Friday morning news: September 9, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Queen Elizabeth » Soccer fans joined in the singing of God Save the Queen before a match between England and Denmark on Thursday after news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.

Tributes continue to pour in to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said for more than 70 years, the queen was—quote—“the great constant in our national life.”

STURGEON: She has inspired us, on occasion comforted us and always personified values we hold dear.

President Biden called her a steadying presence and a source of pride for generations of Britons.

And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said…

TRUDEAU: In a complicated world, her steady grace and resolve brought comfort and strength to us all.

The queen died on Thursday at her summer residence in Scotland surrounded by members of the royal family.

Ukraine offensive » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the many world leaders who paid tribute to the queen.

ZELENSKYY: [Speaking in Ukrainian]

He called her death a “heavy loss for the whole of Europe and the world.”

He also announced Thursday that Ukraine’s military has recaptured multiple towns from Russian forces.

ZELENSKYY: [Speaking in Ukrainian]

He said "our heroes have already liberated dozens of settlements."

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley says Ukraine is making steady progress.

MILLEY: Russian command and control and their headquarters have been disrupted, and they’re having great difficulty resupplying their forces and replacing their combat losses.

Milley added that Ukraine’s forces have demonstrated superior tactical proficiency and a stronger will to fight.

US aid to Ukraine / Blinken in Ukraine » And the Biden administration says it's committed to ensuring Ukraine has the weapons it needs to continue that fight. The U..S government announced nearly $3 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin:

AUSTIN: So the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine today and tomorrow. And along with our allies and partners, we will increase the momentum.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Thursday.

BLINKEN: We’re proud of the fact that our support and the support of so many other countries is helping to enable what the Ukrainians are doing and working to liberate territory seized by Russia in this aggression.

Blinken said the administration would provide $2.2 billion in long-term military financing to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors. That’s on top of nearly $700 million's worth of heavy weaponry, ammunition and vehicles for Ukraine alone.

Sweet Cakes Supreme Court » Two Christian small business owners are once again taking a First Amendment fight to the steps of the Supreme Court. WORLD’s Anna Johansen Brown has more.

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN, REPORTER: Melissa and Aaron Klein were the owners of the now-closed Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery in Gresham, Oregon. The bakery served all customers without discrimination. But in 2013, they declined on religious grounds to design a cake for same-sex wedding ceremony.

The state called that discrimination and hit the Kleins with a six-figure fine.

In 2018, the US Supreme Court told an Oregon court to take another look at the case. But again the court ruled against the couple.

Now the Kleins are once again asking the high court to declare that religious businesses cannot be forced to act against their beliefs.

The Supreme Court could act on their appeal as soon as Oct. 3rd.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

Memphis shooting » Memphis police have arrested a suspect in a shooting spree Wednesday that killed four people and injured three.

A witness described one of the shootings.

AUDIO: We were in the middle of setting up the tents and everything, and setting up the food when they heard the shots. And my pastor and a some other members including my pastor's father, went inside and the man was on the floor.

Police arrested caught 19-year-old Ezekial Kelly around 9 o’clock last night.

Kelly was charged two years ago as an adult with attempted first-degree murder in 2020.

Authorities gave no motive, and charges are pending.

Bannon surrenders » Former White House strategist Steve Bannon surrendered Thursday to face charges in New York. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has that story.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: The Manhattan district attorney accuses Bannon of pocketing money meant for the “We Build the Wall” campaign. The effort raised millions of dollars to fund private sections of a wall at the U.S. southern border.

Federal prosecutors previously charged Bannon, but former President Donald Trump pardoned him.

Bannon said the charges are “phony” and politically motivated.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

I’m Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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