Biden: Visit is meant to integrate Israel in the region
A central objective of US President Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to the Middle East is to further integrate Israel into the region, he said on Thursday.
Middle East
Gantz: Israel is building a Middle East air defense alliance against Iran
Israel is building a regional air defense alliance to defend its members from Iran, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Monday, appearing to confirm, at least in part, a report that the Israeli military was in talks with its Saudi and Qatari counterparts on the matter.
Egypt, Lebanon and Syria sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria and Egypt signed an agreement on Tuesday to transfer 650 million cubic meters of gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon through Syria.
Report: ‘Iceland World’s Most Peaceful Nation’
Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, followed by New Zealand and Ireland, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI).
Iran using proxy militias to force Christians out of Middle East
A Christian advocacy organization has reported that Iran is using proxy militias to force Christian communities out of Middle Eastern countries and develop Islamic supremacy in the region, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Christian humanitarian tells of captivity in Iraq
A French Christian has published a book recounting his abduction and tortuous captivity by Islamic terrorists while on a humanitarian trip in Iraq, the Christian Post reports. The author of the new book ‘Kidnapped in Iraq: A Christian Humanitarian Tells His Story,’ Alexandre Goodarzy recently spoke of his work and captivity with the Christian Post (CP).
NATO Warns Of Long War In Ukraine As Starvation Looms
The secretary-general of the NATO military alliance has warned Western nations to prepare for a long war in Ukraine, adding to global concerns about worldwide food shortages linked to the conflict. Jens Stoltenberg spoke as the Russian invasion of the country entered its 100th day.
Middle East Council of Churches meets in Egypt
The General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has been able to hold a meeting in Egypt for the first time, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. That this Christian organization was allowed to meet in Egypt is notable, given that the country ranks 20 on the US Open Doors World Watch List of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
US Urged To Add Nigeria As ‘Country Of Particular Concern’ After Killing Christians
An influential U.S.-based Christian advocacy group has urged the Biden administration to reverse its “baffling error” and add Nigeria back to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC).
‘50 Million Christians To Preach Gospel’
Preparations are underway to turn some 50 million Christians into evangelists over the weekend, with believers worldwide preaching the Gospel, organizers said.
Iran has used leaked UN Atomic Agency documents to deceive nuclear inspectors
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Wednesday published a report attesting that Iran has used classified leaked documents from the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hide its progress on producing a nuclear weapon, Ynet News reports. The WSJ cited Middle East intelligence officials and documents it had examined in making its assertions.
US Mediating Talks Between Egyptians, Saudis and Israelis
The Biden administration has been quietly mediating among Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt on negotiations that, if successful, could be a first step on the road to the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Gantz in Washington to discuss Iran and Russia with Pentagon chief Austin
Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz is in Washington to meet US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, amid Israeli-Russian tensions and Iran’s close proximity to producing a nuclear bomb, i24 News reports. The meeting will be held on Thursday and will focus on joint Israeli-US security cooperation.
Russia reportedly fires at Israeli jets
In what may indicate a serious shift in Russia’s previously cordial attitude toward Israel, Russian forces on the ground reportedly fired at Israeli jets while they were carrying out airstrikes on Iranian terrorist targets in Syria last week, CBN News reports.
Sudan Christian Couple Faces 100 Lashes, Exile For “Adultery”
A Christian couple reunited after being forced to divorce by an Islamic court could face 100 lashes and exile in Sudan for “adultery,” Christians familiar with the case told Worthy News Friday.
UN Atomic Chief Fears Nuclear Disaster In Ukraine, Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) director-general is rushing to avoid a nuclear disaster in Ukraine while trying to stop Iran develop a nuclear weapon soon, his latest comments suggest.
Iran Christians Concerned About Jailed Convert
Iranian Christians have urged prayers for a house church leader who they say remains detained after being arrested at his home in Anzali on April 18.
Former Iranian Parliament member: Goal of nuclear program was to build bomb
Former Iranian Parliament member Ali Motahari said in an April 24 interview on the Islamic Republic’s ISCA News that when Iran began developing its nuclear program, the goal was to build a nuclear bomb.
Egypt Registers Hundreds Of Churches Amid Hostilities
Egypt has registered its largest single batch of churches and church-affiliated buildings in a move that Christians hope will reduce hostility towards them in the Muslim-majority nation.
20 Million At Risk Of Starvation In Africa
More than 20 million people, including many Christians, face suffering and death from a lack of food in the Horn of Africa due to worsening drought in several nations, relief groups warn.