Around the World
Russia announces withdrawal of troops from Ukainian border
Russia announced Thursday that thousands of troops deployed to its border with Ukraine will be withdrawn by May 1, Axios reports. Although Russia had said it was conducting military exercises at the border, the recent massive build-up of troops and military equipment, including fighter planes, had raised fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
China engaged in ‘breathtaking’ nuclear expansion, STRATCOM commander warns
China’s military is engaged in a “very rapid” expansion of nuclear forces, which threatens U.S. security and is complicating efforts to deter both Russia as well as China, the commander of the Strategic Command told Congress on Wednesday.
Russia is building its own space station
Russia has announced it has begun building a space station of its own, and has plans to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, BBC News reports. The ISS was launched by the United States and Russia in 1998 and has been a showcase for international cooperation.
Hungary President Supporting COVID Orphans
Hungarian President János Áder and Anita Herczegh, the First Lady, have launched a foundation to help children orphaned by the coronavirus.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF chief to make first US visit next week to discuss Iran, Hezbollah
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi will travel to the United States on Sunday to discuss the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and its entrenchment throughout the region, the military said Friday.
Top court rules no grounds to disqualify Netanyahu as PM ‘at this time’
The High Court of Justice on Thursday rejected a petition seeking Benjamin Netanyahu’s removal as prime minister over his ongoing criminal trial.
IDF probing why air defenses didn’t intercept Syrian anti-aircraft missile
The Israel Defense Forces launched an investigation to determine why its air defenses failed to intercept an errant surface-to-air missile fired from Syria that landed in southern Israel on Thursday morning.
US official: We’re updating Israel on Iran talks in Vienna despite differences
The US has been updating Israel on the progress of indirect negotiations with Iran over a possible return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and will continue a policy of transparency moving forward, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.

Inside the United States
Federal lawsuit: Florida’s ‘anti-rioting law’ is unconstitutional
The Lawyers Matter Task Force advocacy group filed a federal lawsuit in the US District Court in Orlando Wednesday, claiming Florida’s new “anti-rioting” legislation is unconstitutional on several levels, Fox News reports. The lawsuit names the Defendants as Gov. DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Orange County Sheriff John Mina.
US To Cut Emissions By Half By 2030
U.S.President Joe Biden says the United States will cut emissions by half by the end of the decade due to a transition to ‘green energy.’
Senate Republicans unveil $568 billion infrastructure counterproposal
Senate Republicans formally rolled out the framework for their $568 billion counterproposal to President Biden's $2.5 trillion infrastructure plan on Thursday.
House passes bill that would make D.C. the 51st state
The House of Representatives voted 216-208 on Thursday to pass a bill that would grant statehood to Washington, D.C.
Senate OKs bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans
The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden’s agenda has stalled.
10 states sue Biden over ‘social cost’ executive order on climate change
Ten Republican-led states sued Thursday to block President Biden’s executive order that would require agencies to calculate the social cost of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide when enacting regulations.
Stocks drop after reports that Biden wants to double capital gains tax for wealthy
Stocks dropped Thursday amid reports that the Biden administration will propose a large hike of the capital gains tax in order to pay for his childcare and family spending plan.
Bill aims to declassify intel of any potential link of COVID origins to Wuhan Institute of Virology
Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Mike Braun of Indiana have introduced legislation to declassify intelligence pertaining to any potential connections between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the genesis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christian News
Two-thirds of world’s population live in countries which violate religious freedom
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has published a report showing that around 5.2 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is severely violated and restricted, International Christian Concern reports. These countries include China, India, and Pakistan, which have the world’s largest populations.
Court Postpones Appeal Of Algeria Pastor, Co-Worker Against Prison Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Eritrea Frees Dozens Of Christians But Many Still Jailed
Dozens of Christians detained in Eritrea for unauthorized worship have been released, but many other believers remain jailed, Christians said Friday.
Algeria Court Postpones Appeal Pastor, Co-Worker, Against Jail Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.

Worthy Watch
NBC Deceptively Edits 911 Call And Body Cam Video Of Police Shooting To Conceal Teen Wielding Knife