“Behold,
I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt
you.”
(Luke 10:19)
I
Give Unto You Power
***
BREAKINGISRAELNEWS
Israel’s Law Enforcement Gearing Up to Welcome Messiah
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz January 2, 2017 , 12:30 pm
“Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Hashem thy God giveth thee, tribe by tribe; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” Deuteronomy 16:18 (The Israel Bible™)
Chief of Police, Roni Alsheikh, Rabbi of the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinovich, Chief Rabbi of Israel, Itzhak Yosef, take part in lighting the Hanukkah candles on the large Menorah set at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem’s Old City, on December 28, 2016. (Photo by Mendy Hechtman/Flash90)
Roni Alsheikh, the Israeli Commissioner of Police, announced last week that his department of law enforcement personnel is preparing for the arrival of the Messiah in a truly unique way. Alsheikh was filmed at a celebration held by Chabad Hasidim in his neighborhood of Givat Shmuel, not far from Tel Aviv, in honor of the 19th of the Hebrew month Kislev.
“We, the police, are very involved in strengthening the mitzvot (Bible commandments) between man and his fellow,” announced Alsheikh at the gathering. “When the Messiah comes, everyone will want to [approach] him so it will get very crowded,” predicted the commissioner. “That will be a time when we will have to be very strong in respecting our fellow.”
In describing the very important role the Israeli police will play upon Messiah’s arrival, Alsheikh said to the joyous Hasidim gathered, “Not only are we busy enforcing the law, we also try to enact preventative measures [regarding] how to strengthen mutual consideration for our fellow.”
The 19th of Kislev is considered the New Year of Hasidut by many Hasidic Jews, commemorating Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi’s release from prison in 1798. Rabbi Shneur Zalman is considered by many to be the first leader of the Chabad movement, a group dedicated to Jewish outreach and tightening the bond between mankind as commanded by God.
Alsheikh was ascribing a function to the police that is incumbent upon everyone, stated as a Biblical commandment in Leviticus.
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Hashem.” Leviticus 19:18
The commissioner’s message and its strong connection to the Chabad movement and Hassidut was well-received by the revelers.
The police force’s mission to focus on the Biblical requirement of ‘love your fellow’ is timely indeed. The holiday of Hanukkah, which ended on Sunday, commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks and their triumph over the Hellenized (assimilated) Jews. At the time, Israel was torn apart by conflict: there was rampant hatred between the Jews, to which rabbis attribute the destruction of the Holy Temple.
“There is no doubt that happiness and serving God will bring us closer,” Alsheikh said at the gathering. “Soon, God willing, we will need to start preparing for the security operation necessary upon the arrival of the Messiah.”
***
PRESSTV
Abbas warns US over embassy relocation to Jerusalem al-Quds
Fri Jan 6, 2017 9:18PM
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he speaks during a Christmas lunch with members of the Christian Orthodox community near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on January 6, 2017. (Photo by AFP)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has firmly warned US President-elect Donald Trump of the potential consequences of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, describing the likely move as an “aggression” against the independent state of Palestine.
Abbas made the remarks during a speech he made in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem on Friday, adding that “any statement or position that disrupts or changes the status of Jerusalem al-Quds is a red line which we will never accept.”
Trump repeatedly said during his campaign that if elected, he would not hesitate to relocate the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, which is regarded by Palestinians as their future capital. The controversial decision has evoked Palestinians' bitter opposition.
“Jerusalem al-Quds is the capital of our state. It is the open capital for all monotheistic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. It is the right of all religions to perform their religious rituals with total comfort in Jerusalem al-Quds, our eternal capital,” Abbas further said.
He also warned that if the transfer of the US diplomatic mission is implemented, “the peace process in the Middle East, and even peace in the world, will be in severe trouble." Abbas also urged the US administration to stop adopting “double standards” vis-à-vis Palestinians.
The Palestinian president made the remarks a day after Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed Momani warned Trump of “catastrophic” repercussions if the incoming US administration pushed the embassy relocation plan forward, saying such a move would be a “red line” for Jordan and would “inflame the Islamic and Arab streets.”
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has already warned the US against moving its embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds, saying all American embassies in the Arab world would have to close in the face of popular Arab outrage that would follow such an action.
Back in December, PLO Secretary General Sa’eb Erekat said the potential move would deliver a death blow to any prospect of the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and would have his organization rescind all agreements with Tel Aviv. Erekat also said the move would lead to the “destruction” of the so-called Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
In September, Trump, who was the Republican presidential front-runner at the time, promised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s undivided capital if he emerged triumphant in the US presidential election.
***
Zero Hedge
COUP: ISRAELI POLICE ENTER NETANYAHU’S HOME OVER CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
Obama moving against Israel?
JANUARY 2, 2017
As the Obama administration shunned Israel last week, we warned that police were calling on Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to allow them to open a full criminal investigation against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Today, as Channel 2 reports, Israeli police entered Bibi’s home for questioning. The prime minister was quick to react, blasting “don’t celebrate too soon over corruption probe.”
As we detailed last week, on Monday, December 26th, Israeli police announced that they are absolutely convinced that a criminal investigation will be opened in the next few days due to new documents that were recently received in a special inquiry that began about 9 months ago.
The offenses that Netanyahu allegedly will face will be bribery and aggravated-fraud. In June it was reported that police had recently started their secret investigation, with demand that no details be leaked to the media.
