What is happening in the world June 1 - 7 2010!!

[Shammu]

Broadcaster Airing U.S. Day Of Prayer Despite Court Ruling
Posted on: 2010-05-06 11:37:58
ByStefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON, USA (Worthy News)-- International Christian broadcaster GOD Television was to air Thursday, May 6, the United States' National Day of Prayer (NDP), amid concerns among Christians that the annual event may be banned following a controversial court ruling.

A federal judge in Wisconsin, Judge Barbara Crabb, wrote last month that the NDP violated the constitution. She said the government can no more enact laws "supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.

In fact, Crabb wrote, "it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individuals decision whether and when to pray."

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has countered that the statute simply acknowledges the role of religion in the country. Obama issued a proclamation last year but did not hold public events with religious leaders as former President George W. Bush had done.

CONGRESS RULING

Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2008 arguing the day violated the separation of church and state.

Tthis year's theme NDP theme is 'For such a time as this' based on Bible verse Nahum 1:7: "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."

GOD TV said in a statement that viewers of the 2010 National Observance in Washington D.C will be encouraged to "participate in powerful prayers of intercession for America and all those in authority by various Christian leaders."

They will also be invited to sign an on-line petition "to save the National Day of Prayer," added GOD TV co-founder Wendy Alec.

Hosted by NDP Task Force Chairman, Shirley Dobson, the three-hour broadcast was to include an address by EvangelistFranklin Graham, the Task Force's Honorary Chairman.

"UNRELENTING ASSAULT"

"Unfortunately, the heritage of prayer in our nation has come under unrelenting assault," said Shirley Dobson in a statement. "The National Day of Prayer dates back to 1775 and it is not for a judge to take away. We the people called for the day of prayer and for 59 years we have practiced our freedom to gather and pray," she explained.

"It is time to say, 'Enough is enough'. We ask the American people to defend the right to pray. We can be silent no more," Dobson added.

It comes amidconcerns reports of attacks againstopenly devoted Christians in the United States, following the killing of two evangelists earlier this year and attacks against churches and pastors.

Broadcaster Airing U.S. Day Of Prayer Despite Court Ruling

[Shammu]

Evangelical Group Condemns Uzbekistan Crackdown On Churches
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 (3:43 am)

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

TASHKENT/BUDAPEST (Worthy News)-- An influential evangelical organization, which claims to represent over 400 million Christians worldwide, expressed concerns Tuesday, June 1, about police raids on Protestant congregations in Uzbekistan and the detention of several Christians in the former Soviet republic.

The Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) of the World Evangelical Alliance said it was especially concerned about a recent police raid on one of the largest Protestant churches in the capital Tashkent where police "without a warrant" detained eight church members and seized properties.

Three other church members of the Church of Christ in Tashkent eventually received 15 days imprisonment May 18 on charges that include "violating" strict religious regulations of the former Soviet nation, reported Worthy News earlier.

Five other church members received heavy fines with three of them forced to pay $ 1,775 -- about eighty times the average monthly minimum wage in the impoverished nation -- while two others were fined five $110 each, the RLC said.

The troubles began during a May 16 Sunday worship service, attended by some 500 people, which was interrupted by "police, the secret police, tax inspectorate, fire Inspectors and the sanitary-epidemiological service,"  explained RLC. "Sunday school children were videotaped by the police. After a 5 hour search, which was carried out without a warrant, the police detained eight church members including the Assistant Pastor Artur Avanesyan."

"NO FOOD, WATER"

The group claimed they were kept in detention for 24 hours without any food or water and were not allowed to contact their families.  "Equipment including computers and printers as well as Christian literature was confiscated. Letters of permission given by parents of 392 children to attend Sunday school were among papers taken away by the police."

The raid on the Church of Christ was "the latest in a series of similar raids on Protestant congregations this year," said RLC Executive Director Godfrey Yogarajah in a statement to Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife. "There have also been several instances where Christian leaders have been convicted of various false charges," he added.

"[We are] deeply concerned about the recent raid and arrests of church members and the apparent deterioration of religious rights in Uzbekistan." He said his group had urged the government of Uzbekistan "to ensure the rights of all Uzbek citizens". His organization has also urged Christians worldwide "to stand in solidarity with the Uzbek church and pray for justice and equality for the church in Central Asia."

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has been accused of using the threat of Islamic militancy to justify his autocratic style of leadership and cracking down on religious groups deemed "dangerous" for the country, including active churches. Uzbek officials have refused to comment on the Church for Christ case.

