Senate reaches $10 billion COVID funding deal
Senators reached a deal Monday to provide an additional $10 billion in COVID-19 relief funding for vaccines and therapeutics, but did not include money for international vaccination efforts.
EU
Dallas Fed: Global recession ‘seems unavoidable’ if Russian sanctions continue
The Dallas Federal Reserve is warning that ongoing sanctions against Russia will lead to a global recession.
Finland: Court dismisses hate speech charges against Christian lawmaker and Lutheran bishop
A court in Finland has acquitted a Christian lawmaker and a Lutheran bishop who was indicted on charges of hate speech for sharing their belief that Biblical marriage is between one man and one woman, CBN reports.
Serbia’s Hardline President Wins Elections
Serbia’s hardline President Aleksandar Vucic was seen winning the presidential poll Sunday while his party was due to become the most significant force in Parliament.
Hungary’s Orbán Wins Elections
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has won a fourth consecutive term in office despite being seen as the European Union’s closest ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Eritrea Detains Dozens Of Evangelicals
Some 29 evangelical Christians have been detained in Eritrea after security forces raided a home prayer meeting in Asmara, the capital, said Christians familiar with the situation.
Hungary’s ‘Putin Friend’ Orbán Seen Winning Elections
Hungarians head to the polls Sunday for what could be one of Europe’s most consequential elections overshadowed by the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, long a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeks a fourth term in office, and opinion polls suggest he will succeed.
State Department allows for ‘X’ gender on passports as TSA starts gender neutral screening
The State Department on Thursday announced that US Citizens will be able to choose “X” as their gender rather than “Male” or “Female” on their passports, while the Transportation Security Administration said it will start offering “gender-neutral screening” at airport checkpoints.
Fighting Overshadows Hopes For Peace In Ukraine
Moscow plays down hopes of a breakthrough following peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Istanbul, Turkey. Fighting has continued in several areas as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its 5th week.
Kentucky Senate passes abortion restrictions, including 15-week ban
Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks and contains several provisions that abortion rights advocates say could severely restrict or essentially end access to the procedure in the state.
Israel unites with U.S., Arab nations against Iran, revives Palestinian peace talks
Top foreign diplomats from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Egypt and the United States on Monday convened to focus on their common enemy of Iran and also to discuss peacemaking with the Palestinians.
Trump calls on Putin to release info on Hunter Biden’s dealings with oligarchs
Former President Donald Trump is calling on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to release any information he possesses on Hunter Biden’s dealings with oligarchs in Eastern Europe.
Belgium, Netherlands Expel Dozens Of ‘Russian Spies’
Belgium and the Netherlands said Tuesday they are expelling 38 suspected Russian spies from their territories.
Struggling Russia Sends More Mercenaries To Ukraine As Death Toll Mounts
British military intelligence says Moscow is due to send more than 1,000 mercenaries into eastern Ukraine as the Russian military suffered heavy losses.
White House Denies Biden Seeks Regime Change In Russia
The White House has rushed to deny that U.S. President Biden called for regime change when saying Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.” The president made the remarks in Poland where he ended his tour to Europe to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Biden’s job approval falls to lowest level of his presidency amid war and inflation fears
Amid Europe’s largest land war since World War II, 7 in 10 Americans expressed low confidence in President Joe Biden’s ability to deal with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a new NBC News poll, and 8 in 10 voiced worry that the war will increase gas prices and possibly involve nuclear weapons.
Ukraine President Claims “Powerful Blow” To Russia, But Suffering Continues
Ukraine’s embattled President Volodymyr Zelensky says his nation inflicted “powerful blows” and “significant losses” on invading Russian troops, but many Ukrainians continue to suffer relentless airstrikes and shelling.
Biden In Poland After Controversial Summits
U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Poland on Friday after attending summits where he and other Western leaders declined to offer the more robust military assistance demanded by war-torn Ukraine.
North Korea tests new intercontinental ballistic missile as NATO meets in Europe
North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, escalating its weapons program while world leaders are gathered in Europe to focus on Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Three More F35 Stealth Fighter Jets Heading to Israel
Three more F35 ‘Adir’ stealth fighter jets are on their way to Israel from the United States, according to a report by Hebrew-language journalist Nir Dvori at Israel’s Channel 2 News.