I think so too. The people in the Italian video don't look very Italian. Although I suppose they could be among the 60% of Italian Catholics who can't distinguish between Jesus and Moses.
Holy Trinity worshipers flock to mysterious crying Virgin Mary icon, hope miracle saves church from sale CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some worshippers see a sign from God after a caretaker at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Chicago's Northwest Side saw what looked like tears pouring from the Virgin Mary's eyes. The caretaker noticed the shocking sight early Sunday morning, as she prepared for what could be one of the church's final services. The church faces foreclosure and is due to go to bankruptcy court Tuesday morning. The community was in shock at the weeping icon. "There's something she's trying to tell us, so we're just going to seal our lips and listen to what she has to say," said Father Nick Jonas. Monday the residue of the oil-like substance streaming from the Virgin Mary's eyes remained, with many believing the oil has healing properties and that its origins are a blessing from God. "I can't explain why she is tearing, but I do know as human beings we are usually crying for two reasons: either joy or sorrow," Fr. Jonas said. A steady stream of visitors have been visiting the icon as well; about 300 people Sunday, according to the secretary of the church, and even more Monday. A nun from California traveled across the country to see the weeping icon in person as well. "It's the type of thing you never forget and I always will be inspired by [it]," said Mother Angelina. For the last year, the church has been fighting to remain at the corner of West Diversey Avenue and North Meade Avenue in the city's Belmont Central neighborhood. Holy Trinity avoided foreclosure late last year after a generous anonymous donation, but an issue with the money arose and forced the church to go up for sale again. "Some people have come up to me and said, 'We'll mortgage our homes,'" said Stanley Andreakis, President of parish council. The fate of the church remains unknown as officials investigate the apparently miraculous phenomenon. Holy Trinity is the second oldest Greek Orthodox Church in the country and the oldest in the Midwest, at more than 100 years old. It has been at Diversey and Meade since the 1960s. Church officials said a bank rejected a loan request after the church was not able to secure $1.6 million in pledges in an effort to save it. Another buyer has offered $2.5 million for the church, but that still means the community that worships there will need to find a new home. They need roughly another $1 million to buy the church from the bank, and fundraisers have fallen short. "We are hoping that we will relocate perhaps not immediately, but we are hopeful that something good will come out of this," Fr. Jonas said. The bankruptcy hearing is set for Tuesday at 11 a.m. w/ VIDEO: https://abc7chicago.com/community-e...mary-amid-hopes-miracle-saves-church/5525745/
At a minimum "someone" wants Netanyahu to loose the upcoming election next week or they may even want to kill him. Imho Netanyahu's announcement of the annexation of part of the West Bank seems like a bad idea and a betrayal to President Trump but I have not heard the President's comments on this yet. Of course, I could be wrong but it appears that things are really heating up in the Middle East. I hope that I am wrong but there has been so much unrest there this past weekend and into today it's incredible. Israel: Netanyahu interrupted by rocket fire after promises to annex part of West Bank Mr Netanyahu's promise is aimed at right-wing voters ahead of next week's Israeli election but it has been widely criticised. By David Chipakupaku, news reporter Tuesday 10 September 2019 21:40, UK Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel He was escorted off stage by his security team to an air-raid shelter, while urging his supporters to remain calm. Mr Netanyahu returned minutes later to continue his speech, which comes ahead of next week's election, Israel's second this year. Israel's military confirmed it had intercepted two rockets launched from the Gaza Strip aimed at Ashdod, and no injuries were reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket launches. Earlier, Mr Netanyahu announced plans to annex some Jewish settlements on the West Bank if he is re-elected as prime minister. "Today, I announce my intention, after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," he said, calling the region "Israel's eastern border". More from Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu: 'I met Boris Yeltsin...I mean Boris Johnson' Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara admits misusing state money for luxury meals Israel calls snap election after Netanyahu fails to form government Israel elections: Netanyahu's rivals concede defeat but vow to 'make life hell' Big promises expected from Netanyahu as he woos enemies to form new government Benjamin Netanyahu on course for record fifth term as Israeli PM Netanyahu vows to annex part of West Bank Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed his pledge to eventually annex all Jewish settlements in the West Bank but he added that such a move would not be made without consulting US President Donald Trump. "Out of respect for President Trump and great faith in our friendship, I will await applying sovereignty until release of the president's political plan," he said, referring to long-awaited proposals from Washington for Middle East peace. A representative from Washington said that US policy regarding Israel and Palestine remained unchanged. "We will release our Vision for Peace after the Israeli election and work to determine the best path forward to bring long sought security, opportunity and stability to the region," they said. Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh condemned Mr Netanyahu's plans, calling him a "prime destroyer of the peace process". The head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, Husam Zomlot, wrote on Twitter: "Netanyahu is sounding the death knell for the two state solution and the rules-based international order. All to be reelected. "Palestinians will resist apartheid and stand steadfast, on our land, for our land," he added. "It is up to the world to defend its rules and reject chaos." Jordan's foreign minister also condemned Mr Netanyahu's plans, saying they marked a "serious escalation". The United Nations said that "any Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, administration, in the occupied West Bank is without any international legal effect". The Jordan Valley would make up the eastern perimeter of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip so its annexation would likely end hopes of establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Around 65,000 Palestinians live within the region, along with 11,000 Israeli settlers, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. Mr Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital city early in his presidency prompted Palestine to end relations with the United States. President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner said in May that he hoped Israel would take a hard look at President Trump's Middle East plans before proceeding to annex West Bank settlements. Image: Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking re-election as Israel's prime minister In June, America's ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, said in an interview that "under certain circumstances" Israel had the "right to retain some, but unlikely all, of the West Bank". Next week's Israeli election comes after April's failed to produce a clear winner, with Mr Netanyahu unable to form a governing coalition. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been rushed off stage ... eastern perimeter of a Palestinian state in the West ... Sky 18m There is also this Israeli/Iranian news. Israel’s Netanyahu: Iran destroyed secret nuclear weapons site after its existence was uncovered A remote site that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says was used by Iran to conduct “experiments to develop nuclear ... Fox News 5h
Anything goes when there's no Divine Presence within reason. Nothing to answer for. Dutch court clears doctor in landmark euthanasia trial A Dutch doctor was acquitted Wednesday in a landmark trial that prosecutors and physicians hope will help clarify how the country's 2002 euthanasia law can be applied to people with severe dementia. The doctor, who was not named in court, was cleared of any wrongdoing in carrying out euthanasia three years ago on a 74-year-old woman. The patient was given fatal doses of drugs despite some indications she might have changed her mind since declaring in writing that she wanted euthanasia. The court ruled that in rare cases of euthanasia that were being performed on patients with severe dementia—and who had earlier made a written request for euthanasia—the doctor "did not have to verify the current desire to die." Judges at The Hague District Court ruled that the doctor met all criteria for carrying out euthanasia under the Dutch law legalizing mercy killing by physicians. Applause broke out among the dozens of people who attended the hearing. The doctor was accused of not acting with due care because, prosecutors alleged, she made insufficient efforts to find out whether the patient still wanted to die. To carry out the euthanasia, the physician drugged the patient's coffee without her knowledge and then had family members restrain the woman while delivering the fatal injection. Prosecution spokeswoman Sanne van der Harg said prosecutors would carefully study the judgment before deciding whether to appeal. Steven Pleiter of the Euthanasia Expertise Center welcomed the verdict. "It feels good for people in the Netherlands that this is a clear view of the judges and court that it is possible to give euthanasia to a person who is not mentally competent any longer," he said. Under Dutch law, people are eligible for euthanasia if they make a considered, voluntary request for it and if their suffering is hopelessly "unbearable." Patients can draw up a written request for euthanasia to be performed sometime in the future, in an advance directive, which should specify the conditions determining when they want to be euthanized. Doctors must also seek the advice of at least one other independent physician before killing the patient. Euthanasia cases among people with advanced dementia are extremely rare; there have been fewer than 20 cases since the procedure was legalized in 2002. "The most important issue we have to judge as doctors is whether there's unbearable suffering for the patient," said Dr. Rene Heman, president of the Royal Dutch Medical Association. He said the organization is working on guidelines for how doctors should handle euthanasia cases in people with advanced dementia. "As a doctor, you need to make sure people don't change their minds," he said. Dutch investigators began scrutinizing the case last September, marking the first time a doctor was criminally investigated for euthanasia. The 74-year-old woman had renewed her living will about a year before she died, writing that she wanted to be euthanized "whenever I think the time is right." Later, the patient said several times in response to being asked if she wanted to die: "But not just now, it's not so bad yet!" according to a report from the Dutch regional euthanasia review committee. In announcing the verdict, the court said the patient no longer recognized her own reflection in the mirror. Suzanne van de Vathorst, an associate professor who specializes in ethics and end-of-life issues at Erasmus University, said euthanizing patients with severe dementia puts a considerable burden on doctors. "There's a living, breathing person in front of you who is not aware that you're performing euthanasia," she said. "This is a very difficult thing to do and we cannot oblige doctors to do this." The Netherlands is one of five countries that allow doctors to kill patients at their request, and one of two, along with Belgium, that grant the procedure for people with mental illness. The trial of a Belgian psychiatrist charged with improperly euthanizing a woman with autism is set to be heard later this year. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-dutch-court-doctor-landmark-euthanasia.html
We all need to draw up 'living wills', making it absolutely clear that under no circumstances do we wish to be put down.
