Friday, June 29, 2007

My Way News - London Police Foil Major Terror Plot
AP reports: "Police thwarted a devastating terrorist plot on Friday, discovering two Mercedes loaded with nails packed around canisters of propane and gasoline set to detonate and kill possibly hundreds in London's crowded theater and nightclub district."
My Way News - Hamas TV Kills Off Mickey Mouse Double
AP reports: "A Mickey Mouse lookalike who preached Islamic domination on a Hamas-affiliated children's television program was beaten to death in the show's final episode Friday. In the final skit, 'Farfour' was killed by an actor posing as an Israeli official trying to buy Farfour's land. At one point, the mouse called the Israeli a 'terrorist.'"
My Way News - U.N. Chief Worried About Arms Smuggling
AP reports: "Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Syria and Iran on Friday to do more to prevent arms smuggling to Lebanon, citing 'disturbing reports' from the Lebanese and Israeli governments of alleged violations of the U.N. arms embargo."

Thursday, June 28, 2007

My Way News - UN Finds Progress in Tackling Bird Flu
AP reports: "Countries are making progress in fighting bird flu but concerns remain for some nations - especially Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria - where human contamination is still possible, the United Nations said Wednesday."
My Way News - U.S.: Iran, NKorea Missile Threat Rising
AP reports: "The top U.S. missile defense official warned Thursday that the ballistic threat from Iran and North Korea was rapidly growing and defended Washington's plans to base parts of its anti-missile shield program in Central Europe."
My Way News - Fayyad Warns Islamic Preachers
AP reports: "The new Palestinian prime minister delivered a stern warning Thursday to hundreds of Islamic preachers, including Hamas supporters: He won't tolerate calls for violence delivered from mosque pulpits and plans to collect militants' weapons."
My Way News - Russia Holds Successful Missile Test
AP reports: "Russia said a new sea-based ballistic missile made its first successful test flight Thursday after several previous failures, in what was the country's second major test of new rocket technology in a month."

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

WorldNetDaily: Free newsletter links persecuted Christians with prayer
WND reports: "Unlike the popular contemporary concept that the persecution of Christians happened in biblical times and then ended, he said, such attacks now are escalating in dozens of nations around the world."

This is an interesting report that reminds the church in the U.S. what real persecution is like. Let's agree to pray for our brothers and sisters in China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iraq, Gaza, and Saudi Arabia, that they can persevere with faith and courage.
My Way News - Blair Faces Challenges As Mideast Envoy
AP reports: "A statement from the Quartet said Blair will focus on mobilizing international support and assistance for the Palestinians. At first, the role likely will not involve mediation or negotiation between Palestinians and Israelis."
My Way News - Visa, Wells Fargo to Test Mobile Payment
AP reports: "Visa USA is teaming up with Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) in an experiment aimed at transforming mobile telephones into electronic wallets."

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

My Way News - Convent Damage Unsettles Gaza Christians
AP reports: "Broken crucifixes and shards from a statue of Jesus have been swept up, but Gaza's tiny Christian community says the violent warning sent by Islamic militants cannot be erased."
My Way News - Blair Takes on Hard Job As Mideast Envoy
AP reports: "In his new job as Mideast envoy, Tony Blair will take on a task that has bedeviled many before him - a role complicated by Hamas' takeover of Gaza, the weakness of Palestinian and Israeli leaders, and animosity deepened on both sides by six years of conflict."

My Way News - 300 Islamic Militants Killed, Wounded

My Way News - 300 Islamic Militants Killed, Wounded: "Some 300 Islamic militants have been killed or wounded in the monthlong battle with Lebanese troops in a Palestinian refugee camp, leaving only a few dozen fighters still hiding in the besieged camp, Defense Minister Elias Murr said Tuesday."

