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200 Americans Evacuate as Chinese Coronavirus Cases Jump to 5974 Surpassing SARS Outbreak

The coronavirus outbreak in China has reached a dangerous milestone, surpassing the SARS outbreak that worried the world two decades ago. With more cases being confirmed every day, the new virus has now infected at least 5,974 people compared to the 5,327 SARS victims in China in 2002-2003.

The current outbreak may be less deadly though. The new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, has killed 132 compared to the 348 people killed by SARS in China.

Countries have begun evacuating their citizens from Wuhan, the Chinese city that is the epicenter of the new virus. More than 200 Americans are on their way home.

The plane, chartered by the US government, stopped in Anchorage, Alaska for passengers to undergo medical screening and possible hospitalization if deemed necessary. The CDC reportedly plans to quarantine them for several days at an air reserve base in Riverside, California.

The US wants more cooperation from China to fight the mysterious disease while China maintains it’s only a major threat domestically. But other countries are also growing more concerned about a possible international outbreak as cases have already popped up all across the globe.

US Domestic Response to the Outbreak

American medical officials have good reason to be concerned. At least five cases have been confirmed in the United States, and each of those had direct contact with Wuhan, China.

The explosion of confirmed cases abroad has prompted American officials to increase screening of passengers traveling from China.

CDC Director Robert Redfield said, “CDC has reassessed its entry strategy and decided to expand to screening travelers from the 5 airports initially to 20 airports in the United States.”

Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the US has offered to send a team to China to collect data and help control the spread, but the offer has fallen flat.

“We are urging China, more cooperation and transparency are the most important steps you can take toward a more effective response.” Azar said, “This is a major public health issue and we need the best public health people in the world working on this right now.”

In Beijing Tuesday, during a meeting with the director of the World Health Organization, President Xi Jinping said China is ready to work with the international community.

The CDC has recommended Americans avoid travel to China, the State Department issuing a stronger Level 4 warning.

Redfield said, “Right now there is no spread of this virus in our communities here at home. This is why the assessment is that the risk of this virus to the general public is low in our nation.”

Health officials hope it stays that way and are prepared if it doesn’t.

Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said, “We have already started at the NIH and with our collaborators with the development of a vaccine.”

Even though CDC Director Robert Redfield cautioned there’s a lot that experts don’t know about the spread of this coronavirus, this is not currently a public health emergency in America.

Secretary Azar said he would not hesitate to make that designation though if it becomes necessary. In the meantime, experts stress washing hands, covering your mouth when you cough, and staying home when you’re sick. Those measures can help slow the spread of other diseases too since the regular flu is still a threat across the US.

Source CBN

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President Trump’s Middle East peace plan and the ultimate solution to human conflict

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President Trump’s Middle East peace plan and the ultimate solution to human conflict

I watched online yesterday as President Trump presented his Middle East peace plan. He announced his proposal alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House.

The plan calls for a two-state solution including the state of Israel and the “future” state of Palestine with a capital in East Jerusalem.

How the plan benefits Palestinians

The president’s plan offers significant benefits to the Palestinians. They would have a contiguous state in the West Bank that would be connected via a tunnel with the Gaza Strip. The proposed map would more than double the Palestinian territory, according to Mr. Trump, who stated that “no Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes.”

Israel would freeze new settlement activity for four years while Palestinian statehood is negotiated. Israel would ensure Muslim access to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and respect Jordan’s role regarding holy sites. The plan also creates a $50 billion economic revival fund for Palestinians, Jordan, and Egypt.

Mr. Netanyahu and his opponent in Israel’s March 2 election, Gen. Benny Gantz, have both agreed to implement the plan. This is the first time Israel has accepted a Palestinian state with defined borders.

How the two sides are responding

However, the plan also contains elements that are certain to meet with Palestinian objections.

The US would recognize Israeli sovereignty over major portions of biblical Judea and Samaria, including the entire Jordan Valley. The Palestinian pathway to statehood requires that they recognize Israel as a Jewish state with its capital in Jerusalem, disarm Hamas, stop payments to terrorists, and eliminate incitement in schools.

The Jerusalem Post calls the plan “the best one Israel has ever been offered.” By contrast, Palestinian leaders have already stated that the plan “doesn’t constitute a basis for resolving the conflict.” They…

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10 Reasons Every Church Should Send Their Pastor on a Mission Trip

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By Chuck Lawless

Let me get to the bottom line: I believe every church ought to send their pastor on at least one international mission trip, including paying his way (and his spouse’s way). Here’s why:

