ISIS Destroys Biblical City of Calah, Claims Responsibility for Attack on South Korean Embassy in Libya

Nimrud (Screengrab: Youtube)

The biblical city of Calah, also known as Nimrud, being blown to pieces by barrel bombs detonated by the Islamic State in northern Iraq.

Christian Post Report – The Islamic State terrorist group has released a video that shows militants completely destroying the biblical city of Calah, which became known in modern times as the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in Northern Iraq.

The 7-minute video, released Saturday night by ISIS’ media wing, shows militants using sledgehammers, drills, circular power saws, jackhammers and a bulldozer to destroy ancient sculptures, shrines and ruins that are believed to be at least 3,000 years old. Afterwards, the militants stuffed and set up barrel bombs that were used to blow up the entire historical site in three different massive explosions.

Nimrud, which is about 22 miles south of the ISIS stronghold of Mosul near the banks of the Tigris river, is believed to date back as far as 13th century B.C. and was mentioned in Genesis 10:11 by its former name of Calah alongside the heroic hunter Nimrod, who was a great grandchild of Noah.

The town also served as the capital of the Neo-Assyrian empire under the rule of King Ashurnasirpal II.

The assault on the town, which occurred in early March, has been ruled a war crime by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

“In a new crime in their series of reckless offenses, they assaulted the ancient city of Nimrud and bulldozed it with heavy machinery, appropriating archaeological attractions dating back 13 centuries B.C.,” a statement from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization reads.

As the Islamic State continues on its rampage of destroying ancient artifacts, churches, and towns in Iraq and Syria, the Daily Mail reports that a militant in the recently released video justifies the Islamic State’s destruction of historical landmarks by stating that the group has been called by God to commit such acts.

“God has honored us in the Islamic State to remove all of these idols and statues worshipped instead of Allah in the past days,” the militant says.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova told the Daily Mail that “nothing is safe” in Iraq from the wrath the Islamic State.

“This is yet another attack against the Iraqi people, reminding us that nothing is safe from the cultural cleansing under way in the country: it targets human lives, minorities, and is marked by the systematic destruction of humanity’s ancient heritage,” Bokova said.

ISIS’ video release wasn’t the group’s only headline from the weekend, as militants believed to be associated with the Islamic State’s affiliate in Libya attacked the South Korean embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Sunday.

Seoul’s foreign ministry confirmed the attack and an official told AFP that two Libyan security officers were killed in the exchange, while another was wounded. The official added that there were only three South Korean nationals working in the embassy at the time of the attack. None of the South Koreans were hurt in the incident.

“We don’t not know whether the attack targeted the embassy or the Libyan [security] officers,” the Seoul foreign ministry official said.

According to an AFP photographer, it appeared as though the militants opened fire on the car that the security officials were in, while the main embassy building was not struck.

Even though there was no confirmation on the identities of the gunmen, ISIS has claimed responsibility for the confrontation, SITE Intelligence Group reported.

“The Soldiers of the Caliphate in the city of Tripoli killed two of the guards at the South Korean embassy,” SITE quoted an ISIS tweet as stating.

ISIS affiliates were also active in Egypt on Sunday, killing at least 14 people in two separate incidents, with the majority of them believed to be Egyptian police officers or soldiers.

The largest of the attacks occurred at a police station in the town of el-Arish. A bomb was detonated at the front gate of the police station in the town and eight people were killed, while 45 others were injured.

The second incident was a roadside bombing targeted an armored vehicle, killing six Egyptian soldiers. Another roadside bomb injured an additional three soldiers.

According to AFP, the attacks have been claimed by the Sinai-based militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, which is now the Egyptian ISIS affiliate.

“An armored personnel carrier for the army of the apostates was destroyed … killing and wounding all aboard,” Ansar Bayt al-Madqis posted on an affiliated Twitter account.

Libya (Photo: Reuters/Ismail Zitouny)

A man walks past the South Korean embassy after it was attacked by gunmen in Tripoli April 12, 2015. Unidentified gunmen fired shots at the South Korean embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Sunday killing two local security guards, South Korean and Libyan officials said.

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‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Cast News, Spoilers: Peter Dinklage Opens Up About Tyrion’s Curiosity With Daenerys

Game of Thrones FACEBOOK/ Game of Thrones

Christian Post Report – HBO’s “Game of Thrones”

Months even before the fifth season of HBO’s massively popular fantasy drama TV series “Game of Thrones” kicks off its premiere episode, fans of the show already knew that Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) would eventually meet the mother of dragons, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke).

