US: ‘Religious Freedom Worsening Worldwide’
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has warned of “worsening religious freedom conditions around the world,” including for Christians and other groups.
World News
French Agency Journalist Killed In Ukraine
A young journalist working for French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) who “loved his craft” has been killed in Ukraine in a Russian rocket strike near the battle-torn eastern city of Bakhmut, journalists said.
First Babies Born in Britain Using DNA from 3 People
Britain’s fertility regulator said the first babies created using an experimental technique combining DNA from three people have been born, in an effort to prevent the children from inheriting rare genetic diseases.
Russian President Says Nation In War With West
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a Victory Day speech on Tuesday to warn that “a war has been unleashed” against Russia in what seemed an attempt to prepare the nation for a change in the narrative about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. So far, the Kremlin has described its battle against Ukraine only as no more than a “special military operation” aimed at defending Russian interests but limited in scope.
Cleric Lynched In Pakistan Over Muhammed Remarks
An Islamic cleric has been beaten to death by a Muslim mob in northwestern Pakistan after comparing a political candidate to Islam’s prophet Muhammed, Worthy News learned Tuesday.
China: Changsu city to pay public sector workers entirely in digital yuan
As part of a new phase in promoting China’s currency, the Chinese city of Changsu in Jiangsu province has confirmed it will start paying its public sector employees entirely in digital yuan, Asia Nikkei reports.
Russia Launches Huge Drone Attack On Ukraine
With Ukraine’s counter-offensive imminent or already underway, Russia launched massive drone and missile strikes on the war-torn country with air raid sirens sounding nationwide.
Dutch Government Apologizes For Groningen Earthquakes (Worthy News Radio)
A court in The Hague has called a temporary halt to plans by a Dutch company, ONE-Dyas, to develop a new gas field under Dutch and German waters near Germany’s island of Borkum amid a debate about tremors. The ruling came as the longtime prime minister of the Netherlands for the first time apologized to residents of the northern Dutch province of Groningen, who suffered for years from earthquakes caused by natural gas extraction.
Myanmar: Military junta releases over 2,000 political prisoners but many thousands, including Christians, remain imprisoned
Although around 20,000 civilians continue to be unjustly detained in Myanmar, on May 3, the ruling Buddhist nationalist military junta released 2,135 political prisoners to celebrate the Buddhist sacred day of Vasak, International Christian Concern reports.
US providing Ukraine $1.2B in military aid ahead of expected spring offensive against Russia
The United States is planning to send Ukraine around $1.2 billion in long-term military aid to help the country defend itself against a barrage of drone, rocket, and surface-to-air missile attacks from Russia, according to U.S. officials.
Russia’s Wagner Group Stays In Bakhmut, As Ukraine ‘Launches Attacks’ (Worthy News Radio)
The boss of Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries says Moscow has agreed to his demands for more ammunition days after threatening to withdraw his men from the eastern city of Bakhmut. Sunday’s announcement came as Kyiv claimed to have shot down one of Russia’s most supersonic weapons following deadly Russian shelling and allegedly carried out attacks inside Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea, prompting nuclear threats by a former Russian deputy prime minister.
Senior US official in Saudi Arabia to discuss massive rail project with UAE, India
A senior White House official was in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a massive infrastructure project with key Israeli allies, but without Israel at the table, according to reports.
Britain’s King Charles III Crowned
Britain’s King Charles III has been crowned in the first such ceremony in 70 years. Camilla, the Queen Consort, was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown in a similar ceremony moments later.
Serbia Funerals For Two Mass Shootings That Killed 17 People
The question “Why?” resonated through Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Saturday after two mass shootings left 17 people dead and 21 wounded this week, many of them children.
Strong Quake Hits Japan, Casualties Reported
Japan was shaken by a strong, shallow earthquake in the central part of the Asian nation on Friday, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20, but no tsunami warning was issued, officials said Friday.
WHO: ‘COVID-19 No Longer Global Health Emergency’
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the coronavirus pandemic is no longer a global health emergency.
Hungary Warns Of ‘Liberal Virus’ At CPAC
Hungary’s hardline right-wing prime minister told a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that liberalism is a “virus” just hours after protesting students were tear-gassed near his office.
Russia’s Wagner Group To Withdraw From Bakhmut (Worthy News Radio)
The leader of Russia’s Wagner Group of mercenaries says he will withdraw his troops from Bakhmut two long months after he claimed the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city was near.
Ukraine’s President Seeks War Tribunal For Russia (Worthy News Radio)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a war crimes tribunal to prosecute Russia for alleged atrocities. Zelensky made the appeal in the Dutch city of The Hague, where he also denied being responsible for an alleged drone strike targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Europeans drain billions from banks, fed up with shrinking savings
European savers are pulling more of their money from banks, looking for a better deal as lenders resist paying up to hold on to deposits some feel they can currently live without.