Attorney General Mandelblit also allegedly instructed employees in the state prosecutor’s office to investigate allegations that Netanyahu accepted 1 million euros (about $1.1 million) from accused French fraudster Arnaud Mimran in 2009.
Earlier in December, in an apparently unrelated case, there were calls for the Netanyahu to be investigated for his role in a Defense Ministry deal to purchase submarines from a German company that is partly owned by the Iranian government.
The affair overtook public debate in Israel last month, as accusations came about that the Israeli prime minister may have been financially swayed in the decision by his personal counsel David Shimron, who himself had ties with the submarines’ builder, ThyssenKrupp. The purchase was opposed by sectors of the defense establishment, including former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon.
A spokesman for Netanyahu defended the Prime Minister by telling The Times of Israel, “This is absolutely false. There was nothing and there will be nothing.”
And today, as The Telegraph reports…
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, is being questioned by detectives on suspicion of illegally accepting valuable gifts from prominent businessmen in a scandal that is roiling Israeli politics.
Police officers came to the prime minister’s official residence in Jerusalem on Monday evening to question him about claims that he took designer suits and overseas trips his son from at least two businessmen.
Mr Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged but the criminal investigation into him is one of several probes swirling around him and his family. His wife, Sara, was questioned by police in a different case just weeks ago.
Police probes against politicians are common in Israel and Mr Netanyahu’s predecessor, Ehud Olmert, is in prison for corruption. Ariel Sharon was questioned by police over accusations he accepted bribes but the case was dropped and he was never charged.
On Monday he had another defiant message for the opposition, saying:
“There will be nothing because there is nothing. You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel.”
The 67-year-old politician, who is on course to become Israel’s longest-serving leader, has avoided prosecution at least twice so far in a long career.
As we concluded last week, what is most interesting about this news is the possible correlation with the U.S. decision to abstain from the vote in the United Nations that aims to stop Israeli construction on occupied Palestinian territory.
While it only makes logical and legal sense for such construction to be halted, the U.S. decision not to support Israel is a public slap in the face and one that comes at a time where it also makes sense to ask a logical question: Does the U.S. know something about Netanyahu’s investigation and possible crimes and are they now seeking to publicly separate themselves from the controversial Israeli Prime Minister?
RT (Edited from a longer article.)
Christ’s crucifixion might be ‘too distressing’ for some UK university students
Published time: 5 Jan, 2017 17:28
A prestigious UK university has introduced ‘trigger warnings’ into its theology course over fears students may be distressed when studying the crucifixion of Jesus.
The University of Glasgow introduced the warnings for students taking a class called Creation to Apocalypse: Introduction to the Bible (Level 1).
Popular in US educational institutions, trigger warnings were introduced to warn people about content which may ‘trigger’ a post-traumatic stress reaction.
However, critics argue they have gone too far and are at risk of making university undergraduates overly sensitive or restricting freedom of speech.
The Telegraph reports that in one lecture about Jesus, the University of Glasgow warned students it “contains graphic scenes of the crucifixion.”
Students were told such images would be would be flagged up to them beforehand.
MailOnline
Are aliens hidden in ancient religious artwork? Bizarre theory claims that signs of early visits from ET can be found in old paintings
Several centuries-old historical artworks contain 'alien-like symbols'
UFO hunters say these symbols prove that ancient civilisations met aliens
But art experts say that the mysterious symbols are being misinterpreted
By MAILONLINE REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 18:09, 29 December 2016 | UPDATED: 18:42, 29 December 2016
Conspiracy theorists claim that ancient artwork could hide signs that aliens have visited the human race.
Several centuries-old paintings, cave drawings and tapestries contain symbols and shapes that resemble UFOs and extraterrestrials.
But art experts say that these are simple misreadings of religious symbols or figures.
MailOnline explores some of the most famous examples of UFO or alien-like symbols in ancient artwork.
This alter piece was painted by Italian artist Carlo Crivelli. Conspiracy theorists suggest that the ring depicted in the top left shining light onto Mary is actually a UFO spacecraft
The Annunciation with Saint Emidius, 1486
The 'Annuciation with Saint Emidius' is an alter piece painted by Italian artist Carlo Crivelli in 1486.
It was crafted to commemorate Angel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
Conspiracy theorists suggest that the ring depicted in the top left, shining light onto Mary, is a UFO spacecraft.
But art experts say that it simply shows a small collection of angels gathered around a circle of clouds.
The ring and light represent the holy spirit descending towards the Virgin Mary.
Illustration from 'Ume No Chiri', 1844
Urobune refers to a mysterious, unknown object that was found drifting off the coast of Eastern Japan's Hitachi province in 1803.
The object is depicted in three different Japanese texts: Toen shōsetsu (1825), Hyōryū kishū (1835) and Ume-no-chiri (1844).
This illustration depicts the UFO-like object, which Hitachi sailors discovered floating in the ocean.
According to the notes alongside some illustrations of the craft, the object was made from steel and glass, and was just large enough to fit a small human inside.
Within the craft, the sailors reportedly found a strange script which they could not decipher.
Urobune refers to a mysterious, unknown object that was found drifting off the coast of Eastern Japan's Hitachi province in 1803. This illustration from 'Ume No Chiri' depicts the UFO-like object, which Hitachi sailors discovered floatinf in the ocean
Glorification of the Eucharist, 1600
This 17th century work by Italian artist Ventura Salimbeni features God and Jesus looking out over God's kingdom.
