Pope Francis Meets with Critical Cardinal Burke on Salary, Apartment Ending; Pope Stripped Burke of Salary, Apartment Benefit for Non-Support

Pope Francis on Dec. 29 2023 had an audience with Cardinal Raymond Burke, the Vatican said, several weeks after a flurry of reported controversy involving the pontiff and the 75-year-old U.S..--born prelate, the National Catholic Register website reports.

A release from the Holy See Press Office briefly mentioned that the Pope had met with Cardinal Burke in an audience on Dec. 29. No reason was given for the meeting , nor were details of the audience shared by the press office.

The meting comes weeks after reports that Pope Francis has stripped Cardinal Burke , of his Vatican housing and salary privileges with the Holy Father claiming that Cardinal Burke was a source ofy "disunity" in the Church and was using the privileges afforded to retired cardinals against the Church. 

Maine Bars Former Pres. Trump from Being on Ballot; Trump Was Booted by Colorado High Court

 Maine's Democratic secretary of state today (Dec. 29, 2023) removed former President Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot,becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential electoral college consequences ,the LA Times website reports. 

Although Maine has only four electoral votes it  is one of two states to split them.

The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Cout that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

White House Runs Out of Money for Ukraine;US Sec. of State Urges Congress to Provide Aid Fast

 The White House had previously warned it would "run out of  resources" for Ukraine "by the end of the year," the Euronews website reports today (Dec.28, 2023).

The Kremlin, for its part, has banked on warning  Western aid as key on an eventual win in Ukraine. 

"It is imperative that Congress act as soon as possible to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Binken said in a statement  yesterday.

Israel Army Chief: Israel-Gaza War to Continue for Months; Israel Raises Operations to Central Gaza

 Israel's Army Chief has said that Israel's war with Hamas militants in Gaza will continue for "many more months," the BBC website reports. 

"There are no magic solutions," Herzi Halevi told reporters. On Dec. 26, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the campaign was "not close to being over."

Israel says it hit more than 100 sites on Dec. 26. It is reportedly extending ground operations to central Gaza. 

Drone from Iran Strikes Tanker in Indian Ocean; Many Ships Attacked in Red Sea in Recent Weeks

 A drone launched from Iran struck a chemical tanker in the Indian Ocean early on Dec. 23, in what appears to be the fir vessel outside the Red Sea since a recent flurry in the aerea , the Euro News website reports. 

The Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker was struck at approximately 6 a.m. GMT in the  Indian Ocean 200 nautical miles from the coast of India by a one-way drone fired from Iran, a Pentagon spokesperson said. 

A string of attacks have taken place in the Red Sea on commercial ships in recent weeks. 

Top Ukraine Prelate : Vatican Rule on Same-Sex Blessing Affects Only Latin Church; Says Greek Cath. Church in Ukraine Has Its Own Rules

 Amid a broad spectrum of reactions unleashed by Fiducia Supplicans, a new Vatican document permitting non-liturgical blessings of same-sex couples,Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church -- the main Church of Ukraine -- has become the first eastern communion to  declare explicitly that the document does not apply outside the Latin Church,the Crux website reports today (Ded.24, 2023).  

"On the basis of canon. 1492 of the CCCC this Declaration concerns purely the Latin Church and has no legal force for the faithful of the Ukrainian Greek--Catholic Church," said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Church, in a  Dec. 22 statement. 

Shevchuk was referring s  to a provision of the Code of Canons authority of the Church, in which the passive subject is not expressly indicated, affect only the Christian faithful of the Eastern Churches insofar as they treat matters of faith or morals or declarations of divine law , or these Christian faithful are explicitly included in these laws, or they grant favor which contains nothing contrary to the Eastern rites."

Biden Pardons Thousands Convicted of Marijuana; Rectifies Racial Disparities in the Justice System

 President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands and in the District of Columbia. the White House said Dec. 22, 2023, in his latest round of executive clemencies meant to rectify racial disparities in the justice system, .the AP website reports.

The categorical pardon builds on a similar round issued just before the 2022 midterm elections that pardoned thousands convicted of simple possession on federal lands eligible. Yesterday's action broadens the criminal offenses covered by the pardon. Biden is also granting clemency to 11 people serving what the White House called "disproportionately long" sentences for nonviolent drug offenses.

