Feeling Kamerad Castro's time is

The former ruler Cuba, Fidel Castro, said Thursday (23 / 1) self doubt the government can take four years President Barack Obama. Hence, men aged 82 years obstacle has ordered the government petinggi Kiba to make policy without including himself.

Castro in any posts in a site titled "Reflecting Kamerad Fidel," Cuba is a central figure himself said the day stay.

Fidel Castro prime minister in July 2006 with the health reasons. Time, the room itself must be signed in operation because of heart disease dialaminya. Until now, Castro never appeared in public. Then, turn bungsunya brother, Raúl Castro who occupy seats presidency.

Meanwhile, the President had said Obama will not stop the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba until democratic reforms appear in the island country. But, Obama said the visit will erase limitations of Cuban American descent following money for their families. Obama had a personal offer of negotiations with Raúl Castro.

Because information systems are limited, most people only hear Cuba rumor concerning the condition of Fidel Castro. In addition to suffering from stroke, Fidel Castro also digosipkan once commas.

XVD
Source: A.P

Richard Holbrooke to Pakistan and Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Hillary Clinton, on Thursday (22 / 1), announced the appointment of Richard Holbrooke to be the Messenger of Special United States to Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Ambassador Holbrooke will coordinate with local government for the achievement of U.S. strategic goals in the area," said Hillary.

President Obama promised to increase the number of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan. The goal is to kill Taliban and Al Qaeda. In daily life, the U.S. will work with Pakistan and ama do antiteror operating on the border with Afghanistan that country.

Richard Holbrooke is former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). Men aged 68 years since this was known to be the interpreter of peace in the conflict in Bosnia that ended in the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995.

Holbrooke other achievement is seven times nominated for the Nobel enter Peace. He is a foreign policy adviser to Hillary Clinton in the presidential election campaign in 2008 ago. Now, Holbrooke became an adviser Presien Barack Obama.

XVD
Source: AFP

Speak English, Obama Want to Menteng

On the second day after pelantikannya, President of the United States (U.S.), Barack Obama visited the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs. There are interesting events in the first visit to the institute at the cabinet because Obama spoke in English with an employee in the department.

"When talking with the employee, President Obama, who along with Vice President Joseph Biden, and National Security Advisor General James L. Jones, his desires to visit the neighbors ever in Jakarta," the press release the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta received, Friday (23 / 1) night.

Visit to the U.S. department of foreign affairs stressed the government's attention on diplomacy and also mark the first day of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State to-67 in that department. In the visit, he announced a special U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and provide guidance on the diplomatic front.

President Obama announces Hillary Menlu with former Senator George Mitchell as a special envoy for the peace process in the Middle East and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as the most special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan This is a step under the new government's commitment to update it through the leadership of U.S. diplomacy.

"We are confronted by global challenges that extraordinary, mutually-related and complex," Obama said to the employees of department of foreign affairs. "Progress will not come quickly or easily, we also promise not justify every mistake in the world. But we can promise will be using all elements of American power to protect our citizens and advance the interests and our ideals, starting with the United States who have principles diplomacy, the focus and sustainable. "

After greeting authorized, President Obama chatting and shake hands with the U.S. diplomat. In the middle of the event, Charles Silver, a former Public Affairs Counselors for the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta menyapanya in Bahasa Indonesia, "Selamat siang, Mr.."

Without hesitate President Obama held, "Thank you. How are you?"

"Whether in good," answered Silver, and then notify the President that he had served several times in Indonesia.

Then President Obama said when he visited Indonesia, he would like to visit the neighbors in the long Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Wah
Source: Antara

Party Rp 100 million in primary Obama

Syukuran or selametan up dilantiknya Barack Hussein Obama becomes President of the United States (U.S.), which was held at SDN 01 Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (21 / 1), attended by U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hume and Mayor of Central Jakarta Sylviana Murni. 

This event is also a homecoming event in primary school, especially classmates Barack (Barry) Obama. As is known, in the first half of 1970s, and Obama stay in school in Jakarta, SDN Menteng persisnya at 01 Road in Besuki, Menteng. In 1973, Obama left Jakarta to live with her grandmother in Hawaii. 

