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.