Two Police Officers Shot Dead in W. Germany; Shot in Routine Traffic Stop in Village of Ulmet

 A manhunt  is under way in western Germany today (January 31, 2022) after  two police officers were shot dead during a routine traffic stop, according to t he UPI website.

The officers had made the stop in the village of Ulmet, about 65 miles southwest of Frankfurt, reportedly because the suspect vehicle was carrying dead game in its trunk.

Shot and killed during the stop were a 24-year-old female officer and a 29-year-old male officer, police said. They were able to radio for help before they died.  

9 Hospitalized from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Occurred at the Hampton Inn in Marysville, Ohio

 Nine people were transported from a Hampton Inn in Marysville, Oho to area hospitals last night in  what an official called a carbon monoxide poisoning, the USA Today website reports today (January 30, 2022).

Marysville Fire Chief  Jay Riley said the source of the carbon monoxide was unclear. 

Seven of the people taken to the hospital were considered in critical condition, Marysville Police Chief Tony Brooks said. Two others were treated at the scene, and five more sought treatment on their own at a Marysville hospital.

Pope Tells Parents Not to Condemn LGBT Kids; Parents Need to "Accompany" Their LGBT Kids

 Pope Francis has called on parents of children who identify as LGBT  to "accompany" them and "not hide in an attitude of condemnation," the Christian Post website reports today (January 29, 2022).

Speaking before a general audience on January 26, the pontiff said: "At this moment, I am thinking of so many people who are crushed by the weight of life and can no longer hope and pray."

"I am thinking, too, of parents who are facing their children's problems -- parents who see different sexual orientations in their children; how to deal with this and accompany their children and not hide in an attitude of condemnation."

Over 50 Swastikas Found at DC's Union Station; On Morning after Holocaust Remembrance Day

 Commuters in the nation's capital found a nasty surprise waiting for them at Union Station on the morning after Holocaust Remembrance Day: more than 50 hand-drawn swastikas on the stone pillars in front of the main entrance, the Washington Times website reports today (January 28, 2022).

Vandals drew the Nazi image overnight, leaving commuters to find them this morning in the building owned by the federal government.

A spokesman said Metropolitan Police Department is assisting Amtrak Police to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

Biden Will Name Black Woman to Succeed Breyer; Says Black Woman "Long Overdue" for High Court

 President Biden vowed today (January 27, 2022) to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court by the end of February, saying "It's long overdue," according to the Washington Post website. 

His pledge came during a White House event with Justice Stephen Breyer, who told Biden in a letter released today that he plans to retire at the end of the court's current term this summer. 

"I'm here today to express the nation's gratitude to Justice Stephen Breyer for his remarkable career of public service and his clear-eyed commitment to making our country's laws work for its people," Biden said of Breyer, 83, who was nominated to the court in 1994 by President Bill Clinton.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to Retire; Will Let Biden Solidify the Court's Liberal Block

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. 83, has decided to retire, the NY Daily News website reports today (January 26, 2022).

Breyer's decision to step down means Biden can try to solidify the three-judge liberal block on the conservative-dominated nine-judge court with a younger jurist.

Breyer plans to announce his retirement decision on January 27 and will remain on the bench until the end of the court's current term in the summer. 

Buyers of Computer Chips Have a 5-Day Supply; Commerce Dept.Reports Severe Global Shortage

 The U.S. Commerce Dept. reported today (January 25, 2022) that manufacturers and other buyers of computer chips have less than five days' supply of some chips on hand, leaving them vulnerable to any disruptions in deliveries, according to the Washington Post website. 

The report highlighted the severity of a global shortage that has hobbled manufacturing and fueled inflation for more than a year, and that defies easy solutions. 

Manufacturers' median chip inventory levels have plummeted from about 40 days' supply in 2019 to less than five days, according to a survey of 150 companies worldwide that the Commerce Department conducted in September 2021.

NATO Sends More Troops,Jets,Ships to E.Europe; Does So to Deter Russia from Attacking Ukraine

 NATO announced today (January 24, 2022) that it is placing additional military forces on standby and sending ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe to deter and guard against a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the UPI website. 

The military alliance said it is adding forces in the Baltic area as a show of force intended to dissuade Russian President Vladimir Putin from any possible designs he has on crossing the border into Ukraine. 

"NATO allies are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in eastern Europe, reinforcing allied deterrence and defense as Russia continues its military buildup in and around Ukraine," NATO said in a statement today.

