VATICAN - The unexpected leak of Pope Francis’ much-anticipated environmental encyclical has meant the return of something that not long ago was fairly common around the Vatican but had become often dormant during the two-plus years of Francis’ mostly charmed papacy: intrigue. Who leaked it and why? Was this the work of frustrated conservatives in the Vatican, as some experts have speculated? Does it portend big fights at a pivotal October meeting in which church officials are expected to grapple with homosexuality and divorce? Or is it just a tempest in a teapot?
VATICAN - The depopulationists are on the move again, pushing hard for the elimination of six billion people on planet Earth in order to bring the planet down to what's being touted as its "sustainable carrying capacity of one billion people."
VATICAN - The plan is quite simple. And it should scare you. Top Vatican adviser Jeffrey Sachs says that when Pope Francis visits the United States in September, he will directly challenge the “American idea” of God-given rights embodied in the Declaration of Independence.
MEXICO - Can a country with deep Christian roots like Mexico find itself at the mercy of demons? Some in the Church fear so. And as a result, they called for a nation-wide exorcism of Mexico, carried out quietly last month in the cathedral of San Luis Potosí. High levels of violence, as well as drug cartels and abortion in the country, were the motivation behind the special rite of exorcism, known as “Exorcismo Magno.”
ISRAEL - Hamas sources reveal indirect talks via UN and European parliament to extend ceasefire, confirming Arab media reports. Israel and Hamas have been holding indirect contacts about ideas for cementing a long-term truce in Gaza, sources in the terrorist group said Tuesday, in confirmation of reports about secret talks from last month.
USA - A US drone has killed Al-Qaeda's second-in-command - but like the hydra, cutting off the head only strengthens the body. As Hercules knew, cutting off the hydra’s head is not the same as defeating the body. But in killing one - and perhaps two - of Al-Qaeda’s most respected and feared leaders the United States has shown it is quite good at cutting off heads.
ISRAEL - In an unprecedented move, the IDF announced on Tuesday that it would facilitate the use of shuttle buses from West Bank cities to the Temple Mount on Friday mornings, so Palestinian worshipers could attend Friday prayers at the al-Aksa mosque during the month of Ramadan. The decision was part of a series of sweeping gestures meant to help ease life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza during Ramadan.
ISRAEL - Knesset committee meeting adjourns early; Arab MK warns ‘blood will flow’ if status quo changed. A Knesset committee convened Tuesday to discussed a possible increase of the Jewish presence on the Temple Mount quickly deteriorated into a shouting match as MKs hurled insults at each other. Ten minutes into a meeting of the Knesset’s Interior and Environment Protection committees, as lawmakers reviewed an initiative calling for changing the Temple Mount status quo, Balad MK Jamal Zahalka yelled at Jewish Home MK Yinon Magal, calling him a fascist.
MIDDLE EAST - The Palestinian government is to be dissolved within 24 hours, AFP reports, quoting a statement made by President Mahmoud Abbas. The government's spokesman, however, denies any such discussion of dissolution. "Within 24 hours the Palestinian government will resign," Abbas told members of the Revolutionary Council of his Fatah movement in Ramallah, AFP reports, citing several officials present at the meeting.
ISRAEL - Press reports said on Sunday that the Israeli government had sent a "direct threat" to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier this month, demanding him and the Palestinian leadership to be "patient and stay calm until the end of this year, and to stop their illusions about isolating Israel".
USA - Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a ceremony to sign the toughest and most comprehensive border security plan of any state in the United States of America. The legislative package provides historic levels of funding to secure the border, establishes a Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit, strengthens penalties for human traffickers, increases funding for the border protection unit, and seeks reimbursement from the federal government for Texas funds spent on border issues.
RUSSIA - Russia-West relations took a downturn this week when Moscow warned that any stationing of military equipment along its border with Europe could have "dangerous consequences" and President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would add more than 40 ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal this year.
GREECE - Greek premier Alexis Tsipras has accused Europe’s creditor powers of trying to subvert Greece’s elected government after five years of “pillaging”, warning in solemn terms that his country will defend its sovereign dignity whatever the consequences. The defiant stand came as the European Commission lashed out at the Greeks and warned that the country would collapse into a “state of emergency” unless there is a deal to avert a financial crash.
TURKEY - Terrifying new travel advice has been issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, warning Britons of active terrorist groups plotting attacks in the Mediterranean country. Holidaymakers visiting beach resorts, particularly those from Britain, are at risk of kidnap, suicide bombings, car bombings, rocket attacks and improvised explosives.
UK - We used to laugh at conspiracy theorists, but from Fifa to banking scandals and the Iraq War, it seems they might have been on to something after all, says Alex Proud. Conspiracy theories used to be so easy. You’d have your mate who, after a few beers, would tell you that the moon landings were faked or that the Illuminati controlled everything or that the US government was holding alien autopsies in Area 51. And you’d be able to dismiss this because it was all rubbish.