CHOSEN: End Times Newsletter – Issue 84
The Minister’s Corner
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Father's Light
by Johanna & Mikayla M.
Father is within us ALL
When we take the time
To listen to our hearts
She is always there waiting
To catch us when we fall
To provide the light which we seek
To help and guide us through the dark
Along Her righteous narrow path
To lead us to Her warm and loving embrace
So that we may have eternal life
God Will Not Fail You
Submitted by Regina
Written by Helen Steiner Rice
A few weeks ago, I came across a little book in a second hand bookstore titled The Poems and Prayers of Helen Steiner Rice. Since then, I have found immense inspiration and comfort in her writings and I'd like to share one of them with you.
When life seems empty
and there's no place to go,
When your heart is troubled
and your spirits are low,
When friends seem few
and nobody cares –
There is always God
to hear your prayers…
And whatever you're facing
will seem much less
When you go to God
and confide and confess,
For the burden that seems
too heavy to bear
God lifts away
on the wings of prayer…
And seen through God's eyes
earthly troubles diminish
And we're given new strength
to face and to finish
Life's daily tasks
as they come along
If we pray for strength
to keep us strong…
So go to our Father
when troubles assail you,
For His grace is sufficient
and He'll never fail you.
Inspired Writings
We Are Always Well Supplied
Even when we do not know we are.
I do not recall how many weeks and how many newsletters it really has been, as there have been special edition newsletters, but every week, Father has always inspired something in my heart to help me to share a piece of wisdom that She has shared with me. She has always unlocked something in my heart that has helped to spread a greater light than I am capable of on my own, as my light only comes from Her. She always does something special, and something further than anything before, always a step further. It reminds me of Martial Artist professionals who are always able to place a different twist in their art, always able to take things a step further and go further in their art in all that they teach their students. It is a natural item, something that just comes, because it is a gift from Father, and a gift to be used properly and righteously in Her guidance.
Only yesterday, I was thinking to myself, or something sparked in my mind, as to what I might write about, because I had not a clue of what would be written. It is almost that way a lot of times, and even last week, after the article was written, I didn't really remember what was written. I just knew Father had helped me through it, and prepared me, even when I did not know what was going to happen. Even now, I do not know what may happen in the next microsecond, but I know where Father is directing and guiding me, and what She is inspiring in me at the moment. Every key, and even every backstroke. Not because I am worthy or deserving, but because She is kind and caring, generous in every respect. And as such, should be shown every respect in everything I do, from the small to the large, from the real to the “imaginary.” There isn't any task to large or small that She does not provide the means and capability to perform.
Even in my sisters and brother, I see so much capability. She always trains us and provides us with great talents to be able to perform the masterwork that She has planned and laid out for work. She inspires our hearts to be able to do the work that we truly couldn't do if it weren't for Her Spirit.
Exodus 35:35 — He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.
A child whom wouldn't think themselves much of a leader or a follower, may be granted all those talents, not only to grow in, but also to practice. Not only does a child grow in their talents and trade, but Father already knows all their interests from birth, so the child grows beyond their normal boundaries and simply flourishes in the environment Father creates. This is not just a simple miracle that Father has provided, because She has it for each of Her children. It is truly a paradise of splendor and wonder that cannot be compared. Imagine, in the future, in the Kingdom, the Spirit and Fleshly planes will be merged together, so what is seen over there can be seen over here. That means that all the wondrous colors and casts and psychic abilities that are only dreamed of are all going to be seen and practiced. Fires could be started with simple concentration, and even plant life could be bolstered by focusing of energy, all in Father's guidance and Spirit. No one would truly be without anything they could ever need. Even a child that may find themselves lost in the woods could be easily found and returned to their family.
Nothing lacks in Father, and there is always something.
Leviticus 25:18-22 — "You are to observe My statutes and ordinances and carefully observe them, so that you may live securely in the land. Then the land will yield its fruit, so that you can eat, be satisfied, and live securely in the land. If you wonder: 'What will we eat in the seventh year if we don't sow or gather our produce?' I will appoint My blessing for you in the sixth year, so that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years. When you sow in the eighth year, you will be eating from the previous harvest. You will be eating this until the ninth year when its harvest comes in.
So, in the current time to come, there will be plague as is seen in the “swine flu,” there will be violence and further destruction, and there will be famine. Though each of us may be surrounded in the mires of destruction, none of us need to fear, or wonder what we will eat or drink the next day. Even if all we are living next to is a swamp of undrinkable water, even that water may turn to something drinkable. Anything is possible in Father, if we just believe that She will take care of us, and help us in everything She has for us to do. If we follow in Her plan and believe in Her, that She will accomplish all that She has laid out to do, Her Will will really come out for us, and all for the better and best.
Proverbs 31:21 — She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.
Judges 15:18-19 — Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, "You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi.
Fruitage of the Spirit – Part 1
This week we will start to look at attitudes to be cultivated. We will be sharing what has been given to us, but in groups of 3. Before our Ministry holds Bible Study each week, we pray to Father Yahweh for guidance and help in understanding Her Word. We pray the wisdom imparted will find its way to your heart where it may be written up on it. Amen. http://www.biblegateway.com can be used as a reference tool with the Holman Christian Standard Bible as the recommended version.
You must cultivate chastity:
1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 5:1-2
1 Peter 3:1-2
2 Corinthians 11:3
You must cultivate confidence and trust in Yahweh as your benefactor to have the prospect of eternal life:
Proverbs 3:26
Proverbs 3:5
Proverbs 28:25
Proverbs 20:22
You must cultivate a mind-set that you consider others more superior than yourself. Yahweh loves those who are lowly in mind, showing humility. (lowly: low in status or importance):
Philippians 2:3
Romans 12:3
Colossians 3:12
Nourishment From The Throne
“For the LORD gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
Prince of Yahweh II: Ok kids, the Azmon Barrier is in a fixed position – or is it? if it is, then what is it doing that the planet Earth is also doing? Think What does all creation do? Elisha, is the Big Dipper in its place each night? Where you expect to find it? Dawn and his demons are sealed off within the Azmon Barrier; if you astral project, you can easily find the barrier if you go out beyond this planet; the gateways we (the holy side) are permitted to pass through appear to be in fixed locations, however, this planet like all other bodies of mass that you might encounter in space are moving; the Earth travels through space at 66,700 miles per hour; therefore, the Azmon Barrier matches its speed. The circumference of the Earth is 24,901.5 miles; so, what do you think the circumference of the Azmon Barrier is? Keep in mind that the Barrier not only surrounds this planet, but it also is farther out, so, it must be larger in order to surround the planet; but how large, and don't forget that it completely encases the planet like a sphere of its own. Draw the Earth on paper, then measure out 8 inches; draw a circle 8 inches out around the Earth you drew; that will roughly give you an idea; the Earth's diameter approx 8,000 miles. How many thousand miles diameter is the Azmon Barrier? How does this Scripture also relate to the Azmon Barrier? And remember, all things are contained within the Word with many meanings that relate to other things in existence: Genesis 1:2 "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters."
