In the first half, investigative reporter and C2C weekend host George Knapp discussed his new Netflix series Investigation Alien (view trailer), which aims to explore the complexities surrounding UFOs and non-human intelligence. As Knapp investigated dramatic UFO encounters all over the world, he emphasized the need to move beyond the question, "Are UFOs real?" to deeper inquiries about their purpose. The series, which took 14 months to produce, features six episodes that delve into various UFO encounters, including the Phoenix Lights witnessed by thousands, and the attacks on the Brazilian island, Colares. Knapp recounted how his journey into UFO investigations began with John Lear, who presented him with compelling documents that sparked public interest and led to his specialization in this field. Touching on the ongoing interest in UFO phenomena, Knapp noted, "I think the world is starting to catch up to us," as Congress holds hearings on the subject.
One particularly intriguing episode covered animal mutilations-- some 10,000 animals over decades have been found dead with organs removed with surgically precise cuts. Knapp noted, "There's no blood in the animal, no blood on the ground," raising questions about the strange, mysterious circumstances. The documentary features an account from a cattle rancher who witnessed a craft hovering over his pasture land and then grabbed his rifle to take a shot, but the craft had already vanished. In the 1977 Colares incident, locals reported that "UFOs started coming out of the sky and out of the river, attacking, shooting them with what the locals thought were like laser beams," Knapp explained, highlighting the bizarre injuries suffered by residents, some of whom are interviewed in the new series. He noted hundreds were affected, with some experiencing significant blood loss and flesh injuries. "The Brazilian Air Force came in and started an investigation," he said, but many records of these incidents mysteriously disappeared. Knapp conjectured that it may have been some kind of "sampling operation."
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In the latter half, British filmmaker David Rolfe discussed his deep exploration of the Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth that he believes was the authentic burial shroud of Jesus Christ. He elaborated on the controversy surrounding the Shroud's origin, particularly what he considers to be a flawed carbon dating conducted by the British Museum. The corner sample they cut and dated was a medieval repair, he suggested, and this error tarnished the Shroud's reputation as actually being from the time of Jesus. A recent study by Italian researchers confirmed that the burial cloth does date back some 2,000 years.
Rolfe believes the Shroud depicts the signs of a crucifixion and encodes three-dimensional information revealing that a miraculous event occurred at the moment of Jesus' resurrection. "The only thing that can explain the image is that at some point, there was an incredible burst of energy" that scorched the cloth, he asserted.
He also addressed the forensic details depicted on the Shroud related to the crucifixion, and how no one has ever been able to duplicate the effects on the cloth. The Shroud is highly unique, he said, positioning it as "the proof" of Christ's miraculous abilities. Rolfe explained the careful wrapping technique used for burial, which aligns with the Shroud's design, reinforcing its historical context. He also mentioned the blood type found on the Shroud, AB, as consistent with Palestinian blood, further supporting its authenticity.
News segment guests: Dr. Chris Gilbert, Kevin Randle