Pope Francis Visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

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The Armenian Genocide: The first genocide of the 20th century

Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to the 1.5 million Armenians massacred in 1915 genocide.

“Here I pray, with pain in my heart, so that never again will there be tragedies like this, so that humanity does not forget and knows how to overcome evil with good,” he wrote in the guest book at the Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan on Saturday.

“May God protect the memory of the Armenian people! Memory cannot be stifled or forgotten! Memory is a source of peace and future!”

On Friday, he described the slaughter of ethnic Armenians by Ottoman Turks as an act of “genocide.”

“During a Mass marking the 100th anniversary of the deaths in April 2015, he said the events were “the first genocide of the 20th century,” echoing a phrase first used by Pope John Paul II in a 2001 joint declaration ahead of his own trip to Armenia,” said a report.

http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/photos_of_armenian_genocide.php#

 

Selected Seismicity – June 25, 2019

4.6 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 11:34:29 UTC 8.5 km
4.7 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 03:02:31 UTC 10.0 km
4.5 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 02:30:21 UTC 10.0 km
4.6 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 02:02:27 UTC 10.0 km
4.9 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 01:58:44 UTC 10.0 km
4.8 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-25 01:57:57 UTC 10.0 km
4.7 152km SE of Furnas, Portugal 2016-06-24 23:16:35 UTC 10.0 km
4.9 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-24 22:43:11 UTC 10.0 km
4.8 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-23 15:23:54 UTC 10.0 km
4.6 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-23 14:53:11 UTC 10.0 km
4.5 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-23 01:52:24 UTC 10.0 km
4.8 Reykjanes Ridge 2016-06-23 01:48:51 UTC 10.0 km

M 6.1 – Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge; 22.661°N, 45.133°W; 2016-06-21 16:26:34 UTC; 10.0 km

State of Emergency Declared in Kern County, Calif.

Erskine Fire explodes to more than 30,000 acres prompts State of Emergency Declaration

The so-called Erskine Fire, burning in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County, has devoured more than 30,000 acres, killing at least two people, destroying or damaging scores of building and threatening more than 1,500 additional structures, fire officials said.

• The deadly fire prompted Gov. Brown to declare a state of emergency.
• Up to 6,000 people have been evacuated.
• The fire started around 4pm on Thursday and quickly spread 18km in 13 hours, devouring 30,000 acres of parched grass, officials said.
• Some 800 fire personnel are currently at the scene, Inciweb said.

Meanwhile, the federal government issued a Fire Disaster Management Assistance for California Erskine Fire (FM-5131).

• “Most Devastating” Wildfire Destroys Scores of Homes in SoCal June 24, 2016

Deadly Storms, Historic Flooding Devastate West Virginia

State of Emergency declared for 44 counties in WV as deadly storms, historic flooding kill dozens 

Some areas are “devastated,” especially the counties of Greenbrier, Nicholas, Fayette, Kanawha and Webster, said Gov. Tomblin’s communications director.

Some areas are “probably looking at flooding that’s going to be the worst in 100 years,” he added.

Many counties have significant localized damage. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged.

“The flooding we experienced Thursday and into today is among the worst in a century for some parts of the state,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Our team in the Emergency Operations Center worked through the night and continues to coordinate efforts with local officials today.

“On Thursday evening I declared a State of Emergency for 44 counties, including all but the Northern and Eastern Panhandles. I have authorized the deployment of up to 150 members of the West Virginia National Guard to assist local emergency responders as we continue to evaluate the situation today.

“We understand many counties continue to experience significant problems and some waters continue to rise. Joanne and I are thinking continually about those affected by this disaster, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones. I appreciate the tireless efforts of first responders across the state, many of whom have volunteered to travel long distances to help those in the most affected areas.”