IRANIAN COMMANDER: ISRAEL WILL BE GONE IN 10 YEARS

A senior Iranian military commander predicted on Monday that the Palestinian Arabs would “get rid of Israel” in the next 10 years.

Speaking to students near Tehran and quoted by the semiofficial Fars news agency, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said the Palestinian territories will be “freed from Israel's occupation” within a decade, expressing hope that the notions, thoughts and ideology that led to Iran's Islamic Revolution would help the Arabs get rid of Israel.

Naqdi further claimed that the Islamic Revolution helped Iran get rid of the United States over 35 years ago, rescued the country from Saddam Hussein's aggression and helped the Lebanese to get rid of the Americans as well.

"Considering these developments, liberation of Palestine by the Islamic Revolution is not unlikely at all," he claimed, according to Fars.

Naqdi’s comments follow ones he made earlier this month when he predicted that the United States will collapse in less than 20 years and that President-elect Donald Trump will speed up the process.

"According to the analysis made by the behind-the-stage and shadow decision-makers of the establishment in the U.S., the United States will collapse in 2035 and I think that it is an optimistic analysis as this will take place much earlier," he told Fars.

Referring to Trump, Naqdi added, "The person that has ascended to power displays the reality of the U.S."

The comments are another example of the anti-Israel and anti-American rhetoric that is constantly spoken by Iranian officials.

Chief among them is Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has referred to Israel as a “cancer” and in the past threatened to "annihilate" the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa.

In March, the Supreme Leader ruled out his country having ties with the United States or “the Zionist regime” – that is, Israel – claiming he had proof that the United States was planning a coup in Iran.

In May, a senior Iranian military commander threatened Israel and claimed that his country can destroy the Jewish state “in less than eight minutes”.

Earlier this month, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, claimed Israel is the biggest threat to humanity, world peace and international security.

TRUMP’S VICTORY COULD BE GOOD NEWS FOR PERSECUTED MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS

Middle East Christians in America and beyond appear to be behind the new president due to his pro-Russian, anti-Saudi leanings

Donald Trump, the next president of the United States of America – I guess those are words few of us ever expected to hear, along with ‘Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition’ and ‘Leicester City, Premier League Champions’,

I went to bed early assuming that Clinton had it in the bag, and that overall this was probably the lesser of two evils. She’s awful, but I broadly agreed with PJ O’Rourke on this one.

Not that I made any endorsement; it slightly baffles me how many Brits in particular seem to forget that Americans aren’t voting for the president of the world, but their own leader, and should do what they feel is right for their nation, not what we tell them to.

Except that, of course, American foreign policy affects everyone on earth. I’d be curious to see how many of the large numbers of Middle East Christians who now live in America (many Egyptian Copts but also Iraqis, Lebanese and Palestinians) voted for Trump. Anecdotally they seem to be overwhelmingly pro-Trump, viewing his pro-Russian, anti-Saudi leanings as being good news for them. He almost certainly can’t be worse than either Bush or Obama as far as they are concerned, both of whom have been catastrophic for persecuted Christians.

Obama’s administration in particular has been extremely soft, almost sympathetic, to some dreadful Islamist groups in the Middle East, naively describing the Islamic Brotherhood as ‘largely secular’.

Not surprisingly, many Middle East Christians think Obama has Muslim sympathies and that Trump – who certainly doesn’t – could be good for them.

Trump’s warmth towards Putin will be of far more concern to Christians in strongly Catholic Poland and Lithuania, but then maybe this is an opportunity for Europeans. As I’ve argued before, as grateful as I am for America saving us from both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, it has also infantilised our continent.

Trump may be a chance for European countries to start growing up and defending ourselves; David Goodhart has suggested that British military commitment to north-east Europe could be a bargaining chip when our Brexit negotiations begin. I certainly don’t want conflict with Russia, and sympathise with some of their gripes against the west (such as the ransacking of their economy under Yeltsin) but we should also be increasing our military spending and presence in Poland and the Baltic.

