Prophecy in the news - RSS Feed

"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book:
for the time is at hand." - Rev 22:10 

Send news to:
Chris Perver

Updated
14/06/07

What it all means | Javier Solana - Antichrist? | Mark of the Beast | Europa and The Beast | The Rapture
2007-2013 | Downloads | My testimony
NEWS: 2006 | December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January

Weather
New Orleans "wiped off the map"
31/8/05
Initial reports of New Orleans having been spared the worst of Hurricane Katrina have proved to be wrong. Hundreds, if not thousands of people are feared dead after one of the worst natural disasters ever to engulf America. Up to 80% of New Orleans is submerged underwater, and water levels are still rising. Food and fuel are running out, and residents have no hope of escape apart from being ferried to safety by coastguard helicopter. Disease is spreading and looting is rampant as people struggle for survival, and take advantage of  the breakdown of emergency services. It all sounds apocalyptic, but sadly it is only too real for those caught up in the tragic events.

Quote: "Cutting short a holiday in Texas to take charge of the federal recovery effort, Mr Bush said the government was dealing with one of the worst natural disasters in US history. "This is going to be a difficult road, the challenges we face on the ground are unprecedented, but there's no doubt in my mind that we'll succeed," he said. Mr Bush, whose Air Force One plane flew low over the affected area, was taken aback by the scale of the disaster. "I can't tell you how devastating the sites were," he said.

Luke 21:25-26 
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Source BBC

Anti-Semitism
Ken Livingstone's sin finds him out
31/8/05
Ken Livingstone is to face a disciplinary hearing regarding his comments to a Jewish reporter, comparing him to a Nazi concentration-camp guard. Ken Livingstone, who has in the past, courted Islamic clerics wanted by the US government for charges relating to terrorism, and justified Palestinian suicide bombers only weeks after London was bombed, refused to apologize for his remarks.

Quote: "The Standards Board for England said an investigation into charges that Livingstone "failed to treat others with respect and brought his authority into disrepute" had concluded that a disciplinary hearing should take up the matter. The Adjudication Panel for England, which will conduct the hearing, could bar Livingstone from office for up to five years, censure him, order him to apologize or force him to undergo training, said a spokesman for the Standards Board. 

It is remarkable that Ken Livingstone is still a Labour party member, especially when the UK Labour government is seeking to bring in the Incitement to Religious Hatred bill.

Source Jerusalem Post

Weather
Ozone hole largest on record
30/8/05
New data retrieved from the European satellite Envisat may show the hole in the Ozone layer covering the southern hemisphere is now at it's largest extent ever recorded. Scientists fear if the Ozone hole grows too large, it will allow a greater amount of harmful radiation from the Sun into earth's atmosphere.

Quote: "The hole covers an area of 10 million sq km (four million sq miles) - approximately the same size as Europe. It is expected to continue expanding for two to three weeks. There have been signs over the last two years that damage to the ozone layer has reduced, but a full recovery is not expected until around 2050.

Scientists blame a man made chemical called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) for the depletion, once frequently used in everything from pressurized spray cans to fridge freezers. While CFCs are now banned worldwide, exhaust fumes from rocket and space shuttle launches continue to deplete the Ozone layer. Just one space shuttle launch releases over 200 tonnes of Ozone-killing chlorine into the earth's upper atmosphere.

Revelation 16:8-9 
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Source BBC

Israel
Abbas calls for greater EU role in the Middle East
30/8/05
President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has called for a greater EU role in the Middle East peace process, besides the political and economical support they are already giving. The EU has pledged to spend 60 million euros in developing Gaza, and EU troops are training the PA police force. Abbas' plea comes as Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU, is visiting several Middle East nations.

Quote: ""We are in bad need for the European Union to stand on our side," Abbas said. "There is of course important political and economical efforts the union is playing"...
Disputes between Israel and the EU have mounted after the EU wanted to activate its role in the peace process, while Israel insisted this role should focus only on economical and civil issues.

The Bible states in Daniel chapter seven that it will be Europe, not America, that will finally broker some sort of agreement with Israel and the surrounding nations for a period of seven years. This agreement is to usher in the tribulation period. Many see Europe as a key player in the Middle East, as Palestinians don't seem to trust America being aligned so closely with Israel, while Europe seems to take a more pro-Palestinian view.

Source People's Daily Online

Israel
Further settlements to go in "final deal"
29/8/05
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stated today that further West Bank settlements were likely to be evacuated, but only as part of a "final deal" with the Palestinian Authority. He said the main settlement blocks were to remain in Israeli hands due to their strategic importance. Ariel Sharon said that the retreat from Gaza was not to be seen as an end to the Zionist ideology, rather it would secure Zionism's future, for the government would concentrate developing other areas of Israel such as Galilee, the Negev and Greater Jerusalem.

Quote: ""The large settlement blocs," Sharon told Channel 10's Yaron London and Moti Kirschenbaum, "will remain in our hands" permanently. According to the prime minister, "Not all the settlements that are today in Judea and Samaria will remain Israeli." However, he explained, "The discussion over the borders and the settlements is the last stage of the negotiations. Otherwise, what you state today becomes a starting point for negotiations."

Of course, a final deal will be reached, that is certain according to Daniel 9:27, and Ezekiel 38 and 39, when a northern confederacy comes against the land of "unwalled villages". But this final deal will mark the beginning of the end of this age, and usher in the tribulation period, which Christ said the like of had never been seen before (Matthew 24:21).

Source Jerusalem Post

Peace process
Javier Solana meets Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom
29/8/05
High Representative for the European Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, began his three day visit to the Middle East yesterday. He met first with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, and praised Israel's efforts to bring about a lasting peace in the region...

Quote: "Minister Solana deplored the Beersheba attack on behalf of the EU, saying it condemns "every act of terrorism." With regard to the disengagement, Solana praised Israel's "courage and professionalism" in carrying out what the EU commends as "this first phase of disengagement." He stressed the democratic nature of Israel's decision and said the EU is willing to try to help with subsequent phases. "We must not lose momentum and hope," he said, adding that the EU "wants to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, and will work to make this a reality." Solana said the upcoming day of the Gaza Strip handover will be "a day of celebration."

Javier Solana also visited Lebanon today, and called for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1559, which calls on Syria to withdraw itself from political and military influence in the country, and the disbandment of all Lebanese militias.

Quote: "Referring to the possibility of pushing Lebanon into a mandatory peace treaty with Israel, similar to the one reached following the Israeli invasion to Lebanon in 1982, Jumblatt said: "The Western insistence on implementing UN Resolution 1559 and disarming the resistance will lead to putting Lebanon under a complete western mandate, which would be a preamble to opening the borders with Israel and reaching an agreement much like the May 17 agreement."

Source Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lebanese Daily Star, UN

Israel
Security fence construction boosted after suicide attack
29/8/05
Construction of Israel's West Bank security fence, aimed at stopping infiltration by suicide bombers like the one that attacked the Beersheba bus station yesterday, has been speed up to 5km per week. Israel has seen a dramatic reduction in terrorist atrocities since the fence was erected, yet there are some still claiming that the fence is an "apartheid wall" which is illegally constructed and aims to grab land from the Palestinian territories.

Quote: ""We know that the border is wide open. The fact that a suicide bomber could penetrate was not unexpected," said a senior officer during a patrol along the route of the security fence. He said the IDF had recently deployed a battalion to patrol the area, adding that without a fence in place it remained porous to infiltrations.

Source Jerusalem Post

Weather
New Orleans braces itself for Katrina
28/08/05
A powerful hurricane, so far responsible for the deaths of nine people in Florida, is now heading directly for New Orleans, with wind speeds in excess of 160mph. The Mayor of New Orleans stated that this is only a once in a lifetime event, for only three Category 5 storms have hit the US since record keeping began. Thousands are fleeing the city, and President Bush has ordered a State of Emergency.

Quote: "Mayor Nagin says the key fear for the bowl-like city, which sits some six feet (two metres) below sea-level, would be the flooding caused by a post-hurricane storm surge. He warned that Katrina's surge could top the barriers that protect the city from surrounding waters. "We are facing a storm that most of us have long feared," he said.

Source BBC 

Terror
Suicide bomber strikes Beersheba
28/08/05
When Ariel Sharon stated last week that he hoped the Gaza disengagement would bring greater opportunities to the Middle East, I don't think this was the kind of opportunity he was referring to. A Palestinian suicide bomber struck a Beersheba bus station this morning, with reports so far indicating 46 injured. The apparent low number of injuries and no fatalities are thanks to the bravery of two security guards who prevented the bomber entering the bus station. Both men are critically injured in hospital.

Quote: "According to witnesses, the suicide bomber attempted to enter the Beersheba bus station. The security guards at the site reportedly saw a young Arab man carrying a backpack who aroused their suspicions. Other reports from the scene describe the bomber attempting to board two different buses and being turned away, before trying to enter the bus station itself. When the two security guards called on the bomber to stop, he detonated his explosives outside the station, in a less crowded area.

Source Jerusalem Post

Terror
Al-Qaida e-book calls for all true Muslims to unite against infidels
27/8/05 
Al-Qaida has released a new e-book detailing their ambitions to destroy the "American Empire", and also called on all "true" Muslims to unite in violence and hate against non-Muslims.

Quote: ""The basics of our faith revolve around not harming true Muslims and not shedding one single drop of Muslim blood because one drop of true Muslim blood shed amounts to the demise of this whole world. So why do we carry out operations in Iraq against the Americans and their aides in the (Iraqi) army and police? First, to please God, who orders us to carry on this jihad and to force the occupiers to pull out of the land," it says, vowing to "spread the light of justice and glory all over the world." 

It seems Al-Qaida believes America is launching a "Christian crusade" against the Muslim world, and makes a particular reference to Christians in the book, or "worshippers of the cross" as they call us.

Quote: ""You who betrayed Muslims and in humiliation became one of many collaborators, a servant under the command of the cross, we ask you to return to your Islamic instinct or cutting your neck will be your only punishment for your treason against your religion and your people."

