News

BEIRUT– ReutersA Lebanese minister close to Hizbollah has urged the United States to take the group off its “terror list” and seek a way to start a dialogue with its leaders. “I call on the U.S. to change its stance toward Hizbollah and I support direct dialogue between the two …

WASHINGTON- United States- AFPThe House of Representatives has voted to renew the USA Patriot Act, the controversial package of laws passed in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. The House passed the USA Patriot and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2005 by a vote of 257-171.President …

LONDON- AFPPolice shot a man reported to be a would-be suicide bomber at a London Underground station, one day after the capital’s transport system was targeted in a bid to repeat the carnage caused by the July 7 bombings.“We can confirm that just after 10 am today armed officers shot …

BEIRUT- ReutersSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Lebanon on Friday to show U.S. support for the new government, the first to be formed since Syrian forces withdrew in April. On arrival, Rice was immediately driven under tight security to the house of assassinated former Prime Minister …

Baghdad- BBCThe Iraqi special tribunal responsible for trying Saddam Hussein has been questioning him about allegations relating to the oppression of Kurds. In a tape aired by Al-Arabiya TV, Saddam Hussein is seen being quizzed about the alleged expropriation of property from a group of Shia Kurds. The former Iraqi …

In support of the Eshoo Amendment to H.R. 2601, the Foreign RelationsAuthorization Act for FY 2006 and 2007July 20, 2005Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer an amendment expressing the Sense of the Congress that our government should recognize the unique challenges facing Iraq’s indigenous Christian communities, including the Chaldeans, …

Hassake, Syria (AINA) — The murder of two Assyrians in Syria last Fall (AINA 10-31-2004) by a Syrian National Guard officer and the subsequent Syrian government inaction have highlighted a profound vulnerability of and discrimination towards the indigenous Christian community there. On the evening of October 16, 2004, Mr. Ibrahim …

As Iraqis work to draft a permanent constitution that may deem Islam a source of legislation for the country, the Christian community faces the prospect of a life where they may worship freely, but will have little representation or benefits from government. The protest by Christians from a number of …

BAGHDAD, Iraq, MARCH 23, 2005 (Zenit.org).- For the second year running, Christians in Iraq will celebrate Easter under curfew. “Services for Holy Week and Easter will be in the mornings only because of the curfew,” a lay Catholic in Baghdad told the Fides news agency. “This means we cannot hold …

Australia (AINA) — The Australian Chapter of the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) announced that Mr Chris Bowen, member of Parliament, lodged on Monday 14 March 2005 a petition in the Federal Parliament of Australia, calling for “Protected Administrative Area” for the Assyrians and other minorities in Iraq. The petition is …