## IRS says churches whose pastors endorse candidates from pulpit shouldn't lose tax-exempt status

Authored by cbsnews.com

Washington — The IRS says pastors who endorse political candidates from the pulpit shouldn't have to risk their churches losing their tax-exempt status.

The move effectively calls for a carve-out for religious organizations from the rarely used IRS rule called the Johnson Amendment, put in place in 1954 and named after then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson.

The Johnson Amendment to the U.S. tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.

The IRS has generally not enforced the Johnson Amendment against houses of worship for speech related to electoral politics.

President Trump has said he wanted to get rid of the Johnson Amendment and signed an executive order in 2017 directing Treasury to disregard the rule.

Representatives from the IRS and the National Religious Broadcasters Association didn't respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to scrap the Johnson Amendment. »

### Hamas used sexual violence as part of 'genocidal strategy', Israeli experts say

Authored by bbc.com

Hamas used sexual violence as "part of a deliberate genocidal strategy" during the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, an all-women group of Israeli legal and gender experts allege in a new report calling for justice.

Hamas has denied its forces committed sexual violence against women or mistreated female hostages.

Warning: Contains graphic descriptions of rape and sexual violence The Dinah Project was launched after 7 October to pursue justice for victims of sexual violence. »

### Chef's food decoration at Chinese pre-school poisons 233 children

Authored by bbc.com

Chef's food decoration at Chinese pre-school poisons 233 children.

In total, 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten had high levels of lead in their blood after eating steamed red date cake and sausage corn bun.

More than 200 children are being treated in hospital with lead poisoning in north-west China after school chefs used inedible paint to decorate their food. »

### AI Will Save Game Publishers Millions, You’ll Still Pay A Premium ($70-$100)

Authored by clawsomegamer.com

If publishers are pocketing millions because of new tools, why are consumers still asked to pay full price and then some?.

AI in game development isn’t a thing of the future; it is already here.

Instead of dialling this back, AI lets publishers pump out extras at lightning speed through AI generated assets. »

### US sends additional defensive weapons to Ukraine – Pentagon

Authored by pravda.com.ua

The US Department of Defense has begun supplying additional defensive weapons to Ukraine.

Quote: "At President Trump's direction, the Department of Defense is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops.".

Previously: US President Donald Trump announced his intention to increase military assistance to Ukraine, saying that the focus is primarily on defensive weapons. »

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