The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) is for all churches, and pastors most influence the direction of the church. I have never found a strong Great Commission, missions-minded church without a pastor who sets that agenda. Send your pastor overseas on a short-term trip, and your church will likely turn its heart toward the world.
The church is responsible for calling out and sending out missionaries. Churches who take this responsibility seriously are led by pastors who take it seriously. They’re willing to send their church’s best to the nations.
Many pastors will struggle to go unless the church helps cover the costs. Sure, they can raise funds on their own, but the wise congregation will be willing to make this investment in their pastor. The dollars spent will be few compared to the benefits gained.
Pastors will experience the heart of God on the mission field. That’s not to say they can’t do that in North America, of course. Something often happens, though, when pastors see nations and people groups with the eyes of God. Seldom do pastors return the same.
The nations need the training that pastors offer. All around the world are believers and church leaders who are longing for biblical and practical training. Your pastor can help provide that training.
Pastors model faith…

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Georgetown University Bans Student Group’s Attempt to Hold Demonstration of First-Trimester Abortion on Campus

Church and Ministry

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Georgetown University Bans Student Group’s Attempt to Hold Demonstration of First-Trimester Abortion on Campus

Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic university in the United States, has thwarted a student group’s attempt to hold a first-trimester abortion demonstration on campus.

Organized by the New York-based Reproductive Health Access Project, the “Papaya Workshop” features an abortionist who shows students an example of how vacuum aspiration abortions are performed by using a papaya as a uterus model in which the inner pulp and seeds are suctioned out by a suction machine.

The event was originally planned to be held at Georgetown’s Intercultural Center. However, University officials intervened and compelled the campus student group hosting the RHAP abortion workshop to move it off campus.

The university said in a statement that the abortion workshop wouldn’t be allowed on campus because it conflicts with the academic institution’s religious identity.

“Consistent with our Catholic and Jesuit identity, Georgetown University does not support or allow for the demonstration or training of abortion procedures in any classroom or reservable space on our campus,” Georgetown administration said, according to The College Fix.

“The student organizers of this event were notified that the Papaya Workshop is not permitted to take place in reservable campus spaces.”

The liberal student group H*yas for Choice, which was organizing the RHAP abortion workshop, denounced the university’s decision as a “violation of Georgetown’s Free Speech Policy and their recent timing as a deliberate action to prevent us from providing information about reproductive health to the student body.”

SOURCE: Christian Post, Michael Gryboski

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Red Cabbage Eba – “Cabbeba”

Food

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As explained in a previous post, cabbage is a really healthy vegetable to eat, and eating it regularly has lots of benefits! Read post on cabbage here.

Nigerians mostly eat cabbages in slaws and salads, which makes their use limited. But from all my different exploration and experimentation, I have discovered a few new ways to include cabbage into some everyday Nigerian menu and will be sharing these with you in my following posts.

First up is Cabbage Eba / Cabbeba
The typical Nigerian food features a carb-rich side dish which is served with some soup. People tend to avoid eating this dish because of its high carb content, and those who are guarding against weight gain, avoid it altogether, in favour of others which are “supposedly healthier”.

Well here is a way to make your favourite swallow dish more healthy… by adding pureed vegetables such as cabbage (white or red), you can significantly increase the fibre content of the dish, and also significantly lower its calories! And the taste? you won’t even notice a difference! you have to try it to believe me.!!

Here is how :

What you need

White or red cabbage (any variety will do really)
Gari granules
Water

What to do

Cut the cabbage into small pieces and place in a blender with a little amount of water.
Blend cabbage into a smooth paste/smoothie. Transfer the blended cabbage into a deep base pan and allow to boil for about 2 minutes.
Then add the gari, a little at a time stirring continuously to avoid lumps being formed.
Continue until you achieve a stiff paste.
Add some hot water and cover the pan to allow the Cabbeba to cook for about 2 minutes.
Then continue to stir again until you achieve a smooth and soft consistency.
Serve hot with your favourite vegetable soup.

What the YouTube Video here :

Source : Food Blogger : Funke-koleosho

Family of Nigerian Christian Teen Leah Sharibu Respond to Rumors That She Gave Birth to Boko Haram Commander’s Son and Was Forced to Accept Islam and Get Married

Church and Ministry

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Family of Nigerian Christian Teen Leah Sharibu Respond to Rumors That She Gave Birth to Boko Haram Commander’s Son and Was Forced to Accept Islam and Get Married

The family of abducted Nigerian Christian teenager Leah Sharibu has spoken out after reports published over the weekend suggested that their daughter has given birth to the son of a Boko Haram commander and that she was forced to accept Islam.

A source close to the Borno-based Islamic extremist group told Sahara Reporters that Sharibu has given birth to a baby boy after she was forced to accept Islam and forcefully married to an unnamed Boko Haram commander.

Dr. Gloria Puldu, a spokesperson for the family and a lecturer at the University of Jos, considered the reports to be nothing more than rumors.

“I have seen reports that Leah had a baby boy. That is just a rumor as far as we are concerned,” Puldu told The Punch. “What we even desire is to see a proof-of-life so that we see Leah by ourselves. If they are able to have Leah safe, we will understand.”