Syukuran dish on the form jajanan primary-school students in the 1970s as various jajan market and gulali. While the entertainment that is displayed is a xylophone kromong be slick with the students by SDN Menteng 01. Peak syukuran this event is the cutting tumpeng. 

Chairman of the committee who is also syukuran classmates Obama, Ati Kisjanto, said that friends seangkatannya participate. "There is a nyumbang fruit, soft drink, ice cream, and more. The feel of gotong royong and still feel togetherness. Atmosphere like this also felt that Obama while studying here," he said. 

Deputy Head of SDN Menteng 01 Akhmad solikhin said that syukuran swallow these funds Rp 100 million. "Funds are not from students, but is collected from alumni, especially the contemporary with Obama," he said. The Muslim world's first speech as president Obama who received the attention of the world is his promise to improve U.S. relations with the Islamic world. 

"To Muslim world, we find the way to the front of the new, based on the interests of reciprocity and mutual respect," said Obama. The statement that Obama got good response from Khurshid Ahmed, a senior party leaders Islamic Jamaat-i-Islami-largest party in Pakistan, which is very hard to be the U.S. and Israel. "We are very welcome," he said. 

Maskuri Abdilah, a Nahdlatul Ulama, the statement said Obama is quite good. "However, he must first prove to change the U.S. policy towards Israel in Palestine," he said, yesterday. Improving relations with the Islamic world have Obama be expressed during the campaign. U.S. relations and the world of Islam reached the lowest point during the President George W Bush, especially after the 9 September 2001 or 9 / 11. 

Bush used the issue of 9 / 11 to fight terrorism, invade Afghanistan and accused of protecting terrorism. Action then occupying Afghanistan and Iraq (2003), the more the U.S. aggravate relations with the Muslim world. (get / put)

Barack Obama the seriousness Muslim World

Barack Obama recently appointed as president-44 to take the role of the U.S. promised to protect the country by the diterpa crisis. In the inauguration speech was prepared, Obama emphasized the "challenges faced by the U.S. is real" and "will not be able dituntaskan in the near future." However, the first black president in the U.S. stressed "the problem will remain dituntaskan." 

Obama explain the crisis that occurred in the U.S. as a result of greed and responsibility of the release of some people. Obama mentions the evidence of the crisis faced by the U.S. to the high cost of health care and education. 

"For the Muslim world, the U.S. will cover how to create new connections directly through the mutual respect and joint interests," said Obama. "For the world leaders who attempt to sow conflict or blame to the West keterpurukan people - know that people will judge you from what you wake up, you are not broken," Obama firmly. 


JIM 
Source: AP

Israel paid the tunnel to reveal

Our meeting with Ismail mistake. Evening, we are in the middle of Olive Hill, so we take the hill on the right side of Rafah Gate Gate, Egypt to see the kick-lunge fighter Israel bombard Rafah area, Gaza Strip, Palestine. 

Ismail (38), Bedouin man who lived in the hills around it, suddenly greet us, "Assalamualaikum," and hand over hand. We also said with the same greeting. And, we, like those in the Middle East during a meeting, and then shake hands and embrace. 

Bedouin man was so small well-friendly. He then tells about gempuran fighter Israel. Discussion of where we go to a matter of secret tunnels in the border wall along the Egypt-Gaza Strip. This is the tunnel that Israel and be seen as a way to smuggle weapons by Hamas. 

During the day we find some local residents who want to speak and indicate where the tunnel is located, but it is always difficult. Because, usually people do not want to talk a matter of the tunnel, let alone show. Somehow. Therefore, when we mention the word "tunnel", he shocked the face, and laughing. 

"People here already know that there are many underground tunnels along the border in the Gaza Strip-Egypt. However, no one knows how many persisnya or roughly the amount, "said Ismail. 

"Subway is usually located in the home side in the Gaza Strip and to connect to home in on the side of Egypt. Extractive tunnel is approximately 15 to 20 meters in length and down to about 300 meters to 500 meters, "said Ismail. 

According to him, the subway is the only known is very limited, for example, the family only. He explains, between people in the Rafah-Egypt-Palestinian Rafah and the border walls only separate many who still have a belt of brotherhood. 

