Israel, Hamas Agree to 72-hour Truce
As Operation Protective Edge enters its fifth week, Israel and Hamas have agreed to an Egyptian proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire beginning Tuesday morning.
Month: August 2014
Christian Town Seeks Exclusion from Islamic Region
A Christian town in Mindanao is protesting its incorporation into the newly created, semi-independent Islamic region of Bangsamoro in the Philippines, according to BarnabasAid.
Court Rules Against ‘Ailing’ Atheists
A court of appeals has unanimously ruled against ailing atheists who claimed that two steel beams in the shape of a cross found in the debris of the 2001 attack on the WTC has caused them to suffer “depression, headaches, anxiety, and mental pain and anguish.”
Meriam Ibrahim, Sudanese Woman Sentenced to Death, Arrives in U.S.
A Sudanese woman who was formerly sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her faith in Christ arrived on a flight from Rome into New Hampshire Thursday after intense diplomatic negotiations to save both her and her family.
Papal First: Pope Francis Visits Pentecostal Church
Pope Francis has reached out to evangelicals by becoming the first pontiff to visit a Pentecostal church.
Christian Baker Appeals ‘Re-Education’ Order
While the Colorado Civil Rights Commission compels the Christian owner of a bakery to make wedding cakes for gay couples, the baker is standing both his ground and the heat, refusing to leave the kitchen while inspiring other Christians worldwide, according to CBN News.
White House: President Has ‘No Choice but to Act’ on Immigration
White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said Sunday that because of inaction by Congress on immigration, President Obama must act alone on the issue and will decide by the end of the summer exactly which steps he will take, the Washington Post reported.
Drought in California Keeps Getting Worse as Wildfires Spread
California’s three-year drought just got worse as the entire state is in “severe drought”, 82 percent of the state is rated in “extreme drought”, and 58 percent of the state is now in “exceptional drought”. Firefighters continued to battle wildfires that destroyed at least 8 homes and prompted an evacuation of a hospital.
6.1 Mag Earthquake Kills More than 380 in China
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern China killing at least 380 people and leaving at least 1,800 injured. Some 12,000 homes were destroyed and another 30,000 were damaged in Sunday’s earthquake.
Pro-and-Anti-Israel Rallies Take Place Throughout the World
As the conflict in Gaza entered its third week, pro-and-anti Israel rallies took place throughout the world. Since the beginning of the war, a surge in anti-Jewish hate crimes has taken place especially in Europe, leading to fears among Jewish communities that Europe is no longer a safe haven for its population.
Round-Up: Israel Begins to Withdraw Out of Gaza Ahead of Tisha B’Av
Over the weekend, Israel completed its demolition of Hamas terror tunnels and began withdrawing its troops from the Gaza Strip ahead of Tisha B’Av, which begins Monday night. Meanwhile, the U.N. condemned Israel for not sharing its Iron Dome technology with Hamas, saying Israel committed war crimes by not “protecting” Gazan citizens from misfired Hamas rockets that land within the Gaza Strip. Last week, there were scores of misfired rockets by Hamas that killed dozens of Palestinian citizens. On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the White House not to ‘second guess’ him on dealing with Hamas.
Islamic State Seizes Iraq’s Biggest Dam, Several Towns
The ‘Islamic State’ (IS) seized control of Iraq’s largest dam, giving the jihadist organization the ability to flood major cities. Over the weekend, IS also took control of three towns in Iraq and is beginning to amass troops to take Baghdad, defense analysts warn. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia called on its allies to provide military assistance as its believes IS will topple its government.
Civil War in Libya: Jihadists Seize Benghazi
Fighting in Libya escalated Thursday as Islamic militias claimed to control the country’s second-largest city, Benghazi, while foreigners and U.N. workers continued their exodus in what increasingly is looking like a full-blown civil war, the Washington Times reported.
Markets tank on Argentina debt default, other fears
Financial markets went into a tailspin Thursday after Argentina defaulted on its debt, raising fears among skittish investors already fretting about weak corporate earnings growth, rising interest rates and an aging bull market.
Downsized Military Too Weak for Future Security Threats
An independent panel appointed by the Pentagon said Thursday that President Obama’s military strategy for sizing the force is too weak to meet growing national security threats.
CIA Admits to Hacking U.S. Senate Computers
The Central Intelligence Agency improperly and covertly hacked into computers used by Senate staffers to investigate the spy agency’s Bush-era interrogation practices, according to an internal investigation.
Congress approves VA reform bill
The Senate gave final approval Thursday to sweeping legislation aimed at fixing the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, marking a rare moment of bipartisan accord triggered by the widespread treatment delays veterans faced at agency facilities..
China Develops New Long Range Missiles
China has acknowledged the existence of a new intercontinental ballistic missile said to be capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads as far as the United States, according to Agence France-Presse.
Hamas Invites Hezbollah to Join in the War (Video)
Hamas wants Hezbollah to join the three-week-old conflict with Israel, Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official said. While Hamas rocket strength was estimated at 10,000 rockets, conservative estimates say Hezbollah has well over 100,000 rockets aimed at Israel.
72 Hour Ceasefire Attempts to Go in Effect Friday Morning (Video)
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire beginning Friday morning. While Israel has said it will observe the ceasefire, the IDF will continue to destroy terror tunnels. Meanwhile, three IDF soldiers were killed Wednesday morning in an explosion at a booby-trapped United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) health clinic. However, UNRWA claims the building was not registered leading to speculation Hamas stole UNRWA signs and placed it throughout the building. Gazan health officials place the death toll at over 1,400 while the IDF casualty toll grew to 61.