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sonnilione · 6 years ago

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Shards of Harmony

aka the fantasy RESTORE au that is now basically a fire emblem au /fanfic with also the cast of the main story

BACKSTORY

« The continent of Zelia was once the home from the Divine Dragons from Light and Darkness. Before, monsters roamed the land and humanity almost came to be extinct. After years of pleads for salvation, the deities were sent to bring protection for the land. After having their prayers answered, the Divine Dragons were soon worshipped by humans. Until, one day, Baldr – the God of Light – died by the envy from Darkness. Humanity fell in despair, and with it came desperate measures. Hodr, the God of Darkness, was thrown from their pedestal and shamed for their selfish actions. The dark dragon was sealed by the own weapons both deities had gifted humanity and, baffled with men's fast response, the dragon cursed the land, promising his return and bring total chaos. »

Zelia has five nations that were each founded by one of the heroes who sealed the Divine Dragon of Darkness:

The kingdom of Belvoria, ruled by Queen Linnea, the Saint of White;

The kingdom of Feldust, ruled by King Malrien;

The Scaetia Empire, ruled by Leonard, the Grey Emperor;

The closed theocracy of Sancalic, who worships both Baldr and Hodr, ruled by the High Priest Mayrei.

Since this is mostly based of Fire Emblem's mechanics, it'll have the three types of magic: Anima (Elemental), Light and Dark. (Anima > Light, Dark > Anima, Light > Dark)

PREMISE

“After the Kingdom of Feldust mysteriously sends soldiers to invade Belvoria, Prince Ezra and Princess Marzia travel to find and stop King Malrien.”

CHARACTERS

I'll just write the characters that would be considered playable. Because supports and promotions are in this too, more info about some characters will only come to light if I ever write their support conversations.

Ezra is the crown prince of Belvoria. Headstrong and kind-hearted, he was raised and trained as an axe-wielder by the hands of Queen Linnea. Although complimented for his strong resolve, the prince worries that his actions may lead to a simple misstep that could cause an end to all. His starting class is Lord and can later be promoted to Great Lord. He can have a support with Marzia, Leaf, Merrit, Jordan, Melissa and Isaias.

Marzia is the the princess of Belvoria and the younger sister of Ezra. Welcoming and caring, she made her lifelong goal to train and reach her brother's level and share Queen Linnea's teachings to help protect her people. Still, she has a long way to go to make her acquaintances stop seeing her as a naive little girl. Her starting class is Cleric and can be promoted to War Cleric. She can have a support with Ezra, Merrit, Elisanne, Percy and Finnian.

Leaf is a soldier sent to aid the kingdom of Belvoria, who later joins Ezra on his quest. Seen as well-mannered and reliable, he's known and praised for his calm and sweet demeanor, yet he fears that he might end up pass as a cold person. His starting class is Soldier and can be promoted to Halberdier and then to Sentinel. His supports are with Ezra, Merrit, Theodore and Sawyer.

Jordan is a wyvern rider who serves the Scaetia Empire sent to aid the kingdom of Belvoria along with Finnian. Although he passes as a curious-childlike warrior, his headstrong attitude made him rise above the rest. His starter class Wyvern Rider and can be promoted to Wyvern Lord. His supports are Ezra, Finnian, Melissa, Elisanne and Sawyer.

Finnian is a cleric who serves the Scaetia Empire sent to aid the kingdom of Belvoria along with Jordan. Grateful for his current life, he joined the army to become strong enough to repay those who helped him on his way, even though he still struggles to keep his mind out of fears. His starter class is Shaman and can be promoted to Summoner. His supports are Marzia, Jordan, Soleil and Zell.

Melissa is a mercenary who once worked under King Malrien' subordinates. After seeing how much her home had changed, she fled and was later deemed as a spy. Because of her confident,carefree and evasive nature, her entire character is oftenly questioned by those who meet her. Her starting class is Myrmidon and can be promoted to Assassin. Her supports are Ezra, Jordan, Percy and Theodore.

Soleil is a young girl who escaped from Feldust after having her own village be destroyed by their own kingdom's forces. Due to living in a rural part of the kingdom, she was detached from all conflict that were common outside. She's rescued by Ezra's group and, although scared, she gives her loyalty and strength for a better future. Her started class is Archer and can be promoted to Ranger. Her supports are Leaf, Finnian, Percy and Jenna.