State Dept. Orders Americans to Leave Ukraine; Due to Threat of Significant Russian Mil. Action

 The U.S. ordered the departure of family members of U.S. Embassy personnel serving in Kyiv today (January 23, 2022), citing the "threat of Russian military action," the State Department said, according to the Washington Post website. 

The decision underscores the growing fears in Washington of an imminent military invasion of Ukraine by Moscow as it amasses tens of thousands of Russian troops around Ukraine's borders. 

"There are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine," the State Department bulletin said.

US Supreme Court Will Rule on Roe v. Wade; Could Ban Abortions or Let Each State Decide

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide whether or not to strike down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that  legalized abortions in the U.S., the Huff Post website reports today (January 22, 2022). 

Experts agree that during oral arguments last month, the court's conservative majority signaled that it would likely uphold the law by either banning abortion outright or tinkering with the viability line. 

Either of those options would overturn  Roe -- setting off a nationwide battle where some states outlaw abortion and others protect it.

Afghanistan Is Now No. 1 Hall of Shame Nation; Replaces N.Korea as Most Hateful to Christians

Afghanistan has supplanted North Korea as the world's most dangerous country for Christians, according to an annual watchdog report that says conditions have gone from bad to worse following the Taliban's 2021 takeover , the Christian Headlines website reports today (January 21, 2022). 

The Open Doors 2022 World Watch List places Afghanistan as No. 1 among the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, followed by North Korea, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen. Among other notables: Iran is No. 9, Iraq No. 14, and China No. 17.

Most of the countries on the list are located in South Asia and North Africa. 

Study: Accuses Pope Benedict of Wrongdoing; Sexual Abuse Cases While Head of Munich Arch.

A church-commissioned  German investigation today (January 20, 2022) accused Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of "wrongdoing" in his handling of sexual abuse cases during his time running the archdiocese of Munich between 1977 and 1982, according to the Washington Post website.

The law firm that carried out the investigation said Benedict's claims to have no direct knowledge of the cases were not credible. 

The firm said Benedict, known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the time of the cases, could be accused of wrongdoing in four of them, including one in which he knowingly accepted a priest into his archdiocese even after the cleric had been convicted of sexual abuse in a criminal court.

Sec. of State Blinken Pledges to Support Ukraine; Says Russian Attack to Be Met with NATO Troops

 During his visit to Ukraine today (January 19, 2022), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured the Eastern European country that it has support from the U.S. and urged Western nations to unite against  Russian aggression, according to the UPI website..

The top U.S. diplomat is on a three-day tour that will take him to Ukraine and Germany -- and aims to de-escalate tensions in the region related to Russian  troop buildup near Ukraine's eastern border. 

Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine, indicating it may soon invade its neighbor.

New Zealand Pix of Tsunami Damage on Tonga; Photos Leaked Online Show Much Ash on Island

 Aerial images prepared by the New Zealand defense force for the Tongan government have been leaked online and show some areas have had "catastrophic" devastation inflicted by this week's tsunami and volcanic eruption under the Pacific Ocean, while other areas were relatively unscathed, The Guardian website reports today (January 18, 2022).

Many areas were assessed as having limited damage, such as ash on building roofs, pools of surface flooding, or debris.

But other areas were judged to have sustained "catastrophic" damage, according to notes on the images.

U. of Mich. President Mark Schlissel Is Fired; Emailed Female Employee to Visit His Office

 The University of Michigan Board of Regents has unanimously fired school President Mark Schlissel for cause following an investigation into a relationship with a subordinate woman, the Detroit Free Press website reports today (January 17, 2022).

In a letter to Schlissel posted on the school website, the board spelled out its concerns and said his conduct was "particularly egregious considering your knowledge of and involvement in addressing incidents of harassment by University of Michigan personnel, and your declared commitment to work to 'free' the University community of sexual harassment or other improper conduct,"

According to emails posted by the University on its website, Schlissel wrote to the female employee often, including in October in 2019 when he emailed about receiving a box of knishes. The woman said in reply that she liked the doughy snack food. Schlissel replied again: Can I "lure you to visit with the promise of a knish?"

FBI: TX Synagogue Hostage-Taker Is British Man; Says No Indication Other Persons Were Involved

The FBI has identified the man who took a rabbi and other people hostage at a Dallas-area synagogue yesterday in an hour-long standoff with law enforcement officials as 44-year-old British citizen Malik Faisal Akra, the Washington Post website reports today (January 16, 2022).

Matthew DeSarno, the FBI special agent in charge of the Dallas  field office, confirmed the identity of the Colleyville, Texas hostage-taker. Authorities had previously said the suspect was killed. 

