2 KILLED IN QUEBEC FIREWORKS BUILDING EXPLOSION

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

AND ALSO IN CALGY THERES A SOUR-GAS PIPELINE LEAK.AND THE PLACE WERE IT IS OCCURRING THE PEOPLE ARE BEING EVACUATED.

Sour gas pipeline rupture forces evacuation of Alberta homes

CBC News Posted: Jun 20, 2013 11:30 AM MT Last Updated: Jun 20, 2013 11:25 AM MT

(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)

An emergency alert has been issued for a hazardous materials release that is threatening life and the environment in Turner Valley, Alta.
A sour gas pipeline rupture has caused a release of H2S in the town located southwest of Calgary.
Emergency crews have evacuated buildings in the affected areas and will continue to monitor the situation.
Officials are advising people to move indoors and stay inside, but also be prepared to relocate.
Also, officials suggest people seek medical attention if they are experiencing breathing difficulties.

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Quebec fireworks explosion: 2 killed in blast

Quebec provincial police are investigating a massive explosion at a fireworks factory west of Montreal.

Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS

A plume of smoke rises from the B.E.M. fireworks factory, about 60 kilometres southwest of Montreal.

By: The Canadian Press, Published on Thu Jun 20 2013

COTEAU-DU-LAC, QUE. — Two people were killed in a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse that rattled homes and sent up a cloud of smoke that could be seen for kilometres outside Montreal.

The subsequent inferno prompted a shutdown of the adjacent highway, causing a huge traffic jam, and an evacuation of surrounding homes and a campground.Provincial police said two bodies were found in the wreckage.The initial explosion at B.E.M. Fireworks occurred just before 9 a.m. Thursday and completely destroyed the building, which was reduced to charred scraps.A series of sparkly blasts followed.A plume of thick, dark smoke emanated from the blast site, located near Valleyfield, Que., roughly 60 kilometres southwest of Montreal. The vibrations could be felt for kilometres and the smoke could also be seen from neighbouring municipalities.“We got really, really, really scared,” said Ginette Liboiron, who runs a convenience store across the highway overpass.“I thought my store was falling to the ground. It shook like you can't imagine ... We all went outside to see and saw the big, incredible smoke.“Then the fireworks went off.”According to its website, B.E.M. has been designing and manufacturing pyrotechnics and fireworks for 25 years.One area resident said the explosion scared her cats. Another said his dog slammed into a wall.

The two panicked felines went scampering under the bed. Madeleine Boucher said she watched the explosion from her window 700 metres away.“It was impressive,” she said, joking that the incident would have prettier at night.“Wasn't very pleasant, though ... I wouldn't say I was scared for myself, no, but I'd have been scared if I lived closer.”Another man, whose dog slammed into the wall, was about to have breakfast with his wife.Roland Desforges says his wife thought the explosion might have been a plane crash or an act of war. But he says he instantly suspected it might be the neighbouring fireworks plant.He says he went to the overpass to get a look.He believes the initial explosion occurred in the middle of three buildings on the compound: in the production plant, which he says is centred between the fireworks store and its storage facility.“In seconds there was nothing left,” Desforges, 68, said of the plant.The company occupies a sprawling property near Highway 20 that includes a store and warehouse. According to the Quebec business registry, the company employs between six and 10 people.Liboiron said she has run the nearby store for 37 years and had never worried about being next to the fireworks factory.That indifference went up in a cloud of smoke.“It was gigantic,” she said of the smoke.“It went high up in the air, then it became black, black, black.”

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,(TORNADOES,HURRICANES,STORMS) and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:(DESTRUCTION) for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.(FROM QUAKES,NUKES ETC)

THE FIRST JUDGEMENT OF THE EARTH STARTED WITH WATER-IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THE LAST GENERATION WILL BE HAVING FLOODING
GENESIS 7:6-12
6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
GOD PROMISED BY A RAINBOW-THE EARTH WOULD NEVER BE DESTROYED TOTALLY WITH A FLOOD AGAIN.BUT FLOODIING IS A SIGN OF JUDGEMENT.

2 people missing in Alberta's heavy rains

Emergencies declared in Canmore, Bragg Creek, High River, Black Diamond

CBC News Posted: Jun 20, 2013 6:12 AM MT Last Updated: Jun 20, 2013 11:30 AM MT

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RCMP are searching for two adults in the rain-swelled Highwood River after their trailer capsized near Longview, Alta., 85 kilometres south of Calgary.The heavy rain prompted officials in the mountain town of Canmore, west of Calgary, to declare a local state of emergency after the banks of a creek that runs through the community became unstable.About 40 homes south of the pedestrian bridge over Cougar Creek were evacuated at 2 a.m. MT on Thursday, Canmore Mayor John Borrowman said.“The situation is actually bad and getting worse,” he said. “Now some of the smaller creeks are starting to flood.”The evacuees were taken in at the town’s civic centre and at two local hotels.Other residents are being alerted to be ready to move if necessary.Power is out at various locations throughout the town, officials said.Both the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 1A are closed to eastbound and westbound traffic at Cougar Creek.
“We do not advise travel this way," said Canmore RCMP Const. Jeff Jantz. “Don’t come.”Crews are using heavy machinery to try to redirect some of the water surging into the Bow River, he said.John E. Marriott, a photographer who lives along Cougar Creek, said the raging torrent is now four metres from his house.
A Canmore resident watches the rising Cougar Creek early Thursday morning. (Courtesy John E. Marriott)“The little tiny creek that is behind our house … has gone from being two inches deep and about three metres wide to being 150 metres wide and about five metres deep,” he said.Another 50 to 60 millimetres of rain is forecast in the area before the skies are expected to clear later on Friday.

Calgary, other towns, in state of emergency

Canmore is about 100 kilometres west of Calgary, where city officials also declared a state of local emergency late Thursday morning "based on the potential severity of the incoming high river flows in conjunction with expected heavy rainfall," the city siad in release.City officials are implementing flood response plans including deployment of sandbags and temporary dams at key locations.High River, about 70 kilometres south of Calgary, also declared a state of emergency early Thursday morning after the Highwood River started overflowing its banks.
The Elbow River is spilling over its banks in Bragg Creek. (Tara Weber/CBC)Officials are encouraging residents in the Wallaceville area of town to leave their homes. Campers in George Lane Park have also been told to leave.The town’s emergency operations centre is open, and crews have been called in to begin sandbagging.A flood warning has also been issued for Kananaskis Country west and south of Calgary, as the Sheep River threatens to burst its banks in the Okotoks area.That river also flows through the towns of Turner Valley and Black Diamond, where some residents of low-lying areas are being told to leave their homes.The Oilfields Arena in Black Diamond is being has been opened as a reception centre.The hamlet of Bragg Creek, 44 km west of Calgary on the edge of K-Country, is also in a state of emergency as the Elbow River surges over its banks.Just downstream in the townsite of Redwood Meadows, administration manager Pat Evans said the water is higher than it was during the last big flood in 1995.In southwest Alberta, parts of the Crowsnest Pass are being evacuated because of high water levels.
Some residents of Blairmore, about 240 km southwest of Calgary, are being asked to leave their homes.
A reception centre has been set up at the sports complex in the neighbouring community of Coleman.

BERNANKE STOPS THE FREE PRINTING PRESSESS NO FREE CASH TO BANKS/BIG COMPANIES

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

Israeli PM criticises EU decision on Hezbollah

Today @ 13:36 JUNE 20,13

By EUOBSERVER

Israeli PM Netanyahu told EU foreign policy chief Ashton in Jerusalem on Thursday that EU countries are wrong not to blacklist Lebanese group Hezbollah. "If Hezbollah isn't a terrorist organisation, I don't know what is a terrorist organisation ... They're murdering civilians without letup, including on European soil," he said.