Russia is a particular concern for me as a conservative; many traditionalists see Putinism as a bulwark against western decadence and their suspicion that Marxism didn’t actually lose in 1989, but reaction stripped of its moderating influences (in Russia’s case, the rule of law) is a dangerous force that can only harm European conservatism.

The upside of a change in president is that it brings the chance of peace in Syria closer, although this was probably likely whoever took over, as a new leader would find it easier to do the inevitably squalid deal that will leave Assad in power. For that reason many persecuted Christians may be celebrating the unlikely victory of the three-times married New York property tycoon.

HILLARY CLINTON DEFENDS ABORTING BABIES THROUGH FULL TERM OF PREGNANCY IN 3RD PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Democratic Party nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton defended the legalization of aborting babie up until the moment of delivery in the third presidential debate.

At the final presidential debate between her and Republican Party nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday, Clinton was asked by Fox News' Chris Wallace her views on to what extent abortion should be regulated.

"You have been quoted as saying that the fetus has no constitutional rights. You also voted against a ban on late-term, partial-birth abortions. Why?" asked Wallace.

Clinton told those gathered at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas that "Roe v. Wade very clearly sets out that there can be regulations on abortion so long as the life and the health of the mother are taken into account."

Supreme Court police officer descends the steps outside the court in Washington, March 16, 2016. President Barack Obama on Wednesday will nominate Judge Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court, according to a congressional source familiar with the selection process. Garland currently serves as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

"The kinds of cases that fall at the end of pregnancy are often the most heartbreaking, painful decisions for families to make," said Clinton.

"I do not think the United States government should be stepping in and making those most personal of decisions. So you can regulate if you are doing so with the life and the health of the mother taken into account."

The health of the mother exception is essentially a loophole because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the abortionist can decide what qualifies as good for the health of the mother.

Trump, who said earlier in the debate he would appoint pro-life judges to the United States Supreme Court, pressed Clinton about her position on abortion.

"I think it's terrible. If you go with what Hillary is saying, in the ninth month, you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother just prior to the birth of the baby. Now, you can say that that's OK and Hillary can say that that's OK. But it's not OK with me," argued Trump.

Clinton responded to Trump's criticism by stating that it was "scare rhetoric" and restated that "I do not believe the government should be making it."

Conservatives have argued that Clinton is an extremist on the abortion, with her campaign platform opposing a late term abortion ban and supporting the removal of the Hyde Amendment, which limits federal funding of abortion.

When it comes to the Hyde Amendment, a YouGov poll found that 55 percent of Americans, as well as 41 percent of Democrats, support the ban.

"Across most of the United States there is no public funding for elective abortions whatsoever, and only Washington, Maryland and New York have passed laws to provide state funds for elective abortion," noted YouGov.

"For decades this compromise has been fairly uncontroversial, but for the first time in 2016 the Democratic Party platform calls for federal funding of elective abortions."

A July 16 Marist poll found that only 13 percent of Americans think abortion should be legal "through the entire pregnancy" and a 2012 Gallup poll found only 14 percent of Americans believe abortion should be legal "in the last three months of pregnancy."

TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY IS MORE THAN JUST MAKING DONATIONS, SAYS POPE

Feeding the hungry is an ethical imperative,

the Pope told his General Audience today

While donation campaigns and charitable contributions for the needy are important, true Christian charity involves a more personal touch, Pope Francis has said.

Coming face to face with the poor may pose a challenge and tempt people to turn the other way and give in to “the habit of fleeing from needy people and not approach them or disguise a bit the reality of the needy,” the Pope said during his general audience in St Peter’s Square.

“Poverty in the abstract does not challenge us. It may make us think, it may make us complain, but when you see poverty in the flesh of a man, a woman or a child; this (certainly) challenges us!” he said.

