STOCKS TUMBLE 537 POINTS ON D0W BECAUSE OF CHINA TECH STOCKS FEB 27,2007
DOCTOR SAMUEL DOCTORIAN ANGEL ONE
then the angel said, Financial crisis will come to Asia. I will shake the world.
HOARDING OF GOLD AND SILVER
JAMES 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
EZEKIEL 7:19
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
Stocks drop on Daw to 537 points.
By Stan L Bowman Jr Feb 27 4PM
At 3PM today, I was watching CNN and suddenly the stocks dropped off from 300 to 500 points. People were bailing out of stocks quick. But at 3:25 it was back up to 322 points as big investors were gobbling up the lost stocks to bring it under control. This all started in China in the tech stocks.
Now we know when the Bible says in one hour great riches have come to not, how it will happen. It will be a quick selloff like today.
All North American and South American Markets are down today. At 3:35 its at 413 points down. At 3:40 its back up to 375 points down. The tention mounts with fifteen minutes left in the day. Some believe there may have been a glitch in the computer system that made it plunge so fast at 3:10.
At 3:40 its down to 380 points. The hosts are saying the Stock market was due for a correction. They insist don't panick but my heart would be dropping if I had stocks. Theres people gathered trying to figure out why the drop happened so quick. Well this may not be the one that God told us will happen in the future, but some time down the line it will not just be a correction and Bible Prophecy will be fulfilled like God said in the verses I put above this story. At 3:55 its at 368 points down.
One stock trader says the stocks have stopped processing at 3:42PM and he can not buy, no orders going through, this may have been a computer glich that caused all this turmoil and chaos today.
The bell is about to ring and its at 400.37 down on the day. Over night about the cheney assination attempt, tech stocks in china and Europe all combined for the 2nd biggest drop. The hosts still say it could have been a Computer glitch that caused all this turmoil in the last hour. I will put a story on with the rest of the days news later on.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
RABBI KADURI JESUS IS MESSIAH
A Rabbi's Testimony
Ephraim Frank - Israel - February 23, 2007
A little over a year ago the most famous Kabalistic rabbi in Israel passed away. Over 300,000 attended his funeral in Jerusalem. However, little did they know that he went to his grave carrying with him a most amazing testimony. You can draw your own conclusion upon reading what we are about to share with you. This information, which comes from a secular website in Israel, is verified on the rabbi's website by his followers. None of us have any doubt that we are living in very unique times, and one does not need to elaborate as to the great variety of events and phenomena that are taking place right before our eyes. Especially interesting is the waking up process, out of the grave of forgetfulness, of the multitudes of Israelites who have been unaware of their identity until just recently. And while the lost tribes of the house of Israel/Ephraim are shedding the scales of sleep from there eyes one might ask, but what about brother Judah?
The latter does not question his identity, and even the identity of the other members of the family, but what about the identity of the Redeemer, without whom this restoration will not be fulfilled? Indeed, the phenomenon of Jews/Judeans, that is Israelites of the House of Judah, recognizing their Messiah should not by any means be taken for granted, as until several decades ago it could not even be imagined! Judah and Yeshua has been an oxymoron for a very long time. Right now, as we all know, there are tens of thousands of Jews in various parts of the world, including Israel, who recognize their Jewish Messiah without having had to step into foreign territory in order to do that (that is, they did not convert to another religion). Yet, by and large, Yeshua's name still causes many a Jew to squirm, and if that Jew happens to be religious then the typical reaction to the mentioning of His name would be far more radical than a squirm.
But having said that it must be emphasized that research into some old Jewish writings will yield surprising discoveries as to the description of Messiah. However, even with all that material at their disposal, the Orthodox Jews, who may be familiar with these descriptions, for many reasons refuse to associate Messiah with the figure of the historical Yeshua. In spite of that every now and then a rumor finds its way into the believing circles in the land that such and such a rabbi, or another religious figure, has come to embrace Yeshua. But most times it is hard, if not impossible, to verify these hearsays.
Around the time of the first year anniversary of the passing away of the above mentioned Kabbalistic rabbi, who died at 106 and I might add with his mind still a sharp as a tack, the word went out that an envelope with Messiah's name in it, which he gave his disciples before his death, had, according to his instructions, been opened.
Being a Kabbalist (Kabbala is Jewish mysticism), the rabbi wrote the name of the Messiah in accordance with the customs of this sect. Thus the note that was opened up contained a sentence which says the following: As to the acronym of Messiah: Let the people raise up and prove that his word and his Torah are valid. Thus, the first letter of each of the words in the above sentence was strung together to form the name of the Messiah. In Hebrew that sentence was made up of six words whose first letters formed the name Yehoshua; that is Joshua, which is actually the same name as Yeshua.(JESUS)
The Internet site where the actual note, in the handwriting of the rabbi, appeared also posted an article which revealed, to the discomfort and amazement of the rabbis' associates, far more. On that same website, as well as on the rabbi's site, it was reported that the rabbi met the Messiah about a year before his death, and his description of the Messiah was written down and then reduced into a list of 18 points.
Let us take a look at what this venerated veteran rabbi has to say about the Messiah of Israel. The following has been translated from the Hebrew with our comments inserted in the brackets:
1. The rabbi met the Messiah about a year ago, after he foresaw the wave of natural disasters that hit the earth. The rabbi met the Messiah in a vision, and he therefore was able to also predict the coming disaster [it does not mention which disaster], because the Spirit of Messiah is the Spirit of prophecy [see Revelation 19:10, the rabbis is actually making reference to New Covenant scriptures here and in a few other places]
2. The soul of Messiah is conceived inside a person of the Israelite nation. Indeed a person is conceived by the Messiah and contains the spirit of Messiah when he meets Messiah. [The rabbi's definition of the new birth]
3. The Messiah draws to the Torah those who are removed from it. The true believers in Messiah do likewise and also draw others to the testimony of Messiah [ref. Revelation 19:10]. As he said, anyone who will teach and do this will be called great in the kingdom of heaven [ref. Mathew 5:19]
4. The union of the 2 Messiahs (Messiah son of Joseph and Messiah son of David) has taken place. Indeed the 2 Messiahs are one, they are one soul. [In Jewish tradition the suffering Messiah son of Joseph precedes the coming of the victorious Messiah son of David]
5. The rabbi was told that he would be privileged to see Messiah in his own lifetime, which has indeed taken place, and he was saved [the term saved is not common at all in typical Jewish vernacular]
6. Messiah will lead Israel in pleasant and loving ways to practice Judaism. Messiah will be a Torah observant Jew, as it is written, the spirit of the Lord will rest on Him. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord… And He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear (Isaiah
11:2,3).
7. By His words He will gather the outcasts of Israel from all over the world. And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gathered the dispersed of Judah (Isaiah 11:12).
8. Many will find His words and speech to be easy to accept, And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4).
9. His words will be fulfilled by the very fact that they had been uttered by Him. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host (Psalm. 33:6) [This quote alludes to the divinity of Messiah, normally a non accepted tenet in Judaism].
10. As a leader Messiah will not sit in some kind of fancy office or bureau, but will sit in the bureau of Hashem [Elohim].
11. He will convey His words through different vessels And saviors will go up Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau and the kingdom will be the Lord's(Obadiah 1:21).
12. Purity is destined to come to the world through the same vessels that sin entered in. Thus, since sin came into the world through a vessel, a woman-Eve, so will purity come in by a vessel – a woman [this is a clear hint that Messiah was to come to the world by being born, and not in some other way]
13. His rule will be free of all lust. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist (Isaiah 11:5)
14. His true test will not be His ability to perform miracles, but the very essence of His being and His actions. He will act as a simple Jew. His entire will is to do the will of God, and God gives Him help. He is very humble, He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him (Isaiah 53:2) [In Judaism this forbidden chapter is usually
avoided, and when quoted it is always in relationship to Israel and not to Messiah]
15. Messiah does not distinguish between a secular Israelite and a religious one. He stretches forth His hand to all, and who so ever wills accepts Him, even the Gentiles. The nations will resort to…Him… and His resting place will be glorious (Isaiah 11:10)
16. Accepting Him is easier for those who do not keep the Torah and the commandments. Those who regard themselves as righteous are proud and that is an abomination to the Lord. The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death the light will shine on them (Isaiah 9:1)
17. Messiah will reveal Himself to individuals, and not necessarily to those who excel in Torah. For the strong do not need a doctor, the righteous do not need to repent, but the sick and the sinner [ref. Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31] , as it is written, mercy have I desired, and not sacrifice [Hosea 6:6; Mathew 9:13]
18. When He is revealed many will wonder: What, is it He?!Who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?As for His generation, who considered? [Isaiah 53:1, 8] And I will pour upon the House of David and the dweller of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, so that they will look upon Me whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him as the mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn (Zachariah 12:10) [A verse which is normally attached to the nation of Israel and not to Messiah]
Have a restful and peaceful Shabbat,
Ephraim and Rimona
Because many of you have requested it, here is follow up information on last Friday's letter.Rabbi Kaduri died a little over a year ago.The Hebrew websites mentioned in the article are:
www.nfc.co.il/archive/ : www.kaduri.net ,http://mysticalpaths.blogspot.com/ is an English site where there is a posting of the actual note, in an article called The Name of Moshiach and a long discussion about this note.Because this information seems, or could be, causing discomfort, to say the least, to some of the rabbi's followers it might be removed from these websites quite soon.
Have a blessed week,
Ephraim
I SAY THANK YOU EPHRAIM FOR REVEALING THE TRUTH TO ISRAELIS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH RABBI KADURI.
Ephraim Frank - Israel - February 23, 2007
A little over a year ago the most famous Kabalistic rabbi in Israel passed away. Over 300,000 attended his funeral in Jerusalem. However, little did they know that he went to his grave carrying with him a most amazing testimony. You can draw your own conclusion upon reading what we are about to share with you. This information, which comes from a secular website in Israel, is verified on the rabbi's website by his followers. None of us have any doubt that we are living in very unique times, and one does not need to elaborate as to the great variety of events and phenomena that are taking place right before our eyes. Especially interesting is the waking up process, out of the grave of forgetfulness, of the multitudes of Israelites who have been unaware of their identity until just recently. And while the lost tribes of the house of Israel/Ephraim are shedding the scales of sleep from there eyes one might ask, but what about brother Judah?
The latter does not question his identity, and even the identity of the other members of the family, but what about the identity of the Redeemer, without whom this restoration will not be fulfilled? Indeed, the phenomenon of Jews/Judeans, that is Israelites of the House of Judah, recognizing their Messiah should not by any means be taken for granted, as until several decades ago it could not even be imagined! Judah and Yeshua has been an oxymoron for a very long time. Right now, as we all know, there are tens of thousands of Jews in various parts of the world, including Israel, who recognize their Jewish Messiah without having had to step into foreign territory in order to do that (that is, they did not convert to another religion). Yet, by and large, Yeshua's name still causes many a Jew to squirm, and if that Jew happens to be religious then the typical reaction to the mentioning of His name would be far more radical than a squirm.
But having said that it must be emphasized that research into some old Jewish writings will yield surprising discoveries as to the description of Messiah. However, even with all that material at their disposal, the Orthodox Jews, who may be familiar with these descriptions, for many reasons refuse to associate Messiah with the figure of the historical Yeshua. In spite of that every now and then a rumor finds its way into the believing circles in the land that such and such a rabbi, or another religious figure, has come to embrace Yeshua. But most times it is hard, if not impossible, to verify these hearsays.
Around the time of the first year anniversary of the passing away of the above mentioned Kabbalistic rabbi, who died at 106 and I might add with his mind still a sharp as a tack, the word went out that an envelope with Messiah's name in it, which he gave his disciples before his death, had, according to his instructions, been opened.
Being a Kabbalist (Kabbala is Jewish mysticism), the rabbi wrote the name of the Messiah in accordance with the customs of this sect. Thus the note that was opened up contained a sentence which says the following: As to the acronym of Messiah: Let the people raise up and prove that his word and his Torah are valid. Thus, the first letter of each of the words in the above sentence was strung together to form the name of the Messiah. In Hebrew that sentence was made up of six words whose first letters formed the name Yehoshua; that is Joshua, which is actually the same name as Yeshua.(JESUS)
The Internet site where the actual note, in the handwriting of the rabbi, appeared also posted an article which revealed, to the discomfort and amazement of the rabbis' associates, far more. On that same website, as well as on the rabbi's site, it was reported that the rabbi met the Messiah about a year before his death, and his description of the Messiah was written down and then reduced into a list of 18 points.
Let us take a look at what this venerated veteran rabbi has to say about the Messiah of Israel. The following has been translated from the Hebrew with our comments inserted in the brackets:
1. The rabbi met the Messiah about a year ago, after he foresaw the wave of natural disasters that hit the earth. The rabbi met the Messiah in a vision, and he therefore was able to also predict the coming disaster [it does not mention which disaster], because the Spirit of Messiah is the Spirit of prophecy [see Revelation 19:10, the rabbis is actually making reference to New Covenant scriptures here and in a few other places]
2. The soul of Messiah is conceived inside a person of the Israelite nation. Indeed a person is conceived by the Messiah and contains the spirit of Messiah when he meets Messiah. [The rabbi's definition of the new birth]
3. The Messiah draws to the Torah those who are removed from it. The true believers in Messiah do likewise and also draw others to the testimony of Messiah [ref. Revelation 19:10]. As he said, anyone who will teach and do this will be called great in the kingdom of heaven [ref. Mathew 5:19]
4. The union of the 2 Messiahs (Messiah son of Joseph and Messiah son of David) has taken place. Indeed the 2 Messiahs are one, they are one soul. [In Jewish tradition the suffering Messiah son of Joseph precedes the coming of the victorious Messiah son of David]
5. The rabbi was told that he would be privileged to see Messiah in his own lifetime, which has indeed taken place, and he was saved [the term saved is not common at all in typical Jewish vernacular]
6. Messiah will lead Israel in pleasant and loving ways to practice Judaism. Messiah will be a Torah observant Jew, as it is written, the spirit of the Lord will rest on Him. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord… And He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear (Isaiah
11:2,3).
7. By His words He will gather the outcasts of Israel from all over the world. And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gathered the dispersed of Judah (Isaiah 11:12).
8. Many will find His words and speech to be easy to accept, And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked (Isaiah 11:4).
9. His words will be fulfilled by the very fact that they had been uttered by Him. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host (Psalm. 33:6) [This quote alludes to the divinity of Messiah, normally a non accepted tenet in Judaism].
10. As a leader Messiah will not sit in some kind of fancy office or bureau, but will sit in the bureau of Hashem [Elohim].
11. He will convey His words through different vessels And saviors will go up Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau and the kingdom will be the Lord's(Obadiah 1:21).
12. Purity is destined to come to the world through the same vessels that sin entered in. Thus, since sin came into the world through a vessel, a woman-Eve, so will purity come in by a vessel – a woman [this is a clear hint that Messiah was to come to the world by being born, and not in some other way]
13. His rule will be free of all lust. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist (Isaiah 11:5)
14. His true test will not be His ability to perform miracles, but the very essence of His being and His actions. He will act as a simple Jew. His entire will is to do the will of God, and God gives Him help. He is very humble, He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him (Isaiah 53:2) [In Judaism this forbidden chapter is usually
avoided, and when quoted it is always in relationship to Israel and not to Messiah]
15. Messiah does not distinguish between a secular Israelite and a religious one. He stretches forth His hand to all, and who so ever wills accepts Him, even the Gentiles. The nations will resort to…Him… and His resting place will be glorious (Isaiah 11:10)
16. Accepting Him is easier for those who do not keep the Torah and the commandments. Those who regard themselves as righteous are proud and that is an abomination to the Lord. The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death the light will shine on them (Isaiah 9:1)
17. Messiah will reveal Himself to individuals, and not necessarily to those who excel in Torah. For the strong do not need a doctor, the righteous do not need to repent, but the sick and the sinner [ref. Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31] , as it is written, mercy have I desired, and not sacrifice [Hosea 6:6; Mathew 9:13]
18. When He is revealed many will wonder: What, is it He?!Who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?As for His generation, who considered? [Isaiah 53:1, 8] And I will pour upon the House of David and the dweller of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, so that they will look upon Me whom they have pierced and they will mourn for Him as the mourning for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn (Zachariah 12:10) [A verse which is normally attached to the nation of Israel and not to Messiah]
Have a restful and peaceful Shabbat,
Ephraim and Rimona
Because many of you have requested it, here is follow up information on last Friday's letter.Rabbi Kaduri died a little over a year ago.The Hebrew websites mentioned in the article are:
www.nfc.co.il/archive/ : www.kaduri.net ,http://mysticalpaths.blogspot.com/ is an English site where there is a posting of the actual note, in an article called The Name of Moshiach and a long discussion about this note.Because this information seems, or could be, causing discomfort, to say the least, to some of the rabbi's followers it might be removed from these websites quite soon.
Have a blessed week,
Ephraim
I SAY THANK YOU EPHRAIM FOR REVEALING THE TRUTH TO ISRAELIS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH RABBI KADURI.
END TIMES BEGIN IN 2007
7 SIGNS THE END TIMES BEGIN IN 2007 BY ROBERT TAYLOR FEB 26,2007
A stunning newly discovered Dea Sea Scroll reveals that the Apocalyptic End Times will begin this year (2007) - and backs up the earth-shattering claim with seven concrete Prophecies.
The Scroll was found by a team of Archaeologists exploring the area around Qumran on the desolate shores of the Dead Sea. The team, lead by Dr Martin Boch of the esteemed Biblical Archeology Institute in Bern, Switzerland, stumbled upon the new scroll after uncovering the mouth of a cave that had untill now escaped detection.
If this really is a true discovery and not made up, get ready for Earth breaking News.Before I get to the seven things to happen we need a couple of scriptures. And I will also be using some of Samuel Doctorians Predictions from the 7 Angels of the 7 Continents from 1998.
ACTS 2:19-20
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:(NUCLEAR BOMB I BELIEVE)
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
MATTHEW 16:2-4
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
SO WE SEE IT WILL BE BY THE SIGNS THAT THE END OF THE AGE OF GRACE IS NEAR. JUST LIKE IN JESUS DAY THE SIGN OF THE WICKED GENERATION WAS THAT 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS JESUS WOULD BE IN THE GRAVE, THEN JESUS WOULD COME BACK TO LIFE, JUST AS AFTER 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE JONAH WAS VOMITED OUT. SO IT WILL BE IN THIS LAST WICKED GENERATION ALSO THE SIGNS WE LOOK FOR TO KNOW CHRIST IS RETURNING TO EARTH BODILY.
HERE NOW ARE THE SEVEN THINGS TO HAPPEN IF THIS DEA SEA SCROLL WAS REALLY FOUND AND NOT HOXED.
DSD=DOCTOR SAMUEL DOCTORIAN
1-NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES A NUKE ATTACK
DSD ANGEL 1 (ASIA)
But the angel said, Millions will die in China and in India. Nation will be against nation, brother against brother. Asians will fight each other. Nuclear weapons shall be used, killing millions. Twice I heard the words, Catastrophic! Catastrophic!
REVELATION 16:12
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
REVELATION 9:14-18
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.(200 MILLION MAN ARMY)
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
2-900,000 US TROOPS DRAFTED.
WELL DURING ARMAGEDDON 200 MILLION MAN ARMY GOES TO THE MIDEAST AS YOU READ IN THE 1ST SIGN.
3-A DEADLY TSUNAMI TO KILL 400,000 PEOPLE
LUKE 21:25
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; the sea and the waves roaring;
DSD ANGEL ONE
The first angel said: I have a message for all of Asia. When he said that, in a spilt few seconds, I could see all of China, India, the Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos - I've never been to those countries. I saw the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. And then the angel showed me all of Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya and down to Australia and New Zealand.Strong winds will be looked like has never happened before. A great part shall be shaken and destroyed.
Earthquakes will take place all over Asia and the sea will cover the earth.I heard the angel say, part of Australia will be shaken. Australia will be divided, and a great part will go under the ocean.
DSD ANGEL THREE
I am grieved. I am grieved. Unrighteousness, uncleanness, ungodliness - all over Europe. The sin has risen to heaven. The Holy Spirit is grieved. I saw the rivers of Europe flooding and covering millions of houses. Millions drown.
DSD ANGEL FOUR
A great part of the middle of Africa will be covered with water - millions dying.
DSD ANGEL FIVE
As the angel began to pour from the bowl in his hand, I saw tremendous icebergs melting. When that happened I saw floods all over Canada and North America - all the rivers flood; destruction everywhere. I heard the world market collapsing with mighty earthquakes, and New York skyscrapers were tumbling - millions dying.I saw ships in the ocean sinking. I heard explosions all over the north country. I saw the angel pouring over Mexico and two oceans joining together- the Atlantic and the
Pacific. A great part of north Brazil covered with water, the Amazon River turning into a great sea.