But the strange, rounded object sat between the two resembles Russia's Sputnik satellite, launched over 350 years later in 1957.
Conspiracy theory YouTube channel Strange Mysteries made the odd connection between the two in a video posted in 2014.
They claim in the video: 'This just looks a little bit too uncanny for symbolic reference.
'If the sphere is said to represent the universe, why did the painter not include any stars or other celestial objects?'This 17th century work by Italian artist Ventura Salimbeni features God and Jesus looking out over the universe God created. But the strange, rounded object sat between the two resembles Russia's Sputnik satellite, launched over 350 years later in 1957"
This 17th century work by Italian artist Ventura Salimbeni features God and Jesus looking out over the universe God created. But the strange, rounded object sat between the two resembles Russia's Sputnik satellite, launched over 350 years later in 1957
Saint Wolfgang and the Devil, 1475
Famous 15th century Austrian Renaissance painter Michael Pacher created this work around a legend that Saint Wolfgang tricked the devil into building a church.
Saint Wolfgang was the Bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria during the 10th century.
Conspiracy theorists claim that the figure depicting the devil in the painting could be a representation of an alien that visited Earth.
But the theory is a weak one, as the devil has been represented in a wide variety of strange forms throughout the long history of religious artwork.
Famous 15th century German Renaissance painter Michael Pacher created this work around a legend that Saint Wolfgang tricked the devil into building a church. Conspiracy theorists claim that the figure depicting the devil in the painting could be a representation of an alien
The Baptism of Christ, 1710
Art experts suggest that this painting is a reference to a religious passage: 'The heavens opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove and (put) lighting upon him'.
It was painted by Dutch artist Aert De Gelder in the 18th century.
UFO hunters suggest that the disc-like object, shown shining light onto John the Baptist and Jesus, could be a UFO.
'This scene has been illustrated by many artists,' says internet UFO conspiracy theorist TheAncientAliens.
'However, this scene is particularly interesting because of the flying saucer hovering over the scene with beams of light shining down and illuminating the event.'
'Considering De Gelder’s reputation as one of the elite artists of his time, it is likely this work was intended to be taken seriously and meant to communicate that Jesus had ties to aliens and perhaps was of alien origins.'
Art experts suggest that this painting is a reference to a passage: 'The heavens opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove and (put) lighting upon him'. UFO hunters suggest that the disk-like object shown shining light onto John the Baptist and Jesus could be a UFO
Peruvian Hill Carving, 6th Century
Ancient Peruvians, such as the Nazca people, are famed for their centuries-old carvings in the Peruvian desert.
Many were dug into the South American landscape between the first and sixth centuries.
This image shows a 6th century Peruvian hill carving that appears to depict an alien-like figure.
It's theorised that local inhabitants carved these messages into the floor to signal to aliens that they valued their visits.
But the carvings are just as likely to have been messages to ancient Peruvian Gods.
Ancient Peruvians, such as the Nazca people, are famed for their centuries-old carvings in the Peruvian desert. This image shows a 6th century Peruvian hill carving that appears to depict an alien-like figure
THE MYSTERY OF PERU'S NAZCA LINES
Nazca Lines are geoglyphs first spotted in 1939 when a pilot flew over the Nasca planes of the Peruvian coastal highlands.
They were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and the area stretches more than 50 miles (80km) between the towns of Nazca and Palpa, about 400 km south of Lima.
Some 700 geoglyphs are thought to have been drawn by the ancient Nazca people between the first and sixth centuries.
The Nazca Lines are drawn into lighter coloured strata which contrasts with darker gravels on the plain.
The Madonna with Saint Giovannino, 15th Century
In this painting, Italian Renaissance artist Domenico Ghirlandaio depicts Mary mother of Jesus looking down on two children.
The artwork hangs in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy.
To the right of Mary's head, a strange flying object can be seen in the background, which some UFO hunters think is an alien spacecraft.
A Shepard can be seen shielding his eyes from the sun as he points toward it.
The object is interesting to conspiracy theorists because it has no other context in the painting.
UFO conspiracy theorists CoolInterestingStuff discuss a possible reading: 'Upon closer inspection, the man seems to be looking away from the UFO, behind him and over his shoulder.
'Or, more likely, the notably out of place object may be imagined floating above the ground between them.'
From either perspective, could Mary be seen as blocking the two babies from the flying saucer’s view?'
But art experts say that artwork of this era often depicted clouds shining divine lights as religious symbols.
They suggest that in the case of Madonna with Saint Giovannino, this common biblical symbolism has been misread.
In this painting, Italian Renaissance artist Domenico Ghirlandaio depicts Mary mother of Jesus looking down on two children. To the right of Mary's head, a strange flying object can be seen in the background, which some UFO hunters think is a UFO
***
WND
CREEPY PHOTO OF 'WINGED DEMON' GOES VIRAL
'What the hell do you see in this picture for reals??? Anybody'
Published: January 4, 2017
“Winged demon” captured by Richard Christianson of Phoenix Jan. 1. 2017
A sinister-looking image posted to Facebook by a Phoenix, Arizona, man has gone viral, sparking fears and talk of the end times as well as claims it’s all a Photoshopped hoax.
The shadowy figure “the size of a house” appears to have large extended wings and spikes protruding from its head. It was allegedly captured on the street where Richard Christianson, the poster, lives.