Merrit is a manakete who was rescued by Ezra's group after he got separated from his guardian, the Sage Wisteria. After reuniting, Wisteria asks for the group to keep Merrit safe as she couldn't no longer fight. Even though Merrit was once afraid of them, he sees his new friends as family. His supports are Ezra, Marzia, Leaf and Zell.

Theodore is the son of Emperor Leonard and one of the most known generals on the continent. Acting full of himself most of the time, he's constantly looked down by other generals and is only praised by his abilities. After disobeying his father's orders, he decides to join Ezra's quest along with his retainers Zell and Jenna. His starter class is Paladin. His supports are Leaf, Zell, Jenna and Melissa.

Zell is one of Theodore's retainers who has served him since childhood. Although being clearly superior than other soldiers in terms of fighting, he refuses to take a bigger responsability as a general. He's seen as unexpressive and obscure, but no one dares to approach him to be proven wrong. His starter class is Great Knight. His supports are Finnian, Merrit, Theodore, Jenna and Sawyer.

Jenna is a spy from Scaetia who works under Theodore's hand. Acting lazy and cocky, they try to do everything on their power to get what they want for free. However, when it's time to get a job done, their seriousness and professionalism shine as their bigger strengths. Their starter class is Rogue. Their supports are Soleil, Theodore, Zell and Isaias.

Sawyer is a villager from a rural town in Belvoria who volunteers to be part of Ezra's quest. Easygoing and loyal to his friends, he wants to help build a future where people don't have to feel they are in danger. His starter class is Villager and can be promoted to Mercenary and then to Hero. His supports are Leaf, Jordan, Elisanne and Zell.

Isaias is a villager from a rural town in Belvoria who volunteers to be part of Ezra's quest. Headstrong yet slightly gullible, he wishes for a future where he can live in peace. His starter class is Villager and can be promoted to Archer and then to Sniper. His supports are Ezra, Jenna, Percy and Elisanne.

Percy is a villager from a rural town in Belvoria who volunteers to be part of Ezra's quest. His intelligence and curiosity makes him stand out, attention he believes he doesn't deserve compared to his friends. Still, he dreams of being able to teach what he has learned to others. His starter class is Villager and can be promoted to Mage and then to Sage. His supports are Marzia, Melissa, Soleil and Isaias.

Elisanne is a villager from a rural town in Belvoria who volunteers to be part of Ezra's quest. She's always searching for self-improvement and ways to make everything in order. Although she's self-conscious of her harshness, she feels obligated to it. She only wishes to live in a carefree manner after the war is over. Her starter class is Villager and can be promoted to Pegasus Knight and then to Falcon Knight. Her supports are Marzia, Jordan, Sawyer and Isaias.

#shards of harmony #bellvault #restore #oc info #just another restore au

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maxwellyjordan · 6 years ago

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Argument preview: Justices to consider constitutionality of cross-shaped war memorial on public land

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this post ran on December 10, 2018,, as an introduction to this blog’s symposium on The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, as well as at Howe on the Court, where it was originally published.

Over the years, the Supreme Court has sometimes struggled to explain when and why religious symbols are permitted in the public sphere and when they are not. Next Wednesday, the justices will hear oral argument in a dispute over the constitutionality of a cross that sits on a traffic median in the suburbs outside Washington, D.C. The challengers say that the cross is an illegal government endorsement of Christianity, while its defenders counter that the cross is simply a secular war memorial. The justices’ eventual opinion will likely decide the fate of the cross, but the ruling could also clarify – or potentially even revamp – the Supreme Court’s test for resolving these kinds of challenges.

The Constitution’s establishment clause bars the government from both establishing an official religion and favoring one religion over another. In 1971, in a case called Lemon v. Kurtzman, the Supreme Court struck down state programs that provided financial support for private schools, including religious ones. At the same time, the justices also outlined a test for courts to use to determine whether a government law or practice violates the establishment clause. They concluded that the law or practice will pass constitutional muster if it has a secular purpose, its principal effect does not advance or inhibit religion, and it does not create an “excessive entanglement with religion.”

