JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER.
1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)
DANIEL 7:23-24
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS-10 WORLD REGIONS/TRADE BLOCS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS-10 WORLD DIVISION WORLD GOVERNMENT) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(EITHER THE EUROPEAN UNION DICTATOR BOOTS 3 COUNTRIES FROM THE EU OR THE DICTATOR TAKES OVER THE WORLD ECONOMY BY CONTROLLING 3 WORLD TRADE BLOCS)
REVELATION 17:9-13
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen,(1-ASSYRIA,2-EGYPT,3-BABYLON,4-MEDO-PERSIA,5-GREECE) and one is,(IN POWER IN JOHNS AND JESUS DAY-6-ROME) and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.(7TH-REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE OR THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY AND THE SHORT SPACE IS-7 YEARS.THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL HAVE WORLD CONTROL FOR THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS.BUT WILL HAVE ITS MIGHTY WORLD POWER FOR THE FULL 7 YEARS OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.AND THE WORLD DICTATOR WILL BE THE BEAST FROM THE EU.AND THE VATICAN POPE WILL BE THE WHORE THAT RIDES THE EUROPEAN UNION TO POWER.AND THE 2 EUROPEAN UNION POWER FREAKS WILL CONTROL AND DECIEVE THE WHOLE EARTH INTO THEIR DESTRUCTION.IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.YOU WILL BE DECIEVED BY THESE TWO.THE WORLD POLITICIAN-THE EUROPEAN UNION DICTATOR.AND THE FALSE PROPHET THAT DEFECTS CHRISTIANITY-THE FALSE VATICAN POPE.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE ANIMAL SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
UK launches first exit in EU history By Eszter Zalan-EUOBSERVER
BRUSSELS, 29. Mar, 08:42-This is the firing of the starting pistol that negotiators and observers have been waiting for.The UK officially invokes Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on Wednesday (29 March) to withdraw its membership of the European Union.British prime minister Theresa May signed the letter on Tuesday evening, and talked on the phone with European Council president Donald Tusk, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and German chancellor Angela Merkel."In separate calls, they agreed that a strong EU was in everyone’s interests and that the UK would remain a close and committed ally," May's office said in a statement."They also agreed on the importance of entering into negotiations in a constructive and positive spirit, and of ensuring a smooth and orderly exit process."It is a historic moment, as the UK is the first EU member to leave the 28-strong club, after 52 percent of the voters who turned up to the referendum last June chose to do so.Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s permanent representative to the EU, will hand the letter triggering formal negotiations to Tusk at around 1.30pm on Wednesday. Tusk will then give a press statement in Brussels shortly before 2pm.May will address the UK parliament at the same time, calling for unity.-Clock ticking-At that moment, with the handing over of the letter, the clock will start ticking. The UK will be automatically out of the EU in two years, unless all of the other 27 member states unanimously agree to continue talks.48 hours after May's letter is received, depending on the actual content of the letter and the intentions of the UK, Tusk will start circulating a document among the member states - the "negotiating guidelines."EU leaders are set to agree on the basic political principles of the negotiations in a special summit on 29 April.Within a day of the summit, the European Commission had promised to come forward with the so-called "negotiating directives" - a set of more detailed rules for the talks - which will also give a mandate to the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, to start talks on behalf of the 27.The directives will then be adopted by the EU affairs ministers in the Council of the EU.The actual negotiations could start at the end of May. Legally, the UK will still be an EU member state for the next two years with all of the accompanying rights and responsibilities.-Parlez-vous anglais ?-The talks will take place in Brussels, but the language they will be held in is still unclear.Barnier is French, but the UK negotiators will speak English. Once the negotiations start, Barnier and UK Brexit minister David Davis need to agree on the principles, and working groups will hammer out the legal texts.Barnier has said talks should be wrapped up in 18 months to give enough time for the divorce settlement to be adopted by the member states and the European Parliament.He has also outlined that the terms of "orderly withdrawal" need to be settled first before negotiations on the future relations, and especially a trade agreement, can begin. Any discussion on a transitional agreement could only start when the two sides have an idea about the type of future relationship they are aiming for.It means there would only be a few months to agree on the most contentious topics, such as the legal status of EU citizens living in the UK, and UK citizens living in the EU; the status of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland; and settling the bill from the UK's previous financial commitments.If the two sides do not come to an agreement on the terms of the divorce within the two-year time limit, the UK would have to leave without a deal, unless the 27 agree to continue talks.Barnier has warned that a "no deal" scenario would hurt the UK badly, saying it could slow down trade, disrupt air traffic, and suspend the movement of nuclear materials.And while the UK had nine months to prepare, we know little of the sort of relationship the country is aiming for, except that prime minister Theresa May has opted for a "hard Brexit" - leaving the EU's single market, the EU's customs union and the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - to please her Conservative party's hardliners.-Historic mistake-Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest political group in European Parliament, the centre-right European People's Party group, did not mince words on Tuesday (28 March).He told journalists that it was a "historic mistake" for the UK to leave the EU but that he respected the decision of the British voters. He said that it was not the length of UK's letter, but its substance that counts."For nine months we only had messages from London on what they don’t want, want they don’t like, hopefully tomorrow [Wednesday] we will have a better idea [of] what they like and want," he said.The European Parliament will vote on a resolution next week to set out its red lines on Brexit. Weber has said his group supports Barnier's strategy of first agreeing on citizens, the financial liabilities, and the Irish border.Weber warned that leaving the EU "will be costly", but that the UK will have to respect its previous commitments made to the EU budget whose size and shape it has heavily influenced.He insisted that the promise of the Brexit campaigners that it would be positive for the UK budget was "not correct".He also said he did not think it was possible to finish the negotiations within 18 months.On Wednesday, the countdown begins."We are ready, Michel Barnier is ready, his team is ready," a European Commission spokesman said.
