Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate political group today (February 28, 2018) as part of a proposed process that he said could lead to talks aimed at ending more than 16 years of war, according to the Reuters website.
Ghani proposed a ceasefire and a release of prisoners as part of a range of options including new elections, involving militants, and a constitutional review as part of a peace pact with the Taliban.
The war in Afghanistan -- America's longest war ever -- killed or wounded over 10,000 Afghan civilians last year alone.
"The Taliban are expected to give input to the peace-making process...." Ghani said.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Pope: "Are You Spending Time Judging Others?" "Judging Others Is Terrible, Lord Is Only Judge"
In his homily today (February 28, 2018), during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis reflected on the words of Jesus in the day's Gospel reading from Luke, (6:36-38): "Do not judge and you will not be judged," the Independent Catholic News website reports.
The Holy Father asked: "When you are sitting in a meeting or at a meal, how much time do you spend judging others?"
He went on to tell the congregation that no one will escape God's judgment -- and all will be judged "both personally and universally."
The pope recommended that people examine their consciences to determine how much time they spend judging others. And he reminded those present that "Judging others is terrible because the Lord is the only judge."
The Holy Father asked: "When you are sitting in a meeting or at a meal, how much time do you spend judging others?"
He went on to tell the congregation that no one will escape God's judgment -- and all will be judged "both personally and universally."
The pope recommended that people examine their consciences to determine how much time they spend judging others. And he reminded those present that "Judging others is terrible because the Lord is the only judge."
US Targeting IS Beyond Its Mideast Stronghold; Now Targets Philippines, Bangladesh, W. Africa
U.S. officials expanded their targeting of the Islamic State (IS) beyond its Mideast stomping grounds yesterday by adding three of the terrorist group's far-flung affiliates -- in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and West Africa -- to the State Department's "Specially Designed Global Terrorist" list, the Washington Times website reports today (February 28, 2018).
The designation signaled a broadening of Washington's focus on IS affiliates around the world.
"These designation target key ISIS affiliated groups and leaders outside the fallen caliphate [of Iraq and Syria]," State Department spokesman Nathan Sales said in a statement.
He added, "Today's actions are a critical step in degrading ISIS's global network and denying its affiliates the resources they need to plan and carry out terrorist attacks."
The designation signaled a broadening of Washington's focus on IS affiliates around the world.
"These designation target key ISIS affiliated groups and leaders outside the fallen caliphate [of Iraq and Syria]," State Department spokesman Nathan Sales said in a statement.
He added, "Today's actions are a critical step in degrading ISIS's global network and denying its affiliates the resources they need to plan and carry out terrorist attacks."
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
German Town Maintains a Bell Honoring Hitler; Calls It Memorial to Spark Dialogue on Injustice
A small town in southwestern Germany has decided to keep a church bell dedicated to Adolf Hitler ringing, but as a memorial to spark dialogue about violence and injustice, the World Israel News website reports today (February 27, 2018).
The Herxheim am Berg council voted 10-3 to preserve the bell, which carries the inscription "Everything for the Fatherland -- Adolf Hitler" above a Nazi swastika, as a memorial in its Protestant church.
State church authorities had offered to fund replacing the bell, but a study concluded removing it would be akin to "fleeing from an appropriate culture of remembrance."
The "Hitler bell" debate has been raging for several months. In September, the town's mayor resigned following outrage over comments he made suggesting that the Nazi period "wasn't all bad."
The Herxheim am Berg council voted 10-3 to preserve the bell, which carries the inscription "Everything for the Fatherland -- Adolf Hitler" above a Nazi swastika, as a memorial in its Protestant church.
State church authorities had offered to fund replacing the bell, but a study concluded removing it would be akin to "fleeing from an appropriate culture of remembrance."
The "Hitler bell" debate has been raging for several months. In September, the town's mayor resigned following outrage over comments he made suggesting that the Nazi period "wasn't all bad."
ADL:Anti-Semitism in US in 2017 Largest Ever; May Be Due to Huge Jump in Schools, Colleges
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today (February 27, 2018) released a report showing that the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. was nearly 60 percent higher in 2017 than 2016 -- the largest single-year increase on record -- according to the Jerusalem Post website.
There were 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents reported across the U.S. in 2017 --including 1,015 incidents of harassment, 952 incidents of vandalism, and 19 physical assaults -- reported in the ADL's audit.
Every part of the country was affected by the incidents, with at least one incident reported in all 50 states.
The sharp rise in anti-Semitism in the U.S. is believed to be due to a significant increase in incidents in schools and colleges, which nearly doubled for the second year in a row.
There were 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents reported across the U.S. in 2017 --including 1,015 incidents of harassment, 952 incidents of vandalism, and 19 physical assaults -- reported in the ADL's audit.
Every part of the country was affected by the incidents, with at least one incident reported in all 50 states.
The sharp rise in anti-Semitism in the U.S. is believed to be due to a significant increase in incidents in schools and colleges, which nearly doubled for the second year in a row.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Saudi Arabia Now Allows Women to Join Army; Must Live in Same Province with Male Guardian
For the first time, Saudi Arabia -- the most conservative and traditional Islam country -- has decided to allow women to join the Army, the One News Page website reports today (February 26, 2018).
Saudi women between the ages of 25 and 35 who have a high school diploma, are allowed to apply for vacancies, involving mainly security roles.
Their service would be located in the provinces of Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Qassim, and Madinah.
The requirements also state that the women and their male guardians -- their husband, father, brother, or son -- must also have a place of residence in the same province where the job is located.
Saudi women between the ages of 25 and 35 who have a high school diploma, are allowed to apply for vacancies, involving mainly security roles.
Their service would be located in the provinces of Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Qassim, and Madinah.
The requirements also state that the women and their male guardians -- their husband, father, brother, or son -- must also have a place of residence in the same province where the job is located.
Iraq Court Rules Death for 16 Turkish IS Women; Are Guilty of Helping IS Carry Out Terror Attacks
An Iraqi court has sentenced 16 Turkish women to death by hanging for joining the Islamic State (IS) terror group, the Reuters website reports today (February 26, 2018).
The central criminal court issued the sentences "after it was proven they belong to the Daesh terrorist group and after they confessed to marrying Daesh elements or providing members of the group with logistical aid or helping them carry out terrorist attacks," said Judge Abdul-Sattar al Birqdar.
Since last August, some 1,700 women and children surrendered or were captured during Iraqi operations to root out the militants, according to aid officials.
Iraq is now in the process of conducting the trials of hundreds of foreign women who were affiliated with IS.
The central criminal court issued the sentences "after it was proven they belong to the Daesh terrorist group and after they confessed to marrying Daesh elements or providing members of the group with logistical aid or helping them carry out terrorist attacks," said Judge Abdul-Sattar al Birqdar.
Since last August, some 1,700 women and children surrendered or were captured during Iraqi operations to root out the militants, according to aid officials.
Iraq is now in the process of conducting the trials of hundreds of foreign women who were affiliated with IS.
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