Several Items of Interest

U.N. Seeks Host Countries for Syrian Refugees
The United Nations is asking the United States and Europe to take in thousands of Syrian refugees, CBN News reports.  Since the beginning of Syria's civil war, more than 1.5 million Syrians have fled the country to seek refuge, and U.N. officials think that number could reach 3.5 million by the end of the year.  According to spokesman Adrian Edwards, the U.N. is seeking to relocate 10,000 refugees.  Edwards told the Associated Press last week that "resettlement is only one of the tools we use and tends to apply to a very small number of highly vulnerable individuals of any refugee population."  Germany has already agreed to take in half; Edwards says the United States and Germany usually offer the most help.

Air Force Removes Painting With Biblcal Reference
The U.S. Air Force has removed an "inspirational" painting because it contained a Bible reference, WORLD reports.  The painting, which featured a medieval crusader behind an Air Force pilot, was in the dining hall of Mountain Home Air force Base in Idaho.  In bold letters was the word "INTEGRITY," and in small letters was a biblical reference,  Matthew 5:9, which reads, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."  The Military Religious Freedom Foundation said the painting was "repugnant" and an "overt display of Christian nationalism."

Forced Marriage Immigrates to the U.S.
WORLD reports that the Tahirh Justice Foundation identified 3,000 cases of fored marriage in the U.S., mostly immigrants from Muslim countries, but also victims from Hindu, Buddhist and Catholic backgrounds.  Tahirh found that non-profits and government agencies lack a clear definition of forced marriage, which the organization distinguishes from arranged marriage, where individuals can object to their partner.  A forced marriage occurs without willing consent, and most victims are women under 18.  Parents continue the practice to follow custom, settle debts and create family alliances.  If the girl actively refuses the marriage, abuse soon follows,  Many child brides never return to school after marriage, often have children early, and their husbands control where they can go and who they can visit.  U.S. courts have granted asylum to women fleeing forced marriages, and Internet searches reveal groups that offer help; along with two U.S. government-sponsored websites with material on forced marriage.  Few private organizations have been involved.  The United Kingdom has a state bureau devoted to the issue and multiple advocacy organizations; a United Kingdom advocacy group, Against forced Marriages, specfically addresses the connection between Islam and forced marriage, using verses from the Quran and Hadith (a book of Islamic practice.)

House Approves Bill Banning Most Abortions After 20 Weeks
The Republican-led House on June 18 passed a far-reachng anti-abortion bill that conservatives saw as a milestone in their 40-year campaign against legalized abortion , Fox News reports.  The legislation, sparked by the murder conviction of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, would restrict almost all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, defying laws in most states that allow abortions up to when the fetus is considered viable, usually considered to be around 24 weeks.  It mirrors 20-week abortion ban laws passed in some states and lays further groundwork for the ongoing legal battle that abortion foes hope will eventually result in forcing the Supreme Court to reconsider the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal.  The bill passed 228-196, with six Democrats voting for it and six Republicans voting against it.  In the short term, however, the bill will go nowhere; the Democrat-led Senate plans to ignore the bill and the White house has already issued a veto threat.

Military to Begin Women Combat Training by 2016
The U.S. military is making plans to integrate women into combat roles, including special operations, CBN News reports.  Under the new rules, women could start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and Navy SEALS a year later.  Women and men would be required to meet the same physical and mental standards to qualify for certain infantry, armor, commando and other front-line positions. The Navy intends to open up its Riverine force and begin training women in July.  Women make up about 14 percent of the 1.4 million active U.S. military personnel; more than 280,000 women have been sent to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan or neighboring nations.
  (all articles from ReligionToday@crosswalkmail.com)