Unhappy' day as UK delivers Brexit letter By Eszter Zalan-MAR 30,17-EUOBSERVER
BRUSSELS, Today, 16:01-Shortly after 1pm on Wednesday (29 March), the UK's envoy handed the long-awaited letter from British prime minister Theresa May to European Council president Donald Tusk. The letter formally triggers the exit procedure from the European Union."So here it is," said Tusk, waiving the 6-page letter in his hand."I am writing to give effect to the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom," May wrote in the letter.The message officially launches the two-year exit procedure from the EU - based on Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.May wrote that the UK wanted "a deep and special partnership that takes both economic and security cooperation"."The task before us is momentous but it should not be beyond us," she added.Reading a statement to journalists, Tusk said that "there is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, neither in Brussels, nor in London"."After all, most Europeans, including almost half of [the] British voters wish that we would stay together, not drift apart," he insisted.-Positive paradox-"We already miss you," he told Britons, adding that "paradoxically there is something positive in Brexit"."Brexit has made us, the community of 27, more determined and more united than before," he said, assuring that the 27 will stay "united and determined" during the two-year divorce talks.The European Council chief warned that no one would emerge as a winner during the divorce process, which will essentially be about "damage control"."Our goal is to minimise the cost for EU citizens, businesses and member states," Tusk said, while reiterating that both he and the European Commission have a strong mandate to protect the EU's interests.He highlighted that even though the exit procedure can now officially start, the UK remains a member of the union until the two-year deadline is over."As for now nothing has changed, until the UK leaves, EU law will apply to and within the UK," he said.-EU-27 guidelines-The next step for Tusk is to draw up the negotiating guidelines for the EU, which the 27 leaders will adopt at a summit on 29 April.Tusk said he will share his proposal for guidelines with member states on Friday.The EU-27 also put out a statement reacting to the official launch of the UK's exit procedure.They pledged to act as "one and preserve its interests". Their statement reiterated that EU countries will start by focusing on all key arrangements for "an orderly withdrawal".The EU-27 said they will approach the talks "constructively and strive to find an agreement". However, contrary to an earlier draft, the statement does not touch upon the scenario where no deal is reached at the end of the two-year negotiating period.Nevertheless, the EU-27 hope to have the UK "as a close partner" in the future.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun,(HEATING UP-SOLAR ECLIPSES) and in the moon,(MAN ON MOON-LUNAR ECLIPSES) and in the stars;(ASTEROIDS ETC) and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear,(TORNADOES,HURRICANES,STORMS) and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:(DESTRUCTION) for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.(FROM QUAKES,NUKES ETC)
Floods in Peru threaten to sweep away rich archaeological legacy - explorer-[Reuters]-By Marco Aquino-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
LIMA (Reuters) - Extreme floods wreaking havoc in Peru are also threatening the South American country's rich archeological heritage and the tourism that thrives on it, a Peruvian archaeologist said on Tuesday.At least 50 archaeological sites in Peru have been damaged by the intense rains that are battering northern Peru, resulting in a drastic drop in related tourism, said archaeologist and explorer Walter Alva.Alva discovered the tomb of Peru's "Lord of Sipan" in 1987, a gold-adorned find that established the Moche culture as one of Peru's rich coastal civilizations that flourished long before the Incan Empire in the Andes.Some researchers believe that Moche society collapsed because of an El Nino event and other climate changes during their rule from 200-700 AD, a reminder for some of the challenges now facing Peru due to unpredictable weather.A sudden warming of waters off Peru's coast this year, as well as an unusual easing of trade winds, have unleashed torrential downpours that have killed dozens of people and displaced more than 100,000 in recent weeks.Alva said two pyramids out of some 20 at the Bata Grande archaeological site are under imminent threat due to flooding in the northern region of Lambayeque.Day-long downpours in recent weeks have beaten rainfall records in several districts in Peru's northern coastal region, which is home to scores of archaeological sites that date back to 1,500 years B.C."All of the main historic monuments are being impacted by the erosion they're suffering from because of the rains and overflowing rivers," Alva told Reuters by telephone.People have made the flooding worse by trying to divert the natural flow of rivers, a practice that led to La Leche River bursting its banks near Batan Grande.The 1,700-year-old tomb of the Lord of Sipan should be able to resist the floods because a drainage system has been installed. However, visits to the Lord of Sipan museum have dropped by 80 percent because much of the region's infrastructure has been destroyed.(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Mitra Taj; Editing by Paul Tait)
Army assesses damage after storm 'absolutely smashes' north Australia-[Reuters]-By Tom Westbrook and Benjamin Weir-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cyclone Debbie wrought widespread but moderate damage in Australia's northeast, authorities said on Wednesday, as flooding rain and fallen trees slowed troops and emergency workers reaching the worst-hit areas.No deaths were reported a day after Debbie smashed tourist resorts, flattened canefields and shut down coal mines in tropical Queensland state as a category four storm, one rung below the most dangerous wind speed level."It's looking promising in terms of being able to rebuild promptly with most of the major infrastructure intact," Queensland state police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television."We're still struggling to get in there, however," he said, adding planes and boats were being used to bring army personnel and emergency workers to places cut-off by road.And as poor weather persisted and several Bowen Basin collieries stayed shut, analysts said Debbie could push coking coal prices higher - while tourism operators, even in unaffected regions, reported canceled bookings.Resorts along the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and coastal areas bore the brunt of the storm with wind gusts stronger than 260 kph (160 mph).One family near Airlie Beach, over which the eye of the storm passed, had a particularly dramatic night. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the family welcomed a baby girl who was born inside the Whitsunday Ambulance Station as the storm raged outside.Pictures from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach showed streets stacked with snapped trees, roof tiles and furniture, with wrecked yachts washed ashore."Nature has flung her worst at the people of Queensland," Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters at the Crisis Coordination Centre in Canberra.Electricity was cut for more than 63,000 people, and Wilmar said its sugar mills were stilled at Proserpine and Sarina.Hundreds of hectares of sugarcane crops had been flattened, Dan Galligan, chief executive of industry body Canegrowers, said in a statement.In the Bowen Basin, the world's single-largest source of coal used to make steel, BHP Billiton, Glencore, and Stanmore Coal all said work at mines there was halted until further notice.But Glencore added its Collinsville and Newlands mines were not damaged and it anticipated production would resume within 48 hours, with no impact on annual targets. Prices lifted, but other factors also contributed.Ports operator North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation also said it had no reports of significant damage.Whitsunday Islands resorts were battered, running short on fresh water and closed to bookings until at least next week, but mostly intact.Hoteliers hundreds of kilometers away at Cairns and Rockhampton were seeing cancellations for upcoming Easter holidays and operators worried that bad press would prolong the recovery, Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said."These are places that are entirely unaffected by these circumstances and that's the kind of collateral damage we suffer sometimes in our industry," he said.Townsville Airport reopened, although airlines Qantas and Virgin said flights to Hamilton Island, Proserpine and Mackay were canceled.Only two injuries were reported, police said.(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Writing by Jane Wardell; Editing by Toni Reinhold, Paul Tait and Michael Perry)