Monday, June 25, 2007

My Way News - al-Qaida Looming Large in Gaza
AP reports: "Al-Qaida was looming increasingly large in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Monday: The al-Qaida-inspired kidnappers of a BBC journalist released their captive's anguished plea, while the terror network's deputy chief urged Muslims everywhere to back Hamas with weapons, money and attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets."
My Way News - EU Clears Launch of Internet Broadcaster
AP reports: "EU regulators on Thursday cleared media companies NBC Universal and News Corp. to launch an Internet broadcaster that aims to rival Google Inc.'s YouTube."

Thursday, June 21, 2007

My Way News - Egypt Calls Summit to Isolate Hamas
AP reports: "Egypt moved forcefully Thursday to isolate Hamas, calling a regional summit next week including the Israelis and Palestinians - and shunning contacts with the militant group after its takeover of Gaza."
My Way News - Lebanon Says Islamic Militants Defeated
AP reports: "Lebanon's defense minister declared victory Thursday over the Fatah Islam militant group, saying it had been crushed after a monthlong military assault on its stronghold in a northern refugee camp and only mopping up remained."
DEBKA - A third US carrier, the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise Strike Group is speeding towards the Persian Gulf
DEBKAfile reports, "The USS Enterprise CVN 65-Big E Strike Group, the US Navy's largest air carrier, will join the USS Stennis and the USS Nimitz carriers, building up the largest sea, air, marine concentration the United States has ever deployed opposite Iran."
My Way News - WHO Strategy to Stop Drug-Resistant TB
AP reports: "More than 130,000 lives could be saved if the world implements a two-year strategy to stop the growing problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis, the World Health Organization and partners said Thursday."

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

My Way News - Bush Eyes Blair for Mideast Peace Role
AP reports: "President Bush has talked with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about taking a role as a Middle East peace envoy after he leaves office next week. "
My Way News - Israel Sends Missiles, Tanks Into Gaza
AP reports: "Israel fired missiles and sent tanks on a foray into Gaza on Wednesday, killing four Palestinians in the deadliest military action since Hamas militants took control of the coastal strip. At the same time, Israel allowed in a few sick and wounded Palestinians of the hundreds of people who fled the violence - with many holed up for days at a fetid border passage with Gaza."
My Way News - EU Summit to Consider New Treaty
AP reports: "German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the leaders of the European Union's 27 nations to resolve deep divisions over the future of the expanding bloc as they gathered Thursday for a summit to discuss an EU constitution."
My Way News - Abbas Harshly Criticizes Hamas
AP reports: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas harshly criticized the Islamic Hamas on Wednesday for taking over Gaza last week, saying its members were 'murderous terrorists' who tried to assassinate him recently."
My Way News - IPhone to Play Youtube Clips
AP reports: "The eagerly awaited iPhone will be able to play Youtube videos when it ships next week, Apple Inc. announced Wednesday."

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

My Way News - Hamas Lying in Wait in West Bank
AP reports: "Hamas leaders in the West Bank have been driven underground by a Fatah campaign of kidnappings and arrests, but the Islamic militants warn they'll eventually come out of hiding to try to destabilize the rule of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with car bombings and assassinations."
My Way News - Lebanese Near Militant Strongholds
AP reports: "Lebanese troops inched toward Islamic militant strongholds in a north Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp Tuesday as mediators hinted at a possible cease-fire deal that includes the disarmament of the al-Qaida-inspired militants."
My Way News - YouTube Programs Channels in 9 Nations
AP reports: "Unshaken by its legal problems in the United States, online video leader YouTube will attempt to extend its cultural reach and increase its moneymaking opportunities by programming new channels in nine other countries."
My Way News - AT&T Launches Cell-To-Cell Live Video
AP reports: "AT&T Inc. (ATT) on Tuesday launched what it said is the first service letting callers share live video between cell phones. [...] It works only on the company's 3G, or third-generation, wireless network and requires a Video Share-capable phone, AT&T said."
My Way News - Scared Gazans Clamoring to Enter Israel
AP reports: "Trapped by Israeli tanks and Hamas gunmen, hundreds of terrified Palestinians holed up in a stench-filled concrete tunnel at a border crossing Tuesday, desperate to flee the Islamic militants now ruling the Gaza Strip."
My Way News - Bush and Olmert Seek to Prop Up Abbas
AP reports: "President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sided emphatically Tuesday with a weakened Mahmoud Abbas, hoping extra money and warm words would give the moderate leader primacy over the Islamic militant Hamas in the newly divided Palestinian territories."
US and allies lay global foundation for biometric border checks - The Register
The Register (UK) reports: "The UK has proposed a transatlantic arrangement for sharing biometric data about travellers as US coalition countries in the 'war on terror' push for a global system to control migration."

