Trump adviser urges followers to 'inoculate yourself with the word of God' against flu - Independent

6/2/2018

Trump adviser urges followers to 'inoculate yourself with the word of God' against flu

'Jesus himself gave us the flu shot,' says co-founder of megachurch

Jon Sharman

An evangelical Christian adviser to Donald Trump has suggested people do not need a winter flu vaccine and urged believers to “inoculate yourself with the word of God” against the disease.

Gloria Copeland told followers in a video that “we don’t have a flu season” and they should “not [accept] it when somebody threatens you with ‘Everybody’s getting the flu!’”

“We’ve already had our shot” thanks to God who “bore our sicknesses and carried our diseases”, Ms Copeland said in the clip promoting her ministry’s Miracles on the Mountain healing event.

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The video has been viewed nearly 140,000 times on Facebook, and is also hosted on her UK website.

Along with her husband Ms Copeland established Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM) five decades ago. The megachurch-style organisation has branches across the globe including in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The Copelands sit on Mr Trump’s evangelical executive advisory board, according to a campaign press release archived by the University of California at Santa Barbara.

In the 31 January video, Ms Copeland said: “Listen, partners. We don’t have a flu season. We’ve got a duck season, a deer season, but we don’t have a flu season.

“And don’t receive it when somebody threatens you with ’Everybody’s getting the flu!’ We’ve already had our shot, he bore our sicknesses and carried our diseases.

“That’s what we stand on. And by his stripes we were healed. If you’ve already got the flu I’m going to pray for you right now.

“Jesus himself gave us the flu shot. He redeemed us from the curse of flu and we receive it, and we take it, and we are healed by his stripes.

“Get on the word, stay on the word, and if you say, ‘Well, I don’t have any symptoms of the flu’, great, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

“Just keep saying that ‘I’ll never have the flu, I’ll never have the flu’. Put words, inoculate yourself with the word of God.”

In a comment underneath the video, the ministry posted: “Yes the Word of God is the BEST medicine!”

Since last October 231 people are thought to have died from the flu in the UK as infections hit their highest level since 2011.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans they should “get vaccinated if you haven’t yet”. There are “weeks of flu activity to come”, the agency said.

The Independent attempted to contact KCM in the US but was referred to a customer services supervisor whose phone went to voicemail. Further calls were not answered.

Staff in the group’s UK office were unavailable when approached for comment.

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According to Mr Trump’s June 2016 press release his creation of the advisory board represented his “endorsement of those diverse issues important to Evangelicals and other Christians, and his desire to have access to the wise counsel of such leaders as needed”.

One of the board members, Jerry Falwell Jr, has strongly backed Mr Trump since the early days of his campaign.

Last year Mr Trump sent a letter from the White House to Mr Copeland, congratulating him on 50 years of his ministry and having “devoted your life to faith and humanity”.

Biden: Trump should avoid Mueller interview, has 'difficulty with precision' - CNN Politics

Biden: Trump should avoid Mueller interview, has 'difficulty with precision'

By Eli Watkins, CNN

Updated 0207 GMT (1007 HKT) February 7, 2018

obama farewell address joe biden scrappy kid comment sot_00000615.jpg

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden smiles during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Cornell University's graduation ceremony on May 27.

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DANVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 11: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden smiles during the vice presidential debate at Centre College October 11, 2012 in Danville, Kentucky. This is the second of four debates during the presidential election season and the only debate between the vice presidential candidates before the closely-contested election November 6. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Biden won't deny a 2020 run for president

title: In an emotional moment, Joe Biden consoles Meghan McCain, whose father was diagnosed with the same cancer as Biden's late son Beau: "There is hope. And... duration: 00:00:00 site: Facebook author: null published: Wed Dec 31 1969 19:00:00 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time) intervention: no description: null

Joe Biden consoles tearful Meghan McCain

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 22: Former U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden speaks to members of the media as House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) looks on after an event on health care at the House East Front of the Capitol March 22, 2017 in Washington, DC. House Democrats held the event to mark the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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mitt romney joe biden split

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Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Cornell University's graduation ceremony on May 27.

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Washington (CNN)Former Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that if he were one of President Donald Trump's attorneys, he would suggest Trump not consent to a special counsel interview for fear of being caught misleading investigators.

"The President has some difficulty with precision," Biden said in an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo.

Biden said he marvels at some of the comments Trump makes and referenced a line from Trump on Monday that Democrats who did not applaud his State of the Union address were "un-American" and "treasonous."

The White House has since called the remark tongue-in-cheek, with press secretary Sarah Sanders saying on Tuesday that Trump was "clearly joking."

"Well let me tell you, he's a joke," Biden said in response.