EU countries block blacklisting of Hezbollah

Today @ 09:28 JUNE 20,13

By Andrew Rettman

BRUSSELS
- A small group of EU countries has again blocked Britain's bid to blacklist Lebanese group Hezbollah.Diplomatic sources said Austria and the Czech republic led opposition at a meeting of EU countries' counter-terrorism specialists in Brussels on Wednesday (19 June).Ireland, Italy and Poland also voiced concerns.Objections centre around shaky evidence that Hezbollah bombed a bus containing Jewish tourists in Bulgaria last year.The Bulgarian foreign ministry told EUobserver on Wednesday its investigation is incomplete. Its spokesman, Dimitar Yaprakov, said Sofia is still waiting for "replies to the current judicial requests in connection with the Bulgarian investigation from our foreign partners."Some of the naysayers are worried the move might destabilise Lebanon, where Hezbollah is a popular political party.The details of the British proposal - to blacklist Hezbollah's military wing, but not its political branch - are also posing problems."The Czech position is that it's impossible to separate the military arm [of Hezbollah] from the civilian one," an EU source said.The talks are set to continue.But Britain plans to kick them up a level, leaving aside the security specialists and turning to senior EU diplomats or foreign ministers instead.EU foreign policy heavyweights France, Germany and the Netherlands back London.Another EU diplomat said Wednesday's talks saw more countries fall into the pro-sanctions camp."More member states came round to the view that Hezbollah needs to be listed … This was only the second meeting on the subject and there is a clear momentum towards listing the group. But now it will have to be discussed at a more senior level," the contact said.If the UK gets its way, pro-Hezbollah sympathisers in Europe will find it more difficult to donate money.It will also stigmatise Israel's fiercest enemy in the Middle East."We have been saying for a long time that the EU needs to take this, maybe bold, but necessary step," Yoel Mester, the spokesman for the Israeli mission to the EU, said.

Health Officials: Arab 'Traffic' Puts Israel At Risk for MERS

Israeli health officials said they were keeping a close eye on the spread of a new virus in the Middle East

By David Lev-First Publish: 6/20/2013, 4:51 PM-Israelnationalnews

Allenby crossing-Flash 90

Israeli health officials said they were keeping a close eye on the potential spread of a new virus that has been spreading throughout the Middle East, and were ready with plans to present an epidemic in Israel. The existence of the new disease, MERS – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – has been known to scientists for some weeks, but its existence was publicized Thursday in the New York Times.Similar to SARS, MERS spreads quickly, but is more deadly than SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. SARS has been since 2003, but there is no specific vaccine for it, and scientists said that that was likely to be true for MERS as well.Doctors have been observing the symptoms associated with MERS in a growing number of patients for the past year, but only in the past month or so has it become clear that a specific virus was responsible. Nearly all the cases so far have been seen in Saudi Arabia, with several others seen in Gulf countries, Tunisia, and Jordan. In addition, the disease has been seen in Arab populations in Italy, Britain, and France
Many of the cases have been spread in hospitals, but doctors are not sure what the mechanism for spreading – suh as sneezing, physical contact, etc. - is. What frightens researchers is the extremely high fatality rate; out of sixty established cases, 38 people died, for a fatality rate of 65%. At its worst in 2003, the fatality rate for SARS was about 8%.Israeli health officials said that they were increasing their vigilance at hospitals, and were preparing to isolate patients who displayed the symptoms. The officials said that due to the ongoing traffic of Arabs between Israel and Jordan, and from their to the rest of the Arab world, Israel was at a “significant risk” of experiencing an outbreak.

06/19/2013 VATICAN INSIDER

100 days of Francis: Reality and expectations

Pope Francis

A summary of what’s new in Francis’ papacy, his most important messages and the changes introduced

Andrea Tornielli vatican city Now that the Pope has completed 100 days in office, analysts are beginning to weigh up changes, the first criticisms and the attempts by some to pigeonhole the new Pope as either a liberal or a conservative and the increasingly spasmodic expectations of new appointments and reforms.In his first 100 days as Pope, Benedict XVI nominated the American William Levada as his successor at the helm of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Similarly, Francis nominated Mario Aurelio Poli as his successor to the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. Benedict XVI also promoted Wojtyla’s former secretary Stanislao Dziwisz as Archbishop of Krakow, sending him away from Rome and the Roman Curia. But no changes were made to the Secretariat of State leadership within the first 100 days or even the first year of Ratzinger’s pontificate, despite the fact Cardinal Angelo Sodano was over 75.After his election, Benedict XVI “nominated His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano as Secretary of State” and confirmed that cardinals and archbishops who were heads of dicasteries would continue in their positions  donec aliter provideatur, "until other provisions are made”. The Substitute and the Secretary for Relations with States’ positions were also confirmed and the secretaries of Curia dicasteries had their positions confirmed for a further five years. Francis’ steps have been less bold: he “expressed the desire that the Heads and members of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, as well as their Secretaries, continue provisionally in their respective positions” until further notice.  The emphasis on the “provisional” nature of these positions implies that the Pope intends to change the Secretary of State and the heads of other dicasteries and offices in the future.As suspense builds over the appointment of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone’s successor and the announced reform in the Roman Curia, the risk is that all that has happened during Francis’ first 100 days in office will fade into the background.One of the new elements of Francis’ papacy are the daily private or semi public morning masses celebrate din St. Martha’s House. Some have criticised these as quick and sweet spiritual messages that lack theological depth. But these homilies, together with his first improvised public speeches represent a spiritual programme in themselves. Francis has taken themes addressed during the previous pontificate and communicated them with greater vigour. For example the importance of mercy, the condemnation of careerism, the diminution of the Church to a company or a self-referential community. He has also sent out new messages of his own: going out into the “geographical and existential peripheries.” Those who claim he has not done anything worthy of note so far, obviously referring to important nominations and structural reforms, risks becoming blind to what has already been done or started.Francis’ sober style, his decision to get around without packs of bodyguards and the hours he spends among the crowds, embracing children and the sick, showing the world what is really important in life, shows he is light years away from the classical bishop’s figure and born again clericalism. Even before making any nominations or deciding to streamline the Curia, Bergoglio has sent out some unequivocal signs of renewal which cannot be ignored.The Pope has received criticisms both in and outside the Curia, for acting too much like a parish priest, speaking too much and desacralizing the figure of Pope. Some have been examining every single word uttered by the new Pope, to see is they are Catholic enough, in the context of non-negotiable values for example. Websites that are loyal to certain popes remain an enigmatic phenomenon. After discrediting John Paul II to exalt Benedict XVI some are now using sarcasm to attack Francis’ every move, for the same reason, or they attack Bergoglio’s predecessor to glorify him. The general impression is that these types of criticisms have no basis in reality.What is clear is that 100 days after Bergoglio’s election to the Throne of Peter, the public’s perception has certainly changed. After years of focusing on the scandals surrounding the Vatican, media attention is now concentrated on the sense of change which the Argentinean pope represent: his message, his language and the references he makes.

ISAIAH 17:1,11-14
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
11  In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
12  Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations,(USELESS U.N) that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13  The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
14  And behold at evening tide trouble; and before the morning he is not.(ASSAD) This is the portion of them that spoil us,(ISRAEL) and the lot of them that rob us.