Biden, in a statement, said his actions would help make the "promise of equal justice a reality." 

Clergy Oppose Pope's Blessing of Same-Sex Couples; Say They Will Back Traditional Teaching of Church

 Members of a group of  British priests and deacons have expressed their opposition to Pope Francis' new declaration allowing the blessing of same-sex couples and others living in "irregular" relationships, saying they consider such blessings to be "pastorally and practically inadmissible."the National Catholic Register website reports today (Dec. 22, 2023). 

In a statement issued Dec. 21, the  British Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, which has 500 members, said the declaration , Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), was released  at a time of "widespread confusion over Catholic doctrine on same-sex unions and sexual behavior outside marriage." 

They therefore say they feel  impelled to re-assert  the traditional teaching of t he Church which, they stressed , " remains unchanged and unchangeable."

Gaza Death Toll Tops 20,000, Talks Seek Truce; Israel PM: Mil. Won't Stop Fighting Until Hamas Crushed

 The leader of the Hamas political wing was in Cairo yesterday for talks toward a truce that could allow more prisoner--hostage exchanges and increased humanitarian aid for the devastated Gaza Strip, the USA Today website reports today (Dec.21 2023). 

Ismail Haniyeh was holding "critical discussions" with Egyptians  officials . Egypt reported, as the Palestinian death toll surpassed a staggering 20,000. The Gaza Government Media Office said the figure included 8,000 children and 6,200 women.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asssured Israelis yesterday that the military won't stop fighting until Hamas is crushed, all hostages are released, and the threat to Israel's security posed by Gaza is extinguished.                                                                          

China Is Funding Climate Initiatives in US; Fox News Traced Components Needed for EV Batteries

China is behind some of t he radical green initiatives being pushed in the United States, the New Amercan website reports today  ( Dec. 20, 2023). 

An exclusive Fox News report traced the financial filings of a certain nonprofit that has spent millions of dollars on green initiatives in America all the way to Beijing. 

China is also a major producer of a majority of components needed for EV batteries and solar parts. The communist country's societal buildup is fueled by efficient. reliable fossil fuels. 

13-Yr.-old Arrested in Ohio for Synagogue Shooting; Boy Pleads Guilty to Shooting at Temple in Canton

 A 13-year-old boy, who shared detailed plans in September on Discord for a mass shooting at a reform synagogue in Ohio, has been ordered to spend a year on probation, the Uniteed  with Israel website reports

The teen, who remains anonymous, pleaded "true" which is the term for "guilty" in juvenile court. 

The boy used the Discord social media platform to share plans to "burn and shoot up" the Reform synagogue Temple Israel in Canton, south of Akron.

Italian Cardinal Sentenced to 5 yrs. in prison; Cardinal Becciu Committed Financial Crimes

In what has been called the Vatican's "trial of the century," a Vatican tribunal on Dec. 16, 2023 sentenced Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu to five years and six months in prison for his role in various financial crimes, the Crux website reports.  

Becciu was also fined roughly  $8,700 and permanently barred  from holding any public office  in the Vatican city state. 

Becciu, 75, was already the first cardinal ever to stand trial on criminal charges before a Vatican civil court and now becomes the first ever to be convicted and sentenced. 

Mother of 6-Yr.-old Who Shot Teacher Gets 2 Yrs.; Neglected Child by Leaving Loaded Gun in Reach

 The mother of a Virginia first grader who shot his teacher in January was sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect, the USA Today website reported yesterday (Dec.15, 2023).

Deja Taylor's son was 6 on Jan. 6 when he brought her gun to school and shot and injured Abby Zwerner. Taylor pleaded guilty in August in a deal with state prosecutors, who dropped allegations she endangered her child by recklessly leaving a loaded firearm in their home. 

The sentencing is harsher than sentencing guidelines called for and beyond the range prosecutors requested. Prosecutors recommended a six-month sentence as part of a plea deal.

House Republicans Vote to Impeach Pres. Biden; Believed to Have Acted Illegaly with Son Hunter

 In a 221--212 vote , all GOP members of the House of Representatives  voted yesterday to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as their investigation reaches a critical juncture and right wing pressure grows, the CNN website reports. 

