2014
Pope Francis “The fear of the Lord is also an alarm,” General Audience
Vinnies Sleepout in Australia Raises $2.3 Million for Poor by CEOs - Wow
Today's Mass Readings Online : Wednesday June 11, 2014
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis warned corrupt persons in positions of power that they would do well to fear God’s justice and repent on Wednesday, during the course of the catechetical portion of his weekly General Audience, dedicated to the seventh and final of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: fear of the Lord.
Departing repeatedly from his prepared text in Italian for emphasis, the Holy Father spoke of the fear of the Lord, not as a servile or supine disposition before the Lord, but as the grateful response of people who have first been loved by the infinite love of God the Father.
“The fear of the Lord is also an alarm,” he said. “When a person lives in evil, when one blasphemes against God, when one exploits others, when one tyrannizes, when one lives only for money, vanity, power, pride – the holy fear of God alerts us: be wary!” The Holy Father went on to say, “In this way, you will not be happy, you will end badly.” Departing from his prepared remarks, the Holy Father added, “One can take with him to the other side nor money, nor power nor vanity, nor pride: nothing! We can bring the love that God the Father gives us – the caresses of God accepted and received by us with love – and we can bring what we have done for others.”
Pope Francis spoke explicitly of people political responsibility and allow themselves to be corrupted, as well as of people who make their living from human trafficking and slave labor, and of those who manufacture weapons for fomenting wars. “That the fear of God might make them understand that one day it all ends and that they shall have to give account to God,” he prayed.
In the English-language summary read out after the main catechesis, the Holy Father said that the fear of the Lord is also a kind of alarm for all Christians: awakening us to the presence of sin in our lives and reminding us that we, too, will one day be held accountable to the just Judge. “Let us pray that the fear of God, together with the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, will renew us in faith and constantly remind us that in God alone do we find our ultimate happiness, freedom and fulfilment.”
Shared from Radio Vaticana
Latest News from the Vatican Information Service - Pope Francis Appoints
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- THE “POPULORUM PROGRESSIO” FOUNDATION FOR LATIN AMERICA MEETS IN THE VATICAN
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| POPE'S APPEAL AGAINST CHILD LABOUR Vatican City, 11 June 2014 (VIS) – Tomorrow, 12 June, will be World Day Against Child Labour and, at the end of today's general audience, the Pope launched an appeal for the “tens of thousands of children who are forced to work in degrading conditions, exposed to forms of slavery and exploitation, as well as abuse, mistreatment and discrimination”. “Listen well”, he emphasised: “Tens of thousands of children!” and he expressed his hope that the international community would “extend social protection for minors in order to weaken this scourge. Let us renew our commitment, in particular in families, to guarantee to every boy and girl the protection for his or her dignity and the possibility of healthy growth. A serene childhood enables us to look trustfully upon life and to the future”. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS Vatican City, 11 June 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has: - accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Cruz Alta, Brazil, presented by Bishop Friedrich Heimler, S.D.B., in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. - appointed Fr. Gilberto Alfredo Vizcarra Mori, S.J., as apostolic vicar of Jaen (area 32,572, population 525,101, Catholics 409,000, priests 36, permanent deacons 1, religious 105), Peru. The bishop-elect was born in Lima, Peru in 1960 and was ordained a priest in 1994. He studied philosophy at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and theology in the Jesuit faculty in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and obtained a licentiate in Arabic in Cairo, Egypt and a licentiate from the Institute of Arabic Studies and Islam, Rome. He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including priest in the parishes of “San Pedro y San Pablo” in Bitkine, Chad, and “San Ignacio”, Chad; superior of the community and founder and director of the “Fe y Alegria” project in Chad. He is currently vicar in the parish of “Santa Teresa del Nino Jesus” in Abeche, Chad. He succeeds Bishop Santiago Maria Garcia de la Rasilla Dominguez, S.J., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same apostolic vicariate, upon having reached the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.
