‘Unicorn’ Rescue Puppy on the Lookout for His Forever Home

Currents News Staff

The 10-week-old named Narwhal is not the unicorn of the sea, but a unicorn puppy with what appears to be a tail growing from his forehead.

Narwhal was rescued by Rochelle Steffen, the founder of Mac the Pitbull Facebook page and a non-profit that brings life to dogs with special needs.

“How does this not like melt? How does this not melt you, he’s just so adorable,” said Rochelle.

Dr. Brian Heuring — a local veterinarian — has never in his 16 years of caring for animals seen something like this, but doesn’t see a reason to remove Narwhal’s tail.

“He’s got an extra, what looks like a perfect tail, sitting in the center of his forehead,” said veterinarian Dr. Brian Heuring.

“It doesn’t appear to be causing any problems or complications at this time. We went as far as shooting radiographs or x-rays. There are no bony attachments, there are no vertebrates in what looks to be a tail.”

But for Rochelle, “he’s perfect.”

“Why remove it and give him an undo surgery and then why take away his specialty? He makes everybody smile,” she added.

“Now if it were in his eyes or if we all thought that it was gonna grow — ‘cause he’s got a normal tail — so if we thought it was going to grow, we would address it.”

Narwhal isn’t even bothered by his extra tail.

Rochelle see the tail as just a part of him and says he is up for adoption, but she’s getting worried.

“Part of our concern would be somebody adopting him and wanting to cut the tail off,” she explained, adding that until the right person comes along, Narwhal is hers.

“I don’t want to have to break out the mama bear claws and have to hurt somebody if they want to hurt him.”

But she is hopeful he and his tail will find a forever home. “He’s going to be pretty spoiled, no matter where he ends up,” she added.

First Day of Public Impeachment Hearings Concludes

Currents News Staff

The first day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump began with a startling revelation for House investigators.

Top diplomat to the Ukraine, Bill Taylor, described a phone call between President Trump and the u-s ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, overheard by his aide one day after Trump’s July 25 phone call with the Ukrainian president.

“Ambassador Sondland told President Trump the Ukrainians were ready to move forward. Following the call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine,” Taylor said. “Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for.”

Trump denied that call, saying, “I know nothing about that — first time I’ve heard it.”

House Democrats say Taylor’s latest information helps make their case that Trump abused his oath of office even stronger.

“What this call indicates as other testimony has likewise indicated is that the instructions are coming from the president on down,” said Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, Chairman of House Intelligence.

Taylor and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent described what they encountered as the Trump administration used military aid and a meeting at the White House as leverage for the Ukraine to begin investigations for the president’s political gain.

“To withhold that assistance for no good reason other than help with a political campaign made no sense. It was illogical. It could not be explained. It was crazy,” said Taylor.

Kent expressed his concerns about Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani’s involvement in U.S. relations with the Ukraine, including helping lead a smear campaign against then U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.

“I became alarmed as these efforts bore fruit. They led to the ouster of Ambassador Yovanovitch and hampered U.S. efforts to establish rapport with the new Zelensky administration,” he said.

House Democrats like Representative Val Demings also asked about Giuliani’s intent.

“I believe he was looking to dig up political dirt against a potential rival in the next election cycle,” Kent said when asked by Demings regarding what interest he believed Giuliani was promoting.

When asked by Demings, Ambassador Taylor agreed with Kent’s statement.

Meanwhile Republicans are defending Trump, casting the hearing as a partisan show. And arguing the two witnesses lack first-hand knowledge.

“The main performance, the Russia hoax, has ended. And you’ve been cast in the low-rent Ukranian sequel,” said Republican Representative Devin Nunes, a ranking member of House intel.

“I‘ve seen church prayer chains that are easier to understand than this,” said Republican Representative Jim Jordan.

“No pressure, no demands, no threats, no blackmail, nothing corrupt,” Representative John Ratcliffe.

But House Democrats are standing firm. “This what we want a president to do, to leverage their power?” asked Representative Eric Swalwell. “ I think for most Americans, that’s sinking in.”

After this week, lawmakers expect at least one more week of public hearings.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Concludes General Assembly

By Emily Drooby

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’s general assembly, with Nov. 13 marking his last session as president.

Archbishop José Gomez, who is taking over the role, offered thanks to his predecessor.

“Thank you for leading us with knowledge and wisdom on behalf of all of us, let me say thank you and may God bless you for your excellent service to this body and to the Church,” Archbishop Gomez told Cardinal DiNardo.