Christianson posted the image Sunday, captioning it: “What the hell do you see in this picture for reals??? Anybody.”
It has been shared over 80,000 times, and has over 9,000 comments, reported USA Today.
The Daily Express in London reported viewers see it as a sign of the end times.
Freaklore.com wrote: “This is disturbing on different levels, because it points to an apocalypse type of a setting. When we start seeing things such as this, it can only mean that the world may be coming to an end.
“Passages in the Bible mention demonic entities wandering the Earth in the darkest of days. There are some who think this is in fact not a demon, but that of an angel. Perhaps it is possible, but it has the appearance of something more sinister perhaps because of the setting.”
Among the more skeptical responses was Facebook user Danielle Holland who called for Christianson to take another picture at the same time during daylight. Others claimed the “demon” was just one of two palm trees in the image.
***
WND EXCLUSIVE
URGENT WARNING: 'ARMY OF DEMONS' ON LOOSE
Longtime expert on spiritual warfare says real danger lurks
Published: January 5, 2017
As 2016 ends, priests are calling for more exorcists to fight what they are calling “an army of demons.”
Satanic groups openly organize against Christianity, even at Christmas. And trendy festivals like Burning Man are increasingly resembling something like a religion.
It’s part of a general trend that has Christians worried. And Karl Payne, former chaplain for the Seattle Seahawks and an experienced exorcist who authored “Spiritual Warfare: Christians, Demonization and Deliverance,” says the danger is real.
“Spiritism is clearly on the rise in North America; typically associated with contacting spirits to communicate with the dead in one form or fashion,” he told WND. “The media is replete with programs and movies glorifying walking and talking with the dead. Can successfully contacting demonic spirits, which is what practitioners are actually doing whether they understand this or not, open up a person to actual demonization? Yes, it can. Is this done purposely? Sometimes it is. Is this done innocently or naively? Sometimes it is. Do demons care whether a person’s motives are purposeful or innocent for involving themselves with demonic spirits?
“No.”
Payne said he had worked with people in the past who found themselves caught in demonic bondage both purposely or through something thought of as a game or curiosity.
“Demons ultimately have one job, and that is to destroy,” he said. “A friendly demon is a construct of childish entertainment, not reality.”
Carl Gallups, a pastor and the author of “When the Lion Roars: Understanding the Implications of Ancient Prophecies For Our Time,” said he believes the Last Days are drawing near and the reported growth in demonic activity is the fulfillment of prophecy.
“America has, in many ways, fallen away from God,” the pastor told WND. “We are living in prophetic days. And the Word of God is quite clear that the last days would be marked by a demonic outpouring. Christians need to remember that the spiritual realm is real, demons are real and the battle we are waging as believers is real. And we need to return to faith even as popular culture grows increasingly anti-Christian. It may even come to persecution.”
Father Vincent Lampert, an American priest who claimed to be at an October meeting of priests in Rome dedicated to increasing exorcism efforts, was quoted as saying the culture was opening the door for demons.
“We’re in a fight with drugs, the occult, pornography,” he told the New York Post. “This is an entry point for evil and we need to take these souls back.”
Other exorcists quoted in the article claim drug dealers are incorporating occult spiritual practices into their dark trade, notably voodoo rituals and the worship of Santa Muerte, the skeletal figure at the center of a death cult that is increasingly popular in Latin America.
Payne has spoken against sensationalistic coverage of demons while simultaneously condemning the media’s seeming celebration of the subject. He urges Christians to avoid negative influences, even those celebrated by the culture.
“People by nature love darkness more than light,” the pastor mourned. “The idle rich are easily bored. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent; demons are in panic mode, stepping up the fight. Too many Christians and churches are more interested in blending into culture than shining in the midst of it and standing for righteousness as obedient ambassadors.”
This includes the festival known as Burning Man, which in 2017 has announced its intention to become something more like a religion. The 2017 theme is to be known as “Radical Ritual,” featuring “interactive rites, ritual processions, elaborate images, shrines, icons, temples, and visions,” according to a post on the co-founder’s blog. Pastor Payne said there is no reason for believing Christians to go to such events or toy with such rituals.
“Should alcoholics spend time in bars?” he asked rhetorically. “Should people hooked on pornography go to strip clubs? Media sources I’ve seen state that the event was begun by people professing to be anti-Christian. Why, as a Christian, would I want to support events that are contrary to the teaching of my Savior, and function to draw people further away from Him than they already are?”
Pastor Payne admitted “the things of God are foolish” to non-believers and said Christians shouldn’t be surprised “when non-Christians think and act like non-Christians.” Instead, he urged Christians to pray and remember God is sovereign.
And Gallups said while Christians should never underestimate the dangers of spiritual warfare, believers should take comfort in how their final victory is assured.
“Every day, it seems we see one more symptom, one more example, of how evil is moving in the world,” the pastor told WND. “The problem is that man’s sinful nature is running amok with unfettered freedom. The world continually acquiesces to the growing evil and abject mockery of God’s Word that now surrounds it. Believers may soon be put under more pressure than at any other time in human history.
“But those of us who know the promises of the Word of God understand that Satan has a short time to reign. He will have his 15 minutes of fame, and then it will be lights out for the Great Deceiver. God’s Day of Judgment and his final destruction is coming. In the meantime, Satan knows his time is short and he seeks to wreak his havoc while he can. Yet those who belong to Christ know that we have been raised up for this time – and our goal is to advance the Kingdom of Jesus while there is still light.”