The FBI said there is no indication that other individuals were involved. 

Illinois School District OKs Satan Club at School; Backs Elementary School Despite Parent Criticism

An Illinois school district is defending an elementary school after it received criticism from parents for handing out flyers promoting an After School Satan Club for students in the first through fifth grades sponsored by the Satanic Temple, the Christian Post website reports today (January 15, 2022).

"Hey kids, let's have fun at After School Satan Club," read the flyer distributed at the Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, Illinois. 

The school district was quick to come to the elementary school's decision.

Ukraine Govt. Websites Down after Cyberattack; Russia Is Suspected of Being behind the Attacks

Officials in Ukraine have confirmed that several government websites are down today (January 14, 2022) following a massive cyberattack, according to the  Euro News website. 

"As a result of a massive cyberattack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down," Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on Twitter.

Russia was suspected of being behind the attacks, as tens of thousands of Russian troops are amassed along the Ukraine border, causing fear that Russia is getting ready to invade its neighbor.

Numerous Reasons for Grocery Store Shortages; Deja Vu in Spring 2020,Omicron Is Now a Cause

 Spme grocery store shelves are bare again, conjuring bad memories of spring 2020 for many, the NPR website reports today (January 13, 2022).

Food industry analysts say the reasons for the dwindling stock are numerous, including recent winter storms that snarled transportation routes. 

Most important perhaps is the highly contagious omicron variant that is causing record infections in the  U.S., and is currently a big stressor on the food industry.

DOJ Will Form a New Domestic Terrorism Unit; Sparked by Jan.6, 2021 Terrorism on US Capitol

 The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced yesterday that it will soon be forming a new unit that will focus on domestic terror threats, the New American website reports today (January 12, 2022).

Matthew Olsen, the assistant attorney general for national security, made the announcement in his opening remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Olsen noted: "Last week, we marked the one-year anniversary on the attack on the Capitol on January 6. In the wake of that attack, the Department of Justice has undertaken an effort unprecedented in scope and complexity, to hold accountable all of those who engaged in criminal acts."

Italian Bp. Bans Clergy from Giving Communion; Rules Unvaccinated Priests, Others Can't Give It

In an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, an Italian bishop has prohibited unvaccinated  priests and lay people from distributing Communion, the National Catholic Register reports today (January 11, 2022).

Bishop Giacomo Cirulli of the southern Italian diocese of Teano-Calvi and Alife-Caiazzo issued a letter on January 8 with new rules to stem the spread of the coronavirus. 

"I prohibit the distribution of the Eucharist by priests, deacons, religious and lay people who are not vaccinated," the bishop wrote. 

Jerusalem Rel. Leader:Jews Threaten Christians; Greek Orth.Patriarch Says Jews Seek to Rid Them

 The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli radical fringe groups are seeking to drive the Christian community out of the city, the Christian Post website reports today (January 10, 2022).

"Our presence in Jerusalem is under threat," Theophilos III, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, wrote in an op-ed in the Times of London.

"Our churches are threatened by Israeli radical fringe groups. At the hands of these Zionist extremists the Christian community in Jerusalem is suffering greatly. Our brothers and sisters are the victims of hate crimes. Our churches are regularly desecrated and vandalized. Our clergy are subject to frequent intimidation," he said. 

Cal. Closes Church Preschool for Not Masking; Church Says It Is Being Targeted by Regulators

 Pastors, politicians, and families gathered outside a church preschool in San Diego County to protest against California shutting down the school for violating the state's COVID-19 mask mandate, the Christian Post website reports today (January 9, 2022).

Foothills Christian Church Preschool in El Cajon was a scene of protest on January 7, as the city's mayor, Bill Wells, and area pastors gathered along with parents to protest the state's decision to close the school for not masking the 3 to 5-year-old children.

The church claims it is being targeted by regulators. 

Christian Leader: LGBT Agenda Targets Bible; Warns Everything Written in Bible Threatened

 A key Christian leader has warned that the LGBT movement -- if successful in its campaign to persuade governments to restrict what is said about the same-sex agenda -- will target even the Gospel of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible, the WND website reports today (January 8, 2022).

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said "If the government can tell you it is illegal to teach biblical truth on the issue of human sexuality, the array of LGBT issues, understand two things.Number one, it won't stop with LGBT and understand, eventually it means the criminalization of whatever Christian speech is no longer politically attractive.."