"Often they are still brothers it makes subway home between those in the Gaza Strip and the Egyptian territory. And, the tunnel is only of limited among members and their families who use the tunnel is also the only family members, "Ismail said while adding, can be said that the tunnel that they have family that is the tunnel. 

Therefore, it continued, could not the security apparatus, both Egypt and Israel, capable of destroying underground tunnels that, or anyone, because the subway is often a family secret, or that the population is very limited. 

If the tunnel and have successfully destroyed the security apparatus, there is certainly a membocorkannya. Ismail ago accuse the detective of Israel who loiter in Rafah, giving information concerning the tunnel. 

"I have heard spier Israel get rewarded 1000 U.S. dollars each to give him new information. Most of the detective are Palestinian citizens themselves, "said Ismail. 

No weapons 

Ismail also disputed the harder if the tunnel was used to smuggle weapons. According to him, the subway only smuggle food, beverages, and cigarettes from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, particularly since Israel blockade on the Gaza Strip. 

We separate the evening with a little information about the tunnel from Ismail. We pledge to meet again in the same place after Friday prayers the next day. 

Next day, Ismail met before, we play-play in the city of Rafah, Egypt. The day is Friday. The city as the city died because of community activities and new start after Friday prayers. 

Rafah looks so dirty. Waste-waste scattered in the streets of perforated. Buildings in the city that is shabby and dusty. When you have a car through, the dust fly. 

Citrus trees on the right side of the road that left the fruit with a thick yellow ripe not afford to turn on the atmosphere of Rafah. Keranuman oranges that are not able to overcome kelusuhan city. Leaves of olive trees and lush green fresh should change berselimutkan gray dust. 

Not interesting at all, the city. Of particular interest is in every way to the mouth of the border wall kept the army and police. Built at the mouth of the road barricade and, sometimes, they diparkir truck at the mouth of the road. Some also built barricade on the main road selebar six meter. Each vehicle is stopped and checked through. 

In a city that is why we met with seedy Walid, kid men age 13 years. This meeting was accidental. At that time we stopped in front of the house because a roar heard fighter Israel. We exit the car, you want to know what will happen. 

Kala that, from the roof of a house have a child who later we-know-named Walid shouting to us and bring us up to the roof house. We shall rise to three-floor roof of a house belonging to Walid parents. Walid still only the mother, only to see the beam eyes in amazement when we entered the house and ascend the stairs to the roof. (Trias Kuncahyono / Mustafa Abd Rahman, from Rafah) 



Source: Kompas

Indonesian troops Discover UXO in Lebanon

Israel attacks the storm to the Gaza Strip is feared to expand the conflict, not only provoke a reply from the Hizbullah in Lebanon. Iran war could involve considering the close relations between Iran and Hizbullah wing.

It was submitted by a former Rector of the University of Islan Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah, Prof. Azyumardi Azra who is also Deputy Seswapres field for People's Welfare time dimintai comment by the press after accompanying Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla met with PM Syrian Vice President Palace in Jakarta on Monday (12 / 1).

"Therefore, Iran should be involved in meetings with arab countries," said Azyumardi. In meeting, the Vice President expressed the readiness Indonesia KTT Emergency Arab press Israel to ignore the UN resolution to stop the attacks.

According Azyumardi, there is no way to stop the Israeli attacks on civilian groups to the Gaza Strip because the attack could provoke other parties such as Hizbullah. Azyumardi remind, if the war expanded, the conditions will be worse. Therefore, Israel would not have to respect the UN resolution.

"Even if the UN resolution issued by the UN Security Council is not observed, the road should the council as emergency UN General Assembly can also be moved to press Israel," said Azyumardi.

Suhartono

The Arab world criticize Israel attacks

Arab world reacts strong attack on Israel that kill more than 200 people and injure another person 400s in the Gaza Strip.

In Egypt, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit expressed a deep sense of belasungkawanya of the victims. "Today every person standing on the side of Palestine," he said. He also called dihentikannya military attack Israel.

Egypt also open perbatasannya with Gaza to receive the injured victims. However, there has not been seen dilarikan the injured across the border.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab countries will be reported in Cairo on Sunday is, as said Chairman of the Arab League, Amr Moussa.

