Heart group: Cut WAY back, on extra sugar

By JAMIE STENGLE
Associated Press Writer
DALLAS

A spoonful of sugar? Americans are swallowing 22 teaspoons of sugar each day, and it's time to cut way back, the American Heart Association says. Most of that added sugar comes from soft drinks and candy — a whopping 355 calories and the equivalent of guzzling two cans of soda and eating a chocolate bar.

By comparison, most women should be getting no more than 6 teaspoons a day, or 100 calories, of added sugar — the sweeteners and syrups that are added to foods during processing, preparation or at the table. For most men, the recommended limit is 9 teaspoons, or 150 calories, the heart group says. The guidelines do not apply to naturally occurring sugars like those found in fruit, vegetables or dairy products.

Rachel K. Johnson, lead author of the statement published online Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, said "Take a good hard look at your diet. Figure out where the sources of added sugars are and think about how to cut back on that."

She said about 8 ounces of fruit-flavored yogurt has about 6 teaspoons of added sugar; 8 ounces of low-fat chocolate milk has about 4 teaspoons; a cup of frosted whole grain cereal has about 3 teaspoons. The biggest culprits for the glut of sugar are soft drinks by far, followed by candy, cakes, cookies and pies. With about 8 teaspoons of added sugar, a regular 12-ounce soft drink will put most women over the recommended daily limit.

Sandon said that parents can help lower that sugar intake by getting soda out of the house, looking at how much sugar is in their kids' cereal and substituting snacks like cookies with popcorn. "We know for sure that if you are consuming excessive amounts of added sugar, you will add calories, which leads to weight gain, or you will displace other essential nutrients," she said.

On average, most women need about 1,800 calories a day and most men need about 2,200, Johnson said. If someone drinks their daily calorie needs in soft drinks, they will be maintaining their weight, but won't be getting any nutrients, she said.

See: Heart group: Cut back - way back- on extra sugar, Carbohydrates and Sugars and American Heart Association recommends reduced intake of added sugars

Dozens dead as quake, tsunami hit Samoas

A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves
Associated Press

A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa early Tuesday, flattening villages, killing dozens of people and leaving several workers missing at devastated National Park Service facilities.

Cars and people were swept out to sea by the fast-churning water as survivors fled to high ground, where they remained huddled hours later. Signs of devastation were everywhere, with a giant boat getting washed ashore and coming to rest on the edge of a highway and floodwaters swallowing up cars and homes.

The quake, with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3, struck around dawn about 20 miles below the ocean floor, 120 miles (190 kilometers) from American Samoa, a U.S. territory that is home to 65,000 people.

See: New tsunami alert sparks panic in Samoa

Ghana's Budding Jewish Community Celebrates High Holidays

The Sefwi tribe in western Ghana will fast on Yom Kippur
By Anna Boiko-Weyrauch

Monday was Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the year for Jews. The holiday will be marked in Jewish communities around the world, including Western Ghana.

A small group of people from the Sefwi tribe in western Ghana converted to Judaism in the 1970's. While many Sefwi people observed some Jewish laws for centuries - including refraining from work on Saturdays - this group declared themselves ancestors of ancient Israelites and starting calling themselves Jews.

Every year during the high holidays Jews visit a river and throw in bits of bread and cookies, to symbolize getting rid of their sins. Thirteen-year-old Joshua Armah belongs to the Jewish community in Sefwi Wiawso about seven hours from the Ghanaian capital Accra.

"I was thinking that even, the fishes would not get the biscuit to eat," he said. "I was thinking that maybe the biscuit would just mix with the water. But when the fishes are in the water they just see that the biscuit is coming and immediately it gets into the water and they too will come and take it off."

The holidays mark the beginning of a new year for Jews. Like many other members of the religion, the Ghanaian Jews will fast on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. It is a 25-hour fast from food and water that starts Sunday night. Armah says he's figured out how to get through the hard day.

"The best thing for you to do is to go and sleep, and you'll not feel very hungry," he said.

But the Ghanaian Jewish community did not always celebrate these festivals. Until the early 1990's they only observed the weekly Sabbath and the spring holiday of Passover. They first learned about the other Jewish holidays from foreigners who came to visit their community.

"Christians, they celebrate Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Pentecostal Day, and many occasions," said Joshua Armah's older brother, Patrick, who is also an active member of the community.

"But at first when they saw us celebrating only Passover and they were saying, 'Oh, this is not a good type of religion for you to belong.' So when we got to know about Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, maybe lighting the candles and the Feast of Esther, which is Purim, and the fasting day, we were really happy," he said.

Despite its small size, the community is strong in its convictions. And they have received a lot of attention from outside Ghana. Members work with a group in the United States called Kulanu, which seeks to support Jewish communities around the world. The leaders of the community expect to incorporate new holidays into their routine as time goes on. They are looking forward to celebrating even more Jewish holidays this New Year.

Israel Clocks Go Back 1 Hour on Sept 27th

Village of Peace Residents in Dimona
...remember to reset your clocks!!!
KNN Staff

Dimona, Israel

In order to gain one additional hour of daylight during the winter, the annual cycle of 'Daylight Savings Time' was created by governments of men.

Israel's Standard time zone's Daylight Savings time which commenced in spring will end Yom Rishone (Sunday) morning. That is during Mohtsai Shabbaht (Saturday) night of the 26th night / the morning of the 27th of September 2009 at 2am. Instead of time advancing to 02:00:00, the time will move back one hour from 01:59:59, then to 01:00:00.

Most people have grown accustomed used to DST beginning or ending on a Yom Rishone (the first day, Sunday). However ironic, it will commence at 2am on the Yom Sheshe (the sixth day, Friday) March 26 in the spring of 2010.

In order not to under-sleep (since you'll gain an hour), it is recommended that you set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Mohtsai Shabbaht (Saturday night).


"And he shall think to change times and laws" - Dan.7:25

Brother Dahveed is Trailblazing in Ghana

KNN Staff
Dimona, Israel

Brother Dahveed Nelson, in this month of September 2009, is winding up his training for the 3rd Annual Accra International Marathon. This will be the fourth time he has covered the 26.2 mile distance, having done St. Croix (USVI), Tiberias (Israel), and St Louis (Missouri, USA).

Brother Dahveed happens to be a founding member of the now legendary African-American poetry ensemble, known as The Last Poets. He is also a minister and an ambassador of healthy longevity.

He is training almost daily, working towards the September 27th, race which takes off from PramPram, extending to Tema, on to Accra, and ending up in Labadi Beach.

His efforts in the event this year is on behalf of Divinity Inc. This NGO is dedicated to an improvement in our society through ecologically sound projects, such as tree planting and the regreening of the environment. His participation is part of a World Tour aimed at encouraging people to adopt Active, Healthy, Holistic, Sustainable lifestyles.

