TAKE ACTION: Help Establish a US Department of Peacebuilding

The Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2021 was introduced in 2021. This legislation calls for a cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding to make peace a much-needed national and ongoing focus. It addresses the interconnection of all life and the intersectionality of peace, justice, equality, planetary survival, and other aspects of life. The Peace Alliance invites us to tell our members of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor HR1111. TAKE ACTION

When Russia and Ukraine Eventually Restart Peace Talks, Involving Women – Or Not – Could Be a Key Factor in an Agreement Actually Sticking

Ukrainian women have had a large presence in the war, from joining the military and leading humanitarian work to becoming breadwinners and taking on new jobs. While it is unclear how or when peace negotiations may resume, it is easy to spot the conspicuous lack of women around the table during previous rounds of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. MORE

Mexico’s Bold Move Against Gun Companies

In Mexico, guns are the weapon of choice in 70 percent of total homicides. About 70 percent of the firearms seized at crime scenes in Mexico are traced to the United States. After two years of research, the Mexican government filed suit in U.S. district court in Massachusetts last year. The defendants are familiar names: Smith & Wesson; Barrett; Beretta; Century International Arms; Colt; Glock; Sturm, Ruger & Co; and Witmer Public Safety/Interstate Arms. MORE

FBI Found Document on Foreign Nuclear Defenses at Mar-A-Lago – Report

The FBI recovered a document describing a foreign government’s nuclear capabilities during its search of Mar-a-Lago, the Washington Post reports. The Post, citing unnamed sources, did not identify the foreign government named in the document describing the country’s military defenses. The content of the more than 11,000 government documents and photographs FBI agents recovered from Donald Trump’s Florida estate last month has not been revealed. MORE

Russia Further Pauses New START Inspections

Russia has informed the U.S. of its decision to prohibit on-site inspections of its nuclear weapons-related facilities subject to the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), even as the leaders of both countries have emphasized the importance of avoiding nuclear war. The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that they resorted to this move in response to Washington’s attempt to hold inspections without prior notice and with ongoing unresolved issues. MORE

Biden Moves to Stabilize the Lives of Hundreds of Thousands of DACA Recipients, but Critical Work Remains

Last month, the Biden administration published the final version of a regulation that seeks to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. While this move fulfills a key commitment made by President Biden on his first full day in office, Immigration Impact explains that it falls far short of providing the permanent protections for undocumented youth across the country that only Congress can grant. MORE

Nine Migrants Drown as Dozens Are Swept Down Rio Grande

Nine migrants drowned and 37 others were rescued as they tried to cross the raging waters of the Rio Grande to reach the United States last week. The migrants were among scores of people crossing the river near Eagle Pass, a town in southern Texas. After heavy rains, the river is several feet higher than normal, and law enforcement officials have reported making several rescues as people were being dragged by turbulent currents. MORE

Chicago Mayor Asks for Donations, Volunteers to Help with Immigrants Bused from Texas

Chicago officials are asking the public for volunteers and donations to help immigrants being bused to the city from Texas, where the state's governor is waging a political battle against President Biden's immigration policies. A busload of about 50 immigrants arrived this past weekend in Chicago, days after the arrival of the first busload of about 75. He has been busing migrants who are in the country illegally from Texas to U.S. cities with Democratic mayors. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Tell President Biden to Cut Down on the Government's Plastic Consumption

Every year, roughly 8 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans -- the equivalent of dumping five garbage bags of trash on every foot of the world's coastlines annually. While individuals work to eliminate personal use of plastics, Environmental Action urges us to tell the General Services Administration to reduce the amount of single-use plastics purchased by the federal government. TAKE ACTION

The Most Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency Investments You Can Make – And How the New Inflation Reduction Act Could Help

The new Inflation Reduction Act includes a wealth of energy efficiency home improvement rebates and tax incentives to help Americans save hundreds of dollars a year. It extends tax credits for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, or heat pumps, as well as for home energy audits.  These incentives will cut energy costs for consumers while reducing the nation’s climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions. MORE

Climate Change is Intensifying the Water Cycle, Bringing More Powerful Storms and Flooding – Here’s What the Science Shows

