Latest news with #Cana
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Men accounted for 77% of drowning deaths in B.C. last year, coroner says
Of the nearly 100 drowning deaths in B.C. last year, 77 per cent were men, according to a report from the B.C. Coroners Service. This information comes just a few weeks after the drowning death of 27-year-old international student Jatin Garg in Kamloops, B.C., who died after he went into the Thompson River to retrieve a volleyball in early July. Only a few weeks prior to Garg's death, a 29-year-old Burnaby man drowned in Cabin Lake, in Cypress Provincial Park. According to police, he had been swimming across the lake with his fiancée when suddenly he started to struggle. "This is something that is preventable, and that makes it even more tragic," said Lenea Grace, the Lifesaving Society's executive director for B.C. and Yukon. Grace said 2024 was not unusual, as men often make up the majority of drowning deaths each year in B.C. "Men tend to engage in riskier behaviours, overestimate their physical abilities, and we also see trends in males not wearing PFDs (personal flotation devices) while boating and fishing as well," she said. "There could be some, you know, issues about wanting to be cool or, you know, thinking they don't need it because they know how to swim. And the reality is that when people are boating, everyone needs a life jacket, no matter what your age or ability or gender is." This week is National Drowning Prevention Week — an annual reminder about water safety — prompting the Lifesaving Society, B.C. Emergency Health Services and the B.C. Coroners Service to share statistics on drowning deaths in an effort to educate British Columbians about preventing deaths in, on and around water. The report shows there were 98 drowning deaths in B.C. in 2024, more than half of which occurred from June to September. Thirty-three of those deaths happened in the Interior Health region. Grace said that's largely due to Okanagan Lake, where 28 drowning deaths have been recorded in the past decade. Of the many bodies of water across B.C., the Fraser River and Okanagan Lake have been the most deadly in terms of drownings over the past 10 years. Grace said that's largely due to people not wearing lifejackets and using substances while on the water. Twenty-two of the drowning deaths in 2024 happened when someone fell into the water, followed by 18 where the individual was swimming and 14 deaths that happened in the bathtub. "We really want to encourage parents to actively supervise their children and watch their kids, not your phone, when your kids are in the bathtub," Grace said. Not included in the coroner's report is how many newcomers to Canada die as a result of drowning, but Grace said they are four times more likely to be unable to swim compared to people born in Canada. "It's really important that new Canadians receive this kind of crucial water safety education," Grace said. "We really want to encourage families to enroll their children and themselves. Adult lessons are available ... or, at the very minimum, swim to survive, which is the Canadian minimum standard for surviving a fall into water. She is urging everyone in B.C., whether a newcomer or not, to take swimming lessons if they haven't already.
Fox News
29-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologist uncovers 'persuasive' evidence of true location where Jesus turned water into wine
A historian believes he's found the location of Jesus Christ's first miracle – and has newfound evidence to back it up. Scripture gives limited details about Jesus' first miracle, which is said to have taken place at Cana. The Gospel of John states that Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding in the village. "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons," the gospel states. "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' so they filled them to the brim." The passage continues, "Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine." The prevailing theory states that Kafr Kanna, an Israeli town in the Galilee, was the true location of Cana. Pilgrims have long venerated the site, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914. But historian Tom McCollough says that Cana was actually located five miles north of Kafr Kanna. The site, called Khirbet Qana, was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D. McCollough taught religion and history at Centre College until his retirement in 2017. He told Pen News that Khirbet Qana presents the most compelling evidence so far. "[No other village] has the ensemble of evidence that makes such a persuasive case for Khirbet Qana," he said. The main piece of evidence is a series of tunnels used by Christians — marked with various crosses and references to Christ, which date back over 1,500 years. "We have uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used by Christian pilgrims who came to venerate the water-to-wine miracle," McCollough said. "This complex was used beginning in the late fifth or early sixth century and continued to be used by pilgrims into the 12th-century Crusader period." During his excavation, McCollough also uncovered an altar and a shelf with a stone vessel. "Our excavations have shown that this was a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry." He noted that there was space for five additional jars — consistent with the biblical account of six stone jars. On the walls of the complex, his team of excavators also uncovered references to Kyrie Iesou, a Koine Greek phrase meaning Lord Jesus. "The pilgrim texts we have from this period that describe what pilgrims did and saw when they came to Cana of Galilee match very closely what we have