA
MAP 5.0 NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
MAP 5.7 NEW IRELAND REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
MAP 3.4 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 NEVADA
MAP 4.0 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.5 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.9 SOUTHERN XINJIANG, CHINA
MAP 4.9 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
MAP 3.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
Almost another disaster after Christmas, No Tsunami this time Thank God, but a warning put Christ back into the season or trouble to come bigtime. Can't take Christ out of the World and expect to survive.
Quake sets off Asian tsunami alert 31 minutes ago DEC 26,06
MANILA (AFP) - A major 7.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Taiwan set off a tsunami warning in the Pacific but there were no immediate reports of significant damage. The quake came two years to the day after the Asian tsunami disaster, as jittery nations were remembering the devastation that left 220,000 people dead across the region.The US Geological Survey reported two quakes, one of 7.1 magnitude and one of 7.0 magnitude.An undersea quake reportedly hit at 8:26 pm (1226 GMT) just off the southern tip of Taiwan, where authorities reported that two more earthquakes, measuring 6.4 and 5.2 in magnitude respectively, followed shortly after the first one.Another quake, measuring 5.5, later hit in the same area, they said.A 34-year-old man in Taiwan died when a furniture shop collapsed in southern Pingtung county, rescue officials said.Seven others were also initially trapped in the shop, and two of them, including a boy, were still waiting to be rescued.
At least 29 others were injured.
Taiwanese television reports showed people in the city of Pingtung rushing into the streets in panic. High-rise buildings across the island were rattled and telephone services in southern Taiwan were disrupted.
Japanese authorities said a one-metre (three-foot) tsunami could be headed toward the Philippines, while the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) cautioned nations in the region to be on alert.Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the earthquake epicentre, the PTWC said on its website.Authorities in the region of the epicentre should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action, it said.The Japanese Meteorological Agency said the quake was able to trigger a one-metre high tsunami that would be on course to hit Basco in the northern Philippines.
But since it's been nearly two hours since the quake without any tsunami being observed, the possibility is declining, an agency official said.The epicentre of the undersea quake was believed to be just 23 kilometres (14 miles) off the southernmost point of the island of Taiwan, not far from the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung.Taiwan, which lies near the junction of two tectonic plates, is regularly shaken by earthquakes. The country's worst-ever quake, 7.6 in magnitude, killed some 2,400 people in September 1999.
The latest quakes came two years to the day after a massive 9.3-magnitude quake off the coast of Indonesia set off massive tsunamis that battered countries around the region, leaving around 220,000 people dead.It was one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history.After Tuesday's alert, there was some immediate confusion about the strength and danger to the region.
In the Philippines the earthquake set objects swaying in the Batanes islands and in the northern half of the main island of Luzon, but there were no immediate reports of casualites or damage. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said they received a tsunami warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, but that it was later cancelled. Annie Onie, a tourism aide in Basco, told AFP: The first we heard of the tsunami was on the news. There was no panic and noone was evacuated from low-lying areas as far as I know. Basco resident Oliver Hidalgo said that after the quake, I went down to the pier (to check for a tsunami) but saw nothing unusual. In Vietnam, authorities called for a huge stretch of its coastline to be evacuated, but later cancelled the advice. Residents of the 1,500 kilometre stretch of coast, running from the centre of the country to its southernmost point, were urged to move between 300 and 500 metres from the shoreline and seek out higher ground. But the warning was lifted an hour later.
Taiwan's central weather bureau said it only issued tsunami warnings when earthquakes measured more than 7.0 magnitude, and Taiwanese officials said the largest had measured less than that. In Hong Kong, residents said they felt their high-rise buildings shake gently around the time the largest quake was said to have hit.
Britain has biggest mainland earthquake of the year Tue Dec 26, 9:01 AM ET
LONDON (AFP) - Britain has had its biggest mainland earthquake of the year when tremors measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale shook buildings in south-west Scotland, the Geological Survey said.It was felt by quite a lot of people and was obviously a large earthquake in UK terms. In world terms, there are thousands of these every year, said David Galloway, a BGS seismologist based in Edinburgh on Tuesday.People in the Dumfries area of the Scottish borders reported their houses shaking violently at about 10:45 am (1045 GMT) Tuesday but no serious damage or injuries were reported, police said.Quakes of similar magnitude happen in Britain about once or twice per year, Galloway said. The largest recorded this year -- measuring 3.8 -- was in the northern North Sea in February but was not felt on land.(Tuesday's quake) was felt because it's Boxing Day (a public holiday), there's not a lot of traffic,
no-one at work and there's more people at home.It's the biggest in the UK this year, he added.
Galloway said there was no connection whatsoever to a huge quake off the coast of Taiwan, which triggered a tsunami warning in the Pacific Ocean, two years to the day after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.Britain, which sits on the Eurasian plate, has about 200 earthquakes each year. The largest was in the North Sea in 1931 and measured 6.1 on the Richter scale.
Quake jolts central Japan Mon Dec 25, 7:09 PM ET
TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.9 jolted central Japan early Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, the Meteorological Agency said. The quake struck at 5:17 a.m. and shook Niigata prefecture (state) and other areas in central Japan. It was centered near Sado Island in the Sea of Japan at a depth of about 19 miles. No tsunami warnings were issued, the agency said.A magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit Niigata in October, killing 40 people and damaging thousands of homes. It was the deadliest to hit Japan since 1995, when a magnitude-7.2 quake killed 6,433 people in the western city of Kobe.A magnitude-5 earthquake can potentially cause considerable damage.Japan sits atop four tectonic plates and is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
Quakes hit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Sun Dec 24, 3:25 AM ET
SYDNEY, Australia - Moderate earthquakes hit off the coasts of Indonesia and neighboring Papua New Guinea on Sunday, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damages. A magnitude-5.8 quake struck about 70 miles east of Papua New Guinea's island of New Britain and was centered 53 miles below the seabed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at Ewa Beach, Hawaii, did not issue a tsunami warning for the quake.Earlier Sunday, a 5.7-magnitude quake hit about 90 miles southwest of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, some 55 miles beneath the Sunda Strait, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site.The archipelago nations are prone to seismic upheaval due to their location on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Heavy snow warnings Northwest and Southeast B. Bernard, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel DEC 26,06
Heavy snow warnings are posted for diverse areas of the nation today: parts of Washington state and portions of North Carolina. A heavy snow warning is in effect for the eastern slopes of the southern Washington Cascades, including the cities of Wenatchee, Ellensburg and Yakima (winter storm warning), where up to 8 to 12 inches of snow may fall by tomorrow morning. A heavy snow warning is also in effect for the mountains of North Carolina where chilly northwest winds are expected to deliver 3 to 4 inches of snow (locally 5 or 6 inches) to areas above 3500 feet by tomorrow morning. Farther north, 4 to 8 inches of snow are forecast for the Adirondacks of New York state and for northeast Vermont and the Green Mountains of central Vermont. In northern Maine, 4 to 7 inches are expected to accumulate. Heavy rain, meanwhile, continues to soak portions of western Oregon and northern California.
The downpours have reached as far south as Marin County.
Violent Christmas storms rip up Florida DEC 26,06
MIAMI (AFP) - Violent rainstorms and a tornado swept through central Florida, leaving a dozen people injured and damaging more than 200 homes on the Christmas holiday, local authorities said.The storms ripped through several counties but the most significant damage has been reported north of Deland and in mainland Daytona Beach, two cities in Volusia County in the east of the state's peninsula, said Volusia County Emergency Management.Ten people were taken to hospitals in Volusia Country and six were awaiting rescue services, although injuries were minor.The tornado damaged 200 trailer-homes in Deland and 240 apartments in a residential complex in Daytona Beach, forcing the evacuation of some 150 people, authorities said.
More than 3,000 households were left without electricity in Volusia and neighboring counties and a fleet of aircraft was damaged at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, where a fire broke out.Meteorological forecasters in Floria have predicted an unseasonably warm winter from the effects of El Nino, a warming of water in the South Pacific that limited the formation of hurricanes in the Atlantic this year and is unsettling weather conditions.The next storm system is forecast to impact the state on New Year's weekend with another potential round of severe weather, the Florida Division of Emergency Management said.This increasingly stormy weather pattern is a result of the moderate El Nino conditions in place across the equatorial Pacific.
New woes for Aceh as floods kill 90, force 300,000 to flee by Adek Berry
Mon Dec 25, 1:57 PM ET
BIREUEN, Indonesia (AFP) - Two years after the devastating tsunami, Indonesia's Aceh province was grappling with more tragedy after floods and landslides killed at least 90 people and left thousands waiting to be rescued. Troops and volunteer rescue workers were attempting to reach thousands of people trapped by the floods, which have forced around 300,000 to flee their homes on the island of Sumatra.Aceh was the worst hit, with 60 dead in one district alone as the region prepared to mark the second anniversary of the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean catastrophe.Whole villages have been swallowed by flood waters following a week of torrential rains.Aceh governor Mustafa Abubakar said six helicopters were transporting supplies to people stranded by the floods. A navy warship was already in the area with another on the way, said Abubakar, who is coordinating relief and rescue efforts.
Relief efforts are starting to be more coordinated. We've started dropping relief supplies from the air in isolated areas, he told AFP. Only house roofs and the minarets of mosques showed above the muddy brown waters in the worst-hit district of Aceh Tamiyang in aerial photographs taken by the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency.Villagers were shown sheltering on higher ground surrounded by flood waters, with some people floating precariously on logs.Some 150,000 people in Aceh Tamiyang have taken refuge on higher ground but water levels remained high, local police chief Agus Santoso told ElShinta news radio.Water levels in the upstream areas in Aceh Tamiyang remain about two metres (more than six feet) in some areas. The area is surrounded by rivers and the water level has not receded, he said.
Villagers said they were running short of food.
We have not received any food, we have not eaten rice for five days. We're surviving on sweet potatoes and bananas, Anto, a resident of Tenggulun village in Aech Tamiyang, told ElShinta.Many children are getting sick with fever and diarrhoea, he said.In North Aceh, two people were killed and more than 140,000 people fled their homes, deputy district head Nasrullah told AFP. We need food, clothes and tents for the displaced people, he said.Water has receded in some places, but it's flowed to lower areas and flooded more villages, he said.In the neighbouring province of North Sumatra, at least 19 people were killed in a landslide which buried dozens of houses while nine others died in the floods.Television pictures showed villagers perched under makeshift shelters along railway tracks built on banks which remained above the waters.
We are now concentrating on evacuating people who are trapped in their homes in the town of Kuala Simpang in Aceh Tamiyang district, Ghufran Zainal Abidin, the local chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party, told AFP from the worst-affected area. We have not received any more reports of dead victims as we are concentrating on saving the ones that are trapped in flooded spots, said Abidin, who reported 60 dead in Aceh Tamiyang district Sunday. Around 1,000 troops have been dispatched to Aceh and North Sumatra along with heavy equipment and helicopters, Commodore Mohammad Sunarto Sjoekronoputro said, according to the official Antara news agency.Two Hercules transport aircraft loaded with tents, field kitchens and inflatable boats were being sent to the affected region. Floods also hit neighbouring Malaysia, where seven people were killed in the worst affected southern state of Johor. Some 74,000 were still sheltering at relief centres.
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has pointed the finger at illegal logging as one of the causes of the deadly floods, and pledged that the government would intensify its efforts to replant the forests. Last June, floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains killed more than 200 people in South Sulawesi province. Separate floods killed more than 20 people and forced 40,000 people from their homes in Borneo in the same month.
EARTH DESTROYED WITH THE EARTH
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS
REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
At least 200 killed in fire at vandalised pipeline in Nigeria by Helen Vesperini DEC 26,06
LAGOS (AFP) - An explosion and blaze at a vandalised oil pipeline in Nigeria's main city Lagos killed at least 200 people, most of whom had been scooping fuel from it, a Red Cross official said. Scores of charred bodies were lying in the foam and water that firefighters used to fight the blaze in the commercial capital's densely populated northern district of Abule Egba, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.By late afternoon fire fighters had extinguished the blaze but smoke still rose from the site and a pervasive smell of fuel prompted the police to advise all those present to leave.We're still looking at a death total of around 200 but with the possibility it might rise beyond that, a Nigerian Red Cross official told AFP.Casualty figures for those who survived the fire with burns varied wildly, from around 60 to some 300. Red Cross officials said counting the injured was difficult because they had been sent to several different hospitals and clinics.Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the scene of the fire on Tuesday afternoon, said he was saddened at the tragedy and promised that an investigation would be carried out.
Residents said the pipeline was vandalised by thieves stealing fuel on a large scale. The fire, they said, started later in the morning, some time around 8:00 am (O7OO GMT) when local residents arrived with jerrycans to help themselves to small quantities of fuel.
They came and tapped the pipeline, filled the tankers with the fuel and went away with them, witness Joe Okah said. Then people here who were suffering came to fill jerrycans and then there was the explosion.Around the bodies, some charred to an extent where they were barely recognisable as human, lay burnt out vehicles and charred wooden market stalls.There was disagreement amongst residents as to whether the fire had been started by an accidental spark or by a disgruntled thief lighting a match.Bystanders alternately edged forward through the mud to look at the corpses, covering their noses with their shirts because of the smoke, and then surged back, shocked at what they had seen.
To die like that for a few thousand naira! The families won't even be able to identify them, rued an elderly man in a blue vest, shaking his head and lamenting that people should be so desperate as to risk their lives to steal a jerrycan full of fuel.Several local people said they tried to alert both the fire service and the police to the fact that the pipeline had been vandalised and was leaking fuel long
before the blaze started but that no help had been sent.Police at the scene refused to give estimates of the number of dead and injured. A senior Lagos State police officer tried to play down the impact of the blaze, insisting in mid afternoon that the death toll was still only between 40 and 100.An oil industry source earlier Tuesday estimated that the number of dead ran into the hundreds.
