Netherlands to close up to 3,000 farms to comply with EU rules
The Dutch government plans to buy and close down up to 3,000 farms near environmentally sensitive areas to comply with EU nature preservation rules.
Year: 2022
Russia delays nuclear talks with US, cites Ukraine war as factor in decision
Moscow has postponed a round of nuclear arms control talks with the United States set for this week because of stark differences in approach and tensions over Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday.
China on pace to match U.S. nuclear stockpile by 2035, Pentagon warns
The Chinese military’s rapid buildup is on pace to reach 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035 — nearly the number of current U.S.-deployed warheads, the Pentagon said in a survey of Chinese military power revealed Tuesday.
Same-sex marriage bill passes Senate; lawmakers reject GOP religious liberty amendments
Bipartisan legislation to codify same-sex marriage under federal law passed the Senate on Tuesday with the help of a dozen Republicans, capping off months of negotiations between both parties over how to address religious liberty concerns.
Oath Keepers boss guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 case
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was convicted Tuesday of seditious conspiracy for a violent plot to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential win, handing the Justice Department a major victory in its massive prosecution of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
Britain, Wales see dramatic drop in Christian populations, Falls Below 50% for first time
A new census shows the number of people identifying as Christian in England and Wales has fallen below 50% for the first time, although researchers say this does not mean Britain has turned its back on religion, Christian Today (CT) reports. The census also shows that the percentage of the English and Welsh population who said they had no religion rose sharply from 25.2% in 2011 to 37.2% in 2021.
Wyoming: Christian group is free to hire only Christians following settlement of discrimination lawsuit
Federal agencies and the state of Wyoming have acknowledged in settling a lawsuit filed against them that the Christian Wyoming Rescue Mission is free to hire only like-minded believers who share in the organization’s mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Washington Times reports.
Pope Fires Leadership Of Largest Charity
The Vatican is reeling after the pope fired the leadership of one the Catholic Church’s largest charities, citing concerns about their management style.
Syria: Christians under threat from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham terror group
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has stated in a new report that Christians in northwestern Syria are now living under threat from the de facto rule of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, Christian Today reports.
Israel will be first country to deliver emergency medical supplies nationwide by drone
Israel is set to become the first country in the world that can fly urgent medical supplies to hospitals nationwide through the use of aerial drones, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Sudan: Pastor jailed after praying for his mother to be healed
A pastor in Sudan has been jailed for alleged “witchcraft” after he led a prayer meeting for his sick mother, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. State-sponsored persecution of Christians has returned to Sudan since last year’s military coup toppled the moderate government, which had succeeded ousted Islamic dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Billionaire Musk Says Apple Threatens Twitter
Self-declared “free speech absolutist,” Elon Musk says smartphone giant Apple has halted most of its advertising on Twitter, the social platform he purchased for $44 billion.
Pakistan: 200 Christian families homeless after government demolishes homes and church
Pakistan government officials bulldozed the homes and church building of 200 Christian families in Islamabad last month, with no warning or offer of substitute housing, the Christian Post reports.
China: Crackdown and closure of house churches continues
China’s ruling Communist Party is continuing its crackdown and closure of evangelical house churches: earlier this month, the Covenant Home Church in Shanxi province was issued with an official notice that it has been banned and must close, reports Bitter Winter, a news outlet focused on religious liberty and human rights in China.
China Crackdown On Massive Protests
Chinese security forces have increased their presence in several cities after days of protests against strict COVID-19 lockdowns turned into the largest anti-government rallies in years.
Israel, US to hold air drill simulating striking Iran nuclear program
The Israel Air Force this week will hold one of its largest drills in years with the United States Air Force simulating offensive strikes against Iran’s nuclear program.
European ‘super cartel’ busted in six countries; 49 arrests, 30 tons of cocaine seized
Law enforcement across Europe teamed up to bust a “super cartel” of drug traffickers who control about one third of the cocaine trade in Europe, European authorities said Monday.
IDF arrests 3,000 Palestinians, thwarts 500 attacks in past 6 months
The IDF’s ongoing Operation Break the Wave in the West Bank has seen thousands of troops and reservists crack down on Palestinian terrorism, arresting over 3,000 suspects and thwarting over 500 terror attacks.
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, world’s largest active volcano, starts to erupt for first time in nearly four decades
The world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, has started to erupt for the first time in nearly four decades, prompting volcanic ash and debris to fall nearby, authorities said Monday.
Biden gives Chevron permit to restart Venezuelan oil sales
The Treasury Department granted permission Saturday for oil giant Chevron to produce and export oil from Venezuela following the South American country’s decision to restart talks with opposition groups.