Supreme Court rejects Second Amendment cases
The Supreme Court declined 10 cases related to gun rights for the term that begins in October.
Conservative
Trump Administration Removes Transgender Health Discrimination Protections
The US Department of Health published a new rule Friday asserting that protection against “sex discrimination” in health care applies only to people who are biologically male or female. Focussed on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the final rule rolls back an Obama-era regulation which had added “gender identity” as grounds under which a person could suffer health care discrimination. Religious and conservative groups have welcomed the rule as protecting freedom of conscience and allowing federally funded medical practitioners and insurance companies to refuse the provision or coverage of transgender treatments. However, human rights groups are concerned the rule will leave trans-Americans without access to standard needed health care that is unrelated to sex change.
Missouri Federal Court Upholds Pro-Life Law
On Wednesday a federal appeals court in Missouri upheld a state law requiring abortion clinics to give their clients a booklet stating that abortion will end the life of a separate human being, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. The case was originally brought by a member of “The Satanic Temple” who said the law violated her religious beliefs and Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.
U.S. Supreme Court Forcing Christians To Hire Transgenders?
The U.S. Supreme Court will effectively decide whether Christian and conservative employers can be forced to hire transgender people and gays. Its case centers around a late funeral director who, in 2013, lost her job after telling her boss she would transition from male to female.
Germany Furious About U.S. Planned Withdrawal of Troops
Senior legislators from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative block condemned Saturday the reported decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw a quarter of the American troops stationed in Germany.
Journalists Covering US Riots Attacked by Both Protestors and Police
There have been numerous reports of journalists suffering attacks from both protestors and police while covering US riots sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. According to Reuters, there have been some two dozen attacks on members of the press by police. Documenting some 60 cases of attacks, arrests, or harassment of journalists, Radio Television Digital News Association reported many of the recorded incidents were by protestors as well.
Supreme Court rejects challenge to limits on church services; Roberts sides with liberals
A divided Supreme Court on Friday rejected an emergency appeal by a California church that challenged state limits on attendance at worship services that have been imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump Orders Social Media Review
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to order a review of a law protecting internet giants such as Google, Twitter, and Facebook amid concerns that social media are limiting access to Christian and conservative opinions.
Trump ‘Orders’ U.S. States To Reopen Churches
Tensions were rising Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that states allow churches and other houses of worship to reopen from stay-at-home restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Saying America needed more prayer, Trump threatened to override governors’ orders though he faced constitutional limits to enforce these policies.
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.
Turkey’s Erdogan calls to ‘revitalize’ relationship with EU amid coronavirus pandemic
Turkey has revived its bid for membership in the European Union (EU), calling to ‘revitalize’ their relationship and citing the coronavirus pandemic as a clear demonstration of the need for unity.
US Supreme Court declines opportunity to expand or restrict gun rights
The U.S. Supreme Court declined the opportunity Monday to issue a ruling that would either expand or restrict gun rights, Reuters reported. The Justices dismissed a National Rifle Association-backed lawsuit that challenged restrictions imposed on handgun owners by New York City. In an unsigned majority decision, the Justices said the case was moot as NYC had already lifted the restrictions that were objected to.
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.
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.
Americans Protest U.S. Lockdown
Protests continue in the United States against the perceived ‘tyrannical’ lockdown orders to halt the coronavirus pandemic. In Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people gathered outside the state legislature Thursday in defiance of stay-at-home rules, which the governor instituted until June 10. ‘STOP the MADNESS! It’s just a COLD VIRUS! End the shutdown for the GOOD of U.S. all!’ read one sign.
European Union in disagreement over coronavirus finance deal
A disagreement over eurozone loans on Wednesday halted European Union (EU) efforts to agree on a deal on managing the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Negotiations between European finance ministers were suspended until Thursday after 16 hours of talks brought no resolution. Yesterday’s discussions followed similar talks that were held last month, when no agreement was reached either.
Attacks by Muslim Fulani against Nigerian Christians continue unabated
Muslim Fulani herdsmen have killed more than 60 Christians in the last month in Nigeria, confirming a warning in January by a major Christian watchdog group that genocide was looming.
Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to DC Metro ban on religious ads
The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not take up the Catholic church’s challenge to the Washington, D.C., transit authority’s policy banning religious ads, allowing the policy to remain in place.
U.S. And Britain Bracing For Deadly Week
The United States and Britain braced Monday for what officials viewed as one of their darkest weeks in post-war memory as the social and financial toll of the coronavirus pandemic mounted and the British prime minister was in the hospital with the virus. Monday’s glooming scenario came as Italy, Spain, and France saw signs that they were flattening the pandemic curve, despite many people still dying there.