Big Protest against Israel Held at Northeastern Univ.; More Than 100 Students and Faculty Members Take Part

 Northeastern University in Boston launched a large ptotest against Israel yesterday which was joined by students from Berklee College of Music, the Boston Globe website reports today (April 26, 2024). 

"I'm feeling really invigorated and inspired and agitated in a good way," said Ixchel, an upperclass student at Northeastern.

By 8 a.m. tents sprung up on Centennial Common. Throughout the day more than 100 students and faculty members banded together, chanting and linking arms in a circle around the common at the center of campus.

"I think it's really beautiful to see that kind of solifarity, said Maya, a senior at Northeastern.

 As for the large group of Northeastern police officers who arrived in riot gearto oversee the encampment, Maya said their presence was "uncomfortable and scary" and she felt they were " trying to intimidate students." 

"We are students who are expressing our free speech, and we should have the right to do that like any other political organizing group that doesn't get based with that kind of police repression." Maya said. 

Around 5:30p.m., student organizers gathered crowds into the center of the grassy common. "Don't talk t o cops," one organizer said into a microphone. "Don't talk to administrators; administrators are cops."

Some 15 tents dotted the grass, many covered in tarps and Palestinian flags. Handmade cardboard signs were spread on the common. "The cold is coming in, said one student , who noted that hand warmers and extra blankets were in ample supply.

Around 7 p.m. students from Berklee College of Music marched rto Northeastern 's campus to join the encampment. 

Jake, 20, a junior at Northeastern studying computer science, is Jewish. As he sat on a bench outside of t he grassy common with a group of friends, he said he is wary of "protests that  start out with good intentions but then turn antisemitic. " 

"I come out here to support rto  other Jewish students,to show we're not going to be intimidated out of being on our own campus, " said Jake who is from New Jersey. 

Police Arrest Protesters at Univ. of S. Calif.; Clashes between Pro--Palestinian Demonstrators, School Admin.

 Police arrested protesters yesterday at the University of Southern California (USC) campus, which closed to the public amid clashes between pro--Palestinian  demonstrators and aauthorities at the school and nationwide, the USA  Today website reports today (April 25, 2024). 

Hundreds of students and off--campus activists protested for hours at the university , joining movements at colleges across the country , demanding that universities cut any ties to Israel and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Arrests were made at the USC campus last night, a Los Angeles police spokesperson told USA Today. 

The university closed the main campus due to"significant activity on campus," USC 's Dept. of Public Safety said in an alert to students. 

"If you are in the center of campus, please leave; LAPD will be arresting people who don't disperse," USC's Dept. of Public Safety wrote on  X (formerly Twitter). 

Senate Passes $95B Foreign Aid Package; Provides Billions to Ukrane, Israel, and Taiwan

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 79 -- 18, passing a $95 billion foreign aid package that provides $61 billion to Ukraine, $26 billion to Israel, and $8 billion to Taiwan, the New American website reports today (April 24, 2024).  

President Joe Biden said Senate Democrats and Republicans joined together to answer a historic call, stating on X:

"Tonight , a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history's call at this critical inflection point. Congress has passed my legislation to strengthen our natural security and send a message to the wortld about the power of American leadership: We stand resolutely for democracy and freedom, and against tyranny and oppression. I will sign this bill into law tomorrow."

Earth Day Falls on April 22 Ecvery Year; Environmental Protection Agency Created in 1970 for Cleaner Water, Air, Land

 Earth Day falls on April 22 every year, the USA Today website reports  today (April 21, 2024). 

This year, it falls on a Monday and shares the date with the start of the Jewish holiday, Passover.

Earth Day has been celebrated for over 50 years, but is not federally recognized. 

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 when 20 million people went to inaugural events at schools, universities, and other public areas around the country, according to the Library of  Congress website. 

Senator Gaylord Nelson advocated for Earth Day and called on students to fight for environmental causes and oppose environmental degradation with  he same energy  that they displayed in opposing the Vietmam War, states the Library. 

Then, the Library adds, in July of 1970 , the Environmental Protection Agency was created after the public demanded cleaner water, air, and land as more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country.

Israel Attacks Iran Today to Retaliate for Iran's Israeli Attack; Israel's Limited Attack May Be to De-escalate Conflict

 Israel launched an attack on Iran today (April 19, 2024) in response to Tehran's unprecedented air assault on its territory , the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports. 

The Iaraeli retaliation appeared limited in size and scope, with experts saying it was aimed at de-escalating soaring tensions , while still sending a clear message to Iran. 

Raz Zimmt, a senior researcher at the Israel--based Institute of National Security Studies, said Israel's use of quadcopter drones sugggests its aim was to "expose the vulnerability of the Iranian security forces" on their own turf. 

Zimmt said the attack was not without its risks, but out of  all the options available to Israel, it was probably the least risky. 

Reuters quoted an unnamed Iranian official as saying that Tehran "has no plan to strike back immediately."

Many of World's Coral Reefs Turn White in Global Bleaching;54 Countries Have Had Bleaching Reefs as Climate Change Warms Ocean Waters

 Along coastlines from Australia to Kenya to Mexico, many of the world's colorful coral reefs have turned a ghostly white in what scientists said this week amounted to the fourth global bleaching event in the last three decades, the Reuters website reports today (April 17, 2024). 

At least 54 countries and territories have experienced mass bleaching among their reefs since February 2023 as climate change warms the ocean's surface waters, according to the U.S.National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch, the world's top coral reef monitoring body. 

Bleaching is triggered by water temperature anomalities that cause corals to expel the colorful algae living in their tissues. Without the algaes'  help in delivering nutrients to the corale, the corals cannot survive.

"More than 54% of the reef areas in the global ocean are experiencing bleaching--level heat stress," Coral Reef Watch coordinator Derek Manzello said. 

Announcement of the latest global bleaching event was made jointly by NOAA and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a global intergovernmental conservation partnership. For an event to be deemed global, significant bleaching must occur in all three ocean basins --  the Atlantic, Pacific. and Indian -- within a 365--day period. 

Poll: Large No. of Young Adults Say Bible Has Positive Effects on Them; Youngest Adults Show Signs of Interest, Curiosity, Transformative Interaction

 The American Bible Society released the first installment of its State of the Bible USA2024 report on April 11, the Christian Post website reports today (April 15, 2024). 

Itrs new poll reveals that the share of young adults who think the Bible has had a transformative effect on their lives has increased, even as a majority of them remain "Scripture Disengaged."

American Bible Society Chief Program Offfcer and Editor--in--Chief of the State of the Bible series John Farquhar Plake, said, "Our youngest adults show signs of interest, curiosiy, and transformative interaction with it, and added, "If  this trend continues, we have good reason for hope." 

Iran Hits Israel with over 100 Attack Drones; Pushes Middle East to Brink of Regional War

Iran has launched a wide--scale aerial assault against Israel in an unprecedented revenge mission, threatening to push the Middle East to the brink of a regional war, the CBN website reports today (April 13, 2024). 

Israel reports the  islamic regime in Tehran has unleashed more than 100 attack drones as well as ballistic missiles, Rocket sirens and booms could be heard across the entire country, including Jerusalem. It is unclear if the booms are an incoming attack or the sound of interceptions in the air. 

U.S. officials say the U.S. military has shot down iranian drones headed for Israel. Britain's Royal Air Force jets "will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required," the country's Ministry of Defense says. 

Israeli Defense Foreign Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says in a video statement that Israeli fighter jetsa are in the air ready to counter any attack.

Iran's mission to the United Nations says in a post on X it has "concluded" its attack on Israel and warned the US. to stay out of the conflict. "Iran's military action was in response to the zionist regime's aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus," the post says. 

Investigative Journalism Is under Attack; by the Mainstream Media

The reputation for legacy media outlets, the wire services, networks,and old school broadsheets has plunged in recent years, the WND website reports today (April 12, 2024).But now a respected investigative journalist, Catherine Herridge --who used to work for CBS and documented the Hunter Biden laptop scandal-- is  charging the network with an offense even more  extremei: "Journalistic rape."

The New York Post reports the claim came about because, she told the House Judiciary Committee, and the network fired her, then seized her files. 

"When my records were seized, I felt it was journalistic rape,"Herridge  explained. "When the network of Walter Cronkite seizes your reporting files, including confidential source information, that is an attack on investigative journalism," she said.  

Biden Admin. Proposes a New Student Loan Relief Plan; Over 25M Borrowers Could Get Loan Balances Forgiven

 Another student loan relief plan is being proposed by the Biden asdministration, the CNET website reports today (April 11, 2024).

If it is implemented, more than 25 million borrowers could get their remaining loan balances forgiven as early as this fall. 

