Morocco: Former Muslim Convert to Christianity Stabbed and Left for Dead, Granted Asylum in the US

“We are glad to inform you that our client, a former Muslim from Morocco, has been granted asylum in the United States. Our client, Z, whose name has been kept confidential for security reasons, is a young Christian who grew up in a wealthy and strong Muslim family in Morocco. After his conversion to Christianity, he was attacked by radical Muslims and was stabbed multiple times. After losing a lot of blood and remaining unconscious for three days, Z was miraculously saved…

Z left Islam and started secretly living as a Christian. In 2010, when he was attending a secret house church in Morocco and going to an internet cafe to fulfill his need to listen to worship songs and sermons, he was approached by four men as he left his house. The men surrounded him and said they knew that he had left Islam and dishonored his family and Islam by becoming a kafir (infidel). The men stabbed Z multiple times and left him for dead. One of Z’s neighbors saw him lying on the ground, bleeding. He took Z to the hospital where he underwent two surgeries. He gained consciousness after three days and thanked God for saving his life. Z came to the United States and contacted the ACLJ. Our legal team filed for asylum and within just four months, Z was interviewed and granted asylum…

In recent years, Morocco has been very unwelcoming of Christian foreigners and has expelled many from the country. And, just last year, at least 14 Christian converts were arrested in Morocco. In 2005, a Christian convert was sentenced to 15 years in prison.” Read more.

Nigeria: ‘Religion of Peace’ Militants Reject Peace Overtures

“Nigeria’s extremist Islamist group has warned that it will not stop its terrorist attacks until the West African country adopts Sharia law.

Abu Qaqa, a spokesman for the group in an email message sent to journalists, written in Hausa language on October 2 articulated the group’s conditions for peace.

‘The country would not have peace until there is 100 per cent implementation of Sharia law in the country as enshrined in the holy Quran as well as immediate release of all our members who were detained and in the custody of security agencies for no just cause,’ reads pat of the email.

He reiterated the group’s resolve to continue with its terrorist activities targeting on the Nigerian government and its security agencies, should the federal government refuse to meet their demands.” Read more.

Greece Has Days Left Before Bankruptcy

“Greece has enough money to pay pensions, salaries and bondholders through mid-November, the finance minister said Tuesday, as global markets sank on worries that a messy default could bring down European banks and trigger another global recession.

The Athens stock index was down more than 6 percent by late afternoon while the main Europe markets fell more than 3 percent. The turmoil endangered French-Belgian bank Dexia, whose shares plunged as much as 40 percent, on worries about its exposure to Greek bonds.

Greece had previously said it would start running out of money in mid-October if it didn’t get the next euro8 billion ($11 billion) installment of the euro110 billion rescue package it has been relying on since May 2010.

Evangelos Venizelos sought to reassure Greeks and investors that the country can hold on a little longer while its rescue creditors decide whether to give it more loans.

‘Until mid-November it is clear there will be no problem,’ said Venizelos, upon returning from a eurozone finance ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.

The worry is that a messy default by Greece — in which sharp losses are imposed with little warning on bondholders, among which are many European banks — would cause massive losses in the financial sector and trigger a credit crunch. That could stifle loans to the real economy, cause huge uncertainty and push the world economy into another recession.” Read more.

Bernanke Warns Recovery ‘Close to Faltering’ – “Europe has a debt crisis. America has a jobs crisis. Corporate profits could be in trouble. World financial markets are in turmoil. And no one seems prepared to ride to the rescue. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke bluntly warned Congress on Tuesday of what most of America has sensed for some time: The economic recovery, such as it is, ‘is close to faltering.’ The central bank chief spoke on a day when the stock market spent most of the trading hours in bear market territory — down 20 percent from its most recent highs in April. A late-day rally helped the market finish higher. Bernanke’s exchange with lawmakers seemed to capture the growing belief that no one is prepared to help the global economy in any meaningful way anytime soon.” Read more.