Forests destroyed and flooded. Major cities in Brazil destroyed; earthquakes in many places. As the angel poured, great destruction took place in Chile and Argentina as never before. The whole world was shaking. Then I heard the angel say, This will happen in a very short time.
4-IRAN INVADES ISRAEL.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS, MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people, 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:
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
DSD SECOND ANGEL
I saw the angel raise the sickle and come down on all the Middle East countries.I saw Iran, Persia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, all of Georgia - Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, all of Asia Minor - full of blood. I saw blood all over these countries. And I saw fire; Nuclear weapons used in many of those countries. Smoke rising from everywhere. Sudden destruction - men destroying one another.
5-COMPUTER SCIENTIST CRACKS 666
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
6-NASA FINDS KILLER ASTEROID.
MATTHEW 24:29
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days(END OF THE 7 YR TRIBULATION) 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:
REVELATION 6:12-17
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
DSD ANGEL FOUR
Now we go to Africa. I saw great pieces falling from the sky over different parts of Africa There shall be trembling of the earth like has not been seen since the creation. None shall escape the sword of the Lord.
7-CHRIST COMES IN A BLAZE OF GLORY.
MATTHEW 24:27
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
REVELATION 19:11-19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
DSD ANGEL FIVE
Don't pour these things out all over the globe. And suddenly I saw the five angels standing around the globe lifting up their hands and their wings towards heaven and saying, All glory to the Lord of heaven and earth. Now the time has come and He will glorify His Son.
I BELIEVE THE ANGELS THAT TALKED WITH DOCTOR DOCTORIAN ARE THE TRIBULATION ANGELS, AND MOST THINGS LINE UP WITH THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS IF THIS IS NO HOX. WE PRAY COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.
A stunning newly discovered Dea Sea Scroll reveals that the Apocalyptic End Times will begin this year (2007) - and backs up the earth-shattering claim with seven concrete Prophecies.
The Scroll was found by a team of Archaeologists exploring the area around Qumran on the desolate shores of the Dead Sea. The team, lead by Dr Martin Boch of the esteemed Biblical Archeology Institute in Bern, Switzerland, stumbled upon the new scroll after uncovering the mouth of a cave that had untill now escaped detection.
If this really is a true discovery and not made up, get ready for Earth breaking News.Before I get to the seven things to happen we need a couple of scriptures. And I will also be using some of Samuel Doctorians Predictions from the 7 Angels of the 7 Continents from 1998.
ACTS 2:19-20
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:(NUCLEAR BOMB I BELIEVE)
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
MATTHEW 16:2-4
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
SO WE SEE IT WILL BE BY THE SIGNS THAT THE END OF THE AGE OF GRACE IS NEAR. JUST LIKE IN JESUS DAY THE SIGN OF THE WICKED GENERATION WAS THAT 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS JESUS WOULD BE IN THE GRAVE, THEN JESUS WOULD COME BACK TO LIFE, JUST AS AFTER 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE JONAH WAS VOMITED OUT. SO IT WILL BE IN THIS LAST WICKED GENERATION ALSO THE SIGNS WE LOOK FOR TO KNOW CHRIST IS RETURNING TO EARTH BODILY.
HERE NOW ARE THE SEVEN THINGS TO HAPPEN IF THIS DEA SEA SCROLL WAS REALLY FOUND AND NOT HOXED.
DSD=DOCTOR SAMUEL DOCTORIAN
1-NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES A NUKE ATTACK
DSD ANGEL 1 (ASIA)
But the angel said, Millions will die in China and in India. Nation will be against nation, brother against brother. Asians will fight each other. Nuclear weapons shall be used, killing millions. Twice I heard the words, Catastrophic! Catastrophic!
REVELATION 16:12
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
REVELATION 9:14-18
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.(200 MILLION MAN ARMY)
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
2-900,000 US TROOPS DRAFTED.
WELL DURING ARMAGEDDON 200 MILLION MAN ARMY GOES TO THE MIDEAST AS YOU READ IN THE 1ST SIGN.
3-A DEADLY TSUNAMI TO KILL 400,000 PEOPLE
LUKE 21:25
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; the sea and the waves roaring;
DSD ANGEL ONE
The first angel said: I have a message for all of Asia. When he said that, in a spilt few seconds, I could see all of China, India, the Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos - I've never been to those countries. I saw the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. And then the angel showed me all of Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya and down to Australia and New Zealand.Strong winds will be looked like has never happened before. A great part shall be shaken and destroyed.
Earthquakes will take place all over Asia and the sea will cover the earth.I heard the angel say, part of Australia will be shaken. Australia will be divided, and a great part will go under the ocean.
DSD ANGEL THREE
I am grieved. I am grieved. Unrighteousness, uncleanness, ungodliness - all over Europe. The sin has risen to heaven. The Holy Spirit is grieved. I saw the rivers of Europe flooding and covering millions of houses. Millions drown.
DSD ANGEL FOUR
A great part of the middle of Africa will be covered with water - millions dying.
DSD ANGEL FIVE
As the angel began to pour from the bowl in his hand, I saw tremendous icebergs melting. When that happened I saw floods all over Canada and North America - all the rivers flood; destruction everywhere. I heard the world market collapsing with mighty earthquakes, and New York skyscrapers were tumbling - millions dying.I saw ships in the ocean sinking. I heard explosions all over the north country. I saw the angel pouring over Mexico and two oceans joining together- the Atlantic and the
Pacific. A great part of north Brazil covered with water, the Amazon River turning into a great sea.
Forests destroyed and flooded. Major cities in Brazil destroyed; earthquakes in many places. As the angel poured, great destruction took place in Chile and Argentina as never before. The whole world was shaking. Then I heard the angel say, This will happen in a very short time.
4-IRAN INVADES ISRAEL.
PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS, MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people, 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:
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
DSD SECOND ANGEL
I saw the angel raise the sickle and come down on all the Middle East countries.I saw Iran, Persia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, all of Georgia - Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, all of Asia Minor - full of blood. I saw blood all over these countries. And I saw fire; Nuclear weapons used in many of those countries. Smoke rising from everywhere. Sudden destruction - men destroying one another.
5-COMPUTER SCIENTIST CRACKS 666
REVELATION 13:16-18
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
6-NASA FINDS KILLER ASTEROID.
MATTHEW 24:29
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days(END OF THE 7 YR TRIBULATION) 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:
REVELATION 6:12-17
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
DSD ANGEL FOUR
Now we go to Africa. I saw great pieces falling from the sky over different parts of Africa There shall be trembling of the earth like has not been seen since the creation. None shall escape the sword of the Lord.
7-CHRIST COMES IN A BLAZE OF GLORY.
MATTHEW 24:27
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
REVELATION 19:11-19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
DSD ANGEL FIVE
Don't pour these things out all over the globe. And suddenly I saw the five angels standing around the globe lifting up their hands and their wings towards heaven and saying, All glory to the Lord of heaven and earth. Now the time has come and He will glorify His Son.
I BELIEVE THE ANGELS THAT TALKED WITH DOCTOR DOCTORIAN ARE THE TRIBULATION ANGELS, AND MOST THINGS LINE UP WITH THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS IF THIS IS NO HOX. WE PRAY COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.
Monday, February 26, 2007
RUSSIA - U.S NEW ARMS RACE
1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS.2-Severe Storms Injure 27 in Ark. 3-Mozambique hit by more flooding after cyclone rain. 4-Winter storm blamed for 7 traffic deaths in U.S. 5-Nerves frayed as storm drops more snow in St. John's. 6-Iran says fires first rocket into space. 7-European nations reject Abbas plea on sanctions. 8-Mideast quartet cannot order peace: German FM. 9-RUSSIA – U.S.A. A new arms race?
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 = Mon Feb 26 12:00 AM EDT
FEB 25,07
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN IDAHO
MAP 3.5 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.0 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 5.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.9 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KORYAKIA, RUSSIA
MAP 3.2 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.9 NEAR S. COAST OF WESTERN HONSHU, JAPAN
MAP 3.2 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 2.9 MOUNT ST. HELENS AREA, WASHINGTON
MAP 5.0 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.9 GREENLAND SEA
MAP 2.6 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 CENTRAL PERU
MAP 3.2 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.7 WYOMING
MAP 3.1 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 5.0 XIZANG-QINGHAI BORDER REGION
MAP 2.6 MAUI REGION, HAWAII
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.4 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
FEB 24,07
MAP 5.4 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.3 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 5.2 KEPULAUAN SULA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.2 POTOSI, BOLIVIA
MAP 4.8 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 2.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.9 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.2 VANUATU REGION
MAP 5.2 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.0 KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
MAP 6.2 NEAR THE COAST OF NORTHERN PERU
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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.
Severe Storms Injure 27 in Ark.
Saturday, February 24, 2007 - By JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press Writer
DUMAS, Ark. A series of severe storms in southern Arkansas catapulted cars into trees, crumpled businesses and ripped mobile homes off the ground Saturday. At least 27 people were injured.Residents reported seeing multiple tornadoes, and the National Guard was being called in to assist with cleanup. The region was left without electricity, and authorities said an unknown number of people were missing.At Fred's Dollar store, employees ducked as items came raining from the
shelves. When it was over, the store was nothing more than a tangle of twisted metal and crumbled concrete blocks.I hit the floor. Lord, all the debris was falling on us: the iron, the tin, said Bobbie Thomas, who works at the store. I said 'Lord, all I want you to do is save us today. It's in your hands.
The storms occurred as a massive system that caused blizzard conditions in the Midwest moved through the region.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities, but authorities said residents were unaccounted for and began a door-to-door search in the city, which is about 90 miles southeast of Little Rock.Forecasters said the damage could have been done by a tornado or by straight-line winds that could have exceeded 70 mph. Forecasters were on the scene to examine debris patterns and look for clues about where the storms traveled.James Robinson of Winchester said he pulled into a McDonald's parking lot and ran from his car when he saw a black cloud coming. It sounded just like a locomotive train, not real fast, said Robinson. He said he helped a woman into the store, then hid in the restaurant's walk-in freezer.Damage was reported in a five-mile-long, half-mile-wide swath to the south and east of the city. The National Weather Service said it had a report of cars being thrown into trees near the city. Authorities said a couple in Urbana was injured when their mobile home blew away, and a truck carrying wood chips was blown off a roadway. A tractor trailer flipped over in a parking lot.Elsewhere, winds reaching 60 mph helped fuel dozens of grass fires across Texas, destroying three homes near Midland and forcing evacuations at Fort Hood, authorities said. No injuries were reported.A tornado also was reported in the western Missouri town of Holden Saturday, and officials said several houses and structures were damaged or destroyed. In Oklahoma, high winds knocked out power to more than 10,000 homes and destroyed two mobile homes.
Mozambique hit by more flooding after cyclone rain By Charles Mangwiro FEB 25,07
BEIRA, Mozambique (Reuters) - Heavy rains from a cyclone sparked more flooding in Mozambique on Sunday, worsening a humanitarian crisis that has already killed 45 people and forced 140,000 from their homes. The Buzi river in central Sofala province overflowed its banks at dawn, threatening up to 145,000 people in the district, after the remnants of cyclone Favio pounded the area.We are facing a
serious flooding drama, district administrator Sergio Moyane told Reuters in area capital Beira. There are many houses under water and many fields have been swamped.The cyclone slammed into the coast on Thursday, killing five people near the southern tourist town of Vilanculos, and although it was downgraded to a tropical storm, it brought pounding rains to a region already struggling to cope with flooding.Moyane said the storm damaged buildings as it swept through the area on Saturday, bringing downpours that filled the already swollen Buzi river.
Sugar cane fields were in danger of being damaged, he added.
Relief workers are battling to supply food and fresh water to some 140,000 people who have been displaced by flooding in four central provinces. The floods have killed 40 people and 53,000 people have moved to accommodation centers.Neighboring South Africa and the European Union on Saturday both pledged more help for the relief effort.
SEARCH FOR VICTIMS
Further south near Vilanculos, a resort town that bore the full brunt of the cyclone's 270 kph (170 mph) winds on Thursday, authorities were searching for affected people in the area.Because of the communication problems we are still looking for people either stranded or injured, said Casmiro Abreu, spokesman for the emergency operation center run by Mozambique's national relief agency INGC.Officials were seeking to help 36,000 people in the area who lost virtually all their possessions.
We are currently distributing a little amount of food which we have and building toilets, Abreu said.Tourists were airlifted on Friday from hotels in the Bazaruto archipelago, a string of islands 40 km (25 miles) off the coast in the Indian Ocean dotted with luxury resorts.But 300 local inhabitants were still stranded on the islands, where the cyclone reduced the resorts to rubble, and officials said boats were being dispatched to rescue them.The former Portuguese colony, recovering from a devastating 16-year political conflict, saw its worst disaster on record in 2000-2001.A series of cyclones then compounded widespread flooding in southern and central parts of the country, killing 700 people and driving close to half a million from their homes.
Winter storm blamed for 7 traffic deaths in U.S.
Last Updated: Saturday, February 24, 2007 - The Associated Press
A large, fast-moving snowstorm closed sections of major highways in parts of the central United States on Saturday, dumped more than 30 centimetres of snow on the Upper Midwest and caused seven traffic deaths in Wisconsin.
The storms knocked out power to more than 145,000 customers, mostly in Iowa, where freezing rain coated trees, power and utility lines. Outages were also reported in Oklahoma and Nebraska.The snow is so wet it's sticking to power poles and power lines, said Bill Taylor of the National Weather Service office in North Platte, Neb.As the massive system moved through the region known as the Great Plains, fierce winds tossed cars into trees, destroyed businesses and yanked mobile homes off the ground in southern Arkansas. At least 27 people were injured.
Earlier Saturday in Colorado, Interstate 70, a major cross-country route, was closed for about 640 kilometres in both directions from just east of Denver to Salina, Kan., because of blowing snow and slippery pavement.Between Denver and the beginning of the highway closure, about 35 cars collided in a pileup in whiteout conditions on an icy section of I-70. No major injuries were reported.The weather service reported wind gusts of nearly 110 kilometres per hour in the Denver area. In Kansas, winds whipped about eight centimetres of snowfall into drifts more than two metres high.A number of other highways also were closed in Wyoming and Nebraska. But many roads reopened later Saturday, including most of Interstate 80 in Nebraska. More than 430 kilometres there had been closed.The weather service posted blizzard and winter storm warnings for parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, northern Illinois and Wisconsin.From 35 to 45 centimetres of snow had fallen between Winona, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis., by Saturday evening, the National Weather Service reported.Airlines canceled 230 arrivals and departures at Chicago's O'Hare International and 40 at Midway in anticipation of snow, sleet and freezing rain, said Wendy Abrams, Chicago's aviation department spokeswoman.United Airlines planned to cancel all flights at O'Hare after 7 p.m. ET, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.The Canadian Press, 2007
Nerves frayed as storm drops more snow in St. John's
Winter warnings issued for much of island, Labrador
Saturday, February 24, 2007 CBC News
An overnight storm in Newfoundland and Labrador cancelled flights and activities Saturday, as police warned of frayed nerves and snow rage.
The storm passed over much of Newfoundland overnight. Environment Canada posted weather warnings covering blowing snow and rainfall forNewfoundland's eastern and northeastern coastlines and much of Labrador.Sidewalks in many parts of St. John's have been difficult to navigate because of heavy snowfalls.(CBC) About 15 centimetres of snow fell on St. John's late Friday and early Saturday, before changing to freezing rain.The storm followed a blizzard that immobilized eastern Newfoundland earlier in the week. High winds and heavy drifting made road clearing difficult, and have left narrow paths on many streets in St. John's.The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said some people are not handling the stress of winter weather, and that officers in St. John's have responded to about 10 calls per day on snow-related disputes.
Generally it's all about neighbours pushing snow up on someone else's property [or] pushing snow in the road and then the plow would push the snow into the next person's driveway, said Const. Sean O'Reilly.Some calls have been about issues as minor as stolen shovels, although there have been occasions where disputes have turned nasty.Usually we send an officer along to mediate there and come up with a resolution, O'Reilly said. We wouldn't want to see any neighbours fall out and
potentially be charged with assault or threats.In another month or so the snow will be gone and then, if you get up getting charged and getting a criminal record, well, you'll have to deal with that for the rest of your life.David Hudson, a mail carrier in downtown St. John's, says he is annoyed when homeowners don't shovel a path, but said he's learned to keep his cool during the winter.
I've got 31 years in, so I've had enough time to develop an attitude toward this …. If you don't, I don't think you'd be able to handle it, Hudson said.Saturday's storm has been powerful enough to cancel many activities. Libraries in St. John's closed Saturday morning, and recreational programs closed for the day. Flights in and out of St. John's International Airport were cancelled for at least Saturday morning.Paul Mackey, director of public works with the City of St. John's, said the storm should not throw snow clearing efforts off schedule.Right now, all the streets are open, and we don't foresee any problem in keeping them open, Mackey said Saturday morning.The city has said, though, that the blizzard that hit the city on Monday and Tuesday was so severe that it will take as long as three weeks for all streets to be widened properly.
Wanda Rideout, a senior meteorologist at the Gander Weather Centre, said Saturday's storm will have a wide effect.Pretty much the whole island will be affected by this, because it's slow-moving and widespread. But the areas that will be affected the most are the coastal northeast areas, Rideout said.On Labrador's coast, rainfall and snowfall warnings were in effect on Saturday morning.
Iran says fires first rocket into space by Stuart Williams FEB 25,07
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran said on Sunday it had successfully launched its first rocket into space for research purposes, at a time of mounting tension with the West over its nuclear programme. The rocket reached an altitude of 150 kilometres (93 miles) but did not stay in orbit, said Ali Akbar Golrou, deputy head of Iran's aerospace research centre.He described the rocket as a sounding rocket one used for research purposes and said it returned to earth with the assistance of a parachute, the Fars news agency reported.The first space rocket has been successfully launched into space, a state television anchor announced.The rocket was carrying material intended for research created by the ministries of science and defence, Mohsen Bahrami, the head of the aerospace centre, told the channel.He did not give further details on the nature of the payload. State television has yet to broadcast pictures of the launch.The altitude of 150 kilometres is above the internationally accepted boundary between the earth's atmosphere and space, which is agreed at 100 kilometres (62 miles) above the surface and is known as the Karman line.Iran's claim of success in launching a space rocket appears to be the first major step towards its stated ambition of putting home-made satellites into space using Iranian-made rockets.Iran has in recent years pressed ahead with a nascent space programme, which has already seen an Iranian Russian-made satellite put into orbit by a Russian rocket in October 2005.
That satellite, Sina-1, was Iran's first and so far only probe to be launched into space, and was described by the Iranian press at the time as being for research and telecommunications.Iran has said it plans to construct and launch several more satellites over the next three years.Officials were quick to emphasise that the rocket had been manufactured using Iran's own resources, echoing similar statements about its nuclear programme.All the tests (leading up to the launch) have been carried out in the country's industrial facilities in line with international regulations, said Bahrami.The manufacture of the rocket and the cargo was achieved by experts at the centre of aerospace research and the engineering centre at the ministry of agricultural planning, he added.Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar said the US trade embargo imposed after the Islamic revolution in 1979 had spurred Iran to press ahead with its own space programme.The sanctions of the enemies in the area of aerospace have allowed us to develop our aviation, space and electronics industries, he said.We are working on constructing satellites and on rockets capable of launching a satellite into space.
The Islamic republic has recently boasted of its scientists' progress not just in nuclear energy but also in medicine, where it has announced the development of new therapies for AIDS and spinal-cord disorder patients.
Iran has also announced it is developing a plasma-thrusting engine to help guide satellites in its space programme. Iran's announcement that it has succeeded in launching its first rocket into space comes amid mounting tensions with the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington alleges is a cover for weapons development. OPEC's number two producer denies the charges, saying its atomic drive is solely aimed at supply energy for a growing population. US Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday reignited speculation of US military intervention in Iran when he said Washington favours a diplomatic approach to Tehran's atomic programme but that all options are still on the table.