There was also plenty on the agenda for day three of the national meetings. U.S. bishops heard about the status of a third-party reporting system that deals with allegations of abuse and misconduct by bishops, and discussed efforts to combat racism across the country using tools like roundtables and children’s books.

The committee against racism’s chairman, Bishop Shelton Fabre, delivered a powerful message, saying, “racism is opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Catholic Church in the United States is committed to standing against it with all its strength.”

Several non-profits also presented to the bishops on Wednesday, including Catholic Relief Services(CRS).

“What’s wrong with the world? There’s plenty. What’s right with the world? Groups like CRS,” said Bishop Gregory Mansour.

U.S. Catholic Charities also outlined a new way to help the chronically homeless through outreach, and Anna Marie Gallagher, the leader of Catholic Legal Immigration Network discussed her experience at the southern border.

“I saw a world that is hard to understand and accept given our country’s resources and our values. I saw people crowded into shelters with inadequate food and services,” she explained.

It was a busy time for Cardinal Daniel DiNardo’s final day as president. Now, Archbishop José Gomez takes over.

Currents News for Wednesday, November 13, 2019

On the newscast: Brooklyn’s Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is pushing back against sex abuse allegations from 50 years ago; He’s vowing to clear his name; Fires are raging in Chile and Catholic churches are being looted; Pope Francis has a new gift that comes from New York. The Tablet has the exclusive story; The Navy Seal — told he was too old — is getting a second chance to join New York’s Bravest.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Bishop DiMarzio Categorically Denies Sexual Abuse Allegation

By Michelle Powers

The Bishop of Brooklyn is strongly refuting allegations that he molested an altar boy almost half a century ago.

“I am just learning of this allegation. In my nearly 50-year ministry as a priest, I have never engaged in unlawful or inappropriate behavior and I categorically deny this allegation. I am confident I will be fully vindicated,” Bishop DiMarzio said in a statement.

The Associated Press broke the story that a suit may be filed next month by the law offices of Mitchell Garabedian, the attorney best known for representing sexual abuse victims in Boston during the clerical abuse crisis in 2002.

The lawsuit alleges Bishop DiMarzio and a second priest, now dead, repeatedly abused Mark Matzek as a child at St. Nicholas Church in New Jersey in the 1970s.

In response, the Archdiocese of Newark is saying they have reported these allegations to law enforcement. Garabedian is demanding twenty million in compensation.

These accusations come on the heels of Bishop DiMarzio completing his Vatican appointed examination into the Bishop of Buffalo for allegations that Richard Malone failed to report abusive priests.

The conclusions of this fact-finding mission have yet to be released.

Before this moment, Bishop DiMarzio has been recognized as a national leader in taking steps to protect children.

In his own diocese, he established the Office of Victim Assistance, which helps individuals come forward with their own allegations of abuse.

He also established a toll free and confidential sexual abuse reporting line.

In addition, every employee for the diocese, including students, is required to undergo training to prevent and identify abuse.

Bishop DiMarzio has met with many survivors and the Diocese of Brooklyn holds a yearly Mass of Hope and Healing.

This past year, Bishop DiMarzio held a series of regional meetings throughout his diocese to allow for candid questions.

And last February, DiMarzio authorized the release of the names of 108 priests credibly accused of child abuse over the Diocese of Brooklyn’s 166-year history.

Bishop DiMarzio is vowing to vigorously defend himself against what he calls “false allegations.”

Read Bishop DiMarzio’s Letter to the Faithful here.

Italy Under State of Emergency – Venice 45% Flooded

Currents News Staff

Venice, Italy is under a state of emergency. Flooding from an exceptionally high tide — the highest in 50 years — has inundated 45 percent of the city, forcing businesses and schools to close.

On Nov. 12, the Tide Forecasting and Reporting Center of Civil Protection said “45 percent of the city was flooded,” and added that on Tuesday evening “50 volunteers operated throughout the canals and 30 will be deployed” on Wednesday.

“After the extraordinary tide peak of 187 centimeters that struck Venice last night, the local administration will submit a request for a state of emergency,” the government in Venice announced in a statement on their website that Wednesday morning.

That high water level was the second highest in the last century, after the tide of 1966 that reached a peak of 194 centimeters. The mayor blames the recent flooding on climate change.

In the statement, the government also asked “all citizens and businesses to collect evidence to prove the damages suffered” so they can request compensation.

According to Venice Mayor spokesman Alessandro Bertasi, an elderly man has died in the Venice floods. Officials say the man died while trying to run electric pumps in his home on the island of Pellestrina.