JEREMEIAH 49:23-27
23  Concerning Damascus.(SYRIA) Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea;(WAR SHIPS WITH NUKES COMING ON SYRIA) it cannot be quiet.
24  Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
25  How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26  Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
27  And I will kindle a fire (NUKES OR BOMBS) in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.(ASSADS PALACES POSSIBLY IN DAMASCUS)

PSALMS 83:3-7
3 They (ARABS,MUSLIMS) have taken crafty counsel against thy people,(ISRAEL) and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5 For they (MUSLIMS) have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:(TREATIES)
6 The tabernacles of Edom,(JORDAN) and the Ishmaelites;(ARABS) of Moab, PALESTINIANS,JORDAN) and the Hagarenes;(EGYPT)
7 Gebal,(HEZZBALLOH,LEBANON) and Ammon,(JORDAN) and Amalek;(SYRIA,ARABS,SINAI) the Philistines (PALESTINIANS) with the inhabitants of Tyre;(LEBANON)

France's Fabius wants more talks with Syria rebels before arming

By John Irish | Reuters – 1 hr 31 mins ago JUNE 20,13

By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - France said on Thursday it needed more talks with Syrian rebels before it could supply them with heavy weapons and said recent gains by Syrian government forces did not mean President Bashar al-Assad was heading for a "complete victory."Foreign ministers from the Friends of Syria anti-Assad alliance, which includes the United States, France, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, will meet on Saturday in the Qatari capital Doha to discuss assistance for the Free Syrian Army.France, which has actively supported the rebels in its former colony, has not yet chosen to arm them since pushing, along with Britain, to have an EU arms embargo lifted. It says it will not make a decision before August 1."As far as weapons go, there is no question of delivering weapons in conditions that we aren't sure about and that means we won't deliver weapons so that they are turned against us," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told reporters during a visit to the annual Paris Airshow."It's one of the reasons why we need more consultations with General Salim Idriss who is the commander on the ground."Saturday's conference follows a high-level Friends of Syria meeting in Ankara last week among diplomats and intelligence officers during which Idriss discussed his needs ranging from tent pegs and intelligence to anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, according to diplomatic sources.Syria's 27-month conflict appears to be reaching a turning point after Assad's forces backed by Iran and Lebanese militia Hezbollah captured Qusair, in central Homs province near the Lebanese border, earlier this month.Assad's troops have since turned their attention to retake Aleppo, the Damascus suburbs and parts of the south of the country where they have been mired in a bloody stalemate with rebels for nearly a year.
"DICTATOR"
"It isn't possible that just like that Assad achieves a complete victory. Anyway he remains a dictator," Fabius said.With rebels struggling to push back advances by forces loyal to Assad, Paris argues that something must be done urgently to change the balance of power.At a summit of the Group of Eight nations in Northern Ireland this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin harshly criticized the Western talks about arming the rebels while defending his own supplies of arms for Assad.French sources said a "political decision" among the 11-strong core group of nations to help Idriss has been made, but that states still had to "tick boxes" for what they would offer."We have discussed with Idriss to see how we could help him collectively and in a complimentary way," said one source. "Some people can provide certain things and others different things, and all that fairly quickly."Paris has so far given non-lethal aid including bullet proof vests, night vision goggles and communications equipment to Idriss. It is ready to widen the scale of equipment and provide "technical assistance" such as sophisticated weapons training and intelligence."If we want Idriss to have absolute control of all opposition fighting brigades then we'll be waiting a long time," said the source."We need to do something dynamic to strengthen his command structure quickly and progressively to have an impact."
(Editing by Gareth Jones)

Rebels hang on near Damascus, hope for deal on arms from Jordan

By Erika Solomon | Reuters – 1 hr 25 mins ago JUNE 20,13

By Erika Solomon

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels besieged in the outskirts of Damascus say they are facing a slow but steady advance by President Bashar al-Assad's forces, and are pinning their hopes on an anticipated influx of weapons from the Jordanian border.Opposition fighters once threatened Assad's dominance of Damascus but are now struggling to repel his forces, who have been emboldened by winning a strategic border town further north and have help from Lebanese Hezbollah militants and Shi'ite Iraqi fighters."The regime's goal is to slowly bleed us until we are forced to surrender. They are advancing slowly to preserve their fighting force," said Amran, an activist speaking by Skype from the ring of suburbs known as the Eastern Ghouta.
Rebel prospects for reversing Assad's gains in Damascus may now hinge on military support from Western and Arab backers."We can survive for a long time, because our fighters know the terrain, but until we get weapons we cannot repel the advance," Amran said.The rebels believe a recent U.S. decision to give them military support will re-open an arms pipeline from Jordan that was shut down as the United States and Russia negotiated a planned "Geneva 2" peace conference.But this week's G8 meeting saw no narrowing of the differences between Moscow, Assad's main arms supplier, and Washington, which wants Assad to step down in any transition.Despite Washington's reluctance to define what kind of help it is willing to give, the mostly Sunni Muslim rebels expect Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia to step up support to help them fight Assad. He is backed by Riyadh's regional Shi'ite rival Iran in a two-year conflict that has become increasingly regionalized."We had several meetings in Jordan and Ankara and discussed opening the weapons pipeline to the Damascus rebels from Jordan. I expect good news soon ... We will be getting advanced weaponry but I cannot say what kind," said Abu Moaz al-Agha, a spokesman and commander from the Ansar al-Islam brigades in Damascus.Rebels want anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to challenge the dominance of Assad's air force, which has allowed him to keep rebels on the defensive even in their own territories through daily air strikes."We still need time to plan out the system for delivering the weapons. But I am hoping that within 30 days there will be changes on the ground," Agha said, speaking by Skype.Over the past two months, rebels around Damascus lost nearly all their supply lines and are struggling to get enough food, let alone weapons, into the eastern and southern outskirts of the capital.There has been a slow increase in weapons supplies in recent days, particularly to the north, where Assad's forces are also planning a slow encroachment on rebel strongholds in Aleppo.
WAITING FOR REBEL SUPPORT
As well as getting arms over the southern border, the Damascus rebels need opposition forces in neighboring Deraa province to alleviate the blockade from outside."We are trapped inside al-Ghouta and there is absolutely no route into the area if the mujahideen (holy warriors) in the south do not come to open the front," said activist Amran.But infighting and rivalries have long plagued the rebels - it is what made Western powers hesitant to back their fractious forces and has also sabotaged many rebel efforts to unite against Assad offensives across the country.In the Ghouta region, mistrust and greed has prevented fighters blocking advances as they await help, some rebels say."The regime is advancing on the Marj area and has taken several towns in a critical part of the rebel base here. Unfortunately the blame for this lies on us as much as them," said a fighter speaking by Skype, who asked not to be named."Some of the biggest brigades here are focusing on cementing their control on specific towns, to loot factories and seize all the supplies. They've ignored the wider cause," he said.Assad's forces are also advancing on the Sayyeda Zainab district, which houses an important Shi'ite shrine and has been used as a rallying call for Shi'ite fighters.Syria's conflict has killed more than 93,000 people and has descended from a popular protest movement against four decades of Assaf family rule into a civil war with sectarian overtones.The country's Sunni majority and has enjoyed rising but inconsistent support from Sunni countries, including a flow of radical Islamist fighters. Assad has relied on minorities, particularly his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, and a staunchly loyal support system from Hezbollah and Iran.An activist working with the rebels in Damascus said that while he believed the rebels had a good chance of holding out until a weapons pipeline was made from Jordan, the chance of seizing Sayyeda Zainab has likely been lost."Our own men here betrayed the cause," he said. "Now our only help is our brothers from outside."(Editing by Philippa Fletcher)

