World Peace News: Top Stories

	Top Stories United Nations sees chance for global ban on cluster bombs Burundi rebels return home for peace deal Philippine government, rebels hold Norway peace talks

	Top Stories New Maharishi Centre of Invincibility opens in Adelaide, Australia. Summer World Peace Assembly planned for 4 July-4 August in Iowa, USA Meditation: 'It's the secret to world peace'

	Top Stories US plans new prison in Afghanistan Russia accuses Georgia of aiding rebels US: Georgia law allows guns in restaurants, public transit
Positive Trends 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories United Nations sees chance for global ban on cluster bombs 17 May 2008 - Even though the main users won't be at the conference, the United Nations sees renewed momentum for a global ban on cluster bombs as more than 100 nations gather in Dublin to finalize an anti-cluster munitions treaty. A top UN official and diplomats from countries that support a ban say there is a good chance that the conference, which starts on Monday and runs through 30 May, will end with the signing of a treaty outlawing cluster bombs. (more) Burundi rebels return home for peace deal 16 May 2008 - Senior officials of Burundi's last holdout rebel group returned to the capital Bujumbura on Friday to begin implementing a delayed peace agreement, while the group's leader stayed behind in exile in Tanzania. A delegation of leaders of the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) landed at Bujumbura's international airport, where they were greeted by diplomats from the African Union and United Nations among others. (more) Philippine government, rebels hold Norway peace talks 16 May 2008 - The Philippine government and the rebel National Democratic Front (NDF) met in Norway for informal peace talks on 13 - 15 May, the first such meeting in almost three years, Norwegian diplomats said on Thursday. The secret talks, which were requested by both sides, were the first meeting between the negotiating panels since August 2005, the ministry said. (more) Israeli Prime Minister sees progress in peace talks 15 May 2008 - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday that progress was being made in US-backed peace talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and that 'hopefully' a deal would be reached this year. Prime Minister Olmert told an audience in Jerusalem that his country is actively seeking peace with its Palestinian neighbours. (more) Northern Ireland: Ulster Volunteer Force ceasefire recognized 15 May 2008 - Members of one of Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary groups could be freed from prison early after the British government moved on Wednesday to recognize a ceasefire it declared last year. Northern Ireland is hoping to woo foreign investors after political foes agreed last year to share power in a regional government. That cemented the 10-year-old Good Friday agreement that largely ended decades of violence. The UVF declared an end to violence in May 2007. (more) Burundi rebels say they will return home to remove final barrier to peace 14 May 2008 - Exiled leaders of Burundi's last active rebel group will return home this week to implement a long awaited peace deal to end a civil conflict, a rebel spokesman said on Wednesday. The persistent insurgency by the Forces for National Liberation (FNL), an ethnic Hutu guerrilla group, is seen by many as the final barrier to lasting stability in the tiny central African country of eight million. Regional leaders had given FNL commanders exiled in neighbouring countries until 15 May to return to Burundi, which is emerging from more then a decade of ethnic conflict. (more) England's Queen Elizabeth praises Turkey during first visit in 37 years 14 May 2008 - Queen Elizabeth II praised Turkey's role as a bridge between the West and the Islamic world on Tuesday during her first visit to the predominantly Muslim country in 37 years. Wearing a tiara and dressed in a white gown decorated with beads, the queen said Turkey is 'playing a key role in promoting peace, political stability, and economic development in some of the world's most unsettled areas'. (more) North Korea to cooperate on nuclear verification says US 13 May 2008 - North Korea has agreed to 'cooperate fully' on verifying its nuclear declaration, a US official said on Tuesday as he showed some of the thousands of nuclear documents Pyongyang gave Washington last week. Sung Kim, the US State Department's top Korea expert, also said Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill could hold talks next week with officials from the six nations that struck a 2005 deal under which North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear programmes in exchange for economic and other benefits. (more) Egypt optimistic about Israel-Hamas truce 12 May 2008 - A top Egyptian mediator said on Monday he had 'high expectations' that a ceasefire deal could be reached between Israel and Hamas Islamists controlling the Gaza Strip. Omar Suleiman, Egypt's intelligence chief, held talks with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv on a truce, ahead of a meeting in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. (more) Libya, Italy patch up quarrel 11 May 2008 - Libya accepted on Friday an apology from an Italian minister whose T-shirt offended Muslims in 2006, and withdrew threats of 'repercussions' against Italy over the anti-immigrant party politician's inclusion in a new government. A statement from the Libyan embassy in Rome said Libya noted 'with satisfaction' the 'public statement of regret' by Calderoli and, after further contacts with the Italian authorities, considered that 'the case is closed'. (more)