Since then, the court has both tweaked the Lemon test and criticized it, with the late Justice Antonin Scalia famously comparing it to a “ghoul in a late-night horror movie that repeatedly sits up in its grave and shuffles abroad, after being repeatedly killed and buried.” And in a 2005 case called Van Orden v. Perry, the court rejected an establishment clause challenge to the display of a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state capitol without relying on the Lemon test.

Because Justice Stephen Breyer served as the crucial fifth vote to leave the monument in place, his concurring opinion in Van Orden provided the governing rule for the case. Breyer declined to apply the Lemon test, stressing that there is “no single mechanical formula that can accurately draw the constitutional line in every case.” Instead, he explained, judges should “exercise legal judgment,” staying “faithful to the underlying purposes of the” establishment clause and taking “account of context and consequences measured in light of those purposes.” In particular, he observed, the establishment clause does not require the government to remove all traces of religion from the public sphere. “Such absolutism,” he emphasized, “is not only inconsistent with our national traditions, … but would also tend to promote the kind of social conflict the establishment clause seeks to avoid.”

Breyer acknowledged that the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state capitol “undeniably has a religious message,” but he added that the context in which the monument was displayed indicated that the state intended the monument to convey a secular message. And the fact that the monument had been on the capitol grounds for 40 years without any challenges, Breyer continued, suggested that the public also regards it as “part of what is a broader moral and historical message reflective of a cultural heritage.”

The cross at the heart of the current case was erected in Bladensburg, Maryland, to honor 49 soldiers from Prince George’s County, Maryland, killed during World War I. In 1922, the local American Legion post took over responsibility for the project after the private organizers ran out of money; the fundraising drive included a Christian prayer for the invocation. When the 40-foot-tall cross was finished in 1925, the dedication ceremony featured only Christian prayers, with no other religions represented.

In 1961, the state government acquired the cross and the land it sits on, due at least in part to concerns about safety as traffic around the cross increased. The cross is part of a larger park honoring veterans that also contains much smaller memorials remembering the War of 1812, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the September 11 attacks. The symbol of the American Legion – a small star inscribed with “U.S.” – appears at the top of the cross, while a plaque at the bottom contains the names of the fallen soldiers and a quote from President Woodrow Wilson.

The plaintiffs in the case are local residents who are offended by the presence of the cross on public land, along with the American Humanist Association, a group that describes itself as a “non-profit organization that advocates to uphold the founding principle of separation of church and state.” They contend that the presence of the cross on government land and the state’s maintenance of the cross violate the Constitution’s establishment clause, and they asked a federal district court to order the state to either remove the cross or alter the monument so that it is no longer in the form of a cross.

The district court rejected the plaintiffs’ plea. In its view, the state’s involvement with the cross had less to do with religion than with maintaining traffic safety and honoring veterans.

The challengers appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, which reversed. Using the Lemon test, the court of appeals ruled that the cross violates the establishment clause because it “has the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion.” First, the court of appeals explained, it was impossible to “ignore the fact that for thousands of years the Latin cross has represented Christianity.” The cross is part of a larger park that includes other war memorials, but the cross is so much larger and more prominent than the other war memorials that “the historical meaning and physical setting of the Cross overshadows its secular elements.” Therefore, the court of appeals concluded, the average citizen “would fairly understand the Cross to have the primary effect of endorsing religion.”

The court of appeals found that the cross also violated another prong of the Lemon test: The cross creates “excessive entanglement” with religion because the state owns and maintains the cross on public property and does so in a way that suggests that the state “either places Christianity above other faiths, views being American and Christian as one in the same, or both.”

Both the American Legion (which entered the case to defend the cross) and the state asked the Supreme Court to review the 4th Circuit’s ruling. They warned that allowing the lower court’s decision to stand would endanger not only the Bladensburg cross, but other war memorials as well – including two crosses commemorating World War I at Arlington National Cemetery – and the American Legion lamented what it described as the “confused state of this Court’s Establishment Clause jurisprudence.” Meanwhile, a federal appeals court in Atlanta characterized the court’s establishment clause cases as a “hot mess” even as it concluded that the presence of a cross in a Florida park violates the Constitution. On November 2, the justices announced that they would take up the case.