John 16:1-4
These things have I spoken unto you (Jewish believers in Yeshua), that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Source CNN

Peace Process
Israeli peace agreement and the Port Mefta plan
26/8/05
I sent this link to a friend of mine over a year or so ago. I found it extremely interesting, as it seemed to detail how a peace agreement could be worked out between Israel and the Palestinians. It is written by a New Yorker named S. C. Yuter, who has a doctorate in International Law. It seems as if the disengagement from Gaza has followed this man's ideas to the letter, even from the decision to withdraw from Gaza first, to give the Palestinians access to a sea port, and to build a Casino to boost the economy, among other things. The author has even received a letter from the Israeli Prime Minister regarding his "plans". It is a fascinating read.

Quote: "The West Bank barrier is completed and, except for the four northern settlements, no settlement there is removed until a final peace treaty, to calm most West Bank settlers. The Gaza settlers, threatened by withdrawal and consequent civil warfare, agree to the Mefta deal.

Source MEFTA

Israel
Javier Solana first to visit Palestine after disengagement
26/8/05
Javier Solana may be one of the first international leaders to visit Israel and Palestine after the completion of the Gaza disengagement. Solana, the Secretary General of the WEU and High Representative for the European Common Foreign and Security Policy, is heavily involved in the peace process in Israel - pledging over 60 million Euros for developing Gaza, and recently sent a message of encouragement to both Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas over their efforts.

Quote: "In a press release, the EU said that the visit will start in Israeli on Sunday, 28 August, and will continue to the Palestinian territories on 29 and 30 August, before the informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs in the United Kingdom on 1-2 September. According to the press release , Solana will meet President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and other members of the ministerial cabinet, adding that he will also meet Israeli premier Ariel Sharon and ministers Silvan Shalom, Peres and others.

I just read this interesting article detailing Javier Solana's speech to the American Jewish Congress last year, concerning the launching of the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels. It is extremely interesting what he had to say about European involvement in the peace process in Israel, and especially regarding the religious nature of the conflict, and his effort to unite all "faiths" under one umbrella.

Quote: "This brings me to the second triangle of which I spoke - that between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The three sides of this triangle are present in all of our societies today - in the United States, in Europe and in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The capacity of our societies to flourish, perhaps to survive, depends on finding the means of co-existence. It is a triangle with common roots. Abraham is the common ancestor for Jews, Christians and Muslims. But successful co-existence is not guaranteed by shared origins. It will be achieved only through mutual respect and tolerance. That means attacking ignorance and promoting reason. It means attacking injustice and promoting human rights. And it means recognising the equal worth of all people, whatever their nationality, colour or religion.

Source WAFA, Javier Solana, AJC

Wars and rumours of wars
Iran seeks to stall E3 by talks
26/8/05
Sorry somehow this article didn't get uploaded properly at lunch time (maybe too busy eating!). After Iran rebuffed the E3 (Britain, France and Germany) and pressed ahead with it's Uranium enrichment programme, the E3 have threatened to hold an emergency meeting slated for September 3rd to discuss proposals on bringing Iran before the UN Security council. Iran has suddenly changed her tune, and is welcoming other nations to take part in the discussions which may hold a more favourable attitude towards Iran that the E3. But a more likely scenario is that this is a planned effort to stall the E3 until Iran can get her nuclear programme completed.

Quote: "Washington's envoy to the IAEA, Gregory Schulte, told the Voice of America that despite Iran's protestations, its activities were not consistent with a civilian nuclear power program. "Why are they hiding so many of their facilities? Why do they build their enrichment facilities underground and disguise them as an agricultural complex? Why is the military associated with many of these programs?" he asked. "These are real questions the IAEA has asked and that we ask and Iran refuses to give answers to." Iran's main exiled opposition, the National Council of Resistance in Iran, predicted at a Brussels press conference Thursday that Tehran could have a nuclear weapon by 2007.

Source CNS News

Apostasy
Lutheran church adopts gender-neutral hymnal
26/8/05
The Lutheran church has approved the use of a new "gender friendly" hymnal with references to the masculinity of God removed. Hymns containing references to the "Father" and the "Son" are being modified to suite our "tolerant" society. Apparently it is no longer politically correct to pray to "our Father" in heaven. 

Quote: "At its Churchwide Assembly in early August, the ELCA okayed a plan to update the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship by eliminating the "Father" terminology and male pronouns used in reference to God. The hymnal overhaul will include other gender-neutralizing and diversity-affirming changes to traditional Lutheran worship lyrics and liturgies as well. For example, in the Lutheran Creed, God and Jesus will now be referred to as "Holy Eternal Majesty" and "Holy Incarnate Word" instead of "Father" and "Son."

Sadly this is yet another victory for a church that wants to appear "politically correct", but in reality is "theologically incorrect". A few months ago I reported on another similar attack on the character of God, when a US firm published a new Bible portraying Jesus Christ as a woman, "Judith Christ". I believe these attacks are an ecumenical effort to water down Christian teaching to make it more acceptable to a New Age movement that worships Gaia, or "Mother Earth".

Source Agape Press

Weather
Storms hit Japan and Florida
26/8/05
The bad weather continued around the globe today as Florida braced for Hurricane Katrina headed for the coast. Three have been reported killed by the storm, and power blackouts have affected a million homes. 

Quote: "Katrina is the 11th named storm of the busy 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, with more than three months left to go. By contrast, over the last 60 years, the average number of named storms in an entire season was just 10, according to NOAA statistics.

Typhoon Mawar also battered Japan, killing one and cutting power to over 3500 homes. 

Quote: "Japan is hit by two to three typhoons each year, but as many as 10 - the last of which alone killed 90 people - struck the country in 2004.

Both the BBC and CNN news services admit that this weather is not normal according to historical records. Whether man's manipulation is to blame or not, things are definitely getting worse an not better, which is a characteristic of the end times.

Source CNN, BBC

Weather
ITN blames Jet Stream for European disaster
25/08/05
I just heard an ITN news report minutes ago concerning the odd weather we are experiencing in Europe, which I mentioned only a few days ago on this website. The news presenter stated that the reason for the extreme flooding (5 or 6 European countries devastated) on one side of Europe, and Spain and Portugal suffering the worst heat wave in years, is all because of a tilted Jet Stream.

I immediately thought of the articles I had read about HAARP (used by the military for weather modification), and how military scientists have actually altered the course of the Jet Stream through radio waves and exploding nuclear bombs in the atmosphere. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but this thing is real - real enough to warrant the UN to issue a resolution banning it's use as a weapon of warfare.

Quote: "At this critical moment in world history, when all signs point to the soon appearance of Antichrist, we must pay attention to this subject of Weather Warfare. This phenomenon just might be the event which pushes us over the brink to accepting Antichrist in person, and as the new global political dictator.

Source Rense, National Security Decision 277, Cutting Edge

Israel
Fallout continues after Gaza withdrawal
25/8/05 
The fighting continued this week after Israel completed the Gaza withdrawal, and not all of it was carried out by terrorists. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised today to do everything in his power to stop Bibi Netanyahu being re-elected as Prime Minister. Ariel Sharon's approval rating has dwindled over the last few months, and he can no longer count on the settlements for support. Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the Ariel Sharon lied to the electorate in order to gain office, and after being elected did exactly what the Israeli Labour party had planned to do anyway. Ariel Sharon says he will prevent Bibi from becoming Prime Minister, even if it means starting a new party to do it.

Quote: "In interviews with Channels 10 and 2, and Army Radio, Netanyahu accused Sharon of lying to the voters who backed him in the 2003 election and then adopting the positions of the Labor candidate he defeated, Amram Mitzna. "Sharon is not fit to lead the Likud or the country," Netanyahu said. "Sharon made a precedent of giving a prize to terror for nothing in return. He is dividing the nation, and turning its people into refugees."

Palestinian terror groups kept to their promised intention to liberate all of Palestine (including Israel), and fired mortars and Kassam rockets into Israeli towns this morning. Thankfully there were no reported injuries.

Source Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post

Terror
UN balks at UK anti-terror law
24/8/05
The UN has issued a warning to Prime Minister Tony Blair concerning his proposals to introduce strict anti-terror laws in Britain, because they may be in breach of human rights. If the bill becomes law, those who communicate hatred or are perceived to be communicating hatred towards other groups can fall foul of this law. 

Quote: "Clarke said the criteria included those who foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence; seek to provoke terrorist acts or crimes; or promote hatred between communities. He said the action was taken to meet a "real and significant threat" of terrorism.
The prohibited activities include writing, producing or publishing provocative material, preaching and other public speech, running a Web site or exerting influence in positions such as a teacher or community leader. "Individuals who seek to create fear, distrust and division in order to stir up terrorist activity will not be tolerated by the government or by our communities," Clarke said.

Although there seems to be a "real and significant threat" of terrorism, why can't the laws we have at present deal with the threat as we have seen so far? And the crime of "promoting hatred between communities" is vague enough to land many Bible-believing Christians in jail. While I am strongly against those who justify killing innocent civilians (Ken Livingstone watch out!), I am against vague laws that can be construed to condemn the innocent and restrict the freedoms this country once enjoyed. This website by some vague interpretation could fall foul of the crime of "publishing provocative material", by teaching that homosexuality is sin, and by fingering men who may fulfil the role of Antichrist in this world. Tony Blair has been trying to change things ever since he got into Parliament, and to be fair the country isn't any better as a result.

Daniel 7:25 
And he (Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time (3.5 years).

Source News Day

Israel
Cartographers rush to redraw map of the Middle East
24/8/05
Israeli map-makers are rushing to reprint the latest maps of the Middle East after the Gaza disengagement was completed earlier this week. The Gaza settlements are to remain on the map, but with the word "destroyed" underneath them as a ghostly testament to a once thriving Israeli community.

Quote: ""Maps will go into circulation from next week updating the south of the country," the cartology service's director-general, Haim Serebero, said. "They will still have the names of these localities (Gaza settlements) but with the mention 'destruction'," he added.

I wonder when there will be a mad rush of Arab-state cartographers to update their Middle Eastern maps, many of which still refuse to recognize the state of Israel, 60 years later?

Source Independent Online, Palestinian National Authority State Information Service

Wars and rumours of wars
Solana and the E3 threaten Iran with action
24/8/05
Javier Solana, along with the E3 (Britain, France and Germany), have threatened Iran by the pen after it rejected the EU's offer, claiming it was a "joke". Iran has resumed enriching uranium, and continues to build it's heavy-water reactor which will be operational by 2009. The EU has threatened to bring Iran before the UN, if it pursues its nuclear programme.

