Pope Francis condemned the "complicit silence" about the mass killing of Christians by militants during a Good Friday service yesterday in Rome, the BBC website reports today (April 4, 2015).
Tens of thousands of pilgrims joined him for the Way of the Cross ceremony, recalling Jesus' crucifixion.
Among the cross bearers were Syrian and Iraqi refugees, and Nigerians who had escaped Boko Haram persecution.
"We still see today our persecuted brothers, decapitated and crucified for their faith in you [Jesus], before our eyes and often with our complicit silence," Pope Francis said, presiding over the ceremony at the Colosseum.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
Netanyahu to Obama:Iran Deal a Threat to Israel; Obama to Bibi: Iran Deal Shows Critical Progress
The framework nuclear deal agreed to yesterday with Iran would jeopardize Israel's existence if implemented, Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu's spokesman quoted him as saying to U.S. President Barack Obama today (April 3, 2015), according to the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website.
"PM Netanyahu to President Obama: A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel," Mark Regev wrote on his Twitter account.
Netanyahu said in the telephone conversation that the deal as it appears to be emerging "would not block Iran's path to the bomb. It would pave it."
In an opposite viewpoint, Obama told Netanyahu that the framework deal between Iran and the world powers represented "significant progress."
"PM Netanyahu to President Obama: A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel," Mark Regev wrote on his Twitter account.
Netanyahu said in the telephone conversation that the deal as it appears to be emerging "would not block Iran's path to the bomb. It would pave it."
In an opposite viewpoint, Obama told Netanyahu that the framework deal between Iran and the world powers represented "significant progress."
Philly Woman Arrested Trying to Join Terrorists; Keonna Thomas Planned to Go to Syria Via Turkey
Keonna Thomas (also known as Fatayat Al Khilafah), 30, of Philadelphia was charged today (April 3, 2015) with knowingly attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the FBI website reports.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas posted on Twitter the following statement: "If we truly knew the realities ...we would be rushing to join our brothers in the front lines Pray ALLAH accept us as shuhada [martyrs]."
The complaint also states that Thomas knowingly attempted to travel overseas to Turkey and then Syria, in order to join, fight with, and martyr herself on behalf of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas posted on Twitter the following statement: "If we truly knew the realities ...we would be rushing to join our brothers in the front lines Pray ALLAH accept us as shuhada [martyrs]."
The complaint also states that Thomas knowingly attempted to travel overseas to Turkey and then Syria, in order to join, fight with, and martyr herself on behalf of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Turkish President's Daughter Slams Feminists; History Proves Western Nations Ruled Women
Women receiving a lower share of inheritance than men is normal and justified -- considering men's responsibilities according to Islam -- Sumeyye Erdogan, the daughter of the Turkish president and the deputy head of the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), said today (April 2, 2015), the Hurriyet Daily News website reports.
Giving a lecture in Brussels, Belgium on "the perception of Muslim women around the world and the fight for the equality," Erdogan said the topic of inheritance distribution in Islam was among the most discussed in terms of equality.
"They ask why daughters are given lower shares from a will while sons receive more. But when we look closely, we see that men are assigned the responsibility for bringing the bread home, while women are not. So naturally giving higher inheritance shares to men is normal, fair, and righteous," Erdogan said.
In the same speech, Erdogan also said the history of Western countries was "worse when it came to the suppression of women. We don't have any reason to be diffident. When you examine the history of the world for practices that dominated women, you mostly see Western countries. You don't see Islamic countries," she said.
Giving a lecture in Brussels, Belgium on "the perception of Muslim women around the world and the fight for the equality," Erdogan said the topic of inheritance distribution in Islam was among the most discussed in terms of equality.
"They ask why daughters are given lower shares from a will while sons receive more. But when we look closely, we see that men are assigned the responsibility for bringing the bread home, while women are not. So naturally giving higher inheritance shares to men is normal, fair, and righteous," Erdogan said.
In the same speech, Erdogan also said the history of Western countries was "worse when it came to the suppression of women. We don't have any reason to be diffident. When you examine the history of the world for practices that dominated women, you mostly see Western countries. You don't see Islamic countries," she said.
Iran, World Powers Agree on Nuclear Talks Plan; Iran Curbs Nuclear Plan, World to End Sanctions
Negotiators from Iran and major world powers reached agreement today (April 2, 2015) on a framework for a final agreement to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions, the Washington Post website reports.
Participants in the talks said the sides -- including the United States and its key European allies -- would promptly start drafting a final accord to be completed by a June 30 deadline.
