Ministerial-religious-freedom celeste.li 2018-08-013 views The freedom of belief was at the center of the United States’ founding. It’s at the center of the U.S. constitution. And the Trump administration has put it as a top priority in its foreign policy agenda.
[[Mike Pompeo, State Department Secretary]] “The United States advances religious freedom in our foreign policy because it is not exclusively an American right. It is a God-given universal right bestowed on all of mankind.”
In an effort to promote that right, the State Department held its first Ministerial on Religious Freedom July 24 to 26 in Washington, D.C.
[[Mike Pence, US Vice President]]: [[7:55-8:06]] “As President Trump has said on many occasions, the United States of America is a “nation of faith,” and religious freedom is a top priority of this administration.”
[[Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State]]: “When religious freedom flourishes, a country flourishes.”
Representatives from over 80 countries attended the event, including victims of religious persecution who shared their stories.
Marziyeh Amirizadeh [[11:27- “We spent 259 days in Evin prison, one of the most notorious prisons in Iran.”
[[Monir Khanjani, Niece of[Jamaloddin Khanjani]] [6:03--6:12]] “We would hear regularly of arrests, executions, and looting of Baha’i homes and businesses.”
Maryam Rostampour [[16:23--16:26]] “All the Iranians are experiencing different forms of persecution and suffering.”
It wasn’t just Iran that was highlighted though. The governments of Russia, Iraq, Nicaragua, Sudan, Turkey, North Korea, and particularly China were held up as violators of religious freedom.
[[Mike Pence, U.S Vice President]] [[14:50 -14:56]] “For nearly 70 years, the Tibetan people have been brutally repressed by the Chinese government.”
[[Frank Wolf, Retired U.S. Representative]] [[55:06-55:17]] “Falun Gong are facing severe persecution and there are actually reports of organ harvesting where they kill him and they take your organs for sale.”
[[Mike Pence, U.S Vice President]] [[15:32--15:42]] “Sadly, as we speak as well, Beijing is holding hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions, of Uyghur Muslims in so-called “re-education camps.”
[[Frank Wolf, Retired U.S. Representative]] [55:43-55:51]] “For me as a follower of Jesus scripture gives little choice but to respond to the oppression.”
Regarding Turkey, news of a positive development came out on the last day of the ministerial.
[[Sam Brownbeck, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom]] [[00:17--00:28]] “Well, you’re already having an impact it appears. Reuters is reporting that an American Pastor who has been detained in Turkey for nearly 2 years has been put out on house arrest.”
Secretary Pompeo said that the U.S. is in conversation with Turkey to bring Pastor Andrew Brunson home.
[[Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President]] “If Turkey does not take immediate action to free this innocent man of faith and send him home to America, the United States will impose significant sanctions on Turkey until Pastor Andrew Brunson is free.”
Day one of the Ministerial was about learning how to tap into government and private sector resources. On day two, participants shared stories, advice, and expertise. And day 3 was about identifying barriers to religious freedom and how to overcome them.
USAID Administrator Mark Green said that by merely holding such an event, it spreads hope to those persecuted for their faith around the world.
[[Mark Green, USAID Administrator]] [[36:25-36:32]] “Of course, hope is insufficient if it is unaccompanied by action.”
There were several concrete actions the U.S. will take announced at the ministerial.
[[Mike Pence, US Secretary of State]] “It’s my privilege as vice president to announce today that the United States of America will establish the Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response Program, effective today. Under this new program, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development will closely partner with local faith and community leaders to rapidly deliver aid to persecuted communities, beginning with Ir
Pence and Pompeo Say Religious Liberty Top US Priority celeste.li 2018-08-014 views The freedom of belief was at the center of the United States’ founding. It’s at the center of the U.S. constitution. And the Trump administration has put it as a top priority in its foreign policy agenda.
[[Mike Pompeo, State Department Secretary]] “The United States advances religious freedom in our foreign policy because it is not exclusively an American right. It is a God-given universal right bestowed on all of mankind.”