The plan proposes two major changes :

1. Canceling student debt for borrowers who first entered repayment 20 or more years ago. 

2. Wiping out up to $20,000 in unpaid interest on loans that have entered repayment , regardless of income. Lower-- and middle--income borrowers could be eligible for even more. 

The administration's newest plan announced  on April 8, avoids the more sweeping forgiveness of last year's proposal, which was set to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for all borrowers before it was blocked by the Supreme Court in June. 

US Sen.Warren: Israel Is Guilty of Genocide;Says ICJ toFind Israel Guilty of Its Gaza Strip Actions

A U.S. Democratic senator, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Mass., said on April 6, 2024 that she thinks the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will find that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, in a speech in a Boston mosque, the WIN website reports.  

"For me, it is more important to say what Israel is doing is wrong. And it is wrong to starve chilldren within a civilian population in order to try to bend to your will. It is wrong to drop 2,000--pound bombs in density--populated civilian areas," Sen. Warren  said. 

Israel and World Judaism Are in a Time of Crisis; ADL's Emeritus Director Fights Antisemitism

As the National Director of the Anti--Defamation League (ADL) from 1987 to 2015, Abraham Foxman, is a world--renowned leader of antisemitism, the Jerusalem Post website reports today (April 9, 2024).

Foxman, who currently serves as ADL"s Emeritus Director, is a world--renown leader in fighting antisemitism. 

He is also an expert in what motivates the hatred and how such bigotry and discrimination manifested and evolved over the years.  

Vatican Publishes 2024 Yearbook of Church;Offers Data to Assess Trends Affectng. Cath. Church

 The Holy See has published the 2024 Pontifical Yearbook and the 2022 Statistical Yearbook of the Church, detailing the numbers of bishops, priests, men and women religious, and deacons throughout the world , the Vatican News website reports today (April 8, 2024).

The Pontifical Yearbook offers information regarding the life of the Catholic Church worldwide for the period December 1 2022 to December 31, 2023. 

During this period, nine new Episcopal Sees and one Apostolic Administration were established, two Episcopal Sees were elevated to Metropolitan Sees and one Apostolic Vicariate to an Episcopal See.

Poll: Americans Skip Meals to Pay Rising Home Costs; 50% Have Difficulty Paying House Debts

 Half of Americans are struggling to afford their rising housing costs, and the financial squeeze is so severe for many that one in five skip meals to get by, the RT website reports. 

The survey, commissioned by Seattle--based real estate brokerage Redfin and released yesterday (April 6,2024) showed that 50% of U.S. homeowners and renters have had difficulties making their housing payments. 

Many respondents said they had to make sacrifices to cope with inflationary pressures.For instance, 22% reported that they had skipped meals.21% sold some of their belongings,and a combined 37% either worked extra hours or took additional jobs. 

Pope Slams Gender Inequality for Women in April Prayer; Women Must Be Respected, True Rights

 In his prayer video for the month of April, Pope Francis lamented instances of gender inequality throughout the world and called for women to be respected and their rights universally guaranteed, the Crux website reports today (April 6, 2024). 

The pope noted that "In many parts of the world, women are treated like the first thing to get rid of."

"There are countries where women are forbidden to access aid, open a business, or go to school ," he said. 

US Sec. of State: Ukraine Will Join NATO Soon; NATO to Help Ukraine Fight Aggressive Rusia

 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium that Ukraine will join NATO, stating Ukraine will become a member of NATO.

Blinken stated,"Our  purpose at the  summit is to help build a bridge to that membership, and to create a clear pathway to Ukraine moving forward." 

Blinken and all NATO allies met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Blinken stated: "I think it is safe to say the support for Ukraine, the determination of every country represented here at NATO remains rock solid.  We will do everything that we can , allies will do everything that they can to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to continue  to deal with Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine." 

At Least 9 People Dead, 946 Injured in Taiwan Earthquake; Largest to Hit Taiwan in 25 Years

 A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast of Taiwan yesterday (April 3, 2024) , leaving nine people dead and at least 946 injured, the Yahoo News website reports. 

The earthquake was the largest to hit the island in a quarter century, and officials say that the number of casualties is expected to rise as the extent of the damage becomes clear. 

Efforts are underway to rescue those who  were left trapped by the earthquake -- including 50 people aboard mini buses heading t o Taroko National Park, partially located in Hualien County, the quake's epicenter, and 64 individuals stuck in a rock quarry.

Israelis Kill 7 Working for Food Aid for Gazans; Israelis Say Killings Not Intended for Aid Workers

 Seven people working for food aid charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) have been killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza, the BBC website reports today (April 3, 2024). 

The charity says the aid workers were traveling in three cars -- two of them armoured. 

Justin Crump, a former British Army officer who runs a risk intelligence company, says the attack "was lkely drone--launched and targeted." He added the strike was likely caused by a missile, rather than a bomb or mortar.

Jerusalem Church Leaders Praise Gaza Christians; Tell Gazans Not to Lose Hope in Time of Hunger

Ahead of Easter, several Church leaders in Jerusalem sent a message to the people of Gaza assuring of their closeness and support, telling Gazans not to lose hope, while the Jesuit order insisted they cannot be silent as millions face potential famine, the Crux website reports. 

Speaking to the parishioners of the Latin--rite Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza in a March 30, 2024 video message for Easter, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, "we want to express our best wishes of happy Easter, as much as possible."

With the feast of Easter taking place amid war,,"we want to celebrate not only our sorrow, not what you are sufffering, more than others, but we want to express our joy in belonging to Jesus,"  Pizzaballa said.  

Pope Leads 60K People in Easter Services; Seeks Ceasefire in Gaza and Prisoner Swap in Ukraine

 Pope Francis rallied from a winter--long bout of respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday, making a strong appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, the AP News website reports on March 31, 2024.

Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower--decked St. Peter's Square and then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup of global crises. Gaza's people, including the small Christian community there, have been a source of constant concern of Francis and Easter in the Holy Land overall was a somber affair this year given the war. 

"Peace is never made with weapons, but with outreached hands and open hearts," Francis said from the loggia overlooking the square , to applause from the wind--swept crowd below.

Ships Leave Cyprus with 2nd Round of Gaza Aid; Take Food to Prepare Million Meals, End Hunger

 U.S.Charity, World Central Kitchen said that supplies leaving Cyprus with a second round of aid for Gaza, were enough to prepare more than one million meals, the EuroNews website reports today (March 31, 2024).

A three--ship convoy left the Cypriot port of Larnaca yesterday with 400 tons of food and other supplies, as concerns about hunger soar.

Also on board were dates, which are traditionally eaten to break the daily fast during t he Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 

Gallup Report: Three in 10 Peole in US Attend Church Weekly; No. Declined Compared to Past Decades

 According to a report by Gallup, three in 10 people in the U.S. attend religious services on a regular basis, representing a decline compared to the past couple of decades, the Christian Today website reports. 

Gallup reported on March 25, 2024 that 21% of Americans said they attend religious services on a weekly basis, while 9% said they attend religious services nearly every week.

By contrast, 11% of respondents reported attending about once a month, 25% reported attending "seldom,"while 31% said they "never" go to religious services. 

Pope Tells Cath. to Increase "Cath. Guilt" during Holy Week; It's a Sense of Remorse and Repentance for One's Sins

 In his first major liturgy for Holy Week, Pope Francis offered an extended reflection on the spiritual underpinnings of so--called "Catholic guilt," a concept associated with an almost compulsive need to feel overly guilty for any perceived offense, the Crux website reports.

The roots of this concept come from an ancient tradition in Christianity called "compunction," meaning a sense of remorse and repentance for one's sins which for centuries has been a source of reflection by the Catholic Church's most celebrated minds, many of whom are saints. 

Pope Francis dedicated his homily for the March 28 Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica to a healthy living compunction, which he said is not an "obsession" with feeling unworthy, but a genuine acknowledgement of wrongdoing and sorrow for its repercussions.  

Former Conn. Sen.,Vice Pres. Nominee Joe Lieberman Dies; First Jewish--American Vice Pres. Nominee on Major Ticket Was 82

 Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic nominee for vice president who later became a political independent, died of complications from a fall, the USA Today website reports on March 27, 2024.

"Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout  his life 

in the public interest," his family said in a written statement. 

Lieberman, 82, a former Conn. state senator and attorney general who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988,developed a reputation for bipartisanship during his years in Washington. He was also the first Jewish--American candidate nominated on a major party ticket.

Bridge Hit by Ship in Baltimore Collapses; Six People Dead from Collapse, 2 Others Rescued

 The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early yesterday (Marcdh 26, 2024), after a support column was hit by a large container ship that had lost power, sending vehicles and people into the Patapsco River, the CBS News website reports. 

Six people remain missing and are presumed dead, Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath of the U.S. Coast Guard said at a news conference. Two other people were rescued from the water. 

All eight people were part of a construction crew that was filling potholes on the bridge at the time. 

