Belarus Olympic Athlete Seeks Asylum In EU
A Belarusian Olympic athlete who criticized her nation’s authoritarian leadership and coaches wants asylum in a European Union nation, Worthy News learned Sunday.
Security
Biden Names First Muslim Religious Freedom Ambassador
The White House announced Friday a slate of nominations and appointments for top religious affairs roles, including the first Muslim American nominated to be the US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom (IRF).
Afghan Christians Face Death As US Troops Leave Afghanistan
Christian aid workers warned Friday that Afghan Christians are “at a huge risk” as American troops leave the country.
India Christian Villagers Expelled For Faith
A pastor has paid tribute to eight Christian families driven out of their village in eastern India earlier this year due to their “strong faith” in Jesus Christ.
White House raises concerns with Israel about possible NSO spyware controversy
Israel may be at the center of a diplomatic crisis after the White House raised concerns about reports that Pegasus spyware from Israeli firm NSO was illegally used to target journalists, human rights activists, and politicians, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Axios News reported on Wednesday.
Afghan government may fall to Taliban once US troops withdraw
The Afghan government may well fall to the Taliban after the US completes its military withdrawal in August, a US government watchdog reported on Wednesday. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) Afghan security forces are ill-prepared to resist the Taliban militarily, the Voice of America reports.
Israel to Monitor COVID Quarantine via Phone App as Serious Cases Hit Record
Israel will begin electronic monitoring of people entering the country who are obliged to quarantine, after the cabinet approved the move on Sunday.
Lawmakers from both parties want to block expanding Chinese presence in US agriculture
Concerned that China’s expanding presence in America’s agricultural industry poses a national security risk, a committee of congressional lawmakers from both parties have adopted an amendment to the Agriculture-FDA spending bill (H.R. 4356 (117)) that would block new US agricultural purchases by companies that are wholly or partly controlled by Beijing, and prohibit Chinese-owned farms from accessing federal funds, Politico reports.
China persecution: Government authorities raid online church service
As China’s Communist Party (CCP) regime continues its policy of “Sinicizing” the church, on July 11 government security officials raided a Guangdong province church as its leaders preached an online service through Zoom, International Christian Concern reports. China ranks 17 on the US Open Doors Watch List of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Hungarians Protest Against Leaked Spy Scandal
Hungarians demonstrated Monday against the reported spying by the government of hundreds of Hungarians, including critical journalists, activists, and other public figures.
Iran protests spread to Tehran: ‘Death to the Dictator!’
Dozens of Iranians marched down a major street in Tehran on Monday, online videos show, amid ongoing protests over water shortages in southwestern Iran.
Tunisia President Accused Of Coup After Ousting Premier
Tunisia plunged into the worst social unrest in years Monday, with the main political parties accusing the president of staging a coup.
Netherlands Turmoil Over Return Islamic State Fighters (Worthy News In-Depth)
The Dutch are facing social and political unrest over the government’s decision to return at least some of the dozens of mainly female Islamic State group fighters and their 56 children from Syria to the Netherlands. The government views it as a humanitarian and legal obligation. Still, populist parties fear the radicalized returnees may threaten Dutch security.
Belarus Detains Christian Missionary Amid Crackdown
Belarus has detained a Christian missionary as part of a massive crackdown on those deemed dangerous to the government, Christians told Worthy News.
U.S. charges Chinese covert police operatives for illegal dissident hunt
The Justice Department on Thursday indicted nine people, including Chinese nationals and an American private investigator, on charges they were part of a Chinese government covert operation called “Fox Hunt” that forcibly repatriated opponents of the Beijing regime.
Iran Water Shortage Protests Result in 3rd Death, Extend Into 7th Day; Internet Disrupted
Water shortage protests in drought-plagued southwestern Iran appear to have spread to more cities and resulted in what authorities say is a third fatality as the unrest extended into a seventh day.
Israel will “look into” NSO Pegasus spyware allegations
Israel’s National Security Council has announced it is “looking into” allegations that Israeli-made NSO Pegasus spyware has been used to illegally spy on a range of people including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ynet News reported Tuesday.
IDF, Mossad Push Plan for Multiple Small-Scale Operations Against Iran Nuclear Program
Israel is examining possible changes to its operational plans against the Iranian nuclear program in order to contend with a US reentry to the 2015 nuclear deal.
10 Killed As Militants Raid Nigeria’s Christian Areas
Ten people, including an infant, have died after armed Islamic Fulani militants continued attacks in areas of Nigeria’s Christian-majority southern Kaduna State, aid workers said.
Britain to Permanently Deploy Two Warships in Asian Waters
Britain said on Tuesday it would permanently deploy two warships in Asian waters after its Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and escort ships sail to Japan in September through seas where China is vying for influence with the United States and Japan.