Anger is a legitimate emotion in the face of injustice. Passive acceptance of evil is not a virtue.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Political front
Ecuador formally recognizes Palestinian state
QUITO, Ecuador (AFP) -- Ecuador formally recognized Palestine as an independent state on Friday, following the lead of its neighbors Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay earlier this month.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=345111
Hamas: Committed to truce
Hamas committed to mutual ceasefire in Gaza 'as long as there is no oppression and no aggression,' group leader al-Zahar tells crowd of supporters; truce no sign of weakness, he says
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4004011,00.html
Abbas: No Israeli presence in future state
(Ynet) During tour of Ramallah, PA leader says will not agree to IDF positions along borders of Palestinian state and will not accept Israeli troops as part of international force.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4004200,00.html
UN to commemorate Durban conference (AP)
UN to hold summit honoring contentious 2000 anti-racism meeting that singled out Israel; US votes against proposal to celebrate event, envoy Rice says it 'included ugly displays of intolerance, anti-Semitism'
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4004063,00.html
Haniyeh to reshuffle cabinet
Hamas spokesman Taher An-Nunu said Haniyeh formed a special committee to meet with factions and national figures to offer them positions in the new government.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=345027
Haniyeh files complaint with UN
Hamas spokesman Taher An-Nunu said Thursday that Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh filed a complaint to the United Nations via a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon against Israeli army activity.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=344914
Turkey set on improving Israel ties but insists on apology for Gaza flotilla raid
Turkey's foreign minister said on Saturday that his country wants improved ties with Israel but that Israel must apologize and offer compensation for its raid on a Gaza Strip-bound aid flotilla in May in which nine Turkish citizens were killed.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/turkey-set-on-improving-israel-ties-but-insists-on-apology-for-gaza-flotilla-raid-1.332909
Turkey ties frayed, Israel turns to the Balkans
JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israel is boosting its ties with Balkan nations after a deep freeze in relations with Turkey, formerly its closest and strongest regional ally.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=344992
The Americanos are "worried" about China:
ReplyDeleteThe shift of the world’s center of gravity to Western Europe in the 19th century and from Europe to America in the 20th triggered the biggest wars of all time. Tens of millions died because the rulers of great powers in relative decline did not understand why the tide of history seemed to have turned against them.
Our own century looks even more alarming. China’s GDP will probably overtake America’s by 2030, and if present trends continue, its military spending will catch up before 2040. The assertiveness China already shows in Asia and Africa is just the beginning.
But compared to earlier leaders, today’s statesmen do have one great advantage: They can see the broad shape of history. They have no excuse for thinking that they will stop the long-term transformation of geography with short-term fixes like currency manipulation.
The challenge for the 21st century is to prevent the rise of the East from being as violent as the earlier rise of the West.