The state points to the Supreme Court’s decision in Van Orden, and in particular Breyer’s concurring opinion, as confirmation that the cross does not violate the Constitution. The cross was constructed for a “wholly secular” purpose, the state contends: When you look at its “dedications, its inscriptions, its context, and nearly a century of practice,” it becomes “abundantly clear that this monument was erected to serve—and, for 93 years, has served—as a secular commemoration of American servicemen in World War I.”

The American Legion argues that all of the Supreme Court’s establishment clause tests have a common theme that focuses on “the importance of historical tradition and an objective assessment of the government’s reasons for putting up the display” – a standard that the cross can clearly pass. But the Legion urges the justices to go further and adopt a less stringent test that focuses on whether a religious display is consistent with the country’s historical traditions; if it is, there would be no violation of the establishment clause as long as the government is not “exploiting the tradition to coerce religious belief or observance by” people who are not religious.

Defending the 4th Circuit’s ruling, the challengers argue that the cross at the center of this case “sends a much stronger message of Christian favoritism” than a privately donated creche in a courthouse, which the Supreme Court has already deemed unconstitutional.

In the challengers’ eyes, the 4th Circuit’s decision is squarely in line with the Supreme Court’s other cases on religion because the entire picture, history, and context of this cross all point to the cross being an endorsement of Christianity, rather than conveying a secular message.

What the American Legion is really asking the Supreme Court to do, the challengers stress, is to “overturn decades of Establishment Clause jurisprudence in favor of a” rule that would allow religious displays as long as the government isn’t trying to coerce or convert anyone. But the court can stick with a much simpler rule, the challengers tell the justices: There is general agreement that the government violates the Constitution when it uses religious symbolism that “has the effect of endorsing religious beliefs, and the effect of the government’s use of religious symbolism depends on its context.”

When the justices hear oral argument and then decide the case, there are two different things to watch for. The first, obviously, is whether the cross will survive, or whether the court will instead find that it is unconstitutional. The second question is how broadly the justices will rule. Will they issue a narrow opinion that resolves this case and future cases that are very similar, but without saying much more? Or will they instead issue a more comprehensive decision that provides more extensive guidance about when religious symbols are permitted in the public sphere, possibly even jettisoning their old establishment clause rules in favor of a new rule, as the American Legion as suggested? Given Chief Justice John Roberts’ penchant for “judicial minimalism” generally and what seems to be a recent effort by the court to try to avoid more controversial issues, a narrower opinion seems more likely, but we’ll have a better idea soon enough.

* * *

Past cases linked to in this post:

Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971) Van Orden v. Perry, 545 U.S. 677 (2005)

[Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is counsel on an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in this case. The author of this post, however, is not affiliated with the firm.]

The post Argument preview: Justices to consider constitutionality of cross-shaped war memorial on public land appeared first on SCOTUSblog.

from Law https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/02/argument-preview-justices-to-consider-constitutionality-of-cross-shaped-war-memorial-on-public-land/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

#law #justice

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crossedswordsrp · 8 years ago

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The Believer

❛ Thy Kingdom come to ev’ry nation, Thy Will be done in ev’rything we do. Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from those who think they’re You ❜

Full Name Philippe Dubois Alias Philippe Donadieu Age 27 (b. 1614) Alliance The Catholic Church Position Abbé (priest) (formerly monk) Negative Traits Hesitant, Indulgent, Sardonic Positive Traits Compassionate, Good-natured, Courageous

Philippe has no memory of his birth mother and father, and only knows about his origin by the story that was told by his adopted mother, Alais Dubois. As an infant --- so the tale went ---- he was found by Dubois family cook who had been foraging in the forest for mushrooms, and was brought back to the aristocratic family’s manor. The cook offered to raise the boy himself, as the Dubois family was struggling financially due to a long list of previous bad luck and worsened poor decisions by the family patriarch. However, Alais fell in love with the infant and moved in pity for him decided to adopt him into her own household and alongside her two daughters and son, Herbert. The boy spent his childhood alongside the Dubois children in a loving, if financially troubled, household. Due to the patriarch, Arsène Dubois’ gambling addiction, ten-year-old Herbert took an active paternal role in caring for Philippe, and he grew up sheltered in many respects from the difficulties of the world.

