Lightning Strikes Kill Dozens In India
India’s prime minister expressed his sorrow Monday after dozens of people, including women and children, died in lightning strikes.
China
US sanctions 34 companies over China, Russia, Iran ties
The United States on Friday announced sanctions against 34 companies and other entities involved with China’s military and policy towards the Uyghur Muslim minority, and for facilitating exports to Russia and Iran.
U.S. Pacific intel chief: Coming Chinese attack on Taiwan could target other nations
China’s growing military power in Asia has increased the danger Beijing will launch a war against a neighboring state, with Taiwan just one of several likely future targets, the admiral in charge of intelligence for the Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific Command warned this week.
China space war threat growing ‘exponentially’
China engaged in a large-scale, rapid buildup of space warfare capabilities over the past six years — that is a major concern for the new Space Command, a senior officer revealed.
Chinese Christian family obtains political asylum in US after escaping China’s Communist regime
A Christian family from China has obtained political asylum in the US after the Chinese Communist Party raided their local church and subjected them to months of harassment and interrogation, International Christian Concern reports. The Ruiting family of six were helped to the US by the nonprofit ChinaAid and the Taiwan Association for China Human Rights.
China intensifies censorship of religious books in schools
A rights group that focuses on China has reported that, in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1, the CCP intensified its nation-wide censorship of religious books and materials, Assist News reports. ChinaAid said in its report that a number of schools received notifications forbidding students to read religious books or use other faith-based materials.
Chinese Scientists Produce Genetically Modified Pigs for Human Transplant
While forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience in China has drawn worldwide condemnation, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been investing heavily in controversial research on using genetically modified pigs as a source of human organ transplantation, touting it as a “world first” achievement. And the cloning of pigs has long since entered “industrial scale.”
‘New Iran nuclear deal must be secured before window of opportunity closes’
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed there is “a window of opportunity” now for talks aimed at reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the French presidency said.
Navy drops electromagnetic railgun, eyes hypersonic missiles
Following more than 10 years developing the electromagnetic railgun which lobs projectiles at velocities many times faster than the speed of sound, the U.S. Navy is shelving the project.
Warning to Iran: Israel will defend itself against any external threat, Bennett says
In what has been understood as a warning to Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated Wednesday that Israel will always defend itself, by itself, against any external threat, the Jerusalem Post reports. The PM made his remarks as the UN Security Council in New York debated Iran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
Biden’s 2020 margins came from atheists, agnostics; Trump’s White evangelical backing rose: Study
People who don’t believe in God gave President Biden the winning edge in the 2020 popular vote, a Pew Research Study released this week revealed.
China’s Communist Party after 100 years now at the ‘forefront’ of global politics
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its 1921 founding on Thursday with nationwide festivities and fanfare.
Putin, Xi Agree To Extend 20-Year-Old Friendship Treaty
Russia and China extended a 20-year-old friendship treaty, the latest in a series of moves that have drawn Moscow and Beijing closer together.
China Launches Crackdown On Church Members
Members of one of China’s largest unregistered churches face a new crackdown by Chinese authorities after their leading pastor was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on charges linked to his Christian activities Communist-run nation.
YouTube takes down Xinjiang videos, forces rights group to seek alternative
A human rights group that attracted millions of views on YouTube to testimonies from people who say their families have disappeared in China’s Xinjiang region is moving its videos to little-known service Odysee after some were taken down by the Google-owned streaming giant, two sources told Reuters.
War with China would pose “significant challenge” for America, says Chairman of Joint Chiefs
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress Wednesday that, while the US military currently remains stronger in every way than the Chinese military, it would be a “significant challenge” for America to sustain a war with China, the Washington Times reports. Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley gave his assessment while testifying at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on the 2022 defense budget of $753 billion.
Navy warship challenges China with Taiwan Strait voyage
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer sailed through the disputed Taiwan Strait on Tuesday in the latest show of force aimed at keeping the status of the 100-mile waterway as international waters and challenge claims by China.
Feds Investigating Chinese Spies’ Return to US Ahead of COVID Travel Ban
Intelligence officials are investigating why suspected Chinese spies returned to the United States on student and work visas at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to internal government documents reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon.
Reports: ‘Chinese State Security Official Escapes To U.S.’
The world appeared a step closer Tuesday to learn about the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak amid reports that a senior Chinese state security official defected to the United States.
Ultraconservative cleric expected to win Iran’s presidential election
Iran may be about to take an even harder stance against the West, as it is expected ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi will replace “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani in the country’s presidential election on June 18, the Times of Israel reports. After three of the seven candidates dropped out of the race on Wednesday, the election is widely viewed as a foregone conclusion in favor of Raisi, and a record low turnout is anticipated.