Quote: ""Were Iran to resume currently suspended activities, our negotiations would be brought to an end and we would have no option but to pursue other courses of action,” the letter states. "We therefore call upon Iran not to resume suspended activities or take other unilateral steps.”

Source EUPolitix

7 year treaty
Russian governor calls for 7 year presidential term
23/8/05
I came across this site today, which is interesting in light of Daniel's seven year peace agreement, which is to be confirmed by the Antichrist at the start of the tribulation period. Having looked for news of things relating to a seven year agreement (one being the European Neighbourhood Policy by Javier Solana - 2007-2013), here is another interesting development. A Russian governor is calling for the presidency of Russia to be changed from a four year term to a seven year term. Why specifically seven years? And why now?

Quote: "Mikhail Prusak, the governor of the Novgorod Region, has suggested that President Putin's second term as president be extended to seven years, "Izvestiya" reported on 18 August. "The president needs two terms of seven years, not four," Prusak told "Izvestiya" in an interview. "Four years is too short," he added. Prusak said, however, that amending the constitution to allow presidents to serve a third term -- as some have suggested -- "would fray the basic law." Prusak's statement is the latest in a series from local officials calling for an extension of Putin's term. Lawmakers in St. Petersburg and in the Primorskii Krai in the Far East have drafted legislation to change the constitution to allow Putin to serve a third term. Putin's term is due to expire in March 2008. BW

Daniel 9:27 
And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many (nations) for one week (7 years): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Source HR-Net

Weather
Floods continue to devastate Eastern Europe
23/8/05
Switzerland has become another one in a long list of European nations to be devastated by torrential rains this week. Two fire-fighters have been reported killed in a landslide, and the floods have caused rail services and roads to close. 

Quote: "In western Austria flooding has affected the Lechtal Valley in Tirol and the Kleinwalsertal Valley in Vorarlberg. Mudslides severed some communications and partial evacuations have begun in the flooded areas In Bavaria, southern Germany, the Alpine resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been hit by floods and some people have been evacuated. A disaster alert has been declared there and in Kempten, German media report 
In Bulgaria, the army has been mobilised near the capital Sofia and in the country's east, to tackle floods that have killed at least 24 people and left 14,000 homeless since June
Widespread floods and storms in Romania have killed 18 people over the past week 
Torrential rain in Slovenia has washed out roads in several towns in central and eastern districts. Croatia has declared a state of emergency along the Mura river, on the border with Slovenia, where it is shoring up flood defences.

Source BBC

Terror
Musharraf accepts Jewish invitation to speak on terror
23/8/05
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who recently called on Britain to do more to curb Islamic extremism, and who has made a lot of efforts in Pakistan including shutting down many extreme Islamic schools and barring the use of loud speakers to address congregations, has accepted an invitation by a Jewish group to speak on his efforts to promote "moderate" Islam. 

Quote: "Council chairman Jack Rosen said Musharraf's speech next month would be unique because it would mark the first time a Muslim leader with international stature stands up and publicly calls for moderation in the Muslim world not only at an event for Americans but at an event sponsored by the Jewish community.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Gaza evacuation completed
22/8/05
The Gaza evacuation was completed today, nearly five weeks ahead of schedule. Two settlements are to be evacuated tomorrow in the West Bank. It has been a difficult day for Ariel Sharon, who came under fire from another member of his government today - Uzi Landau called him "corrupt" and a "cruel and heartless liar", vowing to take political revenge on him for what he had done to Israel regarding Gaza.

Quote: "Eitam, with tears swelling in his eyes, warned Sharon, "We will isolate you in your mukata [a reference to Yasser Arafat's Ramallah headquarters] at the Sycamore Ranch, where you can pet your sheep and won't be relevant in public life any longer. You will be remembered for this [crime] for generations." "Our revenge will be political," he declared. He said that future generations of Jews will recite a lamentation for Gush Katif on Tisha Be'Av, just as they now recite lamentations for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Abbas spoke by telephone today, congratulating each other on the efforts made, and committing themselves to peace. Although Javier Solana welcomed the progress made so far on the Gaza disengagement, he has stated before that this is only the very beginning of the concessions Israel must make.

Quote: "The EU is already strongly engaged in support of the Disengagement and the Middle East Peace Process. It remains at hand to do whatever it can to help more, at the request of the parties and in a spirit of friendship and partnership with both people. I will convey this personal message of support to Israeli and Palestinian leaders during my visit which is to take place over the coming weeks.

Source Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post, Javier Solana

Iraq
London Evening Standard doctors Iraqi celebration photos
22/8/05
Just while Saddam Hussein is currently in the headlines, I received this link from a friend of mine. After looking carefully at the photograph which appeared on the front cover of the London Evening Standard - under the headline "Jubilation of the streets of Baghdad: Freedom", I am under the impression that this author is probably correct in his assertion that this photograph is badly doctored. Why they went to all the effort to do this is anybodies guess (I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe there are certain individuals who could profit from a good public perception of the war). 

Source The Memory Hole

Weather
Half of Europe burns while the other half drowns
22/8/05
Showing just how adverse our weather is becoming, the western half of Europe is under an extreme heat wave, causing some 140,000 hectares of Portuguese forest to be burned up, while Romania experiences the worst floods in decades, killing around 16 people. Several EU countries have offered assistance as Portugal struggles to bring the fires under control.

Quote: "The Portuguese Interior Minister, Antonio Costa, has said the fires were the most damaging in recent times and that the country could not cope without help from abroad. The situation has been made worse by hot weather and wind.

Quote: "More than 1,400 people have been forced to leave their homes across the country amid widespread damage to property. This year Romania has suffered some of its worst floods in decades. In July, flooding killed dozens of people and left thousands of homes and acres of farmland and other cultivated areas submerged.

Sometimes it can be hard to understand Biblical prophecy. For example, in the book of Revelation, one passage tells us how the sun will scorch men with great heat (Revelation 16:8-9), and in the next passage it states that the kingdom of the beast (Europe) will experience terrible darkness that can be felt (Revelation 16:10). But as we have seen from the news today, this seems to be one of the characteristics of global warming, that weather becomes more extreme in nature, even to the extent of two countries on the same continent experiencing a heat wave and a deluge at the same time.

Source BBC, BBC

Iraq
Saddam to become "martyr" for Palestine and Iraq
21/8/05
 
A letter by the hand of Saddam Hussein published today, details his intentions to sacrifice himself for the cause of Palestine and Iraq, and urged fellow Arabs to follow in his footsteps.

Quote: "The letter, published in two Jordanian newspapers, was delivered through the International Committee of the Red Cross to an old friend now living in Jordan. Those who made the letter public said the man refused to be identified. It was believed to have been the first letter since Saddam was captured in December 2003 sent to someone other than a family member. "My soul and my existence is to be sacrificed for our precious Palestine and our beloved, patient and suffering Iraq," the letter said.

Source Jerusalem Post

Wars and rumours of wars
Sino-Russian military exercise moves on land
21/8/05
The joint military exercise between Chinese and Russian navies, air-forces and troops which began last week is beginning its second phase on Chinese soil. The manoeuvres are called "Peace Mission 2005", and according to officials, its goal is to equip China and Russia to deal with "the fight against terrorism, separatism (Taiwan?) and extremism". 

Quote: "A total of 10,000 officers and men from the two nations are taking part in the manoeuvre including more than 7,000 from the Chinese People's Liberation Army, according to the agency. The Russian troops, including officers and soldiers from the paratroops, the marine corps, the air force and the navy, started arriving on Shandong peninsula and offshore waters on August 9, Xinhua said. Russian equipment that will be tested in the drill includes the Il-76 transport plane, Il-78 refuelling plane, A-50 early warning plane, Tu-95 MS and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, Su-24M2 bomber, and Su-27SM fighter jet, it said.

Source SpaceWar

Anti-Semitism
Blair appoints anti-Semite to head "Terror taskforce"
21/8/05
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has appointed a new task force to root out Muslim extremism in the wake of the July 7th bombings in London. But Mr Bunglawala, one of the seven men appointed to head this taskforce is openly anti-Semitic. He stated in a Muslim youth magazine in 1992 that UK broadcasting was controlled by Zionists, and has also described one of the bombers who flew into the World Trade Centre towers as "courageous".

Quote: "News of his appointment comes 10 days after he wrote to Mark Thompson, the BBC Director General, accusing a forthcoming BBC1 Panorama programme of possessing "a pro-Israeli agenda". Although the programme had yet to be completed, Mr Bunglawala said that the BBC had allowed itself to be used by "highly placed supporters of Israel in the British media to make capital out of the July 7 atrocities in London". The programme, A Question of Leadership, which will air tonight at 10.20pm, seeks to discover whether British Muslim leaders can tackle the extremism in their midst.

Source Telegraph

Israel
Hamas vows to liberate all of  Palestine including Israel
20/8/05
The leader of Hamas in Gaza stated today that neither Gaza, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem will suffice, but called on Palestinians to continue their struggle against "occupation" until all of Palestine - including Israel, is in Palestinian hands.

Quote: ""Now, after the victory in the Gaza Strip, we will transfer the struggle first to the West Bank and later to Jerusalem," Zahar told a European newspaper this week. "We will continue the struggle until we liberate all our lands. This is an important day for the Palestinians and proof that the armed struggle has born fruit... "Neither the liberation of the Gaza Strip, nor the liberation of the West Bank or even Jerusalem will suffice us. Hamas will pursue the armed struggle until the liberation of all our lands. We don't recognize the state of Israel or its right to hold onto one inch of Palestine. Palestine is an Islamic land belonging to all the Muslims."

It seems that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan hasn't pulled off; Hamas and other terror groups see disengagement as Israeli weakness, not as a gesture for peace. And Western leaders still don't understand that this is a religious struggle, not a humanitarian one. Until they understand that, there will be no peace in the Middle East.

