Senator Barack Obama

In January 2009 the United States of America will have a new president, someone who will take over what G.W. Bush has managed to leave behind; a country going through a serious financial and economic crisis, militarily insecure and much less respected than it used to be.

Americans are sick and tired of long term promises who always seem to get lost on the way, of presidents who cannot understand the people and who do not see beyond the White House fences.

For all the above reasons, The Boston Globe has found that Senator Barack Obama is America’s best candidate for presidency and they have decided to fully endorse him. They see his campaign as a modern, up-to-date one, who talks about the problems Americans face with daily and that looks towards the future, not only to the present.

He is also appreciated for his power of persuasion, for his economic and political plans, for the team he works with, which is an extremely competent one. His plans for improving the environment and health policies, the tax system and external politics (mostly the Iraq War and the Al-Qaeda issue), seem to have convinced many Americans and press representatives.

Catholic Prayer Rosary

After several sectarian attacks in the Northern city of Mosul, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has declared that the Christian families will no longer be hurt and will be protected.

The local authorities have told the press that over the last week hundreds of Christians have left the city looking for a safe place in the towns and villages close to Mosul.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expresses his strong discontent and send a message to the authors of the death of approximately 12 Christians a few nights ago; the message goes to the ones who spread violence in Iraq and is a call to loving people and leaving in peace in a civilized world.

In the view of recent events, there was a meeting between the Christian Iraqi officials and the Prime Minister, which ended with the latter’s declaration that protective measures will be taken effective immediately and violent incidents will not happen anymore.

The authorities have sent many police teams in Mosul and many of the Christian churches have been under observation, in an attempt to identify and arrest the insurgents that make of Mosul the last city of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Statistics show that in 2003 there were about 800,000 Christians in Iraq, whereas now more than 30% have left the country.

Baghdad - bomb attack

Baghdad. Thursday, 02nd of October, 8 a.m.
Two suicide bomb attacks on Shiite mosques killed more than 24 people.

The poor neighborhood of Zafaraniya and the middle classed New Baghdad now look the same way: broken glass everywhere, damaged cars and buildings, dusty streets.
The authorities declared they saw it coming; still, there was nothing that could have been done to avoid these attacks.Who is to blame? You can get a different answer from every person you ask.

Clerics think it could have been the Al-Qaeda group based in Mesopotamia; the crowd suspects the Americans are involved. Ever since the US got involved in this war, the local population has been suspicious and sometimes even hostile towards the American troupes.

In the meanwhile, the Iraqi people are carrying on with their religious celebrations. Living in constant terror has toughened them; they are enjoying every minute of their lives, as it can anytime be the last time they smile, dance or see their loved ones.