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RIP Cardinal Bernard Agre of Abidjan in Ivory Cost Africa
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Bernard Agré, Archbishop emeritus of Abidjan has died on Monday, 9th June, in a Paris hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Following the death of Cardinal Agré, the College of Cardinals is currently composed of 213 Cardinals, of whom 118 are eligible to vote in the Conclave; 95 of them not eligible to vote because they are over 80 years of age.
Please find below a brief biography of the late Cardinal Bernard Agré:
Cardinal Bernard Agré, Archbishop emeritus of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, was born on 2 March 1926 in Monga, Côte d'Ivoire. He was ordained on 20 July 1953 and held a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome.
He was a headmaster in Dabou, rector of the pre-seminary in Bingerville, parish priest of Notre Dame Parish in Treichville and Vicar General of Abidjan. On 8 June 1968 he was appointed Bishop of Man and received episcopal ordination on 3 October. On 6 March 1992 he was named Bishop of the new Diocese of Yamoussoukro and on 19 December 1994 was promoted to Archbishop of Abidjan.
From 1985 until 1991, he was President of the Episcopal Conferences of Francophone West Africa (CERAO) and, from 1972 until 1996, Chairman of the Pan-African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS).
He was also a member of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.
President Delegate for the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2001).
Archbishop emeritus of Abidjan, 2 May 2006.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of S. Giovanni Crisostomo a Monte Sacro Alto (St. John Chrysostom in Monte Sacro Alto).
Shared from Radio Vaticana
Catholic Deacon in Belgium Charged with over 40 deaths in hospital - Please Pray
Church in Belgium shocked as psychiatrists assess deacon's mental condition.
A deacon serving in the Catholic Church in Belgium has been arrested and charged over the deaths of at least 40 patients in a Catholic hospital.
57-year-old Deacon Ivo Poppe reportedly kept records of patients whom he smothered or to whom he gave a lethal dose of insulin at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur Menin.
The married father of three adult children worked at the hospital as a nurse from 1980 until 2002 when he was ordained as a deacon.
He continued to visit the hospital as a part-time pastoral assistant until he began working full-time as a deacon in 2011.
According to his lawyers, Poppe said he was acting out of compassion when he felt the patients’ suffering was excessive.
Although euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Poppe faces charges because there is no evidence that his patients gave their consent to his actions.
He is now being examined by psychiatrists to assess his mental condition.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Bruges commented, “Euthanasia and deacon: these are two words which do not belong together in the same sentence.”
Bishop Jozef De Kesel said, “We can only condemn and deplore the matters with which he has been charged. We sympathize with the families of the victims who have been left with many questions and uncertainty.”
Shared from CatholicIreland Net
Vinnies Sleepout in Australia Raises $2.3 Million for Poor by CEOs - Wow
CEOs Raise $2.3 million Ahead of Next Week's Sleepout
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
11 Jun 2014
11 Jun 2014
CEO Sleepout in Sydney last year raised $2.1 million for the homeless
Now in its ninth year, Vinnies' CEO Sleepout looks like once again breaking records and surpassing the $5.3 million figure raised last year.
The first Sleepout took place on 21 June 2006 when 20 of Sydney's high flyers slept rough in freezing temperatures at the Telstra Stadium at Homebush, and raised $30,000 for the homeless. The following year 40 CEOs took part and raised $60,000.
Since then Vinnies CEO Sleepout has grown into a national event.
Bernard Fehon who Came Up with the Idea of CEO Sleepouts
In Sydney the CEO Sleepout will be held at the Redfern Carriageworks with more than 230 expected to take part while a further 100-plus CEOs will participate in Sleepouts planned for Newcastle and Wollongong.
Among the CEOs taking part in this year's national Vinnies CEO Sleepout are Federal Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull, billionaire mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrest, the CEO of Best and Less, Holly Kramer, the Minister for Education Christopher Pyne, the Most Rev William Wright, Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, the CEO of Vinnies NSW, Michael Perusco and Paul Nicolau CEO of the Australian Hotels Association (NSW).
