Railway Unions Plan National RR Strike on Dec.9; Despte Pres. Biden's Efforts to Reach Agreement

 The National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) have no plans of relenting from their bargaining positions  -- in advance of a potential nationwide railway strike on Dec. 9 -- despite President Joe Biden's calls for Congress to pass legislation that would enforce the tentative rail-labor agreement, the Newsmax website reports today (Nov. 30, 2022).

In a joint statement, the NRLC and the BMWED did not share the Biden administration's optimism for reaching a labor agreement within the next10 days. 

Railroad industry economists estimate a loss of $2 billion per day, in the event of a railroad strike. 

Franklin Graham Slams Respect for Marriage Act; Protects Same-Sex Marriage, But Not Traditional

 Evangelist Franklin Graham says the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, which is set to be voted on by Congress soon, is a deceptive smoke-screen that would change the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, while not protecting those who hold a traditional view of marriage, the Christian Post website reports today (Nov. 29, 2022).

Graham addressed the Respect for Marriage Act in a Facebook post, cautioning that it "could impact you, your family, your church, and our nation."

He warned that the act is "designed to provide strong protections for same-sex marriage --but it fails to protect those of us who believe marriage is between a man and a woman."

Pope in New Interview Rules Out Women Priests; Praises Individual Bishops over a Bishops' Conf.

 In a new interview, Pope Francis decried Church polarisation, ruled out women priests, and emphasized the importance of the ministry of individual bishops over the role of a bishops' conference, the Catholic News website reports today (Nov. 28 ,2022).

Australia's bishops are encouraging Catholics to respond to the call from Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia to provide financial support to people in the war-torn nation as winter arrives. 

Catholic Social Services Australia has welcomed Albanese Government plans to establish an independent panel to annually review support payments such as Job Seeker and parenting payments ahead of each federal budget.

Aid Workers in Syria Call for End to Sanctions; Victims of Sanctions Are Children, Not the Rich

 Frontline aid workers in Syria have called for an end to international sanctions, saying the situation in the country is dire and is being made worse by the Ukraine conflict and the cumulative toll of sanctions on national infrastructure, the Crux website reports today (Nov. 27, 2022).

Riad Sargi, executive director of Caritas Syria, told Crux that international sanctions and the United States' Caesar Act "really badly affect life in Syria."

"In the end, the victim of the sanctions is not the richest people, but the poorest people, the children. They survive under abnormal conditions, without education, and without food sometimes," he said.

 

Pope Sees Ukrainians as in Stalin's "Genocide;" Links Stalin's 1930s Ukraine Famine Killing 3M

 Pope Francis on Nov.23 linked the suffering of Ukrainians now to the 1930s "genocide" artificially caused by Stalin," when the Soviet leader was blamed for creating a man-made famine in Ukraine that killed more than three million people, the Religion News website reports today (Nov. 26, 2022). 

Francis' linking the plight of Ukrainian civilians today to those killed by starvation 90 years ago, and his willingness to call it a "genocide" caused by Josef Stalin, marked a sharp escalation in papal rhetoric against Russia. 

Francis has repeatedly called for peace and an end to the war, has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and has called for prayers for the "martyred" Ukrainian people. 

U.K. Supreme Court: Scotland Cannot Get Its Ind.; Needs Consent of British Govt. to Become Ind.

 The U.K. Supreme Court ruled on  Nov. 23 that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government, the Worthy News website reports today (November 25, 2022).

The ruling is a setback for the Scottish government's campaign to break away from the United Kingdom. 

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would respect the ruling but continue to fight for independence, saying Scotland's "democratic right to choose  our future" was at stake. 

Eur. Parl. Calls Russia "State Terrorism Sponsor;" Due to Russia's Inhumane Aggression on Ukraine

 The European Parliament has declared Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism" over the "brutal and inhumane" acts inflicted upon Ukraine and its citizens since the launch of the invasion, the Euro News website reports today (November 24, 2022).

"The deliberate attacks and atrocities carried out by the Russian Federation against the civilian population of Ukraine, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law amount to terror against the Ukrainian population and constitute war crimes," MEPs said in a non-binding but highly symbolic resolution. 

The strongly-worded resolution was approved on November 23 with 494 votes in favor, 58 against, and 44 abstentions , during the monthly plenary session in Strasbourg, France. 

At Least 19Hurt,1 Dead in Jerusalem Bombings; Bombs Hit Weizmann Blvd. and Ramot Junction

 At least 19 people were injured and one was killed in a pair of terrorist bombings in Jerusalem this morning (Nov. 23, 2022), the World Israel News website reports. 

