Russian Ringleader of ‘Blue Whale Suicide Game’ Sentenced to Three Years Behind Bars

Russian Ringleader of ‘Blue Whale Suicide Game’ Sentenced to Three Years Behind Bars

MOSCOW — One of the ringleaders of the “Blue Whale Suicide Challenge” in Russia has been sentenced to three years behind bars after admitting his involvement in the suicide attempts of two teenage girls. Philipp Budeikin, 22, told police following his arrest that he thought he was ridding society of those he considered to be “biological waste.” […]

Churches Should ‘Embrace Gay Marriage,’ Says U.K. Equalities Minister

Churches Should ‘Embrace Gay Marriage,’ Says U.K. Equalities Minister

(The Christian Institute) — People want churches to “keep up with modern attitudes” and carry out same-sex “weddings,” Justine Greening has claimed. The U.K. Education Secretary and equalities minister said she did not want to “prescribe” how faith groups deal with the issue, but that “it is important that the church in a way keeps […]

U.S. Department of Justice Files Legal Brief Declaring Title VII Does Not Include Homosexuality

U.S. Department of Justice Files Legal Brief Declaring Title VII Does Not Include Homosexuality

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed an amicus brief declaring that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not pertain to homosexuality. “The sole question here is whether, as a matter of law, Title VII reaches sexual orientation discrimination,” it wrote. “It does not, as has been settled for […]

County Board Passes Rule Requiring Pregnancy Centers to Post ‘Not a Healthcare Facility’ Signs

County Board Passes Rule Requiring Pregnancy Centers to Post ‘Not a Healthcare Facility’ Signs

SEATTLE, Wash. — The King County Board of Health in Washington State has passed a rule requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to post a sign notifying visitors that they are “not a healthcare facility.” The notice must be written in ten languages and in 48-point font size. The sign itself must be at least 11 by 17 […]

Humanist Org Wants Corrections Facility to Permit Inmate to Form Humanist Study Group

Humanist Org Wants Corrections Facility to Permit Inmate to Form Humanist Study Group

RALEIGH, N.C. — A prominent humanist organization is asking a federal court to require the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the Lanesboro Correctional Institution to grant an inmate’s desire to form a humanist study group while incarcerated. The American Humanist Association (AHA) is representing Kwame Jamal Teague, who has been behind bars since 1996 […]

July 30 Is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

July 30 Is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

India (Mission Network News) — This coming Sunday, July 30, is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The International Labor Organization estimates at least 21 million people are in forced labor and sexual exploitation today. The blight is widespread, not isolated to particular countries and communities, and is something several Christian ministries are combatting as […]

Charlie Gard, Infant at Center of Parental Authority Case, Dies in Hospice After Life Support Withdrawn

Charlie Gard, Infant at Center of Parental Authority Case, Dies in Hospice After Life Support Withdrawn

(Baptist Press) — Charlie Gard—the infant at the center of a battle over parental authority that gained international attention—has died, his parents announced today (July 28) in England. “Our beautiful little boy has gone. We are so proud of you Charlie,” his mother, Connie Yates, said in a statement, according to the British Broadcasting Corp. […]

Kansas ISIS Sympathizer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Plotting to Bomb U.S. Army Base

Kansas ISIS Sympathizer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Plotting to Bomb U.S. Army Base

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A Kansas man who sympathizes with the barbaric Islamic group ISIS, which identifies itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for plotting to detonate a bomb on a U.S. military base. “With this sentence, John Booker is being held accountable for […]

Bridal Shop Temporarily Closes Doors Over Threats for Declining to Assist Lesbian Seeking Wedding Gown

Bridal Shop Temporarily Closes Doors Over Threats for Declining to Assist Lesbian Seeking Wedding Gown

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — A bridal shop in Pennsylvania has temporarily closed its doors after reportedly receiving threats for declining to assist two lesbians who came to the Christian-owned business in search of a wedding dress. “We at W.W. Bridal Boutique strongly believe that when a man and a woman come together to be joined as […]