Anyone wishing to support this effort may do so, by making contributions to Divinity Inc. NGO, which sponsors a variety programs towards this end.

Contact: Dahveed 39@Hotmail.com.

Contributions: Divinity Inc.
11634 W Florissant
St. Louis, Mo. 63033

More teens addicted to prescription drugs

Local detox center sees jump in patients
By Misti Crane
THE Columbus Dispatch

OxyContin ruled Jennifer's days. She crushed and snorted the painkiller when she woke up, before she left for high school, during school, at home at night, before bed.

Sometimes she had to pay -- 80-milligram pills can go for $50 or more -- but usually her boyfriend or someone else at her suburban school got it for her. Pretty much everyone she hung out with smoked pot and drank, and many took pills.

She started with marijuana at 13, dabbled in alcohol but didn't like it all that much, and then started taking Vicodin. When the prescription painkiller stopped doing anything for her, she tried another narcotic, Percocet, but wasn't impressed.

An unprecedented number of young people are showing up there hooked on prescription medications and heroin, which they sometimes turn to as a cheaper alternative. They come predominantly from rural and suburban schools, and most live in middle-class or wealthy homes.

Last year, the number of adolescents who went through detox at Children's Hospital hit 50, double the number the year before, said Dr. Peter Rogers, who specializes in addiction medicine. Of those, 27 were girls and 23 were boys. All were white.

See: The Columbus Dispatch : More teens addicted to prescription drugs

KNN Offers Wholesale Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup can be sweet for your health and pocket

by Ahtur Keymah
KNN-Cleveland

Maple syrup is one of the many wonders of the world. It is an excellent source of manganese and a good source of zinc. Maple syrup can also be sweet for your health as it is an excellent source of manganese and zinc.

The trace mineral manganese is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. For example, the key oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories within our cells), requires manganese. One ounce of maple syrup supplies 22.0% of the daily value for this very important trace mineral.

Maple syrup is also a good sweetener to use if you are trying to protect the health of your heart. The zinc supplied by maple syrup, in addition to acting as an antioxidant, has other functions that can decrease the progression of arteriosclerosis. Zinc is needed for the proper function of endothelial cells and helps to prevent the endothelial damage caused by oxidized LDL cholesterol and other oxidized fats. Additionally, studies have found that in adults deficient in manganese, the other trace mineral amply supplied in maple syrup, the level of HDL (the "good" cholesterol) is decreased.

Zinc and manganese are important allies in the immune system. Many types of immune cells appear to depend upon zinc for optimal function. Particularly in children, researchers have studied the effects of zinc deficiency (and zinc supplementation) on their immune response and their number of white blood cells.

Maple syrup may help to support reproductive health and provides special benefits for men. Zinc is concentrated more highly in the prostate than in any other human tissue, and low levels of zinc in this gland relate to a higher risk for prostate cancer. In fact, zinc is a mineral used therapeutically by healthcare practitioners to help reduce prostate size. Manganese may also play a role in supporting men's health since, as a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, it also participates in the production of sex hormones, thus helping to maintain reproductive health.

Now featuring Ohio-grown maple sugar, we can ship anywhere in the world!!!!!

For more info and to place your orders for maple syrup and granulated maple sugar, contact Ahtur Keymah today at keymah777@aol.com.

Sugarless & Live Food Weeks are Back!

KNN-Village of Peace
Dimona, Israel

In our continuous pursuit of Perfect Health, Everlasting Life, and Eternal Harmony with the Holy Creations of Yah (God), the African Hebrew Israelite Community has instituted Sugarless Week and Live Foods Consumption Week four (4) times a year. The adoption of the cycle of these two consecutive weeks was established, in part, to heighten health awareness regarding the consumption of sweets and live foods for ourselves and our families. Sugarless Week proceeds Live Week and generally commences around the change of seasons.

These two consecutive health consciousness weeks are regulated by Ministry of Divine Health as a preventive measure for the Community, as an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The Community is touted as the "Healthy Hebrews", and in order to maintain its status as a virtually sickness and dis-ease-free community, the Community's members are made consciously aware of its dietary habits by taking assessment of its total sugar intake as well as living or "live" foods consumption during these quarterly weeks.

During Sugarless Week, brown sugar (white sugar is not used by the Community), honey and other sweeteners which have not been approved by the Ministry of Divine Health for use during this week are discontinued for eight (8) consecutive days. Instead, other plant-based natural sweeteners such as maple syrup (American and Canadian brands), date syrup, the naturally green-colored 100% natural herbal Stevia leaf powder (Stevia Rebaudiana, not the liquid and not the white powder) are used in moderation as suitable "sugar" substitutions. Although these natural sugar substitutes are used during Sugarless Week, it is not recommended to cook or bake with them, as heating some of these substances converts them into forms of sugar.

Sugarless week occurs approximately at the debut of each spring, summer, fall and winter season, and is followed up by Live Foods Week, which, in conjunction with an internal cleansing program of herbal laxatives, colonic irrigation or other purgative programs, assists in purifying the body's internal organs, ridding them of unwanted waste and toxic matter. Additionally, as "living foods" enhance and stimulate the body's natural defense systems, they also helps to flush out the old, putrefying foods which are lodged in the intestinal tract and prepare the body for the intake of the incoming season's harvest of fruits and vegetables.

Live foods consumed during this week also aid the body to adapt to the variations in weather for the in-coming season. For example, winter's harvest of citrus fruits help strengthen the immune system to fight colds and flu just as summer's harvest of honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelons and early fall's grape season help stave off dehydration and other heat-related conditions. During Live Foods Consumption Week consumption of a balanced live foods diet consisting of an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables is promoted and achieved.

In order to facilitate this vital dietary transition as a healthful, manageable, and enjoyable week for all, fresh tofu dishes (with no additional cooking required), bean curds, bean threads, sea vegetables, nut butters, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, unrefined, unprocessed natural grains and foods which can be prepared via soaking in water and/or sprouted, as well as unleavened breads, pita bread, flatbread (mahtsah), crackers, soya or other vegan nut and bean "milks" and "butters" which can be used in preparing veggie mayonnaises, salad dressings, 'cheeses', sandwich spreads, etcetera, have been permitted for moderate consumption during this transitional phase.

Sugarless Week commenced at the setting of the sun on Yom Sheshe (Friday evening), September 4, 2009, and will end at sunset on Motsai Shabbaht (Saturday evening) September 12, 2009 with the commencing of Live Foods Week.

Live Foods Week will commence on Mohtsai Shabbat (at sunset on Saturday evening) September 12, 2009, and will end at sunset on Yom Khamishee* (Thursday evening) September 17, 2009.

