Daily Archives: July 12, 2014

UN Calls for Israeli-Palestinian Cease-Fire

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The U.N. Security Council is calling for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict centered on Gaza.

A council statement approved Saturday by all 15 members calls for de-escalation of the violence, restoration of calm and a resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace agreement based on a two-state solution.

The press statement expresses “serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides.” It calls for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

The press statement, which is not legally binding but reflects international opinion, is the first response by the U.N.’s most powerful body, which has been deeply divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

Vatican calls on to everyone to ‘pause for peace’ at the World Cup final (and insists there is no rivalry between Argentinian pope and his German predecessor!)

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Pope Francis- Pope Benedict

 

The Vatican has called on spectators at Sunday’s World Cup final to ‘pause for peace’ before the game, while continuing to play down rivalries between Pope Francis and his predecessor.

A senior Vatican official asked football fans to take a moment before the final game at the Maracana stadium to remember those affected by war and poverty.

The official also sought to play down ‘amusing’ rumours of rivalry between Argentine Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict, a German, saying the two had not decided how to spend Sunday night.

Benedict, the source pointed out, is not a football fan, but added: “Let’s see. The current situation is unique”.

The Vatican’s spokesman said he did not believe Benedict, now 87 and living his retirement in seclusion in an ex-convent in the Vatican, would watch the match, because of the late hour.

Francis, on the other hand, is most definitely a football fan having been a keen supporter of San Lorenzo while archbishop of Buenos Aires.

A spokesman for the council said it would be up to each fan, each team and each organization, including soccer governing body FIFA, if, how and when they wanted to observe a moment of ‘silence or reflection or pause’ to remember those suffering.

 

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