Study:Women Earn Same as Men in Some Cities; Pay Gap Narrower for Women Workers under 30

 A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that the median earnings for young women in some American cities are the same -- or even more -- than their male counterparts, the Yahoo News website reports today (March 31, 2022).

The findings show that when it comes to workers under 30 nationally, the pay gap is significantly narrower than the general population of workers, where young women earn 93% of the earnings of their young male counterparts. 

Women under 30 in 22 of the 250 metropolitan areas in the U.S. were found to be making the same or more than men their age. In fact, in New York City and Washington, .D.C.metropolitan areas, young women earn 102% of what young men earn among full-time workers. 

Ukraine Cath. Head: War Gives World a Choice; Commandments Demand World Chooses Ukraine

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said on March 28 that the war in his homeland presents tje world with a stark choice, the Catholic  World Report website reports today (March 30, 2022). 

In a video message, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said that politicians and religious leaders had to make clear where they stand on the conflict.

"Everyone who respects human life, everyone who respects God's commandment 'Thou shalt not kill'  must stand by Ukraine today," he said.

Russia Agrees to Stopping Its Fighting near Kyiv; Best News Yet on Ending Its Ukraine Aggression

 Russia's military said today (March 29, 2022) it would "fundamentally" cut back operations near Ukraine's capital of Kyiv and a northern city, potentially a significant concession by Moscow amid talks aimed at ending the war that began more than a month ago, according to the Newsmax website.  

Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said the move was meant "to increase trust" in talks aimed at  ending fighting, as negotiators met in Istanbul for peace talks. 

An adviser to the Ukraine president said the meeting in Istanbul was focused on securing a cease-fire and guarantee for Ukraine's security.

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Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks to Resume in Turkey; Zelensky: Kyiv Could Be Neutral, Not Join NATO

 Ukrainian and Russian delegations are arriving in Istanbul for another round of peace talks on March 29, puttng NATO member Turkey in the spotlight as an intermediary in the deadly conflict grinding into its second month, the Washington Post website reports today (March 28, 2022).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr  Zelensky yesterday said that Kyiv could declare its "neutrality" and end its bid to join NATO in a potential peace agreement with Moscow, but stressed that any deal must be voted on by a national referendum held without Russian troops in Ukraine. 

The renewed diplomatic effort comes as fighting and shelling continues to terrorize the country, and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Andriivna Vereschuk said today that humanitarian corridors would not be open due to reports of "provocations."

Ambulance Begins Trip from Vatican to Ukraine; Is Donated by Pope to Ukraine to Help Wounded

 A Catholic cardinal and close papal aide is driving an ambulance blessed and donated by Pope Francis to western Ukraine to serve the civilian population fleeing the Russian invasion,the Crux website reports today (March 27, 2022).

Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, took on the assignment right after returning from Fatima, Portugal, where he led a ceremony consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The city of Lviv, where the ambulance is heading, had a pre-war population of around 720,000, but nearly 500,000 internally displaced people have arrived since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Hungary Opens a Shop for Persecuted Christians; Sells Products Made in Jordan to Avoid Migration

Hungary has opened a charity shop selling products made by Christian refugees in Jordan as part of the Hungarian government's efforts to prevent migration towards Europe, the Worthy News website reports today (March 26, 2022).

Tristan Azbej, Hungary's state secretary for persecuted Christians, said the shop in Budapest's Piarist Secondary School helps those facing hardship for their faith in Christ. 

Speaking at the opening, he stressed that the Catholic Charity of Jordan and his secretariat's "Hungary Helps" program provides Christians fleeing Iraq training and work in Jordan.

New Report:Americans Leaving Church for Good; Those Born in Late 1990s, Early 2000s Least Rel.

 A new report from the American Enterprise Institute states "Young adults today have had entirely different religious and social experiences than previous generations did."

Generation Z --  those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s --  is the least religious generation yet, with 34% identifying themselves as religiously unaffiliated. Millennials  trail slightly at 29%, while Generation X  stands at 25%.

Just 18% of baby boomers and 9% of the silent generation identify as religiously unaffiliated.

Russian Politician Threatens Poland with Attack; Says Russia Will Smash Poland If It Aids Ukraine

 A leading Russian politician yesterday threatened Poland if it intervenes in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Newsmax website reports today (March 24, 2022).

State Duma Deputy General Vladimir Shamanov, who serves in the lower house of Russia's legislature, said Poland will be "smashed" if it interferes with President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. 

In saying the war's final stage will take place near the Ukraine-Poland border, Shamanov added that the Poles would receive a response "under the full scheme," which would include hypersonic missiles.