***
EXPRESS
Mystery of 24 alien black-boxes discovered near Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza
THEY weigh more than 100 tons, they are solid Aswan granite, and they are precision engineered to tolerances which would be deemed remarkable today.
By PAUL BALDWIN
PUBLISHED: 05:32, Tue, Jan 3, 2017 | UPDATED: 10:12, Tue, Jan 3, 2017
So how did the ancient Egyptians build and put in place the 24 strange and sinister coffin shaped black boxes discovered buried in a hillside cave system, 12 miles south of The Great Pyramid of Giza?
And more importantly, why?
The skilfulness of the stone cutting, accurate to just a few microns, is so remarkable that some experts have concluded that they were not built for Egytian pharaos but in fact left on earth by and alien race and simply appropriated by the kings.
The tombs are believed to be the burial places of Apis bulls, worshipped as deities in Ancient Egypt
The stark black boxes do display some hieroglyphics but they are of such poor quality that the scribbles are regarded as graffiti.
The real purpose and function of the boxes remains unclear, but the were clearly of importance, as they were cut with such precision they would remain airtight for many millennia.
They are known as the Serapeum of Saqqara in the now abandoned city of Memphis, Egypt.
It remains a mystery how the ancient culture were able to carve such huge and accurate sarcophagi GETTY
The formal burial site is believed to have been built sometime 3300 years ago by Ramesses II.
Recent research suggests it was a burial place of Apis bulls, which were worshipped as incarnations of the god Ptah.
Egyptologists say that because the bulls were honoured as gods Khaemweset, a son of Ramesses II ordered that a tunnel be excavated through one of the mountains at the site and designed with side chambers to contain large granite sarcophagi weighing up to 100 tons each, to hold the mummified remains of the bulls.
The temple was discovered by Auguste Mariette, who had gone to Egypt to collect coptic manuscripts, but later grew interested in the remains of the Saqqara necropolis.
In 1850, Mariette found the head of one sphinx sticking out of the shifting desert sand dunes, cleared the sand and followed the boulevard to the site.
After using explosives to clear rocks blocking the entrance to the catacomb, he excavated most of the complex.
***
MailOnline
Russia should reinstate the monarchy and appoint PUTIN as royal emperor, says influential Moscow churchman
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin would like to see Vladimir Romanov as emperor
He said another option would be to bring back the Romanov dynasty
The Romanov dynasty was overthrown exactly a century ago - in 1917
'We are a country with monarchic mentality,' he said, at the launch of his book
By WILL STEWART IN MOSCOW FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 15:06, 1 January 2017 | UPDATED: 21:53, 1 January 2017
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said another option would be to bring back the Romanov dynasty, which was overthrown exactly a century ago in 1917
Russia should reinstate the monarchy, and appoint Vladimir Putin as royal emperor, says an influential Moscow churchman.
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said another option would be to bring back the Romanov dynasty, which was overthrown exactly a century ago in 1917.
'We are a country with monarchic mentality,' he said, at the launch of his new book.
'It doesn't matter that we don't now have formal monarchy, I think we can re-make it with Putin on top.
'Or else with somebody from the Romanov house, or with an elected person as head.'
He insisted: 'While we don't have formal monarchy, we have monarchic understanding that Russia cannot be without a tsar.
'But this tsar must take advice from people, which is why having a nation is so important.'
The archpriest called for 'constitutional reform' to allow the return of the monarchy as he launched his book 'Faith and Life - so there is no litter in your house'.
In the imperial era, the tsar or emperor was also head of the Orthodox church.
Chaplin did not recommend any rules of succession but Putin has two adult daughters, Maria, 31, and Katerina, 30, who in theory could become his heirs if he were to be made tsar under the churchman's scheme.
Katerinia - who uses the family name Tikhonova - is a champion acrobatic Rock'n'roll dancer married to Russia's youngest billionaire Kirill Shamalov, 34.
Her sister Maria is reportedly married to a Dutch businessman husband with whom she has a daughter, making Putin - who is intensely secret about his family life - a grandfather. She took a medical degree and was awarded a doctorate completing her post-graduate research into dwarfism.
The abdicated last tsar Nicholas II was shot by Bolshevik revolutionaries along with his immediate heirs the year after he lost his throne, ending more than 300 years of Romanov rule.
Pictured is Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna (left) and Great Count Georgy Romanov (right)
Chaplin did not recommend any rules of succession but Putin has two adult daughters, Maria, 31, and
A leading pretender to the defunct crown is 63 year old Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, a divorcee who is great-great-granddaughter of Emperor Alexander II.
Her designated 'Tsesarevich' is her son, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov, 35, who runs a lobbying company in Brussels.
He is on record as saying: 'The time to restore monarchy hasn't come yet.
'But the pre-requisites might appear in future.
'History develops in a spiral and it is possible that a legitimate hereditary monarchy will be in demand by the people of Russia and will serve it well.'
He also praised Putin saying he 'successfully protects the interests of his country'.
Chaplin, 48, was previously spokesman for the Orthodox church in Russia, which has seen a renaissance since the end of Communism a generation ago.
A celibate priest, he last year called for girls to be allowed to wed at 14 and boys at 16, without parental permission.
'It would be good if by the age of 20 our women had several children and made their careers only after 30 or 40 once their children have grown up,' he said.
