"We Christians cannot stand with arms folded in indifference or thrown up in the air in helpless resignation," the pope said in his homily yesterday, the World Day of the Poor, the Catholic News website reports today (November 18, 2018).
"As believers, we must stretch out our hands as Jesus does with us, freely and lovingly offering help to the poor and all those in need," the pope said at the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
About 6,000 poor attended the Mass as special guests; they were joined by volunteers and others who assist disadvantaged communities.
"God always hears the cries of those in need," the pope said in his homily. "But what about us? Do we have eyes to see, ears to hear, hands outstretched to offer help?"
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Protests in Norway against Tighter Abortion Law; Opposed to Restricting Women's Abortion Access
Thousands of protesters demonstrated in several Norwegian cities yesterday against restricting women's access to abortion, the Christian Today website reports today (November 18, 2018).
In Norway's capital of Oslo, the demonstrators marched through the city center carrying banners with slogans such as "My body my right" and "Defend abortion."
"The new law that's proposed is limiting women's rights," said Ine Lund, a 22-year-old criminology student. "I feel it should be up to the woman to choose."
The demonstrations were sparked by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg's plan to tighten abortion laws, including forbidding abortions after the twelfth week of pregnancy.
In Norway's capital of Oslo, the demonstrators marched through the city center carrying banners with slogans such as "My body my right" and "Defend abortion."
"The new law that's proposed is limiting women's rights," said Ine Lund, a 22-year-old criminology student. "I feel it should be up to the woman to choose."
The demonstrations were sparked by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg's plan to tighten abortion laws, including forbidding abortions after the twelfth week of pregnancy.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Ethiopia Muslims Bribe Christians to Convert; Promise Christians Jobs, Scholarships, Homes
A Christian leader has revealed that young Christians in Ethiopia are being lured to convert to Islam by promises of jobs, education, help to buy houses, and other aid, the Independent Catholic News website reports today (November 17, 2018).
Ethiopian Christians -- desperate to escape poverty -- are being bribed to join the Muslim religion, Aid to the Church in Need was told by a religious leader who asked to remain anonymous to protect his safety.
He said: "The [Muslim employers] are getting the younger ones -- with scholarships, promises for jobs, and so on."
He added: "Unemployment is at a very high rate in Ethiopia, so this is very attractive to the young people..."
Ethiopian Christians -- desperate to escape poverty -- are being bribed to join the Muslim religion, Aid to the Church in Need was told by a religious leader who asked to remain anonymous to protect his safety.
He said: "The [Muslim employers] are getting the younger ones -- with scholarships, promises for jobs, and so on."
He added: "Unemployment is at a very high rate in Ethiopia, so this is very attractive to the young people..."
Friday, November 16, 2018
Number of Missing in Cal. Fire Soars Past 1,000; Pres Trump Plans to Visit Fire Victims on Nov. 17
The number of people listed as missing in a devastating northern California wildfire soared past 1,000 today (November 16, 2018), as the remains of eight additional victims were found by rescuers, according to the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website.
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told reporters that the number of people unaccounted for had jumped from 631 to 1,011 in the last 24 hours as authorities receive more reports of people missing.
He said that on a positive note, 329 people who had been listed as missing since the fire broke out had so far been accounted for.
President Donald Trump is set to visit the region on November 17 to survey the damage and meet victims of the fire that has devoured an area roughly the size of Chicago.
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told reporters that the number of people unaccounted for had jumped from 631 to 1,011 in the last 24 hours as authorities receive more reports of people missing.
He said that on a positive note, 329 people who had been listed as missing since the fire broke out had so far been accounted for.
President Donald Trump is set to visit the region on November 17 to survey the damage and meet victims of the fire that has devoured an area roughly the size of Chicago.
CIA: Saudi Prince Ordered Khashoggi's Death; Used Many Intel Sources to Reach Conclusion
The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month, contradicting the Saudi government's claims that he was not involved in the killing, the Washington Post website reports today (November 16, 2018).
The CIA's assessment -- in which officials have said they have high confidence -- is the most definitive to date linking Mohammed to the operation, and complicates the Trump administration's efforts to preserve its relationship with a close ally.
A team of 15 Saudi agents flew to Istanbul on government aircraft in October and killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate, where he had come to pick up documents that he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman.
In reaching its conclusions, the CIA examined multiple sources of intelligence -- including a phone call that the prince's brother Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the United States -- had with Khashoggi.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Trump Slams French Pres. Macron in 5 Tweets; Macron to Trump:France Is US Ally, Not Vassal
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday told Donald Trump that France was the United States' ally, and not a vassal state, after the U.S. president attacked him in a series of tweets that demonstrated how much their relationship had soured, the Yahoo News website reports today (November 15, 2018).
In five posts sent this week after a visit to Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Trump reminded France of its near-defeat by Germany in two world wars, took a swipe at its wine industry, and mentioned Macron's falling approval ratings.
Asked whether he was offended by Trump's tweets, Macron spoke at length about the long military alliance between the two countries, from America's War of Independence onwards.
"The United States are our historic ally and will continue to be. It's the ally with which we take all the risks, with which we carry out the most complicated operations. But being an ally doesn't mean being a vassal state," Macron said.
In five posts sent this week after a visit to Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Trump reminded France of its near-defeat by Germany in two world wars, took a swipe at its wine industry, and mentioned Macron's falling approval ratings.
Asked whether he was offended by Trump's tweets, Macron spoke at length about the long military alliance between the two countries, from America's War of Independence onwards.
"The United States are our historic ally and will continue to be. It's the ally with which we take all the risks, with which we carry out the most complicated operations. But being an ally doesn't mean being a vassal state," Macron said.
Four Israel Police Officers Injured in Jerusalem; Attacker Entered Police Station,Stabbed Officers
Four Israel police officers were injured today (November 15, 2018) in a stabbing attack at a police station in eastern Jerusalem, according to the Jewish News Daily website.
The stabber came to the entrance of the police station in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem and attacked three officers with a knife.
Other officers shot and seriously injured the attacker. A fourth police officer was injured by the live fire.
The attacker and the officers were taken to Shaarey Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem for treatment.
The stabber came to the entrance of the police station in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem and attacked three officers with a knife.
Other officers shot and seriously injured the attacker. A fourth police officer was injured by the live fire.
The attacker and the officers were taken to Shaarey Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem for treatment.
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