U.S. losing military edge in Asia, as China appears poised to attack Taiwan, top admiral warns
The leader of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command says America is losing its military edge as China becomes more emboldened and aggressive in the Pacific.
World News
UN investigator finds Iran responsible for ‘egregious’ human rights violations
A United Nations investigator finds Iran has committed “egregious” human rights violations including brutal political repression and the violation of fundamental freedoms.
Russian government websites go dark after U.S. vowed retaliation for SolarWinds hack
Two days after the White House telegraphed a retaliatory stealth attack on Russian cyber systems, Russian government websites for the Kremlin and other agencies were knocked offline.
US designates African ISIS groups as foreign terrorists; freezes assets, prohibits business with them
The US State Department announced Wednesday it has designated two Islamic State (ISIS) affiliates in DR Congo and Mozambique as foreign terrorist organizations: it has frozen all US property and assets in their names, and has prohibited Americans from conducting business with them or providing material support to them, UPI reports.
ECB to signal faster money printing to combat yield rise
The European Central Bank is likely to signal faster money printing on Thursday to keep a lid on borrowing costs but it will stop short of adding firepower to its already aggressive pandemic-fighting package.
Mexico’s Congress approves landmark cannabis bill
Mexico’s lower house of Congress on Wednesday approved a bill that would decriminalize cannabis for recreational, medical and scientific uses, bringing it a step closer to creating one of the world’s largest markets for the plant.
Report says China in violation of UN Genocide Convention, has perpetrated genocide against Uyghurs
A recently released report declares that China has violated the United Nations’ Genocide Convention and perpetrated genocide against the Uyghurs.
Russia and China planning a moon base together
Russia and China announced on Tuesday plans to develop a scientific research base on the moon.
China issues ‘world-first’ COVID-19 vaccine passport in boost for travel
To reboot the international travel industry, China has issued the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine passport, which shows a user’s vaccination status, recent coronavirus test results, and antibody test results, according to reports.
Bill Gates Foundation Funded Genomics Firm ‘Mining’ DNA Data Through COVID Tests
BGI Genomics—the Chinese Communist Party-linked genomics firm flagged by U.S. officials as “mining” the DNA of Americans—has collaborated extensively with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The National Pulse can reveal.
Rights groups: Iran uses internet shutdowns to hide human rights violations
Rights groups have said Iran appears to be using internet shutdowns to hide government violations of human rights – and even extra-judicial killings, the Times of Israel reports.
Microsoft hack heralds new era of mass-scale cyberwar
Last week’s discovery of a massive new cyberattack that targeted flaws in Microsoft’s Exchange Server indicates the world has entered into the age of mass-scale cyberwar, Axios reports. The Microsoft hack affected some 30,000 small businesses and organizations in the US and many more globally, and follows the SolarWinds massive hack in December.
Pope Prays For Iraq’s Persecuted Christians
Pope Francis has visited Iraq to reassure the nation’s dwindling Christian community of his prayers after years of Islamic attacks and persecution.
Iran Enriching Uranium With ‘More Advanced Centrifuges’ At Natanz
In a further move away from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran has started enriching uranium with a third cascade, or cluster, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz, Reuters reported on March 8, citing a report by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Hungary’s Ruling Party Leaves Largest European Group Amid Tensions
The ruling Fidesz party of Hungary’s outspoken Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has left the largest center-right political group within the European Parliament after tensions over his perceived autocratic style.
Equatorial Guinea Blasts Kill Dozens
At least 20 people were killed and more than 500 injured when explosions at a military base rocked Equatorial Guinea’s largest city, authorities said.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Married In Secret Amid Racism Claims
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry said Sunday they married in secret three days before their highly publicized royal wedding, as they felt “trapped” in the royal family.
Indonesia appoints evangelical Christian as national police chief
Indonesia has appointed an evangelical Christian as its new national police chief, thwarting opposition from Islamic groups in the predominantly Muslim country, the Christian Post reports. Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was sworn in on January 27. and is the first Christian to hold this post in 50 years.
Nuclear program: Iran avoids critical resolution with agreement for talks
A standoff between the European signatories to the Iran nuclear deal and Tehran has been eased, at least temporarily, by the Iranian regime’s agreement to hold technical talks next month with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over questions about its nuclear program.
Middle East In Biblical City of Ur, Pope Urges Inter-Religious Tolerance, Fraternity
Pope Francis has addressed an interfaith gathering of Iraq’s religious and ethnic groups in Ur, said to be the birthplace of Abraham, the common patriarch for Jews, Christians and Muslims. He drove home the need for respect and unity, and he used the opportunity to condemn violent religious extremism.