Laos Aboul Gheit refused tudingan while among the states that the Egyptians know and be able to receive Israeli military operation in Gaza. Indeed, in his visit to Egypt on Thursday and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Israel many times to convey the statement that Israel will not be long menoleransi action Hamas, which call more than 80 times rocket and mortar fire toward Israel on Monday and then.

However, "if not properly be said to understand and accept the Cairo military attacks (Israel) that," said Aboul Gheit.

Laos is also called for Egypt to the second Palestinian Fax, which is dominated West Bank, Hamas and Fatah, to berekonsiliasi welcomes negotiations with the designed Cairo.

Meanwhile, more than 4,000 people in Lebanon yesterday effort, I also demanded that Israel stopped military attacks. They make the long march across the Palestinian refugee camp in southern Egypt and shout kecamannya in Israel.

They also point Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as agents of the United States and urged that militant groups Hezbollah to attack Israel back. In the broadcast persnya, calling Hezbollah attacks Israel as a war crime and Genocide.

Strong criticism also came from Prime Minister Fuad Saniora of Lebanon, that attack Israel as a criminal operation.

In the broadcast persnya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Libya, invites all to unite the Arab world lay a solid action against the brutality of Israel in Gaza. Libya also invites the international community urged Israel to stop serangannya.

Saudi Arabia, which has designed a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world also criticize strong attack Israel. According to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abas who yesterday met King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia is promising will ask U.S. President George W Bush and other leaders to pressure Israel to stop operations.

In Amman and other cities in Jordan, waves show a sense of pop to protest the actions of Israel attacked Gaza. The King Abdullah II also strong censure of Israel made the attack civilians, including women and children, as the target.

In Syria, hundreds of Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk camp outside the city of Damascus, is also rolling out the action.

MSH
Source: AP

Island of Oahu, Honolulu, Barack Obama on holiday, darkness

Island of Oahu, Honolulu, where President-elect Barack Obama the U.S. holiday, lighting darkness without electricity Friday (26/12) due to a transformer in the area was thunderstruck.

Some witnesses said it seems the electricity in the complex where Obama vacationing on the workers and hastily turned the emergency generator.

Spokesman an electricity company, Peter Rosegg, said the entire island wide area of 1,553 square km inhabited the 900,000 people affected by the influence. "We lost the last generator ... the whole area is now the island without electricity," said Rosegg. Traffic on major roads Honolulu also disrupted.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann told radio station KSSK, take at least 12 hours or more may be to restore the situation. A transportation official told local radio that the aircraft-aircraft landed at the port of international air Honolulu, but to stay suspended landing.

The residents said this is the largest extinction since the earthquake that caused the darkness of the area in October 2006. A civil defense officials said, the possibility of lightning strike a transformer so that electricity is lost. Strong lightning was at the top of the island before electricity is suppressed.

Ono
Source: AP

New attack Israel Kills 2 Hamas soldiers

Two members of Islamic Hamas movement killed on Saturday (27/12) night in a new Israeli air attack in the Gaza Strip that Hamas dominated. Previous attacks, Saturday morning, kill at least 228 Palestinian residents in the coastal paths.

Second person killed in the eastern part of Gaza City when they are ready to rocket fire toward Israel, several witnesses said.

Two other Palestinian citizens injured in the attack, while one other man injured in the attack air prev died since Israel wound, the medical sources said. Some local residents said that Israeli helicopters have been a number of fire rudal, Saturday night, the four metal factory in the city. Israel says, factories have been used to make rocket for a number of countries are to the Jews.

Israeli military says more than 70 rocket or mortar shell are already against Israel as a retaliation attack on the air Monday, to deter one person and hurt four people.

Israel has launched a series of air attacks against a number of Hamas targets in Gaza Strip, Saturday, before lunch, at least 228 people cut retaliation for rocket attacks on Hamas. That the air attacks continued sporadically throughout the day and night to day. Some 700 people injured in the attack, 140 people seriously injured, according to Palestinian hospital sources.

Ono
Source: Ant

U.S. will defend Israel, Hamas continued Keeping

Following the attacks Israel to the Gaza kill 228 people, the Government of the United States, Saturday (27/12), seemed impressed defend Israel and blame militant group Hamas who control Gaza.

U.S. asks Hamas immediately hold a truce and stop serangannya return to Israel if want this latest conflict ended.

