Pentagon says US Navy fired warning shots at Iran boats in Gulf
A US Navy vessel fired warning shots toward three Iranian military speed boats in the Gulf this week to warn them after they sped close to the ship, the Navy said Tuesday.
EU
European Parliament set to greenlight post-Brexit trade deal
European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.
Byzantine-era mosaic pavement uncovered in central Israel
Architects in Israel recently unearthed a 1,600-year-old mosaic pavement in the ancient city of Yavne in central Israel, Israel365 reports. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Byzantine-era flooring will eventually be exhibited at the Yavne cultural center.
France: Family of brutally murdered Jewish woman filing for Islamist killer’s extradition to Israel for trial
The family of Sarah Halimi, an Orthodox Jewish woman who was murdered by Islamist Kobili Traoré in France on April 4 2017, is to file a legal claim for the killer to be extradited to Israel for trial, BBC News reported last week. Traoré claimed he was in a drug-induced delirium at the time of the brutal slaying, and a French court has found he cannot therefore be held criminally responsible under the country’s law. Outrage over the court’s decision caused thousands of people to protest in New York, Paris, Rome and Tel Aviv this weekend.
New U.S. COVID cases fall sharply last week, deaths lowest since October
New cases of COVID-19 in the United States fell 16% last week to about 409,000, the biggest percentage drop in weekly new cases since February, according to a Reuters analysis of state and county data.
Pope Prays As Rescue Workers Report 130 Migrant Deaths At Sea
Pope Francis on Sunday prayed for those who looked the other way after at least 130 migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty perished in the Mediterranean and aid workers accused states of not responding to distress calls.
Christian Missionaries Die Of COVID In India
Christian missionaries and church leaders already suffering persecution in several areas are among those dying of severe symptoms of COVID-19 raging in India, aid workers say.
Fully vaccinated US tourists to be allowed into EU this summer
Vaccinated tourists from the United States will be permitted to visit the European Union this summer, according to a European Commission official.
US President Calls Massacre Of Armenians “Genocide”
More than a century after one of the worst massacres of Christians, U.S. President Joe Biden formally declared the systemic killing and deportation of some 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces “genocide.”
Court Postpones Appeal Of Algeria Pastor, Co-Worker Against Prison Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Algeria Court Postpones Appeal Pastor, Co-Worker, Against Jail Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Hungary President Supporting COVID Orphans
Hungarian President János Áder and Anita Herczegh, the First Lady, have launched a foundation to help children orphaned by the coronavirus.
Report: ‘Growing Persecution of Christians in North America, Europe’
Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.
IAEA: Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges in Natanz
Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges at its underground uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and plans to add even more, a report by the UN atomic watchdog on Wednesday showed, according to Reuters.
Israel hits back after Dimona nuclear reactor rocket alert
The Israeli military said early Thursday that a missile was fired from neighboring Syria, and that it had struck Syrian missile batteries in retaliation.
Poll: Majority of Americans oppose expanding the U.S. Supreme Court
Democrats enthralled their base and alarmed Republicans with the recent announcement of a new push to add four justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the latest polling suggests the majority of Americans don’t favor expanding the highest court in the land.
Ex-Vice President Walter Mondale Dies At 93
Former U.S. Vice-President Walter F. Mondale, who current President Joe Biden called his “dear friend and mentor,” has died. He passed away Monday in Minneapolis at age 93, his family said. No cause was cited.
Planned Parenthood cancels founder Margaret Sanger for eugenics and white supremacist ties
Planned Parenthood says it is distancing itself from founder Margaret Sanger over what it considers her beliefs in eugenics and past associations with white supremacist groups.
Iran, IAEA start talks on unexplained uranium traces
The U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran on Monday started talks aimed at obtaining explanations from Tehran on the origin of uranium traces at found at undeclared locations in Iran, an issue which could affect efforts to revive Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal.
Russian military build-up near Ukraine numbers more than 150,000 troops, EU says
Russia has concentrated more than 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s border and in annexed Crimea, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday after EU foreign ministers were briefed by Ukraine’s foreign minister.