Syria accuses Israel of air-strike near Damascus

Syria has accused Israel of conducting a pre-dawn airstrike on a military airfield near Damascus on Monday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least four Iranian militants and three civilians were killed, the Jerusalem Post reports.

EU Unveils $580 Billion Aid Package Amid Virus Lockdowns

After the U.S. unveiled similar measures, the European Union has approved a $580 billion aid package to help limit the devastating economic consequences of coronavirus pandemic lockdowns in member states. However, beyond the immediate aid, the dispute remains over the structure – and funding – of a long-term recovery plan. It emerged this weekend that the European Commission, the EU’s executive, has now been tasked to make proposals by May 6, when another video conference will be held.

Protests Against Anti-Virus Lockdown Spread In Europe

Protests against lengthy coronavirus-related lockdowns have spread in Europe where most people have died in the global pandemic, devastating economies and wracking lives of millions. In Germany, the continent’s largest economy, police detained dozens of protesters over the weekend for violating the strict lockdown measures they were demonstrating against.

U.S. Top Court Rejects States’ Coronavirus Appeal Against Trump Policy

Concerns remained Sunday that certain immigrants suffering from the coronavirus disease COVID-19 would not seek medical help after a U.S.Supreme Court ruling. The top court declined a request by U.S.states to halt a Trump administration policy temporarily on health grounds.

‘Prominent Saudi Rights Activist Dies In Detention’

A prominent Saudi Arabian rights campaigner imprisoned since 2013 for dissident activities for which he was awarded the ‘Alternative Nobel’ prize has died, activists and friends confirmed. The 69-year-old Abdullah al-Hamid passed away Thursday in King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, the capital, after suffering a stroke on April 9 in prison, said London-based Saudi rights group ALQST.

Pakistan Church Has Rooftop Services Amid Lockdown and Saves Slaves

An evangelical church and mission group has launched rooftop services in Pakistan after authorities banned regular church meetings amid a national lockdown to halt the coronavirus pandemic. Besides providing alternative worship, the church also saved 100 Christian families from slavery in some of Pakistan’s notorious brickyards, a pastor said in an extensive interview.

Poland’s Health Minister: ‘Delay Elections Till 2022 Over Coronavirus’

Poland’s health minister risked the anger of other government officials by suggesting to delay next month’s presidential elections until 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Minister Lukasz Szumowski, who is also a cardiologist, said Friday that postponing the vote ‘the only safe option’ as the virus disease COVID-19 spreads across the nation.

Saudi Arabia Ends Flogging As Punishment

Saudi Arabia is ending flogging as a form of punishment amid efforts to modernize the judicial system, according to a document obtained by several media outlets. The kingdom’s top court said in written remarks that flogging would be replaced by prison sentences or fines, or a mixture of both.

Tense Calm In France After Lockdown Riots

A tense calm returned to the outskirts of Paris after four days of riots exacerbated by the anger of the ongoing coronavirus lockdown and police measures in France. Crowds of youths targeted riot police with fireworks and torched rubbish bins amid rising tensions. The violence began Saturday after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in Villeneuve-La-Garenne in a confrontation with police.

Group of Pastors in Cuba share Gospel through face masks

A group of pastors in Cuba is sharing the gospel message during the coronavirus pandemic by having Scriptures written on face masks to wear and give out as they minister. Fox News learned of this outreach from Vernon Brewer, the CEO and founder of the World Help Christian humanitarian aid organization.

Facebook removes videos of military chaplains referring to God

Facebook has removed four videos of military chaplains encouraging prayer and referring to God during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News reported on Thursday. The posts were taken down after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF) complained the videos constituted ‘illicit proselytizing’ of Christianity.

Christian organization calling on US churches to reopen May 3

The Liberty Counsel (LC) Christian non-profit organization has launched the ReOpen Church Sunday campaign, calling on US churches to resume congregating in person on May 3, the Christian Post reports. As the campaign follows weeks of on-line worship services due to the coronavirus pandemic, LC advises that congregations should continue to observe social-distancing and sanitation measures at in-person services. However, LC says: ‘Now is the time to act.’

Hezbollah and Israel Try To Avoid War, For Now

Israel and the Islamic militant Hezbollah group have reportedly agreed on informal rules of engagement as they prepare for possible war while trying to avoid setting it off. The New York Times newspaper reports that Israel has mostly refrained from killing members of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and committed to destroying the Jewish state.

U.S. Unemployment Hits 26 Million, Worst Since Great Depression

U.S. unemployment is nearing levels of the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in 6 Americans of working age out of a job as the coronavirus pandemic essentially shut down the economy. About 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance last week alone, reported the U.S. Labor Department on Thursday.

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