Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Let the Headlines Speak
Aug 1st, 2019
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines

New Ebola case diagnosed in DR Congo’s Goma: health official
A new case of Ebola has been registered in the eastern DR Congo city of Goma, a key transport hub, a Congolese health official said on Tuesday, as the virus death toll rose to 1,790. It is the second case of Ebola detected in the lakeside city of more than two million people, close to the Rwanda border.

‘Amateur’ Capital One Hack Stuns Security Community
The massive data breach at Capital One appeared to be an unsophisticated attack from a single hacker, raising questions about the security of the financial system and insider threats to cloud computing. “The biggest surprise is the amateur nature of the attack,” said John Dickson of the security consultancy Denim Group.

Jeffrey Epstein Will Be Murdered by “Powerful Friends,” Lawyer Warns
Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented three women during the criminal proceedings against billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein over a decade ago, says Epstein’s attempted suicide last week was likely an attempted hit by someone close to him. “I do question whether it was a true suicide attempt. I mean how do you choke yourself? It doesn’t make any sense,” Kuvin told The Sun newspaper. “There are reports someone came after him but that could just be because he’s a pedophile. Those types of individuals don’t last long in prison.” Kuvin’s warning mirrors what conservative author Ann Coulter said last week when she urged the Bureau of Prisons to move Epstein to a Super Max facility so that “the people who want him dead” won’t be able to hide their role in his child sex crimes.

Turkey expects US to end its support to PKK/YPG
Turkish defense minister has told his U.S. counterpart over a phone call that Turkey expects the U.S. to completely end its support to the PKK/YPG terrorist group. Hulusi Akar said Turkey would be obliged to create a safe zone on its own in case the two countries failed to find a common ground, according to a statement released by the National Defense Ministry on July 29.

President Trump Meets with Pastors about Inner City Problems: Alveda King Says ‘We Have a President Who’s Listening’
The employment rates are up in every community, including the black community. The historically black colleges and universities under this president are being blessed. The babies in the womb. The sick and poor and elderly are being blessed. We have an opportunity to continue to be blessed, and we have a president who’s listening. And I was glad to pray with him today.” -Alveda King

John Ratcliffe: AG William Barr will deliver justice to any Obama officials who committed crimes
A top Republican investigator said accountability is coming for any of those individuals who may have committed crimes during the Trump-Russia investigation. With the Justice Department conducting a review of that operation, Rep. John Ratcliffe said during a Fox News interview Sunday that he trusts Attorney General William Barr and Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to provide answers. And while Ratcliffe said he does not want to prematurely accuse any specific person of a crime — as Democrats have done with President Trump — he stressed that it is clear crimes were committed by people during the Obama administration, including government officials.

The coming of persecution for Christian Americans
the Washington Examiner reported that Pastor Andrew Brunson said he was “astounded at the speed with which the U.S. is imploding” and that he predicts persecution of Christians will follow. Brunson is the evangelical Presbyterian missionary to Turkey who spent two years in a Turkish prison. Brunson made his remarks about the coming of persecution for American Christians during an interview at the Western Conservative Summit, held every year by the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University.

End Times Complacency Spreading Through The Church
Coming on the heels of World War II, the rebirth of Israel, the Six Day War, and widespread societal upheaval, many were convinced the rapture would take place before the end of the decade. But the 1970’s came and went, and Jesus did not return. Then, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, numerous bible prophecy books with titles like “Countdown to Armageddon” and “Final Warning” sold all over the world. Yet Jesus didn’t come. End Times Burnout, The Bible Said This Would Happen.

Trump to host Arab leaders at peace summit before Israeli election – report
The Trump administration will host an Israeli-Palestinian peace summit at Camp David before Israel’s September elections…Jared Kushner is planning to…invite the Arab leaders during his trip to the Middle East which starts on Thursday with a stop in Jerusalem. The summit…at Camp David…President Donald Trump will lay out his vision for peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in general terms, the Wednesday report said.

Zarif: Iran to reduce nuclear deal commitments unless Europe protects it 
Iran is set to further cut its commitments to its international nuclear deal unless its European partners move to protect it from U.S. sanctions by ensuring it can sell oil and receive income, its foreign minister told state television on Wednesday. “Under current circumstances and if no action is taken (by the Europeans) we will take the next step (in cutting commitments),” Mohammad Javad Zarif said…

China orders Arabic, Muslim symbols taken down in Beijing
Authorities in the Chinese capital have ordered halal restaurants and food stalls to remove Arabic script and symbols associated with Islam from their signs, part of an expanding national effort to “Sinicize” its Muslim population. Employees at 11 restaurants and shops in Beijing selling halal products …said officials had told them to remove images associated with Islam, such as the crescent moon and the word “halal” written in Arabic, from signs.

Ebola crisis: Second case confirmed in DR Congo border city of Goma
A second case of Ebola has been detected on Democratic Republic of Congo’s border with Rwanda, raising fears the deadly illness could spread. The case was confirmed in the city of Goma, home to two million people, authorities said. More than 1,600 people have died of Ebola in DR Congo since the outbreak began in August 2018 but those have been in more remote areas.

