Globe Trot: Europeans link evangelicals to Orlando shooting

EUROPE: In a sign of how the Orlando mass shooting is seen in Europe, one German news account concluded: “This act [of terrorism] could as well have been perpetrated by an evangelical Christian.”

Spanish national broadcasting network TVE illustrated its coverage of the shooting by using the cartoon posted above. TVE later apologized, saying the image was “taken from social media” and is “contrary to its editorial policy based on respect for religious feelings.”

The Orlando Regional Medical Center, just blocks from the shooting, had a ready team of personnel who saved lives and cared for shooting victims. Emergency physician Dr. Timothy B. Bullard told The New York Times that there were eight emergency doctors, six senior trauma surgeons, several residents, a couple of orthopedic surgeons, a vascular surgeon, a neurosurgeon, two or more specialists in critical care, respiratory therapists, chaplains, counselors, X-ray personnel, and numerous nurses on site.

VIETNAM: This chronicle of ongoing persecution suggests why President Obama’s May decision to lift a decades-long embargo on selling lethal weapons to Vietnam is “an epic failure of diplomacy.”

NIGER is asking France to increase its military support in the fight against Islamic extremism after a June 3 attack by Boko Haram killed 26 soldiers.

Onize Ohikere is the latest addition to WORLD’s reporting staff, taking up a full-time post in her hometown of Abuja, Nigeria, to provide coverage from Africa. “Wow, wow, wow, that is the best news,” said former Anglican prelate of Nigeria Peter Akinola when I told him of the development earlier by phone this week.

MISSIONS: Here’s a great 10-point checklist on being or knowing a kid from a “third culture” on campus.

BOOK UPDATE: Several of you have asked for updates on people from my book They Say We Are Infidels. One is my son Drew, who did what few college juniors would do and cut classes for a work trip with his mom—to Iraq in 2008 (see Chapters 10 and 11). Today is his birthday. Drew is married now, to a journalist and author, no less, and has a film business. His Mama Bear Studios co-produced Hunter Gatherer, which won a jury prize at this year’s South by Southwest festival. Drew has made multiple trips to the Middle East, and it’s safe to say the book wouldn’t exist without his help and encouragement.

NOTE: No Globe Trot Friday or Monday. The column resumes next Wednesday. I’ll be speaking Friday and Saturday at The Gospel Coalition’s biannual women’s conference. Look me up if you’re there.