Tsar Nikolay II with his wife and children. Chaplin, 48, was previously spokesman for the Orthodox church in Russia, which has seen a renaissance since the end of Communism a generation ago
Women who had abortions, or husbands or wives committed adultery, or were convicted of corruption 'should be condemned by everyone and in some cases deprived of property rights', he argued.
He made the proposals to Russia's influential Civil Chamber, set up by Putin.
So-called 'good families with multiple children should leave big cities because such places are full of sin and relocate to agricultural settlements allocated to them by the government', he demanded.
He opposes teaching about contraception in sex education classes.
An ultra-conservative, who a survey found to be the second most recognisable churchman in Russia after the head of the Orthodox faith, Patriarch Kirill, he sprang to the defence of a Muslim cleric in southern Russia who called for 'all women' to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM).
'Cutting all women probably isn't necessary. Orthodox women don't need it because they are not promiscuous. Of course God created women to bear and raise children,' said Chaplin.
'Feminism is a lie of the 20th century.'
***
PRESSTV
Turks turn down US military help, asks Russia for air support: US officials
Thu Jan 5, 2017 10:52AM
This file photo shows a Russian Sukhoi-34 dropping bombs.
Turkey has declined the US military’s offer to provide air support for its troops in Syria, asking Russia to take on the role instead, American officials say.
Two US military officials said that Ankara, which has been fighting militants inside the Syrian territories, has accepted air power from Moscow over the past few days, the NBC News reported Wednesday.
This is while, the Turks have turned down the US-led coalition’s help, the officials claimed.
Back in August, Turkey launched an incursion into Syria, claiming that the military operation was meant to engage both Daesh terrorists in the Syrian-Turkish border area and Kurdish forces, who were themselves fighting Daesh.
Damascus has on multiple occasions condemned Ankara’s intervention as a breach of its sovereignty.
In December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that the US had failed to keep its promise of air support in Ankara’s operations in the Arab country, mainly in the city of al-Bab, which has proven a tough battle for the Turks.
"Even though the US-led coalition has failed to keep its promises [pledging air support] in our operation to liberate al-Bab, we will rid the city of Daesh terrorists, no matter what," Erdogan said back then.
The complaints continued on Wednesday, with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik saying that he lack of US air support was fueling negative public sentiments over Washington’s use of Turkey’s Incirlik airbase.
This is while the American military forces have conducted flights over the city as a show of force without dropping any bombs.
According to NBC, when one of the military officials was asked whether Russia was pounding Daesh in the city, he said “for now they are.”
Al-Bab sits between Aleppo and Manbij, the city that was liberated last year with help from the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
Turkey is said to be among the main supporters of militant groups in Syria and stands accused of training and arming Takfiri elements, facilitating their passage into the violence-wracked country, and buying smuggled oil from militants.
***
RT
'The internet will shut down for 24 hours in 2017 causing financial markets to crash'
Published time: 5 Jan, 2017 06:26
Millions of computer users across the world could be blocked from the internet this year as the global network will shut down for 24 hours, US technology security vendor LogRhythm predicted in December.
The company’s chief information security officer and vice president James Carder told Business Insider, it won’t just be a technical issue stopping people from uploading their selfies on Instagram.
"In 2017, we’re going to see it hit big sometime, somewhere. If the internet goes down, financial markets will tank," he said.
According to Carder, there were all the signs in 2016, with criminals "testing missiles by shooting them into the ocean."
"We saw the massive DDoS [distributed denial of service] attack against DynDNS just a couple of months ago. That DDoS attack took down sites like Twitter and Spotify for a few hours. We saw a similar DDoS hit Brian Krebs before the attack against Dyn. These were really just tests," he said.
In October a mass cyber-attack crippled some of the world’s biggest websites with users unable to access Twitter, SoundCloud, Spotify and many others for over two hours.
"If you can prove that you can take down massive sites and a large chunk of the US internet for a few hours, a 24-hour outage seems pretty easy to do?" said Carder.
The head of LogRhythm also said the issue of "fake news" will only get worse this year, with hackers targeting major media sites.
"The power of influence is starting to shift away from mainstream news outlets, and I don’t think that is something those mainstream outlets can afford to let happen. They will respond to the fake news threat by trying to implement some level of media control that will likely take it a little too far," he said.
"I think hackers, in the name of protecting our freedom of speech, will retaliate by knocking down a major media outlet or two."
LogRhythm’s Australia and New Zealand director of sales Simon Howe has predicted that ransomware on mobile devices will become far more prevalent in 2017.
Twitter warns of 'state-sponsored' attacks designed to obtain sensitive data
According to him, attackers will target unsuspecting smartphone users and hold their personal data hostage to extort money.
“For example, attackers will threaten to send out or delete a user’s photos unless a ransom is paid. Just think — how much you would pay to recover your photos?" said Howe.
He added that attackers will use pre-authenticated tokens to disseminate malware.
“Because so many Apple devices are interconnected, the malware could very quickly spread," he said.
***
EXPRESS
NO MORE REFERENDUMS! EU leader begs nations to STOP votes fearing union will COLLAPSE
A EUROPEAN Union leader has begged countries to stop holding referendums for fear of tearing the bloc apart.
By REBECCA FLOOD
PUBLISHED: 10:44, Tue, Jan 3, 2017 | UPDATED: 17:03, Tue, Jan 3, 2017
Robert Fico has pleaded with the remaining 27 nations to stop holding referendums
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has pleaded with the remaining 27 nations to cease giving citizens the power to decide their own future.