Dictionary:
"form·less
1 : having no regular form or shape
2 : lacking order or arrangement
3 : having no physical existence
— form·less·ly adverb
— form·less·ness noun"
Number 3 fits the Azmon Barrier; however, it does have form and shape; it also has order and arrangement; but, within the confines of the Barrier, what exists on this planet and up to the inner Barrier's edge? There is a lack of ORDER and a lack of ARRANGEMENT; for the Barrier to be PHYSICAL in the sense the dictionary denotes, it would have to be what? It would have to be made up of non-spiritual bodies, for indeed the Barrier is composed of and exists in its form by spiritual bodies that are made up of a finer composition than that of the fleshly realm; "physical" verses "spiritual" existence What exists beyond the Barrier – outside the Barrier? Why does this Scripture connect with the formation of the Barrier and what is confined within it?
1 Peter 4 Following Christ "Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same resolve —because the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin — 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God's will. 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. "
On Earth, within the confines of the Barrier, and even to the outer space that Mankind is trying to place its marker and inhabit as well, there exists "unrestrained behavior," "evil desires," (to use that position to control the masses), and "lawless idolatry" placed in the heart of Mankind in general to continue following Dawn's path; that being, ""unrestrained behavior." Dawn does not like nor want to be restrained in his foul behavior; he has "evil desires" that are contrary to our Creator's "Way" of how She expects and wants Her creation to conform to. Dawn is also "lawless" and an "idolater" that worships his own self as our Mother's archenemy, in which he takes PRIDE and his "drunkenness" is exhibited in his mannerism that reveals he's intoxicated with his own DESIRES to do his "pagan will" contrary to Yahweh's "Way." Dawn is not of the flesh, but is instead ALIVE with SIN, and is SET on HUMAN DESIRES that he cultivated, because Dawn does what? He: Matthew 16:23 But He turned and told Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but man's." Dawn is concerned with Mankind's path away from the Creator, that Mankind follow his path. Dawn is far from being finished with SIN; SIN is what will finish off Dawn in the future 😉 However kids, Dawn is RESTRAINED because he cannot restrain his own foul behavior; Mankind is RESTRAINED because they continue to follow Dawn's PATH.
Signs From Above
“He rescues and delivers, He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:27
Meteor-like UFOs appear controlled
Examiner
April 29, 2009
A report out of Pennsylvania April 29 describes what appeared at first to be a meteor – but then the object displayed characteristics of something controlled. Similar reports have been made across the country lately. The witness describes the object's erratic behavior in this unedited report from the Mutual UFO Network witness database. PA, April 29, 2009 – Meteor like object that disappeared and reappeared I was just coming home from the store when I saw a meteor like object that disappeared and reappeared in the horizon. It started above the tree line, streaked toward the horizon at a 45 degree angle, disappeared, then reappeared taking the same path, then disappeared again before the horizon. I thought it may have been a meteor, but it flashed and didn't continue into the tree line like a normal meteor would. From out files, here is a similar case that occurred over Montana skies on April 6.
Nearby asteroid found orbiting sun backwards
New Scientist
May 1, 2009
The discovery of a 2- to 3-kilometer-wide asteroid in an orbit that goes backwards has set astronomers scratching their heads. It comes closer to Earth than any other object in a 'retrograde' orbit, and astronomers think they should have spotted it before. The object, called 2009 HC82, was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona on the morning of 29 April. From observations of its position by five different groups, Sonia Keys of the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center calculated it orbits the sun every 3.39 years on a path that ventures within 3.5 million km of the Earth's orbit. Combined with its size, that makes 2009 HC82 a potentially hazardous asteroid. What's really unusual is that the calculated orbit is inclined 155° to the plane of the Earth's orbit. That means that as it orbits the Sun, it actually travels backwards compared to the planets. It is only the 20th asteroid known in a retrograde orbit, a very rare group. None of the others comes as close to the Earth.
Did a country-sized UFO hover above Switzerland last month?
allnewsweb
May 2, 2009
On the morning of Friday the 24th of April of this year employees at MeteoSwiss (Switzerland’s meteorological department) got the surprise of their lives. Huge circular fields hovering over Switzerland were picked up by their radars (picture above). The blue colored circles covered the entire country. The question was asked as to whether a massive UFO was in the upper-atmosphere above the scenic mountainous nation or perhaps these circles were signs of an imminent hurricane. Felix Schacher, a senior Meteorologist at MeteoSwiss claimed the circles were not UFOs or the signs of a hurricane about to wreak havoc on his country. Mr. Schacher told the Swiss news site ’20 Minutes’ that they were merely caused by the reflection of water droplets. A few minutes after being queried on the issue the radar images were hurriedly removed from the departments website. Are we being told everything the Swiss meteorological knows about these radar images? Many Swiss UFO researchers have left comments on various internet forums expressing their doubt about that.
Poland: UFO formation over Lublin
allnewsweb
May 2, 2009
In the last few months strange UFO formations have been seen above cities throughout the world leading many UFO researchers to ask the question: What are alleged visiting aliens preparing for? One of the most recent such incidents occurred in the skies above the Polish city of Lublin. This exceptionally clear video (below) taken by a local resident shows a number of craft hovering over skyscrapers and large apartment buildings. What appear to be two smaller UFOs are joined by what might be a mother ship. Poland has experienced more UFO activity in the last year than any year previous and many Poles are asking the question: What does the government know about these elusive visitors from outer space?
UFO Traffic Report: May 1
Examiner
May 1, 2009
The UFO Traffic Report for Friday, May 1, 2009, includes 12 selected sightings over 10 states, according to witness statements filed in the past 48 hours with the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) database. In other news, Meteor-like UFOs appear controlled from a Pennsylvania report on April 29, and Three UFO sightings over Arizona on April 28 seem to be related. Please keep in mind that most UFO reports can be explained as something natural or manmade. If MUFON investigates and reports back on any of these cases, I will update this page. You can read my selected cases by type of UFO report at the UFO Traffic Report main page. The following reports and their headlines are unedited. Four stories of triangular-shaped craft over Florida and Nebraska, and two accounts from Washington. In this first story from Florida, the witness says the object emerged from a cloud as a massive triangular-shape at least 100 yards long, and it was silently and slowly coasting at a low altitude.
Signs Down Below
"But know this: difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of religion but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:1-5
North Carolina “Involuntarily Isolating” Suspected Swine Flu Patients
Infowars
by Steve Watson
April 28, 2009
Disturbing reports have emerged that suggest North Carolina is involuntarily quarantining patients who may have the flu virus that is thought to be spreading across the U.S. and the rest of the globe. The details appear in a report by Adam Owens of N.C. based WRAL news: The state’s health director said Monday afternoon that there are suspected cases of swine flu in North Carolina, but declined to say how many cases or where they were located. Dr. Jeffrey Engel said Monday evening that officials are involuntarily isolating patients who may have the virus. He declined to specifically say how many suspected cases were in the state, noting that the number is always changing, and he declined to say where they were located. "We’re working very closely with providers, and they are investigating cases on a daily basis," Engel said.
U.S. House passes "hate crime" bill that Bush opposed
Reuters
by Thomas Ferraro
April 29, 2009
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved an expansion of federal "hate crime" laws — an effort that former Republican President George W. Bush had opposed. On a vote of 249-175, the House passed and sent to the Senate a bill backed by the new Democratic White House to broaden such laws by classifying as "hate crimes" those attacks based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability. The current law, enacted four decades ago, limits federal jurisdiction over hate crimes to assaults based on race, color, religion or national origin. The bill would lift a requirement that a victim had to be attacked while engaged in a federally protected activity, like attending school, for it to be a federal hate crime.
