Live updates on faith, culture, politics, and humanitarian issues impacting Christians across the globe.
Mardi Gras and Rio Carnival Owe Soul To Dionysus
Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2000
Topless muses, nude dancers, and masked revelers stumbled home this week following dusk-to-dawn Carnival parades on both sides of the globe. The larger parades, Mardi Gras and Rio Carnival, witnessed above average arrests according to police.
Arafat has Escape Deal with Saddam
Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2000
An Israeli official confirmed Monday that PLO chief Yasser Arafat has salted away $20 million in pilfered funds in a Swiss Bank account, a nest egg that Israeli security believes he has offered to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein…
Arab Rulers Meet Ahead of Amman Summit
Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah were to meet with Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in Damascus on Wednesday for talks ahead of the Arab summit in Amman slated for the end of the month.
UN Says Lebanon Water Project Is Minor Diversion
Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2000
There were calls in recent days for calmer heads to prevail over the building of a water pumping station along a tributary of the upper Jordan River on the Israel-Lebanon border.
Iran Goes Shopping in Russia
Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is concluding a visit to Russia, where he has finalized deals for the purchase of conventional arms from Moscow and for continued assistance with Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Arab Leaders Flock to Amman Summit
Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Arab leaders have gathered in Amman for a significant Arab League summit that appears set to follow a familiar script, taking a united stand against Israel, but not quite trusting the Palestinians, while remaining divided on regional troublemaker…
Sharon Clinches Deal With Shas To Gain Knesset Majority
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon looks set to meet his Wednesday deadline for presenting his government to the Knesset, after his coalition negotiating team initialed a deal with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party Sunday night giving him a parliamentary majority…
Latest News in Israel – Oct 20, 2000
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Israel still has plenty of reasons to be concerned that PLO chief Yasser Arafat will not honor the Sharm e-Sheikh cease-fire, as armed Palestinian elements continue to fire upon Israeli targets and Arafat has yet to clearly order…
Muslims Mark Feast of Sacrifice
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
The Arab world marked the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Monday, traditionally a day of food, family and festivities. But this year, the holiday was noted for intensified anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric, continued violence and economic hardship…
Barak Wants No Part of Clinton Scandal
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Aides to outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak tried to distance him from the controversy surrounding former US President Bill Clinton and the "pardongate" scandal, refuting claims on Saturday that Barak had made three calls to Clinton that…
Knesset Approves Mammoth Sharon Government
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
After quickly pulling together a broad coalition of national unity, Israeli war hero and long-time politician Ariel Sharon was sworn in as Israel's 11th prime minister in a special Knesset session late Wednesday evening, becoming the leader of…
Israel Still Pondering “Who is a Jew?”
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Israeli authorities are wrestling again with the "Jewishness" of immigrants under the Law of Return, while a group of new immigrant soldiers are asking to use the New Testament instead of just the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, during…
Barak Hands Reins to His Former Commander Sharon
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Pledging to work for peace but only if Palestinian violence stops, Israeli war hero and long-time politician Ariel Sharon was warmly welcomed to his new position at the Prime Minister's Office by outgoing leader Ehud Barak on Thursday.
Syria Mounting Bid For Seat on UN Security Council
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
A diplomatic dogfight is taking shape at the United Nations, as Israel ponders how to foil Syria's drive to become one of the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council.
Barak To Be Questioned About Rich Pardon
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Investigators in the congressional probe into former US President Bill Clinton's controversial pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich plan to formally question ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak about his role in the possible pardon-for-money scandal.
Iran Closing In On Entry To Nuclear Club
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
According to Iran's state-run radio, the country is receiving help from Russia to complete its nuclear power plant at Bushehr, which is expected to be operational within two years.
Lebanon Arrests Twelve “Spies” For Israel
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
The Lebanese army has detained 12 people, including a Palestinian officer, accusing them of spying for Israel, the military said Thursday. The army statement did not say when or where the 12 were arrested, but said they were…
Donors Balk at Funding PA Corruption
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
United Nations and European Union officials increasingly fear that the worsening economic conditions in the Palestinian Authority will only increase poverty and lead to more violence. But for the first time, the EU is seriously threatening to withhold…
Taliban Crushes Statues Despite Pleas of Fellow Muslims
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2000
Despite universal outrage and even widespread condemnation from leading Muslim circles, the ruling Taliban faction in Kabul has proceeded with the destruction of non-Islamic statues in Afghanistan.