Mr Fico pointed to the recent examples in the UK and Italy, which saw the countries turn away from the EU.
Britain voted to leave the superstate - Brexit - while the Mediterranean nation’s future is uncertain after the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi resigned following Italians overwhelmingly rejecting his package of reforms.
The constitutional reforms Italians shunned has led the populist 5Star movement to call for a referendum on the country’s continued membership in the eurozone.
Brexit aftersh
Britain has voted to leave the EU. So who's next? We look at which European Mr Fico said: “What will we do if . . . there is a referendum in Italy on the euro and Italian citizens decide they don’t want the euro?”
And across the continent Eurosceptic parties are gaining support, including in the Netherlands and France, which also pose a real threat to the stability of the EU.
Outspoken far-right leader of the Front National, Marine Le Pen, has promised France a referendum on membership of the EU is she is voted into power in April.
As Slovakia handed the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU to Malta on January 1, Mr Fico added: “I am asking EU leaders to stop with adventures like the British and Italian referendums . . . on domestic issues which pose a threat to the EU.”
lay Video
Slovak PM: 'I will take mass EU immigration seriously'
The Eurozone looks to be unravelling as voters reject closer cooperation and integration particularly in the wake of the financial crash which plunged countries into austerity, including Greece or Spain, which still has low youth employment.
And concerns over the European project were deepened with the numbers of migrants entering the continent, which reached more than one million in 2015, and was dubbed the migrant crisis.
The free movement of people across borders in the Schengen zone raised fears that potential terrorists were able to move freely across the bloc unchecked.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come under heavy criticism for her ‘open door’ policy, which has seen a record number of people resettled in the country. 'The biggest risk out there' – strategist warns of dangers to Europe
This has lead to pockets of unrest and caused her popularity to tank.
Mrs Merkel and her Christian Democratic Party (CDU) are widely expected to lose ground in this year’s national elections.
***
SPUTNIK
Poland FM Slams EU Chief Tusk as 'Icon of Evil and Stupidity'
© AP Photo/ Geert Vanden Wijngaert
EUROPE 17:06 03.01.2017
The ongoing deterioration of relations between the EU and Poland took a further nosedive after Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski described the EU Council President Donald Tusk as "the icon of evil and stupidity." The foreign minister's remarks, in a radio interview with Krakow's RMF FM, marks the latest in a series of diplomatic tussles over a series of decisions taken by the Polish Government since the Law and Justice Party (PiS) came to power in 2015.
The EU has been heavily critical of changes made to the Polish Constitutional Tribunal, which Brussels claims are undemocratic and a threat to Europe's 'Rule of Law' principle. The Polish Government has also drawn criticism for a crackdown on the media including — most recently — a threat to limit the media reporting of the state parliament. The personal attack on Tusk — who was prime minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014 — reveals the depth of anger in Warsaw over interventions from the EU. "I wish that he would stay far away from Poland. [Tusk is] the icon of evil and stupidity. We would like to have a normal democracy, that when someone wins an election, they have the right to rule, to achieve their plan and program," Waszczykowski said. Sanctions Threat In December 2015, the Polish Government added five 'politically friendly' judges to the country's Constitutional Tribunal, in a move seen by critics as making it easier to push through legislation with less opposition. The amendment meant that the tribunal would need a two-thirds majority to take a decision on constitutional matters instead of a simple majority. The minimum number of judges needed to make a decision was also raised from nine to 13, making it more difficult to convene a quorum. Former Chief Justice Andrzej Rzeplinski ruled, December 2015, that many sections of the new laws were illegal. However, the Warsaw Government has ignored the ruling. The European Commission has also said it will not recognize the appointment of the new President of the Constitutional Court — Julia Przylebska, who, with her husband, is seen as being close to the Polish President Andrzej Duda — who replaced Rzeplinski, whose term ended December 19. "It is enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. The European Commission, together with the European Parliament and the Council, is responsible under the Treaties for guaranteeing the respect of the rule of law as a fundamental value of our Union and making sure that EU law, values and principles are respected," the Commission said in a statement, December 21. The Commission has given the Polish Government until the end of February 2017 to resolve the issues or face the removal of its voting rights in the EU — a sanction never before exercised in the EU.
***
BREITBART
‘Fake News’ Causing Populism, Must be Censored, Says Italy’s Antitrust Chief
by VIRGINIA HALE
30 Dec 2016779
European Union (EU) nations must set up a network of public agencies to remove ‘fake news’ from circulation and impose fines, Italy’s antitrust chief has said.
Asserting that ‘fake news’ is driving populism, Giovanni Pitruzzella told the Financial Times the internet must not be allowed to remain a “wild west”.
The head of Italy’s competition body since 2011, he said the speed at which so-called fake news is censored “is a critical element”, and argued that such a task should be tackled by the state, and not be left to social media companies.
Mr. Pitruzzella said countries in Europe should set up independent bodies which could quickly remove ‘fake news’ and impose fines. These would be coordinated by Brussels, and modeled on how the EU regulates competition.
“Post-truth in politics is one of the drivers of populism and it is one of the threats to our democracies,” Mr. Pitruzzella said.
“We have reached a fork in the road: we have to choose whether to leave the internet like it is, the wild west, or whether it needs rules that appreciate the way communication has changed. I think we need to set those rules and this is the role of the public sector.”