New Palestinian prime minister offers resignation: official

Reuters – 1 hr 0 mins ago JUNE 20,13

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has offered his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas just two weeks after taking office, an official in his press office told Reuters on Thursday.It was not immediately clear whether Abbas would accept the resignation by Hamdallah, an academic and political independent whose cabinet only met for the first time last week.The government source told Reuters that Hamdallah made the abrupt, unexpected move because of a "dispute over his powers".Hamdallah's cabinet consists overwhelmingly of members of the Fatah party led by Abbas, and political commentators immediately questioned how much room he would have to maneuver.His predecessor, American-educated economist Salam Fayyad, resigned in April after six years in power defined by tough economic challenges and rivalries with Fatah politicians, who were eager to get their hands on the levers of power.Since a brief civil war in 2007 between the Western-backed secular Fatah party and the Islamist group Hamas, Palestinians have had no functioning parliament or national elections.Abbas exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank while Hamas, which won 2006 legislative polls, has its own prime minister in the Gaza Strip.(Reporting by Hamoudeh Hassan, Noah Browning, Writing by Ori Lewis in Jerusalem, Editing by Jeffrey Heller)

Egyptian court frees Mubarak-era prime minister Nazif

By Tom Perry | Reuters – 30 mins ago JUNE 20,13

By Tom Perry

CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court ordered the release of former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif on Thursday because of a limit on pre-trial detention in a corruption case for which he had been held since the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.Nazif, who still faces a retrial, is the highest-profile Mubarak-era official to be freed in corruption cases which have failed to produce convictions that stick - prompting frustrated opponents of the old regime to criticize the justice system.The court accepted an appeal lodged by Nazif, who was prime minister from 2004 until Mubarak replaced him during the uprising in January 2011 in an effort to appease public opinion.A lawyer for Nazif, Mohamed Salah al-Buheiri, said he expected his client to leave prison by Saturday at the latest after two years and two months in detention.Mubarak, a general who ruled for 30 years, is also in pre-trial detention: the life sentence he received last year for complicity in the murder of protesters was overturned in January on appeal.The release order for Nazif, 60, is likely to fuel anger among opposition groups which are mobilizing for protests aimed at forcing President Mohamed Mursi from office one year since the Muslim Brotherhood politician took office on June 30.
"The problem is that they are being tried in the ordinary judicial system, according to laws made by Mubarak and his group," said Osama Diab at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, an independent rights organization."They were in control of the auditing agencies and had the ability to hide evidence," he added.
Nazif was sentenced to three years in jail in September for the unlawful possession of property and for making illegal profits from a public-interest company. Prosecutors accused him of making some $10 million from corrupt dealings. But that conviction was overturned in February and a retrial ordered.In 2011, as protesters swarmed Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding change, Mubarak fired Nazif, who had worked closely with the president's son Gamal Mubarak in a program of liberal economic reforms. But that failed to defuse public fury."The court ruled that he be released as long as he is not wanted in other cases, and Dr. Ahmed is not wanted in other cases. He will be released, God willing, either today or Saturday," Buheiri said. Friday is Egypt's weekly holiday.(Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Alistair Lyon)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HELICOPTER BENS COPTER GETS GROUNDED.OOPS NO FREE CASH FOR THE BANKS AND BIG COMPANIES WHICH MEANS.NO LENDING TO CUSTOMERS AND HIGH PRICES FOR FOOD AND GOODS.ONCE THE PRINTER IS SHUT DOWN-THE CITIZENS PAY THE BILLS IN CARBON AND OTHER ENVIROMENTAL SCAM TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOSS OF ALL THE BILLIONS OF FREE CASH BY BERNANKES PRINTER. 

Obama’s ‘firing’ of Fed chief Bernanke strikes a nerve

June 19, 2013, 9:54 AM

Like the subject of his comments, President Obama’s sparse words to Charlie Rose about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke were almost uncanny in their ability to send Fed watchers into a state of convulsion.

CharlieRose.com

President Obama responds to a question from Charlie Rose.

In an interview that aired Tuesday morning, Obama said of the economist who’s led the U.S. central bank since 2006: “He’s already stayed a lot longer than he wanted or he was supposed to.” And later that day, former Fed governor Laurence Meyer provided his commentary: “He essentially fired Ben Bernanke on the spot and gave him a fairly tepid testimonial afterward.”Whether or not that’s true, the reactions to Obama’s comments certainly struck a nerve, and that speaks to the lack of certainty over the economy after Bernanke’s departure. (Learn about seven top candidates to succeed Bernanke as Fed chief.) Bernanke’s likely exit has been on the radar for some time, but Tuesday’s developments forced Fed watchers to start seriously considering a post-Bernanke era.Pimco’s Mohamed El-Erian tackled the issue of life after Bernanke in a commentary Tuesday. He noted that the next Fed chair won’t have a lack of challenges on his plate:“He leaves his successor with a set of unprecedented and unresolved problems to contend with, from weaning the economy off life support to navigating the consequences of an unusually large balance sheet. And with so much uncertainty about the success of the Bernanke way, econ textbooks and quarterly unemployment figures just don’t hold enough answers to how his stewardship of the U.S. economy will play itself out in the years ahead.”As such, Bernanke will need to lay a firm foundation for his successor, El-Erian writes:“But let’s hope that he is also remembered for having built the foundation that enabled his successor, working with a more functional political system, to guide the United States back to the path of high economic growth, robust job creation, low inflation, and greater wealth equality. That would be a new normal we could all get behind.”It also didn’t take long for the twitterati to get talking about Bernanke’s legacy, and who will succeed him:

Markets roiled by Bernanke's exit strategy

By PAN PYLAS | Associated Press – 46 mins ago JUNE 20,13

LONDON (AP) — Financial markets were roiled Thursday by a clear signal from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the central bank may be done with its monetary stimulus by next year. While stocks and commodities took a pounding on the news, the dollar surged.For nearly five years, the Fed has been pursuing an aggressive monetary policy to shore up the U.S. economy, which was battered by the financial crisis in 2008. Now that the U.S. economy has shown signs of improvement, Bernanke said the Fed is considering when it should start normalizing its policy.In the latest round of its monetary stimulus program — known as quantitative easing, or QE — the Fed has been buying $85 billion worth of financial assets each month to keep long-term interest rates low. This, it hopes, will boost borrowing and spending. After the Fed's decision to keep the policy unchanged, Bernanke confirmed that the central bank's purchases will likely slow down this year and end next year. When the reduction — so-called tapering — begins will hinge on the U.S. economic data, though.That prompted some concern among investors who have grown used to the Fed's active involvement in the financial markets — the Dow tumbled over 200 points Wednesday while oil and gold prices slid — even though the remarks signal a healthier U.S. economic outlook. Much of the reason why a number of assets, including stocks around the world, have advanced over the past few years is that the money created by central banks through QE has found itself in financial markets."With an unexpectedly upbeat assessment of the U.S.'s economic prospects, an exit path from quantitative easing was duly mapped out," said Mike Ingram, market strategist at BGC Partners. "I was clearly not alone in being caught off guard; markets worldwide have plunged in response. The tide of red now engulfing my screens is indeed impressive in its breadth-if not yet depth. Virtually every financial asset has been sold. Equity, credit, bonds, commodities; all have suffered."In Europe's stock markets, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares slid 2.4 percent at 6,199 while Germany's DAX dropped 2.5 percent to 7,991. The CAC-40 in France was 2.6 percent lower at 3,739.In the U.S., stocks were down again, with the Dow Jones industrial average 1.1 percent lower at 14,951 and the broader S&P 500 index down the same rate at 1,610.
Earlier, stocks in Asia tanked too, with stocks further negatively impacted by a private survey showing a slowdown in manufacturing in China in June. Among Asia's markets, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell 1.7 percent to 13,014.58 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng tumbled 2.9 percent to 20,382.87.It's not just stocks that have responded to the developments with the Fed. U.S. Treasuries have slid, and the yield on the country's benchmark ten-year bond has risen to 2.39 percent, its highest level since October 2011.In the currency markets, the dollar has pushed higher as the prospect of new Fed money has diminished in light of Bernanke's statement. The euro was down a further 0.6 percent at $1.3191 while the dollar rose 1.1 percent to 97.75 yen.The dollar's surge is having a particular impact on commodities, which are priced in the currency.The benchmark New York oil price was down $2.40 at $96.08 a barrel, while the gold price slid 5.7 percent, or a little little under $79, to three-year lows of $1,294.50 an ounce.Michael Hewson, senior market analyst at CMC Markets, said gold, for so long a preferred investment for the risk-averse, could fall further now that the $1,300 level has been breached."While the timeline for the Fed exit strategy is very much data dependent and based on a whole host of economic indicators between now and next summer, gold prices have slid sharply as the dollar goes sharply bid across the board," said Hewson.