In an effort to promote that right, the State Department held its first Ministerial on Religious Freedom July 24 to 26 in Washington, D.C.
[[Mike Pence, US Vice President]]: [[7:55-8:06]] “As President Trump has said on many occasions, the United States of America is a “nation of faith,” and religious freedom is a top priority of this administration.”
[[Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State]]: “When religious freedom flourishes, a country flourishes.”
Representatives from over 80 countries attended the event, including victims of religious persecution who shared their stories.
Marziyeh Amirizadeh [[11:27- “We spent 259 days in Evin prison, one of the most notorious prisons in Iran.”
[[Monir Khanjani, Niece of[Jamaloddin Khanjani]] [6:03--6:12]] “We would hear regularly of arrests, executions, and looting of Baha’i homes and businesses.”
Maryam Rostampour [[16:23--16:26]] “All the Iranians are experiencing different forms of persecution and suffering.”
It wasn’t just Iran that was highlighted though. The governments of Russia, Iraq, Nicaragua, Sudan, Turkey, North Korea, and particularly China were held up as violators of religious freedom.
[[Mike Pence, U.S Vice President]] [[14:50 -14:56]] “For nearly 70 years, the Tibetan people have been brutally repressed by the Chinese government.”
[[Frank Wolf, Retired U.S. Representative]] [[55:06-55:17]] “Falun Gong are facing severe persecution and there are actually reports of organ harvesting where they kill him and they take your organs for sale.”
[[Mike Pence, U.S Vice President]] [[15:32--15:42]] “Sadly, as we speak as well, Beijing is holding hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions, of Uyghur Muslims in so-called “re-education camps.”
[[Frank Wolf, Retired U.S. Representative]] [55:43-55:51]] “For me as a follower of Jesus scripture gives little choice but to respond to the oppression.”
Regarding Turkey, news of a positive development came out on the last day of the ministerial.
[[Sam Brownbeck, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom]] [[00:17--00:28]] “Well, you’re already having an impact it appears. Reuters is reporting that an American Pastor who has been detained in Turkey for nearly 2 years has been put out on house arrest.”
Secretary Pompeo said that the U.S. is in conversation with Turkey to bring Pastor Andrew Brunson home.
[[Mike Pence, U.S. Vice President]] “If Turkey does not take immediate action to free this innocent man of faith and send him home to America, the United States will impose significant sanctions on Turkey until Pastor Andrew Brunson is free.”
Day one of the Ministerial was about learning how to tap into government and private sector resources. On day two, participants shared stories, advice, and expertise. And day 3 was about identifying barriers to religious freedom and how to overcome them.
USAID Administrator Mark Green said that by merely holding such an event, it spreads hope to those persecuted for their faith around the world.
[[Mark Green, USAID Administrator]] [[36:25-36:32]] “Of course, hope is insufficient if it is unaccompanied by action.”
There were several concrete actions the U.S. will take announced at the ministerial.
[[Mike Pence, US Secretary of State]] “It’s my privilege as vice president to announce today that the United States of America will establish the Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response Program, effective today. Under this new program, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development will closely partner with local faith and community leaders to rapidly deliver aid to persecuted communities, beginning with Ir
“He is free to walk out of the doors of the Ecuadorian Embassy anytime he wishes.”
Assange has been living in the London Embassy for over six years,
In fear of being extradited to the United States over possible charges.
The warrant that was filed for Assange's arrest, is still valid, according to British authorities.
[Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt]
“This is a country that respects rule of law, you are innocent until proven guilty. Serious charges have been laid against him and we want him to face justice for those charges but we are a country of due process. At any time he wants to he is free to walk out onto the street of Knightsbride and the British police will have a warm welcome for him.”
A charge in the United Kingdom for failing to turn up to a court hearing was filed against Assange.
Assange, an Australian, was visited by Australian officials for the first time in June.
