High Court May Ban Race in College Admissions; Harvard, U. of N. Carolina Prefer Using Race

 The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today (October 31, 2022) about whether colleges can consider the race of prospective students in the interest of diversity, the USA Today website reports. 

The justices will hear arguments in two cases brought forward by Students for Fair Admissions against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

If the Supreme Court bans race determination in university admissions, it could have a negative effect on affirmative action and diversity.

S.Korea Pres.Calls Week-Mourning for 153 Deaths; Died in Surge at Seoul Halloween Festivities

 South Korea's President, Yoon Suk-Yeol, declared a week-long period of national mourning today (October 30, 2022), hours after at least 153 people -- mostly in their teens and 20s -- were killed and more than 100 were injured in a crowd surge during Halloween festivities in a nightlife district in Seoul, the Christian Post website reports.

Among those who died in Seoul's Itaewon nightclub district last night are at least 20 foreign nationals, including people from the U.S., Norway, Australia, China, Russia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Iran.

While the cause of the crush is not known, reports say tens of thousands of people flooded into the narrow streets of the Itaewon neighborhood for Halloween festivities which created panic among the crowd.

 

Poll:45% of Americans See US a Christian Nation; Surge in Nationalism Attention May Have Impact

 Forty-five percent of Americans believe that the U.S.  should be a "Christian nation,"a new Pew Research Center survey shows, the Religion News Service website reports today (October 29, 2022).

But researchers say  respondents differed greatly when it came to defining what a Christian nation should look like. 

Pew's findings suggest the recent surge in attention paid to Christian nationalism has had an effect on Americans.

Husband of House Speaker Beaten with Hammer; Paul Pelosi Hit in San Francisco Home in Break-In

 Paul Pelosi, husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early today (October 28, 2022), according to the Newsmax website. 

Paul Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body, and was treated by doctors for bruising, severe swelling. and other injuries.

The assailant is in custody, and the motivation for the attack is under investigation.

Cancer Death Rates Fall in US from 2015 to 2019; Every US Racial and Ethnic Group Sees a Decline

 Pre-pandemic cancer death rates continued to decline among men,  women, children,  adolescents, and young adults in every major racial and ethnic group in the U.S. from 2015 to 2019, the UPI website reports today (October 27, 2022).

Overall, the latest "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer" said new cases of cancer remained stable for men and children, but increased slightly for women, adolescents, and young adults from 2014 to 2018. 

The nation's top health officials said this continues a trend in declining cancer mortality that reflects improvements in prevention, detection, and treatment.

Record No. of Border Crossings, Deaths in 2022; 2,378,944 Immigrant--Law Official Encounters

 The U.S. saw a record number of border crossings and migrant deaths in 2022, the Christian Post website reports today (October 26, 2022).

There were 2,378,944 encounters between illegal immigrants and law enforcement officials at the U.S. border with Mexico in fiscal year 2022 which ended September 30. 

This marked a significant increase from fiscal year 2021, which recorded 1,734,686 border crossings. 

A record 856 migrants died at the U.S.--Mexico border in fiscal year 2022.

Rishi Sunak Is Britain's New Prime Minister; Replaces Liz Truss Who Quit after 2 Months as PM

Rishi Sunak became Britain's new prime minister -- its third in three  months -- after meeting with King Charles III today (Ocrober 25, 2022), the UPI website reports.

 It was the first time King Charles fulfilled his constitutional role of meeting  a new prime minister. 

Queen Elizabeth II met former Prime Minister Liz Truss in Britain's traditional handover of power just days before the Monarch's death. Truss resigned last week, after less than two months on the job. 

Judge Backs Baker Refusing Cake for Lesbians; Says Marriage Must Be between Man and Woman

A court has ruled that the Christian owner of Tastries Bakery in California acted lawfully when she refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple and 

instead referreed them to a different bakery , citing her religious belief that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman, the Christian Post website reports today (October 24, 2022).

Carherine Miller's "only motivation, at all times, was to act consistent with her sincere Christian beliefs about what   the Bible teaches regarding marriage," Kern County Judge Eric Bradshaw wrote in the verdict. 