TROPICAL STORM ON WAY TO MEXICO

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

Mark McConville – 19 June 2013

THIS video shows Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano, one of the most active in the world, erupting - spewing ash and rock three miles high.

Shockwaves can be seen at the beginning of the footage, followed by the horrifying eruption - sending burning debris to surrounding areas.The volcano sits 43 miles away from a nearby Mexico city, with authorities warning that the ash could reach the city with winds blowing in that direction.It rated yellow, at phase 2 - which means people are discouraged to go within 12km of the active volcano.
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/video-moment-volcano-in-mexico-erupts-sending-ash-three-miles-high-29357230.html

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,(TORNADOES,HURRICANES,STORMS) and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:(DESTRUCTION) for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.(FROM QUAKES,NUKES ETC)

THE FIRST JUDGEMENT OF THE EARTH STARTED WITH WATER-IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THE LAST GENERATION WILL BE HAVING FLOODING
GENESIS 7:6-12
6 And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
GOD PROMISED BY A RAINBOW-THE EARTH WOULD NEVER BE DESTROYED TOTALLY WITH A FLOOD AGAIN.BUT FLOODIING IS A SIGN OF JUDGEMENT.

Tropical depression heads toward Mexican coast

1 hour ago NatureMexico JUNE 19,13

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the Atlantic season's second tropical depression is drenching areas in its path with between 3 and 10 inches of rain, raising the threat of flash floods.The depression formed Monday off Belize and was about 85 miles (140 kilometers) north-northeast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico on Wednesday morning. It was moving west-northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) and forecast t strengthen before expected landfall Thursday morning in Veracruz state.The storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph). A tropical storm watch has been issued in Mexico from Punta El Lagarto to Barra de Nautla.

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

700 allowed home as N. Calif. wildfire slows

12 hours ago NatureYosemite National ParkFirefighter JUNE 19,13

MARIPOSA, Calif. (AP) — Nearly half the people who had to evacuate their Northern California homes are being allowed to return as firefighters catch up with a wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park.Officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said evacuation orders for some 700 people would expire at 8 p.m. local time Tuesday. About 800 people remain evacuated.
Firefighters increased containment of the nearly 3-square-mile blaze from 15 to 40 percent Tuesday amid cooling temperatures.Fire officials said earlier Tuesday that the cause was an unattended campfire.

EARTHQUAKES

ISAIAH 42:15
15  I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

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,(DIFFERNT PLACES AT THE SAME TIME) and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

1 Day, Magnitude 2.5+ Worldwide

31 earthquakes - DownloadUpdated: 2013-06-19 10:28:38 UTC-04:00Showing event times using Local System Time (UTC-04:00)

1. 3.0 75km N of Culebra, Puerto Rico 2013-06-19 09:10:44 UTC-04:00 29.0 km
2. 3.0 73km NNW of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 2013-06-19 09:08:12 UTC-04:00 25.0 km
3. 3.3 112km N of Brenas, Puerto Rico 2013-06-19 08:41:41 UTC-04:00 63.0 km
4. 4.7 31km WNW of Ainaro, East Timor 2013-06-19 08:40:56 UTC-04:00 28.2 km
5. 4.9 9km ENE of Burdeos, Philippines 2013-06-19 07:05:40 UTC-04:00 35.0 km
6. 4.4 76km S of Tecoanapa, Mexico 2013-06-19 07:00:36 UTC-04:00 9.9 km
7. 2.5 85km WNW of Talkeetna, Alaska 2013-06-19 06:52:57 UTC-04:00 87.8 km
8. 5.0 66km NE of `Ohonua, Tonga 2013-06-19 05:39:34 UTC-04:00 35.1 km
9. 5.1 West of the Galapagos Islands 2013-06-19 04:19:49 UTC-04:00 10.0 km
10. 4.0 12km S of Big Lake, Alaska 2013-06-19 03:19:43 UTC-04:00 46.5 km
11. 5.3 102km WNW of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea 2013-06-19 02:52:38 UTC-04:00 9.9 km
12. 3.2 106km NNW of Road Town, British Virgin Islands 2013-06-19 02:45:41 UTC-04:00 48.0 km
13. 4.8 52km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia 2013-06-19 01:47:04 UTC-04:00 190.6 km
14. 4.1 5km ESE of Copala, Mexico

Russia's Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to oust Assad

By Andrew Osborn and Maria Golovnina JUNE 19,13
ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Russia's Vladimir Putin derailed Barack Obama's efforts to win backing for the downfall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad at a G8 summit on Tuesday, warning the West that arms supplied to the rebels could be used for attacks on European soil.After two days of intense talks that fell far short of what Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron had been hoping for, Putin fumed against Western moves to supply weapons to rebels while defending his own supplies of arms for Assad.
"We are supplying weapons under legal contracts to the legal government. That is the government of President Assad. And if we are going to sign such contracts, we are going to deliver," the Russian president said.Putin, isolated at the summit, repeatedly clashed with other leaders over the fate of Assad and resisted pressure to agree to anything that would imply Assad should step down. In the end, a G8 communique did not even mention Assad's name.The summit in a secluded golf resort in Northern Ireland ended with G8 leaders calling for peace talks to be held as soon as possible to resolve the Syrian civil war. This has broadly been their position for months.No date was mentioned for a peace conference called by Moscow and Washington, which was supposed to take place next month but now appears to be on hold, after the United States announced last week that it would arm the rebels.A source at the summit said the peace conference would now be put off at least until August.Putin struck a defiant tone: he hinted that Obama had tried to isolate Russia, that other leaders were divided, and that plans to send arms to Syrian rebels could lead to murders such as that of a British soldier on a busy London street last month."British people have lately witnessed a tragedy, and we lived through it together, when right in the streets of London a British army serviceman was brutally murdered outside his barracks," Putin said."Is it these people that the Europeans want to supply arms? What happens next with those weapons? Who will control in which hands they end up? They could possibly (end up) in Europe."Obama and his allies want Assad to cede power while Putin, whose rhetoric has become increasingly anti-Western since he was re-elected last year, believes that would be disastrous at a time when no clear transition plan exists.Russia has been Assad's most powerful supporter shielding the Syrian leader from Western action as his forces struggle to crush an uprising in which 93,000 people have been killed since March 2011 and which is now drawing in neighboring countries.It has vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions censuring the Assad government, widely criticized for the ferocity with which it has waged the war.Syria is one of Moscow's last allies in the Middle East. Its influence has declined since the collapse of the Soviet Union but the Russian navy still has a base at the Mediterranean port of Tartus.The United States and its European and Gulf Arab allies have repeatedly called on Assad to surrender power and predicted his downfall. Recent battlefield gains by government forces against the rebels make that prospect unlikely anytime soon.
DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES
In the final document, G8 leaders called on the Syrian authorities and the opposition to commit to destroying all organizations affiliated with al Qaeda - a reflection of growing concern in the West that Islamist militants were playing a more dominant role in the rebel ranks.British Prime Minister David Cameron, who chaired the summit, said separately after the talks that the West believed strongly that there was no place for Assad in a future Syria."It is unthinkable that President Assad can play any part in the future of his country. He has blood on his hands," Cameron told reporters at a podium perched on the shore of a picturesque lough flanked by rolling hills."You can't imagine a Syria where this man continues to rule having done such awful things to his people."Cameron said the main breakthrough was an agreement that a transitional government with executive powers was needed and a deal to call for an investigation into chemical weapons use.
Both, however, are old positions that have already been agreed. The West and Russia still disagree over whether Assad should be excluded from the transitional government, and over how to carry out chemical weapons investigations."We remain committed to achieving a political solution to the crisis based on a vision for a united, inclusive and democratic Syria," the final communique read."We strongly endorse the decision to hold as soon as possible the Geneva conference on Syria," it said, without saying when the conference should be held.For his part, Putin renewed criticism of U.S. plans to send weapons to Syrian rebels, which the Obama administration announced after concluding that Assad's forces had used nerve gas. Putin said other G8 leaders had expressed doubts that Assad's forces had used chemical weapons."Let me assure you that not all G8 members believe it was used by the Syrian army. Some agree with our opinion that there's no such data," Putin said.During the talks, Western powers faced strong resistance from Putin as they tried to hash out a statement with teeth that all G8 leaders could agree on.Looking mostly tense throughout the meeting, Putin had faced a barrage of criticism over his Syria stance. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper accused him of supporting "thugs" in Damascus, while his meeting with Obama was frosty and both looked uncomfortable.Russia's position is that only Syrians can decide Assad's fate. The West considers that to be cover for allowing him to stay in power. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, speaking on the sidelines, said any debate about Assad's role in the resolution of the conflict was unthinkable."This would be not just unacceptable for the Russian side, but we are convinced that it would be utterly wrong, harmful and would completely upset the political balance," Ryabkov said.(Additional reporting by Andrew Osborn, William Schomberg, Roberta Rampton, Alexei Anishchuk, Jeff Mason and Kate Holton in Enniskillen; Writing by Maria Golovnina and Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Peter Graff)

