🚨☦️ 'These illegal seizures must stop!' - Rep. Luna on persecution of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine

💬 "We will be working to document church seizures in Ukraine and bringing Ukrainian officials involved in these illegal seizures to justice," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said after receiving a video appeal from Orthodox Christians in Kuzmyn, Ukraine, asking for protection as local authorities “move to seize their church."

🔸 Since the 2014 US-backed coup, Ukraine has pushed a systematic campaign to break the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate and force its flock to accept the nationalist Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

🔸 The pressure escalated after 2022: raids and searches, criminal cases against clergy, property seizures, and local bans on UOC activity across multiple regions.

🔸 In 2023 the drive moved openly against major shrines, with schismatics encouraged to seize Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, while lawmakers advanced legislation aimed at banning the canonical Church.

🚫 In 2024, Kiev’s new laws effectively banned the UOC.

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🚨 Two injured in Portland shooting during federal ‘targeted’ vehicle stop — reports

The Department of Homeland Security said US Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a vehicle at 2:19 p.m. local time. DHS said the passenger was the target of the stop and was affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, while the driver was also believed to be linked to the group.

💬 “When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents,” DHS said on X.

DHS said an agent fired a defensive shot and the driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene.

🚔 The Portland Police Department said officers later found a man and a woman with apparent gunshot wounds at a different location. Police confirmed federal agents were involved and said local officers were not part of the incident. The two injured individuals were taken to a hospital, ABC News reported.

Authorities said the FBI responded to the scene and that multiple agencies are assisting with the investigation.

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📄🇸🇾 Syria announces ceasefire in Aleppo, sets withdrawal window

Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire starting at 3 a.m. in the Aleppo neighborhoods of Ashrafiyeh, Sheikh Maqsoud and Bani Zaid, according to Arabic-language statements circulated by Syrian authorities.

The ministry said armed groups in those areas were given a deadline until 9 a.m. to leave, adding that the army would guarantee their security and allow departure with light personal weapons only. It also said internal security forces are coordinating the arrangements and that the measures aim to end the military situation in these districts.

In a separate statement, the Syrian government said Kurds are an integral component of the country, blamed the current unrest on the SDF for violating an April 1 agreement, and called for the withdrawal of militias from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh, saying the priority is to protect civilians and prevent escalation.

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