Exiled Russian Diplomat: "Putin's Luck Is Over;" If He Loses Ukraine War,It Will Be the End of Him

 Vladimir Putin would sacrifice 20 million Russian soldiers to win the war with Ukraine and ensure his political survival, the Sky News website reports today (October 23, 2022).

Boris Bondarev , an exiled Russian diplomat, told Sky News that Putin's "luck is over." 

Bondarev said, "You have to understand that,  if he loses the war, it will be the end of him." 

US Home Sales Drop for Eighth Straight Month; Due to High Mortgage Rates, Soaring Home Prices

 U.S. home sales dropped for an eighth straight month in September as surging mortgage rates and increased selling prices push affordability beyond the reach of many prospective buyers, the Worthy News website reports today (October 22, 2022).

Existing home sales fell 1.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.71 million units last month, the National Association of Realtors said on Oct. 20. 

Outside of the short-lived plunge during the spring of 2020, when the economy was reeling from the first wave of COVID-19, this was the lowest sales level since September 2012.

WCC Delegation Meets with Rus. Patriarch Kirill; Asks Him to Explain His Position on Ukraine War

 A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) traveled to Moscow this week to meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and other leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church to clarify their position on the war in Ukraine, the Crux website reports today (October 21, 2022).

The meeting was held in Moscow between Kirill and Father Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the WCC, on October 17 at the patriarchal residence in Daniel's Monastery in Moscow. 

According to the WCC, during the meeting the "serious concerns" of some WCC members were discussed, and Kirill was asked to explain his "theological position on the issue of holy war, and the meaning of metaphysical war."

Poll:Huge % of Americans Don't Trust Media; Only 34% Trust Newspapers, TV,Radio Reporting

 A new Gallup survey shows that nearly 4 in 10 Americans (38%) have "no trust" in America's media, including newspapers, TV, and radio,  the WND website reports today (October 20, 2022).

Only 14% of Republicans and 27% of independents trust the media, but 70% of Democrats trust the media. 

Overall, 34% of respondents trust the mass media to report the news "fully, accurately, and fairly."

Russia Now Shuts Down Ukrainian Churches; Russia Tends to OK Only Orthodox Churches

 Russian soldiers have now been shutting down churches in occupied parts of Ukraine, forcing Ukrainian Christians to meet in secret, Christian Today website reports today (October 19, 2022).

The three largest Protestant churches in Ukraine have been closed by President Putin's troops.

Russia, a country primarily of the Greek Orthodox faith, is noted for having little tolerance for other religions. In fact, several Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia were recently sentenced to prison terms just for participating in their religion.

Biden Seeks Merging US with Canada and Mexico; US Sec. of State, Mexican Pres. Agree to Merger

 Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) recently announced that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed opening all borders among the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the New American website reports today (October 18, 2022).

"I think that Mr. Blinken spoke about consolidating the region of North America," said AMLO -- "and we agree on that."

Sine Blinken  speaks for the Biden administration, it's fair to assume this is now unofficial federal policy.

Pope Extends the Synod of Synodality to 2024; Allows More Time to Understand Church Life

Pope Francis yesterday announced that his ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality will be extended for an additional year to allow, as he put it, more time for discernment and a greater understanding of the concept as a key dimension of church life, the Crux website reports today (October 17, 2022). 

Although difficult to define, "synodality" refers to a collaborative and consultative style of management in which all members, clerical and lay, participate in making decisions about the church's life and mission.

Bishops and other participants will gather for an initial meeting of the synod October 4--29, 2023. in Rome, to be followed by a year of reflection with another culminating meeting set for October 2024.

Biden Uses Trump-Era Rule to Expel Venezuelans; Biden Called Rule "Cruelty" in 2020 Pres. Race

 Now, with increasing numbers of Venezuelans arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border as the November 8 election nears,  President Biden has turned to an unlikely source for a solution: Trump's playbook, according to Newsmax website.

