Around the World
Belarusian Athlete In Poland After Outcry
A Belarusian athlete who refused orders to fly home early from the Olympics in Tokyo has arrived in Poland and is “happy to be in safety.”
‘Don’t test us’: Iran threatens ‘decisive’ response to any Israeli strike
A prominent Iranian official warned Israel not to conduct a military operation against Iran, as the rival Middle Eastern powers trade threats following an attack on an Israeli-managed oil tanker.
Washington urges Tehran to ‘quickly’ return to nuclear negotiations
The United States urged new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday to "quickly" resume negotiations on the suspended talks in Vienna regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian hardliner Raisi, tied to mass executions, sworn in as regime president
Iran’s new hardline president Ebrahim Raisi, who has been tied to mass executions and crackdowns of political opponents, was sworn in on Thursday as dissidents urged international leaders not to play ball with the regime.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel considers reimposing lockdown as COVID-19 numbers rise again
Israeli health officials are considering reimposing lockdown by the end of this month as the number of COVID-19 cases and of patients seriously ill with the virus have again risen to levels that are causing concern, the Jerusalem Post reports. However, the government is hoping that the launch of a third vaccination campaign for the over 60s will bring the numbers back down in the next two weeks.
Archaeological evidence shows Jerusalem affected by Biblical earthquake
Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have unearthed evidence that an earthquake described in the Biblical books of Amos and Zechariah affected Jerusalem when it hit the land of Israel during the reign of Uzziah King of Judah in the 8th century BC, Ynet News reports.
COVID: 90% of patients treated with new Israeli drug discharged in 5 days
Some 93% of 90 coronavirus serious patients treated in several Greek hospitals with a new drug developed by a team at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center as part of the Phase II trial of the treatment were discharged in five days or fewer.

Inside the United States
National mile-driven tax pilot program tucked into $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill
The White House’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure package includes a pilot program for a national mile-driven tax, contradicting President Biden’s previous dismissal of the policy.
More Than 1,000 Earthquakes Rocked Yellowstone National Park in July: USGS
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shared its monthly report on earthquake activity Monday. It says seismologists reported more than 1,000 minor quakes around the Yellowstone National Park last month.
Majority of reluctant unvaccinated adults find COVID-19 shots scarier than the virus, poll shows
Three-quarters of U.S. adults who say they will “definitely not” get a COVID-19 vaccine believe getting the shots is a bigger risk to their health than becoming infected with the coronavirus, according to a poll released Wednesday that underscores the challenges of getting the most resistant to come forward.
Supreme Court shown 4D ultrasound images, urged to uphold Mississippi 15-week abortion ban
A nonprofit organization has submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court featuring ultrasound imagery over time to demonstrate how scientific advancements justify overturning the long-standing precedent in American abortion jurisprudence.
Federal appeals court upholds Tennessee law requiring 48-hour wait before abortions
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Tennessee’s 48-hour waiting period before a woman can receive an abortion is lawful and doesn’t violate her constitutional rights.
US Trade Deficit Hits All-Time Record
The United States trade deficit has increased by a record amount, as data released by the Department of Commerce on Thursday showed.

Christian News
Concerns Remain After Nigeria Militants Release 28 Christian School Kids
Suspected Islamic kidnappers in northern Nigeria have released dozens of Christian school students, but parents remain concerned about scores of others still missing, Christian officials say.
Nigeria killing fields: Christian father and 7-year old son beheaded; “no one hears our cries for help”
Fulani Islamic militants in Nigeria’s Plateau state beheaded a Christian father and his 7-year old son on July 29, as the two walked home from choir practice, reported International Christian Concern.
India persecution; Christian women attacked by family of Sikhs
Five Sikhs in Punjab, India physically attacked a widowed mother and her daughters on June 20, because the women are Christians, Morning Star News (MSN) reported on August 4. The five attackers are members of the same family; three of the perpetrators are in jail pending trial.

Worthy Watch
CDC: Children 17 and Under Account for 0.057% of All COVID-Involved Deaths in U.S.
CNN Fires 3 Employees for Going to the Office While Unvaccinated
Protests Erupt in Australia and France