Once the bustling heart of Christian pilgrimage, Bethlehem now faces shuttered hotels, empty streets and a shrinking Christian community, while Israel’s assault on Gaza and the tightening grip of occupation destroy hopes of peace at the birthplace of Christ, writes Father GEOFF BOTTOMS
It is for the Nicaraguan people to determine their future
With Nicaragua coming under increasing pressure from Washington, TONY BURKE explains why defending the country’s right to self-determination is of paramount importance
SUCCESSIVE US administrations have over the years done everything they can to crush Nicaragua.
Over 40 years ago, during the Thatcher-Reagan cold war era, the US launched an undeclared mercenary war that cost some 30,000 lives and devastated the Nicaraguan economy.
An intense media campaign, which bears striking similarities to what is happening today, depicted Nicaragua as a communist totalitarian dungeon with troops poised to storm the Texan border.
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