A New Perspective on Constantine

(Worthy News) – The International Olympic Committee banned Russia on Tuesday from competing as a country in the upcoming Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but said that individual Russians could compete as an “Olympic Athlete from Russia.”

The long-awaited IOC decision punishing Russia for a state-sponsored doping campaign during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, came little more than two months before the quadrennial skiing, skating and sledding contests unfold at venues in the mountains and along the coast of South Korea.

In addition to the 2018 ban for Russia’s representation as a country, the IOC fined the Russian Olympic Committee $15 million and suspended its president, Alexander Zhukov, as an IOC member. [ Source: Voice of America (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – House lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday on a bill that would force states to recognize concealed carry permits issued in other states, effectively undercutting restrictive local laws that require gun owners to prove a good reason in order to carry a firearm in public.

Supporters say the proposal would give law-abiding citizens the ability to protect themselves when they travel, but critics say it eviscerates states’ rights to require firearms training and safety standards for carriers because it would allow those permitted by states with no safety requirements to carry guns across state lines.

Complicating matters, Republican lawmakers merged the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act proposal with a piece of bipartisan-backed legislation that would close loopholes in the federal gun background check system. [ Source: Washington Times (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – President Trump will announce Wednesday that the U.S. government recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a risky and diplomatically fraught decision that will put in motion his plans to move the U.S. embassy to the divided ancient city over the heated objections of the Palestinians and other leaders across the Arab world and in Europe.

Mr. Trump informed Middle East leaders of his decision in separate phone calls Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and others.

Senior administration officials said Tuesday night that Mr. Trump’s action is a “recognition of reality” that Jerusalem is the cultural and civic heart of Israel, historically and in modern times. They said his move, which fulfills a campaign promise, should not have an impact on the prospects for reviving peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians aimed at a two-state solution. [ Source: Washington Times (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Iran has virtually completed a “Shiite Crescent” of influence across the heart of the Middle East, using a string of battlefield successes to link a network of allies and proxy forces now spanning from nation’s border with Iraq all the way to Lebanon.

The crescent, a longtime strategic goal meant to confront rival Sunni Arab powers led by Saudi Arabia, includes several semipermanent bases established in territory claimed as the radical Salafi Sunni Islamic State movement recedes. It also presents a strategic challenge to the U.S. presence in the region that the Trump administration is still struggling to meet.

Pentagon officials say they have military options to challenge Iran’s growing regional clout, but senior U.S. commanders have little appetite for direct confrontation — particularly if it has a high likelihood of drawing Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. [ Source: Washington Times (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – The Belgian branches of the Red Cross have been told they must remove the organization’s iconic red crosses from building walls amid concerns that the Christian symbol will offend non-Christians.

Breitbart News reported Monday on a translation of a 7sur7 article where André Rouffart, president of the Red Cross in Verviers, reveals that the Belgian branches were asked by the Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in Liège to “respect the principles of the Red Cross” of religious neutrality and remove the cross because it might offend Muslims.

The Red Cross was founded in the 19th century by Jean-Henry Dunant, a devout Christian who was also part of the creation of the Young Men’s Christian Association. [ Source: Christian Post (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – The Belgian branches of the Red Cross have been told they must remove the organization’s iconic red crosses from building walls amid concerns that the Christian symbol will offend non-Christians.

Breitbart News reported Monday on a translation of a 7sur7 article where André Rouffart, president of the Red Cross in Verviers, reveals that the Belgian branches were asked by the Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in Liège to “respect the principles of the Red Cross” of religious neutrality and remove the cross because it might offend Muslims.

The Red Cross was founded in the 19th century by Jean-Henry Dunant, a devout Christian who was also part of the creation of the Young Men’s Christian Association. [ Source: Christian Post (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Russia will help rebuild Christian churches in Syria and establish peace in historically Christian regions of the war-torn country, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Monday during a meeting with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“Over the past few years the Russian state alongside with the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as other religious organizations, has provided humanitarian aid to Syria,” Putin told the meeting’s attendees, according to Russian state media. “It’s very important that the peaceful life is established as soon as possible, that the people can return to their homes; begin to rebuild the temples and churches.”

During the meeting, Putin also stressed that the conflict in Syria is winding down and much of the territory, including historically Christian areas, has been liberated. [ Source: Newsweek (Read More…) ]