Ebola responders say aid cuts by the U.S. and other Western nations left them ill-equipped to contain virus

Medical personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo know what it takes to get an Ebola outbreak under control. But aid groups and health officials say they lacked the staff, surveillance systems and emergency supplies needed to quickly detect early infections or contain the virus as cases surged in recent days.

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US indicts Cuba's Castro for murder

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THURSDAY, MAY 21

US INDICTS CUBAN EX-PRESIDENT RAUL CASTRO Federal prosecutors yesterday announced charges against 94-year-old former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Four men were killed in the incident as they sought to aid migrants fleeing communist Cuba. READ

PRO-LIFE GROUPS: DO NOT REFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD In a letter to Congress, a coalition of 60 pro-life organizations across the U.S. urged lawmakers to extend a moratorium that protects taxpayer funds from being used for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. That moratorium would otherwise expire on July 4th – refunding Planned Parenthood. READ

CALLED TO MORE? The LOOP keeps Catholics informed. Champions help CatholicVote turn information into action through advocacy, voter education, and grassroots campaigns nationwide. Join the Champions Club today with a monthly gift of $10 or more. TAKE THE NEXT STEP

AD: DOES YOUR PORTFOLIO REFLECT YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH? What if your portfolio reflected the same values that guide your family? I'm Michael R. Acosta, CFP® at Genesis Wealth Planning — a Catholic advisor who builds faith-aligned portfolios screened for Church social teaching, structured beyond standard ETFs and mutual funds. Welcome, LOOPers. See how to align your investments with what your family stands for. SEE THE APPROACH

VANCE: POPE'S AI ENCYCLICAL WILL BE 'VERY, VERY IMPORTANT' When asked yesterday about Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming encyclical addressing the development of artificial intelligence, Vice President JD Vance said he looked forward to reading it and that it will be a very important document. "When the leader of the world's largest Christian denomination speaks on an issue like that, it's certainly going to have some influence," Vance said. READ

NEW SCORECARD GRADES ALL 50 STATES ON CHILD PROTECTION IN FAMILY LAW Them Before Us has released its first-ever state-by-state scorecard evaluating how well state laws protect children's right to their biological mothers and fathers. Nebraska earned the top grade, Washington, D.C., the lowest, and the results don't always follow party lines. READ

ISRAEL'S NATIONAL SECURITY HEAD DRAWS INTERNATIONAL FURY Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir enraged numerous officials both internationally and within his own government by posting footage of himself jeering at Western humanitarian workers and egging on the police, under his command, who arrested them as they attempted to deliver aid to Gaza. READ

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IOWA GOV SIGNS MEDICAL CONSCIENCE, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BILLS Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed laws protecting doctors' right to refuse care that violates their conscience and expanding free speech and religious freedom protections for public school students. READ

BISHOPS TO CONSECRATE NATION TO SACRED HEART AT JUNE ASSEMBLY The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will gather in Orlando next month, where they will consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary. The consecration Mass will be livestreamed for parishes and individuals to join. READ

NOT TO BE MISSED... Here are the stories we couldn’t fit in today’s LOOP:

Contracted workers in Kenya describe the trauma of moderating graphic content for AI and Big Tech. READ
Gallup polling found that most Americans oppose AI data centers being built near them. READ
Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly received an award for the organization's promotion of peace. READ

HOW TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 250TH THIS SUMMER Here's how to make the most of America's once-in-a-lifetime semiquincentennial celebration this summer. READ

CATHOLIC 101 Contemplative prayer isn't reserved for monks and nuns — it's the natural fruit of a life genuinely oriented toward God, and it's more accessible than you think. READ

SAINT OF THE DAY St. Christopher Magallanes and his companions kept the Catholic faith alive during the Mexican government’s brutal persecution of Catholics in the early 1900s. These martyr saints ultimately gave their lives for Christ. They were known for the Cristero cry, “Viva Cristo Rey!” READ

DAILY PSALM "Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope." (Psalm 16) READ

DAILY READINGS Today's Mass readings. READ

NEW EPISODE Thomas Massie falls in the most expensive House primary ever. What happened, who funded it, and what does it mean for the GOP? Plus, AI takes over graduation season, and is Kamala Harris making a comeback? All this and more on the LOOPcast! WATCH

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