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Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 6/14/2017 10:17:51 AM
	Massive fire engulfs London high-rise, leaving 'a number of fatalities' KARMA ALLEN, DAVID CAPLAN and JOSHUA HOYOS Good Morning AmericaJune 14, 2017 A massive fire engulfed a residential high-rise building in London on Wednesday, leaving scores injured and an undetermined amount of people dead. The London Fire Brigade dispatched at least 40 fire engines, 20 ambulance crews and more than 200 firefighters in an effort to battle the conflagration at the 24-story Grenfell Tower in West London. A representative for the London Fire Brigade said there had been "a number of fatalities," but declined to say how many people had died. Authorities said they were still monitoring the stability of the structure, but firefighters had managed to enter the building and had checked as many as 20 floors for remaining people. "This is an unprecedented incident," London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton told reporters. "In my 29 years of being a firefighter, I have never ever seen anything of this scale." An exact figure for the number of injured has not yet been released either, but the London Ambulance Service said 50 people had been transported to five local hospitals after the incident, while the London Metropolitan Police said in a prior statement many people were being given medical care for a range of injuries. It is not known yet what caused the fire, which firefighters continue to battle. The blaze has left the building almost totally charred, and there were fears in the morning about the building's structural integrity as it appeared to lurch slightly to one side. The tower, built in 1974, contains 120 apartments, according to its management company Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation. In this photo taken from aerial video, smoke rises from a high-rise apartment building on fire in London, Wednesday, June 14, 2017. A massive fire raced through the 27-story high-rise apartment building in west London early Wednesday, sending at leas (The Associated Press) One resident told ABC News that he woke up, smelling smoke, and thought his laptop was overheating. He said it seemed as if the fire had been going off for at least 30 minutes before the building's fire alarms went off. The resident, who said he was initially told to stay in place, said he fled the building once he realized how thick the smoke was. Regrettably, he said he was unable to carry his elderly father and fears that he may not have survived. London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Dan Daly said in a statement that "firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire. This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances." London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "truly devastated" by the incident and warned that the numbers of dead and injured could increase. "My heart goes out to everyone affected. I am sad to confirm that we now know there have been fatalities and more than fifty people have been taken to hospitals [around London]," Khan said in a statement early Wednesday. "The fire service is dealing with a rapidly changing situation and these numbers [of dead and injured] are likely to rise." London Metropolitan Police said they were called at 1:16 a.m. "to reports of a large fire at a block of flats in the Lancaster West Estate, W11." Social media users posted images and video of the fire as it continued to rage after sunrise, while others posted images of loved ones who had gone missing after the fire. "It looks very bad, very very bad. I've never seen anything like this. It's just such a big fire,” Tim Downey, an eyewitness, told BBC early Wednesday. "It has burned through to its very core." He said part of the building appeared to be "completely burned away." "The whole building is just crumbling. It's just billowing black smoke," Downey said. Another witness, who only gave her first name, Hanan, told ABC News that she managed to escape from the building's ninth floor, but she said was worried about her brother, Abdul Aziz, and his family who were on the 26th floor. Some tenants have complained about the upkeep of the tower in the past, specifically warning about the fire risk. In November, a residents group called Grenfell Action Group said that only a "catastrophic event" would expose the concerns they had about the building's landlord, according to the group's blog post. View image on Twitter Follow James Longman ✔@JamesAALongman This is Hanan. She got out from 9th floor & very worried about her brother Abdul Aziz & his family on the 26th. Asking for info#londonfire 11:50 PM - 13 Jun 2017 278 Retweets 345 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy ABC News' Molly Hunter and Alexandra Faul contributed to this report
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