Powerful storm systems and record rainfalls have triggered flooding in Kentucky, St. Louis, and Las Vegas this summer, killing dozens of people and destroying homes. The impact of climate change on extreme water-related events like this is becoming increasingly evident. Studies by scientists around the world show that the water cycle has been intensifying and will continue to intensify as the planet warms. MORE

Iran Sentences 2 Women to Death For 'Human Trafficking'

Iran has sentenced two women to death on charges of human trafficking, a penalty that sparked widespread condemnation online. Authorities accused the women of “corruption on earth," a term often used to describe attempts to undermine the Iranian government, saying they exploited young women. However, foreign-based rights groups described the two women as local gay and lesbian rights activists.  MORE

FBI Fears Woman in New York Trafficking Ring Had Hundreds of Victims

A sprawling human trafficking investigation may have ensnared hundreds of women in New York, and investigators are asking potential victims to come forward now that they've arrested the alleged ringleader. Ysenni Gomez allegedly posted an online ad looking for waitresses at a restaurant. But instead, she forced women into trafficking and threatened them with deportation. FBI agents found more than 1,600 ads they claim were associated with Gomez promoting prostitution.  MORE

National Guard Bureau Implements Sexual Assault, Harassment Prevention Initiatives

The National Guard Bureau is implementing changes to better reduce sexual assault and harassment in the ranks with new prevention initiatives across the Guard force. These measures include an integrated approach that will add resources and a workforce designed to help eliminate sexual assault and harassment in the Guard based on recommendations from a secretary of defense-mandated independent review commission. MORE

Battling Violence and Censors, Women in China Become ‘Invisible and Absent’

In China, news about incidents of violence against women often goes viral, but the Communist government has done little to address calls for accountability. Fearing social unrest, the party uses social media censors to stifle criticism. When a story becomes popular online, the party’s propaganda department will send guidelines to managers at large social media companies on how to handle the topic, censoring popular comments or opinions that are critical. MORE

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Pass the End Pushout Act

Black girls are suspended, expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested on school campuses at rates that far exceed other students. Many times for minor infractions such as tardiness or violations of grooming. The End Pushout Act would help even the score by making federal grants conditional on schools banning most suspensions and expulsions of children up to fifth grade.  MomsRising urges us to tell Congress to pass the End Pushout Act. TAKE ACTION

The Theology of Voting: Participation in Democracy as a Christian Value

Many people would not naturally connect theology with voting. But when we think of theology as our knowledge and understanding about the nature of the Divine and we think of voting as an area that this knowledge helps us interpret, then it is indeed legitimate to speak of a ‘theology of voting’. Joan Neal, Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby explains that for Christians, it’s a little like WWJD – what do we believe Jesus would think and do about voting? MORE

Jackson’s Water Crisis Was Triggered by Floods and Compounded by Racism

Nearly 200,000 people in Mississippi’s capital don’t have water to drink, flush toilets, or fight fires. Heavy rains and flooding from the Pearl River have caused serious complications with one of two treatment plants that provide water for Jackson. This week, Jackson has temperatures over 90 degrees, and city schools have switched to virtual classes because of the situation. Local advocates say that the city’s water problems are rooted in a history of racism and neglect. MORE

Pope Francis’ Special Prayer Intention for September: Ending the Death Penalty

For the month of September, Pope Francis has dedicated his prayer intention to the abolition of the death penalty. The death penalty is an affront to human dignity that offers no solace to victims and denies the possibility for conversion of those who commit serious crimes, Pope Francis said. The growing calls around the world for an end to capital punishment are “a sign of hope” for the church. MORE

Alan Miller is scheduled to be executed on September 22 by the state of Alabama for the murders of Lee Holdbrooks, Christopher Scott Yancy, and Terry Jarvis. Please hold Alan, Lee, Christopher, Terry, their families, and the people of Alabama in prayer. TAKE ACTION

John Ramirez is scheduled to be executed on October 5 by the state of Texas for the murder of Pablo Castro. Please hold John, Pablo, their families, and the people of Texas in prayer. TAKE ACTION

Benjamin Cole is scheduled to be executed on October 20 by the state of Oklahoma for the murder of Brianna Cole. Please hold Benjamin, Brianna, their families, and the people of Oklahoma in prayer. TAKE ACTION