Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle East. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 05, 2026
Monday, July 27, 2026
Pope Leo's Three Urgent Appeals in One Angelus
Pope Leo's Three Urgent Appeals in One Angelus
ROME REPORTS in English
Jul 27, 2026
Nearing the end of his summer vacation, Pope Leo XIV continues to draw thousands of pilgrims to pray the Angelus.
This Sunday, the Pope cautioned that a culture of consumerism fuels endless desires that are never satisfied, making it harder to recognize what truly matters.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Sleeper Cells in the USA - Chris Pinto
NOISE OF THUNDER RADIO - 03.26.2026
Today's Show: SLEEPER CELLS IN THE USA
Chris discusses the reports of sleeper cells in the USA and how they may choose to launch attacks on citizens in retaliation for the war in Iran. The sleeper agents are said to be the result of illegal immigration during the Biden administration, and even before. This warning happens in conjunction with an identical alert given by Nigel Farage in the United Kingdom, where several terror attacks have already taken place. The agents are said to be special operators from Iran and could, in theory, be anywhere. They could also be from other Islamic countries, working as part of the International Jihad against the West. In the Bible, God charges the watchman over a city to keep watch and to sound the alarm if an enemy is seen approaching. But what happens when government officials choose to ignore the warnings?
Today's Show: SLEEPER CELLS IN THE USA
Chris discusses the reports of sleeper cells in the USA and how they may choose to launch attacks on citizens in retaliation for the war in Iran. The sleeper agents are said to be the result of illegal immigration during the Biden administration, and even before. This warning happens in conjunction with an identical alert given by Nigel Farage in the United Kingdom, where several terror attacks have already taken place. The agents are said to be special operators from Iran and could, in theory, be anywhere. They could also be from other Islamic countries, working as part of the International Jihad against the West. In the Bible, God charges the watchman over a city to keep watch and to sound the alarm if an enemy is seen approaching. But what happens when government officials choose to ignore the warnings?
Friday, March 27, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Friday, March 13, 2026
World Council of Churches calls on governments to hold Israel accountable for violations of international law
The World Council of Churches' new campaign called “From Condemnation to Consequences” aims to pressure governments to hold Israel accountable for its deepening occupation of the West Bank and its accelerated program of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
By Jeff Wright
March 11, 2026
Scenes showing the widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure caused by Israeli attacks during the Gaza genocide in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. February 22, 2026. (Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images)
Last week, the World Council of Churches (WCC), headquartered in Geneva, launched a month-long campaign titled “From Condemnation to Consequences.” The program calls its member churches—clergy leaders and lay alike—to hold Israel accountable for its failure to fulfill its obligations under international law.
George Sahhar, Advocacy Officer in the Jerusalem Liaison Office of the World Council of Churches, tells Mondoweiss. “When attention is focused on the war in the Middle East, we want the world to see that human rights violations by Israel against Palestinians continue, and that annexation is ongoing and deepened.”
During a webinar introducing the March 4-31 campaign, Kenneth Mtata, WCC Program Director for Life, Justice and Peace, said, “[O]ur campaign needs to remain focused on the commitments that the churches have made together, with all their partners, to see how we move from the statements and condemnation of the occupation and annexation of Palestine, and to try to translate this into concrete changes and transformation.”
Scenes showing the widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure caused by Israeli attacks during the Gaza genocide in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. February 22, 2026. (Photo: Omar Ashtawy/APA Images)
Last week, the World Council of Churches (WCC), headquartered in Geneva, launched a month-long campaign titled “From Condemnation to Consequences.” The program calls its member churches—clergy leaders and lay alike—to hold Israel accountable for its failure to fulfill its obligations under international law.
George Sahhar, Advocacy Officer in the Jerusalem Liaison Office of the World Council of Churches, tells Mondoweiss. “When attention is focused on the war in the Middle East, we want the world to see that human rights violations by Israel against Palestinians continue, and that annexation is ongoing and deepened.”
During a webinar introducing the March 4-31 campaign, Kenneth Mtata, WCC Program Director for Life, Justice and Peace, said, “[O]ur campaign needs to remain focused on the commitments that the churches have made together, with all their partners, to see how we move from the statements and condemnation of the occupation and annexation of Palestine, and to try to translate this into concrete changes and transformation.”
“When attention is focused on the war in the Middle East, we want the world to see that human rights violations by Israel against Palestinians continue, and that annexation is ongoing and deepened.”George Sahhar, Advocacy Officer in the Jerusalem Liaison Office of the World Council of Churches
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Strait Showdown: Iran Launches "Smart Control" Exercise At Oil Transit Point
by Tyler Durden
Monday, Feb 16, 2026 - 01:00 PM
Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) kicked off naval drills Monday in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to state media.
The exercise, dubbed "Smart Control of Hormuz Strait," is being carried out by IRGC naval forces under the direct supervision of the Guards' top command, state television reported, with semi-official Tasnim news agency describing the drills as testing combat readiness against "possible security and military threats." Energy markets are watching closely.
IRNA: IRGC Navy conducts a hybrid, live exercise dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz."
Under the supervision of IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Mohammad Pakpour, a state media press release described the exercise further as "A rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response to maritime security threats form the core focus of the intelligence and operational components of the units deployed during the exercise."
Indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran have lately resumed after collapsing when Israel launched strikes on Iran in June 2025, igniting a 12-day conflict that included US attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities - with another round of negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman serving as mediator.