Monday, June 18, 2007

My Way News - Abbas: Time Is Ripe for Peace Talks
AP reports: "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, emboldened by an outpouring of international support in his showdown with Hamas militants, on Monday told a receptive President Bush that it was time to restart Mideast peace talks."
My Way News - Moderate Earthquake Shakes Central Iran
AP reports: "An earthquake shook Iran's central desert Monday evening, sending people in the holy city of Qom pouring into the streets in fear, but no injuries or major damage was reported, residents and state television said."
My Way News - Syria: No Secret Peace Talks With Israel
AP reports: "Syria's U.N. ambassador on Monday dismissed rumors of secret Syrian-Israeli talks and reiterated Damascus' call for Israel to resume peace negotiations that stalled seven years ago."
My Way News - Catholic School, Convent Desecrated
AP reports: "A school and convent belonging to the Gaza Strip's tiny Roman Catholic community were ransacked, burned and looted during clashes around a major security headquarters, the head of the community said Monday."
Police on high alert near Temple Mount due to Gaza chaos - Israel News, Ynetnews
Ynetnews reports: "The Jerusalem Police boosted its forces Friday morning ahead of the prayers which took place at the Temple Mount in the afternoon, in light of the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank."

Friday, June 15, 2007

INN - Arab Media Reports Syria Making Preparations for War with Israel
Israel National News reports, "A Qatari newspaper, Al Watan, reported Friday that Syria is making concrete preparations for war with Israel, saying that the Syrian government has removed the Government and State Archives from the Damascus area. According to the paper, this move indicates preparations for war."
My Way News - Putin May Run Russia From the Sidelines
AP reports: "President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to give up office next year as dictated by the constitution. But will he give up power? Many Russians expect Putin to run the country from the sidelines once he steps down after his second consecutive term - and there is a growing view that he'll return to the presidency following a period of rule by a hand-picked loyalist."
My Way News - Russians Silent on U.S. Missile Plans
AP reports: "Defense Secretary Robert Gates' assertion that the Bush administration will not replace its plan for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe with Russia's counterproposal for a radar site in Azerbaijan was met Friday with silence."
My Way News - Russia Fails in Arms Treaty Overhaul
AP reports: "Russia said Friday it could not rule out freezing its participation in a treaty limiting non-nuclear heavy weaponry around Europe after its attempt to overhaul the accord was rebuffed in what a diplomat called 'fine, polite, elegant lip service.'"
My Way News - Hamas Gives Amnesty; Killings Persist
AP reports: "Hamas offered amnesty to its defeated foes as violence tapered off from five days of bloodshed that claimed more than 90 lives. But Fatah leader Abbas made the split complete by firing the Hamas prime minister, leaving Palestinians struggling to adjust to a new political reality that has crushed their long-standing hopes for their own state."

Thursday, June 14, 2007

My Way News - Israel Decides to Stay Out of Gaza
AP reports: "Israel's defense minister vowed Thursday not to let Hamas' near-takeover of Gaza spill over into violence against the Jewish state, but decided against taking action that would complicate the volatile situation, such as launching an invasion."
My Way News - Abbas Dissolves Palestinian Government
AP reports: "A beleaguered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency and disbanded the Hamas-led unity government after the Islamic militant group vanquished its Fatah rivals and effectively took control of the Gaza Strip on Thursday."

