Circumcision Could be Banned by Anti-Transgender Alabama Bill

In March 2021, the state Senate of Alabama voted to criminalize the treatment of transgender youth with puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery. Sponsored by Republican Senator Shay Shelnutt, the measure, dubbed the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, got approved by a 23-4 majority vote in the Senate. The state House of Representatives has already approved a companion bill.

45 People Crushed to Death During Israeli Religious Festival

On April 23rd, at least 45 people were killed, and approximately 150 others were treated for injuries after a stampede crushed them at a religious festival in Israel. Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in celebration at one of the most significant events in the country.

Feds Charge Extremist Jewish Sect with Exploiting & Kidnapping Children

United States Federal authorities filed charges of child exploitation and abduction against an extremist Jewish sect known as the “Lev Tahor” group. This same group has faced several such accusations over the years.

Creationism Could Now Be Taught In Arkansas Science Classrooms

On April 7th, Arkansas’s House Bill 1701, which would allow Christian beliefs to be taught in schools, passed the House vote 72 to 21. The voting was strictly partisan, with Republicans having the majority.

SHAME: The Arkansas House just passed an unconstitutional bill that allows public schools to teach the Christian theory of creationism as science. https://t.co/TV9vdwyEPy

French Senate Bans Hijab for Muslim Women Under Age 18

France’s move to outlaw wearing the hijab in public places for girls under age 18 was proposed under France’s “Separatist Bill” and approved by Members of Parliament (MP) on February 16th. The French Senate decided in favor of the bill on March 30th.

The Separatist Bill was officially named for “reinforcing Republican principles.” The objective of this legislation is to give France the resources to fight Islamic radicalism.

New Law Allows Medical Workers To Refuse Treatment To LGBTQ People

On March 26th, Arkansas’s Governor, Asa Hutchinson (R), enacted Senate Bill 289 (Medical Ethics and Diversity Act,” into law.This legislation will allow doctors and medical professionals to refuse treatment that conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs. Opponents say this legislation will give providers an easy path to deny LGBTQ patients the medical treatment they need.

Rapper Lil Nas X Releases “Satan Shoes” With Human Blood

Montero Lamar Hill, a well-known rapper better known as Lil Nas X, created and recently released his “Satan Shoes” to solicit publicity by stirring up controversy.

Prophet Muhammad cartoon sparks massive fallout at UK Grammar School

On March 22nd, a West Yorkshire school teacher showed his students a cartoon image depicting the prophet Muhammad to illustrate a lesson within the school’s curriculum. Within three days, at least 50 demonstrators gathered outside of Batley Grammar School to protest the teacher’s actions.

Indian Girl's Beheading Prompts Calls for “Honor Killings” Laws

On Thursday, March 4th, a man walked from his village home en route to the local police station in northern India — carrying a severed head. His neighbors in the community were shocked at the sight and called the police ahead of his arrival.

Indonesian Woman Says She Was Impregnated By A “Gust of Wind'

Police in Indonesia opened an investigation involving a woman’s peculiar case of bearing a child at the local clinic. Authorities are examining the odd details of her claim that she was impregnated only an hour earlier by a “gust of wind.”

The young woman, Siti Zainah (age 25), recently gave birth to a baby girl in Cianjur, a town within Indonesia’s southern province of West Java.