Dagan: Political Shifts Open Door for 'Rare Opportunity'

Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan reflects on rapid shifts taking place in the political map of the Middle East.

By Rina Tzvi-First Publish: 6/19/2013, 3:59 PM-Israelnationalnews

Meir Dagan-Flash 90

Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan, attending the 2013 Presidential Conference in Jerusalem, said there are rapid shifts taking place in the political map of the Middle East."There are dramatic changes taking place in the region," Dagan said during the conference on Wednesday, reflecting on the departure of a number of long-time Arab and Islamic leaders including Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gadhafi."There are processes that are ongoing, and they don't stop. It is very hard to determine what the result will be.""I think Israel has a rare opportunity to forge various alliances in the region," the ex-Mossad chief said. "I don't like every aspect of the Arab Peace Initiative, but the need to negotiate is crucial in my view. The Arab League today is less hostile to Israel. The Arab Initiative should form the basis of renewed negotiations. We need to look for opportunities at a time like this."Dagan called for Israel to engage in "serious" negotiations with the Palestinian Authority."To say that this is not possible is very damaging to Israel," he maintained. "There are many serious questions and it will take time to solve them. These issues can't be solved through direct talks with the Palestinians, but there is a need to get the Arab League involved."He also reflected on the Iranian elections, saying that he does not believe that incoming President Hassan Rohani was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's first choice of candidates.Dagan maintained that there still remains a possibility for dialogue with the regime, even if, at this point, not official.

PERES TURNS 90 - PERES PLEASE RETIRE AS PRESIDENT

KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.

06/16/2013 VATICAN INSIDER

Scola warns against European decline as Church and society grow old and tired

Cardinal Angelo Scola

The Archbishop of Milan, Angelo Scola, says the Pope is thankfully doing something about this

ANDREA TORNIELLI Milan “Europe is facing a decline; its civil society and Churches are tired and old. We have to radically rethink ourselves,” Milan’s archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Scola told Italian newspaper La Stampa in an interview ahead of the Oasis meeting on religious freedom, State secularism and Francis’ focus on the importance of poverty in the Church. The meeting took place in Milan and ended today.
 
Are the Turkey protests the latest chapter in the “Arab Spring”? 
“It’s a civil protest triggered by a number of factors, including an attempt to Islamise the country and growing authoritarianism. It is another warning sign which Europe needs to take very seriously.”

The West wanted to export democracy but now it finds itself helpless in the face of the massacre going on in Syria…
“The crucial thing is to listen: Bishops in the Middle East are against armed intervention and believe that we Westerners have not been correctly informed about the so-called “rebels”, many of whom belong to fundamentalist groups. Of course the serious differences dividing Shiite and Sunni Muslims in that entire area are clear for everyone to see.”
 
Why do the Christians in these countries often miss the old regimes?
“Because they had always been guaranteed freedom and protection under these authoritarian regimes. But this does not justify dictatorships and the atrocities they commit. But we Westerners must resist the temptation to just chat about this in sitting rooms over a cup of tea, thinking we can make judgements about situations we know largely nothing about. “Exporting democracy” is an unrealistic choice. What is needed is more time, patience and a different conception of relations between these people and Europe.”
 
Why is Europe standing by and watching when Western Christians have lost their voice?
“Europe’s civil society and our Churches are tired and old. And it’s understandable: we have the weight of centuries of complex situations and issues on our shoulders. We don’t like to admit it but Europe is facing a decline. What we need is a new synthesis. Providence has given us a big wake up call with the new Pope who is proposing we start over, going right back to our basic experience as human beings. Europe’s Churches need to find the courage to see this as a starting point.”
 
How do you view the relationship between secular society and religions? 
“As Christians we do not expect any special treatment. But this does not mean institutional powers should neutralise religions and cultures creating a sort of no man’s land. Positive neutrality needs to be shown when dealing with religions and cultures. Both are of a public nature and must be able to express this nature and to compare themselves with other visions of reality, in view of achieving mutual recognition.”

Some say Christians have their own ideas about family and others should be free to stick by their own beliefs.
“Of course” But if that means we Christians are deprived of the chance to have our say on such subjects, then that is very wrong. If I am convinced that a family based on marriage between a man and a woman and open to life is good for society and I don’t share this vision, then I deprive society of something. This is of primary importance and yet it is not understood. And attempts to neutralise certain principles that are essential to Christians, show a lack of understanding of the dynamism of a pluralistic society. In order for efficient lawmaking to take place, moderate but consistent comparisons are paramount.” 
 
There is constant talk about the recognition of same-sex unions… 
“To guarantee individual rights to everyone is one thing. To attack the family either directly or indirectly is quite another.”

Don’t you think that in politics Christians have only focused on certain “non negotiable” values, neglecting others?
“Principles have an order of importance: Human vision comes first and then social life which derives from this. But even St. Thomas said goods are meant for everyone, so all of these goods, even private ones are on loan. If I am a just person, when I decide to buy something, I cannot ignore the problem of hunger in the world. Europeans need to rethink the complex topic of finance in relation to production. We have looked at the relationship between ethics and politics but not the relationship between economics and politics. We allow ourselves to be subjected to the whims of the market as if it were a natural necessity and not a cultural thing.”

What are your impressions of the first three months of Francis’ pontificate?
“I am impressed by the strength of his testimony, by his lifestyle and by the way he is with people. I think this is a great gift. He also seems to be aware of the importance of decision-making and is able to take decisions.”

