News

Vaccine passports gain traction in Democratic places and bans in red states

Vaccine passports, or documents that show a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status, have been touted in Democratic-run states as tools for reviving commerce and tourism, while they’ve been outright banned in several red states. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has ruled out a federal vaccine passport mandate, citing privacy concerns.

US eyes major rollback of Iran sanctions to revive nuclear deal

The Biden administration is considering a near wholesale rollback of some of the most stringent Trump-era sanctions imposed on Iran in a bid to get the Islamic Republic to return to compliance with a landmark 2015 nuclear accord, according to current and former US officials and others familiar with the matter.

Idaho governor signs heartbeat bill with caveat

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (Rep.) signed a bill Tuesday that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected – but a caveat in the bill provides it will not take effect until a federal appeals court elsewhere in the US upholds it, the Washington Examiner reports.

Four Killed In German Clinic

German police say four people have been killed at a clinic in the eastern city of Potsdam, and a woman was detained. At least one person was seriously injured, German media reported.

Gantz appointed justice minister after Netanyahu U-turn; court cancels hearing

While insisting that the disputed vote he held in the cabinet on Tuesday to appoint Likud’s Ofir Akunis as justice minister was a legitimate move, Prime Minister Benjamin backed down Wednesday from his refusal to appoint anyone else to the position, agreeing to make Blue and White’s Benny Gantz justice minister for the duration of the transitional government.

Oil pipeline disputes raise tensions between U.S. and Canada

Months after President Biden snubbed Canadian officials by canceling Keystone XL, an impending showdown over a second crude oil pipeline threatens to further strain ties between the two neighbors that were frayed during the Trump administration.

China’s five-year campaign to suppress religious freedom affects believers

A major annual report issued by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) earlier this month, has highlighted China’s five-year campaign to suppress religious faith, including Christianity, in the country, CNS News reports. The Chinese Communist party is pursuing a program of “sinification” or “sinicization” of religion that began in 2018 and is set to run until 2022.

Religious Freedom Report: 14 nations are “Countries of Particular Concern”

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) published its 2021 Annual Report earlier this month, redesignating 10 nations as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) and recommending to the State Department that India, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam now be given that designation as well.

EU Commission President Condemns Turkey Over “Sofagate”

Ursula von der Leyen, the first female president of the European Union’s executive commission, has lashed out at Muslim-majority Turkey for violating women’s rights saying she was “feeling hurt” by a chair snap.

US Easing Mask Wearing Guidelines

Amid mounting public pressure, the U.S. leading health authority eased guidelines on wearing masks outdoors. In remarks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.

Papua Churches Urge UN To Help End Attacks

The West Papua Council of Churches urges the United Nations to help end a “humanitarian tragedy” in Indonesia’s Papua region where it says Indonesia’s military kills Christian leaders.

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