UN Demands Ceasefire in Gaza during Muslim Ramadan; Arabs Back Resolution, Say It Saves Lives, Avoids Suffering

The United Nations Security Council demanded a ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends April 9, 2024, the Euro News website reports.  

The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.--sponsored resolution on March 22 that would have supported "an immediate and sustained ceasefire" in the Israeli--Hamas conflict.

The Arab Group appealed to all 15 council members "to act with unity and urgency" and vote for the resolution "to halt the bloodshed, preserve human lives, and avert further human suffering and destruction."

Jesus Allows Communion with God in Everything He Does; Gospel According to St. Luke Based on Action of Holy Spirit

 By ushering in a new era of prayer, the Lord Jesus provides a whole new arena by which the People of God can have communion with God in His life of prayer and in everything the Lord did, the Crux website reports today (March 25, 2024). 

Such a communion was the basis of all the Lord's words and deeds. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes this very point: "The Gospel according to St. Luke emphasized the action of t he Holy Spirit and the meaning of prayer in Christ's ministry." 

Princess Kate's Cancer Diagnosis at 42 Shocks Many; Seems to Striike People at Younger Age

 Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis at age 42 shines a light on dreaded disease that seems to be striking people of younger ages, although it has become more survivable, the USA Today website reports today (March 24, 2024). 

Americans have about a 40% chance of developing cancer at some point in their lives. Just under 20% who develop it die from cancer, which is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.

It is typically considered a disease of aging, with 88% of diagnoses coming in people age 50 and above, according to the American Cancer Society.

At Least 40 Killed,100 Injured in Rusisian Shootings; Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Terror Attack

Russian authorities said at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured after gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow yesterday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (March 23, 2024). 

Reuters and other agencies said Islamic State had claimed responsibility via its affiliated Telegram channels.

The IS statement said the attackers  had "retreated to their bases safely." 

Justice Dept. Files Lawsuit against Apple App; Apple Became a Monopoly to Increase Prices

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit  on March 21, 2024 against Apple. accusing the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant of stifling competition and leveraging its clout and ownership of the popular APP store to increase prices for customers, the LA Times website reports today (March 22, 2024).

Just what does this mean for everyone with an iPhone?

Greater freedom for app developers on the App Store. More consumer choices. 

Ameican Bible Society to Close Down $60M Museum; Philly Museum Opened 3 Yrs. Ago

 The American Bible Society (ABS) will be closing down its Faith and Liberty Dscovery Center, around three years after the Philadelphia--based museum , which cost around $60 million , had opened, the Christian Today website reports today (March 21, 2024). 

The ABS announced that the center is ending operations on April 1, with the last day of public visits to be March 28. 

Full refunds will be given to those who bought tickets  to vsit the center after March 28, according to ABS.

Pope Calls on Christians to Reject Pessimism, Back Hope; Live God's Kingdom of Love, Justice, Peace

 Though the global situation risks plunging people into pessimism, Christians are called on to pursue their vocation of becoming "men and women of hope," Pope Francis said in his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations , the Catholic News website reports. 

The global challenges, such as war, migration, rising poverty rates, and climate change, in addition to personal difficulties encountered daily, "risk plunging us into resignation or defeatism," the pope wrote in his message released March 18, 2024. 

He encouraged Christians to instead "cultivate a gaze full of hope and work fruitfully in response  to the vocation we have received in service to God's kingdom of love, justice, and peace."

Christian Nationalism Is a New Philosophy in US; Nationalism Using Christian Rhetoric to Advance Its Agenda

 Since Donald Trump's entry into politics began with a ride down the Trump Tower escalator  almost nine years ago, the presidential candidate spoke directly to evangelical Christians and many responded in kind, the CBN website reports today (March 19, 2024). 

In 2024, not much has changed. "We have to bring back our religion, we have to bring back Christianity in  this country," Trump recently  told those gathered at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in  Nashville.

Georgetown Professor Paul Miller, who wrote the book "What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism," has some of those same concerns. "There's a kind of nationalism that uses Christian language and symbols and rhetoric to advance its agenda and it's bad," Miller tells CBN News. "I think Christian Nationalism is real."

Pope: Family, Community Are Keys to Ending Secularism; Developing Faith in Christ Requires Relationship with Family

 Faced with decades of rising secularism, the Church must invest in families and in strengthening other forms of community to transmit faith, Pope Francis said on March 15, 2024, the Catholic News website reports. 

"The big issue before us is to understand how to overcome the rupture that has been established in the transmission of faith," the pope told members of the Dicastery for Evangelization's section for new evangelization on March15.

Developing faith in Christ "requires a meaningful  experience lived in the family and in the Christian community as a life--changing encounter with Jesus Christ in order to be transmitted," he wrote in his message to members of the dicastery during their plenary assembly. "Without  this real and existential encounter, one will always be subject to the temptation to make faith a theory and not a testimony of life."

Ind. School Orders Students Not to Pray Together; Coach Orders Track Team Not to Pray before Meet

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has confirmed that it has filed a federal lawsuit over an Indiana school district's order that students not gather together for prayer, the WND website reports  

One coach threatened track team members . " "Don't let me see you do that again," after they gathered before a track meet for prayer, the ACLJ said, describing it as a "blatant violation of students' First Amendment rights."

The students were instructed that they must not be seen praying together as a group and that they would engage in a moment of 'reflection' alone  in small groups of two or three ." the ACLJ said. . 

Vatican Says Women Deacons on Docket for Synod; Ways of Welcoming LGBTQ Community Also Considered

 Organizers of Pope Francis's ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality announced March 14 that 10 different working groups had been formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year's session, the Crux website reports t oday (March 16, 2024). 

These topics are restricted to issues mentioned inside the synod hall and include hot--button questions such as women's access to the diaconate and ways of welcoming the LGBTQ community.

Monsignor Piero Coda, secretary general of the International Theological Commission, said issues of homosexuality, and the women's diaconate are on the agenda,  and various materials will be included in these topics. 

NATO Chief Warns Allies not to Suerrender to Russaia; Says Ukraine Can Defeat Russia on Battlefield

 NATO Secretary -Geneeral Jens Stoltenberg has warned members of the bloc against committing a "historic mistake" by allowing Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, to secure victory in the Ukraine conflict, the RT website reports today (March 15, 2024). 

Speaking at a conference in Brussels on March 14, Stoltenberg insisted  that Ukraine has proven that it is capable of defeating Russia on the battlefield and has  survived  thus far, thanks to the "unprecedented" support of NATO countries. 

Now, however, Kiev is "running out of  ammunition," the NATO chief warned, and called on bloc members to mobilize their reserves and "show the political will" to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to continue the fight. 

US House Passes Legislation to Sell TikTok; Fear TikTok's Chineses Owners May Betray US Info

 The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on March 13, 2024 that would force Chinese company Byte Dance to sell TikTok in order for the social media app to be allowed to operate in the U.S., the Daily Caller  website  reports.

The Protecting Americans  From Foreign Adversary Controlled  Applications Act advanced from the  House Energy and Commerce Committee by a unanimous vote on March 7.

The legislation's proponents argue that the app, immensely popular with teens and young people for its customized song and dance features on short clip videos, poses national security risks. TikTok' parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing and may expose American user darta to Chinese government surveillance. 

Aid Ship Heads to Gaza to Ease Famine There; Barge with 200 Tons of Food Leaves Cyprus

 The first humanitarian aid ship using a  new maritime corridor departed Cyprus yesterday and headed to Gaza,  where more than 1 million people face an increasing threat  of starvation and reports of malnutrition --related deaths are rising, according to health officials and organizations, the USA Today website reports today (March 13, 2024). 

The food shortage and exorbitant prices for what's available   are especially dire in the north amid Israel's restrictors on aid .

The vessel, towing a barge with 200 tons of food, collected by the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, carries the first shipment of aid sent by sea to the territory since the war started. 

Study: Aged Should Pay for Care Based on Wealth; Rejects Idea of a Tax Levy to Cover Aged Costs

A taskforce reviewing funding arrangements for aged care has rejected the idea of a tax levy to cover the sector's costs and instead suggested Australians accessing care should pay more based on their personal wealth , the ABC News website reports today (March 12, 2024).

The Albanese Government established a taskforce last year to find out how the country could properly fund aged care, following a range of recommendations made by a damning royal  commission into the sector. 

A total of $23.6 billion was spent on aged care in 2020--21, which increased to $24.8 billion in 2021--22, and  $27.1 billion last financial year in 2022--23 with aged care expenditure expected to reach $42 billion  by 2026--27. 

Biden Claims Netanyahu " Hurting" Israel with War; Wants to Speak to Knesset to End War

 President Joe Biden claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing war in Gaza is damaging Israel in an interview with MSNBC on March 9, adding that he would like to speak to members of the Knesset  (the Israeli Congress) to push for a change in the conflict's management and plans for the post--war Strip, the WIN (World Israel News) website reports. 