Some 228 people were killed and 400 people were injured as a result of attacks explode-blind by Israel to Gaza City, Saturday. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak still sesumbar that attack to the Gaza Strip will be expanded if "necessary".

Spokesperson U.S. National Security Council, Gordon Johndroe, that the U.S. should not unleash attacks to Israel after the truce held last few months. "They are not another civilian, so Israel will protect its people from terrorist attack groups such as Hamas, which does not discriminate perspective and kill their own people," Johndroe said in Texas. However, Johndroe said, the U.S. does not want to see more violence.

Brooke Anderson, Spokesperson National Security Council, which appointed Obama, said, Obama continues to monitor global events, including the situation in the Gaza Strip. When Israel attacks the Gaza Strip again, Hamas Spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum emphasized the government will continue to survive until the final point of blood.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemns attack Israel. Egypt has called Ambassador of Israel to declare keberatannya attitudes, and asks Israel to open Gaza Strip and allow cars an ambulance carrying injured victims.

Meanwhile, Laos Condoleezza Rice said the U.S., strong U.S. condemns rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas to Israel. "Hamas has violated truce. So, the armistice should be immediately implemented again," said Rice.

Johndroe said, the U.S. requested that humanitarian needs are met in the Gaza Strip. He was pressing Israel to avoid fisticuffs with civil society. "I know they (Israel) has a target of Hamas headquarters, headquarters. However, we are pressing them to avoid civilian victims," he said.

Israel attacks Gaza Strip to also invite protests from a number of countries in the world, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Vatican, and the Secretary General of the United Nations. Ambassador Tony Blair Middle East and the Arab League is scheduled to meet to discuss this issue. Elected U.S. President, Barack Obama, has received reports about the latest situation in Palestine.

HIN
Source: AP

Charris Bowers bite penis Delou Bowers

A woman in Deltona arrested because the United States on a penis to her husband last week.

As reported Orlando Sentinel, Sunday (28/12), the woman admitted to authorities because doing so angry due to the husband to force intimate touch.

Charris Bowers (27) on Saturday last week police arrested (vice SHERIFF) Volusia County with the allegations of persecution. However, a day later, the judge decided he was released without insurance. Her husband, Delou Bowers, has not commented.

According to a report in the police office, the pair went to a bar on Friday night and then go home. Delou Bowers admitted to the police strike and forced his wife to encourage the release bite.

But, Charris Bowers gave two versions to other officers. The first officer to admit he is sitting on the sofa and then her husband suddenly standing in front of the request and "served". "Available to drive and bite her husband," write the police report.

Charris Bowers and joking with the states to replace the husband approached and stood in front of him without pants before the snap. Police have witnessed the injuries it is experienced Delow Bowers, memotretnya, and arrest his wife.

Ono
Source: Ant

Norodom Sihanouk Fight Against Cancer

Former Cambodian king, Norodom Sihanouk is still struggling against cancer diseases that have experienced this three times. However, in a message on the site, he was sure to recover and return home after a treatment in China.

Sinahouk (86), in a statement Wednesday (24/12), said he was treated by team doctors in Beijing because of China's lymphoma cancer B. He can estimate the return to Cambodia in February 2009.

Sihanouk, the central figure in Cambodian politics for six decades, in 2004 as prime ill-weakly. He replaced one of her sons, Norodom Sihamoni, and since then he spends much time in China.

In the last few years, he suffered a number of diseases, including colon cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and two times.

Sihanouk is one of the world famous leader who is still alive. He has the experience of various kinds of war, Khmer Rouge terror and political turmoil that continues to haunt the government since independence from France in the early 1950's.
Ono
Source: AP

Pakistan's team is plunging into the Indian Border

Pakistan began to mobilize thousands of troops to the Indian border, Friday (26/12). The two nuclear armed countries that have been involved in war three times in the last 60 years.

The sources said the intelligence overhaul that the two countries increased tensions after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. India point out militant groups in Pakistan were involved in the attacks in Mumbai kill 175 people or more.

The troops were to maintain the previous duty near the border of Afghanistan. Frankly, this makes the U.S. frustration. Because, the U.S. expects Pakistan to help the U.S. fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban near the border of Afghanistan.