European nations reject Abbas plea on sanctions
Associated Press ,St Petersberg Times Tampa Bay Published February 25, 2007
PARIS - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ended his European tour Saturday without persuading any country to end crippling economic sanctions based on his power-sharing deal with the rival Islamic militant group Hamas.The bright spot in his trip was a promise Saturday from French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to work with a government that includes Hamas and Abbas' more moderate Fatah Party. His comments were more positive than those of other European leaders during Abbas' four-country tour. But Douste-Blazy made no commitments on resuming aid frozen since Hamas won parliamentary elections a year ago.Europe's governments remained firm: Any new Palestinian government must recognize Israel's right to exist before direct international aid can resume.I encouraged Mr. Abbas to persevere in his efforts to quickly form a national unity government, Douste-Blazy said.If the government is formed according to the power-sharing deal worked out with the Saudi king in the Islamic holy city of Mecca last month, France will be ready to cooperate with it, Douste-Blazy said. And our country will plead on its behalf within the European Union and with other partners in the international community.Abbas, who also traveled to Britain, Germany and Belgium, welcomed the pledge from France. But it was unclear how far France could go in supporting the Palestinians without the backing of the rest of the EU or other members of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators: the United States, Russia and the United Nations.Half of the Palestinian Authority's budget came from foreign assistance until much of it was frozen last year over Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace agreements with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those demands.
We hope that the embargo will be lifted, Abbas said after meeting French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday.
If not ... the Palestinian people would continue to suffer and the sanctions would continue to cause damage.European leaders cautiously welcomed the power-sharing deal, an effort to end clashes between Hamas and Fatah that have left more than 130 dead since May.But EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Abbas in Brussels that the EU would not make a decision on aid until a new Palestinian government is in office.The speaker of the Palestinian Parliament, Ahmed Baher, of Hamas, said in Gaza on Saturday that the government would be formed by the first week of March. Israel has ruled out talks on a final peace deal with Abbas if he goes ahead with the coalition.
Mideast quartet cannot order peace: German FM
Berlin, Feb 25, IRNA Germany-Mideast-Quartet
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Saturday stressed that the Middle East quartet cannot order peace between Israeli and Palestinians only three days after a meeting of the Mideast quartet in Berlin failed to produce any concrete results.
We should not anticipate any wrong expectations. The Mideast is not a world court which can order peace, Steinmeier said in an interview with the daily Die welt. He made clear that quartet remained the proper forum for international efforts to coordinate the Israeli- Palestinian rapprochement. Steinmeier said despite disagreements in the quartet, all sides emained committed to coordinate the Israeli- Palestinian peace dialogue. The Mideast quartet will soon meet again at the ministerial level, said the German minister who has earlier warned of unrealistic expectations in rejuvenating the Mideast peace process. The Mideast quartet took a wait-and-see stance on the new Palestinian government of national unity at Wednesday evening's meeting in Berlin. A carefully-worded statement released by the Mideast quartet reiterated the three preconditions - recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence, and acceptance of all past Israeli- Palestinian peace agreements, for supporting the new Hamas-Fatah government. The Mideast quartet avoided also any clear support for the new Palestinian power-sharing accord. While Russia and the European Union have signaled their support for the formation of the Palestinian government, the US has repeatedly expressed strong doubts whether such a government could jump-start the stalled Mideast peace talks. On Friday German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas agreed during their meeting in Berlin that US-backed road map remained the main guideline in pressing ahead with the Middle East peace process. The road map is the way we seek to resolve the problems of our people and to lift the unjust boycott, Abbas said at a joint news conference with Merkel at the chancellery.
The Palestinian leader was pointing to western financial sanctions imposed in January 2006 following the stunning electoral triumph of Hamas in the Palestinian general elections. Meanwhile Merkel hailed plans for the formation of Palestinian overnment, reiterating that the new Hamas-Fatah power sharing accord must comply with the principles of the road map. The German leader warned that a very difficult road laid ahead in the fragile Middle East peace process. There is much to do on the road to a two-state solution, stressed Merkel who has not missed an occasion to express her die-hard support for Israel. She also urged continued talks between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. As the rotating European Union Presidency, Germany spearheaded efforts to revive the Mideast quartet comprised of the US, Russia, the UN and EU.
RUSSIA – U.S.A. A new arms race? Vladimir Putin’s fierce onslaught on the Bush administration have aroused diverse interpretations, none of them positive BY ELSA CLARO —Granma International staff writer FEB 25,07
THE strongest criticisms of the United States expressed by Russia so far have taken place during a NATO defense ministers’ summit in Munich. Speaking of the military organization, Vladimir Putin said that he was against it as a replacement for the UN, alluding to at least two interpretations. One refers to the fact that Washington passed over the head of the international organization when it warned that it would positively endorse the invasion of Iraq. And two, concerning the Bush administration’s current steps aimed at creating new military installations in central Europe, despite the fact that during talks for the reunification of Germany in 1990, it was agreed that none would be created beyond Germany itself. It so happens that Washington is disposed to deploy parts of its so-called anti-missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland. To that respect and reaffirming the Russian president’s statement, Serguei Ivanov currently defense minister and recently promoted to Russian vice-president stated that the pretexts employed to install parts of the aforementioned shield in these two East European nations are implausible.
Look on the map, exactly where the Czech Republic and North Korea are located, and you will see that the argument does not appear to be credible. And with respect to Iran, Tehran has missiles with a range of 1,400 to 1,600 kilometers.
The range of attack is, therefore, more critical for Israel and for Russian territory itself than for NATO. And in the case that Iran reaches the stage of possessing missiles with a reach of 5,000 kilometers, although these things do not happen overnight, the shield would have to be installed in places like Turkey, Afghanistan or Iraq itself, given that the best time to destroy rockets is when they are fired.Ivanov had previously referred to the issue before his counterparts, during another recent meeting in Seville, where he confirmed that we will not return to another arms race but we will develop our own strategic systems this is not a threat but we want to be absolutely sure that we will not be exposed to any political or military threat under any circumstances.These statements are based on the information that the United States has been outlaying more on military spending than during the Cold War period. At the Munich conference, of course, representatives from the Bush administration urged NATO members to invest military spending in Afghanistan, affirming that a potential failure in that Central Asian nation would be a disgrace for the organization.
In this area, the Russian leader had said that the U.S. administration is provoking a new arms race, given that the small nations have acquired interest in developing nuclear weapons as a result of the policies of U.S. might.Putin said in Munich and repeated his statement to the Al Jazeera station that his country is hoping for the return of a multipolar world as the current unipolarity of the United States signifies in practice just one thing: a center of power, a center of force, a center of decision-making, that would act as the only sovereign state. Besides this, he also made reference to the exaggerated and almost incontrollable use of force in international relations, clarifying that Russia does not want the role of a superpower and has no intention of entering into conflict with anyone but it will attempt to influence the construction of a new world order.As a consolidation of his statement, just a few days later at a meeting in New Delhi, the foreign ministers of China, India and Russia signed a document which confirmed their commitment to give life to a new world system that is stable and balanced.
It would be achieved through reforms to the UN and the democratization of world relations. They are three nuclear powers, each with a significant land mass and a high number of inhabitants and, also, are all in a stage of economic expansion. Uniting in the idea of promoting harmony and international understanding and finding common ground in diverging interests is certainly commendable during this complex stage.That trilateral axis, as some media channels have begun to describe it, established in the final communiqué of their meeting that anti-terrorist activities cannot be carried out selectively, but must be fought in a global way and without double standards.Criticism of the United States is evident in these statements. Putin’s was direct on this and other topics. Terrorists don’t need missiles. There are, for example, suicide terrorists. He was alluding to the anti-missile equipment that Washington is attempting to install in the vicinity of Russia’s borders. Shortly afterwards, the Kremlin announced that it will abandon the Treaty on Medium-Range Nuclear Weapons (signed by the USSR in 1987) if the United States insists on installing its facilities in central Europe. With respect to Iraq, the president
described the situation as worrying, appalling and tragic.
Criteria imposed from outside and which do not emerge from the natural development of the same society from within, only bring with them tragedy. The best example of this is Iraq, emphasized Putin, referring to the criticisms and impositions of the White House model on other nations. For some analysts, these strong statements are just one expression of current dissatisfaction. For others, it is just bravado. Meanwhile, there are those who are seeing the issue as the inevitable fruit of U.S. actions to encircle Russia militarily. Time will tell who is right and what point the conflict will reach.
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 = Mon Feb 26 12:00 AM EDT
FEB 25,07
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN IDAHO
MAP 3.5 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.5 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.0 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 5.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.9 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF KORYAKIA, RUSSIA
MAP 3.2 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.9 NEAR S. COAST OF WESTERN HONSHU, JAPAN
MAP 3.2 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 2.9 MOUNT ST. HELENS AREA, WASHINGTON
MAP 5.0 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.9 GREENLAND SEA
MAP 2.6 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 CENTRAL PERU
MAP 3.2 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.7 WYOMING
MAP 3.1 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 5.0 XIZANG-QINGHAI BORDER REGION
MAP 2.6 MAUI REGION, HAWAII
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.4 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
FEB 24,07
MAP 5.4 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.6 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 5.3 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 5.2 KEPULAUAN SULA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.2 POTOSI, BOLIVIA
MAP 4.8 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 2.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.9 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.2 VANUATU REGION
MAP 5.2 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.0 KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
MAP 6.2 NEAR THE COAST OF NORTHERN PERU
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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.
Severe Storms Injure 27 in Ark.
Saturday, February 24, 2007 - By JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press Writer
DUMAS, Ark. A series of severe storms in southern Arkansas catapulted cars into trees, crumpled businesses and ripped mobile homes off the ground Saturday. At least 27 people were injured.Residents reported seeing multiple tornadoes, and the National Guard was being called in to assist with cleanup. The region was left without electricity, and authorities said an unknown number of people were missing.At Fred's Dollar store, employees ducked as items came raining from the
shelves. When it was over, the store was nothing more than a tangle of twisted metal and crumbled concrete blocks.I hit the floor. Lord, all the debris was falling on us: the iron, the tin, said Bobbie Thomas, who works at the store. I said 'Lord, all I want you to do is save us today. It's in your hands.
The storms occurred as a massive system that caused blizzard conditions in the Midwest moved through the region.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities, but authorities said residents were unaccounted for and began a door-to-door search in the city, which is about 90 miles southeast of Little Rock.Forecasters said the damage could have been done by a tornado or by straight-line winds that could have exceeded 70 mph. Forecasters were on the scene to examine debris patterns and look for clues about where the storms traveled.James Robinson of Winchester said he pulled into a McDonald's parking lot and ran from his car when he saw a black cloud coming. It sounded just like a locomotive train, not real fast, said Robinson. He said he helped a woman into the store, then hid in the restaurant's walk-in freezer.Damage was reported in a five-mile-long, half-mile-wide swath to the south and east of the city. The National Weather Service said it had a report of cars being thrown into trees near the city. Authorities said a couple in Urbana was injured when their mobile home blew away, and a truck carrying wood chips was blown off a roadway. A tractor trailer flipped over in a parking lot.Elsewhere, winds reaching 60 mph helped fuel dozens of grass fires across Texas, destroying three homes near Midland and forcing evacuations at Fort Hood, authorities said. No injuries were reported.A tornado also was reported in the western Missouri town of Holden Saturday, and officials said several houses and structures were damaged or destroyed. In Oklahoma, high winds knocked out power to more than 10,000 homes and destroyed two mobile homes.
Mozambique hit by more flooding after cyclone rain By Charles Mangwiro FEB 25,07
BEIRA, Mozambique (Reuters) - Heavy rains from a cyclone sparked more flooding in Mozambique on Sunday, worsening a humanitarian crisis that has already killed 45 people and forced 140,000 from their homes. The Buzi river in central Sofala province overflowed its banks at dawn, threatening up to 145,000 people in the district, after the remnants of cyclone Favio pounded the area.We are facing a
serious flooding drama, district administrator Sergio Moyane told Reuters in area capital Beira. There are many houses under water and many fields have been swamped.The cyclone slammed into the coast on Thursday, killing five people near the southern tourist town of Vilanculos, and although it was downgraded to a tropical storm, it brought pounding rains to a region already struggling to cope with flooding.Moyane said the storm damaged buildings as it swept through the area on Saturday, bringing downpours that filled the already swollen Buzi river.
Sugar cane fields were in danger of being damaged, he added.
Relief workers are battling to supply food and fresh water to some 140,000 people who have been displaced by flooding in four central provinces. The floods have killed 40 people and 53,000 people have moved to accommodation centers.Neighboring South Africa and the European Union on Saturday both pledged more help for the relief effort.
SEARCH FOR VICTIMS
Further south near Vilanculos, a resort town that bore the full brunt of the cyclone's 270 kph (170 mph) winds on Thursday, authorities were searching for affected people in the area.Because of the communication problems we are still looking for people either stranded or injured, said Casmiro Abreu, spokesman for the emergency operation center run by Mozambique's national relief agency INGC.Officials were seeking to help 36,000 people in the area who lost virtually all their possessions.
We are currently distributing a little amount of food which we have and building toilets, Abreu said.Tourists were airlifted on Friday from hotels in the Bazaruto archipelago, a string of islands 40 km (25 miles) off the coast in the Indian Ocean dotted with luxury resorts.But 300 local inhabitants were still stranded on the islands, where the cyclone reduced the resorts to rubble, and officials said boats were being dispatched to rescue them.The former Portuguese colony, recovering from a devastating 16-year political conflict, saw its worst disaster on record in 2000-2001.A series of cyclones then compounded widespread flooding in southern and central parts of the country, killing 700 people and driving close to half a million from their homes.
Winter storm blamed for 7 traffic deaths in U.S.
Last Updated: Saturday, February 24, 2007 - The Associated Press
A large, fast-moving snowstorm closed sections of major highways in parts of the central United States on Saturday, dumped more than 30 centimetres of snow on the Upper Midwest and caused seven traffic deaths in Wisconsin.
The storms knocked out power to more than 145,000 customers, mostly in Iowa, where freezing rain coated trees, power and utility lines. Outages were also reported in Oklahoma and Nebraska.The snow is so wet it's sticking to power poles and power lines, said Bill Taylor of the National Weather Service office in North Platte, Neb.As the massive system moved through the region known as the Great Plains, fierce winds tossed cars into trees, destroyed businesses and yanked mobile homes off the ground in southern Arkansas. At least 27 people were injured.
Earlier Saturday in Colorado, Interstate 70, a major cross-country route, was closed for about 640 kilometres in both directions from just east of Denver to Salina, Kan., because of blowing snow and slippery pavement.Between Denver and the beginning of the highway closure, about 35 cars collided in a pileup in whiteout conditions on an icy section of I-70. No major injuries were reported.The weather service reported wind gusts of nearly 110 kilometres per hour in the Denver area. In Kansas, winds whipped about eight centimetres of snowfall into drifts more than two metres high.A number of other highways also were closed in Wyoming and Nebraska. But many roads reopened later Saturday, including most of Interstate 80 in Nebraska. More than 430 kilometres there had been closed.The weather service posted blizzard and winter storm warnings for parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, northern Illinois and Wisconsin.From 35 to 45 centimetres of snow had fallen between Winona, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis., by Saturday evening, the National Weather Service reported.Airlines canceled 230 arrivals and departures at Chicago's O'Hare International and 40 at Midway in anticipation of snow, sleet and freezing rain, said Wendy Abrams, Chicago's aviation department spokeswoman.United Airlines planned to cancel all flights at O'Hare after 7 p.m. ET, spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said.The Canadian Press, 2007
Nerves frayed as storm drops more snow in St. John's
Winter warnings issued for much of island, Labrador
Saturday, February 24, 2007 CBC News
An overnight storm in Newfoundland and Labrador cancelled flights and activities Saturday, as police warned of frayed nerves and snow rage.
The storm passed over much of Newfoundland overnight. Environment Canada posted weather warnings covering blowing snow and rainfall forNewfoundland's eastern and northeastern coastlines and much of Labrador.Sidewalks in many parts of St. John's have been difficult to navigate because of heavy snowfalls.(CBC) About 15 centimetres of snow fell on St. John's late Friday and early Saturday, before changing to freezing rain.The storm followed a blizzard that immobilized eastern Newfoundland earlier in the week. High winds and heavy drifting made road clearing difficult, and have left narrow paths on many streets in St. John's.The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said some people are not handling the stress of winter weather, and that officers in St. John's have responded to about 10 calls per day on snow-related disputes.
Generally it's all about neighbours pushing snow up on someone else's property [or] pushing snow in the road and then the plow would push the snow into the next person's driveway, said Const. Sean O'Reilly.Some calls have been about issues as minor as stolen shovels, although there have been occasions where disputes have turned nasty.Usually we send an officer along to mediate there and come up with a resolution, O'Reilly said. We wouldn't want to see any neighbours fall out and
potentially be charged with assault or threats.In another month or so the snow will be gone and then, if you get up getting charged and getting a criminal record, well, you'll have to deal with that for the rest of your life.David Hudson, a mail carrier in downtown St. John's, says he is annoyed when homeowners don't shovel a path, but said he's learned to keep his cool during the winter.
I've got 31 years in, so I've had enough time to develop an attitude toward this …. If you don't, I don't think you'd be able to handle it, Hudson said.Saturday's storm has been powerful enough to cancel many activities. Libraries in St. John's closed Saturday morning, and recreational programs closed for the day. Flights in and out of St. John's International Airport were cancelled for at least Saturday morning.Paul Mackey, director of public works with the City of St. John's, said the storm should not throw snow clearing efforts off schedule.Right now, all the streets are open, and we don't foresee any problem in keeping them open, Mackey said Saturday morning.The city has said, though, that the blizzard that hit the city on Monday and Tuesday was so severe that it will take as long as three weeks for all streets to be widened properly.
Wanda Rideout, a senior meteorologist at the Gander Weather Centre, said Saturday's storm will have a wide effect.Pretty much the whole island will be affected by this, because it's slow-moving and widespread. But the areas that will be affected the most are the coastal northeast areas, Rideout said.On Labrador's coast, rainfall and snowfall warnings were in effect on Saturday morning.
Iran says fires first rocket into space by Stuart Williams FEB 25,07
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran said on Sunday it had successfully launched its first rocket into space for research purposes, at a time of mounting tension with the West over its nuclear programme. The rocket reached an altitude of 150 kilometres (93 miles) but did not stay in orbit, said Ali Akbar Golrou, deputy head of Iran's aerospace research centre.He described the rocket as a sounding rocket one used for research purposes and said it returned to earth with the assistance of a parachute, the Fars news agency reported.The first space rocket has been successfully launched into space, a state television anchor announced.The rocket was carrying material intended for research created by the ministries of science and defence, Mohsen Bahrami, the head of the aerospace centre, told the channel.He did not give further details on the nature of the payload. State television has yet to broadcast pictures of the launch.The altitude of 150 kilometres is above the internationally accepted boundary between the earth's atmosphere and space, which is agreed at 100 kilometres (62 miles) above the surface and is known as the Karman line.Iran's claim of success in launching a space rocket appears to be the first major step towards its stated ambition of putting home-made satellites into space using Iranian-made rockets.Iran has in recent years pressed ahead with a nascent space programme, which has already seen an Iranian Russian-made satellite put into orbit by a Russian rocket in October 2005.
That satellite, Sina-1, was Iran's first and so far only probe to be launched into space, and was described by the Iranian press at the time as being for research and telecommunications.Iran has said it plans to construct and launch several more satellites over the next three years.Officials were quick to emphasise that the rocket had been manufactured using Iran's own resources, echoing similar statements about its nuclear programme.All the tests (leading up to the launch) have been carried out in the country's industrial facilities in line with international regulations, said Bahrami.The manufacture of the rocket and the cargo was achieved by experts at the centre of aerospace research and the engineering centre at the ministry of agricultural planning, he added.Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar said the US trade embargo imposed after the Islamic revolution in 1979 had spurred Iran to press ahead with its own space programme.The sanctions of the enemies in the area of aerospace have allowed us to develop our aviation, space and electronics industries, he said.We are working on constructing satellites and on rockets capable of launching a satellite into space.
The Islamic republic has recently boasted of its scientists' progress not just in nuclear energy but also in medicine, where it has announced the development of new therapies for AIDS and spinal-cord disorder patients.
Iran has also announced it is developing a plasma-thrusting engine to help guide satellites in its space programme. Iran's announcement that it has succeeded in launching its first rocket into space comes amid mounting tensions with the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington alleges is a cover for weapons development. OPEC's number two producer denies the charges, saying its atomic drive is solely aimed at supply energy for a growing population. US Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday reignited speculation of US military intervention in Iran when he said Washington favours a diplomatic approach to Tehran's atomic programme but that all options are still on the table.