The Nigerian Red Cross said the final toll could be higher than expected Tuesday as normally in such cases many injured people hide for fear of being prosecuted.A statement from the Nigerian Presidency in early evening referred to scores of dead and injured and said President Olusegun Obasanjo was shocked and saddened by the report of the vandalisation of the pipeline.Obasanjo is particularly saddened that this vandalisation continues despite his warning that the vandalisation of pipelines carrying petroleum products is not only illegal but a dangerous pursuit, the statement said. In a statement, the Finnish presidency of the European Union expressed its grief at the loss of life and offers its condolences to the government and people of Nigeria, and to the families, relatives and friends of those who have died.
More than 2,000 people have died in a series of similar tragedies within a decade, mainly in the south of the oil-rich country, where poverty is widespread and fuel can run short though Nigeria is a major petroleum exporter. Pipeline tapping is frequent in Nigeria, where Lagos and other cities are prone to fuel shortages. Nigeria is Africa's biggest crude producer but heavily reliant on imports for its refined product requirements. Petrol stations in many Lagos neighbourhoods have been short of fuel for the past week or 10 days, causing bigger than usual traffic jams and fraying tempers as residents try to do their shopping for the festive period and visit family and friends.
MUSLIM NATIONS
EZEKIEL 38:1-12
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog,(RULER) the land of Magog,(RUSSIA) the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW)and Tubal,(TOBOLSK) and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech(MOSCOW) and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws,(GOD FORCES THE MUSLIMS TO MARCH) and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia,(IRAN,IRAQ) Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer,(GERMANY) and all his bands; the house of Togarmah (TURKEY)of the north quarters, and all his bands:(SUDAN,AFRICA) and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.(RUSSIA-EGYPT AND MUSLIMS)
10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)
The United States to Support Palestinian State With Temporary Borders
Dec 24, '06 / 3 Tevet 5767
(IsraelNN.com) The weekly Forward reports that the U.S. administration to trying to rally support in Congress for transferring $100 million to Abu Mazen and is also considering a plan for a Palestinian state with temporary borders by the end of 2007.According to the report, the borders of the state would be based upon the second stage of the Road Map plan.
Achmadinijad's Secret Weapon by Moshe Feiglin DEC 24,06
Why does Achmadinijad keep banging on the Holocaust drum? What does he need it for? Achmadinijad is very smart.
His world view is grounded in the labyrinths of the Middle East, but he understands the weak spots of the West. Achmadinijad understands that the Holocaust created the world opinion that gave birth to the State of Israel.
It is hard to argue with him on that point. The chance that the UN would have decided on the establishment of the State of Israel before the Holocaust is miniscule. But the Holocaust is not just a one-time tool that Israel used to tweak the conscience of the world before the fateful vote. It is the tool that the State of Israel uses until this very day to justify its existence. Just like a beggar who displays his open wounds to drum up business, Israel coerces every VIP who visits here to run directly from the airport to the horrors of the Holocaust Museum in
Jerusalem. Between us -- have you ever seen another country that justifies it existence by explaining that there is no other choice?
Look Mr. President... Please understand, Mr. Prime Minister, did you see what they did to us when we had no State? After pictures like these, can you even ask why Israel must exist?
The ploy worked for fifty years. But the world is already tired of it. It is very unfortunate that you were once persecuted, but it doesn't give you the right to steal the land of a different nation -- that in the meantime has also learned how to create photo-ops of wretchedness and suffering, entangling the entire Western world in a struggle with the Islamic world. Achmadinijad clearly identifies the weak point of Israel's claim: If the only justification for Israel's existence is the Holocaust, then you know what? We'll find the Jews a solution in Europe or in outer space...And if the world will close its eyes again, as it managed to do in 1944, I am willing to do the dirty work and rid the world of the Jewish problem. I even dare to claim that the Holocaust never occurred, and nothing happened to me. If you don't get in my way, I will finish the job for you. It won't take more than a few minutes. By the time you open your eyes, it will all be over. We won't even have to deny anything.
Achmadinijad is also smart enough to surround himself with Jews. That way, he can say to the world, What do you mean that I am Hitler? Did you ever see Hitler hug a Jew? On the contrary! I like Jews. All that I oppose is the Zionist attempt to turn the Jews into a nation that works within history and influences it.In truth, I do not understand why everybody is so up in arms over the Ultra-Orthodox Jews that attended the Holocaust denial conference in Iran. Achmadinijad has not yet killed one Jew. Arafat, on the other hand, declared that his goal was to destroy Israel and never renounced it. Not only did he make declarations, he also acted on them. He murdered more Jewish citizens than any person since Hitler. But Arafat was the darling of Rabin, Peres, Netanyahu and a long line of Israeli personalities. So what does everyone want from an odd Jew from Brooklyn? Is he the Prime Minister of Israel? A Knesset Member? A prominent journalist? If Binyamin Netanyahu could warmly shake Arafat's hand and tell the world that he had found a new friend, why should we be appalled by some bizarre Jews from the most eccentric fringes of Ultra-Orthodox Jewry who also found a friend from the same neighborhood?
The hugs that Arafat received from the representatives of the State of Israel obliterated Israel's most basic survival instinct. Not only did we no longer see any justification for our existence other than the Holocaust, we even began to accept the opposite claim -- that suggests that our existence be terminated.Achmadinijad's best weapon is his claims. On one hand, they are based on Israel's inability to justify its existence for positive reasons. On the other hand, they play on Western Anti-Semitism and get additional maneuvering space in exchange. That is exactly what Hitler did. When the American bombers flew over Auschwitz without bombing it, he got additional time to finish his job.To deal with Achmadinijad, we must deal with his claims. Israel currently fears the Jewish answer, rendering it incapable of justifying its existence. As a result, it cannot protect itself. Not from the Kassam and not from a nuclear Iran.
Nepal's mystery Buddha boy reappears By Gopal Sharma
Mon Dec 25, 11:02 AM ET
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A mysterious teenaged boy believed by some to be a reincarnation of Lord Buddha has reappeared in eastern Nepal after vanishing for nine months, a witness and a television channel said on Monday.Sixteen-year-old Ram Bahadur Bamjon was spotted on Sunday by villagers in the remote and dense forests near Piluwa village in Bara district, 150 km (95 miles) east of Kathmandu, local journalist Raju Shrestha, who visited the boy, told Reuters.Bamjon disappeared in March from the forests in nearby Ratanpuri village where he had reportedly been meditating without food or water for almost 10 months.I have been wandering in the forests since then, Shrestha quoted Bamjon as telling him.I am engaged in devotion which will continue for six years, the boy told Shrestha.
Hundreds of curious onlookers, including many Buddhists, thronged the site to see the boy, sitting in a meditating position.A local TV station showed people pressing their palms together and lowering their heads in devotion in front of him.I don't think he is a Buddha. But he has some sort of extra strength to meditate. He eats herbs, Shrestha said.Before his disappearance, an estimated 100,000 people from Hindu-majority Nepal and neighboring India flocked to see him meditate. They were not allowed to get closer than 50 meters (165 feet).Shrestha, who met the boy up close, said he had shoulder-length hair and sat cross-legged under a small tree.He has an ash-color shawl wrapped across his chest, he said, adding the boy had a flat-ended scimitar next to him.
Buddha was born a prince in Lumbini, a dusty village in Nepal's rice-growing plains about 350 km (220 miles) west of the capital Kathmandu more than 2,600 years ago.He is believed to have attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, which borders Nepal.
Hindu Extremists in India Beat Christian Couple, Pastor DEC 25,06
Hindu extremists launched two known attacks against Christians last week, beating a couple in the northern state of Haryana yesterday and assaulting a pastor in the central state of Chhattisgarh on Sunday (December 17), Compass Direct News reports.
About 50 Bajrang Dal extremists attacked the Christian couple, Rakesh Sen and Suman Sen, at about 8 a.m. yesterday at their home in Lakarpur, Faridabad district. The attackers were upset at the couple for regularly allowing their New Life Fellowship church to meet in their home and warned them against doing so in the future. In Raipur, a group of about 50 extremists from the Dharam Raksha Sena beat an independent pastor on Sunday (December 17) and accused him of forced conversions. They attacked Philip Jagdalla as he returned to his home after teaching Sunday school at his church.
vatican: Whatever happened to Christmas? DEC 25,06
A giant 33-meter-tall Christmas tree from the South Italian region of Calabria is set in place in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. A Vatican newspaper has spoken of a war against traditional Christian values once highlighted at Christmas.The traditional Christian values once feted at Christmas have evaporated, with some countries, especially Britain, waging a veritable war against Christmas, the Vatican paper L’Osservatore Romano wondered last week.The paper said the strongest sign of the changing face of Christmas was the disappearance of all religious references on stamps especially printed for Christmas, which now feature snowmen and deer but no longer the Magi or the star of Bethlehem.
In Europe, and more particularly in England, there is a real war against Christmas, which has been denounced by the daily The Sun war that tends to erase all the traditions of Christmas, the paper added in an article signed by journalist Mario-Gabriele Giordano.L’Osservatore Romano said that people today wanted Christmas to be no more that “a simple festivity of easy pleasure instead of it being, as it should, a time of meditation by authentic believers.
Religious Education and Neighborhood Rehabilitation Endangered
By Hillel Fendel (INN) DEC 26,06
The Knesset Education Committee has asked Prime Minister Olmert and Finance Minister Hirschsohn to restore 60 million shekels to the sharply-decreased religious education budget.The committee is headed by Labor-Meimad MK Michael Melchior, and includes MKs of the coalition Kadima and Labor parties, as well as Arab MKs. Non-member MK Nissan Slomiansky joined his party colleague - committee member Zevulun Orlev of the National Religious Party - at last night's special session at which the letter to the Prime and Finance Ministers was drafted.Religious-Zionist yeshiva and ulpanah high schools struck on Sunday for one day in protest of the massive budget cuts in religious-Zionist education over the past four years. As a result of the closing of the Religious Affairs Ministry in 2002, the funding that had been funded via its offices simply got swallowed up somewhere in the Finance Ministry.
This led to a drop of 130 million shekels, out of a total of some 285 million shekels, in the total budgeting.Last year, with the help of then-Finance Minister Ehud Olmert and others, 47 million shekels were returned to the religious education budget. In this year's current budget proposal, however, this sum does not appear. Elchanan Glatt, head of the Religious Education Forum, says that some schools may be forced to close.Despite the committee's letter to Olmert and Hirschsohn, it is not considered likely that the full sum will be restored.
Neighborhoods in Danger
Another casualty of the budget appears to be the long-running Israeli government program called Neighborhood Rehabilitation (Shikum Shchunot). At the behest of Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit, 65 out of 100 underprivileged neighborhoods will have their special funding cut.Last night, in the last budget sessions before the Knesset is to vote on it, the Labor Party asked that 250 million shekels be restored to the 25-year-old Neighborhood Rehabilitation project. However, in the framework of the coalition parties mutual rescinding of their special funding demands, this one, too, was withdrawn.Among the neighborhoods that will lose their special funding are Patt, Katamon 8 and Katamon 9 in Jerusalem, Hatikvah and the Argazim in Tel Aviv, the Taanachim near Afula, and neighborhoods in Haifa, Shlomi, Bat Yam, Eilat, Be'er Sheva and more.The Knesset Social Lobby convened this afternoon for an emergency session today to discuss the ramifications of the budget on national social issues. Former Bank of Israel Governor David Klein said that the government essentially does not have a clearly-defined national welfare strategy or program.
Jordan Invites Hamas PM, Abbas For Talks-Palestinian Aide DEC 25,06
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)--Jordan has invited Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas for talks in Amman, the Jordanian capital, a Palestinian official said Monday.
Palestinian government spokesman Ghazi Hamad of Hamas said Haniyeh was expected to go to Jordan this week, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would also attend.There was no immediate comment from Jordan.Talks between Haniyeh and Abbas of the moderate Fatah over a joint government have broken down, and there have been clashes between armed forces loyal to the rival movements. Jordan has offered to mediate in the past. (END) Dow Jones Newswires
Likud Leaders: Olmert's Policies Threaten Central Israel
By Hillel Fendel (INN)
The Likud party convened last night in Kfar Saba in a show of vigor, concentrating on Netanyahu's Israel Strength Program in response to what they call Olmert's dangerously misguided policies.
Binyamin Netanyahu's program, which he has presented to the public in bits and pieces over the past several months, includes long-range social and educational steps.Speaking before some 1,000 party members, including MKs and Central Committee members, Netanyahu sharply attacked Prime Minister Olmert's willingness to give up on Jewish dreams and agree to the establishment of a PLO state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Referring specifically to Olmert's speech at David Ben-Gurion's gravesite last month, Netanyahu said that such statements prepare the way for further concessions of the Land of Israel and bring Hamas rockets closer to central Israel.Giving away territory, the former and possibly future Prime Minister said, means giving them launching pads for rockets on Ben Gurion International Airport and Kfar Saba. Kfar Saba was chosen as the site for the gathering specifically because of its vulnerability in the event that Olmert's withdrawal plans are carried out.
It's hard to tell the truth to the public, Netanyahu said, but you can't simply look at the reality with rose-colored glasses. They said about Jabotinsky, too, that he was imagining things and a doom-sayer.