*Please note that in preparation for the Hebraic High Holy Day Shabbatone Zekrone Thruahk (The Memorial Blowing of the Trumpet), which will begin at the setting of the sun on Yom Sheshe (Friday evening), September 18, 2009, 'Live Foods Week' will end one day earlier than normal.

Please remember that in the preparation of Live Food, presentation is as important as taste.

Please be mindful to avoid using products which contain sugar, honey, cooked and other highly processed, refined ingredients during the respective weeks.

Most importantly, be creative and ENJOY!

For more information, please contact the Ministry of Divine Health at divine.healers@yahoo.com.

Swine flu sends more blacks, Hispanics to hospital

The Chicago findings are believed to be the first published study to the ethnic breakdown of swine flu's impact
By Mike Stobbe
Associated Press

Swine flu was four times more likely to send blacks and Hispanics to the hospital than whites, according to a study in Chicago that offers one of the first looks at how the virus has affected different racial groups.

The report echoes some unpublished information from Boston that found three out of four Bostonians hospitalized from swine flu were black or Hispanic.

The cause for the difference is probably not genetic, health officials said. More likely, it's because blacks and Hispanics suffer disproportionately from asthma, diabetes and other health problems that make people more vulnerable to the flu.

It's not clear if a racial or ethnic difference will hold up when more complete national data is available, one federal health official said. The findings are based on fairly small numbers of cases from the early days of the pandemic.

"We don't have anything definitive to say one group is more affected than another," said Dr. Daniel Jernigan of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Chicago findings, released Thursday, are believed to be the first published study to detail a racial or ethnic breakdown of swine flu's impact.

Researchers looked at more than 1,500 lab-confirmed swine flu cases reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health from late April through late July.

Blacks with swine flu were hospitalized at a rate of 9 per 100,000, and Hispanics at a rate of 8 per 100,000. For whites, the rate was 2 per 100,000, the study found.

See: Swine flu sends more blacks, Hispanics to hospital

Swine flu could infect half of U.S., panel estimates

The virus could cause symptoms in 60 million to 120 million people
By Rob Stein
The Washington Post

Swine flu could infect half the U.S. population this fall and winter, hospitalizing up to 1.8 million people and causing as many as 90,000 deaths - more than double the number that occur in an average flu season, according to an estimate from a presidential panel.

The virus could cause symptoms in 60 million to 120 million people, more than half of whom might seek medical attention, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimated. The numbers were given in an 86-page report to the White House assessing the government's response to the first influenza pandemic in 41 years.

Although most cases probably would be mild, up to 300,000 people could require intensive care, which could tie up ICU beds in some parts of the country at the peak of the outbreak, the council said.

"This is going to be fairly serious," said Harold Varmus of New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, who co-chairs the 21-member council. "It's going to stress every aspect of our health system."

The estimates, released Monday, were the first specific numbers by experts on the possible impact of the pandemic in the United States.

The "plausible scenario" is based on previous pandemics, especially the 1957-58 Asian flu, and how the swine flu behaved in the United States this spring and during the Southern Hemisphere's winter over the past few months, said Mark Lipsitch of the Harvard School of Public Health. He helped prepare the estimate.

"They are not a prediction, but they are a possibility," he said, noting the estimates are based on assumptions, including that the virus will not mutate into a more dangerous form or infect more older people.

See: Swine flu could infect half of US, panel estimates

The Divine Universal Sisterhood, Embarking New Territory

New Host and New Speakers Take Center Stage at Conference
by Ahkote Hitzhirealah Baht Israel

KNN-Tallahassee, Florida

The Divine Universal Sisterhood of the southern region had an extraordinary weekend at the 2009 Sisterhood Conference at St. George Island, Florida (August 14-16, 2009). Inspired by this year’s Unity Day theme,

"Servant/Leader =

Total Performance =

A Decade for Our Youth",

the Sisterhood embarked upon three days of illustrating, encouraging and praising the Servant/ Leader in total performance, while demonstrating that this is truly the "Decade of the Youth."

Hosted by the Tallahassee Extension for the first time, the annual conference was a memorable experience. The Sisterhood lodged in luxurious beach front property, while being pampered with massages, Aqua Chi services, free Chiropractic screenings and professional photography on the beach – Yah Khai! (Yah Lives!)

The Conference featured a Wisdom Hut discussion on the Sabbath day (Saturday). It featured many of the Chosen First Fruit (CFF), who proved to be worthy counterparts to their more experienced speakers. They offered a refreshing look at the Servant/Leader concept and much insight on how to take the 'Decade of the Youth' to new heights. The Wisdom Hut speakers and their topics were as follows:

Ahkote Emoonah - "The Historic Prophetic Dynamics of the Servant/Leader"
Panel: Ahkote Biroreet, Ahkote Batiyah, Ahkote D’Ganyah, Ahkote Oshreet, Ahkote Harameeyah - "Analyzing the Servant Leader Concept from the Perspective of Health"
Aturah Daniella - "The Importance of Being My Sister’s Keeper"
Ahkote Prahkeet - "Comprehending and Continuing the Works of Our Fathers, from the Perspective of the CFF"

The Highlight of the Conference was the Sunrise Shabbaht prayer on the beach. Adorned in beautiful white garments, the Sisterhood opened with meditation and Yah-inspired affirmations. Only the sweet sound of the ocean could be heard. Then, in unison they recited the Marriage of the Lamb Scroll of the Vows, and lifted up prayer to the Most High. It was a moment where the Sisters could go deep into introspection, as well as be at peace with nature and the Creator. It was truly a remarkable event.

During an exquisite evening banquet, Elevated Crown Sister Aturah Yafah acknowledged the recent elevations among the Sisterhood, including the elevations of newly Crowned Sister Aturah Daniella; Women of Valor Ahkote Emoonah, Ahkote Khazeekah and Ahkote Sheveevyah; and Sisters on the Move Ahkote Neetskiyah and Ahkote Prahkeet.

About 40 Sisters participated in the Conference including those from Atlanta, California, Ghana and Israel. The young and vibrant Tallahassee Extension did an exceptional job with this year’s Sisterhood Conference.

All Praises to Yah!

Creating Righteous Fun

by Naomi E. Shmuel
KNN-Village of Peace
Dimona, Israel

A fun-filled summer is a child’s dream come true. Many dreams are being fulfilled in the African Hebrew Israelite’s Village of Peace in Dimona, Israel, as the children enjoy special activities sponsored by some industrious, caring young adults in the community.

Tseyon Ben Israel and Sharsheyah Baht Israel are now in their second summer sponsoring fun-filled evenings for the children in their community. Every evening they sponsor “Kol Ha Kifar”, a music broadcast of positive sounds, for the children to play by. This creates an uplifting and relaxing mood for children and adults alike. The week is filled with activities such as outdoor movies (pictured), fun and games, skating parties, dance contests and more. The summer program opens and closes with special youth entertainment performances.