Bombs went off at bus stops near the city entrance off Weizmann Boulevard and at Ramot Junction, where three people were injured. 

Four of the victims of the Weizmann Boulevard bombing are listed in critical condition, with two more in serious condition. All three of the victims of the Ramot bombing are listed in light condition. 

Dr. Fauci Announces He'll Retire at End of 2022; Urges Americans to Get Updated COVID-19 Shot

 Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the nation's COVID-19 respnse, delivered one final message today (Nov. 22) before he retires at the end of the year, the USA Today website reports. 

"Please for your own safety and for that of your family, get your updated COVID-19 shots as  soon as you're eligible," Fauci said. 

Fauci, set to step down as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, addressed reporters at the White House press briefing room-- probably for the last time. 

Biden Sends Federal Aid for New York Blizzard; Provides Disaster Relief for 11 New York Counties

 President Joe Biden is sending federal aid to western New York to help state and local authorities clean up from the massive storm that dumped as much as 6 feet of snow in western and northern New York, the AP website reports today (Nov. 21, 2022).

The emergency declaration authorizes the Departrment of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management  Agency to coordinate disaster relief in 11 counties hit by the lake-effect snowstorm Nov. 18 and 19.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul thanked Biden for granting her request for emergency aid.

Pope:Vatican to Do What's Needed for Cease-fire; Vatican's Efforts to End Ukraine War Are Ongoing

 Pope Francis said the Vatican is willing to  do whatever it takes to broker a cease-fire  and bring an end to the war in Ukraine , the Crux website reports today (Nov. 20, 2022).

"We are continually watching as the situation evolves" concerning ways the Vatican's diplomatic efforts could help, he said in an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Stampa."

The Vatican Secretariat of State is working diligently every day, looking at every possibility and "giving weight to every opening that could lead to a real cease-fire and real negotiations," the pope said. 

37 Nations Declare No National Right to Abortion; Commemorate 2nd Anniv. of Geneva Declaration

 More than  three dozen countries have expressed support for a document declaring that "there is no international right to abortion," the Christian Post website reports today (Nov. 19, 2022).

Lawmakers, pro-life activists, and representatives of 37 governments worldwide gathered on Capitol Hill on Nov. 17 to commemorate the second anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family, which declares that "there is no international right to abortion."

The document's name reflects that it was crafted at the 2020 World Health Asembly, which was slated to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, until the  coronavirus pandemic forced the event to be held virtually.

Politics Drives Americans' Climate Concerns; Climate Control Backers Tend to Be Democrats

 Religious people who lean Republican are less inclined to be concerned about global warming than people of the same religion who identify to lean to the Democratic Party, the Religion News website reports today (Nov. 18, 2022).

A new Pew Research survey finds that the main driver of the U.S. public opinion about the climate is political party, not religion, the survey of 10,156 Americans concludes.

Republicans are far less likely than Democrats to believe human activity is causing global warming or to consider climate change a serious problem.

World's Population Reaches 8 Billion People; Demography Affects Almost Everything We Do

 The world's population  reached a record 8 billion people on Nov. 15, according to estimates from the United Nations, the Washington Post website reports today (November 17, 2022).

"Demography  affects almost everything," said William Frey, an American demographer and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. 

More young people will require more schools;  a growing elderly population will need an expanded safety  net, and a young workforce to care for them; aging countries may need to reassess their immigration policies.

Syrian Refugee Tried to Bomb Pa. Church for ISIS; Sentenced to 17 Yrs. for Plan to Destroy Church

 Moustafa Alowemer, a 24-year-old Syrian refugee, has been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for providing material support to the Islamic State terror group as part of a plan to bomb a church in Pittsburgh, the Christian Post website reports today (Nov. 16, 2022).

Alowemer, who has been living in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in the Western District of Pennsylvania in September and will spend more than 17 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, per the DOJ. 

"Alowemer admitted to planning a deadly bombing of a Pittsburg church in the name of ISIS," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

Judge Ends Biden's Student Debt Relief Plan; Rules Debt Relief Plan Is Unconstitutional

 A federal judge in Texas has struck down President Joe Biden's student debt relief plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal loans held by tens of millions of college borrowers, calling it unconstitutional, the Worthy News website reports today (November 15, 2022).

Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued his 26-page ruling on Nov. 10 that said the program was "an unconstitutional exercise of Congress's legislative power and must be vacated."