Seven months ago, they called us the same - but the public has now finally begun to understand. But the government still has not.All the warnings of those who opposed withdrawals over the past year and years have come true, Netanyahu said, including even on the Iranian front. He explained that Iran was able to strengthen itself towards its goals of destroying Israel partially because official Israel ignored the threat.Netanyahu also criticized the intention to cut back sharply on government aid to underprivileged neighborhoods, the need to return to Jewish values, and more.
Other speakers included MKs Limor Livnat, Yisrael Katz, Gideon Saar, Silvan Shalom, Danny Naveh and Yuval Shteinitz. Leaving all internal party differences aside - Shalom would like to unseat Netanyahu as party leader - all attacked Olmert for his policies towards Iran and the Palestinian Authority, including the $100 million in tax monies that Olmert has decided to unfreeze for the PA.
Several speakers called on Shas leader Eli Yishai and Yisrael Beiteinu head Avigdor Lieberman, right-wingers at heart, to leave the government.Shteinitz said about Olmert, Whoever is unable to deal with Kassams and Katyushas is also unable to deal with the Iranian threat. Facing these threats is a man who is not serious, not determined and lacking historic consciousness. Olmert, go home! Your time is up! Netanyahu and other opposition politicians have attacked Olmert for his continued restraint in the face of ongoing rocket attacks at the Negev. A leader needs to be an active authority, not passive and not a man of restraint and inaction, Netanyahu declared last week.
Oil rises to near $63 as Iran bristles at sanctions Tue Dec 26, 7:28 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose to around $63 a barrel on Tuesday after Iran warned it could use its oil exports as a weapon following the U.N. Security Council's decision to impose sanctions on its trade in nuclear goods. News Abu Dhabi was set to be the first to implement a new round of OPEC supply cuts added to the gains that followed two days of losses.U.S. crude climbed 54 cents to $62.95 a barrel by 1221 GMT. Brent crude jumped 66 cents to $63.08.Public holidays across Europe meant trading volumes were very thin.
After months of deadlock, the Security Council agreed on Saturday to impose sanctions on Iran's trade in nuclear materials and technology, drawing a warning from Tehran.If necessary, Iran will use any weapon to defend itself, Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency on Tuesday.
In the past he has said Iran would prefer not to play the oil card.Iran, the world's fourth-largest crude producer, has condemned the resolution as illegal and on Sunday vowed to speed up enrichment work, which could heighten tensions. Oil prices rose earlier in the year in response to fears Iran might cut its oil exports or disrupt Gulf shipping as its row with the West over its nuclear program escalated. The issue had faded since summer as the U.N. appeared unable to agree on how to deal with Tehran.Some analysts said traders might disregard the latest developments unless they saw evidence of supply disruption.It is certainly a bullish factor, but I think geopolitical matters will be ignored unless clearer risks materialize, said Makoto Takeda, energy analyst at Bansei Securities Co.
OPEC CUTS
Prices also drew support after Abu Dhabi's state oil firm, the main producer in the United Arab Emirates, said it would cut exports of nearly half its crude grades by 3-5 percent in February.The statement was the first sign the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries intended to comply with a second round of output reductions agreed this month.The new 500,000 barrels per day cuts are scheduled to take effect in February, giving the producer group time to assess whether peak winter demand will be enough to reduce swollen consumer inventories.Unusually warm weather in the United States has curbed fuel demand and helped to pull prices just over $1 lower last week.DTN Meteorlogix said on Monday temperatures in the U.S. Northeast had averaged 10-16 degrees Fahrenheit above normal over the long Christmas holiday weekend. But conditions were set to grow colder, nearing normal by Saturday.Given growing geopolitical risks and the start of a new year, some analysts predicted a new flow of investment-class money could further fuel any rally.We expect another influx of financial money into oil in the coming weeks, and geopolitical threats, such as Iran and Nigeria, remain active, said Mike Wittner, head of energy market research at Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank.
Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Views on Enlargement Differ in European Union,December 26, 2006
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Poland, Slovenia and Greece are clearly in favour of allowing more countries to become
members of the European Union (EU), according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. At least 71 per cent of respondents in the three countries support the further enlargement of the continental group.Slovakia is next on the list with 69 per cent, followed by Lithuania and Romania with 68 per cent, Bulgaria with 67 per cent, and Cyprus and Malta with 66 per cent. The lowest support for EU enlargement was registered in Britain with 36 per cent, France with 34 per cent, Luxembourg with 32 per cent, Austria with 31 per cent, and Germany with 30 per cent.In September, the EU announced that Romania and Bulgaria would become members of the continental group in 2007, but urged both countries to closely monitor issues such as food safety, EU subsidies and justice. In October 2005, Croatia and Turkey began accession talks.
Earlier this month, European Commission president Jose Durao Barroso discussed Croatia’s bid, saying, I cannot at this stage commit myself or the commission to a specific date. The key for the speed of the (EU accession) process is in the hands of Croatia.The Croatian government is looking at 2009 as the possible entry date, but the EU has urged the country to reform its judicial system and fight corruption.
Polling Data
Do you support the further enlargement of the European Union (EU) to include other countries in future years?
(Support answers listed)
European Union
46%
Poland
76%
Slovenia
74%
Greece
71%
Slovakia
69%
Lithuania
68%
Romania
68%
Bulgaria
67%
Cyprus
66%
Malta
66%
Czech Republic
65%
Hungary
65%
Croatia
64%
Latvia
63%
Estonia
59%
Portugal
54%
Sweden
53%
Spain
51%
Turkey
50%
Denmark
48%
Ireland
48%
Italy
47%
Belgium
46%
Netherlands
45%
Finland
43%
Britain
36%
France
34%
Luxembourg
32%
Austria
31%
Germany (takes over EU Presidency JAN 01,07)
30%
Source: TNS Opinion & Social / Eurobarometer
Methodology: Interviews with 29,152 people ages 15 and over in the 25 European Union (EU) member nations, two acceding countries, two candidate countries and the Turkish Cypriot Community, conducted from Sept. 6 to Oct. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
JESUS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
The Rest of the days Stories are after this main Story
CHRIST MAS WISHES TO THE WORLD 2006 (6006 YRS AFTER THE CREATION)
Dear WORLD, MERRY CHRIST MAS TO ALL
Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit…The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord... Isaiah 11:1-2)
May God grant you His wisdom, understanding, grace and peace as you celebrate this Christmas season.
STAN L BOWMAN JR ( Jesus came as a Baby the 1ST TIME, This 2ND TIME AS RULING KING.)
ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:(1st Coming as a Baby) and the government shall be upon his shoulder:(2ND COMING) and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
LUKE 1:26-35
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
LUKE 2:1-35
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
JESUS IS THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON, NOT SANTA CLAUS OR SHOPPING. KING JESUS COME QUICKLY WE PRAY.
JESUS IS GOD
Who ever denies JESUS IS GOD is an Anti-christ.1 John 4:2-32 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
WHATS SO SPECIAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS? 1 John 4:14
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
THE MAGI KINGS KNEW THE SIGNS, THEY KNEW BABY JESUS WAS THE PROMISED MESSIAH (ANOINTED ONE).
Matthew 2:22 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Micah 5:22 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Proverbs 30:44 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst
tell?
Isaiah 9:66 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
THE WORLD HAS ALWAYS HATED JESUS, THATS WHY ISRAEL IS HATED SO MUCH IN THE LAST DAYS.
No room in the inn. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Born in a barn, laid in a manger with animals.
WHEN JESUS WAS OLDER,THEY SAID ALL KINDS OF THINGS AGAINST HIM.
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
And in our day 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
ALL CLONES ARE VIRGIN BIRTHS.SURELY THE GOD OF ISRAEL COULD PUT A SINLESS PERSON (JESUS) IN A BODY.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
WHY A VIRGIN BIRTH?
Because we all were guilty through Adams fall. Roman 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:Adams blood stream became polluted. Now for the Almighty God to by pass the polluted blood stream of Adam, he sent his son and Jesus said in Hebrews 10:5 A body my father prepared for me. And in that body was the precious blood.
1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Blood without taint, blood without sin. All the blood in a baby is stricktly from the man, no mother ever passes her blood, she only nurishes the child. Its the blood in the sperm. And so they had to avoid it, and they did through a virgin Birth. praise God.
Now this virgin born one came for one reason.1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Theres only one way to be saved, thats through the cross of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:4-7 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He came for this. He knew why he came. He was laid in that grave. Christ died for our sins. He was buried and he rose again the third day. Now without the resurrection, none of this would be true.
Why?
Because Romans 1:4 says Christ is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of Holiness.
How?
By the resurrection of the dead. So you can trust him today. This one (JESUS) is soon coming back to set up his Kingdom for 1000 years. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast,neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
THATS THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED PRAY THIS FROM YOUR HEART.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (GOD) JESUS CHRIST shall be saved Romans 10:13.
PRAYER
LORD JESUS, SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. YOU CAME TOOK A BODY. AND THAT BLOOD IN THAT BODY, WAS SHED FOR ME. TO WASH ME, TO CLEANSE ME AND TO SAVE ME. TODAY, I RECIEVE YOUR SACRIFICE FOR ME. LORD JESUS, COME INTO MY HEART. I PRAY THIS IN YOUR HOLY NAME KING JESUS. AMEN AND AMEN.
AND WE ALL PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM, AND COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.
CHRIST MAS WISHES TO THE WORLD 2006 (6006 YRS AFTER THE CREATION)
Dear WORLD, MERRY CHRIST MAS TO ALL
Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit…The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord... Isaiah 11:1-2)
May God grant you His wisdom, understanding, grace and peace as you celebrate this Christmas season.
STAN L BOWMAN JR ( Jesus came as a Baby the 1ST TIME, This 2ND TIME AS RULING KING.)
ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:(1st Coming as a Baby) and the government shall be upon his shoulder:(2ND COMING) and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
LUKE 1:26-35
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
LUKE 2:1-35
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
JESUS IS THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON, NOT SANTA CLAUS OR SHOPPING. KING JESUS COME QUICKLY WE PRAY.
JESUS IS GOD
Who ever denies JESUS IS GOD is an Anti-christ.1 John 4:2-32 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
WHATS SO SPECIAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS? 1 John 4:14
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
THE MAGI KINGS KNEW THE SIGNS, THEY KNEW BABY JESUS WAS THE PROMISED MESSIAH (ANOINTED ONE).
Matthew 2:22 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Micah 5:22 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Proverbs 30:44 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst
tell?
Isaiah 9:66 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
THE WORLD HAS ALWAYS HATED JESUS, THATS WHY ISRAEL IS HATED SO MUCH IN THE LAST DAYS.
No room in the inn. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Born in a barn, laid in a manger with animals.
WHEN JESUS WAS OLDER,THEY SAID ALL KINDS OF THINGS AGAINST HIM.
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
And in our day 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
ALL CLONES ARE VIRGIN BIRTHS.SURELY THE GOD OF ISRAEL COULD PUT A SINLESS PERSON (JESUS) IN A BODY.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Luke 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
WHY A VIRGIN BIRTH?
Because we all were guilty through Adams fall. Roman 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:Adams blood stream became polluted. Now for the Almighty God to by pass the polluted blood stream of Adam, he sent his son and Jesus said in Hebrews 10:5 A body my father prepared for me. And in that body was the precious blood.
1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Blood without taint, blood without sin. All the blood in a baby is stricktly from the man, no mother ever passes her blood, she only nurishes the child. Its the blood in the sperm. And so they had to avoid it, and they did through a virgin Birth. praise God.
Now this virgin born one came for one reason.1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Theres only one way to be saved, thats through the cross of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:4-7 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He came for this. He knew why he came. He was laid in that grave. Christ died for our sins. He was buried and he rose again the third day. Now without the resurrection, none of this would be true.
Why?
Because Romans 1:4 says Christ is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of Holiness.
How?
By the resurrection of the dead. So you can trust him today. This one (JESUS) is soon coming back to set up his Kingdom for 1000 years. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast,neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
THATS THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED PRAY THIS FROM YOUR HEART.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (GOD) JESUS CHRIST shall be saved Romans 10:13.
PRAYER
LORD JESUS, SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. YOU CAME TOOK A BODY. AND THAT BLOOD IN THAT BODY, WAS SHED FOR ME. TO WASH ME, TO CLEANSE ME AND TO SAVE ME. TODAY, I RECIEVE YOUR SACRIFICE FOR ME. LORD JESUS, COME INTO MY HEART. I PRAY THIS IN YOUR HOLY NAME KING JESUS. AMEN AND AMEN.
AND WE ALL PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM, AND COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.
IRAN SANCTIONS 15 TO 0
1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS. 2-Small earthquake rattles S.F. Bay Area. 3-Moderate earthquake hits Andaman islands. 4-Malaysia floods kill 7, displace 90,000. 5-Stormy holiday ahead. 6-Remembering the true meaning of Christmas. 7-Abbas and Olmert meet in Jerusalem. 8-UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)
Update time = Sun Dec 24 12:01 AM EDT
DEC 24,06 NO QUAKES YET
DEC 23,06
MAP 5.7 SUNDA STRAIT, INDONESIA
MAP 2.8 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.2 NEAR THE NORTH COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.5 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.7 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 2.7 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.7 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Small earthquake rattles S.F. Bay Area DEC 23,06
BERKELEY, Calif. - A third small earthquake in four days rattled the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday, but there were no reports of injury or damage.The temblor that struck at 9:21 a.m. had a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of about 6.1 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The epicenter was about 2 miles from Berkeley and 3 miles from Emeryville, across the bay from San Francisco.Residents throughout the Bay Area reported feeling the jolt, but police said there were no reports of injuries.