The program was conceived in 2008 when, as Tseyon recalls, “We were sitting in the gazebo at the King’s Court, (a social area in the village) watching the children, and they seemed a little bored. So, we decided to provide games and activities to help them have fun.” Tseyon and Sharsheyah initially used their own personal money to fund the program and have continued to do so this year.

This summer, the program was also blessed to receive a generous donation from the Peace of Paradise amutah, a non-profit organization that raises money for children’s educational needs. Aturah Adivah, the head facilitator of the amutah (NGO), expressed joy in giving the donation. “It’s great to see the interest and efforts of youth helping other youth; and because our purpose is to develop and enhance the minds and lifestyles of the youth, we really felt it was worthwhile to donate to this program.”

Tseyon and Sharsheyah’s kind efforts also became contagious this summer, attracting two more young adults to join them in administrating the program. Youths Boaz Ben Israel and Emeyah Baht Israel are active doing whatever is needed. Emeyah also deejays the “Kol Ha Kifar” (the voice of the village), and Boaz treats the children to periodic “free ice cream” nights at his franchise ice cream stand in the community’s small eatery, the 'meeznone'.

The program has been well received and appreciated by children and adults. “The activities are very nice and entertaining for the children and the adults even enjoy the environment and watching the children play. It is so thoughtful of them to create and give the children fun activities to do”, says one mother, Shevnah, whose 9 year old son, has enjoyed the summer activities. Baht Keebah, age 13, says, “I think the activities are really nice. My favorite is the outdoor movies!”

The efforts of these young adults to implement fun activities are a reflection of the communal spirit of The African Hebrew Israelite Community, and express a sincere desire to pass on the legacy of Kingdom Fun to the younger generation. “We always had fun when we were young”, says Tseyon, “but children these days are always in front of the TV or computer, and we just want to encourage a fun, social life for the children”.

Food crisis could force wartime rations and vegetarian diet on Britons

British people may face wartime rations
Valerie Elliott
Times Online

The British people face wartime rations and a vegetarian diet in the event of a world food shortage, a new official assessment on the UK’s food security suggests today.

Even though the nation is 73 per cent self-sufficient in food production, higher than during the 1950s, the food chain is at risk from global influences such as a worldwide increase in population, climate change bringing extreme weather patterns, higher oil prices and more crops being grown for bio-fuel instead of food.

Supplies in future may also be disrupted by animal disease outbreaks, disruption of power supplies, trade disputes and interruptions for shipping and at ports.

The UK however has one of the highest cereal production capabilities in the world with seven tonnes grown per hectare, compared a world average of 3.3 tonnes per hectare.

U.S. Posts $180.68 Billion Deficit for July

Year-to-date federal-government spending totaled $3.01 trillion
By Jeff Bater
Wall Street Jounal

The federal government spent more than it pocketed a 10th straight month during July, nearing a record last set in 1992 for a string of deficits.

Burdened by Wall Street bailout costs and shriveled corporate profits, the government was $180.68 billion in the red during July, the Treasury Department said Wednesday in its monthly budget statement. July 2008's federal budget deficit was $102.77 billion.

The deficit record for any month is $193.86 billion, in February this year.

For the first 10 months of fiscal 2009, the deficit widened to $1.267 trillion, more than triple the $388.62 billion for the first 10 months of fiscal 2008.

Fiscal years start Oct. 1. The White House has predicted the deficit will total $1.841 trillion this fiscal year. The biggest deficit for any fiscal year on record is $454.8 billion, rung up in fiscal 2008.

Wall Street was on target predicting the July 2009 deficit. A survey of economists by Dow Jones Newswires forecast $180 billion.

The string of 10 monthly deficits isn't a record. There have been 11 in a row three times, the last time being May 1991 through March 1992.

July 2009 federal government spending totaled $332.18 billion, compared with $263.26 billion in July 2008.

Year-to-date federal-government spending totaled $3.01 trillion, compared with $2.48 trillion in the first 10 months of fiscal 2008.

Gross spending on the Troubled Asset Relief Program totaled $169.13 billion year to date. TARP was created late last year to rescue Wall Street and stem a financial sector meltdown.

Spending for benefits to the nation's jobless totaled $80.24 billion. Since the recession began in December 2007, 6.7 million jobs have been lost.

Federal government interest payments on the national debt year-to-date were $167.71 billion. Defense spending ran at $552.22 billion. Veterans benefits were $82.84 billion. Social Security totaled $568.54 billion.

The Treasury report said it bought $7.22 billion in agency mortgage-backed securities during July; year to date, purchases totaled $153.25 billion.

July federal government receipts totaled $151.5 billion, down from $160.49 billion a year earlier.

Year-to-date federal government revenue totaled $1.74 trillion, compared with $2.09 trillion for the first 10 months of fiscal 2008. Individual income-tax receipts totaled $750.38 billion, compared with $943.89 billion. Corporate taxes totaled $104.48 billion, compared with $246.8 billion.

The Treasury said it plans to release budget data for August on Sept. 11.

Second Wave from Hebrew Israelite Community Receives Israeli Citizenship

KNN-Village of Peace

Dimona, Israel

Six years ago, the first member of the African Hebrew Israelite Community was inducted into the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Now, July 29 has marked another very significant day in Hebrew Community's history as it ushered in the second wave of African Hebrew Israelites to receive Israeli citizenship.

Sar Elyahkeem Ben Yehuda, made history in January 2009 as the first member of the African Hebrew Israelite Community to receive the long-awaited citizenship status. He was joined this week by other members, the Community's first two women to receive the same recognition--Shalaymah Baht Israel and Hetsiliyah Baht Israel, as well as several of their children who also received citizenship along with their mothers.

This blessed accomplishment did not come without opposition, as for decades, Israeli authorities suggested conversion to Jewish religion as the only way by which the Hebrew Israelite Community could gain citizenship and thence fully assimilate into the Israeli society.

Under the tenacious leadership of Spiritual Leader Ben Ammi Ben Israel, the 'conversion' topic was not up for discussion. The Community had already traced its lineage back to the Biblical Israelites, identifying in particular as descendants of the tribe of Judah (from which the terms Judaism and Jewish originate). Thus, being Jewish ethnically, the Community saw no need to convert to the Jewish religion to authenticate that which it already was. From the 1970's up to today, the position has never waivered nor changed.

Historically significant is that in 1967, members of the Hebrew Israelite Community left the confines of America-referred to as the lands of the Great Captivity. In 1969, after spending two-and-one-half years in Liberia's bush, and having purged and prepared themselves for entry into the Promised Land, they arrived in Israel claiming their "Jewishness" by way of descendency of the Biblical Israelites, and were more than determined to stay.