Evangelical Group Condemns Uzbekistan Crackdown On Churches

[Shammu]

Calif. high school ends 'Beat the Jew' game
June 4 2010

LOS ANGELES — Seven seniors at a Southern California high school were facing disciplinary action for participating in a game called "Beat the Jew" in which losers were subjected to "incineration" or "enslavement," a school administrator said Friday.

The game involved some students playing the role of Nazis who blindfolded and dropped off other students playing Jews who must find their way back to the campus, said Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent of personnel for Desert Sands Unified School District.

It was not immediately clear what either punishment comprised for losing players, she said.

Seven seniors at La Quinta High School could be suspended or barred from graduation, among other measures, Johnstone said.

"This is appalling to us," she said. "We want our students to understand the horror of a title like this."

The district about 130 miles east of Los Angeles referred the matter to police because of the possibility that the game contained a threat, said La Quinta police Lt. Jason Huskey. No threat had been found so far, but the investigation was ongoing, he said.

The district started investigating a week ago after students reported the game to administrators.

The game was promoted online, attracting about 40 students. Seven showed up to play one evening in the campus parking lot, Johnstone said.

The district is working with Jewish organizations to review its tolerance curriculum. A voluntary tolerance program will be held after school next week.

Calif. high school ends 'Beat the Jew' game

[Shammu]

Egyptians married to Israelis to lose citizenship
By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF, AP
8 hours ago

CAIRO — An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld a ruling that orders the country's Interior Ministry to strip the citizenship from Egyptians married to Israeli women.

The case underlines the deep animosity many Egyptians still hold toward Israelis, despite a peace treaty signed between the two countries 31 years ago.

The Supreme Administrative Court's decision also scores a point for Egyptian hard-liners who have long resisted any improvement in ties with Israel since the signing of the 1979 peace treaty.

In upholding last year's lower court ruling, the appeals court said Saturday that the Interior Ministry should present each marriage case to the Cabinet on an individual basis. The Cabinet will then rule on whether to strip the Egyptian of his citizenship.

The court also said officials should take into consideration whether a man married an Israeli Arab or a Jew when making its decision to revoke citizenship.

Saturday's decision, which cannot be appealed, comes more than year after a lower court ruled that the Interior Ministry, which deals with citizenship documents, must implement the 1976 article of the citizenship law. That bill revokes citizenship of Egyptians who married Israelis who have served in the army or embrace Zionism as an ideology. The Interior Ministry appealed that ruling.

The lawyer who brought the original suit to court, Nabih el-Wahsh, celebrated Saturday's ruling, saying it "is aimed at protecting Egyptian youth and Egypt's national security."

The government has not released figures of Egyptians married to Israeli women, but some estimates put the number around 30,000.

Israeli officials said they had no comment on Saturday's ruling.

In 2005, former Grand Mufti Nasr Farid Wasel issued a religious edict, or fatwa, saying Muslim Egyptians may not marry Israeli nationals, "whether Arab, Muslim, or Christian." The possibility of a Jewish spouse was not mentioned.

Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, the late Grand Sheik of Cairo's Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's premier institution and oldest university, has said that while marriage between an Egyptian man and an Israeli woman is not religiously forbidden, the government has the right to strip the man of his citizenship for marrying a woman from "an enemy state."

Egyptians married to Israelis to lose citizenship

[Shammu]

Clinton Calls for 'Transparent Investigation' Into Flotilla Raid

By Shannon Bream & Jake Gibson
Published June 03, 2010

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Israel to conduct a “prompt, impartial and transparent” investigation that complies with international standards and get the facts out as soon as possible. When asked Clinton would not say whether the US would be involved in any investigation of the fatal showdown on the flotilla.

The Israeli government maintains that they have every right to defend themselves and asserts they needed to inspect the boat to make sure the activists were not bringing in weapons. Thousands of rockets have been indiscriminately fired into Israel from Gaza in recent years.

To that end Clinton also said the US is evaluating how to expedite the flow of aid to Gaza while protecting Israel’s “legitimate security interests.”

Clinton made the remarks during a joint news conference in the Treaty Room at the State Department, with India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. They talked about the ongoing strategic talks the two countries engaged in today - and will continue.

Clinton and Krishna said they had discussed terror, military partnerships, energy, climate change, economies, food security and higher education.

On the Afghanistan front both Clinton and Krishna agreed that those who denounce Taliban membership and pledge to live by Afghan law can be reintegrated into society

Throughout the news conference, both sides expressed the deep partnership between the US and India.  Clinton called it, "an affair of the heart, not just the head."  She emphasized the long history of the beneficial relationship, and added that it is entering a new chapter as both countries face terror threats and economic challenges.