The latest earthquake was similar in magnitude and location to those that struck Wednesday and Friday.They erupted along the Hayward Fault, which geologists believe is due for a quake in the potentially lethal 6.7 to 7.0 range.But the minor earthquakes should not be interpreted as omens of a more destructive one to come, said Jessica Sigala, a geophysicist with the National Earthquake Information Center.It could mean there's something coming, it could mean there's nothing coming, Sigala said. It just means the area is active, more active than it's been.
Moderate earthquake hits Andaman islands Sat Dec 23
NEW DELHI - A moderate earthquake struck off India's Andaman islands early Saturday, but no casualties or damage were reported, the India Meteorological Department said. The temblor, measuring 5.9 in magnitude, hit the southern Andaman islands at 1:21 a.m. 10 miles deep in the sea, the meteorological department said in a statement.People didn't feel it as most of them were sleeping and the earthquake was of moderate intensity, said Rana Mathew, a government spokesman in Port Blair, the territory's capital.There were no reports of any damage or casualties, Mathew told The Associated Press.
The remote islands off the east coast of India were among the many areas devastated by the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami, which was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake near Indonesia.The official death toll across India was 10,749. Another 5,640 people — mostly in the Andaman and Nicobar islands — are listed as missing, presumed dead.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Malaysia floods kill 7, displace 90,000 By S. KANARAJU, Associated Press Writer Sat Dec 23, 6:17 AM ET
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Seven people have died and more than 90,000 have been displaced during the last week as the country recorded heavy rainfall, officials said Saturday.
There were nearly 74,000 evacuees in public shelters in the southern state of Johor bordering Singapore, 12,650 in neighboring Malacca state, and 5,100 in eastern Pahang state, said an official at the police Internal Security and Public Order Division.All seven people reported dead were in Johor, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.The most rain to fall during a 24-hour period in the last week was 16 inches Monday in Segamat town in central Johor, according to the New Straits Times newspaper.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the heavy rains were expected to persist until Sunday, after which weather conditions should improve.Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rushed to visit affected areas in Johor on Saturday on his return from an official visit to Venezuela, the national news agency Bernama reported.Abdullah promised supplies of food and other necessities to flood victims, and called on authorities to ensure the health of the evacuees at relief centers by inoculating them.
Stormy holiday ahead W. Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel
Sat Dec 23, 5:35 AM ET
South
Rain showers will linger early along the southeastern coastal areas and then end by afternoon as the cold front responsible for the rainfall moves east of the area. The front however, will stall out across central Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico, which will keep the chance of showers and thunderstorms across that area. A new weather disturbance will be moving across southern Texas today, which will generate some rain and rain showers there, otherwise dry conditions are expected across the remainder of the southern states.
By Sunday, Christmas Eve, the weather disturbance over Texas, will interact with the stalled front over the northern Gulf to develop a new storm system. This will spread rain into the Lower Mississippi Valley, while keeping showers and thunderstorms over Florida. On Monday, Christmas Day, the storm system will begin to strengthen and move into the southeastern states. This will spread rain and thunderstorms into parts of the south, spreading up the eastern coast. It is possible some wet snow could develop on the back side of this storm system later Monday night into early Tuesday. Persons across the Southern states should keep tuned to the latest forecasts for any pre- and post-holiday travel plans.
Northeast
The storm system responsible for the widespread rain across the Northeast yesterday, is now moving north away from the Great Lakes. Steadier rains will taper to rain showers and then end along the eastern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England today. Rain, a wintry mix, and some ice will linger over far northern New England through most of the day before ending overnight tonight. For Sunday, Christmas Eve, a few rain and snow showers will develop in the wake of the storm over the eastern Great Lakes and northern New England, otherwise dry weather conditions can be expected from Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, north through Philadelphia, New York and Boston. By Monday, Christmas day, a new storm will be organizing over the southern states, and this will push rain and rain showers back north into the Southern Mid-Atlantic. Areas from Pittsburgh and New York, southward, will be best in line for rainfall. Locations across northern New England should remain dry. As this storm system moves northeast into the region Monday night into Tuesday, rain and rain showers will spread across the eastern Mid-Atlantic and eastern New England, with rain possibility changing to snow inland, especially along and east of the Appalachians. Persons across the Northeastern states should keep tuned to the latest forecast for any post-holiday travel plans.
Midwest
Yesterdays rain and snow producing storm system will be pushing north of the Great Lakes today.
Snow and snow showers will impact the far northern Great Lakes, with mixed rain and snow showers into the central Great Lakes. Overall, activity will be decreasing through the day. Across the Midwest and central Plains, dry, but cooler conditions will prevail. Sunday, Christmas Eve, should feature dry conditions from the central Plains to the Great Lakes to the Midwest. A cold front dipping south across the Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes, will be delivering some cold air to the region. By Monday, Christmas Day, a storm system will be developing and strengthening as it moves into the Tennessee valley. This will push rain into the Upper Ohio River Valley, with some rain and snow on the far northwest side of the storm system from the southern Great Lakes, into parts of the Midwest. Persons across the Midwestern states should keep tuned to the latest forecasts for any Christmas Day travel plans.
West
Into the Holiday, the Northwestern states will remain active, while the Southwestern states remain generally dry. Another storm system will move inland across the Pacific Northwest today, spreading rain and gusty winds to coastal areas, along with increasing inland snow. Snow showers will also be scattered across the southern Rockies in response to a weather disturbance, otherwise expect sunny and dry conditions over the Southwestern states. For Sunday, Christmas Day, the Pacific Northwest will experience some coastal showers, and inland snow showers, as onshore flow continues, otherwise the storm system that will impact that area Saturday, will move into the northern Rockies generating a few snow showers there. The rest of the west will remain dry. By Monday, Christmas Day, a new storm system will once again bring rain and gusty winds back to the Pacific Northwest coastal areas, with inland snow extending into the northern Rockies. Dry conditions will persist elsewhere.
Published: December 23, 2006 12:00 am
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas
Gloucester Daily Times
Editor's note: The following is the Nativity story from the Gospel of St. Luke:
In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be counted in a census. This was the first census and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.While they were there, the time came for her to deliver the child. She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among people.When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known what they had been told about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.May the blessings of Christmas be with you the whole year through.
Abbas and Olmert meet in Jerusalem By ARON HELLER, Associated Press Writer Sat Dec 23, 1:36 PM ET
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a long-overdue summit Saturday, reviving hopes that peace talks can resume after years of fighting, hostility and distrust.
The meeting, announced just hours before it began, marked the first substantial talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 22 months. It comes at a time when both men are facing serious political problems at home and stand to gain domestic support with a peace breakthrough.
Olmert emerged from his official residence in Jerusalem to greet Abbas. The two shook hands and also kissed each other on the cheek. Abbas as then introduced to Olmert's wife, Aliza, an artist known for her dovish views. The two leaders sat opposite one other at a table set for a meal and covered by white cloth. Israeli and Palestinian flags served as table decorations.Abbas is locked in an increasingly bitter and violent showdown with the Islamic militant Hamas. Last week, he said he would seek early elections, a dramatic challenge to the 10-month-old Hamas government. His announcement intensified factional fighting between Abbas-allied security forces and Hamas gunmen, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and there are fears that Palestinians will descend into full-scale civil war.Olmert, elected in March, has lost much of his popularity during the summer's war with Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas, which many in Israel believe ended inconclusively. The war also discredited Olmert's political program, a promise to withdraw from much of the West Bank and draw Israel's borders unilaterally by 2010, without waiting for a peace deal.
Key issues on the agenda will be the release of tax rebates and other funds Israel collected for the Palestinians but froze after Hamas came to power. The two leaders will also discuss an easing of Israeli travel restrictions in the West Bank and the fate of an Israel soldier captured by Hamas-allied militants in June.Palestinian officials have said in the past Abbas will not agree to a summit unless the outcome is agreed on ahead of time. It was not clear whether he got Israeli assurances on any of the issues.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said he hoped the meeting would help ease the suffering of the Palestinians and that Israel would release the frozen funds. However, Barhoum was skeptical. We have never gotten results from such meetings in the past, he said.
Olmert and Abbas had met once briefly over breakfast in Jordan in June, under the auspices of Jordan's King Abdullah II, but simply agreed to begin preparations on more substantive talks.The last summit took place Feb. 8, 2005, when then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with Abbas in Egypt and announced a cease-fire.In Gaza, meanwhile, factional fighting continued. In the southern Gaza town of Rafah, assailants fired on the car of a senior Palestinian security official, wounding him, a bodyguard and a girl.The target, Hassan Jarbouh, is the deputy chief of the Rafah branch of the Preventive Security Service, which is loyal to Abbas.
Preventive Security blamed Hamas for the attack.
Jarbouh, who was on his way to work, was in critical condition. His bodyguard and the girl, a bystander, suffered moderate wounds.The deadly confrontations in Gaza began nearly two weeks ago, with a shooting ambush that killed the three young children of an Abbas-allied intelligence officer.In all, 17 people have been killed and scores wounded in factional fighting, including heavy gun battles in densely populated neighborhoods, since the ambush on the young children.
UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions
The resolution achieved rare unanimous support DEC 23,2006
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment.
The sanctions ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and impose an asset freeze on key individuals and companies. The US representative warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons would make it less, not more, secure. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes and has vowed to continue. If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff Reaction in quotes
The resolution demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs. The vote by the 15-member council took place exactly two months after Britain, France and Germany first introduced a draft resolution proposing sanctions. The draft resolution was amended several times after objections from both the Russians and Chinese. But after parts of the resolution were watered down, both Russia and China - who have close financial ties with Iran - backed the proposals. The resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures. But acting US ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff, said the resolution sent a strong warning that there would be serious repercussions to Iran's continued defiance of the international community. If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply, Mr Wolff said.
Strong message
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, condemned the resolution as illegal. He told state-run television that the decision cannot affect or limit Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but will discredit the decisions of the Security Council, whose power is deteriorating. Hours before the vote, US President George W Bush spoke to Russia's Vladimir Putin and discussed the issue, agreeing on the importance of a unified stance.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)
Update time = Sun Dec 24 12:01 AM EDT
DEC 24,06 NO QUAKES YET
DEC 23,06
MAP 5.7 SUNDA STRAIT, INDONESIA
MAP 2.8 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.2 NEAR THE NORTH COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.5 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.7 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 2.7 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.7 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Small earthquake rattles S.F. Bay Area DEC 23,06
BERKELEY, Calif. - A third small earthquake in four days rattled the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday, but there were no reports of injury or damage.The temblor that struck at 9:21 a.m. had a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of about 6.1 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.The epicenter was about 2 miles from Berkeley and 3 miles from Emeryville, across the bay from San Francisco.Residents throughout the Bay Area reported feeling the jolt, but police said there were no reports of injuries.
The latest earthquake was similar in magnitude and location to those that struck Wednesday and Friday.They erupted along the Hayward Fault, which geologists believe is due for a quake in the potentially lethal 6.7 to 7.0 range.But the minor earthquakes should not be interpreted as omens of a more destructive one to come, said Jessica Sigala, a geophysicist with the National Earthquake Information Center.It could mean there's something coming, it could mean there's nothing coming, Sigala said. It just means the area is active, more active than it's been.
Moderate earthquake hits Andaman islands Sat Dec 23
NEW DELHI - A moderate earthquake struck off India's Andaman islands early Saturday, but no casualties or damage were reported, the India Meteorological Department said. The temblor, measuring 5.9 in magnitude, hit the southern Andaman islands at 1:21 a.m. 10 miles deep in the sea, the meteorological department said in a statement.People didn't feel it as most of them were sleeping and the earthquake was of moderate intensity, said Rana Mathew, a government spokesman in Port Blair, the territory's capital.There were no reports of any damage or casualties, Mathew told The Associated Press.
The remote islands off the east coast of India were among the many areas devastated by the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami, which was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake near Indonesia.The official death toll across India was 10,749. Another 5,640 people — mostly in the Andaman and Nicobar islands — are listed as missing, presumed dead.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Malaysia floods kill 7, displace 90,000 By S. KANARAJU, Associated Press Writer Sat Dec 23, 6:17 AM ET
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Seven people have died and more than 90,000 have been displaced during the last week as the country recorded heavy rainfall, officials said Saturday.
There were nearly 74,000 evacuees in public shelters in the southern state of Johor bordering Singapore, 12,650 in neighboring Malacca state, and 5,100 in eastern Pahang state, said an official at the police Internal Security and Public Order Division.All seven people reported dead were in Johor, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.The most rain to fall during a 24-hour period in the last week was 16 inches Monday in Segamat town in central Johor, according to the New Straits Times newspaper.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the heavy rains were expected to persist until Sunday, after which weather conditions should improve.Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rushed to visit affected areas in Johor on Saturday on his return from an official visit to Venezuela, the national news agency Bernama reported.Abdullah promised supplies of food and other necessities to flood victims, and called on authorities to ensure the health of the evacuees at relief centers by inoculating them.
Stormy holiday ahead W. Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel
Sat Dec 23, 5:35 AM ET
South
Rain showers will linger early along the southeastern coastal areas and then end by afternoon as the cold front responsible for the rainfall moves east of the area. The front however, will stall out across central Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico, which will keep the chance of showers and thunderstorms across that area. A new weather disturbance will be moving across southern Texas today, which will generate some rain and rain showers there, otherwise dry conditions are expected across the remainder of the southern states.
