White House says U.S. wasn’t involved in attack on Iranian nuclear facility
The White House said Monday that the U.S. had no role in the attack on an Iranian nuclear facility that Tehran has blamed on Israel.
Worthy News
U.S. budget deficit surges to record $1.7 trillion — nearly double the previous high
The U.S. government’s budget deficit surged to an all-time high of $1.7 trillion for the first six months of this budget year, nearly double the previous record, as another round of economic-support checks added billions of dollars to spending last month.
Biden calls for calm after police shooting death in Minnesota
President Joe Biden is calling for calm after a night of unrest in Minnesota triggered by the police shooting death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man.
White House budget spikes climate change, other spending; GOP blasts defense proposal
President Joe Biden released top-level numbers for his proposed 2022 budget Friday. The $1.5 trillion plan includes major spending increases for domestic projects while keeping defense spending essentially steady with inflation.
Iran blames Israel for Natanz attack, vows to ‘take revenge on the Zionists’
Iran’s foreign minister on Monday blamed Israel for a power failure that reportedly caused massive damage to the Natanz nuclear facility, vowing to “take revenge on the Zionists” and to replace damaged centrifuges at the site with even better ones.
Netanyahu to visiting US defense secretary: We won’t let Iran obtain nukes
Hosting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at his office in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel and the US agree on never allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
Plastic particles proliferate globally, spread by ocean waves and through the air
As bigger pieces of plastic get broken down into smaller and smaller pieces, the pollution becomes harder and harder to see — but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Arkansas House Passes Bill to Protect Teachers Who Refuse to Use Transgender Students’ Preferred Names, Pronouns
On Thursday, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed a bill that will protect teachers from repercussions if they are unwilling to use a transgender student’s preferred name or pronouns.
South African COVID Variant Affects Vaccinated People More Than Unvaccinated People: Study
The South Africa variant affects those who have been vaccinated (around eight times higher) than those who have not received the vaccine — 5.4% to 0.7% according to a study from Tel Aviv University and Israel’s largest healthcare provider.
Cyber attack on Natanz facility reportedly caused major setback to Iranian nuclear program
Sunday’s cyber attack on the Natanz Iranian nuclear facility caused substantial damage to Iran’s uranium enrichment capability, Israeli and US media have reported. Although no official confirmation has been forthcoming, it is widely believed that Israel, which regards Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat, was behind the attack.
Nigeria persecution: Eight Christians freed after abductions
Eight Christians who were abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Kaduna state last month have been freed and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation, International Christian Concern reports. Nigeria currently ranks 9th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be Christian: believers in the northern region and in the Middle Belt are vulnerable to abduction, violence, and murder at the hands of Islamic extremist groups such as militant Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram/ISIS West Africa.
Pakistan persecution: Christian nurses jailed for violating blasphemy law
Two Christian nurses in Pakistan have been jailed for violating blasphemy laws by following a hospital supervisor’s instructions to clean up an area covered with old hangings and stickers, including a half-torn old sticker with a verse from the Koran on it, International Christian Concern reports. Rights groups have said Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are frequently abused; Pakistan ranks 5th on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
St. Vincent: “Only Those Vaccinated Allowed To Flee Rumbling Vulcano’
The prime minister of Saint Vincent island has warned residents fleeing a rumbling volcano that only those vaccinated against the coronavirus can be brought to safety.
Christians Hiding In Myanmar Jungles After Army Attacks; Many Killed
Tens of thousands of mainly Christian ethnic Karen people were hiding in the jungles of Myanmar on Sunday, after fresh attacks by the military that took power in a coup, aid workers told Worthy News.
Clergy Kidnapped In Haiti As Abductions Rise
Seven Catholic clergy, including two French citizens, were abducted Sunday in Haiti, where kidnappers increasingly target churches, officials said.
Battle against Iran is a huge mission, Netanyahu says, hinting Mossad ops
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that “The struggle against Iran and its proxies and the Iranian armament efforts is a huge mission.”
Iran Says Attack On Nuclear Plant ‘Nuclear Terrorism’; Israel Suspected
Iran said Sunday that a blackout at the country’s largest uranium enrichment facility was an act of “nuclear terrorism” amid rising tensions with Israel.
Iran Launches Production Of New Centrifuges After Start Of Nuclear Talks In Vienna
Iranian President Hassan Rohani oversaw the launch of a production line of advanced centrifuges on April 10 in an apparent new violation of the 2015 nuclear deal after talks began earlier this week in Vienna aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back into full compliance with the accord.
Rioters battle police in Belfast as Brexit stokes tensions in Northern Ireland
Rioters waged a running battle with police in Belfast on Thursday night, tossing gasoline bombs, setting fires and dodging jets from water cannon, as a week of unrest showed no sign of letting up.
Austin fails to mention Iran in speech, while Gantz vows to cooperate on nuclear deal
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin completely omitted the Iranian issue during his press conference with Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Israel on Sunday.