Source WorldNetDaily

Israel
Abbas officially signs over settlements to PA
20/8/05 
A day after congratulating his Al-Aqsa "Martyrs" for helping the Palestinians realize their "dream" of an independent state, President Mahmoud Abbas signed an official decree giving the Palestinian Authority possession of all land and assets that will be left behind after the IDF pulls out of the Gaza strip next week.

Quote: "Abbas said he has appointed a ministerial committee to decide on individual land claims, and that courts would be the last resort of landowners. The Palestinian Authority has said that once the one-story settlement homes have been demolished, it would build high-rise apartment buildings in their place to address a severe housing shortage in overcrowded Gaza.

Source Jerusalem Post

Earthquakes
Quake hits Indonesia
20/8/05
Indonesia was jolted by a moderate earthquake this morning, measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale. There have been no reports of casualties so far.

Quote: "Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire." The country has been hit by hundreds of aftershocks since a magnitude 9 earthquake triggered a tsunami on Dec. 26 that killed more than 170,000 people across Asia.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Abbas rejoices over Gaza disengagement
19/8/05
Perhaps Mr Abbas' comments today on the Gaza disengagement clashed with the BBC's rose-coloured image of the Palestinian Authority. The BBC completely fail to mention President Abbas' remarks praising the Palestinian "sacrifices" (read "suicide bombers") which he claimed achieved the Israeli disengagement. He also praised the "martyrs" who gave their lives for the realization of the dream of a Palestinian state, a state built on what was originally Egyptian and Jordanian controlled land (Gaza and the West Bank). But of course there was never any problem with "occupation" when it didn't involve Israel.

Source BBC, Jerusalem Post

Weather
18 tornadoes hit Wisconsin in one day
19/8/05
Around 18 tornadoes have devastated areas in the state of Wisconsin today, resulting in the death of one person and the destruction of around 80 homes.

Quote: "The US National Weather Service said it was investigating reports of 18 possible tornadoes across the state. "The sky just exploded. It was debris everywhere," witness David Murray told the Associated Press news agency. "When it went across the road and it hit all the houses over there... it was something you can't explain," he said.

Source BBC

New World Order
Spain calls for "alliance of civilizations"
19/8/05
Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed plans announced by the Spanish Prime Minister for an "alliance of civilizations" to be created. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero - an ardent Socialist, was elected after a wave of bombings hit Madrid on the 11th of  March, 2004. The previous Prime Minister blamed ETA for the attacks, but it later became clear that Al-Qaida was responsible. As a result, the Spaniards turned against their Prime Minister, and elected Zapatero instead who promised to pull the troops out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Quote: "The Prime Minister (Tony Blair) said: "We discussed the proposal that the Spanish Prime Minister has made for what he calls an alliance of civilisations, which is the idea that we join together, our countries with Muslim countries. "Turkey is particularly involved in this - to form a coalition of civilised people from whatever race or religion to combat the barbarity of terrorism." "I think this is a proposal with possibilities in it that we can develop over the months to come."

The fact again that this proposal comes from Spain is especially alarming, not only because of Zapatero's socialist ideology, but also because many believe this is the nation that Daniel's "Little horn" or Antichrist will spring from. Spain is also host to the Barcelona Process, who's aim is to bring about peace in the Middle East. And of course Spain is the home country of the current High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, and Secretary General of the 10 nation alliance - the WEU, Javier Solana.

Daniel 7:8 
I considered the horns (10 leaders of WEU?), and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Source 10 Downing Street, Europa

Anti-Semitism
US and Russia call on UN to institute Holocaust memorial day
19/8/05
The US, Russia, Israel, Australia and Canada have sent a letter to the United Nations asking them to designate January 27th to remember the Holocaust of the Second World War, during which 6 million Jews were murdered in death camps.

Quote: "It would also urge the 191 UN member states to develop programs to educate future generations on the lessons from the Holocaust "to prevent future acts of genocide." Secretary-General Kofi Annan would also be asked to establish a UN educational program entitled "The Holocaust and the United Nations." If approved, all countries would be asked to reject any full or partial denial of the Holocaust. They would also be asked to condemn "all manifestations of religious intolerance, incitement, harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief, wherever they occur."

In related news, the Pope has made a statement today from a Jewish Synagogue in Germany, warning that anti-Semitism is on the rise, and something needs to be done about it now. He also called the Holocaust an "unimaginable crime", although Rome herself has a lot to answer for, for the part she played during the Second World War.

Quote: "Addressing Jewish leaders at the synagogue, Pope Benedict said: "Today, sadly, we are witnessing the rise of new signs of anti-Semitism and various forms of a general hostility toward foreigners. "How can we fail to see in this a reason for concern and vigilance?"

Recently, world leaders expressed their incredulity at Prince William who found it funny to dress up as a Nazi concentration camp guard for a birthday party, just days after the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. A recent poll in Britain also discovered that this generation of young people generally have no idea what happened during the holocaust, and as a result, anti-Semitism is on the increase and neo-Nazi groups are flourishing across Europe.

Source Jerusalem Post, BBC

Terrorism
Missile attack on US ship in Red Sea
19/8/05 
Three missiles have been fired at Red Sea ports in Jordan and Israel, killing one person and severely injuring a second. It seems the intended targets were US ships stationed in the region at the time. The other missiles fell near a military hospital and an Israeli airport.

Quote: ""At approximately 8:44 a.m. local time, a suspected mortar rocket flew over the USS Ashland's bow and impacted in a warehouse on the pier in the vicinity of the Ashland and USS Kearsarge," according to a statement from U.S. Central Command.

Source CNN

Israel
Tensions flare in Gaza around Synagogue siege
18/8/05
"Siege" may be a strong word, but that seems to be the only way to describe what is happening in Kfar Darom. Police dressed in riot gear used ladders to "storm" the rooftop of a synagogue residents had surrounded with razor-wire. The residents had been on the roof since Wednesday, and refused to be persuaded to come down.

Quote: "The youth were trying to throw off the ladders, while police and IDF forces were seen climbing up. A police water cannon was seen spraying the rooftop. The youth were throwing sand, oil, paint and nearly everything they could muster to hold the forces off. It was also reported that some officers requested water to wash off an unknown substance that caused light burns on their skin. 

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Israelis barricaded in Kfar Darom synagogue
18/8/05
Around 200 Gaza residents that had barricaded themselves inside Kfar Darom synagogue have now been evacuated. The IDF had given the residents time to "vent their frustrations" before moving into the synagogue to remove the residents by force. 

Quote: ""These are the more difficult evacuations," IDF Capt. Yael Hartman said, referring to Kfar Darom and the settlement of Neveh Dekalim, where protesters had also holed up inside a synagogue. Going into synagogues, she said, is "traumatic" for the troops. "Many of our soldiers are religious, and it's very difficult for them to conceive of the idea of going into a religious building and trying to pull those people out ... but this is what we must do. It's for their safety and the soldiers' safety that it happen as quickly and efficiently as possible." 

Source CNN, Jerusalem Post

Terrorism
Israeli attacker hopes Sharon will be assassinated
18/8/05
The Israeli who killed four Palestinians yesterday has stated that he does not regret what he has done, and added that he hopes "someone also kills Sharon". Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called on people to blame him if the Gaza withdrawal fails to bring security to Israel. The 10th anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin is approaching. Yitzhak Rabin was gunned down by an Israeli on November 5th, 1995 because of his support for a policy to trade land for peace.

In other news, Palestinians opened fire at the Tufah workers' crossing today. No casualties have been reported.

Source Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post

Israel
Egyptian troops arrive in Sinai
18/8/05
Up to 750 Egyptian troops may be arriving in the Sinai desert to patrol the border between Gaza and Egypt. PM Ariel Sharon has decided to pull the Israeli forces out of the border crossing to attempt to lessen confrontation in the area. Israel has often come under criticism for demolishing Palestinian homes built on the border because they are often used to smuggle arms into Gaza from Egypt. Many in Israel believe that Egyptian troops will not stop the smuggling, and some fear that Egyptian forces in Sinai, which has been a demilitarised zone since the Six-day war, may give Egypt the excuse to build up a presence in the region.

Quote: "The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because his position bars him from speaking publicly, did not say how many troops had arrived or when they would take up positions at the border.

Source Jerusalem Post

Terrorism
Israeli shoots dead 4 Israeli Arabs
17/8/05
The atmosphere of peaceful protests regarding the Gaza disengagement were shattered today after an Israeli opened fire killing four Arabs. He had claimed he committed this act in order to try and stop the evacuation from going ahead. 

Quote: "The security guard who was working at the main gate of the site, said that Weisgan, a father of two, asked him for water, and that when he tried to oblige, Weisgan threatened him with a knife and demanded his gun. Weisgan then reportedly shot and killed two Palestinians who sat in his vehicle, then advanced to the industrial area, where he shot an additional three Palestinians, killing one and wounding two - one seriously and one moderately.

Hamas normally don't need excuses to shell Israeli towns, but this act provides them with just the kind of ammunition they need to escalate the violence.

Source Jerusalem Post

Anti-Semitism
Communistic fervour grows in Russia
17/8/05
From my friend Marcin in Poland...

There are 50,000 skinheads on standby now, waiting for some political leadership of the kind of W. Zyrinowski or other freak. News is, the number of members is rapidly increasing and youth are actively and legally recruited for "summer camps", where they are indoctrinated and brainwashed. They are also organizing themselves - that means structures (including armed structures), and hierarchy of power inside the organization. They are led by some retired Russian generals who remember "better times". There are even famous people's tribunals' being established again. Tribunals of this kind murdered hundreds of thousands of people in the times of the Lenin and October Revolution. Tribunals replaced courts that existed before the revolution. They were a handy tool for leaders that allowed seamless elimination of opponents - death or sentence to gulag in Siberia (also death). Now it seems that this idea still has followers. 

Between January and June this year, skinheads killed 10 and have beaten over 200 people. Some of their more famous actions: derailing of passenger train on the Grozny-Moscow line, and an assassination attempt on A. Czubajs - chief of one of Russia's powerful energy concerns. They are also openly anti-Semitic - recently they massively attacked web pages of human rights and Jewish organisations in Russia. 