For many participants the 2014 Sleepout will be the third or fourth time they have bunked down to raise awareness and funds for the homeless. But for the man who came up with the idea of CEO Sleepouts as a fundraiser for Vinnies to help the homeless, next week will mark the ninth time he has taken part.
When Opposition Leader PM Tony Abbott took part in Vinnies annual CEO Sleepout
"I'd been involved with Vinnies at Parramatta for about six years and organised fundraising dinners. But the dinners were hard work and targeting business leaders wasn't easy. Then the two kids at St Columbus were in Year 11 they took part in a school Sleepout for the Homeless. That's when I thought why not try this with CEOs," he says.
Bernard took his idea to Vinnies and on 21 June 2006 the first CEO Sleepout was held at the Telstra Stadium, Homebush.
Billionaire Andrew Twiggy Forrest a regular at WA's CEO Sleepout for the Homeless
While not all the CEO Sleepouts overseas raise money for Vinnies, all use the idea to raise funds for charities and for the homeless.
But here in Australia, the CEO Sleepouts are indelibly linked to Vinnies and part of the national calendar in June each year.
"We chose June and a date as near as possible to 22 June which is the longest and often the coldest night of the year," says Bernard.
While he is delighted at the way the CEO Sleepouts have taken off and the more than $13 million raised so far to help the homeless, he says the amount raised each year is still a fraction of what is needed to help the more than 110,000 men, women and children who are without shelter on any given night of the year.
Malcolm Turnbull with Deborah Hutton at last year's CEO Sleepout in Sydney
"At Vinnies the job is to respond to those who may find themselves homeless and to help them get back onto to their feet and back into the mainstream."
For Bernard, raising awareness about homelessness and about the people who often through no fault of their own become homeless is one of the most important aspects of the CEO Sleepout.
Volunteers help Vinnies serve 250000 meals each year to Sydney's homeless
"To have 200 or more of the nation's business leaders sitting quietly and listening to a man or woman behind the microphone talking about being homeless is one of the most powerful parts of any CEO Sleepout," he says. "The whole evening leads up to this and after the talk by those who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness there is time for reflection. And it is in these moments that everything is turned upside and the people at the so-called top of society with wealth and privilege and the people some of us may think of as being at the bottom, realise we are all connected; that we are all one family."
Bernard strongly believes the exposure to the homeless and the causes of an individual's homelessness, enlightens and fosters compassion among Australia's business leaders and decision-makers.
"I also believe the compassion awakened extends to the workplace as well as to their families at home," he says.
To find out more about the CEO Sleepout 2014 and to donate log on to www.ceosleepout.org.au
Shared from Archdiocese of Sydney
Today's Mass Readings Online : Wednesday June 11, 2014
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Lectionary: 580/361
VIDEO ADDED LATER
Reading 1ACTS 11:21B-26; 13:1-3
In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Gospel MT 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Saint June 11 : Saint Barnabas : Apostle : Patron of Hailstorms - Peacemaker
St. Barnabas
APOSTLE
Feast: June 11
 Information:
| arnabas (originally Joseph), styled an Apostle in Holy Scripture, and, like St. Paul, ranked by the Church with the Twelve, though not one of them; b. of Jewish parents in the Island of Cyprus about the beginning of the Christian Era. A Levite, he naturally spent much time in Jerusalem, probably even before the Crucifixion of Our Lord, and appears also to have settled there (where his relatives, the family of Mark the Evangelist, likewise had their homes — Acts 12:12) and to have owned land in its vicinity (4:36-37). A rather late tradition recorded by Clement of Alexandria (Strom., II, 20, P.G., VIII, col. 1060) and Eusebius (H. E., II, i, P. G., XX, col. 117) says that he was one of the seventy Disciples; but Acts (4:36-37) favours the opinion that he was converted to Christianity shortly after Pentecost (about A.D. 29 or 30) and immediately sold his property and devoted the proceeds to the Church. The Apostles, probably because of his success as a preacher, for he is later placed first among the prophets and doctors of Antioch (xiii, 1), surnamed him Barnabas, a name then interpreted as meaning "son of exhortation" or "consolation". (The real etymology, however, is disputed. See Encyl. Bibli., I, col. 484.) Though nothing is recorded of Barnabas for some years, he evidently acquired during this period a high position in the Church. When Saul