In December 1969, the first group which arrived after the Liberian sojourn was initially received as Jews, but by the arrival of the second group 3 months later, the Law of Return had been re-written that one had to be "born of a Jewish mother" in order to partake of the privileges of a "Jewish" inheritance.

Although the journey began with exceeding difficulty, to say the least, today they are reaping the blessings of having returned to their land, and are enjoying the fruits of a peaceful, healthy and exceedingly joyfully dwelling place and a bright future. A vision not so readily apparent before has now emerged clearly as evidence that the decades-long wait for this day was not in vain.

The tide of events which, in former times, sought to flood out and uproot the Community from out of the Holy Land have made a dramatically remarkable turn. Through hard work, dedication, application of Yah-sense and committment to the vision of the visionary Spiritual Leader Ben Ammi, the Community is now, among other things, officially established as Kibbutz Shomreh HaShalom, one of the largest urban kibbutzeem in Israel. Please click here to read a statement posted on Israel's Interior Ministry's official website relative to its current position on the Hebrew Israelite Community.

In maintaining the alignment with the divine, perfect will and plan of Yah (God), Ahkote (sister) Hitsiliyah, Ahkote Shalaymah and their children have all demonstrated the stedfastness, courage, patience, faith and tenacity that is necessary to see the arduous process all the way through, as did Sar Elyahkeem.

These first 3 families having made history for their Community, now too serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for the Community's members, as symbols of victory, and as testimony that...

"Truth Has the Inherent Power to Produce the Promised Effects".

Yah Khai!!!
B'vrahkah!!!
KNN salutes you!!!

Study: Tanning beds definitely cause cancer

Using tanning beds caused about a 20% increased relative risk of developing melanoma
By Maria Cheng-Medical Writer
Associated Press

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category deeming both to be definite causes of cancer.

For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30.

Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.

The research was published online in the medical journal Lancet Oncology on Wednesday by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization.

"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

Cogliano said the classification means experts are confident that tanning beds cause cancer, but he noted they may not be as potent as other carcinogens like tobacco or arsenic.

Most lights used in tanning beds give off mainly ultraviolet radiation, which cause skin and eye cancer. As use of tanning beds has increased among people under 30, doctors have seen a parallel rise in the numbers of young people with skin cancer, though most types of skin cancer are benign.

According to the studies reviewed by Cogliano and colleagues, using tanning beds caused about a 20 percent increased relative risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer.

See: Study: Tanning beds definitely cause cancer

Unity Day 2009 Hebrew-English Seminar

Nahtahn Ben Ahmeshadye
Unity Day Planning Committee 2009
KNN-Village of Peace
Dimona, Israel

This year's Unity Day Theme:

"Servant/Leader = Total Performance = A Decade for Our Youth"

"And in the days of these kings shall the Yah (God) of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdom, and it shall stand forever".

Daniel 2:44

For this Year's Unity Day, we reflect back to this year's National History Month and inaugurated "A Decade for the Children", and like unto the National History Month directorate, we the 2009 Unity Day Planning Committee have pursued the season at hand.

Many of our future Servant/Leaders will emerge in the next decade. This being so, we must prepare out youth. 'Total Performance' is what was heard in today's seminar.

The young sons and daughters who presented today were raised in this "redemptive struggle".

Liken unto the Great Servant/Leader Extraordinaire Ben-Ammi, we bear witness to His works: Total Performance for His Yah and His people. Today, as Servants/Leaders Extraordinaire, we must prepare our youth to be Yah's (God's) Leaders: able men and women, Yah-fearing men and women of Truth, haters of covetousness, wise and understanding men and women whom are known among the people. Today, you will hear the testimonies to the vision and future of the Kingdom of Yah as seen by our youth.

The Order of the Day - WE SERVE.

The Unity Day 2009 Hebrew-English Seminar's featured speakers and their topics were:

-Ahk Yahonatan Ben Acaviyah-Chosen First Fruit (CFF)
Brotherhood Chairman of the Unity Day Planning Committee 2009

"The Historical-Prophetic Dynamics of the Servant/Leader"

-Tsifoonah Baht Sar Elyahshuv-Youth on the Move (YOM)
"The Importance of Being My Brother/Sister's Keeper"
(presentation given in the Hebrew language)

-Horaliel Ben Ahk Horaliel & Ben Immanuel Ben Nasik Immanuel-Youth on the Move (YOM)
"The Seven Principles of Divine Leadership"
(presentation given in the Hebrew language)

-Yanah Baht Tsadok-Youth on the Move (YOM)
"Rewriting the Proverbs as it Relates to the New Vision"

The New Jerusalem Fire Choir did two selections after the break.

-Ahk Ovadiyah Ben Nasik Gavriel HaGadol-Chosen First Fruit (CFF)

"Comprehending and Continuing the works (of our Fathers)"

-Ahkote Markeeyah Eshet Sapeer-Chosen First Fruit (CFF)
"Analyzing the Servant/Leader Concept from the Perspective of Health",
(presentation given in the Hebrew language)

-Ahk Elrahm Ben Zockriel-Chosen First Fruit (CFF)

"Explaining/Summarizing the Theme from the Perspective of the CFF and the YOM"

Abbah Ben Ammi's closing comments were that the youth's presentations were very impressive. It was not only the works of Dr. Ahtur Khazriel and Nasik Aharon being part of the Scholarship Body and preparing them for today's seminar, but that each and every one of the Saints of the Kingdom also contributed to their testimonies and to their overall presentations today.

Ahk Nahtahn added, that the presenters expressed that they did not come to take the place of their fathers and mothers--the great leaders of the Kingdom, but to come to assist in building this great and mighty Kingdom, for it is Truth that inherits the manifestation of what we today bear witness to.

Ahk Ovadiyah made a thought-provoking comment that, saying "We've heard the proverb that you know a tree by the fruit it bears, and that now is the time for the fruit to prove that it came from this tree!"

Unity Day 2009 Has Begun!

The Hebrew Israelite Community inaugurates its Unity Day 2009
KNN-Village of Peace
Dimona, Israel








The Hebrew Israelite Community officially inaugurated its Unity Day 2009 festivities on Yom Khamishee (Thursday) at sunset with the Unity Day Communal Prayer in all cities in the Holy Land wherein community members reside--Arad, Mitzpe Ramon, Tiberias and Tel Aviv.

Despite its name, "Unity Day" is actually a week-long celebration, normally held bi-annually, and occasionally annually in the Dimona Community, as well as in various other extensions of the Community throughout the world. Unity Day is a time wherein members and guests celebrate the diversity and the beauty of oneness within the Community.

Everyone participates in the week's activities, in particular, the Divine Jerusalem Brotherhood, the Divine Jerusalem Sisterhood and the Youth on the Move (YOM)--the body of youth from age 13 up to pre-adulthood. These two bodies encapsulate the great majority of the Community.