Japan facing worst economic outlook on record
Telegraph
by Danielle Demetriou
April 27, 2009
The projected downturn for the forthcoming financial year would be the biggest slump since records began in 1955 as the world's second biggest economy continues to struggle with the global recession. The exports-reliant economy has been hit hard by a continued drop in overseas demands for goods, making it increasingly vulnerable to turmoil in global financial markets. The predicted decline for the coming financial year eclipses the 1.5 per cent contraction that hit the economy during the peak of Japan's "lost decade" of recession in 1998 and exceeds the government's earlier forecasts of zero growth. "Exports have plunged much harder than our expectation," said Kaoru Yosano, Japan's finance minister. "I think the Japanese economy's downside risks may come from overseas." With unemployment rising, corporate demand falling and consumers tightening their purse strings, there is also a growing risk of the emergence of deflation in the coming year, according to the government.
UN warning over Burma cyclone aid
BBC
by Jonathan Head
May 2, 2009
Hundreds of thousands of people in Burma's Irrawaddy Delta still need assistance – a year after a deadly cyclone, the UN and aid agencies warn. The UN and Burma's neighbours made a $700m (£469m) appeal for reconstruction in February but have so far received pledges of only $100m (£67m). The UN says it is now allowed to bring in all the staff it needs after an initial ban by Burma's (Myanmar) junta. Cyclone Nargis killed about 140,000 people in 2008. More than two million people were left homeless.
U.S. Officials Downplay Flu's Severity
Wall Street Journal
by Jane Zhang
May 3, 2009
U.S. officials said the H1N1 flu so far doesn't seem to be more dangerous than the seasonal flu, and that healthy Americans don't need to stay away from airports, trains or shopping malls. "We are seeing encouraging signs that this virus so far is not looking more severe than a strain that we would see during seasonal flu," said Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Besser, appearing on "Fox News Sunday," said he still expects the H1N1 strain, also know as swine flu, to have a "significant impact on people's health." On Sunday, the CDC said there were now 226 confirmed cases of swine flu in 30 states in the U.S., up from the CDC's previous count of 160 confirmed cases in 21 states, the Associated Press reported. Seasonal flu kills 36,000 people in the U.S. each year, and it remains unclear how the H1N1 flu will evolve when the regular flu season hits the U.S. in the autumn.
Crop Circle Watch
Roundway Hill, Near Devizes, Wiltshire.
Reported April 29 2009.
This formation was first discovered from the air in the morning of April 29 2009. The entire formation spans across 230 feet of Oil-Seed-Rape (Canola). The central circle measures 15 feet in diameter. The central circle was very messy and well mashed up by late afternoon on day one. The remainder of the laid crop areas was springy and largely undamaged.
Signs in Humanity
Ex-policeman faces 25 child porn charges
Telegraph
April 28, 2009
A former police officer is to stand trial on a series of child porn charges, a court has heard. Aaron Payne, 32, who quit the Police Service of Northern Ireland at the time of his arrest last year, faces 25 separate offences. He is alleged to have made indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of a child on dates between February and April 2008.
"Loner" shoots 13 dead at Azerbaijan college
Reuters
by Afet Mehtiyeva
April 30, 2009
BAKU (Reuters) – Thirteen people were killed at a university in Azerbaijan Thursday when a gunman went from floor to floor firing on teachers and students after the bell rang for morning classes. The gunman, a Georgian citizen of Azeri origin described as a loner by local media, was among the dead. The government said it did not see a political motive behind the shooting at the prestigious State Oil Academy in Baku, capital of the mainly Muslim former Soviet republic which exports oil and gas to Europe from the Caspian Sea. Witnesses said the shooting began shortly after classes began at 9.00 a.m. (0400 GMT). "He climbed from the first floor to the sixth, shooting people mainly in the head from a Makarov pistol," the state prosecutor's office said. The Makarov is a Russian-made semi-automatic pistol.
Guns bought this year could outfit 2 armies
WorldNetDaily
by Bob Unruh
April 30, 2009
Guns purchased legally in the United States this year could outfit two armies – and not just any armies, the armies of China and India, according to new government reports cited by a website for sport-shooting enthusiasts. The federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System database statistics show there were more than 3.7 million background checks during the first three months of this year, compared to about 8 million annually not even a decade ago, according to the documentation assembled by Ammoland.com. That's not individual guns, that's background checks, the organization pointed out. If a purchaser obtains two, three or even four guns at a time, often there is only one background check. "You also bought 1,529,635,000 rounds of ammunition in just the month of December. Yeah, that is right, that is billion with a 'b.' This number takes no account of reloading or reloaded ammunition," the report said. According to the Global Security website, the Indian army is estimated to have about 1 million soldiers. A news report from several years ago estimated the Chinese army at 1.7 million, although recent estimates put that at 2.25 million.
8-year-old Saudi girl divorces 50-year-old husband
USA Today
May 1, 2009
CAIRO (AP) — An 8-year-old Saudi girl has divorced her middle-aged husband after her father forced her to marry him last year in exchange for about $13,000, her lawyer said Thursday. Saudi Arabia has come under increasing criticism at home and abroad for permitting child marriages. The United States, a close ally of the conservative Muslim kingdom, has called child marriage a "clear and unacceptable" violation of human rights. The girl was allowed to divorce the 50-year-old man who she married in August after an out-of-court settlement had been reached in the case, said her lawyer, Abdulla al-Jeteli. The exact date of the divorce was not immediately known. A court in the central Oneiza region previously rejected a request by the girl's mother for a divorce and ruled that the girl would have to wait until she reached puberty to file a petition then. There are no laws in Saudi Arabia defining the minimum age for marriage. Though a woman's consent is legally required, some marriage officials don't seek it.
Pakistani Christian Girl Raped and Murdered
The Christian Post
by John Pontifex
May 2, 2009
A nine-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan was reportedly gang-raped before being killed and dumped in a canal. And outrage is growing amid reports that almost a month later no arrest has been made. Nisha Javid was walking close to her home when she suddenly disappeared, prompting her parents to mount a search for her. Barely two days later, with a police-led search underway, her body was found in a canal not far from the Javids’ home in Essangri village, outside the town of Jaranawala, Faisalabad. A post mortem revealed Nisha had been gang-raped and had died after repeated blows to the head. More than three weeks later, police have been accused of inaction and refusing to follow up allegedly compelling evidence identifying the guilty party.
Arks of Safe Haven
www.arksofsafehaven.org
"Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh [and blood]?" Isaiah 58:7
The mission of Arks of Safe Haven is to connect via an extensive network and online message board forum, those individuals and families who have been affected by recent economic downfalls and are in need with those individuals who are ready, willing and capable of providing assistance to those in need with employment, shelter, work, food, clothing and other necessities.
Coupled with our primary mission of delivering the Kingdom Message of Salvation, the assistance of Arks of Safe Haven is available to all who are in need. Our purposeful intention is to follow in the footsteps of Christ as our example, by providing hope to the hopeless and answering the prayers of those who have been forced to live outside of society.
How You Can Help?
In order to provide for those whose outcry of prayers have reached our heavenly Father's ears, Arks of Safe Haven is seeking out those who are able to provide shelter, whether it be an extra bedroom, empty rental property or a work for room and board agreement. Additionally, we also act as a liaison in connecting those with tangible items to donate to those in need like Food, Water, Clothing, & Other Personal Items. We pray that your heart is motivated to make a contribution, no matter how small. Visit http://www.arksofsafehaven.org and view the many posts from those in need to see if you're able to help with advice, prayers or goods & services.
daveswife2008 – Fort Smith, Arkansas – My husband and I are both unemployed. We have past due utilities, car payments, etc. Both of us have applied to about 50 different places, but have not had any luck! We don't care what it is doing, what the hours are, etc. We just need jobs so we can keep the house we are renting and keep our utilities on! We are both really scared of what might happen to us all if we don't find work soon.
