News for June 23, 2005

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Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes (June 23, 2005) - A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights. The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas. As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue. more...

Massive Crack Opens In Earth In Texas (June 23, 2005) - A massive crack in the earth opened up last week in Claude, Texas and its creating a stir among geologists. Geologists said Tuesday the crack was a joint in the earth's crust. They believe the opening is the result of a weak point in the joint where one spot slips away from the other. Some parts measure more than 30-feet deep and it drained what use to be a pond. Experts say earth cracks are common but the size of the crack in Claude is not. picture

China, Israel discuss expanding defense ties (June 23, 2005) - Expansion of defense ties with Israel was on the agenda during talks with his Israeli counterparts this week, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Tuesday. more...

New Data Confirms Strong Earthquake Risk to Central U.S. (June 23, 2005) - A colossal earthquake that caused damage from South Carolina to Washington D.C. and temporarily reversed the course of the Mississippi River nearly two centuries ago could be repeated within the next 50 years, scientists said today. more...

Jewish-Christian dialogue: a demanding miracle - Given the history of their relationships, interreligious dialogue between Christians and Jews may be seen as a "miracle", but it's also a complex and demanding endeavour. In the following article, three practitioners of interreligious dialogue - two Jewish and one Christian - who participated at a major interreligious conference hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) early June in Geneva share their views on what it takes to advance a dialogue often complicated by political issues. more...