U.S. consumer spending slows in August; incomes rise
U.S. consumer spending barely rose in August, suggesting that the economy’s main growth engine was slowing after accelerating sharply in the second quarter.
Month: September 2019
NATO denies Russia request to bar missiles in Europe
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has rejected a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin to prohibit missile deployments in Europe, now that Moscow and the United States have left a 1988 nuclear treaty.
Nancy Pelosi: Abortion Bans ‘Ignore Basic Morality’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) said in an address delivered Thursday night at the 50th anniversary dinner of NARAL Pro-Choice America that abortion bans being sought by Republicans around the country ‘ignore basic morality.’
Syria demands withdrawal of U.S., Turkish forces, warns of countermeasures
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and Turkish troops from his country and warned that Syrian government forces had the right to take countermeasures if they refused.
Michigan Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Win Big in Court, Allowed to Keep Following Their Religion
A district judge in Michigan has ruled that a faith-based adoption agency can continue to practice its religious beliefs and still partner with the state in connecting foster children with families who want to adopt them.
Rouhani claims Trump offered to drop sanctions in exchange for talks
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Friday that Trump had offered to drop all sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for talks at the UN General Assembly, a claim Trump later vehemently denied.
Congress hears testimonies about situation of Christians in India
Human rights groups and groups that monitor persecution worldwide presented statistics to congress Wednesday testifying to the deterioration of the situation for Christians in India.
Underground church growing, Islam dying, inside Iran
A new documentary claims the ‘fastest-growing church’ in the world is sprouting up in the unexpected soil of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on fast-track deportation policy
The Trump administration was dealt a blow late Friday by a federal judge after she ruled to block its move that would allow immigration officers to deport people who entered the U.S. illegally before they appear before judges.
Latest Hong Kong pro-democracy protests end early after violent turn
A pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong which reportedly had drawn hundreds of thousands ended early on Saturday after violence broke out, police said.
Attorney general agrees to spread Netanyahu indictment hearings over two weeks
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit on Sunday informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal team that he had agreed to their request that a pre-indictment hearing in three graft cases against the premier be spread out over two weeks, instead of being held over two days this week.
Hurricane Lorenzo briefly reaches Category 5 strength, becomes record-setting storm in far east Atlantic
The fifth hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season roared into the record books late Saturday when it became the strongest storm ever observed so far north and east in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Britain’s Boris Johnson won’t quit, vows to ‘get Brexit done’
As the annual conference of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party got underway on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed he would oversee the country’s departure from the European Union next month.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts ‘protector’ narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
‘Historic’ winter storm dumps 3 feet of snow, smashes records in West
One week after summer’s end, a ‘winter’ storm began blasting parts of the West with up to 3 feet of snow, smashing records with low temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions forecast into Monday.
Nasrallah: We are prepared to enter ‘occupied Palestine’
The leader of the Lebanese-based terror group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed over the weekend that his organization was in possession of a large amount of military intelligence on Israel and warned that his forces were prepared to enter ‘occupied Palestine’ at any time.
Saudi prince: ‘Firm’ action needed against Iran to prevent devastating war
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said in an interview aired Sunday that war with Iran would devastate the global economy and he prefers a non-military solution to tensions with his regional rival.
New online resource explores British Library’s collection of ancient sacred texts
The British Library, the largest national library in the world by number of items cataloged, has made available its collection of 250 of the most rare and ancient religious texts online, many available to the public for the first time.
US Economy Grew at Modest 2% Rate in Second Quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll.
Russia to Expand Its Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, Reports Say
Russia is expanding its Hmeimim airbase in Syria and rebuilding a second landing strip to allow the facility to serve more aircraft, Russian news agencies cited an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying on Thursday.