By Sunday, Christmas Eve, the weather disturbance over Texas, will interact with the stalled front over the northern Gulf to develop a new storm system. This will spread rain into the Lower Mississippi Valley, while keeping showers and thunderstorms over Florida. On Monday, Christmas Day, the storm system will begin to strengthen and move into the southeastern states. This will spread rain and thunderstorms into parts of the south, spreading up the eastern coast. It is possible some wet snow could develop on the back side of this storm system later Monday night into early Tuesday. Persons across the Southern states should keep tuned to the latest forecasts for any pre- and post-holiday travel plans.
Northeast
The storm system responsible for the widespread rain across the Northeast yesterday, is now moving north away from the Great Lakes. Steadier rains will taper to rain showers and then end along the eastern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England today. Rain, a wintry mix, and some ice will linger over far northern New England through most of the day before ending overnight tonight. For Sunday, Christmas Eve, a few rain and snow showers will develop in the wake of the storm over the eastern Great Lakes and northern New England, otherwise dry weather conditions can be expected from Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, north through Philadelphia, New York and Boston. By Monday, Christmas day, a new storm will be organizing over the southern states, and this will push rain and rain showers back north into the Southern Mid-Atlantic. Areas from Pittsburgh and New York, southward, will be best in line for rainfall. Locations across northern New England should remain dry. As this storm system moves northeast into the region Monday night into Tuesday, rain and rain showers will spread across the eastern Mid-Atlantic and eastern New England, with rain possibility changing to snow inland, especially along and east of the Appalachians. Persons across the Northeastern states should keep tuned to the latest forecast for any post-holiday travel plans.
Midwest
Yesterdays rain and snow producing storm system will be pushing north of the Great Lakes today.
Snow and snow showers will impact the far northern Great Lakes, with mixed rain and snow showers into the central Great Lakes. Overall, activity will be decreasing through the day. Across the Midwest and central Plains, dry, but cooler conditions will prevail. Sunday, Christmas Eve, should feature dry conditions from the central Plains to the Great Lakes to the Midwest. A cold front dipping south across the Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes, will be delivering some cold air to the region. By Monday, Christmas Day, a storm system will be developing and strengthening as it moves into the Tennessee valley. This will push rain into the Upper Ohio River Valley, with some rain and snow on the far northwest side of the storm system from the southern Great Lakes, into parts of the Midwest. Persons across the Midwestern states should keep tuned to the latest forecasts for any Christmas Day travel plans.
West
Into the Holiday, the Northwestern states will remain active, while the Southwestern states remain generally dry. Another storm system will move inland across the Pacific Northwest today, spreading rain and gusty winds to coastal areas, along with increasing inland snow. Snow showers will also be scattered across the southern Rockies in response to a weather disturbance, otherwise expect sunny and dry conditions over the Southwestern states. For Sunday, Christmas Day, the Pacific Northwest will experience some coastal showers, and inland snow showers, as onshore flow continues, otherwise the storm system that will impact that area Saturday, will move into the northern Rockies generating a few snow showers there. The rest of the west will remain dry. By Monday, Christmas Day, a new storm system will once again bring rain and gusty winds back to the Pacific Northwest coastal areas, with inland snow extending into the northern Rockies. Dry conditions will persist elsewhere.
Published: December 23, 2006 12:00 am
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas
Gloucester Daily Times
Editor's note: The following is the Nativity story from the Gospel of St. Luke:
In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be counted in a census. This was the first census and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.While they were there, the time came for her to deliver the child. She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among people.When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known what they had been told about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.May the blessings of Christmas be with you the whole year through.
Abbas and Olmert meet in Jerusalem By ARON HELLER, Associated Press Writer Sat Dec 23, 1:36 PM ET
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a long-overdue summit Saturday, reviving hopes that peace talks can resume after years of fighting, hostility and distrust.
The meeting, announced just hours before it began, marked the first substantial talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 22 months. It comes at a time when both men are facing serious political problems at home and stand to gain domestic support with a peace breakthrough.
Olmert emerged from his official residence in Jerusalem to greet Abbas. The two shook hands and also kissed each other on the cheek. Abbas as then introduced to Olmert's wife, Aliza, an artist known for her dovish views. The two leaders sat opposite one other at a table set for a meal and covered by white cloth. Israeli and Palestinian flags served as table decorations.Abbas is locked in an increasingly bitter and violent showdown with the Islamic militant Hamas. Last week, he said he would seek early elections, a dramatic challenge to the 10-month-old Hamas government. His announcement intensified factional fighting between Abbas-allied security forces and Hamas gunmen, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and there are fears that Palestinians will descend into full-scale civil war.Olmert, elected in March, has lost much of his popularity during the summer's war with Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas, which many in Israel believe ended inconclusively. The war also discredited Olmert's political program, a promise to withdraw from much of the West Bank and draw Israel's borders unilaterally by 2010, without waiting for a peace deal.
Key issues on the agenda will be the release of tax rebates and other funds Israel collected for the Palestinians but froze after Hamas came to power. The two leaders will also discuss an easing of Israeli travel restrictions in the West Bank and the fate of an Israel soldier captured by Hamas-allied militants in June.Palestinian officials have said in the past Abbas will not agree to a summit unless the outcome is agreed on ahead of time. It was not clear whether he got Israeli assurances on any of the issues.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said he hoped the meeting would help ease the suffering of the Palestinians and that Israel would release the frozen funds. However, Barhoum was skeptical. We have never gotten results from such meetings in the past, he said.
Olmert and Abbas had met once briefly over breakfast in Jordan in June, under the auspices of Jordan's King Abdullah II, but simply agreed to begin preparations on more substantive talks.The last summit took place Feb. 8, 2005, when then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with Abbas in Egypt and announced a cease-fire.In Gaza, meanwhile, factional fighting continued. In the southern Gaza town of Rafah, assailants fired on the car of a senior Palestinian security official, wounding him, a bodyguard and a girl.The target, Hassan Jarbouh, is the deputy chief of the Rafah branch of the Preventive Security Service, which is loyal to Abbas.
Preventive Security blamed Hamas for the attack.
Jarbouh, who was on his way to work, was in critical condition. His bodyguard and the girl, a bystander, suffered moderate wounds.The deadly confrontations in Gaza began nearly two weeks ago, with a shooting ambush that killed the three young children of an Abbas-allied intelligence officer.In all, 17 people have been killed and scores wounded in factional fighting, including heavy gun battles in densely populated neighborhoods, since the ambush on the young children.
UN passes Iran nuclear sanctions
The resolution achieved rare unanimous support DEC 23,2006
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Iran over its failure to halt uranium enrichment.
The sanctions ban the supply of nuclear-related technology and materials and impose an asset freeze on key individuals and companies. The US representative warned that Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons would make it less, not more, secure. Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes and has vowed to continue. If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff Reaction in quotes
The resolution demands that Tehran end all uranium enrichment work, which can produce fuel for nuclear plants as well as for bombs. The vote by the 15-member council took place exactly two months after Britain, France and Germany first introduced a draft resolution proposing sanctions. The draft resolution was amended several times after objections from both the Russians and Chinese. But after parts of the resolution were watered down, both Russia and China - who have close financial ties with Iran - backed the proposals. The resolution, under Chapter Seven of Article 41 of the UN Charter, makes enforcement obligatory but limits action to non-military measures. But acting US ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff, said the resolution sent a strong warning that there would be serious repercussions to Iran's continued defiance of the international community. If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body if Iran does not take further steps to comply, Mr Wolff said.
Strong message
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, condemned the resolution as illegal. He told state-run television that the decision cannot affect or limit Iran's peaceful nuclear activities but will discredit the decisions of the Security Council, whose power is deteriorating. Hours before the vote, US President George W Bush spoke to Russia's Vladimir Putin and discussed the issue, agreeing on the importance of a unified stance.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
IRAN NUCLEAR WITHIN WEEKS
1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS. 2-Six dead in Malaysian floods, 80,000 evacuated. 3-Louisiana rain threatens to flood rivers. 4-More storminess for the East and Northwest. 5-Space shuttle Discovery lands in Florida. 6-Secret Talks Between Israel and Saudi Arabia. 7-A Perfidious Ruling of Israel ’s Supreme Court. 8-In Praise of Christian Zionists. 9-Restricted pro-EU constitution meeting under fire. 10-Iran defies United Nations with pledge of going nuclear within weeks.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)
Update time = Sat Dec 23 12:15 AM EDT
DEC 23,06
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 2.7 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.7 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
DEC 22,06
MAP 3.6 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 6.1 ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
MAP 2.8 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 5.2 FIJI REGION
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.1 KEPULAUAN SANGIHE, INDONESIA
MAP 4.8 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA
MAP 3.9 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.6 CHANNEL ISLANDS REGION, CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.5 EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Six dead in Malaysian floods, 80,000 evacuated Fri Dec 22, 5:25 AM ET
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - The death toll from floods in Malaysia rose to six, as torrential rains in six states forced nearly 80,000 people to flee their homes and experts warned the capital was now under threat. The latest victim was a woman aged in her 60s who was found dead in her home in the worst hit state of southern Johor.Other casualties were washed away in their cars and in rivers.The number of evacuees in Johor has increased to 63,699, the Civil Defense Department's chief of disaster management, Che Moin Umar, told AFP on Thursday.Another 11,195 people had been evacuated from the western tourist state of Malacca, 2,504 from central Pahang state, 314 from western Negeri Sembilan, and a total of 604 from Kelantan and Terengganu, he said.The rains,which started Sunday in Johor, Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, have now spread to northeastern Kelantan and Terengganu states, flooding low-lying areas and inundating villages.
The meteorological department warned the Klang Valley which Kuala Lumpur sits in would be affected if heavy rains persist. It issued its most severe red stage heavy rain warning for the area, advising residents to be prepared.The heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas, it said, according to the state Bernama news agency.
Che Moin said relief operations were largely smooth but that because of the scale of the disaster there were some delays in meeting requests for assistance.There were reports of looting in Johor's worst-hit town of Segamat, as well as stores emptying as residents stocked up.The meteorology department also issued strong wind warnings of up to 70 kilometres an hour and rough seas with swells of up to 5.5 metres (18 feet) off Malaysia's east coast, and Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island, until Sunday.Several villages on Terengganu's coast late Wednesday were lashed by strong winds and tides, forcing hundreds to flee as waves washed over their homes, reports said.
Louisiana rain threatens to flood rivers Fri Dec 22, 10:45 AM ET
NEW ORLEANS - Rain-swollen rivers threatened to flood some southeastern Louisiana homes Friday, a day after the storm swamped streets in New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish, snarling traffic and closing schools.
The storm system dumped more than 6 inches of rain on New Orleans. Galliano, about 60 miles south of the city, got more than a foot of rain, National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Ricks said.Friday morning, the weather service issued flood warnings for the Tchefuncte River and the Bogue Falaya River near Folsom and Covington — about 30 miles north of New Orleans — and recommended evacuating some houses near Folsom.The Tchefuncte is likely to flood low-lying houses when it crests near Folsom early Friday night and near Covington on Saturday morning, forecasters said.
More storminess for the East and Northwest M. Ressler, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel Fri Dec 22, 3:03 PM ET
South
PUBLICIDAD
The exiting eastern storm will give much of the Southeast a brief chance to dry out Saturday and much of Christmas Eve as any remaining showers are confined to the Florida Peninsula. Quickly though, an upper-level disturbance will zip from the Desert Southwest to Texas Saturday with a few strong thunderstorms roaming through the Rio Grande valley. By Sunday, low pressure will be taking shape over the northwest Gulf along the tail end of the front. Heavy rain will explode over eastern Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana with possible late-day severe thunderstorms from Baton Rouge to Biloxi. Sunday night and Monday, the low pressure area will intensify and rain will surge northward dousing the region east of the Mississippi. A few severe thunderstorms could develop over Florida, south Georgia and the coastal Southeast. Colder air will begin to feed in behind the storm as it heads for the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic later Monday. Rain could change to snow in parts of Arkansas. Monday night and Tuesday morning with some moisture remaining, snow showers could sweep eastward with the colder air across the Tennessee Valley and into the Smokey Mountains and north Georgia. Later Tuesday and Wednesday the South will be quiet. Thursday and Friday, the early week scenario could be repeated with another rain event expanding from the lower Mississippi Valley across the Southeast.
Northeast
The once Denver storm and cold front are on the move. The heavy rain will end in the Mid-Atlantic by Saturday morning and from south to north during the remainder of the day across New England. Only northernmost New England could see sleet and freezing rain. By Sunday, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will be quiet except for snow showers over northern New York and northern New England. Then an intensifying storm will approach from the south Christmas Day with low pressure heading northward both east and west of the Appalachians. Locally heavy rain will steadily overspread the region from south to north reaching southern New York and southern New England by nightfall. Some sleet and freezing rain could occur in the mountains across northern Pennsylvania and points northward. The windy storm will roar through the region Monday night and Tuesday. The rain will end east of the mountains Tuesday, but a significant snow could coast the mountains from northwest Pennsylvania to Maine.
Midwest
Once the snow wraps up across the northern Great Lakes Saturday, the Plains and Midwest will enjoy a quiet lead up to Christmas. Christmas, though won't be so quiet. A storm heading north from the northwest Gulf Coast Christmas Day will be energized by a potent upper-level disturbance racing into the Mississippi Valley. This meeting will generate an increasingly windy Ohio Valley storm with plenty of rain and possibly a fringe of snow from southeast Missouri and Illinois to Lower Michigan. Monday night and early Tuesday as the storm heads for the Northeast, colder air will sweep eastward changing the rain to snow showers right into the
Appalachians. Snow showers and gusty northwest winds will linger over Lower Michigan, Ohio and eastern Kentucky right into Tuesday evening. Wednesday should be quiet almost region-wide.