the persecutor, later Paul the Apostle, made his first visit (dated variously from A.D. 33 to 38) to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Church there, remembering his former fierce spirit, was slow to believe in the reality of his conversion. Barnabas stood sponsor for him and had him received by the Apostles, as the Acts relate (9:27), though he saw only Peter and James, the brother of the Lord, according to Paul himself (Galatians 1:18-19). Saul went to his house at Tarsus to live in obscurity for some years, while Barnabas appears to have remained at Jerusalem. The event that brought them together again and opened to both the door to their lifework was an indirect result of Saul's own persecution. In the dispersion that followed Stephen's death, some Disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene, obscure men, inaugurated the real mission of the Christian Church by preaching to the Gentiles. They met with great success among the Greeks at Antioch in Syria, reports of which coming o the ears of the Apostles, Barnabas was sent thither by them to investigate the work of his countrymen. He saw in the conversions effected the fruit of God's grace and, though a Jew, heartily welcomed these first Gentile converts. His mind was opened at once to the possibility of this immense field. It is a proof how deeply impressed Barnabas had been by Paul that he thought of him immediately for this work, set out without delay for distant Tarsus, and persuaded Paul to go to Antioch and begin the work of preaching. This incident, shedding light on the character of each, shows it was no mere accident that led them to the Gentile field. Together they laboured at Antioch for a whole year and "taught a great multitude". Then, on the coming of famine, by which Jerusalem was much afflicted, the offerings of the Disciples at Antioch were carried (about A.D. 45) to the mother-church by Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11). Their mission ended, they returned to Antioch, bringing with them the cousin, or nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), John Mark, the future Evangelist (Acts 12:25). The time was now ripe, it was believed, for more systematic labours, and the Church of Antioch felt inspired by the Holy Ghost to send out missionaries to the Gentile world and to designate for the work Barnabas and Paul. They accordingly departed, after the imposition of hands, with John Mark as helper. Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas, was first evangelized, and then they crossed over to Asia Minor. Here, at Perge in Pamphylia, the first stopping place, John Mark left them, for what reason his friend St. Luke does not state, though Paul looked on the act as desertion. The two Apostles, however, pushing into the interior of a rather wild country, preached at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, at Derbe, and other cities. At every step they met with opposition and even violent persecution from the Jews, who also incited the Gentiles against them. The most striking incident of the journey was at Lystra, where the superstitious populace took Paul, who had just cured a lame man, for Hermes (Mercury) "because he was the chief speaker", and Barnabas for Jupiter, and were about to sacrifice a bull to them when prevented by the Apostles. Mob-like, they were soon persuaded by the Jews to turn and attack the Apostles and wounded St. Paul almost fatally. Despite opposition and persecution, Paul and Barnabas made many converts on this journey and returned by the same route to Perge, organizing churches, ordaining presbyters and placing them over the faithful, so that they felt, on again reaching Antioch in Syria, that God had "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:13-14:27). Barnabas and Paul had been "for no small time" at Antioch, when they were threatened with the undoing of their work and the stopping of its further progress. Preachers came from Jerusalem with the gospel that circumcision was necessary for salvation, even for the Gentiles. The Apostles of the Gentiles, perceiving at once that this doctrine would be fatal to their work, went up to Jerusalem to combat it; the older Apostles received them kindly and at what is called the Council of Jerusalem (dated variously from A.D. 47 to 51) granted a decision in their favour as well as a hearty commendation of their work (Acts 14:27-15:30). On their return to Antioch, they resumed their preaching for a short time. St. Peter came down and associated freely there with the Gentiles, eating with them. This displeased some disciples of James; in their opinion, Peter's act was unlawful, as against the Mosaic law. Upon their remonstrances, Peter yielded apparently through fear of displeasing them, and refused to eat any longer with the Gentiles. Barnabas followed his example. Paul considered that they "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" and upbraided