Erdogan Converts Another Historic Church into a Mosque
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reconverted another historic Byzantine church into a mosque on Friday just weeks after opening the iconic Hagia Sophia to Muslim worship.
EU
Trump: FDA approves ‘powerful’ new treatment for COVID-19
President Donald Trump announced Sunday a new therapeutic that helps treat many individuals who have contracted COVID-19.
Iran official says sabotage caused fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site
A fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last month was the result of sabotage, the spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation told state TV channel al-Alam on Sunday.
Iran unveils two new missiles as UN fails to extend expiring arms embargo
Iran announced Thursday that is has unveiled two new missiles, each of which has been named after a senior military official killed in US drone strikes this year, Fox News reports. The announcement follows a United Nations Security Council vote in which only the Dominican Republican backed a US request to extend an arms embargo on Iran which expires in October; the embargo will therefore not be extended.
Belarus Detains Key Opposition Leaders As Unrest Spreads
Authorities in Belarus have detained the leader of striking factory workers and several opposition figures for rallying against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko.
Poisoned’ Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Rushed To Berlin Hospital
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been airlifted from Russia to a hospital in Berlin for suspected poisoning.
Trump says he expects not only Saudis, but also Iran, to make Middle East peace
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday night he expected Saudi Arabia to join Arab normalization with Israel, hours after the country’s foreign minister ruled out any formalized ties before an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. He then said he believed Iran would ultimately “come in too.”
Iran Unveils Two New Missiles Amid U.S. Tensions
Iran has displayed what it described as two new ballistic and cruise missiles, in defiance to U.S. calls that Tehran halt its missile program.
Church Leaders Urge Prayers For Belarus As Protests Grow
Catholic and Orthodox Church leaders call for prayers for the people of Belarus, and urge the government to end a crackdown on opposition supporters.
Japan’s economy suffers sharpest contraction since 2008 financial crisis
Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.
Prominent pastor Max Lucado asks forgiveness for Christian racism
Well-known local pastor and author Max Lucado prayed for forgiveness for his own and for the church’s sins of racism and inaction during a “park and pray” event in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, the San Antonio Report said. Practicing social distancing, around 3,000 people attended the Pray San Antonio event, sitting in or on top of their cars parked at least one space apart at Freeman Coliseum. Around 23,000 others watched online.
Belarus Leader Warns: Russia Provides ‘Security’ As Protests Grow
Thousands of demonstrators in Belarus have retaken to the streets to demand that the nation’s authoritarian leader resigns after a presidential vote they claimed was rigged. In response, President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed to provide security assistance to restore order if Belarus requested.
Iran, EU Reject U.S. Plan To Trigger ‘Snapback’ Of Sanctions
Iran and the European Union have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations under a provision of the Iran nuclear deal.
U.S. Seizes Tankers Loaded With Iranian Fuel Bound For Venezuela
The United States has seized four tankers en route from Iran to Venezuela in what the Justice Department says is the government’s largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
Only one in three Americans now believes salvation is through Christ alone
A recent survey has found that only 35% of Americans believe salvation is obtained through faith in Christ alone, while 48% believe salvation can be earned through being a good person, Arizona Christian University (ACU) reports.
Thousands Detained As Tensions Escalate In Belarus
Authorities in Belarus acknowledged Wednesday that they detained as many as 6,000 anti-government protestors who disputed the victory of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday’s election. Clashes continued for a third straight night with police violence reported in the capital Minsk and other cities after main opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fled the troubled nation.
Belarus Opposition Leader Flees To Lithuania Amid Crackdown
The primary political opponent of the longtime president of Belarus has reportedly fled the nation amid a massive police crackdown on protests. Lithuania says it provides shelter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier brought her young children outside the country. Tuesday’s announcement came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner in Sunday’s presidential poll despite mounting opposition against his rule.
‘Salvations, Healings, Miracles and Baptisms’: Seattle Revival Thrives Despite Angry Protesters Shouting ‘Hail Satan!’
The power of God was on display in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park on Sunday as hundreds of people gathered for the “Let Us Worship” rally organized by Bethel Music’s Sean Feucht.
Lebanon’s leaders were warned in July that explosives ‘could destroy’ Beirut, report says
Lebanese security officials who were concerned about the massive stockpile of ammonium nitrate in Beirut’s port had sent a letter to the country’s prime minister and president two weeks before the blast, warning that the material “could destroy” the capital city if it exploded, a report says.
Thousands attend Sean Feucht’s ‘Riots to Revival’ event in Portland: ‘Church is rising up’
Thousands attended California evangelist Sean Feucht’s “Riot to Revival” worship concerts this weekend in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, two cities that have been gripped by riots and protests in recent weeks.