Australia said it was providing consular assistance.
A source said that Ecuador and Britain are in high-level talks to remove Assange from the embassy.
Lenin Moreno, the new Ecuadorian president is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom this month.
Bush's former doctor fatally shot while biking near hospital celeste.li 2018-07-2121 views A cardiologist who once treated former President George H.W. Bush was fatally shot by a fellow bicyclist Friday while riding through a Houston medical complex, and police were trying to determine if the shooting was random or a targeted act. The shooting happened around 9 a.m. as Dr. Mark Hausknecht was going northbound through the Texas Medical Center, said Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner. "The suspect was on a bicycle as well. Rode past the doctor, turned and fired two shots. The doctor immediately went down," Finner said. Hausknecht, 65, hit at least once, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. Hausknecht was going in to work at Houston Methodist Hospital when he was shot, the hospital's CEO said in an email to staff. The area where the shooting took place is part of a 1,345-acre complex of hospitals and medical institutions, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and is busy with traffic and pedestrians during the day. Authorities late Friday continued searching for the suspect, who was wearing a gray warmup jacket, khaki shorts and a tan baseball cap. Hausknecht treated Bush in February 2000 for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness while visiting Florida. The cardiologist appeared with Bush at a news conference after his treatment. Bush on Friday offered his condolences to Hausknecht's family. "Mark was a fantastic cardiologist and a good man," Bush said in a statement. "I will always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care." Hausknecht had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease, said Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital. Hausknecht was part of the hospital's medical staff as well as its DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. "His patients appreciated his kind bedside manner and the extra time he took to answer their questions and fully explain their condition and treatment," Boom said in an email to employees on Friday. "Our employees who worked with him said patients were so proud to call him their doctor."
Bush's former doctor fatally shot while biking near hospital celeste.li 2018-07-210 views A cardiologist who once treated former President George H.W. Bush was fatally shot by a fellow bicyclist Friday while riding through a Houston medical complex, and police were trying to determine if the shooting was random or a targeted act. The shooting happened around 9 a.m. as Dr. Mark Hausknecht was going northbound through the Texas Medical Center, said Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner. "The suspect was on a bicycle as well. Rode past the doctor, turned and fired two shots. The doctor immediately went down," Finner said. Hausknecht, 65, hit at least once, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. Hausknecht was going in to work at Houston Methodist Hospital when he was shot, the hospital's CEO said in an email to staff. The area where the shooting took place is part of a 1,345-acre complex of hospitals and medical institutions, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and is busy with traffic and pedestrians during the day. Authorities late Friday continued searching for the suspect, who was wearing a gray warmup jacket, khaki shorts and a tan baseball cap. Hausknecht treated Bush in February 2000 for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness while visiting Florida. The cardiologist appeared with Bush at a news conference after his treatment. Bush on Friday offered his condolences to Hausknecht's family. "Mark was a fantastic cardiologist and a good man," Bush said in a statement. "I will always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care." Hausknecht had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease, said Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital. Hausknecht was part of the hospital's medical staff as well as its DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. "His patients appreciated his kind bedside manner and the extra time he took to answer their questions and fully explain their condition and treatment," Boom said in an email to employees on Friday. "Our employees who worked with him said patients were so proud to call him their doctor."
