US: $127.5 Million For Parkland Shooting Families
The U.S. government has reportedly reached a tentative $127.5 million settlement with the families of victims of a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida, high school.
Washington
Wife of American missionary held hostage in Niger pleads with US to honor promise of help
The wife of Jeff Woodke, an American missionary who has been held hostage in Niger for five years, on Wednesday appealed to the US government to honor its promise to keep all options on the table in seeking her husband’s release, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Making her appeal at a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Els Woodke also called on the international church for help to finance the rescue effort.
‘We Will Never Allow Iran to Go Nuclear,’ Israel’s Security Adviser Tells Bahrain Summit
Israeli national security advisor Eyal Hulata described Iran as the “most destabilizing force in the region” in remarks Sunday, warning of “unprecedented threats” facing the world if Iran succeeds in developing nuclear weapons.
UK to designate entire Hamas a terror group, outlaw support
The United Kingdom will designate Hamas as a terror organization on Friday and outlaw support for the group, with violators liable to face up to 10 years in prison, the British Embassy in Israel confirmed.
Christian florist pays gay couple denied wedding services $5,000, withdraws SCOTUS appeal
A Christian florist in Washington state is ending an eight-year legal battle to protect her religious beliefs and “artistic freedoms” from compulsion to participate in a same-sex wedding.
Oklahoma Guard commander defends rejecting vaccine mandate as Pentagon warns troops who refuse
The Oklahoma National Guard’s commanding general Wednesday defended his directive countermanding federal requirements that all U.S. military personnel be vaccinated against the coronavirus, telling troops in a private town hall event that he was following orders from the state’s Republican governor and meant no disrespect to his superiors at the Pentagon.
Chinese military now set for invasion of Taiwan, says Hill commission
China‘s military now is capable of a full-scale invasion of Taiwan and has added new missiles and amphibious ships to the People’s Liberation Army for an attack on the island democracy, according to the latest annual report of a congressional China commission.
Putin accuses NATO of ignoring Russian ‘warnings about red lines’
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO of ignoring Russian “red lines” in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, a habit that he blamed for raising the risk of a new crisis “tomorrow.”
US Intends to Move Forward on F-35 Sale to UAE, US Official Says
The United States intends to move forward with the sale of 50 F-35 stealth fighters jets to the United Arab Emirates but there must be a clear understanding of “Emirati obligations,” a US official said on Tuesday as progress on the sale slows.
Texas abortion ban stays in force as justices mull outcome
More than two weeks have passed since the Supreme Court‘s extraordinarily rushed arguments over Texas’ unique abortion law without any word from the justices.
Americans want ‘fair shake’ for faith-based groups, protection for vaccine refusers, survey suggests
Most Americans say that religious groups providing community services should qualify for government funding alongside their secular counterparts, according to the 2021 Religious Freedom Index survey released Wednesday.
Two Virginia races headed for recounts; control of House in limbo
Two incumbent Democrats who trail Republican challengers in close races in Virginia’s House of Delegates announced Tuesday that they will seek recounts, leaving control of the House in limbo.
‘Red lines’ or ‘rules of the road’: China, U.S. paint different images of summit
The White House painted a rosy picture of President Biden‘s video summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but it was only half as rosy as the portrayals by China‘s state-controlled media, which all but declared victory after Monday night’s highly anticipated meeting.
National Day of Repentance on December 1 as SCOTUS hear arguments in Mississippi abortion case
Pro-life organizations in America have called for a National Day of Repentance over abortion on December 1, the day on which the US Supreme Court hears opening arguments in a legal challenge to Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks, CNS reports.
Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill into law, opening up funds for roads, ports
President Biden signed his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package into law on Monday, opening up federal funds for railroads, bridges, mass transit, broadband and utilities.
National Guard on standby in Wisconsin for Rittenhouse verdict
About 500 Wisconsin National Guard troops are on standby outside Kenosha in the event of trouble following a verdict in the high-profile Kyle Rittenhouse homicide trial.
Myanmar Frees US Journalist Danny Fester
A U.S. journalist sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Myanmar junta court was released on Monday, his employer and an American diplomat confirmed.
Federal appeals court extends stay on Biden’s vaccine mandate for large businesses
A federal appeals court ruled to uphold its stay on President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees.
Steve Bannon indicted for contempt of Congress in Jan. 6 investigation
Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
‘I will send them to Delaware’: DeSantis threatens to remove migrants flown to Florida by Biden administration
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida floated the possibility of sending buses of illegal immigrants to President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware if the federal government keeps sending “clandestine” planes to Florida filled with migrants detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.