Two Pakistani intelligence officials said the Armed Forces Division, 14 were of the city of Kasur and Sialkot near the Indian border. Refusing to name sources quoted said that around 20,000 soldiers is the second city.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense India reluctant to comment on the news. Previous Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Friday, meeting with the head of the army staff, sea and air forces to discuss the security situation last.

Associated Press journalists in South Waziristan to report about 40 military trucks hauling leave Pakistan border Pakistan.

Ono
Source: AP

The pope's real message for Obama

By John L. Allen Jr.

The roughly 67 million Catholics in the United States make up nearly one-quarter of the American population, but just 6 percent of the global Roman Catholic total of 1.1 billion. Ninety-four percent of the Catholics in the world, in other words, are not Americans, which may help explain why the pope and his lieutenants are not always think American thoughts when they get out of bed in the morning.

That's a useful bit of context to bear in mind in light of a tough new Vatican document on bioethics, released one week ago, that ratchets up the church's condemnations of embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, the "morning-after pill" and a host of other techniques it regards as violations of human dignity.

In the United States, the tendency may be to see the document, titled "Dignitas Personae," or "Dignity of the Person," as a battle plan for resistance to the incoming Obama administration. In reality, that amounts to trying to shove a square peg into the round hole of American politics.

For one thing, the document has been in the works for years, so it is hardly a rapid response to the American elections. Moreover, the Vatican doesn't want to be at loggerheads with Barack Obama, because it sees a range of matters where it's more in sync with him than it has been with President Bush. On Dec. 3, for example, the Vatican simultaneously signed and ratified a new international treaty banning cluster bombs, a measure Bush opposed - a reminder that Catholic social teaching and Republican politics are not always a match made in heaven.

What the Vatican may not fully appreciate, however, is that putting out a hard-nosed pro-life document right now, at least in the United States, may be the political equivalent of shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater.

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In the '08 elections, pro-life Catholics emerged as the dominant voice of the religious right. To be sure, Obama won a majority among Catholics. Yet the sharpest anti-Obama rhetoric from religious leaders came not from old culture warriors like Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson but rather from some Catholic clergymen.

Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City, Missouri, for example, warned voters that their eternal salvation might be at stake if they supported Obama. A couple of pro-life priests even suggested that Catholics who voted for Obama should go to confession. (Their bishops, it should be said, quickly rejected that idea.)

Cardinal Francis Stafford, a former archbishop of Denver who today heads a Vatican court, described Obama's rhetoric on abortion as "aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic," and compared the election results to the Garden of Gethsemane - the spot where, according to the Bible, Jesus agonized before his crucifixion.

In that context, "Dignitas Personae" risks being read as encouragement for the most ardent pro-life forces in America to let slip the dogs of war.

Of course, many Catholic bishops and many ordinary Catholics in America believe that while Obama's positions on abortion and stem cell research are troubling, there are also important areas of common ground.

That seems to be the balance the Vatican is trying to strike. Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram of congratulations to Obama calling his election a "historic occasion," and the two men later spoke by telephone. A papal spokesman said the Vatican hopes to work with him on Iraq, the Holy Land, Christian minorities in the Middle East and Asia, and the fight against poverty and social inequality.

To be clear, the Vatican yields to no one in its pro-life commitments. In effect, "Dignitas Personae" is a reminder that there will be no "truce," no strategic silence, about the defense of human life from the moment of conception. The question now is whether the Vatican will find an equally effective way to mobilize those Catholics who hope to build bridges.

This is one case in which the pope would do well to think a few American thoughts.

John L. Allen Jr. is the senior correspondent for The National Catholic Reporter and the author of "The Rise of Benedict XVI."

source:www.iht.com

Thai leader proposes $8.7 billion stimulus package

Thailand's prime minister said Friday the government wants to spend 300 billion baht ($8.7 billion) next year to jump-start the country's ailing economy.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the economic stimulus package would include increased lending from government banks for agriculture projects and direct lending to local governments for infrastructure projects.

The plan must first be approved by Parliament, where Abhisit's coalition has a slim majority.

"The plan will be announced in January and the budget needs to be approved by the parliament first and it is expected that the money could be injected (into the economy) from March or April,'' Abhisit told reporters.

