Van Drives Into Brussels Terrace, Several Injured
A van rammed into terraces in the center of Belgium’s capital Brussels, leaving at least six injured and in shock, authorities said.
PLO
US, S. Korea open biggest drills in years amid North threats
The United States and South Korea began their biggest combined military training in years Monday as they heighten their defense posture against the growing North Korean nuclear threat.
With reset, Turkey and Israel look to build durable ties that can reshape the region
After more than two years of fitful progress, Israel and Turkey finally agreed Wednesday to restore full diplomatic relations, four years after Ankara humiliated Israel’s envoy on his way out of the country.
Drones armed with explosives attack US military base in Syria
Multiple drones strapped with explosive devices attacked an American-run compound in Syria on Monday.
After mediating Gaza ceasefire, Egypt sees envoy berate Israel at Security Council
Egypt’s ambassador to the United Nations tore into Israel during a Monday speech before the UN Security Council hours after Jerusalem heaped praise on Cairo for mediating a ceasefire with Palestinian Islamic Jihad that ended a three-day escalation in the Gaza Strip.
China’s largest Taiwan military drills draw to a close
China’s largest military exercises surrounding Taiwan were drawing to a close on Sunday (Aug 7) following a controversial visit last week to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Company to pay millions to employees over denying religious exemptions to COVID-19 shots
A Chicago-area hospital system could pay more than $10 million for denying employees religious accommodations to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to a proposed settlement negotiation pending before an Illinois federal court.
Putin: NATO Expansion, US Oceans Policy Are Top Threats to Russia’s Security
NATO exercises near Russian territory, and a U.S. policy of seeking “to dominate the world’s oceans” are among the greatest threats to Russia’s national security, according to a new naval doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
US: Catholic school entitled to fire employee who entered same-sex marriage, appeals court rules
A federal appeals court in Chicago on Thursday upheld the decision of a Catholic high school to fire a guidance counselor who entered a same-sex marriage after she began her employment there, the Washington Times reports.
Christian university sues Washington state to preserve anti-LGBTQ hiring practices
A Christian university in Seattle is suing the attorney general of Washington state, claiming that his office is interfering with the school’s First Amendment right to follow its religious beliefs and prohibiting staff from engaging in “same-sex marriage and activity,” Courthouse News reports.
Thousands of protesters breach Iraq’s parliament for second time this week
Thousands of protesters have breached Iraq’s parliament for a second time this week.
US Offers Prisoner Swap To Russia
Freedom appeared a little closer Thursday to several detainees after the United States offered a prisoner swap to Russia: Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer, for Brittney Griner, the American basketball star, and Paul Whelan, a former Marine.
Lapid instructs legal team over Russian plan to close Jewish Agency
Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid has instructed a legal delegation to prepare for talks with Moscow after Russia’s Justice Ministry last week filed a court request to shut down the Jewish Agency in the country, i24 News reports. The Jewish Agency is responsible for assisting Jews worldwide to immigrate to Israel and has operated in Russia for 30 years.
Israel says Russians fired at its jets over Syria in May in ‘one-off’
Israel said on Tuesday that its military jets came under Russian anti-aircraft fire over Syria in May but they missed their target, describing the confrontation as a “one-off incident”.
Russian Missiles Hit Port Threatening “Beacon Of Hope” Food Deal
Explosions rocked a critical Ukrainian port city Saturday, threatening a landmark food that the United Nations chief described as a “Beacon of Hope” for a hungry world.
Syria says Israeli airstrikes near Damascus kill 3 soldiers, wound 7
Israeli fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes on areas near the Syrian capital Damascus shortly after midnight on Friday, killing three soldiers and wounding seven others, Syria’s official state media reported.
Israel: Archaeologists unearth 2,000 Judean villa with ‘mikvah’
Archaeologists in Jerusalem’s Old City have unearthed a 2,000-year-old Judean villa with its own Jewish ritual bath (‘mikveh’), overlooking the site of the Biblical temples, the Associated Press reports.
Italian Premier Draghi resigns amid political turmoil, collapsed government
Italian Premier Mario Draghi resigned Thursday after key coalition allies boycotted a confidence vote, signaling the likelihood of an early election and a renewed period of uncertainty for Italy and Europe at a critical time.
Russia using mercenary group Wagner to reinforce Ukraine frontlines, UK says
Russia has been employing mercenaries from the private military contractor Wagner to reinforce its regular troops fighting on the front line in Ukraine, according to the British Defense Ministry.
Supreme Court’s religious liberty rulings give new life to legal battle for gay-marriage opponent
The former county clerk in Kentucky who refused to give same-sex couples marriage licenses and was branded a civil rights scofflaw says the conservative-leaning Supreme Court has bolstered her legal fight to clear her name.