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."