News Of the Day – October 19th
17 Christian Missionaries Kidnapped In Haiti
An armed Haitian gang kidnapped 17 members of an Ohio-based missionary group, including five children. Sixteen members of the group are American citizens, and one is Canadian. The Ohio-based organization Christian Aid Ministries said the group was on its way home from helping to build an orphanage when they were taken. “We are seeking God’s direction for a resolution, and authorities are seeking ways to help,” the organization said in a statement.” Read more about the kidnapping here.
Texas House Votes to Keep Transgender Girls Put Of Female Sports
A bill that would restrict transgender student athletes from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity is heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after the Texas House accepted Senate amendments to the legislation in a 76-61 vote Sunday afternoon. Under HB 25, students would only be permitted to compete on sports teams that correspond to the gender listed on their birth certificate that was assigned at or near the time of birth. Conservatives say the law, which applies to public school teams through high school, are protecting fair competition. Read more about the bill here.
China Tests New Space Capability With Hypersonic Missile
China is signaling that a stunning new missile test that reportedly surprised U.S. intelligence officials was not designed to accelerate an arms race with the West but rather to grant Beijing a strategic advantage to seize control of the Taiwan Straits and other hotly contested territory in its region. American officials have expressed grave concern in recent months that China may move to retake control of Taiwan by force in the near future. Beijing considers the isolated democracy to be nothing more than a renegade province of the mainland’s government. Read more about the new missile here.
Woman Gives Birth To 14 Pound Baby
A family’s bundle of joy turned out a little bigger than they had expected. Cary and Tim Patonai welcomed their newborn son Finnley earlier this month, and he weighed 14.1 pounds. Patonai was 38 weeks pregnant when she gave birth at the Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona. “He was so big plus I had almost double the amniotic fluid, so to say I had a big baby belly and that I was absolutely completely uncomfortable isn’t enough,” Patonai said. “However, I would do it all over again if I had to, to get this blessing.” Read more about this super sized baby boy here.
