World leaders gather at Global Policy Forum in Yaroslavl
Global Policy Forum “The Modern State: Standards of Democracy and Criteria of Efficiency” will be held under the patronage of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. Celebrating its millennium in 2010, Yaroslavl will become a place of meeting of heads of states and ministers, authoritative politicians, representatives of the business community, scientists, scholars and experts from around the world.
As Tensions Rise, U.S. and S. Korea Begin Drills
The United States and South Korea began their largest joint war games in years on Sunday, with a nuclear powered American aircraft carrier prowling off the east coast of South Korea while North Korea threatened to retaliate and reportedly put its military on alert for war.
Pakistan Aids Insurgency in Afghanistan, Reports Assert
Americans fighting the war in Afghanistan have long harbored strong suspicions that Pakistan’s military spy service has guided the Afghan insurgency with a hidden hand, even as Pakistan receives more than $1 billion a year from Washington for its help combating the militants, according to a trove of secret military field reports made public Sunday.
Evangelical Lutheran pulpits welcome non-celibate gay pastors
The group is among the first gay, bisexual or transgender Lutheran pastors to be reinstated or added to the rolls of the ELCA since the organization voted last year to lift the policy requiring celibacy.
Carter ripped for anti-Israel statement
The leader of a Messianic Jewish ministry says it's an absolute outrage that former President Jimmy Carter has once again demonstrated that he's a not a friend of Israel.
Top U.S. officer warns Afghan war will get worse
More NATO troops will die in Afghanistan as violence mounts over the summer, but Washington's goal of turning the tide against the insurgency by year's end is within reach, the top U.S. military officer said on Sunday.
Israel Museum Display Dilutes Jewish Connection with Jerusalem
The inauguration of the Israel Museum’s renewed 20-acre campus Sunday evening features a display that aims at changing the "tendency" to view Jerusalem only through a Jewish perspective.
US Insists 'No Change in PA Status' Despite Flag Waving
The United States insists that allowing the Palestinian Authority to fly its flag in Washington does not represent an upgrade in its diplomatic status. The PA said Friday that the American government is changing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission’s designation from “mission" to "special delegation.”
Migrants sell up and flee Arizona ahead of crackdown
"Everyone is selling up the little they have and leaving," said Villasenor, 31, who is headed for Pennsylvania. "We have no alternative. They have us cornered."
Green religion movement hopes spill wins converts
Religious leaders who consider environmental protection a godly mission are making the Gulf of Mexico oil spill a rallying cry, hoping it inspires people of faith to support cleaner energy while changing their personal lives to consume less and contemplate more. "This is one of those rare moments when you can really focus people's attention on what's happening to God's creation," said Walt Grazer, head of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment.
Netanyahu: Palestinians are dodging direct Mideast peace talks
The Palestinian Authority is determined to sabotage attempts to upgrade the ongoing proximity Middle East peace talks with direct negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, adding that direct talks were the only way to ensure Israel's security interests. ..."If anyone had any doubts regarding the Palestinians' reluctance, it is now crystal clear," Netanyahu said, adding that the PA were "stalling direct talks and relying on the Arab League for support."
MK Zoabi: Israel could ignite 3rd intifada
Arab Knesset member who participated in Gaza-bound flotilla tells British newspaper she rejects path of violence but warns conditions may deteriorate should Israel fail to recognize problem of Arab-Israeli community. ...After having her privileges revoked by the Knesset, MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad) warns of a third intifada in an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper.
US says Wikileaks could 'threaten national security'
The United States has condemned as "irresponsible" the leak of 90,000 military records, saying publication could threaten national security. The documents released by the Wikileaks website include details of killings of Afghan civilians unreported until now. Three news organisations had advance access to the records, which also show Nato concerns that Pakistan and Iran are helping the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Venezuela head threatens US oil cut over Colombia row
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has threatened to halt oil exports to the US if his country is attacked by Colombia - a close US ally. The threat comes amid an escalating dispute over allegations that Venezuela is harbouring Colombian rebels. Mr Chavez broke diplomatic ties with Colombia last week and put his army on high alert.
Iran warns EU against imposing sanctions
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said the EU will "regret" the economic sanctions it is planning to impose on Tehran later today (26 July) at a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "Anyone who adopts a measure against the Iranian nation … should know that Iran will react swiftly," Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying on Sunday by Iran's English-language Press TV channel, reports the BBC.
'If Hizbullah strikes, we hit Lebanon'
The IDF will attack Lebanese government institutions if Israel is again subjected to rocket attacks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview with The Washington Post published Sunday. He told the newspaper that since the Lebanese goverment is allowing Hizbullah to rearm, "we will not run after each Hizbullah terrorist or launcher. . . . We will see it as legitimate to hit any target that belongs to the Lebanese state, not just to Hizbullah."