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles in second missile launch in a week
North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, according to South Korea’s military, the second such launch in a week. The two missiles were launched from the Wonsan area early on Wednesday. Last week’s launch was the first such action since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June.

ISIS Warns of Terror Strikes in San Francisco, New York, London
The ISIS terrorist organization is threatening to launch new attacks in San Francisco, New York, and London, according to new warning messages posted on the group’s social media channels. The messages…feature the three cities and call for adherents of the terror group’s radical ideology to “kill them all,” according to copies of the warnings obtained by the Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI, a group that monitors jihadi networks.

America’s Housing Affordability Crisis Spreads to the Heartland
Low mortgage rates and thriving employment should be the recipe for a strong housing market. Instead, they’re deepening America’s affordability crisis. What began on the coasts, in areas like New York and San Francisco, is now radiating into the nation’s heartland, as well as to cities from Las Vegas to Charleston, South Carolina. Entry-level buyers are scrambling to purchase homes that are in short supply, sending values soaring.

Neuroscientists decode brain speech signals into written text 
Doctors have turned the brain signals for speech into written sentences in a research project that aims to transform how patients with severe disabilities communicate in the future. The breakthrough is the first to demonstrate how the intention to say specific words can be extracted from brain activity and converted into text rapidly enough to keep pace with natural conversation.

Egyptian, Jordanian leaders meet ahead of Kushner’s visit
Jordan’s King Abdullah ll met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to arrive at a united position on the Trump Administration’s proposed plan to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Just days before an American team is set to visit the Middle East, the two leaders met in Cairo to discuss “relations between the two countries and ways to promote levels of joint cooperation,” according to a statement from the Jordanian government.

Swiss Funding Freeze in Wake of UNRWA Corruption Allegations Piles On Palestinian Refugee Agency’s Woes
Switzerland confirmed on Tuesday that it was temporarily freezing funding for UNRWA — the United Nations agency dedicated solely to Palestinian refugees and their descendants — following the emergence of an internal report that accused the agency’s top management of systematic corruption and abuse.

Bipartisan Senate bill to inquire about creation of US-Israel cyber-security center
U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced Tuesday a bill to require the U.S. State Department to investigate potential benefits of establishing a joint U.S.-Israel cybersecurity center.

“California Should Be Embarrassed” – State Passes Law Banning Trump From Ballot Unless Tax Returns Released
“… it’s unconstitutional and it opens up the possibility for states to load up more requirements on candidates in future elections. ”

Pompeo: US will maintain Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues to reject talks
“We are gonna keep it open,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “Countries from all across the world who have a vested interest in keeping those waterways open will participate.”

40 Percent of Americans Believe in Creationism and Reject Evolution, Gallup Poll Finds
The nation’s universities and the mainstream media may be promoting evolution, but a large percentage of Americans still isn’t buying it. Forty percent of Americans say they believe “God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so,” according to a Gallup poll released July 26. It is an increase from 38 percent in 2017, the last time Gallup asked the question.

Pakistani Christian in hiding because of blasphemy accusations pleads with UN to help
A Pakistani Christian refugee accused of blasphemy is facing renewed death threats after his location in Thailand was revealed on social media this month. But he and his family continue to face hurdles in their years-long effort for resettlement with no end in sight.

California Lawmakers Pass Resolution Blaming Religious People for High Suicide Rates in the LGBT Community
Lawmakers in California have passed a resolution that singles out the state’s religious communities and forces them to fully support LGBT individuals.

Black Moon is coming Wednesday: What that means
We’ve seen all kinds of interesting phases of the Moon, from “Super blood Moons” to “full worm supermoons” to even the stunning Strawberry Moon.

Crackdown Coming? China Gathers Forces On Hong Kong Border Amid Unrest
Comes after Beijing charged that unrest is “creation of the US”

European Superstate: a Massive Expansion of Central Power Coming Soon
Aug 1st, 2019
CommentarySOEREN KERN/GATESTONE INSTITUTE
Categories: Revived Roman Empire

Former German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been narrowly confirmed as the next President of the European Commission, the powerful administrative arm of the European Union.

In a secret ballot in the European Parliament on July 16, von der Leyen, a close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, received 383 votes, only nine more than the 374 required — the lowest margin since the position of President was established in 1958. She will take over from Jean-Claude Junker in November 2019 for a five-year term.

Before the vote, von der Leyen promised an ambitious left-leaning policy program on climate change, taxes, migration and the rule of law. Many of her pledges — which would require transferring yet more national sovereignty to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels — appeared aimed at enticing support for her candidacy from Greens and Socialists in the European Parliament.

In the past, von der Leyen has called for the creation of a European superstate: "My aim is the United States of Europe, on the model of federal states such as Switzerland, Germany or the United States," she said in an August 2011 interview with the German newsmagazine Der Spiegel. 

An examination of von der Leyen's policy proposals, reveals that she is calling for a massive expansion of top-down powers of the European Commission. Her proposals would substantially increase the role of Brussels in virtually all aspects of economic and social life in Europe — all at the expense of national sovereignty.