To me all that is consistent with the rest of things I observe in Russia: growing demoralization, spread of disease (quickest in the world), antidemocratic movements, nostalgia for old times, etc, etc. In fact Russia never became truly democratic: just recall tanks shooting at the Duma when Yeltsin was elected and a current system of power which creates a "kingdom" where the current president practically designates the next one. And so, on and on and on. It seems to me that Russia has to travel this path of fall before it becomes capable (and ready) of fulfilling Biblical prophecies. So far they are on a good track. I can imagine that Russia as it is today would under no circumstances attack Israel or join any conflict in the area. But future Russia that is nationalistic, anti-Semitic and under nazi-like leadership - totally different story.

Source Wirtualna Polska (Polish)

Israel
Gaza evacuation making good progress
17/8/05
The plan to disengage from Gaza is ahead of schedule, as soldiers started the task this morning of removing residents by force if necessary. Residents have expressed their position that they will leave without violence, albeit unwillingly. The army have stated that the operation should be complete by Shabbat.

Quote: "As of Wednesday at noon, 300 of 520 families remained in the settlement (Neveh Dekalim). Evacuating forces were going into houses. Each squad carried maps of the internal layout of the houses they were entering, including information about the residents of each house. After each neighborhood was cleared, police were blocking it off by standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Activists were sitting in a circle in the middle of the settlement, singing prayers and engaging soldiers in conversation. Police were occasionally grabbing them one by one, putting them on a bus, and taking them out of the settlement.

Source Jerusalem Post

Terrorism
Multiple bombs hit Bangladesh
17/8/05
A string of simultaneous explosions have ripped across Bangladesh, in what seems to be another terrorist attack. Leaflets of a little knows Islamic group, Mujahideen Bangladesh have appeared at some of the sites declaring that Bangladesh should impose Sharia law.

Quote: "The explosions went off in the capital Dhaka as well as several other cities, including the port city of Chittagong. They are said to have taken place in front of government buildings, markets and court premises.

CNN reports up to 350 bomb blasts have occurred, with 115 people injured and 1 person reported killed.

Quote: ""These are planned incidents," said Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babr. "We had intelligence report(s) about such plan but that expired a few days back."

Source BBC, CNN

War on terror
UK leaked document contradicts police account
17/8/05
A leaked document regarding the shooting of the Brazilian on the train which came in the wake of the July 7th bombings, has contradicted the official police version of events. 

The documents apparently state that Menezes was restrained by officers in his seat on the train before being shot, that he wasn't wearing heavy clothing which could have concealed a bomb, and he didn't vault the ticket barrier in an effort to escape police, but instead walked through the barriers and picked up a free paper, and then ran to catch a train which was pulling into the station.

Quote: "Harriet Wistrich, solicitor for the family of Mr de Mendes, said the leaked version was "terrifying". "What sort of society are we living in where we can execute suspects?" she said.

I am not a conspiracy theorist in any case, but I had read on another article that the driver of the London bus that was bombed has disputed the governments official story regarding events on July 7th. The bus driving stated the CCTV should have been working, as the bus company is paid by the police to ensure this is the case, and questioned why his bus was the only one to be diverted.
I also recently read how CCTV images of the bombers may have been doctored on computer, due to apparent "errors" in one of the photographs. Whether there is any truth in these stories or not, I don't know.

Source BBC, Prison Planet

Israel
UN funds pay for PA propaganda
16/8/05
The American Jewish Congress sent an official letter of complaint today over a news article in the New York Times, about a flag that was being waved during the celebrations in Gaza yesterday. The flag read, "Gaza today, the West Bank and Jerusalem Tomorrow", and underneath a tagline stated that the flag was paid for by the United Nations. The AJC has complained that UN money should go towards development in Gaza and not fuelling propaganda and political threats against another member nation of the UN.

Quote: "Secretary General Annan has repeatedly sought to assure Israel and its supporters that, despite a dismal record in the past, the United Nations can now be an even-handed player in the Middle East peace process. We have commended his pledge and we anticipate the positive changes he advocates. Apparently, however, if the information in the Times' article is correct, Secretary Annan's assurances have not been accepted by the United Nations Development Program. As its new administrator, we ask that you take prompt and public steps to ensure the UNDP remains focused on development, not propaganda.

Source Yahoo

Israel
Hamas fires more Kassams despite withdrawal
16/8/05
The Palestinian Authority have claimed they remain in complete control of the situation in Gaza, even though Hamas launched two Kassam rockets at Israeli towns yesterday, and continued launching rockets at more Israeli towns this morning.

Quote: "The terror group long has outstripped the PA in the total number of social services it provides to the local Palestinian population. Now security sources say Hamas has created its own quasi-government in the area, including the establishment of a hard-line Islamic court system that is being used in place of the Palestinian Authority's official judicial system. Ismail Haniya, a senior Hamas leader, yesterday said his group will take over Gaza after Israel vacates. He vowed to use the territory gained to continue attacks against Israel and said he hopes his forces would not have to confront the PA.

In other developments, around fifty individuals have also been arrested in clashes with the IDF.

Quote: "The clashes broke out after security forces moved to disperse hundreds of resisters, mostly teenage youths, who attempted to block moving trucks from entering Gaza's largest settlement.

Source WorldNetDaily, Jerusalem Post

Israel
Police remove Neveh Dekalim gates
16/8/05
The Police have moved in to remove the Neveh Dekalim gates which protestors had previously used to blockade the road entering the community.

Quote: "Police officials said the operation was meant to allow people to freely exit the settlement on Tuesday, the last day for residents to leave voluntarily. Hundreds of activists, many of them youths, had blocked police from entering on Monday, and moving trucks struggled to get through the crowd.

Source Jerusalem Post

Earthquakes
Massive quake strikes Japan
16/8/05
Coming just the day after the anniversary of the Japanese surrender in WWII, a massive earthquake struck northern Japan today, measuring from 6.8 to 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Reports so far have indicted over 26 have been injured.

Quote: "Initial reports suggested at least 80 people had been wounded. But state broadcaster NHK later said one person had been seriously hurt and 13 were slightly injured. "There was a tremendous boom... People were screaming and headed toward the exit. It shook a lot... A lot of people were crying," a young woman at the scene told NHK.

Source BBC

Israel
Ariel Sharon addresses the nation on Gaza
15/8/05
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today delivered his speech to the nation concerning the Gaza disengagement plan.

Quote: "The day has arrived. We are beginning the most difficult and painful step of all, evacuating our communities from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria. This step is very difficult for me personally. It is not with a light heart that the government of Israel made this decision on disengagement and the parliament did not lightly approve it. It is no secret that, like many others, I had believed and hoped we could forever hold onto Netzarim and Kfar Darom. But the changing reality in the country, in the region, and the world, required of me a reassessment and change of positions. 

We cannot hold on to Gaza forever. More than a million Palestinians live there and double their number with each generation. They live in uniquely crowded conditions in refugee camps, in poverty and despair, in hotbeds of rising hatred with no hope on the horizon. It is out of strength and not weakness that we take this step. We tried to reach agreements with the Palestinians that would move both peoples towards a path of peace. These were crushed against a wall of hatred and fanaticism.

The unilateral disengagement plan I announced two years ago is the Israeli answer to this reality. This plan will be good for Israel in any future scenario. We are reducing daily friction and its victims on both sides. I initiated the plan because I reached the conclusion that this action is essential for Israel. The Israeli army will redeploy along defensive lines behind the security fence. Those who continue to fight us will meet the full force of the Israeli army and security forces. The Palestinians bear the burden of proof. They must fight terrorist organisations and dismantle their infrastructure and show sincere intentions for peace so they can sit with us at the negotiating table.

The world is waiting for the Palestinian response - a hand stretched out to peace or the fire of terror. To an outstretched hand we shall respond with an olive branch, but we shall fight fire with the harshest fire ever.

The disengagement will allow us to look inward. Our national agenda will change. In our economic policy we will be free to turn to closing social gaps and to waging a real fight on poverty. We will advance education and increase the personal security of every citizen in the country. 

The controversy over the disengagement plan has caused difficult wounds, a bitter hatred between brothers, and strong statements and actions. I understand the pain and anguish of the opponents, but we are one people, even when fighting and arguing. Residents of Gaza, today we end a glorious chapter in Israel's history, a central episode in your lives as pioneers, as realisers of the dream of those who bore the security and settlement burden for all of us. Your pain and your tears are an inextricable part of the history of our country. Whatever differences we have, we shall not abandon you and after the evacuation we will do everything to rebuild your lives and communities anew.

I want to tell the soldiers and police, you face a difficult mission. You do not face an enemy, but brothers and sisters. Sensitivity and patience are the order of the hour. I am sure that is how you will act. I want you to know the people stand behind you and are proud of you. 

Citizens of Israel, the responsibility for Israel's future is mine. I initiated the plan because I reached the conclusion that this action is essential for Israel. Believe me, the pain I feel with this act is the same as the full realisation that we must do it. 

We are taking a new path that also has no small number of risks, but which also contains a ray of hope for us all. With God's help this path shall be one of unity and not division, and not animosity between brothers, of unconditional love and not hatred. I will do my utmost to ensure that it will be so.

Source BBC

Israel
Gaza pullout proceeds as planned
15/8/05
The Gaza evacuation is going as expected, according to Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz. Thankfully, so far there has been no violence. Both the IDF and the settlers have sought to ease tensions, even though they still plan to continue their protest peacefully. The army has said it will let them do so until Wednesday, on which the period of grace will end. Several hundred protestors that gathered at the gate to Neveh Dekalim have agreed to move their protest out of the main entrance to allow traffic in and out of the settlement for the evacuation.

Quote: "Inside the Neveh Dekalim gate, settlers distributed food to the soldiers, media, and fellow protesters. Near the front entrance, settlers were singing, praying, and clapping their hands in protest, as army and police filled the streets. 

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Gaza evacuation begins
15/8/05
Gaza residents were formally handed their eviction notices last night. They will be given two days grace to leave Gaza and take up residence in either hotels or temporary housing provided by the government. Many residents are still refusing to leave, although most have accepted the offer of help to relocate. Hundreds of people gathered outside Neveh Dekalim on Monday morning, blocking soldiers entry into the settlement to hand out eviction orders.

