Ukraine's president met the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople today, as some Ukrainian clerics prepare to break ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the VOA News website.
President Petro Poroshenko and Patriarch Bartholomew I spoke in Istanbul today, after the patriarchate's October 11 decision to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As a result, Russia broke off ties with the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Poroshenko thanked the patriarch, who is the "first among equals" (among patriarchs) and is considered the ex officio leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Ukrainian Church had been under the Russian Orthodox Church since 1686. Ukrainian clerics are now being asked to join the independent Ukraine Orthodox Church or remain affiliated with Russia.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Palestinian Council Disbars Recognition of Israel; Does So Till Israel Recognizes a Palestinian State
The Palestinian Central Council has voted to suspend its recognition of the State of Israel util Israel recognizes a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders, the World Israel News website reports today (November 3, 2018).
"We recognize the right to resist the occupation in all methods that comply with international law," the Palestinian Central Council said.
The Council, which is the policy-making body of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), urged Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to follow its ruling, which also called for cutting all ties with Israel.
The decision requires the approval of another committee before it can be implemented.
"We recognize the right to resist the occupation in all methods that comply with international law," the Palestinian Central Council said.
The Council, which is the policy-making body of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), urged Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to follow its ruling, which also called for cutting all ties with Israel.
The decision requires the approval of another committee before it can be implemented.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Alec Baldwin Arrested in NYC for Punching Man; Punched Over Parking Spot Taken in West Village
The New York Police Department said Alec Baldwin, the actor, was arrested today (November 2, 2018) after he allegedly punched a man over a parking spot in lower Manhattan, according to The Daily Beast website.
Baldwin was arrested around 1:30 p.m. on 10th Street in the West Village.
He was charged with assault and harassment, and released from the NYPD.
Baldwin had someone holding a parking spot for him, and while he was moving his car to the spot, someone else tool the space. After Baldwin noticed the space had been taken, he approached the man and punched him.
Baldwin was arrested around 1:30 p.m. on 10th Street in the West Village.
He was charged with assault and harassment, and released from the NYPD.
Baldwin had someone holding a parking spot for him, and while he was moving his car to the spot, someone else tool the space. After Baldwin noticed the space had been taken, he approached the man and punched him.
Police Nab 13 in Ultra-Orthodox Draft Protest; Arrest of Yeshiva Student Sparks Israel Protest
Thirteen ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters were arrested in Bnei Brak, Israel yesterday after they attacked police officers and blocked a major central highway during a demonstration against the army draft, the Times of Israel website reports today (November 2, 2018).
Hundreds took part in the demonstration that was initiated by the radical ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem Faction over the recent arrest of a yeshiva student who failed to register at a military draft office.
Protesters calling "We'd rather die than be recruited" blocked central streets in the Tel Aviv suburb, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Many in the ultra-Orthodox community shun military service that applies to most Israelis, and students at religious seminaries have been exempt from serving in the army. However, last September, Israel's highest court ruled that Israel's draft law granting most yeshiva students army exemptions was unconstitutional, and gave the government until December 2, 2018 to pass an amended version of the law.
Hundreds took part in the demonstration that was initiated by the radical ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem Faction over the recent arrest of a yeshiva student who failed to register at a military draft office.
Protesters calling "We'd rather die than be recruited" blocked central streets in the Tel Aviv suburb, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Many in the ultra-Orthodox community shun military service that applies to most Israelis, and students at religious seminaries have been exempt from serving in the army. However, last September, Israel's highest court ruled that Israel's draft law granting most yeshiva students army exemptions was unconstitutional, and gave the government until December 2, 2018 to pass an amended version of the law.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Report: N. Korean Men Sexually Abuse Women; "They Consider Us Like Sex Toys at Their Mercy"
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed in a report today (November 1, 2018) that North Korean officials often commit sexual abuse against women with near total impunity, the BBC website reports.
HRW said such abuse is so common that it has become a part of ordinary life in North Korea.
The report -- based on interviews with 62 North Korean women who fled the country -- revealed a culture of open unaddressed abuse, particularly from men in positions of power, such as party officers, prison guards, police, and soldiers.
"They consider us [sex] toys. We are at the mercy of men," Oh Jung-hee, a former trader in her 40s told the report's authors.
HRW said such abuse is so common that it has become a part of ordinary life in North Korea.
The report -- based on interviews with 62 North Korean women who fled the country -- revealed a culture of open unaddressed abuse, particularly from men in positions of power, such as party officers, prison guards, police, and soldiers.
"They consider us [sex] toys. We are at the mercy of men," Oh Jung-hee, a former trader in her 40s told the report's authors.
Italy Plans to Reward Parents to Have 3rd Child; Would Grant Them Farmland to Raise Birth Rate
Italy is considering giving land to families who have a third child in a bid to reverse the country's declining birth rate, the Euro News website reports today (November 1, 2018).
The plan -- put forward by the far-right League party -- was included in the government's draft budget for next year.
Italy has the lowest birth rate in the European Union and it has been falling every year since 2010, according to Eurostat.
The parcel of agricultural land -- currently owned by the state -- would be granted to parents who have a third child between 2019 and 2021.
The plan -- put forward by the far-right League party -- was included in the government's draft budget for next year.
Italy has the lowest birth rate in the European Union and it has been falling every year since 2010, according to Eurostat.
The parcel of agricultural land -- currently owned by the state -- would be granted to parents who have a third child between 2019 and 2021.
Cal.Synagogue Vandalized 4 Days after Pittsburgh; Anti-Semitic Graffiti Sprayed on Irvine Synagogue
Anti-Semitic graffiti has been found sprayed on a Southern California synagogue, just four days after a shooter in Pittsburgh killed 11 Jews in the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in U.S. history, The Daily Beast website reports today (November 1, 2018).
The Irvine Police Department said the vandal's message was put on the side of the Beth Jacob Synagogue at 1 a.m. on October 31.
Surveillance film shows a hoodie-wearing suspect fleeing the scene on a bike.
"I just feel very sad that in America, in 2018, we still have to worry about anti-Semitism," said Allen Berzovsky, president of the temple's board.
The Irvine Police Department said the vandal's message was put on the side of the Beth Jacob Synagogue at 1 a.m. on October 31.
Surveillance film shows a hoodie-wearing suspect fleeing the scene on a bike.
"I just feel very sad that in America, in 2018, we still have to worry about anti-Semitism," said Allen Berzovsky, president of the temple's board.
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