As Philippe grew a little older, and his father’s sins could no longer be hidden, he agonized over what to do. His mother was growing older and one of his older sisters was still yet to be married, and with Herbert serving in the King’s elite guard, there was no true place for him still in the Dubois family, merely seeming to get in the way. Although his adopted mother and siblings did nothing but treat him kindly, it took only a glance in a mirror to remember that the dwindling aristocracy that supported him and educated him was not his own. Even very young, there was a drive in him to make his own mark upon the world, and to claim a small piece of meaning, belonging, and positivity for himself, no longer content to feel the outsider - no matter how loved.

It was fortunate that when he was still a boy of nine that Cardinal Rossignol again came to call upon the Dubois family, as the house had always been a long-term friend of the Crown. Although the boy was not aware of the intentions of the Cardinal’s visits, he could remember their first true conversation, where Philippe confessed his wishes to make something more of himself than just being of his family. It was then that Cardinal Rossignol introduced to him the idea of God, not as a distant figure, but as a Father, a concept that struck the young boy. Although he might not have had a father in true sense, despite Herbert’s best efforts, that did not mean that he had been truly forgotten. He could find meaning in the fact that he had a Heavenly father that looked upon him with love, gentleness, and kindness – and that he could view other men and women as brothers and sisters.

Comforted and inspired by Rossignol, the boy followed the Cardinal secretly at his departure, stowing away amongst his entourage. By the time he was found in the morning, he begged to not be sent back, and the decision was made to send the boy away to a monastery. Unable to inherit in any case, removing pressure from the family, it was the best decision that could have been made. He spent the rest of his childhood in Benedictine monastery Compiègne Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Corneille de Compiègne), raised by the monks, becoming a full brother at twenty-one, and afterwards studying for the priesthood at a nearby seminary. There, he took on the last name Donadieu – given to God - before returning to the Abbey a full priest in 1639.

It came as a bit of a surprise when he received word that the Cardinal had ordered him transferred to Paris in the current year - expecting to remain at the monastery for his entire life - but he took the move inasmuch stride as possible. Although he holds guilt for the annulment of his monk’s vows by the machinations of the Cardinal, he is grateful for the opportunity to hold sermon in the new Saint-Eustache church (see locations) and to attempt to do his best to minister to the downtrodden souls of Paris – although he is quietly uncertain why the Cardinal seems to take such an interest in him, and why he has very recently asked him to continue his first visits to court.

Connections

Herbert Dubois – Philippe loves his adopted older brother, and the joy at their reunion in Paris was real and complete. However, he was not unaware of the changes that had taken place in their near twenty years of separation. He has had to come to the painful realization that the gentle big brother that had sung him to sleep, went on grand adventures with him as a child, and protected him from all not well in the world, had been worn down by that world’s heavy demands. He realized that he does not truly know him as he is now, and more than anything he would like to.

Simone Baptiste – As part of his ministry, Philippe does his best to minister to those who need his help, and it was this good-natured impulse that drove him into the waiting maw of the Court of Miracles. The young man – trespassing innocently one evening – was waylaid by several of Simone’s watchers, and had been brought before the woman herself to state his business. Philippe was given the rare pass for an outsider to come and go through the Court of Miracles by Simone, provided that he was understanding of their suspicion - and he came with supplies when he visited. The presence of a man so closely linked to the Cardinal is not taken lightly.

René Louvel – Philippe knew the wild young aristocrat back when he was still known as Tristan d’Aumont, and during their two years together as novices at the Compiègne Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Corneille de Compiègne), he was glad to have his company. Tristan had been his first, true friend outside of family. Trouble or not – and Tristan couldn’t help but pull the usually studious young man into all kinds of trouble - he could always make him laugh until his sides hurt. This mischief took a darker turn when Philippe had been pulled along with his friend to a Compiègne city tavern the night that bandits attacked the Abbey. Although Musketeers had intervened, led by Captain Renaud Marin, the Abbot, Jacques Bonnet, had been killed in the struggle. Faith struck a blow, he was angry with Tristan for a long time during their separation when Tristan joined the Musketeers, but over time, those wounds have somewhat healed. They are the diametrically opposed devout man and sinner - but, still, he hopes to see him at court - for the first time in twelve years - when he has more occasion to visit with the Cardinal.