WORLD POWERS IN THE LAST DAYS (END OF AGE OF GRACE NOT THE WORLD)
EUROPEAN UNION-KING OF WEST-DAN 9:26-27,DAN 7:23-24,DAN 11:40,REV 13:1-10
EGYPT-KING OF THE SOUTH-DAN 11:40
RUSSIA-KING OF THE NORTH-EZEK 38:1-2,EZEK 39:1-3
CHINA-KING OF THE EAST-DAN 11:44,REV 9:16,18
VATICAN-RELIGIOUS LEADER-REV 13:11-18,REV 17:4-5,9,18
WORLD TERRORISM
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)(HAMAS IN HEBREW IS VIOLENCE)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM)(HAMAS) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
GENESIS 16:11-12
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her,(HAGAR) Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael;(FATHER OF THE ARAB/MUSLIMS) because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he (ISHMAEL-FATHER OF THE ARAB-MUSLIMS) will be a wild (DONKEY-JACKASS) man;(ISLAM IS A FAKE AND DANGEROUS SEX FOR MURDER CULT) his hand will be against every man,(ISLAM HATES EVERYONE) and every man's hand against him;(PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM BEING BEHEADED) and he (ISHMAEL ARAB/MUSLIM) shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.(LITERAL-THE ARABS LIVE WITH THEIR BRETHERN JEWS)
ISAIAH 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,(SATAN) son of the morning!(HEBREW-CRECENT MOON-ISLAM) how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I (SATAN HAS EYE TROUBLES) will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.(AND 1/3RD OF THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN FELL WITH SATAN AND BECAME DEMONS)
JOHN 16:2
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.(ISLAM MURDERS IN THE NAME OF MOON GOD ALLAH OF ISLAM)
Focus-Nordic countries unite to reboot cooperation with Russia By Martin Breum-EUOBSERVER
Arkhangelsk, Russia, 29. Mar, 18:00-Not since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 have we seen something like this: The foreign ministers of Norway, Denmark and Iceland speaking of peace and cooperation while visiting Russia – and Sweden’s foreign minister only missing because of illness.Since Crimea and Russia’s involvement in the unrest in eastern Ukraine, the Nordic countries have been staunch supporters of sanctions against Russia.These countries say they stand strongly behind the West's pressure on Russia.However, the foreign ministers clearly demonstrated just how keen they are to keep diplomatic channels wide open - with their personal presence in Arkhangelsk, in northwestern Russia, on Wednesday (29 March) - and using a major Russian conference on Arctic development as a convenient venue.The international event that will bring together officials from many different countries is titled: “Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum”.Diplomats at the conference confirmed that the Nordic countries had consulted each other before attending, but they did not consider their presence a joint operation-Two-pronged approach-“Denmark has a two-pronged approach, where we remain hard and unwavering on issues like Crimea, where Russia is clearly breaking the rules, while on other issues we continue our dialogue," Danish foreign minister Anders Samuelsen told EUobserver on the plane from Copenhagen."The Arctic is very important to Russia and we agree very much that the Arctic should be maintained as a region of low tension and cooperation."Samuelsen is the first member of the Danish government to visit Russia since 2014.On Wednesday, the Nordic foreign ministers will dine with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.Russian president Vladimir Putin is expected to address the conference on Thursday, where the presidents of Finland and Iceland are also expected.Norway’s foreign minister, Boerge Brende, stressed how the Arctic countries, including Russia, have found “remarkable ways to work together”. He reminded the audience how Norway and Russia have successfully and jointly managed fish stocks in the Barents Sea for decades.Arctic development and peace is a top priority in Oslo, the Norwegian capital.Norway shares an Arctic border with Russia’s heavily militarised Kola Peninsula, and the relationship has been increasingly bumpy for some time. But Brende stressed how the two countries shared an interest in safeguarding peace and sustainability in the Arctic.Finland's president, Sauli Niinitsoe, who met with president Putin last year, is expected Thursday at the international conference.The conference has attracted around 1,500 officials, mainly Russian, and business leaders to Lomonosov University. It is situated in Arkhangelsk on the White Sea, a southern inlet of the Barents Sea, which is located on the northwestern coast of Russia.Before travelling, president Niinitsoe told the media how climate change in the Arctic provides common ground with Russia.The Russian news agency, TASS, quoted the Finnish president as saying: "This global phenomenon has been confirmed by science, but its influence is most acutely felt in the Arctic right now.""It is important for us to take this problem seriously and work together to solve it".-Diplomatic balancing-The need for deft diplomatic balancing in Arkhangelsk was evident from the very beginning.Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin officially hosts the conference, and spoke just before the Nordic dignitaries. He is the chairman of Russia’s Arctic Commission, a body overseeing development in Russia’s vast Arctic regions.In 2014, the EU and the US added Rogozin to their lists of Russian officials banned from travelling to the West and from using western banks. They cited his support of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but at the meeting in Arkhangelsk the dialogue seemed untroubled.The need for Arctic cooperation seems to iron out such hurdles - as long as the talk remains on Arctic issues.The Nordic countries already cooperate closely with Russia in the Arctic Council.Denmark, with its sovereignty over Greenland, is keen to preserve the Arctic as a “zone of low tension”.Denmark and Russia claim large and overlapping tracts of seabed in the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile, Iceland, a booming tourism and transport hub in the North Atlantic, wants to develop its marine resources in the waters that are also exploited by Russia.Additionally, Iceland sees increased Arctic shipping through Russia’s Northeast Passage as a potentially strong source of income.At the same time, half of the four million people living in the Arctic are Russians, and Russia would deeply like to develop its Arctic treasures - oil, gas, minerals, fish and the Northeast Passage to link Europe and Asia.Diplomats at the conference said that Russia’s plan to lay down new gas pipelines to the EU - cutting through Danish and Swedish waters, in the so called North Stream 2 Project - was not on the agenda, even if the project remained a major headache in both of the Nordic countries.Copenhagen and Stockholm are reluctant to facilitate a major increase in Russian gas exports to the EU, in the assumption that this would be used for political gains by Russia, but they have found little common ground or support on the issue in the EU.