Harold Camping Still Hasn’t Learned a Thing, Predicts Rapture Will Be On October 21, Maybe

Sigh …

By Ray Downs – “Harold Camping, the Christian broadcaster who boldly announced that the world would end on May 21, only to later say that he was “flabbergasted” when the rapture did not occur, is now telling everyone to get ready for the real rapture, which is set to occur on Oct. 21 – probably.

Some time after being released from a nursing home in June after suffering a stroke, Camping, released an audio message on Family Radio’s website saying, ‘We would have not been able to be used [by God] to bring about the tremendous event that occurred on May 21 of this year, which probably [will] be finished out on Oct. 21 that’s coming very shortly. That looks like it will be … the final end of everything.’

Camping, not sounding quite as strong in his voice or as confident about his rapture prediction in his audio message, expressed gratitude for prayers from supporters (read a transcript of Camping’s audio message).

The California Bible teacher, who confessed that he has ‘restudied’ his predictions, said in the recording that the rapture will be quick and quiet. ‘Probably there will be no pain suffered by anyone because of their rebellion against God,’ Camping said.

He added, ‘This is very comforting to all of us because we all have children, we all have loved ones that are dear to us that we know are not saved and yet we know that they’ll quietly die.’

As for ‘the true believers,’ like those who have been praying for his recovery, Camping said in the message that believers ‘will quietly receive the new heaven and the new earth.'” Read more.

NATO Preps for New War as Syria Warns It Will Set Middle East On Fire If Attacked

Isaiah 17:1, “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from [being] a city, And it will be a ruinous heap … ‘”

By Aaron Klein – “TEL AVIV – NATO troops are training in Turkey for a Turkish-led NATO invasion of Syria, a senior Syrian diplomatic official claimed to WND.

Separately, informed Middle East security officials said Russia has been inspecting Syrian forces and has been advising Syria about possible Syrian military responses should NATO attack the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The officials said Russia recently sold Syria a large quantity of Iskander ballistic missiles, and that, in light of the NATO threat, the Russian government renewed its pledge to sell Syria the advanced S-300 anti-missile system.

The Syrian diplomatic official, meanwhile, recognized his country receives general support from Russia, but told WND that Assad’s regime is concerned the European Union and U.S. may offer Russia an economic incentive to scale back Russian support for Syria.

The report comes as Assad reportedly warned yesterday he will set the Middle East on fire if NATO forces attack his country.

‘If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than six hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv,’ Assad reportedly said, according to Iran’s state-run Fars news agency.” Read more.

Flashback: U.S., Israel Monitor Syria’s Suspected Cache of Weapons of Mass Destruction – “The U.S. and Israel are closely monitoring Syria’s suspected cache of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), fearing that terror groups could take advantage of the revolt against President Bashar al Assad to obtain blistering agents, nerve gas and long-range missiles, according to officials from both countries. U.S. intelligence services believe Syria’s non-conventional weapons programs include significant stockpiles of mustard gas, VX and Sarin gas and the missile and artillery systems to deliver them, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.” Read more.

Philippines: Another Fishkill Hits Taal Lake Leaving At Least 45 Tons of Tilapia and Bangus Dead

By Arnell Ozaeta – “BATANGAS, Philippines – A new fishkill has struck 2 barangays in Agoncillo town, Batangas, leaving at least 45 tons of tilapia and bangus dead, authorities said Thursday.

Jing Seguismundo, public information officer of the Batangas provincial government, said 6 cages in Taal lake located along Barangay Bilibinwang and Subic Ilaya were affected by the fish kill.

‘Nag-overstocking na naman ang mga negosyante sa nasabing lugar kaya kinulang na naman ang level ng dissolved oxygen na nagresulta ng fishkill,’ Seguismundo said, quoting officials of the Bureau of Fisheries.

Seguismundo said inspite of their repeated warning against fish cage owners on overstocking, ‘hindi pa rin sila nadadala.’

She said the owners dug at least 2 pit holes to bury the dead fish.

Early this year, the provincial task force on fish cages dismantled thousands of fish cages following a wide spread fishkill that hit the Taal lake.” Source.

Mystery Disease Killing Dogs Across the UK

By Mark Glenning – “An animal trust is investigating reports of a mystery illness that is killing dogs across several counties in the UK.