them before the whole church (Galatians 2:11-15). Paul seems to have carried his point. Shortly afterwards, he and Barnabas decided to revisit their missions. Barnabas wished to take John Mark along once more, but on account of the previous defection Paul objected. A sharp contention ensuing, the Apostles agreed to separate. Paul was probably somewhat influenced by the attitude recently taken by Barnabas, which might prove a prejudice to their work. Barnabas sailed with John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas an revisited the churches of Asia Minor. It is believed by some that the church of Antioch, by its God-speed to Paul, showed its approval of his attitude; this inference, however, is not certain (Acts 15:35-41). Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas. He was still living and labouring as an Apostle in 56 or 57, when Paul wrote I Cor. (ix, 5, 6). from which we learn that he, too, like Paul, earned his own living, though on an equality with other Apostles. The reference indicates also that the friendship between the two was unimpaired. When Paul was a prisoner in Rome (61-63), John Mark was attached to him as a disciple, which is regarded as an indication that Barnabas was no longer living (Colossians 4:10). This seems probable. Various traditions represent him as the first Bishop of Milan, as preaching at Alexandria and at Rome, whose fourth (?) bishop, St. Clement, he is said to have converted, and as having suffered martyrdom in Cyprus. The traditions are all late and untrustworthy. With the exception of St. Paul and certain of the Twelve, Barnabas appears to have been the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. St. Luke, breaking his habit of reserve, speaks of him with affection, "for he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith". His title to glory comes not only from his kindliness of heart, his personal sanctity, and his missionary labours, but also from his readiness to lay aside his Jewish prejudices, in this anticipating certain of the Twelve; from his large-hearted welcome of the Gentiles, and from his early perception of Paul's worth, to which the Christian Church is indebted, in large part at least, for its great Apostle. His tenderness towards John Mark seems to have had its reward in the valuable services later rendered by him to the Church. The feast of St. Barnabas is celebrated on 11 June. He is credited by Tertullian (probably falsely) with the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the so-called Epistle of Barnabas is ascribed to him by many Fathers.
(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)
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SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbarnabas.asp#ixzz1xUBP4PYn
2014
20 Women Kidnapped in Nigeria in Borno State by Terrorists in Africa
Photo: Wochit/Screenshot
Islamists hold girls kidnapped from schools.
AllAfrica/Vanguard report: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have reportedly kidnapped 20 women from a nomadic settlement in Borno State near the town of Chibok, where the Islamic militants abducted more than 300 schoolgirls and young women on April 15.
Alhaji Tar, a member of the vigilante groups set up to resist Boko Haram's attacks, said the men arrived at noon Thursday in the Garkin Fulani settlement and forced the women to enter their vehicles at gunpoint. He says they drove away to an unknown location in the remote stretch of Borno state.
Tar said the group also took three young men who tried to stop the kidnapping.
"We tried to go after them when the news got to us about three hours later, but the vehicles we have could not go far, and the report came to us a little bit late," he said.
In another incident, the Defense Headquarters said Monday that troops prevented raids by Boko Haram this weekend on villages in Borno and neighboring Adamawa state. Soldiers killed more than 50 militants on Saturday night as they were on their way to attack communities, defense spokesman Chris Oluklade said in an emailed statement.
The Nigerian military has come under rising criticism from Nigerians who say they're not protected by the security forces, left to fend off attacks by Boko Haram on their own.
Boko Haram, which wants to establish Islamic state in Nigeria, has been taking over villages in the northeast, killing and terrorizing civilians and political leaders. Thousands of people have been killed in the five-year-old insurgency, more than 2,000 people have been killed so far this year, and an estimated 750,000 Nigerians have been driven from their homes.
In recent weeks, the extremists have used a two-pronged strategy and widened their theater of operation beyond the remote northeast of the country. The group has bombed bus stations and marketplaces in three cities, killing about 250 people, and they are staging daily attacks on northeast villages, killing 20 people one day, and 50 another.