Syria deal to evacuate Shi'ites and Sunnis from towns: source, Observatory-[Reuters]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Shi'ite populations of two pro-Syrian government towns are to be evacuated in exchange for the evacuation of Sunni rebels and their families from two opposition-held towns in a mediated deal between the warring sides, a pro-government source and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.The two Shi'ite towns of al-Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern province of Idlib are besieged by rebel fighters, while the opposition-held towns of Zabadani and Madaya near the Lebanese border are besieged by pro-government forces.Its military hand strengthened by Russia and Iran, the Syrian government has struck numerous deals giving besieged rebels safe passage to insurgent-held parts of northern Syria that border Turkey.The opposition considers it a deliberate policy of demographic change to forcibly displace President Bashar al-Assad's opponents away from the main cities of western Syria, where he has shored up his rule in the six-year-long conflict."This is a demographic change on a sectarian basis," said Rami Abdulrahman, Observatory director, calling it the biggest population swap agreement of its type. "There is great discontent over the agreement in Madaya," he said.The pro-government source said implementation was due to begin on April 4, with 16,000 people leaving al-Foua and Kefraya "in exchange for the evacuation of all the Zabadani militants and the militants of Madaya and their families".Sources on the rebel side could not immediately be reached for comment.As part of the agreement, a ceasefire began on Tuesday at noon, the pro-government source said. The Obsevatory said the areas covered by the agreement were calm on Wednesday.The Observatory said the evacuation of al-Foua and Kefraya was scheduled to last 60 days. The people evacuated from the rebel-held towns would go to northern Syria, it added.The agreement would also include a ceasefire covering areas south of Damascus, aid deliveries, and the release of 1,500 prisoners held by the government in connection to the uprising against Assad, the Observatory said.(Reporting by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alison Williams)
Jason Kenney's views on gay-straight alliances called 'extremist' by Alberta education minister-[CBC]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
Alberta Education Minister David Eggen says Jason Kenney's position that parents should be notified if their children join a gay-straight alliance is an "extremist" view."Jason Kenney has shown, once you scratch the paint off a little bit, you find the extremist that he actually is," he said.Kenney, the newly elected Alberta Progressive Conservative leader, made the comments during an editorial board meeting with Postmedia in Calgary on Tuesday."I do, however, think that parents have a right to know what's going on with their kids in the schools unless the parents are abusive," Kenney said."I don't think it's right to keep secrets from parents about challenges their kids are going through."But Eggen said a notification provision may "out" students who haven't yet revealed their sexual orientation to their parents."If the government is compelling people to out those students in a very compromised situation, then they are only serving to make the situation even worse," he said.In the same Postmedia interview, Kenney said the NDP government was too aggressive in making religious schools follow the law, which compels all schools to allow gay-straight alliances when students ask for them.Kenney says law should not strain family relationships-The PC leader would not make himself available for an interview Wednesday. Instead, he posted a statement on Facebook, where he said it was false to say he wants to force schools to out children.He said informing parents would be inappropriate in some cases."I trust teachers, principals and school counsellors to exercise their judgment about such matters, and that there should be a presumption that most parents are loving and caring, seeking only what is best for their children," Kenney said in the Facebook post."The law should neither force schools to release information to parents, nor should it create an adversarial relationship between parents and their children."Kenney said if he becomes premier, he would not repeal the law that compels schools to allow gay-straight alliances. Eggen acknowledges that legislation doesn't have a provision to prevent schools from notifying parents.The minister said he is looking at the law to see how it can be strengthened.Both the Calgary Board of Education and Edmonton Public Schools say they don't notify parents when children join gay-straight alliances.The leaders of two of Alberta's four opposition parties in the legislature criticized Kenney for his views."We feel that this stance by Mr. Kenney demonstrates his social conservative credentials and why he is not fit to lead Alberta," Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark said in a statement.Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said young people need to decide when they are ready to come out to their parents. He worries that parental notification will scare LGBT students away from GSAs, which can offer them support and a safe place to talk."It remains to be seen how far Mr. Kenney is willing to push this," Swann said. "The appearance is that he wants to interfere in what was a fairly clear statement of principle and practice for these GSAs."And we're quite clear, I think — most of us in the progressive community [feel] that this is appropriate, the way it is written, and it must be followed the way it is written to protect and ensure safe and inclusive schools."The Official Opposition Wildrose Party, which is currently talking to representatives from Kenney's party about uniting the right, suggested the decision on notification should be left to individual school boards."When it comes to the issue of notification surrounding student participation in a voluntary club, including religious groups, anti-bullying clubs or GSAs, the law currently allows for local school boards to exercise their best judgement based on the circumstance on whether or not notification will be granted to parents," the party's education critic, Leela Aheer, said in a statement."Wildrose has always defended respecting local authority and decision making and trust the extraordinary level of care, love and compassion that boards, principals, teachers and counsellors have in fulfilling their mandate to provide safe and caring spaces for students."
Trudeau says still committed to carbon tax, gets called a scumbag by protester-[The Canadian Press]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
WINNIPEG — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's still committed to a carbon tax despite U.S. President Donald Trump's move to eliminate many restrictions on fossil fuel production and roll back measures to combat climate change."Canadian economic and environmental policy will be determined in Ottawa, not in Washington, D.C.," Trudeau said in a CBC news interview Wednesday in Saskatoon."We know that climate change means that we're going to have to walk down a lower carbon path in the coming decades. The question is, do we want to be dragged into that future kicking and screaming or do we want to lead it, like the innovators we can be."Trudeau said there is a tremendous opportunity for Canadian innovation and leadership on climate change.Trump, who has called global warming a hoax invented by the Chinese, has said he would kill former president Barack Obama's climate plans.An executive order signed by Trump Tuesday initiates a review of Obama's signature plan to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.There will also be a review of efforts to reduce methane emissions in oil and natural gas production. Trump also plans to rescind Obama-era actions that addressed climate change and national security and efforts to prepare the U.S. for the effects of climate change.The Trump administration still is deciding whether to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.Earlier in the day, Trudeau held a news conference in Winnipeg that was interrupted by a protester who called the prime minister a scumbag.The man carried a camcorder as he heckled Trudeau about the carbon tax while the prime minister answered other questions.Staff from the Prime Minister's Office said the man gained entry to the event claiming to be a member of the "world alternative media" and security eventually led him out of the room without incident."Shame on you and your globalist counterparts," the man said. "You're scumbags. You are an absolute scumbag."Trudeau was in Winnipeg to tout child-care investments his government announced in last week's budget.The Canadian Press.
