Russia Is Lacking Soldiers to Fight in Ukraine; Uses Prisoners, Older Recruits to Ease Shortage

A senior U.S. Pentagon official said Russia is now struggling to fight in Ukraine, even tapping prisons, and many new recruits are older , in poor shape, and lack training, The Nations News website reports today (August 31, 2022).

In experiencing significant setbacks and heavy troop losses in the six months after invading Ukraine, the Pentagon  believes  that "this effort is unlikely to succeed, as Russia has historically not met personnel and strength targets," the official said. 

In early August, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl estimated that between 70,000 to 80,000 Russians had been killed or wounded since Russia's  invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.

Biden Admin. Pulling Back on COVID-19 Funding; Due to Lack of Funding, Concern from Congress

While public health got a boost in funding during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration is already pulling back on funding for tests and vaccines because of a lack of funding  from Congress, the Newsy website reports today (August 30, 2022).

Ig worries experts like Thoai Ngo, an epidemiologist working at the health justice research nonprofit, the Population Council.

"My main worry right now is tat because of how we operate, we will erode trust from people in public health  institutions," Ngo said.

MOTB Hands Ancient Manuscript to Greece; Gospel Manuscript Looted by Bulgaria in WWI

 The Museum of the Bible (MOTB) in Washington, D.C. has returned a handwritten Gospel manuscript, which is more than 1,000 years old and was looted from a monastery in Greece by Bulgarian troops in 1917, to the Greek Orthodox Church, the Christian Post website reports today (August 29, 2022).

MOTB curator Brian Hyland identified the manuscript -- one of the world's oldest hand-lettered Gospels -- as part of hundreds of priceless objects looted from the Kosinitza Monastery in Greece during World War I.

A formal return ceremony will be held at the monastery in northern Greece today (August 29, 2022), the MOTB said.

Floods in Pakistan Kill over 1,000 since Mid-June; Villages,Crops,Livestock Wiped Out, Homes Lost

 Widespread floods in Pakistan that have killed ore than 1,000 people since mid-June may not have reached their peak yet, the Sky News website reports today (August 28, 2022).

All four of the country's provinces have been hit by the extremely heavy rains, with over 30 million people affected.

Flash floods have swept away villages, crops, and 800,000 livestock, as soldiers and rescue workers evacuated stranded residents to relief camps and provided food to thousands of displaced Pakistanis.

Russian Patriarch Cancels Meeting with the Pope; Kirill Approves of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

 The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has canceled his planned attendance at an interfaith meeting in Kazakhstan next month where he was expected to meet with Pope Francis, the Crux website reports today (August 27, 2022).

Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, head of foreign relations for the Moscow Patriarchate, said that Patriarch Kirill would not be attending the September 13-15 meeting; therefore, any meting with Francis was off. 

Kirill has justified the Russian invasion of Ukraine on spiritual and ideological grounds, calling it a "metaphysical" battle with the West.

Starbucks Fires 85 Workers Trying to Unionize; NLRB: Starbucks Violates Various Labor Laws

 More than 85 workers at Starbucks, who were heavily involved in union organizing efforts at the giant coffee chain, have been fired over the past several months, The Guardian website reports today (August 26, 2022). 

Workers have filed numerous unfair labor practice charges over the firings and a federal judge recently ordered the reinstatement of seven workers in Memphis, Tennessee, who were fired in February.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued 21 official complaints against Starbucks, encompassing 81 charges and 548 allegations of labor law violations that are currently under review.

Biden Reveals Plan for Easing Student Loan Debt; Many to Be Granted $10,000 Debt Cancelation

 President Biden on August 24 made good on his campaign promise to ease the burden of federal student loan debt, the Newser website reports today (August 25, 2022).

Under Biden's plan, many Americans will be granted $10,000 in debt cancelation; those with the greatest financial need could see an additional $10,000 wiped away.

Borrowers who earn less than $125,000 a year, or families earning less than $250,000, will be eligible for the $10,000 loan forgiveness.

US Sends Ukraine $3B in Aid as War Hits 6 Mos.; Will Help Ukraine Fight Russia for Several Yrs.

 As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, the U.S. plans to announce an additional $3 billion in aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, the AP website reports today (August 24, 2022).

U.S. officials said the package is expected to be announced today, the day the war hits the six-month mark. and Ukraine celebrates its independence day.

The money will fund contracts for drones,weapons, and other equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or  two, they said. 

Enrollment Is Down in Many US Public Schools; Chicago, NYC, Boston Have More Empty Desks

 Enrollment is down for U.S. public elementary schools, the Newsy website reports today (August 23, 2022).

Chicago, LA, NYC, and Boston are seeing similar trends in empty desks.

Shrinking enrollment may force some districts in places like Denver, Indianapolis, and Kansas City,  Missouri to close schools entirely.

Some 1.8M Doses of Monkeypox Vaccine in US; More Than 13,500 Cases in US Confirmed

 An additional 1.8 million doses of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine are available for order, the USA Today website reports today (August 22, 2022).