52% of Brits voted to leave the EU — the “Leavers” 48% voted to remain — the “Remainers”
However, only 1/3 of lawmakers voted to leave
Even Prime Minister Theresa May was a Remainer until she was voted into office with a mandate to enact Brexit
Experts describe Brexit as the biggest and most complicated undertaking since WWII
Here’s why Brexit isn’t over yet
1. THE DIVORCE After 43 years of marriage, the UK is leaving the EU But before they can go their separate ways … comes the divorce settlement There’s the money The UK is expected to pay a “divorce bill” of £30-£40 billion to cover outstanding bills and the like
There’s the kids (around 4.5 million of them) The two parties need to agree on the rights of 3.7 million EU citizens in the UK and the 800 thousand UK citizens in the EU
Even then, many issues will need to be resolved after the deal And course, the parties still have to live as neighbours no matter what
They get 2 years to agree. The clock has been ticking since March 29, 2017, when the UK triggered Article 50. So once the lawyers have hashed it out, the two just need to sign and that’s it, right? No. This is where the divorce analogy falls apart
16 of the 27 national leaders in the European Council (representing over 65 percent of the EU population) need to agree on the deal And a majority of the 751 members of the European Parliament also needs to sign the paperwork
And if they don't agree? An extension can be granted to negotiations—but only if all 27 member states agree
And if they don’t all agree? We’ll get to that later
2. LEAVING THE CLUB
“I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept people like me as a member.” — Groucho Marx No one wants to belong to a club that offers the same benefits to non-members as members
The EU will try to ensure the UK doesn’t get the benefits of membership without the costs If it does, the deal risks undermining the EU’s existence Membership means signing up to the four freedoms Plus there are certain opt-ins like using the Euro and joining the Schengen open border zone No one has ever left the club before With business interests, regulations, and trade entwined among member states, experts warn it could take a decade to disentangle
3. HAVING YOUR CAKE Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson famously said the UK would be able to “have its cake and eat it” in negotiating a new deal with the EU “Brexit cake” has become a joke among EU leaders who insist the UK cannot come out with a better deal than it started with The EU’s negotiation mantra is that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” How far the EU might go in allowing a compromise is unknown
4. BREXIT SOFT OR HARD? Brexit isn’t just a matter of being in or out of the EU It’s about the future relationship with the EU—and that creates a sliding scale … from soft to hard The closer it is to status quo, the ‘softer’ the Brexit The Norway model, for example, might be seen as a soft Brexit. Norway is not a member of the EU so it cannot vote on EU laws and regulations But it has access to the EU’s single market, allowing free trade A ‘hard Brexit’ would mean much more independence, and also more barriers to trade 5. THE CLIFF EDGE
Negotiations are hurtling towards the deadline of March 29, 2019. But if a deal isn’t in place, what happens? If no deal is reached, then trade defaults to World Trade Organisation rules Leaving with no deal is also called “crashing out” of the EU—the ultimate “hard Brexit” Businesses are worried about a “Cliff Edge” scenario—the UK leaving the EU without new regulatory frameworks in place, or with too little time for them to adjust supply chains
Cabin crew in Italy and Spain are set to join colleagues in Belgium and Portugal for a one-day strike on July 25, five trade unions told a news conference on Thursday (July 5). Crew in Spain, Portugal and Belgium will strike for a second day on July 26.
A representative for Spanish cabin crew union SITCPLA, Monique Duthiers, described the legal situation of Ryanair's employees as "limbo", saying that the Irish airline was choosing which labour law to apply to its 8,000 cabin crew based on its best interests while refusing to engage in dialogue with unions by accepting their chosen representatives.
She said she expected 4,000 cabin crew to participate, a number that would imply significant participation outside of the four countries directly affected.
Pilots and cabin crew at Ryanair began to organise following a wave of cancellations at the airline in the second half of last year, and in December the airline gave in to growing pressure and recognised trade unions for the first time in its 32-year history.
The iceberg towers over houses on a promontory in the village of Innaarsuit but it is grounded and has not moved overnight, local media KNR reported.
A danger zone close to the coast has been evacuated and people have been moved further up a steep slope where the settlement lies, a Greenland police spokesman told Reuters.
Last summer, four people died after waves swamped a settlement in northwestern Greenland.
REPORTER says: "What are you feeling right now?" CARSON-SANDLER says: "Anxious. Angry."