The square was packed with thousands of people, many of whom attended the October 16 canonisation Mass of seven new saints. Among the pilgrims was a group from the Pope’s native Argentina who sang folk music and dressed in traditional ponchos.

After his address, the Pope greeted the group and blessed a life-sized statue of newly canonised saint, St Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero.

The statute depicted the “gaucho priest” seated on his mule, his means of transportation when traveling thousands of miles to minister to the poor and the sick.

In a new series of talks on works of mercy, the Pope reflected on the first corporal work of mercy – feeding the hungry – which he said was important in confronting real “situations of urgent need.”

Although images of extreme poverty can move people to initiate important works of charity and generous donations, it “does not directly involve us.”

When a poor person “knocks on the door of our house, it is very different because we are no longer facing an image but are personally involved,” he explained.

“In these instances, what is my reaction? Do I turn away? Do I move on? Or do I stop to talk and take an interest? If you do this, there will always be someone who says, ‘This one is crazy, talking to a poor person,'” the Pope said.

Recalling St James’ affirmation that “faith without works is dead,” Pope Francis said that Christians cannot “delegate” feeding the hungry to others and helping the needy through words and deeds.

Jesus’ command to his disciples to feed the crowd prior to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, he added, is also “an important lesson for us.”

“It tells us that the little that we have, if we entrust it to Jesus’ hands and share it with faith, can turn into an overabundant wealth,” the Pope said.

Citing Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical “Caritas in Veritate” (“Charity in Truth”), the Pope said that feeding the hungry is “an ethical imperative for the universal church” and a calling for all Christians to defend the universal right to food and water, especially for the poor and the needy.

“Our relationship with God – a God who, through Jesus, has revealed his merciful face – involves our giving food to the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty,” Pope Francis said.

HELP NEEDED FOR HAITIAN CHURCHES IN WAKE OF MATTHEW

The devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew continues to takes its toll on the people of Haiti. To date, 81 Compassion International church partners and child development centers are temporarily closed due to damage, and more than 5,500 Compassion-assisted children have been displaced. Three children, 13 caregivers, and five siblings have died as a result of Hurricane Matthew, and more than 1,000 families have been relocated due to damage to or destruction of their homes. Even more Compassion-assisted children have yet to be located, and assessment continues.

Current damage assessments reveal millions of dollars in recovery and rebuilding needs. Edouard Lassegue, Vice President of Latin America and Caribbean Regions for Compassion, says the two immediate priorities are short-term food security for the children and their families, and providing clean-up and repairs to local churches to ensure shelter for families displaced by the storm.

Compassion focuses its efforts on equipping the local church to serve children and families. Lassegue says that focus continues, even in times of crisis.

“When it comes to the response in times like this, whatever donation or support that we bring, we actually equip the local church so the local church is the distributing agent. And when crisis like this occurs, support is not limited only to the children who are registered in our program. We want the church to be the Church as it cares for all in need.”

Helping partner churches restore operations has a second and significant impact on the long-term healing of families in the communities.

“When a disaster like that happens and the lives of those children are so disrupted, it is extremely important for the children to actually find an opportunity to regroup, for them to come back to their gathering place where they can meet with other children, where they can be protected, where they can be cared for — even if it’s just for a few hours a day.”

In addition to giving children a safe place for play, worship, teaching, and prayer, Lassegue says trauma care is embedded into Compassion’s disaster relief model.

“In situations like these, we deploy a cadre of Christian counselors who work not only with the children, but also with their families. They also work with the church leaders to help those church leaders identify what are some of the behaviors that would be characteristic of a child who is going through an anxiety attack, for instance. And they work with the parents to also help their children deal with those type of situations.”

Lassegue says there are two ways people can provide support to Compassion and their local church partners. “First, pray for those people in need, and pray for the people bringing support. Pray for wisdom and discernment for us, that we will make decisions that will help without hurting — that we will focus on meeting needs that will contribute to long-term health for churches and families. And then, please give. Providing financial resources will make possible the relief and the rebuilding and the equipping of those churches and partners that have suffered so much.”

