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Iran Threatened to Down US Surveillance Jets over Weekend September 13, 2016 The Iranian military threatened to shoot down two US Navy surveillance jets for flying close to its territorial waters over the weekend, officials told a US television news network on Monday. A Navy P-8 Poseidon and an EP-3 Eries, carrying between them roughly 33 crew members, were flying a reconnaissance mission when they were asked by Iran to change course, Fox News reported. Three US defense officials, interviewed by the channel, said the jets had ignored the warning because they were in the international airspace 13 miles off the Iranian coast. Under UN rules, a state's territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles beyond the shore. "We wanted to test the Iranian reaction," one of the officials in the know about the incident said to Fox News. "It's one thing to tell someone to get off your lawn, but we weren't on their lawn. Anytime you threaten to shoot someone down, it's not considered professional." https://sputniknews.com/world/20160913/1045243396/iran-to-down-us-surveillance-jets.html Inside Story - What's behind Iran's reported 'liberation force'? The conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have long been called 'proxy wars' with Russia, the United States, and Saudi Arabia all involved. Now Iran is creating a machine to support, finance, and participate in all of these and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad3FDNj449Q Defense Minister: Israel's greatest threat - Iran September 12, 2016 Liberman was asked what he thinks constitutes the greatest threat to Israel. "The greatest threat to Israel is Iran. This is Israel's greatest challenge and its greatest threat." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/217682 Terrorism, Violence Worldwide at All-Time High, Global Peace Index Report Reveals The world has become increasingly violent with deaths from conflict at a 25-year high, terrorist attacks at an all-time high and more people displaced than at any time since World War II, the 2016 Global Peace Index showed on Wednesday. http://www.christianpost.com/news/global-violence-and-terrorism-at-all-time-high-global-peace-index-report-reveals-164954/#lzyyQEvlBB4fL0HO.99 Yemen on brink of famine as civil war rages 9/10/2016 The council said in statement that the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate in the absence of a durable peace agreement and urged all parties to resume talks, as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned: "At least seven million people - a quarter of the population - are living under emergency levels of food insecurity." That is near famine level. http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/yemen-on-brink-of-famine-as-civil-war-rages-35037590.html Nigeria In Midst of Devastating Famine As children die of starvation, Nigeria facing 'a famine unlike any we have ever seen.' Nearly a quarter of a million children are severely malnourished because Boko Haram has disrupted trade and farming, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Toby Lanzer warned at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday. About 2 million people in the region have not been reached, "and we can't assess their situation. We can estimate that it's awful." http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-09-09/nigeria-facing-a-famine-unlike-any-we-have-ever-seen Superbug Explosion Triggers U.N. General Assembly Meeting Antibiotic resistance has grown so dire that it will be the subject of a dedicated global summit later this month The threat of antibiotic resistance has become so dire that the United Nations General Assembly is holding a meeting to discuss it this month in New York City. Although WHO has been sounding the alarm on antibiotic resistance for years, this month’s high-level U.N. meeting represents only the fourth time in the international body’s history that its General Assembly—a global deliberative body that primarily grapples with issues like war and economics—has held a meeting to tackle a health topic. (The other three were HIV, noncommunicable diseases and Ebola.) The meeting “is a clear recognition that this is a worldwide threat to everyone and worldwide action is what we need to address it,” says Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/superbug-explosion-triggers-u-n-general-assembly-meeting/ Tanzania earthquake kills 11, injures nearly 200 September 11, 2016 A 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit northwestern Tanzania, killing 11 people and leaving dozens injured, state media reported.At least 192 people were injured when the quake struck near Nsunga town Saturday. http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/11/africa/tanzania-deadly-earthquake/ END TIMES SIGNS: LATEST EVENTS (SEPTEMBER 11, 2016) Good news that illustrate prophetic themes being evident in our day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgoP7Byp9as Iran testing boundaries of nuclear deal while Obama does nothing SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 The world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, is being allowed to increase its nuclear capability and global powers with reprieve. Dr. Emily Landau, head of the Arms Control Program at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, has revealed new ways that Iran is pushing the envelope on the nuclear deal while Obama does nothing. Some troubling examples cited below: Iran was allowed to exceed its limit on enriched uranium under some bogus explanation that it was “converted to other chemical forms,” and inspections of the Parchin nuclear site were ended “as part of a side deal between Iran and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, with no American involvement.” Since the deal a year ago, Iran has become a bigger regional menace, adding to destabilization; has been conducting ballistic missile testing in violation of international law; apprehended US sailors illegally; and supports/expands jihad terrorism worldwide. Yaakov Lappin, Jerusalem Post, September 5, 2016: Iran is systematically testing the boundaries of the nuclear deal it struck with the West, and the Obama administration has repeatedly swept this under the carpet, acting as “Iran’s lawyers” instead, a senior Israeli security expert has warned. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/09/iran-testing-boundaries-of-nuclear-deal-while-obama-does-nothing Iran vessels harass another US Navy ship in Persian Gulf, defense officials say September 6, 2016 USS Firebolt, a coastal patrol ship, was shadowed by seven Iranian vessels. Three of the vessels came within 500 yards and shadowed Firebolt for eight minutes. Then one of the Iranian vessels broke off and raced in front of Firebolt and "came to a stop directly in front of the ship" at a range of 100 yards, according to the official. The U.S. Navy ship attempted multiple radio communications with the Iranian vessel, but there was no reply. The U.S. ship took evasive action to "narrowly avoid" the Iranian ship which stopped directly in front of it, according to the official. There have bene 31 "unsafe and unprofessional" interactions with Iran and the U.S. Navy. Each time, Iran was the aggressor Navy officials said. There have been nearly twice as many cases of harassment by Iranian vessels against the U.S. Navy in the first half of 2016. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/06/iran-vessels-harass-another-us-navy-ship-in-persian-gulf-defense-officials-say.html 'Hezbollah, Syrian army preparing large operation near Israel border' September 6, 2016 Iranian media reports that its proxy Hezbollah has already deployed a large contingency of fighters in the Quneitra area, located between Syria and Israel's Golan Heights. "The Syrian army and Hezbollah fighters have been working on a joint plan to end militancy in Southern Syria, particularly near the Golan Heights," Iran's Fars news agency quoted unnamed military sources as saying Monday. On Monday, the former head of the Israeli domestic security agency said the Syrian conflict is entering a highly unpredictable phase, adding that the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah posed a growing threat to Israel despite losing many fighters. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hezbollah-Syrian-army-preparing-large-operation-near-Israel-border-467003 Matthew 24:4-: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.” Cult Leader Thinks He's Jesus (Documentary Exclusive) Its getting late… Deep in Siberia's Taiga forest is Vissarion, a cult leader who looks like Jesus and claims to be the voice of God. He's known as "the Teacher" to his 5,000 followers, who initially seem surprisingly normal. Over time, however, their unflinching belief in UFOs and the Earth's imminent demise made this group start to look more and more like some sort of strange cult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Cv5hZfOmk 'ISIS kilometers away from Israel's northern border' 09/05/2016 A new video shows ISIS-linked coalition advancing on the Yarmouk Valley region located in the triple border junction between Israel's Golan Heights, Jordan and Syria, According to the report, the video shows the militants fighting under the banner of ISIS advancing on Syrian rebel positions in the volatile Daraa province where Syrian military troops have fought with opposition forces throughout the Syrian civil war. By confiscating heavy artillery weaponry, including tanks, Islamic State has allegedly sought to strengthen its influence in the region adjacent to Israel's northern border. There have also been multiple previous reports of ISIS using chemical weapons in the embattled region. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/ISIS-Threat/ISIS-kilometers-away-from-Israels-norther-border-466906 Matthew 24:9 : " Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name's sake. " Saudi Arabia: 27 Christians arrested and deported for “conducting Christian prayers” in private residence SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 Saudi Arabian officials recently arrested 27 Christians—among them several women and children—for the crime of “conducting Christian prayers” and being “in possession of Bibles,” reports Arab media. Authorities, the dreaded “religious police,” proceeded to strip them of their visas and deport them back to Lebanon. Ironically, this is a much better fate than that suffered by other Christians caught engaging in “acts of Christianity” in the Islamic kingdom, including torture and long jail sentences. For example, back in 2012, 35 Christian Ethiopians were arrested and abused in prison for almost a year, simply for holding a private house prayer. One of them reported after being released: “They [Saudis] are full of hatred towards non-Muslims.” https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/09/saudi-arabia-27-christians-arrested-and-deported-for-conducting-christian-prayers-in-private-residence Magnitude 7.1 earthquake off East Coast shakes North Island New Zealand Sep 2, 2016 There are reports of damaged homes after this morning's 7.1 earthquake which triggered a tsunami warning, closed schools and temporarily stopped trains from running. The quake was felt by tens of thousands of people throughout many parts of the North Island, with people being woken as their homes shock and items fell to the floor. It hit at 4.37am, around 125km northeast of the East Cape settlement of Te Araroa. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11702954 The Ram is Pushing (Daniel 8) Iran Again Provokes US with Deployment Anti-Aircraft Missile But Obama Admin. Refuses To Use Sanction Regime Severe implications... August 31, 2016 After harassing several U.S. Navy vessels in the strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf over the past few weeks, the Islamic Republic now decided to display an advanced anti-aircraft missile system at the Fordo underground nuclear facility — an action that obviously requires sanctions under U.S. law. This weekend Iranian state-controlled TV showed images of the Russian-made S-300 missile defense system that Iran, after years of delay, finally received after the implementation of the nuclear agreement with the P5+1 powers. The main stream media tried to obscure the severe implications of the move and spoke of the deployment of “long range missiles” at Fordo, as if it was just a normal defensive measure to protect the site. The S-300 system, however, enables Iran to control its airspace and to detect any incoming foreign warplanes that could pose a threat to its military and nuclear facilities. The rapid deployment of the system at Fordo, after Iran received all the components from Russia, tells us something important about the underground nuclear facility in north-west Iran. Fordo is not a typical nuclear facility, but a site where Iran developed mechanisms for nuclear detonators and where the nuclear physics package was developed. http://www.westernjournalism.com/iran-provokes-us-deployment-anti-aircraft-missile-obama-admin-refuses-use-sanction-regime/ Iranium: The Movie Watch this movie and then take a look at Daniel 8. This is an end time vision (Daniel 8:17) www.iraniumthemovie.com Iran’s massive covert war operations in Syria: an Iran-controlled Shi’ite militia and up to $100 billion funneled to Assad August 31, 2016 The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has received information leaked from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) suggesting that Iran’s military operations in Syria may be far more extensive than many had previously thought. The NCRI claims that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khomeini has spent billions on hardware for Bashar Al-Assad’s government forces since the Syrian Civil War erupted in 2011. The testimony gathered by the NCRI, if true, means that Iran currently controls the largest fighting force in the conflict and has military bases throughout Syria. The information has been analyzed by intelligence experts and described as ‘credible’. The information exceeds previous reports which, if the report is to believed, hugely underestimated Iranian involvement in Syria. Western sources had previously placed the number of Iranian combatants in Syria at 16,000; the reality may be that 16,000 Iranian troops are commanding 45,000 Shia mercenaries recruited from all over the Middle East. To the international community and domestically, Iran has portrayed its involvement in Syria as a battle against international terrorism. A British Foreign Office spokeswoman said in a statement to MailOnline that “Iran’s role in fostering instability in the Middle East, including ongoing support for proxy groups and the Assad regime, and the activities of the Quds force, remains a source of serious concern.” https://themediaexpress.com/2016/08/31/irans-massive-covert-war-operations-in-syria-an-iran-controlled-shiite-militia-and-up-to-100-billion-funneled-to-assad/ Millions at risk from rising water pollution: UN Aug. 30, 2016 Increasingly polluted rivers in Africa, Asia and Latin America pose a disease risk to more than 300 million people and threaten fisheries and farming in many countries, a UN report warned Tuesday. Already, some 3.4 million people die every year from water-borne ailments such as cholera, typhoid, some types of hepatitis and diarrhoeal diseases, said the United Nations Environment Programme. "Many of these diseases are due to the presence of human waste in water, the solution is not only to build more sewers but to treat wastewater" it said in a statement. The agency estimated that 164 million people were at risk of water-borne diseases in Africa, 134 million in Asia and 25 million in Latin America. "The increasing amount of wastewater being dumped into our surface waters is deeply troubling," said UNEP chief scientist Jacqueline McGlade. "Access to quality water is essential for human health and human development. Both are at risk if we fail to stop the pollution." The rise is driven by factory waste, runoff from fertilisers and pesticides used in agriculture, as well as an increase in untreated sewage discarded into rivers and lakes, the agency said. "Severe pathogen pollution... is estimated to affect around a quarter of Latin American river stretches," said the agency -- up to a quarter in Africa and half in Asia. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2016/Aug-30/369666-millions-at-risk-from-rising-water-pollution-un.ashx Video: Robert Spencer on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s war against the US AUGUST 29, 2016 Jihad Watch Robert Spencer addressed the David Horowitz Freedom Center’s Wednesday Morning Club in Los Angeles, discussing the Islamic Republic of Iran and its war against the United States. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/08/video-robert-spencer-on-the-islamic-republic-of-irans-war-against-the-us Myanmar Earthquake Rattles Temples of Bagan The quake has damaged nearly 200 Buddhist sites August 29, 2016 According to Associated Press, the 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck around 25 km (15 miles) west of Chauk, just south of Bagan, killing at least four people and destroying 190 pagodas in the area. Just hours after the devastating earthquake that hit central Italy this past Wednesday another powerful, unrelated, quake devastated central Myanmar, causing at least four deaths and damaging nearly 200 Buddhist pagodas and temples dating back to the 10th century. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/myanmar-earthquake-pagodas-bagan-622979 Pastor David E Taylor Claims He Raised Woman from Dead through Facebook Message August 29, 2016 Controversial Pastor David E. Taylor of Joshua Media Ministries International in Florissant, Missouri, claimed last Thursday that he raised a woman from the dead through a message sent to her on Facebook. "Raised from the Dead! David E. Taylor Commands Her to Live Through Sending a Text Message Through Facebook — Releasing the Supernatural Resurrection Power of God! She Lives!" declared Taylor in an announcement on his Facebook page with a photo of an unidentified elderly woman who appeared to be getting some form of medical treatment. Taylor, who says he is in regular communion with Jesus, was recently deposed in a Michigan court for financial corruption. According to Patheos, the video of Taylor's seven-hour deposition shows him in an apparently nervous state chewing his bottom lip and "pretending to be confused by the attorney's questions and making pitiful excuses for his frivolous purchases. "Among the purchases made was a $2.8 million property in St. Louis that is listed as an asset on the tax form submitted by Taylor's ministry. Taylor, who once referred to the property as a "home" during the deposition, would later insist the property is a "residential center." Taylor also noted that he did not know the address of the property where members of his congregation work as full-time volunteer chauffeurs who transport their leader in a fleet of luxury vehicles that include a BMW, Mercedes, Bentley, and a Range Rover. The first two listed vehicles are reportedly registered to Taylor's ministry for the use of "high profile guests." A $50,000 payment was also made to Limoland to convert a Mercedes into a stretch limo for the "hospitality" of "guests." Taylor also reportedly spent $30,000 over a two-year period on designer clothing, including belts which he says are "better quality" and "have a better TV appearance." http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-david-e-taylor-claims-he-raised-woman-from-dead-through-facebook-message-168748/#VcGxDjJHsABU0aMY.99 Daniel 8: 3-4: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.” Senior MP Stresses Iran's Support for Stability in Iraq Aug 29, 2016 Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi underlined that his country supports peace and stability in Iraq. "Iran supports any action towards elimination of Takfiri-terrorists in Iraq and restoration of peace and stability in that country," Boroujerdi said in a meeting with Leader of Iraq's Hezbollah al-Nujaba Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi in Tehran on Sunday. He reiterated that Iran believes that Iraq should remain a sovereign and independent state. Sheikh al-Kaabi, for his part, appreciated Iran's support for the Iraqi nation and government in their fight against terrorism, and said, "Qatar, the US and Saudi Arabia support terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria." In relevant remarks on Saturday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani renewed his country's support for the territorial integrity of Iraq. "Iran is absolutely opposed to disintegration of Iraq, a position supported by high clerical order in Iraq," Larijani said in a meeting with Sheikh al-Kaabi in Tehran. Al-Kaabi, for his part, hailed Iran's support for the Iraqi government and nation, and said, “I express my humble gratitude to the Iranian people and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution (Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei) who stand by our side." http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950608000472 Iran deploys long-range missiles to defend Fordo nuclear site Protecting nuke facilities is paramount, says Iran air commander as state TV airs images of Russian-made S-300 launchers August 29, 2016 Tehran has deployed a recently delivered Russian-made long-range missile system to central Iran to protect its Fordo nuclear facility, state television said Sunday. Protecting nuclear facilities is paramount “in all circumstances” General Farzad Esmaili, the commander of Iran’s air defenses, told the IRIB channel. “Today, Iran’s sky is one of the most secure in the region,” he added. Israel has long sought to block the sale to Iran of the S-300 system, which analysts say could impede a potential Israeli strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Other officials have expressed concern that the systems could reach Syria and Hezbollah, diluting Israel’s regional air supremacy. The Fordo site, built into a mountain near the city of Qom has stopped enriching uranium since the January implementation of the nuclear deal. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-deploys-long-range-missiles-to-fordo-nuclear-site/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=82c602e720-2016_08_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-82c602e720-54606857 Iran confrontations with US Navy double from last year, more frequent than thought August 29, 2016 Dangerous confrontations between Iran and the U.S. Navy are becoming even more frequent than previously estimated, Fox News has learned. According to new data shared Monday with Fox News by a U.S. defense official, the number of provocative interactions between Iranian vessels and the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf nearly doubled in the first half of 2016 compared with the same time period a year ago. In the first half of 2016, there were 19 dangerous interactions with the Iranians, which the U.S. Navy characterized as “unsafe and unprofessional.” In the first half of 2015, that number was 10, according to the official. The Iranian vessels acted as the aggressors every time, according to the U.S. Navy. Further, since July, there have been 11 dangerous confrontations, according to the data, in a sign of increasing Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. There were four such encounters with Iran last week alone, including one that required warning shots from a U.S. Navy ship. In total, there have been 30 dangerous interactions with Iran so far this year, amounting to more dangerous dealings with the Iranians in eight months than all of last year. In 2015, 24 “unsafe interactions” with the Iranians were recorded, according to the official. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/08/29/iran-confrontations-with-us-navy-double-from-last-year-more-frequent-than-thought.html Khamenei warns Iran will ‘hit hard’ in response to US aggression Amid escalating tensions in Persian Gulf, supreme leader urges bolstered military capabilities to deter American military strike August 28, 2016 Amid escalating tensions between US and Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday warned any military aggression against the Islamic Republic would be met with a harsh response. In an apparent reference to the US, Khamenei told soldiers at a Tehran air base “the enemy should understand that if it makes any aggression, it will be hit hard and our defense will also include response,” according to the state-run Fars news agency. On Saturday, a top Iranian military official claimed the strength of its navy was deterring the US from launching a military offensive against Tehran. “The US doesn’t enjoy the power to confront Iran militarily,” Rear Admiral Fadavi, naval commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps told a group of paramilitary volunteers in Arak, according to Fars. Fadavi — who has previously called the US Iran’s sole enemy and claimed its military capabilities have weakened in recent years claimed the 97 IRGC speedboats patrolling the Persian Gulf were keeping US warships in the Persian Gulf at bay. Last Wednesday, a US military official said Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf harassed American naval vessels in three recent incidents, including one that prompted a US warship ship to fire warning shots. According to US Navy Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Bill Urban, several IRGC boats maneuvered around two US patrol ships, the USS Squall and USS Tempest, creating a possible collision hazard. All three encounters last week occurred in international waters in the northern Persian Gulf, Urban said. http://www.timesofisrael.com/khamenei-warns-iran-will-hit-hard-in-response-to-us-aggression/ Iranian ex commander: New militia formed to destroy Israel in 23 years 08/26/2016 The former leader of the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards reportedly says new branch is positioned to destroy the Jewish state because it's fighting nearby in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Retired Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Mohammad Ali Al Falaki made the comments last week while speaking of Tehran's so-called 'Shi'ite Liberation Army' that conducts extraterritorial military operations. Falaki claimed that the forces are specially positioned to destroy the Jewish state because they are fighting near Israel's borders. The establishment of the first nucleus of the militia is tasked to “eradicate Israel after 23 years, especially that these battalions are now on Israeli borders,” he was quoted as saying in an invocation of prior remarks made by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In 2015, Khamenei asserted that Israel will cease to exist within three decades. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Iranian-ex-commander-New-militia-formed-to-destroy-Israel-in-23-years-466000 'Saudi and Persian Gulf states share Israel's concerns about Iran hegemony' 08/26/2016 Gold: Arab leaders are “laying out a case against Iranian actions, and we are seeing it expressed over and over by Arab leaders.”Israel and the Gulf states share the exact same perception of Iran’s desire for regional hegemony, Foreign Ministry director David Gold said. “The Iranian interference is considered to be a threat to a number of countries in the region,” Bahrain’s Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa was quoted as saying. “Their interference includes support for terrorism, promoting chaos, and political interference. Gold pointed out that in July, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Abdel al-Jubeir told Politico, “Iran is on a rampage. It wants to reestablish the Persian Empire, as crazy as that sounds because it’s been dead for centuries.” http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Saudi-and-Persian-Gulf-states-share-Israels-concerns-about-Iran-hegemony-466088 US warship fires warning shots at Iranian boats Iran navy and IRGC vessels harass US naval ships in series of recent incidents that risked collision, escalation, US officials say August 26, 2016 Iranian ships harassed US naval vessels in three recent incidents, including one that prompted an American ship to fire warning shots, a US official said Thursday. The incidents all occurred in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, a day after another encounter in which a group of Iranian naval vessels with their weapons uncovered sped close to two US Navy guided-missile destroyers. “This situation presented a drastically increased risk of collision, and the Iranian vessel refused to safely maneuver in accordance with internationally recognized maritime rules of the road,” he said. “Ultimately, Squall resorted to firing three warning shots from their 50-caliber gun, which caused the Iranian vessel to turn away.” http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-warship-fires-warning-shots-at-iranian-boats/ Earthquake felt in Bangkok today; Buildings evacuated AUGUST 25, 2016 The Meteorological Department's Seismology Office confirmed the tremor as the result of magnitude 6.8 earthquake with epicenter in Myanmar located about 416 km northwest of Muang district of Mae Hong Son. The earthquake was well felt in India, Thailand, Nepal and Bangladesh. At least three people have been dead with damage to several temples in the nearby ancient city of Bagan. http://www.disaster-report.com/2016/08/earthquake-bangkok-today-felt.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+disaster-report+%28Disaster+Report%29 After chasing US ship, Iran vows to confront anyone in ‘our waters’ Defense minister says boats will be warned and then faced down after US complains destroyer was harassed in international territory August 25, 2016 Iran’s defense minister said Thursday his country would confront any foreign vessel that enters its territorial waters, after four Iranian warships sped close to two US Navy destroyers with their weapons uncovered in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS Nitze shot warning flares, sounded its whistles and attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with the Iranian boats during Tuesday’s incident, which American defense officials called “unsafe and unprofessional.” US officials said the encounter occurred in international waters in the strait, a vitally important choke point with Iran to its north and the United Arab Emirates to the south. The destroyer had to change course to avoid a possible collision, even though it was near offshore oil rigs. “Nitze also changed its course multiple times in close proximity to offshore oil rigs in an attempt to maintain separation and better understand Iranian intentions,” Raines said Wednesday. http://www.timesofisrael.com/after-chasing-us-ship-iran-vows-to-confront-anyone-in-our-waters/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0c7622cf61-2016_08_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0c7622cf61-54606857 Prophecy Update End Time Headlines 8/24/16 A fast paced highlight and review of the major news stories and headlines that relate to Bible Prophecy and the End Times… (Video) Keep Watchful ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDFftJKw17g Signs: Earthquakes in different Places At least 120 killed as quake flattens towns in central Italy August 24, 2016 An earthquake flattened towns in central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, killing at least 120 people and burying some alive in their sleep, with volunteers and firefighters racing to free those trapped under mounds of rubble as darkness fell. The quake razed mountain homes and buckled roads in a cluster of communities some 140 km (85 miles) east of Rome. It was powerful enough to be felt in Bologna to the north and Naples to the south, each more than 220 km from the epicenter. Aerial photographs showed whole areas of Amatrice, last year voted one of Italy's most beautiful historic towns, flattened by the 6.2 magnitude quake. Many of those killed or missing were visitors. http://www.aol.com/article/2016/08/24/italy-earthquake/21457628/ The Ram is “Pushing” Iran says it requested Russian strikes on Syria's Aleppo Aug. 23, 2016 Russian warplanes bombed Aleppo at Iran's request to assist its military advisers on the ground in the flashpoint Syrian city, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday. Ali Shamkhani, the top official coordinating security and political affairs between Tehran and its allies, Moscow and Damascus, was quoted by state television saying Iran called in Russian strikes "next to the land operation" in Aleppo. "Iran has brought the powerful Russia along... due to its need to cooperate with Syria" in the fight against extremists. Russia surprised the international community last week when it announced that its warplanes had flown out of Iran's Hamedan base to conduct strikes against targets in Syria. "The coalition among Iran, Syria and Russia to fight terrorism exists," Shamkhani added. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Aug-23/368578-iran-says-it-requested-russian-strikes-on-syrias-aleppo.ashx IRGC Deputy Commander Salami On The Might Of Iran's Islamic Revolution In The World And The West's Threats To Iran From Within And Without August 23, 2016 Hossein Salami, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), focused on the might of Iran's Islamic Revolution at home and its impact on the region and on the world, and also on threats to it and to the Islamic world by the West and its agent – Sunni Saudi Arabia. Salami attributed Islamic Iran's steadfastness to its independence from the superpowers, to global recognition of its greatness, and to its martyrs. He said that Iran is the only country that challenges the world order and does not submit to the dictates of the superpowers. "Prior to its revolution, Iran was in this situation, subjugated by the American plot – to the point where [our understanding of who was] friend or foe was determined by America's political will. But today, by the grace of God, we have regained the essence we lost, and we [now] figure prominently in the world. Today, Islamic Iran is recognized as an independent regime and a model for emulation, a country [characterized by] resistance, steadfastness, strength, and invincibility. "Today in the world, Iran is depicted in terms of its resistance and stability against the superpowers, and as not impacted [by their decisions]. Today in the world, there is no criterion for describing the essence of nations other than their dependency on the world powers. Thanks to the blood of its martyrs, Islamic Iran has achieved independence and might, free of foreign [influence]. "Iran today is the only country that refuses to recognize the unjust official world order and [instead] follows its own just norms. All these blessed things were achieved by steadfastness against the pressures and the disasters that, for the past 38 years, have been inflicted upon this country and upon the spirit of the Iranian nation. Despite all these pressures, the strength of the Iranian nation has been so great that it presents itself to the world as a mighty nation." http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9408.htm Wars and Rumors of Wars: North Korea threatens 'nuclear strike' against US, South Korea Rogue nation warns US, South Korea amid joint military exercise against 'aggression', warns of nuclear attack on Washington if attacked. 8/22/16 The rogue state warned that any attempt to catch North Korea off-guard would be met with a nuclear response, adding that the respective capitals of South Korea and the US would be turned into “a heap of ashes through a Korean-style pre-emptive nuclear strike”. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/216755 50,000 Children May Starve to Death Due to Boko Haram Northeastern Nigeria was once the breadbasket of the entire country. It is now a wasteland of scorched earth, massacre and destruction. Mon, August 22, 2016 Close to 50,000 children are in danger of starving to death in Nigeria due to a scorched-earth policy by the brutal Islamist group Boko Haram, according to UNICEF, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. In addition, close to 250,000 people are severely malnourished in Borno state. In total, 4.4 million people are affected by the terror inflicted on the population by the group, an affiliate of the Islamic State in West Africa. Half of those people live in areas inaccessible to relief agencies. Boko Haram, whose militants kidnapped entire swaths of the population, burned villages and massacred tens of thousands, has left a wasteland behind. Crops that were growing were abandoned as the populations able to flee left the area to save themselves.“We lost our farmlands and produce to Boko Haram and [were] reduced to a life of begging. We left our produce on the farm, in silos and stores in the market. But all that is gone, we have nothing left,” https://www.clarionproject.org/news/50000-children-may-starve-death-due-boko-haram Why Rothschild is shifting from US Dollars to Gold, 'Other Currencies' 8/19/2016 The Western central bankers are conducting "the greatest experiment in monetary policy" history with consequences impossible to predict, Lord Rothschild writes, warning that the world is now in "uncharted waters." Trouble is brewing for the global economy with the consequences impossible to predict, RIT Capital Partners Chairman Lord Rothschild warns in his semi-annual address to investors, criticizing central bankers for what he called "the greatest experiment in monetary policy in the history of the world." The geopolitical situation is not getting easier: China's economic growth has slowed down, the election atmosphere in the US remains fraught and the conflict in the Middle East continues to rage on. Germany, France and the US have been subjected to terrorist attacks. To complicate matters even further the UK voted to leave the EU. Rothschild's concerns clearly indicate that the global economy is heading to a perfect storm due to the irresponsible monetary policies of Western central banks. Rothschild says that those who manage the Western economies do not know what they are doing, that they are improvising. They have no plan, no precise model or tested scheme, they are performing an experiment with nations pumping their economies with cheap money which they get out of thin air, "Countries are also acquiring gold in advance of a collapse of the international monetary system." http://en.ria.ru/politics/20160819/1044443930/rothschild-gold-dollar.html Russian Strategic Bombers Deployed To Iran; Russian Senator Says Nuclear Weapons, Heavy Bombers Will Not Be Permanently Deployed In Syria August 16, 2016 The Russian Ministry of Defense today, August 16, 2016] announced that Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and Su-34 fighter bombers had taken off from Iran's Hamadan airbase in order to strike the Islamic State (ISIS) and Jabhat Fath Al-Sham (formerly Jabhat Al-Nusra) in Syria. This is the first time Russia openly acknowledges it has deployed strategic bombers in Iran. On August 11, 2016, Russian media also reported that Moscow plans to turn the Hmeymim base, located in Syria's northwestern Latakia province, into a fully operational base. "Russia can greatly increase the number of mission sorties by its composite air group in Syria... and carrier aviation of the Admiral Kuznetsov cruiser (on combat duty in the Mediterranean from October 2016 until January 2017). And the armistice could be left in effect only for those who adhere to its terms, including western instructors of the Syrian 'opposition groups.' I think it would be fair. "Once, Russian leaders warned our Western partners: You'd better not touch Ukraine. They did not listen. And what is the result? The Kremlin's position on the civil war in Syria was not taken into account until recently either. And it looks like our Western partners are still supplying weapons to Middle Eastern terrorists. What are they hoping for? In the German magazine Der Spiegel, Sergey Karaganov, the Russian president's advisor, plainly explains to the West: If Russia has to go to war, it will not be the way you are planning. http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9396.htm Daniel 8: 3, 4: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.” US officials: Up to 100,000 Iran-backed fighters now in Iraq August 16, 2016 As many as 100,000 Iranian-backed Shiite militia are now fighting on the ground in Iraq, according to U.S. military officials -- raising concerns that should the Islamic State be defeated, it may only be replaced by another anti-American force that fuels further sectarian violence in the region. “The effect of the Obama administration’s policy has been to replace American boots on the ground with the Iranian’s. As Iran advances, one anti-American actor is being replaced with another,” Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said in a recent phone interview. The U.S. military also confirming that Russian bombers are now flying into Syria from a base in Iran. The growth also could create greater risk for Americans operating in the country, as at least one Iran-backed group vowed earlier this year to attack U.S. forces supporting the Iraqis. Even more troubling to the U.S. military are reports that Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian general who commands the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, is now on the ground outside Mosul ahead of an expected operation to retake Iraq’s second-largest city which has been under ISIS control for the past two years." http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/08/16/us-officials-up-to-100000-iran-backed-fighters-now-in-iraq.html Jordan's King Abdullah vows to fight Israeli 'extremism' at Temple Mount 08/15/2016 King warns failure to reach a two-state solution inflames "violence and extremism in the region." As part of the 1994 peace agreement between the two countries, Jordan was given management of the Temple Mount and al-Aksa Mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims. Tensions have frequently erupted on the Temple Mount and Palestinians have claimed that Israeli efforts to "Judaize" the site have motivated the current wave of violence in Israel. The king accused Israel of attempting to "violate the sanctity and compromise al-Aksa Mosque," and added that, "Our responsibility towards the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem is our top priority in the international arena, and we use all means necessary to defend al-Aksa Mosque." http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Jordans-King-Abdullah-vows-to-fight-Israeli-extremism-at-Temple-Mount-464136?utm_source=newsletter+15-08-2016&utm_campaign=newsletter_15_8 The women waiting, and weaving, for the Third Temple A group of religious activists is diligently laying the groundwork for a renewed sanctuary. ‘Step by step, patiently, we are preparing,’ August 15, 2016 The Temple Mount, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque atop it, have been a recurring source of tension in Jerusalem in recent years. Palestinians have cited Israeli “provocations” there as one of the main catalysts for months of violent attacks this year and late last year. They have become increasingly wary of Israel’s intentions at the holy site, often accusing the Jewish state of attempting to impose greater control over the compound, and even of planning to eliminate the mosque and establish Jewish hegemony there. There is, however, a growing number of Israelis for whom the dream of establishing a third temple in the place of Al-Aqsa is far from outlandish or absurd: It is a life’s mission. And they are slowly but surely moving from the fringes of the religious right into the country’s corridors of power. On the eve of the Tisha B’Av fast on Sunday, in which Jews commemorate the destruction of the First and Second temples, Channel 2 news followed a group of female devotees who call themselves “Women for the Temple” and are diligently toiling in private as well as public forums to realize their dream of a third temple in Jerusalem. http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-women-waiting-and-weaving-for-the-third-temple/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=502db41cfd-2016_08_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-502db41cfd-54606857 US Nuclear-Bomber Triad in Pacific for First Time as China Reaches Boiling Point 08.12.2016 With tensions in the South China Sea and throughout the Pacific Rim at increasing levels, the Obama Administration adds fuel to the fire by dispatching enough nuclear weaponry to kill everyone in the region. The United States has dispatched its three strategic bomber types to the Pacific region for the first time, in a bid to reassure allies amid growing aggression from China in the wake of the Hague-based Court of Arbitration ruling against Beijing’s claim to territories in the South China Sea, and the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system. The US Air Force announcement cited the need to ward off potential adversaries but refused to explicitly name China, whose growing military strength puts Beijing on other side of the American nuclear barrel, though the connection is "clear," according to IHS Jane’s Defense. Additionally, the region has become increasingly unstable due to a proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles at the hand of the unstable regime of Kim Jong-Un in North Korea. The movement of US B-1Bs, B-2As, and B-52Hs to the Pacific region has not only incensed of China, but has left North Korea feeling cornered, accusing the US of planning a preemptive nuclear strike against Pyongyang, http://en.ria.ru/military/20160812/1044182905/nuclear-bomber-triad-china-pyongyang.html Christians in Germany hiding Bibles amid death threats from Muslim migrants AUGUST 11, 2016 In Italy in June, Christians were ordered to “pray in silence” so as not to offend Muslim migrants; now in Germany, Christians are being forced to hide their Bibles due to death threats from migrant Muslims. Christians are also being attacked, intimated, and being told they are “as impure as a dog”, while the toys of Christian children are being destroyed. At the press conference Ms. Mousapour, who converted to Christianity more than 25 years ago, reported that Christians face various forms of persecution in migrant housing. She warned that Christians living in migrant housing are told they are “impure as a dog” and deserved death for rejecting Islam. “Toys of Christian children are being destroyed, Christian asylum seekers are told not only to wash their dishes after eating but also that they must clean the entire kitchen as it would otherwise be ‘unclean’. Many Muslim asylum seekers call all Christians unclean. Church services are held in secret, bibles and crucifixes have to be hidden,” she explained. Ms Mousapour, pastor of the Evangelical Free Church, disclosed that even converts who no longer live in migrant housing attract Muslims’ ire, and recounted her experience of being threatened at knifepoint on the street. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician called the anti-Christian hate crimes “horrific attacks on our fundamental values and our Constitution. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/08/christians-in-germany-hiding-bibles-amid-death-threats-from-muslim-migrants Pentagon: Iran improved ballistic missiles after nuclear deal A new report, published by the US Department of Defense, outlines Iran's sins as a growing cyber and ballistic security threat 8/12/16 Iran has ramped up its cyber-attack capabilities and developed more advanced ballistic missiles since the nuclear deal was signed in November 2013, the US Department of Defense wrote in a partially published report. Iran retains “a substantial inventory of missiles capable of reaching targets throughout the region, including U.S. military bases and Israel,” the Pentagon announced in its annual report to Congress on Iran’s military might. Iran has conducted several ballistic missile tests since the deal was reached. The most recent, modeled off of North Korea’s Musudan ballistic missile, had a range of 2,500 miles. In May, the Islamic Republic demonstrated the power of a missile which extended 1,250 miles. In March, Iran tested a missile with an 870-mile range, which had "Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth" written along it in Hebrew. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/216311 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Notorious Iraq militia leader once held by US threatens Americans on the battlefield August 09, 2016 The powerful commander of an Iran-backed Shiite militia in Iraq -- whom the U.S. freed after the kidnapping deaths of four American soldiers in 2007 -- has hinted that his fighters could blend in with Iraqi forces to kill Americans on the battlefield in Mosul. Qais al-Khazali, leader of the paramilitary group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, "brags that he can wear any uniform in the Iraqi military, meaning that right now, his men are part of the Iraqi security forces that our men and women are training and advising. All he has to do is give the order." http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/08/09/notorious-iraq-militia-leader-once-held-by-us-threatens-americans-on-battlefield.html The Iranian Plan to Destroy the United States (Graphic) This is another verification of Iran’s sinister plan to destroy America. Daniel 8 will soon be a stark reality – and it is on course to begin anytime. http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/the-iranian-plan-to-destroy-the-united-states/ Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Russia accuses US of backing Syrian rebels who use poison gas on civilians Aug. 04, 2016 Russia's foreign ministry sharply criticized U.S. behavior in Syria Thursday, accusing Washington of backing rebels who use poison gas against civilians and of killing hundreds in airstrikes. The ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, referred to rebels supported by Washington as "animals" and said Washington and its allies were recklessly carrying out air attacks leading to numerous civilian deaths. Moscow backs President Bashar Assad and his forces, while Washington supports rebel groups fighting both his government and ISIS militants. While the two countries argue over a possible peace plan, a battle for eastern Aleppo has erupted. Zakharova criticized the United States over an incident the Russian military said occurred on Aug. 2 in eastern Aleppo when rebels used poison gas, killing at least seven people. She blamed the Free Syrian Army's Nour al Din al-Zinki group for what she said was a crime. The same group, which has received U.S. military backing, said last month it was investigating the beheading of a young child in Aleppo. "The United States is supporting these animals who used poison gas against the civilian population," Zakharova wrote. "Unfortunately it's not the only tragedy which the 'moderates' backed by Washington stand behind." http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Aug-04/365594-russia-accuses-us-of-backing-syrian-rebels-who-use-poison-gas-on-civilians.ashx 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 : " for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." Temple Institute announces school to train Levitical priests The Temple Institute, dedicated to reestablishing the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, announces school for training Kohanim. August 3, 2016 The Temple Institute, dedicated to reestablishing the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and in keeping its memory alive, announced it is opening a school for training Levitical priests for their eventual service in a new temple. The institute ran several pilot programs in recent years and now "is embarking on a mission to teach Kohanim all the practical skills required to serve in the Third Holy Temple," it said in a statement. The Temple Institute hopes one day to replace the Dome of the Rock with the Third Holy Temple, but not by violent means. Observant Jews pray for that to happen in every daily prayer service, with some awaiting the appearance of the Messiah and others believing that they must act to bring the Messiah closer. Muslim religious and political leaders, however, use this to fan fears that Israel will change the status quo that has kept the site in control of a Jordanian authority, known as the Waqf. Speeches meant to inflame believers have led to repeated clashes over the years and were used to inspire a recent wave of murderous terrorist attacks aimed at Israeli. The Institute has reconstructed nearly all of the sacred vessels needed to perform the services in a rebuilt Temple in their original size, including the High Priest's breastplate featuring the 12 precious stones of the tribes of Israel, the half-ton golden menorah and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir. Visitors to the Old City can see the beautiful display of these vessels and see creative, animated films on how they were used at the Institute's center in the Jewish Quarter. The curriculum at the Nezer HaKodesh Institute for Kohanic Studies will include courses on the Temple service, theory and practice and the role and application of modern technology in the Third Temple, according to the Institute. “We are extremely excited to announce this new step towards the restoration of the Holy Temple service. We call first and foremost upon Kohanim worldwide to support this special project, which signifies a return to their birth right. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215910 Daniel 8 News: Supreme Leader Rejects Talks with US on Regional Issues as "Lethal Poison" August 1, 2016 Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that the experience of negotiations with Washington on the nuclear issue and the other side's disloyalty to its undertakings proved that talks with the US on the regional issues is a "lethal poison". "They (the Americans) want us to negotiate with them on the regional issues but the nuclear deal experience tells us that this (talks with the US) is a lethal poison and we cannot trust the Americans' words in any issue," Ayatollah Khamenei said. Noting that the regional problems and challenges between Iran and the US are insolvable through negotiations, he said, "The Americans want to take everything in return for nothing. Negotiations with such a government mean diversion from the correct path of the country's progress, making repeated concessions and bearing their bullying, violations and disloyalty in practice." Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the American officials' letters to Iran in recent years in which they showed respect and interest in cooperation with Tehran, and said, "We said two years ago that the nation will see the nuclear talks as an experience to see what the Americans would do in practice and now it has become clear that they are still busy with plots and destructive measures." http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950511001068 Mathhew 24:10: " And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." 'Why we hate you': ISIS reveals 6 reasons why they despise Westerners in jihadi magazine July 31, 2016 In an article entitled 'Why We Hate you and Want to Fight You', the 15th edition of the terrorists' periodical Dabiq spells out why the jihads are hell bent on destroying the West. Because you are disbelievers "We hate you, first and foremost, because you are disbelievers; you reject the oneness of Allah – whether you realize it or not – by making partners for Him in worship, you blaspheme against Him, claiming that He has a son, you fabricate lies against His prophets and messengers, and you indulge in all manner of devilish practices." 2 . Because you are liberal "We hate you because your secular, liberal societies permit the very things that Allah has prohibited while banning many of the things He has permitted, a matter that doesn’t concern you because you Christian disbelief and paganism 32 separate between religion and state, thereby granting supreme authority to your whims and desires via the legislators you vote into power." 3. Because some of you are atheist "In the case of the atheist fringe, we hate you and wage war against you because you disbelieve in the existence of your Lord and Creator." 7 More Reasons at: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/why-hate-you-isis-reveal-8533563 Daniel 8:3-4 : Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great." Envoy: Iraq Owes Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity to Iran Jul 30, 2016 Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Abboud al-Moussavi appreciated the Iranian officials for their anti-terrorism assistance to his country, and said without Iran's help, Iraq would have lost its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Hadn't it been for the Popular Mobilization forces, the Iraqi army and the Islamic Republic’s support, Iraq would have fallen by now. Iran’s presence in Iraq has entirely been based on the Iraqi government’s demand and is of an advisory nature,” he said. Al-Moussavi said that Iraq and Iran have “strategic relations", adding that, “the two countries form each other’s strategic depths and are both after stability and calm in the region”. “Should Iraq fall, so will every country in the region, and there will be chaos in all those countries,” he warned. Earlier this month, Secretary of Iran' Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani underlined his country's continued efforts to help Iraq and Syria in combat against the terrorist groups. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its advisory role and assistance to the Iraqi and Syrian governments until the full removal of the danger of the terrorist groups in the region," Shamkhani said in a meeting with Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Ammar al-Hakim in Tehran. He congratulated the Iraqi nation and government on the liberation of the strategic city of Fallujah from the terrorists' hands, and said, "Internal unity and using domestic capacities is a successful and reliable experience for continuing the fighting against terrorism, especially for the liberation of Mosul." http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950509000517 Iran threatens to shut off Strait of Hormuz Top army commander warns ‘enemies’ to avoid confrontation with Islamic Republic or risk closure of strategic channel July 28, 2016 Iran has threatened once again to close the Strait of Hormuz if the nation faces military action by its “enemies.” “If the enemy makes a small mistake, we will shut the Strait of Hormuz, kill their sedition in the bud and endanger the arrogant powers’ interests,” according to the Fars news agency. The deputy commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, warned that Iranian forces would close the strategic gateway to the Persian Gulf to the United States and its allies if they “threaten” the Islamic Republic. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-threatens-to-shut-off-strait-of-hormuz/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=51cf9ccac8-2016_07_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-51cf9ccac8-54606857 Iranian Basij Commander Naqdi Visits Quneitra, Syria July 28, 2016 Senior Iranian officials recently explained that the presence of Iranian forces in Syria and Lebanon is part of Iran's operation on several of its fronts against Israel. The Iranian news agency Fars also revealed that the commander of Iran's Basij militia recently visited Quneitra, Syria, near the Israeli border. Additionally, the Kayhan daily attempted, in its July 28, 2016 editorial, to win Europe over to the Iranian regime's anti-Israel rationale, calling for annihilating Israel in order to save Europe. In a discussion of the danger posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) to Europe, the paper explained that as long as Israel existed, terror groups like ISIS would reemerge, reach Europe, and slow terror in it. http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9354.htm Iran Commander: US Willing to Attack Iran, but Deterred Jul 24, 2016 Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Pourdastan underlined that Washington has long sought to launch direct military action against Iran, but avoided the option due to the high level of preparedness and power of the Iranian Armed Forces."Do you think that the US isn’t interested in attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran? ( of course it is) But when it sees the Iranian soldiers whose fingers are on the trigger and hears the roaring of our missiles and helicopters, this acts as a deterrence." Describing the US as Iran's main enemy, he said, "We prepare ourselves for confrontation with the US and the proxy wars whose main actors are the Takfiri and terrorist groups."Referring to the failed US wars of the past decade, he said, "Washington seeks to weaken and marginalize countries that follow the Iranian Revolution as their role model; however, this is doomed to fail too. The US presence in the region causes insecurity and therefore it should leave," Rear Admiral Fadavi added. His comments came after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined in April that enemies never dare to launch a military attack against Iran, otherwise, they will face the Iranian Armed Forces' crushing response. "Sometimes, they threaten us with war and bombing, but these statements are nonsense overstatement since they aren’t prepared and don’t dare to do so and if, possibly, they embark on such an act, they will receive a slap in the face and a crushing response," Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing members of Iranian Students' Islamic Association in Tehran. He, meantime, warned of enemies' soft war against Iran, and said, "Now a comprehensive and creeping soft war is underway on the youth between the Islamic Republic of Iran on one hand and the US, the Zionists and their followers on the other hand." http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950503000903 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Iran, Iraq Discuss Anti-Terrorism Cooperation Jul 24, 2016 Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danayeefar and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri in a meeting in Baghdad on Sunday discussed mutual cooperation in the war on terrorism and extremism. During the meeting in the Iraqi capital today, Danayeefar and al-Jabouri underlined the need for collective efforts by all Muslim countries, specially Iran and Iraq, to uproot terrorism in the region. The two sides warned against the rising threat of terrorism endangering global peace and security. In a relevant development in June, Danayeefar in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad hailed the Iraqi army’s latest gains on the battlefield against ISIL, and said Tehran will keep up support for the Arab nation in its anti-terror fight. Danayeefar underlined Iran's determination “to stand by the Iraqi nation and government in the fight against terrorism” and praised “fresh victories over terrorists.” The two officials further discussed ways to consolidate bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of electricity as well as the developments in the region. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950503001088 Death of the Dollar – Is a Cashless Society Approaching? July 23, 2016 “Cash is becoming less a part of Americans’ purchasing behavior as they gravitate toward other payment options and shift toward online purchases, rather than transactions in a brick-and-mortar store. Younger American customers’ lower likelihood to use cash and greater comfort with not having it on hand suggest that the economy will have to adapt.” http://globalcurrencyreset.net/death-of-dollar-cashless-society-approaching/ Will We See Progress on the Third Temple Next Month? July 18, 2016 Since the month of July, 2016 began, Israel appears to be experiencing new energy around the Temple Mount. The funeral for 13 year-old Hallel Ariel who was stabbed to death as she lay in her bed in the Israeli city of Kiryat Arba, not far from the Biblical city of Hebron, took place on July 1. Hallel is the daughter of Rina Ariel, a well-known Temple activist and one of the founders of Women for the Mikdash (Temple). The appearance of the Temple on Mt. Moriah next month is conditional on the Godly behavior of the Jewish people. Bible codes are not meant to predict, but to indicate that certain times are auspicious, if the conditions are right. http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/72065/bible-codes-suggest-summer-ripe-building-third-temple/#glrhFOuVMb4redyu.99 Revelation 16:19: "Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." UNESCO head: Jerusalem is sacred to all three monotheistic faiths Vote on resolution that plays down Jewish connection to Jerusalem postponed until October due to failed coup in Turkey July 17, 2016 Jews, Muslims and Christians all have the right to claim historical ties to the Old City of Jerusalem, the head of the UN’s cultural body said Sunday, as the organization postponed until October a vote on a new resolution that seeks to downplay the Jewish connection to the ancient city. Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), issued a statement affirming that the Old City is sacred to the three monotheistic faiths. “The heritage of Jerusalem is indivisible, and each of its communities has a right to the explicit recognition of their history and relationship with the city. To deny or conceal any of the Jewish, Christian or Muslim traditions undermines the integrity of the site, and runs counter to the reasons that justified its inscription in 1981 as a World Heritage site,” http://www.timesofisrael.com/unesco-head-jerusalem-is-sacred-to-all-three-monotheistic-faiths/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=453de10117-2016_07_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-453de10117-54606857 Matthew 24:7 " And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." U.S. Doctor: 300,000 Face death or starvation in Aleppo, Syria July 17, 2016 An American doctor treating the horrific injuries suffered by Syrian civilians has warned that the closure of a vital highway has put 300,000 people at risk of death and starvation. Dr. Samer Attar, a Chicago-based orthopedic surgeon who volunteered to help local medics in the embattled city of Aleppo, said last weekend's severing of the Castello Road has already caused shortages of food and medicine. "People are running out of fresh fruit and meat. Hospitals and their staff are exhausted," he told NBC News from southeastern Turkey, where he returned after a two-week stint in a makeshift underground hospital. The entire city "is going to be bombed and starved to death … unless the international community acts," he said. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-doctor-300-000-face-death-or-starvation-aleppo-n609151 FAO warns of famine catastrophe in South Sudan July 17, 2016 Millions of people facing hunger in South Sudan will be driven to the brink of catastrophe if renewed flashes of violence derail the fragile peace process, said the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Saturday. The organization called for calm and stability, warning that if peace could not hold, human costs of recent fighting in Juba would be compounded by deepening hunger across the country. The most recent assessment, released last month, showed South Sudan was already in dire straits, with over 4.8 million people severely food insecure. The assessment projected severe food shortages over the months to come and warned of the risk of hunger crises in parts of the country. http://dailytimes.com.pk/world/17-Jul-16/fao-warns-of-famine-catastrophe-in-south-sudan Nigeria May Be on Brink of Famine July 17, 2016 Nigeria is in need of $164 million in humanitarian funding to prevent thousands of deaths from malnutrition in its war-torn northeast, a United Nations humanitarian coordinator said this week. The ongoing conflict between Nigeria’s military and the Boko Haram insurgency is to blame for the growing hunger crisis in the northeast, humanitarian officials say. The seven-year-old war has disrupted planting and marketplaces, killed more than 20,000 people and forced 2.7 million to flee in Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. “We’ve got as many as 250,000 children in the northeast of Nigeria who are severely acutely malnourished and we could lose up to 50,000 children before the end of the year if we don’t scale up right now,” Toby Lanzer, the U.N.’s regional humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel, told VOA. http://www.voanews.com/content/nigeria-food-crisis/3418329.html Matthew 24:12 : “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Anarchy in South Sudan: Mass looting of aid to leave many hungry and desperate 17 July, 2016 It was looting on an epic scale; a month’s worth of food aid for over 220,000 South Sudanese, all stolen in just two days along with the giant warehouses that stored it. As fighting raged between rival forces in the capital Juba last week, the UN’s World Food Program’s main logistics hub was picked clean. WFP says it is “outraged” by the theft of more than 4,500 tons of food “intended for the poorest and most vulnerable people” in a country trying to stave off famine. At least 300 people were killed in the city between July 8 and 11 during clashes pitting government forces against former rebels, and in the anarchy of war, many took advantage to steal what they could. More than a third of South Sudan’s population are expected to face severe food shortages over the coming months and the war-torn nation runs the risk of a “hunger catastrophe,” according to the UN. WFP warned that the loss of the “vital” aid “will severely hamper” its efforts to support those caught up in the fighting. http://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/1990903/anarchy-south-sudan-mass-looting-aid-leave-many-hungry-and South Korea: THAAD anarchy Residents should stop protests for protests' sake July 17, 2016 Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where advanced U.S. missile interceptors will be deployed, has turned into a land of lawlessness. THAAD deployment is a national security issue and the government should keep channels for dialogue open but act resolutely to maintain law and order, because the issue differs from the Sewol ferry sinking, the result of a systematic failure for which the government should take the blame. If the government shows any sign of confusing Seongju with Sewol, as shown by Prime Minister Hwang's ill-prepared visit, it would only cause the THAAD issue to become out of proportion. The test is still not finished. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2016/07/202_209606.html Judge Pirro reacts to ambush: Martial Law is coming as anarchy, killing cops is now becoming legitimized July 17, 2016 Fox News’ Judge Jeanine Pirro responded to the shooting of seven police officers Sunday in Baton Rouge, with three of the cops being killed. “Unfortunately, today the uniform is almost like a target,” Pirro proclaimed. Referencing the five law enforcement officers killed in Dallas earlier this month along with the Baton Rouge shooting, the Fox News host said the attacks are “an attempt at anarchy.” Worse yet, she’s concerned about these atrocities are becoming the norm. “With this happening in Baton Rouge, my fear is that the attempt to kill cops and killing cops is now becoming normalized,” Pirro said. “It’s now becoming legitimized.” And she made no secret that it starts at the top in the White House with President Barack Obama, who Pirro said is “more concerned about a conversation” that ends up protecting the criminal, not the victim. http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/07/17/judge-pirro-reacts-to-ambush-martial-law-is-coming-as-anarchy-killing-cops-is-now-becoming-legitimized-366462#ixzz4EhKU99Ta Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Report: North Korea can produce as many as 21 nuclear weapons July 14, 2016 The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee said North Korea has the capability to manufacture as many as 21 nuclear weapons. A bill condemning North Korea's nuclear tests includes an amendment revising an earlier estimate of 10-16 weapons of mass destruction. According to the change, that estimate now stands at 13-21 nuclear bombs. The amendment also indicated the deployment of U.S. anti-missile defense system THAAD may considerably improve the ability to respond to North Korea's missile attacks. On Wednesday, South Korea confirmed the location where the THAAD system would be deployed sometime in late 2017. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has stated that the nuclear threat from North Korea must be met with a response. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/07/14/Report-North-Korea-can-produce-as-many-as-21-nuclear-weapons/8831468502777/ France: The Coming Civil War July 16, 2016 "We are on the verge of a civil war." That quote did not come from a fanatic or a lunatic. No, it came from head of France's homeland security, the DGSI, Patrick Calvar. He has, in fact, spoken of the risk of a civil war many times. On July 12th, he warned a commission of members of parliament, in charge of a survey about the terrorist attacks of 2015, about it. In May 2016, he delivered almost the same message to another commission of members of parliament, this time in charge of national defense. "Europe," he said, "is in danger. Extremism is on the rise everywhere, and we are now turning our attention to some far-right movements who are preparing a confrontation". What kind of confrontation? "Intercommunity confrontations," he said -- polite for "a war against Muslims." "One or two more terrorist attacks," he added, "and we may well see a civil war." If the establishment does not want to see that civil war was already declared by extremist Muslims first -- if they do not want to see that the enemy is not the Front National in France, the AfD in Germany, or the Sweden Democrats -- but Islamism in France, in Belgium, in Great Britain, in Sweden -- then a civil war will happen. France, like Germany and Sweden, has a military and police strong enough to fight against an internal Islamist enemy. But first, they have to name it and take measures against it. If they do not -- if they leave their native citizens in despair, with no other means than to arm themselves and retaliate -- yes, civil war is inevitable. http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8489/france-the-coming-civil-war Danon: 120,000 Hezbollah missiles aimed at Israel Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon revealed new intelligence information at the UN showing Hezbollah bases next to schools. 7/12/2016 The UN Security Council held a special meeting today (Tuesday) on the situation in the Middle East. At the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon revealed new intelligence information which included aerial photographs of a village that was converted into a terrorist stronghold, as well as details concerning Hezbollah's armaments. "Hezbollah didn't stop here; it chose to locate its stations near schools and other public facilities, in doing so putting innocent civilians in danger." Danon emphasized that "it is the responsibility of the UN Security Council to remove Hezbollah from Southern Lebanon." Danon also noted whereas in 2006 Hezbollah had 7,000 missiles, today Hezbollah currently has more than 120,000 missiles pointed at population centers within Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214853 Obama admin brushes aside reports that Iran is buying key nuclear materials July 11, 2016 German Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear this week that the intelligence shows “Iran continued unabated to develop its rocket program in conflict with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council,” particularly one Security Council resolution that bars Iran from pursuing ballistic missile technology. “The Obama Administration can’t ignore the sheer weight of evidence showing Iran isn’t upholding its side of the bargain,” McCarthy said. “From illicit procurement for its nuclear program to testing ballistic missiles, Iran is showing that it had no intention of ever following international agreements, even ones that granted them enormous concessions. “The administration’s decision to continue implementing the deal and ignore Iran’s actions isn’t just delusional, it’s dangerous,” he added. “Iran must be stopped, which is why we need the sanctions legislation we are voting on this week.” The German intelligence report’s “naming of more than 1,000 associates of Iranian-backed terrorist groups that are living in Germany should serve as a wake-up call to the U.S. and other European countries who are prefer to ignore Tehran’s active support for entities like Hezbollah and Hamas.” https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/07/obama-admin-brushes-aside-reports-that-iran-is-buying-key-nuclear-materials John 16:2-3 " They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." How Suspected Muslim Fanatics Hacked Female Redeemed Church Preacher to Death July 11, 2016 Eunice, who was a deaconess at the Divine Touch Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Old NEPA Road, Phase 4, Kubwa, was reportedly beheaded and stabbed in the stomach and leg by her killers, but a statement by the police has already debunked that claim. It was learnt that her killers left her in the pool of her blood and carefully put her "severed head on her Bible, with megaphone and cell phone beside her dead body" but the Commissioner of Police in a statement said her body was intact. According to him, "She goes out every morning for "Morning Cry" (Evangelism), which means when she wakes up in the morning, she takes her megaphone and preaches around the neighborhood. "On Saturday she went out the same time, around 6:30 am, two of my children used to go out to play football at a field close to the house, but my children came back and told me that they heard some footballers saying that a woman preaching this morning was killed, and her megaphone was still there, that they cut her head and her legs." http://saharareporters.com/2016/07/11/how-suspected-muslim-fanatics-hacked-female-redeemed-church-preacher-death-abuja More Daniel 8 news: Iranian commander calls for the destruction of Israel Revolutionary Guards leader claims that Iran has 100,000 missiles ready and stashed in Lebanon. 07/11//16 This is a video report from Israel. Iran is going to get in trouble with Israel if they keep this up! http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214773 Iran vows to continue developing ballistic missiles 7/10/2016 Iran declares it will continue its ballistic missile program, despite criticism on the issue by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. A defiant Iran declared on Saturday it will continue its ballistic missile program, even after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the missile tests are not in the spirit of the country's landmark nuclear deal with world powers, The Associated Press reports. Ban's report, issued late last week, said Iran's recent ballistic missile tests were inconsistent with the nuclear deal it signed with world powers. He also called on the Islamic Republic to stop the tests and said they increase tensions in the Middle East. Iran on Friday rejected the report as "unrealistic", and urged the UN chief to issue a “fair report in which he also mentions America is not fulfilling its commitments under the deal.” The U.S., France, Britain and Germany called in March for the Security Council to discuss "appropriate responses" to Iran's ballistic missile activity, which they said was "destabilizing and provocative." Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi described the international response as "strange," adding that "I think a conspiracy is taking shape." A defiant Iran declared on Saturday it will continue its ballistic missile program, even after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the missile tests are not in the spirit of the country's landmark nuclear deal with world powers, The Associated Press reports. The Iranian regime fired a number of ballistic missiles in tests across the country. The words “annihilate Israel” were reportedly written on the missiles, and Iranian officials claimed the missile systems being developed were needed “to confront the Zionist entity” and to ensure “its collapse”. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has expressed support for the tests, and has stressed that missiles, and not negotiations, will be a part of his country’s future relations with the outside world. Furthermore, a senior Iranian commander just recently threatened Israel with annihilation, and said his country has over 100,000 missiles waiting in Lebanon alone capable of destroying Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214714 America Has Become a Lawless Nation – Hillary Clinton Magically Cleared By the FBI July 5th, 2016 It is hard to be proud to be an American today after watching FBI director James Comey magically clear Hillary Clinton of all wrongdoing. Sadly, Comey is likely to go down in history as the man that struck the final death blow to the rule of law in America. During his address to the media, Comey admitted that Clinton sent or received 110 emails in 52 email chains that contained classified material at the time they were sent. But of course there were probably many more. Comey told the press that it was “likely that there are other work-related emails that they did not produce … that are now gone because they deleted all emails they did not return to State, and the lawyers cleaned their devices.” So basically Clinton turned over to the FBI whatever she felt like turning over, and then she destroyed the rest of the evidence. As a former lawyer, this infuriates me, but it doesn’t surprise me. There is no way of getting around this: According to Director James Comey (disclosure: a former colleague and longtime friend of mine), Hillary Clinton checked every box required for a felony violation of Section 793(f) of the federal penal code (Title 18): With lawful access to highly classified information she acted with gross negligence in removing and causing it to be removed it from its proper place of custody, and she transmitted it and caused it to be transmitted to others not authorized to have it, in patent violation of her trust. Director Comey even conceded that former Secretary Clinton was “extremely careless” and strongly suggested that her recklessness very likely led to communications (her own and those she corresponded with) being intercepted by foreign intelligence services. In essence, in order to give Mrs. Clinton a pass, the FBI rewrote the statute, inserting an intent element that Congress did not require. The added intent element, moreover, makes no sense: The point of having a statute that criminalizes gross negligence is to underscore that government officials have a special obligation to safeguard national defense secrets; when they fail to carry out that obligation due to gross negligence, they are guilty of serious wrongdoing. The lack of intent to harm our country is irrelevant. People never intend the bad things that happen due to gross negligence. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/america-has-become-a-lawless-nation-hillary-clinton-magically-cleared-by-the-fbi Iowa: 'Some' churches must comply with transgender bathroom laws July 05, 2016 That’s the issue raised by a brochure published by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. They contend that any church that opens its doors to the public would be required to comply with sexual orientation and gender identity laws. Hiram Sasser, the law firm’s director of litigation, said the Commission’s brochure means churches would be required to let transgender individuals use the bathrooms of their choice. “It further compels our client to use specific pronouns when referring to certain ‘gender identities’ and prohibits our client from even teaching its religious beliefs,” Sasser said. “This is an unprecedented move by a government agency to mandate that anytime a church opens its doors to the public that it automatically qualifies as a place of public accommodation,” Youman said. “And this is just the tip of the iceberg.” Pastor Cary Gordon accused the Iowa Civil Rights Commission of “acting like a First Amendment Gestapo – to hunt down and harass churches and local businesses trying to live out their Christian convictions.” http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/07/05/iowa-some-churches-must-comply-with-transgender-bathroom-laws.html?intcmp=hplnws Great Recession 2.0: Global Investment Skid to a Halt Signaling Crisis 7/5/2016 Those with money are opting to keep it in their pockets these days out of concern for the world’s economic and political stability, but such fear means fewer things made, fewer factories built, and fewer jobs available to the average worker. Global investment banking activity fell by nearly a quarter in the first half of 2016 compared to a year earlier according to Thomson Reuters data released on Monday. The softness in the financial sector means suggests that the world’s markets are perilously susceptible to capsizing as post-Brexit market volatility sets in. Global fees collected for mergers and acquisitions consulting and capital market underwriting fell 23% to $37.1 billion at the end of June, the slowest first half for fees since 2012. The collapse of new investment activity is a leading indicator showing that the world’s economy is set for a rough landing in late-2016. While the lead up to Brexit is faulted by Thomson Reuters economists as a reason for the faltering in investment outlays, the reality is that the market did not price in the possibility that Britain would leave as was evidenced in the two workdays following the vote where the world’s wealthiest lost over $3 trillion. http://en.ria.ru/business/20160705/1042439091/economy-recession-investment-market-meltdown.html Matthew 24:6: " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. " China: Japan's Risky Jet Scramble 'Destroyed Peace and Stability in Region' 07/5/2016 Tensions continue to mount in the East China Sea as Beijing now finds itself encircled by increasingly hostile neighbors bolstered by the Obama administration’s meddling. On Monday, China’s defense ministry issued a stern statement to Japan regarding a scramble of military aircraft that looks to heat up mounting tensions in the East China Sea tinderbox. “The Japanese plane’s provocative actions caused an accident in the air, endangering the safety of personnel on both side, and destroying the peace and stability in the region,” China’s Defense Ministry said while arguing that the Chinese pilots “responded resolutely.” The two countries continue to clash over the ownership of a group of islands that lie about 140 miles northeast of Taiwan, known as the Senkakus in Tokyo and the Diaoyu Islands in Beijing. China worries that a recent defense agreement signed between Washington and Tokyo that provides Japan with full and equal defense contracting privileges as American companies will result in a more militaristic policy from their neighbor and long-time foe. Those concerns appear to be well placed with the United States, India and Japan engaging in massive naval exercises along China’s eastern flank as part of the Obama administration’s bid to encircle China. http://en.ria.ru/asia/20160705/1042436137/beijing-tokyo-military-jets-scramble.html U.S. Mideast Retreat a Boon for Moscow and Tehran July 3, 2016 The United States is in retreat in the Middle East, and the adverse implications of this policy shift are manifold. These range from acceleration of Tehran's drive to regional hegemony; to the spread of jihadist Islam; to the palpable risk of regional nuclear proliferation following the July 2015 Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), to Russia's growing penetration of the region; to the possible satellization of the Persian Gulf and the Caspian basin by a resurgent Iran. The manifest U.S. weakness is also bound to have ripple effects far beyond the Middle East as more and more global players question the value of a partnership with a vacillating and feckless Washington.Above all, Washington has desisted from confronting Iran on its nuclear program, instead going to great lengths to ac-accommodate it. President Obama proudly contends that by concluding the July 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, he has resolved one of the outstanding security risks in the region before leaving office. In fact, the deal legitimizes a large nuclear infrastructure in Iran, leaves it with the ability to produce nuclear weapons within a relatively short time, and ignores the fundamental national security interests of at least two key U.S. allies: Israel and Saudi Arabia. The subsequent removal of international economic sanctions—with no reciprocal requirement for any change in Iranian regional policy—positions Tehran to reap great financial benefits at no cost. As noted, the nuclear deal with Iran is not linked to any demand for a change in Tehran's foreign policy or its military build-up. The Islamist regime continues to invest in its missile program and naval capabilities and to pursue its interventionist policies with great vigor, boasting the control of four Arab capitals: Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus and Sanaa (Yemen). http://www.meforum.org/6042/us-mideast-retreat Daniel 8 News: Iranian military official: We have 100,000 missiles in Lebanon ready to hit Israel 07/03/2016 According to Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the IRGC, "the opportunity to destroy Israel is now better than ever." The country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for student associations to establish a “unified anti-US and anti-Zionist front” among the Muslim world’s students, Tasnim News Agency reported. “Today, the grounds for the annihilation and collapse of the Zionist regime are [present] more than ever,” he declared, saying there are “tens of thousands of destructive long-range missiles” from Islamic territories aiming at all of “occupied” Israel. “If the Zionists make a wrong move, all the occupied territories will come under attack from dedicated fighters and, God willing, the territories will be liberated,” Salami warned: on Friday “more than 100,000 missiles are ready to fly from Lebanon”. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Iranian-military-official-We-have-100000-missiles-in-Lebanon-ready-to-hit-Israel-459350?utm_source=newsletter+03-07-2016&utm_campaign=newsletter_3_7 Iranian al-Quds Day resolution demands elimination of ‘cancerous’ Israel July 2, 2016 Destroying Jewish state is Muslim world’s ‘top priority,’ declares text; top military official says 100,000 missiles in Lebanon ready to hit Zionist regime. A resolution issued in Iran to mark Friday’s anti-Israel al-Quds Day openly calls for the elimination of “the cancerous tumor of Israel,” and declares this “noble cause” as the top priority for the Muslim world. “We Iranians as a united and integrated nation see liberation of the Holy Quds (Jerusalem), rescuing the oppressed and defenseless Palestinian nation from the dominance of the fake Zionist regime, and efforts aimed at eliminating the cancerous tumor of Israel as the noble cause of the Islamic Revolution.” This goal is the “first priority of the Muslim World and the only way to confront the illegitimate and criminal Zionist regime,” the text continued. Iranians staged anti-Israel rallies across the country for the annual al-Quds Day events, a tradition established by the late ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on the last Friday of Ramadan. Some protesters trampled the Israeli flag, and also chanted “down with the USA.” http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-al-quds-day-resolution-demands-elimination-of-cancerous-israel/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0539293c69-2016_07_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0539293c69-54606857 Rouhani laments: Syria war means hard to focus on harming Israel Tens of thousands attend Iran's annual anti-Israel Quds Day. President laments ISIS, Syria making it harder to focus on destroying Israel. 7/1/2016 Tens of thousands joined pro-Palestinian rallies in Tehran on Friday, as the annual Quds Day protests take on broader meaning for a region mired in bitter disputes and war. Israel and its perceived supporters in the United States and Britain are still the main bogeymen of the Quds (Jerusalem) Day protests, which saw thousands more rally across Iran and in allied countries. But the focus has also turned to the deepening rivalry with Saudi Arabia and jihadists such as ISIS. Huge groups of protesters converged on Tehran University under a blistering summer sun. Many -- from young children to elderly ladies -- sported red bandanas with "I love fighting Israel" written on them. President Hassan Rouhani, attending the rally, said regional conflicts were making it increasingly difficult to address the Palestinian issue. "Today, due to the divisions in the Islamic world, the presence of takfiris (Sunni extremists) and terrorists in the region... we are far away from the ideal of liberating Palestine," he told state TV, calling for greater unity between Muslims. Many in Iran see these divisions as part of a deliberate conspiracy. One elderly man at Friday's rally led a group in shouting "Damned House of Saud, dogs of America!" in reference to the leaders of Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia. "If all the Muslims of the world keep saying this, we can destroy the Zionist regime." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214360#.V3eyx_krLIU 2 Timothy 3:1 : "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:" Fmr. Defense Secretary Cohen: There's No Place to Hide from Terror June 30, 2016 With fears rising ahead of the busy Fourth of July weekend, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen joined the FOX Business Network’s Connell McShane to discuss the threat of terrorism. “There’s no place to hide. The fact that the focus is now on airports doesn’t mean that you can go to any other place and feel reasonably safe. The next attack might come at a mall. It might come at a popular restaurant or a [disco] or any other place where people gather,” he said. The former Secretary of Defense said even though measures can be taken to “extend the perimeters” of security in planes and airports, terrorists will always find a soft target to create chaos. “We have to be concerned about [terrorists]. We have to double and make sure we intensify our intelligence and look at those who are traveling who might be suspicious because of their past travels. But frankly, there’s really no safe place that one can be today and rest assure that nothing will happen,” he said. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/06/30/fmr-defense-secretary-cohen-theres-no-place-to-hide-from-terror.html Daniel 8 News: U.S. Legitimizes Iranian Presence and Activity in Iraq June 30, 2016 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was asked whether Iran's influence in Iraq was "more helpful or more harmful." He replied: "Look, we have challenges with Iran as everybody knows, and we're working on those challenges. But I can tell you that Iran in Iraq has been, in certain ways, helpful, and they clearly are focused on ISIL-Daesh, and so we have a common interest, actually." This statement grants U.S. legitimacy to Iran's military presence and activity on Iraqi soil, based on the claim that Iran and the U.S. have shared interests in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and that "Iran is a helpful" element. Additionally, Kerry claims that Iran's focus in Iraq is the war against ISIS. According to this statement, Kerry is disregarding the activity by Iran and the Shi'ite militias that it operates in Iraq against the local Sunni population, as well as reports of ethnic cleansing and targeting of non-Shi'ite civilians in the country. Likewise, in granting this legitimacy, he has set no conditions or restrictions, thereby giving a U.S. seal of approval to the Iranian regime's historic ambition to bring Iraq under its control and divide it into Shi'ite and Sunni sections. It should be noted that for the past two years, Iran has been operating militarily in Iraq by means of Shi'ite militias that it established under the command of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Qods Force commander Qassem Suleimani, and also, recently, with direct involvement of Iranian troops. http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9290.htm International Quds Day: Why It Matters after so Many Decades? Jun 30, 2016 On Friday, July 1, the Iranian nation and Muslims around the world once again take to the streets to raise their voice in support of the Palestinian people. Quds Day is held annually on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan during which demonstrators call for the liberation of Palestine and an end to the Israeli occupation. It was proclaimed in 1979 by the late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution as a religious duty for all Muslims to rally in solidarity against Israel and for the liberation of Al-Quds. As always, efforts will be made in the West to trouble the rallies to make more difficult for people to take part in the event by calling them "anti-semitic, anti-Jewish, pro-Hamas, pro-Hezbollah event", even on the grounds of the legislature, which is not surprising. After all, it was the West which created Israel in the first place. The key message here is that the Quds Day is not about hate speech or anti-semitism, and certainly not an attempt to demonise Jewish people. This is about condemning an apartheid regime that refuses to end occupation and state terrorism. The widespread rallies send several other messages to the world community, in particular the United States and its allies, which continue to support Israel and its crimes against humanity in breach of international protocols: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950410001229 Iranian President: Regional Conflicts Aimed at Diverting Attention from Israeli Crimes June 29, 2016 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined that the main goal of the current turmoil and crises in the regional states is diverting attentions from the Zionists' 70 years of occupation and crimes against the Palestinian nation. "By behind-the-scene attempts, terror, and creating conflicts among the regional and Muslim world countries and Muslim against Muslim and Muslim against Christian wars in recent years, the Zionists are trying to make others forget their crimes and make the Muslims, the regional people and the world forget the oppressed Palestine and the savagery of the Zionists," Rouhani said, addressing a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday. Rouhani called on all Iranian and world nations to show massive turnout in the International Quds Day rallies on Friday. His remarks came as millions of Muslims across the world are preparing to participate in the International Quds Day rallies on Friday to voice support for the Palestinian nation against the Israeli regime. The International Quds (Jerusalem) Day was started by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in 1979 as a way of expressing solidarity with the Palestinians and underscoring importance of the holy Quds to Muslims. International Quds Day is an annual event opposing Israel's occupation of Beitul-Muqaddas. Anti-Zionist rallies and demonstrations are held on the last Friday of Ramadan in Muslim and Arab countries around the world, and especially in Iran. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950409000834 Iran: Palestinians' 3rd Intifada to Burn Israel June 29, 2016 "The third Intifada will inflame the Zionist regime's security and life," Firouzabadi said, addressing a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday. He referred to the Zionists' attempts to speed up judaization of the West Bank and the occupied Quds city under the cover of the regional events and the Islamic resistance's entanglement in enemies' proxy and terrorist wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and said, "The Zionists' attempts for judaization of Beit al-Muqaddas will never yield their desired results and the fire ignited in the West Bank will burn their dreams." "Intifada is an important opportunity for Palestine and you should endeavor to keep this stream alive and God will help you on the path of Intifada until victory”. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950408001030 LGBT Crowd Eyes Preschool Children June 29, 2016 When enrolling your children in preschool, a curriculum check will now be mandatory. "There was once a time when it was unthinkable to even mention the topic of homosexuality in a school setting," said one pro-family activist. A new web series called "Queer Kids Stuff" aimed at preschoolers (yes, you read that right) is now attempting to teach those barely out of diapers what the phrases "gay," "bisexual," and "transgender" mean. In the opening minutes of the first show, the host tells a teddy bear, as well as innocent viewers, that "gay means love." Although no U.S. preschool programs have indicated yet that they will embrace the series, it may only be a matter of time. "It is easily conceivable that videos such as these will be sanctioned eventually by local school boards and implemented in preschool and prekindergarten classes," said Sean Ryan, communications director of the pro-family organization Mass Resistance http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/06/27/lgbt-crowd-eyes-preschool-children.html?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obnetwork No 'Significant' Change In Iranian Behavior since Nuke Deal, Obama Admin Admits June 29, 2016 Almost one year after the international nuclear deal was announced last July, Brett McGurk, President Obama’s special envoy in the fight against the Islamic State, said Tuesday there has been no “significant” change in Iran’s behavior in Syria under the international nuclear deal. Mr. McGurk said Tehran remains a strong political and military supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom U.S. officials insist must step down as part of any final settlement of the country’s bloody 5-year-old civil war. “I have not seen a significant change in Iranian behavior. They are fighting [the Islamic State] from time to time, but they’re primarily working to prop up the Assad regime,” Mr. McGurk told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the status of the fight against the jihadi group that controls large parts of both Iraq and Syria. Mr. McGurk said the Islamic Republic is supporting some Shiite militia groups in Iraq that are operating outside of the central government’s legal authority— an act that is “threatening Iraq’s own sovereignty.” http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/28/us-no-significant-change-iran-behavior-nuke-deal/ US Destroyer Committed ‘Gross Violation’ in Encounter with Russian Ship 06.28.2016 A US destroyer violated international and bilateral agreements by approaching a Russian ship dangerously close this month, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday. "US destroyer gravely made a close encounter with a Russian warship in the eastern Mediterranean on June 17 at a distance of 60-70 meters [197-229 feet] on the port side and crossed the Yaroslav Mudry’s course along the bow at a dangerous distance of 180 meters [590 feet]," the ministry said. The United States Navy has deployed an additional four aircraft carriers on combat duty. As a result, the number of simultaneously deployed aircraft carriers has reached six for the first time since 2012. http://sputniknews.com/military/20160628/1042078009/russia-us-sea-destroyer.html Olive Branch: Washington Not Excluding China From US-led World Order June 26, 2016 Washington is holding out the olive branch to Beijing, signaling that it does not want to exclude China from the US-led liberal-institutional world order, US defense expert Dave Majumdar writes. Incredible as it may seem, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is now holding the olive branch to Beijing, insisting that Washington is committed to working with China despite tensions simmering between the countries. "While we have disagreements with China, especially over its destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea, we are committed to working with them and to persuade them to avoid self-isolation," Ashton Carter stated in his speech delivered at the Center for a New American Security's conference in Washington on June 20. Commenting on Carter's statement, Dave Majumdar, the Defense Editor of The National Interest, notes that while creating its security network in the Asia-Pacific, Washington is signaling that it is by no means trying to exclude Beijing. "In fact, the United States wants China to join the American-led liberal-institutional world order as Beijing emerges as a global power," Majumdar underscores. http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160623/1041833422/us-china-carter-world-order.html Daniel 7: 4 Beast ? Kerry leaves for Rome to meet Netanyahu Meeting between PM and Secretary of State expected to deal with Quartet report criticizing Israel. 6/26/2016 Some reports have suggested Kerry will use the meeting to assess the possibility of reviving the stalled Israeli-Palestinian Authority (PA) peace process, but many believe the meeting is likely to touch on the imminent release of a report by the Quartet which is expected to be critical of Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria. This week, ahead of Kerry's trip, his spokesman John Kirby said, "There are plenty of issues coming up that merit Israel and the United States' discussion." Kirby said the Quartet's report "will include recommendations that will help inform international discussions on the best way to advance a two-state solution." He added that the document will "largely" reflect the Quartet's previous statement in September last year. The September report cited Israel's "ongoing settlement activity and the high rate of demolition of Palestinian structures" as "dangerously imperiling the viability" of a two-state deal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214086#.V29XaPkrLIU Officials: 'Nothing new' in Quartet report on Judea and Samaria European officials say Quartet report expected to criticize Israel will not include any criticism that hasn't been sounded in the past. 6/24/2016 The Quartet – which is made up of the United States, Russia, EU and UN – was set up in 2002 to promote what the Israel-Palestinian Authority (PA) peace process. In 2011 the group suggested a timetable which it said would bring forth a peace agreement by the end of 2012, one of several initiatives proposed by the Quartet which have failed. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to meet in Rome on Sunday, several days ahead of the publication of the Quartet report. Israeli and American officials have said the two would speak about “several issues”, but observers have noted that the meeting comes ahead of the Quartet report and that this subject might be discussed. On Monday, EU foreign ministers backed the French initiative to organize an international conference on the Middle East, aimed at restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks deadlocked since 2014. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214047#.V21w5PkrLIU Dow plunges 500 points as U.K. 'earthquake' crushes global markets June 24, 2016 U.S. stocks followed plunging global markets, opening sharply lower. The Dow immediately shed over 520 points, while the S&P 500 lost 2.6% and the Nasdaq dropped 3.6% at the open. U.S. markets recovered a little from those lows by mid-morning with the Dow off around 400 points. The British pound plummeted close to $1.33, its lowest level in more than 30 years, as the results of the referendum became clear. It's now trading down around 9% near $1.37. The euro also fell heavily. Investors are already concerned about cash drying up in global financial markets. "Britons delivered a bombshell to the markets," says Chris Gaffney, president at EverBank World Markets, a firm headquartered in Florida. "This is the biggest risk to markets right now -- a possible lack of liquidity like we got during the Lehman crisis." http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/23/investing/eu-referendum-markets/ Tech giant’s CEO warns of AI apocalypse: ‘The Singularity is coming’ June 22, 2016 The CEO of a major Japanese technology company has reversed course on plans to resign. His reasoning: The business needs his guidance before a robotic Rubicon is crossed. Softbank’s Masayoshi Son informed the business world on Tuesday that runaway artificial intelligence will change the world within three decades. The CEO said his job is to prepare his company for “the Singularity” over the next five years. “I think we are about to see the biggest paradigm shift in human history,” Son said. I still have unfinished business regarding the Singularity,” Mr. Son told shareholders, Nikkei reported Wednesday. “I want to continue for at least another five years The Singularity is the moment in history when technology forever alters civilization. Theories revolve on robot-human hybrids an AI omnipresence, but the underlying agreement is that humanity will be drastically transformed. “The Singularity is coming. Artificial intelligence will overtake human beings not just in terms of knowledge, but in terms of intelligence. That will happen this century. … Looking into the next 30 years, our focus will no doubt be on AI, smart robots and the Internet of Things.” http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/22/masayoshi-son-softbank-ceo-changes-plans-for-robot/ The San Andreas Fault Is Definitely Showing Signs of Large-Scale Movement: Heads up, West Coasters. 06/22/2016 When the fault line starts rockin’... run for the hills! New observations confirm that the San Andreas Fault System, the massive tectonic boundary underneath much of California, is showing definite signs of movement, according to a post at the University of Hawaii’s website. In data collected from the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory, a series of hundreds of measuring stations scattered throughout Alaska and the American West, researchers have found evidence of 125-mile-wide “lobes” of uplift and subsidence — that is, plates of land moving over and under one another. Computer models that simulate the San Andreas Fault System have predicted this sort of crustal movement before. This new analysis is significant because it’s showing motion that wasn’t physically identified until now. Scientists say it’s crucial to monitor the San Andreas Fault because of its potential to unleash a catastrophic event on the West Coast. Past studies have shown that the fault system is currently at a “sufficient stress level for an earthquake of magnitude greater than 7.0 on the moment magnitude scale to occur.” That sort of earthquake would mean mass devastation. What’s more, the San Andreas Fault is connected to another incredibly dangerous fault line, the Cascadia subduction zone. “If the entire zone gives way at once, an event that seismologists call a full-margin rupture, the magnitude will be somewhere between 8.7 and 9.2,” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/san-andreas-fault-movement_us_576a8d37e4b065534f48492c?section Matthew 24:6: " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Japan ready to shoot down any incoming missiles amid N. Korea launch rumors 21 June 2016 Japan is putting its military on high alert, said to be ready to shoot down any missile heading for its territory. It comes amid rumors North Korea is preparing to launch an intermediate-range missile from its east coast. According to a Seoul military source speaking to Yonhap news agency, South Korea is “closely watching after detecting signs that the North is moving toward the launch of what appears to be a Musudan missile.” Pyongyang appears to be moving a mobile launcher loaded with the missile to the coastline, the source added. Tensions are running high in the region, with rising instances of threats of total annihilation from the North, particularly towards the US and its regional allies Japan and South Korea. A similar order was issued in Japan on May 30. https://www.rt.com/news/347588-korea-launch-japan-alert/ Ultra-Orthodox Jews Experiencing 'Spiritual Meltdown of Historic Proportions' and Turning to Jesus, Report Claims June 21, 2016 Analysis from a news portal on the Messianic Jewish community in Israel has claimed that some in the Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, who are often opposed to Jewish people turning to Jesus Christ, are experiencing a "spiritual meltdown of historic proportions" and are reexamining their beliefs. "It would appear that the haredi community is quietly experiencing a spiritual meltdown of historic proportions. These people, who literally spend all their waking hours in Torah learning, are so starved for the real Word of the LORD that hundreds are willing to read 'forbidden' material in order to find Him," Kehila News reported, Kehila News said that the article serves as a warning to citizens in the city to "beware of the propaganda" being distributed by Messianic groups, which is a common complaint by the haredi against Jesus-believing Jewish people.The news portal argued that in part, the article is nothing special, as it makes the same accusations against the Messianic community as it does every year, namely that Jesus followers are practicing deceit by embracing Jewish customs, that their leaders are motivated by lucrative salaries, that they recruit new believers through entrapment, and indoctrinate minors to leave the Jewish faith. Christians and Jewish followers of Christ are often accused of such actions by the haredi, which has also led to legislation seeking to supress religious freedom. In June 2015 it was announced that the Jerusalem Municipality has been obliged to consult with the city's Rabbis before allowing Christians to host events in the city, fearful of gatherings that would see to convince Jews to follow Jesus. http://www.christianpost.com/news/ultra-orthodox-haredi-jews-spiritual-meltdown-turning-to-jesus-165448/#ukv3Qg3jddphuw4I.99 WHO says Saudi misdiagnosis caused MERS outbreak June 21, 2016 The wrong diagnosis of a woman suffering from the MERS coronavirus led to more than 49 other patients and medical staff being exposed to the disease in a Saudi hospital, the World Health Organization said in a statement on Tuesday. The unnamed 49-year-old from Buridah city developed symptoms on June 9 and was admitted to hospital on June 10 where she was in a critical condition in an intensive care unit, the WHO said. On June 12, she tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a potentially fatal coronavirus from the same family as the one that caused China's deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Since September 2012, WHO has been notified of 1,761 laboratory-confirmed cases, including at least 629 related deaths. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Jun-21/358173-who-says-saudi-misdiagnosis-caused-mers-outbreak.ashx YES, IRAN LIED ABOUT NOT BUILDING A NUCLEAR BOMB June 20, 2016 The Obama administration has concluded that uranium particles discovered last year at a secretive Iranian military base likely were tied to the country’s past, covert nuclear weapons program, current and former officials said, a finding that contradicts Tehran’s longstanding denials that it was pursuing a bomb. Traces of man-made uranium were found at the Parchin facility, southeast of Tehran, by investigators from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, as part of an investigation tied to the landmark nuclear deal reached last July between Iran and global powers. The Iranians have claimed that the site was used for developing and testing conventional weapons. The particles were the first physical evidence — on top of satellite imagery and documents from defectors — to support the charge that Iran had been pursuing a bomb there. The Obama administration didn’t comment about the uranium in December when the IAEA released its report; the finding got only one brief mention in the 16 pages. But in recent interviews, current and former U.S. officials asked about the uranium finding said the working assumption now is that it is tied to nuclear weapons development that Iran is believed to have pursued more than a decade ago. http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/263247/yes-iran-lied-about-not-building-nuclear-bomb-daniel-greenfield Yellow fever epidemic declared in Congo 21 JUNE 2016 An outbreak of yellow fever has hit the Democratic Republic of Congo, just weeks after the Red Cross warned that another outbreak in neighboring Angola risked sparking a “global crisis”. A total of 67 cases – five of them fatal - have been confirmed in three provinces while another 1,000 are being monitored, the country’s health minister said. Felix Kabange said seven of the proven cases of the viral hemorrhagic disease, for which there is no treatment, had originated in DRC while 60 were imported from Angola. There are fears that the virus, which like Zika is carried by mosquitoes but is considered more serious, could spread rapidly in the DRC’s densely-packed capital of Kinshasa, which has a population of 12 million and poorly-resourced and staffed hospitals. Yellow fever has been raging since last December in Angola, and especially in the capital Luanda, killing more than 300 people in the country to date and infecting another 2,267. In May the Red Cross raised concerns about the country’s porous borders, poor sanitation, weak disease surveillance systems and large migrant population could result in the disease spreading as far afield as China. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/21/yellow-fever-epidemicdeclared-in-congo/ Christian girls abducted and forced to convert to Islam in spate of horror kidnappings June 20, 2016 YOUNG girls have been abducted, forced to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men in a horrifying spate of kidnappings in Egypt. Chilling videos have been published online of teenage girls saying they chose to run away and convert. But the families left behind and the ICC say victims are being beaten and raped before being blackmailed into taking part in the videos. The ICC says Upper Egypt is “paralysed” by the number of disappearances of young girls. In a statement the charity said: “Sadly there has been a steady worsening of the outlook for Christians in Egypt. “In the Sinai region, radical groups operate with impunity and remain a threat to the stability of the country. “Christian women are particularly vulnerable, often changing their Christian names to Muslim ones to avoid rape or kidnapping. We want Christians everywhere to have the freedom to believe without fear of persecution.” http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/681009/Christian-girls-abducted-forced-to-convert-to-Islam-spate-horror-kidnappings-Egypt Pacific Powder Keg: US Deploys More Ships Raising Stakes in South China Sea 6/20/2106 The Obama administration continues its drift towards World War III through an openly confrontational policy towards Beijing in the South China Sea, harkening memories of the 'Guns of August.' US Navy officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed Washington’s plans to dispatch more surface ships to bolster the Third Fleet’s deployment in the South China Sea. The movement raises the stakes in America’s provocative containment strategy against Beijing. Beijing claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, a valuable waterway through which roughly 1/3 of the world’s goods are shipped. The waters also contain one of the world’s largest oil and natural gas deposits, with 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The United States has repeatedly intervened on behalf of several other regional countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, who hold competing claims. President Obama has called on Xi Jinping to submit to a process laid out in the Law of the Sea Treaty, a treaty Washington is not a signatory to and under which legal experts believe China has an undeniable claim. http://sputniknews.com/military/20160616/1041476238/washington-destroyers-dispute-islands-beijing.html The Slow Death of the Syria Cease-Fire Brings a Hybrid War with Russia Closer 06/20/2016 Gradually, the mist of ambiguity and confusion hanging over Syria is lifting a little. The landscape is sharpening into focus. With this improved visibility, we can view a little more clearly the course of action being prepared by Iran, Russia and the Syrian government. Russia is emerging from an internal debate over whether the U.S. is truly interested in an entente or only in bloodying Russia’s nose. And what do we see? Skepticism. Russia is skeptical that NATO’s new missile shield in Poland and Romania, plus military exercises right up near its border, are purely defensive actions. Iran, meanwhile, is studying the entrails of the nuclear agreement. As one well-informed commentator put it to me, Iran is “coldly lethal” at the gloating in the U.S. at having “put one over” Iran. Because, while Iran has duly taken actions that preclude it from weaponizing its nuclear program, it will not now gain the financial normalization that it had expected under the agreement. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/syria-cease-fire-russia_b_10510126.html Where is all of this heading? UN says record 65 million people displaced in 2015 Highest figures since the end of World War II driven by continued conflicts, mainly in the Middle East, Africa June 20, 2016 The UN refugee agency said persecution and conflict in places like Syria and Afghanistan raised the total number of refugees and internally displaced people worldwide to a record 65.3 million at the end of last year. With stark detail, UNHCR said that on average, 24 people had been displaced every minute of every day last year — or 34,000 people a day — up from six every minute in 2005. Global displacement has roughly doubled since 1997, and risen by 50 percent since 2011 alone — when the Syria war began. There are an estimated 4.9 million refugees from Syria, 2.7 million from Afghanistan and 1.1. million from Somalia. Turkey was the “top host” country for the second year running, taking in 2.5 million people — nearly all from neighboring Syria. Afghan neighbor Pakistan had 1.6 million, while Lebanon, next to Syria, hosted 1.1 million. Grandi said policymakers and advocacy groups face daunting challenges helping the largest subset of displaced people: Some 40.8 million internally displaced in countries in conflict. Another 21.3 million were refugees and some 3.2 million more were seeking asylum. More than a million people fled to Europe last year, causing a political crisis in the EU. http://www.timesofisrael.com/un-says-record-65-million-people-displaced-in-2015/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=71ea0f0a0e-2016_06_20&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-71ea0f0a0e-54606857 . Iranian Navy plans to deploy in Atlantic Ocean Iran's Navy Commander says Iranian presence in Atlantic in on the navy's agenda this year. 6/19/2016 Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said that his country plans to deploy a naval presence in the Atlantic Ocean sometime this year. The Atlantic Ocean borders both North America and western Europe. Sayyari did not specify how close to the United States his ships would sail, though he said his navy would act "in accordance with international laws and regulations." So reports MNA, an Iranian news agency. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213829#.V2hGt_krLIU Stock Market Crashes in Six of Worlds Eight Largest Economies June 18, 2016 Over the past 12 months, stock market investors around the planet have lost trillions of dollars. Since this time last June, stocks have crashed in 6 of the world’s 8 largest economies, and stocks in the other two are down as well. The charts that you are about to see are absolutely stunning, and they are clear evidence that a new global financial crisis has already begun. Of course it is true that we are still in the early chapters of this new crisis and that there is much, much more damage to be done, but let us not minimize the carnage that we have already witnessed. Hopefully this article will clear a lot of things up. In this piece, I have presented undeniable evidence that a new global financial crisis has begun over the past 12 months. We have not seen global stock declines of this nature since the great financial crisis of 2008, but much worse is still to come. http://globalcurrencyreset.net/stock-market-crashes-in-six-of-worlds-eight-largest-economies/ Russian jets bomb CIA-trained Syrian rebels as Kremlin delivers harsh warning June 17, 2016 Russian jets launched a series of strikes against CIA-trained Syrian rebels Thursday, officials told Fox News, as the Kremlin delivered a harsh warning to Washington against attacking Bashar al-Assad's forces. Separately, a U.S. official told Reuters a Russian strike killed a "small number" of Syrian fighters battling the Islamic State. Moscow has long objected to the U.S. government covertly training anti-Assad forces and has killed hundreds of U.S.-backed fighters since Russia's air campaign began in Syria in late September. Fox News reported 150 such CIA-trained and equipped rebels had been killed by October 2015 according to U.S. officials close to the program President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that an attempt to topple Assad's government "wouldn't help a successful fight against terrorism and could plunge the region into total chaos." http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/17/kremlin-warns-washington-against-striking-assad-forces.html?intcmp=hpbt2 Orlando Wasn't the Only Islamist Incident in America This Week If you thought Orlando was the only plot this week, think again. Wednesday saw three different slamist incidents involving law enforcement. June 16, 2016 A man from Kosovo pled guilty to providing material support to the Islamic State in a Virginia court on Wednesday. He faces up to 20 years in prison for providing support to ISIS and up to a further five years for accessing a protected computer without permission. A Turkish businessman in New York pleaded guilty to selling restricted missile supplies to the Iranian regime in violation of sanctions placed on Iran. Erdal Kuyumcu, 44, the chief executive of Global Metallurgy LLC smuggled 450 kilograms of cobalt-nickel metallic powder to Iran via Turkey. The powder is used in missiles and nuclear technology. A man in Texas has been jailed after threatening to kill people who refused to take a copy of the Quran he was handing out. https://www.clarionproject.org/news/orlando-wasnt-only-islamist-incident-america-week Islamic Terrorists Are Not Motivated By Hate If we continue to characterize these mass killings as events disassociated from Islamic doctrine and faith, we will fail to identify and thus defeat our enemy. June 16, 2015 It is imperative for us to understand that the driving impulse of a man like Mateen is religious in nature. A lot is being said about how he beat his ex-wife and that he made homophobic comments to coworkers, but this behavior is part of his belief system, which allows men to beat their wives, to put homosexuals to death, and to slaughter unbelievers en masse. Terrorists’ Main Motivation Is Religion This last part is stated in Surah 9:14, “Fight them [unbelievers]; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people.” Also, “They shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feet shall alternately be struck off; or they shall be banished from the land. That is a degradation for them in this world; and in the world to come awaits them a mighty chastisement.” The jihadist’s act of killing, therefore, becomes less about hate and more about honor and righteousness. Those who obey Allah, who “cast into the hearts of the unbelievers terror,” who “fight them till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s,” will be richly rewarded for their righteous act. They fight—and they die—for the “gift of Paradise.” “The person who participates in [Holy Battles] in Allah’s cause and nothing compels him do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty [if he survives] or will be admitted to Paradise [if he is killed]” (Al Bukhari vol 1:35). http://thefederalist.com/2016/06/15/islamic-terrorists-are-not-motivated-by-hate/ 'Biblical' moth influx threatens to devastate crops 14 June 2016 Scientists have learned that cabbage and cauliflower crops could potentially be "devastated" by a species of moth arriving from continental Europe. BBC News understands that tens of millions of diamondback moths are thought to have come to the UK in the past week. This is 100 times the number that arrive in the entire year. Researchers describe the species as a "super pest" because it is thought to be resistant to several insecticides. An alert has been issued by researchers at the Rothamsted Research in Harpenden in Hertfordshire. The Twitter feed @migrantmothUK reported a two mile cloud of moths on Saturday night near Leominster. One subscriber to the feed reported that it was like "driving through rain". Steve Nash, who administers the feed, said much worse was yet to come. "Once the progeny of this influx arrives in mid-July, numbers could be biblical," he said. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36516619 'Iran the greatest threat to Israeli security' Senior Israeli defense official says Iran could potentially become existential threat to Israel. 6/15/2016 Amos Gilad, Director of the Defense Ministry’s Political-Military Affairs Department, spoke on Wednesday at the 2016 Herzliya Conference, warning that the Iranian regime represented the greatest threat to Israel’s security. In his address, Gilad rejected calls for efforts to spread democracy in the Middle East, arguing instead that for the moment, stability must be the priority. “We need to emphasize stability over ideas about bringing democracy to the region,” said Gilad. “You can’t force your culture onto other peoples. Look at Libya, a country that had a regime which was developing nuclear weapons and supported terror. At the end it dismantled its nuclear weapons program, ceased its support for terror, and prevented the mass migration to Europe. After it was overthrown, how does Libya look now? There is no future.” “The Iranian threat has the potential to become existential. The Iranians agreed to delay their nuclear weapons program by 10 years. The infrastructure is there and there is a debate whether the regime has become more moderate or not. I tend to think that it hasn’t, so long as Khamenei is the [spiritual] leader.” “Under the cover of the deal they’re developing surface-to-surface missile capabilities in Iran and Hezbollah [controlled territory in Lebanon]. In Lebanon there are now more than 100,000 rockets pointed towards Israel. They’ve identified that front [with Israel] as a vulnerable point.” http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213688#.V2HiN7srLIU Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” FM: Iranian General Soleimani in Iraq at Baghdad's Demand Jun 15, 2016 Iraqi Foreign Minister Ebrahim al-Jafari underlined that Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani is in Iraq to help the country in campaign against terrorism after receiving Baghdad's rigid request. "General Soleimani is in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to provide military counseling to the Iraqi forces." In relevant remarks last Sunday, Hashd al-Shaabi (volunteer forces) Commander Abu Mehdi al-Mohandes underlined that General Soleimani is helping the Iraqi forces in their campaign against terrorism upon a request by the Iraqi government. "The Iranian advisors, headed by dear brother Qassem Soleimani, have been beside us since the start of war and his presence has happened upon the demand of the Iraqi government and agreement of the Armed Forces' top commander," Mohandes said in an interview with Sumeria news channel. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950321000582 Iran vows to burn nuclear agreement if US scraps June 15, 2016 The US State Department recently renamed Iran as the world’s top sponsor of global terrorism for its support of Lebanese Hezbollah, Palestinian terror groups in Gaza and various Shiite groups in Iraq and Syria. Trump has called the nuclear agreement “catastrophic,” and in March, said that if elected his first foreign policy priority would be to dismantle the deal and what he said was Tehran’s global “terror” network. The US State Department recently renamed Iran as the world’s top sponsor of global terrorism for its support of Lebanese Hezbollah, Palestinian terror groups in Gaza and various Shiite groups in Iraq and Syria. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-vows-to-burn-nuclear-agreement-if-us-scraps-it/ Watch: Temple Mount preacher calls to 'annihilate the Jews' Despite crackdown on incitement, anti-Semitic hate-speech in Al Aqsa Mosque apparently continuing. 6/13/2016 While Israel has cracked down on Muslim incitement on the Temple Mount - jailing a number of clerics who incited violence and banning several violent Islamist groups - it appears that anti-Semitic preaching is still continuing in the Al Aqsa Mosque. In footage translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), preacher Ali Abu Ahmad can be seen calling for Muslim armies throughout the world to rise up and impose a "Caliphate," and ending with a prayer for the annihilation of the Jewish people. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213577 IN DEPTH Orlando nightclub massacre June 12, 2016 49 people were killed by a heavily armed gunman at Pulse, a popular Florida gay bar - the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. In the early hours of Sunday, June 12, Omar Mateen opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando. The shooting and hostage situation at Pulse left 50 people dead, including Mateen, and more than 50 injured. Officials are still investigating the exact motives for the shooting, but Mateen pledged allegiance to ISIS during the standoff with police. His family has also suggested he felt anger specifically toward gay people. A picture of the gunman has begun to emerge. Mateen, 29, was a U.S. citizen and has Afghan parents. He was born in New York, according to the FBI. He was married, and had a young son. FBI agents follow detailed guidelines in domestic investigations. In Mateen's case -- they opened what is known as a preliminary investigation which is limited to six months, but can be extended. Mateen's case stretched over 10 months and included surveillance, informants as well as wiretaps. It ended in March of 2014, when agents decided there wasn't enough evidence to determine that he was a terrorist. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/orlando-shooting-what-we-know-about-investigation-omar-mateen/ Iran spends $1.7 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds to boost its military JUNE 10, 2016 Your tax dollars at work, aiding the military of a state that routinely has its citizens chant “Death to America!” This money will also go to aid Hizballah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, and that will result in more jihad murders, primarily of Israeli civilians. All of this is courtesy Barack Obama and John Kerry. How they must be laughing in Tehran. The payment has been caught up in controversy following claims by Iranian officials and some in the U.S. Congress it was part of a “ransom payment” to secure the release of American hostages and 10 U.S. sailors who were abducted at gunpoint by the Iranian military…. Iranian officials have now disclosed that officials have ordered that this $1.7 billion be allocated to the Islamic Republic’s military forces… https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/06/iran-spends-1-7-billion-in-u-s-taxpayer-funds-to-boost-its-military Deflation and real economy in the United States: the black hole June 11, 2016 The systemic crisis is spreading much faster in the real economy than in 2008-2009. This low dormancy is a sign that the economic protection dikes are severely lowered, the synergies are broken and the common strategies of global resilience have vanished. Within this statistical fog, not even fully lifted yet, our team needs once more to assess the health of the real economy, particularly in the United States. The irretrievable loss of confidence in the US dollar which we have constantly documented month after month for ten years now, and the currency war, soon in full swing with a risk of cascading devaluations, finally show the aberration to measure the economy with this one standard, the dollar. But this standard is getting more and more dilated. Only intellectual crooks and other media jugglers could seriously measure the length with a graded elastic, or worse, with a spring. On the front of the de-dollarization of the global economy which we anticipated, and were the first ones to do so, two iconic developments can be reported this month: – Following the judgment of sanctions against Iran, this country and the European oil companies have agreed to settle the purchase of oil in Euros; moreover, the trade between Iran, Russia and China will be in their national currencies ; – The sale of dollar assets (treasury bills …) by the central banks continues unabated: China sold 100 billion dollars of its reserve in January, and more than 200 billion in two months, which is shedding at a new speed record. This is to be compared with the fact that China continues to buy more and more gold bars. As we can see, everything goes wrong in the United States. When the master is weakened, he is attacked from all sides. This is why the de-dollarization is relentlessly growing. Finance, which allowed the US to maintain its international yoke, is now weakened to the extreme, to the brink. All the changes that we have just described, which are partly consequences of these two phenomena (de-Americanization of the planet), will therefore extend – even worsen – in the short term. This leads us to anticipate, besides the next explosion in the US financial markets, the continued deterioration of the United States’ real economy. http://geab.eu/en/deflation-and-real-economy-in-the-united-states-the-black-hole/ Bilderberg: World’s most powerful flock to annual secret meeting 8 Jun 2016 It's that time of the year again when some of the world's most powerful people lock themselves behind closed doors for three days of high-profile discussions. Known as the world's most secretive meeting, the Bilderberg Meetings, held annually since 1954, will take place from June 9 - 12 in Dresden, Germany. It has always attracted curiosity, as no one knows quite what is discussed – although topics released ahead of this year's meeting include the vague "Current events" (Brexit, Trump, migrants?). Other topics of discussion include Europe, Russia, cyber-security, geo-politics of energy and commodity prices (Saudi Arabia?) and 'Precariat and the middle class.' This year's attendees include CEOs of multinationals including Shell, Deutsche Bank, Airbus, and Siemens; politicians such as former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, and former head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. It also includes economists such as the International Monetary Fund's Christine Lagarde and World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab and lastly, royalty such as the King of the Netherlands. http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/08/bilderberg-worlds-most-powerful-flock-to-annual-secret-meeting.html Hamas - Haniyeh: One day we'll pray at the liberated Al-Aqsa Mosque Deputy Hamas leader says the group has the capabilities to thwart any diplomatic initiatives. 6/8/2016 Deputy Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday night expressed hope that Palestinian Arabs will soon be able to pray in the “liberated Al-Aqsa Mosque”. “The first day of Ramadan will be the day that Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque will return, the Israeli occupation will end and all of us will pray at the courtyard of the mosque,” he said in a sermon marking the start of the month of Ramadan. “It is important to maintain the Al-Quds Intifada, which is the way to liberate Jerusalem and bring back the Palestinian people to their land,” he said, in comments quoted by Hamas’s Palestine newspaper. He called on Palestinians and Muslims around the world to find a common strategy that strives to blacken the face of “the occupation” and called on the security services of the Palestinian Authority to halt the security coordination with Israel, which he called “a crime and national treason.” http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213370#.V1m6z7srLIU Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." North Korea Reactivates Nuclear Plant, Could Have New Bombs by 2017 6/8/2016 The UN nuclear watchdog expressed concern as Pyongyang’s isolated regime escalates what many claim to be preparations for a full-scale nuclear war. Surveillance imagery suggests that North Korea has reactivated a plutonium processing plant used for developing nuclear weapons, reported the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, echoing recent claims by US-based think tanks. Director of US National Intelligence, James Clapper, warned several months ago that North Korea could recover weapons-grade plutonium from the reactor’s spent fuel in "a matter of weeks to months" once the facility is placed back online. Pyongyang has faced universal condemnation in recent months after accelerating development of nuclear weapons and delivery systems capable of reaching as far as the US mainland. In May, North Korea claimed it had successfully miniaturized nuclear warheads, a necessary step to allow a weapon to be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile. http://sputniknews.com/news/20160606/1040885195/north-korea-yongbyon-nukes-war.html#ixzz4AwsncCWQ NATO War Games near Russia ‘Pushing Humanity towards World War III 6/8/2016 NATO has begun its Anaconda-16 war game, calling for the largest assembly of foreign forces in Poland since World War II. On Monday, NATO launched its largest war game in decades, near the Russian border, as part of what analysts call the "summer of provocation," a bid to reignite the Cold War intended to force Moscow to starve its domestic economy to ramp up its military to meet a growing external threat. The 10-day military exercise calls for the participation of some 31,000 NATO troops and thousands of military vehicles, in what will be the single largest movement of foreign forces inside of Poland since World War II, rehashing painful memories for many Russians. Regardless of the motives, the escalation of a NATO military presence close to Russian borders has reached a fever pitch, with the US establishing a missile-defense system in Romania and undertaking the development of a separate missile shield in neighboring Poland. http://sputniknews.com/military/20160608/1040968457/nato-wargames-poland-russia-obama.html#ixzz4Awq3143s Lesbian Episcopal Priest Condemned for Saying LGBT Mov't Is Central to Christianity June 6, 2016 A lesbian Episcopal priest who believes queerness is central to the Christian tradition and has published a book that claims "queer and trans experience has vast potential to help the church be the church," is being condemned by a theologian for turning "the sin of Satan into a virtue." "We queers exist, and many of us have lives and sensibilities that don't fit neatly into heteronormative constructs. And honestly, that's a good thing. Our perceptions of our relationships and ethical obligations are at times of a different hue from the perceptions informed by heteronormative Christian ethics. Far from an ethical deficit, that difference is often shot through with valuable insight," argues Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman's in an excerpt fom her book, Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity that was published in part as an essay by the website Salonon Saturday. http://www.christianpost.com/news/lesbian-episcopal-priest-condemned-saying-lgbt-queerness-central-christianity-164873/#jokDiAp1xKS2v7jG.99 This is The Reason Israel Will Attack Iran SOON How is it possible to remain sane in an insane world? Israel knows what the rest of the Western world is afraid to admit… Iran is not the first nation that wanted to wipe out the Jews and take over the world...If Israel doesn’t defend herself and all of humanity who will? A strong and crucial message. http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/this-is-the-reason-israel-will-attack-iran-soon/ Netanyahu: No one will remove us from our land Netanyahu speaks at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, vows to keep Jerusalem united and build in the city. 6/6/2016 “The love of Jerusalem unites all of us as one man with one heart. I remember the divided city of Jerusalem with the Jordanians on the fence. That will not come back. Jerusalem will remain whole,” he said. Netanyahu recalled how, after the Six Day War, tens of thousands of people came and touched the stones of the Western Wall. “We connected to generations of 4,000 years. We stood there excited and committed to keeping Jerusalem, the Temple Mount and the Western Wall,” he said, before promising to keep Jerusalem united and build in it. “Until Jerusalem returned to Israeli sovereignty there was no peace. We are looking for peace, I look for peace. I do not oust people from their homes and no one will rob us of our land,” stressed the Prime Minister. He encouraged Jews from around the world to come to Israel, saying, “The real place for every Jew is the State of Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213304#.V1TwzPkrLIU Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Shiite militia says it will storm Iraq's Fallujah when families leave June 04, 2016 An Iranian-backed Shiite Iraqi militia said on Saturday it planned to storm Fallujah, ISIS's stronghold near Baghdad, once civilians left the city, backtracking on earlier statements that it would leave this task to the Iraqi army. "We will not enter Fallujah as long as there are families inside," said Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, the largest component of the Shiite paramilitary coalition known as Hashid Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization. "Of course, we will go in and rid the city from the evil of this cancerous gland, with nobody preventing us," he said, when asked what would happen if civilians managed to flee the Sunni city that lies 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2016/Jun-04/355336-shiite-militia-says-it-will-storm-iraqs-fallujah-when-families-leave.ashx U.S. Flexes Muscles As Asia Worries About South China Sea Row “The United States will remain the most powerful military and main underwriter of security in the region for decades to come – and there should be no doubt about that.” 06/04/2016 The United States stepped up pressure on China on Saturday to rein in its actions in the South China Sea, with top defense officials underlining Washington’s military superiority and vowing to remain the main guarantor of Asian security for decades to come. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the U.S. approach to the Asia-Pacific remained “one of commitment, strength and inclusion”, but he also warned China against provocative behavior in the South China Sea. Any action by China to reclaim land in the Scarborough Shoal, an outcrop in the disputed sea, would have consequences, Carter said. “I hope that this development doesn’t occur, because it will result in actions being taken by the both United States and ... by others in the region which would have the effect of not only increasing tensions but isolating China,” Carter told the Shangri-La Dialogue, a regional security forum in Singapore. “The United States will remain the most powerful military and main underwriter of security in the region for decades to come – and there should be no doubt about that.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-flexes-muscles-as-asia_us_5752d9fde4b0ed593f148dab State Department: Iran still world's top terror sponsor New report reveals Tehran remains leading global terror sponsor despite nuclear deal, ISIS is the largest single threat in the world. 6/3/2016 The US State Department released its annual report on global terror on Friday, and its findings for 2015 revealed that Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism. The report detailed how Iran is active in the fighting in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and is involved in violent Shi'ite attacks in Bahrain. Bahrain has accused Tehran of giving weapons to Shi'ite terrorists who launched bomb attacks on security forces, reports BBC. In Syria, Iran has directly sent troops to prop up Bashar al-Assad's regime, and likewise it has deployed its Lebanese Shi'ite terror proxy Hezbollah to fight as well. Iran also is a major source of funds for Hamas. The State Department report is ironic in light of the fact that US Secretary of State John Kerry fervently pressed through the controversial nuclear deal with Iran last July, which critics warned essentially paves Tehran's road to a nuclear arsenal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213221#.V1NsnfkrLIU Over 9,000 global leaders just met in Istanbul to remake humanitarian aid. Was it worth it? June 03, 2016 It was the most important global gathering you’ve never heard of: the first World Humanitarian Summit concluded last week in Istanbul. Thousands of bigwigs from the U.N., governments, businesses and nonprofits. Hundreds of meetings. You should care because there are two worlds. One is a world of optimism and progress: there’s still pain and poverty but, in the big picture, people get healthier and live longer, more productive lives. The other is a world on fire: 1.5 billion people trapped in endless cycles of conflict and instability. The thing is, what happens in the world on fire burns through to that other world and what it must contend with: over 60 million refugees; chronic economic fragility; terrorism. It’s not enough to make sure people in crisis get food, find shelter, drink clean water and receive medical attention. We need to address the tough stuff like communal distrust and hatred, poor government and how big decisions that affect people’s lives are made accountable. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/06/01/over-9000-global-leaders-just-met-in-istanbul-to-remake-humanitarian-aid-was-it-worth-it.html 200,000 party in Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade June 3, 2016 Israeli media said 200,000 people joined the festivities Friday. Israel is widely tolerant of gay people, and Tel Aviv has emerged as one of the world's most gay-friendly travel destinations. The city stands in sharp contrast to much of the region, where people are persecuted and may even be killed because of their sexuality. http://www.onenewsnow.com/ap/world/200000-party-in-tel-aviv-gay-pride-parade?utm_source=OneNewsNow&utm_medium=email&utm_term=16784126&utm_content=69288021445095704&utm_campaign=25156 Khamenei slams 'damned and cancerous Zionist regime' Iranian Supreme Leader calls US, Britain and Israel the 'main enemies,' rejects joining the world economy. 6/3/2016 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out Friday at the United States, Britain and Israel as the Islamic republic's "main enemies," accusing Washington of procrastinating over the controversial nuclear deal. "It's the US, the evil Britain, and the damned and cancerous Zionist regime. These are the main enemies," Khamenei said in a televised speech marking the 27th anniversary of the death of his revolutionary predecessor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Ironically, a report released by the US State Department that same Friday revealed that Iran once again was the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world in 2015. But the US and EU have kept sanctions related to Iran's missile program, its human rights situation and support for groups like the Lebanese terror proxy Hezbollah, which Washington recognizes as a terrorist organization. Khamenei said it was "impossible" that Iran would enter into negotiations with the US over such issues."First they enter with a smile and (soft) language but later in practice they will not do what they should do and will not keep their commitment," he said. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213231 U.S. Mideast Retreat a Boon for Moscow and Tehran June 2, 2016 The United States is in retreat in the Middle East, and the adverse implications of this policy shift are manifold. These range from acceleration of Tehran's drive to regional hegemony; to the spread of jihadist Islam; to the palpable risk of regional nuclear proliferation following the July 2015 Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA); to Russia's growing penetration of the region; to the possible stylization of the Persian Gulf and the Caspian basin by a resurgent Iran. The manifest U.S. weakness is also bound to have ripple effects far beyond the Middle East as more and more global players question the value of a partnership with a vacillating and feckless Washington. Since the conclusion of the deal, Iran has deliberately put the United States, the U.N. Security Council, and the European Union to the test by firing off long-range ballistic missiles. Even if the development of its nuclear program has been postponed by the deal, Tehran is doing what it can to ensure that it will be able to deliver a nuclear warhead once the stipulated fifteen-year delay is up. It is also using these missile tests to bolster its image as a regional powerhouse. Washington's response to these provocations has been weak: White House press secretary Josh Earnest declared that the missile test was "not a violation of the nuclear agreement" but reassured reporters that "we're still reviewing the launch ... to determine what the appropriate response is." President Obama's Iran policy has occasioned a dramatic change in the regional balance of power, yet he and his administration appear largely unperturbed. To add insult to injury, Washington is withdrawing in a manner that does not command respect.[14] It left Iraq without waiting to build up the Iraqi army adequately. It is withdrawing from Afghanistan without leaving a government strong enough to withstand the pressure of the Taliban. It refrained from attacking Assad when the dictator used chemical weapons on his citizens in flagrant defiance of a red line enunciated by the U.S. president. Washington has ruled out the military option in its negotiations with Iran and now conducts a very low-profile campaign against ISIS with limited success. Overall, the United States projects an image of pathetic fatigue and weakness—an image of which both friends and foes are acutely aware. http://www.meforum.org/6042/us-mideast-retreat 2 Peter 2:6 : " and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;" More Americans Are Having Same-Sex Encounters — or At Least Admitting It A new study finds acceptance for same-sex relations has also skyrocketed. 06/01/2016 It appears giving queer sex a whirl is becoming more popular — or at the very least, more people are now willing to admit they’ve had a same-sex sexual encounter. According to a study published Wednesday in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, the number of American adults who say they’ve had a same-sex experience has doubled over the last two and a half decades. Between 1973 and 1990, the percentage of adults who believed ‘sexual relations between two adults of the same sex [was] not wrong at all’ hardly budged, rising from 11 percent to 13 percent.” However, since 1990, they found that acceptance has skyrocketed to “49 percent of all adults and 63 percent of Millennials in 2014.” “These large shifts in both attitudes and behavior occurred over just 25 years, suggesting rapid cultural change.” She noted, “These trends are another piece of evidence that American culture has become more individualistic and more focused on the self and on equality. Without the strict social rules common in the past, Americans now feel more free to have sexual experiences they desire.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/same-sex-experiences-doubled-1990_us_574eef05e4b0757eaeb123a7 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” The Americans Use Excessive Force; We Don't Need Their Help In Liberating Fallujah June 1, 2016 “The American axis can go to hell. The Iranian brothers, headed by the dear brother Qassem Soleimani, came here at the request of the Iraqi government. This was done in agreement with the General Commander of the Armed Forces. These people did not sneak in here. But the General Commander of the Armed Forces said: "Soleimani's pictures in the battlefield upset me." I have not heard this.” http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/5490.htm Zechariah 12:2-3 : "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it." Netanyahu: Violence will not put Israel's right to Jerusalem in doubt June 1, 2016 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset in Jerusalem. Israel does not need to apologize for or justify its presence in the Jewish People’s historic city of Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday in a special Knesset meeting in honor of Jerusalem Day. Netanyahu inveighed against the UNESCO decision last month ignoring Israel’s ties to the Temple Mount and Western Wall: “It’s so absurd, so ridiculous; I can’t get over it.” Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) also lamented the UNESCO resolution in his remarks, saying “no international organization can break our special connection to Jerusalem, the connection of the eternal people to the eternal city.” Netanyahu also discussed violence and incitement by Palestinians relating to the Temple Mount, saying that, ideally, there would be freedom of worship for all, but a lack of tolerance by some in the region prevent that ideal from coming true. In addition, Netanyahu said that violence has gone down near the Temple Mount due to coordination with neighboring countries. “We’re making the same efforts for Ramadan,” he added. “Violence will not deter us or put our control over Jerusalem in doubt.” Netanyahu hailed Jerusalem as “a mixed city with a complex fabric of life,” saying “coexistence is not perfect or idyllic, but it still exists.” “Jerusalem deserves quiet. We cannot let anyone spark extremism,” he stated. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-Violence-will-not-put-our-right-to-Jerusalem-in-doubt-455636 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” US Unaware of Iran’s Plans to Build Missile Base in Iraq May 31, 2016 The US authorities have no information on alleged plans by the Iranian government to build a missile base in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing on Tuesday. Last week, Arabic media reported that Tehran has launched construction of the largest missile base in the Syrian Coastal Mountain Range in Iraqi Kurdistan, which reportedly aims to protect the religious borders of Iran. http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160531/1040568559/iran-iraq-missile-base.html#ixzz4AICZRzmh Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." China Prepares to Deter the US in the Pacific May 30, 2016 Amid mounting tensions between the US and China over disputed areas in the South China Sea, Beijing is set to send nuclear submarines to patrol the Pacific Ocean this year for the first time in history. According to the People’s Daily, China has been successful in developing nuclear technologies with launches of missiles from both under water and from land. The reports adds that the “survival capability of China's nuclear force” has been improved. “History shows that balanced power better contributes to peace. China should increase its number of nuclear weapons, and enhance their survival power and capability to hit the targets. It is the most important foundation of China's national security,” reported the Daily. Earlier, the Pentagon projected that “China will probably conduct its first nuclear deterrence patrol sometime in 2016.” However, the exact start date is yet to be announced. http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160530/1040457411/china-us-nuclear-deterrence.html#ixzz4AGr7WKIj Matthew 24:7 : " And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." Graphic Pics: Migrants Fleeing Islamic State Risk Bringing Deadly Flesh Eating Disease to Europe May 30, 2016 A flesh-eating tropical disease is ravaging the war-torn Middle East, after Islamic State destruction created the ideal breeding conditions. The parasitic disease called Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by bites from tiny infected sand flies which thriving in the squalid conditions left in the wake of Islamic State terror and conflict. Thousands of cases have now been reported. Previous, it was contained in Syria but has spread to Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan after more than four million Syrians fled there. With the same migrants now heading on to Europe in their millions, it could be just a matter of times before it reaches the West. http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/05/30/graphic-pics-migrants-fleeing-islamic-state-bringing-deadly-flesh-eating-disease-to-europe/ John 16:2: " They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." Muslim in Eastern Uganda Kills Wife for Leaving Islam Five children narrowly escape death. May 30, 2016 A Muslim in eastern Uganda strangled his wife to death this month for leaving Islam, relatives and neighbors said.Awali Kakaire, 34, early in the morning on May 8 killed Mariam Nakirya for embracing Christianity in Mbaale village, Imanyiro Sub-County, Mayuge District, the area residents told Morning Star News. She was 30. http://morningstarnews.org/2016/05/muslim-in-eastern-uganda-kills-christian-wife-for-leaving-islam-relatives-say/ Matthew 24:7 : " For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." WA earthquake like an 'atomic bomb' May 29, 2016 A string of earthquakes that shook Western Australia's Goldfields region overnight had the strength of an "atomic bomb" blasting underground, rattling windows and sending locals fleeing outside. Four earthquakes hit near Norseman, including a magnitude 5.2 reportedly felt as far away as Perth. It was the largest seismic event in Western Australia since a magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit Kalgoorlie in April 2010, leaving several buildings badly damaged. Daniel 8:5-6, 17: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn ( great nation) between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.” “So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the END." The Ram is “Pushing” If Islamic State loses Fallujah and Raqqa, the ‘caliphate’ will be over Attacked on numerous fronts, the brutal jihadist group is no longer certain to survive; it may ultimately become ‘just’ another evil terrorist organization May 28, 2016 It may be too soon to write off Islamic State, the fundamentalist Sunni terror organization controlling large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, but there are hints that the terror group is beginning to crumble under the pressure of attacks from multiple fronts. But despite the death and destruction Islamic State is leaving in its wake, an examination of recent developments on both the Iraqi and Syrian fronts demonstrates how dire the organization’s state has become, as an Iraqi-Iranian alliance is closing in on it from the east. The Iranians, perhaps out of concern for the Iraqi and militia forces fighting IS, sent Qassem Sulaimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, to oversee fighting at Fallujah. His forces, alongside militia fighters and Iraqi soldiers, comprise some 20,000 men facing only around 1,000 IS fighters barricaded inside the city. It may be that the fighting around Fallujah and Raqqa is only just beginning, but we can cautiously say at this point that the survival of IS is no longer a given. If the IS strongholds in Raqqa and Fallujah fall, all the organization will have left is control over the small area of Mosul, which is bound to be captured by the Iraqi army or by pro-Iranian militia forces. http://www.timesofisrael.com/if-islamic-state-loses-fallujah-and-raqqa-the-caliphate-will-be-over/ Khamenei warns of Western ‘schemes’ as his new MPs meet Supreme leader urges freshly elected parliament to stand strong against ‘impudence, charms’ of Iran’s enemies May 28, 2016 Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged newly elected lawmakers Saturday to resist “schemes” from the West as parliamentarians met in Tehran for the first time since elections finished in April. “The turbulent state of the region and the world and the international adventurism of oppressors and their vassals have confronted the Islamic Iran with conditions more complicated than before,” said a message from Khamenei, read to a packed parliament chamber. “It is the revolutionary and legal duty of you to make the parliament a stronghold against the schemes, charms and impudently excessive demands of the Arrogance,” his message read. “Arrogance” was a term first used by the Islamic republic’s founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to describe Western powers, especially the United States. http://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-khamenei-warns-of-western-schemes-as-new-mps-meet/ Mighty Iran forced world to strike nuke deal, supreme leader says Ayatollah Khamenei warns against ‘soft war’ West is waging on Islamic Republic in bid to erode power from within May 26, 2016 “The enemy which once wasn’t ready to accept even the existence of one centrifuge in Iran, was forced to accept the same fact after facing the country’s nuclear power,” Fars news quoted Khamenei saying. “Actually, the Americans didn’t make this concession but we took it in light of our own power.” Khamenei warned that Iranian officials “should be vigilant about the West’s continued soft war against Iran… the enemies want to weaken the system from inside,” Reuters reported. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-forced-world-to-strike-nuke-deal-supreme-leader-says/ Results of Nuclear Deal and Iran Sanctions Relief supporting Terrorist: Iran supplying weapons, cash and training to Taliban MAY 26, 2016 Sunnis and Shi’ites hate each other, but not as much as they hate the Infidel. Hence Iran’s support for the Taliban, as well as Hamas and Islamic Jihad: Sunnis who are waging jihad against Infidels are allies of Iran, as far as the mullahs are concerned. Such support also strengthens Iran’s ongoing maneuvering to be the leader of the Islamic world. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/05/iran-supplying-weapons-cash-and-training-to-taliban Results of Nuclear D Deal and Iran Sanctions Relief supporting Terrorist: Iran pledges $70 million to Palestinian Islamic Jihad As Iran deal critics warned, Tehran continues to up its support for terrorism with sanctions relief money - Move seen as snub to Hamas. 5/26/2016 Iran has agreed a new support package to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group, pledging to provide $70 million in annual assistance to terror group's "jihad" against the State of Israel. Sources close to Islamic Jihad told the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat newspaper of the pledge, which came after a visit by PIJ leaders to Tehran in April for meetings with the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qods Force, Qassem Soleimani. In return for the massive aid package, Islamic Jihad will be even more closely managed by Iran. Discussions with Soleimani reportedly centered on a "restructuring" of Islamic Jihad's "military wing," the Quds Brigade. Following the deal, Shalah lavished praise on the Iranian regime, and criticized Arab states for not similarly supporting them. "Defending Palestine is defending Islam," he told an audience in Tehran, and went on to slam Sunni Muslim states for aligning with Israel over the Iranian threat. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212833#.V0dirPkrLIU Iranian Officials Tout Iran's Regional Supremacy May 25, 2016 Basij Commander Mohammad Reza Naqdi recently addressed geopolitical changes in the Middle East, particularly the role played by Iran, and claimed that Iran, which champions the values of the Islamic revolution and leads the Shi'ite Resistance Axis, has emerged victorious and has cemented its status as a regional superpower. Naqdi stressed Iranian supremacy vis-à-vis the "defeated" U.S. and Israel, while Velayati outlined the Shi'ite Iran's regional cooperation with Russia – the reemerging global power that has returned to the Middle East. Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ali Akbar Velayati, the top strategic affairs advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the head of the Center for Strategic Research, referred to the cooperation between Iran and Russia in the Middle East, claiming that it focuses primarily on Syria but also takes place in Central Asia and the Caucasus, and in the future will also include Yemen. "It is worth noting that the other side constitutes a powerful array comprised of states from the world and the region: America, the Western countries, the indirect presence of NATO, the Zionists, countries in the region that obey America [i.e. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Gulf states] and their activists, such as the Islamic State [ISIS] and Jabhat Al-Nusra. This vast array is present in a small state [Syria] with limited capabilities that for five years has been subject to attempts to topple its regime. But this country resists, thanks to the courage and wisdom of Bashar Al-Assad, [and thanks to] popular [Syrian] support and help from Iran… http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9190.htm Iranian Ayatollah: America Is No Longer What It Used to Be, Iran Has the Global Final Say May 25, 2016 Qom-Based Iranian Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi said in an interview with Lebanese channel Mayadeen TV that the U.S. and Britain are no longer what they used to be and that “Iran now has the final say in the progress of events in the world.” In light of the progress of Iranian ideology, Ayatollah Shirazi said, it is “somewhat realistic” to say that “one of these days we shall hear the azan call to prayer in America.” Ayatollah Shirazi accused the U.S. of trying to ignite a sectarian war in the region as an alternative to the lifted sanctions. ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BdlosMQoF8 As support widens for Jewish prayer on Temple Mount, should we fear apocalyptic consequences? With almost daily disturbances at the most contested and incendiary of holy sites, and with an increasing number of religious Zionists yearning for a Third Temple, Israeli activists walk a fine line between peaceful protest and provocation The movement that was once taboo and limited to extremist politicians has today garnered support from a who’s who of religious leaders, current MKs and even cabinet minister Uri Ariel, who has called for the building of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount. Ariel could be called the political poster child of the movement: In September, before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s blanket ban on ministers visiting the site, Ariel was filmed on the Temple Mount while praying. To get a sense of the prime minister’s own view of prayer on the Temple Mount, the next candidate on the ruling Likud party’s list is Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a personal friend of Netanyahu who survived an attempted assassination for his work as the head of HaLiba, a coalition of organizations promoting Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount. Last week long-term leaders of the Temple Mount movement called for the razing of the Temple Mount. This summer, a detained extremist’s widely circulated manifesto urged for the overthrow of the government to pave the way for the rebuilding of the Temple. ‘http://www.timesofisrael.com/as-support-widens-for-jewish-prayer-on-temple-mount-should-we-fear-apocalyptic-consequences/ Our meeting is our message’: Pope Francis hugs top Imam during Vatican meeting 23 May, 2016 Pope Francis embraced the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque during a historic meeting at the Vatican on Monday, in an encounter which both sides hope will lead to greater understanding and conversation between the two faiths. The pontiff hugged and kissed Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb – the highest authority in Sunni Islam – during the meeting, with Francis telling reporters, “our meeting is the message.” That sentiment was echoed by Tayeb, who said, “we need to take a joint stance, hand in hand, to bring happiness to humanity. Divine religions were revealed to make people happy, not to cause them hardship.” Spokesman Federico Lombardi said the two had “mainly addressed the common challenges faced by the authorities and faithful of the major religions of the world.” https://www.rt.com/news/344128-pope-imam-hug-vatican/ Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." ISIS threatens global war with Israel May 23, 2016 Jewish state threatened by group’s advance toward its borders, Islamic State says. Islamic State threatens Israel in an article in its weekly newsletter this week, saying that unlike Hamas, the “war on Israel will not be limited by geographical boundaries or by international norms.” Israel feels threatened by ISIS because of the “collapse” of neighboring states and the Sunni terrorist group’s advance toward the borders of the Jewish state. For this reason, Israel has started to fight against Islamic State in Sinai and Syria, it says, adding that the entire world is now an arena for the fight against all the “polytheist combatants, including the Jews,” who are legitimate targets. Israel is using jets to attack Islamic State in Sinai, the article claims. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/ISIS-threatens-global-war-with-Israel-454470 Commander: Israel, US Waging another War on Islam May 23, 2016 Iran's Ground Force Commander Brigadier General warned against the new wave of plots against the Muslims and the Muslim World. "A front led by the Zionist regime and the US has been formed against Islam," General Pourdastan said. He said despite their regional rivalries, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have joined hands to wage a war against Muslims and Iran. "Today, the war is between Islam and blasphemy and this has created a venue for increasing training in the military operations, The vigilant and conscious Iranian nation should know that their sons in the Islamic Republic's army will never become surprised by enemies' threats and they will make those who have threatened to regret their deeds," General Pourdastan added. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950303001010 Islamic State aims to destroy Israel, ‘liberate’ Jerusalem with Sinai Peninsula terrorist force May 22, 2016 With a media blitz, the Islamic State has set its sights on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula as the next shot at expanding its empire and establishing a base from which to attack neighboring Israel. The terrorist group’s propaganda units have gone into high gear for recruitment this month to build a force in Sinai large enough to one day conquer Jerusalem — the same way its fighters took over large parts of Syria and Iraq. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/22/isis-seeks-to-destroy-israel-liberate-jerusalem-wi/ NATO Risks Nuclear War with Russia, Retired General Warns May 23, 2016 NATO must bolster its military presence in the Baltic states or risk nuclear war, a former general has warned. Sir Richard Shirreff was NATO's former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in Europe between 2011 and 2014. In an interview on BBC Radio 4, Shirreff said that in periods of tensions, an attack on the Baltic states was entirely plausible. “We need to judge President Putin by his deeds not his words,” Shirreff said. “He has invaded Georgia, he has invaded Crimea, he has invaded Ukraine. He has used force and got away with it.The chilling fact is that because Russia hardwires nuclear thinking and capability to every aspect of their defense capability, [if Russia did attack the Baltic] this would be nuclear war”. Tensions have risen along Russia's eastern border after NATO activated a controversial US-led missile defense system in Romania on May 12. A second site will be installed in Poland. Russian authorities have called the missile shield's installation “an act of aggression,” while NATO officials claim their function is to defend against a North Korean and Iranian missile attack. “NATO needs to raise the bar sufficiently high for any aggressor to say it is not worth the risk," said Shirreff. President Putin could be persuaded into the Baltic States through the perception of a weakened NATO, where he would use similar tactics as in Crimea, he said. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/569816.html?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=im Matthew 7:21-23 : "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Pastors, Church Shocked After 2 Ministers Arrested in Human Trafficking Sting May 23, 2016 Two pastors left their churches in shock after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Friday that they were among 32 men arrested for patronizing prostitution and human trafficking charges. The pastors, Jason Kennedy, 46, who served as a children's minister at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, has since been fired, while Zubin Parakh, 32, is no longer listed as creative pastor at Life House Church in Oak Ridge. A news release from the TBI said the pastors' arrests were part of a three-day operation to combat human trafficking and they responded to ads for what they thought were girls under the age of 18. Police records show that Parakh responded to a Backpage.com ad to engage in sexual activity with an undercover agent whom he believed was a 17 years old. The entire incident also happened within 1,000 feet of Gospels Voice Russian Church. TBI Director Mark Gwyn said the state intends to do whatever is necessary to reduce human trafficking. "Finding these people who are trying to buy Tennessee children is a priority for us," he said. "We want anyone responding to these ads to think there might be a TBI agent on the other end of it. We will do whatever we can to make a difference in reducing the human trafficking that takes place in Tennessee." http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastors-church-shocked-after-2-ministers-arrested-in-human-trafficking-sting-164400/#yIi4EBBQuv9gpVYw.99 Ayatollah Khamenei: West Cannot Do a Damn Thing on Missiles May 23, 2016 Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday U.S. hostility against the Islamic Republic stems from Iran’s defiance of Washington’s arrogant policies. "The main cause of all these enmities and fabrication of pretexts is (Iran’s) defiance of the arrogance,” the Leader said while addressing a commencement ceremony for graduates of Imam Hussein Military Academy here. Ayatollah Khamenei was referring to hostile U.S. stances against Iran’s nuclear program, missile power and human rights record" Were the Iranian nation ready to surrender, they (arrogant powers) would have comprised over Iran’s missile power and nuclear energy and they would . have made no mention of human rights,” said the Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei said arrogant powers resorted to every tool in an attempt to "bring the Islamic establishment to its knees and force it into submission” but Iranian people refuse to follow the arrogant powers due to their Islamic beliefs. http://kayhan.ir/en/news/26992/west-cannot-do-a-damn-thing-on-missiles Daniel 8 news: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Popular Forces' Representative: Iraq Owes Existence to Iran, General Soleimani May 22, 2016 A representative of the Iraqi volunteer forces appreciated Iran and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani for assisting his country in the campaign against terrorism and safeguarding its territorial integrity. "We were surrounded in Samarra and had lost everything but this brave commander (General Soleimani) came to our help with all his forces and broke the siege," Seyed Hamid Hosseini said, addressing the Shiite pilgrims in the Central city of Qom on Sunday. "If the Islamic Republic of Iran and its leader didn’t help us, I say very explicitly that no Iraq wound exist today," he added. Iran is providing Iraq and Syria with military advisory and humanitarian aid in their fight against terrorist groups. General Soleimani said in March that Takfiri terrorism threatens all Muslims, and Iran has waged war on those terrorists that trade enslaved women and children. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950302000313 Iranian commander: We can destroy Israel ‘in under 8 minutes’ If supreme leader gives order, Revolutionary Guards ‘will raze the Zionist regime’ quickly, says senior adviser of elite al-Quds unit May 22, 2016 Ahmad Karimpour, a senior adviser to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite unit al-Quds Force, said if Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei gave the order to destroy Israel, the Iranian military had the capacity to do so quickly. “If the Supreme Leader’s orders [are] to be executed, with the abilities and the equipment at our disposal, we will raze the Zionist regime in less than eight minutes,” Karimpour said Thursday, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency. Iran in March tested ballistic missiles, including two with the words “Israel must be wiped off the earth” emblazoned on them, according to the US and other Western powers. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-commander-we-can-destroy-israel-in-under-8-minutes/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=d5db53ff39-2016_05_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-d5db53ff39-54606857 Son of Hamas': Islam is the problem Mosab Hassan Yousef, a former undercover Shin Bet agent, calls on the free world to fight radical Islam. 5/23/2016 Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of one Hamas founder Hassan Yousef who in the past served as an undercover agent for the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), on Sunday told the Jerusalem Post conference in New York that “Islam is the problem” and that the free world must fight it. He ultimately converted to Christianity and fled to the United States where he was granted political asylum. “At one point I thought that the Jewish nation is the enemy of humanity. I thought they were the enemy of our people, the Palestinian people, until I experienced what the Jewish nation truly is,” said Yousef, who described Israel as “the only light in the Middle East”. “We can fool ourselves, but there is an Islamic problem,” he continued, adding, “Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Islamic Jihad, the Islamic State (ISIS) and Boko Haram - all of them kill in the name of Allah. There is an Islamic problem and humanity needs to stand against this danger, because it is not directed only against Israel. This danger is against human evolution,” warned Yousef. “Humanity and the free world must unite. Today the free world should unite against Islam, not against Muslims but against Islam as a belief system. When the president of the free world says that Islam is a religion of peace, he creates the climate for the formation of more terror,” he added. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212648#.V0I2BvkrLIU Arabs angered by UN exhibit calling Jerusalem Israel's capital Arab and Islamic nations demand the UN remove a panel from an Israeli exhibition that calls Jerusalem "the capital of the Jewish people". 5/21/2016 Arab and Islamic nations are demanding that the United Nations remove a panel from an Israeli exhibition that calls Jerusalem "the spiritual and physical capital of the Jewish people", The Associated Press reported Friday. A letter from the Palestinian UN mission to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft circulated Thursday evening expressed "vehement rejection" at the description, echoing protests by Arab nations at the UN and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The letter said any references "which purport to assert Israeli sovereignty on this land ... are legally, politically and morally incorrect and unacceptable." The Palestinian Authority (PA) Charge d'Affaires Feda Abdelhady-Nasser said the "misleading and inappropriate depictions of Jerusalem ... negate the Palestinian existence in the city as well as its historical Arab, Muslim and Christian identity and heritage over the centuries." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212585#.Vz-v0PkrLIU 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 : " For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape." Netanyahu welcomes Sisi's push for Israeli-Palestinian peace 05/17/2016 "Israel is prepared to cooperate with Egypt and with other Arab states to advance the diplomatic process and the stability in the region," Netanyahu said. Delivering a speech at the inauguration of a new power plant in the city of Asyut Tuesday, Sisi said that "there is an opportunity to write a new chapter of peace in the area," calling on both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to take advantage of this opportunity. "If we can all join forces in order to solve the Palestinian issue by creating hope for Palestinians and assuring security for Israelis, we will be able to write a new chapter that may prove to be more important than the peace accords between Israel and Egypt," Sisi added. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Netanyahu-welcomes-Sisis-push-for-Israeli-Palestinian-peace-454199 Iran's # 1 Ally: Assad's forces have 'used sarin nerve gas' for the first time since Syria's notorious 2013 massacre 17 MAY 2016 Syria’s regime has used sarin nerve gas for the first time since 2013, dropping bombs laden with the chemical agent on Isil fighters outside Damascus, according to a senior Israeli official. This use of sarin would show that Bashar al-Assad has retained the ability to gas his enemies despite an agreement that supposedly disarmed Syria of its chemical arsenal. That deal was reached after the regime used sarin and VX gas to kill as many as 1,400 people in rebel-held areas of Damascus on August 21, 2013. President Barack Obama had declared the use of chemical weapons to be a “red line” that would trigger US air strikes. Once Assad agreed to disarm, however, Mr Obama abandoned his plan for military action. Since then, Assad’s forces are believed to have used relatively unsophisticated chlorine gas on several dozen occasions. But the regime refrained from employing sarin – a far more lethal substance – until the latest incident. The Syrian air force dropped the bombs laden with sarin just over three weeks ago, said the official. The apparent aim was to prevent the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) from seizing two air bases located north-east of Damascus. Israel believes that scores of Isil fighters were killed in the incident, although the exact impact is uncertain. The casualties were far heavier than those that would have been inflicted by chlorine gas, leading Israeli analysts to conclude that sarin was used. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/17/assads-forces-have-used-sarin-nerve-gas-for-the-first-time-since/ Daniel 8 Showdown Coming: Former DM Warns of US Plots to Deploy Terrorists in Eastern Iran May 17, 2016 Former Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi warned of Washington's plots to station terrorist groups in the Eastern parts of Iran and Asia, adding that Tehran is fully aware of the US aid to the terrorists. "We have precise information about the US assistance to the terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, The Eastern Iran region and Asia is where that they want to transfer the terrorist to," Vahidi said, addressing a forum in Tehran on Tuesday. Vahidi, who is currently the Head of the Strategic Center of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, referred to the existence of the US bases in the region, and said the coasts of Oman might also be one of the primary places from which threats can be posed to Iran. In relevant remarks last May, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that the US statesmen are terrorists and they support terrorism and terrorist groups in the region. "The one who blatantly supports terrorism is the US," the Supreme Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the false allegations of the Americans on Iran's support for terrorism, and said, "The Iranian nation has firmly confronted the terrorism that had grown in the country with the US money and support." http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950228000354 Luke 17:28-30 : " Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." The sin of Sodom(y) spreading throughout the world: Mexican President Proposes Same-Sex Marriage Legalization 5/18/2016 Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced he had signed an initiative for recognition of same-sex marriage in the country’s constitution. Speaking at the National Day Against Homophobia on Tuesday, Pena Nieto proposed amending the country’s constitution to recognize "the human right to marry without discrimination," as quoted by the EFE news agency. Last year, the country’s Supreme Court declared bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. http://sputniknews.com/latam/20160518/1039784066/mexican-president-gay-marriage.html#ixzz48yTRgLjI "In the Last days... they will have a form of godliness, but deny the power" 2 Timothy 3 He lied: Gay 'Pastor' who accused Whole Foods of slur on cake drops lawsuit May 17, 2016 A gay Texas 'pastor' who sued Whole Foods after he bought a cake that he alleged had a slur written on it in icing has dropped his lawsuit against the grocer, admitting he made the whole thing up. Jordan Brown of Austin dropped the suit and issued an apology on Monday. Whole Foods vigorously denied the allegation when Brown first came forward in April. The Austin American Statesman reports the company released surveillance video that it said showed Brown was lying and filed a counter suit against him. http://www.onenewsnow.com/ap/legal/he-lied-gay-pastor-who-accused-whole-foods-of-slur-on-cake-drops-lawsuit?utm_source=OneNewsNow&utm_medium=email&utm_term=16783958&utm_content=69288021445095704&utm_campaign=24925 ‘Jews invented the Temple Mount lie’ Organization representing Palestinian religious leaders praises the UNESCO denial of Jewish ties to the Temple Mount. 5/16/2016 The Association of Palestinian Scholars and Preachers praised the controversial decision of UNESCO, which recently denied Jewish history at the Temple Mount and referred to the area only as the religious Islamic sites "Al-Haram Al-Sharif" and “Al-Aqsa Mosque." The Association declared this decision a victory for the religious and historical legitimacy of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is built on the Mount - the holiest site in Judaism. The Association further declared that the term Temple Mount is an "historical lie" invented by Jews, and that history is not allowed to be established on “lies," in an ironic statement given that the First and Second Temples stood at the site, as has been repeatedly proven by archaeology. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212343#.VzqPkfkrLIU Oh No! Iran's Ahmadinejad returning to politics? Iranian hardliner's sudden return to public eye fuels rumors of new presidential bid. 5/16/2016 Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be plotting a course to a third term, with a sudden spate of public appearances fueling rumors that the hardliner may be pursuing a new presidential bid. Ahmadinejad, whose belligerent rhetoric and open calls for Israel’s destruction isolated Iran diplomatically, nevertheless won reelection in 2009 by wide margin, receiving 63% of the vote. Observers say that the 59-year old former leader could pose a serious threat to incumbent president Hassan Rouhani, who campaigned as a reform-oriented moderate, despite his country’s ongoing threats to annihilate Israel. While he largely avoided public appearances after leaving office in 2013, Ahmadinejad has attended a number of major events in recent weeks, speaking to exuberant crowds cheering “Ahmadinejad is coming back!” http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212348#.VzqNAPkrLIU Nasrallah: We must be vigilant against the 'Zionists' Hezbollah leader warns of Israel's moves in the region, calls for vigilance. 5/16/2016 The Muslim world must be vigilant against “the Zionist regime's moves”, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned on Sunday, according to the Fars news agency. Nasrallah’s spoke in a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, during which he expressed gratitude to Tehran for helping regional states in fighting against terrorist groups and establishing security in the region. "If the resistance forces had not sacrificed their lives in the fight against the Zionist regime and terrorism and if the martyred Iranian military advisors (in Iraq and Syria) had not extended their cooperation, there would have been no security left in the region," Nasrallah said during the meeting in Beirut on Sunday. Iran is a chief backer of Hezbollah and has been accused of using the group to further its aims in war-torn Syria. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212301#.VzqLP_krLIU Peter Schiff: President Obama Lies about America Paying its Bills May 16, 2016 Peter Schiff warns that Obama’s fiscal mismanagement could lead to a system-wide collapse worse than anything in America’s 240-year history. According to Schiff, “Armageddon is inevitable." During a press conference in October 2013, Obama said that if the debt ceiling wasn’t raised, payments to bondholders, retirees, and military personnel wouldn’t be realistic. “No option is good in that scenario,” said Obama. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew played along, too, asserting that the federal government couldn’t pick and choose who gets paid and who doesn’t. Both turned out to be blatant liars. According to the investigation, the New York Fed was already working on contingency plans to accomplish what Lew and Obama were calling impossible. Worse yet, internal Fed records indicate that the Treasury restricted the flow of information (concerning its contingency plans) “to pressure Congress” about the debt ceiling. When factoring in unfunded liabilities like Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and government-secured bank accounts, the U.S. is more than $100 trillion in debt. Such a reality forces the government to spend 14% of its tax revenue on interest payments. America pays $86-billion every month just to service its debt. Can Uncle Sam sustain this dangerous imbalance? According to Peter Schiff, “absolutely not.” Schiff predicts that America will soon face a crisis of epic proportion – far worse than any terrorist attack. “We’re broke. There’s no question about it. Our liabilities far exceed our assets. The question is, when is the world going to wake up? But you can’t wait for that question to be answered. You need to prepare in advance.” http://realcrash2016.com/president-obama-lies/?code=504475/ Daniel 8 news: Four ways US seizure of Iranian assets will impact bilateral ties May 16, 2016 The US Supreme Court ruling to confiscate $2 billion worth of Iranian assets to compensate American victims of terrorist attacks has hit hard in Tehran. The asset seizure, which has the backing of the US State Department, has been described by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani as "blatant theft," while Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called it "highway robbery." First, a "wall of mistrust" will be created. The Supreme Court ruling is causing Iranians to be pessimistic about the easing of tensions between Iran and the United States. Iran's paramilitary Basij force, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi, has stated, "This is not a small matter. After all the patience and flexibility to reach a [nuclear] agreement, the United States is now using something that happened 33 years ago as an excuse to confiscate $2 billion of assets that belong to the Iranian nation." http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/05/us-supreme-court-2-billion-iranian-assets-seizure.html#ixzz48sPLCAsx Iran’s Regional Hegemony (Pursuit to Take over M.E.) May 16, 2016 Iran regards itself as the rightful guardian of not only Shiite Muslims, but of the Muslim world. Iranian revolutionary ideology sought to promote pan-Islamic unity. To that end, Iran has historically been ready to support Islamist movements and terrorist groups that align with its goals, particularly when those groups threaten the West. http://www.clarionproject.org/sites/default/files/Iranian-Regional-Hegemony.pdf Iran's Anti-Semitism May 16, 2016 As Iran's revenues are rising, thanks to the lifting of sanctions, the prize for the best Holocaust cartoon was lifted, as well. Iran is now offering $50,000 for the best Holocaust cartoon, more than quadruple last year's prize, which was $12,000. According to Iran's semi-official IRNA news agency, the conference is expected to draw participants from more than 50 countries. The Iranian regime seems to be using global legitimacy, granted to its leaders by many Western politicians through the nuclear agreement and business deals, to promote the core pillars of its Islamic revolution, opposing the US and rejecting Israel's right to exist, as well as its fundamental ideals. In addition, it is worth noting that these kinds of global conferences, which work to deny the historical fact of the Holocaust, are aimed at undermining Israel's legitimacy, as well as its right to exist. One of Iran's major foreign policy and ideological objectives, which rests on the religious teachings of Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei, is the struggle against Israel. Western powers are aware of the fact that the improving ties and rapprochement between Tehran and the West, particularly Washington, are contributing to legitimizing the Iranian regime. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on the international community to strongly condemn these hatred-driven moves by Iran's regime. http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8046/iran-antisemitism Showdown is Coming: IRAN Aerospace And Missile Force Commander: The Americans Are Telling Us 'Don't Talk About Missile Affairs, And If You Conduct A Test... Don't Mention It' May 15, 2016 "The arrogance [i.e. the U.S.] is trying to create among us the belief that Iran is at a crossroads, and that it has no choice but to compromise with America or be eternally subjected to American pressure and the problems that stem from that... At the same time, within Iran the belief has taken root that it is not possible to solve Iran's problems without America... "If we stand fast against this move by the Americans, who have stolen the funds of the Iranian nation, they will abandon this habit of thievery. But if we compromise with them, their thievery will end up taking $40-$50 billion of Iran's assets and its blocked funds. The Americans understand only the language of force; they do not understand the language of reason. They cannot be trusted. We must face them down firmly, and we must act. If we do not, we will witness daily their exaggerated and evil demands. "At this time, the Americans are telling us: 'Don't talk about missile affairs, and if you conduct a test or maneuver, don't mention it.' If we agree to this, they will advance another step, and say: 'Don't conduct a missile test at this time, and also don't do it in the Persian Gulf region.' After that, they will tell us: 'Why do you need your missiles to have a range of 2,000 km anyway?' "After that, they will tell us: 'Next, we will check whether your missiles can really carry nuclear weapons. Bring us the details of the missiles.' After that, they will say: 'We need to set up cameras.' And, finally, they will say: 'Either saw [the missiles up into pieces] or, like Libyan dictator Mu'ammar Gadhafi, load them onto a ship and hand them over to us.' "They are clearly deluding themselves. Nothing like this will ever happen." http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9192.htm Iran ‘preparing another Holocaust,’ Netanyahu charges After meeting French FM, prime minister calls on world to condemn Islamic Republic for ‘denying and mocking’ the Shoah May 15, 2016 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu railed at Iran Sunday for holding its annual Holocaust denial cartoon contest, charging that the Islamic Republic was “preparing another Holocaust” against the Jewish people. Iran “denies the Holocaust, mocks the Holocaust, and is preparing another Holocaust,” he told ministers at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office, “and I think all the countries of the world need to stand up and condemn this unequivocally.” Israel’s problem with Iran, he said, “isn’t just its subversive, aggressive policy in the region. It’s the values on which it’s based.” Iran’s annual international cartoon contest lampooning the Holocaust features around 150 works from 50 countries. It began Saturday and is running for the next two weeks. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-preparing-another-holocaust-netanyahu-charges/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=c1a7fb89e5-2016_05_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-c1a7fb89e5-54606857 Report: FBI monitoring 800 ISIS cases inside the US May 13, 2016 New concerns about homegrown terror in the wake of deadly attack in Baghdad http://video.foxnews.com/v/4890220737001/report-fbi-monitoring-800-isis-cases-inside-the-us/?#sp=show-clips The Messianic Prayers of Israeli Independence Day May 13, 2016 Coming from a most inspiring Israeli Independence Day Prayer Service at my local synagogue in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel, I realized just how “messianic” our prayers are. To many Jews, “Messianic” has become almost a dirty name here in Israel, since it has come to refer to the group of Christian missionaries who subvertly try to convert Jews to Christianity. Yet the Yom Haatzmaut prayers, prepared by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, are overtly full of references and supplications for the immediate arrival of the Messiah. This shouldn’t be a surprise, after all, it was Judaism who introduced the notion of a Messiah into the world. The Torah is full of references to the Moshiach who we believe will herald in an age of perfection, peace and proximity to God. While many of our daily prayers make reference to the coming of the Jewish Messiah, there is an almost obsession with the arrival of the Moshiach in our prayers on Israel’s Independence Day. The circumstances surrounding the rebirth of the State of Israel is nothing short of miraculous and the wonders that we are seeing unfold before our very eyes are clearly of Biblical proportions. The only explanation for Bible believers is that modern Israel is clear evidence of God’s eternal faithfulness to His people and we therefore use the holiday of Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day to pray for the final redemption of the world with the arrival of the Moshiach. Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/37378/the-messianic-prayers-of-israeli-independence-day-opinion/#BdM0cDfAY9AAhFL6.99 The Global Outbreak of Mental Illness MAY 13, 2016 And you thought global warming was the biggest crisis the world faces. On Tuesday, a Muslim screaming “Allahu akbar” and “Infidel, you must die” stabbed four people, killing one, at a train station near Munich. Nonetheless, Bavarian security officials immediately denied that he “had an Islamic extremist motive.” Then what caused the attack? Bavaria’s state interior minister Joachim Herrmann said that the attacker had “mental disorders.” France: Muslim driver ramming pedestrians while screaming “Allahu akbar” was “absolutely not an act of terrorism”: “‘This is absolutely not an act of terrorism,’ Prosecutor Marie-Christine Tarrare told reporters during a press conference, adding that the man had a ‘long-lasting and severe psychological disorder’ and had been hospitalised over 150 times since 2002.” California: Muslim arrested in mosque vandalism: “His older sister describes Khan as having schizophrenia.” Austria: Muslim drives car into crowd, killing 3, then gets out and stabs passersby: “Police are not currently investigating terrorism as a motive and the man is believed to be suffering from mental illness.” Muslima who beheaded toddler recently became religious, started wearing hijab: “One theory is that the woman is mentally ill and that she may have been exploited by a man or men she knew.” Chattanooga jihad murderer viewed Awlaki material online, spoke of Islamic martyrdom as long ago as 2013: “As the F.B.I. sent more investigators into this city Monday to explore dozens of possible leads, a picture took shape of a deeply troubled young man who struggled with mental illness and drug abuse at the same time he found himself alienated from United States policies in the Arab world, according to the authorities. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/05/robert-spencer-in-front-page-the-global-outbreak-of-mental-illness What the Tech? Facial Recognition May 12, 2016 Facebook lost a court case last Thursday in which it was alleged the social network used facial recognition of users and asked other users to tag them in photos. The judge ruled it was a violation of privacy. Facial recognition, or biometrics is the practice of using technological techniques that rely on measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked. Facebook, Google and the photo network Shutterfly have been accused of using biometrics without notifying users/customers. The use of biometrics poses significant risks to users of social networks and search engines, as we are constantly posting information and photos online. Facebook users often tag themselves and their friends in photos, matching faces, names and personal information. People who use Google Photos also allow the web service to search for images on a computer using facial recognition to more easily search for and add people to online photo albums. Privacy laws prevent companies such as Facebook and Google from sharing information with other companies and the government, however the information exists and some conspiracy theorists will argue it is possible for agencies to access the information. N.S.A. Collecting Millions of Faces from Web Images The National Security Agency is harvesting huge numbers of images of people from communications that it intercepts through its global surveillance operations for use in sophisticated facial recognition programs, according to top-secret documents. State and local law enforcement agencies are relying on a wide range of databases of facial imagery, including driver’s licenses and Facebook, to identify suspects. The F.B.I. is developing what it calls its “next generation identification” project to combine its automated fingerprint identification system with facial imagery and other biometric data. The State Department has what several outside experts say could be the largest facial imagery database in the federal government, storing hundreds of millions of photographs of American passport holders and foreign visa applicants. And the Department of Homeland Security is funding pilot projects at police departments around the country to match suspects against faces in a crowd http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/nsa-collecting-millions-of-faces-from-web-images.html?_r=0 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” A Friend in Need: Iran Sending Hundred Military Advisors to Syria and Iraq 05/14/2016 “Over the past year, a significant number of our commanders and instructors, about 100 people, went for the service period of two months in these areas,” Iran is sending about 100 military advisers and instructors to Syria and Iraq from the University of Imam Hussein Murteza Safari for the Preparation of Officers and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahiyan said that Iran is increasing the number of its military personnel in Syria in connection with the intensification of the fight against terrorism. They (the experts) will remain in the country until it is requested by Damascus, Abdollahiyan said. http://sputniknews.com/military/20160514/1039625283/iran-military-advisors-syria.html#ixzz48f71Htsz BDS : Boycott, Divestments, and Sanction Israel Everywhere a growing movement against Israel based on Lies May 14, 2016 Jerusalem is not Jewish- but Arab? The truth is in historical record and archeological verification. The Temple Mount IS the issue. A Must See Video. http://www.erickstakelbeck.com/type/video/ The Current Situation in and around Israel May 2016 This is a very informative video anyone interested in the Middle East Crisis. http://www.erickstakelbeck.com/tonight-on-tbn-the-truth-about-the-temple-mount/?utm_source=Erick+Stakelbeck&utm_campaign=2d34783994-Posts_from_RSSFEED&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff99565356-2d34783994-99756613 Dollar Devaluation – What Exactly Will The Future Global Economy Look Like After The Great Reset? May 14, 2016 A few goals are certain and openly admitted. The globalists ultimately want to diminish or erase the U.S. dollar as the world reserve currency. They most definitely are seeking to establish the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights basket system as a replacement for the dollar system; this plan was even outlined in the Rothschild run magazine The Economist in 1988. They want to consolidate economic governance, moving away from a franchise system of national central banks into a single global monetary authority, most likely under the IMF or the Bank for International Settlements. And, they consistently argue for the centralization of political power in the name of removing legislative and sovereign barriers to safer financial regulation. These are not “theories” of fiscal change, these are facts behind the globalist methodology. When the IMF mentions the “great global reset,” the above changes are a part of what they are referring to.Who knows what the trigger will be? There are so many potential catalysts for economic instability that there is no way to make a prediction. The only thing that is certain is that one or more of these catalysts will be triggered. A Saudi depeg from the U.S. dollar, a large scale terrorist attack, a general rout in stock markets due to a loss of faith in central bank policy, a confrontation between Eastern and Western powers. It doesn’t really matter much. All of it is designed to produce one outcome — chaos. To which the globalists will offer “order,” their particular order using their particular solutions as “objective mediators.” The fact that the crisis was engineered from the very beginning will never be mentioned. Centralization will be championed as the cure-all to the barbaric relic of complexity. Almost all other changes to our economic environment will stem from this single lie. You are going to see long standing financial institutions sacrificed in the name of rehabilitating the global system. Do not assume that certain major banks (Deutsche Bank?) will not be brought down, or that certain central banks will not be toppled (Federal Reserve) as the reset progresses. Also do not assume even that certain geopolitical structures will not be brought into disarray (European Union). In the push towards total globalization and one world economic governance, the elites have no loyalty to any single corporation, nation or even central bank. They will chop off almost any appendage if they can achieve a one world system in the trade. http://globalcurrencyreset.net/what-will-world-economy-look-like-after-reset/#ixzz48eXbGuLI Political Leaders Listening to the Religious Leaders To Lead Them: Pope Francis: This Is How the Church Can Help a Fraying Europe Rediscover Its Unity May 13, 2016 Francis was addressing a gathering of European leaders inside the Vatican, which included the heads of the three main European Union institutions (Jean-Claude Juncker of the European Commission, Martin Schulz of the European Parliament and Donald Tusk of the European Council), along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Matteo Renzi, the prime minister of Italy. Francis was probably the only non-European present. At a time when “Europe is going through turbulent times and faces what may be a decisive test of its unity,” as Martin Schulz put it bluntly in his opening address, EU leaders thought turning themselves towards Francis could be helpful when facing reluctant — if not Eurosceptic — public opinions. “The roots of Europe, were consolidated down the centuries by the constant need to integrate in new syntheses the most varied and discrete cultures,” he went on. In other words, identity is never closed and settled once and for all. And it is based on more than just religious grounds. Francis called on Europe’s “capacity to integrate” them, thanks to its ever-evolving and plural identity. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sebastien-maillard/pope-francis-europe_b_9869834.html?utm_hp_ref=world Want world peace? ‘Build 3rd Temple’ Organization launches campaign to raise funds for draft plans of site, which, if built, it says, would ‘usher in universal harmony’ Egypt, Qatar, the US and the UN write proposals for Israel-Hamas ceasefires, one organization based in Jerusalem’s Old City hopes to compose a peace plan of a different kind: a detailed architectural blueprint for the Third Jewish Temple on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. The Temple Institute, which has recreated 60 vessels to be used in a Third Temple and which sponsors educational programs about the temple worldwide, has created a $100,000 Indiegogo campaign to draft plans for a Third Temple. Building the temple, says the Indiegogo campaign statement, would “usher in a new era of universal harmony and peace,” as prophesied in the Bible. “It is not enough to wait and pray for the Third Temple,” the statement added. “It is a Biblical obligation to build it.” http://www.timesofisrael.com/want-mideast-peace-build-the-3rd-temple/ Cruz: Boost Israeli aid against the Iranian menace In a strong op-ed, former presidential candidate demands Obama reverse 'failure' and fully fund Jewish state's defense for Iranian missiles. 