West
The Pacific parade of storms will move ashore early Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. With snow levels ranging from 1500 feet in the northern Cascades to 5000 feet or so over northern California, each storm will coat the mountains with at least another 6 to 12 inches of snow. Strong gusty winds will hit coastal areas with each storm, especially the Oregon coast. The heaviest rains will focus over southwest Oregon and northwest California where each storm could dump several inches over the coastal range. Inland, each storm will bring more snow to the Great Basin and Rockies.
LUKE 21:11,25
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION)
MATTHEW 21:29
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Space shuttle Discovery lands in Florida Fri Dec 22, 5:56 PM ET
CAPE CANAVERAL, United States (AFP) - Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center here after worries about weather had scotched an earlier landing time.
The landing concluded a nearly 13-day successful mission that advanced construction of the International Space Station (ISS) in four space walks, including one added at the last moment to fix a stuck solar panel array.The 2232 GMT landing came at the end of a 66-minute descent during which the shuttle plunged at more than 26,500 kilometers (16,500 miles) an hour as it descended through the Earth's atmosphere.The shuttle gave off a double sonic boom as it descended through the early evening skies to the runway on Florida's Atlantic coast.Discovery carried seven astronauts, six from the United States and one from the European Space Agency, Christer Fuglesang, Sweden's first astronaut.Officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration had hoped weather conditions would improve enough in Florida to avoid having to land the space shuttle at Edwards Air Force Base in California or the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.A landing at either location in the western United States would have meant NASA would have to fly the shuttle to Florida, in the southeast, on the back of a modified Boeing 747 plane, which would cost some 1.7 million dollars.
There was also a worry about time running out in the mission, now in its 13th day. A landing by Saturday at the latest would be required because of dwindling electrical supplies on the shuttle.The Discovery team spent eight days at the station, rewiring it and attaching a two-ton truss to its girder-like structure.The crew also added a day and the extra space walk Monday to shake loose a solar panel array that had gotten stuck as it was being folded.Earlier Friday NASA officials awakened Discovery's crew to the song Home for the Holidays, to begin preparations for the return to Earth.Good morning, Discovery, the Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, said to the seven crew members after their musical wake-up call.We hope you agree with us that There's no place like home for the holidays, because we hope to see you back here on Earth later this afternoon.
We can't agree more, replied Commander Mark Polansky.
After this mission, NASA plans 13 more shuttle flights -- including five in 2007 -- to complete construction of the International Space Station by 2010, when the three-aircraft shuttle fleet is due to be retired.ISS construction fell years behind schedule after the 2003 Columbia tragedy when the spacecraft disintegrated minutes ahead of landing, killing all seven astronauts aboard.NASA suspended the shuttle program to deal with safety problems. The space shuttle Atlantis mission in September marked the resumption of ISS construction.
Secret Talks Between Israel and Saudi Arabia
By Hana Levi Julian (INN)
Israel and Saudi Arabia, which have no official diplomatic relations, have been holding high-level secret talks on the issue of terrorism in the region. A senior U.S. official quoted by the Reuters news agency said on Wednesday the two nations have been holding high-level secret talks despite the oil kingdom’s refusal to recognize the Jewish State.
Despite denials by both countries, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones said he felt it was important to publicize the contacts. I don’t have any particular details on it, but the very fact that … first of all they would be able to communicate and that they would be willing to communicate with one another I think shows a very serious approach, he said.Jones commented that such contacts would be a logical response to the chaos that is engulfing the region. He said cautiously that perhaps Israel is taking a second look at a long-rejected Saudi peace plan proposed in 2002.
I think they (the Israelis) recognize that Saudi Arabia’s policies have evolved in recent years and that Saudi Arabia is now more interested, and more on the side of peace, he said. The Israelis are warming to that.Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that the plan, which calls from Israel to surrender all of the land restored in the 1967 Six-Day War, could be the basis for an agreement with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a similar statement last month. In return, the Saudi plan offers recognition of the State of Israel by Arab countries.
Kadima Cabinet Minister Meir Sheetrit said in October that he too is in favor of holding discussions on the plan.Olmert, Peretz and Sheetrit were all clear that Israel will not surrender heavily populated areas, such as the Jerusalem suburbs of Neve Ya’akov and Ma’aleh Adumim.
The U.S. Ambassador was not specific about the content of the meeting held in September between the two leaders. There is definitely something going on there, he said, but beyond the one contact that was in the press I am not privy to [it].
According to various media reports, the contacts between the two Middle Eastern nations began soon after Israel’s second Lebanon War this summer.The Prime Minister praised Saudi initiatives focused on a regional peace plan and Iran’s nuclear development program, saying he admired King Abdullah wisdom and sense of responsibility. He added praise for Saudi efforts in the region, both those made publicly and others as well, in a September interview with the daily Yediot Aharonot.When questioned more specifically on whether Olmert had met with senior Saudi officials, however, he answered cryptically, I don’t have to answer every question.The Saudis immediately denied meeting with Israeli officials. The state-owned Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a Foreign Ministry statement which said, The news story circulated by Israeli and Qatari media recently over contacts between Saudi and Israeli officials is utterly false.
The Qatari-based region-wide Al-Jazeera television news network also reported that Israel and Saudi officials had met.Saudi Arabia and U.S. defense officials met recently for the most comprehensive talks in years.
The discussion centered on the growing threat from Iran's rapidly developing offensive power, according to the Mideast Newsline. The strategists concluded that the U.S. will maintain a long-term presence in the Gulf and will cooperate with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.Concerns about the increasing threat from the international al-Qaeda terrorist organization, which has renewed its threats to strike the U.S. were also discussed during a visit in November by a senior Saudi official with Vice President Richard Cheney.This week Saudi officials launched a campaign geared to teach children the dangers of terrorism. The education department in the country's Makkah region is trying to combat the culture of terrorism that tries to engage young children in terrorist activities. Officials said the program is part of the country's overall campaign to keep out terrorism. We are in a terrible need for such a campaign to safeguard our children from following the road of fanatics, said an official from King Abdul Aziz University.
A Perfidious Ruling of Israel ’s Supreme Court
Prof . Paul Eidelberg DEC 21,06
On December 12, 2006, Israel ’s High Court of Justice ruled that Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza could file lawsuits against Israel for damages incurred in IDF operations, provided that the operations in question did not take place as part of a clearly defined war . The court ignored or trivialized the fact that the elected leaders of these Palestinians, consistent with their PLO Constitution, are explicitly waging a relentless war against Israel . For further evidence, recall the January 2006 election, when a large majority of the Palestinians voted for Hamas, whose Covenant vows genocidal war against Israel . Today, Hamas is a proxy of Iran whose commitment to Israel ’s annihilation is broadcast daily by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, cheered by the Palestinians who cheered Saddam Hussein and danced on their rooftops as Scud missiles fell on Tel Aviv . Nevertheless, the court, headed by retired Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, nullified an amendment to the Civil Wrongs (Liability of the State) Law that was passed by the Knesset on July 27, 2005, granting the State broad immunity from lawsuits filed by Palestinian civilians for damages resulting from IDF actions against Palestinian terrorists .
The court’s ruling was vintage Barak—another manifestation of his artificial and pernicious application of international law to the embattled Jewish State of Israel . Barak’s secular, left-wing agenda continues to dominate and emasculate this country . The ultimate goal of that agenda is to erase Israel as Jewish state by transforming it into a conventional state of its citizens . In response to the court’s ruling, a friend of mine, a legal consultant in numerous international lawsuits, informed me of some shocking implications of that ruling .
This prompted me to convey not only his warnings (with permission), but also to further demonstrate the Supreme Court’s subversive tendency . In lifting the immunity of the State from civil lawsuits filed by Palestinians claiming damages resulting from IDF actions, the court automatically lifted the immunity of soldiers and officers (as well as public officials) involved in such actions . Israeli soldiers can the more readily be sued for damages in countries whose courts, bolstered by the ruling of Israel’s own Supreme Court, decide to apply international law against these Israelis—something a U . S . federal court refrained from doing by dismissing attempts to sue former Israeli chief of general staff Moshe Ya'alon for alleged war crimes . Otherwise, the costs and harassment involved in such lawsuits—a bonanza for the legal profession—can financially destroy a soldier and his family, on the one hand, and provide aid and comfort to Israel ’s enemies, on the other .
Although the court’s ruling also makes Israeli soldiers and officers (and public officials) individually liable for damages incurred during the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif and other Jewish communities, the court would probably dismiss such suits on the ground that Israel’s government has already provided for the compensation of these Jews .In any event, since Israeli servicemen are now liable for damages resulting from their carrying out the orders of the government, thoughtful soldiers may think twice about obeying such orders rather than face costly lawsuits both at home and abroad .On the other hand, since such lawsuits and their costs would obviously be reported by the media, this will surely discourage many Israelis from enlisting in the IDF . What is more, many Israelis will be prompted to leave the country, disgusted with a government that abandons them to the wiles of their enemies even in the courts of Israel . The Supreme Court’s ruling in this matter is perfidious .
Why indeed should any thinking Israeli want to serve in an army or air force ordered to attack Arab terrorists who may be concealed or sheltered by Arab civilians, when such military service may pauperize him, thanks to Israel’s Supreme Court? Bad enough, nay, outrageous, that the government releases thousands of terrorists whose capture required Israeli soldiers to risk and often lose their lives . But for the High Court of Justice to hand down a ruling which can only aid and comfort the enemy—Palestinians who overwhelmingly and demonstrably identify with Ahmadinejad’s goal to wipe Israel off the map—this is more than outrageous . It is perilously close to treason as defined in Article III, Section 3, of the American Constitution . Of course, we are in Israel , where treason, as defined by Section 99 of the Penal Code, has become respectable, and where judges do not have to fear impeachment .
The Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2006
In Praise of Christian Zionists,By Michael Freund
They number in the millions and wield increasing power and influence across the United States . From year to year their voice grows stronger and more resolute, as their role in shaping policy, and the future of American society continues to expand. Guided by faith, they love Israel passionately and pray for her well-being, rejoicing in her successes and grieving over her setbacks.
They are America 's Bible-believing Christians, and it is time for Israel to reach out to them in a far more sophisticated and comprehensive manner. A great deal has already been written about the close ties that have developed between the two, as Israeli officials have at last begun to appreciate the depth and feeling of American evangelical support for the Jewish state. Indeed, what was once unthinkable has now become routine, as leading Christian pastors and Israeli government representatives regularly confer with one another, exchanging ideas and views on the principal issues of the day.
But in far too many instances, Israel 's attitude toward evangelicals has been short-sighted and ill-advised, with the relationship often focused on soliciting dollars rather than devotion. And that has got to change, because far greater things are at stake here than just boosting revenues from tourism. For as strong and robust as the American Jewish community might be, it cannot and will not last forever, as recent demographic trends make clear. That leaves evangelical Christians as the best hope for ensuring that bedrock US support for Israel remains firm and unwavering in the decades to come. In other words, thank God for Christian Zionists. Like it or not, the future of the relationship between Israel and the US might very well hinge far less on America's Jews than on its Christians.
By all accounts, evangelical Christians are a force to be reckoned with. As the Independent put it the other day ( London , December 19): To say the United States is a religious country is an understatement. According to polls, an estimated 47 per cent of American adults claim to be 'born-again' or evangelical. Even if the figure is an overstatement, it still means there are tens of millions of Americans who identify themselves as evangelical. And this translates into an enormous wellspring of support for Israel , as an August 2006 study by the Pew Research Center revealed. According to the report's findings, Seven-in-ten white evangelicals (69%) believe God gave Israel to the Jewish people and a solid majority (59%) believes that Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Not surprisingly, the study found that those who believe that God gave Israel to the Jews and that the State of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy are much more likely than others to sympathize with Israel in its dispute with the Palestinians. No wonder so many evangelicals have taken to calling themselves Christian Zionists. Their sympathy and concern for Israel is readily apparent. I see it in the e-mails I receive regularly from evangelical Christians in the US in response to my columns in The Jerusalem Post. They are sincere and caring, and full of love and concern for Israel and its plight.Sure, there are some who would like to convert Jews, and they make little or no attempt to hide their agenda. But the vast majority simply wish to bless Israel because that is what they truly believe God wants them to do. AND IT IS this genuine and heartfelt affection that contains within it the potential to forge a historic alliance, one that could help heal some of the painful wounds of the past even as it paves the way for a close and meaningful partnership in the future. By adopting a few simple but significant steps, Israel can lay the groundwork for ensuring that the bond with US Christians continues to deepen.
First, Israel should appoint a roving ambassador tasked with responsibility for maintaining relations with Christians in America . This should not be just an honorary title, nor should it go to one of the usual organizational fund-raisers or foreign service hacks. Instead, the government should appoint a person of faith, one who can communicate with evangelicals in terms they both understand and appreciate.
Second, Israel should reach out to Christian leaders and their communities, and initiate the establishment of prayer battalions in churches across the United States . Like rapid-deployment forces used by the military, these battalions could be mobilized at a moment's notice to pray for specific issues, such as the return of Israel's missing soldiers or the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. Such an undertaking would have nothing to do with asking for funds, but everything to do with tapping into the vast reservoirs of faith and belief that underscore Christian backing for the Jewish state. And you can be sure that if a person is moved to pray for Israel , chances are that his sense of affinity will only continue to grow. Other steps that Israel could take to reinforce US Christian support might include organizing an annual conference for religious and lay leaders in Jerusalem , as well as helping them to develop the equivalent of a birthright-Israel program for young churchgoers which would serve to reinforce their connection with the land of the Bible.