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast (EU,REVIVED ROME) shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,(7TH WORLD EMPIRE) which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.(TRADING BLOCKS-10 WORLD REGIONS/TRADE BLOCS)
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings(10 NATIONS-10 WORLD DIVISION WORLD GOVERNMENT) that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.(EITHER THE EUROPEAN UNION DICTATOR BOOTS 3 COUNTRIES FROM THE EU OR THE DICTATOR TAKES OVER THE WORLD ECONOMY BY CONTROLLING 3 WORLD TRADE BLOCS)
REVELATION 17:9-13
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.(THE VATICAN IS BUILT ON 7 HILLS OR MOUNTAINS)
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen,(1-ASSYRIA,2-EGYPT,3-BABYLON,4-MEDO-PERSIA,5-GREECE) and one is,(IN POWER IN JOHNS AND JESUS DAY-6-ROME) and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.(7TH-REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE OR THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY AND THE SHORT SPACE IS-7 YEARS.THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL HAVE WORLD CONTROL FOR THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS.BUT WILL HAVE ITS MIGHTY WORLD POWER FOR THE FULL 7 YEARS OF THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.AND THE WORLD DICTATOR WILL BE THE BEAST FROM THE EU.AND THE VATICAN POPE WILL BE THE WHORE THAT RIDES THE EUROPEAN UNION TO POWER.AND THE 2 EUROPEAN UNION POWER FREAKS WILL CONTROL AND DECIEVE THE WHOLE EARTH INTO THEIR DESTRUCTION.IF YOU ARE NOT SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.YOU WILL BE DECIEVED BY THESE TWO.THE WORLD POLITICIAN-THE EUROPEAN UNION DICTATOR.AND THE FALSE PROPHET THAT DEFECTS CHRISTIANITY-THE FALSE VATICAN POPE.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).
27 And he ( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant (PEACE TREATY) with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE ANIMAL SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
UK launches first exit in EU history By Eszter Zalan-EUOBSERVER
BRUSSELS, 29. Mar, 08:42-This is the firing of the starting pistol that negotiators and observers have been waiting for.The UK officially invokes Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on Wednesday (29 March) to withdraw its membership of the European Union.British prime minister Theresa May signed the letter on Tuesday evening, and talked on the phone with European Council president Donald Tusk, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and German chancellor Angela Merkel."In separate calls, they agreed that a strong EU was in everyone’s interests and that the UK would remain a close and committed ally," May's office said in a statement."They also agreed on the importance of entering into negotiations in a constructive and positive spirit, and of ensuring a smooth and orderly exit process."It is a historic moment, as the UK is the first EU member to leave the 28-strong club, after 52 percent of the voters who turned up to the referendum last June chose to do so.Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s permanent representative to the EU, will hand the letter triggering formal negotiations to Tusk at around 1.30pm on Wednesday. Tusk will then give a press statement in Brussels shortly before 2pm.May will address the UK parliament at the same time, calling for unity.-Clock ticking-At that moment, with the handing over of the letter, the clock will start ticking. The UK will be automatically out of the EU in two years, unless all of the other 27 member states unanimously agree to continue talks.48 hours after May's letter is received, depending on the actual content of the letter and the intentions of the UK, Tusk will start circulating a document among the member states - the "negotiating guidelines."EU leaders are set to agree on the basic political principles of the negotiations in a special summit on 29 April.Within a day of the summit, the European Commission had promised to come forward with the so-called "negotiating directives" - a set of more detailed rules for the talks - which will also give a mandate to the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, to start talks on behalf of the 27.The directives will then be adopted by the EU affairs ministers in the Council of the EU.The actual negotiations could start at the end of May. Legally, the UK will still be an EU member state for the next two years with all of the accompanying rights and responsibilities.-Parlez-vous anglais ?-The talks will take place in Brussels, but the language they will be held in is still unclear.Barnier is French, but the UK negotiators will speak English. Once the negotiations start, Barnier and UK Brexit minister David Davis need to agree on the principles, and working groups will hammer out the legal texts.Barnier has said talks should be wrapped up in 18 months to give enough time for the divorce settlement to be adopted by the member states and the European Parliament.He has also outlined that the terms of "orderly withdrawal" need to be settled first before negotiations on the future relations, and especially a trade agreement, can begin. Any discussion on a transitional agreement could only start when the two sides have an idea about the type of future relationship they are aiming for.It means there would only be a few months to agree on the most contentious topics, such as the legal status of EU citizens living in the UK, and UK citizens living in the EU; the status of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland; and settling the bill from the UK's previous financial commitments.If the two sides do not come to an agreement on the terms of the divorce within the two-year time limit, the UK would have to leave without a deal, unless the 27 agree to continue talks.Barnier has warned that a "no deal" scenario would hurt the UK badly, saying it could slow down trade, disrupt air traffic, and suspend the movement of nuclear materials.And while the UK had nine months to prepare, we know little of the sort of relationship the country is aiming for, except that prime minister Theresa May has opted for a "hard Brexit" - leaving the EU's single market, the EU's customs union and the European Court of Justice's jurisdiction - to please her Conservative party's hardliners.-Historic mistake-Manfred Weber, the leader of the largest political group in European Parliament, the centre-right European People's Party group, did not mince words on Tuesday (28 March).He told journalists that it was a "historic mistake" for the UK to leave the EU but that he respected the decision of the British voters. He said that it was not the length of UK's letter, but its substance that counts."For nine months we only had messages from London on what they don’t want, want they don’t like, hopefully tomorrow [Wednesday] we will have a better idea [of] what they like and want," he said.The European Parliament will vote on a resolution next week to set out its red lines on Brexit. Weber has said his group supports Barnier's strategy of first agreeing on citizens, the financial liabilities, and the Irish border.Weber warned that leaving the EU "will be costly", but that the UK will have to respect its previous commitments made to the EU budget whose size and shape it has heavily influenced.He insisted that the promise of the Brexit campaigners that it would be positive for the UK budget was "not correct".He also said he did not think it was possible to finish the negotiations within 18 months.On Wednesday, the countdown begins."We are ready, Michel Barnier is ready, his team is ready," a European Commission spokesman said.