Biden said that Netanyahu is "hurting Israel more than helping Israel,"due to the number of civilian lives lost during the current war.

Notably, Biden uncritically accepted the claim from the Hamas--controlled Gazan Health Ministry that some 30,000 civilians had been killed -- a number which cannot be confirmed by neutral sources, and likely includes a significant number of Hamas terrorists. 

Nigeria Killed over 52K Chrisrtians in Past Decade; Violence Carried Out by Boko Haram Islam Insurgency

 Nigeria has established over many years  a  solid reputation for allowing its Islamic militants over the last decade or more to have killed "at least 52,520 Nigerian Christians," the WND website reports today (March 10, 2024). 

The violence is carried out by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, which targets Christians and faces little pushback from the government  there.

That report also noted that over the same time period, 18,000 churches were set on fire, and 2,200 Christian scdhools  were burned. 

Universities Teach Students to Blow Up Pipelines; Use Book Backing Terrorism, Ending Capitalism

At least 16 American universities are promoting the book "How to Blow Up A Pipeline," which outlines for readers how to commit eco--terrorism  -- often making it required reading , the Daily Wire website reports today (March 9, 2024). 

The book was published in 2021 by Swedish professor Andreas Malm and calls for terrorism and overthrowing capitalism, acknowledging that people will be killed as a result. 

"Demolish them, burn them , blow them up. Let the capitalists who keep investing in the fire know that their properties will be trashed, " the book says. 

Sweden Officially Joins the NATO Peace Treaty; NATO Now Has 32 Members, Sweden in Yesterday

 Sweden became NATO's newest member yesterday (March 7, 2024),  upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with the Government of the U.S. in Washington, D.C.,the NATOHQ/news website reports today (March 8, 2024).

With Sweden's accession, NATO now has 32 countries among its membeers. 

NATO Secretary Gweneral Jens Stoltenberg said: "This is a historic day. Sweden will now  take its rightful place at NATO's table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions..."

NY Gov. Calls up National Guard for NYC Subways; Due to Surge in Recent Crime in them

 New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is sending in the state National Guard to New York City to help police curb a surge in crime in the city's subways, the Yahoo News website reports today (March  7, 2024). 

Announcing a five--point plan yesterday, the Democratic governor said she was deploying 750 members of the National Guard to the subways to assist the New York Police Dept. with bag searches at entrances to busy train stations. 

"For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent  effect..." she said. 

Biden: Gaza Ceasefire Deal Is in Hamas' Hands; Deal Wanted for Ramada which Begins Next Week

U.S. President Joe Biden said yesterday that it was in the hands of Hamas whether to accept a deal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, as delegations held a third day of  talks with no sign of a breakthrough, the Reuters website reports today (March 6, 2024).  

Negotiations from the Palestinian militant group, Qatar and Egypt  -- but not Israel -- are in Cairo trying to secure a ceasefire with Israel in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramada, which begins next week.

The deal presented to Hamas would free some hostages captured by Palestinian militants in the October attack that precipitated  the war. 

What Is "Postmodernism" and Why Is It Importanr? Can Mean "Younger People Are Very Different Today"

The word "postmodern" is heard a lot, but how many know what it really means? the Christian Today website reports today (March5, 2024).

The way it is used varies and can be confusing. It can refer to new ideas about gender, the fight between the powerful   and the oppressed, obscure philosophical discussions, or modern art. It's often used in a way that just means "younger people are very different  nowadays, and I don't understand  them."

Taking time to understand the concept can help older generations to communicate with younger generations, address some of the problems we have in society at present,and explain why traditional ways of sharing the Christian faith are less effective than they used to be. 

Famous Kittery Outlet Stores to Be Torn Down; Town Planning Board OKd Razing the Outlets

 The town of Kittery,, Maine's Planning Board gave final approval in February to a phased renovation of the Outlets  at Kittery at 283 Route 1, which is located next to the famous Kittery Trading Post, the Boston Globe website reported on March 3, 2024.

The town has been exploring for years how to convert dying retail space into mixed units. Kittery used to be the most productive retail mile in America, but it has been struggling ever since Amazon came along. 

The new project includes housing and a hotel aimed at nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers. 

Powerful Calif. Blizzard Hits Sierra Nevada Area; Heavy Snow Closes Roads to Lake Tahoe

 The most powerful California blizzard of the season pounded the Sierra Necvada with gusts up to 190 mph , while heavy snow on March 2 forced the closure of key roads to the Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain areas, the Yahoo News website reports. 

The main road to Mammoth Mountain ski resort , Highway 395, was shut down in both directions  -- to the south,  toward Southwern California, and to the north, toward Reno. 

The 75-mile stretch was closed from northwest of Bishop in Inyo County to Bridgeport in Mono County,  "due to multiple spinouts and collisions, as well as whiteout conditions," the Calif. Dept. of Transportation said.

Biden: US to Drop Humanitarian Aid to Gaza; Eases Hunger, Suffering of Israel--Hamas War

President Joe Biden said yesterday (March 1, 2024) that the U.S.would airdrop  humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip to help alleviate hunger and suffering triggered by the Israel--Hamas war, the USA Today website reports. 

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Biden said "innocent people" have died in Gaza.He said the airdrops would start "in the coming days." 

The humanitarian aid will be delivered by a U.S. military aircraft, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. 

Record No. of Americans See Illegal Immigration as Threat; About 57% See It as a Critical Threat

A record share of Americans view illegal immigration as a major threat in the U.S., the Christian Post website reports today (Maerch 1, 2024).

Gallup released the poll Feb. 27, based on responses collected from 1,016 U.S. adults from Feb. 1--20. Respondents were asked about their views on the issue of immigration .

The share of Americans who characterized illegal immigration as a critical threat facing the U.S. reached a record high of 57% this year.  

Biden Reveals Israel--Hamas Peace Deal on TV; Said Peace Would Occur in the War by March 4

 An official reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "surprised" that U.S. President Joe Biden declared that a hostage deal and temporary ceasefire would be in place "by Monday" (March 4), the United Israel wqebsite reports today (Feb. 29, 2024).

In adddirtion, Hamas leaders said that Biden's optimism  that there would be an agreement was "premature." 

Speaking on "Late Night with Seth Myers," Bisden said he expected the ceasefire and hostage release deal would start "I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean the end of the weekend."

Popcorn Can Be Healthy Source of Fiber, a Good Snack; But Buttery, Movie--Style Can Be High in Sodium, Harmful

 Popcorn is a type of corn kernel that puffs up or "pops" when heated, the Health website reports t oday  (Feb. 28, 2024). 

As a whole grain, popcorn is low in calories and a good source of fiber. However. not all popcorn is created equal. 

When kept in its purest form, popcorn can b a nourishing snack. But many forms of popcorn -- such as the buttery movie --style popcorn -- can be high in sodium, saturated fat, and potentially harmful preservatives. 

Ten. Law Lets Officials Refuse to Perform Same-Sex Marriages; If Rel. Beliefs Make It Unable to

 A new Tennessee law will allow public Officials to refuse to perform same--sex marriages if their religious beliefs make them unable to do o in good coscience, the Christian Post website reports today (Feb. 27, 2024).

Tennessee's Republican Gov.Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 878 on Feb. 21.

The Republican--controlled Tennessee Senate approved the bill in a 27--5 vote earlier  this month after the House of Rep. passed the legislation  in a 74--22 vote last year.

 

Pope Pleads for a Lasting Peace in Ukraine; It Has Been 2 Yrs. Since Russia Invaded Ukraine

 Pope Francis yesterday lamented the deaths, injuries, destruction  and anguish of t he past two years since Russia's full--scale invasion of Ukraine -- a period, he said, "that is becoming terribly long and whose end is not yet in sight," the Catholic News website reports today (Feb. 26, 2024).

In remarks following the Sunday Angelus, the pope warned that the warr in Ukraine "is not only devastating the region of Europe, but unleashing a global wave of fear and hatred."

While renewing jis "vivid sympathy" and prayers for "the tormented Ukrainian people," the pope pleaded "for the recovery of that little bit of humanity that will allow the conditions of a diplomatic solution to be created in the search for a just and lasting peace."

Holocaust Survivor Still Playsl Drum at Age of 99; Saul Dreier Plays with Holocaust Survivors Band

 Saul Dreier, fresh out of rehab after hip surgery. was ready for an interview, and the 99-year-old showed it by diving right into the story, one he's told many times , the USA Today website reports on Feb.24, 2024. It wasn't the story of his idyllic childhood in Krakow, Poland. Or how that  was shattered when World War II broke out, or how he and his family were forced like hundreds of thousands of other Jews into ghettos as Nazis occupied the country. 

