Report: Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria
Syrian state television said Wednesday evening the country’s air defenses responded to “Israeli aggression” in what appears to be an attack on Hezbollah targets in the area.
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Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope files election slate, heavy with ex-Likud MKs
Former Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope party filed its party slate Wednesday evening, rounding off the major parties to register for March’s election on the first of two days to do so.
U.S. mulls using law designed to prosecute Mafia against Capitol rioters
The U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to charge members of far-right groups involved in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol under a federal law usually used against organized crime, according to two law enforcement sources.
House approves budget for Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus package
House Democrats powered a skeleton budget through the House on Wednesday, sidelining Republicans and carving out enough space to approve President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus wish list.
Report: ‘Mass Rape And Torture In China ‘Re-Education Camps’
Women in China’s “re-education” camps for Uighurs have been systematically raped, sexually abused, and tortured, the British broadcaster BBC reported Tuesday, citing survivors.
Nigeria: Fulani Muslim herdsmen continue murderous attacks on Christians
As Islamist violence against Christians in Nigeria continues unabated, Fulani Muslim herdsmen recently killed two clergymen and burned down a Christian conference hall in the country’s Middle Belt, Morning Star News reports. The chairman of the Niger state Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Mathias Echioda, told Morning Star News: “There’s the urgent need for Nigeria’s government to put an end to these barbaric acts.”
Polls shows most young adults support abortion restrictions
A new poll shows that a majority of millennials and Generation Z in the US support various restrictions on abortion, Christian Headlines reports. Conducted by the advocacy group Students for Life, the survey found that “more than 7 out of 10 expressed support for limits on abortion.”
Argentina judge suspends new law legalizing abortion: unborn child has right to life
A judge in Argentina has suspended the country’s new law legalizing abortion, saying the unborn child has the right to life, Lifesite News reports. Suspension of the law’s application was ordered Thursday by Judge Marta Aucar in the Chaco Province.
Algeria: Christian jailed for five years for posting Facebook cartoon of Muhammad
A Christian father of four has been sentenced to five years imprisonment in Algeria for allowing a cartoon of Muhammad on his social media account in 2017, International Christian Concern reports.
Russia Detains 1,400 People After Sentencing Kremlin Critic Navalny
Monitors say over 1,400 people have been detained in Russia during the latest protests supporting jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The riots came after a Moscow court sentenced him on Tuesday to nearly three years imprisonment.
Iran deepens breach of nuclear deal at underground enrichment site
Iran has deepened a key breach of its 2015 nuclear deal, enriching uranium with a larger number of advanced centrifuge machines in an underground plant as it faces off with the new U.S. administration on salvaging the accord.
Democratic Congress opens path for $1.9 trillion relief vote without Republicans
Both the House and Senate kicked off their debates over a new budget resolution Tuesday, blazing a path that could lead to them trying to push through a COVID-19 relief package without earning any Republican support.
Netanyahu: Goal to vaccinate 90% of people over 50
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu set a goal of expanding the vaccination campaign in the coming days, with an emphasis on those aged 50 and over.
Controversial Amazon CEO Bezos Steps Down
Jeff Bezos, who founded tech giant Amazon and became the world’s wealthiest person, is stepping down as its chief executive officer.
Trump legal team argues impeachment article is in ‘violation’ of Constitution, calls on Senate to acquit
Former President Donald Trump’s legal team on Tuesday filed its response to the House article of impeachment ahead of next week’s trial, denying wrongdoing and calling for the Senate to acquit Trump of the charge.
France: Dogs to detect COVID-19 by smelling perspiration
Scientists and veterinarians in France have partnered in a project which trains dogs to detect the new coronavirus through smelling human sweat, en24News reports. The stated aim of the ‘Cynocov’ project is to provide a “complimentary solution” to the pandemic crisis at a time when “a comprehensive, rapid and non-invasive screening offering is needed.”
New report: most churches suffered financial anxiety
A new survey reveals that some pastors worry their church may not survive the COVID-19 pandemic because of financial pressures, Christian Today reports. Titled “Something other than a Building,” and compiled by Churches in Ireland and Queen’s University, Belfast, the survey shows finances have been a source of anxiety for most of the pastors who participated.
Oregon first state to decriminalize possessing small quantities of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy
Oregon has become the first state to decriminalize possessing small quantities of hard drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, UPI reports. Following a ballot measure approved last year, the new ‘Measure 110’ law took effect on Monday.
Russia Jails Kremlin Critic Navalny For 3.5 Years; Hundreds Detained
A Moscow court has sentenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 3 ½ years as the Kremlin defied Western calls for his release.
US Customs officers intercept over $136k in counterfeit currency from China
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago’s International Mail Facility last week intercepted two parcels from China that contained different denominations of counterfeit currency totaling over $136,000, the Department of Homeland Security reports on its website.