Around the World
U.S. cuts high-tech sales to China to protest Hong Kong crackdown
The Trump administration said it was now blocking transfers of sensitive U.S. technology to Hong Kong after China on Tuesday formally put in place a harsh new national security law on the former British territory.
US envoy: Military action against Iranian nuclear program ‘always on the table’
The Trump administration’s envoy for Iran said Tuesday that the White House was willing to take military action against Tehran to prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.
India Tests New COVID-19 Vaccine on Humans in July
Bharat Biotech is now approved for human trials, and slated to start human vaccine testing for COVID-19 in July. It will be India's first domestic pharmaceutical candidate to receive the go-ahead from the government's drug regulator as cases are sky-rocketing in the 1.3 billion population.
Doubts Over Hungary‘s Support For Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s right-wing government has come under pressure amid reports that it spends more on anti-migration propaganda than on support for persecuted Christians.
EU extends sanctions on Russia
The European Union has decided to extend sanctions it imposed on Russia in 2014 following Russian military action against Ukraine. The decision to extend the economic measures was made by the Council of the European Union on June 29.
Pentagon lists twenty top companies as owned or backed by Chinese military
The US Defense Department has published a list of twenty major companies, including Huawei, that it has determined are owned or backed by the Chinese military, BBC News reported Thursday. A result of this determination, the US may apply new sanctions against the companies listed.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinian factions call for 'day of rage' to foil annexation
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have called for a “day of popular rage” on Wednesday to protest Israel’s plan to apply its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank.
Israeli Archaeologists Find Ancient Artifacts from the Time of Ezra, Nehemiah
The Israel Antiquities Authority on Tuesday announced that it has uncovered remnants from Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Inside the United States
Supreme Court strikes down state ban on public aid to religious schools
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that religious schools can qualify for a state tax credit program even when the state constitution explicitly bans public aid to religious entities.
Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans
The Senate on Tuesday cleared legislation to extend the deadline for businesses to apply for coronavirus aid under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which will expire at the end of Tuesday.
Supreme Court limits First Amendment rights of US companies’ foreign affiliates
The US Supreme Court ruled 5-3 Monday that requiring foreign groups to have explicit policies opposing prostitution and sex trafficking in order to receive federal funds applies to US companies’ foreign affiliates because they do not possess First Amendment rights.
Amid Coronavirus Cases Rising, Fatalities at Lowest Level in Months, Pence Emphasizes
Amid continuing concern among members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force he leads, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is emphasizing the positives.
Almost half the US population was unemployed in May 2020
Almost half the US population was jobless last month, CNBC reported Monday. According to the Bureau of Labor data for May 2020, the number of employed people as a percentage of the US adult population was 52.8% last month, meaning 47.2% of Americans had no job. The figures for June will be published on Thursday this week.