Missygirl810 – Jacksonville Arkansas – If there is any way possible, how do I get help with food? Thanks for any info. Missy
Signs in Natural Disasters
“You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:6-7
Tornadoes Tear Across Midwest, Damaging Buildings
April 26, 2009
Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa — Strong thunderstorms packing possible tornadoes battered parts of the Midwest on Sunday for a second straight day, damaging at least half a dozen buildings and a campground in Iowa and two Oklahoma homes. Tornadoes were reported in eastern Iowa, western Oklahoma and south-central Kansas, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries. In Kansas, a possible tornado touched down in the Lake Afton area southwest of Witchita. Two people were injured when the camper they were in was flipped by the storm, said Sgt. Oscar Thomasson of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department.
New York City-sized ice collapses off Antarctica
Apr 28, 2009
Reuters
By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent
TROMSOE, Norway (Reuters) – An area of an Antarctic ice shelf almost the size of New York City has broken into icebergs this month after the collapse of an ice bridge widely blamed on global warming, a scientist said Tuesday. "The northern ice front of the Wilkins Ice Shelf has become unstable and the first icebergs have been released," Angelika Humbert, glaciologist at the University of Muenster in Germany, said of European Space Agency satellite images of the shelf. Humbert told Reuters about 700 sq km (270.3 sq mile) of ice — bigger than Singapore or Bahrain and almost the size of New York City — has broken off the Wilkins this month and shattered into a mass of icebergs.
South Cumbria rocked by earthquake
April 28, 2009
The Press Association
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter Scale has shaken south Cumbria, the British Geological Survey has said. Cumbria Police said there had been no reports of casualties or damage following the mid-morning tremor. A spokesman said: "Police began receiving reports from members of the public of an earth tremor in south Cumbria at 11.26." He added: "We have liaised with the British Geological Survey who confirmed this was a natural seismic event which occurred at around 11.22am. "Calls have been received from a number of people who felt the tremor in the Barrow, Carnforth and Kendal areas. There are no reports of any casualties or injuries or damages at this time."
6 tornadoes touch down
April 29, 2009
ENID, Okla. (AP) – As many as six tornadoes raked across Oklahoma over the weekend, with most of them occurring in Garfield County, according to the National Weather Service. Investigators determined that two confirmed tornadoes that struck the county were EF-2s, which can generate winds of up to 135 mph, said meteorologist Alex Lamers. One of the storms touched down in north Enid and another hit southeast of Kremlin, according to a report compiled by Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist. A third Garfield County tornado that struck northwest of Kremlin and near Hillsdale, was rated EF-1, Lamers said. EF-1 tornadoes generate winds of up to 110 mph.
Gupta: Swine flu affecting people in prime
May 1, 2009
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CNN) — CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has gone to Mexico, the apparent epicenter of the swine flu outbreak where more than 100 people have died in suspected cases. With governments scrambling to prevent further outbreak, Gupta appeared Monday on CNN to address people's concerns. CNN: We got a question that comes to us over Twitter. This question, "I heard that you can't contract swine flu from eating pork. Is that true? If so, why? Does cooking or curing pork destroy the virus?" Gupta: It is true. You cannot catch it from eating the pork. And it is true that cooking it to a certain temperature, around 160 degrees, also inactivates most of the pathogens in the pork as well. Follow Gupta on Twitter for swine flu updates Also keep in mind, this is mainly an airborne thing or something that lives on inanimate objects, so people touch the virus, then they touch their mouth, they touch their nose, they touch their eyes. That seems to be the most common mode of transmission.
Natural Disaster Update
Source: http://home.att.net/~thehessians/disasterwatch.html
QUAKES –
4/27/09 –
5.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
5.1 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.2 CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN
5.6 GUERRERO, MEXICO
5.0 SOUTHEAST OF LOYALTY ISLANDS
5.0 SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION
4/28/09 –
5.0 NEAR COAST OF AISEN, CHILE
5.9 HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION
4/29/09 –
5.0 KYRGYZSTAN
5.0 SOUTHWESTERN RYUKYU ISL., JAPAN
4/30/09 –
5.5 SOUTHEASTERN IRAN
5.0 KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
5.2 FLORES SEA
5/2/09 –
5.2 SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS
5.2 STATE OF YAP, MICRONESIA
5.5 ALASKA PENINSULA
5/1/09 –
5.3 BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
5.9 SOLOMON ISLANDS
5/3/09 –
5.6 GUATEMALA
5.0 STATE OF YAP, MICRONESIA
5/4/09 –
5.4 PAPUA, INDONESIA
5.4 MIRANDA, VENEZUELA
5.1 SOLOMON ISLANDS
CALIFORNIA – A minor earthquake rattled the northeastern portion of the Salton Sea yesterday, continuing the swarm of hundreds of quakes that have periodically shaken the area in recent weeks. The magnitude 3.5 quake struck at 3:03 p.m. Wednesday two miles south of Bombay Beach. No damage was reported. But scientists have been keeping an eye on the increased seismic activity because the area is near a section of the San Andreas Fault that hasn't had a potentially catastrophic quake in more than 300 years.
INDIA – A moderate 5.3 magnitude earthquake jolted western part of Rajasthan early Thursday morning injuring three persons and causing cracks in dozens of homes. The epicentre of the quake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale was around 50 km from Jaisalmer city towards Pakistan, at a depth of 33 km. The tremor was experienced in Jaisalmer, Barmer and other nearby areas at 0717 hrs for 15-20 seconds causing cracks in walls of dozens of buildings. Three persons were injured in separate incidents in Jaisalmer following the tremors. Their condition was stated to be out of danger.
ENGLAND – Quake shakes Lakes: Tremor measuring 3.7 rattles B&Bs in national park – A 'sizable' earthquake hit the Lake District yesterday, as thousands of tourists thronged the national park. Measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, the quake caused ceiling lights to swing and cutlery to rattle in thousands of hotels and B&Bs across the region. The tremor struck at 11.20am and lasted almost ten seconds. It was felt across Cumbria and North Lancashire. 'It was UNUSUAL because it was quite a violent bang, like an explosion, and did not feel like a rumbling earthquake at all.' The British Geological Survey said: 'It was a significant size and appears to have centred on the town of Ulverston. We've had reports from people and from the calls we've had it was quite widely felt across the region. It could end up being one of the largest earthquakes of the year.' It follows last year's 5.3 earthquake in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire – the biggest tremor to hit the UK in 25 years.
A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Mexico City Monday, as the city grappled with an outbreak of deadly swine flu. The quake hit about 31km south-southeast of Tixtla, Guerrero, about 150 miles from Mexico City.
SRI LANKA – the frequency of earth tremors in the seas south of Sri Lanka has increased. A spokesman from the Tsunami Monitoring Unit of the Bureau said that this situation has been developing for many centuries, while the tremor situation in the Andaman region had been developing for the last thousand years. The Indo-Australia-Plate which Sri Lanka belongs to is moving towards the North-East direction. The speed of the movement is 5 cm a year. In addition, the collision of Indo-Australia-Plate and the Euroasian-Plate might be the cause of the movement of the Himalayan range. Sri Lanka has been experiencing minor earth tremors recently in several areas the last one being with a magnitude of Richter scale 3 tremor in Kekirawa and Dambulla and also a magnitude of Richter scale 3 tremor was felt in Ampara, Batticaloa, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matara and Hambantota areas.