European nations reject Abbas plea on sanctions
Associated Press ,St Petersberg Times Tampa Bay Published February 25, 2007
PARIS - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ended his European tour Saturday without persuading any country to end crippling economic sanctions based on his power-sharing deal with the rival Islamic militant group Hamas.The bright spot in his trip was a promise Saturday from French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy to work with a government that includes Hamas and Abbas' more moderate Fatah Party. His comments were more positive than those of other European leaders during Abbas' four-country tour. But Douste-Blazy made no commitments on resuming aid frozen since Hamas won parliamentary elections a year ago.Europe's governments remained firm: Any new Palestinian government must recognize Israel's right to exist before direct international aid can resume.I encouraged Mr. Abbas to persevere in his efforts to quickly form a national unity government, Douste-Blazy said.If the government is formed according to the power-sharing deal worked out with the Saudi king in the Islamic holy city of Mecca last month, France will be ready to cooperate with it, Douste-Blazy said. And our country will plead on its behalf within the European Union and with other partners in the international community.Abbas, who also traveled to Britain, Germany and Belgium, welcomed the pledge from France. But it was unclear how far France could go in supporting the Palestinians without the backing of the rest of the EU or other members of the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators: the United States, Russia and the United Nations.Half of the Palestinian Authority's budget came from foreign assistance until much of it was frozen last year over Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace agreements with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those demands.
We hope that the embargo will be lifted, Abbas said after meeting French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday.
If not ... the Palestinian people would continue to suffer and the sanctions would continue to cause damage.European leaders cautiously welcomed the power-sharing deal, an effort to end clashes between Hamas and Fatah that have left more than 130 dead since May.But EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Abbas in Brussels that the EU would not make a decision on aid until a new Palestinian government is in office.The speaker of the Palestinian Parliament, Ahmed Baher, of Hamas, said in Gaza on Saturday that the government would be formed by the first week of March. Israel has ruled out talks on a final peace deal with Abbas if he goes ahead with the coalition.
Mideast quartet cannot order peace: German FM
Berlin, Feb 25, IRNA Germany-Mideast-Quartet
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Saturday stressed that the Middle East quartet cannot order peace between Israeli and Palestinians only three days after a meeting of the Mideast quartet in Berlin failed to produce any concrete results.
We should not anticipate any wrong expectations. The Mideast is not a world court which can order peace, Steinmeier said in an interview with the daily Die welt. He made clear that quartet remained the proper forum for international efforts to coordinate the Israeli- Palestinian rapprochement. Steinmeier said despite disagreements in the quartet, all sides emained committed to coordinate the Israeli- Palestinian peace dialogue. The Mideast quartet will soon meet again at the ministerial level, said the German minister who has earlier warned of unrealistic expectations in rejuvenating the Mideast peace process. The Mideast quartet took a wait-and-see stance on the new Palestinian government of national unity at Wednesday evening's meeting in Berlin. A carefully-worded statement released by the Mideast quartet reiterated the three preconditions - recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence, and acceptance of all past Israeli- Palestinian peace agreements, for supporting the new Hamas-Fatah government. The Mideast quartet avoided also any clear support for the new Palestinian power-sharing accord. While Russia and the European Union have signaled their support for the formation of the Palestinian government, the US has repeatedly expressed strong doubts whether such a government could jump-start the stalled Mideast peace talks. On Friday German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas agreed during their meeting in Berlin that US-backed road map remained the main guideline in pressing ahead with the Middle East peace process. The road map is the way we seek to resolve the problems of our people and to lift the unjust boycott, Abbas said at a joint news conference with Merkel at the chancellery.
The Palestinian leader was pointing to western financial sanctions imposed in January 2006 following the stunning electoral triumph of Hamas in the Palestinian general elections. Meanwhile Merkel hailed plans for the formation of Palestinian overnment, reiterating that the new Hamas-Fatah power sharing accord must comply with the principles of the road map. The German leader warned that a very difficult road laid ahead in the fragile Middle East peace process. There is much to do on the road to a two-state solution, stressed Merkel who has not missed an occasion to express her die-hard support for Israel. She also urged continued talks between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. As the rotating European Union Presidency, Germany spearheaded efforts to revive the Mideast quartet comprised of the US, Russia, the UN and EU.
RUSSIA – U.S.A. A new arms race? Vladimir Putin’s fierce onslaught on the Bush administration have aroused diverse interpretations, none of them positive BY ELSA CLARO —Granma International staff writer FEB 25,07
THE strongest criticisms of the United States expressed by Russia so far have taken place during a NATO defense ministers’ summit in Munich. Speaking of the military organization, Vladimir Putin said that he was against it as a replacement for the UN, alluding to at least two interpretations. One refers to the fact that Washington passed over the head of the international organization when it warned that it would positively endorse the invasion of Iraq. And two, concerning the Bush administration’s current steps aimed at creating new military installations in central Europe, despite the fact that during talks for the reunification of Germany in 1990, it was agreed that none would be created beyond Germany itself. It so happens that Washington is disposed to deploy parts of its so-called anti-missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland. To that respect and reaffirming the Russian president’s statement, Serguei Ivanov currently defense minister and recently promoted to Russian vice-president stated that the pretexts employed to install parts of the aforementioned shield in these two East European nations are implausible.
Look on the map, exactly where the Czech Republic and North Korea are located, and you will see that the argument does not appear to be credible. And with respect to Iran, Tehran has missiles with a range of 1,400 to 1,600 kilometers.
The range of attack is, therefore, more critical for Israel and for Russian territory itself than for NATO. And in the case that Iran reaches the stage of possessing missiles with a reach of 5,000 kilometers, although these things do not happen overnight, the shield would have to be installed in places like Turkey, Afghanistan or Iraq itself, given that the best time to destroy rockets is when they are fired.Ivanov had previously referred to the issue before his counterparts, during another recent meeting in Seville, where he confirmed that we will not return to another arms race but we will develop our own strategic systems this is not a threat but we want to be absolutely sure that we will not be exposed to any political or military threat under any circumstances.These statements are based on the information that the United States has been outlaying more on military spending than during the Cold War period. At the Munich conference, of course, representatives from the Bush administration urged NATO members to invest military spending in Afghanistan, affirming that a potential failure in that Central Asian nation would be a disgrace for the organization.
In this area, the Russian leader had said that the U.S. administration is provoking a new arms race, given that the small nations have acquired interest in developing nuclear weapons as a result of the policies of U.S. might.Putin said in Munich and repeated his statement to the Al Jazeera station that his country is hoping for the return of a multipolar world as the current unipolarity of the United States signifies in practice just one thing: a center of power, a center of force, a center of decision-making, that would act as the only sovereign state. Besides this, he also made reference to the exaggerated and almost incontrollable use of force in international relations, clarifying that Russia does not want the role of a superpower and has no intention of entering into conflict with anyone but it will attempt to influence the construction of a new world order.As a consolidation of his statement, just a few days later at a meeting in New Delhi, the foreign ministers of China, India and Russia signed a document which confirmed their commitment to give life to a new world system that is stable and balanced.
It would be achieved through reforms to the UN and the democratization of world relations. They are three nuclear powers, each with a significant land mass and a high number of inhabitants and, also, are all in a stage of economic expansion. Uniting in the idea of promoting harmony and international understanding and finding common ground in diverging interests is certainly commendable during this complex stage.That trilateral axis, as some media channels have begun to describe it, established in the final communiqué of their meeting that anti-terrorist activities cannot be carried out selectively, but must be fought in a global way and without double standards.Criticism of the United States is evident in these statements. Putin’s was direct on this and other topics. Terrorists don’t need missiles. There are, for example, suicide terrorists. He was alluding to the anti-missile equipment that Washington is attempting to install in the vicinity of Russia’s borders. Shortly afterwards, the Kremlin announced that it will abandon the Treaty on Medium-Range Nuclear Weapons (signed by the USSR in 1987) if the United States insists on installing its facilities in central Europe. With respect to Iraq, the president
described the situation as worrying, appalling and tragic.
Criteria imposed from outside and which do not emerge from the natural development of the same society from within, only bring with them tragedy. The best example of this is Iraq, emphasized Putin, referring to the criticisms and impositions of the White House model on other nations. For some analysts, these strong statements are just one expression of current dissatisfaction. For others, it is just bravado. Meanwhile, there are those who are seeing the issue as the inevitable fruit of U.S. actions to encircle Russia militarily. Time will tell who is right and what point the conflict will reach.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
NORTH AMERICAN UNION LEADERS MEET
1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS.2-Minor quake shakes Bay Area. 3-Moderate quake rocks southern Chile. 4-Two-sided storm. 5-Israelis Would Like to Join European Union. 6-Report: Israel wants to fly over Iraq. 7-Safeguarding Jerusalem. 8-New lakes beneath Antarctic ice. 9-Canada, Mexico, US pitch trade fixes for North America.
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 Feb 25 12:09 AM EDT
FEB 24,07
MAP 5.3 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 5.2 KEPULAUAN SULA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.2 POTOSI, BOLIVIA
MAP 4.8 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 2.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.9 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.2 VANUATU REGION
MAP 5.2 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.0 KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
MAP 6.2 NEAR THE COAST OF NORTHERN PERU
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FEB 23,07
MAP 3.4 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.5 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.6 AISEN, CHILE
MAP 3.3 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.0 TRINIDAD REGION, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MAP 5.0 ECUADOR
MAP 2.6 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.4 GUATEMALA
MAP 4.4 OFF THE COAST OF OREGON
MAP 4.8 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.5 NEVADA
Minor quake shakes Bay Area Fri Feb 23, 7:53 PM ET
BERKELEY, Calif. - A minor earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay area Friday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury. The magnitude-3.4 temblor struck on the Hayward fault about two miles southeast of Berkeley at 3:46 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The jolt was felt in downtown San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area.
Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were stopped for about five minutes for inspection as a precaution. No trains or stations were damaged, spokesman Linton Johnson said.
Moderate quake rocks southern Chile Fri Feb 23, 6:49 PM ET
SANTIAGO, Chile - A moderate earthquake shook southern Chile on Friday in a sparsely populated region that seismologists say has recently seen a series of tremors due to the birth of an undersea volcano.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado.It struck about 20 miles north of Coyhaique, the largest city in the Aysen region, 1,300 miles south of the capital, said Chilean officials.There was alarm because it was somewhat stronger and longer than the many tremors felt in the area in recent weeks, said Juan Azocar, head of the Emergency Bureau in Coyhaique.Authorities say the region has registered about 2,000 tremors in the last month, though most have not been felt.
According to seismologists, the quakes are being caused by a magma buildup that is pressing upward beneath a fjord.Chile, a nation with a high seismic activity, has some 2,900 volcanoes nearly 500 of which are active.
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.
Two-sided storm Wayne Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel
Sat Feb 24, 10:53 AM ET
Midwest
Low pressure will continue to develop rapidly across the central Plains today, and track east toward the Great Lakes Heavy snow will spread across eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin through today. Rain and thunderstorms will change to snow from west to east across Kansas and the central and eastern Nebraska later today and tonight. Strong winds, gusting to over 50 mph at times, in these areas will create blizzard conditions with considerable blowing and drifting snow. A messy mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will stretch from northern and eastern Iowa to northern Illinois and northern Indiana including Chicago during the day Saturday. Some areas will see significant ice accumulations and that could lead to power outages. A line of strong thunderstorms is forecast to spread eastward into the mid-Mississippi Valley. The threat for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail will impact areas from Kansas City to just south of St. Louis including the Ozarks. Heavy rain will be likely in the lower Missouri Valley and will spread eastward across the southern half of Illinois. Flooding is a distinct possibility in these areas. Sunday will feature strong winds and heavy snow from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Great Lakes including Lower Michigan, with rain changing to snow across parts of the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Snow accumulations could exceed a foot over parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin with considerable blowing snow. Blizzard conditions are possible in some locations. Precipitation will linger over the Midwest Monday and possibly into Tuesday with light snow from Minnesota to Michigan and Ohio.
South
Strong to severe thunderstorms will sweep eastward out of the southern Plains and head toward the Mississippi Valley today and this evening. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are all possible from eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi today. By tonight, thunderstorms will shift east of the Mississippi River into Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Although damaging wind gusts and hail will still be possible, the overall severe threat will be diminishing by that time. By Sunday, thunderstorms will move through the Southeast toward the coastal Carolinas and Georgia but only a few thunderstorms will be strong. With no plunges of cold air in sight, temperatures will remain mild for awhile across the region.
Northeast
Most of the Northeast will experience a dry but chilly day today. There will be a few scattered snow showers across parts of Upstate New York and northern New England, however.
An approaching storm system will bring an increase in cloudiness from the southwest, leading to the development of wintry precipitation on Sunday. Several inches of snow may blanket southern New York, northern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain will glaze much of the remainder of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and northern and western Virginia. This event will be relatively minor but there may be some travel or commuting woes overnight Sunday into early Monday morning from the Middle Atlantic to southern sections of New England.
West
Blizzard conditions are forecast to continue though Saturday night across eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, and western Kansas with sustained winds between 30-40mph and gusts above 50mph. A new storm system will move into the Pacific Northwest today bringing rain to Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Wind will be a major component to this storm system as it moves across the Western half of the country. This afternoon and evening winds between 25-30mph will spread across central and northern California with wind gusts between 50-60mph across the northern Sierra Mountains. Various wind advisories are active across California. Snow levels will range from 1500 feet in the Washington Cascades to 7000 feet in the central Sierra. More systems will affect the West Coast early next week with rain slowly edging southward through California with more rain/snow increasing over the Great Basin and snow expanding from the northern Rockies into the central Rockies. This is good news for those traveling to favorite ski destinations in states like Utah and Colorado.
Israelis Would Like to Join European Union
February 24, 2007
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Israelis believe their country should become a member of the European Union (EU), according to a poll by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. 75 per cent of respondents would support a bid by Israel to join the continental group.Bulgaria and Romania were the latest countries to join the European Union, in January 2007. On Jan. 19, Romanian president Traian Basescu urged all member states to support the continuation of the open-door policy, saying, There is a new European reality, the fifth post-wave, which must not be neglected. The European neighbourhood policy is already a vehicle for the spread of values and standards in the East and we are decided to contribute to its evolution towards more consistency.
The EU has repeatedly urged the Palestinian government, integrated partly by the political wing of Hamas an organization accused of staging violent attacks against Israel to renounce violence and recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli state in exchange for foreign aid and support. While Israel signed an association agreement with the EU in November 1995 which incorporates specific free trade regulations the prospect of Israel’s full membership in the EU has never been seriously considered by either Israeli or European leaders.
Polling Data - Would you support or oppose Israel joining the European Union (EU)?
Support 75%,Oppose 18%,Not sure 7% .Source: Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Methodology: Interviews with 511 Israeli adults, conducted in February 2007. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.
Report: Israel wants to fly over Iraq By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer Sat Feb 24, 6:56 AM ET
LONDON - Israel opened negotiations to fly through U.S. controlled airspace in Iraq to carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a British newspaper reported Saturday. Israel's deputy defense minister denied the claim. The Daily Telegraph newspaper quoted an unnamed Israeli defense official as saying the talks were aimed at planning for all scenarios, including any future decision to target Iran's nuclear program.Israeli bombers would need a corridor through U.S.-administered airspace in Iraq to carry out any strikes, the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper.Ephraim Sneh, Israel's Deputy Defense Minister, told The Associated Press on Saturday that the report was incorrect. This is baseless information, Sneh said. Maybe people like to divert (attention from) the need for immediate economic sanctions (with) stories about imminent Israeli action, which is not on the agenda.
The international community's focus should be on imposing economic sanctions on Iran for defying U.N. Security Council resolutions, he said.Senior officials of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council Britain, the U.S., France, China and Russia and Germany are meeting Monday for an emergency summit in London to discuss measures against Tehran.The U.S. and its Western allies insist Iran must suspend uranium enrichment before any negotiations over its nuclear program take place and accused Tehran of using a civilian program as a cover to develop weapons.Iran, has rejected the condition to suspend enrichment and insists that its nuclear program is peaceful.Associated Press Writer Amy Tiebel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Safeguarding Jerusalem
By Yehuda Ben Meir (HAARETZ)
It's become very clear that the clash over the construction work near the Mugrabi Gate is not a struggle against the archaeological excavations or the construction of a bridge, but part of a broader campaign for the control of Jerusalem.
After all, this construction work has no connection to the Al-Aqsa Mosque nor any effect on it. Indeed, even among some of the Arab MKs - those same leaders mobilizing the war and the incitement against the construction - there were those who admitted, some through winks and nods and others more directly, that whether the work really threatens the mosque does not matter. In their view, Israel has no sovereignty in the Old City and has no right to carry out any sort of construction work in the Temple Mount environs. At the root of this war is the intensifying effort by the Palestinians and their supporters, from within and without Israel, to deny any link or rights of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount or to Jerusalem, and thus to undermine not only our right to sovereignty in Jerusalem, but also Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.
We have no choice but to succeed in this struggle, and possess all the possible elements for such an outcome. The way to succeed is to show and prove, by means of complete transparency, that the deceiving claims and baseless incitements are nothing more than false propaganda. The government acted along these lines, launching a Web site with real-time, round-the-clock video footage of the excavations. Israel has finally learned to utilize the Internet. And indeed, the disorderly conduct of Sheikh Ra'ad Salah and the remonstrations of Khaled Meshal and the Islamic organizations are not having any significant effect in the broader world, and their anti-Israel campaign has failed to take off.
As part of this important effort, the prime minister agreed, during an official visit to Turkey a large Muslim country, with strategic ties of utmost importance to Israel to meet the request of the Turkish prime minister and allow a delegation from there to evaluate the conditions on the ground. This was a smart, wise and appropriate move on the part of the prime minister, and there is no justification for the criticism against him.
One needn't be a former deputy foreign minister or a seasoned diplomat to appreciate the diplomatic significance and the implications of such a move; let's not forget that the real dispute is over the sovereignty of Jerusalem. The fact that the Turkish prime minister is sending a delegation to this site near the Western Wall and the Temple Mount following an invitation by the prime minister of Israel, is a clear expression of support of Israel's position. After all, this is not a United Nations delegation nor one imposed on Israel by an international body, but an authorized delegation of Turkey to Israel (and not of the Palestinian Authority or Jordan). Israel really has nothing to hide. So there should be no surprise that the Arab MKs responded with anger and frustration, demanding: What business does Turkey have with this issue? They understood what many MKs on the right have not: that this is a diplomatic gain for Israel and a wise way of conducting an important campaign.
New lakes beneath Antarctic ice FEB 24,07 BBC
Sub-glacial lakes can affect how quickly ice reaches the sea Scientists have discovered four giant lakes under the Antarctic ice. Together the four are as big as Lake Vostok, the biggest body of water so far discovered in Antarctica. Researchers say the newly found lakes appear to affect how rapidly ice is transported from the interior of the continent to the sea. Writing in the journal Nature, they say that understanding the interaction of lakes and ice is crucial to forecasting the impacts of climate change.
The four lakes lie under the Recovery ice stream which brings ice from hundreds of kilometres inland into the Weddell Sea. They were found using a combination of radar data gathered by satellite, and records of an expedition mounted to the area in the 1960s on which scientists had used a pioneering ice-penetrating radar. Sub-glacial lakes create tell-tale shapes in the surface of the ice above, while readings taken through the ice had detected, in the words of the 1960s expedition, a possible melt layer at the bottom of the ice-cap. About 150 lakes have been discovered under the frozen Antarctic surface.
Speed merchants
In recent years there has been a lot of interest in water under the Antarctic ice, for various reasons. Biologists have been intrigued by the possibility of finding new organisms in ecosystems which may have been cut off from the rest of the world for thousands of years. Two of the new lakes are only exceeded in size by Lake Vostok .Climate scientists have become increasingly keen to understand the process of accelerated melting, where lubrication of ice flows by water and the disintegration of ice shelves could speed up the transfer of ice to the sea. The research team found that the Recovery stream accelerates significantly as it passes over the lakes. Upstream of the lakes, it flows at two to three metres per year; after passing them, at about 50 metres per year. Whether there is a link to climate change is another question. The lakes lie in the eastern portion of Antarctica, where evidence suggests the icecap may be gaining mass rather than losing it.
It is the west of the continent that primarily concerns climate researchers. Much of the Antarctic rock here lies below sea level, meaning that a warming of the oceans could lubricate ice flow on a significant scale. But if sub-glacial lakes are affecting ice flow, that is something scientists will want to study further. As this research team puts it: The Recovery sub-glacial lakes and the associated Recovery ice stream tributaries have the potential greatly to affect the drainage of the East Antarctic ice sheet, and its influence on sea level rise in the near future.Another expedition to the area, part of International Polar Year, is planned for 2008.
Canada, Mexico, US pitch trade fixes for North America
24-Feb-2007 05:03 hrs
Top foreign affairs, security and trade officials of Canada, the United States and Mexico met Friday under the auspices of a business-friendly alliance that critics allege is unfairly opaque.The meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) was expected to discuss border security, trade and energy, the Canadian government said Friday. The US State Department said the deadly bird flu would also feature on the agenda.The complete agenda, however, was not made public, prompting protests.The talks are the second since the 2005 creation of the SPP, at the initiative of the White House.They are aimed at preparing a summit of the heads of state and government of the three countries, said Tom Shannon, US assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.
Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Industry Minister Maxime Bernier hosted the meeting.The United States sent US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.Mexico was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Interior Secretary Francisco Javier Ramirez Acuna and Commerce Secretary Eduardo Sojo Garza-Aldape.The ministers were meeting to discuss how the three democracies are working together to ensure continued prosperity and how we can provide greater security for all of North America, Rice's spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.They were also presented 50 recommendations from the National American Competitiveness Council, a tri-national working group of the SPP comprised of some 30 chief executives from some of the continent's largest companies, to speed people and goods safely across borders, harmonize trade regulations and improve energy security and production by 2010.
The group, after nine months of consultations and deliberations, called for border infrastructure expansion and improvement; a reduction of unnecessary differences in rules and standards, particularly in the food and agriculture, financial services, and transportation sectors; and for enhanced cooperation to protect intellectual property rights.The group also called for better cross-border oil and gas distribution systems, joint development of clean energy technologies and faster development of Mexico's oil and gas resources.The NACC simply sees huge potential for greater cooperation in managing borders, regulation, energy and many other issues affecting the quality of life of the citizens of Canada, Mexico and the United States, from responses to emergencies and pandemics to the environment and education, the group said.
In the United States, right-wing commentators have criticized further integration of North America, saying it would erode US security and long-term economic prosperity.In Canada, condemnation of the SPP has come from the left.The Council of Canadians said the high-level talks have elevated corporate interests above the public interest, and seek to lower environmental and labor standards in each country.The big-business community has been an integral part of these negotiations, while the public and most of our elected officials have been left out, said John Urquhart, executive director of the Council of Canadians.
In Canada's House of Commons, Jack Layton, leader of the socialist New Democratic Party, accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government of conspiring to sell out Canadian sovereignty.The discussions ... affect ordinary people, but this whole process is very, very obscure, he lamented.These are secret discussions about security, transportation, the environment, health, increasing integration, without Parliament's involvement, without the public being able to participate in the debate.
Government House leader Peter Van Loan replied that Layton was imagining conspiracies, but the reality is this is a very open, transparent process.The three North American neighbors launched the SPP in March 2005 to bolster cooperation on border security, trade and energy.The three economies were already integrated by the North American Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect in 1994. AFP .
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 Feb 25 12:09 AM EDT
FEB 24,07
MAP 5.3 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 5.2 KEPULAUAN SULA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.9 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.6 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.2 POTOSI, BOLIVIA
MAP 4.8 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 2.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.9 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.2 VANUATU REGION
MAP 5.2 OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 3.1 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.0 KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
MAP 6.2 NEAR THE COAST OF NORTHERN PERU
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FEB 23,07
MAP 3.4 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.5 FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA
MAP 5.6 AISEN, CHILE
MAP 3.3 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.0 TRINIDAD REGION, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MAP 5.0 ECUADOR
MAP 2.6 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.4 GUATEMALA
MAP 4.4 OFF THE COAST OF OREGON
MAP 4.8 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.5 NEVADA
Minor quake shakes Bay Area Fri Feb 23, 7:53 PM ET
BERKELEY, Calif. - A minor earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay area Friday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury. The magnitude-3.4 temblor struck on the Hayward fault about two miles southeast of Berkeley at 3:46 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The jolt was felt in downtown San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area.
Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were stopped for about five minutes for inspection as a precaution. No trains or stations were damaged, spokesman Linton Johnson said.
Moderate quake rocks southern Chile Fri Feb 23, 6:49 PM ET
SANTIAGO, Chile - A moderate earthquake shook southern Chile on Friday in a sparsely populated region that seismologists say has recently seen a series of tremors due to the birth of an undersea volcano.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado.It struck about 20 miles north of Coyhaique, the largest city in the Aysen region, 1,300 miles south of the capital, said Chilean officials.There was alarm because it was somewhat stronger and longer than the many tremors felt in the area in recent weeks, said Juan Azocar, head of the Emergency Bureau in Coyhaique.Authorities say the region has registered about 2,000 tremors in the last month, though most have not been felt.
According to seismologists, the quakes are being caused by a magma buildup that is pressing upward beneath a fjord.Chile, a nation with a high seismic activity, has some 2,900 volcanoes nearly 500 of which are active.
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.
Two-sided storm Wayne Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel
Sat Feb 24, 10:53 AM ET
Midwest
Low pressure will continue to develop rapidly across the central Plains today, and track east toward the Great Lakes Heavy snow will spread across eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin through today. Rain and thunderstorms will change to snow from west to east across Kansas and the central and eastern Nebraska later today and tonight. Strong winds, gusting to over 50 mph at times, in these areas will create blizzard conditions with considerable blowing and drifting snow. A messy mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will stretch from northern and eastern Iowa to northern Illinois and northern Indiana including Chicago during the day Saturday. Some areas will see significant ice accumulations and that could lead to power outages. A line of strong thunderstorms is forecast to spread eastward into the mid-Mississippi Valley. The threat for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail will impact areas from Kansas City to just south of St. Louis including the Ozarks. Heavy rain will be likely in the lower Missouri Valley and will spread eastward across the southern half of Illinois. Flooding is a distinct possibility in these areas. Sunday will feature strong winds and heavy snow from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Great Lakes including Lower Michigan, with rain changing to snow across parts of the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Snow accumulations could exceed a foot over parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin with considerable blowing snow. Blizzard conditions are possible in some locations. Precipitation will linger over the Midwest Monday and possibly into Tuesday with light snow from Minnesota to Michigan and Ohio.
South
Strong to severe thunderstorms will sweep eastward out of the southern Plains and head toward the Mississippi Valley today and this evening. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are all possible from eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi today. By tonight, thunderstorms will shift east of the Mississippi River into Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Although damaging wind gusts and hail will still be possible, the overall severe threat will be diminishing by that time. By Sunday, thunderstorms will move through the Southeast toward the coastal Carolinas and Georgia but only a few thunderstorms will be strong. With no plunges of cold air in sight, temperatures will remain mild for awhile across the region.
Northeast
Most of the Northeast will experience a dry but chilly day today. There will be a few scattered snow showers across parts of Upstate New York and northern New England, however.
An approaching storm system will bring an increase in cloudiness from the southwest, leading to the development of wintry precipitation on Sunday. Several inches of snow may blanket southern New York, northern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain will glaze much of the remainder of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and northern and western Virginia. This event will be relatively minor but there may be some travel or commuting woes overnight Sunday into early Monday morning from the Middle Atlantic to southern sections of New England.
West
Blizzard conditions are forecast to continue though Saturday night across eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, and western Kansas with sustained winds between 30-40mph and gusts above 50mph. A new storm system will move into the Pacific Northwest today bringing rain to Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Wind will be a major component to this storm system as it moves across the Western half of the country. This afternoon and evening winds between 25-30mph will spread across central and northern California with wind gusts between 50-60mph across the northern Sierra Mountains. Various wind advisories are active across California. Snow levels will range from 1500 feet in the Washington Cascades to 7000 feet in the central Sierra. More systems will affect the West Coast early next week with rain slowly edging southward through California with more rain/snow increasing over the Great Basin and snow expanding from the northern Rockies into the central Rockies. This is good news for those traveling to favorite ski destinations in states like Utah and Colorado.
Israelis Would Like to Join European Union
February 24, 2007
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Israelis believe their country should become a member of the European Union (EU), according to a poll by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. 75 per cent of respondents would support a bid by Israel to join the continental group.Bulgaria and Romania were the latest countries to join the European Union, in January 2007. On Jan. 19, Romanian president Traian Basescu urged all member states to support the continuation of the open-door policy, saying, There is a new European reality, the fifth post-wave, which must not be neglected. The European neighbourhood policy is already a vehicle for the spread of values and standards in the East and we are decided to contribute to its evolution towards more consistency.
The EU has repeatedly urged the Palestinian government, integrated partly by the political wing of Hamas an organization accused of staging violent attacks against Israel to renounce violence and recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli state in exchange for foreign aid and support. While Israel signed an association agreement with the EU in November 1995 which incorporates specific free trade regulations the prospect of Israel’s full membership in the EU has never been seriously considered by either Israeli or European leaders.
Polling Data - Would you support or oppose Israel joining the European Union (EU)?
Support 75%,Oppose 18%,Not sure 7% .Source: Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Methodology: Interviews with 511 Israeli adults, conducted in February 2007. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.
Report: Israel wants to fly over Iraq By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writer Sat Feb 24, 6:56 AM ET
LONDON - Israel opened negotiations to fly through U.S. controlled airspace in Iraq to carry out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a British newspaper reported Saturday. Israel's deputy defense minister denied the claim. The Daily Telegraph newspaper quoted an unnamed Israeli defense official as saying the talks were aimed at planning for all scenarios, including any future decision to target Iran's nuclear program.Israeli bombers would need a corridor through U.S.-administered airspace in Iraq to carry out any strikes, the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper.Ephraim Sneh, Israel's Deputy Defense Minister, told The Associated Press on Saturday that the report was incorrect. This is baseless information, Sneh said. Maybe people like to divert (attention from) the need for immediate economic sanctions (with) stories about imminent Israeli action, which is not on the agenda.
The international community's focus should be on imposing economic sanctions on Iran for defying U.N. Security Council resolutions, he said.Senior officials of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council Britain, the U.S., France, China and Russia and Germany are meeting Monday for an emergency summit in London to discuss measures against Tehran.The U.S. and its Western allies insist Iran must suspend uranium enrichment before any negotiations over its nuclear program take place and accused Tehran of using a civilian program as a cover to develop weapons.Iran, has rejected the condition to suspend enrichment and insists that its nuclear program is peaceful.Associated Press Writer Amy Tiebel in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Safeguarding Jerusalem
By Yehuda Ben Meir (HAARETZ)
It's become very clear that the clash over the construction work near the Mugrabi Gate is not a struggle against the archaeological excavations or the construction of a bridge, but part of a broader campaign for the control of Jerusalem.
After all, this construction work has no connection to the Al-Aqsa Mosque nor any effect on it. Indeed, even among some of the Arab MKs - those same leaders mobilizing the war and the incitement against the construction - there were those who admitted, some through winks and nods and others more directly, that whether the work really threatens the mosque does not matter. In their view, Israel has no sovereignty in the Old City and has no right to carry out any sort of construction work in the Temple Mount environs. At the root of this war is the intensifying effort by the Palestinians and their supporters, from within and without Israel, to deny any link or rights of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount or to Jerusalem, and thus to undermine not only our right to sovereignty in Jerusalem, but also Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.
We have no choice but to succeed in this struggle, and possess all the possible elements for such an outcome. The way to succeed is to show and prove, by means of complete transparency, that the deceiving claims and baseless incitements are nothing more than false propaganda. The government acted along these lines, launching a Web site with real-time, round-the-clock video footage of the excavations. Israel has finally learned to utilize the Internet. And indeed, the disorderly conduct of Sheikh Ra'ad Salah and the remonstrations of Khaled Meshal and the Islamic organizations are not having any significant effect in the broader world, and their anti-Israel campaign has failed to take off.
As part of this important effort, the prime minister agreed, during an official visit to Turkey a large Muslim country, with strategic ties of utmost importance to Israel to meet the request of the Turkish prime minister and allow a delegation from there to evaluate the conditions on the ground. This was a smart, wise and appropriate move on the part of the prime minister, and there is no justification for the criticism against him.
One needn't be a former deputy foreign minister or a seasoned diplomat to appreciate the diplomatic significance and the implications of such a move; let's not forget that the real dispute is over the sovereignty of Jerusalem. The fact that the Turkish prime minister is sending a delegation to this site near the Western Wall and the Temple Mount following an invitation by the prime minister of Israel, is a clear expression of support of Israel's position. After all, this is not a United Nations delegation nor one imposed on Israel by an international body, but an authorized delegation of Turkey to Israel (and not of the Palestinian Authority or Jordan). Israel really has nothing to hide. So there should be no surprise that the Arab MKs responded with anger and frustration, demanding: What business does Turkey have with this issue? They understood what many MKs on the right have not: that this is a diplomatic gain for Israel and a wise way of conducting an important campaign.
New lakes beneath Antarctic ice FEB 24,07 BBC
Sub-glacial lakes can affect how quickly ice reaches the sea Scientists have discovered four giant lakes under the Antarctic ice. Together the four are as big as Lake Vostok, the biggest body of water so far discovered in Antarctica. Researchers say the newly found lakes appear to affect how rapidly ice is transported from the interior of the continent to the sea. Writing in the journal Nature, they say that understanding the interaction of lakes and ice is crucial to forecasting the impacts of climate change.
The four lakes lie under the Recovery ice stream which brings ice from hundreds of kilometres inland into the Weddell Sea. They were found using a combination of radar data gathered by satellite, and records of an expedition mounted to the area in the 1960s on which scientists had used a pioneering ice-penetrating radar. Sub-glacial lakes create tell-tale shapes in the surface of the ice above, while readings taken through the ice had detected, in the words of the 1960s expedition, a possible melt layer at the bottom of the ice-cap. About 150 lakes have been discovered under the frozen Antarctic surface.
Speed merchants
In recent years there has been a lot of interest in water under the Antarctic ice, for various reasons. Biologists have been intrigued by the possibility of finding new organisms in ecosystems which may have been cut off from the rest of the world for thousands of years. Two of the new lakes are only exceeded in size by Lake Vostok .Climate scientists have become increasingly keen to understand the process of accelerated melting, where lubrication of ice flows by water and the disintegration of ice shelves could speed up the transfer of ice to the sea. The research team found that the Recovery stream accelerates significantly as it passes over the lakes. Upstream of the lakes, it flows at two to three metres per year; after passing them, at about 50 metres per year. Whether there is a link to climate change is another question. The lakes lie in the eastern portion of Antarctica, where evidence suggests the icecap may be gaining mass rather than losing it.
It is the west of the continent that primarily concerns climate researchers. Much of the Antarctic rock here lies below sea level, meaning that a warming of the oceans could lubricate ice flow on a significant scale. But if sub-glacial lakes are affecting ice flow, that is something scientists will want to study further. As this research team puts it: The Recovery sub-glacial lakes and the associated Recovery ice stream tributaries have the potential greatly to affect the drainage of the East Antarctic ice sheet, and its influence on sea level rise in the near future.Another expedition to the area, part of International Polar Year, is planned for 2008.
Canada, Mexico, US pitch trade fixes for North America
24-Feb-2007 05:03 hrs
Top foreign affairs, security and trade officials of Canada, the United States and Mexico met Friday under the auspices of a business-friendly alliance that critics allege is unfairly opaque.The meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) was expected to discuss border security, trade and energy, the Canadian government said Friday. The US State Department said the deadly bird flu would also feature on the agenda.The complete agenda, however, was not made public, prompting protests.The talks are the second since the 2005 creation of the SPP, at the initiative of the White House.They are aimed at preparing a summit of the heads of state and government of the three countries, said Tom Shannon, US assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.
Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Industry Minister Maxime Bernier hosted the meeting.The United States sent US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.Mexico was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Interior Secretary Francisco Javier Ramirez Acuna and Commerce Secretary Eduardo Sojo Garza-Aldape.The ministers were meeting to discuss how the three democracies are working together to ensure continued prosperity and how we can provide greater security for all of North America, Rice's spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.They were also presented 50 recommendations from the National American Competitiveness Council, a tri-national working group of the SPP comprised of some 30 chief executives from some of the continent's largest companies, to speed people and goods safely across borders, harmonize trade regulations and improve energy security and production by 2010.
The group, after nine months of consultations and deliberations, called for border infrastructure expansion and improvement; a reduction of unnecessary differences in rules and standards, particularly in the food and agriculture, financial services, and transportation sectors; and for enhanced cooperation to protect intellectual property rights.The group also called for better cross-border oil and gas distribution systems, joint development of clean energy technologies and faster development of Mexico's oil and gas resources.The NACC simply sees huge potential for greater cooperation in managing borders, regulation, energy and many other issues affecting the quality of life of the citizens of Canada, Mexico and the United States, from responses to emergencies and pandemics to the environment and education, the group said.
In the United States, right-wing commentators have criticized further integration of North America, saying it would erode US security and long-term economic prosperity.In Canada, condemnation of the SPP has come from the left.The Council of Canadians said the high-level talks have elevated corporate interests above the public interest, and seek to lower environmental and labor standards in each country.The big-business community has been an integral part of these negotiations, while the public and most of our elected officials have been left out, said John Urquhart, executive director of the Council of Canadians.
In Canada's House of Commons, Jack Layton, leader of the socialist New Democratic Party, accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government of conspiring to sell out Canadian sovereignty.The discussions ... affect ordinary people, but this whole process is very, very obscure, he lamented.These are secret discussions about security, transportation, the environment, health, increasing integration, without Parliament's involvement, without the public being able to participate in the debate.
Government House leader Peter Van Loan replied that Layton was imagining conspiracies, but the reality is this is a very open, transparent process.The three North American neighbors launched the SPP in March 2005 to bolster cooperation on border security, trade and energy.The three economies were already integrated by the North American Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect in 1994. AFP .
Saturday, February 24, 2007
IRAN INCREASED NUKE ACTIVITY
1-WORLD QUAKES LAST 2 DAYS.2-Mozambique cyclone kills four. 3-Major storm system unfolding. 4-Australia declares El Nino weather pattern over. 5-Indonesia eyes cement balls to stop mud. 6-Poland to push for dark side to EU birthday text. 7-Israel gripped by Syria war fears. 8-Israel Develops Solar-Powered Unmanned Aircraft. 9-EU establishes single UWB market. 10-This Week with Rabbi Eckstein. 11-Merkel: Israel must be recognized. 12-World-Wide Blitz against Israel. 13- Iran increased nuke activity, report says.
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 Feb 24 12:00 AM EDT
FEB 23,07
MAP 5.6 AISEN, CHILE
MAP 3.3 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.0 TRINIDAD REGION, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MAP 5.0 ECUADOR
MAP 2.6 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.4 GUATEMALA
MAP 4.4 OFF THE COAST OF OREGON
MAP 4.8 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.5 NEVADA
FEB 22,07
MAP 2.5 OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.8 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 3.0 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 4.6 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 2.8 BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
MAP 2.8 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.8 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 4.6 COQUIMBO, CHILE
MAP 2.8 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 2.9 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FEB 21,07
MAP 2.9 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.0 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.8 NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.0 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.7 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.7 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.0 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.8 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.7 EASTERN TURKEY
MAP 4.8 MARIANA ISLANDS REGION
MAP 4.9 ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.2 OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.2 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.5 HALMAHERA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.7 SOUTHERN ALASKA
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.
Mozambique cyclone kills four By Charles Mangwiro
Fri Feb 23, 6:28 AM ET
MAPUTO (Reuters) - A powerful tropical storm killed four people and injured at least 70 in Mozambique's resort town of Vilanculos, where thousands of homes were destroyed along with the hospital and power grid, officials said on Friday. Cyclone Favio was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday as wind speeds dropped from a peak of 270 kph (170 mph) to between 60-80 kph (37-50 mph), but officials fear rains from the storm could still dramatically worsen an existing flood disaster in the center of the country.Vilanculos Mayor Selmane Amugy said the deaths occurred when Favio crashed ashore early on Thursday, hitting people's homes as they were sleeping.Four people were killed, 70 others seriously injured and some 2,000 homes were destroyed ... there are no words to describe the drama, I haven't seen such a thing in my life, he said by phone the resort town some 800 km (500 miles) north of the capital, Maputo.All 600 prisoners escaped when the local jail was destroyed and we had to evacuate some 120 patients from the rural hospital, he said.Amugy said many key buildings in Vilanculos a popular beach town favored by South African and other foreign tourists were damaged and the local airport was closed.We had to call off all operations at the airport ... trees at Tofo Beach were uprooted and homes destroyed and this worsened erosion, he said.Bazaruto Island, another popular Mozambican tourist destination which is reachable only by boats and helicopters, was still cut off from communications as the regional electricity grid was wrecked.At the peak of the summer season, Bazaruto attracts wealthy tourists from across the world to its upmarket lodges.The government has dispatched an emergency team of medical personnel, engineers and technicians to assess the damage.
Mozambique's national weather agency INAM said the weakened storm was headed northwards toward the port city of Beira, where its outer edges struck on Friday.Officials fear it may take its rains onward toward the Zambezi river basin, where several weeks of severe flooding has already displaced more than 120,000 people.It's no longer a tropical cyclone now, it's a tropical depression meaning it
has weakened but still accompanied by heavy rains ... it has winds of between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour, INAM spokesman Helder Sueia told Reuters.