5/13/2016 Cruz began by noting that Iran on Monday announced it conducted another ballistic missile test of a rocket with a 2,000 kilometer (1,250 mile) range that is said to be "without any error" in its accuracy. The missile would put Israel in reach, as well as the entire Middle East. Iran did not announce if the rocket had "Israel should be erased from the map" written on it in Hebrew as other recent missiles tested by the leading state sponsor of terror had inscribed on them. "But it hardly matters. The mullahs' objectives are plain enough for anyone with eyes to see: The Iranian regime is continuing its determined march towards not only a nuclear weapon, but also the means to launch it, first against Israel and then against the United States," warned Cruz. He noted that despite US President Barack Obama's claims of a "more moderate course" under Iranian President Hassan Rouhani since he took office in 2013, "the regime in Tehran has been frank and open about its continued hostility toward America and Israel." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212236#.VzaEUoQrLIU Hezbollah chief: Islamic State carrying out new Nakba in Mideast Using Palestinian term for 1948 creation of Israel, Hassan Nasrallah blames US for rise of Sunni terror group, says West now paying price May 12, 2016 Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday that the Islamic State was carrying out a new “Nakba” in the Middle East, employing the Arabic word for catastrophe traditionally used by the Palestinians and the Arab world to refer to the 1948 creation of the State of Israel. Nasrallah’s remarks, coming as Israel celebrated its 68th Independence Day, including a harsh attack on the US, which he accused of creating the Islamic State terror group to extend hegemony over the region. The difference “between the current Nakba and the one of 1948,” Nasrallah added, was that “there are groups that currently exist that will stand in the way of this new Nakba,” in reference to Hezbollah, a Shiite group whose members have been fighting alongside Iranian forces and Assad’s military since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in March 2011. The US “and its regional allies have brought takfiri [non-believers] and barbaric terrorist groups aimed at destroying the spirit and will of the resistance,” said the Hezbollah leader. “Islamic State is a means to achieve US goals, as demonstrated through the return of American troops in Iraq,” he said according to Lebanese news site Naharnet. “The West does not have a problem with Muslims, but with the movements and people who reject Israeli occupation of Palestine. They have a problem with all those who reject foreign hegemony in the region. They want IS to reach all of Iran’s borders and even within Iran itself,” he added. http://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-chief-islamic-state-carrying-out-new-nakba-in-mideast/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=09fc9a2433-2016_05_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-09fc9a2433-54606857 Daniel 8:5-6, 17: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn ( great nation) between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.” “So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end." The Ram is “Pushing” Iranian Officials Tout Iran's Regional Supremacy May 13, 2016 Future Cooperation Between Iran, Russia, Iraq And Lebanon Will Also Include Yemen; The Prospects For A Resistance Axis Victory Over The Zionist Regime Are Now Greater Than Ever Supreme Leader Khamenei's Strategic Affairs Advisor Ali Akbar Velayati and Basij Commander Mohammad Reza Naqdi recently addressed geopolitical changes in the Middle East, particularly the role played by Iran, and claimed that Iran, which champions the values of the Islamic revolution and leads the Shi'ite Resistance Axis, has emerged victorious and has cemented its status as a regional superpower. Naqdi stressed Iranian supremacy vis-à-vis the "defeated" U.S. and Israel, while Velayati outlined the Shi'ite Iran's regional cooperation with Russia – the reemerging global power that has returned to the Middle East. "Russia and Iran see eye to eye on most Syria-related matters. Full coordination exists between the Bashar Al-Assad government, the Syrian army, the popular forces under the command of [Iranian] General Qassem Soleimani and Russia's air force. Without this [cooperation], the victories [in Syria] would not have been possible... "It is worth noting that the other side constitutes a powerful array comprised of states from the world and the region: America, the Western countries, the indirect presence of NATO, the Zionists, countries in the region that obey America [i.e. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Gulf states] and their activists, such as the Islamic State [ISIS] and Jabhat Al-Nusra. This vast array is present in a small state [Syria] with limited capabilities that for five years has been subject to attempts to topple its regime. But this country resists, thanks to the courage and wisdom of Bashar Al-Assad, [and thanks to] popular [Syrian] support and help from Iran.. An unprecedented development has taken place in the region: Russia, a military superpower with a veto power in the UN Security Council is coordinating with Iran, the major power in the region, on regional matters, not only on the Syrian issue. I believe that in the future, cooperation between Iran, Russia, Iraq and Lebanon will also encompass Yemen. There is [also] a plot against the defense of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and cooperation between Russian Iran exists on this matter [as well]. Such cooperation is unprecedented in the history of the region... http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/9190.htm Iran Sends Afghan Refugees Off to Jihad in Syria Around 3 million Afghan refugees live in Iran as second-class citizens. They are mistreated, exploited and now bribed to fight for Iran in Syria. May 12, 2016 The National Council of Resistance of Iran, an Iranian opposition group, shows that the Iranian regime is exploiting the Afghans it mistreats by recruiting them to fight in Syria. Around 3 million Afghans live in Iran as second-class citizens, refugees from their war-town homeland who have not been accepted into their new country. One recruit for the war in Syria explained that the regime denies residency and identity documents to Afghans, making it nearly impossible to find jobs or go to school. A rare protest happened last month after a six-year old Afghan girl who went out for ice cream in a suburb of Tehran was murdered. In true Islamist fashion, one regime outlet said the root cause of the attack was online pornography, using the atrocity to justify its theocratic rule and attribute it to sins for which it blames the West. The Afghans are deployed to the bloodiest areas of Syria, which essentially means they are being used as cannon fodder. They are often inadequately trained for the harsh warfare they are thrown into. The BBC reports that up to 10,000 Afghans may have been recruited for the war in Syria by the Revolutionary Guards. https://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/iran-sends-afghan-refugees-jihad-syria Two earthquakes rock Baluchistan, Pakistan today May 13, 2016 Two moderate earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 and 5.3 rocked Baluchistan province of Pakistan today. http://www.disaster-report.com/2016/05/balochistan-pakistan-earthquake-today.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+disaster-report+%28Disaster+Report%29 Obama administration orders public schools to allow 'transgenders' to use opposite-sex bathrooms May 13, 2016 Public schools must permit transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity, according to an Obama administration directive issued amid a court fight between the federal government and North Carolina. In issuing the guidance, the Obama administration is wading anew into a socially divisive debate it has bluntly cast in terms of civil rights. The Justice Department on Monday sued North Carolina over a bathroom access law that it said violates the rights of transgender people, a measure that Lynch likened to policies of racial segregation and efforts to deny gay couples the right to marry. "As is consistently recognized in civil rights cases, the desire to accommodate others' discomfort cannot justify a policy that singles out and disadvantages a particular class of students," the guidance says. http://www.onenewsnow.com/ap/legal/obama-administration-orders-public-schools-to-allow-transgenders-to-use-opposite-sex-bathrooms?utm_source=OneNewsNow&utm_medium=email&utm_term=16783941&utm_content=69288021445095704&utm_campaign=24902 Daniel 8:5-6, 17: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn ( great nation) between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.” “So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end." Senior Iranian commander declares the United States to be Iran's greatest enemy. 5/12/2016 A senior Iranian commander declared on Wednesday that Iran considers no country in the world as a threat but the United States, reports the Fars news agency. "We don’t see any enemy but the Americans, and its instance is the (hostile) official remarks of the U.S. officials and the trend of their actions," the commander, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, was quoted as having said. He accused the United States of being the only country which is ready to trample on other countries’ interests in order to meet its own interests. "The world nations can confidently resist against the U.S. bullying and what is against their interests," Fadavi added, according to Fars. The comments are the latest by an Iranian official against the United States, which senior Iranians refer to as “the Great Satan”. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212153#.VzTCcIQrLIU Matthew 24:7: " And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." Researchers Say Atlanta AIDS Epidemic is Now as Bad as That of Developing Countries May 11, 2016 The AIDS infection rate in Atlanta has taken an alarming turn for the worst, according to the latest research reports. Developing countries around the world have struggled to get the HIV/AIDS epidemics plaguing their communities under control for decades and now new statistics suggest Atlanta is facing an equally dire situation. "Downtown Atlanta is as bad as Zimbabwe or Harare or Durban," said Emory University Center for AIDS Research co-director Dr. Carlos del Rio. According to the most recent CDC report, the risk of being infected with HIV in the state of Georgia is now 1 in 51. http://www.essence.com/2016/05/11/atlanta-aids-epidemic-comparable-to-developing-countries Better education for patients, doctors on disease symptoms may help reduce Leprosy in Brazil May 11, 2016 Better education for both patients and doctors on how to spot the early symptoms of leprosy would help to reduce cases of the disease in Brazil, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham. Lead author Mary Henry, from the University of Birmingham, said: "Leprosy is a leading cause of preventable disability worldwide and endemic in Brazil, which ranks second only to India in the amount of cases recorded. http://www.news-medical.net/news/20160511/Better-education-for-patients-doctors-on-disease-symptoms-may-help-reduce-leprosy-in-Brazil.aspx Revelation 6:9-11 : " When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." 200 Christians Massacred in Aleppo Rocket Attacks May 11, 2016 As many as 200 Christians have been killed in recent weeks in bombardments in the war-torn city of Aleppo, relief groups have said, with women and children accounting for half of the victims. "Lift up in prayer the Christian community of Aleppo and all innocent civilians in the city following a sustained period of bombardment, which mainly targeted the Christian area," aid group Barnabas Fund told BosNewsLife in a statement. The Christian area in Aleppo was hit by 1,350 rockets between April 22 and April 30, the group said, which killed some 132 people, half of them women and children. Further bombardments on May 3 resulted in the deaths of 65 others, while hundreds more were injured. Church leaders in Aleppo have been lamenting the intensity of the civil war, waged between the Syrian government and various rebel groups, with a number of cities with Christian populations caught in the crossfire. "Never, since the beginning of this terrible war, were things as bad as they are now. I have no words to describe all the suffering I see on a daily basis," Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need last week. http://www.christianpost.com/news/200-christians-massacred-in-aleppo-rocket-attacks-163705/#Skv46JBMMqdHDzmr.99 India air pollution kills half a million per year, costs hundreds of billions – study May 11, 2016 Air pollution in India is leading to half a million premature deaths a year and is costing the country hundreds of billions of dollars, according to a new study. The new study follows separate research published by Greenpeace in February, which found that India had surpassed China in the amount of fine particulate matter pollution. Comparing the two countries' capitals, that study found that New Delhi came to about 128 micrograms per cubic meter, compared to Beijing's 81. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that countries aim for an annual average of 10 micrograms per cubic meter. https://www.rt.com/news/342688-air-pollution-india-study/ IRAN THREATENS TO SINK US WARSHIPS Islamic Republic's naval forces claim secret weapons arsenal at the ready to hit any US warship, brands America 'absolute evil.' 5/11/2016 The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) threatened to "drown" any US warships approaching Iran, a top general said Tuesday, according to state-controlled media. “We have informed Americans that their presence in the Persian Gulf is an absolute evil,” Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi stated to state media. “Americans are aware that Iran would destroy their warships if they take a wrong measure in the region.” He further threatened that the US would "lose control of everything" by drawing others into Middle-East affairs. "There have never been normal conditions in the Persian Gulf and Americans can feel the presence of IRGC navy forces at any spot,” he added. “Iran’s great power has forced US to consider creation of deterrent capabilities.” Fadavi also boasted that the West remains unaware of Iran's alleged naval capabilities, including surface-to-air missiles. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212122#.VzN4poQrLIU 24:6 : "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." U.S. Warship Challenges China's Claims in South China Sea May 10, 2016 The U.S. Navy sent its third warship in less than seven months into waters of the South China Sea claimed by China as tensions rise ahead of an international court’s ruling on the territorial dispute. The warship “threatened” China’s sovereignty and put staff and facilities on the island at risk, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a briefing in Beijing Tuesday. The U.S.’s regular freedom-of-navigation operations since 1979 were “a naked challenge” to the maritime order, he said. Lu said Chinese naval vessels followed, monitored and warned the U.S. warship. “The Chinese side resolutely opposed it, and will continue to carry out necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty and security,” he said. China also sent out fighter jets to warn the U.S. ship away, China’s defense ministry said in a later statement. Military posturing in the waters has escalated in recent weeks. U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited an American aircraft carrier in the South China Sea on April 15, just after General Fan Changlong -- China’s most senior military official after President Xi Jinping -- toured Fiery Cross. China later refused the carrier that hosted Carter, the USS John C. Stennis entry to Hong Kong for a port call. The Chinese navy over the past week carried out combat drills in the South China Sea, led by the Hefei, one of the country’s most advanced missile destroyers, according to official Xinhua News Agency. Five other vessels participated, along with three helicopters and dozens of “special warfare” soldiers. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-10/u-s-sends-warship-to-challenge-china-s-south-china-sea-claim Luke 17:28-30 : " as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." More Than 100 United Methodist Clergy Come Out As LGBT The religious leaders released their letter on the eve of the church’s General Conference. 05/09/2016 More than 100 pastors, deacons, elders and candidates for ministry in the United Methodist Church released a letter publicly coming out as LGBT just one day before the church’s top policy-making body convenes in Portland to consider roughly 1,000 legislative petitions. “Our prayer, as the church begins its time of discernment, is that you will remember that there are nameless ones around the world, hungry for a word of hope and healing,” stated the letter, which was organized by Reconciling Ministries Network. “LGBTQI people and their families exist in every church in every continent of this denomination. They are seeking to remain in faithful relationship with you, even when you refuse, because they know God’s tender mercies and great faithfulness.” The letter is part of a growing body of Methodist clergy members protesting the church’s stance that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.The policies of the United Methodist Church ask LGBT people to live in secret and hide our light. God calls us to shine our light brightly, and it’s time to change these unjust policies,” she said. Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr., president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, said in a statement to HuffPost: “The United Methodist Church affirms that all people are of sacred worth and welcomes all people into its congregations. Legislation before General Conference will consider the denomination’s stance on the ordination of clergy who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other orientations.” Monday’s letter, as well as other acts of civil disobedience taken by Methodist clergy and laypeople, give Berryman hope that the General Conference will “come to a consensus and expunge those passages which are dehumanizing to LGBTQ people,” he said. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-methodist-church-lgbt-clergy_us_5730f866e4b016f37896b8f6?ir=Religion§ion=us_religion&utm_hp_ref=religion John 16:2 : " the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." A PRIEST who was kidnapped and tortured by al-Qaeda terrorists has declared it is ‘impossible’ to be a Christian in Iraq. May 9, 2016 Douglas Bazi saw his church blown up in front of him before crazed jihadis knocked his teeth knocked out with a hammer, broke his nose and back and shot him in the leg. He revealed graphic details of his nine days held hostage and the continued persecution of Christians by ISIS when he gave the bleak outlook for his faith. The Christian population of Iraq has been decimated from two million in 2003 to less than 200,000 today. He said: “They destroyed my car, they blew up my church on front of me. I got shot by AK-47 in my leg. The bullet is still in my leg. And I had been kidnapped for nine days. “They smashed my nose and my teeth by hammer. And they broke one of my back discs.” Christians have been murdered, raped, tortured and driven out of their homes with young women and girls taken as sex slaves in recent months. Crazed jihadis forced 100,000 Christians to leave Mosul in one night after issuing them with a sickening ultimatum. The city’s Christians were given 24 hours to convert to radical Islam or face a public beheading when the terror group captured the city in June last year. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/668590/priest-captured-by-terrorists-impossible-to-be-Christian-Iraq Psalm 83:4 : "They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more." Bin Laden's son: Unity in Syria to 'liberate Palestine' Al Qaeda founder's favorite son calls for jihadists to unite in Syria so as to 'liberate Al-Quds (Jerusalem). 5/9/2016 The son of Al Qaeda's late founder Osama bin Laden has urged jihadists in Syria to unite, claiming that the fight in the war-torn country paves the way to "liberating Palestine." "Either you unite to live as Muslims with dignity, or you bicker and separate and so are eaten one by one," he added, according to SITE Intelligence monitoring group. Al Qaeda's Syria affiliate Nusra Front is a rival of ISIS, which is an Al Qaeda offshoot whose leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2014 declared an Islamic caliphate across territory seized in Iraq and Syria. Bin Laden's son said Syria is the "best battlefield" leading to "liberating Al-Quds," the Arabic name for Jerusalem. "The road to liberating Palestine is today much shorter compared to before the blessed Syrian revolution," he said. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212014#.VzD3N4QrLIU Iran claims to successfully test missile that can reach Israel Highly accurate ballistic missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers, was launched two weeks ago, Tehran general says May 9, 2016 In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles, which an Iranian news agency said had the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” written on them in Hebrew. An Iranian commander said the test was designed to demonstrate to Israel that it is within Iranian missile range. That launch sparked international fury as it appeared to flout the agreements made in the Iranian nuclear deal. The US, France, Britain and Germany decried the launch as “destabilizing and provocative” and called for United Nations action. A UN committee later determined Iran’s ballistic tests were in violation of a Security Council resolution prohibiting Tehran from launching ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Last month, American and Russian officials said Iran test-fired an advanced rocket system in the Dasht-e Kavir desert, in what some considered a cover for intercontinental ballistic missile research. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-claims-to-successfully-test-missile-that-can-reach-israel/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=617c14be63-2016_05_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-617c14be63-54606857 Daniel 8:5-6, 17: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.” “So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the TIME OF THE END" The Ram is “Pushing” Iran's Plans to Control a Palestinian State May 9, 2016 The Iran nuclear deal, marking its first anniversary, does not appear to have had a calming effect on the Middle East. Iran funnels money to Hamas and Islamic Jihad because they share its desire to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Islamic empire. The Iranian leaders want to see Hamas killing Jews every day, with no break. Ironically, Hamas has become too "moderate" for the Iranian leadership because it is not doing enough to drive Jews out of the region. More Palestinian terror group leaders may soon perform the "pilgrimage" to their masters in Tehran. If this keeps up, the Iranians themselves will puppeteer any Palestinian state that is created in the region. This intervention is an extension of Iran's ongoing efforts to expand its influence in Arab and Islamic countries, including Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon and some Gulf states. The nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers has not stopped the Iranians from proceeding with their global plan to export their "Islamic Revolution." On the contrary, the general sense among Arabs and Muslims is that in the wake of the nuclear deal, Iran has accelerated its efforts to spread its influence. Iran's direct and indirect presence in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon has garnered some international attention, yet its actions in the Palestinian arena are still ignored by the world. That Iran provides financial and military aid to Palestinian groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad has never been a secret. In fact, both the Iranians and the Palestinian radical groups have been boasting about their relations. Iran funnels money to these groups because they share its desire to eliminate Israel and replace it with an Islamic empire. Like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas and Islamic Jihad agreed to play the role of Tehran's proxies and enablers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8007/iran-palestinian-state Religious leaders vow to fight extremism with harmony Leaders of four major religions have vowed to unite and promote religious harmony as part of efforts to combat a sharp rise in religious extremism May 9, 2016 The gathering brought together about 1,500 people, mostly leaders from Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist communities. The show of unity comes in the wake of a series of brutal attacks on liberal and progressive activists including secular bloggers, publishers, educators, and religious leaders allegedly by Islamic militants. International terror groups such as the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda have claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the government insists the attacks were the work of homegrown militants allegedly linked to opposition and Islamist parties. "There are some homegrown militant groups who are trying to create anarchy. This is part of a conspiracy to destroy a long tradition of peace and religious harmony in Bangladesh," Khan told the April 28 gathering. Leaders from various religious communities can play a vital role in uniting people against fundamentalism, he added. Holy Cross Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario of Dhaka said interfaith dialogue and efforts to strengthen harmony are vital in battling religious extremism. "We are passing through challenging times and we would like to overcome these challenges successfully," he said. "We have inherited a thousand-year-old tradition of tolerance and harmony, so we should not let some unexpected incidents happen and destroy it," Archbishop D'Rozario said. http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/religious-leaders-vow-to-fight-extremism-with-harmony/29049/2?mc_cid=62916619bd&mc_eid=b99c7fea40 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” U.S. tries to convince Iraqis it doesn’t support Daesh May 09, 2016 Despite spending more than $10 million on public outreach in Iraq last year, the U.S. government appears to have made little headway in dispelling such rumors. An unscientific survey by the State Department of Iraqi residents last year found that 40 percent believe that U.S. policy is working to “destabilize Iraq and control its natural resources,” and a third believe America “supports terrorism in general and [Daesh] specifically.” Skepticism about U.S. motives is deeply rooted in Iraq, where many still blame the chaos after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein on American malice rather than incompetence. The conspiracy theories are also stoked by neighboring Iran, which backs powerful militias and political parties with active media operations. Among the most vocal critics is Al-Ahad TV – a 24-hour satellite channel funded by Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iranian-backed militia allied with the Iraqi government. The channel airs front-line reports and political talk shows where the allegedly harmful role of the U.S. government frequently comes up. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/May-09/351154-us-tries-to-convince-iraqis-it-doesnt-support-daesh.ashx Global water shortages to deliver 'severe hit' to economies, World Bank warns The Middle East, North Africa, central Asia and south Asia due to suffer biggest economic hit from water scarcity as climate change takes hold, report finds May 6, 2016 Water shortages will deliver a “severe hit” to the economies of the Middle East, central Asia, and Africa by the middle of the century, taking double digits off their GDP, the World Bank warned on Tuesday. By 2050, growing demand for cities and for agriculture would put water in short supply in regions where it is now plentiful – and worsen shortages across a vast swath of Africa and Asia, spurring conflict and migration, the bank said. Governments have grown increasingly concerned about the threat to water supply because of a combination of climate change and increasing demand. Barack Obama invited business leaders to the White House last March for a business summit aimed at protecting California from the next drought – by mobilising investment in data and other technologies that would promote more efficient use of water. Much of the world faces a hotter and drier future under climate change, according to scientists. Rainfall – including the monsoons that fortify agriculture in south Asia – will become more unpredictable. Storm surges could contaminate freshwater reservoirs. But there will also be pressure on water supply from rising populations – especially in cities – and increased demand from agriculture. “It turns out that economic growth is a thirsty business,” Damania said. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/03/climate-change-water-shortage-middle-east-asia-africa-world-bank Hellish Heat Could Spark ‘Climate Exodus’ In Africa and Middle East A study predicts climate change will cause sweltering temperatures and extreme dust storms that will leave the region uninhabitable. 05/6/2016 Scorching temperatures brought on by climate change could leave large swaths of the Middle East and North Africa uninhabitable by the middle of this century, a new study predicts. Researchers at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and The Cyprus Institute in Nicosia crunched the numbers and found that this area, a “climate change hotspot“ where days of extreme heat have doubled since 1970, could soon be plagued by weather so brutal that it triggers a “climate exodus.” On the hottest of days, temperatures in North Africa and the Middle East can reach highs of around 109 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the findings. But that figure could soar to 114 degrees by 2050, and 122 degrees by 2100 — extremes the researchers say could have “important consequences for human health and society.” Study lead author Jos Lelieveld, director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and a professor at The Cyprus Institute, says the change in climate could jeopardize the very existence of the area’s 500 million inhabitants. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/extreme-heat-middle-east-africa-uninhabitable_us_572a3c16e4b096e9f0900487?utm_hp_ref=climate-change Interfaith Leaders Gather to Promote Peace in the Heart of the Christian South 05/06/2016 Renowned spiritual leaders and activists will convene in Louisville, Kentucky for the 21st annual Festival of Faiths later this month to address strategies for peace in an increasingly violent world. The theme: “Sacred Wisdom: Pathways to Nonviolence.” Amidst rising police shootings, such as those that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as “the vitriol directed at American Muslims as a result of actions by terrorists, and the perilous health of our natural world, violence has become an accepted norm for many,” Sarah Reed Harris, managing director of the Center for Interfaith Relations, told The Huffington Post. “We believe our Festival of Faiths offers a recipe for the restoration of balance, thoughtfulness and sanity,” she said. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/festival-of-faiths-louisville_us_572ce9b2e4b096e9f09151d4?ir=Religion§ion=us_religion&utm_hp_ref=religion A New Digital Cash System Was Just Unveiled At A Secret Meeting For Bankers In New York May 6, 2016 Last month, a “secret meeting” that involved more than 100 executives from some of the biggest financial institutions in the United States was held in New York City. During this “secret meeting“, a company known as “Chain” unveiled a technology that transforms U.S. dollars into “pure digital assets”. Reportedly, there were representatives from Nasdaq, Citigroup, Visa, Fidelity, Fiserv and Pfizer in the room, and Chain also claims to be partnering with Capital One, State Street, and First Data. This “revolutionary” technology is intended to completely change the way that we use money, and it would represent a major step toward a cashless society. But if this new digital cash system is going to be so good for society, why was it unveiled during a secret meeting for Wall Street bankers? Is there something more going on here than we are being told? Why this is so alarming is because we are seeing other major moves toward a cashless system all over the planet. In Sweden, 95 percent of all retail transactions are already cashless, and ATM machines are being removed by the hundreds. In Denmark, government officials actually have a stated goal of “eradicating cash” by the year 2030. And in Norway, the biggest bank in the country has publicly called for the complete elimination of all cash. The global push toward a cashless society is only going to intensify, because banks and governments both tend to really like the idea of such a system. Banks really like the concept of a cashless society because it would force everyone to be their customers. There would be no more hiding cash in a mattress at home or trying to pay all of your bills with paper money. Under a cashless system, we would all be dependent on the banks, and they would make lots of money whenever we swiped our cards or our “chips” were scanned. Governments see a lot of advantages in a cashless society as well. They tell us that they would be able to crack down on drug dealers, tax evaders, terrorists and money launderers, but the truth is that it would enable them to watch, track, monitor and control virtually all of our financial transactions. Our lives would become open books to the government, and financial privacy would be a thing of the past. http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/a-new-digital-cash-system-was-just-unveiled-at-a-secret-meeting-for-bankers-in-new-york Zimbabwe’s Extreme Response to Extreme Drought: Sell The Animals MAY 5, 2016 Zimbabwe put its wildlife up for sale in an effort save the animals from a devastating drought The drought has strained the resources of the parks authority, which receives meager government funding and limited income from hunting and tourism. Facing water shortages and financial hardship, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park has turned to donors to pay the cost of pumping underground wells to provide water for wildlife, including elephants. “Because of the bad weather, including drought, we cannot keep the large population of elephants any longer. They consume lots of water, and they need lots of food, which we cannot afford,” said Oppah Muchinguri, Zimbabwe’s minister of environment, according to China Daily. Zimbabwe and surrounding countries have seen rising temperatures and reduced rainfall. South Africa, Zimbabwe’s southern neighbor, currently faces its worst drought on record.Water scarcity has done more than imperil wildlife in the region. Drought has ravaged agriculture, withering crops and leveling herds of cattle. One in four Zimbabweans now face food shortages, leading President Robert Mugabe to declare a state of disaster in hard-hit areas. Zimbabwe has since called for $1.6 billion in aid. Funds would be used to import grain, upgrade irrigation infrastructure, and support a nutrition program for young children. The amount requested is roughly equal to 12 percent of the country’s GDP, making Zimbabwe’s drought the country’s most expensive weather-related natural disaster ever. The announcement came at the start of the hottest February on record. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/05/3775539/zimbabwe-sells-animals-drought/ India’s Water Crisis 5/4/2016 Some 330 million people — about one quarter of India’s population — are reeling from a drought that has turned vast areas of the subcontinent into a dust bowl, withering crops and forcing farmers from their lands. Coal-fired power plants — the major source of India’s electricity — have had to suspend output because there is not enough water in nearby rivers to generate steam. Armed guards are being posted at dams to prevent desperate farmers from stealing water. Reservoirs and wells are now running dry. India’s so-called sand mafia, operating in collusion with local officials, has also contributed to the problem by illegally removing sand — important to allow water to percolate into underground aquifers — from riverbeds to supply concrete for India’s construction boom. A growing population means that India’s water needs will only increase, even as climate change will most likely make water scarcer. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/opinion/indias-water-crisis.html?_r=0 Faith in Focus: World Religion Day May 5, 2016 No matter what religion, the tenets of faith inform and shape our understanding of ourselves, our relationship to the creator, our interactions with others in our family and community, our relationship to creation and our understanding and view of the rest of the world. Across time and place, religion has played an essential civilizing role in the progress of humanity through the influence of universal values such as love, compassion, knowledge and justice. The world has suffered through the Inquisition and the Crusades at the hand of the Church, and now the rise of terrorism from fanatical Islamists. Baha’u’llah also said, “Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction.” Baha’is believe that all the world’s great religions come from God in an ever-unfolding revelation suited to the time, place and needs of humanity, that will propel us to higher stages of development on both personal and global levels. As stated on the Baha’i website, “the most crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life.” http://cumberlink.com/news/local/neighbors/faith/faith-in-focus-world-religion-day/article_6f7bcc71-a935-5a47-be67-f7d17a5174b7.html Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” U.S. ON VERGE OF 'LOSING IRAQ COMPLETELY TO IRAN' Gen. McInerney: 'It's a very dangerous situation. It's perilous' Escalating protests in Baghdad threaten the Iraqi government as Shiite Muslim factions battle for control for the country, and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney says Iran could soon wield all the power in Iraq unless the U.S. changes course in significant ways. “What you’re seeing right now is that (radical Shiite cleric) Moqtada al-Sadr is responsible for creating a greater wedge when the current Iraq prime minister wanted to make Iraq more independent from Iran,” McInerney told WND and Radio America. “You have a combination of Iranian Shiite and Iraqi Shiite competing as to who controls the government and who controls Iraq. That’s the bottom line of what’s going on over there right now,” he added. McInerney said all of this upheaval can be traced to the Obama administration’s decision to wash its hands of Iraq. “When we pulled out, this administration fundamentally gave Iraq to Iran,” Now the Iraqi government is feeling much greater heat from Shiite factions more loyal to Tehran than to Baghdad in addition to the threat posed by ISIS in the north. ISIS still controls Mosul and other swaths of territory in Iraq and is still within striking distance of the capital. “Unless we have strong allied and U.S. leadership over there, then we are in danger of clearly losing Iraq completely to Iran,” he said. http://www.wnd.com/2016/05/u-s-on-verge-of-losing-iraq-completely-to-iran/ How the Revival of an Ancient Grain Offering Could Bring the Third Temple from Heaven May 4, 2016 When the first holiday marking the beginning of Passover ended a week and a half ago on Saturday night, a group of Jews went out to a field near Sderot in the south of Israel and harvested a small quantity of barley for a purely Biblical purpose rarely fulfilled these days: to offer up the omer, or the wave offering, to God. Though this offering of grain technically requires the Temple and its altar, some rabbis choose to harvest the omer today because of an esoteric teaching that connects this particular mitzvah, or Biblical commandment, to the Third Temple descending, completely formed, from heaven. “Lacking the Temple, the grain is permitted at dawn since the priests performed the wave offering as early as possible in the morning and it can be assumed that they would continue to do so if it were possible.” “Rashi, a medieval commentator of the Talmud, asks how it is possible that the Temple could be built so quickly,” Rabbi Savir continued. “Rashi concludes that it is possible that Ben Zakai’s rule is based on the possibility that the Temple can suddenly appear, descending from heaven, completely ready for us to begin the Temple service. A desire to see the Temple and the Messiah is so essential to Judaism that it was natural to base this law on it.” http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/66904/reinstating-mitzvah-brings-third-temple-heaven-photos/#4GuMxDt3LSZbSxGv.97 2 Timothy 3:1-2: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, UNHOLY” Atheists push for ‘National Day of Reason’ concurrent with National Day of Prayer May 4, 2016 The American Humanist Association is lobbying Congress to make the first Thursday in May — which is already the National Day of Prayer — simultaneously the “National Day of Reason.” Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the AHA, told Religion News that the movement is predicated on the notion that the government should not endorse one set of beliefs above another. “This is government recognition of prayer that is wrong,” Mr. Speckhardt said. “Having a National Day of Reason on the same day says this is an example of a day the government can endorse that doesn’t exclude people based on their answer to a religious question.” Governors in three states — Iowa, Nebraska and Delaware — last year acknowledged National Day of Reason concurrently with the National Day of Prayer. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/4/atheists-push-national-day-reason/ After wave of mortar fire, Hamas issues warning to Israel As Israel responds to mortar attacks, Hamas warns Israel: 'Don't test our patience.' 5/4/2016 Following a wave of attacks on IDF engineers operating on the Israeli side of the Gaza border, the Hamas terror organization issued a sharp threat against the Jewish state. Hamas terrorists fired three mortars at Israel on Wednesday, prompting retaliatory fire by Israeli tanks and artillery. Calling the incident a “serious violation of the cease-fire”, senior Hamas officials warned Israel not to test the organization’s military capabilities. Despite the recent string of Hamas mortar attacks, al-Masri warned Israel against provoking a wider conflict. “Do not test our patience,” he said. “The enemy needs to understand that the more it increases its crimes, the stronger our response will be.” http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211773#.Vyoqr4QrLIU Daniel 8:5-6, 17: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power.” “So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end." The Ram is “Pushing” Iranian commander threatens to close Strait of Hormuz to U.S. Hossein Salami also says in speech aired on state TV that ‘Americans cannot make safe any part of the world’ May 4, 2016 The deputy commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard said Iranian forces will close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to the United States and its allies if they “threaten” the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday. The remarks by the acting commander of the Guard also follow those of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who on Monday criticized US activities in the Persian Gulf. In his remarks, Salami said that “Americans should learn from recent historical truths,” likely referring to the January capture of 10 US sailors who entered Iranian waters. Iran also sank a replica of a US aircraft carrier near the strait in February 2015 and has said it is testing “suicide drones” that could attack ships. “If the Americans and their regional allies want to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and threaten us, we will not allow any entry,” Salami said, without elaborating on what he and other leaders would consider a threat. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-commander-threatens-to-close-strait-of-hormuz-to-us/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=92cb0e5ee5-2016_05_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-92cb0e5ee5-54606857 Maitreya: The World Teacher is Here We need answers. We need real change. We need help. At the beginning of each new Age, a great Teacher comes, as Jesus, Buddha, Krishna came before. Not to start a new religion, but to teach the ways of peace, love, sharing and justice. But somehow, we have always gotten off track. Competition, materialism, greed and inequality still prevail. More on Maitreya's emergence and priorities ; Update on the bright star heralding Maitreya's public emergence. http://www.shareinternational.info/rn7/ Iran criticizes US presence in the Persian Gulf May 02, 2016 Iran's Supreme Leader criticized the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf region Monday, saying American forces should go back to the Bay of Pigs, state media reported. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a group of teachers Monday that American military drills in the region were proof of U.S. arrogance. "They sit together, scheme and say that Iran must not hold war games in the Persian Gulf. What a foolish remark! They come here from the other side of the globe and stage war games. What are you doing here? Go back to the Bay of Pigs. Go and hold exercises there. What are you doing in the Persian Gulf? The Persian Gulf is our home," said Khamenei. Khamenei has the final say on all state matters in Iran. Despite last summer's landmark deal between Iran and the world powers, he has remained publicly suspicious of Western intentions toward Iran and the influence of Western culture and values. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/May-02/350209-iran-criticizes-us-presence-in-the-persian-gulf.ashx Report: Assad regime cut deal with ISIS Leaked ISIS documents reveal Syrian leader cooperated with the brutal terror group for years. 5/2/2016 The regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad cooperated extensively with the Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization, leaked ISIS documents revealed on Monday. According to a report by Sky News, files from the ISIS terror organization showed that despite claims the embattled Syrian regime was actively fighting the Islamist group, the two in fact colluded together for years. The documents revealed that the recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra, hailed as a turning point in the war against ISIS, was in fact part of a long-standing agreement between ISIS and the Assad regime. Rather than being the result a military victory, the transfer of control of Palmyra was a peaceful operation. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211664#.VygQMvkrLIU Khamenei calls to 'defend Palestine' against 'Zionists' Iran’s Supreme Leader launches yet another verbal attack against Israel. 5/2/2016 Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Sunday launched one of his verbal attacks against Israel, saying that defending “the Palestinian cause in the face of the Israeli regime” symbolizes defending Islam. “Since from the very beginning, the Islamic Republic of Iran considered supporting Palestine as a duty, it will continue to fulfill its obligation in the future as well,” he was quoted as having said, adding that “defending the Palestinian cause” is enshrined in the very nature of the Islamic Republic. “The [ongoing] developments in the region must be studied and analyzed from such a viewpoint, and within this framework, the issues of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Hezbollah are part of this large-scale confrontation,” he said, according to Press TV. Khamenei regularly attacks both Israel and the United States, which he and other Iranian leaders refer to as the “Great Satan”. He also said that month that missiles, and not negotiations, will be a part of Iran’s future relations with the outside world. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211607#.VygN0PkrLIU Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Iran Reiterates Readiness to Facilitate Talks, Agreement among Iraqi Groups May 02, 2016 Describing fight against terrorism and corruption as two main problems in Iraq, Jaberi Ansari said that they need serious talks among all Iraqi political streams, parties and groups. "The Islamic Republic of Iran invites all political sides in Iraq to tranquility and creation of a proper atmosphere for resolving the current problems in the country through talks and political understanding," http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950213001090 Iran Commander: US Using ISIL to Spoil Islam's Attractions May 02, 2016 Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami warned on Monday that the US is seeking to tarnish Islam's brilliant face through the terrorist and extremist groups' crimes, as the number of Muslim converts is on the increase in the western world. "The ISIL, Boko Haram and al-Nusrah have been created in line with the US strategy of religion against religion, which seeks to impair the divine face of Islam," Pourdastan said. "The American and European people's high tendency towards Islam and (the necessity for) protection of the Zionist regime's security have caused the US to create the terrorist groups," he added. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950213000981 Khamenei: US is main enemy, ‘Zionist regime’ a close second In meeting with Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief, Iranian supreme leader says ‘defending Palestine’ is ‘defending Islam’ May 1, 2016 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Sunday that the United States is the Middle East’s main enemy, with the “Zionist regime” a close second. Speaking at a meeting in Tehran on Sunday with the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Ramadan Abdullah, Khamenei said that looking at the turmoil in the region in a “macro” sense, the US was clearly to blame, with Israel following closely behind. PIJ is an Islamist terrorist organization. Iran sees the United States as main enemy with the Zionist regime standing behind it. He pointed to extensive, unprecedented sanctions of US and its followers against the Islamic establishment in recent years and dubbed the objective of them as discouraging Iran from continuing its path; ‘but they failed to achieve their goals and will fail in future as well’.” The ongoing unrest in the Middle East, Khamenei alleged, is a continuance of the “war” waged on Iran by US-led Western governments since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 “and the Palestine issue is the key issue,” Khamenei tweeted. http://www.timesofisrael.com/khamenei-us-is-main-enemy-zionist-regime-a-close-second/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=2a4f1fec0b-2016_05_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-2a4f1fec0b-54606857 Iran to build seven new nuclear plants by 2020 APRIL 30, 2016 A country whose leaders constantly make its citizens scream “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” What could possibly go wrong? Nothing, of course: Barack Obama and John Kerry promised us that their nuke deal would secure peace in our time. Iran is offering to help the global community construct nuclear power plants, according to a top official, who said that Iran would be home to seven new nuclear plants by 2020, according to recent remarks. https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/04/iran-to-build-seven-new-nuclear-plants-by-2020 VIDEO: Iran urges young boys to take up arms in Syria, 'reach Jerusalem' 04/30/2016 The Iranian Regime has sanctioned a new recruiting video aimed at youngsters in the hope that they enlist in the Syrian civil war as well as the fighting in Iraq. The clip, which aired on Iran state television, shows children singing a song called “Martyrs who defend the sacred shrine.” As the children sing, images of youngsters holding guns and undergoing weapons training are interspersed. The film also seeks to reassure young boys that they would also have the opportunity to “liberate Jerusalem.” The goal is not just to free Iraq and Syria, My path is through the sacred shrine [in Syria], but my goal is to reach Jerusalem." http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/VIDEO-Iran-urges-young-boys-to-take-up-arms-in-Syria-reach-Jerusalem-452717 Interfaith prayer service calls for change on anniversary of Baltimore riots April 29, 2016 BALTIMORE Religious leaders gathered in prayer to mark the one-year anniversary of the riots that spread through Baltimore after the death of a man injured while in police custody. The leaders said they hear the cries of the people of the city during the interfaith service Monday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prayer service included more than three dozen clergy members from the Baltimore area. Faiths represented included Catholic and other Christian churches, as well as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby were among public officials who attended as well. "We come here because we have not only heard the cries of our people, we are responding to their needs," the Rev. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., senior pastor of Union Baptist Church, said during the service. The Rev. Pat Payne, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Pimlico, told the Catholic Review, newspaper of the Baltimore archdiocese, before the prayer service that the time had come for dealing with the problems of poverty, segregation and lack of opportunity. The interfaith effort becomes the conscience of such a reform.She said it was important to participate in the event because "the challenges the city faces are the challenges of the region and the whole state. If we don't solve them here, they will go unsolved, not just here but in the rest of the state." http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/interfaith-prayer-service-calls-change-anniversary-baltimore-riots Iran Leader's Top Aide Reiterates Support for Palestinian Resistance Groups Apr 30, 2016 Iranian Supreme Leader's Top Advisor for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati underscored his country's support for the Palestinian groups which resist against the Zionist regime's tyranny and occupation. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will support the innocent Palestinian nation and the oppressed regional nations; and enemies' ominous dream for disintegrating and controlling the Islamic states will never come true." In relevant remarks earlier this month, Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Iran will continue to support the people of Palestine and their legitimate cause for freedom and self-determination. Abdollahian further noted that Israel is the root cause of the ongoing regional instability, and that construction of illegal settlement units only increases global isolation and condemnation of the usurper regime of Israel. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950211001247 Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” FM Reiterates Iran's Continued Support for Iraq's Campaign against Terrorism April 30, 2016 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that his country will not leave Iraq alone in the war against terrorist groups. Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with UN Special Representative to Iraq Yan Kobish in Tehran on Saturday. He referred to the existing problems in Iraq, including economic issues and the presence of terrorist groups, and said, "Both the regional states and the UN are required to find a logical and wise solution to settle the Iraqi people's problems." In relevant remarks earlier this month, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani assured Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi about Tehran's determination to continue assistance to its Muslim neighbor in campaign against terrorism. All responsible governments in the region and the world have a duty to fight against terrorism and the terrorist groups, including the ISIL, Rouhani said in a phone conversation with Abadi. He underlined that Iran will side with the Iraqi nation and government and continue its support for them. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950211001312 Parts of India ban daytime cooking after hundreds die from heat wave and fires April 29, 2016 With sizzling temperatures claiming more than 300 lives in India in April, officials said they were banning daytime cooking in some parts of the drought-stricken country in a bid to prevent accidental fires that have killed nearly 80 more people. Much of India is reeling under a heat wave and severe drought conditions that have decimated crops, killed livestock and left at least 330 million Indians without enough water for their daily needs. Rivers, lakes and dams have dried up in parts of the western states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and groundwater reservoirs are at just 22 percent capacity. In some areas, the situation is so bad the government has sent tankers of water for emergency relief. Monsoon rains are expected to start only in June. At least 300 people have died of heat-related illness in April, including 110 in the state of Orissa, 137 in Telangana and another 45 in Andhra Pradesh, where temperatures since the start of April have been hovering around 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit). http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/30/asia-pacific/parts-india-ban-daytime-cooking-hundreds-die-heat-fire/#.VyUoAvkrLIV M7.0 earthquake in Norsup prompts Tsunami warning in Vanuatu APRIL 29, 2016 Magnitude 7.0 powerful earthquake rocked Vanuatu at 06:33 am local time Friday morning on April 29, 2016 prompting tsunami warning in the area. The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) warned that the earthquake generate tsunami waves of up to three metres (10 feet) on parts of the Vanuatu coast. "Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 km of the epicentre along the coast of Vanuatu," the NTWC said. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Vanuatu earthquake occurred as a result of thrust faulting on or near the boundary between the Australia and Pacific plates. The earthquake caused rupture on an east-dipping thrust fault consistent with the location and orientation of the subduction zone interface at depth in this region. Port Vila of Vanuatu is the top city in the world having the highest risk of natural disasters. http://www.disaster-report.com/2016/04/norsup-earthquake-tsunami-warning-vanuatu.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+disaster-report+%28Disaster+Report%29 U.S. Torpedoing the Nuclear Deal Will Reaffirm Iran’s Distrust 04/29/2016 If the United States faithfully abides by its commitments under the deal, then the view of Iranian leaders towards broader negotiations would be positively affected. However, if the United States acts with ill intent and makes it difficult for Iran to receive the benefits it is due under the deal, then the belief of Iranian leaders that the United States is insincere and cannot be trusted will be reaffirmed. Years of diplomacy will be undone and a zero-sum mentality will once again take hold between the two countries — with disastrous consequences for the region. For it to be a step towards a more constructive relationship between Iran and the West, it is imperative that all sides faithfully implement their commitments. Foreign Minister Zarif said in this regard recently: “As the Leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] said last year, if the experience of the nuclear negotiations proves that the United States is changing its approach toward Iran — is basing its approach to Iran on mutual respect and interests — then there is a chance of change.” If the JCPOA collapses, not only would there be no chance for any compromise between Iran and the United States on any other issue, but Iran would also lose its faith in the U.N. Security Council. Unfortunately, there are powerful forces in U.S. politics that seek to increase U.S.-Iran enmity and revert Iran and the United States back onto the path to war. These special interest groups are doing everything in their power to destroy the landmark diplomatic agreement and have strong sway over Congress, which is pushing for over a dozen new sanctions against Iran. The efforts of these groups, sadly, are done more at the behest of the Israeli and Saudi governments and done more for the purpose of obstructing President Obama’s foreign policy goals than enhancing global peace and security. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seyed-hossein-mousavian/us-nuclear-deal-iran-distrust_b_9809758.html?utm_hp_ref=world The Calm Before the Coming Global Storm 4/29/2016 Major turbulence seems to be the name of the game in 2016. Yet the current turbulence may be interpreted as the calm before the next, devastating geopolitical/financial storm. Let’s review the current state of play via the dilemmas afflicting the House of Saud, the EU and BRICS members Russia, Brazil and China. Not many people are familiar with the Baltic Dry Index. Yet the Index is key to track commodity demand. Two months ago, it was trading to all-time lows. Since then, it has increased over 130%. Precious metals prices have all moved higher in virtually all currencies. Why is this important? Because it tells us that faith in fiat currencies – the US dollar especially — is sharply declining. No wonder the astonishing spread of Chinese economic power has left assorted Exceptionalists – from neocons to neoliberalcons — totally deranged. Washington has absolutely nothing to offer to nations across Asia, Africa and Latin America – to the whole Global South for that matter. They have all seen how Beijing is not in the market demanding Mob-style compound interest on sovereign debt; “support” for neo-imperial moves by NATO or the UN; one more extra-territorial hub for the US Empire of Bases; or total domination of their central banks. On the other hand, they have seen what Washington does offer; endless war; the progressive smashing of the nation state; democracy blasted to smithereens; and technocratic governance by the 0.00001%. Yet all this is just the calm before the storm. The Empire is already striking back. There’s serious blood on the tracks ahead. http://sputniknews.com/columnists/20160429/1038822230/saudi-arabia-oil-prices-russia.html Arab rioters on Temple Mount hurl stones at police Eight arrested and 30 others detained after Friday prayers April 29, 2016 The clashes occurred near the Mughrabi Gate, the main entrance into the Temple Mount compound.Police asked the Islamic Waqf, the religious authority entrusted with overseeing religious activities at the Temple Mount, to help restore calm. Over the past few days police have on several instances arrested activists from a radical Jewish movement that seeks to restore Jewish worship — including animal sacrifices — to the site where Jews believe the ancient Jewish Temple once stood. http://www.timesofisrael.com/police-clash-with-stone-throwing-rioters-on-temple-mount/ As support widens for Jewish prayer on Temple Mount, should we fear apocalyptic consequences? With almost daily disturbances at the most contested and incendiary of holy sites, and with an increasing number of religious Zionists yearning for a Third Temple, Israeli activists walk a fine line between peaceful protest and provocation. April 28, 2016 All hell broke loose Tuesday on the Temple Mount as two white-clad Jewish men prostrated themselves in an overt act of worship. Face down on the ground, the men were immediately surrounded by a mix of Border and Israel Police — and an encroaching crowd of angry Muslim men and Jordanian Waqf officials. But “normal” is a loaded term on the Temple Mount, historically the preeminent Jewish holy site, and the Muslims’ third most revered spot. The movement that was once taboo and limited to extremist politicians has today garnered support from a who’s who of religious leaders, current MKs and even cabinet minister Uri Ariel, who has called for the building of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount. Ariel could be called the political poster child of the movement: In September, before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s blanket ban on ministers visiting the site, Ariel was filmed on the Temple Mount while praying. Last week long-term leaders of the Temple Mount movement called for the razing of the Temple Mount. This summer, a detained extremist’s widely circulated manifesto urged for the overthrow of the government to pave the way for the rebuilding of the Temple. http://www.timesofisrael.com/as-support-widens-for-jewish-prayer-on-temple-mount-should-we-fear-apocalyptic-consequences/ Daniel 8: 3: “a Ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.” Report: Iran looks to deploy Hamas in the battle to liberate Mosul from ISIS 04/26/2016 According to the report, Hamas forces would fight for Mosul's liberation alongside Hezbollah fighters and the Shi'ite Houthi militias which are currently struggling in Yemen. guards plan to deploy Hamas forces in the battle for Iraq's second biggest city, Mosul, which has been controlled by ISIS since June 2014, the London-based Arab daily a-Sharq al-Awsat reported Sunday. Located in northern Iraq, Mosul is a cultural heritage asset for Iran, due to the slew of holy Shi'ite sites located in the city, such as al-Qubba al-Husseniya mosque, which was demolished by ISIS in June 2014. According to the report, Iran also intends to use Hamas in order to liberate the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which has been under Kurdish control since June, and destabilize the Kurdistan region. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards are planning to deploy forces affiliated with Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Kirkuk, from which they would gradually advance toward Kurdistan. Iran strives to destabilize Iraqi Kurdistan because it views the Kurdistan Regional Government, headed by President Masood Barzani, as a grave threat to its clout in its neighbor, Iraq. http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Report-Iran-to-deploy-Hamas-in-the-battle-for-the-liberation-of-Mosul-from-ISIS-452253 Pentagon’s Hypersonic Missile Could Inadvertently Spark Nuclear War 4/26/2016 The United States has made assurances that its new hypersonic missile will only carry conventional warheads. But critics aren’t convinced the Pentagon can resist a nuclear temptation. While Pentagon officials insist that nuclear warheads are not a consideration for any hypersonic aircraft, anything traveling at such high speeds inherently threatens to destabilize global security. "I see hypersonics as weapons whose only plausibly logical use would be a niche role in a strategic first strike vs. Russia or China," physicist Mark Gubrud told Defense One. "So the nuclear standoff already exists, and this road is taking us closer to war." If either Russia or China were to spot an incoming hypersonic craft, they would have no choice but to assume the incoming threat carried a nuclear warhead, lest they be caught off-guard. Beijing is, in fact, already considering this possibility. "Some analysts in China suspect that the United States is seeking the ability to eliminate Beijing’s nuclear deterrent in a first strike – and if Washington successfully develops hypersonic missiles, Beijing’s confidence in the credibility of its nuclear deterrent would only erode," http://sputniknews.com/us/20160416/1038104429/us-hypersonic-missile-nukes.html#ixzz46yUQUUkq Watch: Riots on the Temple Mount Arabs attack Jews for bowing down on Temple Mount. Police push back Arabs, force Jews off the site. 4/26/2016 Over 500 people visited the Temple Mount on Tuesday, including 400 tourists. Eight, however, were forced off by the police for allegedly "violating the visiting conditions." Two Jewish visitors bowed down while on the site, in contravention of the status quo that bans Jews from praying while at their holiest site. After they did so, a number of Arabs attacked them, driving the pair to the ground. Police pushed back the rioters and forced the Jews to leave the site. An official police statement says that, "As the last Jewish group finished its visit and left the Temple Mount, Muslim worshipers began yelling at the Jewish visitors. They were removed from the Temple Mount after violating the local restrictions. Police and Border Police at the scene distanced the Jews from the site. They continued working to prevent disruptions and restore calm." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211435#.Vx_oc_krLIU Iran: US 'incapable' of attacking us Navy Commander says US doesn't have 'capability' to attack Iran, and if it did it would be critically damaged, echoing Khamenei's bravado. April 26, 2016 The Iranian Navy Commander on Sunday said that the United States, which possesses the most powerful military in the world, doesn't have the "capability" to attack Iran, in the latest escalation of hostility from Tehran since the controversial nuclear deal last July. "The US doesn’t have the capability to launch a military attack against Iran and knows that in such a case, the damage and blows that it will have to sustain will be way beyond its merits and gains," claimed Fadavi. Addressing the Iranian Students' Islamic Association in Tehran, Khamenei said, "sometimes, they (the US) threaten us with war and bombing, but these statements are nonsense overstatement since they aren’t prepared and don’t dare to do so and if, possibly, they embark on such an act, they will receive a slap in the face and a crushing response." He said there is a "soft war" being waged against Iran, claiming, "now a comprehensive and creeping soft war is underway on the youth between the Islamic Republic of Iran on one hand and the US, the Zionists and their followers on the other hand." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211356#.Vx_mjvkrLIU Christian Baker Can Be Forced to Make Gay Wedding Cakes to Stay in Business, Colorado Supreme Court Says April 26, 2016 Colorado's highest court declined to hear an appeal from a Christian baker who was found guilty of discrimination for refusing to service a same-sex wedding ceremony. The Colorado Supreme Court decided Monday to not hear an appeal from Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop, Inc., who had been found guilty of discrimination by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. "Upon consideration of the Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Colorado Court of Appeals and after review of the record, briefs, and the judgment of said Court of Appeals, IT IS ORDERED that said Petition for Writ of Certiorari shall be, and the same hereby is, DENIED," read the decision. In 2012, Phillips declined to make a cake for a gay wedding. In response, a complaint was filed against Phillips before the Civil Rights Commission, which in May 2014 found him guilty of violating Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Act, or CADA. http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-baker-gay-wedding-cake-colorado-supreme-court-162689/#CyICdO0Bmh1Z9QRo.99 John 16:2 : "The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." Christian Boy Succumbs to being set on Fire April 26, 2016 After being asked about his Christian faith, this boy was beaten and doused with Diesel fuel. He passed after forgiving his attackers. http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-woman-gang-raped-pakistan-muslim-attacks-escalate-162666/ Iran may have secretly tested ballistic missile tech with ‘space launch’ Launch of rocket ostensibly designed to send satellites into orbit may have actually been cover for intercontinental missile research banned by UN April 26, 2016 The Simorgh, as the rocket is known, is ostensibly designed to launch satellites into orbit. However, the technology involved is “practically identical” to intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, and could be used to launch a nuclear device at targets thousands of miles away. According to the UN decision, “Iran is called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology” until October 2023. That has not stopped Iran from carrying out four tests of ballistic missile technology, including this most recent one, since the nuclear deal was adopted on October 18, 2015. In late November, Iran launched a mid-range missile with a range of 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) from a site near the Gulf of Oman, US officials said. And in March, Iran test-fired two more ballistic missiles, which an Iranian news agency said had the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” written on them in Hebrew. An Iranian commander said the test was designed to demonstrate to Israel, whose destruction Iran seeks, that it is within Iranian missile range. A missile launched from the Alborz mountains in Iran on March 9, 2016, reportedly inscribed in Hebrew, 'Israel must be wiped out.' http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-may-have-secretly-tested-ballistic-missile-tech-with-space-launch/ Jordan warns Israel of ‘consequences’ over Temple Mount ‘violations’ Hashemite Kingdom calls for Israel to deny entry to ‘settlers’ and remove forces, amid ramped up security and uptick in Jewish visits April 25, 2016 Jordan on Sunday warned Israel against violating the status quo on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, after several hundred Jews and tourists visited the contested holy site on the first intermediate day of the Passover holiday. The Hashemite Kingdom acts as custodian of the flashpoint religious site, which is the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest to Muslims. Israel’s “violations against worshipers” on the holy site “are a violation of international laws and conventions” and could have “dangerous consequences,” government spokesman Muhammad Al-Momani said. The Temple Mount, site of the Biblical Jewish temples, has been at the center of months-long tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, who fear growing a Jewish presence at the site that is also home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli security officials fear extra attention to the site over the holiday could spark fresh unrest, after six months of deadly fighting seemed to die down in recent weeks. Jordan has threatened to take action against Jerusalem over Temple Mount tensions in the past, including recalling diplomatic officials and downgrading ties. http://www.timesofisrael.com/jordan-warns-israel-of-consequences-over-temple-mount-violations/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=981b3b798b-2016_04_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-981b3b798b-54606857 The Muslim Will vs. the Western Way April 22, 2016 In the ongoing struggle between Islam and the West, one civilization has the will to triumph, but not the way; the other has the way to triumph, but not the will. Some who dread Islam do not seem to understand this. They think that Islam is an irresistible force to be reckoned with; they see Muslim migrants as hordes of violent men invading Europe; they call on Western men to make a stand, resist the onslaught, save their women and children. To be sure, this portrayal is historically valid: for one thousand years, Muslims repeatedly invaded and conquered portions of Europe—terrorizing, massacring, raping and enslaving in the name of Allah—and were only repulsed by force of arms. Today's situation is far less dramatic and epic; it's actually quite pathetic. Muslim terrorists, rapists, and ISIS-sympathizers are not entering the West against its will but because of it. In other words, the West is 100% responsible for this "invasion." In the end, the relationship between Islam and the West is understood by the dichotomy of the will and the way. The West has the way—including the military and economic might—to utterly neutralize Islam, one way or the other. Yet it doesn't even have the will to preserve itself. Ban Islam's presence from the West—which is doable, provided the will is there—and Islamic terrorism on Western soil ceases. It's that simple. Conversely, Islam most certainly has the will to eliminate the West, though it currently doesn't have the way (minus those ways the West gives it). Historically, for over one millennium, whenever Islam had the way, it always went on the offensive. http://www.meforum.org/5962/muslim-will-western-way Senior Commander: US Terrified by IRGC's Deployment in Persian Gulf April 22, 2016 The US forces deployed in the Persian Gulf are afraid of the presence of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in the same waters, a senior commander said, adding that the IRGC enjoys full intelligence supremacy and might in the region. "The IRGC's might and power has grown to the extent that the Americans are terrified when they come across our vessels and this powerful presence exists in the sea, sky, space and land," Commander of the IRGC Navy's Third Zone Brigadier General Mansour Ravankar told FNA on Wednesday. "The IRGC Navy is present in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz region with full power," General Ravankar said. In relevant remarks in March, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi underlined Iran's deterrence power, and said 100 IRGC vessels are always deployed in the Persian Gulf to confront any threats. "100 IRGC vessels are present in the Persian Gulf round the clock everyday and the Americans see our vessels everywhere they look," Fadavi said, addressing a gathering in the Central province of Isfahan. He said the US has come to the conclusion that any action against the Islamic Revolution will be rather harmful than serving its interests, "therefore, they don’t dare to take any action and this shows the Islamic Revolution's deterrence power which is increasing everyday". http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950201001229 Ecuador Earthquake Leaves At Least 150,000 Children Vulnerable To Disease, Other Risks Agencies are racing to bring life-saving supplies to kids in need. 04/22/2016 As Ecuador begins to recover from Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, groups and advocates are pouring their efforts into protecting the country’s youngest and most vulnerable victims. At least 150,000 kids have been affected by the natural disaster, which means they’re at a heightened risk for contracting a number of serious diseases and other common risks associated with such emergencies, according to UNICEF. The aid organization is particularly concerned about the water and sanitation issues in the coastal areas, and the diseases that fester there. Those areas were already considered “hotspots” for Zika, dengue, malaria and chikungunya, according to UNICEF. “We are in a race against time to protect children from disease and other risks common in such emergencies,” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ecuador-earthquake-leaves-at-least-150000-children-vulnerable-to-disease-other-risks_us_57167ee3e4b06f35cb70e40a?ir=Religion§ion=us_religion&utm_hp_ref=religion PA calls on Arabs to 'protect' the Al-Aqsa Mosque PA claims Israel is trying to “Judaize” the Al-Aqsa Mosque, calls on Palestinian Arabs to arrive en masse at the compound. 4/22/2016 The Ramallah-based Palestinian government on Thursday warned against Israel trying to “Judaize” the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and issued a call to Palestinian Arabs to arrive en masse at the compound in order to “protect” it. In a statement, the government warned against the “dangers” by “extremist” Jewish organizations which, it claimed, are planning to build a Holy Temple on the compound. It further claimed that it is a move by Israel aimed at taking over the entire area of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to “Judaize” the mosque. The Palestinian government also accused Israel of “racist” behavior and of waging a “religious war” against the Palestinians, and then called on the Palestinian people living within Israeli territory to go to Jerusalem and cling to the Al-Aqsa Mosque any prevent any possible attack against it. The most common libel used by PA officials is that Israel wants to demolish the mosque in order to build a Holy Temple in its place. PA officials have also claimed that Israel is planning to engineer an earthquake to destroy the mosque. They have also accused Israel of using chemicals to erode the foundations of the mosque so that it will collapse. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211279#.Vxrp-_krLIU Obama promises vigilance when it comes to Iran During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Obama pledges to remain vigilant against Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East. 4/22/2016 “None of our nations have an interest in conflict with Iran,” Obama said as he met with top officials from six Arab nations at a Gulf summit in Saudi Arabia. Obama added that he and the Gulf leaders had agreed about ways to move forward in their campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS) with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council agreeing to “increase their contributions to the fight.” Obama’s comments in Riyadh came after talks aimed at reassuring and coordinating with Mideast allies that harbor serious doubts about Obama’s outreach to Iran and about U.S. policy toward Syria, where a civil war rages on, noted AP. In addition to ISIS and Syria, the Gulf states are also skeptical of Obama’s willingness to negotiate with Iran, and fear that last year’s nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic will lead to a rebalancing of regional stances at their expense. In recent weeks, Secretary of State John Kerry called on Iran to help end wars in Yemen and Syria, but has also hinted that the United States was open to a "new arrangement" with Iran for peacefully resolving disputes such as its recent ballistic missile tests. Obama said on Thursday that even with the deal, the U.S. and its Gulf partners had “serious concerns” about ongoing Iranian behavior, including arms shipments that have been interdicted. “We will remain vigilant to make sure Iran fulfils its commitments, just as we fulfil ours,” Obama said, according to AP. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/211272#.VxrnzvkrLIU Islamist Turkey seizes ALL Christian churches in city and declares them 'state property' TURKEY'S Islamist government has stepped up its war on Christianity by seizing all the churches in one city and declaring them state property. Apr 22, 2016 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken control of six churches in the war-torn southeastern city of Diyarbakir in his latest move to squash freedom of speech and religious movement. The state-sanctioned seizure is just the latest in a number of worrying developments to come out of increasingly hardline Turkey, which is in advanced talks with the EU over visa-free travel for its 80 million citizens. Included in the seizures are Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches, one of which is over 1,700 years old. They have now effectively become state property - meaning they are run by the government - in a country with a dire human rights record where about 98 percent of the population is Muslim. "What's happening in southern Turkey is all too typical in the Middle East today, as ancient Christian communities are displaced and persecuted by sectarian violence.” http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/663089/Islamist-Turkey-Erdogan-seize-Christian-churches-Diyarbakir-persecution-state-property Matthew 24:12 : " And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." Martyr killed by bulldozer becomes symbol of growing persecution of Christians in China April 22, 2016 A Christian woman's fateful and defiant stance in front of a bulldozer last week evoked the memory of Tiananmen Square and has become a rallying cry against persecution at the hands of the Beijing government. The woman, identified by Christian activists as Ding Cuimei, wife of the Rev. Li Jiangong, was trying to stop the government-ordered demolition of Beitou Church in the central Hena province city of Zhumadian. Unlike the iconic man who brazenly stopped a tank in the 1989 uprising, Ding was pushed into a ditch and buried alive as horrified congregants watched helplessly. “Bury them alive for me,” a member of the demolition team said according to a report by China Aid, a nonprofit focused on human rights and religious freedom in the world’s most populous country. “I will be responsible for their lives.” Thousands of churches across the country have been demolished in the past year, and dozens of pastors have been arrested on trumped up corruption charges, according to nonprofit groups that monitor the situation. “There was a time where they [Christians] were being recognized as productive members of society. The government treated them fairly,” David Curry, president and CEO of Christian advocacy group Open Doors USA told FoxNews.com. “But that has changed. China has the goal of nationalizing Christians.” http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/22/martyr-killed-by-bulldozer-becomes-symbol-growing-persecution-christians-in-china.html?intcmp=hplnws Matthew 24:6 : " And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." U.S. weighing military force against Russia? Apr. 22, 2016 An eye opening report that describes how close we are to war with Russia. http://video.foxnews.com/v/4857661983001/us-weighing-military-force-against-russia-/?