On Wednesday, the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, and the Director of the National Department of Civil Protection, Angelo Borrelli, is holding a press conference in the Operations Room of the Regional Civil Protection in via Paolucci in Marghera.

The local government announced that all schools would stay closed on Wednesday due to the weather conditions.

First Public Impeachment Hearings Set to Take Place

Currents News Staff

Today on Capitol Hill, the first public impeachment hearings in Congress in more than two decades will take place. Democrats have invited two witnesses to testify today – while Republicans seek to poke holes in their case.

“Those open hearings will be an opportunity for the American people to evaluate the witnesses for themselves,” said House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff.

Democrats will kick off this next phase with the public testimony of Bill Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, a State Department official who oversees U.S. policy in Ukraine.

Their accounts of the Trump administration’s actions regarding Ukraine are intended to set up the Democrats’ case that President Trump conditioned military aid and a White House visit on a promise that Ukraine would investigate his political rival Joe Biden and the 2016 election.

Republicans, per a memo circulated to the caucus, will argue that the summary of the July 25th phone call that prompted the whistleblower complaint at the core of the impeachment inquiry doesn’t show pressure, that both leaders have said there was no pressure and that Ukraine’s government wasn’t aware there was a hold on aid on July 25th.

They’re also likely to argue that Taylor and Kent don’t offer a firsthand, direct account of the President’s conversation, or intent.

“You can’t actually know what was really said when you’re relying on third- and fourth-hand information,” said Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York.

Trump would be just the third U.S. President to be impeached by the house. Removal from office would be up to the senate, where his republican party holds a majority.

Currents News for Tuesday, November 12, 2019

On the newscast: Archbishop Jose Gomez has been elected the first-ever Latino leader of America’s bishops. We have team coverage of the historic choice; The battle over impeachment is heading to TV. Both sides are getting ready; Ex-New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg taking new action tonight on his quest for The White House; A big project for Christmas as a woman is determined to bring cheer to members of our military.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Reaches Historic Milestone

By Emily Drooby

A historic milestone was reached by an overwhelming majority on Nov. 12 when America’s Catholic bishops elected Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles as the new president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops during their general assembly.

The Mexican native is the first Latino to hold the title.

“I’m humbled by your support and I think it’s a special blessing for the Latino community as we always reflect on how important it is to take care of our people,” said Archbishop Gomez, who begins his 3-year presidential term Nov. 13 at the conclusion of the meetings.

He currently leads the largest and most diverse archdiocese in the country – and has long been a champion for immigrant rights.

He made clear that it would remain a priority for both him and the Bishops’ Conference, saying, “we have the situation at the border which is a tragedy, and we are constantly talking about immigration and especially encouraging our elected officials to do something, to come up with immigration reform that is reasonable and possible.”

The bishops also elected a new vice president: Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit. Six others were selected as chairmen of committees.

On the agenda for day two of the national meetings: a new hymn translation being approved for use in the Liturgy of the Hours. Students from Washington’s Catholic University performed the accompanying music at the conference.

The bishops also voted in favor of a new letter in connection with ‘Faithful Citizenship,’ the bishops’ official voting guidelines. The guidelines are being updated to include issues close to Pope Francis’s heart, like the environment.

They also remained firm in that the protection of life and opposition to abortion are the most important social priorities of our time.

Former President Jimmy Carter Recovering After Brain Surgery

Currents News Staff

Former president Jimmy Carter will remain in an Atlanta hospital for observation following a procedure to relieve pressure from his brain. The 39th President of the United States has had two recent falls in his Georgia home, causing a subdural hematoma.

A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain bursts. Blood then collects between the brain and its tough outer layers, causing pressure.

“What that procedure involves is actually just making a small hole on top of the skull and typically a second hole as well, and getting into that fluid collection, which is mostly fluid,” explained neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “It’s mostly liquefied at this point and just removing that fluid taking the pressure off the brain.”

The 95-year-old has had several health battles in recent years, including two bouts with cancer and two falls just last month.

“Those are significant – one he broke his hip. But it’s also significant because he hit his head probably in one of those falls, and when you hit your head like that, what can happen is that you can start to have a slow amount of bleeding on top of the brain, and that slow bleeding eventually can accumulate,” Dr.Gupta said.

Despite all that, Carter has shown no signs of slowing down. He continues to build houses with Habitat for Humanity and teach bible studies on Sundays, but the church says he will take this Sunday off.