In one incident last week, the militants reportedly killed hundreds of civilians in three villages in the Gwoza local government. Residents said they had requested the military sends troops to protect the area.
Shared from AllAfrica.com and VanGuard
Photo: Wochit/Screenshot
Islamists hold girls kidnapped from schools.
AllAfrica/Vanguard report: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have reportedly kidnapped 20 women from a nomadic settlement in Borno State near the town of Chibok, where the Islamic militants abducted more than 300 schoolgirls and young women on April 15.
Alhaji Tar, a member of the vigilante groups set up to resist Boko Haram's attacks, said the men arrived at noon Thursday in the Garkin Fulani settlement and forced the women to enter their vehicles at gunpoint. He says they drove away to an unknown location in the remote stretch of Borno state.
Tar said the group also took three young men who tried to stop the kidnapping.
"We tried to go after them when the news got to us about three hours later, but the vehicles we have could not go far, and the report came to us a little bit late," he said.
In another incident, the Defense Headquarters said Monday that troops prevented raids by Boko Haram this weekend on villages in Borno and neighboring Adamawa state. Soldiers killed more than 50 militants on Saturday night as they were on their way to attack communities, defense spokesman Chris Oluklade said in an emailed statement.
The Nigerian military has come under rising criticism from Nigerians who say they're not protected by the security forces, left to fend off attacks by Boko Haram on their own.
Boko Haram, which wants to establish Islamic state in Nigeria, has been taking over villages in the northeast, killing and terrorizing civilians and political leaders. Thousands of people have been killed in the five-year-old insurgency, more than 2,000 people have been killed so far this year, and an estimated 750,000 Nigerians have been driven from their homes.
In recent weeks, the extremists have used a two-pronged strategy and widened their theater of operation beyond the remote northeast of the country. The group has bombed bus stations and marketplaces in three cities, killing about 250 people, and they are staging daily attacks on northeast villages, killing 20 people one day, and 50 another.
In one incident last week, the militants reportedly killed hundreds of civilians in three villages in the Gwoza local government. Residents said they had requested the military sends troops to protect the area.
Shared from AllAfrica.com and VanGuard
New President of Israel wins Election Reuven Rivlin succeeds Shimon Peres
ASIA NEWS REPORT: Former parliamentary speaker, Rivlin was born in Jerusalem, is married and has four children. From Likud, he supports settlements and claims "the country cannot be divided."
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Reuven Rivlin is the tenth president of Israel. He was elected today by the Knesset (Parliament) by 63 votes against 53, beating Meir Sheetrit.
Rivlin, 75, born in Jerusalem, married and father of four children, is a member of the Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was, among other things, parliamentary speaker.
Considered a nationalist, in the past he has spoken in favor of settlements and against the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. "The country cannot be divided," he said, assuming "a system in one state," in which "the Jews would vote for a Jewish parliament and the Palestinians for an Arab parliament." A position that puts him at odds with Netanyahu's statements in support of the two-state solution.
Although the Israeli president occupies a largely ceremonial position and has no formal role, Rivlin's political opinions could still pose a problem for the international community.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
ASIA NEWS REPORT: Former parliamentary speaker, Rivlin was born in Jerusalem, is married and has four children. From Likud, he supports settlements and claims "the country cannot be divided."Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Reuven Rivlin is the tenth president of Israel. He was elected today by the Knesset (Parliament) by 63 votes against 53, beating Meir Sheetrit.
Rivlin, 75, born in Jerusalem, married and father of four children, is a member of the Likud Party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He was, among other things, parliamentary speaker.
Considered a nationalist, in the past he has spoken in favor of settlements and against the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. "The country cannot be divided," he said, assuming "a system in one state," in which "the Jews would vote for a Jewish parliament and the Palestinians for an Arab parliament." A position that puts him at odds with Netanyahu's statements in support of the two-state solution.
Although the Israeli president occupies a largely ceremonial position and has no formal role, Rivlin's political opinions could still pose a problem for the international community.
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