Quote: "Less than an hour after the IDF lowered the barrier at the Kissufim crossing, two mortar shells fell near the Gaza settlement of Kfar Darom. In Neveh Dekalim, settlers were singing, praying, and clapping their hands in protest, as army and police filled the streets.

Meanwhile, several hundred Jewish people gathered outside the UN building in the US to pray and cry out to God for their families in the Gaza strip.

Quote: ""Many people see a connection between the removal of the Jews from Gaza and the destruction of the holy temples and the ancient kingdoms of Israel," said Richter, a member of the New York-based Amcha-Coalition for Jewish Concerns, one of several activist organizations represented at the service.

Source Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post

Earthquakes
Quake hits Mexico
14/8/05
An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale struck the Pacific ocean side of Mexico this morning. There have so far been no reports of casualties or major damage.

Quote: "The earthquake struck the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca near Santiago Pinotepa Nacional at 9:52 p.m. local time (2:52 GMT) and could be felt in Mexican City, where building swayed lightly.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Jewish nation marks loss of temples
13/8/05
This Sunday, Israel will remember the destruction of the first and second temples that once stood on the Temple Mount. Many Jews gather at the Wailing Wall, which is the only section of Herod's temple left standing. Numbers are expected to be high this year, as Tisha Be'av will start the day before the official date for the Gaza evacuation, marking a double loss for some families.

Quote: "Thousands will go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the remnant of the outer wall of the Second Temple, and sit on the floor to read the Book of Lamentations and recite dirges. Many people are expected to be at the Wall throughout the duration of the fast, which culminates with the evening service on Sunday night, after which light refreshments will be available.

But the Jewish people may not be mourning for long. According to the book of Daniel 9:27, a new temple will be rebuilt before or during the tribulation period. Already, all the implements used in the Jewish temple have been recreated, even the breastplate of the High Priest, and priests are currently being trained, to be ready for when the new temple finally is built.

A seven year covenant between Israel and her surrounding neighbours will allow the Jews to rebuild their temple, and the sacrificial system will be restarted. In the middle of the seven years, the Antichrist (head of the EU) will turn against the agreement, and cause the sacrifices to cease. He will sit in the newly built temple, and proclaim himself to be God (2nd Thessalonians 2:4), and whoever will not worship him shall be killed (Revelation 13:15). Near the end of the tribulation period, the whole world will turn against Israel to destroy it once and for all, but at this time, the Lord Jesus Christ will return (Zechariah 14:4)and defend Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:12), and set up His everlasting Kingdom which shall never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

Source Jerusalem Post, Temple Institute

Wars and rumours of wars
Nuclear Iran in 4 years
13/8/05
Iran has resumed building its heavy-water nuclear reactor, after rejecting Europe's offer to exchange it for a light-water reactor, calling it a "joke". Work began on the nuclear plant in 2004, and is due to be completed by 2009. The plant will have a capacity to produce one nuclear bomb per year.

Quote: "The reactor, ringed with anti-aircraft guns as are all of Iran's nuclear facilities, is being built at the foot of a mountain in the deserts outside the small town of Khondab, 75 kilometers (47 miles) northwest of the central city of Arak. Building began in 2004 and is expected to be completed by 2009. Most Iranian nuclear facilities have portions built underground to protect them from air strike, and Aghazadeh suggested that an underground portion might be built at Khondab as well. "This knowledge belongs to us. It (the knowledge) won't be destroyed if attacked. Equipment could also be moved under the mountain," he said.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
King David's palace discovered
12/8/05
An Israeli archaeologist has uncovered remains of what may be artefacts from King David's palace in Israel, or at least artefacts dating from the 10th Century BC, including a government seal of an official mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.

Quote: "This is a very significant discovery, given that Jerusalem as the capital of the united kingdom is very much unknown," said Gabriel Barkay, an archaeologist from Bar-Ilan University. "This is one of the first greetings we have from the Jerusalem of David and Solomon, a period which has played a kind of hide-and-seek with archaeologists for the last century."

I guess it this is significant, coming at a time when Palestinians are seeking to be "reunited" with their "capital city", no doubt they would rather Jerusalem's real past remained buried in the dirt. 

Source NY Times

Israel
PA proclaims victory over Gaza pullout
12/8/05
President Abbas celebrated the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza strip today, vowing that the West Bank and Jerusalem will be next.

Quote: "The celebrators chanted anti-Israel slogans, burned Israeli flags and fired off rounds of ammunition into the air. Surrounded by security guards, Abbas spoke briefly to the crowd: "From here, from this place, our nation and our masses are walking toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Abbas said.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have set up a joint operations headquarters in Gaza to oversee the success of the disengagement. Celebrations, I think, will be short lived. Once the disengagement is completed, all eyes will be on Abbas to keep to the US-backed "road map" and reign in Hamas and other terrorist groups operating from the Gaza strip, whom he has up until now drafted into the PA police force. Politically Abbas seems weak, and the PA doesn't appear to have the man power to stop the daily attacks that Hamas mounts on Israeli towns. Watch this space...

Source Jerusalem Post

Wars and rumours of wars
China and Russia hold joint exercise
12/8/5
Russia and China are holding an unprecedented joint military exercise today in the Shandong peninsula on the east China coast.

Quote: "Their reconciliation has been driven in part by mutual unease at US power and a fear of Islamic extremism in Central Asia. But Moscow and Beijing have insisted that the exercise, the first ever such drill, was not aimed at any third country. The exercises are meant to "strengthen the capability of the two armed forces in jointly striking international terrorism, extremism and separatism," China's Defence Ministry said earlier this month.

Many see a military pact between China and Russia fulfilling Biblical prophecy concerning several campaigns that are due to take place during the tribulation period. Ezekiel 38 and 39 mention a prophecy about a northern country called "Gog" - which many interpret as being Russia - or a country within that general vicinity, coming against the land of Israel to take spoil, with all her Arab partners. The Bible states that five sixths of Gog's army will be destroyed, and the Israelis will be burying Gog's dead for seven months (Ezekiel 39:12).  Again Revelation 9:16 mentions an eastern army numbering over 200 million men, an alliance of nations which many see as including China, for few countries would have the man power to put together such a number.

Daniel 11:44 
But tidings out of the east (China?) and out of the north (Russia?) shall trouble him (Antichrist): therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

Joel 2:20 
But I will remove far off from you the northern [army], and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Source Jerusalem Post

Famine
Africa starvation to get worse
12/8/05
A Washington-based policy group has published a new report in which they state that up to 200 million Africans are currently facing starvation. According to the report, a total of 55 million children under the age of five, will also be severely malnourished within the next 20 years. Current figures estimate around 33 million children are severely malnourished in the African continent..

Quote: ""In raising the alarm now, I hope that you will do everything within your power to ensure southern Africa does not become another crisis that was within your grasp to prevent," said Mr Annan.

Although there have always been famines of varying degrees, the Bible states that famine would become a particular characteristic of the end times. The four horsemen of the apocalypse, mentioned in the book of Revelation, represent four world conditions that will prevail during the tribulation period. The 3rd horse rider holds a pair of balances in his hand, and represents a world economy out of control, with the price of food rocketing to where a measure of wheat will cost a day's wages. The 4th horse rider represents death, and through this rider a fourth part of the world's population will be killed, many through famine and disease. 

Matthew 24:7-8
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Source SBS

Israel
Protestors rally tens of thousands to Rabin Square
11/8/05
In a rally called "Operation Dawn", tens of thousands of Israeli protestors gathered in Rabin Square, to voice their opinions about the Gaza disengagement. Rabin Square was named after Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated by an Israeli gunman before he could implement a "land for peace" deal with the Palestinian Authority. Ex Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to speak at the rally. He is currently in the US on a fundraising trip. Further disruptions by protestors have been planned for when the Gaza evacuation officially starts, on Monday the 15th of August.

Quote: "The Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip (Yesha Council) launched what it called Operation "Orange Dawn", which to "disrupt or delay the destruction machine until new elections or a national referendum on disengagement are announced." Yesah leaders called on the protesters to head down south next week. Council Chairman Bentzi Lieberman told Channel 2 that the goal of the operation was not to enter Gush Katif "because that is impossible" but rather to arrive at the Kissufim entry route to Gush Katif and remain there "without using any violence" against IDF soldiers or police officers.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Israel mourns Gaza pullout at Western Wall
11/8/05
Over 250,000 Israelis gathered at the Wailing Wall (or Western Wall) last night to mourn the governments decision to disengage from Gaza. The Wailing Wall is the place where Jews traditionally come to pray, for it is the only part of Herod's temple that was left standing by the Roman armies, as a testament to their victory in 70AD under Titus. In times of distress, Jews have blown the Shofar (Old Testament trumpet - made with a ram's horn) at the Wailing Wall, to signal the Messiah to return from heaven and save them from their enemies. It is traditionally believed that the Lord Jesus Christ may return to earth again to set up His Kingdom at the Jewish Feast of Trumpets, for it is one of the few remaining feasts which has yet to be literally fulfilled by Jesus the Messiah.

Quote: "Former Ashkenazi and Sephardi Chief Rabbis Avraham Shapira and Mordechai Eliyahu, Shas Party Leader and former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, members of the hareidi-religious Council of Torah Sages, former MK Rabbi Menachem Porush and other prominent Hassidic rabbis all took part in the massive event.

My grandmother also put piece of paper with my name written on it, in the Western Wall when I was young.

Source Israel National News

Catholic Church
Pope gets NATO protection
11/8/05
Germany has requested NATO protection for the Pope's upcoming visit to Cologne, Germany this month. NATO will send an AWACS spy plane to ensure no unwanted air traffic comes within the vicinity of the Roman Pontiff.

Quote: "Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft monitor airspace from onboard computers. One AWACS aircraft operating at 30,000 feet can provide radar coverage for a distance of more than around 360 km. Requests for AWACS protection of important events have increased since September 11 attacks in 2001 on Washington and New York using hijacked aircraft.

Source New Kerala

Weather
Europe getting hotter
11/8/05
The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has reported that European cities are getting hotter.

Quote: "The report analysed summer temperatures in 16 European cities over the last 30 years and found that in most of them, average summer temperatures were at least one degree Celsius higher over the last five years than they were 30 years ago.

