Western Wall reopens to worshipers after coronavirus restrictions relaxed
The Western Wall Plaza reopened to worshipers on Tuesday morning.
News
UK Christian Fostering Agency Downgraded by Government for Unlawful Discrimination Against Same-Sex Couples
An independent Christian adoption and fostering agency in England has been downgraded by a government regulator for “unlawful discrimination against same-sex couples” in that it only places children with opposite-sex Christian couples. The agency is seeking Judicial Review of last year’s decision and the case will be heard in Leeds High Court on Wednesday and Thursday.
Trump administration blaming China for COVID-19 pandemic
President Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have each said in recent days that there is significant evidence COVID-19 originated in a lab in China’s Wuhan province. At the same time, the Trump administration says it is looking into the cause of the coronavirus outbreak and has not published the evidence referred to. China has vehemently denied the allegations.
China Church Members Injured In Attacks, Properties Damaged
Christians in south-eastern China were recovering of serious injuries Tuesday after suffering attacks during a Sunday service amid a government crackdown on unregistered churches, rights activists told Worthy News. Church properties were also damaged in the May 3 violence against Xingguang Church in Xiamen city in China’s Fujian province, added advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
U.S and UK Navy vessels sail into the Arctic, near Russia
In the first such operation since the Cold War of the 1980s, U.S and British Navy vessels sailed into the Arctic Barents Sea Monday, between the northwest coast of Russia and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. The US military said Russia had been given prior notice of the operation in order to avoid any “inadvertent escalation.”
US Defense Secretary: Afghanistan Peace Process ‘Behind Schedule’
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the peace process in Afghanistan is not going as quickly as expected, with the Taliban failing to reduce violence in the war-torn country.
Treasury to borrow $3 trillion in second quarter, far more than during financial crisis
The Treasury Department announced on Monday that it expects to borrow $3 trillion during the second quarter this year.
US Supreme Court Justices ‘Phone It In’ for the First Time in Hearing a Case
The Supreme Court’s historic livestreaming of its first-ever oral argument by telephone went without a hitch on Monday, spurring new calls for the high court to keep up the practice for the public’s benefit.
AG Barr directs U.S. Attorneys to protect constitutional rights, follows Texas guidance issued one week earlier
U.S. Attorney General William Barr has directed every U.S. Attorney “to be on the lookout for state and local directives that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.”
High Court reconvenes for hearing on validity of Netanyahu-Gantz unity deal
The High Court of Justice reconvened Monday for the second day of hearings on petitions against allowing indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a government, as well as against the unprecedented rotational unity deal he inked with Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz which demands significant changes to Israel’s semi-constitutional Basic Laws.
PM warns of possible 4th elections if High Court intervenes in coalition deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that the High Court of Justice should not interfere with his efforts to form a government between his Likud party and Blue and White, and warned that if it did so it would increase the chances of a fourth election.
The High Court on Sunday heard petitions against the tasking of Netanyahu with forming a government, due to his indictment on graft charges, and on Monday considered petitions against the Likud-Blue and White coalition deal, which stipulates profound changes to Israel’s constitutional order.
Muslim Herdsmen Kill 13 Christians In Nigeria; Many Displaced
More than 1,000 people are reportedly fleeing their homes in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state after at least 13 Christians were killed in attacks and kidnappings by Muslim Fulani herdsmen. Local Christians identified the victims as members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Catholic, Baptist, United Church of Christ in Nations (HEKAN), or Assemblies of God churches.
US Churches Hold In-Person Services on ReOpen Sunday
After weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, churches across America were encouraged to hold in-person services again on May 3, Fox News reports. This date was the first Sunday since the US government launched its reopening plan and allowed congregants to attend church in person.
Hungary Remembers First Free Parliament Amid Rights Concerns
The 30th anniversary of Hungary’s first freely elected Parliament since the end of Communist dictatorship has been overshadowed by fresh doubts over the government’s democratic credentials. Opposition parties stayed away from this weekend’s ceremony in Parliament, citing concerns about policies by the increasingly autocratic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Pakistan Province Announces Compulsory Study of Quran in All Universities
The governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province has announced it will be compulsory for all students in all provincial universities to attend lectures on the Quran, The New International reports. The announcement has raised concerns for the welfare of the many Christian students in Punjab.
Trump administration says Planned Parenthood does not qualify for small business loans
A senior US government official has said that clinics run by abortion provider Planned Parenthood will not qualify for a federal aid program being offered to small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Part of the wider Cares Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is intended to support businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
World Leaders Pledge Billions For Coronavirus Vaccine
An international pledging marathon has begun where world leaders are to raise at least 7.5 billion euros ($8.2 billion) to find a coronavirus vaccine. With social distancing the world’s new norm, world leaders choose video conferencing to raise the billions of dollars needed for research into a possible vaccine.
Iran Threatens To Abandon Nuclear Deal
Iran has suggested it will abandon an already shaky deal to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons if an arms embargo on Tehran remains in place. The United States wants to extend the ban, which was due to end in October this year.
Majority of US spy agencies believe the coronavirus escaped from Wuhan lab
A majority of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s 17 spy agencies believe the coronavirus likely originated with an accidental lab escape from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, a senior intelligence official told the Washington Examiner.
Israel’s Largest Bank to Pay $904M for US Tax Evasion, FIFA Money Laundering Conspiracy
Israel’s largest bank admitted to its role in a massive US tax evasion scandal and money laundering conspiracy that will cost it more than $904 million.