Fans of the series might be curious about what drives the younger Lannister to meet a Targaryen, whose family originally ruled Westeros.

Dinklage’s interview with Entertainment Weekly revealded insights about his character and his curiosity towards the last of the dragon tamers.

“He’s curious. He’s heard so many stories about this woman. He hears that she’s a kindred spirit, someone who’s an outsider who’s been pushed to the edges, but has an unfortunate, dirty last name. Everybody associates the Targaryens with the Mad King,” the actor said.

“He wants to know her in person and is tired of hearing the stories. Varys helps convince him of the reality of her. And I think dragons are a big part of it – everybody is denying the reality of these creatures and certainly Tyrion has as well. But just like Tyrion going to The Wall in season one, he likes to see things first hand,” Dinklage continued.

Of course the questions lie on the true intentions of Varys (Conleth Hill) for urging Tyrion to do so.

The Master of Whisperers has been known both by book readers and TV viewers to be a proliferator of conflicting information that at the same time helped save a city from destruction.

“His strategy all along has been about creating illusions of power, of moving pieces around with his hand in it, largely unseen,” Vulture wrote.

Can Tyrion really trust Varys?

Find out more when “Game of Thrones” Season 5 returns next Sunday, April 19, with episode titled “The House of Black and White” on HBO.

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NBA News: Sacramento Kings Sign David Stockton Through 2015-16 Season

David Stockton YOUTUBESCREENSHOT

Christian Post Report – 26-year-old David Stockton, son of Hall of Famer, John Stockton

The Sacramento Kings have signed David Stockton on a contract that enlists him on the team through the 2015-16 NBA game season, according to reports. The 23-year-old athlete is the son of Hall of Fame point guard and all-time NBA assists and steals leader, John Stockton.

The younger Stockton was previously signed by the franchise to a 10-day contract earlier this season in February. The player made one point, two rebounds and one assist (0-2 FG, 1-1 FT) on his NBA debut at the Staples Center on a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, NBC Sports reported.

The point guard, who stands 5-feet-11-inches and weighs 165 pounds, spends most of the season playing with the Kings’ NBA D-League affiliate, Reno Bighorns, where he averaged 20.1 points (.461 FG%, .398 3pt%, .824 FT%) 4.2 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 2.5 steals and has played about 30.5 minutes per game in the 43 contests he was in.

The undrafted rookie, who played in college at Gonzaga like his father, was selected by the Maine Red Claws in the third round of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft on November 1, 2014. The Red Claws later on traded Stockton to the Bighorns during the draft night.

The elder Stockton played 19 seasons straight for the Utah Jazz from 1984 until his retirement in 2003. The 10-time NBA All-Star was inducted twice in to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame first for his individual career (2009) and then for his participation on the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team, which was also known as the Dream Team.

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Bobbi Kristina Brown News, Update: I’m ‘Giving It to God,’ Says Bobby Brown

Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown (Photo: Reuters/File)

Christian Post Report – Cissy Houston and Bobbi Kristina Brown (R) attend the opening night of ”The Houstons: On Our Own” in New York October 22, 2012.

Bobby Brown, ex-husband of the late pop singer Whitney Houston, stepped up for the first time to talk about what his family has been going through and most especially his daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.

A report from ABC News indicated that the 46-year-old R&B singer has made his first public appearance for a performance at the Soul Food Festival in Los Angeles on Saturday night where he spoke about his daughter’s dire condition by saying that he’s “giving it to God and letting him deal with it.”

In the midst of his performance where he sang his classic hits such as the song titled “Every Little Step I Take,” he stopped to tell to the audience how grateful he was of the event.

“I must tell you all, this feels really, really good, he said,” the singer said. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight and supporting me and my family.”

“Rough times are rough times, and hard times are hard times,” Brown continued. “I don’t know what the hell I’m going through right now but I’m giving it to God and letting him deal with it.”

The singer-songwriter is slated for an Australian tour this May.

Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious at her Georgia, Atlanta home earlier this year. The 22-year-old aspiring singer was rushed to a hospital where she was put in an induced coma.

The still unconscious Brown was recently moved to the DeKalb Medical Center in Atlanta where Bobby has reportedly told the doctors never to turn off the ventilator that keeps Kristina alive.

