Israel Finds Historic Natural Gas Field
Israel says it might have made the largest discovery of natural gas in its 61-year history, which could dramatically reduce its dependency on foreign imports.
Month: January 2009
Republicans Elect Steele As First Black Chairman
Michael Steele began his first full day Saturday, January 31, as America’s first black chairman of the Republican Party.
India Missionary Facing Trial Over “Forced” Conversions
A major mission group in India said one of its missionaries was out of jail Saturday, January 31, but cautioned he still awaits trial for allegedly forcing people to convert to Christianity in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
NEWS ALERT: Minsk Church Threatened With Closure; Evangelicals “Fasting”
Members of one of Belarus’ largest evangelical churches continued a five-day “fasting and prayer” action, Friday, January 30, amid attempts by authorities to seize their place of worship as part of an alleged crackdown on non-Orthodox groups.
Europe Concerned Over Dependency On Russian Gas
Amid a major global financial crisis, Eastern European governments were anxiously awaiting Thursday, January 29, if and when European Union funding will come for the Nabucco pipeline, in hopes of making Europe less dependent on Russian natural gas.
BREAKING: Chinese Christian Activist “Near Death”
A frail elderly Christian man, known for his work among reportedly persecuted believers, was “near death” Thursday, January 29, but authorities denied him a final meeting with his imprisoned Christian wife, friends told Worthy News.
Bangladesh Pastors’ Wife “Raped” By Angry Muslims
The wife of a pastor in Bangladesh was recovering Thursday, January 29, after after she was reportedly gang raped by local Muslims, the latest in a series of violent incidents against the country’s embattled Christian minority.
Eritrea Police Raid Church Service; Dozens Detained
Authorities in Eritra have detained dozens of Christians during a church service as part of a major crackdown on Christian worship, shortly after news emerged that at least two believers died this month in a military concentration camp, rights investigators told Worthy News Thursday, January 29.
Egypt Christian Convert Receives Death Threats From Judge
A Netherlands based advocacy group expressed concern Thursday, January 29, over a young Christian convert in Egypt after a judge allegedly threatened to kill her for abandoning Islam and trying to flee Egypt because of harassment by family and police.
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. House Passes Obama’s Stimulus Package
Confronted by the worst financial crisis in decades, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $819 billion economic stimulus package, the biggest in the country’s history.
Saudi Arabia Detains Internet Writer For Becoming Christian
A young Internet writer in Saudi Arabia was in life danger Wednesday, January 28, after he was detained by authorities for announcing on his blog that he converted from Islam to Christianity, religious human rights investigators said.
Plight Gitmo Prisoners Unclear Despite Obama’s Plans
The future of hundreds of detainees in the United States prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, remained unclear Wednesday, January 28, despite President Barack Obama’s promise to close the controversial facility for terrorism suspects.
Wycliffe Building Airstrips To Rescue Missionaries
U.S.-based Bible translation group Wycliffe Associates (WA) is raising funds and providing volunteers to restore and reopen airstrips in Papua New Guinea to evacuate missionaries for medical reasons should the need arise, an official said Tuesday, January, 27.
Iran Detains Dozens Of Christians
Members of Iran’s Christian minority requested prayers Tuesday, January 27, amid reports of massive arrests of Christians, including many former Muslims, rights investigators said.
Bomb Explodes Near Gaza, Threatening Ceasefire (Wrapup)
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas was threatened Tuesday, January 27, when a bomb exploded on the Israeli side of the Gaza border killing an Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldier and injuring three others, the Israeli army said.
Obama “Forcing” Christians To Embrace Homosexuality, Conservatives Warn
Conservative groups have warned that Christian business owners and others who oppose the homosexual life style may soon be forced to embrace homosexuality under new plans announced by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama Approves Funding Abortions Worldwide
Pro-life activists were weighing their options Monday, January 26, after President Barack Obama signed an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option.
Iraq Militants Kill Christian; Pope Urges Authorities To Intervene
The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has appealed to Iraqi authorities to defend minority Christians, after police confirmed that the Christian owner of a car repair shop was killed, execution-style, in Mosul.
U.S. Judge Bans Moment of Silence in Illinois Schools
Schools in the American state of Illinois were pressured Monday, January 26, to abandon a moment of silence for prayer or reflection, after a judge ruled the practice was “unconstitutional” and “forced religion” upon minors.
“Blasphemy” Christians Released In Pakistan; Violence Continues
Five Pakistani Christians who were detained and charged with “blasphemy” against Islam during April 2007 spend their first weekend in freedom Sunday, January 25, after they were freed from prison, but the news was overshadowed by reports of violence against believers, in which at two persons died.