This character is portrayed by LUKE PASQUALINO and is an TAKEN

OOC Notes:

Philippe is the legitimate heir to the throne, the son of the former King Louis Valois and revolutionary François Baptiste’s sister Angeline. The former King divorced the former Queen Marie-Claire in secret in order to secretly marry Angeline. Angeline gave birth to Philippe in equal secrecy, dying in childbirth, and King Louis died in mysterious circumstances just before. The Cardinal, hoping to unseat Marie-Claire who disliked him and hoped to secure the throne for her bastard son (Alexandre Valois, who was conceived while Marie-Claire and King Louis Valois were technically divorced), in the future, sent Philippe away to the Dubois family to be raised as their own.

Although there are general, unprovable rumors concerning the current King Alexandre Valois’ bastardry, the only living person who is aware of the status of Philippe Donadieu as the legitimate heir to the French throne is the Cardinal at start of game. Marie-Claire, Jean Bourbon, and those connected to La Bande Noire/Black Band movement are the only living people apart from the Cardinal at start of game aware that the former King was married to Angeline or that the former Queen and King were ever divorced at all. However, Marie-Claire, the Cardinal and those connected to La Bande Noire movement are the only characters aware that Angeline had a son. François Baptiste was given letters that went missing after reading from his sister Angeline about the late King Louis Valois’ marriage to her and her pregnancy, and passed down the information to his son Fernand and daughter Simone. Fernand and Simone are trying to find Angeline’s son, but they, like Philippe, are not aware that he is the son. Please see The Cardinal, Alexandre Valois, and Marie-Claire’s bio for more information if needed, and the plot! Basically, in short, like Jon Snow, Philippe knows nothing.

The Order of Saint Benedict, also known – in reference to the color of its members' habits – as the Black Monks, is a Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of Saint Benedict. Each community (monastery, priory or abbey) within the order maintains its own autonomy, while the order itself represents their mutual interests. Although Benedictines do not take a vow of silence, hours of strict silence are set, and at other times silence is maintained as much as is practically possible. Social conversations tend to be limited to communal recreation times. The monks take vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to monastic life (celibate chastity, communal property and prayer and poverty). After a year and a day of testing as a novice, a monk may apply for first vows. These vows are temporary - and after a minimum of three years, a monk may apply for solemn vows - these are a commitment to the community and monastic life - made to the Abbot and signed on the church altar. Having made all these vows -- albeit annulled by machinations of the Cardinal - Philippe would likely feel conflicted about his transference out of the monastery and into his new life in the priesthood in Paris.

Please see our Influence of the Church section for important historical background information for this character.

It's also important to check out our central locations as the church Philippe holds sermon in in Paris - St. Eustache - is located there.

#philippe #luke pasqualino #church #taken

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vsplusonline · 5 years ago

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Coronavirus: Iranian officials warn of strained health facilities as cases near 14,000

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/coronavirus-iranian-officials-warn-of-strained-health-facilities-as-cases-near-14000/

Coronavirus: Iranian officials warn of strained health facilities as cases near 14,000

Iran’s official leading the response to the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East on Sunday acknowledged that the pandemic could overwhelm health facilities in the country, which is under severe U.S. sanctions.

Muslim authorities, meanwhile, announced that the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, would be closed indefinitely due to concerns about the outbreak, with prayers continuing to be held on the sprawling esplanade outside.

Similar measures have been taken at the nearby Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, where outdoor prayers continue but only 10 people at a time are permitted in enclosed areas, in keeping with measures taken by the Israeli government.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Countries worldwide announce lockdowns, restrictions amid COVID-19 outbreak

Iran is battling one of the worst outbreaks outside China. On Sunday the Health Ministry reported 113 more deaths, bringing the country’s death toll to 724 amid 13,938 confirmed cases. The real number of infections could be even higher, as questions have been raised about the government’s transparency.

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“If the trend continues, there will not be enough capacity,” Ali Reza Zali, who is leading the campaign against the outbreak, was quoted as saying earlier by the state-run IRNA news agency.

Iran is believed to have around 110,000 hospital beds, including 30,000 in the capital, Tehran. Authorities have pledged to set up mobile clinics as needed.