Cissy Houston, her grandmother from her mother’s side, told the media earlier this month that the family is “still praying” for the improvement of her condition.

[We’re] still praying. I give it to God one time, because I know he’s able,” she said. “And I cannot change a thing. I’m asking everybody: ‘Just pray to the Lord who we know CAN do something about it.'”

Source : Christian Post

Leather-Cased LG G4 Phone Revealed In Massive Leak, Specifications Briefly Shown (VIDEO)

LG G4 @techradar/Twitter

Christian Post Report – The LG G4 leak revealed an interesting surprise. TechRadar Twitter feed. April 13, 2015.

A substantial leak with dozens of images of the new LG G4 made their way online this week after one of the company’s microsites was discovered.

While LG has been giving up information on its upcoming flagship handset, the LG G4, a little at a time, a G4 microsite was discovered containing a number of official images of LG’s new smartphone.

The new model, with an optional leather back in several different renders was brought forward by Evan Blass, also known as @evleaks, one of the Internet’s most prolific leakers. The smartphone is revealed at all angles, and sports a number of cosmetic tweaks, including a carbon fiber-like weave on its display.

LG G4 @engadget/Twitter

This weekend, LG inadvertently revealed its leather-clad G4 phone a little early. Engadget Twitter feed. April 13, 2015.

The leaked images also show other options of what appear to be a variety of swappable back plates, which include six separate backs made of real leather available in black, camel, maroon, baby blue, desert sand, and yellow variants.

The images also feature three plastic back plates in white, black and desert sand featuring a subtle rippled texture. It is assumed the models in leather backing carry a premium cost.

As apparent in the images, the LG Quick Circle case, allowing users to view their notifications in a view window even with the cover closed, is making a comeback with the G4.

Specs on the site, which were shown briefly and then pulled offline, details a 5.5-inch curved shell with a quad HD screen, a microSD card slot, and a replaceable 3,000mAh battery. It also includes a 16MP f/1.8 camera with an infrared color spectrum analyzer to reproduce color more accurately, laser autofocus, and a full manual shooting mode.

LG is set to hold a simultaneous press conference on April 28 and 29 in New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Seoul and Istanbul, where they have confirmed they will be official unveiling the LG G4.

Source : Christian Post

Global Christian Groups Call for Worldwide Nuclear Weapons Ban at UN

WEA WEA

Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Chair of WEA’s Global Task Force on Nuclear Weapons, illustrated the faulty logic behind any justification of possessing nuclear weapons with a thought experiment

Christian Post Report – A global evangelical group joined leaders from the Roman Catholic Church and other religious denominations in an event at the United Nations to declare that nuclear weapons are contrary to faith, morality and reason, and to call for a ban on their possession.

The Bible “tells us that the peacemakers are blessed,” Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, chair of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Global Task Force on Nuclear Weapons, said at a public panel discussion at the United Nations headquarters in New York on “Nuclear Weapons and the Moral Compass” last week, according to a statement released by WEA on Monday.

Wigg-Stevenson reminded that Scripture “also tell us to condemn those who say ‘peace, peace’ when there is no peace — as the prophet Jeremiah did to the court sycophants in his day, who denied that the nation’s injustice invited the judgment of God.”

WEA represents about 600 million evangelicals in more than 120 nations.

“There is no peace about nuclear weapons,” Wigg-Stevenson added.

The discussion was held to bring moral values to the upcoming Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to be held from April 27 to May 22 at the UN.

The NPT is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and furthering the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

The discussion was co-sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See and the Global Security Institute. It included moral voices on nuclear weapons from a variety of religious traditions, including Jewish and Muslim leaders, as well as representatives from the UN, government and inter-faith organizations.

The upcoming conference is expected to consider several key issues, including implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East.

At the discussion, Wigg-Stevenson offered an evangelical perspective to refute the argument that “moral values are irrelevant to nuclear weapons.”

There are five nuclear-weapon states under the NPT: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. India, Pakistan, North Korea have also declared possession of nuclear weapons. Israel is also believed to possess nuclear weapons. Many believe that Iran is also pursuing research that could enable it to produce nuclear weapons.

These nations typically justify the possession of such weapons by referring to national interest and deference.

The logic behind this justification is faulty, Wigg-Stevenson said, raising a thought experiment that imagined a nation introducing a newly developed weapon for the defense of their national interest.