Instead, Dreier, who's played all over the world with his Holocaust Survivors Band, launched energetically into the story of how he started his first band a decasde ago , at the tender age of 89.

He told USA Today from his home in Coconut Creek, Florida that he thought of ways to educate people about the Holocaust, to fight antisemitism, to advocate for peace and tolerance, he decided his longtime love for music would be the way to win hearts. 

Church Plans to Set Up a Church Near Every US Mil. Base; Gives Spiritual Support for Those Serving US

 A church that started in North Carolina is going global with a mission to reach the U.S. military on a worldwide scale: Its goal is to plant a church near every U.S. military base on the planet, the CBN website reports today (Feb.24, 2024). 

From post--traumatic stress to longer and more frequent deployments away from family, it is clear our military men and women need support. Just like God miraculously supplied food to Israelites in the wilderness, Manna Church is stepping up to provide spiritual and mental nourishment for those who serve our country while stationed around the world. 

"I think it speaks to the power of a promise from God," Pastor Christopher Fletcher of Manna Fayetteville, North Carolina told CBN News. "I believe that God gave my dad a vision."

Teen Stabbed in Back in Times Square Last Night; About a Dozen People Were Chased to Eighth Ave.

 A teen was staabbed last night in Times Square when a large fight broke out near a migrant shelter , the Daily News website reports today (Feb. 23, 2024). 

One of the people involved in the melee pulled out a knife and chased about a dozen others to Eighth Avenue, witnesses said.

The attsacker with the knife stabbed a 17-year-old boy in the lower back before being arrested , police said. 

Over 45,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War; Russia Hit Ukraine 2 Yrs. Ago This Month

 At least 45,123 Russian troops have been killed since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago, according to research by journalists from Mediazona and t he BBC's Russian Service who have established the deceased soldiers' identities, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (Feb. 22, 2024). 

Two--thirds  of all confirmed dead were not connected to the start of the invasion, researchers found. 

Krasnodar, Sverdlovsk, Bashkortoston, and Chelyabinsk are the regions with the highest number of dead. 

Supreme Court Declines to Hear School Diversity Case; Says Affirmative Action Can't Be Used to Favor Minorities

The Supreme Court on Feb. 20 declined to review a controversial admissions policy meant to increase diversity at one of the nation's most prestigious high schools , turning away a challenge from a group of Virginia parents claiming it violated the Constitution., the USA Today website reports today (Feb. 21, 2024). 

Justices Samuel Alito  and Clarence Thomas disagreed , writing they would have overturned a lower court's decision upholding the policy.

The decision came months after the Supreme Court ended the use of affirmative action at Harvard and the University pf North Carolina. Otrher universities, schools, and businesses  have been scrambling to react to that ruling, reviewing diversity policies to ensure they can withstand the court's scrutiny.

Antisemite Grabs Yarmulke from Head of Jewish Man; Throws It in Srtreet in West Side of NY City

 An angry hater grabbed the yarmulke off the head of a Jewish man and threw it in the street in an apparent antisemite attack in the Upper West Side of New York City, the NY Post website  reports today (Feb.20, 2024).

The incident happened at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 28 on the corner of Broadway and West 86th Street, when Kevin Dunlop, 28, called David Kent, 42, a "fake Jew" and a "faggot" before ripping the kippah from his head, police said. 

Dunlop, who had a gravity knife on a keychain when cops caught up with him, was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, involving a hate crime , as well as criminal possession of a weapon.

American Arabs Want Biden Defeated in Pres. Election; Many Feel Biden Betrayed Them, Favored Israel in War

Feeeling that Joe Biden has betrayed them in the Israeli--Hamas War,  a plethora of Arab Americans say they want Biden defeated in the 2024 presidential election, the USA Today website reports today (Feb.19, 2024). 

Many of Michigan's Arab Americans, some of whom still have family and friends living in  the Gaza Strip and West Bank, are vowing not only to vote against Biden in the state's Democratic primary on Feb. 27 and the general election in November, they are actively campaigning against him. 

Michigan's "Abandon Biden" movement, part of a larger national campaign, is hosting meetings with third -party candidates such as Jill Stein and Cornel West. Arabs in Michigan are urging Michigan Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in the primary to send a message to Biden that his actions in Israel are unacceptable.

Elderly Man Is Killed by 2 Stray Dogs in Indianapolis; Tried to Defend His Wife, Whom Dogs 1st Attacked

 An elderly resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, Willis Mundine, was killed on Jan. 30, 2024 , when he was assaulted by two dogs in his backyard located near Kenyon St. and NimitzDr., the Internewsgroup website reports today (Feb.18, 2024)..

The 85-year-old man was trying to defend his wife from the dogs who were initially targeting her. 

Mundine suffered multiple bite injuries on his arms and legs and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died to his injuries. 

More Than 8,000 Christians Killed in Nigeria in 2023; Most Killed by any Nation, Backed by Govt.

 Nigeria has witnessed the bloodiest year of Islamist attacks against Christians in 2023,with more than 8,000 killed ,according to a new report by the Catholic--inspired NGO, the Internartional Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, the Crux website reports today (Feb. 17, 2024).

The report published Feb. 14 -- which was Ash Wednesday -- gives harrowing details of killings , kidnappings, and forced disappearances of largely Christian populations in several parts of Nigeria. 

"The combined forces of the Government protected Islamic jihadists and the country 's Security Forces (NSFC) are directly and vicariously accountable for hacking to death in 2023 no fewer than 8,222 defenseless Christians," said the report.

NY Supreme Court Sets Trump Trial to Begin March 25; Charged wirth Making $130,000 Payment to Stormy Daniels

 New York Supreme 

Court Justice Juan Merchan denied former President Donald Trump's motion to dismiss a 34--count indictment in a case alleging former attorney Michael Cohen made a $130,000 payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels,  after a non--disclosure agreement on behalf of Trump shortly before the 2016 presidential election, the New American website reports today (Feb. 16, 2024).

Trump attorney Todd Blanche told Merchan the case should be dismissed due to Trump running for president, to which Merchan responded, "That's not a legal argument. I'll see you on March 25."

The trial is expected to last six weeks. 

One Dead, 20 Wounded in Shootings at Kansas City Rally; Shootings Came Shortly after Super Bowl Victory Parade

 Police said at least one person was killed and 20 people were wounded in a shooting near Kansas City,  Missouri's Union Station on Wednesday afternoon (February 14, 2024),shortly after a Super Bowl victory parade for the Chiefs , the USA Today website reports. 

Kansas City police confirmed shots were fired west of Union Station at around 2 p.m. local time , and two armed people were taken into custody. 

Police Chief Stacey Graves said about 20 people were injured , but the total number of victims hasd not been confirmed yet. Several people near the parade route were carried away on stretchers. 

Shooter at Joel Osteen's Tex. Churxh Said He Was Female; Jeffrey Escalante Shot Dead by Law Enforcement Officers

Despite reportedly using multiple aliases, including the male name Jeffrey Escalante, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, a mentally troubled individual  who was shot dead by off--duty law enforcement officers after opening fire at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Tex. on Sunday (Feb. 11, 2024)  has consistently claimed to be a female, the Christian Post website reports.

"Our shooter is identified by a driver's license as Genesee Moreno, 36 years old, Hispanic female. There are some discrepancies," Houston Police Department's Commander of Homicide Christopher Hassig said at a press conference. 

"We do have reports she used multiple aliases, including Jeffrey Escalante."

Bisden Seeks 6--Week Ceasefire in Israel--Hamas War; Plan Allows Hostages Held to Be Released

 The U.S. is working on a deal between Israel and Hamas for a pause in fighting in Gaza for at least six weeks to allow the release of additional hostages still held captive by Hamas, the USA Today website reports today  (Feb. 13, 2024). 

After a "sustained period of calm" in Gaza, "we could then take the time to build something more enduring," Biden said after meeting at the White House with Jordanian King Abdullah II. 

Biden said he has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , as well as leaders of Qatar and Egypt, "to push this forward."

Three Men Rob Monks at Gunpoint in Buddhist Temple; Break through Back Door of Brooklyn Temple

 A trio of robbers targeted monks at gunpoint at a Buddhist temple in Brooklyn yesterday, the Daily News website reports today (Feb. 12, 2024). Three heartless crooks broke in through the back door of Watt Samakki Buddhist Temple on Rugby Road near Canton Ave. in Flatbush just after 2:25 p.m. ,police said.

Once inside, one of them pulled out a gun on four monks and demanded they turn over cash and property. 

Police are investigating..

Biden Admin. Plans to Grant Palestine Statehood; Even as Palestine's Major Goal Is to Destroy Israel

Joe Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working on a plan to grant statehood to "Palestine" --  even as Palestinian terrorists continue rto fire deadly rockets into Israel , putting countless innocent lives in danger, the ACLJ  websaite reports t oday (Feb. 11, 2024). 

