Pope Francis has released a letter in response to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality, suggesting there could be ways to bless same-sex unions. New Ways Ministry, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, has responded positively to the letter, saying it is a major step forward in the Church's attitude towards LGBTQ+ Catholics and could lead to further progress in making the Church a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ Catholics.
News Mash
Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed and twelve more were injured in a tragic accident in the Yukon Training Area near Salcha, Alaska. First responders provided medical treatment until the soldiers could be evacuated to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
9-year-old Charlotte Sena has been found safe after going missing from a New York state park on Saturday, and an alleged abductor has been taken into custody. After an extensive search by multiple agencies, Charlotte was found alive and hiding in a cupboard in a trailer. Her family has expressed their relief and thanked the community for their support during the search. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to three scientists for their work in exploring the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Dr. Andrea Ghez and Dr. Reinhard Genzel were awarded for their work in discovering a supermassive compact object at the center of our galaxy, while Dr. Roger Penrose was awarded for his work in demonstrating a way to create extremely short pulses of light. Their work has enabled us to understand the behavior of electrons in atoms during the tiniest of split seconds, giving us a better understanding of the universe.
The United Nations Security Council voted to approve a multinational force to be sent to Haiti to combat extreme gang violence. Kenya has committed to sending 1,000 security personnel and the force is expected to include personnel from Jamaica, Barbados and several other nations. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry thanked the U.N. Security Council and other countries who agreed to join the force, expressing hope that the mission will bring stability and security to the region.
On Tuesday afternoon, a shooting at the Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok, Thailand left three people dead and four others wounded. Police later arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the attack and the motive is still unknown. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the suspect had surrendered and the mall was closed for the remainder of the day.
Congressman Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, was carjacked in the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard neighborhood on Monday night. Fortunately, he was not injured in the incident and the police were able to recover his vehicle. The Washington Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the incident and searching for the suspects, and are encouraging anyone with information to contact them.
The small town of Marion, Kansas was thrust into the national spotlight this week after the police chief of the town, Gideon Cody, was suspended following a highly criticized raid of a local newspaper. In response to the raid, Marion Mayor David Mayfield suspended Cody on Thursday, and Cody resigned Monday. The raid had a tragic consequence, as the Record co-owner Joan Meyer, 98, died of stress caused by the incident the day after the raid. The raid of the Marion County Record has sparked a national debate about the press protections offered by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.