Following the Unity Day Communal Prayer, the Unity Day Run was held on Yom Sheshe (Friday) morning. Men, women and children of all ages including women in conception, as well as mothers pushing babies in strollers, are all geared up in red and white sports attire to run, jog or fastwalk in 'unity' while chanting praises unto the Yah (God) of Creation.

The terrain was noneother than the mountainous foothills of Judea surrounding the Dimona Community located in the Negev Desert. The Saints and many guests assembled at 7:30am and the run began at 8:00. Despite the early hour, the run took place in the blazing hot morning sun at 32ºC (that's 90ºF)!

At the completion of the run, everyone gathered together and shouted "HalleluYah!" joyously before continuing on the the family Unity softball games. It was truly a sight to behold, and an experience to never forget.

Pictured above: (1) after of the run, the Spiritual Leader Ben Ammi addresses the Brotherhood and, (2) Sisterhood, and YOM runners. Afterwards the Unity softball game featured (3) Ahtur Ahvraham pitching to Morah Marninah, a grandmother, and then (4) to his own abbah Nasik (Prince) Gavriel HaGadol-a great-granfather and formidable slugger; (5) Sar (Minister) Elyahkeem--the celebrated first Hebrew citizen of Israel (click here to read story) is up to bat; (6) the drum section relaxes in the shade and keeps the crowd lively with Edenic rhythm.

Unique to this year will be the 'Return to Eden' theme for the Divine Cuisine Exhibit and tasting, which will feature live foods and fruit dishes made with both fresh and dehydrated foods. The concept to envision is how will we be eating 40 years from now, and the foods prepared for the Cuisine will demonstrate dishes towards optimal health to add the Community's already established 40+ years of vegan recipes.

On Erev Shabbaht (the eve of the Holy Sabbath, Friday evening), there will be a Unity Day Shabbaht service, and the Unity Day Conference on the Shabbaht day (Saturday).

Unity Day week will include:
-a Kingdom Sounds Concert featuring artists and original songs from the Community
-National Farm Day
-Kingdom Outdoor Theater
-the Unity Day Cuisine Presentations
-various Cultural Exhibits
-the Unity Day Prayer
-Unity Day proper, which will include
uniformity in entity dress,
the Unity Day Brunch
Fun and Games
Ministerial Awards Presentations
Unity Day Parade Presentations
the Unity Day Closeout Ball
Awards Ceremony
Dinner
Concert
Divine Miseebah (party)

At the close of the festivities will be the family outing for all family members to enjoy.

Please stay tuned to KNN for Unity Day coverage. Yah Khai!!! (Yah Lives!!!)

The Evil Genius Strikes Again

E-cigarettes offer smoke-free nicotine, but experts skeptical
Delores Flynn
The Detroit News

Scott Marino was recently in Kroger puffing away on a cigarette when an employee told him he couldn't smoke in the store. The 43-year-old Shelby Township resident said "no problem" -- because the cigarette wasn't real.

Marino hasn't smoked in a little more than a month due in part to electronic or e-cigarettes, which provide a nonflammable, tar- and tobacco-free alternative to traditional cigarettes. Powered by a lithium battery, the cigarette includes a liquid nicotine cartridge, a "glowing" end and smoke-like vapors.

"It's a great option, especially in light of the state considering a smoking ban," said Marino, who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 25 years. "You can smoke it in restaurants or work, and carry it around with you and not need a lighter."

The electronic cigarette kits sell for roughly $99 to $129.99 and include a wall charger as well as a pack of five cartridges valued at $10 that come in four different nicotine levels: 16 milligrams, 11, 6 and 0. Various flavors such as regular tobacco, apple and vanilla are also available. One nicotine cartridge is the equivalent of 20 traditional cigarettes -- or a pack. A pack of cigarettes in Michigan costs about $6.

The technology was invented by a Chinese scientist in 2004, and Smoking Everywhere obtained the right to sell the product in the United States. It's one of about five major e-cigarette companies. Njoy and Bloog use similar technology.

Smoking Everywhere has reported sales of about $12 million in 2008 for the product marketed to ages 18 and older, Linscott said.

It has become about a $100 million industry, said Matt Salmon, president of the Electronic Cigarette Association.

The kiosk in Oakland Mall has sold more than 130 kits since it opened May 1, and sells about 20 packs of cartridges daily, according to co-owner John Mannino, who opened a second kiosk at Birch Run mall Wednesday.

See: E-cigarettes offer smoke-free nicotine, but experts skeptical

Excitement, Fear Precede Solar Eclipse

Superstitions Surround Rare Event in Asia
By Michael Casey
Associated Press

Millions of people across Asia will witness the longest total solar eclipse that will happen this century, as vast swaths of India and China, the entire city of Shanghai and southern Japanese islands are plunged into darkness Wednesday for about five minutes.

Streams of amateur stargazers and scientists are traveling long distances to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Astronomers hope the eclipse will unlock clues about the sun, while an astrologer in Myanmar predicts it could usher in chaos. Some in India are advising pregnant relatives to stay indoors to follow a centuries-old tradition of avoiding the sun's invisible rays.

The eclipse will appear first at dawn in India's Gulf of Khambhat just north of the metropolis of Mumbai.

It will move east across India, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China before hitting the Pacific. The eclipse will cross some southern Japanese islands and be last visible from land at Nikumaroro Island in the South Pacific nation of Kiribati. Elsewhere, a partial eclipse will be visible in much of Asia.

For astronomers, it will be a chance for a prolonged view of the sun's corona, a white ring 600,000 miles from the sun's surface. The previous total eclipse, in August 2008, was two minutes and 27 seconds. This one will last 6 minutes and 39 seconds at its maximum point.

Solar scientist Lucie Green is aboard an American cruise ship heading for that point near the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, where the axis of the moon's shadow will pass closest to earth.

See: Ominous Predictions

Community gardens, a growing trend

It's homegrown and you can do it with your own hands
By Mary Reid Barrow
The Virginian-Pilot








Bean vines are being trained on string to grow from the ground up and twine around the umbrella spokes – a bean pole of sorts.

Other whimsical touches dot the paths , vegetables and flowers on the 20-by-20-foot plot of land that the couple rents for $400 a season.

Several times a week, Friedman and Schaefer travel 25 minutes from their home on Broad Bay Island in Virginia Beach to plant, weed and enjoy their “great little spot in the country,” as Friedman calls it.

Theirs is one of 13 organic garden plots at Pungo Naturals Farm at 1813 Gum Bridge Road. Owners Linda and Kevin Sullivan not only rent plots but also grow organic produce for Community Supported Agriculture baskets.

