News from The Kingdom

Germany and other northern EU states, however, were outraged at being cut out of this bloc that would take on a European character and use European funds. After a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Sarkozy agreed to inscribe the new union within the EU framework of the Barcelona Process and include all EU member states. (more…)

A media circus was in high gear as U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was greeted in the Middle East and Europe as a political superstar in late July 2008. But a potentially far more important development in that part of the world the week before garnered little attention. (more…)

Former prime minister Tony Blair has launched a faith foundation to tackle global poverty, challenge conflict and unite the world’s religions.

Mr Blair, who is a Roman Catholic, unveiled the foundation in New York.

According to the former British Prime Minister, the Faith Foundation has three aims: to promote faith as a force for good, improve awareness between religions and tackle poverty and war.

Mr Blair said there was “nothing more important” than creating understanding between different faiths and cultures. (more…)

Overall population growth and rising standards of living in countries like China, India and Brazil put growing pressure on precious food supplies. Professor Roberts continued: “Global meat consumption will more than double by 2050…Most of the world’s readily farmable acres are already in crops… In fact, the world is actively losing farmland—to erosion, overgrazing and development. Even in the USA, the inexorable spread of suburbs, malls and golf courses costs us nearly 2 acres of farmland for each birth or new immigrant.” (more…)

Global economic and financial turbulence stalk the world—along with a growing food and energy crisis. Apocalyptic doomsaying is seen in newspapers everywhere. Can you survive whatever perils may come your way? What or who will be your anchor?

Phrases like “nine meals from anarchy” are no longer casually dismissed as apocalyptic nonsense. Consider these factors: What if the flow of oil was suddenly and sharply curbed? What if truck and rail transportation was severely hampered by serious fuel shortages and, as a result, food began to disappear from supermarket shelves? (more…)