exposed as the veneration complex," he said. Speaking to Pen News, McCollough also used the work of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, to back up his argument. "His references to Cana align geographically with the location of Khirbet Qana and align logically with his movements," he said. "The reference to Cana in Josephus, the New Testament and in the rabbinic texts would argue the village was a Jewish village, near the Sea of Galilee and in the region of lower Galilee." He added, "Khirbet Qana fulfills all of these criteria." McCollough also argued that Kafr Kanna wasn't recognized as a pilgrimage site for Cana until the 18th century, which disputes the Catholic narrative about the site. "At this point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage and facilitating easy passage rather than historical accuracy," he claimed. All in all, McCollough believes his excavations could bolster the case for the historicity of the Bible, and that his findings "warrant at least a reconsideration of the historical value of John's references to Cana and Jesus." "Our excavations have shown that this was in fact a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry," he said. McCollough added, "For the Gospel of John, Cana [was] in some ways Jesus' safe place or operational center. It is a place he and his disciples return to when they encounter resistance in Judea." The most recent research comes as archaeologists across the world work on uncovering sites from the Bible. In March, an archaeologist working at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre spoke with Fox News Digital about finding proof of an ancient garden at the site, consistent with scripture. Earlier this year, a group of Israeli archaeologists uncovered evidence of a biblical battle at the city of Megiddo in northern Israel.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Bourbon Vs. Whiskey: What's The Difference?
Glass of whisky cognac or bourbon in ornamental glass next to a vinatge wooden barrel on a rustic ... More wood and dark background. Let's face it: the world of whiskey can feel a little intimidating at first. Between the terminology, regional styles, and endless bottles lining the shelves, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But once you understand a few basics, whiskey quickly becomes less of a mystery—and a lot more fun to explore. A good place to start? Bourbon. It's America's best-known whiskey, rich in flavor and steeped in tradition. But it's just one member of a much larger whiskey family that includes Scotch, Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky, and more. Each has its own personality, shaped by where it's made, how it's aged, and what grains go into the mash bill. So what exactly sets bourbon apart from other whiskies? Let's pour into the details. Bourbon vs. Whiskey: A Quick Primer Pouring whiskey from bottle into glass on wooden barrel against black background, closeup Think of whiskey as the umbrella term. It covers a wide range of spirits made from fermented grain mash and aged in barrels. Bourbon, on the other hand, is a specific type of whiskey with strict requirements. To be called bourbon, the whiskey must: That high corn content and new oak aging give bourbon its signature sweet, full-bodied flavor, often bursting with caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice. Other types of whiskey are made differently. Scotch, for example, usually comes from malted barley and is aged in used barrels, often with a smoky, peaty character. Irish whiskey is typically triple-distilled for a smoother, lighter taste. And Canadian whisky, often referred to as "rye" regardless of its actual grain content, tends to be mild, clean, and easygoing. Flavor Profiles: What to Expect in the Glass Two hands clink glasses of whiskey wiskey on the couch, cozy. Bar drinking menu. Bourbons to Try Glass of whiskey or cognac with ice cubes and smoking cigar and on bar counter Buffalo Trace Balanced and approachable, this bourbon features smooth notes of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of brown sugar. Great for sipping straight or mixing into an Old Fashioned. Maker's Mark A classic wheated bourbon with soft, rounded flavors of honey, vanilla, and a gentle fruity finish. Creamy and mellow—perfect for those new to bourbon. Woodford Reserve Rich and complex with layers of dried fruit, toasty oak, dark chocolate, and a spicy edge. A great choice for drinkers looking for a deeper experience. Other Whiskeys to Explore Speyside scotch whisky tasting on old dark wooden vintage table with barley grains close up Scotch: Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old An approachable single malt with fresh, light notes of pear, malt, and honey. Smooth and only lightly fruity, it's a great entry into the Scotch world. Irish Whiskey: Jameson Ireland's most famous export for a reason. Expect a smooth, light-bodied whiskey with hints of green apple, vanilla, and a touch of spice. Works well in Irish coffee or neat. Canadian Whisky: Crown Royal A go-to Canadian classic with a clean, gentle profile. You'll find soft notes of vanilla, light oak, and a hint of caramel. Excellent for cocktails—or sipping by the fire. Whether you're drawn to bourbon's bold sweetness or curious about the smoky charm of Scotch, there's no wrong direction—only different roads to delicious. Bourbon tends to be the crowd-pleaser, with warm, comforting flavors that are easy to love. But branching out into Irish, Canadian, or Scotch whiskies opens up a whole world of nuance and regional character. The best way to learn what you like? Taste widely, ask questions, and keep a few good bottles on hand for research purposes. You know—for science.
