Powell Knocks Putin's Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday he was worried about Russia's democracy in unusually blunt comments that underscored widespread concerns the Kremlin is turning increasingly autocratic.

Israel, Hizbullah Complete POW Deal
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Israel and Hizbullah have completed a deal for a prisoner exchange.

Israeli officials said the deal would exchange the bodies of three Israeli soldiers and an abducted Israeli civilian for more than 400 Arabs and Palestinians. The deal would also include the release of Hizbullah commander Abdul Karim Obeid and operative Mustafa Dirani. Both were abducted by Israeli forces in the early 1990s in an attempt to win the release of captured Israeli air navigator Ron Arad.

Anti-Semitism In Great Britain
A survey showing increasing anti-Jewish sentiment in Great Britain shows that 18% of Britons harbor anti-Semitic attitudes, and that fully one in seven Britons believe the scale of the Holocaust has been exaggerated.

Constitution Deal Possible In 2004, Says Prodi
European Commission President Romano Prodi has said he believes that a deal on the Constitution could be reached in 2004 - and possibly during the first half of this year.

"I think so, but I am also confident that it could be during the first half of the year", said Mr Prodi when asked at a seminar in Paris on Tuesday (27 January) whether agreement could be reached this year.

EU Poll: Europeans Tired Of 'Holocaust Victim' Games
Every third European feels Jews should stop playing "Holocaust victim" games, an Italian newspaper reported Monday. The poll came out on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a day Israel this year dedicated to combating anti-Semitism.

The Corriere della Sera survey of nine European countries also found that 46 percent of those interviewed feel Jews are "different," and 71% of them urged Israel to withdraw from the territories. Nine percent of respondents do not "like or trust Jews," and 15% would prefer that Israel not exist.

Just over 68% said they believed Israel has a right to exist but that the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is "making the wrong choices."

Comments
Hamas has proposed a ten-year truce if Israel will close down some settlements and accept the creation of a Palestinian state.  Israel seems to be getting the same deal from everyone...move out and we won't terrorize you.  I'm afraid that Israel will eventually embrace all of these offers, but God will deliver them in the end.

Have you noticed the increased anti-Semitism around the world.  Even the U.K. has weighed in with a poll that states one in seven Brits harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.  If I were not a Christian I would think it strange that such a small country would attract such worldwide hatred.  

Secretary of State Colin Powell has questioned the democratic direction of Russia and its dealings with its neighbors.  Seems Russia is pushing its weight around.  Years ago, long before President Putin came to power, I addressed the real possibility that they would one day return to their communist roots.  Look for them to continue to move in that direction.

Pastor Malone