Up to 15K Russians Killed im Ukraine Invasion; Russia Shocked by Ukraine's Strong Resistance

NATO estimates that as many as 15,000 Russian troops have been killed since its invasion of Ukraine began four weeks ago, the USA Today website reports today (March 23, 2022).

Russia has suffered 30,000 to 40,000 battlefield casualties, including 7,000 to 15,000 killed, a senior NATO military officer said in a briefing today from the alliance's military headquarters in Belgium. The Russian casualties have been much higher than Russia expected, as the Ukrainians have shown a stronger resistance than Russia thought possible. 

The officer said the estimated deaths are based on information from the Ukrainian government, indications from Russia, and open-source information.

Vatican OKs Reform of Its Holy See Bureaucracy; Lets Lay People, Besides Clergy, Head Its Offices

 Vatican officials yesterday defended the last-minute rollout of Pope Francis' reform  of the Holy See bureaucracy while also painting it as one of the most consequential moves of his pontificate, the Yahoo News website reports today (March 22, 2022).

The new apostolic constitution, "Proclaiming the Gospel," was released on March 19 with no advanced warning. 

It replaces the 1988 founding blueprint of the Holy See which made it clear that only ordained priests, bishops, and cardinals can head Vatican offices. The change supports Francis' efforts to make the church less about priests and their clerical power and more about the rank-and-file people of God.

Pope Rips Russia's "Inhuman, Sacrilegious" War; Killing Innocent,Unarmed Ukrainians Is Inhuman

 During his remarks  in his weekly Sunday address in St. Peter's Square yesterday, Pope Francis sharpened his rhetoric against Russia's shelling of Ukrainian civilians in its increasingly brutal invasion, the Yahoo News website reports today (March 21, 2022).

"All this is inhuman," Francis said. 

"Indeed, it is also sacrilegious," he continued, "because it goes against the sacredness of human life, especially against defenseless human life, which must be respected and protected, not eliminated, and which comes before any strategy! Let us not forget: It is a cruelty, inhuman, and sacrilegious."

Christians to Restore Church of Holy Sepulchre; Cath.,Greek Orth.,Armenian Apost.Unite in Plan

The three Christian branches that have shared their holiest site for centuries are embarking on a large-scale project to restore the ancient stone floor of the Jerusalem basilica, the Worthy News website reports today (March 20, 2022).

The project includes an excavation that could shed light on the rich history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, the central event of the faith celebrated every spring on Easter.

It marks a further improvement of ties among the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic churches, which they share under a delicate arrangement dating back to the mid-19th century.

Pope Says Invasion Is "Perverse Abuse of Power;" Russian Aggression Has Innocent People Suffering

 According to Pope Francis, the "tragedy of the war" taking place in the heart of Europe "leaves us astonished," and it is threatening humanity, all because of a "perverse abuse of power" that is condemning innocent people to endless suffering, the Crux website reports today (March 19, 2022).

The "heartbreaking" cry for help of the Ukrainian people is a call not only to serious reflection but also to action, to "share the anguish" of those whose identity, history, and tradition have been wounded.

"The blood and tears pf children, the suffering of women and men who are defending their land or fleeing from bombs shake our conscience," he said. 

Ukrainian MP: Israel Is Betraying Ukrainians; Imposing Strict Limits on Ukrainian Refugees

 A leading Ukrainian politician has accused the Israeli government of "betraying" people attempting to escape the brutal Russian invasion of  her country by placing strict limits on the numbers of refugees now allowed to remain there, the Jewish News website reports today (March 18, 2022).

Speaking exclusively to Jewish News,  Alyona Shkrum, elected People's Deputy of Ukraine, compared the suffering now being experienced by her people at the hands of Vladimir Putin's troops to that which took place under Adolf  Hitler's Nazi Germany.

The Cambridge University-educated lawyer and MP, said: "It is very surprising to us. We don't understand why Israel has limited the number of people that can come."

Pope Warns Nuclear War May Destroy Humanity; Asks God to Stop Russian Aggression in Ukraine

 Pope Francis yesterday evoked the spectre of a nuclear war, where whoever is left of humanity would have to start all over again on "the day after," and appeared to ask God to stop the aggression in Ukraine, the Reuters website reports today (March 17, 2022).

Francis dedicated his address at his weekly general audience to aging and corruption in society, telling the Biblical story of the Great Flood that God used to punish a sinful and corrupt humanity and which only Noah and his family survived. 

"Our imagination appears increasingly concentrated on the representation of a final catastrophe that will extinguish us," he said. 