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the Jynneos vaccine that allows five doses to be obtained from the original single-dose vial. 

More than 13,500 cases of the monkeypox have been confirmed in the U.S., according to the latest CDC data.

Americans to Hear Soon on Student Fed. Loans; Ed. Sec. Says Americans Will Know This Week

 Millions of borrowers are awaiting to hear whether President Joe Biden will extend the pause on federal student loan payments, which is set to expire August 31,or possibly forgive any of their debts, the CNN website reports today (August 21, 2022).

Borrower balances have been frozen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no payment required on most federal student loans since March  2020.

"I can tell you the American people will hear within the next week or so from the President and the Department of Education of what we're going to be doing around that,"said U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

Biden Building $500K Wall around Beach Home; Had Halted Trump's Border Wall as Being Racist

 President Biden halted the construction of the border wall launched under the Trump administration after criticizing it as a symbol of racism, the WND website reports today (August 20, 2022).

However, it turns out that taxpayers will be footing the bill for a security wall confined to Biden's vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

At a cost of some $500,000, a Delaware construction company operating on a Department of Homeland Security contract will construct the barrier around Biden's multi-million dollar beach house. 

Australian Anglicans Split on Same-sex Marriage; Diocese of Southern Cross a New Denomination

A conservative splinter group opposed to same-sex marriage announced the formation this week of a new Anglican diocese in Australia, triggering a split in the church in that country, the Religion News Service website reports today (August 19, 2022).

The launch of the Diocese of the Southern Cross prompted the head of the Anglican Church of Australia, Primate Geoffrey Smith, to issue a statement on August 18 characterizing it as a "new denomination."

"This company has no formal or informal relationship with the Anglican Church of Australia," Smith said in a statement.

Biden Signs the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Calls It One of Most Important Laws in US History

 President Joe Biden has signed the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," the New American website reports today (August 18, 2022).

During the signing ceremony, Biden described the new act as "one of the most significant laws in our history."

He stated that it spends"$369 billion to take the  most aggressive action ever in confronting the climate crisis."

Greek Cath.Church of Ukraine Prays for Its People; Ukrainians in Full-Scale War Launched by Russia

 Six  months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Catholic prelates in the bombarded country hope to rally the spirits of Ukrainian citizens, while urging world leaders to remember their plight, the Religious News Service website reports today (August 17, 2022).

Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting, Ukraine is praying," said Greek Catholic Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk in his message for Ukraine on August 15, which also marks the Catholic feast of the Virgin Mary's assumption into heaven. 

Shevchuk has written daily bulletins from Ukraine, where he writes the faithful face "a full-scale, heavy, bloody war" launched by an "unjust aggressor."

First Lady Jill Biden Tests Positive for COVID-19; Contacts Virus Just Weeks after Husband Got It

First Lady Jill Biden's office announced today (August 16, 2022) that she is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Daily News website.

Biden, 71, is double-vaccinated and double-boosted and will isolate at a private residence in South Carolina, until she tests negative twice. 

Biden came down with the virus just weeks after her husband caught COVID-19. The Bidens were  on vacation in Kiawah Island, a luxury beach resort near Charleston, for the past week.

Taliban Celebrates One-Year Afghan Return; Afghanistan Faces Hunger,Econ., More Crises

 The Taliban today (August 15, 2022) celebrated the one-year anniversary of its return to power in Afghanistan after U.S. forces ended a 20-year campaign, but the country is dealing with multiple crises, including a spiraling economy and deterioration of women's rights, according to the UPI website. 

U.S. forces were caught off-guard by how rapidly the Taliban reclaimed power in Afghanistan against U.S.-backed Afghan troops amid the withdrawal.

The departure started a slide of support for U.S.President Joe Biden.

Fire at Cairo Coptic Orth. Church Kills 41 People; At Least 15 Children Killed, 16 People Injured

 A fire ripped through a packed Coptic Orthodox church during morning services in Egypt's capital of Cairo yesterday, filling it with thick black smoke and  killing 41 worshippers, including at least 15 children, the Crux website reports today (August 15, 2022).

Several trapped congregants jumped from upper floors of the Martyr Abu Sefein church to try to escape the intense flames.

Sixteen people were injured, including four policemen involved in the rescue effort. 

Rumors Claim Pope May Visit Zelensky in Sept.; Ukraine Pres. Says He Spoke to Pope on Phone

As rumors continue to circulate about a visit by Pope Francis to Kyiv in September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed yesterday that he had spoken on the phone with the leader of the Catholic Church, the Crux website reports today(August 13, 2022).

"I thanked Pope Francis for praying for Ukraine during a talk with him,"  Zelensky wrote on instagram.

"I spoke about Russia's aggression and the terrible crimes against our state."            

Actress Anne Heche Dies in Auto Accident at 53; Her Son Homer Confirms Her Death to Fox News

 Actress Anne Heche has died from an  auto accident at the age of 53, the Fox News website reports today (August 12, 2022).

Heche's son Homer confirmed he had lost his mom to Fox News Digital.