#sp=show-clips US Suicides Soar, Deaths among Girls 10-14 Show Sharpest Rate Increase, Says CDC April 22, 2016 Despite generally declining mortality, the suicide rate in America is climbing and the sharpest rate increase is among young girls between the ages of 10 and 14, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In 2014 alone, 42,773 Americans died of suicide and when broken down by race, the statistics show that black males were the only racial or ethnic group to have a lower suicide rate in 2014 than in 1999. Katherine A. Hempstead, who recently published an analysis of U.S. suicide trends in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine called the data "harrowing." The pace of the increase in suicides was greater after 2006 when the nation was thrown into a period of economic recession marked by features such as the subprime mortgage crisis. Hempstead's study of American suicide rates ending in 2010, documented a steep rise that appeared strongly related to financial distress and job problems according to the Times. That that trend continued for four more years may reflect that "the benefits of the recovery have not been shared by all," http://www.christianpost.com/news/us-suicide-deaths-girls-sharpest-rate-increase-cdc-162408/#iUelkScA8l5jktwh.99 China 'tests terrifyingly powerful Dongfeng-41 nuclear missile' which could destroy London in HALF AN HOUR 21 APR 2016 Doomsday weapon has the longest range of any ballistic missile in the world and carries up to 10 super destructive warheads. The People's Republic reportedly fired a nuke called the Dongfeng-41, which has the longest range of any missile in the world. It can carry up to 10 warheads over a distance of roughly 7,450 miles in just half an hour before hitting several targets at once. Pentagon sources told the Washington Beacon that the nuke had been detected by American satellites. Mark Stokes, an expert on the Chinese military and ex-Pentagon analyst, said: "China and Russia are increasingly coordinating their military forces against the United States and that China’s program of enabling North Korea and Iran to become nuclear missile powers is nearing completion.” http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/china-tests-terrifyingly-powerful-dongfeng-7803132 7 held for attempting Passover goat sacrifice in Jerusalem Authorities say the Jewish men tried to ‘disturb the peace’ in Old City; animal control takes the 3 unharmed kids April 22, 2016 Police detained seven Jewish men suspected of planning to sacrifice goats in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday in honor of the Passover holiday, which begins at sundown. Authorities had banned several right-wing activists from entering Jerusalem during the Passover holiday, which begins Friday evening, citing information they intended to carry out sacrificial rituals on the Temple Mount. “The police are working and will continue to work with determination against any attempt to disturb the public peace and security, without favoritism,” the Jerusalem police said. “We expect the public discourse during the holiday period to display tolerance and mutual respect,” the spokesperson added. Two members of a group called “Return to the Temple Mount,” which advocates the construction of a Third Temple, have been barred from the city for the duration of the holiday. Members of the group had reportedly planned to carry out a ritual slaughter of a sacrificial animal at the site, as was customary on Passover in ancient times. Jewish visits to the Temple Mount are allowed by agreement between Israel and the Jordanian custodians of the site, but worship at the site is forbidden. http://www.timesofisrael.com/3-jewish-men-arrested-for-attempting-passover-goat-sacrifice/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0df8da60a6-2016_04_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0df8da60a6-54606857 Want world peace? ‘Build 3rd Temple’ Organization launches campaign to raise funds for draft plans of site, which, if built, it says, would ‘usher in universal harmony’ The Temple Institute, which has recreated 60 vessels to be used in a Third Temple and which sponsors educational programs about the temple worldwide, has created a $100,000 Indiegogo campaign to draft plans for a Third Temple. Building the temple, says the Indiegogo campaign statement, would “usher in a new era of universal harmony and peace,” as prophesied in the Bible. “It is not enough to wait and pray for the Third Temple,” the statement added. “It is a Biblical obligation to build it.” http://www.timesofisrael.com/want-mideast-peace-build-the-3rd-temple/ Is the California drought America's water wake-up call? April 16, 2016 California doesn't face the problem of chronic water scarcity alone. Most of the world's great food producing regions, including the southern High Plains region of the U.S., use more water than is available on an annual renewable basis. As in our Central Valley, those regions then draw irrigation water from decreasing groundwater sources. Again using satellite data, my research group has found that 20 of the world's 37 major aquifers are being depleted at alarmingly rapid rates, including, in addition to the Central Valley and the High Plains aquifers, those in the Middle East, India and China. The research suggests that food production in California and other drying regions may have to move elsewhere or water may have to be imported to these areas as groundwater supplies vanish. Absent such actions, the agricultural capacity of these areas will at the least diminish, and that's probably true even if farmers and ranchers do all they can now to conserve water. Beyond shifts in food production, the new patterns of water availability will also create emerging classes of water “haves” and “have nots.” In some regions of the world, these inequities and their results are already clear. Drought in Syria from 2006 to 2009 is widely credited as a key contributor to the social unrest that led to its civil war. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-famiglietti-chronic-water-scarcity-20160417-story.html Millions Face Starvation as Haiti’s Drought Stretches into Its Third Year APRIL 16, 2016 Mirene Raymond hasn’t seen a real downpour since last year. The 69-year-old rice farmer is one of millions at risk of malnutrition and starvation due to the combined effects of climate change and El Niño. “This is the first time in my life that I’ve seen things this bad,” she told ThinkProgress through a translator. “We’ve had droughts before, but never like this.” The El Niño weather pattern has caused drier than usual conditions in Haiti that have led officials to declare a national emergency. Climate scientists have warned for years of a stronger impact of El Niño due to rising ocean temperatures. Upward temperature trends have also exacerbated droughts and devastated agricultural production around the world. More than five million Haitians face food insecurity, according to a study by the World Food Program (WFP). Of those, 1.5 million Haitians are severely food insecure. That’s twice the number recorded last autumn. “The drought has pushed people further into poverty and hunger, and many households have experienced several back-to-back poor harvests. As a result, any alternative livelihood strategies and survival strategies are nearly depleted,” http://thinkprogress.org/world/2016/04/15/3769857/haiti-farmers/ Netanyahu: UN reached new lows denying Jewish Temple Mount ties PM blasts UNESCO for erasing Jewish connection to Temple Mount, Western Wall, says UN 'rewriting basic human history.' 4/16/2016 Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blasted a UNESCO decision divorcing Judaism from the Temple Mount Saturday night, after a motion over the weekend only referred to the site with Arabic terminology. "This is yet another absurd UN decision," Netanyahu stated late Saturday. "UNESCO ignores the unique historic connection of Judaism to the Temple Mount, where the two temples stood for a thousand years and to which every Jew in the world has prayed for thousands of years." "The UN is rewriting a basic part of human history and has again proven that there is no low to which it will not stoop," he added. UNESCO's Executive Board passed a motion Friday referring to the Temple Mount solely as 'Al-Aqsa Mosque' - and the Western Wall as the Al-Buraq Plaza. Despite being the holiest site in Judaism, the Temple Mount remains under Jordanian jurisdiction. Israeli police, in an attempt to appease the Muslim Waqf which was left in charge of the Temple Mount compound after the 1967 Six Day War, ban Jews from praying or performing any other form of worship. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210970#.VxL7UPkrLIU Muslim Nations Accuse Iran of Supporting Terrorism April 16, 2016 Leaders from more than 50 Muslim nations accused Iran on Friday of supporting terrorism and interfering in the affairs of regional states, including Syria and Yemen, a condemnation that may widen the divide between Iran and its main rival, Saudi Arabia. The leaders, including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, have been attending a summit in Istanbul this week of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss a such issues as the humanitarian fall-out from Syria’s civil war. “The conference deplored Iran’s interference in the internal affairs of the states of the region and other member states including Bahrain, Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, and its continued support for terrorism,” the OIC said in its final summit communique. A day before the communique, Iran’s Rouhani urged summit delegates to avoid sending out divisive messages. “No message which would fuel division in the Islamic community should come out of the conference,” said Rouhani, according to Iranian state television. http://thewire.in/2016/04/16/muslim-nations-accuse-iran-of-supporting-terrorism-29917/ Powerful, 7.8-magnitude earthquake hits Ecuador's central coast April 16, 2016 A powerful, 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Ecuador's central coast on Saturday, cracking buildings and rattling homes as far away as the capital of Quito. The U.S. Geological Survey said the shallow quake was centered 27 kilometers (16 miles) south-southeast of Muisne, Ecuador, in a sparsely populated area of fishing ports popular with tourists. In the port city of Guayaquil, an overpass collapsed on top of a car and the roof of a shopping center buckled. In Manta, the airport was closed after the control tower suffered severe damages. President Rafael Correa called on Ecuadoreans to show strength while he and authorities monitor events. So far there had been no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous tsunami waves are possible for some coasts. But the government's natural disaster agency didn't issue a tsunami alert. Several aftershocks, some as strong as 5.6 on the Richter scale, continued in the hour after the first quake, which occurred at nightfall. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/16/powerful-7-8-magnitude-quake-hits-ecuadors-central-coast.html?intcmp=hplnws Iranian general ‘holds military talks with Putin in Moscow’ Revolutionary Guards’ Qassem Soleimani said to have made trip from Tehran in private jet, despite ban on his international travel April 15, 2016 The head of the al-Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Qassem Soleimani, is reportedly in Russia for a secret military meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. General Soleimani traveled to Moscow last night to discuss issues including the delivery of S-300s and further military cooperation,” the news agency quoted a senior Iranian security official as saying. The Russian-made S-300 is one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, offering long-range protection against both airplanes and missiles. Israel has long sought to block the sale to Iran of the systems, which analysts say could impede a potential IDF strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Other officials have expressed concern that the systems could reach Syria and Hezbollah, diluting Israel’s regional air supremacy. http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-general-heads-to-moscow-for-military-talks-with-putin/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=74811df008-2016_04_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-74811df008-54606857 Update: Twin earthquakes kill 29 people in Japan, scores trapped in rubble April 16, 2016 Two powerful earthquakes a day apart shook southwestern Japan, killing at least 29 people, trapping many others beneath flattened homes and sending thousands of residents to seek refuge in gymnasiums and hotel lobbies. The exact number of casualties remained unclear as rescue efforts continued to unfold Saturday. Kumamoto Prefectural official Tomoyuki Tanaka said the death tolls were climbing by the hour, with the latest standing at 19 from Saturday's magnitude-7.3 quake that shook the Kumamoto region on the southwestern island of Kyushu at 1:25 a.m. On Thursday night, Kyushu was hit by a magnitude-6.5 quake that left 10 dead and more than 800 injured. Tanaka said reports on injuries were changing fast and he did not yet have any number. Japanese media reported that nearly 200,000 homes were without electricity. Drinking water systems had also failed in the area. Japanese TV news footage showed people huddled in blankets, quietly, shoulder to shoulder, on floors of evacuation centers. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in an emergency news conference early Saturday, said more than 300 calls came in to the Kumamoto police and another 100 to police in nearby Oita, seeking help and reporting people trapped or buried underneath debris. He said 1,600 soldiers joined rescue efforts. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said damage from the magnitude-7.3 quake could be extensive. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/16/twin-earthquakes-kill-29-people-in-japan-scores-trapped-in-rubble.html?intcmp=hplnws Pakistani religious group demands execution of blasphemers April 15, 2016 A Pakistani religious group is demanding the immediate execution of a Christian woman on death row and all others convicted under the country's harsh blasphemy law. In Rawalpindi and Lahore, the group leaders demanded the execution of Aasia Bibi, who was convicted of blasphemy by a court in 2010. Her appeal was dismissed by the Lahore High Court in 2014, but the supreme court stayed her execution in 2015 suspending the high court verdict. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/15/pakistani-religious-group-demands-execution-blasphemers.html South Sudan, After Independence: “Post Conflict” Famine and Despair April 15, 2016 Indeed, the world’s newest nation has collapsed. ‘There has been so much killing, abuse and destruction of property here. It’s immense,’ an anonymous senior UN official at the refugee camp tells me (few UN authorities in Bentiu are authorised to speak openly to the media). Tens of thousands have been killed, and millions have been displaced internally and externally. Of the around twelve million people who live in South Sudan, 70 per cent face severe hunger. The economy is in freefall, with government forces and rebels fighting regularly over desperately needed oil reserves. Education and healthcare facilities have been unable to cope under the strain of the conflict. Today, due to the war, some South Sudanese survive on a diet of roots, water lilies, grass and leaves. Whole families have been forced to hide in dirty marshes, sometime for days, to escape violence. While in Bentiu, a number of women recount to me the brutality of militias, describing how babies were killed before their eyes. These women don’t expect justice or compensation, though they want both. I ask whether they dream of soldiers facing trial for war crimes when the country eventually finds peace – the idea is dismissed as fanciful. http://www.globalresearch.ca/south-sudan-after-independence-post-conflict-famine-and-despair/5520106 The international community must act to prevent famine in Somaliland With more support and funding, the resilient people of Somaliland can not only stave off famine but also invest in what is needed in the longer term. April 15, 2016 week I was in Somaliland in the Horn of Africa where a severe drought risks becoming a famine. We know how generous the British public can be faced with harrowing pictures of starving babies. The humanitarian challenge is how do you get donors and the public to match that generosity when it a question of intervening to stop a drought becoming a famine? In 2011-2012 some 260,000 people died in a devastating famine in southern Somalia – a crisis that had been predicted almost a year earlier. This year the focus of concern is Ethiopia and Somaliland – the self-declared independent territory in north-eastern Somalia that I have just returned from. Following two years of below average and erratic rainfall, Somaliland is in the grip of a food crisis. Will famine be allowed to creep up unchallenged on the communities affected once again, or will the international community take decisive action this time? http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/04/international-community-must-act-prevent-famine-somaliland UNESCO adopts resolution ignoring Jewish ties to Temple Mount April 15, 2016 Resolution refers to Temple Mount area solely as Al-Aksa Mosque/Al-Haram Al Sharif, except for two references to the Western Wall Plaza that were put in parenthesis. UNESCO’S executive board met in Paris on Friday adopted a resolution whose language ignored Jewish ties to the holy religious site of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall area in Jerusalem’s Old City. All three major monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christian and Islam — consider the Temple Mount to be a holy site. Last October, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization backed away from reclassifying the Western Wall as solely a Muslim holy site. This spring it simply used language that almost solely referred to it as such. The resolution called for on Israel to restore the situation on the Temple Mount to what it had been prior to September 2000, when the Second Intifada broke out. At that time, according to the resolution, the Jordan Wakf full control of the Al-Aksa Mosque/Al-Haram Al Sharif to include work on maintenance and restoration as well as regulating access. The site is under the full authority, but not full control, of the Islamic Wakf. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UNESCO-adopts-resolution-ignoring-Jewish-ties-to-Temple-Mount-451346 Japan earthquake: Powerful new tremor in Kumamoto April 16, 2016 A more powerful earthquake has rocked the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto in the middle of the night, a day after an earlier tremor killed nine people. The magnitude-7.3 quake hit at a depth of 10km (six miles) at 01:25 on Saturday (15:25 GMT on Friday) in Kyushu region. At least three people died and hundreds were injured. A village has been evacuated after a dam collapsed, media reports say. A tsunami warning was issued, and lifted some 50 minutes later. This new earthquake in Kyushu was much bigger and hit a wider area than the one that struck Kumamoto on Thursday night, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo. In one town near the coast, the city hall has been so badly damaged there are fears it could collapse. A hospital has been evacuated because it is no longer safe. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36059487 It's Genocide; Now American, Middle Eastern Christians Must Unite April 14, 2016 Last month, the United States formally recognized that a genocide against Middle Eastern Christians and other minorities is taking place at the hands of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. What next? While steps must be taken to stop future atrocities from occurring, provide aid to those whose lives have been upended, and to plan for their future, we must also recognize and nurture the solidarity that we as American Christians share with our brothers and sisters overseas. To advocate for them we must love them. And to love them we must know them. Without this enriched relationship being developed over the long term, advocacy will languish. Just as importantly, we will miss the opportunity for spiritual participation in their suffering as members of the Body of Christ, and the joyful solidarity that results. To this end, the Family Research Council and partnering organizations Open Doors, The Voice of the Martyrs, Institute of Religion and Democracy, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA, the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative, and International Christian Concern are calling on churches across America to observe April 17, 2016 as Stand with the Persecuted Sunday. During services that day, nearly 40,000 churches in the United States are being asked to take a few minutes to stand with believers across this nation and around the world by: 1. praying for the persecuted (and for the conversion of the persecutors) 2. participating in practical ministry to brothers and sisters overseas 3. promoting public policy that protects the persecuted, such as standing for their right to religious freedom, and for a secure home for them and their posterity. Prayer not only benefits the persecuted; it benefits us, and is used by God to strengthen our (and their) relationship with Him. It naturally leads to practical ministry, as our hearts are drawn to our brothers and sisters. It also leads us to want to see that fellow believers are protected overseas. www.christianpost.com/news/its-genocide-now-american-middle-eastern-christians-must-unite-161498/#3FGIDAXwofFtxC50.99 Passover Sacrifice to be reenacted facing Temple Mount next week MKs, leading rabbis and other public figures to attend event, as public interest in reviving ancient practice grows. April 14, 2016 The public reenactment of the Passover Sacrifice, which has become a popular spring-time event over the past few years, will be getting closer to the actual site of the Temple Mount next week. The reenactment will take place next Monday, just four days before the prescribed time of the Paschal Offering. Event organizers say they want to offer a taste of an exciting, authentic Jewish experience, "with its smells, sounds, and colors that have been lost to us these 2000 years, and to thus arouse a longing to renew this Temple ritual in our day." Finally, there will be a procession with the sheep simulating the Passover pilgrimage to the Temple Mount as in the time of the Holy Temple, culminating in an exact reenactment of the Paschal Sacrifice, including the slaughtering of a lamb and the ritual offering of its blood and fats on a model altar by actual Cohanim dressed in authentic priestly garments. Performer Mordechai Yitzhar and his band will be on hand to sing the Hallel accompanied by silver trumpets, just as was the practice in the days of the Temple. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210824#.VxAG5fkrLIU Matthew 24:6 : "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." US SENDING COMMANDOS, COMBAT AIRCRAFT TO PHILIPPINES April 14, 2016 In a military buildup certain to inflame tensions with China, the United States said Thursday it will send troops and combat aircraft to the Philippines for regular, more frequent rotations, and will conduct more joint sea and air patrols with Philippine forces in the South China Sea. Carter insisted that the U.S. did not intend to be provocative and was "trying to tamp down tensions here." But Gazmin said he expected that U.S. forces, "with their presence here, will deter uncalled-for actions by the Chinese." While the military boost does not include permanent basing for U.S. troops, China views any increased U.S. military presence and activities in the region as a threat. "Military exchanges by relevant countries should not target third parties, much less support a few countries in challenging China's sovereignty and security, inciting regional contradictions and sabotaging regional peace and stability," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement in response to Carter's announcement. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_UNITED_STATES_PHILIPPINES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-04-14-12-18-21 Matthew 24:7 : "And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." Scientists fear 'the Big One' is COMING as FOUR major earthquakes strike in 48 hours FEARS a catastrophic earthquake is building today grew after a fourth major tremor struck the same region in just 48 hours. Apr 14, 2016 There have been three large earthquakes recorded today, including a major one in southern Japan which destroyed buildings and left at least 45 people injured, after Myanmar was rocked yesterday. Yesterday tremors were also felt as far as 500 miles away at the national park in India. Scientists say there have been an above average number of significant earthquakes across south Asia and the Pacific since the start of the year. The increased frequency has sparked fears of a repeat of the Nepal quake of 2015, when 8,000 people died, or even worse. Roger Bilham, seismologist of University of Colorado, said: "The current conditions might trigger at least four earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude. "And if they delay, the strain accumulated during the centuries provokes more catastrophic mega earthquakes." http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/661052/SCIENTISTS-fear-the-Big-One-is-COMING-as-four-major-earthquakes-strike-in-48-hours At least 2 dead in powerful Japan earthquake, many more feared trapped April 14, 2016 At least two people were killed and 45 injured by a magnitude-6.5 earthquake that knocked down houses and buckled roads in southern Japan on Thursday night. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/14/powerful-earthquake-strikes-south-japan-collapsing-homes.html?intcmp=hplnws Zechariah 12:2 : "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem." 'All those who love Jerusalem must do utmost to prevent religious war in Holy City' 04/13/2016 Religious leaders from across the spectrum of Israel’s faith mosaic joined President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday in condemning violence, terrorism and incitement and in advocating fraternity, harmony and peace. The initiative for bringing leaders of the Council of the Faith Communities to the President’s Residence was that of Oded Wiener, the director-general of the offices of the Chief Rabbinate, who said that such a meeting was necessary in the present climate of violence and terrorism. Speakers included Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar, Druse spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffak Tariff, Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, chairman of the Council of Muslim Religious Leaders Sheikh Mohammed Kaiyuan Abu Ali and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau. There were 15 other religious representatives, including Dr. Joshua Lincoln, the secretary-general of the Baha’i International Community, who were not among the speakers. Amar underscored the cordial relations that are maintained between members of the council even during times of war and hostility. “This has enhanced our understanding of each other’s faith,” he said, adding: “Even when we cannot agree on how to solve problems, we do not allow such disagreements to disrupt our friendship, and we continue to contribute religious practice, wisdom and understanding with the aim of creating calm and persuading people in our respective communities to respect each other because we are all the children of the one God.” There is terror in Europe and the Middle East and a civil war in Syria. All religious people must honor other human beings without religious or ethnic bias.” Tariff further declared: “There is no such thing as violence in the name of religion.” Religion is not a vehicle for violence, he insisted, but a vehicle for love and peace. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Rivlin-All-those-who-love-Jerusalem-must-do-utmost-to-prevent-religious-war-in-holy-city-451161#xtor=EPR-1-[Newsletter Palestinian leaders warn Temple Mount ‘provocations’ could stoke violence Jews visiting Jerusalem’s flashpoint holy site during Passover will inflame tensions, must be stopped, Mufti says April 13, 2016 Jews visiting Jerusalem’s Temple Mount compound during the upcoming Passover festival will inflame tensions at the volatile holy site, senior Palestinian leaders warned on Wednesday. Fatah’s armed Tanzim wing in Jerusalem, told Israel Radio that any calls by Jewish religious and political leaders to visit the flashpoint compound — which today houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, known in Arabic as Haram al-Sharif, or the Holy Sanctuary — “will not bring about peace or quiet.” “Al-Aqsa is a red line, people will not think twice about protecting it,” Gaith added, referring to persistent accusations that Israel is seeking to change the arrangements at the volatile site. The outbreak of a wave of Palestinian violence and terror attacks that began last year was buoyed by Palestinian claims that Israel was attempting to take control of the Temple Mount. Israel has repeatedly denied there are any such plans. http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-leaders-warn-temple-mount-provocations-could-stoke-violence/ Iran blocks Congressmen from nuclear inspections Leading US lawmakers protest how Tehran is not letting them in to visit prisoners and inspect, even as top Iranians visit Washington. 4/13/2016 Three top members of Congress petitioned Iran to let them enter the country and inspect nuclear sites to ensure compliance with the nuclear deal, ahead of a speech by a leading Iranian diplomat in Washington, DC this Friday. Critics of the nuclear deal sealed last year warn that Iran, which continues to display an overtly hostile position towards the US, will be able to acquire a nuclear weapon through the framework of the deal, given that it has Iran inspect its own covert nuclear sites such as Parchin. International inspectors are required to wait 24 days before being allowed in to inspect. Likewise critics note Iran can simply wait 15 years for clauses of the deal to expire, allowing it to march forward towards a nuclear arsenal. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210817#.Vw6l4PkrLIU Magnitude-6.9 earthquake strikes Myanmar April 13, 2016 A strong earthquake struck Myanmar on Wednesday night and was felt in parts of eastern India and Bangladesh, causing residents to rush out of their homes in panic. Residents in Myanmar's main city of Yangon panicked after the quake struck. An Associated Press journalist who was in a hospital in Yangon at the time of the quake said the six-story building shook strongly twice, for at least a minute. Many people in the hospital, including patients, staff and visitors, ran out of the building and began calling their loved ones. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/magnitude-6-earthquake-strikes-myanmar/ A Dangerous Superpower Showdown is Brewing: China vs. America in Asia April 12, 2016 US primacy in Asia is now contested again. China no longer accepts American leadership as the foundation of the regional strategic order and instead seeks a ‘new model of great power relations’. This probably means it wants to take America’s place as Asia’s primary power, and its new strategic weight means we have to take this seriously. Few, if any, in Asia want China to get what it wants. US leadership has served the region well and no one wants to live under China’s shadow. For Beijing it has become too easy to reach an assumption opposite to Washington’s — that it will be the US that backs off in the face of modest Chinese pressure and not the other way round. China’s actions over maritime disputes in the Spratly Islands and elsewhere seem plainly intended to do just this. They are creating situations that test America’s willingness to risk a military confrontation with China on behalf of its allies. Beijing hopes and expects that the US will fail — and so far they have been proved mostly right. This creates a very dangerous situation. Of course, neither side wants confrontation, let alone war. But each side expects to be able to achieve its aims without confrontation because it assumes the other will back down. And we should be under no illusion about the weight of the stakes for both countries. http://www.nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/dangerous-superpower-showdown-brewing-china-vs-america-asia-15757?page=2 What In The World Is Going On With Banks This Week? April 13, 2016 Just about every major banker and finance minister in the world is meeting in Washington, DC, this week, following two rushed, secretive meetings of the Federal Reserve and another instantaneous and rare meeting between the Fed Chair and the president of the United States. These and other emergency bank meetings around the world cause one to wonder what is going down. Let’s start with a bullet list of the week’s big-bank events: The Federal Reserve Board of Governors just held an “expedited special meeting” on Monday in closed-door session. The White House made an immediate announcement that the president was going to meet with Fed Chair Janet Yellen right after Monday’s special meeting and that Vice President Biden would be joining them. The Federal Reserve very shortly posted an announcement of another expedited closed-door meeting for Tuesday for the specific purpose of “bank supervision.” A G-20 meeting of finance ministers and central-bank heads starts in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, too, and continues through Wednesday. Then on Thursday the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund meet in Washington. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta just revised US GDP growth for the first quarter to the precipice of recession at 0.1%. US banks are widely expected this week to report their worst quarter financially since the start of the Great Recession. http://www.activistpost.com/2016/04/banks-this-week-emergency-meetings-summits-crashes-and-terrible-bank-reports.html The Historic Betrayal of the Palestinians April 11, 2016 Iran just wants to get its foot in the door. That is the reason the Iranian regime is so persistent in courting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, both Sunni organizations (as well as its own Gaza proxy group, Al-Sabireen), while it slaughters Sunnis in Syria and Iraq, and puts agents in place to overturn the Sunni governments of Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Can Iran's plot possibly be a secret from the Israeli Arab Knesset members, whose support of Hezbollah harms the interests of the Arabs inside Israel? Have these three members of Knesset forgotten the thousands of missiles Hezbollah fired into the Galilee, where so many Israeli Arabs live? Do they not understand that if Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carries out his threat to bomb an ammonia installation in the Haifa area, thousands of Israeli Arabs will be killed? With the generous "help" of our Palestinian leaders -- and especially with the "help" of the treacherous Europeans who keep on enabling them -- any real help for the Palestinians, and the top of our mountain, look more distant than ever. http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/7637/palestinians-betrayal Magnitude-7.1 earthquake rattles Pakistan's capital April 10, 2016 A powerful earthquake rattled Pakistan's capital and other cities across the country on Sunday, causing panic among people but with no immediate reports of casualties or major damages. n Islamabad, terrified residents fled their homes and offices as buildings swayed. Television footage showed people praying in public. Tremors were felt as far away as the Indian capital, New Delhi. Sunday's quake was the strongest one since October when magnitude-7.5 earthquake damaged thousands of homes in the northwest. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/04/10/magnitude-7-1-earthquake-rattles-pakistans-capital.html?intcmp=hplnws Critical Warning from Rogue Economist Harry Dent: “This is Just the Beginning of a Nightmare Scenario as Dow Crashes to 6,000” April 10, 2016 The man who warned of the 2001 tech crash, the 2008 subprime financial disaster and China’s recent stock market decline – years before they happened – has issued a new earth-shattering statement: “The Dow is set to embark on a catastrophic plunge…all the way down to 6,000.” Dent further details the “perfect storm” of economic and demographic realities brewing that will likely make the next few years some of the most trying times in U.S. economic history. “Housing prices will start to fall by as much as 40% over several years… unemployment will surge… many state and municipal governments will be forced into default…and the federal deficit will balloon to as high as $1.5 to $2 trillion,” warns Dent. We are approaching what he terms “The Greater Depression”, and the coming months look bleak: “The recession is NOT over yet. $100 trillion of the $225 trillion in loans, bonds and stocks across the world…will simply disappear.” And this will happen on a worldwide scale, unleashing a tidal wave of destruction across the globe. Dent emphasizes that this is not a concern to simply shrug off and pass onto future generations– he warns: “this global phenomenon has already begun.” http://economyandmarkets.com/exclusives/critical-warning-from-rogue-economist-harry-dent-this-is-just-the-beginning-of-a-nightmare-scenario-as-dow-crashes-to-6000-2/?z=418531 Saudi Arabia and Jordan reject Iran's 'interference' Saudi Arabia and Jordan say Iran’s interference in the region’s internal affairs ignites sectarian strife. 4/12/2016 Saudi Arabia and Jordan on Monday rejected Iran’s policy of “interference” in the region’s internal affairs, saying that such interference ignites sectarian strife and is instrumental in rising terrorism, reports The Saudi Gazette. They also warned Iran against continuing its current approach that deepened the conflicts in the region in a way undermining its security. The comments came in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of a visit to Jordan by Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and following his meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah. Saudi Arabia and Iran are regional rivals and the tensions between them have risen in recent months. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, recently accused Saudi Arabia of trying to “drag the entire region into confrontation”. His Saudi counterpart, Adel Al-Jubeir, has repeatedly called on Iran to stop its “meddling” in the affairs of the kingdom's neighbors. And most recently, the Gulf States led by Saudi Arabia blacklisted Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, as a terrorist organization. The move raised the ire of both Iran and Hezbollah itself. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210724#.VwxeuPkrLIU The unknown movement that rules the Temple Mount The Waqf? PA? Hamas? None of the above - meet the near anonymous global group that pulls the strings. 4/10/2016 "At the head of the Islamist movement active on the Temple Mount is a movement that we don't know so well, the liberation movement 'Tahrir,' and it is the strongest on the Temple Mount," revealed Inbari, referring to the Hizb-ut Tahrir Islamist group. He explained that Tahrir, like Islamic State (ISIS), is "a caliphate movement that espouses establishing Muslim caliphates, and therefore it does not recognize any Arab state or the PA, it doesn't recognize anything whose source is from the West like orderly democratic states. Its main enemy is the PA." At the head of this movement seeking global Islamic domination is a leader who "is staying in Beirut, and they have diverse activities in Britain and Western Europe, Asia, Russia and more. The Temple Mount in their eyes is a central location but it isn't the only one." Inbari emphasized that the movement "is completely in favor of pure Sharia. They are against the Christians more than they are against the Israelis. When asked why Jerusalem is a central location for them, he explained that they envision that the true caliphate will be announced at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and therefore they seek to vigorously control the site. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210625#.VwxWzvkrLIU U.S. between Iran and a hard place Apr. 11, 2016 The Obama administration is in a bind: between Iran and a hard place. As it seeks to implement, preserve and strengthen the landmark nuclear deal it negotiated with Iran, the administration is being buffeted by criticism from all sides: Iran, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, not to mention members of Congress, including some who supported the agreement. Eager that a successful deal and a new era in the U.S.-Iran relationship be part of President Barack Obama’s legacy, his administration finds itself encouraging foreign trade with Iran even as it forbids most American commerce with the Islamic Republic. Those efforts are complicated by the fact that the United States continues to condemn and tries to punish Iranian actions in nonnuclear arenas such as Tehran’s support of terrorist groups and belligerence toward Israel. While the administration says it remains vehemently opposed to Iran’s missile tests and destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East, it insists the nuclear deal has made Iran less of a threat. The cost of walking away from the deal, U.S. officials maintain will be even a more destabilization and graver threat. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/Apr-11/346665-us-between-iran-and-a-hard-place.ashx Kerry asks Iran to stop its regional wars Kerry calls on Tehran to 'prove it wants to be member of int'l community' by stopping its Houthi rebels in Yemen and escalation in Syria. 4/7/2016 Kerry called on Iran to "help us end the war in Yemen...help us end the war in Syria, not intensify, and help us to be able to change the dynamics of this region," he told a news conference in Bahrain ahead of a meeting with his Gulf counterparts. Iran has been supporting the Shi'ite Houthi rebels in Yemen, who launched an uprising to overthrow the government. In Syria, their Lebanese proxy terror group Hezbollah has been fighting to prop up Bashar al-Assad's regime, and Iranian troops have long been active in the fighting as well. The secretary of state said Tehran should "prove to the world that it wants to be a constructive member of the international community and contribute to peace and stability." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210492 U.S. Officials Warn Zika ‘Scarier’ Than Initially Thought Zika, linked to numerous cases of the birth defect micocephaly in Brazil, is spreading rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean. 04/11/2016 Top health officials expressed heightened concern on Monday about the threat posed to the United States by the Zika virus, saying the mosquito that spreads it is now present in about 30 states and hundreds of thousands of infections could appear in Puerto Rico. At a White House briefing, they stepped up pressure on the Republican-led Congress to pass approximately $1.9 billion in emergency funding for Zika preparedness that the Obama administration requested in February. “Everything we look at with this virus seems to be a bit scarier than we initially thought,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, a deputy director at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-officials-warn-zika-scarier-than-initially-thought_us_570c39e4e4b01422324a023e |