UN freedom of religion official calls on states to reinterpret religion
A UN ‘special expert on freedom of religion’ is calling on states to regulate religion to suit modern ideologies of gender and sexuality.
Jordan
Israel responds to UN blacklist of companies in Judea and Samaria
The Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy responded in February to a UN ‘blacklist’ of Israeli companies highlighted for supposed human rights abuses with an expose detailing the terror-links of the groups that lobbied for the list’s creation.
Iran oil industry failing as a result of Trump sanctions
Sanctions against Iran begun by US President Trump in 2018 have severely affected its oil industry, reducing the number of barrels per day (BPD) the Islamic Republic exports by half.
Federal judge rules that coach not allowed to pray on field
A federal judge upheld the right of a Washington state school district to fire a football coach for his practice of praying at the 50-yard line after games following four years of legal battles.
African Christians fulfill ‘blessed reflex’ prayed for by European missionaries
A professor of African Christianity at a University in England says that the prayers of European missionaries to Africa centuries ago are being answered by a wave of Christian immigrants to the increasingly secular European continent.
Christian leader in India run over by Hindu nationalists on motorcycles
Hindu nationalists in India ran over an evangelical leader with motorcycles, accusing the Christian man of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.
Iran’s leadership falls prey to coronavirus
Iran’s leadership has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus, as the Islamic Republic predicts that 40% of residents in its capital of Tehran will be infected by the spreading virus within two weeks.
Israel requires foreign citizens flying into the country to quarantine themselves for fourteen days
Israel has imposed quarantine conditions on all incoming flights in a move that the Finance Ministry predicts will cost the country $1.4 billion.
Iranian Christians, denied justice, face five years in prison
The sentences of nine Iranian Christian converts were upheld after a judge who has become notorious for persecuting prisoners of conscience barred them from using their own lawyers.
Saudi Crown Prince Eliminates Opposition
The Saudi crown prince has arrested two former rivals in a move that many see as an attempt to position himself to seize the throne from his 84-year-old father.
Coronavirus fails to be labeled ‘pandemic’ as cases rise
The World Health Organization declined to label the coronavirus a pandemic as the number of cases reached 100,000 over the weekend and extended its reach to 90 countries.
Iranian Christian man denied asylum in UK after judge claims he won’t face persecution in Iran
An Iranian Christian convert from Islam has been denied asylum in the UK after a judge concluded he would not face a ‘real act of persecution’ by staying in his home country.
Disappeared Iranian convert rediscovered after more than a month in prison
An Iranian convert from Islam arrested during anti-government protests following the downing of a Ukrainian jet in Tehran last month was released on bail from Iran’s most dangerous prison after over a month during which her whereabouts were not known.
Al-Qaida-linked terrorists order Christians to leave northeast Kenya
Somali terrorist group al Shabab has ordered all Christians to leave three counties in northern Kenya, where the group hopes to give their jobs to local Muslims.
Nigerian government acknowledges for first time that Christians are being targeted by Islamic terrorists
The Nigerian government has done an about-face in regard to its assessment of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks that have slain thousands of Christians in the last few years.
Young Christian man in Pakistan killed by Muslim for ‘polluting’ water
A young Christian farm worker was killed in Pakistan by a Muslim landowner, who tortured the young man with farm equipment for rinsing himself after his day’s work in a well and ‘polluting’ it.
Family of Christian evangelist in India targeted by tribal villagers
A Christian evangelist in India was targeted by tribal animists in his village, the assailants attacking his wife, mother, and 11 month-old son when he was discovered not to be home and destroying much of his property.
Christians attacked in days prior to Trump’s first India visit
Significant attacks on Christians occurred in the days prior to US President Donald Trump’s first visit to India, during which religious freedom was expected to be a main item in discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Exit polls in Israel show Netanyahu election win, with one seat short of ruling majority
Three major exit polls in Israel showed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud poised to win 36 to 37 seats as elections concluded Monday, far outstripping the 32 to 33 seats predicted for left-wing rival Benny Gantz and the Blue and White party.
‘People running to the altar with no invitation’: Organizers of Tennessee revival hope for nationwide aftershock
A revival in eastern Tennessee that began last year with a young pastor’s decision to pray and fast for 30 days is expected to reach 100,000 people, and organizers are hoping it will lead to nationwide revival.