US Military Leaves Afghanistan Ending America’s Longest War
The last U.S. planes have flown out of Afghanistan, perhaps ending America’s longest war after a 20 years presence, the U.S. military confirmed.
Security
India persecution: Christian youth burned in acid attack
A Christian youth was horribly burned with acid in a suspected anti-Christian attack in northern India’s Bihar state last week, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Christian persecution in India has intensified dangerously since the Hindu nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014; India now ranks 10 on the US Open Doors 2021 Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
In first top-level meeting in a decade, Gantz holds talks with Abbas in Ramallah
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met in Ramallah on Sunday evening in the first such high-level face-to-face talks in over a decade, Israeli and Palestinian officials announced.
US Drone Strike Kills “Planner” Of Kabul Attacks
The United States has carried out a drone strike against an Islamic State (IS) group “planner” in eastern Afghanistan after an attack outside Kabul’s airport killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 169 Afghans, officials say.
Islamic State Involved In Kabul Airport Suicide Attacks; 15 Killed
The Islamic State group was involved in twin suicide bombings targeting crowds outside Kabul’s airport, killing more than a dozen people, U.S. and Russian officials said Thursday.
Afghanistan’s Taliban Rulers Appoint Former U.S. Terror Suspect As Defense Minister
Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban group has appointed a suspected terrorist who was held at the U.S.-run Guantanamo Bay prison facility as acting defense minister. The Islamist rulers named ex-detainee Abdul Qayyum Zakir, a mullah or Muslim mosque leader, as a minister, reported the Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel citing a Taliban source.
House Capitol riot committee issues sweeping records requests for communication between Trump and his children, top staffers, and right-wing media personalities
The House select committee probing the January 6 insurrection is escalating its efforts to put together a picture of former President Donald Trump’s communications with key allies and right-wing media personalities in the lead up to the Capitol riot.
Afghan Christian family evacuated safely to Italy
While thousands of Christians now live in grave danger of murder at the hands of the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, an Afghan-believing family has managed to escape and arrive safely in Italy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Emboldened Iran To Hold War Drills With Russia and China
Iran is set to hold a series of war drills with Russia and China, as the hardline regime celebrates the United States’ bungled evacuation in Afghanistan and boosts its enrichment of nuclear weapons-grade uranium to historically high levels.
Afghan Christians calling for prayer and advocacy
Afghan Christians are calling for prayer and international advocacy as they are now targets for intense, violent persecution by the new Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported Monday. The most recent call for prayer came through Mission Network News.
Israel Bombs Hamas Militants In Gaza After Incendiary Balloons Attack
Israel confirmed Tuesday that it launched airstrikes against Gaza after incendiary balloons launched from the Palestinian strip started fires in the country’s south. Militants of the ruling Hamas Islamist movement reportedly fired on the Israeli aircraft carrying out the raids, which destroyed a weapons manufacturing site and other targets.
Bennett to tell Biden: Iran’s advanced enrichment makes nuclear deal worthless
There is no value in returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in light of advances in Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett plans to tell US President Joe Biden in their meeting at the White House on Thursday.
Taliban Warns US To Leave Afghanistan; Deadly Shootings Erupt
Deadly shootings erupted Monday in Kabul as the Islamist Taliban group warned that delaying an American presence beyond an August 31 deadline would “provoke a reaction.”
Afghanistan persecution: Taliban have a “hit-list” of Christians to murder
The leader of the underground church in Afghanistan has given a first-hand ground report, explaining that believers are in grave danger and that the Taliban have a “hit-list” of Christians they are searching for to murder, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Known as “Pastor X” for security reasons, the church leader gave his report to the Global Catalytic Ministries non-profit organization.
Gunmen Kill Nuns In South Sudan
Pope Francis has offered condolences to victims’ families after two Catholic nuns were shot and killed along a highway in South Sudan.
President Biden Mulls Keeping Troops In Afghanistan And Warns Of Terrorism Threat
Embattled U.S. President Joe Biden says discussions are underway about keeping American forces in Afghanistan after his August 31 deadline for completing the U.S. withdrawal as thousands, including Christians, struggle to leave the Islamic nation.
President Biden Under Pressure As Taliban Hunts Girls, Journalists And U.S. Allies
Taliban fighters ruling Afghanistan have begun hunting for Afghan girls to marry while seeking to kill journalists, Christians, Hazara men, and people who worked for the U.S.-led military, several sources say.
Russia Warns West Not To Intervene In Afghanistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West not to interfere in Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul, amid signs that China and Russia are increasing their footprint there. The authoritarian leader said Western nations “must stop the irresponsible policy of imposing foreign values from abroad.”
Syria: ‘Israel Launching Air Strikes’
Syria on Thursday accused Israel of attacking the country with missiles but said its air defenses had confronted the “Israeli aggression.”
Christian rights group slams new Cuban law restricting freedom of speech
The international rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has publicly condemned a new law issued by the Cuban government which restricts freedom of speech online by criminalizing calls to peaceful protest and criticism of the government. Touted as a ‘cybersecurity law, Legal Decree 35 was published on August 17 in the wake of last month’s nationwide protests against the government.