MEDIA CLOGGED THE HALLWAY JUST OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, WHERE EAST AREA RAPIST SUSPECT JOSEPH DEANGELO MADE ANOTHER COURT APPEARANCE. THE DEFENSE FILED A MOTION TO BAR MEDIA FROM COVERING TODAY'S COURT PROCEEDINGS. BUT THE JUDGE OVERRULED THAT REQUEST, SAYING HE BELIEVES THE "PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW," AND THAT DEANGELO "WON'T BE PREJUDICED BY THE PROCEEDINGS." THE D-A IS IN THE PROCESS OF PROVIDING DISCOVERY TO DEFENSE AND REQUESTED PROCEEDINGS TO CONTINUE TO SEPTEMBER 5TH.
CARSON-SANDLER says: "I didn't get to see him full faced." REPORTER says: "You leaned over." CARSON-SANDLER says: "I did. I wanted to see his face but I saw by the side. It's just so surreal. I'm just so blessed that he's behind bars."
DEBBI DOMINGO'S MOTHER AND HER MOM'S BOYFRIEND WERE KILLED BY THE EAST AREA RAPIST. SHE SAYS SHE'S ALWAYS BELIEVED HE WOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE ONE DAY, FOR TAKING HER MOTHER AWAY.
REPORTER says: "Any thoughts of your mom?" DOMINGO says: "Oh, I always think of my mom. I've got my mom and Greg on my T-shirt. I don't know if ya'll want to get a shot of that. But they're always with me, you know? They're always with me." REPORTER says: "You're heart musta been beating fast when they opened that door." DOMINGO says: "You know, not so much. I trust that God has his perfect timing going. This is exactly the way it's supposed to be."
MARGARET WARDLOW IS THE EAST AREA RAPIST'S YOUNGEST VICTIM, JUST 13 AT THE TIME. SEEING HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER 41 YEARS WASN'T EASY FOR HER.
WARDLOW says: "It's just intense. I don't know how else to explain it. I really thought I was really tough and strong but it's kinda scary."
WARDLOW says: "But everybody has to survive after that and it's... so difficult."
Pre-evacuation notices were issued in the area of Redvale, Colorado, as the Upper Mailbox Fire grew to roughly 400 acres on June 15, NBC 11 News reported.
Additional reconnaissance flights were planned for Saturday, June 16, to provide officials with a better estimate of total acreage and fire perimeter, SW Colorado Fire Tweeted.
Wildfire Suspect Arrested, Likely Illegal Immigrant celeste.li 2018-07-010 views Bone-dry conditions and scorching temperatures hampered firefighters Thursday as they battled two wildfires in Colorado - one that has burned structures in the southern part of the state and another that has forced evacuations near Rocky Mountain National Park.
About 350 homes have been evacuated east of Fort Garland in southern Colorado since a wildfire erupted there Wednesday. The blaze has blackened about 6 square miles (15 square kilometers) and has destroyed some structures, but fire managers are not sure how many.
Many of the evacuations were ordered in Forbes Park, a housing development started by multimillionaire Malcolm Forbes in the 1970s and which is now owned by its homeowners' association.
Firefighters have not been able to dig any containment lines around the blaze, which is burning in a heavily forested area.
THIEME says: "We were trying to have a good day at the beach, and go to the lake and have some fun. It was way too hot to stay at home."
ALEXANDRIA THIEME SAYS IT WAS A GREAT DAY...TIL HER 15-MONTH-OLD SON GOT A LITTLE CRANKY ON THE WAY HOME.
THIEME says: "At that time is when his temperature started rising and so we stopped at Casey`s so I could get some cold drinks for everybody."
A FRIEND STAYED IN THE AIR CONDITIONED CAR WITH BABY XAVIER..WHILE SHE RAN INSIDE. BUT AS SHE WAS CHECKING OUT...HER FRIEND AUSTIN CAME RUNNING INTO THE STORE WITH XAVIER...WHO WAS ACTIVELY HAVING A SEIZURE.
THIEME says: "He was shaking and he wouldn`t look at me and he couldn`t talk to me. It was the scariest moment of my life."