The Thai government is desperate to help the country's ailing economy which the Fiscal Policy Office projected this week could grow by only 1 percent next year. It attributed the weak growth next year a drop in domestic consumption and damage to the export sector from the worsening global economy.

The Federation of Thai Industries on Thursday told The Bangkok Post that it expects 1.1 million employees will lose their jobs by the second quarter of next year as a result of the slowdown.

On top of that, the tourism sector which is a key engine of growth is expected to suffer next year from the global slowdown and lingering effects from the shutdown of Bangkok's two main airports for a week last month by anti-government protesters. The tourism authority estimates the number of tourists will decline over the next six months by 2.5 million, costing the industry 100 billion baht ($3 billion).

Together, these factors could push the economy into a recession.

Sompob Manarungsan, an economics professor at Chulalongkorn University, said he felt the stimulus plan could help counter the slowdown in exports and inflow of foreign investment. But he said much will depend on how it is carried out.

"First, we have to see how fast it can stimulate the economy,'' Sompob said.

MCA branch illegally occupied

UALA LUMPUR: A police report has been lodged at the Gombak district police headquarters near here over illegal occupation of the office premises of the Taman Selayang Baru MCA branch on Dec 8.

Branch chairman Heng Kai Hiyong had lodged the report on Dec 11, claiming that the office premises in Batu Caves near here had its lock changed, the MCA signboard removed, the building repainted and the pictures within replaced.

Selayang MCA Division chairman Datuk Tang See Hang, who broke the lock Friday, said Heng noticed the change when he came to the premises at about 8pm on Dec 8.

He said the building was put up with donations from MCA members and the public and was used as the MCA office and a hall was used for party and social activities as well as for student activities on Sundays.

Tang said he had also referred the incident to the Selayang Municipal Council president Zainal Abidin Azim.

“As we have all the documents pertaining to the building, the municipal council president said no one else could take over the premises,” he said.

Tang said none of the items within the premises was missing but the pictures on the walls had been replaced with pictures of activities conducted by the trespassers.

“All the tables, chairs, a karaoke set, the PA system, air conditioner, steel cabinets and small items are safe,” he said.

“We have lodged a police report and our lawyers are handling the case. What happened was something illegal because anyone who had wanted to use our hall should have sought our permission,” he said. -- Bernama

DBKL hits out at litterbug-partygoers

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) hit out at irresponsible revellers who littered Jalan Sultan Ismail during the Christmas Eve celebration on Wednesday.

DBKL director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup said although the public had “a right to party” they should not go overboard and dirty the place.

“We had a tough time clearing the mess left behind by these irresponsible revellers. They obviously do not bother about cleanliness and left the mess for others to clean up.”

He said that the event was an impromptu celebration. Thousands of people had flocked to the Bukit Bintang area on Christmas Eve, causing the usually clean area to be littered with aerosal cans used in the revelry.

Even vehicles passing by Jalan Sultan Ismail were not spared and were sprayed by the revellers.

The celebration, which began at 9pm, turned into a big carnival and only ended after 3am.

Bugging fears thwart sinners' confessions

EGYPT'S Coptic pope has banned the faithful from confessing their sins to priests over the telephone because intelligence agents might be listening in.

"Confessions over the telephone are forbidden, because there is a chance the telephones are monitored and the confessions will reach state security," the independent newspaper Al-Masri Al-Yom quoted Pope Shenuda III as saying.

The leader of the Coptic minority also said confessions over the internet were invalid because they might be read by websurfers.

"A confession over the internet does not count as a confession, because everybody can look at it and it won't be secret," he said.

The sacrament of confession, also practised by Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians, is normally a private conversation between penitent and priest.

Priests are strictly bound to respect the privacy of confession, even in the face of threatened punishment, and many countries' legal systems specifically protect the "seal of the confessional".

Unlike Catholic confessions, Coptic confessions are done face to face.

Coptic Patriarch Anba Morcossaid people had begun to phone in their confessions.

"It's a new thing; it's been happening for the past four or five years," he said.

Morcos said Pope Shenuda has also banned monks in Coptic monasteries from using mobile phones.

"The monk is supposed to be secluded from the world. But the mobile phone brings the world to him," he said.