2:22 Coronavirus outbreak: More European countries head for lockdowns

Coronavirus outbreak: More European countries head for lockdowns

Zali also acknowledged that “many” of those who have died from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus were otherwise healthy, a rare admission by local authorities that the virus does not only prey on the sick and elderly.

Health Ministry figures show that while 55 per cent of fatalities were in their 60s, some 15 per cent were younger than 40.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. Most people recover in a matter of weeks.

The virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed more than 5,800. More than 70,000 people worldwide have recovered after being infected.

READ MORE: In China, new coronavirus cases from overseas exceed local cases for 2nd day

In Iran, the virus has infected a number of senior officials, including the senior vice-president, Cabinet ministers, members of parliament, Revolutionary Guard members and Health Ministry officials.

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Authorities have nevertheless been slow to adopt measures taken by other hard-hit countries. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday ruled out a general quarantine and said the government was working to keep the borders open.

Dalia Samhouri, a senior regional official with the World Health Organization, said both Iran and Egypt, two of the most populous countries in the Middle East, were likely underreporting cases because of the nature of the virus, which can be spread by individuals who show no visible symptoms.

“We can easily say that the current figures are an underestimation of the actual figures,” she said.

2:34 Coronavirus outbreak: Canadian travelers urged to return immediately

Coronavirus outbreak: Canadian travelers urged to return immediately

Iran has struggled to respond in part because of crippling sanctions imposed by the Trump administration after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The U.S. says it has offered humanitarian aid but that Iran has rejected it.

Countries across the Middle East have imposed sweeping travel restrictions, cancelled public events and in some cases called on non-essential businesses to close for the coming weeks.

In the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai, a global business and travel hub in the United Arab Emirates, authorities announced on Sunday that all movie theatres, arcades and gyms would be closed through the end of the month.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, also shut down its amusement parks and museums through the end of the month, including Louvre Abu Dhabi.

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The UAE’s central bank meanwhile announced a $27 billion stimulus package directed at supporting banks and said regulatory limits on loans will be eased. Saudi Arabia announced its own $13 billion stimulus plan.

READ MORE: Iran agrees to send Ukrainian plane crash black boxes to Kiev, official says

Al-Aqsa is the latest in a series of religious sites where access has been halted or strictly limited. Saudi Arabia has halted the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina and could be forced to limit or cancel the much larger haj later this year. On Sunday, it announced the temporary closure of all mosques and called off Friday prayers.

Sheikh Omar Kiswani, the director of the Al-Aqsa mosque, said Sunday that the closure of the mosque and other buildings on the compound, including the iconic golden Dome of the Rock, would continue indefinitely.

The religious site is also the holiest in Judaism because it was the location of the two Jewish temples in antiquity. Israel occupied and annexed east Jerusalem in the 1967 war in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state, and the religious site has often been a flashpoint in the decades-long conflict.

1:02 How to properly practise self-isolation

How to properly practise self-isolation

Israel imposed sweeping travel and quarantine measures more than a week ago but has seen its number of confirmed cases double in recent days, to around 200. On Saturday, the government said restaurants, malls, movies, gyms and daycare centres would close. Schools and universities have already been shut down until next month.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial on serious corruption charges, which was supposed to begin this week, was postponed for two months due to restrictions on public gatherings.

Netanyahu has meanwhile been pressing for an emergency unity government with his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz, following three inconclusive elections and more than a year of political deadlock. Gantz has appeared open to the idea.

Jordan, which had previously reported just one infection in a man who later recovered, confirmed six new cases. Four are French tourists while the other two are Jordanians, Health Minister Saad Jaber said Sunday.

Jordan has suspended all flights into and out of the kingdom except for aid workers and diplomats, and has closed schools for two weeks. It has also banned the smoking of hookahs, or water pipes, in cafes.