Sueia said the storm unearthed trees and blew off rooftops in Beira's densely populated suburb of Pontagea on Friday.It's still taking the same direction and it's not as powerful as it was a few hours ago ... but the rains can still impact on the flooding situation, he said.Officials and humanitarian agencies are already battling to keep tens of thousands of flood refugees in central Mozambique supplied with food and fresh water.The former Portuguese colony, rising from a devastating 16 year political conflict, saw its worst disaster on record in 2000-2001 when a series of cyclones compounded widespread flooding in southern and central parts of the country, killing 700 people and driving close to half a million from their homes.
Major storm system unfolding Wayne Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel Fri Feb 23, 6:29 AM ET
Midwest
Today will be the calm before the storm across the Upper Midwest and central Plains. As a storm system begins to organize across the eastern Rockies, clouds and winds will be on the increase across the central Plains and Upper Midwest. A few rain showers may develop by late day from Kansas City to Omaha, with a light wintry mix across the Upper Midwest from Fargo to Minneapolis. Areas from Chicago and St. Louis to Louisville and Cleveland should remain dry today. Overnight into Saturday, the storm system will track into the central Plains, with heavy snow developing from the northern Plains, into the western Great Lakes. Strong gusty winds in these areas will also create blizzard conditions. A wintry mix will develop south of this area from Omaha to Chicago. On the south side of the storm severe thunderstorms will erupt from the central Plains, and spread into the Middle Mississippi Valley. The threat for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail will impact areas from Goodland to Kansas City to St. Louis. Heavy rain will be likely across the Midwest and Ohio valley. The threat for heavy snow and gusty winds will remain across the western Great Lakes and Upper Midwest into Sunday, with rain and snow spreading across the Midwest and Ohio Valley. The entire system should move east of the area by early next week, but scattered snow showers will remain.
South
High pressure will briefly build across the South today, resulting in dry weather conditions. Afternoon highs today will range from the 60s across the Atlanta, Memphis, and Dallas areas, to the 70s from Houston to Orlando. Highs in the 80s will be confined to southern Florida.
Changeable weather conditions will be underway across the southern Plains and Texas today, as a storm system begins to take shape over the eastern Rockies. Winds and clouds will be on the increase from Houston to Oklahoma City, with a few rain showers possible by late day. Overnight into Saturday, numerous severe thunderstorms with tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds will erupt across northern Texas into the southern Plains. These will track east toward the Lower Mississippi Valley into Saturday. Areas from Oklahoma City and Houston, east to Memphis and New Orleans, will all be in line for potential severe thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. By Sunday the threat for widespread severe thunderstorms will diminish, but showers and a few scattered strong thunderstorms will track east across the rest of the Southern states. The storm system responsible for this active weather will move away from the area by early next week.
Northeast
Snow showers and gusty winds will linger across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic today, in the wake of a Clipper storm that moved across the area yesterday. Afternoon highs will range from the teens across Buffalo and Burlington, to the 20s across the Pittsburgh area. Highs in the 30s will be common from Boston and New York, to Washington, DC. Gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph will also remain across most areas today, pushing wind chills in the teens and 20s. On Saturday, lingering snow showers will shift into northern New England, mainly from Buffalo north through Burlington, with dry conditions expected elsewhere. By Sunday, a storm system will begin to approach the area from the west, spreading a mix of snow and ice into the Upper Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic area.
Areas from Pittsburgh and Buffalo, to Philadelphia and Washington, DC will be in line to see the wintry precipitation first. Sunday night into Monday, the threat for wintry weather will spread across the New England states, as cold temperatures will remain across the entire are over the next several days.
West
Unsettled weather will remain across the west through the weekend, as a series of weather systems continue to impact the area.
Today, low pressure will be tracking across the central Rockies, increasing the rain and snow across the Rockies. In the wake of this system, scattered rain and snow showers will remain across the west coast, from Seattle and Portland, south through San Francisco and Los Angeles. By Saturday, weather conditions will improve across the interior Rockies and Southwest, but begin to become more unsettled across the Pacific Northwest. A new storm system will bring some heavy rain and higher elevation snow to the Pacific Northwest through the day, with the activity spreading through the rest of the west coast into early next week.
Australia declares El Nino weather pattern over Wed Feb 21, 11:16 PM ET
SYDNEY (AFP) Australian forecasters said Thursday that the El Nino weather pattern blamed for the worst drought in a century had ended, and expressed cautious optimism much-needed rain was on the way. The Bureau of Meteorology said there was no guarantee the drought was over but the end of the El Nino meant there was reason to be hopeful.The 2006/07 El Nino has ended, the bureau said in a statement.While the end of the El Nino would normally be associated with a return to more normal rainfall patterns, it should not be seen as a precursor to drought-breaking rains.Nonetheless, we can be cautiously optimistic that there will be a general easing of dry conditions in drought-affected areas over the next one to two seasons.El Nino is occasional warming of the central and eastern Pacific
Ocean that typically happens every four to seven years and disrupts weather patterns from the western seaboard of Latin America to East Africa for 12-18 months.It has been blamed for flooding in the Horn of Africa and Bolivia, more severe winter monsoons in South Asia, and the lengthy drought in Australia.More often than not, El Nino events result in reduced rainfall across parts of eastern and northern Australia, particularly during winter, spring and early summer, the bureau said.However, the precise nature of the impact differs quite markedly from one event to another, even with similar changes and patterns in the Pacific Ocean.
The bureau said there was a higher-than-average chance of the El Nino being followed by a La Nina weather pattern, which occurs when the Pacific cools, offering hope of drought-breaking rains.La Nina events are generally associated with wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the eastern half of the country from about autumn, it said.The bureau said El Nino was a natural phenomenon that was extremely difficult to predict.El Nino is not a freak of climate, it's not a rogue weather phenomenon, and it isn't in any way abnormal, it said.Furthermore it is not a scourge, and as far as Australia is concerned, it shouldn't be thought of as a synonym for drought, although it's often linked to reduced rainfall in eastern and northern Australia.
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.
Indonesia eyes cement balls to stop mud Thu Feb 22, 7:41 PM ET
SURABAYA, Indonesia - Indonesian authorities will drop hundreds of giant concrete balls into a fissure Friday to try to stem a gushing mud eruption that has inundated villages and factories, an official said. The hot, noxious mud enough to fill 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools has flowed from the hole each day for the last nine months, forcing at least 11,000 people from their homes. Four villages and 25 factories have been buried under a 30-foot layer of mud.The chained cement balls, weighing up to 550 pounds each, will be dropped from a scaffolding into the so-called mud volcano on the island of Java starting Friday, said Rudi Novrianto, a spokesman for a national task force handling the disaster.If successful, the project will decrease by up to 70 percent the volume of the mud now being channeled by a system of dams into a nearby river and out to sea.
Mud fissures are fairly common along volatile tectonic belts like that one running below Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago.Opinions differ about the cause of the mudflow, the largest on record in Indonesia, but experts agree it could flow for years.Some scientists suggest the rupture was triggered by faulty gas exploration techniques by operator PT Lapindo Brantas, which created fissures in a bed of porous limestone. Other research suggests it was the result of increased seismic activity following a major earthquake two days before the mud began flowing.The government has said PT Lapindo Brantas must pay about $420 million in damages, including $276 million to the victims, by next month.
Lapindo is controlled by the family of Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie. He has repeatedly claimed the geyser was sparked by a May 27 earthquake and that his company bears no financial liability.An attempt last year to channel the mud to the sea triggered an explosion that killed 13 people when a natural gas pipeline cracked under the weight of a dam.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Poland to push for dark side to EU birthday text
22.02.2007 - 09:19 CET | By Andrew Rettman
EUOBSERVER-WARSAW Poland wants the EU's upcoming 50th birthday declaration to
mention the dark side of recent European history such as Communism and the Balkan wars, while hinting that changes to the EU voting system could become a Polish red line in future talks on the new EU constitution. It shouldn't simply be a self-celebration by the old member states. It should include our part of Europe as a parallel process experienced after WWII Warsaw's lead negotiator or sherpa on the birthday declaration, Marek Cichocki, said in Warsaw on Tuesday (21 February).It should also make mention of the dark legacy of European policy. During the great successes of extending the European Union in the 1990s, we had parallel to that a serious war in the Balkans, he added, saying the German EU presidency has a responsibility to address the tough issues. The declaration will be drafted in English by an official in the chancellery of German leader Angela Merkel. It will have three parts on EU history, EU values and the EU's future. It should be written in plain language and be no more than three pages long, the Polish negotiator said.
The dark events should go into the history section alongside the successes of setting up the single market. The history paragraphs should also state the historical truth of the EU's Christian origins, but Christianity should be kept out of the EU values chapter. Mr Cichocki warned that only values with a universal character such as human rights and rule of law should go in.
It should not represent all the values that we find in our national constitutions, because then we will have a very long list, he said. The sherpa also suggested openness as a key value a term to be understood as openness to future enlargement but also in a broader sense as openness to the influence of other cultures, including Islam, to immigration and other aspects of globalisation. The EU future section should talk about Europe as a provider of security for member states, both in terms of energy security and in the military sense. The aspect of security is very appealing, he said, referring to the Pleven Plan of 1950, which called for the creation of an EU defence community. We should recall these old ideas.
The security proposal reflects the Polish government's closeness to the hawkish world view of US president George W. Bush's Republican party, with Warsaw just a few days away from agreeing to a US plan to build an anti-ballistic missile base in Poland in a project reminiscent of the Cold War. Mr Cichocki envisaged the birthday declaration as a text that would provide a reference for many years, as a symbol of basic agreement between member states...We would be very happy if this document plays the same role as the Messina declaration.The Messina declaration by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in 1955 was a statement of intention to create the European economic community. It paved the way for the signing of the EU's founding treaty, the treaty of Rome, in 1957.(REVIVED ROME)
The Messina comparison depicts the EU birthday text as a precursor of a new EU treaty, with the German EU presidency keen to get agreement by June on how to revive the EU constitution after French and Dutch referendums in 2005 derailed the existing constitution document. The new constitution is to be put in place by 2010.
Red lines sketched
Mr Cichocki who is also Poland's sherpa in the constitution talks said negotiations on the new treaty will not start in earnest until after French presidential elections in April or May, adding that it is too early to talk about Poland's red lines.But he hinted that Warsaw will reject any text that does not change the current proposal for a new EU voting system, which ties member states' votes more
strongly to population size giving Germany more power to force through EU projects disliked by Poland. There is broad political consensus in Poland that this double majority system in the present constitution is not acceptable, Mr Cichocki said. It is as yet unclear what alternative voting rules the Polish government might come up with, but speculation is mounting that Warsaw will put forward voting-weights based on the 1949 ideas of British mathematician Lionel Penrose. The Penrose square root law says voting weight should be based not on the simple population size of individual member states, but on the square roots of national populations in a complex piece of game theory that would help Poland resist German pressure. Frankly, I don't see how any government could sell this kind of square root model in a popular referendum, Pawel Swieboda, a former high-ranking Polish diplomat who now runs the demosEUROPA think-tank in Warsaw, told EUobserver. Perhaps this will just be an interim proposal and the government will end up aiming for something different down the line such as placing a cap on the maximum voting weight that anybody could have, effectively counting Germany as, say, 70 million people instead of 82 million, he said.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Israel gripped by Syria war fears by Jacques Pinto FEB 22,07
JERUSALEM (AFP) A reported Syrian troop build-up near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has fuelled speculation in Israel about a future conflict, more than three decades after the two enemies last went to war. Syrian armed forces appear to be moving closer to the armistice line as Damascus spearheads an unprecendented armaments drive, shrieked Israel's Haaretz newspaper from its front page Thursday.The Syrian armed forces are being strengthened in a way unprecedented in recent memory with the help of generous funding from Iran, wrote military affairs correspondent Zeev Schiff.Brigadier General Yossi Beidatz, the head of military intelligence research, has also warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is preparing for conflict with Israel, possibly through Hezbollah, which fought a 34-day war with Israel last year.
Haaretz said the main thrust of Syria's armaments drive was missiles and long-range rockets, with its navy being bolstered by an Iranian missile similar to one fired by Hezbollah, killing four Israeli sailors last summer.Syria is also close to concluding a deal with Russia to procure thousands of advanced anti-tank missiles, of the sort Hezbollah used to such lethal effect against Israeli armour last year,
Haaretz reported.It appears that the Syrians have moved forces closer to the border (armistice line) with Israel on the Golan Heights, wrote Schiff, noting similar movements prior to the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.Three decades ago, a coordinated Egyptian and Syrian assault caught Israel totally off guard on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, triggering its deadliest conflict since independence in 1948.Syria has test-fired ballistic missiles, such as a Scud-D surface-to-surface missile, which would put most of Israel within range, Haaretz reported.
Israel is still smarting from its deadly pounding by more than 4,000 Hezbollah rockets that killed some 40 civilians last summer.But Defence Minister Amir Peretz was quoted by journalists as telling military officials to avoid making unnecessary comments on Syria and asking officers to steer clear of a war of words with Damascus.The situation in the field will be examined according to facts and the Israel Defence Force will prepare itself accordingly, he was quoted as saying.One aide, Amos Gilad, said he saw no immediate danger of war but that Syrian weapons purchases highlighted the need for Israel to remain combat-ready.The fact that Syria is strengthening its military capabilities does not mean we're going to be attacked tomorrow but certainly we need to be prepared, Gilad told public radio.There is no danger of war. There is no deployment of forces indicating that Israel would be threatened by an offensive tomorrow.A northern command source agreed that Syria had beefed up its troops along the armistice line as Israel did following the outbreak of war in Lebanon.
Since the end of the war, tension has remained high on both sides and at a much higher level than it was before the war. There is much more Israeli and Syrian daily military presence along the border today, the official said.But a source in the UN force in the Golan Heights charged with monitoring the armistice denied any Syrian troop build-up and lashed out an alarmist Israeli media that repeatedly brings up the topic. On Wednesday, Israel launched war games on the Golan Heights that Peretz flatly denied were connected to fears of a new conflict with Syria. Damascus has repeatedly demanded the return of the Golan, a strategic plateau which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and unilaterally annexed in 1981. It is now home to more than 15,000 settlers. Peace talks between Israel and Syria collapsed in 2000, in part because of disputes over the return of the territory.
DANIEL 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Israel Develops Solar-Powered Unmanned Aircraft
by Ezra HaLevi (INN) FEB 22,07
Israels defense industry continues to develop innovative technologies in the fields of unmanned surveillance and anti-missile protection. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is unveiling several new technologies, eagerly sought and purchased by Western armies. The latest IAI innovation is a solar-powered UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which it will unveil at an aeronautics show Friday.
The UAV runs off solar power and stores the power to continue to operate during night-time operations as well. IAI has also developed a system called Computerized Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that helps determine the aerodynamics of a plane or UAV.
British Need Israeli UAVs
Globes reported Thursday that British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan may begin using UAVs produced by another Israeli company, Elbit. Elbit is reportedly negotiating with British Defense contractors for the leasing of Hermes 450 UAVs, for which the British Army units stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq have a great need. The deal is reportedly worth $100 million and is being expedited due to the failure of Britain's current UAVs to operate correctly under the desert conditions of the Middle East.
US Wants Tank-Protection Replicated For Choppers
According to Globes, US Army officials have approached Israels Rafael Armament Development Authority with the request that it develop a version of its Trophy Active Protection System for helicopters, in addition to tanks. The system has proven successful in detonating rockets and missiles shot at tanks before they can impact the vehicle. The US officials hope a version can be designed that would protect helicopters from similar weapons. Seven US Army helicopters in Iraq have been shot down in the last two months by machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire from the ground.
POSSIBLE ROBOT
DANIEL 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
REVELATION 13:13-15
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
REVELATION 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
EU establishes single UWB market
Email articleComment on this articlePublished: 22 February 2007 10:40 AM
Industry Channel: Communications Source: The Engineer Online
The European Commission has today adopted a decision which outlines the mandatory conditions for using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in next generation wireless devices across the EU.
The decision brings a step closer a single market for consumer electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras and televisions that can exchange data wirelessly at very high rates over short distances.By removing the cables that link the electronic devices we use in everyday life, ultra-wideband technology can extend the information society in many areas of society,’ said EU Telecoms and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. However, to benefit our citizens, it is important that we establish a functioning single market for these devices in the European Union. By adopting a harmonising decision today, the Commission allows innovators to use this new technology throughout the EU, while ensuring no interference takes place with other wireless users.UWB devices can transmit data at very high rates by spreading the signal over very broad ranges of the radio spectrum. With rates comparable to devices connected by cable, UWB is an attractive technology for the increasingly bandwidth-hungry consumer electronics industry.While the spectrum is already used by many sectors, such as mobile operators, broadcasters and the aviation community, the extremely low transmission powers of UWB signals ensure that harmful interference with these applications is avoided.With UWB, many electronic devices so far linked by cable will have a wireless alternative offering the same data rates of up to 480Mbit/s, or the speed of USB wired connections available today. Devices will therefore be able to seamlessly speak to each other whenever in range.
UWB will provide this ease-of-use to users while operating in the existing spectrum, which is currently a scarce and often very expensive resource.This decision implements the Commission's strategy to make the use of the radio spectrum in the European Union more flexible and more efficient.The technical conditions in this decision, which must be applied within the next six months throughout the EU's 27 member states, were developed following extensive compatibility studies between UWB and all other spectrum users that could potentially have been affected. The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) did the studies for the Commission.
This Week with Rabbi Eckstein
February 22, 2007
Dear Friend of The Fellowship,
There is bitter controversy in Israel right now concerning the Temple Mount, a place of great importance to both Jews and Muslims. This site in Jerusalem's Old City was the location of the two ancient Jewish temples, and is the holiest site for Judaism. But it is also the location of the Al-Aksa Mosque, and is considered by Muslims the third holiest site in the world after Mecca and Medina.
This has made it a flashpoint of conflict between Jews and Muslims.A few years ago a severe storm damaged the pedestrian bridge leading to the Temple Mount, leading government officials to close it. After very careful planning, Israel recently began replacing the decrepit walkway, with Israeli archeologists excavating nearby to ensure that no ancient treasures would be damaged due to the work.
Reasonable people call this good stewardship. Recognizing that its land contains some of the great treasures of antiquity, the Israeli government has always sought to preserve the relics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike. In fact, at the founding of the modern State of Israel, a governmental agency, now called the Israel Antiquities Authority, was created for this specific purpose part of the fulfillment of the Declaration of the State of Israel's promise to safeguard the Holy Places of all religions.But Muslim radicals see things differently.
They say the repair work is Israel's attempt to destroy the Al Aksa Mosque even though the work is taking place several hundred feet away from the mosque itself, and numerous experts have said it poses no threat to the Muslim holy site. The Islamists are using this event to incite hatred against Israel and Jews. Some have even called for violence Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that it was time to make the Zionists regret their actions. And, just last Friday, during a rally to protest the construction work and excavation, a radical Muslim cleric preached a hate-filled sermon calling for a third intifada to save al-Aksa Mosque, free Jerusalem and end the occupation.
Time and again Israel has restated that the excavation is meant to preserve treasures, not to destroy them. To calm Muslim fears, the Israeli government has been very open about its activities at the construction site. They have opened the site to the press and have even set up webcams focused on it 24 hours a day in an effort to allow anyone in the world with Internet access to see exactly what is
being done at the site. In the midst of Muslim criticism, many have also pointed out the double
standard of criticizing Israel for simple repair work in which great care is taken to preserve irreplaceable historical artifacts. The Muslim authority that oversees the Temple Mount has routinely thrown away antiquities with little regard for their value.But all this matters little to the Muslim radicals. For them, Israel's guilt is a given, and her every action even such a simple thing as repairing a walkway is another opportunity to create and spread a negative image of the Jewish state. We want to help you review the facts and see what is happening at the Temple Mount site. Visit our blog to find a number of resources related to the Temple Mount, including a link to the webcams set up at the site, a short video made by an Israeli archeologist that cuts through the Islamists' deception, and other articles and news resources.
You can also make your opinion on this issue known in our blog comments section, and then forward this message to a friend—so that more people can know the truth of Israel's struggle for peace and security. Thank you for your continued commitment and support for Israel and her people. It is friends like you who provide encouragement in the midst of such adversity.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
Help us turn despair into hope
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Merkel: Israel must be recognized By DAVID McHUGH, Associated Press Writer Fri Feb 23, 6:17 AM ET
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday welcomed a proposed Palestinian coalition but firmly underlined in talks with President Mahmoud Abbas the European Union stance that any new government must recognize Israel.
Abbas, on a European tour to build support for an eventual lifting of a crippling international aid embargo, said Palestinians were suffering under the cutoff, but held out hope that the new government will satisfy the donors' conditions.Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the power-sharing deal reached between Abbas' Fatah faction and the Islamic Hamas was positive because it stopped the fighting between the two factions that had cost some 130 lives in the past few months.It is good that the bloodletting, especially in Gaza, has been stopped but there is a difficult stretch in front of us,Merkel said after meeting with Abbas in Berlin.