"Big day," tweeted Secretary of State John Kerry. He said the European Union (EU), the six major world powers (United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China), and Iran "now have parameters to resolve major issues on nuclear program. Back to work soon on a final deal."
In return for agreeing to curb its nuclear program, sanctions against Iran will be terminated by the European Union and the United States, subject to verification that Iran is meeting terms of the agreement, a statement said.
Participants in the talks said the sides -- including the United States and its key European allies -- would promptly start drafting a final accord to be completed by a June 30 deadline.
"Big day," tweeted Secretary of State John Kerry. He said the European Union (EU), the six major world powers (United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China), and Iran "now have parameters to resolve major issues on nuclear program. Back to work soon on a final deal."
In return for agreeing to curb its nuclear program, sanctions against Iran will be terminated by the European Union and the United States, subject to verification that Iran is meeting terms of the agreement, a statement said.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Inter. Criminal Court OKs Palestinian Authority; Joins Court to Ease Recognition of PA Statehood
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has joined the International Criminal Court, vowing to hand over suspects to The Hague, the Euro News website reports today (April 1, 2015).
In a move strongly opposed by Israel, the Palestinians are becoming the 123rd member of the world's permanent war crimes tribunal. It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- a day before Israel's elections last month -- declared that as long as he is prime minister of Israel, he will never recognize a Palestinian independent state, thus sabotaging any effort for a viable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
"As the Rome Statue enters into force for the State of Palestine, Palestine acquires all the rights as well as responsibilities that come with being a State Party to the Statute," said Judge Kuniko Ozaki, Second Vice-President of the International Criminal Court.
Joining the court is part of the Palestinians' strategy to soon gain global recognition of statehood. The court is already looking at possible crimes committed by Israel during last year's conflict in Gaza.
In a move strongly opposed by Israel, the Palestinians are becoming the 123rd member of the world's permanent war crimes tribunal. It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- a day before Israel's elections last month -- declared that as long as he is prime minister of Israel, he will never recognize a Palestinian independent state, thus sabotaging any effort for a viable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
"As the Rome Statue enters into force for the State of Palestine, Palestine acquires all the rights as well as responsibilities that come with being a State Party to the Statute," said Judge Kuniko Ozaki, Second Vice-President of the International Criminal Court.
Joining the court is part of the Palestinians' strategy to soon gain global recognition of statehood. The court is already looking at possible crimes committed by Israel during last year's conflict in Gaza.
Atlanta Educators Convicted in Cheating Scandal; Hiked Student Test Scores for Bonuses, Fed.Funds
In a major victory for prosecutors, a number of Atlanta educators were found guilty today (April 1, 2015) for their roles in public schools cheating scandal, bringing a close to a half-decade drama that tarnished a major school district's reputation and raised questions nationwide about the wisdom of pushing educators to improve students' standardized test scores, according to the NY Times website.
Eleven of the former educators were convicted of racketeering charges in a decision announced in a Georgia courtroom. Only one of the 12 educators on trial was acquitted of the racketeering charge; verdicts on the theft and false statements charges were mixed.
The dozen educators who stood trial -- including five teachers and a principal -- were indicted in March 2013 after years of questions about how Atlanta students had substantially improved their scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test, a standardized examination given throughout Georgia. Some 180 employees -- including 38 principals -- were accused of wrongdoing. Most of them pleaded guilty in court plea-bargaining agreements.
The illegal cheating scheme -- which had been authorized by Atlanta's then-school superintendent -- involved educators secretly changing incorrect answers to correct answers on hundreds of students' standardized tests. This was done so the Atlanta school department would receive millions of dollars more in federal funds as a result of "student test improvements." The educators, in turn, received large bonuses for their illegal and unethical actions.
Eleven of the former educators were convicted of racketeering charges in a decision announced in a Georgia courtroom. Only one of the 12 educators on trial was acquitted of the racketeering charge; verdicts on the theft and false statements charges were mixed.
The dozen educators who stood trial -- including five teachers and a principal -- were indicted in March 2013 after years of questions about how Atlanta students had substantially improved their scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test, a standardized examination given throughout Georgia. Some 180 employees -- including 38 principals -- were accused of wrongdoing. Most of them pleaded guilty in court plea-bargaining agreements.
The illegal cheating scheme -- which had been authorized by Atlanta's then-school superintendent -- involved educators secretly changing incorrect answers to correct answers on hundreds of students' standardized tests. This was done so the Atlanta school department would receive millions of dollars more in federal funds as a result of "student test improvements." The educators, in turn, received large bonuses for their illegal and unethical actions.
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