In the U.S., there is a legal advance directive document called Five Wishes. But there are a few states where it is not legally binding so it is advisable to check their website. I first heard about this during a hospice seminar held at a convent and the nuns and nurses strongly recommended this document to be included with your will. (https://fivewishes.org/shop/order/product/five-wishes Here's a brief summary: Five Wishes is an easy-to-use legal advance directive document written in everyday language. It helps all adults, regardless of age or health, to consider and document how they want to be cared for at the end of life. It is America’s most popular living will with more than 35 million copies in circulation. Five Wishes is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it speaks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. Five Wishes also helps to guide and structure discussions with your family and physician, making conversations easier.
After walking with my Mom to the end of her Alzheimer's, you can't know the disgust I feel about this. She knew her family was with her to the end, even when unable to verbally communicate. She still had her eyes. She DID NOT want to let go. Yes, it was horrible to see her suffer, but she could still react. It must have been once the veil disappeared that she was ready. At that point she began looking beyond us. I know she saw everyone waiting for her.
It is particularly threatening for those most innocent who are intellectually lacking. These poor people are so impressionable and easily persuaded. But anyone with a disability is so vulnerable to these vultures. Recall those blind twins in Belgium from a few years ago that we are told 'freely chose' their euthanasia.
Accept the money... or else! https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/isra...e-but-to-engage-in-war-with-gaza-topple-hamas Netanyahu: 'Probably no choice' but to engage in war with Gaza, topple Hamas i24NEWS AP / Pool / Ronen ZVULUN 2019 © Israeli PM says he will choose the right time to wage war as military prepares 'meticulous' plans Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli public radio on Thursday that "there will probably be no option" but to engage in war in the Gaza Strip and "topple Hamas." “I act responsibly and with judgement, not capriciously, and I don’t go to war but as a last constraint. It is a last resort, I don’t risk our soldiers and civilians to receive applause," Netanyahu told Israel Public Broadcaster Kan in a rare interview given by the premier to Israeli press. "There will probably be no option but to wage a big operation, war." Israel's longest-serving prime minister pointed the finger at Islamist group ruling in the Strip, saying, "Hamas does not exercise its sovereignty in Gaza and does not prevent attacks." "When you command you have to decide how to run the war, and I won’t start it a moment before the conditions are optimal. We are going through very meticulous and sophisticated preparations. We’re preparing for a different [kind of] war. My responsibility is to operate on the Gaza front and various other fronts -- I will choose the timing [for war]." This week has seen an escalation in tensions on the Gaza border, with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) performing airstrikes in retaliation of projectile fire launched from the Strip, prompting calls from political rivals for a stronger response. Ahead of Israel’s general election on September 17, Netanyahu also took the opportunity to slam his most formidable challengers, Blue & White's Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid. 11th 2019 “My opponents act irresponsibly when they rejoice to rockets being fired from Gaza on the prime minister and Ashdod residents,” Netanyahu said, referring to his whisking off a campaign stage during a rocket alarm that sounded on Tuesday in southern Israel. “It wasn’t a national humiliation,” insisted Netanyahu, criticizing Blue & White member Gabi Ashkenazi, who faced a similar situation during a campaign rally and refused to take shelter. “I don’t say, in this macho manner, ‘I’m staying here, stand with me and let’s get blasted by a rocket.’ I operate according to Shin Bet [rules]. Anyone saying differently is irresponsible,” he stated.
I do not believe that Israeli's have the stomach for a prolonged war in Gaza. To go to war there and root out Hamas will mean many ground troops. There is no way around it. It will take years and many Israeli's will die in the process. This carrot and stick approach of the ME peace deal is meaningless unless it is backed up by more than empty threats.
Only God bring peace to this land but still--blessed are the peacemakers who try in sincere good faith to solve this. The operative word is sincere good faith.