U.S. Senate Condemns Putin as a War Criminal; Asks International Criminal Court to Try Putin

The U.S. Senate today (March 16, 2022)  unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, according to the Reuters website.

The resolution, introduced by Republican Senator Lindsay Graham, encouraged the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to target the Russian military in any investigation of war crimes committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

Russia calls its actions a "special military operation" to demilitarize and  "denazify" Ukraine.

War Splits Russian Orthodox Parishes in Europe; Many Still Back Putin Despite Ukraine Aggression

 The war in Ukraine has split Russian Orthodox parishes in Europe, forcing believers outside Russia  to either stay loyal to the church leadership in Moscow despite its Ukraine invasion, leave the church in protest, or seek a middle ground, the RNS website reports today (March 15, 2022).

While public opinion in Europe has almost unanimously denounced the war Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed, the small communities of Russian Orthodox faithful to the Moscow Patriarchate are in a bind because its head, Patriarch Kirill, has come out in its favor. 

The fact is that Patriarch Kirill and President Putin are close friends, and Patriarch Kirill does not want to upset him, which is the real reason he is supporting Putin's war in Ukraine. Also, Putin has provided Patriarch Kirill with many expensive benefits, including a new police car with flashing red and blue police lights to help him prevent traffic congestion in Moscow and other Russian cities. 

Russian, Polish Pols: Putin Might Destroy World; Is "Crazy Enough" to Use Nukes to Defeat Ukraine

 A Russian politician has warned that Vladimir Putin is "crazy enough"  to use nukes if he is left unchecked, the Metro News website reports today (March 14, 2022).

Leonid Volkov, former chief of staff for Alexei Navalny's 2018 presidential bid, said "We can expect unfortunately everything from the Russian President."

His fears have been echoed by Poland's premier, Andrzej Duda, who believes Putin could do anything right now to defeat Ukraine. 

US Rel. Leaders Send Letter to Patriarch Kirill; "Earnest Plea" Kirill Seeks End of Ukraine War

 As Russian forces carry out their offensive across Ukraine, nearly 100 Christian leaders in the U.S.have sent an open letter to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill urging him to withdraw support for the invasion that has led to"tragic and terrible loss of innocent civilian life," the Christian Post website reports today (March 13, 2022).

The open letter, signed by the heads of denominations and charities, as well as prominent writers and activists, is an "earnest plea" that Kirill, who is close to President Vladimir Putin, use his "voice and profound influence to call for the end of the hostilities and war in Ukraine."

The Christian leaders wrote: "We make this appeal with no political agenda. Before God, we bear witness that there is no religious justification from any side for the destruction and terror."

Russia May Use Chemical Weapons in Ukraine; Biden Admin. Says Putin May Try to Use Them

The Biden administration warned this week that Russia might seek to use illegal chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, the VOA News website reports today (March 12, 2022).

The White House said Russia might seek to create a pretense for further escalating the two-week-old  conflict that has seen more Russian casualties than expected in its aggression of Ukraine. 

However, many Americans are upset that President Biden has not taken more aggressive military action against Russia and for rejecting Poland's plan to provide Ukraine with several military jet fighters. 

Vatican Speaks with Russia to End Ukraine War; Russia Sees a Need for Moscow-Kyiv Peace Talks

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has spoken with the Vatican on ending the Russian invasion of  Ukraine, the Worthy News website reports today (March 11, 2022).

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, spoke with Lavrov by phone on March 9, amid indications of the Vatican's growing involvement in diplomatic efforts to end Europe's worst conflict since World War II.

Lavrov laid out Russia's position on Ukraine and expressed hope for another round of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, according to sources familiar with the discussions. 

 

Inflation in US over 12 Mos. Rises to 40-Yr.High; Expected to Rise Even More Due to Ukraine War

 Inflation in the U.S. is now showing its highest annual increase in 40 years, the UPI website reports today (March 10, 2022).

The Labor Department said in its monthly Consumer Price Index today that inflation rose by 7.9% in the 12 months ending in February. That's the highest 12-month increase since 1982.

Analysts expect next month's report to show another rise in the energy index, as Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on gas prices were not accounted for in today's report.

Zelensky Sees Russian Attack Like Nazi Germany; Says Hitler's Attack on Europe Resulted in WWII

 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has compared Russia to Nazi Germany and invoked World War II as his country resists the invasion by Moscow's forces, the Newsweek website reports today (March 9, 2022).

Zelensky denounced Russia's actions in a Twitter post hours after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. 

"Russia treacherously attacked our state, as Nazi Germany did in [World War II] years," Zelensky wrote. "As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history."