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gibb0nz-wow · 2 months ago

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Putting the GoFundMes I get in my inbox here 🇵🇸

(started on September 14th - last updated on September 17th)

Do your daily clicks! / eSIMS for Gaza / PCRF

@majedgh2

https://gofund.me/59e9578a

Dear Friends, I write to you with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. After 188 days of displacement, constant fear, and struggling to survive, we managed to escape with our lives and reach Egypt. But the pain didn’t stop there. Just yesterday, we lost my children's grandfather 💔, not due to direct war, but because of malnutrition and the lack of basic life necessities. We couldn’t save him, just as we couldn’t save our home or our dreams. The rest of my family is still trapped in the war, suffering the same harsh conditions that led to the passing of my children's grandfather. We are here trying to build a new life, but we have lost everything. We lost our home, and my children were deprived of their schools and universities. Even my eldest son, who worked so hard to build his future, lost his job and saw his dreams shattered.😔 We are now in desperate need of your help. We seek to secure a safe home that will provide us and our children with basic needs. Life in Egypt is extremely difficult, and prices are soaring beyond our reach. All we ask for is a chance to rebuild our lives and secure a better future for our children.🙏🏼 From the depths of my heart, I ask you to stand by us in these difficult times. Your support means hope and life to us.🙌🏼🇵🇸

@d-imtthal

https://gofund.me/ccd5b3ff

I am Dr. Imtithal, living in the besieged northern Gaza Strip. For 11 months, we have lost our lives. We have lost everything. I have lost my brother, my home, our money, our source of livelihood, my profession as a dentist, and all our memories. Our lives have become difficult. We cannot obtain the necessities of life, such as water, food, medicine, and shelter. We live a difficult life in a school as a shelter for us after we lost our home. We cannot obtain a clean life and we suffer from the spread of diseases. Every so often we are displaced. We cannot settle in a place because of the intensity of the bombing. I hope you can help me so that I can protect my family, which consists of 35 people, most of whom are children...

@mohameddsaker

https://www.gofundme.com/f/My-name-is-mohammed-saqr-from-north-gaza

Hello dears! 🇵🇸🍉🙏I am asking you to support my campaign to help me reach my goal. I am in dire need of your support now to help me stay alive and safe. Gaza is a very dangerous place both in terms of living and lives. The family consists of 12 members, most of them are young children. I need your financial support to enable me to get the basic needs for my family until the Rafah crossing is😭 reopened to transport my family to safety and peace. Please help a family stay alive through your small donations or through your shares to others. Thank you very much for standing by those in need.🍉🙏⬇️🍓

@hassanmadi2

https://gofund.me/1c7df49e

(vetted by el-shab-husssein)

Dear my friend , l ask your humanity for help , l am hassan from north gaza , me and my wife displaced more than 5 times , now me and my wife live in tent 💔😓 my wife lost her neonate because tent is unsuitable for life 🥹💔💔 Please help me by donate ,share ,reblog 🙏🏻🙏🏻💔

@falestine-yousef

https://gofund.me/7e05a237

(vetted by 90ghost)

Hello, Im Falestine from Gaza🍉🍉. . Im married and have son his name yousef , i born him in war. Sorry if I am harassing you asking for help, I am extremely embarrassed and embarrassed of trying to ask for help. I simply don’t want to die, I want to live I want to give Yousef a better life. Help me to escape Gaza I lost apart of my family😭, my home, and everything I own. We are living in difficult circumstances. I hope you can help me by donating even a simple thing orو publishing 🙏🙏

@ehabayyad23

https://gofund.me/5fa6ca44

I am Ehab Ayyad ❤ a palestinian youngman from Gaza🍉🇵🇸, seeking to find safety and peace ☝️for my family if twenty members. We have been ❤🇵🇸🍉passing through all forms of torture and pain for almost ten months because of the war on Gaza. Life is very miserable and tragic❤🇵🇸 as we are now deprived ❤🇵🇸🍉of all means of living. Drink water, healthy food health care and medicine❤🇵🇸 have become things 🇵🇸🍉❤of the past. We are dying dear friends. That is why I am asking you to help us break through this tough situation.Life in hot tents is incredibly sad and miserable. We are now experiencing the worst circumstances we have ever had in our life. The war has stolen happiness and life from us. Please don't leave us alone in such dire times. Your kind contribution either through donating whatever you can or sharing my posts will be highly appreciated and valued.❤🇵🇸🍉

#please donate and share if you can #sending prayers to those currently struggling due to the conflict #gofundme #go fund them #free gaza #free palestine #all eyes on gaza #all eyes on palestine #from the river to the sea palestine will be free #🍉🇵🇸#🍉#i stand with palestine 🇵🇸#vetted campaign #verified campaign #gofundme masterpost

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