U.S. To Exit Open Skies Treaty Over Russian Violations
The United States has announced that it will withdraw from the Open Skies treaty because of violations of the agreement by Russia.
Year: 2020
US pledges $1.2B for 300M doses of coronavirus vaccine being developed in UK
The United States has committed $1.2 billion to secure the supply of 300 million doses of a potential coronavirus vaccine being developed in the United Kingdom.
Satellites and spacecraft malfunction as Earth’s magnetic field mysteriously weakens
Earth’s magnetic field, which is vital to protecting life on our planet from solar radiation, is mysteriously weakening.
Iran Frees Four Converts From Jail
Four former Muslims who became Christians and part of Iran’s leading house church movements have been freed from an Iranian jail, Christian activists confirmed Thursday. Kathrin Sajadpour, Moslem Rahimi, and another Christian, of the ‘Church of Iran,’ were reportedly freed on a reduced bail of 200 million tomans ($11,500) this week, Wednesday.
Hope for Iran Christian as Hungary Closes Transit Zones
An Iranian Christian father and his young son were among hundreds of asylum seekers on their way to more freedom Thursday after Hungary’s government closed prison-like transit zones.
Justice Department says California Restrictions on Churches are Unfair
The Justice Department has told California Gov. Gavin Newsom that his current COVID-19 order prohibiting worship services amounts to “unequal treatment of faith communities,” the Washington Examiner reports. In a letter sent Tuesday by the Department’s Civil Rights Division, the governor was told it is apparently unfair that church should be closed when “non-essential” businesses have opened in phase two of California’s Reopening Plan.
Scores Dead As Cyclone Hits India and Bangladesh
Scores of people have died, hundreds of thousands are homeless, and millions face flooding and power shortages in India and Bangladesh after one of the region’s fiercest cyclones in a decade.
Record-Breaking $1.3 Billion Contract Awarded to Build Section of Border Wall
A North Dakota construction company has received a massive $1.3 billion contract to build a section of President Trump’s US-Mexico border wall, the Arizona Daily Star first reported. The award to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. is the largest border wall contract to date.
Trump Administration Spending Billions Developing Hypersonic Missiles
The Pentagon is spending billions of dollars on developing two main types of ultra-fast hypersonic missiles in order to “dominate future battlefields,” the Times of Israel reports. Referring to Russia and China in an explanation for the move, President Trump told reporters on Friday: “We have no choice, we have to do it, with the adversaries we have out there.”
Russia, UN and Vatican condemn unilateral Israeli annexation plan
International opposition to Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank continued to gain momentum Wednesday as representatives of the UN, Russia, and the Vatican all expressed strong objections to the plan that could be implemented as early as July.
U.S. Cities Seen Losing $360 Billion of Revenue From Economic Rout
U.S. cities are projected to lose about $360 billion of revenue through 2022 because of the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, an unprecedented loss that would trigger deep spending and job cuts, according to a National League of Cities analysis released Thursday.
Report: 1,797,910 Firearms Sold in April 2020, a 71.3% Increase Over April 2019
A report by Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates that in April 2020 there were 1,797,910 gun sales, an increase of 71.3% over the April 2019 sales.
Hungary Passes Transgender Law
Hungary’s Parliament has approved legislation that bans transgender people from changing the gender they were assigned at birth on official documents.
Civil Liberties Groups says Around 620 Christians Killed by Islamic Militants in Nigeria Since Beginning of 2020
According to the records of a Nigerian civil liberties organization, Islamic militants have killed at least 620 Christians in the country since the beginning of 2020, CBN News reports. The International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (ISCLRL) published the number murders in a report which said militant Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram have stepped up violence against Christians in the old Middle Belt and Northeast regions of Nigeria.
Planned Parenthood must return $80 million it received in COVID-19 loans for small businesses
Thirty-seven Planned Parenthood affiliates received a total of $80 million in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) intended to help small businesses in the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News has reported exclusively. The federal government now says the abortion provider must pay back the money it received. Explaining its position, the government said Planned Parenthood is a federation of affiliates with over 500 employees and should have known it does not qualify for small business aid.
U.S. Birthrate Hits Record Low
The United States hit a record low birthrate amid broader concerns over the economy, U.S. health authorities revealed Wednesday.
Spain Extends Wearing Of Masks To Curb Virus
Spain’s government on Wednesday sought to extend a state of emergency and made wearing masks compulsory where social distancing is not possible.
Federal Judge Rules All voters in Texas Can Cast Ballot by Mail
A Democrat federal judge ruled Tuesday that all Texans can apply to vote by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic, VOA reported. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the state would appeal, describing the ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery as a dismissal of “well-established law.”
Millions Hide as Super Cyclone Roars India and Bangladesh
Millions of people have fled to shelters in India and neighboring Bangladesh as the fiercest cyclone in decades hit the region, which also faces a coronavirus pandemic.
US Pastor Home After 7-months Detention In India
An American pastor has arrived home after more than seven months of detention in India on controversial charges of tax evasion.