Asked to clarify if he was calling the President a joke, Biden said, "Yeah, in this kind of stuff."

"I think he understands and I think the people around him understand, what presidents say matter," Biden said. "Our children are listening, and the world is listening."

CNN reported last month that special counsel Robert Mueller provided Trump's attorneys with a range of topics for an interview, and that Trump's attorneys are arguing Mueller has not met the threshold for an interview. Trump has said publicly he would be willing to sit for an interview under oath, although The New York Times reported Monday that Trump's attorneys are advising Trump against an interview because of concerns he might be charged with lying to investigators.

Trump vs. the FBI

Biden took issue with the recent decision by Trump and House Republicans to release a controversial memo alleging FBI abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to monitor former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page.

"It seems irresponsible," Biden said.

He linked the push to a broader Trump effort to impugn the conduct of the FBI during the 2016 election and the special counsel investigation that Trump has called a "witch hunt." Biden said the attacks were without precedent and hit the entire bureau.

"This is the first President to make a full-throated, unvarnished attack on the entirety of the FBI, not going after J. Edgar Hoover, who was one person in the FBI," Biden said, referencing the agency's former director.

Biden continued, "What do you think they're thinking in Moscow? This is doing everything that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin ever wanted, sowing doubt about whether or not our justice system is fair, sowing doubt about whether or not there is anything that is remotely consistent with our Constitution."

More broadly, Biden said he is "genuinely concerned" with key pillars of Trump's rhetoric and actions, warning of "naked nationalism" and "phony populism."

"This notion that the way in which you, the only reason you have a problem, is because of the other, is because of that immigrant or that minority or because of someone else doing something to you," Biden said.

2020 plans

Biden's public appearances and comments since leaving office have fueled speculation he might make another presidential bid.

Asked about the possibility, Biden said he was spending his time trying to swing Congress for Democrats in 2018 "to stop this insanity and begin to right this ship."

But pressed on the issue, the former vice president recalled a question from former President Barack Obama.

"Barack, the President, asked me all during the end of the last administration, you know, how do you make the judgment?" Biden said. "If I could look in the mirror in two and a half, two years, and walk away knowing I'm not walking away because I'm afraid or I don't have the nerve to try to do the job or I don't want to make the effort, then I will happily walk away. For real."

Biden said he was also considering rising talent in the Democratic Party and the potential strength of the 2020 field.

"There's a lot of new folks that potentially are coming up here," Biden said. "You know, we didn't know who Bill Clinton was three years out. We didn't know who Barack Obama was other than a tremendous speech he made. And they stepped up."

Germany coalition talks: Merkel's conservatives and 'clinch deal' - BBC News

7/2/2018

Germany coalition talks: Merkel's conservatives and 'clinch deal'

SPD leader Martin Schulz (right) had at first refused to join coalition talks

Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement on a coalition government with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives (CDU/CSU), according to media reports.

A deal on distributing ministries was said to be one of the last major hurdles towards forming a coalition.

The agreement looks set to end more than four months of wrangling since inconclusive elections in September.

Negotiators have been in non-stop talks since Tuesday morning.

The remaining stumbling blocks have been workers' rights and healthcare.

Immigration, Europe, and tax, have also been points of contention.

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SPD leader Martin Schulz had at first ruled out going back into government with Mrs Merkel's centre-right CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU.

But he changed his mind when CDU/CSU coalition talks with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and Greens broke down.

After months of stalemate, there are now hopes Germany could have a government in place by Easter.

Seats in Bundestag

However, the SPD's 460,000 members will have a final say on whether to accept a coalition agreement in a postal vote due to take place in coming weeks.

Those opposed to any deal with Mrs Merkel include a new group within the SPD calling itself NoGroKo (no grand coalition).

European Union allies, such as France, see Germany as a pillar of stability in the bloc and have been hoping Mrs Merkel succeeds.

Analysis: Big impact on the rest of the world

By Damien McGuinness, BBC News, Berlin

The centre-left Social Democrats will reportedly get a number of key ministries, including finance, foreign and labour.

This would have a big impact on the rest of the world, particularly Europe.

A Social Democrat finance ministry is more likely to go along with French President Macron's ambitious plans for EU reform, by allowing more German support for struggling eurozone economies.

And at home these powerful ministries would help the SPD push for key left-wing policies, such as better rights for employees.

All of this could go down well with SPD party members, who will vote on any final coalition deal.

An agreement which looks like a win for the SPD will increase the likelihood that they will vote yes.

But if they vote no, then the most likely outcome could be fresh elections.

North Korea leader's sister to visit South for Olympics - BBC News

7/2/2018

North Korea leader's sister to visit South for Olympics

Kim Yo-jong in a 2015 picture of her brother touring a military unit

The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is to attend Friday's opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, which are being held in the South, ministers in Seoul say.

