IDF indicates Iran scaling back terror activity in light of coronavirus
The Israel Defense Forces indicated Monday its primary foe in the region, Iran, was curbing its activities as it grapples with a major outbreak of the coronavirus.
Month: March 2020
Russia’s Constitutional Court Approves Amendments Allowing Putin To Rule Until 2036
Russia’s Constitutional Court has approved constitutional amendments that could enable President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 16 years.
IMF says it’s ready to mobilize its $1 trillion lending capacity to fight coronavirus
The International Monetary Fund on Monday said it ‘stands ready’ to use its $1 trillion lending capacity to help countries around the world that are struggling with the humanitarian and economic impact of the novel coronavirus.
Trump administration to start $175M, 30-foot-tall border wall project in high traffic Texas region
The Trump administration awarded a $175 million contract to a construction company to build 15 miles of border wall in an area of southeastern Texas where no barrier exists, according to the federal agency overseeing wall projects.
Europe mulls shutting external borders in fight against coronavirus
Europe proposed shutting its external borders to foreigners for 30 days on Monday in a bid to turn the page on its scramble to contain the coronavirus, but it drew criticism for doing too little, too late.
Chinese Economy Craters in First Two Months of 2020 Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
New economic data released Monday shows China’s economic activity in all areas plunged in the first two months of 2020 as the novel coronavirus outbreak first erupted and took hold in the world’s second-largest economy.
Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero and launches massive $700 billion quantitative easing program
The Federal Reserve, saying ‘the coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States,’ cut interest rates to essentially zero on Sunday and launched a massive $700 billion quantitative easing program to shelter the economy from the effects of the virus.
Three-Self Church in China becomes secret house church
A church in China formerly part of the government-recognized Three-self branch of churches was shut down, propelling around 200 believers to begin to meet in secret.
Netanyahu sparks privacy scare with move to track corona patients’ phones
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced that Israel would begin using advanced digital monitoring tools to track carriers of the coronavirus, raising major privacy concerns and prompting accusations of mass surveillance.
Gantz receives unexpected majority, tasked with forming Israeli government
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will task Blue and White leader Benny Gantz with forming the next government, after the leftist former IDF chief gained a majority of seats in the Knesset with unexpected support.
Finnish MP under investigation for supporting biblical view of sexuality
A Finnish Member of Parliament is under investigation for expressing the biblical view of sexuality in a series of television interviews, police charging her with “hate speech” in a case that civil liberties groups are seeing as a harbinger of ill-fortune for free speech.
Many more Christians killed in Nigeria than was once thought
A Nigerian civil society grouped has traced the genocidal activities of Muslim groups in that country and found that earlier estimates of the numbers of Christians killed over the last few years were far too modest.
Putin Formally Signs Off on Constitutional Changes That Allow Him to Extend Power
Vladimir Putin has formally signed off on constitutional amendments that would allow the Russian leader to run again for president in 2024, the Interfax news agency reported on March 14.
Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Closed as Precaution against Coronavirus
Islamic religious authorities have closed the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus. However, outdoor prayers will still be permitted outside the two shrines housed in Jerusalem.
U.S. House passes package to provide coronavirus relief; Senate up next
The U.S. House early Saturday passed bipartisan legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Stock market soars nearly 2,000 points, U.S. equities more than 9 percent after emergency declaration
At the close of business Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,985 points to 23,186, nearly recouping Thursday’s more than 2,300-point loss. The S&P 500 gained 228 to 2,709 and the Nasdaq Composite was up by 672 points to 7,874.
All 16 Dead Sea scroll fragments at DC museum revealed as fake
The 16 Dead Seas scroll fragments housed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, are forgeries, museum officials said Friday.
Israel coronavirus cases climb to 164; nearly 40,000 in quarantine
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel climbed to 164 on Saturday, up 21 from Friday, with nearly 40,000 currently in home quarantines according to the Israeli Health Ministry. Of those with the virus, two are still in serious condition, 10 are in moderate condition, and four have recovered.
Netanyahu weighs new, stricter measures to halt coronavirus pandemic
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting at his office in Jerusalem late on Saturday afternoon to discuss further, more stringent measures Israel may take to halt the coronavirus pandemic.
President Trump Declares This Sunday a National Day of Prayer
President Donald Trump declared Sunday, March 15, as a National Day of Prayer.