China Christians Face Tough New Year
Devoted Christians in China were looking towards the New Year on Friday with little reason to cheer amid concerns the Communist government will continue a crackdown on worship outside state churches.
Canada
Europe, Canada Fear Russian Mercenaries In Mali
France and 14 European allies, as well as Canada, have condemned the alleged deployment of Russian mercenaries in the West African country of Mali.
Christians Pray As Militants Behead Mozambique Pastor
Christians urged prayers for a grieving widow in northern Mozambique after her husband, a pastor, was beheaded by Islamic militants.
Russia’s Putin Goes To China’s Winter Games Despite Genocide Reports
Russian president Vladimir Putin has pledged to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as he seeks closer ties with China at a time tensions with the West.
Kazakhstan Limits Worship Possibilities
Devoted Christians face a difficult Christmas season in Kazakhstan after legislators approved one of Europe’s harshest religious laws limiting worship or other faith-based events.
Militants Threaten To Attack Nigerian Churches
Suspected Islamic militants threaten to attack churches in Nigeria’s northern state of Zamfara unless they stop worship services and close their facilities, Christians said Thursday.
Algeria: head of Algerian Protestant Church summoned to court; “please pray”
The Christian president of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA) was summoned to appear before a court on December 5, to face charges of “practicing non-Muslim rites without permission” and organizing an illegal assembly, Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) reports.
Canadian judge stays compelled speech order issued against pastor whenever he speaks publicly about COVID-19
A Canadian judge issued a stay against a court order that compelled a Christian pastor to echo government health officials whenever he speaks publicly about COVID-19 and vaccines.
US, EU, UK and Canada Announce New Belarus Sanctions
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have announced a new round of sanctions against Belarus officials and entities, citing the government’s “ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms, and for their brutal repression of Belarusians both inside and outside the country,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Algeria Prosecutes Protestants Over ‘Non-Muslim Rites’
The senior pastor of Algeria’s largest Protestant church is among those facing a court on charges such as “practicing non-Muslim rites without permission,” sources said Thursday.
Dutch Detain COVID Quarantine Escapees Amid Airport Chaos
Dutch police say they have detained a couple who escaped from a COVID quarantine hotel amid criticism about how the Netherlands treats suspected coronavirus infected people.
WHO Calls New Coronavirus Strain ‘Variant of Concern’ And Names It Omicron
The United Nations health body said Friday the new coronavirus variant is “a variant of concern” and named it Omicron.
Taliban Hunting For Christians In Afghanistan
Christians in Afghanistan have reportedly turned off their phones and moved to undisclosed locations amid an ongoing crackdown by the ruling Islamist Taliban group.
Milloy: Biden’s Release of 50M Barrels of Oil is Less Than 3 Days of U.S. Consumption
President Joe Biden’s decision to release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices is “less than three days of U.S. oil consumption,” and will have “no meaningful impact on gas prices,” said Steve Milloy, a former Trump EPA transition member and the founder of JunkScience.com.
South Korea Rejects Asylum Claims Of Chinese Christians
South Korea turned down asylum requests from dozens of Chinese Christians despite fears their deportation to China could mean imprisonment, “forced disappearances and torture,” Christians said.
US abstention on anti-Israel UNRWA vote marks ‘dangerous backslide’ in policy at UN
The United States voted last week to abstain on a resolution concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the U.N.’s agency that handles Palestinian refugees—part of several resolutions put forth in the U.N. General Assembly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that largely targeted Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.
Nigeria: Christians Pray For Missing Believers After Deadly Church Attack
Christians appealed for prayers as 60 Christians remained missing Friday after suspected Islamist gunmen killed one worshiper during a raid on a church in northern Nigeria.
Setback In Appeal For Jailed Pakistan Pastor
A Pakistani pastor languishing in prison for more than nine years on “blasphemy” charges faced more uncertainty Thursday after a judge delayed his appeal, Worthy News learned.
China Cracking Down On Christian Education
Christians appealed for prayers Thursday, saying China’s Communist government is stepping up efforts to eliminate Christian education.
Canada: Pastor spends second night in jail to stand for religious freedom
A pastor in Manitoba, Canada spent an additional night in prison last week after rejecting bail conditions that would have prevented him from preaching at his church, Fox News reports. Pastor Tobias Tissen who leads Manitoba’s Church of God Restoration was imprisoned for two days after violating a COVID-19 order which banned outdoor gatherings of more than five people.