But she returned to the conditions imposed by the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators from the EU, U.N., U.S., and Russia that any new government must give up violence, recognize Israel and accept existing agreements reached with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those issues, and Hamas still refuses to recognize the Jewish state.That has left the Quartet in a holding pattern, waiting to see what kind of government emerges, amid a sense that the more moderate Abbas is not entirely in control of the situation. Analysts say that the best Abbas can do on this trip is convince European governments they should remain open to the possibility of recognizing a government that includes Hamas. On Wednesday, Abbas met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.Merkel said the two had extensive discussions but she showed no wiggle room on the international demands.
We welcome the formation of a national unity government, under the condition that certain measures are fulfilled, Merkel said. That would mean that Israel's right to exist would be recognized, that violence would end and that international negotiations, as they already exist, be accepted.She added that a lot of work is yet to be done.The Quartet has met twice this month after a dormant period, after a push from Merkel and the United States. But Israel has said it won't deal with Abbas on a long-term peace deal if he goes ahead with a coalition with Hamas, limiting immediate prospects for progress toward a solution.Abbas underlined his hopes that foreign aid which formerly made up half the budget of the Palestinian authority could begin flowing again under a new government.For eight or nine months our people have been suffering under this boycott, Abbas said. We hope that by the time a new government is formed several things will happen that will improve the situation. He didn't elaborate.Abbas restated his position that Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit, abducted by Palestinian militants, be released, and that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails be set free.
World-Wide Blitz against Israel
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (INN) FEB 23,07
The United Nations, Russia, Arab states and the media have escalated an international broadside against Israel while touting the Hamas-Fatah coalition. A report by the U.N. Human Rights Council has provided the background for the Arab position, backed by Russia, that the Western-led economic boycott of Hamas must be lifted in order to fight poverty in the Gaza area.
The council report was commissioned to John Dugard, who formerly campaigned against South Africa apartheid and who concluded that the racist policy is similar to that of Israel. He defined Jews as a race and charged that the Israeli army is guilty of terror worse than that of Arab terrorists. Dugard's draft is to be published next month in a full report by the U.N. Dugard wrote that Israel's laws and practices in the [Palestinian Authority (PA)] certainly resemble aspects of apartheid. Can it seriously be denied that the purpose of such action is to establish and maintain domination by one racial group, Jews, over another racial group, Palestinians, and systematically oppress them? The report accuses Israel of terror by flying jets that set off sonic booms, forcing residents to live in fear of settler terror. Dugard also alleges that Israel still is occupying the Gaza region despite the expulsion of Jewish residents from their communities and the handover of the land to the PA. Gaza became a sealed off, imprisoned and occupied territory, he wrote. He cited Arabs for committing war crimes by attacking Israel with Kassam rockets, but added that the IDF has committed such crimes on a much greater scale.
U.N. Report Ignores Economic Aid to PA
Media throughout the world have headlined the report's assertion that Israeli restrictions on trade and movement have created conditions where the poorest families are now living a meager existence totally reliant on assistance, with no electricity or heating and eating food prepared with water from bad sources.The report's timing is especially sensitive, coming to light after both Israel and the U.S. indicated that they will maintain the boycott after the planned Fatah-Hamas coalition cabinet takes office unless it clearly commits itself to recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and adherence to previous agreements with Israel, noted the London Independent. The report ignores aid that has been redirected through the offices of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in order to bypass Hamas, leaving the PA as one of the world's largest recipients of foreign economic aid. The International Monetary Fund (International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that the PA received $709 million in aid in 2006, double the amount received in 2005.
The aid figures do not include hundreds of millions of dollars invested by various U.N. agencies in Gaza.In addition, Hamas leaders have smuggled more than $60 million into Gaza. Another report by a U.N. agency and published by Reuters News Agency blames Israel's attack on Gaza's only power station for leaving the Occupied Palestinian Territories without electricity. However, Dugard does not mention that Israel's Ashkelon power plant also provides electricity to many PA residents.
Britain To Deal with Moderate Hamas Elements
The increasing blame on Israel for problems in the PA, along with the mounting pressure from Russia have contributed to a change in the policy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has indicated he is prepared to deal with Hamas. It is far easier to deal with the situation in Palestine if there is a national unity government, he said. I hope we can make progress, including even with the more
sensible elements of Hamas.The United States has been the staunchest opponent of lifting the sanctions against Hamas, but American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has conceded that Abbas out-maneuvered Israel by collaborating with Hamas to form a unity government, which she stated has made the situation more complicated.The result was a meeting this week between her, Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, that analysts agreed was an exercise in rhetoric, although the conversation included angry shouts between the Israeli and PA leaders.
Mashaal To Visit Moscow
The Quartet so far has insisted Hamas meet international demands, but the terrorist organization continues to drum up international support, starting with Russia, one of the members of the Quartet. Syrian-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is scheduled to visit Moscow from Sunday to Tuesday, as Moscow continues to ignore Israeli pleas that international powers not conduct talks with leaders of the Hamas organization. Abbas, the leader of the Fatah movement, has been courting European nations, claiming that the unity government is committed to meeting international conditions even though Hamas explicitly refuses to do so. Fatah has paid lip-service to the conditions, but terrorist attacks by Fatah terrorists continue almost daily. Abbas also has conditioned his recognition of Israel on demands, which every recent Israeli government has categorically stated are unreasonable. Abbas has said a Jewish state could be recognized only after Jerusalem becomes the capital of a new Arab country and millions of Arabs in foreign countries are allowed to live in Israel. Abbas's problem is that Hamas is considered to be more powerful than Fatah, according to Turi Munthe, associate fellow at the Royal United Service Institute in London.
Muslim States Pressuring Quartet
A group of 57 Muslim countries meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has agreed to step up pressure and try to force the Quartet to lift the economic sanctions against Hamas. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) also continues to accuse Israel of endangering the Al Aksa mosque by conducting archaeological operations near the Temple Mount. In light of the positive developments in Palestine and formation of the national unity government, the international embargo against Palestinians has no justification, said Ekmel Al Deen Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the OIC. He called on the Arab countries, including oil-rich kingdoms, to provide financial and moral support to Jerusalem Arabs and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Iran increased nuke activity, report says Nations meeting next week on sanctions Friday, February 23, 2007 George Jahn ASSOCIATED PRESS
VIENNA, Austria Iran has ignored a U.N. Security Council ultimatum to freeze uranium enrichment a possible pathway to nuclear arms and has instead expanded its program by setting up hundreds of centrifuges, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said yesterday. The finding paves the way for new U.N. sanctions. Hours later, the United States said key countries would meet next week to try to develop new U.N. sanctions against Iran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report to the Security Council and its 35-nation board that Tehran also has continued to build a heavy-water reactor and related facilities which, along with enrichment, could help it develop nuclear arms. In addition, the report said Iran ignored a Security Council call to cooperate with the agency in its efforts to shed light on suspicious nuclear activities. The conclusions, while widely expected, were important because they could serve as the trigger for the council to start deliberating on new sanctions meant to punish Iran for its nuclear intransigence. In Washington, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said he will travel to London on Monday to meet with the United States’ negotiating partners to try to draft a new resolution to sanction Iran. Burns said he hopes the United States and other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany, can quickly draft a resolution to see Iran repudiated again.In Tehran, the deputy head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammed Saeedi, ruled out suspending enrichment, saying such demands were against Iran’s rights, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and international regulations.Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, Iran’s chief delegate to the U.N. agency, said sanctions against the Islamic republic create only more solidarity of the Iranian nation to protect their inalienable rights.
The Security Council issued three demands to Iran on Dec. 23 freeze uranium enrichment, stop building heavy-water facilities and fully cooperate with the agency.
It introduced limited sanctions and gave Iran 60 days to comply a deadline that expired Wednesday. The agency report prepared by director Mohamed ElBaradei showed Iran has instead expanded its enrichment efforts setting up nearly 1,000 uranium-spinning centrifuges in and above an underground bunker, enriching minute amounts of uranium and bringing nearly 9 tons of the gaseous feedstock into its underground nuclear facility at Natanz in preparation for enrichment. Iranian officials also informed the agency that they would expand their centrifuge installations to close to 3,000 by May, the report said. Iran’s stated goal is running 54,000 centrifuges at Natanz to churn out enriched uranium enough for dozens of nuclear weapons a year. Iran maintains it wants to develop enrichment only to generate power. Even before the agency’s report was issued, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. and its allies would use the Security Council to bring Iran back to negotiations over its nuclear program.
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 Feb 24 12:00 AM EDT
FEB 23,07
MAP 5.6 AISEN, CHILE
MAP 3.3 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 2.5 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.0 TRINIDAD REGION, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MAP 5.0 ECUADOR
MAP 2.6 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 4.4 GUATEMALA
MAP 4.4 OFF THE COAST OF OREGON
MAP 4.8 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 4.7 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 KODIAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 4.3 GULF OF CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.3 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.5 NEVADA
FEB 22,07
MAP 2.5 OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.8 SOUTH OF ALASKA
MAP 3.2 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 3.0 HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
MAP 4.6 KURIL ISLANDS
MAP 2.8 BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
MAP 2.8 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.8 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 4.6 COQUIMBO, CHILE
MAP 2.8 SOUTHERN ALASKA
MAP 2.9 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FEB 21,07
MAP 2.9 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.0 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.8 NORTHERN ALASKA
MAP 3.0 ALASKA PENINSULA
MAP 2.7 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.7 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 2.9 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 3.0 CENTRAL ALASKA
MAP 2.8 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII
MAP 5.7 EASTERN TURKEY
MAP 4.8 MARIANA ISLANDS REGION
MAP 4.9 ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
MAP 2.5 CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 2.9 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 3.2 OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
MAP 3.2 UNIMAK ISLAND REGION, ALASKA
MAP 3.8 ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA
MAP 5.5 HALMAHERA, INDONESIA
MAP 2.7 SOUTHERN ALASKA
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.
Mozambique cyclone kills four By Charles Mangwiro
Fri Feb 23, 6:28 AM ET
MAPUTO (Reuters) - A powerful tropical storm killed four people and injured at least 70 in Mozambique's resort town of Vilanculos, where thousands of homes were destroyed along with the hospital and power grid, officials said on Friday. Cyclone Favio was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday as wind speeds dropped from a peak of 270 kph (170 mph) to between 60-80 kph (37-50 mph), but officials fear rains from the storm could still dramatically worsen an existing flood disaster in the center of the country.Vilanculos Mayor Selmane Amugy said the deaths occurred when Favio crashed ashore early on Thursday, hitting people's homes as they were sleeping.Four people were killed, 70 others seriously injured and some 2,000 homes were destroyed ... there are no words to describe the drama, I haven't seen such a thing in my life, he said by phone the resort town some 800 km (500 miles) north of the capital, Maputo.All 600 prisoners escaped when the local jail was destroyed and we had to evacuate some 120 patients from the rural hospital, he said.Amugy said many key buildings in Vilanculos a popular beach town favored by South African and other foreign tourists were damaged and the local airport was closed.We had to call off all operations at the airport ... trees at Tofo Beach were uprooted and homes destroyed and this worsened erosion, he said.Bazaruto Island, another popular Mozambican tourist destination which is reachable only by boats and helicopters, was still cut off from communications as the regional electricity grid was wrecked.At the peak of the summer season, Bazaruto attracts wealthy tourists from across the world to its upmarket lodges.The government has dispatched an emergency team of medical personnel, engineers and technicians to assess the damage.
Mozambique's national weather agency INAM said the weakened storm was headed northwards toward the port city of Beira, where its outer edges struck on Friday.Officials fear it may take its rains onward toward the Zambezi river basin, where several weeks of severe flooding has already displaced more than 120,000 people.It's no longer a tropical cyclone now, it's a tropical depression meaning it
has weakened but still accompanied by heavy rains ... it has winds of between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour, INAM spokesman Helder Sueia told Reuters.
Sueia said the storm unearthed trees and blew off rooftops in Beira's densely populated suburb of Pontagea on Friday.It's still taking the same direction and it's not as powerful as it was a few hours ago ... but the rains can still impact on the flooding situation, he said.Officials and humanitarian agencies are already battling to keep tens of thousands of flood refugees in central Mozambique supplied with food and fresh water.The former Portuguese colony, rising from a devastating 16 year political conflict, saw its worst disaster on record in 2000-2001 when a series of cyclones compounded widespread flooding in southern and central parts of the country, killing 700 people and driving close to half a million from their homes.
Major storm system unfolding Wayne Verno, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel Fri Feb 23, 6:29 AM ET
Midwest
Today will be the calm before the storm across the Upper Midwest and central Plains. As a storm system begins to organize across the eastern Rockies, clouds and winds will be on the increase across the central Plains and Upper Midwest. A few rain showers may develop by late day from Kansas City to Omaha, with a light wintry mix across the Upper Midwest from Fargo to Minneapolis. Areas from Chicago and St. Louis to Louisville and Cleveland should remain dry today. Overnight into Saturday, the storm system will track into the central Plains, with heavy snow developing from the northern Plains, into the western Great Lakes. Strong gusty winds in these areas will also create blizzard conditions. A wintry mix will develop south of this area from Omaha to Chicago. On the south side of the storm severe thunderstorms will erupt from the central Plains, and spread into the Middle Mississippi Valley. The threat for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail will impact areas from Goodland to Kansas City to St. Louis. Heavy rain will be likely across the Midwest and Ohio valley. The threat for heavy snow and gusty winds will remain across the western Great Lakes and Upper Midwest into Sunday, with rain and snow spreading across the Midwest and Ohio Valley. The entire system should move east of the area by early next week, but scattered snow showers will remain.
South
High pressure will briefly build across the South today, resulting in dry weather conditions. Afternoon highs today will range from the 60s across the Atlanta, Memphis, and Dallas areas, to the 70s from Houston to Orlando. Highs in the 80s will be confined to southern Florida.
Changeable weather conditions will be underway across the southern Plains and Texas today, as a storm system begins to take shape over the eastern Rockies. Winds and clouds will be on the increase from Houston to Oklahoma City, with a few rain showers possible by late day. Overnight into Saturday, numerous severe thunderstorms with tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds will erupt across northern Texas into the southern Plains. These will track east toward the Lower Mississippi Valley into Saturday. Areas from Oklahoma City and Houston, east to Memphis and New Orleans, will all be in line for potential severe thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. By Sunday the threat for widespread severe thunderstorms will diminish, but showers and a few scattered strong thunderstorms will track east across the rest of the Southern states. The storm system responsible for this active weather will move away from the area by early next week.
Northeast
Snow showers and gusty winds will linger across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic today, in the wake of a Clipper storm that moved across the area yesterday. Afternoon highs will range from the teens across Buffalo and Burlington, to the 20s across the Pittsburgh area. Highs in the 30s will be common from Boston and New York, to Washington, DC. Gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph will also remain across most areas today, pushing wind chills in the teens and 20s. On Saturday, lingering snow showers will shift into northern New England, mainly from Buffalo north through Burlington, with dry conditions expected elsewhere. By Sunday, a storm system will begin to approach the area from the west, spreading a mix of snow and ice into the Upper Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic area.
Areas from Pittsburgh and Buffalo, to Philadelphia and Washington, DC will be in line to see the wintry precipitation first. Sunday night into Monday, the threat for wintry weather will spread across the New England states, as cold temperatures will remain across the entire are over the next several days.
West
Unsettled weather will remain across the west through the weekend, as a series of weather systems continue to impact the area.
Today, low pressure will be tracking across the central Rockies, increasing the rain and snow across the Rockies. In the wake of this system, scattered rain and snow showers will remain across the west coast, from Seattle and Portland, south through San Francisco and Los Angeles. By Saturday, weather conditions will improve across the interior Rockies and Southwest, but begin to become more unsettled across the Pacific Northwest. A new storm system will bring some heavy rain and higher elevation snow to the Pacific Northwest through the day, with the activity spreading through the rest of the west coast into early next week.
Australia declares El Nino weather pattern over Wed Feb 21, 11:16 PM ET
SYDNEY (AFP) Australian forecasters said Thursday that the El Nino weather pattern blamed for the worst drought in a century had ended, and expressed cautious optimism much-needed rain was on the way. The Bureau of Meteorology said there was no guarantee the drought was over but the end of the El Nino meant there was reason to be hopeful.The 2006/07 El Nino has ended, the bureau said in a statement.While the end of the El Nino would normally be associated with a return to more normal rainfall patterns, it should not be seen as a precursor to drought-breaking rains.Nonetheless, we can be cautiously optimistic that there will be a general easing of dry conditions in drought-affected areas over the next one to two seasons.El Nino is occasional warming of the central and eastern Pacific
Ocean that typically happens every four to seven years and disrupts weather patterns from the western seaboard of Latin America to East Africa for 12-18 months.It has been blamed for flooding in the Horn of Africa and Bolivia, more severe winter monsoons in South Asia, and the lengthy drought in Australia.More often than not, El Nino events result in reduced rainfall across parts of eastern and northern Australia, particularly during winter, spring and early summer, the bureau said.However, the precise nature of the impact differs quite markedly from one event to another, even with similar changes and patterns in the Pacific Ocean.
The bureau said there was a higher-than-average chance of the El Nino being followed by a La Nina weather pattern, which occurs when the Pacific cools, offering hope of drought-breaking rains.La Nina events are generally associated with wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the eastern half of the country from about autumn, it said.The bureau said El Nino was a natural phenomenon that was extremely difficult to predict.El Nino is not a freak of climate, it's not a rogue weather phenomenon, and it isn't in any way abnormal, it said.Furthermore it is not a scourge, and as far as Australia is concerned, it shouldn't be thought of as a synonym for drought, although it's often linked to reduced rainfall in eastern and northern Australia.
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.
Indonesia eyes cement balls to stop mud Thu Feb 22, 7:41 PM ET
SURABAYA, Indonesia - Indonesian authorities will drop hundreds of giant concrete balls into a fissure Friday to try to stem a gushing mud eruption that has inundated villages and factories, an official said. The hot, noxious mud enough to fill 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools has flowed from the hole each day for the last nine months, forcing at least 11,000 people from their homes. Four villages and 25 factories have been buried under a 30-foot layer of mud.The chained cement balls, weighing up to 550 pounds each, will be dropped from a scaffolding into the so-called mud volcano on the island of Java starting Friday, said Rudi Novrianto, a spokesman for a national task force handling the disaster.If successful, the project will decrease by up to 70 percent the volume of the mud now being channeled by a system of dams into a nearby river and out to sea.
Mud fissures are fairly common along volatile tectonic belts like that one running below Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago.Opinions differ about the cause of the mudflow, the largest on record in Indonesia, but experts agree it could flow for years.Some scientists suggest the rupture was triggered by faulty gas exploration techniques by operator PT Lapindo Brantas, which created fissures in a bed of porous limestone. Other research suggests it was the result of increased seismic activity following a major earthquake two days before the mud began flowing.The government has said PT Lapindo Brantas must pay about $420 million in damages, including $276 million to the victims, by next month.
Lapindo is controlled by the family of Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie. He has repeatedly claimed the geyser was sparked by a May 27 earthquake and that his company bears no financial liability.An attempt last year to channel the mud to the sea triggered an explosion that killed 13 people when a natural gas pipeline cracked under the weight of a dam.
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast(THE EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TR BLOCKS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:(10 NATIONS) and another shall rise after them;(#11 SPAIN) and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(BE HEAD OF 3 KINGS OR NATIONS).
Poland to push for dark side to EU birthday text
22.02.2007 - 09:19 CET | By Andrew Rettman
EUOBSERVER-WARSAW Poland wants the EU's upcoming 50th birthday declaration to
mention the dark side of recent European history such as Communism and the Balkan wars, while hinting that changes to the EU voting system could become a Polish red line in future talks on the new EU constitution. It shouldn't simply be a self-celebration by the old member states. It should include our part of Europe as a parallel process experienced after WWII Warsaw's lead negotiator or sherpa on the birthday declaration, Marek Cichocki, said in Warsaw on Tuesday (21 February).It should also make mention of the dark legacy of European policy. During the great successes of extending the European Union in the 1990s, we had parallel to that a serious war in the Balkans, he added, saying the German EU presidency has a responsibility to address the tough issues. The declaration will be drafted in English by an official in the chancellery of German leader Angela Merkel. It will have three parts on EU history, EU values and the EU's future. It should be written in plain language and be no more than three pages long, the Polish negotiator said.
The dark events should go into the history section alongside the successes of setting up the single market. The history paragraphs should also state the historical truth of the EU's Christian origins, but Christianity should be kept out of the EU values chapter. Mr Cichocki warned that only values with a universal character such as human rights and rule of law should go in.