The Palestine Liberation Organization's stated goal is the utter destruction of Israel. 

Biden's team is, in effect, plotting to hand Israel's enemies a terrorist state on Israel's border in the midst of a war for the very survival of the Jewish state. 

4.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern Calif.; No Major Damage, Malibu Citizen's Wall Cracked

 A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near Malibu yesterday and was felt across a wide swath of southern California,  the LA Times website reports today (Feb. 10, 2024).

The earthquake was reported at 1:47 p.m.,  with an epicenter about two and a half miles northeast of Leo Carrillo State Beach, and about three miles northwest of El Matador State Beach. 

There were no reports of major damage. One caller in Malibu told KNX--AM there was shaking strong enough to toss items off a counter and cause a wall to crack. 

Pope:Don't Reduce Women's Role in Church to Ministry; Church Is Woman, Has Figure in Mary

 The importance of women in the Church cannot be "reduced" to the question of ministry, Pope Francis told members of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on Feb. 7, 2024, the Catholic News website reports. 

Pope Francis made his remarks in the context of explaining how every attempt  at Church reform, like the Second Vatican Council's reform of the liturgy, must be motivated by "spousal fidelity the Church--bride will always be more beautiful the more she loves Christ the bridegroom, to the point of belonging to him totally, to the point of conforming to him fully." 

Mentioning the Church as the bride of Christ, the pope added to his prepared text: "I want to say one thing about women's ministry. The Church is woman, the Church is mother, the Church has its figure in Mary and the Church woman,whose figure is Mary, is greater than Peter, that is , it is something else."

UN Chief: World Is Now Entering "Age of Chaos;" Wars around Globe Create Dangerous Reality

 United Nations Secretary--General Antonio Guterres said yesterday that the world is moving towards an "age of chaos" as a divided Security Council struggles to adapt to critical geopolitical issues and ongoing global crises, the RT website reports today (Feb. 8, 2024).

In his annual address, Guterres said that conflicts and wars across the globe are creating a "dangerous and unpredictable" reality for innocent civilians. 

"For millions of people caught up in the conflict around the world, life is deadly, daily, hungry hell," Guterres told the UN's General Assembly. This "age of chaos," as he described it, has created a "dangerous and unpredictable free--for--all" at a time when the Uniteed Nations Security Council is deadlocked by geopolitical fissures. 

Mich. Mother of School Shooter Guilty of Manslaughter; Bought Son a Gun Despite His Mental Issues

 Four students died in Michigan in the 2021 school shooting committed by Jennifer Crumbley's son, the USA Today website reports today (Feb. 7, 2024).

On Feb. 6, she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter  for her role in the shooting -- the first parent in the U.S. to be convicted in these circumstances. 

Prosecutors argued Jennifer Crumbley  knew her son was struggling with mental health issues and, instead of getting help,  she and her husband bought their son the gun used in the attack. 

Hundreds of Thousands Lose Power as Floods Hit Calif.; LA Gets Set for Life-Threatening Conditions

 Hundreds of thousands of people across California are waking p today without electricity, as a major rain storm works itself south, just days after a separate storm drenched the area, the NPR website reports today (Feb. 6, 2024). 

More than 600,000 customers are without electricity today, primarily in Northern California. 

Meteorologists and local officials have warned residents in Los Angeles and beyond to prepare for potentially life--threatening conditions as the storm moves south.

Pope Calls for Closer Cath. Relations with Jews; Sorry for Calling Holy Land a Spiral of Violence

 Pope Francis on Feb. 3 reaffirmed Christians' special relationship with Jews amid rising antisemitism since the outbreak of the Gaza war in a letter to the Jews of Israel that he said was prompted by messages from Jewish organizations around the world, the AP website reports today (Feb. 5, 2024).

The letter served as a belated apology after Francis was criticized for his initial response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. 

Francis said the Holy Land has been "cast into a spiral of unprecedented violence," part of what the pope referred  to as 'a sort of  piecemeal world war,' with serious consequences on the lives of many populations."

Hamas Divided on Accepting Israel Peace Pact; One Leader Seeks 6--Week Ceasefire, Another Total Ceasefire

 Divisions within Hamas leadership  have developed regarding a proposal that would lead to a 6--week truce and a release of the approximately 130 hostages in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7th attack who is believed to be hiding in the tunnel system in Khan Younis, has reportedly agreed to the proposal for aa six--week ceasefire which would mean more humanitarian aid and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all civilian hostages, 

However, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who is located away from the fighting in Qatar, demands nothing less than a permanent ceasefire,  a withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and an international commitment to rebuild Gaza. 

US Hits 85 Targets in Iraq, Syria for 3 Americans Killed; Pres. Biden: There Will Be More Strikes

U.S. military claimed 85 targets hit at seven locations in retaliation for three U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan,  allegedly by Iran-backed militias, the EuroNews website reports t oday  (Feb. 3, 2024).  

The U.S. military launched an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian--backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard last night, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan a week ago. 

President Joe Biden made it clear in a statement that there will be more strikes to come. 

UCC Lost over 286K Members in Last Decade; Also Lost 551 Congregationsa in Last Decade

 The United Church of Christ (UCC) declined by over 286,000 members from 2012 to 2022, according to recently released statistics  on the theologically liberal mainline Protestant denomination, the Christian Post  website reports today (Feb. 2, 2024).

Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, the UCC went from having 4,794 congregations to 4,603 congregations , with membership dropping from approximately 773,000 to approximately 712,000. 

The 2022 membership numbers also represented a sharp decline from 1960 , when the denomination reported approximately 2024 million members , over three times the current count. 

Pope Backs Cath. Church on Same-Sex Relations; Vatican Hit for OKing Priests Bless Same-Sex Couples

Pope Francis is seeking to clarify that the Catholic Church is not changing its teachings about homosexsual practices and same-sex relationships as the Vatican faces criticism for approving a document allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, the Christian Today website reports today (Feb. 1, 2024). 

Delivering remarks at the plenary session of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on Jan.26, 2024, the pontiff  addressed the "Fiducia Supplicans" declaration handed down by the Vatican office last month. 

The declaration, published on Dec. 18, allows priests to bless same--sex couples while stressing that "one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation." 

Tobacco Continues to Fall, But Needs to Fall More; Fell Globally from 1.32B in 2015 to 1.30B in 2023

The number of tobacco users continues to decrease globally, going from 1.32 billion in 2015 to 1.30 billion  last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday (Jan. 30, 2024). 

That number is expected to continue to drop to 1.27 billion by 2025, according  to  WHO. 

 WHO Director--General Tedros Ghebreyesus said , "We still  have a long way to go,  and tobacco companies will continue to use every trick in the book to defend the gigantic profits  they make from peddling their deadly wares."

Biden Says He'll Respond to US Deaths in Jordan; Holds Iran Responsible for Supplying Weapons

 President Joe Biden said today (Jan. 30, 2024) that he had made a decision on how to tack at a  military base in Jordan that killed three Americans and wounded 25 others, the USA Today website reports. 

Asked if he holds Iran responsible, Biden said : "I do hold them responsible in the sense that they're supplying the weapons to the people who did it."

The president's remarks follow a vow he made on the day of the attack to take swift action to deal with the attacks. "We shall respond," he said Jan. 28. 

US Sec. of State Asks Greece to Give Ukraine Weapons; Will Give Greece $200M for Doing So

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approached Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with a proposal to donate or sell weapons to Ukraine in exchange for $200 million in  U.S. aid, the Kathimerini website reports   on Jan.28, 2024.

In his official letter, Blinken writes that the U.S. is interested in defense assets that Greece could transfer or sell to Ukraine. 

"Should these capabilities be of interest to Ukraine, and pending a U.S. government review of their condition and associated value, we can explore  opportunities for potential additional FMF funding of up to U.S. $200 million  for Greece."

Pres. Joe Biden Warns of a Rise in Antisemitism; Also Slams Efforts Downplaying Attacks by Hamas

 U.S. President Joe Biden on Jan. 27,   2024 marked International Holocaust Remembrance  Day,  warning against what he called an alarming rise in antisemitism after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and efforts to minimize what happened that day, the Reuters website reports today (Jan. 28, 2024).

Biden, who launched the first U.S. national strategy to counter antisemitism in May 2023, said the need to remember the Holocaust and the "scourge  of antisemitism" was more pressing than ever after the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people , the biggest  loss of life on a single day since Israel's founding in 1948.

"In the aftermath of Hamas's vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of  despicable antisemitism at home and abroad that has surfaced  painful scars from millennia of hate and genocide of Jewish people. It is unacceptable," Biden said in a statement. 