Mohler continues, "And that eventually will mean everything that is revealed in scripture, most essentially, the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Epiphany Marked by Greek Orth. Church Jan.6; Marks Jesus' Jordan Baptism by John the Baptist

 The Feast of the Epiphany/Theophany -- which marks Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist -- was celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church worldwide on January 6, the Tornos News website reports today (January 7, 2022).

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presided over the 116th Epiphany celebrations and the Blessing of the Waters in Springs Bay at Tarpon Springs, Florida where Alexander Makris. 16, dove and retrieved the cross thrown by Abp. Elpidophoros.

Makris is from New Port Richey, just north of the "Greek Village" of Tarpon Springs, and is a high school student at River Ridge. He had been carried from the bay on the shoulders of  other divers for the cross to a church where he said, "It's amazing. It's a dream come true."

Pope Urges Childless Couples to Adopt Children; Views Adoption as One of Highest Forms of Love

 Pope Francis has called on childless couples to adopt children and is urging institutions to make the adoption process easier; he also has condemned the practice of adopting pets instead of children, calling it a "form of selfishness," the VOA News website reports today (January 6, 2022).

In his first general audience of the New Year, Pope Francis stressed the importance of parenthood, especially when so many children have been orphaned in the world. 

He said every time a person takes on the responsibility of someone else's life, the person is exercising a form of parenthood. The pope called on people not to fear choosing the path of adoption, saying it is among the highest forms of love and parenthood.

Rabbi from Calif. Synagogue Sentenced for Fraud; Yisrael Goldstein Must Also Pay $2.8M Restitution

 A rabbi who was badly wounded in a deadly antisemitic attack at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Southern California was sentenced on January 4 to 14 months in federal prison for running a multimillion-dollar donation fraud, the Yahoo News website reports today (January 5, 2022).

Yisrael Goldstein,60, also was ordered to pay about $2.8 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty in 2020 to wire and tax fraud. 

"I beg for mercy to accept my repentance and allow me to right the wrongs ," Goldsmith told the judge at his sentencing. 

A Record 4.5M Workers Quit Their Jobs in Nov.; Worker Shortages Led to Worker-Friendly Climate

 An estimated 4.5 million workers quit or changed jobs in November, according to new data from the Department of Labor, as labor shortages have helped create one of the most worker-friendly job climates in years, the Washington Post website reports today January 4, 2022).

The report shows a trend of high turnover in the labor market, a sign of how profoundly the economy has been reshuffled in the nearly two years since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic has triggered tremendous changes in the labor market,with more than 20 million workers losing their jobs ub March and April 2020, followed by a wave of uneven hiring. 

Lithuania Pays Migrants 1K Euros to Fly to Iraq; All 98 Migrants Agreed to Return Voluntarily

 The largest group of  migrants to break through the Lithuanian-Belarusian border at the height of the largest migrant crisis has been returned to Baghdad, the Euro News website reports today (January 3, 2022).

All 98 Iraqis were given a one-time payment of 1,000 euros to board the flight. 

All went voluntarily, according to the Lithuanian Ministry  of Internal Affairs. 

Pope on New Yr.: Be Positive Despite Pandemic; We Must See Church as the Good That Unites Us

 In his New Year's wishes to the world, Pope Francis yesterday encouraged people to focus on the good which unites them and decried violence against women while acknowledging that the coronavirus pandemic has left many scared and struggling amid economic inequality, the AP website reports today (January 2, 2022).

"We are still living in uncertain and difficult times due to the pandemic," Francis said. "Many are frightened about the future and burdened by social problems, personal problems, dangers stemming from the ecological crisis, injustices, and by global economic imbalances."

Francis aldo championed embracing a positive attitude, "one that always sees, in the Church as well as in society, not the evil which divides us, but the good that unites us."

Cardinal Dolan:Rel.Is Glue to Fix Society's Crises; Asserts Secularists View Rel.. as Toxic for Society

 As we enter the year 2022,  New York Archdiocese Cardinal Timothy Dolan revealed the root cause of all that ills America and the world: A "gallop" from faith and a propping up of false idols, the Newsmax website reports today (January 1, 2022).

"If you listen to the secularists, they would have you believe that religion is toxic for society -- and, of course, it's just the opposite: Religion is the glue,  the cohesion, the nobility, the dream, the aspiration, the tempering factor on raw emotions"  Dolan said.

Pointing to the Bible's First Commandment, Dolan quoted "I am the Lord thy God,don't have strange Gods before me." Dolan added, "We've got strange gods before us now and most of the time they're ourselves."