The main reason for the impeachmwent vote was that the president was believed to have secretly acted illegaly with his son Hunter in economic deals with communist China and other hostile countries. 

Biden denies the allegations. 

Why Has Pope Francis Never Visited His Homeland? New Pres. of Argentina Insulted the Holy Father

 Pope Francis has demonstrated real physicsl courage  on his papal visits,  the  National Cartholic Register website reports today (Dec. 14, 2023).

Next year he will have something of a new challenge when visaiting his homeland, where a moral and political confrontation awaits him  Courage will be needed for a visit that is likely, but not yet scheduled. 

The inauguration of Argentina's new president on Dec. 10  has set the stage for something unusual ub this pontificate, a visit to a hostile political environment . Javier Milei, who won a landslide victory last month, insulted the Holy Father during his campaign, calling him an "imbecile" and a "filthy leftist" who "has an  affinity for murderous communists." That Milei himself is Catholic makes his disrespect for the Holy Father all the more offensive, not merely a matter of bad manners. 

Biden Warns Israel It May Lose World Support from Gaza Bombing; Israel Must Keep World Opinion in Its Favor

 President Joe Biden warned Israel it may be starting to lose global support for the war in Gaza, the CBN website reports today (Dec. 13, 2023). 

Still, Israeli leaders seemed determined to finish the fight to defeat Hamas despite world opinion.

While pledging continued military assistance to Israel, Biden criticized what he called "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza and added ,"They have to be careful. The whole world's opinion can shift overnight __ and we can't let that happen."

Gaza's Only Cath. Church Damaged by Shrapnel; Holy Family Church Hit with Israeli Mil. Strikes

The only Catholic church in Gaza was damaged a few days ago as a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. according to  Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Catholic Herald website reports today (Dec. 12, 20223). 

Shrapnel from Israeli military strikes on buildings in the vicinity of the Holy Family Church had destroyed water tanks and solar panels on the roof of the church, and other buildings in the parish complex were also damaged. 

"Only a miracle prevented a big catastrophe from happening to us," a local ACN partner said.

High Court Lets Stand WA State Law Barrring Conversion for Minors;Practice Seeks to Change a Person's Gender Identity

 The Supreme Court today (Dec. 11, 2023) let stand a Washington state law prohibiting licensed health care professionals from practicing "conversion therapy" --  a scientifically discredited practice intended to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity -- as it applies to minors, the CNNwwebsite reports. 

Critics say the practice -- which attempts to convert people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning -- into straight or cisgender people. causes serious emotional harm and can have deadly results. 

The vote was 6--3 with Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas publicly saying they could have taken up the case.

Court Rips NY's Demand that Churches Be Gun--Free; Churches Can Decide Whether to Use Guns

 An appeals court has vetoed an attempt in the state of New York to demand that all churches go gun--free on their campuses, the WND website reports today (Dec.10, 2023). 

The ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said "that houses of worship have a constitutionally protected freedom to decide for themselves whether to allow otherwise legally possessed firearms into their facilities,"  said Erin Murphy, a lawyer at Clement & Murphy.

 

The report comes from First Liberty Institute which worked on the dispute.

Afghan Girls Forced to Quit School by 6th Grade; Taliban Restricts Rights of Afghan Girls/Women

 Hundreds of thousands of sixth--grade girls in Afghanistan attended the last day of the school year, many with tears in their eyes as they face an uncertain future because of Taliban policies that forbid them from further schooling and restrict their basic human rights, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (Dec. 9, 2023).

"The last few days of our studies are very stressful and difficult," Kainar, a sixth--grader in Kabul, told RFE/RL's Radio on Dec. 8, the last day of the current school year before  the winter break. 

Despite pledges of a lesser authoritarian rule than in the previous time in power, Taliban militants have sharply restricted the rights and freedoms of Afghan girls and women since taking over the government.

United Nations Climate Summit Is Held in Dubai; Biden Admin. Pledging to Give Billions of Dollars

The United Nations climate summit is still in its first week , but Western governments, including the Biden administration, are already pledging to hand over billions of new taxpayer dollars for climate "reparations" and a "Green Climate Fund"aimed at bringing regimes ruling poorer countries to heel,the New American website reports today (Dec. 8, 2023).

Self-proclaimed world leaders say that is just the start,as global taxes and trillions in funding will ultimately be demanded.