Biden last week invoked a Trump-era rule known as Title 42, to deny Venezuelans fleeing their crisis-torn country the chance to request asylum at the border.

Originally, Biden referred to Trump's policy as being "brutal."

Pastors:Poor US Economy Is Hurting Churches; Due Mainly to Effects of the COVID -19 Pandemic

 While some churches across the country are shaking off the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey of pastors reveals the troubled  economy is  now having an adverse financial effect on the churches as well,according to the Worthy News website.

A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found that 52% say the current economy is having a negative impact on their ability to operate. For 40%, the economic circumstances aren't having any effect. And 7% say the current economy is a positive factor for their churches.

The study noted the economic outlook among the pastors has grown more worrisome this year than in recent years.

Five People Are Killed in Raleigh, N. C. Shooting; A Juvenile Suspect Is Arrested After the Shooting

Five people  are dead and two others injured after a shooting in a neighborhood in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday afternoon, the Fox News website reports today (October 14, 2022).

Officers said a juvenile suspect was taken into custody at a home around 8 p.m.eastern time.

The Raleigh Mayor, Mary-Ann Baldwin, said that five people are dead as a result of the shooting, adding an off-duty Raleigh police officer was among those killed.

Social Security for 2023 Has Peerless Increase; Due to High Inflation on Which Rate Is Based

 Tens of millions of older Americans are about to get what may be the biggest raise of their lifetimes, the Newsmax website reports. 

Today (October 13, 2022)is set to announce how large a percentage increase social security beneficiaries will see in monthly payments beginning in January 2023.

Because the social security rate is based on inflation, next year's rate is almost certain to be the largest rate increase in four decades.

Pope Calls for Unity on 60th Anniv. of Vatican II; Sad that Changes Have Led to Church Divisions

 Pope Francis on October 10 marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council by pleading for the Catholic Church to "overcome all polarization and preserve our communion," the Catholic News website reports today (October 12, 2022).

In a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope said the council, which was inaugurated by Pope St.  John XXIII, was "one great response" to the question "Do you love me?" posed by Christ to His disciples.

"To rekindle her love for the Lord, the Church, for the first time in history, devoted a council to examining herself and reflect on her nature and mission," the Pope said. 

Zelensky: Peace Force for Ukraine-Belarus Border; Belarus Has Now Joined Russia in War on Ukraine

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations to support an international mission on the Ukraine-Belarus border, the Sky News website reports today (October 11, 2022).

Speaking a day after several Russian missiles rained down on Ukraine, Zelensky made the calls after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus and Russia would deploy a joint military group in response to what he called an "aggravation of tension on the country's western borders," referring to last week's  bombing of the Russian-built bridge on the Crimean Peninsula.

Lukashenko also said the two countries would deploy a regional military group, and already had started pulling forces together.

Sixty-Six Clinics in 14 States Stopped Abortions; These 14 States Had 125,780 Abortions in 2020

 Sixty-six clinics in 14 states have stopped providing abortions since the U.S.Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, the Worthy News website reports today (October 10, 2022).

It is now almost impossible to get an abortion in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, these 14 states accounted for 125,780 abortions in 2020.

Euro Bishops Open Platform for Youth Feedback; A Place of True Fraternity United in Diversity

 As part of a broader European initiative designed to empower young people and encourage their social involvement, Europe's bishops have launched their own new Platform where youth can share perspectives on key policy areas, the Crux website reports today (October 9, 2022).

In an Oct. 6 press release for the new initiative, called Youth Net, Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg invited young delegates to "make the Youth Net a place of true fraternity, an example of how we can be brothers and sisters, aware of our unique cultural identities, truly united in diversity." 

Hollerich, who is also president of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), said: "This new consultative body will promote the concrete participation of young European Catholics in shaping EU policies."

Bridge Linking Russia to Crimea Hit by Car Bomb; Built by Russia after It Annexed Crimea in 2014

 A bridge linking Russia to Crimea -- a key symbol of Moscow's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula on the Black Sea -- was hit by a massive explosion today (October 8, 2022), which Russian authorities said was caused by a car bomb, The Times of Israel website reports.