A message on the government's student relief page now reads "courts have issued orders blocking our student debt relief program. As a result, at this time, we are not accepting applications. We are seeking to overturn those orders."

Three Univ. of Va. Football Players Shot Dead; Ex-Player Suspected of Carrying Out Attack,Arrested

 Three University of Virginia football players were shot dead last night, with officials arresting a former member of the team who is suspected of carrying out the attack, the NY Daily News website reports today (Nov. 14, 2022).

Davin Chandler, Lavel Davis, and D'Sean Perry died after a gunman opened fire on a bus filled with students returning from a field trip around 10:30 p.m.

The suspect, a current student identified as Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr., was taken into custody late this morning. 

Pope Celebrates Mass at World Day of the Poor; Tells Christians to See Gospel by Helping Needy

 On the World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis encouraged Christians not to be brought down by the "doom and gloom" of the world, but to witness to the joy of the Gospel through service to those in need, the Catholic News website reports today (Nov. 13, 2022).

"Let us light candles of hope in the midst of darkness. Amid dramatic situations, let us seize opportunities to bear witness to the Gospel of joy and to build a more fraternal world, at least a little more fraternal. Let us commit ourselves courageously to justice, the rule of law and peace, and stand at the side of the weakest."

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at St. Peter's Basilica yesterday for the 6th annual World Day of the Poor, which was established at the conclusion of  the Year of Mercy.

Biden: Climate Efforts"More Urgent Than Ever;" Speaks at Climate International Summit in Egypt

President Joe Biden,speaking Nov. 11 at an annual international summit on climate change in Egypt, urged world leaders to "double down"on their resolve to fight  global warming, saying Russia's invasion of Ukraine reinforces the need to phase out fossil fuels, the AP website reports today (Nov. 12, 2022).

 

"We can no longer plead ignorance to the consequences of our actions, or continue to repeat our mistakes," Biden said.

"This gathering must be the moment to recommit  our future and our shared capacity to write a better story for the world," Biden added.

Tex. Megachurch Has High Vote to Leave UMC; Protestant Denomination Is Viewed as "Broken"

 A Texas megachurch has overwhelmingly voted to leave the United Methodist Church, believing that  the mainline Protestant denomination is a "broken Institution," the Christian Post website reports today (November 11, 2022).

.White's Chapel, a Southlake-based congregation, voted Nov. 7 to disaffiliate from the UMC, with 2,338 voting  in favor of leaving, 160 voting against, and seven members abstaining.

Pastors John McKellar and Todd Renner acknowledged that some members may be disappointed by the vote result. "Please know that you are welcome here and that you are loved here..." they stated.

Jennifer Lopez Backs New Name, Mrs. Affleck; She's Proud of Tradition to Take Husband's Name

 Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez recently addressed the controversy surrounding her name change to Jennifer Affleck following her marriage to Ben Affleck, the Bazaar website reports today (November 10, 2022).

"People are still going to call me Jennifer Lopez. But my legal name will be Mrs. Affleck because we're joined together. We're husband and wife. I'm proud of that," she said.

She added, "I'm very much in control of my  own life and destiny and feel empowered as a woman and as a person."

Pope Ends Bahrain Visit,Seeks Closer Islam Ties; Becomes First Pope to Visit Gulf State of Bahrain

 In a historic papal first, Pope Francis completed a four-day apostolic journey to the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain, during which he sought to deepen dialogue with Islam and Christians, especially the Greek Orthodox Church, the National Catholic Register website reports today (November 9, 2022).

Francis, already the first pope to set foot on the Arabian Peninsula, became the first head of the Catholic Church to visit Bahrain, a  small archipelago in the Persian Gulf that has a population of 1.5 million, 70% of whom are Muslim.

After the interfaith meeting of Nov. 4, Pope Francis met Christian leaders, including Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, during which he called for the restoration of Christian unity.

Pope Rips Reforms of German Cath.Movement; Seeks Women Priests, Allowing Priests to Marry

 Pope Francis has criticized reforms suggested by a progressive German Catholic movement, which would include allowing women to become priests and permitting same-sex relationships in an effort to address dwindling numbers, the RT website reports today (November 8, 2022).

In February 2022, the German Catholic Church endorsed a list of proposals directed at the Vatican. The list included granting women a right to become priests, allowing priests to marry, blessing same-sex relationships, and reviewing the Catholic Church's teachings on sexual ethics.

The head of the German Catholic Church, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, called the celibacy rule "precarious," arguing that a right to marry would be "better for Catholic priests' lives and they wouldn't be so lonely."