Christian support for Israel is broad, profound and deep. If cultivated properly, it can blossom into a lasting friendship of historical, political and diplomatic significance. And with American Jewry steadily shrinking in size, nothing could be more pressing or more vital.The writer served as Deputy Director of Communications in the Prime Minister's Office under former premier Binyamin Netanyahu.
Restricted pro-EU constitution meeting under fire
22.12.2006 - 09:23 CET | By Mark Beunderman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Liberals in the European Parliament have strongly rejected a plan by Spain and Luxembourg to hold a restricted friends of the EU constitution meeting, saying the move carries the serious risk of dividing the union. The criticism comes after last week's invitation by Spain and Luxembourg to the Europe ministers of only those 18 EU countries which have ratified the constitution to a private meeting in Madrid on 26 January. Spain and Luxembourg deliberately excluded France and the Netherlands, which rejected the charter in popular referendums in 2005, as well as seven other states which subsequently
suspended ratification, from the Madrid meeting - and invited them only for a second gathering open for all EU states in Luxembourg in late February.
The initiative of Spain and Luxembourg carries the serious risk of dividing the union. To hold a conference only for those who have ratified the constitution threatens to gang up on the refuseniks, said Liberal constitutional spokesman and UK MEP Andrew Duff. Calling for the meetings to be cancelled, he went on to say that they are hugely undermining the efforts of the German presidency, whose duty it is to come up with proposals to renegotiate the 2004 constitutional treaty.Germany, which will chair the EU for six months from 1 January, has been tasked to design a road map at the end of its presidency to find a way out of the constitutional limbo created by the French and Dutch no votes. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday (19 December) gave a cautiously positive reaction to the Spanish-Luxembourg move by saying he understood the wish of the pro-constitution states to meet separately. Meanwhile, Spanish and Luxembourgish diplomats defended their initiative, with one Spanish contact saying that it is designed precisely to help the German presidency to collect the positions, to help to find a way out.
It is difficult to think that this will divide the union, he added.But divisions over the restricted invitation already emerged when it was circulated at an EU leaders' summit last week, with Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende warning the institutional debate in the EU should remain controllable. French president Jacques Chirac meanwhile played down the importance of the Spanish-Luxembourg plan, saying the constitution is a matter for the German presidency. Spain and Luxembourg are the only two countries which ratified the EU constitution by referendum, with 77 percent of Spaniards and 56 percent of Luxembourgers voting yes to the document.
Iran defies United Nations with pledge of going nuclear within weeks
By Alex Spillius,Last Updated: 2:38am GMT 22/12/2006
Iran defied imminent United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme yesterday and pledged that it would become a member of the nuclear club within weeks.After weeks of haggling between major world powers, a resolution is expected to be approved by the UN Security Council before Christmas.The nature of this resolution is not capable of pressuring Iran, and Iran will give an appropriate response to it, said Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and main negotiator on atomic issues.
This behaviour will just create more problems.Following Iran's failure to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work, the resolution is expected to ban imports and exports of materials and technology relating to uranium enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water reactors, as well as ballistic missile delivery systems.
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, yesterday reiterated a prediction that Iran will announce going nuclear in February during celebrations of the 1979 Islamic revolution against the Shah.Addressing a rally in west Iran, he said his country's nuclear plans would inspire other nations.
He revelled in mocking President George W Bush and the West.Some so-called superpowers... think that they can control the whole world, he said. I'm telling them: Open your eyes, today, the world no longer thinks your decisions have any value.His typically outspoken remarks came after the American president said his Iranian counterpart was out of step with the rest of the world. On a tour of the Middle East this week Tony Blair called on moderate Muslim states to line up against Iran, which he accused of supporting extremist elements in southern Iraq and Lebanon.Since his surprising election victory last year, Mr Ahmadinejad has accelerated Iran's nuclear programme, which western powers suspect is aimed at producing nuclear weapons in five to 10 years.Mr Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be wiped off the map.
EARTHQUAKES
MATTHEW 24:7-8
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
MARK 13:8
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:(ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST ETHNIC GROUP) and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
LUKE 21:11
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS (USGS)
Update time = Sat Dec 23 12:15 AM EDT
DEC 23,06
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.5 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 2.7 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.7 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
DEC 22,06
MAP 3.6 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 6.1 ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
MAP 2.8 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 5.2 FIJI REGION
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.1 KEPULAUAN SANGIHE, INDONESIA
MAP 4.8 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KAMCHATKA, RUSSIA
MAP 3.9 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 2.6 CHANNEL ISLANDS REGION, CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.5 EAST OF THE KURIL ISLANDS
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Six dead in Malaysian floods, 80,000 evacuated Fri Dec 22, 5:25 AM ET
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - The death toll from floods in Malaysia rose to six, as torrential rains in six states forced nearly 80,000 people to flee their homes and experts warned the capital was now under threat. The latest victim was a woman aged in her 60s who was found dead in her home in the worst hit state of southern Johor.Other casualties were washed away in their cars and in rivers.The number of evacuees in Johor has increased to 63,699, the Civil Defense Department's chief of disaster management, Che Moin Umar, told AFP on Thursday.Another 11,195 people had been evacuated from the western tourist state of Malacca, 2,504 from central Pahang state, 314 from western Negeri Sembilan, and a total of 604 from Kelantan and Terengganu, he said.The rains,which started Sunday in Johor, Pahang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, have now spread to northeastern Kelantan and Terengganu states, flooding low-lying areas and inundating villages.
The meteorological department warned the Klang Valley which Kuala Lumpur sits in would be affected if heavy rains persist. It issued its most severe red stage heavy rain warning for the area, advising residents to be prepared.The heavy rainfalls and wind condition that are currently affecting states in the east coast and Johor are expected to bring heavy downpour to the Klang Valley and its surrounding areas, it said, according to the state Bernama news agency.
Che Moin said relief operations were largely smooth but that because of the scale of the disaster there were some delays in meeting requests for assistance.There were reports of looting in Johor's worst-hit town of Segamat, as well as stores emptying as residents stocked up.The meteorology department also issued strong wind warnings of up to 70 kilometres an hour and rough seas with swells of up to 5.5 metres (18 feet) off Malaysia's east coast, and Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island, until Sunday.Several villages on Terengganu's coast late Wednesday were lashed by strong winds and tides, forcing hundreds to flee as waves washed over their homes, reports said.
Louisiana rain threatens to flood rivers Fri Dec 22, 10:45 AM ET
NEW ORLEANS - Rain-swollen rivers threatened to flood some southeastern Louisiana homes Friday, a day after the storm swamped streets in New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish, snarling traffic and closing schools.
The storm system dumped more than 6 inches of rain on New Orleans. Galliano, about 60 miles south of the city, got more than a foot of rain, National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Ricks said.Friday morning, the weather service issued flood warnings for the Tchefuncte River and the Bogue Falaya River near Folsom and Covington — about 30 miles north of New Orleans — and recommended evacuating some houses near Folsom.The Tchefuncte is likely to flood low-lying houses when it crests near Folsom early Friday night and near Covington on Saturday morning, forecasters said.
More storminess for the East and Northwest M. Ressler, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel Fri Dec 22, 3:03 PM ET
South
PUBLICIDAD
The exiting eastern storm will give much of the Southeast a brief chance to dry out Saturday and much of Christmas Eve as any remaining showers are confined to the Florida Peninsula. Quickly though, an upper-level disturbance will zip from the Desert Southwest to Texas Saturday with a few strong thunderstorms roaming through the Rio Grande valley. By Sunday, low pressure will be taking shape over the northwest Gulf along the tail end of the front. Heavy rain will explode over eastern Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana with possible late-day severe thunderstorms from Baton Rouge to Biloxi. Sunday night and Monday, the low pressure area will intensify and rain will surge northward dousing the region east of the Mississippi. A few severe thunderstorms could develop over Florida, south Georgia and the coastal Southeast. Colder air will begin to feed in behind the storm as it heads for the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic later Monday. Rain could change to snow in parts of Arkansas. Monday night and Tuesday morning with some moisture remaining, snow showers could sweep eastward with the colder air across the Tennessee Valley and into the Smokey Mountains and north Georgia. Later Tuesday and Wednesday the South will be quiet. Thursday and Friday, the early week scenario could be repeated with another rain event expanding from the lower Mississippi Valley across the Southeast.
Northeast
The once Denver storm and cold front are on the move. The heavy rain will end in the Mid-Atlantic by Saturday morning and from south to north during the remainder of the day across New England. Only northernmost New England could see sleet and freezing rain. By Sunday, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will be quiet except for snow showers over northern New York and northern New England. Then an intensifying storm will approach from the south Christmas Day with low pressure heading northward both east and west of the Appalachians. Locally heavy rain will steadily overspread the region from south to north reaching southern New York and southern New England by nightfall. Some sleet and freezing rain could occur in the mountains across northern Pennsylvania and points northward. The windy storm will roar through the region Monday night and Tuesday. The rain will end east of the mountains Tuesday, but a significant snow could coast the mountains from northwest Pennsylvania to Maine.
Midwest
Once the snow wraps up across the northern Great Lakes Saturday, the Plains and Midwest will enjoy a quiet lead up to Christmas. Christmas, though won't be so quiet. A storm heading north from the northwest Gulf Coast Christmas Day will be energized by a potent upper-level disturbance racing into the Mississippi Valley. This meeting will generate an increasingly windy Ohio Valley storm with plenty of rain and possibly a fringe of snow from southeast Missouri and Illinois to Lower Michigan. Monday night and early Tuesday as the storm heads for the Northeast, colder air will sweep eastward changing the rain to snow showers right into the
Appalachians. Snow showers and gusty northwest winds will linger over Lower Michigan, Ohio and eastern Kentucky right into Tuesday evening. Wednesday should be quiet almost region-wide.
West
The Pacific parade of storms will move ashore early Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. With snow levels ranging from 1500 feet in the northern Cascades to 5000 feet or so over northern California, each storm will coat the mountains with at least another 6 to 12 inches of snow. Strong gusty winds will hit coastal areas with each storm, especially the Oregon coast. The heaviest rains will focus over southwest Oregon and northwest California where each storm could dump several inches over the coastal range. Inland, each storm will bring more snow to the Great Basin and Rockies.
LUKE 21:11,25
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION)
MATTHEW 21:29
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Space shuttle Discovery lands in Florida Fri Dec 22, 5:56 PM ET
CAPE CANAVERAL, United States (AFP) - Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member crew landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center here after worries about weather had scotched an earlier landing time.
The landing concluded a nearly 13-day successful mission that advanced construction of the International Space Station (ISS) in four space walks, including one added at the last moment to fix a stuck solar panel array.The 2232 GMT landing came at the end of a 66-minute descent during which the shuttle plunged at more than 26,500 kilometers (16,500 miles) an hour as it descended through the Earth's atmosphere.The shuttle gave off a double sonic boom as it descended through the early evening skies to the runway on Florida's Atlantic coast.Discovery carried seven astronauts, six from the United States and one from the European Space Agency, Christer Fuglesang, Sweden's first astronaut.Officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration had hoped weather conditions would improve enough in Florida to avoid having to land the space shuttle at Edwards Air Force Base in California or the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.A landing at either location in the western United States would have meant NASA would have to fly the shuttle to Florida, in the southeast, on the back of a modified Boeing 747 plane, which would cost some 1.7 million dollars.
There was also a worry about time running out in the mission, now in its 13th day. A landing by Saturday at the latest would be required because of dwindling electrical supplies on the shuttle.The Discovery team spent eight days at the station, rewiring it and attaching a two-ton truss to its girder-like structure.The crew also added a day and the extra space walk Monday to shake loose a solar panel array that had gotten stuck as it was being folded.Earlier Friday NASA officials awakened Discovery's crew to the song Home for the Holidays, to begin preparations for the return to Earth.Good morning, Discovery, the Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, said to the seven crew members after their musical wake-up call.We hope you agree with us that There's no place like home for the holidays, because we hope to see you back here on Earth later this afternoon.
We can't agree more, replied Commander Mark Polansky.
After this mission, NASA plans 13 more shuttle flights -- including five in 2007 -- to complete construction of the International Space Station by 2010, when the three-aircraft shuttle fleet is due to be retired.ISS construction fell years behind schedule after the 2003 Columbia tragedy when the spacecraft disintegrated minutes ahead of landing, killing all seven astronauts aboard.NASA suspended the shuttle program to deal with safety problems. The space shuttle Atlantis mission in September marked the resumption of ISS construction.
Secret Talks Between Israel and Saudi Arabia
By Hana Levi Julian (INN)
Israel and Saudi Arabia, which have no official diplomatic relations, have been holding high-level secret talks on the issue of terrorism in the region. A senior U.S. official quoted by the Reuters news agency said on Wednesday the two nations have been holding high-level secret talks despite the oil kingdom’s refusal to recognize the Jewish State.
Despite denials by both countries, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones said he felt it was important to publicize the contacts. I don’t have any particular details on it, but the very fact that … first of all they would be able to communicate and that they would be willing to communicate with one another I think shows a very serious approach, he said.Jones commented that such contacts would be a logical response to the chaos that is engulfing the region. He said cautiously that perhaps Israel is taking a second look at a long-rejected Saudi peace plan proposed in 2002.
I think they (the Israelis) recognize that Saudi Arabia’s policies have evolved in recent years and that Saudi Arabia is now more interested, and more on the side of peace, he said. The Israelis are warming to that.Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that the plan, which calls from Israel to surrender all of the land restored in the 1967 Six-Day War, could be the basis for an agreement with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a similar statement last month. In return, the Saudi plan offers recognition of the State of Israel by Arab countries.