Huge No. of College Loan Borrowers Aren't Paying Loans; About 40 Percent of Borrowers Have Not Returned Any Money

A huge chunk of student--loan borrowers siimply aren't paying their college loans back, the Yahoo News website reports today (Jan. 27, 2024).  

The pandemic pause on payments may have ended in October, but about 40% of borrowers who had bills due that month sat on their wallets and didn't send a dime to the governmenrt. 

Some experts estimate that even that figure is an undercount , because it likely doesn't include borrowers whose loans were paused because of servicer errors.

WHO Head: Conditions in Gaza Are "Hellish;" We Need to Choose Peace and End War Fast

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a ceasefire and a "true solution" to the Israeli--Palestinian conflict in an emotional plea to the global health body's governing body yesterday where he described conditions in Gaza as "hellish," the Reuters website reports today (Jan. 26, 2024).

WHO Director--General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , who lived through war as a child and whose own children hid in a bunker during bombardments in Ethiopia 's 1998--2000 border war with Eritrea, became emotional describing conditions in the bombed--out Gaza enclave where more than 25,000 people have been killed.  

"I'm a true believer because of my own experience that war doesn't bring solution, except more war, more hatred, more agony, more destruction. So let's choose peace and resolve this issue politically," Tedros told the WHO Executive Board in Geneva during a discussion about the Gaza health emergency.

Rel. "Nones" Now Largest Rel. Group in US; May Believe in God But Few Attend Church Services

Religiously unaffiliated people now make up 28% of U.S.adults, according to a new study from Pew Research, the NPR website reports today (Jan. 25, 2024). 

That's a larger cohort than Catholics (23%) or evangelical Protestants (24%).

Most Nones believe in God or another higher power, but very few attend any kind of religious service. 

VA Supervisor Removes Anti--Satan Sign from Desk; Due to Complaint from Civil Rights Org.

 A supervisor at a Veterans Benefits Administration facility removed a "not today, Satan, not today" sign from her desk following a complaint from a nonprofit  civil rights organization , the Christian Post website reports today (Jan. 24, 2024). 

An honorably discharged Air Force veteran who adheres "to many non--theist teachings (including  satanist )"  alleged that the prominently placed anto--Satan sign on the supervisor's desk escalated a previously hostile situation at the undisclosed VAB facility, according to a Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF).

An email from the unnamed client to MRFF described the display as a "grotesque Christian supremacist sign." 

Supreme Court: Feds Can Remove Bariers in Tex. Blocking Border; Fed. Govt. Can Remove Wire Barriers along Rio Grande

The Supreme Court on Jan. 22, 2024 allowed the Biden administration tp remove razor wire barriers that Texas erected along a 29=mile stretch of the Rio Grande meant to block migrants at the Southwest bordwer, the USA Today website reports today (Jan. 23, 2024).

The 5--4 ruling was a temporary victory for the Biden administration, giving the federal government t upper hand in its fight with Texas while the underlying lawsuit continues. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. a Republican. authorized the installation of the razor wire as part of a broader effort to deter migrants from crossing  the Mexico border. That included a 29--mile stretch of the riverbank in Eagle Pass, much of which is private land.  

Pope Celebrates Mass Dedicated to Word of God; Says Listening to Jesus Is the Living Word of God

Pope Francis on Sunday (Jan.21,2024) celebrated Mass dedicated to the Word of God, urging believers to go beyond the "barrage" of words in the social media era and to allow themselves to be transformed by God through scripture, the Crux website reports today (Jan. 22, 2024).

The pope installed 11 people in the ministries, of either lector, meaning someone who reads the word of God, or catechist, meaning someone who teaches the faith, and of t hose 11, eight were women. 

Speaking at the Word of God service in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis voiced hope that the occasion would allow believers to return with joy to the sources of our faith, which is born of listening to Jesus , the living Word of God. 

Biden Hit for Not Tracking Foreign Ownership of US Farms; Nor Does Biden Monitor Events of National Security

The administration of Joe Biden is being skewered by a federal watchdog for failing to track the foreign ownership of U.S. farmlands . from which the nation's population is fed, the WND website reports today (Jan. 21, 2024). 

In fact. a new report said Biden  doesn't even appear to have plans to monitor those developments that are significant to the nation's security. 

A message from Fox News  warns Biden "doesn't appear to have a plan to begin"  monitoring that issue. 

Orth. Devotees Brave Icy Waters in Epiphany Tradition; One Diver Will Retrieve a Cross for a Good Luck Yr.

 The brave and the pious celebrate the Greek Orthodox Christian feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 19 by submerging themselves in icy water, the Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty website reports today (Jan. 20, 2024).

The event symbolizes the baptism of Christ and the cleansing of the soul at the start of a new year. Swimmers also dive into the water to retrieve a cross thrown in the water by an Orthodox priest, which is believed to bring good luck to the diver who retrieves it for a year. 

Many Orhtodox Christians around the world have been marking the Epiphany one of the faith's three biggest celebrations. The Epiphany is often marked by a dip in water to symbolize Christ's baptism in the Jordan River. 

Biden Bypassing Israeli PM on Peace in Gaza; Wants Gaza Run by Palestinians after Hamas War

 The U.S. has been looking for other Israeli leaders to implement its vision of the "day after" the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. the NBC News website reported on Jan. 17, 2024. 

American officials told NBC News that  the Biden  admiinistration was frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to accept its proposal to have the Palestinian Authority (PA) rule Gaza after the war. According to the report,  "three senior officials"said that Washington is now "looking past Netanyahu to try to achieve its goals in the region."

While formally saying that the current Palestinian Authority must first be "revitalized" by changing out at least part of the old guard that is  seen as inherently weak and corrupt, President Biden wants to implement the "two-state solution"after Hamas is thrown out if not destroyed, with the country of "Palestine" running both the Gaza Strip and its territory in Judea  and Samaria, as well as eastern Jerusalem.

Pope:Nations Must Work Together for Globalization; People Still Dying of Hunger, No Medical Care, No Home

 Nations and businesses must work together to promote ethically sound models of globalization, Pope Francis told world business and government leaders this week, the Catholic News website reports today (Jan. 18, 2024). 

"How is it possible that in today's world people are still dying of hunger, being exploited, condemned to illiteracy, lacking basic medical care, and left without shelter?" he asked in a message sent to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"The process of globalization, which has by now clearly demonstrated the interdependence of the world's nations and peoples, thus has a fundamentally moral dimension, which must make itself felt in economic, cultural, political,  and religious discussions  that aim to shape the future of the international community," he wrote.

Taliban Holds Afghan Women for Violating Dress Code; Women Accuse Taliban of Discrimination

The Taliban's notorious religious police have detained scores of Afghan women and girls in recent weeks for violating the extremist group's Islamic dress code, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (Jan. 17, 2024). 

Among them was Zahra's younger sister, who was detained in the capital, Kabul, in early January for allegedly failing to cover herself from head to toe in public. 

"My sister was humiliated and tortured while in Taliban custody, Zahra, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "They told her that she was an infidel because she wore tight clothes." She also said her family was forced to pay Taliban officials nearly $12,000 in bribes to secure her release. 

Judge Dismisses Charge of Having Gun in Post Office; Federal Law Fines One Having Gun in P.O.

"The United States fails to meet that burden. Thus, I dismiss the charge because it violates the plaintiff's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," the judge declared in the case, the New American website reports today (Jan. 16, 2024). 

The charge was brought against postal worker Emmanuel Ayala when he wore his backpack containing a handgun into the post office where he worked in Tampa, Florida. He was charged under a federal law that declares " whoever knowingly possesses a firearm in a federal facility shall be fined or imprisoned not more than one year, or both."

Judge Kathryn Mizelle thwarted the government's attempt to defend that law, pointing out that "post offices have existed since the founding of the Republic, as have threats to the safety of postal workers and the public entering those locations. Yet the historical record yields no 'distinctly similar historical regulation addressing' those safety problems by regulating firearms in post offices."

US--Israel Relations Are Now Worst Than Ever; PM Netanyahu Snubs Biden's Requests, Gives Him the Finger

U.S. Presisdent Joe Biden is growing frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's constant snubbing of Washington's requests, the RT website reports.  "Netanyahu has given Biden the finger" repeatedly, one Democratic lawmaker said. 

The two have not spoken since Dec. 23, when Biden unsuccessfully attempted to pressure the Israeli PM into releasing tax revenue withheld for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

"The situation sucks and we are stuck. The presaident's patience is running out," an anonymous U.S. official told the Axios website.  "At every juncture, Netanyahu has given Biden the finger," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen added. 

Preacher Wins Nearly $19,000 for Illegal Arrest; Police in Scotland Detained Pastor on Hate Crime

 A street preacher in the United Kingdom has won a settlement of nearly $19,000 in compensation and costs after being arrested, wrongfully, by police in Scotland, the WND website reports today (Jan. 14, 2024).