Pentagon Admits that US Troops Are in Ukraine; Facing a Barrage of Russian Missiles and Drones

 U.S. Defense officials have confirmed previous Worthy News reports that American military personnel are in Ukraine, which face a barrage of Russian missiles and drones, the Worthy News website reports today (November 7, 2022).

The Pentagon told reporters that U.S. forces are in Ukraine to provide training and help keep track of the billions of dollars worth of weapons and equipment Washington sent since the start of the Russian invasion in February.

Brig. Gen. Garrick Harmon, the U.S. defense attache to Ukraine, said the inspections began with the support of the Office of Defense Cooperation personnel who have returned to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. 

Having Daylight Saving Time All Year Is Rational; Senate Voted for Daylight Time,But House Hasn't

 At 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, clocks in the U.S. turned back one hour as daylight saving time ended, marking the beginning of winter's dark evenings , the NBC News website reports. 

In March, the Senate unanimously voted in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make  daylight saving time permanent year-round for all states but Hawaii and most of Arizona. But the bill has stalled in the House of Representatives. 

A 2004 study estimated that switching to year-round daylight saving would result in 171 fewer pedestrian deaths each year and 195 fewer deaths among car drivers or passengers. 

Pope Begins Bahrain Visit Ripping Death Penalty; Says "Right to Life" Always Must Be Guaranteed

 In his first formal visit to the Gulf nation of Bahrain, Pope Francis this week condemned the use of the death penalty, which is still in force in the country, the Crux website reports today (November 5, 2022).

Speaking to civil authorities and members of the diplomatic corps in Bahrain, Pope Francis in his Nov. 3 speech,cited the country's constitution, which bans  discrimination on the basis of "sex, origin, language, religion, or creed."

Yet before all of these guarantees, he said, is "the right to life" and the need "to guarantee that right always,including for those being punished, whose lives should not be taken."

SBC Responds to Question of Women Pastors; SBC Must Not Employ a Woman as a Pastor

 Any discussion concerning women serving as pastors in Southern Baptist churches must be informed by "past decisions" made by the Southern Baptist Convention, two key SBC figures said this week, the Christian Post website reports today (November 4, 2022).

In a joint statement, SBC Executive Committee Chairman Jared Wellman and SBC President Bart Barber said a "commitment to affirming Southern Baptist policy and the Baptist Faith and Message remain central" in the ongoing debate over female pastors. 

A document written by Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Church in Arlington, Virginia, called on the board to recommend an amendment to the SBC's constitution to include verbage requiring Southern Baptist churches not to "affirm, appoint ,or employ a woman as a pastor of any kind."

Germany Has 5 Antisemitic Cases Daily in 2022; Antisemitism Has Increased in Recent Years

 Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office registered an average of five antisemitic incidents every day in the first half of this year alone, the Jerusalem Post website reports. 

The Office had reported 1,555 antisemitic incidents by June this year, JPost said. Of these incidents, 55 were classified as "violent," while non-violent incidents included displays of neo-Nazi symbols and incitement to Jew-hatred. 

These figures represent a continued increase in reported antisemitism in recent years: there were 3,027 antisemitic incidents registered in Germany last year, up from 2,351 in 2020.

Pope: Peace Is Never Achieved by Wielding Power; Peace Is Never Violent, It Is Never Armed

 On All Saints Day, Pope Francis offered a reflection on peace, which he said is  never achieved by wielding power or weapons, but is built day by day by patience and closeness to God, the Crux website reports today (November 2, 2022). 

Speaking to faithful present in St. Peter's Square during November 1 Angelus address, the pope said people are often led to believe "that peace comes by force and power," but insisted that for Jesus. "it is the opposite." 

"Jesus'life and that of the saints tell us that the seed of peace, in order to grow and bear fruit, must first die," he said, adding, "Peace is not achieved by conquering or defeating someone; it is never violent, it is never armed."

Putin: World in Riskiest Decade Since WW II; Blames West,US for Seeking Global Dominance

 Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that  the world faces "probably the most dangerous decade" since the end of World War II, after U.S. President Joe Biden spoke of "a new world order," the Worthy News website reports today (November 1, 2022).

Putin accused the U.S. on October 27 of inciting the conflict in Ukraine and claimed Western elites scrambled to prevent the "inevitable crumbling" of the global dominance of the U.S. and its allies. 

"The historical period of the West's undivided dominance over world affairs is coming to an end," Putin said.