The Animal Health Trust (AHT), based in Newmarket, is following up reports of dogs suddenly falling ill and dying after being walked in woodlands.

The condition, dubbed Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI), has prompted the AHT to issue warnings to dog owners across Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and Norfolk.

Spokesman Richard Newton has said that the AHT was not aware of any cases so far in 2011, but were alerted to a flurry of incidents that occurred at the beginning of September. He added that they were able to pinpoint specific locations as both vets and dog owners had contacted them as soon as their dogs had fallen ill.

The symptoms of SCI include lethargy, diarrhoea and vomiting, and dog owners are advised to take them to a vet as soon as they become apparent.

Currently, Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, and Thetford Forest and Sandringham Estate in Norfolk are being studied for clues to the culprit.” Read more.

Indonesia: Dead Dolphins Again Found on Coast of Java

“VIVAnews – Following the discovery of 17 dead dolphins in Ujung Kulon, residents of Parangtritis and Depok Beach, Yogyakarta witness the same phenomenon. A number of dolphins were found dead and stranded.

‘The officers discovered dead fish on the shore not far from the search and rescue (SAR) command post of Parangtritis,’ said Taufik M Faqi, Secretary of the SAR Parangtritis team, Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Taufik stated that as the dolphins were in terrible condition, the SAR officers buried them. ‘Last Sunday, around 9 a.m. we buried the dead dolphins,’ he said.

Last Friday, Jakarta Animal Aid Network Coordinator of Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation, Benvika, said there were 17 dead dolphins stranded in Ujung Kulon, western part of Java. He explained that the dolphins had been stranded since last Wednesday. First, 16 dead dolphins were found, and the next day another bottle-nose dolphin was found lifeless.” Read more.

Texas: Fish Kills Stretching Nearly 7 Miles Along Beach Coast Triggers Red Tide Alerts

By Rod Santa Ana – “BROWNSVILLE – Acting on a tip from a constituent, Cameron County Commissioner Sofia Benavides recently drove out to a section of the Gulf Coast within her jurisdiction, Boca Chica Beach, between the mouth of the Rio Grande and the jetties at South Padre Island.

‘I was shocked to see a large fish kill stretching for almost 7 miles along the beach,’ she said. ‘Birds were pecking at the dead fish as the tide brought them in. I expected to see lots of different types of fish but there was only one. The stench was strong and my throat was hurting by the time I left.’

Fearing a possible red tide, Benavides reported the fish kill to several authorities, including Tony Reisinger, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent for coastal and marine resources based in San Benito.

Benavides and Reisinger set into motion a seasoned response team that investigates red tide. If cell counts in water samples warrant, the public is notified via the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services.

‘A fish kill is one of the first indicators of a red tide bloom,’ said Yvette Salinas, the department’s health administrator. ‘It’s important to know the severity of a possible red tide event because many people are sensitive to the aerosol that red tide releases, especially people with respiratory problems such as asthma. Ingesting dead fish can also be fatal to pets, so we want to alert the public as soon as possible.'” Read more.

California: Hundreds of Mallard Duck Deaths Confounds Wildlife and Public Health Officials

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE – “LAKE FOREST – Wildlife and public health officials are still mystified about what is killing hundreds of mallard ducks who live in some ponds, lakes and watersheds in the city.

According to results released Tuesday by the Orange County Vector Control District on tests run on duck carcasses, officials still can not decisively say whether botulism or salmonella is causing the ducks’ deaths. They have concluded, however, that none of the water fowl has died from a vector-borne disease like West Nile virus, said Jared Dever, a spokesman with the district. The dead ducks were taken to the district by officials from OC Animal Care and the Wetlands and Wildlife Center Care Center in Huntington Beach.

‘The duck die-off is inconclusive based on the samples we tested,’ Dever said. ‘Speculation in the lab is there may have not been enough bacteria in the bird. The window is still open on botulism pending the testing of a bird carcass with a higher level of toxin.’

Dever said the district’s role in the duck death puzzle is done.