Unhappy' day as UK delivers Brexit letter By Eszter Zalan-MAR 30,17-EUOBSERVER
BRUSSELS, Today, 16:01-Shortly after 1pm on Wednesday (29 March), the UK's envoy handed the long-awaited letter from British prime minister Theresa May to European Council president Donald Tusk. The letter formally triggers the exit procedure from the European Union."So here it is," said Tusk, waiving the 6-page letter in his hand."I am writing to give effect to the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom," May wrote in the letter.The message officially launches the two-year exit procedure from the EU - based on Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.May wrote that the UK wanted "a deep and special partnership that takes both economic and security cooperation"."The task before us is momentous but it should not be beyond us," she added.Reading a statement to journalists, Tusk said that "there is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, neither in Brussels, nor in London"."After all, most Europeans, including almost half of [the] British voters wish that we would stay together, not drift apart," he insisted.-Positive paradox-"We already miss you," he told Britons, adding that "paradoxically there is something positive in Brexit"."Brexit has made us, the community of 27, more determined and more united than before," he said, assuring that the 27 will stay "united and determined" during the two-year divorce talks.The European Council chief warned that no one would emerge as a winner during the divorce process, which will essentially be about "damage control"."Our goal is to minimise the cost for EU citizens, businesses and member states," Tusk said, while reiterating that both he and the European Commission have a strong mandate to protect the EU's interests.He highlighted that even though the exit procedure can now officially start, the UK remains a member of the union until the two-year deadline is over."As for now nothing has changed, until the UK leaves, EU law will apply to and within the UK," he said.-EU-27 guidelines-The next step for Tusk is to draw up the negotiating guidelines for the EU, which the 27 leaders will adopt at a summit on 29 April.Tusk said he will share his proposal for guidelines with member states on Friday.The EU-27 also put out a statement reacting to the official launch of the UK's exit procedure.They pledged to act as "one and preserve its interests". Their statement reiterated that EU countries will start by focusing on all key arrangements for "an orderly withdrawal".The EU-27 said they will approach the talks "constructively and strive to find an agreement". However, contrary to an earlier draft, the statement does not touch upon the scenario where no deal is reached at the end of the two-year negotiating period.Nevertheless, the EU-27 hope to have the UK "as a close partner" in the future.
STORMS HURRICANES-TORNADOES
LUKE 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun,(HEATING UP-SOLAR ECLIPSES) and in the moon,(MAN ON MOON-LUNAR ECLIPSES) and in the stars;(ASTEROIDS ETC) and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;(MASS CONFUSION) the sea and the waves roaring;(FIERCE WINDS)
26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear,(TORNADOES,HURRICANES,STORMS) and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:(DESTRUCTION) for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.(FROM QUAKES,NUKES ETC)
Floods in Peru threaten to sweep away rich archaeological legacy - explorer-[Reuters]-By Marco Aquino-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
LIMA (Reuters) - Extreme floods wreaking havoc in Peru are also threatening the South American country's rich archeological heritage and the tourism that thrives on it, a Peruvian archaeologist said on Tuesday.At least 50 archaeological sites in Peru have been damaged by the intense rains that are battering northern Peru, resulting in a drastic drop in related tourism, said archaeologist and explorer Walter Alva.Alva discovered the tomb of Peru's "Lord of Sipan" in 1987, a gold-adorned find that established the Moche culture as one of Peru's rich coastal civilizations that flourished long before the Incan Empire in the Andes.Some researchers believe that Moche society collapsed because of an El Nino event and other climate changes during their rule from 200-700 AD, a reminder for some of the challenges now facing Peru due to unpredictable weather.A sudden warming of waters off Peru's coast this year, as well as an unusual easing of trade winds, have unleashed torrential downpours that have killed dozens of people and displaced more than 100,000 in recent weeks.Alva said two pyramids out of some 20 at the Bata Grande archaeological site are under imminent threat due to flooding in the northern region of Lambayeque.Day-long downpours in recent weeks have beaten rainfall records in several districts in Peru's northern coastal region, which is home to scores of archaeological sites that date back to 1,500 years B.C."All of the main historic monuments are being impacted by the erosion they're suffering from because of the rains and overflowing rivers," Alva told Reuters by telephone.People have made the flooding worse by trying to divert the natural flow of rivers, a practice that led to La Leche River bursting its banks near Batan Grande.The 1,700-year-old tomb of the Lord of Sipan should be able to resist the floods because a drainage system has been installed. However, visits to the Lord of Sipan museum have dropped by 80 percent because much of the region's infrastructure has been destroyed.(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Mitra Taj; Editing by Paul Tait)
Army assesses damage after storm 'absolutely smashes' north Australia-[Reuters]-By Tom Westbrook and Benjamin Weir-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cyclone Debbie wrought widespread but moderate damage in Australia's northeast, authorities said on Wednesday, as flooding rain and fallen trees slowed troops and emergency workers reaching the worst-hit areas.No deaths were reported a day after Debbie smashed tourist resorts, flattened canefields and shut down coal mines in tropical Queensland state as a category four storm, one rung below the most dangerous wind speed level."It's looking promising in terms of being able to rebuild promptly with most of the major infrastructure intact," Queensland state police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television."We're still struggling to get in there, however," he said, adding planes and boats were being used to bring army personnel and emergency workers to places cut-off by road.And as poor weather persisted and several Bowen Basin collieries stayed shut, analysts said Debbie could push coking coal prices higher - while tourism operators, even in unaffected regions, reported canceled bookings.Resorts along the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and coastal areas bore the brunt of the storm with wind gusts stronger than 260 kph (160 mph).One family near Airlie Beach, over which the eye of the storm passed, had a particularly dramatic night. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the family welcomed a baby girl who was born inside the Whitsunday Ambulance Station as the storm raged outside.Pictures from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach showed streets stacked with snapped trees, roof tiles and furniture, with wrecked yachts washed ashore."Nature has flung her worst at the people of Queensland," Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters at the Crisis Coordination Centre in Canberra.Electricity was cut for more than 63,000 people, and Wilmar said its sugar mills were stilled at Proserpine and Sarina.Hundreds of hectares of sugarcane crops had been flattened, Dan Galligan, chief executive of industry body Canegrowers, said in a statement.In the Bowen Basin, the world's single-largest source of coal used to make steel, BHP Billiton, Glencore, and Stanmore Coal all said work at mines there was halted until further notice.But Glencore added its Collinsville and Newlands mines were not damaged and it anticipated production would resume within 48 hours, with no impact on annual targets. Prices lifted, but other factors also contributed.Ports operator North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation also said it had no reports of significant damage.Whitsunday Islands resorts were battered, running short on fresh water and closed to bookings until at least next week, but mostly intact.Hoteliers hundreds of kilometers away at Cairns and Rockhampton were seeing cancellations for upcoming Easter holidays and operators worried that bad press would prolong the recovery, Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said."These are places that are entirely unaffected by these circumstances and that's the kind of collateral damage we suffer sometimes in our industry," he said.Townsville Airport reopened, although airlines Qantas and Virgin said flights to Hamilton Island, Proserpine and Mackay were canceled.Only two injuries were reported, police said.(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Writing by Jane Wardell; Editing by Toni Reinhold, Paul Tait and Michael Perry)
