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Holy Week Tensions Rise as Israel Blocks Cardinal from Entering Sacred Jerusalem Site

  Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups, in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026. Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread criticism from Christian leaders and governments worldwide. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, noting that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been temporarily closed due to the threat of missile strikes. The Latin Patriarchate condemned the move as an unprecedented disruption of centuries‑old tradition, marking the first time church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that the ...

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Biden and Trump Agree to Two Presidential Debates Ahead of 2024 Election

 

In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two general election debates. The first debate is scheduled for June 27, hosted by CNN, and the second will take place on September 10, hosted by ABC. This sets the stage for their first presidential face-off, just over a month away.

The quick agreement on the debate timetable followed Biden’s announcement that he would not participate in the fall presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades. Instead, Biden’s campaign proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates between the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees.

The unusually early timing of the first debate means that neither Biden nor Trump will have formally accepted their party’s nomination. Hours after Biden’s announcement, he accepted an invitation from CNN, playfully adding, “Over to you, Donald.” Trump, who had previously insisted he would debate Biden anytime and anywhere, confirmed his participation on Truth Social, saying, “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!” Soon after, they agreed to the second debate on ABC.

The swiftness with which these debates were arranged reflects each candidate’s strategy. Trump and his team believe the debates will highlight voters’ concerns about Biden’s age and competence, while Biden’s team aims to remind voters of why they voted Trump out of the White House four years ago. These debates are particularly crucial in a year when voters express underwhelming enthusiasm for their choices and have concerns about the candidates’ advanced ages—Biden is 81, and Trump is 77.

As the election season heats up, all eyes will be on these debates, where the two candidates will face off in a high-stakes showdown. The outcome could significantly impact the trajectory of the 2024 election, making these debates a critical moment on the political calendar.

Stay tuned for more updates as the candidates prepare to spar on the national stage! 

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