Following is a brief summary of von der Leyen's main proposals for the next five years, as outlined in a 24-page document titled, "My Agenda for Europe":

Climate Change

Von der Leyen called for the European Union to be "carbon neutral" by 2050. She pledged to propose a "European Green Deal" during her first 100 days in office. The deal would include the first "European Climate Law" to enshrine the 2050 climate neutrality target into law: "Carbon emissions must have a price. Every person and every sector will have to contribute."

She also pledged to introduce a "Carbon Border Tax" that would apply to non-European companies, to ensure that European companies "can compete on a level playing field." In addition, a "European Climate Pact" would "commit to a set of pledges to bring about a change in behavior, from the individual to the largest multinational."

Von der Leyen's social reengineering scheme would be paid for by European taxpayers: A "Sustainable Europe Investment Plan" would "support €1 trillion of climate investment over the next decade in every corner of the EU." She also vowed that the EU "will lead international negotiations to increase the level of ambition of other major emitters by 2021."

Economy, Society and Taxation

Von der Leyen vowed to prioritize the further deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union. She pledged to introduce a "Budgetary Instrument for Convergence and Competitiveness," a "European Deposit Insurance Scheme" and complete a "Banking Union." She also vowed to strengthen the international role of the euro.

She pledged to integrate European economic governance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Von der Leyen proposed a legal instrument to ensure a minimum wage for workers in all 28 EU member states. 

Von der Leyen also proposed a "European Gender Strategy" to ensure "equal pay for equal work," and pledged to introduce "binding pay-transparency measures." She vowed to set quotas for gender balance on company boards. She also promised a fully gender-equal European Commission: "By the end of my mandate, I will ensure we have full equality at all levels of Commission management. I will accept nothing less."

Rule of Law, Migration and Internal Security

Von der Leyen called for a comprehensive "European Rule of Law Mechanism" to ensure the primacy of EU law over the national laws of EU member states. She warned that there would be financial consequences for member states that refuse to comply: "I intend to focus on tighter enforcement, using recent judgements of the Court of Justice showing the impact of rule-of-law breaches on EU law as a basis. I stand by the proposal to make the rule of law an integral part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework." She added: "The Commission will always be an independent guardian of the Treaties. Lady Justice is blind – she will defend the rule of law wherever and by whomever it is attacked."

Von der Leyen also called for a "New Pact on Migration and Asylum" in which a reinforced European Border and Coast Guard Agency would take over border control responsibilities from EU member states: "I want to see these [EU] border guards with the ability to act at the EU's external borders in place by 2024."

Meanwhile, a new "Common European Asylum System" would require all EU member states to offer asylum to migrants who request it: "We all need to help each other and contribute." In addition, the European Public Prosecutor's Office "should have more muscle and authority" and "be able to investigate and prosecute cross-border terrorism."

European Defense and Trade

Von der Leyen, who previously called for the creation of a European Army, pledged to take "further bold steps in the next five years towards a genuine European Defense Union." She added: "We need an integrated and comprehensive approach to our security."

She also said: "I believe Europe should have a stronger and more united voice in the world." She called for a change in rules so that the EU could act even without the unanimous consent of EU member states: "To be a global leader, the EU needs to be able to act fast: I will push for qualified majority voting to become the rule in this area. I will work closely with the High Representative/Vice-President to ensure a coordinated approach to all of our external action, from development aid to our Common Foreign and Security Policy."

Reactions

Von der Leyen's paper-thin endorsement by the European Parliament showed that she has as many detractors as supporters. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage may be her biggest critic. Addressing the European Parliament, he said:

"What you've seen from Ursula von der Leyen today is an attempt by the EU to take control of every single aspect of our lives. She wants to build a centralized, undemocratic, updated form of Communism that will render [obsolete] nation state parliaments, where the state controls everything, where nation state parliaments will cease to have any relevance at all.

"I have to say from our perspective, in some ways, I'm really rather pleased, because you've just made Brexit a lot more popular in the United Kingdom. Thank God we're leaving!

"But it is in the aspect of defense that I think people's minds should be focused. She's a fanatic for building a European Army, but she's not alone. When it's completed, NATO will cease to exist or will not have any relevance in Europe at all."

Brexit Party MEP Matthew Patten, in an opinion article — "Fanatical Von der Leyen is the Final Nail in the Coffin for Shambolic EU 'Democracy'" — published by The Telegraph, wrote:

"Starting with 'we have to do it the European way' and 'the world needs more Europe' her proposals included an EU minimum wage, a capital markets union, a European unemployment insurance scheme, and most controversially, the abandonment of the national veto on foreign policy, another step towards a European Army and handing over the decision to go to war to the EU.

"She also promised the deepening of Europe's economic and monetary union, a common consolidated corporate tax base, to be sympathetic towards an approach from Britain for further delay of Brexit.

"Von der Leyen concluded saying, 'We need to move towards full co-decision power for the European Parliament and away from unanimity for climate, energy, social and taxation policies. She finished with a rallying cry 'Long Live Europe!' — underlining her support for a United States of Europe."