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

My Way News - Hamas Seizing Control of Gaza Strip
AP reports: "Hamas fighters launched a fierce offensive on Gaza City Wednesday, firing mortars and rockets at Fatah's main security bases and the president's compound as the Islamic group appeared close to taking control of the entire Gaza Strip."
My Way News - Strong Earthquake Rocks Guatemala
AP reports: "A powerful earthquake shook Guatemala and parts of neighboring nations Wednesday, sending some residents in El Salvador's capital rushing into the streets for safety. Officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties or serious damage. The quake struck at 1:29 p.m. local time and was centered 70 miles southwest of Guatemala City off the Pacific coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It gave a preliminary calculation of magnitude of 6.8."

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

My Way News - EU Approves Visa Data System
AP reports: "The European Union on Tuesday approved a European visa data system which will store biometric information like fingerprints and photos on 70 million visa-holders who pass through the EU's borderless travel zone each year."
My Way News - U.S.: Iran Sending Weapons to Taliban
AP reports: "A senior U.S. diplomat accused Iran on Tuesday of transferring weapons to Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan - the most direct comments yet on the issue by a ranking American official."
My Way News - Hamas Seizes Fatah Security Headquarters
AP reports: "Hundreds of Hamas fighters firing rockets and mortar shells captured the headquarters of the Fatah-allied security forces in northern Gaza on Tuesday, scoring a key victory in the bloody battle for control of the seaside strip."

Commentary: At some point, the media will have to declare this a civil war among the Palestinians. I suspect that they are slow to to this because they don't want to undermine the illusion of the peace process and the notion that Israel should have peace with this intemperate people. They also probably don't want acknowledge the extent to which Iran and Syria have been arming Hamas in a ploy to undermine Israel's security. War is once again on the horizon and this summer, I fear that it could easily become a regional conflagration. Keep your eye on Damascus.

Monday, June 11, 2007

My Way News - Israel Launches Advanced Spy Satellite
AP reports: "Israel successfully launched an advanced spy satellite into orbit Monday, giving it a sophisticated new tool in its efforts to collect intelligence on archenemy Iran and other regional adversaries."
My Way News - Iraqi Christian Refugees in Legal Limbo
AP reports: "Forced from their Baghdad home by sectarian violence, an Iraqi Christian couple in their 70s have spent the past two years bounced between detention centers in Greece and Belgium, terrified of being forced back to Iraq."
My Way News - Report: Risk of Nuclear Warfare Rising
AP reports: "The world's top military powers are gradually dismantling their stockpiles of nuclear arms, but all are developing new missiles and warheads with smaller yields that could increase the risk of atomic warfare, a Swedish research institute said Monday."

Sunday, June 10, 2007

My Way News - Palestinian Gunmen Storm Israeli Border
AP reports: "Palestinian gunmen broke through Israel's heavily fortified Gaza border and battled troops inside Israel for about two hours Saturday in a failed attempt to abduct an Israeli soldier. One of the raiders was killed."
My Way News - YouTube's Chen: Better Content Needed
AP reports: "YouTube co-founder Steve Chen said on Saturday consumers in many parts of the world will have access to the popular video-sharing Web site on their mobile phones by next year."
My Way News - Al-Qaida's New African Alliance Watched
AP reports: "U.S. counterterrorism officials are paying renewed attention to an increasingly dangerous incubator for extremism: a swath of northern and sub-Saharan West Africa, from the Atlantic coast of Morocco and Mauritania to the harsh deserts of Chad."

Friday, June 08, 2007

My Way News - Security Council Refuses to Condemn Iran
AP reports: "The U.N. Security Council refused to approve a statement Friday that would condemn remarks about Israel's impending destruction attributed to Iran's hard-line president because of objections from Indonesia, council diplomats said."