Fox News
03-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologist uncovers 'compelling evidence' of true location where Jesus turned water into wine
A historian believes he's found the location of Jesus Christ's first miracle – and has newfound evidence to back it up. Scripture gives limited details about Jesus' first miracle, which is said to have taken place at Cana. The Gospel of John states that Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding in the village. "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons," the gospel states. "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' so they filled them to the brim." The passage continues, "Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine." The prevailing theory states that Kafr Kanna, an Israeli town in the Galilee, was the true location of Cana. Pilgrims have long venerated the site, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914. But historian Tom McCollough says that Cana was actually located five miles north of Kafr Kanna. The site, called Khirbet Qana, was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D. McCollough taught religion and history at Centre College until his retirement in 2017. He told Pen News that Khirbet Qana presents the most compelling evidence so far. "[No other village] has the ensemble of evidence that makes such a persuasive case for Khirbet Qana," he said. The main piece of evidence is a series of tunnels used by Christians — marked with various crosses and references to Christ, which date back over 1,500 years. "We have uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used by Christian pilgrims who came to venerate the water-to-wine miracle," McCollough said. "This complex was used beginning in the late fifth or early sixth century and continued to be used by pilgrims into the 12th-century Crusader period." During his excavation, McCollough also uncovered an altar and a shelf with a stone vessel. "Our excavations have shown that this was a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry." He noted that there was space for five additional jars — consistent with the biblical account of six stone jars. On the walls of the complex, his team of excavators also uncovered references to Kyrie Iesou, a Koine Greek phrase meaning Lord Jesus. "The pilgrim texts we have from this period that describe what pilgrims did and saw when they came to Cana of Galilee match very closely what we have exposed as the veneration complex," he said. Speaking to Pen News, McCollough also used the work of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, to back up his argument. "His references to Cana align geographically with the location of Khirbet Qana and align logically with his movements," he said. "The reference to Cana in Josephus, the New Testament and in the rabbinic texts would argue the village was a Jewish village, near the Sea of Galilee and in the region of lower Galilee." He added, "Khirbet Qana fulfills all of these criteria." McCollough also argued that Kafr Kanna wasn't recognized as a pilgrimage site for Cana until the 18th century, which disputes the Catholic narrative about the site. "At this point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage and facilitating easy passage rather than historical accuracy," he claimed. All in all, McCollough believes his excavations could bolster the case for the historicity of the Bible, and that his findings "warrant at least a reconsideration of the historical value of John's references to Cana and Jesus." "Our excavations have shown that this was in fact a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry," he said. McCollough added, "For the Gospel of John, Cana [was] in some ways Jesus' safe place or operational center. It is a place he and his disciples return to when they encounter resistance in Judea." The most recent research comes as archaeologists across the world work on uncovering sites from the Bible. In March, an archaeologist working at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre spoke with Fox News Digital about finding proof of an ancient garden at the site, consistent with scripture. Earlier this year, a group of Israeli archaeologists uncovered evidence of a biblical battle at the city of Megiddo in northern Israel.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Experts claim to have pinpointed exact location where Jesus turned water into wine
