New York Police Shot a Gunman at the NYC Cathedral After Concert

 

Photo courtesy of Reuters

The American News

Published by: Edward Era Barbacena

New York - An unidentified gunman opened fire at the steps of NYC Cathedral church of St. John the Divine just right after the choir performance on Sunday.  The gunman was later on shot by the police.

No one was harm not struck by gunfire, thanks to the quick action and response by three officers who were present during the incident who confronted and apprehend the suspect. New York City police commissioner Dermont Shea told the reporters following the late afternoon violence at the Manhattan's west upper side.

The gunman was not identified and was shot on the head during the exchange of gunfire. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared dead. Shea told reporters that the police fired a total of 15 rounds at the shooter.

Police recovered a semiautomatic hand gun from the scene and a back pack from the suspect that contained a can of gasoline, several knives, tape, rope, holy scriptures and wire.

The shooting took place at the landmark cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese at New York right after 15 minutes of the conclusion of the choir performances at the cathedral steps attended by more than 200 people.

The annual Christmas concert was moved outside the cathedral where social distancing can be practiced and to avoid the risk of covid-19 infections.  The performers and audiences have either gone inside the church or left before the shooting incident took place.

There were only about less than 20 people when the gunman appeared on the steps of the cathedral shouting  "kill me" and  "shoot me," as he opened fired several times causing panic among bystanders at the church. Police officers who took cover ordered the suspect to drop his weapon before  shooting him.

Because of the pandemic there were only few audiences as compared to the previous years so no one got hurt nor struck by the gunshots.

The unidentified shooter was wearing a black winter coat, a white baseball cap and a face mask printed with Dominican flag on it as he stood wielding two handguns on each hands.  He was also carrying a back pack.

Iran Executed Antagonist Journalist Ruholla Zam

 

The Iranian News

December 12, 2020

Published by: Edward Era Barbacena

Tehran - Iranian Journalist Ruholla Zam who was convicted for inciting sedition during the anti-government protest in 2017 was executed on Saturday.

Iran's supreme court on December 8 upheld the death sentence of Zam, who was captured in 2019 after a period of excile.  His Amadnews had more than 1 million followers.

Local broadcaster said on Saturday, "  Zam, the director of counter-revolutionary Amadnews network, was hung this morning."

France and other Human Rights group have condemned Iran Supreme court for handling down the death sentence of Zam who was being highly critical against the government.

Iranian officials have accused the United States, Saudi Arabia and  oppositions who are living in exile of aggravating incite among protesters during the unrest of late 2017 which was triggered nationwide economic struggles.

Officials said that around 21 demonstrators were killed and hundreds got arrested.  Such unrest was considered as the worst in Iran  that took place in decades and followed by protests that were far more grim last year fueled by price inflation.

Britain will likely change the meaning of 'treasure' to protect the country's collections of rare artifacts.

 

The British News

Published by: Edward E. Barbacena

December 8, 2020

London -When we say "treasure," what comes into our mind are the precious objects being haunted and searched by the finders who looking for a better fortune. We have the lost arch of exodus, the Yamashita lost treasure and many more.

The United kingdom is now proposing the definition of the so-called "treasure" in order to protect the country's collections of rare artifacts that are mostly kept at the British  Museum

With the creation of 1996Treasure act, The Great Britain defined treasure as legally and speaking narrowly with findings that are designated as such they're more than 300 years old, made of gold or silver or found alongside artifacts containing precious metals. Once reported as treasure, it becomes a property of state and finders are legally required to turn over the artifacts to the government or authorities for public display at national or local museum.

This limited definition will not include array of rare artifacts making them available to sell to private collectors or even the black market which is a major loss to the public. To avoid such situation,  British culture minister Caroline Dineage has announced the major change that will expand and modify the 25 year  definition of treasure beyond artifacts' materials qualities making it easier for museum to both aquire and protect the national heritage items and to them available for the next generation.

United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth to receive Covid-19 vaccine in weeks

 

The English News

Published by : Edward Barbacena

December 6, 2020

London - Her majesty Queen Elizabeth of the Great Britain will receive the Covid-19 vaccine produce by Pfizer-BioNtech in weeks after the United kingdom gave way to the emergency approval and the world's first roll-out.  United kingdom is also the second nation in Europe to do a mass vaccination after Russia.

The royal couple Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are in line for the vaccination due to their ages and will not receive preferential treatment.

The elderlies will be the first one to get inoculated and should reveal to the public through media that they have received the coronavirus vaccine.  This is to remove fear of side effects among the British due to misinformation from anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists that could affect the enthusiasm for getting vaccinated.

According to the health officials, the roll-out of the vaccine will be based on age and vulnerability. The next in line to get inoculated are those who are most vulnerable.

United kingdom ordered 40 million doses and is set to be given to the first 800,000 batch on next week roll-out.

Source: BBC

Israeli police arrested a Jewish man for setting fire to the Catholic Church in Jerusalem

 

The Israeli News

Published by: Edward Era Barbacena

December 5, 2020

Israeli police arrested a Jewish man for setting fire to the interior of the Catholic Church church called the Church of all nations located in the Mount Olives in Jerusalem on December 4

The unidentified 49 year old Jewish is believed to be as the same suspect for burning different holy sites in Jerusalem on the basis of hate crime against the Catholic Church but no evidence has been verified.

Based on reports, the man set fire to the interior of the church by pouring flammable fluid and setting it aflame.  A church guard noticed the man and seized him until the israeli police arrived to the scene. Fortunately, the fire didn't spread and consume the whole church and only a small portion of the interior got burned.  Firefighters arrived on time. No injuries were reported and the damages were considered minimal. 

Source: The Jerusalem News

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Tells UN That Excluding Poor Nations from Covid-19 Distribution is 'Gross injustice'

 

The Philippine Political News

December 4, 2020

Philippine strong man leader tells the international community that excluding the poor nations and developing countries for the universal access to the covid-19 vaccine would be a " gross injustice."

President Duterte made the statement as he addresses the United Nations General Assembly ( UNGA ) for the second time at the 31st special session in response to the covid-19 pandemic on December 4.

" Life-saving services and products must be made accessible to the most vulnerable - the most to the least." he said.

According to Duterte, leaving the poor nations behind during the pandemic recovery will surely discredit the virtues of the UN.

Photographer captures a heart touching scene of a doctor showing compassion to an old covid-19 patient on Thanksgiving

The American News

November 29, 2020

It was thought that the most heart touching scene ever captured on camera was a doctor showing how the sun sets to a dying covid-19 patient on bed in Wuhan early this year but there is one that far more heart breaking.

A photographer Go Nakamura has always visited the United Memorial Medical Center in houston texas and would always take photos.  Nakumura is always surprised to what he sees at the facility and didn't want to share his photographs because according to him, they were too graphic. But there's one scene that touches his heart and he was able to capture that melancholic moment on Thanksgiving day.

Go shared this photograph on social media of a doctor comforting a lonely old man who was also infected with coronavirus. On the photo, Dr. Joseph Varon wearing protective gears hugs and comforts an old patient in the covid-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas on Thanksgiving day.

Go shared this photograph on social media of a doctor comforting a lonely old man who was also infected with coronavirus. On the photo, Dr. Joseph Varon wearing protective gears hugs and comforts an old patient in the covid-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas on Thanksgiving day.

According to Nakamura, the image of profound and sincere compassion has gained national attention as the United States reels under a record number of daily covid-19 cases and hospitalization. In addition, taking photos too graphic to share; seeing patients one day who will be gone when he returns later in a week - there is no getting used to that.  Nakamura told the media on Saturday.

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