Kadima Cabinet Minister Meir Sheetrit said in October that he too is in favor of holding discussions on the plan.Olmert, Peretz and Sheetrit were all clear that Israel will not surrender heavily populated areas, such as the Jerusalem suburbs of Neve Ya’akov and Ma’aleh Adumim.
The U.S. Ambassador was not specific about the content of the meeting held in September between the two leaders. There is definitely something going on there, he said, but beyond the one contact that was in the press I am not privy to [it].
According to various media reports, the contacts between the two Middle Eastern nations began soon after Israel’s second Lebanon War this summer.The Prime Minister praised Saudi initiatives focused on a regional peace plan and Iran’s nuclear development program, saying he admired King Abdullah wisdom and sense of responsibility. He added praise for Saudi efforts in the region, both those made publicly and others as well, in a September interview with the daily Yediot Aharonot.When questioned more specifically on whether Olmert had met with senior Saudi officials, however, he answered cryptically, I don’t have to answer every question.The Saudis immediately denied meeting with Israeli officials. The state-owned Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a Foreign Ministry statement which said, The news story circulated by Israeli and Qatari media recently over contacts between Saudi and Israeli officials is utterly false.
The Qatari-based region-wide Al-Jazeera television news network also reported that Israel and Saudi officials had met.Saudi Arabia and U.S. defense officials met recently for the most comprehensive talks in years.
The discussion centered on the growing threat from Iran's rapidly developing offensive power, according to the Mideast Newsline. The strategists concluded that the U.S. will maintain a long-term presence in the Gulf and will cooperate with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.Concerns about the increasing threat from the international al-Qaeda terrorist organization, which has renewed its threats to strike the U.S. were also discussed during a visit in November by a senior Saudi official with Vice President Richard Cheney.This week Saudi officials launched a campaign geared to teach children the dangers of terrorism. The education department in the country's Makkah region is trying to combat the culture of terrorism that tries to engage young children in terrorist activities. Officials said the program is part of the country's overall campaign to keep out terrorism. We are in a terrible need for such a campaign to safeguard our children from following the road of fanatics, said an official from King Abdul Aziz University.
A Perfidious Ruling of Israel ’s Supreme Court
Prof . Paul Eidelberg DEC 21,06
On December 12, 2006, Israel ’s High Court of Justice ruled that Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza could file lawsuits against Israel for damages incurred in IDF operations, provided that the operations in question did not take place as part of a clearly defined war . The court ignored or trivialized the fact that the elected leaders of these Palestinians, consistent with their PLO Constitution, are explicitly waging a relentless war against Israel . For further evidence, recall the January 2006 election, when a large majority of the Palestinians voted for Hamas, whose Covenant vows genocidal war against Israel . Today, Hamas is a proxy of Iran whose commitment to Israel ’s annihilation is broadcast daily by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, cheered by the Palestinians who cheered Saddam Hussein and danced on their rooftops as Scud missiles fell on Tel Aviv . Nevertheless, the court, headed by retired Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, nullified an amendment to the Civil Wrongs (Liability of the State) Law that was passed by the Knesset on July 27, 2005, granting the State broad immunity from lawsuits filed by Palestinian civilians for damages resulting from IDF actions against Palestinian terrorists .
The court’s ruling was vintage Barak—another manifestation of his artificial and pernicious application of international law to the embattled Jewish State of Israel . Barak’s secular, left-wing agenda continues to dominate and emasculate this country . The ultimate goal of that agenda is to erase Israel as Jewish state by transforming it into a conventional state of its citizens . In response to the court’s ruling, a friend of mine, a legal consultant in numerous international lawsuits, informed me of some shocking implications of that ruling .
This prompted me to convey not only his warnings (with permission), but also to further demonstrate the Supreme Court’s subversive tendency . In lifting the immunity of the State from civil lawsuits filed by Palestinians claiming damages resulting from IDF actions, the court automatically lifted the immunity of soldiers and officers (as well as public officials) involved in such actions . Israeli soldiers can the more readily be sued for damages in countries whose courts, bolstered by the ruling of Israel’s own Supreme Court, decide to apply international law against these Israelis—something a U . S . federal court refrained from doing by dismissing attempts to sue former Israeli chief of general staff Moshe Ya'alon for alleged war crimes . Otherwise, the costs and harassment involved in such lawsuits—a bonanza for the legal profession—can financially destroy a soldier and his family, on the one hand, and provide aid and comfort to Israel ’s enemies, on the other .
Although the court’s ruling also makes Israeli soldiers and officers (and public officials) individually liable for damages incurred during the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif and other Jewish communities, the court would probably dismiss such suits on the ground that Israel’s government has already provided for the compensation of these Jews .In any event, since Israeli servicemen are now liable for damages resulting from their carrying out the orders of the government, thoughtful soldiers may think twice about obeying such orders rather than face costly lawsuits both at home and abroad .On the other hand, since such lawsuits and their costs would obviously be reported by the media, this will surely discourage many Israelis from enlisting in the IDF . What is more, many Israelis will be prompted to leave the country, disgusted with a government that abandons them to the wiles of their enemies even in the courts of Israel . The Supreme Court’s ruling in this matter is perfidious .
Why indeed should any thinking Israeli want to serve in an army or air force ordered to attack Arab terrorists who may be concealed or sheltered by Arab civilians, when such military service may pauperize him, thanks to Israel’s Supreme Court? Bad enough, nay, outrageous, that the government releases thousands of terrorists whose capture required Israeli soldiers to risk and often lose their lives . But for the High Court of Justice to hand down a ruling which can only aid and comfort the enemy—Palestinians who overwhelmingly and demonstrably identify with Ahmadinejad’s goal to wipe Israel off the map—this is more than outrageous . It is perilously close to treason as defined in Article III, Section 3, of the American Constitution . Of course, we are in Israel , where treason, as defined by Section 99 of the Penal Code, has become respectable, and where judges do not have to fear impeachment .
The Jerusalem Post, December 22, 2006
In Praise of Christian Zionists,By Michael Freund
They number in the millions and wield increasing power and influence across the United States . From year to year their voice grows stronger and more resolute, as their role in shaping policy, and the future of American society continues to expand. Guided by faith, they love Israel passionately and pray for her well-being, rejoicing in her successes and grieving over her setbacks.
They are America 's Bible-believing Christians, and it is time for Israel to reach out to them in a far more sophisticated and comprehensive manner. A great deal has already been written about the close ties that have developed between the two, as Israeli officials have at last begun to appreciate the depth and feeling of American evangelical support for the Jewish state. Indeed, what was once unthinkable has now become routine, as leading Christian pastors and Israeli government representatives regularly confer with one another, exchanging ideas and views on the principal issues of the day.
But in far too many instances, Israel 's attitude toward evangelicals has been short-sighted and ill-advised, with the relationship often focused on soliciting dollars rather than devotion. And that has got to change, because far greater things are at stake here than just boosting revenues from tourism. For as strong and robust as the American Jewish community might be, it cannot and will not last forever, as recent demographic trends make clear. That leaves evangelical Christians as the best hope for ensuring that bedrock US support for Israel remains firm and unwavering in the decades to come. In other words, thank God for Christian Zionists. Like it or not, the future of the relationship between Israel and the US might very well hinge far less on America's Jews than on its Christians.
By all accounts, evangelical Christians are a force to be reckoned with. As the Independent put it the other day ( London , December 19): To say the United States is a religious country is an understatement. According to polls, an estimated 47 per cent of American adults claim to be 'born-again' or evangelical. Even if the figure is an overstatement, it still means there are tens of millions of Americans who identify themselves as evangelical. And this translates into an enormous wellspring of support for Israel , as an August 2006 study by the Pew Research Center revealed. According to the report's findings, Seven-in-ten white evangelicals (69%) believe God gave Israel to the Jewish people and a solid majority (59%) believes that Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Not surprisingly, the study found that those who believe that God gave Israel to the Jews and that the State of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy are much more likely than others to sympathize with Israel in its dispute with the Palestinians. No wonder so many evangelicals have taken to calling themselves Christian Zionists. Their sympathy and concern for Israel is readily apparent. I see it in the e-mails I receive regularly from evangelical Christians in the US in response to my columns in The Jerusalem Post. They are sincere and caring, and full of love and concern for Israel and its plight.Sure, there are some who would like to convert Jews, and they make little or no attempt to hide their agenda. But the vast majority simply wish to bless Israel because that is what they truly believe God wants them to do. AND IT IS this genuine and heartfelt affection that contains within it the potential to forge a historic alliance, one that could help heal some of the painful wounds of the past even as it paves the way for a close and meaningful partnership in the future. By adopting a few simple but significant steps, Israel can lay the groundwork for ensuring that the bond with US Christians continues to deepen.
First, Israel should appoint a roving ambassador tasked with responsibility for maintaining relations with Christians in America . This should not be just an honorary title, nor should it go to one of the usual organizational fund-raisers or foreign service hacks. Instead, the government should appoint a person of faith, one who can communicate with evangelicals in terms they both understand and appreciate.
Second, Israel should reach out to Christian leaders and their communities, and initiate the establishment of prayer battalions in churches across the United States . Like rapid-deployment forces used by the military, these battalions could be mobilized at a moment's notice to pray for specific issues, such as the return of Israel's missing soldiers or the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. Such an undertaking would have nothing to do with asking for funds, but everything to do with tapping into the vast reservoirs of faith and belief that underscore Christian backing for the Jewish state. And you can be sure that if a person is moved to pray for Israel , chances are that his sense of affinity will only continue to grow. Other steps that Israel could take to reinforce US Christian support might include organizing an annual conference for religious and lay leaders in Jerusalem , as well as helping them to develop the equivalent of a birthright-Israel program for young churchgoers which would serve to reinforce their connection with the land of the Bible.
Christian support for Israel is broad, profound and deep. If cultivated properly, it can blossom into a lasting friendship of historical, political and diplomatic significance. And with American Jewry steadily shrinking in size, nothing could be more pressing or more vital.The writer served as Deputy Director of Communications in the Prime Minister's Office under former premier Binyamin Netanyahu.
Restricted pro-EU constitution meeting under fire
22.12.2006 - 09:23 CET | By Mark Beunderman
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The Liberals in the European Parliament have strongly rejected a plan by Spain and Luxembourg to hold a restricted friends of the EU constitution meeting, saying the move carries the serious risk of dividing the union. The criticism comes after last week's invitation by Spain and Luxembourg to the Europe ministers of only those 18 EU countries which have ratified the constitution to a private meeting in Madrid on 26 January. Spain and Luxembourg deliberately excluded France and the Netherlands, which rejected the charter in popular referendums in 2005, as well as seven other states which subsequently
suspended ratification, from the Madrid meeting - and invited them only for a second gathering open for all EU states in Luxembourg in late February.
The initiative of Spain and Luxembourg carries the serious risk of dividing the union. To hold a conference only for those who have ratified the constitution threatens to gang up on the refuseniks, said Liberal constitutional spokesman and UK MEP Andrew Duff. Calling for the meetings to be cancelled, he went on to say that they are hugely undermining the efforts of the German presidency, whose duty it is to come up with proposals to renegotiate the 2004 constitutional treaty.Germany, which will chair the EU for six months from 1 January, has been tasked to design a road map at the end of its presidency to find a way out of the constitutional limbo created by the French and Dutch no votes. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday (19 December) gave a cautiously positive reaction to the Spanish-Luxembourg move by saying he understood the wish of the pro-constitution states to meet separately. Meanwhile, Spanish and Luxembourgish diplomats defended their initiative, with one Spanish contact saying that it is designed precisely to help the German presidency to collect the positions, to help to find a way out.
It is difficult to think that this will divide the union, he added.But divisions over the restricted invitation already emerged when it was circulated at an EU leaders' summit last week, with Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende warning the institutional debate in the EU should remain controllable. French president Jacques Chirac meanwhile played down the importance of the Spanish-Luxembourg plan, saying the constitution is a matter for the German presidency. Spain and Luxembourg are the only two countries which ratified the EU constitution by referendum, with 77 percent of Spaniards and 56 percent of Luxembourgers voting yes to the document.
Iran defies United Nations with pledge of going nuclear within weeks
By Alex Spillius,Last Updated: 2:38am GMT 22/12/2006
Iran defied imminent United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme yesterday and pledged that it would become a member of the nuclear club within weeks.After weeks of haggling between major world powers, a resolution is expected to be approved by the UN Security Council before Christmas.The nature of this resolution is not capable of pressuring Iran, and Iran will give an appropriate response to it, said Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and main negotiator on atomic issues.
This behaviour will just create more problems.Following Iran's failure to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work, the resolution is expected to ban imports and exports of materials and technology relating to uranium enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water reactors, as well as ballistic missile delivery systems.
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, yesterday reiterated a prediction that Iran will announce going nuclear in February during celebrations of the 1979 Islamic revolution against the Shah.Addressing a rally in west Iran, he said his country's nuclear plans would inspire other nations.
He revelled in mocking President George W Bush and the West.Some so-called superpowers... think that they can control the whole world, he said. I'm telling them: Open your eyes, today, the world no longer thinks your decisions have any value.His typically outspoken remarks came after the American president said his Iranian counterpart was out of step with the rest of the world. On a tour of the Middle East this week Tony Blair called on moderate Muslim states to line up against Iran, which he accused of supporting extremist elements in southern Iraq and Lebanon.Since his surprising election victory last year, Mr Ahmadinejad has accelerated Iran's nuclear programme, which western powers suspect is aimed at producing nuclear weapons in five to 10 years.Mr Ahmadinejad has said Israel should be wiped off the map.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)