AUSTRALIA – A spate of earth tremors in Gippsland since a quake shook the area in March may be the earth righting itself, a seismologist says. A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was felt in and around the south Gippsland town of Korumburra about 4.30pm Friday. It followed a series of minor tremors measuring between 1.8 and 2.3 over the past two weeks, while a 4.6 magnitude quake with its epicentre also in Korumburra was felt as far away as Bacchus March, 50km west of Melbourne, on March 18. Another 4.6 tremor occurred in the same area just a week earlier on March 6. One possibility was that the smaller shocks were a result of the earth trying to move back into equilibrium after the larger shocks caused rupturing. “Everything is out of kilter, it may be trying to come into its normal position." The recent pattern could indicate another minor tremor was on the way. “If you just look at the pattern of that there is a possibility that you'll have another small quake.''
SAUDI ARABIA – Three villages in the northwest of Madina were reportedly rattled by tremors over Thursday night until dawn on Friday. Al-Qarrassah, Hadmah and Al-Ameed residents said they heard sounds similar to thunder followed by tremors beneath their feet. “I heard this loud noise, which kept occurring through the night, and then the whole house started shaking." The tremor reports were to be investigated on Saturday during a meeting with the Saudi Geological Survey and Seismic Studies Center.
VOLCANOES –
INDONESIA – Volcanologists at Mount RINJANI in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province closed the mountain as eruptions intensified since Monday (April 27). On Sunday, repeated explosion were heard since 5.50 AM local time, but activities have been escalating since Saturday (May 2) afternoon. The Mining and Energy office of West Nusa Tenggara Province reported a crater began to form at the eastern slope of the mountain. The eruptions had not caused terrible impacts “but a small crater began to form” in the eastern part of the mountainous area at Mount Baru Jari. On Saturday (May 2) volcanic ash and smoke eruption have reached to about 8.000 meters. The eruption is the latest major one recorded in five years. The last huge eruption was in 1994.
INDONESIA – Mount BARUJARI, a volcano in the middle of the crater lake of Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, continued to emit volcanic ash and smoke on Sunday. But the eruptions were relatively smaller than those on Saturday. “The eruptions are almost like firecrackers, but the volcano is safe." The volcano, sprayed hot ashes into the Segara Anak, the crater lake contained within Mount Rinjani. The lava did not pose a danger to people because it was quite far from the nearest village in Senaru, Bayan subdistrict, in North Lombok. The volcano last erupted in September 2004.
CHILE – After the Descabezado Grande volcano in the Maule Region began emitting occasional smoke columns, the regional director of the National Emergency Office has ruled out a possible eruption. The smoke columns being emitted by the mountain are within normal range for the volcano’s activity level. Nevertheless, volcanologists belonging to the National Geology and Mining Service – the organization in charge of monitoring activity levels of the nation's volcanoes – were to travel to the area Wednesday. The Descabezado Grande volcano is located in the San Clemente mountain range.
INDONESIA – Residents and government officials were preparing late on Monday for a major eruption from Central Java’s Mount Slamet volcano after the earth started shaking at a rate of 95 tremors a minute. "Even though the earthquake activity is increasing, we have not yet decided to raise Slamet to the highest alert level, or awas status, as we think the danger level will continue to fluctuate.” The mountain, 215 kilometers east-southeast of Jakarta, continued to spew bursts of lava and emit high levels of volcanic ash, which had caused some nearby residents to suffer upper respiratory infections. “The mountain has sprayed molten lava up to 600 meters into the air and we have recorded bursts of volcanic ash up to 112 times within a six-hours period.” The vulcanology agency is also currently monitoring 11 other volcanoes across the archipelago that have shown signs of increased activity over the last month. They include Soputan in North Sulawesi Province; Dukono on North Halmahera Island in Maluku Province; Mount Ibu in Maluku; Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait; Egon in East Nusa Tenggara Province; and Semeru and Bromo in East Java Province.
AUSTRALIA – A spate of earth tremors in Gippsland since a quake shook the area in March may be the earth righting itself, a seismologist says. A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was felt in and around the south Gippsland town of Korumburra about 4.30pm Friday. It followed a series of minor tremors measuring between 1.8 and 2.3 over the past two weeks, while a 4.6 magnitude quake with its epicentre also in Korumburra was felt as far away as Bacchus March, 50km west of Melbourne, on March 18. Another 4.6 tremor occurred in the same area just a week earlier on March 6. One possibility was that the smaller shocks were a result of the earth trying to move back into equilibrium after the larger shocks caused rupturing. “Everything is out of kilter, it may be trying to come into its normal position." The recent pattern could indicate another minor tremor was on the way. “If you just look at the pattern of that there is a possibility that you'll have another small quake.''
SAUDI ARABIA – Three villages in the northwest of Madina were reportedly rattled by tremors over Thursday night until dawn on Friday. Al-Qarrassah, Hadmah and Al-Ameed residents said they heard sounds similar to thunder followed by tremors beneath their feet. “I heard this loud noise, which kept occurring through the night, and then the whole house started shaking." The tremor reports were to be investigated on Saturday during a meeting with the Saudi Geological Survey and Seismic Studies Center.
TSUNAMI / FREAK WAVES / ABNORMAL TIDES / RISING SEA LEVELS –
Ancient tsunami 'hit New York' – Sedimentary deposits from more than 20 cores in New York and New Jersey indicate that some sort of violent force swept the Northeast coastal region in 300BC. It may have been a large storm, but evidence is increasingly pointing to a rare Atlantic Ocean tsunami. The origin of such a tsunami is under debate. An undersea landslide is the most likely source, but one research group has proposed that an asteroid impact provided the trigger. Today, a wave of the proposed size would leave Wall Street and the Long Island Expressway awash with salt water.
TROPICAL STORMS –
Tropical cyclone "Dante" has intensified into a storm as it continued to threaten Bicol, Philiipines. Sunday, it packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph and is moving north-northeast slowly. On Monday morning, it is expected to be 190 kms northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte. On Tuesday morning it is expected to be 370 kms east-northeast of Baler, Aurora. By Wednesday morning it is forecast to be 530 kms east-northeast of Baler, Aurora or 480 kms east of Tuguegarao City.
The death toll from tropical storm "Dante" rose to 10 and may still increase as at least 15 others were reported missing as of Saturday night after landslides hit Hubo in Magallanes, Sorsogon. At least 2,582 families or 13,244 people had been displaced due to floods and landslides. These included 500 families (2,500 people) from Southern Luzon and 2,082 families (10,744 people) from Bicol.
Tropical storm kills 11 in Bagladesh – At least 11 people were killed and scores injured in Bangladesh as the season's first northwester swept many parts of the country Saturday. Most of the casualties were caused by the collapse of their thatched houses, and lightning. The storm damaged crops on a vast tract of land in the north and central part of the country. Five people died in villages of centre-northern Jamalpur district while four died in Mymenshingh and two in eastern Comilla districts.