Spurred on by trends across the country , including Buy Fresh Buy Local and the Slow Food movements, along with symbols like Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden at the White House, Pungo Naturals and several other community gardens of sorts have sprouted in the area this year.

The economy’s downtown, a desire to reduce one’s carbon footprint to protect the environment, concern for food safety, and cravings for tasty fresh food drive folks to pick up hoes and work the earth themselves.

Food safety is one of the aspects important to Schaefer.

“I do think people should be aware of where their food comes from,” she said.

That was one of many reasons that Virginia Beach Horticulture Extension agent Susan French urged the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners to plant a demonstration vegetable garden at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market in Virginia Beach.

“Last year, I was inundated with calls from individuals seeking information on vegetable gardens,” French said.

People were not only interested in food safety, she said, but they also wanted to save money. Many had a heightened environmental awareness, and almost everybody was interested in providing good, nutritious food for their families.

See:Community gardens, a growing trend

Can Turmeric Relieve Pain?

One Of The Most Versatile And Powerful Medicinal Herbs
KNN Staff

The health benefits of turmeric are extremely well known, stretching back to ancient times. Turmeric has a long standing reputation as a potent medicinal herb capable of improving NUMEROUS health conditions.

Turmeric has been the subject of a sizable amount of research into its potential as an anti-cancer agent as well as its tumor suppressing properties; anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant capacity.

But There's MORE! Additional health benefits of turmeric are observed through its pain suppressing ability. Most of the studies to date have been on animals however Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have recorded the medicinal health benefits of turmeric in humans over a long period of time.

Studies suggest the most recognized health benefits of turmeric to be:

-Treating digestive disorders
-As an anti-inflammatory agent (e.g. treatment of osteoarthritis)
-Treatment of arteriosclerosis – may cause a reduction in bad cholesterol that can lead to blockage of the arteries.
-Preliminary studies suggest a potential treatment for certain cancers – breast, colon, prostate and skin (only low-quality studies in humans have been conducted)
-Reducing activity of roundworms and intestinal worms
-Protection from liver disease
-Preventing bacterial infection in wounds
-Healing wounds
-Eye disorder – possible (natural) treatment for uveitis

Turmeric health antioxidant capacity was examined as part of a German research study during 2003 (Screening pharmaceutical preparations containing extracts of turmeric rhizome, artichoke leaf, devil's claw root and garlic oil for antioxidant capacity).

Besides being used for its therapeutic activity, turmeric is also extremely popular as a food additive (spice). It has been used in Asian cookery for thousands of years.

Don't Worry Be Happy

Sad Dads May Lead to Crying Infants
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

Don't automatically blame mom: A crying, colicky baby can be just as much the result of dad's state of mind, Dutch researchers report.

Other studies have found that depression among mothers can be related to excessive crying or colic, a common problem with newborns, but the researchers said that little was known about whether fathers' emotions and behavior also have an effect.

"Up to now, almost all attention went to the prenatal effects of maternal depression on child development, leading to the development of detection and treatment programs that focused on mental well-being of mothers," said lead researcher Dr. Mijke P. van den Berg, a psychiatrist at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

"This study showed the importance of taking paternal factors and well-being during pregnancy into account, next to maternal," she said.

The report is published in the July issue of Pediatrics.

To see how parental depression was related to excessive crying, van den Berg's team gathered data on symptoms of depression among parents of 4,426 infants who were 2 months old.

Excessive crying was defined as crying for more than three hours a day on more than three days in the past week.

Overall, just 2.5 percent of the infants in the study fit the excessive crying criteria. But, the researchers found a 30 percent higher risk for depression among parents whose infant cried excessively.

"This finding could not be attributed to co-existing depressive symptoms of the mother, which is already known to be a risk factor for excessive infant crying," van den Berg said. It could be related to genetics, a depressed father or, indirectly, through factors such as marital, family or economic stress, she said.

In fact, a dad with symptoms of depression was twice as likely to have an infant who cried excessively as was a dad who was not depressed, the study found.

"Fathers do matter, so take care for the mental well-being of fathers during pregnancy," van den Berg said.

Dr. Jon Shaw, a professor and director of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller of School of Medicine, said that the study shows how depression can lead to infant's excessive crying.

"This study demonstrates in a paradoxical way the importance of fathers, in that fathers' measurable depression during pregnancy is a risk factor for excessive infant crying at 2 months of age," Shaw said.

"This seems to be related perhaps to the enduring effects of fathers' depression on the family ambience, the parental relationship, child parenting and, perhaps as the authors suggest, there may be a genetic factor involved," he said.

The ABC's Composting

A composting testimony I’d like to share
by Harameeyah B. Israel
KOY - Office of Environmental Affairs

Last March, I began composing my kitchen wastes and those from Soul Veg Tallahassee. These wastes include just about everything: carrot shavings/stems, onion peelings, tomato stems, rotten fruit, fruit cores (i.e., apple, etc.), avocado skin, shredded paper, coffee grounds, paper towels, etc. The main wastes, however, were green stems from the restaurant. Since we cook greens everyday, my composter was full of greens.

In January, I started to notice an odor that got worse and worse. So in March I finally buried the compost (which had become a putrid smelling sludge--like what greens or lettuce looks like when it goes REALLY bad) in an empty garden plot in my back yard that had previously been only grass and dirt. About a month later I noticed some greens coming up--a nice size plant, as if I had planted it there myself. Needless to say I was amazed.

About a month ago (early May) I found some more things growing that looked like weeds, so I turned them over and figured when I got back from Israel I’d have a nice fertile plot to start with. When I returned from Israel (4 weeks later) I found the entire plot filled with plants! I assumed they were weeds, but when I took a closer look I saw little green bulbs. The compost became a tomato garden! I could not have done better if I’d done it on purpose.

This speaks to the importance of composting. It is a simple matter of separating biodegradable wastes from trash. Not only does this reduce the amount of waste in landfills but since the decomposition of organic material sent to landfills is a principal cause of methane gas (an important greenhouse gas), this reduction is also key in fighting against climate change. It also speaks to the idea of following a divine natural order and eliminating our negative impact on the planet.

Note: The reason my compost was smelling bad is because I had too many “greens” and not enough “browns“. I currently have a successful compost pile which consists of the same kitchen/restaurant wastes as well as shredded paper (usually my junk mail), dirt, and dead leaves. This has solved the odor problem.

The Benefits of Flaxseed

Is flaxseed the new wonder food?
By Carol Sorgen
WebMD Feature

Preliminary studies show that flaxseed may help fight everything from heart disease and diabetes to even breast cancer.

Flaxseed may be on everyone's lips -- and in everyone's cereal -- but this new darling of the plant world has been around for more than 4,000 years, known even in the days of Hippocrates for its healthful benefits.