He said," I am left with a deep, wordless sadness. Hopefully, my mom is free from pain and beginning to explore what I like to imagine as her eternal freedom."

Latvian Parliament Names Russia Terrrorist State; Cites Invasion of Ukraine, Mil. Activity in Syria

 Lawmakers in Latvia have designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. citing Moscow's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, its military activities in Syria, and several high-profile cases of poisoning of Kremlin critics, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (August 11, 2022).

The Latvian parliament adopted the resolution on August 11 after 67 lawmakers voted for it. Sixteen lawmakers abstained. 

Ukraine encourages other states to follow suit.

Over 1,000 Firefighters Hit Blaze in Bordeaux; Thousands of Acres of Pine Forest Go up in Smoke

More than 1,000 firefighters battled through the night to try to get a huge wildfire under control near the city of Bordeaux in southwest France, the Euro News website reports today (August 11, 2022).

By this morning, nearly 6,800 hectares of pine forest went up in smoke after the fire broke out two days before in thee Gironde area. 

"We fought all night," said Lt. Col. Arnaud Mendhouse of the Gironde fire and rescue service.

Some 80.000 Russian Toops Killed in Ukraine; Russia Classsifies All Mil. Deaths as Secret

 The U.S. estimates that Russia has lost up to 80,000 troops in Ukraine since its invasion of that country began in February, the Washington Post website reports today (August 9, 2022).

On July 20, the CIA said Russia had suffered 60,000 casualties in Ukraine since widening its war  there February 24.  

Russia classifies military deaths as stste secrets, even in times of peace.

China Announcs Fresh Mil. Drills around Taiwan; Protests against Speaker Pelosi's Visit to Taiwan

 China's military announced fresh military drills today (August 8, 2022) on the seas and airspace around Taiwan to protest against last week's visit to Taipei by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to the Newsmax website. 

China said it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations, confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan's defenses.

Taiwan's foreign ministry condemned the move, saying China was creating crises.

Polio Warning Is Issued in New York State; Hundreds of Americans May Be Infected with It

The New York State Health Department is treating  one case of polio as the "tip of the icdeberg" after finding the virus in two counties, the RT website reports today (August 7, 2022).

Hundreds of Americans may be infected with the poliovirus, New York state health authorities claimed yesterday, after identifying the virus in wastewater samples in two different counties.

Stare Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said, "New Yorkers should know that for every one case of paralytic polio observed, there may be hundreds of other people infected."

Senate Opens Debate on Biden-Backed Objectives; Would Lower Health Costs, Fight Climate Change

 Senate Democrats voted today (August 6, 2022) to begin debate on a bill that  aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change, and reduce the federal budget deficit, according to the Washington Post website.  

The vote came seven months after internal bickering scuttled Democratic efforts to reduce gfreenhouse gas emissions, and low prescription drug costs.

Sen. Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said today on the Senate floor ,"Where previous efforts have fallen short, this Senate majority is on the verge of succeeding."

Priest Ripped for Conducting Aquatic Mass.; Italian Priest Was Helping Anti-Mafia Group

 An Italian priest is being investigated for holding Sunday Mass in his trunks with an inflatable air mattress as an altar, the Insider website reports today (August 5, 2022).

Father  Mattia Bernasconi, from Luigi Gonzaga parish in Milan, was seen conducting the service. 

Father Bernasconi has been helping with a week-long camp for high school students  organized  by Libera, an anti-mafia organization.

US Drone Strike Kills Top Al-Qaeda Leader; Osama bin Laden's Top Asst. in 9/11 Attacks

 A U.S. drone airstrike killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahini in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Clarion Project website reports today (August 4, 2022).

Zawahini was the FBI's most wanted terrorist.

He was Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant and believed to have been the "operational brains" behind the 9/11 terror attacks. 

Kansas Votes to Protect Abortion in State Const.; Becomes 1st State to Do So Since Overturn of Roe

 Kansas is the first state to put abortion rights to a vote since the supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June, The Guardian website reports today (August 3, 2022).

The state will remain a safe haven for abortion in the midwest, as one of the few states in the region where it remains legal to perform the procedure. 

Many other states have undertaken  moves to make abortion largely illegal since June. 

Pope Francis Travels to Kazakhstan in September; May Meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

 Pope Francis will travel next month to Kazakhstan, where he could meet with Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified Moscow's war in Ukraine, the Crux website reports today (August 2, 2022).

Francis, 85, will attend an interfaith conference in the Kazakh capital, Nur Sultan, from Sept. 13-15, the Vatican said.

Kirill has justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine on spiritual and ideological grounds. 

Study Shows Aid of Digital Rel. for Millennials; Digital Rel. Has Made Millennials' Faith Richer

 A study published in the Review of Religious Research has found that engaging with digital religion has made millennials' faith experience richer, the Christian Post website reports today (August 1, 2022).

The research, based on data from the 2019 Millennial Trends Survey, also suggested that some non-churchgoers have found religion in digital spaces.

Digital religion is defined as an umbrella concept that reflects "a new frame for stimulating the evolution of religious practices online."