Authorities Close India Church Over Hindu Protests
Christians in eastern India are questioning the sealing of their church building after authorities ordered the believers to stop gathering for worship, a rights group said Thursday.
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WHO: COVID origins unclear but lab leak theory needs study
Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame.
Hezbollah chief says can stop Israeli gas extraction from disputed field
The head of Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah said on Thursday that his group could stop Israel from extracting gas from a maritime field that Beirut says lies in disputed waters, adding Hezbollah is “not afraid of war.”
Iran threatens to ‘raze Tel Aviv and Haifa’ amid revenge attack concerns
Iran has threatened to “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa” amid concerns that it is planning attacks on Israeli nationals and targets abroad, the Iranian state news agency reported Tuesday.
Iran Has Enough Fissile Material for 3 Nuclear Warheads
Iran has enough fissile material to produce three nuclear warheads, an Israeli official said Monday, according to a report published by Israel Hayom.
UK: Monkeypox upgraded to same severity level as leprosy and plague
Monkeypox has been upgraded to the same category as diseases including plague and leprosy, with doctors required to notify health authorities of every case.
India States Detain Pastors Over ‘Forced Conversions,’ Death
A pastor and his wife are among the first Christians to face prosecution under controversial anti-conversion legislation that has been introduced in India’s southwestern state of Karnataka, while another couple faces similar charges elsewhere in India. Pastor V. Kuriyachan, 62, and his wife Selenamma, 57, were detained for two weeks shortly after Karnataka’s governor signed the legislation on May 17, for allegedly converting Hindus to Christianity, police and Christians said.
Ukraine Forces Battle In ‘Dead Cities’
Between massive death and destruction, Ukrainian forces were still holding out in the eastern city of Severodonetsk despite being outnumbered by Russian forces, Ukraine’s president said.
Russia’s UN Envoy Clashes With EU Over Food
Russia’s United Nations ambassador angrily left a U.N. Security Council meeting as a European Union president blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for worldwide food shortages.
Russian Foreign Minister Banned From Europe Airspace
Russia’s foreign minister said late Monday he had invited his Serbian counterpart to Moscow after three eastern European countries blocked his plane from traveling to Serbia.
Britain’s PM Survives Confidence Vote Over Booze Parties
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed a “decisive victory” in a confidence vote by his Conservative Party triggered by concern over his attendance at parties during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
Syria reports Israeli attack on Damascus
Syrian media sources reported on Monday evening that Israeli warplanes attacked several targets in the region of the Syrian capital of Damascus.
WSJ: Saudi Arabia engaging in ‘serious talks’ with Israel
Saudi Arabia is engaging in “serious talks” with Israel about establishing business ties and strengthening security coordination, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Hezbollah ‘ready’ to act forcefully if Lebanon says Israel violating water rights
Hezbollah is ready to take action “including force” against Israeli gas operations in disputed waters once the Lebanese government adopts a clearer policy, the heavily armed movement’s deputy leader said on Monday.
Arizona judge declines Republican request to block mail voting
An Arizona judge on Monday declined a request by the state Republican Party to block most mail ballots for the 2022 election, preserving the voting method used by the overwhelming majority of voters.
Migrant in potentially the largest caravan ever demands Biden keep asylum promise
A Haitian migrant taking part in what could be the largest ever migrant caravan through Mexico to the U.S. is demanding that President Biden keep his promise to allow them to stay once they reach the border.
Muslim nations slam India over insulting remarks about Islam, Prophet Muhammad
India is facing major diplomatic outrage from Muslim-majority countries after top officials in the governing Hindu nationalist party made derogatory references to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, drawing accusations of blasphemy across some Arab nations that have left New Delhi struggling to contain the damaging fallout.
Israel’s gov’t in crisis after rebel MKs sink West Bank emergency bill
In a critical blow to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government late Monday, the coalition failed to pass a directive giving Israel legal jurisdiction over Israelis living in the West Bank that has been approved every five years since 1967.
U.S. bars Cuba, Venezuela from Americas summit; Mexican leader sits out
The White House on Monday excluded Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas this week, prompting Mexico’s president to make good on a threat to skip the event because all countries in the Western Hemisphere were not invited.
Supreme Court abortion case sparks debate over how ruling may impact IVF, fertility industry
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by upholding Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, some have speculated that the ruling could criminalize certain aspects of the fertility industry, particularly In Vitro Fertilization.