Success of Maharishi's Programmes 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories New Maharishi Centre of Invincibility opens in Adelaide, Australia. 16 May 2008 - Dr David Seymour, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace for Australia, announced the opening of a new Maharishi Centre of Invincibility in Adelaide, Australia. The inauguration took place during the recent global celebrations of Akshaya Tritiya, which is celebrated in the Vedic Calendar as the Day of Lasting Achievements. (more) Summer World Peace Assembly planned for 4 July-4 August in Iowa, USA 16 May 2008 - A large summer World Peace Assembly in Fairfield, Iowa, USA was recently announced, with a goal of gathering over 2,000 practitioners of Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation and Transcendental Meditation Sidhi Programme, including Yogic Flying, in order to foster harmony and coherence in the collective consciousness of the nation and world, and culture a deep level of inner silence in the consciousness of each participant. (more) Meditation: 'It's the secret to world peace' 15 May 2008 - Filmmaker David Lynch recently spoke by videoconference at the Center for Korean Studies in Hawaii, USA. Mr Lynch discussed the benefits that Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation Technique has brought to his own life, and how it can create a peaceful world. (more) New Sthapatya Veda Palace for the Raja of India inaugurated at MERU in Vlodrop, Holland - Part I 15 May 2008 - Following the traditional Vedic Recitation by Vedic Pandits in honour of Akshaya Tritya, the Day of Lasting Achievements in the Vedic Calendar--an especially auspicious day for starting new undertakings--the new home of Raja Harris Kaplan, Raja of India, built according to principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda (Vedic Architecture in accord with Natural Law) was inaugurated at MERU, Holland. (more) The good news report from Canada 15 May 2008 - Canada to give additional $45 million in aid to UN World Food Programme. In the tenth month of the 2nd year of Canada's national Invincibility Programme, there continue to be indications of national consciousness rising to invincibility as evidenced by positive trends in the economy and other areas of national life, from the expanding groups of Yogic Flyers throughout the world. (more) *Address of Maharaja Adhiraj Raja Raam on Akshaya Tritiya, Day of Lasting Achievements - Part IV* 14 May 2008 - Maharaja Adhiraj Raja Raam, First Ruler of the Global Country of World Peace, concluded his address during the grand, global celebration on 8 May 2008 of the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, Day of Lasting Achievements by pledging 'that every one of my intentions, feelings, thoughts, planning, be in that very simple guiding light of Maharishi to create Heaven on Earth'. (more) New plan to create Invincibility for France 14 May 2008 - Maharishi Global Family Chat recently featured Dr Dominique Lemoine, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace for France, reporting on the success of a coherence-creating World Peace Assembly of Yogic Flyers held near the Brahma-Sthan of the country. During the course, Dr Lemoine made presentations on the construction of a Maharishi Tower of Invincibility and Vastu (Maharishi Sthapatya Veda) community to be built at the Brahma-Sthan. (more) Transcendental Meditation Technique brings bliss to students during David Lynch Weekend 14 May 2008 - Speaking recently on Maharishi Global Family Chat, Dr Mario Orsatti, National Director of Communication for the Global Country of World Peace in the United States, reported profound experiences from students during a course in which they learned the Transcendental Meditation Technique, which took place during the third annual David Lynch Weekend at Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA. (more) Invincible Holland enjoys economic boom 13 May 2008 - Dr Paul Gelderloos, National Director of Invincible Holland, has congratulated all the groups practising Yogic Flying together in his country, and credited them with the rise of harmony and prosperity which Holland is enjoying. (more) Report from Canada: Good news 13 May 2008 - Canadian medical students and residents aim for work-life balance. In the tenth month of the 2nd year of Canada's national Invincibility Programme, there continue to be indications of national consciousness rising to invincibility as evidenced by positive trends in the economy and other areas of national life, from the expanding groups of Yogic Flyers throughout the world. (more)