One degree may not sound like much, but when you consider that only a few degrees increase is needed to melt the icecaps at the North pole, it could spell cataclysmic disaster for a world already reeling from natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes and tsunamis.

Revelation 16:8-9 
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Source BBC

Mark of the Beast
UK licence plates to get chipped
10/8/05
The UK government is testing a new initiative in which involves tagging car licence plates with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) device. The chip will enable cars to be identified up to 300 feet from an RFID reader, and will obviously improve number plate recognition by speed cameras and radar traps.

Quote: ""It's too easy for (RFID license plates) to become a back-door surveillance tool," said Jim Harper, director of information studies at libertarian think tank the Cato Institute and a member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. Civil libertarians don't object to an RFID automatic toll-collection system that "anonymizes" vehicles in databases once a transaction is completed. But they doubt the government -- given its thirst for intelligence -- will use such privacy-protection measures. From a law-enforcement perspective, "there is no reason to have privacy for anything," said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

The RFID's contained in the car licence plates will also allow the British government to track the location of any car via satellite. Already, through the ECHELON spy system, Britain has the capability to monitor almost any communication on earth, radio frequencies included.

Quote: "The report - Assessing the Technologies of Political Control - was commissioned last year by the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament. It contains details of a network of American-controlled intelligence stations on British soil and around the world, that "routinely and indiscriminately" monitor countless phone, fax and email messages. It states: "Within Europe all email telephone and fax communications are routinely intercepted by the United States National Security Agency transferring all target information from the European mainland via the strategic hub of London then by satellite to Fort Meade in Maryland via the crucial hub at Menwith Hill in the North York moors in the UK." The report confirms for the first time the existence of the secretive ECHELON system.

Source Wired, Dan Brown

Lawlessness abounds
UK crime to soar after 24 hour pub-crawls
10/8/05
Judges warned UK ministers that relaxing drink laws here could send violent crime statistics off the charts. Emergency services are already stretched to the limits with the UK sporting the worst drink culture in Europe if not the world, and with the National Health Service in the state it's in, it's hard to see how they could cope with the additional burden of 24-hour drunkenness.

Quote: "A paper from the Council of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges said: “Those who routinely see the consequences of drink-fuelled violence in offences of rape, grievous bodily harm and worse on a daily basis are in no doubt that an escalation of offences of this nature will inevitably be caused by the relaxation of liquor licensing which the Government has now authorised.” Chief constables joined the assault on the plans, giving warning that British town centres could soon resemble notorious foreign holiday resorts such as Faliraki in Greece, where young Britons binge-drink and engage in sexual activity in public.

But the government will press ahead, not because this is "good for Britain", rather it's good for the government's pocket. For alcohol has often been used by previous governments as a "stealth tax" on the UK Public.

Isaiah 5:11 
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!

Source Times Online 

Israel
Residents ordered to leave
9/8/05
Residents in the Gaza strip have officially been giving their marching orders ahead of the disengagement which is due to begin in earnest next week. The term "settlers" can be misleading, for many of these individuals have been living in the Gaza strip since before the Declaration of Independence, over 60 years ago. The land they live on was legally bought from Arab landowners.

Quote: "Settlers are told their presence will be considered illegal after 15 August. The army expresses "deep understanding for the [settlers'] pain... but as a law-abiding democratic country, we will carry out this mission in full". It is the first formal eviction notice settlers have received, although their leaders have refused to distribute it.

Anyone not complying with the orders will forfeit their compensation provided by the Israeli government. I wonder will it be considered legal for Israelis to buy property in the Gaza strip after the disengagement is completed, or will this also be considered a violation of international law?

Source BBC

Wars and rumours of wars
Iran presses on with Nuclear research
8/8/05
Iran has rejected the latest proposals by the E3 (Britain, France and Germany), and has decided to resume building their nuclear programme. Javier Solana had credited himself with getting the agreement with Iran to suspend its nuclear activities, but Iran believes that since that suspension was voluntary, they can resume again at will. 

It is very interesting that the E3 are continuing to take a greater role in European Foreign policy, in light of Biblical prophecy. If they are indeed the three kings that will be subdued according to Daniel 7:24, we will be expecting them to have to take a back seat eventually, to make way for the Antichrist. Whether that uprooting is done through the EU Constitution or not remains to be seen.

Quote: "The Iranian government on Monday replaced its chief nuclear negotiator, Hassan Rohani, with Ali Larijani, a conservative former head of state broadcasting who is known to have close ties with Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. The appointment was made by newly elected conservative President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, two days after he was sworn in. It is being seen as a hardening of Iran's position.

Many critics of Israel often ask the question why they are never condemned for possessing nuclear weapons. Israel has stated they will not be the first nation to use nuclear weapons in the Middle East. On the other hand, successive Iranian Ayatollahs have stated their desire for the destruction of Israel

Quote: "Another big concern is that not only Iranian ruling ayatollahs have repeated that they want to annihilate Israel, but also nuclearisation of Iran would certainly trigger an atomic race in the volatile Middle East region, they add.

Source BBC, Iranian Press Service

Israel
Desert shall blossom as the rose
8/08/05
Israel's vegetable exports rose by around 20% last year. Israelis also run extensive greenhouses growing all kinds of produce, many of which are located in the Gaza strip. 60% of all Israeli vegetable produce comes from Gaza. They employ up to 10,000 Palestinians, who can earn much more money than they normally would be able to under the Palestinian Authority. Sadly many fear they will lose their jobs after the Gaza disengagement, when the greenhouses will be forced to close. That is why some Churches "ethical" policies of not buying from "occupied territory", i.e. Golan, Gaza and the West Bank can actually harm ordinary Palestinians, whom they are claiming to support. 

Quote: "The number of exporters also rose by 50% in the same season. Of the forty vegetables that Israel exports, the potato leads in overall volume with 242,000 tons (a rise of 30% over last year). Next comes pepper at 68,000 tons, and carrots at 14,000 tons. Both represent increases of between 16 and 20% in relation to last season.

Israel is one of the few countries in the world producing enough food for its own population - in a land no bigger than Wales, comprising of mostly arid wilderness. And the fact that Israel is one of the world's major exporters of fruit shows us that God keeps His promises...

Ezekiel 36:34-35 
And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities [are become] fenced, [and] are inhabited. 

Isaiah 41:19-20
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, [and] the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Source Jerusalem Post

Israel
Netanyahu quits over Gaza
7/8/05
Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his resignation to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today, as a protest over the governments plans to disengage from Gaza. Netanyahu has voiced his opposition against the planned disengagement for a long time, over concerns that without proper Palestinian governance, the region will be a haven of terrorists, like Hamas and Al-Qaida.

Quote: ""I had demanded that we keep the Philadelphi route [along the Gaza-Egypt border] to counter the impression that we are running away from terrorism. The government is ignoring the reality: Terrorism is continuing, the Hamas is growing stronger, terrorists will smuggle weapons from Gaza to the southern West Bank. "I don't know when the terrorism will erupt in full force - my hope is that it won't ever. But I am convinced today that the disengagement will eventually aggravate terrorism instead of reducing it. The security establishment also expects an increase in terrorism," Netanyahu wrote. "The withdrawal endangers Israel's security, divides its people and set the standards of the withdrawal to the '67 border," the finance minister summed.

Jerusalem Post

Knowledge shall increase
MRI scan reveals thoughts
7/8/05
Scientists have successfully used images from a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan to reveal patients thoughts. The MRI scanner, which was invented by a Christian, takes images of the electrical activity of the brain. Scientists found they could tell what a patient was looking at or listening to by recognizing the particular pattern of activity detected by the MRI scanner.

Quote: "He added: "Our study represents an important but very early stage step towards eventually building a machine that can track a person's consciousness on a second-by-second basis. "These findings could be used to help develop or improve devices that help paralyzed people communicate through measurements of their brain activity.

If man is capable of reading peoples minds to a limited extent, how much more capable is God?

Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Source BBC

Weather
Typhoon strikes China
6/8/05
Typhoon Matsa has caused the forced evacuation of over a million people as torrential rains batter China's east coast. It's only around three weeks since the last typhoon Haitang battered China and Taiwan killing many and causing the evacuation of millions. A few weeks ago, India also experienced the worst monsoon in their recorded history, which killed over 1000 people.

Quote: "Across the coastal Zhejiang province, some 1.2 million people were advised to leave their homes for safer areas and emergency shelters.

Source BBC

Israel
PA heading for Jerusalem
5/8/05
The Palestinian Authority have planned to spend over $1.7 million celebrating the Gaza evacuation, and Chairman Arafat's birthday. The Palestinian Prime Minister reiterated the view the Palestinians won't halt the attacks until Jerusalem is in Palestinian hands.

Quote: "In reference to former PA chairman Yasser Arafat birthday - celebrated Thursday - Qurei called the Palestinians, "the children of Yasser Arafat the martyr and the children of Ahmed Yassin the martyr and the children of all the martyrs." "Jerusalem is closer than ever," he said. "We promise you, Arafat, you will stay in our hearts. We will continue to follow your path and carry out your promise that Palestinian girls and boys will wave the Palestinian flag above the walls of Jerusalem, its mosques and churches. We will continue until victory. None of us will give up until we are on Jerusalem's soil."

Javier Solana, High Representative of the EU, and Secretary General of the WEU, has also stated that if Prime Minister Ariel Sharon thinks that Gaza will suffice, and not also evacuate the West Bank and East Jerusalem, that this dream will become "a nightmare".

All in all, events are proceeding exactly the way the Bible said they would. That just preceding the Second Coming of Christ, half of Jerusalem shall be in captivity, that all the nations of the world will be gathered there in the Jezreel valley to do battle.

Joel 3:2 
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Source One Jerusalem

Israel
Israeli terror
4/8/05
An Israeli border guard shot to death several individuals on a bus passing through the town of Shfaram. The 19 year old was then beaten to death by an angry crowd before he could be detained by police. Ambulances also found difficulty in passing through the crowd to treat those who had been injured in the attack.

Thankfully such incidents like this in Israel appear to be few and far between, despite the onslaught from Arab terrorism, nevertheless this event does show us that tensions are on the increase before the Gaza withdrawal which is due to take place in a few weeks.

