Struggling Russia Sends More Mercenaries To Ukraine As Death Toll Mounts
British military intelligence says Moscow is due to send more than 1,000 mercenaries into eastern Ukraine as the Russian military suffered heavy losses.
Turkey
Ukraine President Calls Siege Of Mariupol Historic Act Of Terror
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia’s siege of the port city of Mariupol is an act of terror that will be remembered for centuries amid reports that thousands of residents have been deported to Russia. Sunday’s remarks came after footage of Russian dead soldiers outside Kyiv, the capital, another hot spot of fierce clashes.
Russia’s Putin Reveals Demands To End War In Ukraine
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has laid out his conditions for ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including abandoning plans to join the NATO military alliance, a leading advisor of the Turkish president says.
Turkey agrees to return ancient evidence of Hezekiah’s tunnel to Israel
Israeli officials say Turkey has agreed to return to Israel the Siloam Inscription, a 2,700-year-old Hebrew text which concretely supports the Biblical account of a tunnel constructed to carry water from the Pool of Siloam to the City of David during the reign of King Hezekiah, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
More Sanctions As Ukraine Faces Heavy Russian Attacks
Fearing a world war, U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday his country would not intervene militarily against Russia in Ukraine, as Russian forces stepped up their bombardment across Ukraine.
Herzog advances Israel-Turkey ties in meeting with Erdogan
President Isaac Herzog became the first Israeli leader to visit Turkey in over a decade on Wednesday, marking a thaw in relations between the countries.
Turkey Backs Ukraine on NATO and EU, Moves to Limit Russian Warships’ Entry to Black Sea
Initially restrained in its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey shifted its stance at the weekend, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling the attack “unacceptable” and saying his country would restrict Russia warships’ entry into the Black Sea to “prevent escalation.”
US-led raid in Syria targets jihadist, many civilian casualties-residents
A US-led coalition raid on Thursday targeted a suspected al Qaeda-affiliated jihadist in the northern Syrian town of Atmeh, resulting in several civilian casualties, said residents and sources with the rebels fighting against the Syrian government.
Hungary Supports Kazakhstan’s Crackdown On Protesters
In a controversial move, Hungary’s hardline Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed support for Kazakhstan’s autocratic leadership after at least 164 people were killed in anti-government protests.
Turkey: Churches vandalized as life becomes more difficult for Christians
As life for Christians in Turkey becomes increasingly difficult under the rule of Islamic nationalist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, three churches in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district were vandalized on New Year’s Day, International Chrisitan Concern (ICC) reports.
Putin, Erdogan Pledge To Boost Russia-Turkey Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have vowed to boost ties, both sides said.
Migrants Van Crash Kills 7 In Hungary
Hungarian police have detained the driver of a van carrying illegal migrants after it crashed in southern Hungary, killing seven people and injuring four others, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
France Frees Saudi Mistakenly Detained In Killing Journalist Khashoggi
French authorities say they have freed a man after wrongly identifying him as an ex-member of Saudi Arabia’s royal guard who allegedly participated in murdering Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
North Macedonia Mourns Dozens Killed In Bus Crash
Flags are flying at half-mast in the young nation of North Macedonia after a bus accident in neighboring Bulgaria killed dozens of people.
Iraqi Kurdistan: Christians flee their homes under Turkish airstrikes
Christian villages in Iraqi Kurdistan have been “emptied” in the last year as Turkey’s air force continues to bomb Kurdish forces connected to the PKK movement, Asia News reports. Christians have also fled from the cities of Zakho, Dohuk, Erbil, only to return because of airstrikes on the areas they escaped to.
Isolated Christians Turn To Satellite TV
A global Christian broadcaster says “isolated Christians” in the Middle East and North Africa use visual and digital technology to keep their faith alive amid mounting persecution.
Britain’s Ex-Archbishop Denies Christian Faith Is ‘Visa To Escape’ Hardship
Britain’s ex-Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned British media for suggesting that the Christian faith is “a visa advantage” for believers in the Middle East fleeing persecution and violence.
Turkey Airstrikes Target Christians Killing Dozen in Syria, Iraq
A dozen people were killed in recent months as Turkey increased airstrikes as part of an alleged “anti-terrorist military campaign” in Syria and Iraq targeting Christians and other minorities, rights investigators say.
Hungary Sentences Islamic State Commander To Life Imprisonment Over Mass Killings
A Hungarian court has sentenced a Syrian national to life imprisonment for his involvement in “crimes against humanity” and “terrorism” as a military leader of the Islamic State terror group in Syria.
Iranian Azerbaijan border drill a warning to Israel, Turkey and Russia
Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan have been on the rise in recent weeks.