Flops 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories US plans new prison in Afghanistan 17 May 2008 - The United States intends to build a big new prison at its main military base in Afghanistan, a shift from earlier aims to transfer most detainees to Afghan custody, The New York Times reported. US officials conceded that a new Afghan-run prison could not absorb all the Afghans detained by the United States and waves of new prisoners who are expected from an escalating fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban, a report said. The plans represent an acknowledgment that the United States is likely to hold prisoners overseas for many years to come. (more) Russia accuses Georgia of aiding rebels 16 May 2008 - Russia's domestic spy service on Friday accused Georgia of supporting armed rebels in southern Russia, an accusation that could further damage the strained relations between the two countries. A source in the Federal Security Service (FSB) told Interfax news agency that a Chechen man working for Georgian intelligence had been giving cash to fighters across the turbulent North Caucasus. Russia and Georgia are locked in a row over Georgia's two breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia supports. Georgia says war was only narrowly averted earlier this month. (more) US: Georgia law allows guns in restaurants, public transit 15 May 2008 - Permitted gun owners in Georgia will soon be allowed to carry concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol, aboard public transportation, and in parks. Experts said the bill signed by Governor Sonny Perdue could signal a resurgence of pro-gun legislation. The National Rifle Association said in a statement that the law ``represents the most comprehensive pro-gun reform measure to be enacted in nearly 20 years.'' Meanwhile, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill into law last month allowing Florida residents to keep guns locked in their cars at work. Earlier this month, a Louisiana House committee gave overwhelming approval to a bill allowing concealed handguns on the state's college campuses. '' (more) India: Government imposes curfew a day after blasts 14 May 2008 - Authorities imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew in parts of India's historic western city of Jaipur on Wednesday, a day after eight bombs ripped through bustling streets, killing 63 people and injuring 216. Officials said they still did not know which group was responsible for the bombings, but India's junior home minister was quoted by local media as saying there 'might be the involvement of some foreign hand in the blasts', causing concerns that the blasts may undermine a fragile peace process between India and Pakistan. (more) Israel: President Bush meets with Olmert as scandal clouds peace hopes 14 May 2008 - US President George W. Bush arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday and try to energise peace efforts complicated by a corruption scandal that could topple Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert and Abbas agreed in November to try to reach a peace deal, including an agreement on Palestinian statehood, this year. Since then, talks have faltered over Israeli settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank and violence in and around the Gaza Strip. In the latest setback, Olmert faces calls to resign over claims he took bribes from a wealthy US businessman. Although he has denied wrongdoing, he has pledged to quit if indicted. (more) Developing countries eye nuclear power: report 12 May 2008 - More than 40 developing countries have recently approached United Nations officials to express interest in starting nuclear power programs, the Washington Post reported on Monday. Much of the interest in nuclear power is driven by economic considerations, however, some Middle Eastern countries appear to be investing in nuclear power partly because of concerns about a future regional arms race. (more) Sudan: Darfur rebel leader vows more attacks on Khartoum 12 May 2008 - Darfur rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim said on Monday he would launch more attacks on Sudan's capital Khartoum until the government fell. The weekend attack was the first time fighting had reached the capital in decades of conflict between the traditionally Arab-dominated central government and rebels. Sudan promptly cut diplomatic relations with Chad, saying the rebels were supported by Chadian President Idriss Deby. The countries had signed a non-aggression pact in March, but each has accused the other of breaking the deal and of backing rebels seeking their overthrow. (more) Venezuelan President Chavez to buy Chinese military planes 12 May 2008 - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday this country will buy Chinese military training planes, expanding recent arms purchases. President Chavez in recent years has stepped up purchases of weapons and planes. Venezuela has also bought 24 Sukhoi fighter jets and 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles from Russia. (more) Lebanon: Opposition continues military takeover, enforces siege 11 May 2008 - Lebanon's worst sectarian violence since its civil war ended in 1990 has spread from Beirut to the Druze heartlands of Mount Lebanon and on to the second city of Tripoli in the north as Hezbollah and its opposition allies continued their military takeover of the country. The mountain conflict began late 9 May after Hezbollah and its opposition allies' took over Sunni-majority west Beirut. According to witnesses, Hezbollah militants operating in Mount Lebanon set up checkpoints between the villages of Qmatiye and Souk el-Gharb, two kilometres southwest of Aley. (more) Yemen: 100,000 people affected by rebellion in the north 11 May 2008 - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yemen said on 10 May that about 100,000 people have been directly affected by clashes between government forces and Shia rebels in Saada province, northern Yemen. Iman Moankar, a spokewoman for the ICRC in Yemen, told IRIN that the living conditions of the war-affected population had been deteriorating since the beginning of 2008, not only because of clashes but also as a result of soaring food prices. (more)