GOVERNOR WIKE SENDS STRONG WARNING TO RIVERS PASTORS

Few months after the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, sent a religious bill to the State House of Assembly to control and in effect, ban church worship and evangelism in the state, the Rivers State Government has warned pastors against generating unnecessary noise in public places.

Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike gave this warning through his Special Adviser on Pollution Control, Mr. Nwuke Anucha.

While speaking in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a pollution control and religious matters meeting with members of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Port Harcourt branch, the SA said the noise churches produce in Port Harcourt was becoming alarming.

He expressed concern that the noise produced by sound systems used by churches was causing unrest in the state, stressing that no responsible government would not take steps to reduce the menace.

Anucha said, “My lords, you will agree with me that the emission of gaseous substance, the sound level of our electric power generation sets and indeed the noise generated by the use of loud speakers in some of our worship centers in no doubt cause serious disorder to human co-existence.

“It is on this premise of good neighborliness that necessitated this meeting. The public outcry about the noise and air pollution generated by some of our churches is so alarming that no responsible and responsive government will shy away from taking necessary actions.

“Churches need to cut down the use of loud speakers with a sound level not above the recommended decibel outside and inside.

MUSLIMS JUST MADE HISTORY IN MOSUL, KILLING AND EXILING EVERY LAST CHRISTIAN

Muslims are making history, but not in a way of which the world can be proud

Christians have lived in Mosul, Iraq for at least over 2,000 years, according to historical documents. That has all changed with the threats that any Christian who stayed would be slaughtered.

ISIS have officially forced the last living Christian in Mosul to leave the city, ending 2 millennia of Christian existence, which began with St. Peter’s scriptural reference to the church in Babylon.

Assyrian International News Agency reports:

The last Christian reportedly left Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul at 12:00pm on Saturday, ending over 6,000 years of Assyrian history in the city. Assyrians have lived in Mosul for over 6,000 years, converting to Christianity over 2,000 years ago. This all came to an end on Saturday, when the last Assyrian Christian left the city. On Thursday, July 17th, the Islamic State (IS)– formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)– released a statement demanding the Christians in Mosul either to convert to Islam, paying the jizya (tax on non-Muslims), leave the city, or be killed. The threat was to be implemented on Saturday. It is being reported locally that by noon yesterday, every Christian had chosen to leave.

Here in Erbil, about an hour an half [sic] away from Mosul by car, I have spoken with families who were forced to flee. They describe how ISIS invaded their homes, taking whatever they wanted, and threatening to kill them. The estimates are that over 500,000 refugees have fled Mosul after Islamists took control on June 10th, and the few remaining Christians left yesterday.

ISIS made citizens first believe they were there to protect them, but soon began forcefully implementing oppressive Sharia law, with which even Muslim citizens were forced to comply.

The notice of eviction from Mosul came with Muslims marking Christians’ homes to identify where they were living. Christians ultimately decided they could not hide from the Islamic authorities, packing up what they could and leaving within hours of ISIS warning.

Everyone I have spoken with has expressed their frustration with the international community’s lack of response to the crisis facing the people of Iraq. They blamed the United States for creating the current situation and for leaving the country so quickly and so creating the vacuum for IS to exploit. Many also think that it was a serious mistake for the U.S. to “give Iraq to Iran,” allowing Tehran to have a major influence in the Iraqi Parliament.

Another local told me he thought it was strange and nonsensical that the U.S. and European countries were opposed to IS in Iraq, but supporting IS groups in Syria and other violent groups against local governments. They warned of the danger such groups pose to the West. “These jihadists will eventually go home to their countries, to Canada, England and the U.S.” said one.

Christians also fear that Iraq may split into several smaller countries, creating a domino effect in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt.

Since 2003, more than 1 million Christians have been exiled from Iraq. Now, only 300,000 remain in the country.