Hundreds of Ukrainian Jews Have Fled to Israel; Israel to Get Thousands More in the Near Future

 Around 300 Ukrainian Jewish refugees landed in Israel  on March 6, among those some 90 orphans between the ages of two and 12, in the first round of what Israeli government officials are expecting to be a wave of thousands in the coming months, the JTA website reports today (March 8, 2022). 

They were flown on three planes from Moldova, Romania, and Poland.

Whether Israel will accept Ukrainian refugees who are not Jewish and therefore ineligible for Israeli citizenship under the country's Law of Return, is unclear.

Scores of Russian Orth. Priests Seek End of War; Call on Russia to Stop Its Aggression in Ukraine

More than 280 priests and deacons of the Russian Orthodox Church are calling for reconciliation and an immediate end to Russia's ongoing invasion in Ukraine, stressing that "the Last Judgment awaits all," the Christian Post website reports today (March 7, 2022).

"We mourn the ordeal to which our brothers and sisters in Ukraine were undeservedly subjected," the Russian Orthodox clerics wrote in an open letter, which was launched March 1 and had garnered signatures of 284 priests, archpriests, and deacons by March 6.

At least 351 civilians have been killed and another 707 wounded in Ukraine since Russia's military invasion began on February 24, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said on March 5, adding that the actual numbers are likely to be "considerably higher." 

Ukrainian Pres. Tells Russians to Protest Now; Otherwise They Risk Own Poverty, Repression

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed directly to Russians today (March 6, 2022) to take to the streets in protest against Russia's invasion of his country or risk their own poverty and repression, according to the Reuters website. 

Since last week, thousands of people in Russia have been detained for protesting against the invasion of Ukraine. 

Russians are now facing an uncertain and isolated future after international sanctions plunged the economy into crisis and authorities cracked down on independent media and restricted access to Facebook and other sites. 

Supreme Court Rules Boston Bomber Must Die; Muslim Man Killed 3 at 2013 Boston Marathon

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday reinstated the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a Muslim terrorist, who was convicted of killing three people  and injuring hundreds of others with homemade bombs at the Boston Marathon in 2013, the AFT website reports today (March 5, 2022).

A court of appeals had vacated Tsarnaev's death sentence, but it was reimposed by the Supreme Court on a 6-3 vote.

Tsarnaev was 19 when he and his older brother, Tamerian, planted two explosive devices near the finish line of the April 15, 2013 race, killing three people and injuring 264.

Ukrainian Bishop: Putin Is Today's "AntiChrist;" Everything He Does Is against God's Law, Gospel

 A bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is the "antiChrist of our time" because everything he does is against God's law, the Worthy News website reports today (March 4, 2022).

Yevstratiy Zoria made the remarks during a BBC Global News podcast on February 27, amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian Orthodox bishop rejected Putin's view of himself as a messianic figure destined to reunite Russia and Ukraine, together with their respective Orthodox churches. "Putin is really not messianic, but really the antiChrist of our current time," Zoria said. "He is the antiChrist because everything hr does... is totally against the Gospel, against God's law."

U.S. House Passes Resolution Supporting Ukraine; Only Three Republican Reps. Vote against Support

 The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution yesterday to declare support for Ukraine's sovereignty in the face of the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, while urging an "immediate cease-fire," the Yahoo News website reports today (March 3, 2022).

Lawmakers in both parties voted near-unanimously in favor of the resolution, 426-3.

The only votes in opposition were from three Republicans: Reps. Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), and Matt Rosendale (Mont.).

UN Says Some 660,000 Have Fled Ukraine So Far; May Be Europe's Largest Refugee Crisis of Century

 The United Nations refugee agency says about 660,000 people have fled Ukraine for neighboring countries since the Russian invasion began, the Newsy website reports today (March 2, 2022).

The number given yesterday was up from a count of a little over 500,000 a day earlier. 

Shabia Mantoo, a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said in Geneva that "at this rate, the situation looks set to become Europe's largest refugee crisis this century." 

Pope Francis Calls President Zelensky of Ukraine; Conveys Sadness and Desire for Peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 26 to express his sadness and desire for peace as the conflict in Ukraine rages through the country's borders and city streets, the Religion News website reports today (March 1, 2022). 

The Ukrainian embassy to the Holy See said during the phone call, Pope Francis voiced his "most profound pain for the tragic events unfolding in the country." 

On February 25, the pope rode in a white utilitarian car to visit the Russian embassy to the Holy See in Rome. During the meeting with Ambassador Aleksandr Avdeyev, the pope expressed his "concern over the war."