Idaho: Federal judge partially blocks state abortion ban

A federal judge in Idaho on Wednesday partially blocked the state’s “trigger” abortion ban by ruling that abortions may be carried out in emergency medical situations, the Independent reports. Created to be “triggered” into effect should Roe v Wade be overturned, Idaho’s ban on abortion was due to take effect on August 25.

Iran-backed militants launch rocket attacks on US bases in Syria

In a continued series of recent back-and-forth attacks between the US and Iran-backed militants, three American service members were injured Wednesday during rocket attacks by Iran-backed groups on two US military bases in northeastern Syria, the Washington Times reports.

Evangelicals Pray For Ukraine As Rockets Take Toll

Two groups representing more than 600 million evangelical Christians urged prayers for an end to the war in Ukraine as territories still controlled by Kyiv observed Ukraine’s Independence Day.

Against the odds, Biden inches closer to nuclear deal with Iran

The Biden administration on Wednesday inched closer to restarting a controversial nuclear deal with Iran, brushing aside stark warnings from key American ally Israel and sidestepping mounting evidence that Tehran and its proxies have not moderated their behavior on other fronts and remain intent on targeting U.S. troops, officials, allies and interests.

15 Killed As Russia Fires Rockets In Ukraine On Independence Day

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded in a Russian rocket strike on a Ukrainian railway station as his nation marked the 31st anniversary of its independence from the Moscow-ruled Soviet Union.

Church in Afghanistan is growing amid harsh conditions

The house church movement in Afghanistan is slowly growing, despite a surrounding environment of brutal tribalism and Islamic extremist violence that forces evangelism and worship to be carried out in secret, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.

Biden announces cancellation of student debt

President Biden responded to pressure from progressives on Wednesday by canceling $10,000 in student debt for borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 in debt for those who received Pell Grants.

Nigeria: Secular High Court upholds death penalty for blasphemy

In a move that has caused severe consternation among rights groups, the secular High Court in Nigeria’s Kano state has upheld a recent death sentence given by a Sharia court to a man accused of blasphemy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Controversially, Kano is one of 12 northern Nigerian states whose legal system operates under both the secular Nigerian penal code and the Islamic Sharia law.

Worthy Christian News