"Today at 6:07 a.m. on the road traffic side of the Crimean bridge ...a car bomb exploded, setting fire to seven oil tankers being carried by rail to Crimea," Russian news agencies cited the national anti-terrorism committee as saying.

The Kerch Bridge was built by Russia on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin to form a link to Crimea after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and was a symbol of Moscow's illegal occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula. 

Russia Gives 3 Jehovah's Witnesses Prison Terms; Get 6 Yrs. in Prison for Organizing Rel. Activities

A Moscow-imposed court in the Russian-annexed Ukrainian  Black Sea peninsula of Crimea has sentenced three Jehovah's Witnesses to prison terms amid an ongoing crackdown against the religious group, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty website reports today (October 7, 2022).

The Crimean Solidarity human rights group said that the Nakhimov district court in the city of Sevastopol sentenced three men to six years in prison each after finding them guilty of organizing activities for the group.

The Jehovah's Witnesses group is considered extremist and banned in Russia, but is legal in Ukraine. 

Drinking Coffee Daily Could Prevent Early Death; 2 to 3 Cups a Day Can Also Prevent Heart Disease

 A recent study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, suggests that two to three cups of coffee a day may protect you from developing heart disease and even early death, the Health website reports today (October 6,  2022).

The study analyzed data from patients who participated in the UK Biobank that included coffee consumption habits for nearly 450,000 adults. 

Researchers analyzed medical and death records for patients after an average of 12.5 years for issues such arhythmia, heart disease, stroke, and death.

Survey: Most Americans Want Limits to Abortion; Only 8% Want to Legalize It, 19% Want to Ban It

 A new survey shows that most  Americans want some limits to abortion, no matter what their political affiliation, the Crux website reports today (October 5, 2022).

The 2022 American Family Survey released October 4 shows that only 8 percent of Americans want abortion to be legal throughout a pregnancy, while 19 percent want an outright ban.

The debate over abortion has heated up in the U.S. since the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country.

Judge:Cath.School Can Fire Lesbian Counselor; Marriage of 2 Women Violates Cath. Teachings

 A federal court has ruled that a Catholic school in Indiana can lawfully refuse to renew the contract of a guidance counselor in a same-sex marriage, the Christian Post website reports today (October 4, 2022).

Judge Richard Young of the U.S. Court of Southern Indiana ruled that Roncalli High School and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis have a "ministerial exception" to choose school leaders who uphold Catholic teachings. 

The fact that the woman school guidance counselor was married to another woman is a violation of  Catholic teachings forbidding same-sex marriage.

Pope Appeals to Putin for Immediate Ceasefire; Says Ukraine Nuclear War a Worldwide Tragedy

 Pope Francis on October 1 made a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin for an immediate ceasefire, imploring him to end the "spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine , the Catholic News website reports today (October 3, 2022).

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope dedicated nearly all of the Angelus address to the war in Ukraine. 

"I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days... It increases the risk of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide," Pope Francis said.

Museum of the Bible Leaders Travel to Greece; Return a Looted 10th Cent. Gospel Manuscript

 Leaders from the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.traveled to Greece last week to formally return a 10th century, handwritten Gospel manuscript looted by Bulgarian troops in 1917 during World War I,  according to the Christian Post website. 

The manuscript, known as "Evangelistary Manuscript 220," is one of the world's oldest hand-lettered Gospels and was among hundreds of priceless objects looted from the Theotokos Elkosiphoinissa Monastery in Greece.

A formal return ceremony was held September 29 near the town of Drama in northern Greece and was officiated by Archbishop Epidophoros of America. 

Ukraine Seeking Immediate NATO De Jure Status; Due to Russia Annexing Four of Ukraine's Regions

 Ukraine hsd submitted an official application to join NATO, President Volodymyr Zelensky said after Moscow annexed four Ukrainian regions, the Euro News website reports today (October 1, 2022).

"We are de facto allies already," Zelensky said. 

"Ukraine is applying to confirm de jure by an expedited procedure," he added.