Allies of Matteo Renzi, the former prime minister, have complained that fake news contributed to his defeat in the December referendum on constitutional reform, even though he lost by a wide 20-percentage point margin. The outcome of the vote was a huge victory for populists and a blow to the EU.
While he welcomed measures recently announced by Facebook to counter “fake news”, the antitrust chief said it’s “not the job of a private entity to control information.
“This is historically the job of public powers. They have to guarantee that information is correct. We cannot delegate this completely.”
Mr. Pitruzzella said “speed is a critical element” in the tackling of so-called fake news, and that a huge benefit to having a state agency would be its ability to “intervene quickly if public interests were harmed”. The Italian dismissed concerns that having a public body oversee the removal of content it deems ‘fake news’ is a form of censorship, claiming people could “continue using a free and open internet”.
Facebook has announced it will introduce warning labels on stories they consider ‘fake news,’ with the help of partisan “fact-checking” organisations. Stories deemed to be false will now be “flagged” by Facebook, with an accompanying red label claiming the story is “disputed by 3rd Party Fact-Checkers.”
Billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros is among the left-wing funders of the body Facebook has partnered with to determine whether a story is “disputed”, the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Furthermore, a number of the third party members signed up to the IFCN, such as Africa Check, are projects set up and funded by the open borders, anti-law and order fanatic’s Open Societies Foundation.
***
RT
Trade on track: China launches direct weekly train to London stuffed with goods
Published time: 4 Jan, 2017 12:13
China has launched the first direct freight rail service to London on a journey which crosses seven countries before arriving in the UK.
The ‘East Wind Train’ departed from the manufacturing hub of Yiwu in eastern China, and is carrying £4 million ($4.9 million) worth of socks, cloth, bags, and household goods.
It is expected to take 18 days to reach its final destination of Barking, East London, having travelled more than 7,500 miles across land and through the Channel Tunnel before arriving in Britain.
The new weekly service is quicker than sea transport and half the price of air freight.
China Railway already runs rail services to 14 European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg. London will become the 15th European city to join what Beijing has dubbed the ‘New Silk Route.’
The 34-carriage train will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and France before crossing the English Channel and arriving in East London.
Differing rail gauges in the countries along the route means a single locomotive cannot travel the whole journey, so the containers will have to be reloaded at various stages.
China is keen to boost its economy, as growth and exports have begun to slow.
The train’s name comes from a famous quote from communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, who said: “The east wind will prevail over the west wind.”
Last month, China connected its distant east and west corners of the country with a high-speed train.
The 2,264-kilometer Shanghai-Kunming rail line runs across the five provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan.
It cuts the travel time from Shanghai to the capital of southwestern China’s Yunnan province Kunming from 34 to 11 hours.
According to train driver Wang Jinda, the trains can travel at speeds of up to 330 kilometers per hour.
***
REALfarmacy.com
If You See THIS Label On the Fruit Do Not Buy It at Any Cost!
by ANYA V
Most of us don’t know that the stickers attached to the fruits and vegetables are there for more than just scanning the price.
The PLU code, or the price lookup number on the sticker can help you determine if the product is genetically modified, organic or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides or herbicides.
1. A four-digit code beginning with a 3 or a 4 means the produce is probably conventionally grown. The last digits of the code represent the kind of the fruit or vegetable you are buying. For example, bananas are always labeled with the code of 4011.
2. If there are five numbers, and the first is “8″, then the product is genetically modified. The label on genetically modified banana (GE-genetically engineered of GMO) would contain the numbers 84011.
3. A five-digit number that starts with a 9 means the item is organic. Organic bananas are labeled with 94011.
EWG ( The Environmental Working Group) analyzed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for these popular fresh produce items.
Fruits and Vegetables to Always Buy Organic
The Dirty Dozen Plus
These foods have very high pesticide loads and should always be purchased organic or grown yourself!
Apples
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Grapes
Hot Peppers
Nectarines (imported)
Peaches
Potatoes
Spinach
Strawberries
Sweet Bell Peppers
Kale/Collard Greens
Summer Squash
Clean 15
The following foods were found by EWG to be relatively low in pesticide residue. They may be good conventional options for those on a budget.
Asparagus
Avocados
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Sweet Corn [Editors Note: beware of genetically modified varieties. If you want to avoid GMOs, eat only organic corn/]
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Mangoes
Mushrooms
Onions
Papayas [Editors Note: beware of genetically modified varieties. If you want to avoid GMOs eat only organic papaya.]
Pineapples
Sweet Peas
Sweet Potatoes
The EWG also notes that 99 percent of apples, 98 percent of peaches and 97 percent of nectarines all tested positive for at least one pesticide residue, while the average (white) potato had more pesticides by weight than any other produce!
Sources and References:
www.livingtraditionally.com
www.drfranklipman.com
EWG ranks 48 produce
items from most
pesticides to least here.
Image: Flickr/USDA
***
Until
next week...keep on believing.
Almondtree Prosuctions
“Though
an army should set itself in array against me, my heart shall not be
afraid: though war should rise up against me, in this am I confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I earnestly seek: that
I should dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life,
that I should behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and survey his
temple. For in the day of mine afflictions he hid me in his
tabernacle: he sheltered me in the secret of his tabernacle; he set
me up on a rock.”
(Psalm 27:3-5)