What about the Pope’s explosive speech to the Italian Episcopal Conference? Don’t you think it was underrated? 
“Francis represents a powerful provocation for all faithful and bishops are above all faithful. Providence has given us this wake up call. Each one of us is trying to follow the Pope in our own personal way. It’ll take some time…”

The Pope has spoken against the sickness of self-referentiality, inviting us to come out of ourselves…
“This is a serious problem. We really are too self-referential on all levels. Since last October we have been working on new pastoral project titled “Il campo è il mondo” (The field is the world) because we realise that the great vitality present in our communities often finds us self-occupied. We are busy with so many initiatives but we are not always able to be true witnesses. But going out does not mean creating neutral spaces, it means testifying that Jesus is the good news for today’s humanity, for the difficulty it has to love, for the hurt caused by relationships, for the demographic freeze we are faced with, for the inability to build justice and create work for young people and for the superficial reasoning seen in politics.”
 
What do you think of Francis’ call for a poor Church? 
“The reason our Churches are not poor is because of our complex history: just think of the importance attributed to bureaucracy in the Church’s various bodies. Poverty implies a balance between the means and an end. Church life needs to go back to basics, it needs to be sober and focused on proclaiming the Gospel, leaving aside all that is superfluous.”

What do you think of the Pope’s decision to appoint eight cardinal advisors? 
“Benedict XVI’s prophetic resignation was also a wake up call: One man alone cannot deal with a  task of such monumental importance. In the pre-Conclave discussions we decided – without wishing to undermine the Pope’s primacy – that it would be opportune for the new Pope to find new ways of leading the Church. The creation of this group is a positive thing and I think other moves could be taken in this direction.”

How do you perceive Christian-Muslim relations ten years on from the foundation of the “Oasis” foundation?
““Oasis” was founded because we realised there was a substantial mutual ignorance in terms of the two faiths. Ignorance causes fear to grow and hinders people from being able to interpret the processes that take place throughout history. We cannot stop these but we can try to influence their direction. The most rewarding experience was bringing a hundred or so Christian and Muslim figures together. They learnt to get to know one another, respect each other and reason together. We realised we had to create a common heritage without oversimplifying problems or cancelling out differences.”

MK: Jewish Values are Israel’s ‘Core Curriculum’

MK Chetboun wonders why the government is pushing English and math, but not Jewish values, Torah and Zionism.

By Maayana Miskin-First Publish: 6/18/2013, 4:30 PM-Israelnationalnews

MK Yoni Chetboun-Israel news photo: Flash 90

MK Yoni Chetboun of the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) faction expressed strong concern Monday night over the direction of Israeli schools.Chetboun used his speaking time during a debate on the 2013 budget to warn that Israel is forgetting to pass its values on to the next generation.“Teachers are afraid to talk about Zionism, about tradition and love of the homeland. It’s not fashionable,” he declared.While there is an aggressive campaign to get a secular “core curriculum” into all state-funded schools, other core topics are being neglected, he warned.“The formula is simple, whoever does not teach English, physics and math will not get funding, because he is not teaching core values. Are these the nation of Israel’s core subjects?” Chetboun asked.He answered his own question, “Jewish values, the Torah, these are core subjects, the heart of the nation of Israel. Otherwise what are we doing here, instead of in Uganda?”“A country that denies its source loses itself,” he warned. He added that statements like those in the 2013 budget law regarding core curriculum “put us on the slippery slope toward ‘a state of all its citizens’” rather than a Jewish state.
“We must tell the truth, and put the issues on the table. The world talks about pushing off retirement age, the Jewish state is likely to retire at age 65,” he added.The budget will be approved in the first hearing, he concluded, but MKs must fight in the various committee meetings set to follow to keep the “Jewish heart” in the state budget.

Putin locks horns with West over Syria at G8 summit

By Alexei Anishchuk | Reuters – 1 hr 7 mins ago JUNE 18,13

By Alexei Anishchuk

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin clashed with other world leaders over the civil war in Syria at a tense G8 summit, blocking any mention of the fate of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from a final communique to be issued on Tuesday.Isolated at the G8, Putin resisted attempts by other world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama to get him to agree to anything that would imply Assad should step down or that Russia should tone down its support for Assad.Western powers tried to hash out a statement with teeth on Syria that all G8 leaders could agree on, though sources indicated that Putin resisted. The G8 is likely to issue a statement but it was unclear what it would contain.
"You're close to a seven to one position on Syria and clearly Putin doesn't hold back with his views," a source familiar with the talks said.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, speaking on the summit sidelines, said Russia had refused to accept any mention of Assad's fate in the communique."This would be not just unacceptable for the Russian side, but we are convinced that it would be utterly wrong, harmful and would completely upset the political balance," Ryabkov said.Russia has been Assad's most powerful supporter as his force struggle to crush an uprising in which 93,000 people have been killed since March 2011. He can also count on backing from Iran.The United States, Turkey, and European and Gulf Arab states support the rebels, who have lost ground to Assad's troops in recent weeks.Russia and the United States agree the warring sides should be brought together to discuss Syria's future at a peace conference as soon as July. But its timing was under question and one source said it would be delayed until August.
Obama and his allies want Assad to cede power while Putin, whose rhetoric has become increasingly anti-Western since his re-election last year, believes that would be disastrous at a time when there is no clear transition plan.Putin's isolation at the G8 may damage perceptions of Russia but for Putin himself it would be a chance to portray himself as a strongman who can stand up to a bullying West - an image certain to please the domestic audience.He appeared tense on the first day and has faced a barrage of criticism over his Syria stance. Canada's Stephen Harper accused him of supporting "thugs" in Damascus. His meeting with Obama was frosty and both men looked uncomfortable.Obama could offer Putin several incentives to change his mind but it was unclear what exactly was on the table as talks continued behind closed doors at the G8 venue.
COMPROMISE STILL POSSIBLE?
One area of compromise could be for the West to ease back on its proposals to arm the Syrian rebels or push for no-fly zones, which Russia opposes.Syria is one of Russia's last bastions of support in the Middle East and the Russian navy has a vital base at the Mediterranean port of Tartus.However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the Syrian opposition must not set preconditions for attending the proposed peace conference, suggesting sticking points remained.Renewed diplomatic tension over Syria stems from last week's decision by the United States to step up military aid to the rebels, including automatic weapons, light mortars and rocket-propelled grenades.British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is chairing the summit, will also move the conversation on to taxation and how global powers can help close international loopholes.Cameron has been stung by revelations that the likes of Google and Starbucks have sharply cut their corporate tax bills in Britain using legal loopholes.Last week he sought to turn up the pressure on other rich economies by pressing Britain's overseas tax havens into a transparency deal and announcing new disclosure rules for British firms.(Additional reporting by Andrew Osborn, William Schomberg, Guy Faulconbridge, Roberta Rampton, Alexei Anishchuk and Jeff Mason in Enniskillen; Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

PERES IS A NEW WORLD ORDER BELIEVER.

