He said that thinking about this "silent groundswell" should open up minds to the "deepest secret of all - the trust that the entire universe is held together by the quiet, unfailing generosity of God".

BBC: Archbishop Rowan Williams delivers final new year message

Israel, meanwhile, has remained notably silent about Egypt's decision last week to open the crossing between Gaza and Sinai at Rafah and its follow-up announcement on June 7th that the border would remain open indefinitely.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Gaza

When they were silent in the pause at a traffic light, her father touched the open shield of his palm to the back of her head, the unobtrusive caress he had offered when driving her to boarding school.

NEWYORKER: A Beneficiary