Ordinarily it would not be a great challenge to get the leaders of the U.N. to condemn anyone who called for the destruction of another U.N. member state, but when the country under threat is Israel, all bets are off.
My Way News - Report: Olmert Will Cede Golan for Peace
AP reports: "Israel has told Syrian leaders it is willing to give up the captured Golan Heights as part of a peace deal that would require Syria to distance itself from Iran's virulently anti-Israel regime, a newspaper reported Friday."
My Way News - Haniyeh Wants Hamas Militia Recognized
AP reports: "Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh insisted Friday that Hamas' 6,000-strong militia be recognized as a branch of the Palestinian security forces, a point of dispute that has provoked bloody clashes with the rival Fatah movement in the past."
My Way News - G-8 Leaders Pledge $60B to Fight AIDS
AP reports: "The leaders of the Group of Eight ended their summit Friday after agreeing to set a nonbinding goal to cut greenhouse gases, warn Iran over its nuclear program, and give $60 billion to fight AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa."
My Way News - US to Press Ahead With Anti-Missile Plan
AP reports: "President Bush signaled Friday the United States will press ahead with a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe despite Russia's heated objections. Poland's president expressed support for installing interceptor rockets in his country."
My Way News - Islamic Militants Kill Lebanese Soldier
AP reports: "Lebanese troops battled al-Qaida-inspired militants Friday in a Palestinian refugee camp where violence has raged for three weeks. The clashes in northern Lebanon came hours after a bombing in a Christian town northeast of Beirut killed at least one man."

Thursday, June 07, 2007

My Way News - Report: Olmert Signals on Golan Heights
AP reports: "A recent flurry of secret messages from Israel to Syria signaled Israel's willingness to give up the disputed Golan Heights in return for a peace agreement, an Israeli newspaper reported Friday."
My Way News - Meningitis Vaccine May Curb Big Outbreak
AP reports: "A new meningitis vaccine offers hope to end devastating epidemics that have plagued West Africa the last century, according to recent studies. The new vaccine protects against meningitis A, the deadliest form of the disease and seen primarily in Africa."
My Way News - Germany: G-8 Agreement on Climate Change
AP reports: "Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that the Group of Eight has agreed on a plan calling for 'substantial cuts' in the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming."
My Way News - U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Passes 3,500
AP reports: "The four-year U.S. military death toll in Iraq passed 3,500 after a soldier was reported killed in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. A British soldier was also shot to death Thursday in southern Iraq, as Western forces find themselves increasingly vulnerable under a new strategy to take the fight to the enemy."
My Way News - Arms Sought for Pro-Abbas Faction
AP reports: "Security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are seeking Israeli permission to import anti-tank missiles, grenades and other weapons in their battle against Hamas, Israeli and Palestinian security officials said Thursday."
My Way News - Blast in Christian Area North of Beirut
AP reports: "A bomb went off Thursday night near a Christian town north of Beirut, the latest in a string of explosions that have shaken Lebanon since fighting began between army troops and Islamic militants in a northern refugee camp three weeks ago."

Monday, June 04, 2007

My Way News - Thousands Displaced by China Quake
AP reports: "Tens of thousands of earthquake victims in southwest China were living in tents or in the open Monday, fearful of returning to their damaged homes a day after a magnitude 6.4 quake killed three and injured at least 300."
My Way News - WHO: Chinese Soldier Dies of Bird Flu
AP reports: "A 19-year-old Chinese soldier has died of the virulent strain of bird flu, the country's 16th reported death from the virus, the World Health Organization said Tuesday."
My Way News - Russia Warns U.S. About Missile System
AP reports: "President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could take 'retaliatory steps' if Washington proceeds with plans to build a missile defense system for Europe, including possibly aiming nuclear weapons at targets on the continent."

