As a new wildfire started up in California's hillsides this week, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library became a target -- and officials are now patting themselves on the back for a "darn smart" idea that may have helped save it, the Newser website reports today (October 31, 2019).
Firefighters and aircraft took aim at the flames approaching the library, but a library spokeswoman said one more factor apparently worked to the library's advantage: a herd of hundreds of goats, which the fire department recruits each May to chow down on the vegetation around the facility's perimeter, effectively creating a firebreak.
"It was darn smart for us to do that," a library official crowed about the annual goat-led initiative at the site.
The library hosts the graves of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, in addition to documents, photos, films, audiotapes, and Reagan's Air Force One plane.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Joe Biden Denied Communion at a S.C. Church; Abortion Support Mocks Cath. Church Teaching
Former vice president Joe Biden was denied Communion last Sunday morning at a Catholic church in Florence, South Carolina, where he was making a campaign stop, the Washington Post website reports today (October 30, 2019).
The Rev. Robert Morey of Saint Anthony Catholic Church told a local newspaper that Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, attended his church's 9 a.m. Mass. Morey said he denied Biden Communion because of the candidate's political stance on abortion.
"Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other, and the Church. Our actions should reflect that," Morey said in a statement to the Morning News. "Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching."
The Catholic Church opposes abortion, but local priests and bishops in the United States have varying policies regarding whether to give Communion to someone who supports an issue such as abortion rights.
The Rev. Robert Morey of Saint Anthony Catholic Church told a local newspaper that Biden, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, attended his church's 9 a.m. Mass. Morey said he denied Biden Communion because of the candidate's political stance on abortion.
"Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other, and the Church. Our actions should reflect that," Morey said in a statement to the Morning News. "Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching."
The Catholic Church opposes abortion, but local priests and bishops in the United States have varying policies regarding whether to give Communion to someone who supports an issue such as abortion rights.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Sanders:US Money to Israel Should Go to Gaza; Slams Israeli PM Netanyahu as Being a "Racist"
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, stated yesterday at the annual J Street Conference in Washington, D.C., that a portion of the U.S. military assistance to Israel should go towards humanitarian relief in the Gaza Strip, the World Israel News website reports today (October 29, 2019).
"I would use the leverage of $3.8 billion," Sanders said, referring to the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Israel negotiated by former President Barack Obama.
He added, "It is a lot of money, and we cannot give it carte blanche to the Israeli government or, for that matter, to any government at all. We have a right to demand respect for human rights and democracy."
Sanders, who is of Jewish background himself, also attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that it's not anti-Semitic to say that the government of Netanyahu has been "racist," asserting "That's a fact."
"I would use the leverage of $3.8 billion," Sanders said, referring to the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Israel negotiated by former President Barack Obama.
He added, "It is a lot of money, and we cannot give it carte blanche to the Israeli government or, for that matter, to any government at all. We have a right to demand respect for human rights and democracy."
Sanders, who is of Jewish background himself, also attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that it's not anti-Semitic to say that the government of Netanyahu has been "racist," asserting "That's a fact."
Monday, October 28, 2019
Syrian Christians Fear Turkey's Attack a Threat; Turkey Rips Kurds, Christian Homes, Churches
As the Turkish military and its allied Syrian rebels continue their operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, Christian communities in the region fear that the Turkish-led offensive is threatening their very existence in the war-torn country, the VOA News website reports today (October 28, 2019).
On the first day of the Turkish offensive -- which began last week -- a Turkish artillery attack targeted a predominately-Christian neighborhood in Qamishli, the largest city in northeast Syria.
According to local sources, Christians Ayeda Habsono and her husband, Fadi, were severely wounded in the attack that hit their house. Several other Christians were also wounded.
Later last week, the Virgin Lady Church in the town of Qahtaniya, near Qamishli, was also hit by Turkish shelling. Parts of the church were destroyed.
On the first day of the Turkish offensive -- which began last week -- a Turkish artillery attack targeted a predominately-Christian neighborhood in Qamishli, the largest city in northeast Syria.
According to local sources, Christians Ayeda Habsono and her husband, Fadi, were severely wounded in the attack that hit their house. Several other Christians were also wounded.
Later last week, the Virgin Lady Church in the town of Qahtaniya, near Qamishli, was also hit by Turkish shelling. Parts of the church were destroyed.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
US Forces Eliminate ISIS' Top Leader in Syria; Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Kills Himself in US Raid
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS who presided over its global jihad and became the world's most wanted man, died yesterday when he detonated his suicide vest in a tunnel while being pursued by U.S. forces north of Idlib, Syria, killing himself and three of his children, the World Israel News website reports today (October 27, 2019).
"Last night, the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice," U.S. President Donald Trump announced at the White House today.
Trump described a daring nighttime airborne raid by American special operations forces in Syria's northwestern Idlib province.
Trump added that no U.S. troops were killed in the operation.
"Last night, the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice," U.S. President Donald Trump announced at the White House today.
Trump described a daring nighttime airborne raid by American special operations forces in Syria's northwestern Idlib province.
Trump added that no U.S. troops were killed in the operation.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Suicide Rate for Young Teens Nearly Triples; Suicide Rate for Older Teens Is Up 76 Percent
The suicide rate among children aged 10 through 14 nearly tripled from 2007 to 2017, the Christian Post website reports today (October 26, 2019).
For older teens, the suicide rate increased by 76 percent.
In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14, teenagers 15 to 19, and young adults ages 20 to 24.
"Not only is suicide trending upward, but the pace of increase is actually accelerating," said Sally Curtin, co-author of the CDC report.
For older teens, the suicide rate increased by 76 percent.
In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14, teenagers 15 to 19, and young adults ages 20 to 24.
"Not only is suicide trending upward, but the pace of increase is actually accelerating," said Sally Curtin, co-author of the CDC report.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Trump Ends Fed.Funding for Abortion Clinics; Stops Fed.Funding in 876 Pro-Abortion Clinics
Nearly 900 clinics that perform or promote abortions have lost their federal funding under a new Trump administration rule that prevents family clinics receiving taxpayer money from promoting or referring for abortion, the Christian Headlines website reports today (October 25, 2019).
Power to Decide -- a pro-choice organization that works to prevent unplanned pregnancies -- says in a new report that 876 clinics in the U.S. have lost funding.
The new rule "prohibits the use of Title X funds to perform, promote, refer for, or support abortions as a method of family planning."
The Title X program is worth nearly $300 million.
Power to Decide -- a pro-choice organization that works to prevent unplanned pregnancies -- says in a new report that 876 clinics in the U.S. have lost funding.
The new rule "prohibits the use of Title X funds to perform, promote, refer for, or support abortions as a method of family planning."
The Title X program is worth nearly $300 million.
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