In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, May 4, 2010
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9)
The Daily Brief
1. Israel's Netanyahu Welcomes Arab Decision to Back Indirect Peace Talks with Palestinians - AP
Israel's prime minister on Sunday welcomed Arab nations' endorsement of indirect, U.S.-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians, saying he is ready to restart negotiations "at any time and at any place." Israeli and Palestinian officials said they expect the talks to begin by early next week, and one Israeli official said the dialogue would go beyond formalities and include preliminary discussions on "core issues" in the decades-long conflict.
The Palestinians have refused to sit down with Netanyahu until he agrees to freeze all Jewish housing construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem - areas they want for an independent state along with the Gaza Strip. An Israeli government official said he hoped the talks would lead to direct peace negotiations that ultimately touch on all the contested issues between the parties - such as final borders, refugees and the status of Jerusalem.
• Heavenly Father, we pray against any plans that compromise Israel of anything that rightfully belongs to them. Let Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israelis be wise, firm, and not yielding to anything that is not in your will.
• And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:3)
2. U.S., U.K. and France Walk Out on Ahmadenijad During Speech at U.N. - CUFI
CUFI applauds the U.S., U.K., and French delegations for walking out on Iran's President Ahmadinejad's address to the United Nations. In his speech, Ahmadinejad accused the United States of committing "acts of terror" and once again targeted Israel -- the very country he has threatened to "wipe off the map" - as the obstacle to peace.
Walking out on him, on the other hand, sent a powerful message that we will no longer tolerate this tyrant's hate, threats, and disregard for international law.
• Lord, thank you for giving other nations the strength and determination to stand against Ahmadenijad and his plans for terrorism towards Israel, and acquiring nuclear weapons. Keep them united in this effort against Iran's plans to follow through with their schemes.
• But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. (Psalm 37:20)
3. U.S. Citizen from Pakistan Arrested in Times Square Bomb Case - Washington Post
A man was arrested late Monday night in connection with the failed Times Square bombing, administration officials said. The suspect, Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen from Pakistan, allegedly purchased the sport utility vehicle that authorities found packed with explosives in New York on Saturday night.
"It was clear that the intent behind this terrorist act was to kill Americans," Attorney General Holder said at a rare middle-of-the-night news conference at the Justice Department, nearly three hours after the suspect was pulled from an international flight that had already left the departure gate.
• Lord, we pray these comments by Attorney General Holder will not compromise the trial of the terrorist, and you will continue to expose the plots of our enemies. Bind them from all their wicked plans.
• The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. (Psalm 41:2)
4. Despite Plan, Not a Single Fire Boom on Hand on Gulf Coast at Time of Oil Spill - Alabama Live
If U.S. officials had followed up on a 1994 response plan for a major Gulf oil spill, it is possible that the spill could have been kept under control and far from land. The problem: The federal government did not have a single fire boom on hand. Former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oil spill response coordinator Ron Gouguet speculated that burning could have captured 95 percent of the oil as it spilled from the well.
"We're arranging for six to be shipped in. We keep running into delays. Hopefully, they will be here by Wednesday to be available for use on Thursday. Bear in mind, two days ago, we thought they would be here today," Jeff Bohleber, chief financial officer for Elastec, said today.
• Lord, you have given us several warnings about our inability to cover disasters quickly and effectively. We pray you will put people into place that will not only plan - but carry out those plans effectively. Let us not be caught sleeping again. We pray that our government will be held accountable so we can remedy these problems. Protect the area from devastation.
• Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' (Luke 3:5. 6)
5. Calif. Lawmakers Protect Images of Fallen Troops - NewsMax
California lawmakers have voted to ban the sale of merchandise featuring the names or likenesses of fallen troops. The state Assembly voted unanimously Monday to expand a current law prohibiting the unauthorized use of a deceased celebrity's image, voice or signature for commercial purposes. The bill would extend the same protection to others whose names or likenesses suddenly gain commercial value after their death.
• Thank you, Heavenly Father for legislators who are taking strides to protect the families of our fallen soldiers. We pray more will be done for our fallen heroes' families; our military and their families when they return, and all the previous ones also.
• Then the king said, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?" And the king's servants who attended him said, "Nothing has been done for him." (Esther 6:3)
6. Ohio Lawman Seeks to Put Arizona-type Initiative to Vote - Washington Times
An Ohio sheriff is promoting a "Citizens' Initiative" on the November ballot that would give state voters the right to decide whether they want a law patterned after Arizona's new statute authorizing police to arrest anyone reasonably suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Sheriff Jones said to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and state legislative leaders in a letter seeking action, "I'm afraid our state legislature may not want to act on it either."
The sheriff noted that Mr. Strickland has said he plans to veto any legislation similar to Arizona's tough new immigration law. "Just in this county alone, the cost to the taxpayers is $1 million," he said. "Add to that the cost to the citizens throughout the United States and that taxpayer burden is in the hundreds of millions of dollars."
• Lord, we thank you for moving on officials to begin to address the illegal immigration problem. Let people not confuse the issue between illegal and legal immigration - but let people stand united on this issue. Let no one be arrested that is legally here.
• The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. the mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. (Psalm 37:29-30)
7. Gates Suggests Changes Coming for Navy - MSNBC
Defense Secretary Robert Gates calls into question the Navy's heavy and expensive arsenal of ships and subs. He did say the military must rethink whether it can afford such a massive naval fleet at a time when the Army and Marine Corps need more money to take care of troops and their families. This year, the Defense Department requested nearly $190 billion to buy and develop weapons, but only 10 percent of that is dedicated toward counterinsurgency, humanitarian and similar missions.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for Defense Secretary Gates and all who are making decisions about how to best guard our nation. Give them your wisdom and let them be vigilant - leaving nothing important out.
• Prepare the table, Set a watchman in the tower, Eat and drink. Arise, you princes, Anoint the shield! 6) For thus has the Lord said to me: "Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees." (Isaiah 21:5-6)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"I am their inheritance . . . I am their possession." (Ezekiel 44:28)
1. Iran: We'll cut off Israel's legs - Jerusalem Post
Iran on Friday threatened to "cut off Israel's feet" if the latter attacks Syria, AFP reported.
2. Obama, PM discuss peace process - Jerusalem Post
US President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss how best to work together to achieve a comprehensive peace deal in the Middle East.
3. Obama: Syria still backing terrorists and seeking WMD - Ha'aretz
Obama said on Monday he would extend a national state of emergency over Syria for another year, citing the Arab state's continuing support for terrorists and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