Saturday, June 02, 2007

My Way News - Pakistan School Shut, Blasphemy Alleged
AP reports: "A nursing school was shut down and its Christian principal and four Christian students suspended after Muslim pupils accused unknown people of desecrating verses from the Qu'ran, officials said Saturday."
My Way News - Taliban Vows to 'Liberate' Afghanistan
AP reports: "A man described as the Taliban's new top field commander has vowed to liberate Afghanistan from 'American slavery,' a pro-Taliban cleric said Saturday."
My Way News - Earthquake in Southwest China Kills 2
AP reports: "A strong earthquake shook southwest China's Yunnan province early Sunday, killing at least two and injuring hundreds, state media reported. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 and hit about 1,470 miles southwest of Beijing."
My Way News - Anger, Unease 40 Years After Mideast War
AP reports: "Hanan Porath's army unit was among the first to reach the Western Wall in old Jerusalem, Judaism's holiest site - and it felt like deliverance after 2,000 years of exile and persecution."

AP notes the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War in which Israel reclaimed control over the Temple Mount for the first time since the Roman occupation. Will this anniversary mark the end of a 40 year wilderness period for Israel?

40 Years in Scripture:
Exodus 16:35
Judges 13:1
1 Samuel 4:18
2 Samuel 5:4
1 Kings 11:42
Acts 13:21
My Way News - Brief Chronology of the 1967 Mideast War
This AP chronology on the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War notes that it was on June 7, 1967 that Israel reclaimed control over the Temple Mount for the first time since the Roman occupation:
June 7: Israeli soldiers capture Jerusalem's Old City, including shrines [The Temple Mount] sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and take control of entire West Bank. Jordan accepts cease-fire.
My Way News - Islamic Group Targets Women Newscasters
AP reports: "An Islamic group threatened to behead female TV broadcasters if they don't wear strict Islamic dress, frightening reporters and signaling a further shift toward extremism in the Gaza Strip."
My Way News - 4 Charged in JFK Airport Terror Plot
AP reports: "Three people were arrested and another was being sought Saturday for allegedly plotting to blow up a fuel line that feeds John F. Kennedy International Airport and runs through residential neighborhoods, authorities said."

Friday, June 01, 2007

My Way News - Lebanese Army Battles Militants in Camp
AP reports: "Lebanese tanks and armored vehicles battled their way into the outer neighborhoods of a Palestinian refugee camp Friday in some of the heaviest fighting since violence broke out between the military and al-Qaida-inspired militants nearly two weeks ago."
My Way News - Syria Condemns U.N. Tribunal in Lebanon
AP reports: "Syria's foreign minister on Friday said Damascus won't deal with the international tribunal being set up by the U.N. to prosecute suspects in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri."
My Way News - Turkey Attack in Iraq May Impact Economy
AP reports: "Turkey's government is pondering an attack on Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq, raising fears among people along the frontier that military action will scuttle cross-border trade and wreck the region's rejuvenated economy."
My Way News - Rice: US Not Preparing for War With Iran
AP reports: "The U.S. is not preparing for war against Iran and Vice President Dick Cheney supports that policy, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says, taking a swipe at a U.N. official who says he's worried about 'crazies' who want to start bombing."
My Way News - Swiss Synagogue Fire Set Deliberately
AP reports: "A fire that damaged Geneva's largest synagogue was set deliberately, according to results of an investigation announced Friday. 'The cause of the fire was criminal,' said magistrate Michel Graber, who is overseeing the investigation into the May 24 fire, in a written statement."
My Way News - Christian in Pakistan Sentenced to Death
AP reports: "A Christian was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammed, and a human rights activist Friday urged Pakistan's president to spare his life. Younis Masih, 29, was arrested in September 2005 on the outskirts of the eastern city of Lahore after residents told police he made derogatory remarks against Islam and Muhammad."

Let us all agree to pray for this man, Younis Masih, and the ordeal he is facing. It is unlikely that he will be pardoned by the leader of Pakistan, whose hold in power is being challenged by Islamic fundamentalists. A presidential pardon would inflame tensions and play into the hands of the militants. Perhaps our best hope is that Masih will demonstrate grace and courage in the face of persecution, and set the kind of example that may lead others to salvation. We pray that he remembers at all times that his life is never really in danger and that the certain knowledge of his own eternal life, which is in the Son, will give him the serenity to face those who seek to end his earthly life.