The timing is no coincidence, given that late last week President Trump announced he was dispatching a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, while continuing to warn that military action against Iran remains on the table.
The IRGC has been conducing sporadic and in some cases unannounced drills in regional waters in order to demonstrate to Washington the Islamic Republic's military readiness.
Two weeks ago, when some of the first drills kicked off, US Central Command (CENTCOM) warned the IRGC it better be careful in the vicinity of US naval assets.
"We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) actions including overflight of U.S. military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear, highspeed boat approaches on a collision course with U.S. military vessels, or weapons trained at U.S. forces," CENTCOM said at the time.
Under the supervision of IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Mohammad Pakpour, a state media press release described the exercise further as "A rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response to maritime security threats form the core focus of the intelligence and operational components of the units deployed during the exercise."
Indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran have lately resumed after collapsing when Israel launched strikes on Iran in June 2025, igniting a 12-day conflict that included US attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities - with another round of negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman serving as mediator.
The timing is no coincidence, given that late last week President Trump announced he was dispatching a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, while continuing to warn that military action against Iran remains on the table.
The IRGC has been conducing sporadic and in some cases unannounced drills in regional waters in order to demonstrate to Washington the Islamic Republic's military readiness.
Two weeks ago, when some of the first drills kicked off, US Central Command (CENTCOM) warned the IRGC it better be careful in the vicinity of US naval assets.
"We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) actions including overflight of U.S. military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear, highspeed boat approaches on a collision course with U.S. military vessels, or weapons trained at U.S. forces," CENTCOM said at the time.
Sunday, February 01, 2026
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Monday, June 16, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Monday, August 12, 2024
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Monday, November 13, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Recommendations for the Vice President’s Trip to the Middle East
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2018
Contact: Ninar Keyrouz
Tel: (202) 624-7898
Email: press@indefenseofchristians.org
Washington, DC, January 19– Today, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to the Middle East for a weeklong trip where he will stop in Egypt, Israel and Jordan. It has been reported that on his trip, the Vice President will highlight the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and U.S. efforts to aid persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the region.
IDC applauds the Vice President’s efforts to advocate for religious freedom for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, particularly during his trip to Egypt. This year alone, Coptic Christians have suffered through 3 large scale attacks which left dozens dead, seen mob attacks on their communities and have had several churches forcefully closed down or attacked.
During his trip to the Middle East, the Vice President should:
Leverage the hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance that the U.S. gives Egypt annually by pressuring Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi to scale-up security for churches and monasteries in light of recent attacks.
Ensure that Israel protects the religious freedom of all peoples and faith and, in addition, respects the freedom to access all religious sites in the holy city of Jerusalem.
IDC is currently supporting Resolution 673 which reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-Egypt partnership in the region and the fight against terrorism, and encourages the Egyptian government to bring terrorist who have targeted Coptic Christians to justice. It also pushes for Coptic Christians to be given the same rights as other Egyptian citizens.
Source
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Don't take freedom of religion for granted: Prince Charles
Published: 21 December 2017
Prince Charles meets with the Melkites in London, Tuesday (CNS/TobyMelville)
Prince Charles says Christians should not take their freedom of worship and expression for granted, the Catholic Herald reports.
In a speech to members of the Melkite Greek Catholic community, the Prince of Wales said he was “profoundly shocked” to hear the persecution they had endured in Syria.
“As someone who, throughout my life, has tried, in whatever small way I can, to foster understanding between people of faith, and to build bridges between the great religions of the world, it is heartbreaking beyond words to see just how much pain and suffering is being endured by Christians, in this day and age, simply because of their faith.”
“As Christians we remember, of course, how Our Lord called upon us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute,” he added. “But for those confronted with such hatred and oppression, I can only begin to imagine how incredibly hard it must be to follow Christ’s example.”
It is therefore “vitally important” that Christians in Britain and elsewhere “who enjoy the rights of freedom of worship and freedom of expression, do not take those rights for granted.”
The prince was speaking at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Pimlico, central London, which has hosted Melkite Greek Catholics fleeing persecution in the Middle East, and allows them to celebrate Divine Liturgy every Sunday.
His speech came a year after he told BBC Radio 4 that anti-Christian persecution was being overlooked. He recalled meeting a Jesuit priest from Syria who gave him “a graphic account of what life is like for those Christians he was forced to leave behind”.
“Clearly for such people religious freedom is a daily stark choice between life and death. The scale of religious persecution around the world is not widely appreciated, nor is it limited to Christians in the troubled regions of the Middle East.
“A recent report suggests that attacks are increasing on Yazidis, Jews, Ahmadis, Baha’is and many other minority faiths, and in some countries even more insidious forms of religious extremism have recently surfaced which aim to eliminate all types of religious diversity.”
FULL STORY
Prince Charles: Christians shouldn’t take religious freedom for granted (Catholic Herald)
RELATED COVERAGE
Prince of Wales describes 'profound shock' at sufferings of Christians in Syria (The Tablet)
Thursday, August 11, 2016
The New York Times Magazine has dedicated an entire issue to a single story: the Arab world’s undoing since the invasion of Iraq
Top Stories
August 11, 2016
TOP STORIES
Thursday, August 11, 2016 7:00 PM EDT
More than a decade of war, terror and revolution has left a trail of ruin in the Arab world. This is the story of how a region came apart, seen through the eyes of six people whose lives were changed forever.
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