The next strategic discussion between the US and India will be in Delhi in 2011.

Clinton Calls for 'Transparent Investigation' Into Flotilla Raid

[Shammu]

European Union and Pakistan agree on five-year Engagement Plan
Friday, June 4th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
By Monica Lawrence

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) – The European Union (EU) and Pakistan agreed on Friday to a five-year Engagement Plan during the second EU-Pakistan summit held in Brussels, the Council of the EU announced.

The EU-Pakistan agreement will outline specific targets for future joint actions. Both sides agreed that the plan will be jointly drawn up after the conclusion of the summit. In order to accomplish such goal regular meetings will be held between both parties next October 14 and 15 in Brussels, Belgium.

Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, promoting human rights and the strengthening of the democracy are supported and appreciated by the European Union, as well as acknowledging the sacrifices made by people and security forces of Pakistan towards peace and stability in the region.

The EU and Pakistan agreed to raise the level of the existing Joint Commission so that this can act as the main body charged with preparing the whole range of issues covered by the enhanced Strategic Dialogue.

Pakistan praised the launch of an EU “Civilian Capacity Building for Law Enforcement” program in March 2010, to support the government’s counter-terrorism efforts. The program supports the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACYA) in becoming a fully operational and effective agency.

European Union and Pakistan agree on five-year Engagement Plan

[Shammu]

U.N. Condemns 'Acts' in Israeli Flotilla Raid

Published June 01, 2010

Israel's commando raid on a flotilla of pro-Palestinian "aid" ships that left nine activists dead has touched off a chain of events from the United Nations to Egypt's border with Gaza that threaten to isolate the Jewish state from the international community.

The U.N. Security Council called early Tuesday for an "impartial" investigation of Israel's deadly raid and condemned the "acts" that resulted in the loss of at least nine lives, a watered-down version of a resolution sought by Islamic nations leading the ferocious international condemnation of Israel.

Not far from the site of the naval raid, several thousand Gazans are making a furious rush to the Egyptian border, hoping to take advantage of a rare chance to escape the blockaded territory.

Egypt announced Tuesday it was temporarily opening its border with Gaza to allow aid into the impoverished territory, where 1.5 million Palestinians have been hemmed in by land and sea since Hamas took over in 2007. Dozens of Hamas police with automatic weapons were patrolling the border Tuesday as residents made a mad dash to escape the area.

Organizers of the flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli commandos as it tried to run a blockade, said they were undeterred and that another cargo boat was off the coast of Italy en route to Gaza Tuesday. A second boat carrying about three dozen passengers is expected to join it, said Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza Movement, which organized the flotilla. She told the Associated Press the two boats would arrive in the region late this week or early next week.

"They're going to have to stop the blockade of Gaza, and one of the ways to do this is for us to continue to send the boats," she said.

The flotilla set sail from Turkey and was packed with 679 activists -- many of whom were from the onetime close ally of Israel. But on Tuesday Turkey's Prime Minister called the raid a "bloody massacre," withdrawing its ambassador to Israel and demanding that the United States condemn the botched raid.

"Today is a turning point in history," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Nothing will be same again."

Marathon negotiations at an emergency meeting of the Security Council produced a presidential statement weaker than was demanded by the Palestinians, Arabs and Turkey because of objections by the United States.

The Islamic nations had called for condemnation of Monday's attack by Israeli forces on the flotilla "in the strongest terms" and "an independent international investigation."

But the presidential statement that was finally agreed to and read at a formal council meeting instead called for "a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards." And it only condemned "those acts" that resulted in deaths, without naming Israel.

The long and difficult negotiations were conducted primarily by the United States with Turkey and Lebanon, which are both non-permanent council members.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, whose country drafted the initial presidential statement, called the Israeli raid "banditry and piracy" on the high seas and "murder conducted by a state."

Palestinian U.N. observer Riyad Mansour called it a "war crime," and told an open Security Council meeting that "those fleets, one after the other, will be coming until the unethical blockade is put to an end and the suffering stops for our people."

While the Palestinians and Turks insisted that the activists on the ships were delivering aid to impoverished Gazans suffering under a three-year Israeli embargo, Israel's deputy U.N. ambassador Daniel Carmon said "this flotilla was anything but a humanitarian mission."

Some activists have "terrorist history" and its organizers support radical Islamic groups such as Hamas, which controls Gaza and refuses to recognize Israel's existence, he said.

Carmon defended the legality of Israel's blockade and the boarding of the ships -- which refused repeated calls to send their cargo to Gaza through Israel -- as "a preventive measure." He called the results "tragic and unfortunate."