WORLD POWERS IN THE LAST DAYS (END OF AGE OF GRACE NOT THE WORLD)
EUROPEAN UNION-KING OF WEST-DAN 9:26-27,DAN 7:23-24,DAN 11:40,REV 13:1-10
EGYPT-KING OF THE SOUTH-DAN 11:40
RUSSIA-KING OF THE NORTH-EZEK 38:1-2,EZEK 39:1-3
CHINA-KING OF THE EAST-DAN 11:44,REV 9:16,18
VATICAN-RELIGIOUS LEADER-REV 13:11-18,REV 17:4-5,9,18
WORLD TERRORISM
GENESIS 6:11-13
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.(WORLD TERRORISM,MURDERS)(HAMAS IN HEBREW IS VIOLENCE)
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence (TERRORISM)(HAMAS) through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
GENESIS 16:11-12
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her,(HAGAR) Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael;(FATHER OF THE ARAB/MUSLIMS) because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he (ISHMAEL-FATHER OF THE ARAB-MUSLIMS) will be a wild (DONKEY-JACKASS) man;(ISLAM IS A FAKE AND DANGEROUS SEX FOR MURDER CULT) his hand will be against every man,(ISLAM HATES EVERYONE) and every man's hand against him;(PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM BEING BEHEADED) and he (ISHMAEL ARAB/MUSLIM) shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.(LITERAL-THE ARABS LIVE WITH THEIR BRETHERN JEWS)
ISAIAH 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,(SATAN) son of the morning!(HEBREW-CRECENT MOON-ISLAM) how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I (SATAN HAS EYE TROUBLES) will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.(AND 1/3RD OF THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN FELL WITH SATAN AND BECAME DEMONS)
JOHN 16:2
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.(ISLAM MURDERS IN THE NAME OF MOON GOD ALLAH OF ISLAM)
Focus-Nordic countries unite to reboot cooperation with Russia By Martin Breum-EUOBSERVER
Arkhangelsk, Russia, 29. Mar, 18:00-Not since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 have we seen something like this: The foreign ministers of Norway, Denmark and Iceland speaking of peace and cooperation while visiting Russia – and Sweden’s foreign minister only missing because of illness.Since Crimea and Russia’s involvement in the unrest in eastern Ukraine, the Nordic countries have been staunch supporters of sanctions against Russia.These countries say they stand strongly behind the West's pressure on Russia.However, the foreign ministers clearly demonstrated just how keen they are to keep diplomatic channels wide open - with their personal presence in Arkhangelsk, in northwestern Russia, on Wednesday (29 March) - and using a major Russian conference on Arctic development as a convenient venue.The international event that will bring together officials from many different countries is titled: “Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum”.Diplomats at the conference confirmed that the Nordic countries had consulted each other before attending, but they did not consider their presence a joint operation-Two-pronged approach-“Denmark has a two-pronged approach, where we remain hard and unwavering on issues like Crimea, where Russia is clearly breaking the rules, while on other issues we continue our dialogue," Danish foreign minister Anders Samuelsen told EUobserver on the plane from Copenhagen."The Arctic is very important to Russia and we agree very much that the Arctic should be maintained as a region of low tension and cooperation."Samuelsen is the first member of the Danish government to visit Russia since 2014.On Wednesday, the Nordic foreign ministers will dine with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.Russian president Vladimir Putin is expected to address the conference on Thursday, where the presidents of Finland and Iceland are also expected.Norway’s foreign minister, Boerge Brende, stressed how the Arctic countries, including Russia, have found “remarkable ways to work together”. He reminded the audience how Norway and Russia have successfully and jointly managed fish stocks in the Barents Sea for decades.Arctic development and peace is a top priority in Oslo, the Norwegian capital.Norway shares an Arctic border with Russia’s heavily militarised Kola Peninsula, and the relationship has been increasingly bumpy for some time. But Brende stressed how the two countries shared an interest in safeguarding peace and sustainability in the Arctic.Finland's president, Sauli Niinitsoe, who met with president Putin last year, is expected Thursday at the international conference.The conference has attracted around 1,500 officials, mainly Russian, and business leaders to Lomonosov University. It is situated in Arkhangelsk on the White Sea, a southern inlet of the Barents Sea, which is located on the northwestern coast of Russia.Before travelling, president Niinitsoe told the media how climate change in the Arctic provides common ground with Russia.The Russian news agency, TASS, quoted the Finnish president as saying: "This global phenomenon has been confirmed by science, but its influence is most acutely felt in the Arctic right now.""It is important for us to take this problem seriously and work together to solve it".-Diplomatic balancing-The need for deft diplomatic balancing in Arkhangelsk was evident from the very beginning.Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin officially hosts the conference, and spoke just before the Nordic dignitaries. He is the chairman of Russia’s Arctic Commission, a body overseeing development in Russia’s vast Arctic regions.In 2014, the EU and the US added Rogozin to their lists of Russian officials banned from travelling to the West and from using western banks. They cited his support of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, but at the meeting in Arkhangelsk the dialogue seemed untroubled.The need for Arctic cooperation seems to iron out such hurdles - as long as the talk remains on Arctic issues.The Nordic countries already cooperate closely with Russia in the Arctic Council.Denmark, with its sovereignty over Greenland, is keen to preserve the Arctic as a “zone of low tension”.Denmark and Russia claim large and overlapping tracts of seabed in the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile, Iceland, a booming tourism and transport hub in the North Atlantic, wants to develop its marine resources in the waters that are also exploited by Russia.Additionally, Iceland sees increased Arctic shipping through Russia’s Northeast Passage as a potentially strong source of income.At the same time, half of the four million people living in the Arctic are Russians, and Russia would deeply like to develop its Arctic treasures - oil, gas, minerals, fish and the Northeast Passage to link Europe and Asia.Diplomats at the conference said that Russia’s plan to lay down new gas pipelines to the EU - cutting through Danish and Swedish waters, in the so called North Stream 2 Project - was not on the agenda, even if the project remained a major headache in both of the Nordic countries.Copenhagen and Stockholm are reluctant to facilitate a major increase in Russian gas exports to the EU, in the assumption that this would be used for political gains by Russia, but they have found little common ground or support on the issue in the EU.
