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
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.
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.
Christian persecution in China: House church raided, believers arrested
Five Christians were arrested Sunday morning during a police raid on a house church in China’s Chengdu, International Christian Concern reports. The Spring of Life Church (East Hall) was in the middle of a service when authorities arrived and took away the elder Cha Changping, who leads the church, his wife, and three others.
China tells Biden to reverse ‘dangerous practice’ on Taiwan
China’s foreign minister warned the Biden administration on Sunday to roll back former President Donald Trump’s “dangerous practice” of showing support for Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as its own territory.
Increasing persecution in China: Police raid 20-year-old house church
Amid rapidly intensifying persecution against Christians in China, police in Chongqing city raided the 20-year-old Living Fountain house church Sunday, confiscating computers and arresting two brothers, International Christian Concern reports.
Protests erupt after 47 Hong Kong opposition leaders charged under China’s new National Security Law
Hong Kong authorities Sunday charged dozens of pro-democracy figures with violating China’s new National Security Law, sparking large protests in the territory, which has come under increased control by the Chinese Communist Party.
US ‘disappointed,’ but still open to Iran nuclear talks after Tehran’s rejection
The Biden administration said Sunday it remains open to talks with Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal despite Tehran’s rejection of an EU invitation to join a meeting with the US and the other original participants in the agreement.
Dutch parliament: China’s treatment of Uighurs is “Genocide”
Holland’s parliament passed a non-binding motion Thursday stating that China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority amounts to genocide, Reuters reports. Although Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s conservative VVD party voted against the resolution, Holland’s parliament is the second after Canada’s to pass such a motion.
’End Near’ For Frail Evangelist Luis Palau, Family Says
“The end seems near” for international evangelist Luis Palau after a decision to stop all treatment for his incurable lung cancer and start hospice care, his family said Friday.
US strikes Iran-backed fighters in Syria, in 1st military action under Biden
The United States launched airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border used by Iranian-backed militia groups. The Pentagon said the strikes were retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier this month that killed one civilian contractor and wounded a US service member and other coalition troops.
Canada lawmakers: China is committing “Genocide” against Uighur Muslims
Canada’s House of Commons has passed a non-binding motion declaring that China is committing “Genocide” in its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority community in Xinjiang, DW reports. The motion was introduced by opposition conservative lawmakers on Monday and passed by 266-0 votes; Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abstained, as did his cabinet.
Leading Rights Activist Faith McDonell Advocacy Director At GKI Global Amid Massive Persecution (Worthy News Focus)
Leading Christian rights activist, broadcaster, and author Faith McDonnell, has become director of advocacy at the U.S.-based Katartismos Global (KGI Global) charity. The group says it “exists to equip the Church for mission and ministry” by supporting persecuted Christians and other believers in need.
Biden kills pipelines at home but promotes them for the Taliban
The Biden administration is killing a pipeline from which the public could benefit, Biden is promoting a pipeline to enrich both one of the world’s worst dictatorships and a group responsible for thousands of U.S. deaths.
Iran and Russia begin joint naval drill in Indian Ocean
The Iranian and Russian militaries have kicked off a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean aimed at boosting security of maritime trade in the region, Iran’s state TV reported on Tuesday.
China dethroned the US as Europe’s top trade partner in 2020
According to new economic data, China dethroned the US as Europe’s top trade partner in 2020, likely buoyed by strong demand in China for European goods, and Chinese medical products in Europe.
Biden debuts on world stage as president with G-7, Munich meetings
President Biden’s vow to expand U.S. engagement with allies will be put to the test later this week when he participates in a virtual meeting with leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies and then delivers remarks to the annual Munich Security Conference.
China Used Secret Microchip to Spy on US Computers
China’s exploitation of products made by Supermicro, as the U.S. company is known, has been under federal scrutiny for much of the past decade, according to 14 former law enforcement and intelligence officials familiar with the matter.
Hundreds of UK churches join initiative to welcome Hong Kong migrants
Over 500 British churches have joined a UK-wide initiative to welcome Hong Kong residents escaping China’s increasingly oppressive policies in the city, the Christian Post reports.
Kosovo’s Anti-Deal Party To Fuel Tensions After Elections
Kosovo held parliamentary elections to form a new government amid concerns that the popularity of an anti-establishment party could undermine talks on normalizing relations with neighboring Serbia. Adding to problems is the coronavirus pandemic and an economic crisis in what is the Western Balkan’s most impoverished nation.