Update on Area 51: the gathering of the multitude of fools for later this month has been called off since someone apparently recognizes that it will be a volatile situation. Thank God.
Wait one ... < adjusts straps on the Prognosticon Helmet {patent pending} > I foresee that Netanyahu will prepare for a war in Gaza, because a wise man, in time of peace, prepares for war. Keep in mind that even in Israel, it will be winter sooner rather than later. According to TimeandDate.com, the low temperature will go from an average of 73F in September to 58F in November (23C to 14C). While many military operations take place in winter, only a fool LAUNCHES a war in winter. Barring any provocations by the Palestinians, I don't think he'll consider starting any action before March or April of next year. And then, it will not be his launching attacks, but his acting defensively. If (When) Netanyahu wins the upcoming election, he'll start swinging into action in preparation. More importantly, the Muslim nations surrounding Israel will start making preparations to attack Israel before they can become prepared. This will be the War of Psalm 83, supported and orchestrated by Iran and carried out by Iranian troops and proxies (such as Hezb'allah and Hamas) in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. I predict it will last about 3 months and end with a clear Israeli victory. This time, because the war will clearly originate with coordinated attacks from the surrounding nations, there will be none of this nonsense of "occupied territory" -- one of the oldest truths of international law is that when country A initiates hostilities with country B and winds up loosing territory to B, then the territory captured by country B BELONGS to country B. It's only the punishment of loosing territory that acts to curtail hostile actions by one nation against another. After the 6-Day War Israel was hoping to be able to appease the Arab nations, which prevented Israel from outright claiming the West Bank. This time, I don't think Netanyahu will be in any mood to appease, reason with, or placate the Arabs. "You started the war, you loose the territory."
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! .... or is it? Boulder falls on Virginia highway after meteor lights up the night sky, confusing many A boulder came out of nowhere and landed on a Virginia highway overnight, leading to confusion when the timing followed widespread reports of a fireball streaking along the East Coast late Thursday. The American Meteor Society says it received nearly 40 reports from people who saw a “fireball” over the Carolinas and Virginia, including callers from the Richmond area where the boulder fell. Witnesses said the fireball appeared around 8 p.m. moving to the north, and dash cam video obtained by ABC11 showed it appeared on the horizon as a bright white ball with a tail of fire. Hours later came news that a boulder had mysteriously appeared on a highway southeast of Richmond — and it was big enough to throw a passing car onto its roof, Lt. Justin Aronson of the Chesterfield County Police said on Twitter. Aronson posted photos of the boulder surrounded by orange cones and flares, along with an image of the unlucky car resting on its front windshield. The rock was the size of a picnic table, TV station WTVR reported. The boulder landed on U.S. 360, also known as Hull Road, at around 4 a.m. It didn’t take long for some to connect the boulder to the fireball, both on Twitter and Facebook. “Did this come from the sky around 8-9 last night?” one Twitter user wrote. “I was sitting at Kroger ... and saw what looked to be the biggest meteorite I’ve ever seen. I seriously waited to hear the sound upon impact but never did.” “I really hope it is not part of the Moon. But seriously. WHAT THE!?” another user tweeted. “It’s Friday the 13th, and a full moon. Anything goes,” posted one person on Facebook. As the debate continued, some that there were no “skid marks” or a large crater to support the meteor theory. “Did it have a parachute? Come on people,” said J.J. White on Facebook. A meteorologist at Richmond’s NBC12 spotted the discussion — which included GIFs of falling meteors — and he weighed in with a sobering response early Friday. “Someone suggested in my timeline that it could be a meteorite,” Andrew Freiden tweeted. “But it’s not. If it were a meteorite we would all be dead. #HappyFriday.” His best guess? “Maybe somebody pushed it off of a roadside or median,” Freiden tweeted. The Virginia Department of Transportation has since removed the boulder, county police said, but the debate rages on. The driver of the flipped car was not injured, officials said. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article235053072.html#storylink=cpy
Another fireball was spotted... Bright daylight meteor over northern Germany Posted by Teo Blašković on September 12, 2019 at 21:03 UTC (1 day ago) | https://watchers.news/2019/09/12/daylight-meteor-fireball-september-12-2019/ Categories: Editors' picks, Meteor activity, Video gallery A bright daylight meteor was recorded above northern Germany at 12:49 UTC on September 12, 2019. The American Meteor Society (AMS) received 496 reports by 10:30 UTC (September 13) from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. The Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) registered it at 54.4N 9.2E (northern Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) at an altitude of 42 km (26 miles). The object was traveling at a speed of 18.5 km/s. The recorded impact energy of the event is 0.48 kt. The stone was probably '1 meter to a few meters' in diameter, Joost Hartman, chairman of the Werkgroep Meteoren said. The stone must have been large in any case, because the light trail in the sky was so bright that it came out above the sunlight. It is possible some pieces of the object survived and ended somewhere in the North Sea. Daylight fireball over northern Germany on September 12, 2019 - heatmap. Credit: AMS *** And this is happening ... Tropical storm formation expected over the Bahamas later today or Saturday A tropical disturbance, currently designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, is moving NW toward the NW Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Northwestern Bahamas excluding Andros Island. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jupiter Inlet to... PS - I'm praying that it completely fizzles out soon.
