Russia deploys 3 nuclear-capable bombers to Syria
The Russian military said Tuesday it has deployed three nuclear-capable long-range bombers to its base in Syria, a move that could strengthen Moscow’s military foothold in the Mediterranean.
NATO
EU Sanctions Belarus After It Diverts Plane And Detains Journalist
The European Union on Monday introduced new sanctions on Belarus after Minsk forced a passenger plane flying over its airspace to land and detained a Belarusian opposition journalist onboard.
IAEA: Iran will extend inspection deal, won’t delete footage of nuclear sites
The UN nuclear watchdog and Iran have agreed to extend an understanding to monitor Tehran’s activities by one month, the agency said Monday, with talks ongoing in Vienna try to save the 2015 nuclear deal.
No More Church Bans: CA Gov. Newsom Ordered to Pay $1.35M in Legal Fees for Shutting Down Churches
This week, a California District Court approved the settlement of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry’s lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom, establishing the first state-wide permanent injunction in the country against COVID restrictions on churches and places of worship.
Belarus Detains Journalist After Forcing Plane To Land
European leaders have condemned Belarusian authorities after a passenger plane traveling between two European capitals was forced to land, and a prominent opposition journalist was detained.
Tennessee governor signs bathroom bill into law
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that could prompt public schools and districts to face litigation if they permit transgender students or staff to use locker rooms or restrooms that don’t align with their sex at birth.
Russia Urged To Unfreeze Bank Accounts Of US Broadcaster
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said Monday that Russian authorities should unfreeze the bank accounts of U.S.- funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and cease labeling media outlets as “foreign agents.”
Biden: ‘We Have Made Historic Appointments of LGBTQI+ Individuals to the Highest Levels of Our Government’
President Joe Biden put out a statement today saying that he and First Lady Jill Biden “are proud to recognized the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphopia,” which is observed annually on May 17.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America selects first transgender person as Bishop
In the first such move by any major US Christian denomination, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has elected a transgender person to serve as Bishop, Christian Headlines reports.
Texas House passes bill to ban abortion once heartbeat is detected
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected at around six weeks gestation, Christian Headlines reports. Senate Bill 8 passed 83-64 in the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed into law once the state Senate has reviewed changes made.
US-NATO launch massive military exercise; Russia unhappy
On Tuesday the United States and its NATO allies launched a massive military exercise which Moscow has described as “anti-Russian,” Just the News reports. Named Defender-Europe 21, the exercise is being conducted in Europe following the recent build-up of Russian troops and military equipment along the border with Ukraine.
U.S. base in Afghanistan hit by rocket fire as troops begin withdrawal
In an ominous kickoff to the mission to leave, U.S. forces returned fire over the weekend after rockets hit a key air base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while America’s top general on Sunday warned of “bad possible outcomes” in the country after all U.S. and NATO troops complete their withdrawal.
Deadlock in US-Afghanistan peace plans, despite troops withdrawal announcement
Plans for a route to peace between the United States and the Afghan Islamist Taliban have become deadlocked amid canceled talks in Turkey, and despite President Joe Biden’s announcement earlier this month that US and NATO troops will unconditionally withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, NPR reports.
Biden Defends Multi-Trillion Spending, Condemns Trump
Joe Biden used his first address to Congress as the 46th U.S. president to indirectly condemn his predecessor and sell multi-trillion budget plans for social programs and U.S. infrastructure.
Faculty turns against Christian University trustees who abide by Biblical standards
Nearly three-quarters of faculty at the historically Christian Seattle Pacific University (SPU) voted ‘no confidence’ in the school’s board of trustees because the board affirmed the college’s expectation that hired faculty will live by Biblical standards on sexuality, Christian Headlines reports. The faculty vote was triggered after adjunct nursing professor Jéaux Rinedah claimed in January that he was denied a full time teaching position at the school because he is gay.
NIH says it has identified over 500 ‘scientists of concern’ amid Chinese theft challenge
A top official at the National Institutes of Health said the federal agency has identified more than 500 “scientists of concern” within federally funded academic institutions and research programs as the U.S. government grapples with systematic foreign influence efforts, including Chinese economic espionage.
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.
Israel shuts down Gaza fisheries following three straight nights of rockets from the Strip
After three consecutive nights of rockets firing from Gaza into southern Israel, and five rockets overnight, Israel shut down the Gaza fishing zone Monday, the Times of Israel reports. Israeli journalists have noted that airstrikes are normally conducted in retaliation for Gaza rockets, and that the closure of fisheries appears to be Israel’s only response in this round of the ongoing conflict.
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.”
Senate Republicans unveil $568 billion infrastructure counterproposal
Senate Republicans formally rolled out the framework for their $568 billion counterproposal to President Biden’s $2.5 trillion infrastructure plan on Thursday.