He urged the listeners to imagine an ‘abortion bomb’ that would instantly kill any unborn child in the womb and sterilize any adult in its sizable blast radius. The nation would argue that this weapon was only made for deterrence, as its effect would be so fearful that there would be no need to ever use it, he said. And then one day, when every other problem plaguing humankind has been solved, they will pursue good faith negotiations to eliminate this bomb, he added.

“Imagine the righteous explosion of voices in response. No man or woman of goodwill and good conscience could stay silent that day. No nation would fail to declaim this as an abomination,” he said. “All nations would subscribe to a ban, regardless of the wishes of the abortion-bomb-armed states.”

He concluded by saying, “I beg all men and women of goodwill to join in the fight [against nuclear weapons]. For it is a fight we are in: not just for the welfare of those who reject nuclear weapons, but for the sake of those who even now possess them, as well, and for all of our generations to come.”

Source : Christian Post

New ‘Ant-Man’ Trailer Reveals Paul Rudd as Ultimate Weapon, Villain Yellowjacket (VIDEO)

Ant Man Facebook

Christian Post Report – Marvel recently released the new trailer for “Ant-Man” showing actor Paul Rudd as the ultimate secret weapon, and giving audiences a first look at the film’s villain, Yellowjacket.

Amidst thousands of ants, Paul Rudd learns his powers and clashes with villain Yellowjacket in the first trailer for “Ant-Man” released by Marvel.

Representing the 12th and last film in phase two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Ant-Man” tells the story of a petty thief Scott Lang, who has stolen a mysterious substance that allows him to shrink in size but increase his strength exponentially.

He is freed from prison where he is serving time for his thievery and recruited by Dr. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, the first Ant-Man who invented the substance. He mentors Lang to take his place.

In the two-and-a-half minute trailer, Rudd as Scott Lang executes several polished action sequences without the use of a single weapon, even during his battles with Darren Cross the Yellowjacket. The villain is played by “This Is Where I Leave You” actor Corey Stoll, who is menacing with a slick black and yellow costume complete with plasma cannons.

The film also shows Pym’s daughter, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who is at odds with her father and helps Cross take over his company and militarize the Ant-Man technology.

Pym wants Lang to break into his former company, now run by Cross, and help prevent the militaristic Yellowjacket suit from going public.

Throughout the trailer, Scott Lang is self-conscious about his new persona, and constantly pokes fun at himself and the superhero name he has been given. The backstory of how he lands in jail and his sick daughter is also included in the trailer.

“Ant-Man” also stars Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peňa, and Judy Greer, and is directed by Payton Reed for a July 17, 2015 U.S. release.

Source : Christian Post

Cyberpunk RPG ‘The Technomancer’ Release News (VIDEO)

The Technomancer YouTube/screengrab

Christian Post Report – Cyberpunk RPG “The Technomancer.” YouTube screengrab. April 11, 2015.

“The Technomancer,” a cyberpunk RPG, has been announced for a scheduled release in 2016, Spiders Games and Focus Home Interactive have announced.

French developer, Spiders Games and publisher, Focus Home Interactive have issued a statement saying they will be scheduling cyberpunk role playing game, “The Technomancer” for public release in 2016.

Borrowing from the style of B-movies, “The Technomancer” is a sequel to Spiders Games’ “Mars: War Logs.”

The RPG will be set on a cyberpunk version of the planet Mars during the War of Water, and follows the story of a cybernetic warrior with a past cloaked in mystery, who is on the run from Martian society’s Secret Police.

Players will don a black robe and space hat in the role of an aspiring Technomancer whose future is in danger from the secrets in his past. As the game progresses, players will uncover bits and pieces of the warrior’s past, while helping him interact with various elements in the environment using “action-oriented combat gameplay.”

The role playing game will enable players to craft weapons and use combat skills as their warrior progresses through a number of different environments on the Red Planet.

Players should expect some dynamic interaction with other characters in the game, several companions joining in adventures, and five different endings, depending on the dialog elements chosen.

Players can also opt for three different fighting styles to adopt for the mysterious cybernetic warrior as he makes his way across the harsh environment of Mars, undertake quests that lead him through various tribal communities on the planet, dilapidated dystopian shantytowns, and even lost cities under the ice.

The game challenges players to survive Mars’ wildlife and cruel alien enforcers long enough to uncover the truth of “The Technomancer.”

“The Technomancer” will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2016.