PHILIPPINES – The rainy season has begun, the weather bureau said yesterday, as it announced that the country is expected to have six tropical cyclones in May until July. "This is excluding the low pressure area spotted in the West of Luzon in Mindoro that has developed into tropical depression Crising. This will bring rainfall in Metro Manila, Central and Southern Luzon and the Visayas for two to three days." In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said Crising, spotted 320 kilometers east of Mindoro, has maintained its strength and was almost stationary. Heavy rains are expected as storm signal 1 has been raised in Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, while another low pressure area has been spotted 70 kilometers southeast of Legaspi City in the Bicol region. "The other low pressure area is expected to bring rainfall in Eastern and Central Visayas." Local government units should prepare for flash floods in the coming months until July since based on official forecast, a tropical storm is expected this month, two in June and three in July. The summer months are from March to May, but climatologists have noted the likelihood of WEATHER ABERRATIONS due to climate change.
Cyclonic Clouds over the South Atlantic Ocean – It took the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on NASA’s Terra satellite a full five minutes to fly over this expansive cloud pattern on April 29. The sprawling “S”-shaped swirl is actually two cyclones that seem to be feeding on each other. Polar cyclones often form as a result of low-pressure systems over the ocean, and usually bring winds and heavy snow. MODIS acquired this photo-like image over the cold waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, where winter is approaching.
The death toll from tropical storm “Dante" (Kujira) has risen to 21 while three remain missing in the Philippines.
While tropical storm "Dante" moved away from Philippine territory Monday, state weather forecasters warned of a new possible weather disturbance. The tropical cyclone may reach Philippine territory as early as Wednesday. The cyclone, should it enter Philippine territory, will be named "Emong."
EXTREME HEAT / WILDFIRES / DROUGHT / CLIMATE CHANGE-
INDIA – Post-winter rainfall hits RECORD LOW, dry summer ahead – Post-winter rainfall has eluded most part of the country so far this year, portending acute water scarcity in the current summer. As many as 27 of the country’s 36 meteorological subdivisions have received deficient or no rainfall since March 1. Water storage in a large number of reservoirs has dropped to precariously low levels, jeopardising prospects of hydro-electric power production and creating a water shortage for irrigation and drinking. Nearly 20 of the country’s 81 major water reservoirs have reported practically no utilisable live storage. The total water stock in these 81 reservoirs had plummeted by April 23 to 30.62 billion cubic metres (BCM), which is only about 20 per cent of their combined live water storage capacity. The total rainfall in the whole country between March 1 and April 23 was only 35 mm, about 41 per cent below the long period average (normal) of 59 mm for this period.
BRUNEI – Be vigilant and prepared for unexpected dry weather conditions from June to September, the Minister of Development told a meeting of Asean environment ministers. He said that the south-Asean region is not spared from uncertain weather patterns. "We have no choice but to face the eventuality of UNUSUAL WEATHER PHENOMENA," he said during the Seventh Meeting of the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The minister mentioned the La Nina phenomena where it was anticipated that Brunei would not be badly affected by the wet weather in December 2008 to February 2009. "Unexpectedly, Brunei and countries in Northern Borneo experienced UNUSUAL and prolonged very wet weather," adding that the wet weather conditions had resulted in flash floods and landslides. Four Asean environment ministers from Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and one Indonesian representative yesterday met to discuss precautionary measures in anticipation of escalating hotspot activities during dry periods. The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre reported that occasional showers interspersed with short dry spells can be expected in May 2009, with brief surges in hotspots activities during dry periods. It was stated that the traditional dry season in the southern part of Asean region is likely to start around June and last until September 2009, where slightly below normal to slightly above normal rainfall is expected. The ministers agreed that member countries will share data on PM10 (particulate matter of less than 10 micron) to monitor the impact of transboundary haze in the region, in addition to reporting on the number of hotspots and weather outlook.
SWEDEN – With only a few days left in April, southern Sweden has seen warm and dry weather so far. Forecasts say the warmth will continue, possibly breaking heat records for the month. Sweden's second largest city, Gothenburg, is seeing near record breaking heat and drought this year. In the southeast of Sweden, some weather stations have not reported any rain for the whole month.
INDIA – The mercury crossed the 47 degree Celsius mark at Nagpur in the Vidarbha region, prompting some international weather models to scale up the expected highs by another notch as early as today. This, even as some others signalled that the 50 degree Celsius mark may be reached in the interior parts of the region bordering Orissa and North Andhra Pradesh during the period up to May 4. The heat wave is being triggered by the hot air steered by the seasonal anti-cyclone (high-pressure area with sinking and compressed air) extending from North Africa and West Asia through Pakistan. Heating has already reached ALL-TIME HIGHS AT MANY PLACES led by Nagpur; in Bhopal, the all-time high has been equalled. In Delhi, the 43.5 degree Celsius recorded on Thursday was the HIGHEST IN 50 YEARS. There is no let up indicated either with India Meteorological Department warning that the heat wave will continue to take a stranglehold of the entire North, Northwest, Central and adjoining East-Central India.
HEAVY RAINS / FLOODING / LANDSLIDES / UNUSUAL & OUT-OF-SEASON WEATHER –
OREGON – Severe thunderstorm storm with gusts up to 50 mph hit Portland area, one killed – A short but severe thunderstorm Saturday afternoon killed one person, cut power to about 30,000 people, capsized two sailboats, clogged traffic and knocked over trees across the Portland area. One person died when a tree or large branch fell on a car. A cold front moved into the region from the southwest. Unstable weather is common this time of year, but storms of this magnitude are RARE. On Friday, forecasters saw the potential for thunderstorms Saturday, but the severity wasn't apparent until the storms hit.
LOUISIANA – nonstop wind – the wind has been blowing at RECORD levels, for RECORD lengths of time, never pausing as it winds around the dial. What happened to normal spring weather patterns that provide a few days of relative calm between fronts? February (11.2 miles per hour), March ( 11.3) and April (10.8) have the highest average daily wind speeds, making them the windiest months of the year in these parts. But this spring has been especially windy due to some UNUSUAL — not unheard of — weather patterns. This spring has been UNUSUAL, not just because of the number of fronts but also because many of them have stayed to their north. So while they have had blue skies, they also had stiff southeast and easterly winds.
In April, twenty of its 30 days had average wind speed far above the average of 10.3 miles per hour — including several days over 20 miles per hour. Spring normally is a windy time because as days get longer, the sun begins to warm the air in the first few thousand feet closest to the land. As that warmer air rises, it runs into the layers of air above it that remain winter cold. "When you have such a big temperature gradient from the surface to the top, you get a lot of vertical mixing, which creates very unstable conditions. That's why this neck of the woods gets a lot of violent weather this time of the year." That continues until the Jet Stream, which dips south in the winter, begins its summer seasonal movement northward. This allows the upper atmosphere to begin warming, creating more stable air through the summer months. That's one reason June (7.9 miles per hour), July (7.0), and August (6.9) have the lowest average wind speeds of the year. Their fall weather tends to be very placid because while the surface temperatures begin to cool with shortened periods of daylight, the upper atmosphere already is cooler. "You don't have that severe temperature gradient between the surface and the upper levels of the atmosphere in the fall that you have in the spring." But this spring has come in more like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. "It's all about those pressure lines on the weather maps." The lines mark changes in atmospheric pressure as weather systems move across the globe. If you look at them like the elevation lines on a topographical map, you can get a quick picture of wind conditions across the landscape. When the lines are close together on a topo map, you know the elevation rise/fall is very steep. The same is true with isobars on a weather map. "And just like water, wind runs downhill — from a high point to the low point, or in this case, from high pressure toward low pressure." So when you see a lot of lines in a short space on the weather map, that indicates a steep variation in pressure, which means air will be moving more rapidly over the short space. The most violent movement occurs when high pressure approaches low pressure. Think of that as a very tall cliff approaching a flat plain. If you roll a bowling ball off the top of that cliff, it will fall a long way, picking up a great rate of speed by the time it hits that plain. That's why a hurricane is considered more dangerous the lower the pressure drops at its center. As it moves across the Gulf, air is falling toward that deep hole. The deeper the hole, the higher the wind speeds. In a typical delta spring, late cold fronts (low pressure) moving south react with the high pressure of the so-called Bermuda Ridge, stationed to their east. So they get a lot of wind during the approach and often a lot of rain.