It should not represent all the values that we find in our national constitutions, because then we will have a very long list, he said. The sherpa also suggested openness as a key value a term to be understood as openness to future enlargement but also in a broader sense as openness to the influence of other cultures, including Islam, to immigration and other aspects of globalisation. The EU future section should talk about Europe as a provider of security for member states, both in terms of energy security and in the military sense. The aspect of security is very appealing, he said, referring to the Pleven Plan of 1950, which called for the creation of an EU defence community. We should recall these old ideas.
The security proposal reflects the Polish government's closeness to the hawkish world view of US president George W. Bush's Republican party, with Warsaw just a few days away from agreeing to a US plan to build an anti-ballistic missile base in Poland in a project reminiscent of the Cold War. Mr Cichocki envisaged the birthday declaration as a text that would provide a reference for many years, as a symbol of basic agreement between member states...We would be very happy if this document plays the same role as the Messina declaration.The Messina declaration by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in 1955 was a statement of intention to create the European economic community. It paved the way for the signing of the EU's founding treaty, the treaty of Rome, in 1957.(REVIVED ROME)
The Messina comparison depicts the EU birthday text as a precursor of a new EU treaty, with the German EU presidency keen to get agreement by June on how to revive the EU constitution after French and Dutch referendums in 2005 derailed the existing constitution document. The new constitution is to be put in place by 2010.
Red lines sketched
Mr Cichocki who is also Poland's sherpa in the constitution talks said negotiations on the new treaty will not start in earnest until after French presidential elections in April or May, adding that it is too early to talk about Poland's red lines.But he hinted that Warsaw will reject any text that does not change the current proposal for a new EU voting system, which ties member states' votes more
strongly to population size giving Germany more power to force through EU projects disliked by Poland. There is broad political consensus in Poland that this double majority system in the present constitution is not acceptable, Mr Cichocki said. It is as yet unclear what alternative voting rules the Polish government might come up with, but speculation is mounting that Warsaw will put forward voting-weights based on the 1949 ideas of British mathematician Lionel Penrose. The Penrose square root law says voting weight should be based not on the simple population size of individual member states, but on the square roots of national populations in a complex piece of game theory that would help Poland resist German pressure. Frankly, I don't see how any government could sell this kind of square root model in a popular referendum, Pawel Swieboda, a former high-ranking Polish diplomat who now runs the demosEUROPA think-tank in Warsaw, told EUobserver. Perhaps this will just be an interim proposal and the government will end up aiming for something different down the line such as placing a cap on the maximum voting weight that anybody could have, effectively counting Germany as, say, 70 million people instead of 82 million, he said.
ISAIAH 17:1
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Israel gripped by Syria war fears by Jacques Pinto FEB 22,07
JERUSALEM (AFP) A reported Syrian troop build-up near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has fuelled speculation in Israel about a future conflict, more than three decades after the two enemies last went to war. Syrian armed forces appear to be moving closer to the armistice line as Damascus spearheads an unprecendented armaments drive, shrieked Israel's Haaretz newspaper from its front page Thursday.The Syrian armed forces are being strengthened in a way unprecedented in recent memory with the help of generous funding from Iran, wrote military affairs correspondent Zeev Schiff.Brigadier General Yossi Beidatz, the head of military intelligence research, has also warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is preparing for conflict with Israel, possibly through Hezbollah, which fought a 34-day war with Israel last year.
Haaretz said the main thrust of Syria's armaments drive was missiles and long-range rockets, with its navy being bolstered by an Iranian missile similar to one fired by Hezbollah, killing four Israeli sailors last summer.Syria is also close to concluding a deal with Russia to procure thousands of advanced anti-tank missiles, of the sort Hezbollah used to such lethal effect against Israeli armour last year,
Haaretz reported.It appears that the Syrians have moved forces closer to the border (armistice line) with Israel on the Golan Heights, wrote Schiff, noting similar movements prior to the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.Three decades ago, a coordinated Egyptian and Syrian assault caught Israel totally off guard on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, triggering its deadliest conflict since independence in 1948.Syria has test-fired ballistic missiles, such as a Scud-D surface-to-surface missile, which would put most of Israel within range, Haaretz reported.
Israel is still smarting from its deadly pounding by more than 4,000 Hezbollah rockets that killed some 40 civilians last summer.But Defence Minister Amir Peretz was quoted by journalists as telling military officials to avoid making unnecessary comments on Syria and asking officers to steer clear of a war of words with Damascus.The situation in the field will be examined according to facts and the Israel Defence Force will prepare itself accordingly, he was quoted as saying.One aide, Amos Gilad, said he saw no immediate danger of war but that Syrian weapons purchases highlighted the need for Israel to remain combat-ready.The fact that Syria is strengthening its military capabilities does not mean we're going to be attacked tomorrow but certainly we need to be prepared, Gilad told public radio.There is no danger of war. There is no deployment of forces indicating that Israel would be threatened by an offensive tomorrow.A northern command source agreed that Syria had beefed up its troops along the armistice line as Israel did following the outbreak of war in Lebanon.
Since the end of the war, tension has remained high on both sides and at a much higher level than it was before the war. There is much more Israeli and Syrian daily military presence along the border today, the official said.But a source in the UN force in the Golan Heights charged with monitoring the armistice denied any Syrian troop build-up and lashed out an alarmist Israeli media that repeatedly brings up the topic. On Wednesday, Israel launched war games on the Golan Heights that Peretz flatly denied were connected to fears of a new conflict with Syria. Damascus has repeatedly demanded the return of the Golan, a strategic plateau which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and unilaterally annexed in 1981. It is now home to more than 15,000 settlers. Peace talks between Israel and Syria collapsed in 2000, in part because of disputes over the return of the territory.
DANIEL 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Israel Develops Solar-Powered Unmanned Aircraft
by Ezra HaLevi (INN) FEB 22,07
Israels defense industry continues to develop innovative technologies in the fields of unmanned surveillance and anti-missile protection. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is unveiling several new technologies, eagerly sought and purchased by Western armies. The latest IAI innovation is a solar-powered UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which it will unveil at an aeronautics show Friday.
The UAV runs off solar power and stores the power to continue to operate during night-time operations as well. IAI has also developed a system called Computerized Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that helps determine the aerodynamics of a plane or UAV.
British Need Israeli UAVs
Globes reported Thursday that British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan may begin using UAVs produced by another Israeli company, Elbit. Elbit is reportedly negotiating with British Defense contractors for the leasing of Hermes 450 UAVs, for which the British Army units stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq have a great need. The deal is reportedly worth $100 million and is being expedited due to the failure of Britain's current UAVs to operate correctly under the desert conditions of the Middle East.
US Wants Tank-Protection Replicated For Choppers
According to Globes, US Army officials have approached Israels Rafael Armament Development Authority with the request that it develop a version of its Trophy Active Protection System for helicopters, in addition to tanks. The system has proven successful in detonating rockets and missiles shot at tanks before they can impact the vehicle. The US officials hope a version can be designed that would protect helicopters from similar weapons. Seven US Army helicopters in Iraq have been shot down in the last two months by machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire from the ground.
POSSIBLE ROBOT
DANIEL 12:4
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
REVELATION 13:13-15
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
REVELATION 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
EU establishes single UWB market
Email articleComment on this articlePublished: 22 February 2007 10:40 AM
Industry Channel: Communications Source: The Engineer Online
The European Commission has today adopted a decision which outlines the mandatory conditions for using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in next generation wireless devices across the EU.
The decision brings a step closer a single market for consumer electronics such as laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras and televisions that can exchange data wirelessly at very high rates over short distances.By removing the cables that link the electronic devices we use in everyday life, ultra-wideband technology can extend the information society in many areas of society,’ said EU Telecoms and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. However, to benefit our citizens, it is important that we establish a functioning single market for these devices in the European Union. By adopting a harmonising decision today, the Commission allows innovators to use this new technology throughout the EU, while ensuring no interference takes place with other wireless users.UWB devices can transmit data at very high rates by spreading the signal over very broad ranges of the radio spectrum. With rates comparable to devices connected by cable, UWB is an attractive technology for the increasingly bandwidth-hungry consumer electronics industry.While the spectrum is already used by many sectors, such as mobile operators, broadcasters and the aviation community, the extremely low transmission powers of UWB signals ensure that harmful interference with these applications is avoided.With UWB, many electronic devices so far linked by cable will have a wireless alternative offering the same data rates of up to 480Mbit/s, or the speed of USB wired connections available today. Devices will therefore be able to seamlessly speak to each other whenever in range.
UWB will provide this ease-of-use to users while operating in the existing spectrum, which is currently a scarce and often very expensive resource.This decision implements the Commission's strategy to make the use of the radio spectrum in the European Union more flexible and more efficient.The technical conditions in this decision, which must be applied within the next six months throughout the EU's 27 member states, were developed following extensive compatibility studies between UWB and all other spectrum users that could potentially have been affected. The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) did the studies for the Commission.
This Week with Rabbi Eckstein
February 22, 2007
Dear Friend of The Fellowship,
There is bitter controversy in Israel right now concerning the Temple Mount, a place of great importance to both Jews and Muslims. This site in Jerusalem's Old City was the location of the two ancient Jewish temples, and is the holiest site for Judaism. But it is also the location of the Al-Aksa Mosque, and is considered by Muslims the third holiest site in the world after Mecca and Medina.
This has made it a flashpoint of conflict between Jews and Muslims.A few years ago a severe storm damaged the pedestrian bridge leading to the Temple Mount, leading government officials to close it. After very careful planning, Israel recently began replacing the decrepit walkway, with Israeli archeologists excavating nearby to ensure that no ancient treasures would be damaged due to the work.
Reasonable people call this good stewardship. Recognizing that its land contains some of the great treasures of antiquity, the Israeli government has always sought to preserve the relics of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike. In fact, at the founding of the modern State of Israel, a governmental agency, now called the Israel Antiquities Authority, was created for this specific purpose part of the fulfillment of the Declaration of the State of Israel's promise to safeguard the Holy Places of all religions.But Muslim radicals see things differently.
They say the repair work is Israel's attempt to destroy the Al Aksa Mosque even though the work is taking place several hundred feet away from the mosque itself, and numerous experts have said it poses no threat to the Muslim holy site. The Islamists are using this event to incite hatred against Israel and Jews. Some have even called for violence Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that it was time to make the Zionists regret their actions. And, just last Friday, during a rally to protest the construction work and excavation, a radical Muslim cleric preached a hate-filled sermon calling for a third intifada to save al-Aksa Mosque, free Jerusalem and end the occupation.
Time and again Israel has restated that the excavation is meant to preserve treasures, not to destroy them. To calm Muslim fears, the Israeli government has been very open about its activities at the construction site. They have opened the site to the press and have even set up webcams focused on it 24 hours a day in an effort to allow anyone in the world with Internet access to see exactly what is
being done at the site. In the midst of Muslim criticism, many have also pointed out the double
standard of criticizing Israel for simple repair work in which great care is taken to preserve irreplaceable historical artifacts. The Muslim authority that oversees the Temple Mount has routinely thrown away antiquities with little regard for their value.But all this matters little to the Muslim radicals. For them, Israel's guilt is a given, and her every action even such a simple thing as repairing a walkway is another opportunity to create and spread a negative image of the Jewish state. We want to help you review the facts and see what is happening at the Temple Mount site. Visit our blog to find a number of resources related to the Temple Mount, including a link to the webcams set up at the site, a short video made by an Israeli archeologist that cuts through the Islamists' deception, and other articles and news resources.
You can also make your opinion on this issue known in our blog comments section, and then forward this message to a friend—so that more people can know the truth of Israel's struggle for peace and security. Thank you for your continued commitment and support for Israel and her people. It is friends like you who provide encouragement in the midst of such adversity.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
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Merkel: Israel must be recognized By DAVID McHUGH, Associated Press Writer Fri Feb 23, 6:17 AM ET
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday welcomed a proposed Palestinian coalition but firmly underlined in talks with President Mahmoud Abbas the European Union stance that any new government must recognize Israel.
Abbas, on a European tour to build support for an eventual lifting of a crippling international aid embargo, said Palestinians were suffering under the cutoff, but held out hope that the new government will satisfy the donors' conditions.Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the power-sharing deal reached between Abbas' Fatah faction and the Islamic Hamas was positive because it stopped the fighting between the two factions that had cost some 130 lives in the past few months.It is good that the bloodletting, especially in Gaza, has been stopped but there is a difficult stretch in front of us,Merkel said after meeting with Abbas in Berlin.
But she returned to the conditions imposed by the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators from the EU, U.N., U.S., and Russia that any new government must give up violence, recognize Israel and accept existing agreements reached with Israel. The power-sharing deal skirts those issues, and Hamas still refuses to recognize the Jewish state.That has left the Quartet in a holding pattern, waiting to see what kind of government emerges, amid a sense that the more moderate Abbas is not entirely in control of the situation. Analysts say that the best Abbas can do on this trip is convince European governments they should remain open to the possibility of recognizing a government that includes Hamas. On Wednesday, Abbas met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.Merkel said the two had extensive discussions but she showed no wiggle room on the international demands.
We welcome the formation of a national unity government, under the condition that certain measures are fulfilled, Merkel said. That would mean that Israel's right to exist would be recognized, that violence would end and that international negotiations, as they already exist, be accepted.She added that a lot of work is yet to be done.The Quartet has met twice this month after a dormant period, after a push from Merkel and the United States. But Israel has said it won't deal with Abbas on a long-term peace deal if he goes ahead with a coalition with Hamas, limiting immediate prospects for progress toward a solution.Abbas underlined his hopes that foreign aid which formerly made up half the budget of the Palestinian authority could begin flowing again under a new government.For eight or nine months our people have been suffering under this boycott, Abbas said. We hope that by the time a new government is formed several things will happen that will improve the situation. He didn't elaborate.Abbas restated his position that Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit, abducted by Palestinian militants, be released, and that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails be set free.
World-Wide Blitz against Israel
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (INN) FEB 23,07
The United Nations, Russia, Arab states and the media have escalated an international broadside against Israel while touting the Hamas-Fatah coalition. A report by the U.N. Human Rights Council has provided the background for the Arab position, backed by Russia, that the Western-led economic boycott of Hamas must be lifted in order to fight poverty in the Gaza area.
The council report was commissioned to John Dugard, who formerly campaigned against South Africa apartheid and who concluded that the racist policy is similar to that of Israel. He defined Jews as a race and charged that the Israeli army is guilty of terror worse than that of Arab terrorists. Dugard's draft is to be published next month in a full report by the U.N. Dugard wrote that Israel's laws and practices in the [Palestinian Authority (PA)] certainly resemble aspects of apartheid. Can it seriously be denied that the purpose of such action is to establish and maintain domination by one racial group, Jews, over another racial group, Palestinians, and systematically oppress them? The report accuses Israel of terror by flying jets that set off sonic booms, forcing residents to live in fear of settler terror. Dugard also alleges that Israel still is occupying the Gaza region despite the expulsion of Jewish residents from their communities and the handover of the land to the PA. Gaza became a sealed off, imprisoned and occupied territory, he wrote. He cited Arabs for committing war crimes by attacking Israel with Kassam rockets, but added that the IDF has committed such crimes on a much greater scale.
U.N. Report Ignores Economic Aid to PA
Media throughout the world have headlined the report's assertion that Israeli restrictions on trade and movement have created conditions where the poorest families are now living a meager existence totally reliant on assistance, with no electricity or heating and eating food prepared with water from bad sources.The report's timing is especially sensitive, coming to light after both Israel and the U.S. indicated that they will maintain the boycott after the planned Fatah-Hamas coalition cabinet takes office unless it clearly commits itself to recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and adherence to previous agreements with Israel, noted the London Independent. The report ignores aid that has been redirected through the offices of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in order to bypass Hamas, leaving the PA as one of the world's largest recipients of foreign economic aid. The International Monetary Fund (International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that the PA received $709 million in aid in 2006, double the amount received in 2005.
The aid figures do not include hundreds of millions of dollars invested by various U.N. agencies in Gaza.In addition, Hamas leaders have smuggled more than $60 million into Gaza. Another report by a U.N. agency and published by Reuters News Agency blames Israel's attack on Gaza's only power station for leaving the Occupied Palestinian Territories without electricity. However, Dugard does not mention that Israel's Ashkelon power plant also provides electricity to many PA residents.
Britain To Deal with Moderate Hamas Elements
The increasing blame on Israel for problems in the PA, along with the mounting pressure from Russia have contributed to a change in the policy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has indicated he is prepared to deal with Hamas. It is far easier to deal with the situation in Palestine if there is a national unity government, he said. I hope we can make progress, including even with the more
sensible elements of Hamas.The United States has been the staunchest opponent of lifting the sanctions against Hamas, but American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has conceded that Abbas out-maneuvered Israel by collaborating with Hamas to form a unity government, which she stated has made the situation more complicated.The result was a meeting this week between her, Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, that analysts agreed was an exercise in rhetoric, although the conversation included angry shouts between the Israeli and PA leaders.
Mashaal To Visit Moscow
The Quartet so far has insisted Hamas meet international demands, but the terrorist organization continues to drum up international support, starting with Russia, one of the members of the Quartet. Syrian-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is scheduled to visit Moscow from Sunday to Tuesday, as Moscow continues to ignore Israeli pleas that international powers not conduct talks with leaders of the Hamas organization. Abbas, the leader of the Fatah movement, has been courting European nations, claiming that the unity government is committed to meeting international conditions even though Hamas explicitly refuses to do so. Fatah has paid lip-service to the conditions, but terrorist attacks by Fatah terrorists continue almost daily. Abbas also has conditioned his recognition of Israel on demands, which every recent Israeli government has categorically stated are unreasonable. Abbas has said a Jewish state could be recognized only after Jerusalem becomes the capital of a new Arab country and millions of Arabs in foreign countries are allowed to live in Israel. Abbas's problem is that Hamas is considered to be more powerful than Fatah, according to Turi Munthe, associate fellow at the Royal United Service Institute in London.
Muslim States Pressuring Quartet
A group of 57 Muslim countries meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has agreed to step up pressure and try to force the Quartet to lift the economic sanctions against Hamas. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) also continues to accuse Israel of endangering the Al Aksa mosque by conducting archaeological operations near the Temple Mount. In light of the positive developments in Palestine and formation of the national unity government, the international embargo against Palestinians has no justification, said Ekmel Al Deen Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the OIC. He called on the Arab countries, including oil-rich kingdoms, to provide financial and moral support to Jerusalem Arabs and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Iran increased nuke activity, report says Nations meeting next week on sanctions Friday, February 23, 2007 George Jahn ASSOCIATED PRESS
VIENNA, Austria Iran has ignored a U.N. Security Council ultimatum to freeze uranium enrichment a possible pathway to nuclear arms and has instead expanded its program by setting up hundreds of centrifuges, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said yesterday. The finding paves the way for new U.N. sanctions. Hours later, the United States said key countries would meet next week to try to develop new U.N. sanctions against Iran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report to the Security Council and its 35-nation board that Tehran also has continued to build a heavy-water reactor and related facilities which, along with enrichment, could help it develop nuclear arms. In addition, the report said Iran ignored a Security Council call to cooperate with the agency in its efforts to shed light on suspicious nuclear activities. The conclusions, while widely expected, were important because they could serve as the trigger for the council to start deliberating on new sanctions meant to punish Iran for its nuclear intransigence. In Washington, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said he will travel to London on Monday to meet with the United States’ negotiating partners to try to draft a new resolution to sanction Iran. Burns said he hopes the United States and other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany, can quickly draft a resolution to see Iran repudiated again.In Tehran, the deputy head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammed Saeedi, ruled out suspending enrichment, saying such demands were against Iran’s rights, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and international regulations.Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, Iran’s chief delegate to the U.N. agency, said sanctions against the Islamic republic create only more solidarity of the Iranian nation to protect their inalienable rights.
The Security Council issued three demands to Iran on Dec. 23 freeze uranium enrichment, stop building heavy-water facilities and fully cooperate with the agency.
It introduced limited sanctions and gave Iran 60 days to comply a deadline that expired Wednesday. The agency report prepared by director Mohamed ElBaradei showed Iran has instead expanded its enrichment efforts setting up nearly 1,000 uranium-spinning centrifuges in and above an underground bunker, enriching minute amounts of uranium and bringing nearly 9 tons of the gaseous feedstock into its underground nuclear facility at Natanz in preparation for enrichment. Iranian officials also informed the agency that they would expand their centrifuge installations to close to 3,000 by May, the report said. Iran’s stated goal is running 54,000 centrifuges at Natanz to churn out enriched uranium enough for dozens of nuclear weapons a year. Iran maintains it wants to develop enrichment only to generate power. Even before the agency’s report was issued, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. and its allies would use the Security Council to bring Iran back to negotiations over its nuclear program.
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