Flaxseed has been a part of human and animal diets for thousands of years in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and more recently in North America and Australia, says Kaye Effertz, executive director of AmeriFlax, a trade promotion group representing U.S. flaxseed producers. As flax gained popularity for its industrial uses, however, its popularity as a food product waned, but it never lost its nutritional value. "Today flax is experiencing a renaissance among nutritionists, the health conscious public, food processors, and chefs alike," says Effertz.

The reason for the increasing interest in flaxseed is its apparent benefits for a host of medical conditions, says Roberta Lee, MD, medical director of the Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in New York.

Flaxseed is very high in omega-3 essential fatty acids, Lee explains. It's the omega 3s -- "good" fats -- that researchers are looking at in terms of their possible effects on lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, lowering the risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancers, and reducing the inflammation of arthritis, as well as the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and asthma.

Click here to see complete article: The Benefits of Flaxseed

Dimona eliminates Tigers in semis

Dimona holds on for a thrilling extra inning victory
Jerusalem Post Sports

Dimona scored four runs in the top of the eighth and then held on for a thrilling extra inning victory to eliminate the Tigers in the Israel Softball Association semifinal on Monday night.

Pitchers Yarone Ben-Israel (6 K's) and Goose Gillett (3 K's) were locked in a scoreless pitching duel through five.

In the sixth, Tabie Ben-Israel scored on Amithan Ben-Israel's single after stealing second and third, but the Tigers answered in their half of the inning when Shlomi Mor Hayim singled in Ilan Spira.

In the extra eighth inning, Dimona unloaded. Akhaziya's 2-run single made it 3-1 and RBI hits from Elyaeed BenIsrael and Amithan stretched the lead to four.

The Tigers, not to be outdone, tallied three on RBI singles by Hernan Guinguis, Gil Nehemkin and Avi Shamir, but Yarone bore down to fan Guy Bender, representing the winning run, to end the Tigers' season.

KNN: "Go Judeans!!!!!!"

Communicators Press Launches New Web Page

Visit Communicators Press new user-friendly web page
KNN-DC

Order your books and audio visual materials online!!!!!

This collection of books and audio visual materials is dedicated to the truth, not according to the words of men but according to the universal principles that govern the earth.

Communicators Press specializes in publishing and distributing spiritually uplifting works by renowned scholars and thinkers around the world. The TRUTH is knowable...look no further.

Click Here to see CP's new web page: http://www.africanhebrewisraelitesofjerusalem.com/CP-Israel/index.htm
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Shabbaht Shalom from the Village of Peace!

KNN-Dimona, Israel

The Holy Hebraic Shabbaht commences weekly at the setting of the sun each Yom Sheshe (6th day or Friday) and ends at sunset on Mohtsai Shabbaht (Saturday evening).

This day is set aside each week to allow our minds, bodies and souls to totally rest, be repaired, restored and rejuvenated.

The sunset time at Kefar HaShalom (the Village of Peace) this Yom Sheshe, (Friday) June 12th is 7:33PM.

Please click here to find sunset times for your area.

Shabbaht Shalom. (Have a peaceful, restful Sabbath.)

The Future of the State of Africa

Africa is enormously rich in potential
by Kofi Annan, Graca Machel and Michel Camdessus
The Huffington Post


Africa's potential is often overlooked. Yet the continent abounds in untapped natural and human resources. The United Nations, for example, estimates that there are over 800 million hectares of unused, cultivable land that could provide the basis for a green revolution in food production -- land which could be used to tackle food shortages in Africa and in other continents.

The remarkable progress that Africa has made in the past decade is also not widely recognized. Across the continent there are numerous success stories. We have seen the spread of free and fair elections, an increase in school enrollment rates and determined efforts to combat malaria. The boom in mobile phones has transformed communication and helped business.

The tragedy is that when millions of Africans believed their countries and continent were finally on the right track, their hopes are being dashed by problems whose roots lie elsewhere. While the global crisis and climate change are creations of the North, it is Africa which is worst affected and least able to cope. The social and political consequences are profound.

Yesterday, the Africa Progress Panel, on which we sit, launched its 2009 State of Africa report in Cape Town. We recognize that the roots of the development crisis often begin outside Africa. But the reality is that the main responsibility for tackling the challenges Africa faces lies with its own leaders.

This does not mean that the rest of the world can walk away. Africa's international partners have a critical part to play in supporting the continent's progress, and share responsibility for tackling imported problems. They also have an interest to do so: social tension and political instability in Africa have clear international costs and consequences.

At a time when other financial flows are dropping, G8 and donor countries have an even greater responsibility to honor their international aid commitments and to ensure that global deals, whether on trade, climate change, intellectual property, illicit drugs, crime or migration, are supportive of Africa's development needs. Aid, effectively used, can leverage other financial flows, strengthen capacities and meet urgent social and humanitarian needs.

But without bold, focused and sustained leadership from African Governments, outside assistance won't safeguard the continent's people or protect the progress already made.

Big problems create the opportunity for big thinking. Africa's leaders, who have already shown what can be achieved, now need to redouble their efforts to guide their continent through these challenges.

They also need the active participation of their citizens. Accountability of leadership is paramount. Holding those in authority to account is a tradition and practice that has long roots in Africa's culture. But in many parts of the continent, it is frayed. There are too many instances of corruption, growing inequality in wealth and opportunity, and the abuse of power.

Alongside determined and accountable leadership at the national level, a strong, united position on the global stage is vital. A forcefully negotiated common African position on climate change, for example, is needed for Copenhagen Summit. We have already seen how effective unity can be. The meeting of African leaders in London ahead of the G20 Summit ensured the needs of the developing world were not forgotten. It played a major role in the G20s funding pledges, including the $100 billion for international development banks to lend to the poorest countries.

Clear-sighted African leadership, supported by effective international partnership, can turn the challenges Africa is facing into an opportunity. The APP believes that Africa can take the lead in pioneering a new, low-carbon development model. The take off of the mobile phone in Africa ended the need for an expensive network of landlines to be put in place. In the same way, the continent can make use of its vast solar, hydro, wind, thermal and biomass resources to drive forward its renewable energy sector, leapfrogging the outdated, fossil fuel based system.

The scope for investment in Africa's infrastructure, agriculture and communications are vast. So are the benefits it could bring. The spread of financial services to the poor has shown the potential for innovative investments. A drive for investment in these sectors will not only create jobs and increased trade in Africa, but also create markets for developed countries in these difficult times.

Africa is enormously rich in potential. Amidst the gloom, there is an opportunity to be seized. If we have the courage and vision to rise to the challenge, it will benefit the 900 million people who live on the continent and create a valuable growth platform for the global economy.

Kofi Annan, Graca Machel and Michel Camdessus are members of the Africa Progress Panel (www.africaprogresspanel.org)