Syria deal to evacuate Shi'ites and Sunnis from towns: source, Observatory-[Reuters]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Shi'ite populations of two pro-Syrian government towns are to be evacuated in exchange for the evacuation of Sunni rebels and their families from two opposition-held towns in a mediated deal between the warring sides, a pro-government source and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.The two Shi'ite towns of al-Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern province of Idlib are besieged by rebel fighters, while the opposition-held towns of Zabadani and Madaya near the Lebanese border are besieged by pro-government forces.Its military hand strengthened by Russia and Iran, the Syrian government has struck numerous deals giving besieged rebels safe passage to insurgent-held parts of northern Syria that border Turkey.The opposition considers it a deliberate policy of demographic change to forcibly displace President Bashar al-Assad's opponents away from the main cities of western Syria, where he has shored up his rule in the six-year-long conflict."This is a demographic change on a sectarian basis," said Rami Abdulrahman, Observatory director, calling it the biggest population swap agreement of its type. "There is great discontent over the agreement in Madaya," he said.The pro-government source said implementation was due to begin on April 4, with 16,000 people leaving al-Foua and Kefraya "in exchange for the evacuation of all the Zabadani militants and the militants of Madaya and their families".Sources on the rebel side could not immediately be reached for comment.As part of the agreement, a ceasefire began on Tuesday at noon, the pro-government source said. The Obsevatory said the areas covered by the agreement were calm on Wednesday.The Observatory said the evacuation of al-Foua and Kefraya was scheduled to last 60 days. The people evacuated from the rebel-held towns would go to northern Syria, it added.The agreement would also include a ceasefire covering areas south of Damascus, aid deliveries, and the release of 1,500 prisoners held by the government in connection to the uprising against Assad, the Observatory said.(Reporting by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alison Williams)
Jason Kenney's views on gay-straight alliances called 'extremist' by Alberta education minister-[CBC]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
Alberta Education Minister David Eggen says Jason Kenney's position that parents should be notified if their children join a gay-straight alliance is an "extremist" view."Jason Kenney has shown, once you scratch the paint off a little bit, you find the extremist that he actually is," he said.Kenney, the newly elected Alberta Progressive Conservative leader, made the comments during an editorial board meeting with Postmedia in Calgary on Tuesday."I do, however, think that parents have a right to know what's going on with their kids in the schools unless the parents are abusive," Kenney said."I don't think it's right to keep secrets from parents about challenges their kids are going through."But Eggen said a notification provision may "out" students who haven't yet revealed their sexual orientation to their parents."If the government is compelling people to out those students in a very compromised situation, then they are only serving to make the situation even worse," he said.In the same Postmedia interview, Kenney said the NDP government was too aggressive in making religious schools follow the law, which compels all schools to allow gay-straight alliances when students ask for them.Kenney says law should not strain family relationships-The PC leader would not make himself available for an interview Wednesday. Instead, he posted a statement on Facebook, where he said it was false to say he wants to force schools to out children.He said informing parents would be inappropriate in some cases."I trust teachers, principals and school counsellors to exercise their judgment about such matters, and that there should be a presumption that most parents are loving and caring, seeking only what is best for their children," Kenney said in the Facebook post."The law should neither force schools to release information to parents, nor should it create an adversarial relationship between parents and their children."Kenney said if he becomes premier, he would not repeal the law that compels schools to allow gay-straight alliances. Eggen acknowledges that legislation doesn't have a provision to prevent schools from notifying parents.The minister said he is looking at the law to see how it can be strengthened.Both the Calgary Board of Education and Edmonton Public Schools say they don't notify parents when children join gay-straight alliances.The leaders of two of Alberta's four opposition parties in the legislature criticized Kenney for his views."We feel that this stance by Mr. Kenney demonstrates his social conservative credentials and why he is not fit to lead Alberta," Alberta Party Leader Greg Clark said in a statement.Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said young people need to decide when they are ready to come out to their parents. He worries that parental notification will scare LGBT students away from GSAs, which can offer them support and a safe place to talk."It remains to be seen how far Mr. Kenney is willing to push this," Swann said. "The appearance is that he wants to interfere in what was a fairly clear statement of principle and practice for these GSAs."And we're quite clear, I think — most of us in the progressive community [feel] that this is appropriate, the way it is written, and it must be followed the way it is written to protect and ensure safe and inclusive schools."The Official Opposition Wildrose Party, which is currently talking to representatives from Kenney's party about uniting the right, suggested the decision on notification should be left to individual school boards."When it comes to the issue of notification surrounding student participation in a voluntary club, including religious groups, anti-bullying clubs or GSAs, the law currently allows for local school boards to exercise their best judgement based on the circumstance on whether or not notification will be granted to parents," the party's education critic, Leela Aheer, said in a statement."Wildrose has always defended respecting local authority and decision making and trust the extraordinary level of care, love and compassion that boards, principals, teachers and counsellors have in fulfilling their mandate to provide safe and caring spaces for students."
Trudeau says still committed to carbon tax, gets called a scumbag by protester-[The Canadian Press]-YAHOONEWS-March 29, 2017
WINNIPEG — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's still committed to a carbon tax despite U.S. President Donald Trump's move to eliminate many restrictions on fossil fuel production and roll back measures to combat climate change."Canadian economic and environmental policy will be determined in Ottawa, not in Washington, D.C.," Trudeau said in a CBC news interview Wednesday in Saskatoon."We know that climate change means that we're going to have to walk down a lower carbon path in the coming decades. The question is, do we want to be dragged into that future kicking and screaming or do we want to lead it, like the innovators we can be."Trudeau said there is a tremendous opportunity for Canadian innovation and leadership on climate change.Trump, who has called global warming a hoax invented by the Chinese, has said he would kill former president Barack Obama's climate plans.An executive order signed by Trump Tuesday initiates a review of Obama's signature plan to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.There will also be a review of efforts to reduce methane emissions in oil and natural gas production. Trump also plans to rescind Obama-era actions that addressed climate change and national security and efforts to prepare the U.S. for the effects of climate change.The Trump administration still is deciding whether to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.Earlier in the day, Trudeau held a news conference in Winnipeg that was interrupted by a protester who called the prime minister a scumbag.The man carried a camcorder as he heckled Trudeau about the carbon tax while the prime minister answered other questions.Staff from the Prime Minister's Office said the man gained entry to the event claiming to be a member of the "world alternative media" and security eventually led him out of the room without incident."Shame on you and your globalist counterparts," the man said. "You're scumbags. You are an absolute scumbag."Trudeau was in Winnipeg to tout child-care investments his government announced in last week's budget.The Canadian Press.