HEAVY SNOW / EXTREME COLD –
AUSTRALIA – Melbourne has shivered through its COLDEST APRIL MORNING IN OVER 50 YEARS, with temperatures dropping below freezing in some suburbs.
PAKISTAN – A man went missing when a big avalanche hit a village Barrat of Gopus Tehsil on Wednesday. As per details, he was enjoying fishing on the bank of river when a big avalanche hit the area. The local people was searching him but no success was made so far. Another avalanche also hit the area, due to which, the people of Polling and Shandoor areas were facing problems while travelling to Gilgit and Gahcoch.
SPACE WEATHER –
Do you think it's coincidence that the Mayans predicted there would be a great turning point on the exact date when astronomers now say the sun will next reach a period of maximum turbulence? For scary speculation about the end of civilization in 2012, people usually turn to followers of cryptic Mayan prophecy, not scientists. But "Severe Space Weather Events — Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts," is a report by NASA-assembled researchers which describes the consequences of solar flares unleashing waves of energy that could disrupt Earth's magnetic field, overwhelming high-voltage transformers with vast electrical currents and short-circuiting energy grids. Needless to say, shorting out the electrical grid would cause major disruptions to developed nations and their economies. Such a catastrophe would cost the United States "$1 trillion to $2 trillion in the first year," and "full recovery could take four to 10 years." That would, of course, be just a fraction of global damages. And we've been unknowingly building an infrastructure that's acting more and more like an antenna for geomagnetic storms. Worse yet, the next period of intense solar activity is expected in 2012, and coincides with the presence of an UNUSUALLY large hole in Earth's geomagnetic shield, meaning we'll have less protection than usual from the solar flares. Ten or twenty times more particles are coming through this crack than expected. And astronomers predict that the way the sun's polarity will flip in 2012 will make it point exactly the way we don't want it to in terms of evading Earth's magnetic field. It's an astonishingly bad set of coincidences.
HEALTH THREATS –
World health officials stepped up warnings of a possible pandemic of swine flu as governments released millions of antiviral drugs and the number of cases rose, spreading into Europe. The World Health Organisation raised its flu pandemic alert level from three to four, indicating the infection can spread between humans to cause community-level outbreaks, but two steps short of declaring a full pandemic. While the increase marked a "significant step towards pandemic influenza, it's also a phase which says we are not there yet." "In this age of global travel where people move around in airplanes so quickly, there is no region to which this virus could not spread". The number of confirmed cases in the United States more than doubled on Monday to 44 and Britain and Spain both said they had registered patients sick with swine flu. Europe's first confirmed case was reported in Spain, where 26 suspected cases were being probed, while two people were found to have the disease in Britain [Scotland] and dozens more potential cases were being checked in seven European Union member states [including France, Norway, Germany, and Sweden]. In New Zealand the government said it was investigating a further possible 56 cases of swine flu, while one person in Peru and up to 12 in Canada are under observation with flu symptoms. There have been six confirmed cases in Canada and in the Middle East, a 26-year-old Israeli was also hospitalised. Mexico, which was also rocked by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake on Monday, said the number of confirmed and suspected deaths from the flu had now risen to 149. "We're in the decisive moment of the crisis. The number (of deaths) will continue rising." Some 220 million doses of Tamiflu are in the hands of governments worldwide.
South Korean officials say they have found a suspected case of swine flu in a woman who recently returned from Mexico.
Pandemic Alerts – Level 3: Influenza causes sporadic cases in people, but no significant human-to-human transmission.
Level 4: Verified human-to-human transmission able to cause community-level outbreaks. Significant increase in risk of a pandemic.
Level 5: Human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. Strong signal pandemic imminent .
Level 6: Virus spreads to another country in a different region. Global pandemic under way.
"A pandemic is not considered inevitable." The virus has become too widespread to make containment a feasible option, and countries must focus on trying to put measures in place to protect the population. The experts did not recommend closing borders or restricting travel. "With the virus being widespread… closing borders or restricting travel really has very little effects in stopping the movement of this virus." The first batches of a swine flu vaccine could be ready in four to six months' time, but it will take several more months to produce large quantities of it.
FDA allows uncleared uses of flu drugs, tests – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency uses of the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza on Monday and a diagnostic test to help get a grip on the new strain of swine flu. Tamiflu, approved for treating and preventing the flu in people over a year old, can now be used in children under 1 year. Doctors can also change the recommended dosage for children older than 1 year under the emergency use authorization. The FDA also gave more healthcare workers authority to distribute Tamiflu and Relenza, including some public health officials and volunteers. More than 40 people have been sickened by the new flu strain in the United States. The rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test was authorized for testing samples from flu patients to determine if they have the new strain. A positive finding will presumptively conclude that the patient has the new, previously unseen strain of H1N1 swine flu. But a negative result will not be considered conclusive that a patient does not have the virus.
The World Bank estimated in 2008 that a flu pandemic could cost $3 trillion and result in a nearly 5 percent drop in world gross domestic product. The World Bank has estimated that more than 70 million people could die worldwide in a severe pandemic. Two reports in the United States in 2005 estimated that a flu pandemic could cause a serious recession of the U.S. economy, with immediate costs of between $500 billion and $675 billion. A second report by New Jersey-based WBB Securities LLC predicted a one-year economic loss of $488 billion and a permanent economic loss of $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy. One report, from the Congressional Budget Office, said hospitals would have difficulty controlling infection and might become sources for spreading the illness. SARS in 2003 disrupted travel, trade and the workplace and cost the Asia Pacific region $40 billion. It lasted for six months, killing 775 of the 8,000 people it infected in 25 countries.
Signs in False Shepherds & False Religion
"For among them are those who worm their way into households and capture idle women burdened down with sins, led along by a variety of passions, always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men who are corrupt in mind, worthless in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress, for their lack of understanding will be clear to all, as theirs was also." 2 Timothy 3:6-9
Orissa girl sacrificed for good harvest
Bhubaneswar, IANS:
April 27, 2009
A 10-year-old girl in an Orissa village was beheaded by her grandfather, who believed that sowing seeds mixed with her blood would yield a bumper crop, police said Monday. The barbaric incident, spurred by age-old superstitions, took place on Sunday at the tribal-populated Adapathar village in Sambalpur district, over 450 km from here. The heinous crime came to light after villagers caught the man, Rajesh Hembram, and handed him over to the police. Hembram, 52, has around three acres of agricultural land. To get a good harvest, he had planned in advanced to sow seeds mixed with the blood of his granddaughter on Akshaya Tritiya Monday, a day considered auspicious by Hindus, police said.
Will Gay Marriage Pit Church Against Church?