Street preacher Angus Cameron has won 5,500 lbs in compensation and 9,400 lbs in costs in settlement. 

On the hook for the damages are police in Scotland, who detained the pastor of Cumnock Baptist Church over a "hate crime" that did not exist. 

Over 30 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza; Video Footage of Rescue Workers Shows Dead Children

 More than 30 Palestinians, including young children, were killed in two Israeli airstrikes today (Jan. 13, 2024) in the Gaza Strip, officials said, as concerns continued to grow over a lack of fuel and supplies for overburdened hospitals, the EuroNews website reports. 

Video provided by Gaza's Civil Defense Department showed rescue workers searching through the rubble of a home in a Gaza city by flashlight early today after it was hit by an Israeli attack.

Footage showed them carrying a young girl wrapped in blankets with injuries to her face, and at least two other children who appeared dead.

Greek Govt. to Soon Allow Same-Sex Civil Marriages; Will Remove Any Discrimination in Sex Orientation

 Greece's center-right government will soon submit legislation allowing same--sex civil marriages, despite reservations among its own lawmakers and the country's influential Orthodox Church, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this week , the AP website reports today (Jan. 12, 2024). 

But he stressed that the proposed law would not extend the right to future parenthood through surrogate mothers to same--sex couples -- an issue that has divided Greek society. It would, however, recognize the status of existing offspring.

"What we are going to legislate is equality in marriage," Mitsotakis said."We will remove any discrimination concerning sexual orientation in the issue of marital relationship."

1 Killed, 1Injured in Avalanche at Lake Tahoe; Avalanche Was 10 Feet Deep, 450 Feet Long

One person was killed and another was injured in an avalanche at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort on Jan.10, the LA Times website reports. 

The avalanche occurred about 9:30 a.m. above the G.S. Gully area of the KT--22 peak, the Palisades Tahoe ski resort said in a statement. 

No other people have been reported missing in the avalanche, whose debris field was 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep, authorities said. 

One Third of Israeli Hostages in Danger of Death;Others Face Brutal Sex Assault, Torture,Starvation

 A grim report released Jan. 9,2024 reveals that at least a third of the 136 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas are suffering from chronic illnesses, placing them in immediate danger of death, while others are facing "brutal sexual assault, mutilation, torrture, and enforced starvation," the WIN website reports. 

The report by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum,  which coincided with the three--month milestone  since their capture, was released alongside a letter signed by eight Nobel Prize laureates calling on the UN Secretary General, President of the Red Cross,and Director of the World Health Organization to call for their release 

and facilitate the transfer of medical aid to them. 

The laureates also invited the three to visit Israel and the communities near Gaza to see the horrors firsthand and to meet with families of the hostages and survivors of captivity who were released. 

Calif. Plans to Use AI Soon to Help Reduce Traffic; Asks Technology Companies to Brainstorm Ideas

 The California Department of Transportation,teaming up with other state agencies, is  asking technology companies by Jan. 25 to propose generative AI (artificial intelligence) that could help California reduce traffic and make roads safer, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders, the LA Times website reports today (Jan. 9, 2024).

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can quickly produce text, images, and other content, but the technology can also help workers brainstorm ideas. 

The request shows how California is trying tp tap into AI to improve government services at a time when lawmakers seek to safeguard against the technology's potential risks.

NY Atty. Gen. Fines Trump $370M for Fin. Fraud; Amount Could Ruin Trump's Chances to Be Pres.

 Reacting to New York Attorney General Letitia  James increasing to $370 million the fine she wants to be imposed to Donald Trump for financial fraud, "Morning Joe" host  Joe Scarborough suggested it would ruin the former president because he likely doesn't have that kind of cash, the Raw Story website reports today (Jan. 8, 2024). 

After co-host Mike Brzezinski reported on the stunning change requested in Judge Arthur Engoron's courtroom, the two hosts shook their heads at the former president's prospects if Ergoron accedes to James' final rulinfg next month. 

Trump is expected to appear in court on Jan. 11 to find out how much  he has to pay for what he has already been found guilty of. 

On Feast of Epiphany Pope Laments on Cath. Divisions; Says Cath. Must Imitate 3 Wise Men, Put God at Center of Life

Pope Francis on the feast of the Epiphany lamented the sharp division among Catholics of different views, saying believers must imitate the three wise men in putting God at the center of their lives, rather than their own ideas of the faith, the Crux website reports today (Jan. 7, 2024).

Speaking to attendees of his Jan. 6 Mass in St. Peter's Basilica , the pope said that as members of the church , "instead of splitting into groups based on our own ideas, we are called to put God back at the center."

"We need to abandon ecclesial ideologies to find the meaning of holy mother church, the ecclesial attitude. . Ecclesial ideologies no, ecclesial vocation yes." he said , saying, "The Lord, not our own ideas or our own projects," must be the focus.  

Israel Uses New Approach to Fifgting Hamas; Designed to Cut Civilian Casualties in Gaza

 Israel announced today (Jan. 6, 2024) a more targeted approach in hunting down Hamas fighters in Gaza and set out plans for what happens after the war, the Reuters website  reports. 

Israel, which says it has killed 8,000 militants since the deaths of 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack,  has announced a more targeted  approach under global pressure to limit civilian casualties. 

But Gazans said Israeli planes and tanks had intensified attacks overnight on densely populated Al--Maghazi, Al--Bureij. and Nusseirat  in the center of the coastal strip.

4.2 Earthquake Hits SanBernardino,Calif. Today; Felt in Areas of LA, Long Beach, San Diego

 A 4.2 magnitude earthquake occurred near Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. in San Bernardino County this morning just before 11 a.m. , the CBS News website reports. 

The quake was centered seven-tenths of a mile from Lyttle Creeek, Calif. and 11.9 miles from Rancho Cucamonga, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.Its depth was just under six miles. 

The tremblor was felt throughout the area , ranging from Burbank, West Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Diamond Bar to Orange and Anaheim and down to north San Diego County.

Haley Won't Call Illegal Aliens "Criminals;" Says Calling Them Criminal Is Disrespectful

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), now running in the Republican presidential primary, has said Americans should not  describe illegal aliens as "'criminals," suggesting that doing so is "disrespectful," the Breitbart website reports .

In July 2015, a month after then-GOP presisdential candidate Donald Trump announced his candidacy with a speech centered on stemming illegal immigration, Haley joined a panel with the Aspen Institute moderated by then-CEO Walter Isaacson.

Isaacson, in his final question, asked Haley, "As a family of immigrants from India, how does that inform your thinking of the immigration debate and what do you feel about the tone of the immigration debate as it has recently turned?"

Haley, in response , said that while Americans are rightfully frustrated with illegal immigration at the United States--Mexico border, she urged the audience not to use language like "criminals" to describe illegal aliens because they're not."

Explosaions Kill over 100 at Event Honoring Iranian Gen.;Gen. Killed by Trump with US Drone

Qassam Soleimani, a fsamous  Iranian military general, was killed in 2020 by a drone strike launched by former President Trump. the USA Today website reports today (Jan.3, 2024). 

Explosions at an event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates honoring the prominent Iranian general killed at least 103 people  and wounded olver 140 others, state-run media in Iran  reported on Jan. 3, 2024.

A senior official called the blasts a "terroristic" attack without elaborating of who could be behind them.

Israel to Pull Out Thousands of Soldiers from Gaza; Mil.Leaders Still Plan to Wipe Out Hamas in New Yr.

 Israel's military says it is planning to pull thousands of soldiers from ground operations in the Gaza Strip, the first significant drawdown of its forces since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack that launched the war, the USA Today website reports today (Jan. 2, 2024).

The military decision comes amid Israel's Supreme Court decision on Jan. 1 to strike down a key component  of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's  contentious judicial  overhaul, a decision that threatens to reopen fissures in Israeli society that preceded the war. 

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Jan. 1 that five brigades would be pulling out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest, while fierce fighting continued in areas of Gaza. Military leaders say armed forces are planning to continue its mission of eradicating Hamas in  the new year. 

Many Americans See US Heading to a Police Srtate; US Is Fortunate Not to Have Police Force Answering to Despots

 KGB, Gestapo, Stasi. Every totalitorian regime has its enforcement arm, its dreaded police apparatus, the New American website reports today (Jan. 1, 2024).

These evil outfits exist only to strike horror into the hearts of citizens,and to turn them  into fearful ,compliant drones who won't challenge the regime's power.

In America, we,ve   been uniquely blessed to not have a national police force that answers to t he despots in power -- and for the most part , we've been blessed to not hsve despots.. But America's uniqueness -- including its freedom from national police -- is changing.

Millions of Americans have awakened to the reality that our country is descending into madness, chaos,and widespread corruption.