Two Saudi oil facilities hit last night by drones causing all kinds of explosions. Yemen rebels are claiming responsibility. News was blacked out on it until this morning. This facility produces about 8 million barrels of oil per day so if you have some fuel cans you have been planning to fill or fuel oil for winter to purchase it might be a good idea to make it a priority. https://twitter.com/IntelDoge/status/1172696817961701376
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/saudi-aramco-contain-fires-facilities-053230653.html (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia’s oil production was cut by half after a swarm of explosive drones struck at the heart of the kingdom’s oil industry and set the world’s biggest crude-processing plant ablaze. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have launched several drone attacks on Saudi targets, claimed responsibility. Saudi Aramco had to cut production by as much as 5 million barrels a day as a precautionary measure after the attack on the Abqaiq plant, according to a person familiar with the matter. Most output will be restored with 48 hours, they said, asking to not to identified before an official announcement. The biggest attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure since Iraq’s Saddam Hussein fired scud missiles into the kingdom during the first Gulf war, the drone strike highlights the vulnerability of the network of fields, pipeline and ports that supply 10% of the world’s crude oil. A prolonged outage at Abqaiq, where crude from several of the country’s largest oil fields is processed before being shipped to export terminals, would jolt global energy markets. “Abqaiq is the heart of the system and they just had a heart attack,” said Roger Diwan, a veteran OPEC watcher at consultant IHS Markit. “We just don’t know the severity.” Facilities at Abqaiq and the nearby Khurais oil field were attacked at 4 a.m. local time, state-run Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an unidentified interior ministry spokesman. It didn’t give further details and no further updates have been released. “For the oil market if not global economy, Abqaiq is the single most valuable piece of real estate in planet earth,” Bob McNally, head of Rapid Energy Group in Washington. Aramco, which pumped about 9.8 million barrels a day in August, will be able to keep customers supplied for several weeks by drawing on a global storage network. The Saudis hold millions of barrels in tanks in the kingdom itself, plus three strategic locations around the world: Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Okinawa in Japan, and Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The International Energy Agency, responsible for managing the oil reserves of the world’s industrialized economies, said they were monitoring the situation, but the world was well-supplied with commercial stockpiles. A satellite picture from a NASA near real-time imaging system published early on Saturday showed a huge smoke plume extending more than 50 miles over Abqaiq. Four additional plumes to the south-west appear close to the Ghawar oilfield, the world’s largest. While that field wasn’t attacked, its crude is sent to Abqaiq and the smoke could indicate flaring. When a facility stops suddenly, excess oil and natural gas is safely burned in large flaring stacks. The attacks were carried out with 10 drones and came after intelligence cooperation from people inside Saudi Arabia, rebel-run Saba news agency reported, citing Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree. “Our upcoming operations will expand and would be more painful as long as the Saudi regime continues its aggression and blockade” on Yemen, he said. Saudi Arabia’s oil fields and pipeline have been the target of attacks over the past year, often using drones, mostly claimed by Yemeni rebels. Tensions in the Persian Gulf -- pitting Saudi Arabia and its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, against regional foe Iran -- have highlighted the risk to global oil supply. Today’s attack is the largest and most sophisticated yet. The Houthi forces have used small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles in various roles, according to a United Nations report. Some are loaded with munitions for use as “kamikaze drones” with a range of up to 1,500 kilometers. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been battling a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, when mainly Gulf forces intervened to restore the rule of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his government after the Houthis captured the capital, Sana’a. The conflict has killed thousands of people and caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The attacks come as Aramco, officially known as Saudi Arabian Oil Co., is speeding up preparations for an initial public offering. The energy giant have selected banks for the share sale and may list as soon as November, people familiar with the matter have said.
