Nigeria Gunmen Release Bishop But Violence Continues
A prominent Catholic bishop in Nigeria, kidnapped on December 27, has been released unharmed in an “answer to prayers,” his church said Saturday.
California
California Supreme Court: Nonviolent sex offenders may be eligible for early parole
The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that prisoners convicted of nonviolent sex crimes may be eligible for early parole, the LA Times reports. This eligibility excludes anyone serving time for violent acts like rape and sodomy but may result in early parole for prisoners convicted of crimes the state does not consider violent – including pimping, incest, indecent exposure, and possessing child pornography.
California district judge refuses to lift COVID-19 restrictions on houses of worship – despite recent SCOTUS rulings
Despite US Supreme Court decisions to strike down COVID-19 worship service restrictions in two recent cases, a federal judge again refused to lift worship restrictions in a case brought by California’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, the Christian Post reports.
President Pardons Convicted Supporters
U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people, but he did not extend amnesty to death row people.
Trump administration to cut $200m from California funding because of state abortion policy
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it is slashing California’s healthcare funding by $200 million because a 2014 state law requires insurance providers to pay for abortions, the Washington Examiner reports. In a statement, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said the 2014 law is in breach of federal anti-discrimination conscience legislation that protects insurers from a requirement to cover abortions.
Top Republican believes Swalwell not the only lawmaker compromised by Chinese spies
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, says it would not surprise him if there are more lawmakers in the Capitol beyond California congressman Eric Swalwell who were compromised by the Chinese.
California: Appeals court reverses lower court decision to uphold restrictions on church services
A court of appeals has told a lower court that, in light of recent US Supreme Court rulings, it must reconsider its decision to uphold California’s restrictions on in-person worship services, the Christian Post reported Wednesday. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of Chula Vista’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, which had argued the pertinent COVID-19 restrictions were discriminatory against houses of worship.
Judge directs stinging rebuke at LA County for outdoor dining ban
A Superior Court judge has said it is “just shocking” that LA County had not “seriously” considered the impact of outdoor dining on the COVID-19 pandemic before banning it indefinitely on November 25, the LA Times reports. Restricting the ban to just three weeks, LA County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled Tuesday that county officials must carry out a risk-benefit analysis if they want to extend the order beyond December 16.
House overwhelmingly approves defense bill over Trump veto threat
The House voted overwhelmingly to pass a critical defense bill that President Trump has threatened to veto because it lacks new language that would punish social media firms.
California Republican mayor: Not wearing a mask in public is domestic terrorism
The Republican mayor of Lancaster City, California said last week that people who do not wear a mask in public should be arrested on the grounds they are committing domestic terrorism, Los Angeles Daily News reports. A sharp critic of LA County’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris made his remarks at a Supervisors Board meeting amid leaders’ growing frustration about blanket shutdown orders they believe are harming local economies and violating civil liberties.
Supreme Court sides with churches against California on coronavirus restrictions
The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with churches against California’s coronavirus gathering restrictions.
CDC reports lowest numbers of abortions since Roe v Wade (1973)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a report showing the number of abortions across the United States has declined by 50% since 1980, CBN News reports.
Supreme Court Poised to Slow Walk Trump Bid to Exclude Illegal Immigrants From Redistricting
The Supreme Court looks unlikely to issue a quick decision on the Trump administration’s bid to exclude illegal immigrants from the population baseline for awarding congressional seats.
California asks Supreme Court to ignore churches’ appeal as more speak out against coronavirus restrictions
California’s attorney general on Monday urged the Supreme Court to reject a petition from a group of California churches disputing the state’s coronavirus restrictions.
U.S. Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to bar illegal immigrants from census totals
The Supreme Court on Monday is set to take up President Donald Trump’s unprecedented and contentious effort to exclude illegal immigrants from the population totals used to allocate U.S. House of Representatives districts to states.
SCOTUS blocks New York State from re-imposing COVID restrictions on houses of worship
The US Supreme voted 5-4 to prohibit New York State from re-imposing COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings, Politico reports. The court’s emergency ruling issued late on Wednesday night represents a significant shift away from the decisions it made in May and July, when it upheld restrictions on churches in California and Nevada.
California churches appeal to Supreme Court after governor tightens coronavirus restrictions
Two California churches on Friday appealed to the Supreme Court for an emergency injunction against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus restrictions, days after the state revamped its shutdown orders.
Devin Nunes warns ‘growing concern’ that Biden and Obama will shut down Durham inquiry
Rep. Devin Nunes warned of “growing concern” that President-elect Joe Biden, taking cues from former President Barack Obama, will shut down U.S. Attorney John Durham’s inquiry into the Russia investigation.
Justice Samuel Alito rips Supreme Court for not considering church coronavirus lawsuits
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Thursday criticized his colleagues’ decision not to consider two lawsuits in which churches fought state coronavirus worship restrictions.
Tony Evans and Max Lucado among Evangelical leaders calling for Biblical Peacemaking
Around 200 evangelical leaders have signed a statement titled “A 2020 Call for Biblical Peacemaking: Evangelical Leaders’ Statement on Violence and Division,” in which they urge Christians to rise up as peacemakers in the wake of a tempestuous year and a fraught electoral season, the Christian Post reports.