News Round-Up: April 16, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• Paleontologist Francesc Gascó is giving you serious beard and biceps (above).

• Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg told CNN today he doesn't have a problem with Vice President Mike Pence having religious beliefs, but added, "My problem is when those religious beliefs are used as an excuse to harm other people."

• Sirius XM Radio has announced a new limited-time channel dedicated to the music of Cher.

• Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) said that Donald Trump is the most “biblical” president America will ever have.

Michele Bachmann has never seen "a more biblical president" than Trump: "We will, in all likelihood, never see a more godly, biblical president again in our lifetimes." pic.twitter.com/xnqCZRaq5f

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) April 15, 2019

• The government of Brunei has defended its gay stoning law as a way to ‘nurture’ their citizens.

• According to reports, it could take up to three years to repair Notre Dame Cathedral after a fire completely destroyed its roof. Over $700 million has been pledged for its repair.

• Out Canadian singer-songwriter Mathew V has released the music video for his latest single, “Catching Feelings." Directed by Gabriel Adelman, the video follows Mathew V through an extraterrestrial adventure set to an extremely danceable track.

"'Catching Feelings' can be counted as one of the first evocatively sun-soaked jams of 2019. Toned, smoothed out & soulful." - EQ Music

His debut album, The Fifth, was released in the spring of 2018 and charted in both Canada and the US. The album earned critical acclaim from press outlets such as Nylon and Billboard, marking Mathew as an artist to watch.

His catalogue is now approaching 10 million online streams. Hit play below.

Notre Dame Cathedral In Paris On Fire

(screen capture/NBC News)

UPDATE - USA Today reports that "nothing will remain" after the devastating fire. There is still an ongoing effort to save works of art.

The fire burned for hours, virtually unabated despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters. The flames continued to glow when darkness fell. “A special mission has been launched to try to save all works of art that can be saved,” Emmanuel Grégoire, first deputy to the mayor of Paris, said on French TV.

“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media. The cause was not immediately known, but officials said it could be linked to renovation work. The cathedral is in the midst of a $6.8 million renovation project.

French historian Camille Pascal told French TV the fire was destroying “invaluable heritage.” “It’s been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris,” Pascal said. “Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.”

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From NBC News:

Flames were spotted shooting from the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday.

Smoke was billowing from the structure and could be seen from miles away in the French capital.

The flames appeared to be around scaffolding at the top of the famous church, where renovations were being done.

"A terrible fire is underway at Notre Dame Cathedral," Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted. She called on Parisians to stay away from the area to allow firefighters to do their work.

Witness image shows fire burning from the top of historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. https://t.co/kdrUxk2XiK pic.twitter.com/jz8GhX10Gq

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 15, 2019

Witness says 300-foot spire on top of the Notre Dame Cathedral has just collapsed https://t.co/Q2Pt0kZcZB pic.twitter.com/KBcCztHVV8

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 15, 2019

The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

Notre Dame Athletic Dept: If You Can Play, You Can Play

The Notre Dame Athletics Department show their support for the You Can Play Project.

(via Towleroad)

When Notre Dame athlete Matt Dooley came out

Notre Dame senior varsity tennis player Matt Dooley faced some tough times when he began to embrace who he was, not only to himself but to his parents and team mates.

His journey of self-acceptance involved a suicide attempt and an estrangement from his parents. But he kept moving forward. And on the two year anniversary of his suicide attempt, he found strength in the brotherhood of his sport by coming out to his coaches and team mates.

I think his story of coming out, shared with OutSports, sends a message of strength over adversity.

From OutSports:

I have since made the conscious decision that my challenges do not and will not define who I am. I am a son, a brother, and a friend. I am a student, a teammate, and a future physician. I am a chaser of dreams and an achiever of goals. I am a gay man who is now proud to stand up for those just like me and show them that they, too, can strive for greatness both athletically and professionally.

I share this story in hopes of sending a single message to other gay athletes like me: No matter the circumstance or situation, you are never alone.

You can read more about Matt's journey at OutSports. And don't miss the moving video below produced by Fighting Irish Digital Media chronicling the team's acceptance.

France: Anti-gay activist commits suicide at the alter of Notre Dame

In an apparent protest of France's recently passed marriage equality law, an anti-gay activist shot himself in the head today after placing a letter on the altar of Paris' famed Notre Dame Cathedral.

From the Daily Mail:

Dominique Venner, who had recently been campaigning against gay marriage in France, is said to have calmly walked past the crowds milling around the 850-year-old Cathedral, one of the most popular tourist sites in the world, before taking out a Herstal automatic pistol.

The 78-year-old put the gun in his mouth and fired before collapsing on to the altar, according to French media reports.

The Cathedral was full of visitors when the horrific incident took place, at around 4pm.

My small understanding of the relationship of religion and suicide is that it is considered a mortal sin.

So, not to be unkind, but this man would rather commit a mortal sin and burn in hell forever than live with the fact that people who love one another can marry?

Wow - he really showed us, didn't he?

I am sad that so much hate can be whipped up in the world that would lead someone to this end.