Sharibu was kidnapped along with over 110 other schoolgirls taken from a school in Dapchi in February 2018. Although about girls five died and all others were eventually released, Sharibu continues to be held by Boko Haram, which is known for its kidnappings and killings across the Lake Chad region.

Sharibu was reportedly held back by the terrorist group because she refused to renounce her faith in Christ.

Puldu stressed that the most important thing to the Sharibu family is to have their daughter back alive — with or without the rumored child.

“And if she is alive, we will praise God for that,” Puldu said. “They should release her, despite whatever condition she is in. That is all. It doesn’t matter whether she is pregnant or with a baby. Is it not better to have your child alive? So it doesn’t matter; all we are interested in is her life and safety.”

Puldu spoke with one woman who escaped from Boko Haram captivity last week.

“I was able to speak with her one-on-one and she told us that she did not see Leah in captivity, but she was with Alison Gada, who informed her that Leah was alive, healthy and not dead,” Puldu said.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith

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Greg Laurie on Kobe Bryant’s Death Reminds Us of How Unfair Life Is

Church and Ministry

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Greg Laurie on Kobe Bryant’s Death Reminds Us of How Unfair Life Is

I could hardly believe the news this weekend: Kobe Bryant, the LA Lakers basketball superstar, had died in a helicopter accident near Los Angeles. Eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, also perished in the crash.

How could a champion like Kobe, so vibrant and full of life, suddenly leave us?

Kobe Bryant was among the very best to play in the NBA. He played 20 seasons with the LA Lakers, won 5 championship rings and finished with 33,643 career points. At 41 years old, he was a living and breathing legend that even other NBA stars were star-struck by.

He even picked his own nickname, “Black Mamba,” after the fastest lethal snake in the world — and passed it on to his daughter Gianna, a budding basketball star, whom he called “Mambacita.”

The truth is, the vast majority of us didn’t know Kobe personally. Maybe we went to one of his games, but that was the extent of our relationship with him. Yet his death somehow has touched millions of Americans deeply. I believe it’s because it suddenly jolted us to the reality that life is not fair.

Why are people like Kobe and his daughter and the other passengers aboard that fateful flight taken while others will wake up tomorrow to face a new day?

There are no easy explanations, but here are three things we should keep in mind as we reflect on Kobe’s passing:

1. Life Is Precious

I have a smartwatch. Periodically, I will get a message on it that simply says, “Breathe.” Funny thing is, I was breathing already, but it’s reminding me of something that I should never take for granted.

Every day is a gift. Every single heartbeat and every breath you take is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. And don’t take your health or your family for granted either.

The Bible reminds us, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT).

Kobe was a very successful man with many beautiful things, but I am certain he would have traded it all for one more precious day of life. He was not given that choice.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Greg Laurie

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WATCH: TobyMac Speaks About Unexpected Death of His Oldest Son at Rock the Universe Concert

Entertainment

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WATCH: TobyMac Speaks About Unexpected Death of His Oldest Son at Rock the Universe Concert

Christian musician TobyMac performed at Universal Studios’ annual concert series Rock The Universe Saturday where he spoke about the loss of his son, Truett Foster McKeehan, who died from an overdose last October.

“Maybe some of you know, but my family and I have been facing the toughest couple months of our lives. For those people that don’t know, my first-born son passed away a couple of months ago and it’s been hard,” TobyMac said ahead of his performance on the main stage.

His son, an aspiring rapper, died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and amphetamines on Oct. 23, 2019, a representative confirmed with People magazine last week. Since the tragic news broke, TobyMac said he and his family have received a flood of support from friends and supporters.

“I appreciate the prayers. I appreciate the encouragement posts, social media, we’re grateful to you. Thank you so much for surrounding us in love,” he said Saturday night.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Jeannie Law

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WATCH: TobyMac Speaks About Unexpected Death of His Oldest Son at Rock the Universe Concert

Church and Ministry

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Christian musician TobyMac performed at Universal Studios’ annual concert series Rock The Universe Saturday where he spoke about the loss of his son, Truett Foster McKeehan, who died from an overdose last October.

“Maybe some of you know, but my family and I have been facing the toughest couple months of our lives. For those people that don’t know, my first-born son passed away a couple of months ago and it’s been hard,” TobyMac said ahead of his performance on the main stage.

His son, an aspiring rapper, died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and amphetamines on Oct. 23, 2019, a representative confirmed with People magazine last week. Since the tragic news broke, TobyMac said he and his family have received a flood of support from friends and supporters.

“I appreciate the prayers. I appreciate the encouragement posts, social media, we’re grateful to you. Thank you so much for surrounding us in love,” he said Saturday night.

SOURCE: Christian Post, Jeannie Law