‘It takes the die-off out of the arena for us because it’s not a vector-borne disease — something that can be transmitted by animals to humans,’ he said. ‘It will require further testing; only then will you have a clue about how to stop it.’

Exactly who is responsible for further testing is unclear. Officials from OC Animal Care and the city of Lake Forest said they believe Vector Control will continue to test samples brought in. There has also not been any testing of the area’s waters — something that would likely fall to the responsibility of the affected homeowner association of Lake I.

Michael Hearst, general manager of the Vector district, said his agency has exhausted its testing efforts.” Read more.

New Hampshire: Mystery Still Surrounds Deaths of Dozens of Seals and Seabirds Along New Hampshire Seacost

“HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. — Investigators said they still don’t know what caused the deaths of dozens of seals and seabirds that have been found along the New Hampshire seacoast in the past several days.

Marine biologist Ellen Goethel, vice chairwoman of Hampton’s Conservation Commission, said Tuesday that she first spotted multiple seals and seabirds dead on Hampton’s North Side Park Beach last Wednesday.

Goethel said she called the New England Aquarium, as well as state and federal officials. She said NOAA, the state Fish and Game Department and the Department of Environmental Services were investigating, along with the aquarium.

Goethel said NOAA and the state are testing the waters in the area.

The New England Aquarium said that as of Monday afternoon, 15 seals had been found dead along the New Hampshire coast since last week.

The aquarium said autopsies were performed on the three latest seal carcasses found, and samples of the animals have been sent out for testing, but it appeared the animals had ‘adequate blubber layers,’ and it did not appear that the animals died because of ‘a failure to thrive.’  Aquarium officials said the federal government is testing area waters for algae or bacteria, and they were testing the animals for any viruses.

Ten seals have been found dead in Rye, four in Hampton and one in Seabrook. Goethel said that in addition, less than a dozen dead seals have been found dead along the southern Maine coast.” Read more.

Australia: More Dead Marine Life Continues to Wash Ashore On Capricorn Coast Beaches

By Kathryn Greensill – “WHILE the Queensland Government yesterday said it had no plans to extend the Gladstone fishing ban, dead marine life continued to wash up on Capricorn Coast beaches.

Adding to local concerns, Yeppoon’s Daniel Spyve told The Morning Bulletin he threw two fish he caught at Coorooman Creek on the weekend back in the water when he suspected they were unhealthy.

‘We caught two in one crab pot and that was up closer to the mouth of Coorooman Creek,’ Daniel said.

‘All were legal size and we were going to keep them, but then when we had a look at them and two of them had these really fluorescent green eyes and down underneath their eyes where the whites are, they were very milky.’

Daniel said there were also parts of the fish that appeared very red and looked like decaying flesh.

‘They didn’t look like a local cod that we’d caught in the creek before,’ Daniel said.

Daniel’s discovery comes as Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace refuted claims from LNP shadow minister Dr Mark Robinson that warnings from Gladstone and Yeppoon fishermen were initially swept under the carpet.

‘As soon as I was advised there were concerns around conditions affecting some locally-caught fish, I requested a full and urgent briefing from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation,’ Mr Wallace said yesterday.

‘At that meeting on September 15, the department advised me of its decision to immediately close the harbour to fishing.’

Mr Wallace said no consideration was being given to the geographical area of the closure being extended.

The Government is yet to decide whether a three-week ban on fishing – implemented after diseased fish were caught in Gladstone Harbour – will be lifted when it expires on Friday.

Meanwhile, more marine animals have washed up on beaches at the Capricorn Coast with a shark and a turtle discovered at Ritamada Beach at Emu Park on Monday.” Read more.

Fears fish disease spreading off central Queensland – “There is concern a sickness affecting fish in the Gladstone harbour off central Queensland has spread north to the Capricorn Coast. A fishing ban has been imposed in the Gladstone harbour after the discovery of fish with skin lesions and blindness in recent weeks. Tests are yet to determine the cause of the sick fish. Capricorn Conservation Council (CCC) spokesman Michael McCabe says he is worried about reports of dead stingrays with skin rashes found at Yeppoon, north-east of Rockhampton.” Read more.