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Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 6/14/2017 11:13:50 AM
	Mattis 'shocked' by US military readiness, warns on North Korea By AFP PUBLISHED: 02:58 BST, 13 June 2017 \| UPDATED: 06:23 BST, 13 June 2017 Pentagon chief Jim Mattis has called North Korean regime's weapons program a 'clear and present danger' to all Pentagon chief Jim Mattis told lawmakers on Monday he was "shocked" by the state of the US military's readiness, blaming legal budget caps and the grind of 16 years of constant war. The defense secretary also warned that North Korea has become the most urgent threat to peace and security, and said -- without giving details -- that America must do things differently in Afghanistan. Pointing to Obama-era budget caps known as sequestration, Mattis said limits on military spending have left troops at greater risk and blocked important new programs -- even though the defense budget is already greater than that of the next seven countries combined. "I retired from military service three months after sequestration took effect," Mattis, a former Marine general, told the House Armed Services Committee. "Four years later, I returned to the Department (of Defense), and I have been shocked by what I've seen about our readiness to fight... No enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of our military than sequestration." Mattis was addressing lawmakers seeking additional information about President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget. The Pentagon has called for $574 billion in general defense funding, with an additional $65 billion for supplemental wartime spending He wants to slash State Department spending but give a significant boost to the Pentagon's vast budget, although it falls short of the historic spending bonanza sought by more hawkish Republicans. The Pentagon has called for $574 billion in general defense funding, with an additional $65 billion for supplemental wartime spending -- for a total of $639 billion. That represents a more than $50 billion increase -- about 10 percent -- over 2017 funding levels for the base budget, although it amounts to only about three percent over projections previously envisioned by the Obama administration. Committee Chairman Congressman Mac Thornberry and other Republicans bemoaned the increase as insufficient. "We have spent six years just getting by, asking more and more of those who serve, and putting off the choices that have to be made. We cannot keep piling missions on our service members without ensuring they have all they need to succeed," Thornberry said. Although many Democrats on the committee agree, they worry where the money will come from, given the Trump administration's pressure to cut taxes. - Afghanistan and N. Korea - Mattis pointed to the war in Afghanistan, which has dragged on since late 2001 with no end in sight, as exacting a heavy price. Such campaigns have "exhausted our equipment faster than planned. Congress and the Department (of Defense) could not anticipate the accumulated wear and tear of years of continuous combat use," he said. Lawmakers repeatedly asked Mattis for an update on Afghanistan, and about whether Trump will deploy thousands more troops to help Afghan partners reverse a stalemate against the resurgent Taliban. "We've got to do things differently," Mattis acknowledged, noting only that any Afghanistan decision would come "soon." Ahead of the four-hour hearing, Mattis also warned that North Korea poses the most urgent threat to international peace and security, calling the regime's weapons program a "clear and present danger" to all. In written testimony, he said Pyongyang is increasing the pace and scope of its nuclear weapons program that leader Kim Jong-Un wants to be capable of delivering a bomb on the United States. "The regime's provocative actions, manifestly illegal under international law, have not abated despite United Nations' censure and sanctions," Mattis said. The defense secretary also warned of a return to "Great Power competition," where countries like Russia and China gain military assertiveness and place long-held global security protocol at risk. "Both Russia and China object to key aspects of the international order so painstakingly built since the end of World War II," he said. Pyongyang has test-fired a string of missiles this year, building on launches and nuclear tests that have ratcheted up tensions over its quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States -- something Trump has vowed "won't happen." But Mattis and his top military officer, General Joe Dunford, said any military action against North Korea would have disastrous consequences for the peninsula. "It would be a war like nothing we have seen since 1953," Mattis said about the end of the Korean War. (dailymail.co.uk)
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
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Luis Miguel

