Russia’s Putin Can Rule Till 2036, Voters Say
Russia’s long-ruling President Vladimir Putin could remain in power until 2036 after voters backed controversial changes to the constitution, official results showed Wednesday.
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Russia votes to define marriage in constitution as between man and woman
Russians voted in favor of a referendum on Wednesday for a series of constitutional amendments, one of which would define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Mexico celebrates start of new trade accord with US, Canada
Mexico celebrated the implementation of a new free trade agreement with Canada and the United States that it hopes will lead to more investment in its struggling economy.
More than 100 injured or killed in 83 shootings over nine days in NYC as city cuts $1B from NYPD
A spike in shootings in New York City has left more than 100 people wounded or killed during a nine-day span.
Netanyahu ally confirms delays in West Bank annexation plan
A confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the premier’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank would not start on Wednesday, the original target date.
Knesset approves law allowing Shin Bet virus tracking to resume for 3 weeks
The Knesset on Wednesday passed legislation authorizing the Shin Bet security service to use controversial phone surveillance measures to help track down potential coronavirus carriers for a three-week period.
House Democrats pass $1.5 trillion ‘green’ infrastructure bill filled with climate policies
The House passed a $1.5 trillion “green” infrastructure package on a partisan basis Wednesday by a 233-188 vote, as Democrats signaled their commitment to combating climate change through multiple avenues, a key issue for their voting base.
Seattle Mayor Orders Protesters to Vacate CHOP Zone; Police Arresting Those Refusing to Leave
On Wednesday, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued a Proclamation of Civil Emergency declaring the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone gathering an “unlawful assembly” requiring immediate action from city agencies, including the Seattle Police Department.
House passes bill rebuking China over Hong Kong security law
The House on Wednesday joined the Senate in approving a bill to rebuke China over its crackdown in Hong Kong by imposing sanctions on groups that undermine the city’s autonomy or restrict freedoms promised to its residents.
Palestinian factions call for ‘day of rage’ to foil annexation
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have called for a “day of popular rage” on Wednesday to protest Israel’s plan to apply its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank.
Supreme Court strikes down state ban on public aid to religious schools
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that religious schools can qualify for a state tax credit program even when the state constitution explicitly bans public aid to religious entities.
Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans
The Senate on Tuesday cleared legislation to extend the deadline for businesses to apply for coronavirus aid under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which will expire at the end of Tuesday.
Supreme Court limits First Amendment rights of US companies’ foreign affiliates
The US Supreme Court ruled 5-3 Monday that requiring foreign groups to have explicit policies opposing prostitution and sex trafficking in order to receive federal funds applies to US companies’ foreign affiliates because they do not possess First Amendment rights.
Amid Coronavirus Cases Rising, Fatalities at Lowest Level in Months, Pence Emphasizes
Amid continuing concern among members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force he leads, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is emphasizing the positives.
U.S. cuts high-tech sales to China to protest Hong Kong crackdown
The Trump administration said it was now blocking transfers of sensitive U.S. technology to Hong Kong after China on Tuesday formally put in place a harsh new national security law on the former British territory.
US envoy: Military action against Iranian nuclear program ‘always on the table’
The Trump administration’s envoy for Iran said Tuesday that the White House was willing to take military action against Tehran to prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Israeli Archaeologists Find Ancient Artifacts from the Time of Ezra, Nehemiah
The Israel Antiquities Authority on Tuesday announced that it has uncovered remnants from Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
India Tests New COVID-19 Vaccine on Humans in July
Bharat Biotech is now approved for human trials, and slated to start human vaccine testing for COVID-19 in July. It will be India’s first domestic pharmaceutical candidate to receive the go-ahead from the government’s drug regulator as cases are sky-rocketing in the 1.3 billion population.
Doubts Over Hungary‘s Support For Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s right-wing government has come under pressure amid reports that it spends more on anti-migration propaganda than on support for persecuted Christians.
EU extends sanctions on Russia
The European Union has decided to extend sanctions it imposed on Russia in 2014 following Russian military action against Ukraine. The decision to extend the economic measures was made by the Council of the European Union on June 29.