Kim Yo-jong, a senior Workers' Party official promoted to the politburo last year, will be the first immediate Kim family member to cross the border.

Both Koreas will march under one flag at the opening ceremony.

The North's participation has been seen as a thawing of bilateral ties.

However, the US, Japan and others have accused the North of using the Games for propaganda purposes.

Who is Kim Yo-jong?

Believed to have been born in 1987, she is the youngest daughter of late leader Kim Jong-il and is Kim Jong-un's full sister. She is about four years younger than her brother and is said to be very close to him.

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Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong waits in the wings

She is reportedly married to the son of Choe Ryong-hae, the powerful party secretary.

Kim Yo-jong at an opening ceremony of a newly constructed residential complex in Ryomyong street in PyongyangImage copyrightREUTERS

Image caption

Kim Yo-jong at the opening of a residential complex in Pyongyang in 2017

Kim Yo-jong has been in the spotlight sporadically in recent years, with her main job being to protect her brother's image via her role in the party's propaganda department.

She remains blacklisted by the US over alleged links to human rights abuses in North Korea.

A message from her brother?

Analysis: BBC's Laura Bicker in Seoul

This is a huge surprise. There had been speculation Kim Yo-jong might be part of the delegation but few thought it would actually happen. It is being seen as a sign that Kim Jong-un is serious about improving ties with South Korea.

Kim Yo-jong is one of Kim Jong-un's closest aides and some are speculating that she might be bringing a message from her brother.

But there could be a number of obstacles to overcome if she is to make it to Pyeongchang. She is targeted by US sanctions for alleged human rights abuses, although she is not on the UN Security Council travel blacklist.

There is also the question of how she will get to the Games. Seoul has had to request special permission from the US and others in the international community to allow North Korean athletes and performers to travel south by bus and ferry. They may have to do so again and this time it will be for a member of Kim Jong-un's own family.

Presentational grey line

How rare is this visit?

It would be the first by a direct member of the Kim dynasty.

Chang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un's uncle and brother in law of Kim Jong-il, did travel to the South but did not belong to the Baekdu blood line, which is considered significant.

North Korean family tree showing Kim Jong Nam as the son of Kim Jong-il and Sung-Hae-rim

There is speculation in the South that this is part of Kim Yo-jong's grooming for greater power, and that she could be bringing a letter from her brother to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who she is likely to meet.

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Who else is in the delegation?

Politically, four figures, including Kim Yo-jong, are key. The others are:

Kim Yong-nam. North Korea's ceremonial head of state, the president of its parliament. The diplomatically sure-footed 90-year-old has seen the rule of all three North Korean leaders and has travelled overseas before

Ri Son-gwon. The head of the North Korean state agency in charge of inter-Korean affairs. A veteran negotiator, he was North Korea's chief delegate at the rare inter-Korean talks held in January

Choe Hwi. Vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party and chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee. Under US state department sanctions

And the rest of the North Korean team?

It's a 280-strong delegation, most of whom arrived in the South on Wednesday.

Led by North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il-guk, it includes 229 cheerleaders, four officials from the National Olympic Committee, 26 taekwondo demonstrators and 21 journalists.

North Korean cheerleaders arrive at their accommodation near Pyeongchang, South KoreaImage copyrightAFP

Image caption

The North Korean cheerleaders arrive at their accommodation near Pyeongchang

The team arrived via a western border at 09:28 local time (00:26 GMT), the Yonhap news agency reported.

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Only 10 athletes will compete for the North at the Games, along with another 12 as part of a unified Korean women's ice hockey team.

How have others reacted?

The US is scornful of the North's motives over the Olympics and is sending Vice-President Mike Pence to the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang to counter what it terms propaganda.

Both the US and Japan have been critical of the North's Olympics policy

"We're travelling to the Olympics to make sure that North Korea doesn't use the powerful symbolism in the backdrop of the Winter Olympics to paper over the truth about their regime," he said.

He was in Tokyo on Wednesday and maintained the pressure, announcing that "the United States will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea".

Japan has been equally sceptical. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: "We must not be fooled by North Korea's 'smile diplomacy'."

Where are we on North-South ties?

North Korea currently faces growing international pressure and sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Its latest ballistic missile test, on 28 November, sparked a new series of measures from the UN, targeting petrol shipments and travel for North Koreans, and a war of words between the North and US President Donald Trump.

Kim Jong-un then extended a New Year's olive branch to the South over participation in the Olympics, which run from 9 to 25 February.

The perceived warming of ties has not been without difficulties, not least the North's decision to move a military parade in Pyongyang from April to the day before the opening of the Games.