1162

61587

Lima

RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES?

6/14/2017 4:59:40 PM

KREMLIN TO WASHINGTON: IF NOT FOR RUSSIA, THERE WOULD BE NO UNITED STATES

BY TIM MARCIN ON 6/13/17 AT 10:18 AM

The Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, has been in the news perhaps more than anyone could have imagined—and that trend showed no signs of relenting Tuesday, with Attorney General Jeff Sessions expected to testify before the Senate about meetings he had with the diplomat. Meanwhile, the night before the hearing, Kislyak was busy trying to win over Americans in Washington, D.C., during an event at the Russian Embassy.

As diplomats and D.C. insiders entered, Kislyak was seen "greeting guests one-by-one in a long receiving line at the embassy in honor of Russia Day," reported Politico in its Playbook newsletter.

As is typical at any event in 2017, there were themed Instagram stations, with the Russian Embassy encouraging attendees to pose with "I love Russia signs." Also, there was literature promoting the U.S.-Russia relationship, according to Politico.

"As an American, I love Russia because if not for Russia, there may not have been a United States of America," a pamphlet read, according to Politico. The embassy reportedly cited the top seven reasons the U.S. and Russia had close ties, including Russia's role as America's ally in the two world wars and Russia supporting the Colonies in the Revolutionary War.

But of late, the Russia-U.S. relationship has grown, in a word, tense. Multiple U.S. intelligence agencies have determined the Russians interfered in the 2016 presidential election through hackings and an influence campaign, working to ensure an election victory for Republican Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Now special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating that interference and connections between Trump's campaign and Russia.

With Sessions set to testify publicly Tuesday, there will likely be discussionof the attorney general's ties to Kislyak. The two met at least twice during the campaign, a fact Sessions did not disclose during his Senate confirmation hearing. Former FBI Director James Comey—who told senators last week that he was fired by Trump, at least in part, because of the bureau's investigation into the president's Russia ties—reportedly told lawmakers in private testimony about a potential third meeting between the ambassador and Sessions.

The ongoing investigations and constant drip of Russia-related news stories have apparently left Americans wary about the U.S.'s relationship with the Kremlin. Forty percent of respondents in a Quinnipiac University poll last week said that Trump's associates had done something illegal in their dealings with Russia.

(Newsweek)

"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)

Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 6/14/2017 6:02:39 PM
	“Stand Your Ground”: Florida Gov. Signs Bill As Citizens Take Up Arms Posted by Mark Megahan \| Jun 12, 2017 \| States’ Rights, Top Article Florida law now makes it crystal clear that anyone can use deadly force when needed as long as it is in legitimate self-defense. Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a tough new law last week that conservatives are calling a major victory for individual liberty. Florida makes it crystal clear that anyone can use deadly force when needed as long as in legitimate self-defense. The change flips things around to shift the burden of proving wrongdoing onto the prosecutor instead of the victim. A spokesman for the National Rifle Association cheers the law, saying it “restores the presumption of innocence in self-defense cases by putting the burden of proof back on the state where it belongs.” Up until now, a person had to justify using force in self-defense. Florida’s new law makes the state bring evidence to a pretrial hearing that shows “beyond a reasonable doubt” the specific use of force was notjustified. This will keep charges from being filed against intended victims forced to take drastic action just to save themselves from impending harm. The second a victim realizes an attack is underway may be the only second he or she has to do something about it. Liberals complain that gun owners will be encouraged to “shoot first.” Those who support the law agree with that and point out how much of a good thing it is for making criminals think twice. For every would-be criminal shot, the murder of an honest citizen was prevented. Self-defense laws generally fall into three categories, Stand your ground, castle doctrine, and duty to retreat. At the liberal end of the spectrum, some states have laws which require retreat from any threat. If you can run, you are expected to. You are only allowed to use deadly force if you are totally cornered and facing extreme injury or death. The castle doctrine is the middle ground solution. It allows the use of deadly force to defend yourself only on “real property” which would include a home and its yard, a private office, and in some cases, your car. Stand your ground laws are the ones that are most controversial. Florida was the first state to pass such a law. The 2005 version removed the requirement to retreat as long as there is “reasonable belief” that use of force will “prevent death or great bodily harm.” George Zimmerman based his case entirely on self-defense, not “Stand Your Ground.” The Trayvon Martin case is the first one most people think of when stand your ground laws are mentioned. Even though the judge in the case issued jury instructions concerning stand your ground provisions, George Zimmerman had waived his right to a defense under that doctrine and based his case entirely on self-defense. Under “stand your ground” laws, you can’t just shoot someone who makes you nervous. Saying you were afraid for your life or you saw a weapon does not get the job done. You have to be able to give specific reasons that would make any reasonable person feel they were in serious danger under the same circumstances. The use of force also has to be “proportional.” If someone is screaming and threatening you, waving their arms around and getting into your face, you can’t just shoot them, no matter how scared you are. If you get into a bar fight as a willing participant and find yourself getting the worst of it, you can’t shoot. Charges will not be filed against intended victims forced to take drastic action to save themselves. The recent changes to laws are not new ideas. A 1921 case heard by the Supreme Court, Brown v. United States, ruled that there is “no duty to retreat” in a legitimate self-defense case. “If a man reasonably believes that he is in immediate danger of death or grievous bodily harm from his assailant he may stand his ground and that if he kills him he has not exceed[ed] the bounds of lawful self-defense.” According to famous Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, “Detached reflection cannot be demanded in the presence of an uplifted knife. Therefore, in this Court, at least, it is not a condition of immunity that one in that situation should pause to consider whether a reasonable man might not think it possible to fly with safety or to disable his assailant rather than to kill him.” In other words, if someone is coming at you with a knife you don’t need to stop and think what a “reasonable person” would do, just do what you need and defend yourself. Getting rid of the requirement to flee helps neutralize situations where twelve jurors sitting calmly in a jury room have to decide what your state of mind was in a dangerous situation. That adds an unacceptable burden to a claim of self-defense. As pointed out by AWR Hawkins, “If you think about it, what makes more sense than recognizing a citizen’s right to act in self-defense the very instant they come under attack? After all, criminals carry out attacks quickly and unexpectedly to benefit themselves, so the second a victim realizes an attack is underway may be the only second he or she has to do something about it.” (conservativedailypost.com)
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
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Luis Miguel 1162 61587 Lima	RE: ARE WE NOW IN THE END TIMES? 6/14/2017 6:31:58 PM
	INSPIRED BY A NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, THIS MAN IS CLONING THE WORLD’S TALLEST TREES TO SAVE THEM June 8, 2017 Vic Bishop, Staff Writer Waking Times We seem to have created a culture where destroying nature is both profitable and the cool thing to do, so when an individual or group of people take on the challenge of honoring and preserving our natural world, we can be surprised to find there is hope after all. The tallest, largest and oldest beings in all the world are the Giant Redwood trees of Western North America, Sequoia sempervirens. They can grow up to 350 feet tall and live to be an estimated 4000 years old, yet the western gold rush of the 1800’s triggered the destruction of some 95% of these magnificent trees, and the race is on to save the rest. Concerned with a changing climate and a warming western coast, arborist David Milarch is taking up this challenge by cloning some of the most hearty specimens of these trees in coastal California and transplanting them further north into Oregon with the hopes that their numbers can in time be restored to something close to what they previously were. Image source- Second Wave Media His passion for saving the redwoods is inspired by the deep spiritual connection he feels when walking among them in the remaining old-growth forests, as well as his remarkable experience of a near-death experience in 1991 in which he literally died of renal failure yet somehow came back to life as a changed man. Milarch’s efforts to clone these magnificent trees shows us what a single person can do in the face of extraordinary ecological crises, and his project directly challenges the notion that we are helpless. “This effort serves two purposes: First, as the planet warms and conditions for these redwoods change in their southernmost range, it is likely that many of these trees will die. By cloning and replanting them further north in places where they once thrived but have been clearcut, Milarch will preserve these majestic giants. Second, redwood trees are among the most effective carbon sequestration tools in the world. By planting these seedlings, Milarch takes part in a global effort to use one of nature’s most impressive achievements to re-chart a positive course for humanity.” [Source] His story is featured in the award-winning short film Moving the Giants, Milarch’s efforts: About the Author Vic Bishop is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and OffgridOutpost.com Survival Tips blog. He is an observer of people, animals, nature, and he loves to ponder the connection and relationship between them all. A believer in always striving to becoming self-sufficient and free from the matrix, please track him down on Facebook. This article (Inspired by a Near-Death Experience, This Man is Cloning the World’s Tallest Trees to Save Them) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Vic Bishop and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement. Please contact WakingTimes@gmail.com for more info. (wakingtimes.com)
	"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
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