AP Interview: Peres, at 90, still going strong

By DAN PERRY and JOSEF FEDERMAN | Associated Press – 3 hrs ago JUNE 18,13

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  View PhotoAssociated Press/Sebastian Scheiner - In this photo taken Sunday, June 16, 2013, Israel's President Shimon Peres, is seen during an interview with The Associated Press at the President's residence in Jerusalem. …more 

JERUSALEM (AP) — As Shimon Peres turns 90, the indefatigable Israeli president is doing what he has always done: looking ahead, preparing for the next challenge and believing that he will see Middle East peace in his lifetime.Old age has hardly slowed him down. If anything, it seems to have handed Peres a measure of the grace that eluded him as a younger man. And at a time when Israel is widely criticized for its ongoing occupation and continued settlement of war-won land, he operates as something of a one-man reminder that the country once aimed — in its 1948 Declaration of Independence — to be a "light unto the nations.""For me, what is important is tomorrow, the next day. What happened until now is over, unchangeable. I'm not going to spend time on it. So I am really living in the future," said Peres in an interview with The AP. "I really think that one should devote his energies to make the world better and not to make the past remembered better."Peres seemed energetic and spiffy in a dark suit and purple tie as he sat in his office, whose book-lined shelves include three devoted entirely to his own works, in Hebrew and myriad translations. The mention of old age seemed to deeply startle him, as did any notion of retirement or even vacation, which he dismissed as a "waste of time."On Tuesday, Peres launches a three-day event called the "President's Conference" — an annual gathering of artists, thinkers and leaders whose global guest list reflects an extraordinary profile on the world stage: More than any other prominent Israeli politician he seems to largely be forgiven for his country's extremely messy conflict with the Palestinians.A politician of astounding longevity — he was a young aide to the country's founding father David Ben-Gurion at the time of independence in 1948 and a top defense official in the 1950s — Peres has nonetheless been strangely unsuccessful for much of his career. Despite having slipped into the prime minister's post three times over the years, each tenure was short-lived. He never won an election outright, losing outright four times and tying once, earning a reputation as a grasping manipulator who was also a bit of a schlemiel.His propensity for aphorism — "You can make omelets out of eggs, but not eggs out of omelets!" — has befuddled many a campaign crowd. And the distinctive cadence, which to this day betrays his Polish roots, is still a mimic's delight. An unbending belief in peace has been taken by many Israelis as dangerous naivete. And it is ironic as well: Peres was once something of a security hawk, and he is widely credited with engineering, a half century ago, Israel's status as a nuclear power.It took a meltdown by his predecessor in the mostly ceremonial president's role for Peres to finally win the recognition he had coveted for so many years. Caught up in a devastating sex scandal, Moshe Katsav was forced to step down in 2007 to face rape charges. Seeking to stabilize the cherished institution, parliament turned to Peres and elected him president. Katsav was convicted and is now in prison.Peres, 83 at the time, seemed to benefit simply by not being the tongue-tied Katsav. Statesmanlike and serious, supposedly above politics in his new role, his popularity skyrocketed among Israelis at last.
Peres has used the presidency to speak out as a voice of reason on political affairs, cautioning political leaders against attacking Iran's nuclear program last summer, and packaging himself as a lovable grandfatherly figure. He has embraced Facebook and frequently meets with children and young Israelis.
"Shimon Peres has undergone a miraculous transformation which almost all politicians in the world would love to experience," said Israeli historian Tom Segev. "For most of his public life, he was the most hated politician in Israel. He was the symbol of petty, dirty politics. Since he became president almost all of a sudden his people began to love him. It's almost like a fairy tale."Peres attributed the stunning turnaround to the power of the presidency. Freed from the constraints of political intrigue, "all of a sudden I discovered I don't need power. ... But if (the people) think that I came to serve, they will trust (me) and I could have achieved many things that maybe in the government I wouldn't be able to do."A poll in March published by the Haaretz daily showed Peres with a 74 percent approval rating, far ahead of conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at 48 percent. The poll, conducted by the Dialog agency, questioned 473 people and had a margin of error of 4.6 percentage points.On the international front, Peres probably benefits similarly by not being Netanyahu. Now in his third term, Netanyahu is seen as a peace skeptic with a hard edge, and a world eager to put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to bed generally does not admire his continued building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.Peres is the Israeli leader many in the world would far prefer: conciliatory, philosophical and seemingly amenable. He never tires of the promotion of peace and seems genuinely driven by a vision of a better world.During the interview, Peres declined to criticize Netanyahu directly, noting that Netanyahu has in principle accepted the "two-state solution" but allowing that he would like progress toward the establishment of a Palestinian state to be "faster." Negotiations are currently on hold — as they have been, mostly, since Netanyahu's return to office in 2009, with the Palestinians insisting in vain on a settlement freeze and Israel refusing "preconditions."Peres seems at pains to not betray frustration the government's policies, including its apparent ignoring of the recently-reissued Arab League initiative offering regional peace in exchange for a pullout from the land Israel captured in the 1967 war. He noted that the offer was at least not rejected outright.Peres said that despite all the failures in peace efforts over the years, he looks at the successes: a historic agreement with Egypt in 1979, peace with Jordan in 1994 and interim accords with the Palestinians in the 1990s."That gives me the license to be an optimist, and I would never give up this license," he said. "I'm sure I shall see peace in my lifetime. Even if I should have to extend my life for a year or two, I won't hesitate."Yossi Beilin, a former protege who served as Peres' deputy at the Foreign Ministry in the 1990s, said the move into the presidency was "a very important strategic decision" for his onetime mentor. "I think he is enjoying very much, for the first time in his life, a situation where everybody likes him ... This is his retirement."

Peres has become a fixture at a variety of annual international events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, showing up each year to a kind of reverent acclaim enjoyed by only a tiny handful in the world.This year he was awarded the central onstage interview with Davos founder Klaus Schwab, who respectfully queried him on subjects as diverse as the Arab Spring and the nature of the modern multinational corporation. Last summer at the similar Ambrosetti Forum in Italy, Peres held an audience of high-powered officials and businesspeople rapt with his musings on the workings of the human brain.In Jordan last month, Peres was enthusiastically received by clapping, whistling business leaders from around the Arab world. His call for new peace talks drew several standing ovations from an audience of 2,000 that included U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"He is a man of peace," said Palestinian business tycoon Munib Masri, who was in the crowd. "People see him that way and like him for that." He then embraced King Abdullah, tapped him on the shoulder as both exchanged smiles and warm greetings.Back home, some criticized him for pushing the limits of what is supposed to be an apolitical office. "I didn't know that Peres became the government spokesman," said Cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz.The birthday celebrations have also come under fire for extravagant spending, including a $500,000 fee for an appearance by Bill Clinton at a college, and a $3 million budget for the conference itself. Organizers have said the funding has come from private donations, not public money. Clinton subsequently donated his speaking fee back to the Peres Academic Center, the college where he spoke, for student scholarships.But Peres seems to be revered by his staff. His chief of staff, Efrat Duvdevani, sparked a debate at home this week by leaving her hospital room, hours after giving birth, to return to work ahead of the conference.Peres established the conference soon after taking office as president in 2008 as a sort of mini-Davos, attracting top scientists, philosophers and business leaders. It is an ambition that is hard to imagine elsewhere, or being attempted by any successor.Yet it works: This year's guest list includes Clinton, Tony Blair, Rahm Emanuel, and Larry Summers — as well as Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Barbra Streisand. The gathering is also serving as a birthday party for Peres, who turns 90 in August.Peres seemed pleased and embarrassed when asked about the unlikely rock-star status he has cultivated late in life. "I think it's a God-sent opportunity for a human being like myself to have the occasion to serve the people sincerely with love and hope," he said.With just one year left in his presidency, Peres rules out running for elected office but says he has no plans to retire and will search for new ways to serve the people — and also to spread "tranquility" around the world."I am not running for anything and I am not running away from anything," he said. "I am trying where I can to be a unifier, to unite. When I have to voice my view I do, and I shall continue to do it."___Dan Perry has covered the Mideast since the 1990s and currently leads AP's coverage in the region. Follow him at twitter.com/perry_dan Josef Federman is the Associated Press News Editor for Israel and the Palestinian territories. Follow him at twitter.com/joseffederman.___Associated Press writer Max J. Rosenthal contributed to this report.