The latest wealth--redistribution schemes come as voters  and taxpayers in nations such as Argentina and Holland, among others, increasingly reject the parties, politicians, and policies behind them. 

Shooter Kills 3 at U Nevada--Las Vegas; Suspect Also Dead, No Info on His Identity or Motive

 A shooter at University of Nevada--Las Vegas sprayed bullets into crowds at two campus buildings during  a lunchtime assault yesterday that killed at least three and caused panic among students, who ran in horror from end--of-- semester  classes before the shooter died at the scene, the USA Today website reports today ( Dec. 7, 2023).

Another person is in critical condition, Las Vegas police said.

The University of Nevada--Las Vegas confirmed shortly after noon local time there was an active shooter at the Frank and Estella Beam Hall , and the college said 20 minutes later that more shots were fired at the Student Union. Police did not release any information on his identity  or motive.

LA to Las Vegas Train Gets $3 Billion Fed. Grant; Will Travel up to 180 MPH, Double Present Rate

 A high--speed train from the greater Los Angeles area to Las Vegas took a big step closer to reality,  thanks to a $3 billion federal grant from the Department of Transportation  and Joe Biden's signature infrastructure law, the Vice website reports today (Dec. 6, 2023).

The proposed line will be built by Brightline West, a private company owned by Fortress Investment Group.

It promises to use all--electric high--speed trains that can travel up to 180 mph, which will half the travel time from Los Angeles to Las Vegas without even taking into account the terrible traffic during peak travel times. 

Israel May Flood Gaza Tunnels with Med. Waters; Hopes to Destroy Hamas Tunnels Using Pumps

Israel has assembled a large system of pumps that may be used to flood tunnels used by militant group Hamas under the Gaza strip in a bid t o drive out fighters, the Yahoo News website reports today (Dec. 5, 2023).

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is reported to have assembled at least five pumps capable of sending hundreds of  thousands of liters of water cascading underground every hour. 

The IDF hope to destroy the terror group's vast subterranean network by pumping water from the Mediterranean Sea into it. 

Christian Girl, 13, Taken from Home in Pakistan; Was Forced to Marry and to Convert to Islam

 Nayab Gill was just 13 years old when she was taken from her home in Gujranwala, Pakistan by her Muslim employer, the Christian Post website reports today (Dec. 4, 2023).

She was forced to convert to Islam and made to marry her abductor at gunpoint, a fate faced by dozens of minor Christian girls in Pakistan each year.

Two years after her kidnapping, Nayab made a daring escape and is now sharing  her story. 

Russian Court Outlaws LGBTQ Movement; Said It Led to Rel.Discord, "Movement" Was Extremist

 In a statement announcing a lawsuit filed to the court earlier ,the Justice Ministry in Russia argued that authorities had identified "signs and manifestations of an extremist nature" by an LGBTQ "movement" operating in Russia, "including incitement of social and religious discord," although it offered no details or evidence, the WND website reports today (Dec. 3, 2023).

In its ruling, the court declared the "movement" to be extremist and banned it in Russia. 

The hearing took place behind closed doors and with no defendant. 

US House Expels Rep.George Santos for Ethics Crimes; Only 6th Rep. to Be Expelled from House

The U.S. House voted yesterday (Dec.1, 2023) to expel indicted New York GOP Rep. George Santos over ethics violations,, making him only the sixth lawmaker ever to be ousted from the chamber, the CNN website reports.

The resolution passed 311 to 114, with 105 Republicans voting in favor of expulsion.

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy  Hochul will schedule a special election to replace him. 

Kissinger Dies at 100 with Wealth, Power, Fame; Helped Contain Communism, Violated Liberty

 Henry Kissinger , who died at 100 on Nov. 29, 2023, achieved wealth, power. and worldwide fame as the master of geopolitical chess who guided U.S.foreign policy, the Yahoo News website reports. 

The former secretary of state and national security adviser did it by claiming to protect American interests to contain communism while violating American values, which are supposed to respect life and liberty.

There are serious people who argue he should have been tried as a war criminal for the blood spilled by his efforts, largely hidden at the time from the public, with bombing campaigns in Southeast Asia, helping overthrow a democratically elected government in Chile, and supporting genocidal dictators in Indonesia and Pakistsan.