Archeologists say they've pinpointed the place where Jesus turned water into wine. In what would become a turning point in the history of Christianity, the miraculous feat is said to have taken place during a wedding in the town of Cana of Galilee. Now experts claim to have zeroed in on the exact spot - and it is not the one visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. Although the true location has been disputed, digs at the ruined village of Khirbet Qana, eight miles northwest of Nazareth, suggest this lesser-known site could be the real location. Archeological evidence from the site shows that Khirbet Qana was the site of a well-connected Jewish village during the time of Jesus's life. However, the best evidence for Khirbet Qana is the discovery of a hidden Christian worship site in an underground cave system, which dates back to the third century AD. Archeologists even claim one of these hidden churches contains two of the vessels that might have held the water Jesus turned into wine. The real Cana of Galilee According to the Bible, Jesus performed his first miracle while attending a wedding in the town of Cana of Galilee. During the wedding, Jesus's mother, Mary, pointed out that the party had run out of wine. Upon hearing this, Jesus transformed six vessels of water used for 'ceremonial washing' into fine quality wine. In the Bible, we are told very little about the village of Cana except that Jesus went there for this wedding and on at least one other occasion. From this, we know that the real Cana must be in Galilee, close enough to Nazareth for Jesus to make the journey, and have been home to a sizable Jewish population. Since the Middle Ages, the town of Kafr Kanna, located three miles northeast of Nazareth, has claimed to be the real site of Cana. The town is home to the 'Wedding Church' which claims to hold the real water pots used by Jesus in his miracles and is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims each year. However, Dr James Tabor, a Bible scholar, archeologist and distinguished fellow at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says that Kafr Kanna's status is more likely to be due to its location than historical fact. Dr Tabor says: 'I think what's happening in the Middle Ages is that pilgrims want convenience. They're coming to Nazareth and they want to see it all. 'To see the other place, Khirbet Qana, you have to climb this unbelievable hill so, to have pilgrims trek up that in the heat of the Middle East, it's just not going to happen. 'It's so much more convenient to just go a few miles down the road and find "the other Cana." ' The problem is that no excavation has actually found evidence of Jewish settlement beneath Kafr Kanna dating back to the Roman period. This makes it quite unlikely that this town could have been the place referred to by the author of the signal source in the Gospel of John. Dr Tabor says that the location that the archeological evidence truly points to is the much harder-to-access site of Khirbet Qana. Since 1998, a group of archeologists originally led by the late Professor Douglas Edwards and now by Dr Tom McCollough, of Centre College, has been excavating the nearby site of Khirbet Qana. In a research paper published in the Biblical Archaeology Review, Dr McCollough revealed that the now-abandoned site was once home to a thriving Jewish settlement between 323 BC to 324 AD. The fact that Khirbet Qana's settlement was Jewish is confirmed by the presence of a Roman-period synagogue or study hall known as a Beth Midrash and six coins printed by the leaders of the Jewish 'Maccabean' revolt. Excitingly, Dr McCollough and his team also found evidence of several bathhouses or miqva'ot. These not only indicate the presence of Jewish culture but also align with the biblical account of Jesus's miracle which says the water jars were for 'ceremonial washing.' However, what makes Khirbet Qana the most promising site for the real location of Cana of Galilee is the presence of early Christian artifacts. Dr McCollough has found an extensive network of Christian worship sites in a cave system hidden beneath the village. These chambers date from Byzantine times through the Crusader period, from 415 to 1217 AD, and some are decorated and lined with plaster. One of the cave chambers even bears Christian graffiti depicting crosses, giving the names of pilgrims or even saying 'Kyrie Iesou' or 'Lord Jesus.' Most excitingly of all, the archeologists discovered an altar in one of the caves made of an upturned sarcophagus lid. Above it was a shelf containing two large stone vessels which were believed by early Christians to be the very vessels Jesus used to turn water into wine. Dr McCollough writes: 'There was space for another four. Six stone jars would have held the water that Jesus turned into wine. 