Around the World
Taliban Co-Founder Disappears Amid Reported Split
The co-founder of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban has disappeared from public view after a reported internal row over the Islamist group’s new government.
US, Japan, South Korea Hold Talks in Tokyo on North Korea Nukes
Special envoys from the United States and South Korea met with their Japanese counterpart Tuesday in Tokyo for talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, following tests conducted by the rogue state Saturday and Sunday.
North Macedonia Mourns 14 Victims Of Covid Hospital Fire
North Macedonia has concluded three days of mourning after a deadly fire in a COVID-19 field hospital killed 14 people and injured a dozen.
Putin Meets with Assad for First Time Since 2018, Rebukes US and Turkey
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow, for their first meeting since 2018, Reuters reports. Putin used the occasion to rebuke the US and Turkey for having troops in Syria without a UN mandate.
US defense system test proves successful as Iran moves closer to nuclear capability
Boeing and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully tested an advanced long-range missile defense system on Sunday, amid a growing nuclear threat from Iran.
Al Qaeda rebuilding for U.S. attacks in one to two years: CIA, DIA
The defeat of the American-backed government in Afghanistan has increased the danger that the al Qaeda terrorist group will launch another attack on the United States very quickly, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency said Tuesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Health Ministry chief says coronavirus spread reaching record heights
Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash said Tuesday that the current wave of coronavirus infections is surpassing anything seen in previous outbreaks and that he is disappointed that a recent downward trend appeared to be reversing.

Inside the United States
Army Sets Deadline for Covid Vaccinations
The Army has set a June 30, 2022, deadline for all its service members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with active-duty troops required to receive the shot by December 15, 2021, according to new guidance released Tuesday.
Fed Judge: NY Vaccine Rule Must Allow for Religious Exemptions
A federal judge Tuesday temporarily blocked New York state officials from imposing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on healthcare workers who claim the shot violates their religious beliefs.
Tropical Storm Nicholas slows, dumps rain along Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Nicholas slowed to a crawl over the Houston area Tuesday after making landfall earlier as a hurricane, knocking out power to a half-million homes and businesses and dumping more than a foot (30.5 centimeters) of rain along the same area swamped by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Senate Democrats unveil new voting reform measure, after GOP blocks For the People Act
A group of Senate Democrats on Tuesday introduced new legislation to expand voting in federal election, after previous attempts were defeated by chamber Republicans.
Texas Judge Blocks Pro-Life Group from Suing Planned Parenthood for Violations of ‘Heartbeat’ Law
A judge in Texas on Monday issued an injunction which prevents the Texas Right for Life group and its affiliates from suing the Planned Parenthood abortion provider for possible violations of the state’s recent controversial “heartbeat” law, Axios reports.
Physicians Face Revoked Licenses Over Unpopular Opinions or Questions about COVID Vaccines
Several of America’s most prominent medical boards warn that doctors spreading alleged “misinformation or disinformation” about COVID-19 vaccines or the coronavirus could be suspended or have their licenses revoked.

Christian News
Contact with Christians in Afghanistan is being lost
Reports are emerging that underground ministries are losing contact with Christians in Afghanistan who are now living under the violent rule of the Islamic extremist Taliban, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The Taliban are violently opposed to anyone who converts from Islam to Christianity and, as most believers in Afghanistan are former Muslims, they face death, torture, and abduction if found.
UK prosecution service drops charges against street preacher
The UK’s prosecution service has dropped charges brought against a street preacher who refused to stop his outdoor ministry during England’s first COVID-19 lockdown last year, Christian Concern (CC) reports. Christian street lay minister Mike Overd was due to appear in court this month after police issued him with a fine for preaching and offering prayer and Bibles in Somerset, southern England on April 2, 2020.

Worthy Watch
Sen. Rand Paul Confronts Sec. Blinken
Sec. Blinken Says Most Afghans Boarded Planes without being vetted
Radio Interview with George Whitten on September 7, 2021