Monastery administrators are allowed to keep their mobile phones.

The Vatican does not recognise confessions by telephone or over the internet.

Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, has said "confession requires the physical presence of the priest and the penitent".

"Privacy is absolutely not guaranteed on internet, and there is no certainty as to the identity of the two parties to the communication. You can't have confession by email, any more than you can have it by telephone or letter."

Country’s defence is strong, says Shahbaz

LAHORE, Dec 25: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says Pakistan’s defence is very strong and invulnerable and no power on the earth can succeed in its evil designs against it.

He was speaking at a meeting held to observe the 133rd birthday of the Quaid-i-Azam under the auspices of the Pakistan Movement Workers Trust and Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation at the Ghulam Haider Wyne Auditorium here on Thursday.

The chief minister said while the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal founded Pakistan helped by the dedicated leaders and the workers of the Muslim League, the people worked hard to make their country strong and invulnerable, particularly after its scientists made it a nuclear power.

He said the process of making Pakistan a nuclear power, which had been initiated by the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and helped by the successive governments was culminated with the nuclear tests carried out by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1998 making Pakistan the first atomic power of the Muslim world.

It was Pakistan’s nuclear capability that India could not dare to attack Pakistan in 2002 when it had deployed troops along its borders and even now could never dare to attack it though it had been hurling all sorts of threats since the Mumbai attacks last month.

Mr Shahbaz said the Mumbai attacks were condemnable and all sections of people of Pakistan and politicians had condemned them. Pakistan had already offered to India for cooperation in investigating the attacks. India had not provided any solid evidence, but its leaders and media were busy making all sorts of accusations against Pakistan.

The chief minister said Pakistan was itself a victim of terrorism and “we have evidence of India’s involvement in the acts of terrorism in Balochistan and tribal areas of Pakistan.”

He said that an Indian army colonel had been founded in carrying out bomb blast in Samjhauta Express while it was on its way from Delhi to Lahore early this year. Similarly, there were many other instances of involvement of Indian elements in acts of terrorism in Pakistan.

He said that while Pakistan had become a nuclear power and was capable of defending its borders it was facing an economic crisis and the government was begging for financial help from international donors and various countries, which was against its honour and dignity.

In his welcome address, Pakistan Movement Workers Trust chairman Dr Javid Iqbal said that the Quaid’s vision of making Pakistan an Islamic, democratic welfare state had not been realised by the nation and every ruler had been violating his principles.

He said that making Pakistan an Islamic state meant that the people’s problems should be solved in the light of the Islamic principles. The welfare state was meant to provide the people with the social security, enough food and fibre at reasonable prices and necessary facilities for their healthcare and education.

A democratic state provides the people their right to elect their representatives independently. “If we can evolve our state affairs on these lines we can boast to revive the system of governance introduced by the pious Caliphs (Khulafa-i-Raashideen) of Islam.

He said the two-nation theory was the very basis of Pakistan which must be strictly upheld by the nation for its own survival.

The theory, he said, demanded elimination of all kind of regional, parochial and sectarian prejudices and development of the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood.

He said that India’s recent expression of sentiments of aggression against our country called for strengthening the basis of the ideology of Pakistan to silence the Indian outbursts against Pakistan.

It is heartening that the whole nation is united against these Indian threats and the need of the hour is to strengthen this unity and solidarity of the nation.

Dr Iqbal said the PMWT had so far awarded 950 gold medals to workers of the Pakistan Movement and disbursed a sum of Rs8.6 million as financial aid to them. He said that 671 gold medalists were from Punjab, 116 from the NWFP, 104 from Sindh, 16 from Balochistan and 32 from Bangladesh.

Foundation chairman Majid Nizami said that the Quaid-i-Azam’s main purpose of establishing Pakistan was to solve the economic problems of the Muslims of the subcontinent.

He said it was heartening to note that the Punjab government was taking measures to ameliorate the social conditions of the common man, particularly in the education and health sectors. Foundation secretary Dr Rafiq Ahmad and Shahid Rashid also addressed.

The chief minister gave 47 gold medals to the living workers of the Pakistan movement and the posthumous awards to their relatives. They include 29 from four provinces of Pakistan and 18 from Bangladesh.
source:dawn.com