By Michael A. Lindenberger Sunday, Apr. 26, 2009
The fight over gay marriage may be far from over, but already some conservative Christian leaders are looking beyond the courtroom dramas and the legislative infighting. The trouble they see is not just an America where general support for gay marriage will have driven a wedge between churches and the world, but between churches themselves. "More than anything else, these developments may signal the fact that those who, on biblical grounds, are led by conscience to reject same-sex marriage, really will be exposed as a moral minority," the Rev. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a staunch defender of traditional definition of marriage, told TIME recently. "If so, it will expose a great divide over the authority of the Bible among many Christian churches and denominations — perhaps in a way exceeding any other issue."
Global warming strongly divides Christian clergy
By Bob Smietana • THE TENNESSEAN • May 1, 2009
When the Rev. James Merritt wants to talk about the environment, he does what any good Baptist preacher would do. He picks up the Bible. "The first assignment that God gave to Adam was to take care of the Garden," said Merritt, who was president of the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention from 2000-02. "As far as I know, that job has never been revoked." While most Christian ministers agree that human beings are to care for creation, they disagree on the details. That's especially true about the topic of global warming. A new survey from Southern Baptist-owned LifeWay Research found a split between mainline ministers, like Episcopalians and Methodists, and evangelicals like Southern Baptists. Mainline ministers believe that climate change is manmade and want to take action. Evangelical ministers, on the other hand, remain skeptical.
Study Examines Choice of Religion
Spiritual Attitudes, Not Church Policy, Cited as Reasons
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
More Americans have given up their faith or changed religions because of a gradual spiritual drift than because of disillusionment over their churches' policies, according to a study released yesterday that illustrates how personal spiritual attitudes are taking precedence over denominational traditions. The survey, by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, is the first large-scale study of the reasons Americans switch religious affiliations. Researchers found that more than half of people have done so at least once. Almost three-quarters of Catholics and Protestants who are now unaffiliated with a religion said they had "just gradually drifted away" from their faith. And more than three-quarters of Catholics and half of Protestants currently unassociated with a faith said that over time, they stopped believing in their religion's teachings.
Nazareth Muslim Cleric Prepares Insult for Pope
by Hana Levi Julian
IraelNationalNews.com
(IsraelNN.com) Muslims led by a radical imam in the town where Jesus was said to be raised are not pleased at the prospect of a visit from the Pope, and have prepared a special insult with which to greet him. Radical Imam Nazem Abu Salim inspired his followers to string up a banner across the main square of Nazareth with a blatant warning for Pope Benedict XVI: "Those who harm G-d and His Messenger – G-d has cursed them in this world and in the hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment." The words, lifted from the Koran, are translated into English in a small sign next to the banner, which is visible from the Church of the Annunciation, one of the sites the pontiff will visit on May 18. Abu Salim was clear that the purpose of the banner was to drive the Pope away: "He is not welcome here," he told an Associated Press reporter this week. The Nazareth municipality has allocated some $5 million to upgrade its facilities in anticipation of the visit, hoping it will spark new tourism revenues, according to Mayor Ramiz Jaraisey, a Christian.
Faith under Fire
“Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
“You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endured to the end will be delivered.” Matthew 10:22
You made a difference: ChristianU2uber (UPDATE)
Concerned readers help police find boy persecuted on YouTube
April 25, 2009
By Drew Zahn
WorldNetDaily
A 12-year-old boy who had been mercilessly ridiculed and even told to kill himself by members of the YouTube.com community has removed himself and his videos from the website, thanks in part to people reporting the cruel treatment to the authorities. As WND reported, the boy, known for certain only by his screen name ChristianU2uber, made a series of videos about himself and about his faith for a popular video-sharing website, YouTube, which generated over a million views and tens of thousands of comments. His video "Gay Marriage – Is It Right or Wrong?", however, started a fierce backlash from the online community, as harsh and often profane comments poured in ridiculing the boy, calling him names and even calling for the boy's death. "Kill Christianity, and then kill yourself," responded a YouTube community member identified as greenacidfusion.
Miss California told 'not to talk about your faith' (UPDATE)
Carrie Prejean tells church she was pressured to apologize, keep quiet
April 27, 2009
By Drew Zahn
WorldNetDaily
Miss California Carrie Prejean, who finished runner-up in the Miss USA pageant after affirming on air that "marriage should be between a man and a woman," claims that her state sponsors urged her afterwards to apologize for the statement and keep quiet about her Christian faith. Prejean appeared yesterday at The Rock Church in San Diego, the Associated Press reports, and told the congregation what she remembers being told following the pageant. "'You need to apologize to the gay community. You need to not talk about your faith," Prejean recalled being instructed. "This has everything to do with you representing California and saving the brand.'" Prejean, however, defended her statement by alluding to California's Proposition 8 ballot initiative, in which the state's voters added language to the California Constitution defining marriage as only between one man and one woman.
'Swine flu being used to persecute Christians'
Government of Islamic nation orders slaughter of all pigs
April 30, 2009
By Aaron Klein
WorldNetDaily
JERUSALEM – An Egypt government policy to slaughter the country's pigs as a stated precaution against swine flu is also aimed at targeting and weakening Egypt's long-persecuted Christian community, charged local Christian leaders. Members of the Egyptian Christian Coptic community, speaking in interviews with WND today, said Egyptian authorities set up checkpoints in their communities and were harassing local Christians. Almost the entire pig farming community in Egypt is run by Coptic Christians, who constitute between 8 and 15 percent of Egypt's population, depending on which statistical information is used. "The Late Great State of Israel" exposes the unprecedented, mortal danger confronting the Jewish state. Egypt yesterday started seizing and slaughtering herds of pigs in a bid to rid the country of its swine, explaining it was a safety precaution against swine flu. The move was heavily criticized by the United Nations, which put out a statement that the mass cull of up to 400,000 pigs was "a real mistake" since the new flu strain has not been found in pigs.
NPR axes Christian radio programs
Pete Chagnon – OneNewsNow – 4/30/2009
A shocking decision has been handed down by the National Public Radio board. In 1985, National Public Radio (NPR) adopted a policy stating that member stations had to provide "nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial" educational programming. But in February 2009, the wording was changed to say: "NPR Member Stations shall provide ONLY [emphasis added] nonsectarian, non-political, noncommercial educational content on all broadcast channel(s) and related media distribution platforms such as member partners that use the NPR member brands." The rule, which takes effect May 1, means that any NPR stations carrying religious programming must cease and desist that programming as of that date. In explaining its decision in a similar matter, PBS — another federally funded media outlet — says it "places a high value on presenting diverse perspectives, as opposed to rigidly adhering to any single political or religious point of view." Allowing such programming, it continues, "would cause the public's trust in PBS to erode, along with the value of the brand."
Stewardess sacked after refusing to wear Islamic robe
By Duncan Gardham
26 Apr 2009
Lisa Ashton, who worked for BMI, was told that she was expected to wear the abaya, a long black robe that leaves only the face uncovered, when she was out in public in the Gulf state. She was also told that she should walk behind male colleagues irrespective of their rank, in order to conform with the social codes of the conservative country. An air stewardess has been sacked after refusing her airline's demand to wear traditional Islamic dress and walk behind male colleagues in Saudi Arabia. Miss Ashton was instructed to consider the abaya as part of her uniform when flying to Saudi Arabia. But she told her managers that she considered the requirement discriminatory, and was worried that Saudi Arabia was not safe to travel to because of the danger of terrorist attacks.