AS SHE PANICKED--NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO...TWO CASEY'S EMPLOYEES RUSHED TO HELP.
JONES says: "It was my mommy instincts. I just pictured, God forbid, it was one of my kids or just any human being, you need to jump in and do what you can when you can."
INCREDIBLY--ERICA'S CO-WORKER TAYLOR SWANGURIM HAS A SEIZURE DISORDER..AND TOGETHER, THE TWO WOMEN KNEW *EXACTLY WHAT TO DO TO HELP.
THIEME says: "She`s like, 'You need to lay him down on his side. She said, 'Go get him a cold wash cloth and ice pack to put on his head so we can lower his temperature.' And it kind of stopped."
XAVIER WENT TO THE HOSPTIAL BY AMBULANCE. DOCTORS THINK THE BABY HAD A VIRUS, LEADING TO HIS AFTERNOON FEVER..PUT INTO OVERDRIVE BY THE HEAT OF THE SUN, CAUSING A SEIZURE. MOM ALEXANDRIA--HOPES IT'S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE..AND IS THANKFUL TWO GUARDIAN ANGELS CAME TO HER BABY'S RESCUE--HELPING SAVE HIS LIFE.
THIEME says: "Heroic. They were my heroes that day."
JONES says: "I wouldn't call myself a hero, just an ordinary person that would hope that God forbid, me or my child or any other human being were in the same situation, someone would come to our rescue and help us."
HERO DOG HONORED FOR SAVING HIS FRIEND celeste.li 2018-06-29353 views REMUS THE CANINE CAME TO HIS BUDDY'S RESCUE AFTER HE FOUND HIMSELF OVER THE EDGE. BACK IN APRIL, THIS BACKYARD SURVEILLANCE VIDEO WENT VIRAL.
BECERRA says: "It's just awesome to know you know that no one was around and Remus still chose to do something really good."
YOU CAN SEE THE DOG'S FRIEND, SMOKEY, NEARLY STRUGGLES TO GET OUT OF THE WATER AFTER JUMPING IN. LUCKILY, REMUS RUSHED TO HIS SIDE.
BECERRA says: "I was out of town for work and then my parents were watching Remus and they were playing by the pool, and my dad was inside the house. And things led to things, he fell in and yeah. Remus jumped in and saved him."
WELL TODAY, REMUS IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS A HOMETOWN HERO BY THE MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR SAVING SMOKEY'S LIFE.
CHUTE says: "It was amazing, I was like oh my gosh. It's great to see when people save lives, but also dogs can save lives too. He's just kind of embodying what we're trying to teach right now to not only people, but animals as well. He was there to help a friend in need, and so we try to teach those ABC's of water safety."
REMUS'S MOM AND FAMILY SAY THEY COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE ONE-YEAR-OLD PUP.
BECERRA says: "I'm a proud dog mom, that's all I got to say."
HIS REWARD -- A BAG OF DOG BISCUITS FIT FOR A CANINE HERO.
Police dog performs CPR celeste.li 2018-06-26600 views Madrid's Municipal Police have trained a police dog to perform life-saving first aid. A video published on Friday (June 22) shows dog 'Poncho' performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on his handler during a show for children.
The adorable video has gained over 2.31 million views on social media and in it, Poncho can be seen running towards the handler who is pretending to be unconscious.
When the quick-thinking dog reached his guardian, he performed CPR until he was 'resuscitated' and reunited with his loving pal.
The footage came as Syrian government forces widened a major offensive against rebels in the southwest and Jordan said it would not open its border to tens of thousands of civilians fleeing the attack.
At least 45,000 people have fled the upsurge in fighting in Syria's southwestern Deraa province, heading towards the border with Jordan, the United Nations said.
President Bashar al-Assad is aiming to restore control over a strategically vital part of Syria at the borders with Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, building on the momentum he is enjoying elsewhere in the seven-year conflict.