Source : Christian Post

Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona Live Stream: Watch UEFA Champions League Soccer Online

Paris Saint-Germain Photo Reuters/Pierre Murati

Christian Post Report – Paris Saint-Germain Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Paris Saint-Germain have the tall task to eliminate Barcelona as they are paired in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The first leg will be played on April 15, 2015 at 2:45 p.m. ET at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Already familiar to each other, Barcelona and PSG were in Group F in the group stages of the competition.

Barcelona won that group by winning five of six matches, while PSG came in second but were only two points behind the Catalans. In fact, Barcelona’s only loss in the group stages was against PSG when they met in Paris in only their second games in the competition.

David Luiz scored the match’s opener for the hosts but it was erased in only a minute after Lionel Messi leveled things. Marco Verratti restored the lead in the 26th and was doubled by Blaise Matuidi in the second half. Neymar tried to start a comeback for the La Liga squad by scoring two minutes after Matuidi’s goal but they ran out of time and PSG secured the three points.

When the two teams qualified for the knockout stages, PSG were handed the task to beat Chelsea in the round-of-16.

In what was one of the best matches in the knockout stage, the two teams drew 1-1 at the end of the first leg with Edinson Cavani cancelling Brian Ivanovic’s goal.

When they met at Stamford Bridge for the second leg, goals came in late as Chelsea scored in the 81st minute to possibly send them to the quarters, but David Luiz found the back of the net against his old club to send the match to extra time. PSG found themselves staring elimination after a penalty shot from Eden Hazard gave Chelsea the lead, but Thiago Silva, the man who conceded the penalty, lifted the team with a goal in the 114th.

That goal tied things 2-2 in the game and 3-3 on aggregate, sending PSG to the quarters due to away goals rule.

On the other side, Barcelona were handed another English club in Manchester City. They won the first leg at the Etihad 2-1 behind a brace from Luis Suarez and they wrapped things up in the second leg with a 1-0 win to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Now PSG and Barcelona meet again with only one team moving on to the semis.

To get updates on this match, go to Yahoo! For live streaming, click here.

Source : Christian Post

Porto vs Bayern Munich Live Stream: Watch UEFA Champions League Soccer Online

<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates a goal against FSV Mainz 05 during the German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich September 15, 2012.” title=”<b>Christian Post Report</b> – Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates a goal against FSV Mainz 05 during the German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich September 15, 2012.” name=”jpg” src=”http://images.christianpost.com/full/55542/bayern-munichs-bastian-schweinsteiger-celebrates-a-goal-against-fsv-mainz-05-during-the-german-bundesliga-first-division-soccer-match-in-munich-september-15-2012.jpg” class=”imgPhoto” width=”550″ height=”450″ /> <small class=(Photo: Reuters/Michaela Rehle)

Christian Post Report – Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates a goal against FSV Mainz 05 during the German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich September 15, 2012.

On April 15, 2015 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Porto will host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match-up. Their match will be at Estadio Do Dragao in Portugal.

Porto qualified to the knockout stages of the competition after winning Group H. Playing alongside Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Club and BATE, the Portuguese club showed they were clearly better than their rivals as they were the only team not to taste defeat in the group.

And in the round-of-16, they were tasked to battle Basel, with the first leg of their tie to be played at St. Jakob-Park.

The visitors were tested early in the match, with a goal from Basel in the 11th minute in which they responded with a penalty conversion by Danilo in the 79th minute to end the game 1-1.

When the time turned for Porto to host, they showed their domination as they controlled the entire match. Yacine Brahimi scored in the 14th minute of the game and Porto went on to score three more in the second half to completely blow the tie open and eventually win 5-1 on aggregate.

Now they will face a European powerhouse who are looking to win the title again.

The 2012-13 champions Bayern Munich look to add another chapter in their illustrious European run with a sixth title.

They showed their strength early in the competition, winning Group E by winning five of a possible six matches. Their only loss was against Manchester City when their place in the knockout stages has already been assured.

Bayern continued their dominance in the round-of-16 when they faced Shakhtar.

The first leg of that round ended in a 0-0 draw which questioned whether this was going to be another lost year for Munich. They responded well by beating their opponents 7-0 in the return leg at the Allianz-Arena to book their place in the quarters.

If that performance was any indication, then Porto have their work definitely cut out for them.

To get highlights on this match, go to Yahoo! For live streaming, click here.

Source : Christian Post