'All this suggests that Khirbet Cana was regarded as New Testament Cana from a very early time.' Why was Cana important to Jesus? What makes this discovery so interesting is Cana might have been hugely important to the historical Jesus and his followers. This is possible because the account of Cana actually comes from an even more ancient part of the Bible. Dr Tabor says that the Gospel of John contains a separate, older narrative called the 'signal source' which the later gospel writer built on. According to Dr Tabor, there are hints in this narrative that Cana was potentially the 'headquarters' of the early Jesus movement or even a personal 'retreat' for Jesus himself. Not only was it the site of his first miracle, but the scant pieces of evidence we have also seem to hint at a more personal connection. The fact that his mother Mary is involved in the planning of the wedding suggests that it was likely a 'family affair,' perhaps even the wedding of one of Jesus's four brothers. The signal source narrative then records that Jesus came back to Cana again after causing trouble in Jerusalem by clearing out the moneylenders in the temple. The Gospel of John even points out that one of Jesus's followers, Nathaniel, was originally from Cana. Dr Tabor says: 'It could well be his village headquarters – a place he felt very much at home where he could be safe and peaceful.' What would it be like to drink wine with Jesus? Although it might seem odd, wine would have played a major role in the life of Jesus and his disciples. At a time when potable water was less common, brewed and alcoholic drinks were a great source of sterile water and calories, as well as part of social and community life. That might make you wonder what it would have been like to drink the wine Jesus made or that was served at the Last Supper. Luckily, thanks to the work of some curious archeologists, we actually have a pretty good idea. Dr Paulina Komar, an archeologist from the University of Warsaw and expert on Roman wine, told that wine in Jesus's day would have been very different to what we have now. Dr Komar says: 'The Romans could make good wines, good according to our standards, but they would have been different than most good wines today.' Instead of aging in wooden barrels, wine was made by the Romans in clay jars that were often buried underground. This required the grapes to be macerated, kept partially intact, which has a similar effect on the taste to adding boiled-down grape syrup called defrutum in modern wines. 'Clay jars allowed for micro-oxidation, which changed wine taste – less fresh green and yellow fruits, more dried fruits, apricot jam and slightly nutty aromas typical of today's sherry,' says Dr Komar. Roman wine was also quite a lot stronger than the wines we have today due to the wild yeasts and very sugary grapes, reaching between 15 and 16 per cent alcohol content. Grape encounters: Unlike modern wine, the wine Jesus would have drunk was made in clay pots buried in the ground. Experts say this would have given it a similar flavor to today's sherry or Georgian qvevri wines In the Gospel of John, upon drinking the wine, Jesus made the host remark: 'Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.' Dr Komar says: 'If it was a good wine, it would probably have been similar to modern Georgian qvevri wines, or amber wines in general. Bad wine would have been simply bad with a high concentration of acetic aldehyde and acetic acid. 'Posca - that means wine that almost turned into vinegar mixed with seawater - was most likely the last drink of Jesus and was typical for poor people, as well as some legionaries and slaves. 'This is most probably why in antiquity wines were spiced with a number of different herbs and spices such as pepper, thyme, rose, wormwood.' WHY IS JESUS DEPICTED IN DIFFERENT WAYS? No physical description of Jesus is found in the Bible. He's typically depicted as Caucasian in Western works of art, but has also been painted to look as if he was Latino or Aboriginal. It's thought this is so people in different parts of the world can more easily relate to the Biblical figure. The earliest depictions show him as a typical Roman man, with short hair and no beard, wearing a tunic. It is thought that it wasn't until 400AD that Jesus appears with a beard. This is perhaps to show he was a wise teacher, because philosophers at the time were typically depicted with facial hair. The conventional image of a fully bearded Jesus with long hair did not become established until the sixth century in Eastern Christianity, and much later in the West Medieval art in Europe typically showed him with brown hair and pale skin. This image was strengthened during the Italian Renaissance, with famous paintings such as The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci showing Christ. Modern depictions of Jesus in films tend to uphold the long-haired, bearded stereotype, while some abstract works show him as a spirit or light.