Source BBC

Terrorism
Al-Qaida warns UK of further attacks
4/8/05
Al-Jazeera has broadcast a video tape of Al-Qaida's number two man, Ayman al-Zawahri, stating that Britain will face further attacks because of Prime Minister Tony Blair's policy in Iraq. The four suspects behind the last failed attempt to cause devastation in London were all captured last week, one even being tracked by his mobile phone all the way to Rome. 

Quote: "The al-Qaeda deputy said: "Blair has brought to you destruction in central London, and he will bring more of that, God willing."

MP George Galloway, who was expelled from the Labour party because of his opposition to the Iraq war, and his alleged financial involvement in the "Oil for food" scandal, has praised Iraqi suicide bombers as being martyrs, and blamed Tony Blair for the July attacks on London.

Quote: "In one speech, the MP said: "These poor Iraqis - ragged people, with their sandals, with their Kalashnikovs, with the lightest and most basic of weapons - are writing the names of their cities and towns in the stars, with 145 military operations every day, which has made the country ungovernable. "We don't know who they are, we don't know their names, we never saw their faces, they don't put up photographs of their martyrs, we don't know the names of their leaders."

George Galloway appears to be deluding himself. For most of these "insurgents" as the media politely calls them, neither are poor, nor Iraqi, nor have they the most basic of weapons. Most are foreign nationals trained in the camps of Afghanistan and have financial and logistical backing from Syria and Iran. They are sent across the border of Iraq to attack "the great Satan", who has "occupied" their holy land.

Source BBC, BBC

Mark of the Beast
UK backtracks on ID cards
4/8/05
UK Ministers today admitted that the UK had probably "over-sold" the advantages of a new ID card scheme to the public. In their "enthusiasm", the UK Labour Government had suggested ID cards would prevent fraud, illegal immigration or terrorism. MP Charles Clarke admitted today that ID cards would not have stopped the London bombings on July 7th, which killed over 50 people.

Quote: "Conservative shadow home secretary David Davis said Mr McNulty had "let the cat out of the bag". "This scheme will cost the taxpayer billions of pounds, be fraught with practical difficulties and have a serious impact on our civil liberties," said Mr Davis. "Having admitted they tried to spin this project in the absence of any real substance, the government should now come forward and address the many real concerns of the public."

Source BBC

Antichrist
Solana - West's only military foreign minister
3/08/05
Javier Solana stated in an interview with Spiegel some years ago that he is the only Western foreign minister that is capable of deploying troops on the ground.

Quote: "SPIEGEL: You will be the West's only foreign minister who can deploy troops. 
Solana: Peacekeeping troops. We are involved in crisis management. We will not send these troops to war. I will have a team that can organize these troop deployments. However, I will not make the decision to deploy; it will be a collective decision by the member states. Moreover, no EU country can be compelled to provide troops.

Of course how one defines a "peace keeping" role, and exactly what determines  a "crisis" is up to Javier himself. Remember Bosnia. Javier Solana was apparently the only Secretary General of NATO who has ever had the power to decide when and where to bomb. Previous Secretary Generals did not have that power. And it was during Javier Solana's watch that Yugoslavia was bombed with depleted Uranium shells, an apparent war crime that they have never apologized for.

Daniel 11:38
But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Source Spiegel

Antichrist
Solana's power struggle with the E3
3/8/05
I read an article today which has further confirmed to me the previous statement on Javier Solana in July's postings. The Bible states that when the Antichrist, or "little horn" comes to power, that he will subdue three kings.

A Jewish website, Jews For Morality describes in more detail this internal power struggle between Javier Solana, and the E3, the three big European nations, Germany, France and Britain...

Quote: "Some Solana-watchers are noting his rise to power with growing fascination. They have said that three countries presently stand in the way of controlling the Foreign Minister seat as he says is necessary to have one effective voice speak for Europe. The three countries that presently appear to be taking preventive measures to block him are Germany, France, and England. While they have been and continue to be from time to time enthusiastic Solana supporters, it appears they are aligning to form a type of an "EU directorate." According to an article appearing in BBC News[8] although England's Tony Blair, France's Jacques Chirac; and Germany's Gerhard Schroeder had made unconvincing denials of an attempted EU power grab, that they were evidently trying to do just that. The apparent and even obvious purpose is to continue to control as much as possible EU foreign policy after the new constitution takes final effect. If Solana is to truly become the one voice speaking for Europe as he desires and plans for his full seat of Euro-power as the new EU Foreign Minister, as he projected he planned to do in a a more recent Der Spiegel article [9], realistically he would first have to find a way to curtail these EU governments and their present leaders' ambitions to properly fit his foreign policy agenda.

Daniel 7:24
And the ten horns out of this kingdom [are] ten kings [that] shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

Source Jews For Morality

Israel
Hamas fires rocket at protestors
3/8/05
Tens of thousands of Israelis continue to gather in Sderot to protest the soon-coming Gaza evacuation. Estimates by reporters put the figure at somewhere between 40,000 and 60,000 protestors, although official police estimates have seemingly only numbered 8000.

Quote: "A debate ensued between the police and Yesha leaders after senior police spokesmen announced they estimated tonight's rally numbers at about 8,000. Yesha head Benzi Lieberman pulled aside several journalists and asked them to guess at the crowd numbers. A correspondent for a major Israeli daily estimated 50,000. A cameraman said 40,000. A reporter from the U.S. figured 60,000 were present. "Tens of thousands more are on their way," said Lieberman to the media. "I don't want to read the newspapers tomorrow and see the absurd police lie about 8,000."

As the rally drew to a close, Hamas fired a Kassam rocket in the direction of the crowd. But the missile fell around a mile short, and killed a Palestinian.

Source WorldNetDaily

Wars and rumours of wars
Russians help Iran go nuclear
2/8/05
A chilling report detailing Russia and China's involvement in the Iranian nuclear development has been uncovered, stating that in 5-7 years, Iran will possess the capability to launch a nuclear attack at any country within a 3000km radius.

Most states would balk at the idea of using a nuclear bomb, and even then, only use it in extreme circumstances, but Iran would not. Iran believes that it has an Islamic right to possess nuclear weapons. Iran also fears an America "Iraq-style" invasion, and a nuclear deterrent would help prevent that to some degree.

Quote: "The first such location is Isfahan, the country's second city. The Iranian Organization for Atomic Energy run by Reza Amrollahi has put together a team of physicists, chemists, engineers, and electronics experts in a building located in the suburbs. The team has been tasked with finalizing "Projeh Vijeh" (the "Special Project"), in other words with producing the bomb by getting hold of explosives, detonators, and electrical component parts. In other areas around Isfahan, Reza Amrollahi has concentrated laboratories for the treatment of nuclear materiel and for the enrichment of uranium. According to diplomatic sources, the plan to spread out the research centers was put in place in order to hinder the possibility of an aerial bomb attack designed to destroy them.

Source Global Security

Weird Weather
Second tornado hits UK in a week
2/8/05 
British citizens were bewildered when a freak tornado ripped though Birmingham last week, causing extensive damage. Tornados often hit Britain, but they are usually small and occur in remote areas or off-shore. But stranger still, Bristol was hit today by the second tornado in only a week, although there have been no reports of damage.

Quote: "Residents in Bristol were stunned to see a spiralling cloud funnel forming over the south of the city on Monday night. Many described the mini-tornado as being several hundred feet high and lasted for up to 20 minutes. Alan Milkins, 65, from Withywood, said: "It was like something out of the Mid-West. It was a long swirling tube of cloud, which looked like a wriggling worm.

Source Yahoo

Terrorism
Anniversary of Hiroshima sparks fears of attack
2/8/05
The 60th anniversary of the Hiroshima will be being celebrated, for want of a better word, on the 6th of August, prompting fears that some sort of terrorist nuclear attack may be carried out on America. Al-Qaida are rumoured to already have at least 2 nuclear suitcase bombs inside America.

Quote: "According to captured al-Qaida leaders and documents, bin Laden's terrorist network has a plan called "American Hiroshima" involving the multiple detonation of nuclear weapons already smuggled into the U.S. Al-Qaida has obtained at least 40 nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union – including suitcase nukes, nuclear mines, artillery shells and even some missile warheads. In addition, documents captured in Afghanistan show al-Qaida had plans to assemble its own nuclear weapons with fissile material it purchased on the black market.

Source WorldNetDaily

Israel
Egypt agrees Gaza border patrol
2/8/05
Egypt has formally agreed to set up border patrols on Gaza after the Israeli evacuation from the region. The Gaza border adjacent to Egypt is frequently used to smuggle arms through a network of tunnels which Palestinian terrorists had created under their homes. This resulted in Israel frequently having to bring in bulldozers to destroy the homes and tunnels underneath the homes in order to save lives. Some analysts fear that Egypt may use this as an excuse to build up their military presence in the Sinai desert.

Source BBC

Israel
Media frenzy gathers in Gaza
1/8/05
Thousands of reporters have taken residence in Gaza in order to capture the scenes of the evacuation which is scheduled to occur in a couple of weeks. Estimates by WorldNetDaily have put the figures at around 1500 reporters, which is 1 reporter to every 6 Gaza residents. 400 more are expected in the coming days. Reporters are paying residents in excess of $5000 just to holed-up inside an attic or a basement for the incoming month.

What is attracting them is anyone's guess. Perhaps many of them are expecting an intense stand-off, erupting into violence. No doubt Palestinian terrorists would be posing for the television cameras. Perhaps that's why Israel is forcing the *cough* "liberal" media to leave before the actual withdrawal begins, for they would have a field day.

Quote: "According to prominent political strategist George Birnbaum, "it's because it's Jew versus Jew. So of course the world is interested. If you uprooted a group of people from their homes anywhere else it would be a war crime, but might not get attention. Here, it's just considered fascinating. It's a shame the media doesn't focus this much attention on other important issues. If they reported on Dafour like this, the issue would be resolved."

Source WorldNetDaily

Earthquakes
Quake strikes Egypt
1/8/05
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale hit Egypt yesterday.

Quote: "Police and the Helwan official said they had received no reports of damage or casualties in the quake, which occurred at 7:18 p.m. (16:18 GMT).

Source Jerusalem Post