Around the World
China nuclear buildup faster than expected, U.S. now believes
China’s military is advancing its nuclear arsenal and delivery systems so fast the Defense Intelligence Agency has had to move up its estimate of when Beijing will double its warhead stockpile, the general in charge of military intelligence told Congress on Thursday.
Zarif Had No Knowledge of Israeli Strikes Until Kerry Told Him, Translation Reveals
Leaked audiotape of Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif indicates he had no knowledge of covert Israeli military strikes before former secretary of state John Kerry provided him with the information, new details that contradict the State Department's recent defense of Kerry.
Deadlock in US-Afghanistan peace plans, despite troops withdrawal announcement
Plans for a route to peace between the United States and the Afghan Islamist Taliban have become deadlocked amid canceled talks in Turkey, and despite President Joe Biden’s announcement earlier this month that US and NATO troops will unconditionally withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, NPR reports.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Yamina, Yesh Atid, New Hope hold joint coalition talks
Negotiating teams from the Yesh Atid, Yamina, and New Hope factions met Thursday morning to discuss the terms for a possible alternative government.
Hamas slams Abbas’s decision to delay Palestinian vote as a ‘coup’
The Palestinian Hamas movement on Thursday slammed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision on Thursday night to delay a long-awaited Palestinian vote, calling his move “a coup.”
‘Many Deaths In Israel As Grandstand Collapses At Jewish Festival’
Authorities say they fear dozens have died after a grandstand collapsed at a large gathering to celebrate the Lag B'Omer Jewish festival at Mount Meron.

Inside the United States
Economy grew at 6.4% rate in first quarter as US emerges from pandemic
The economy just experienced the second-largest quarterly growth IN 18 years as vaccinations continue and consumers begin to spend more.
Thomas, Gorsuch, and Barrett join liberals in immigration case
Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett, on Thursday, joined the liberal wing of the Supreme Court to rule against the federal government in an immigration case.
“Loneliest” Moon Mission Astronaut Michael Collins Dies At 90
Michael Collins, who flew on the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon but never stood on its surface, has died after struggling with cancer, his family said. He was 90.
Biden Defends Multi-Trillion Spending, Condemns Trump
Joe Biden used his first address to Congress as the 46th U.S. president to indirectly condemn his predecessor and sell multi-trillion budget plans for social programs and U.S. infrastructure.

Christian News
Nepal: Hindu extremists use false document to discredit Christianity
As part of a campaign to discredit Christianity, Hindu extremists in Nepal forged a document they falsely attributed to the Nepal Christian Society (NCS) and the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCFPN), in which they presumed to show these charities want to create an ethnic division for evangelistic purposes, Morning Star News reports.
Laos pastor released after a year in prison
Authorities in Laos have released a Christian pastor who was imprisoned for a year for holding church services without a permit, Mission Network News reports. Laos currently ranks 22 on the Open Doors Watch List of countries that persecute Christians.
Iran: One Christian released from prison, four more detained
While Christian convert Majidreza Souzanchi was released from Iran’s Greater Tehran Penitentiary on April 8, four other Christians were arrested and detained by Iranian intelligence officials on April 19, International Christian Persecution reports. Iran currently ranks 8 on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.
Muslim Herdsmen Kill Dozens of Nigeria Christians
Dozens of Christians have been killed by hardline Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s troubled north-central Benue state, Christian survivors said.

Worthy Watch
100,000+ march in UK for freedom from COVID lockdowns, vaccine passports, medical tyranny