The U.N.'s presidential statement also "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries" and requests the immediate release of the ships and civilians being held by Israel. It urges Israel to permit consular access and allow countries to retrieve their dead and wounded immediately.

The council also urged Israel "to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination" and stressed that the situation in Gaza "is not sustainable."

Council members reiterated "their grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stress the need for sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance through Gaza."

Mansour said this was "the clearest statement by the Security Council on lifting the siege against the Gaza Strip."

The flotilla was the ninth attempt by sea to breach the blockade Israel and Egypt imposed after Hamas violently seized the territory. Israel allowed five seaborne aid shipments through but snapped the blockade shut after its 2009 war in Gaza.

There was little call in Israel for an end to the blockade. Israelis have little sympathy for Gaza, which sent thousands of rockets and mortar rounds crashing into Israel for years before last year's war.

Tensions along the Israeli-Gaza border were tense following the naval raid.

The Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad said three of its fighters were killed Tuesday shortly after firing rockets into southern Israel. Israeli authorities say the rockets landed in open areas and caused no injuries.

The Israeli military confirmed its airstrike, and Gaza's chief medical examiner also said there were three deaths.

On Tuesday morning, the Israeli military said Gaza militants infiltrated Israel and exchanged fire with troops. Israeli rescue services said two militants were killed, but the military would not immediately confirm that.

U.N. Condemns 'Acts' in Israeli Flotilla Raid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why am I not surprised??

The U.N. is the most dangerous threat to freedom and U.S. sovereignty since the Soviet Union.  God willing, a blue and white flag will not fly over my home as long as I am able to physically defend my home.  To me, that blue and white flag is the next worst thing to 666.  In fact, it could be the next step toward the mark.

It has been known for a long time that, the UN is very anti-Semitic. Now they're beginning to make themselves look STUPID as well. It's a sad state of affairs, isn't it? That the World Body set up to make sure that the Jewish (and others) don't ever have to relive the Holocaust, would now happily put the Jews through the same thing again without batting an eye.

They're not only making themselves look stupid. They're also making themselves look dangerous, which is worse.

The Useless Nations Motto: When in doubt........ blame Israel.

[nChrist]

These appear to be the things that are supposed to happen as we get closer to the Tribulation Period being ushered in. Those who study Bible Prophecy know that things are going to get MUCH worse - not better if God's Time for the Tribulation Period is growing near.

As Christians, the best thing we can do is PRAY and support Israel in any way that we can. We should know that God is not through with Israel and that Israel will be restored after the Tribulation Period. We should also know that all who go against Israel will be cursed, and all who help Israel will be blessed by God. God knows the current sad spiritual state of Israel, but God also knows that Israel will accept her Messiah at the Second Coming of Christ. Sadly, many Christians do not know or understand that Jesus Christ Himself is the Anointed King of Israel, and He will NOT be denied His Throne - the Throne of David in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ will take what is His and subject all things beneath His Feet. These things are clearly foretold in God's Word and they most assuredly will happen at God's Appointed Time. Jesus Christ will make a beautiful and lasting Peace like the world has never known, but the world must first go through a 7 year horrible time of suffering and bloodshed called the Tribulation Period. 75% of the world population will die during this horrible time, and I think this horrible time is growing near.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 2:1-5  The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  2  And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  3  And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.  4  And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  5  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.


Isaiah 9:2-7  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  3  Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.  4  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.  5  For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.  6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.

[sigourney w.]

AMEN. Pray pray for Israel, for her safety amid the growing satan inspired hatred of Jews, sadly all nations will turn against her,including the United States, the spirit of anti-christ is increasing in the world, people who will not accept truth will accept strong delusion when it comes.Call all we can to repentance while there is time. Pray for repentance in this nation, we see the signs all around us of Christ"s coming for his church, we must be ready,bless you all.

[nChrist]

AMEN. Pray pray for Israel, for her safety amid the growing satan inspired hatred of Jews, sadly all nations will turn against her,including the United States, the spirit of anti-christ is increasing in the world, people who will not accept truth will accept strong delusion when it comes.Call all we can to repentance while there is time. Pray for repentance in this nation, we see the signs all around us of Christ"s coming for his church, we must be ready,bless you all.

AMEN! I personally believe that the Rapture could happen at any time, even today. I realize that many disagree with me, but I don't know of any other Bible Prophecy that must be fulfilled before the Rapture. Some Christians don't believe in a Rapture at all, but I believe that the Bible clearly teaches it. Regardless, I anxiously await the glorious appearance of Jesus Christ to take His Church home to glory.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 15:50-58  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.


1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.