Egypt Christian Faces Prison Over Facebook comments
A young Christian faces a lengthy prison term in Egypt for blasphemy after he was released on bail, Christians say.
War
Hungary Turns Red For Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s government says landmarks in Budapest lit up in red to remember persecuted Christians who it claims to form the world’s most suffering faith community. “The initiative “Red Wednesday” was about commemorating persecuted Christians around the world,” said Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s state secretary for assisting persecuted Christians.
SCOTUS blocks New York State from re-imposing COVID restrictions on houses of worship
The US Supreme voted 5-4 to prohibit New York State from re-imposing COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings, Politico reports. The court’s emergency ruling issued late on Wednesday night represents a significant shift away from the decisions it made in May and July, when it upheld restrictions on churches in California and Nevada.
Israeli PM Netanyahu and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed have been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, the Jerusalem Post reports. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lord David Trimble of Northern Ireland has nominated the two leaders for their pioneering agreement to normalize relations between Israel and the UAE.
Brexit: Next days ‘decisive’ for hopes of deal, says EU’s Ursula von der Leyen
The coming days in the Brexit negotiations will be “decisive” as to whether Britain and the EU are able to agree on a free trade deal, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
Christian Broadcaster: ‘U.S. Churches Face Similar Persecution As In Algeria’
The U.S president of an influential Christian broadcaster warned Wednesday that American churches could face similar persecution as denominations in Algeria.
Biden Planning Executive Orders for Immediate Reversal of These Trump Policies
On January 20th, the nation could see an abrupt change in policy if the White House shifts from President Trump to Joe Biden.
McConnell Pushing Forward, Relentlessly Confirming Judges
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is relentlessly moving forward to confirm judges, apparently determined to get as many conservative judges into the judiciary across the nation while there is still time in the Trump presidency.
France Violently Dismantles Migrant Camp
Amid a mounting public outcry, France’s interior minister on Tuesday ordered an internal police investigation into police violence against migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty. He made the announcement after security forces were filmed tossing migrants out of tents while evacuating a Paris protest camp.
Germany Wants Controversial Coronavirus Vaccines To Reach Poor Nations
After Pope Francis urged “solidarity”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel demands the distribution of controversial coronavirus vaccines among poorer nations. Her appeal comes as countries rush to start with coronavirus vaccinations before Christmas, despite fresh concerns they impact people’s behavior and DNA.
In threat to Iran, US sends heavy bombers to Middle East via Israel
The United States this week rapidly deployed several heavy bombers to the Middle East this week in an apparent threat to Iran, amid swirling speculation that US President Donald Trump plans to take military action against Tehran before President-elect Joe Biden enters office.
The story of mRNA: How a once-dismissed idea became a leading technology in the Covid vaccine race
The liquid that many hope could help end the Covid-19 pandemic is stored in a nondescript metal tank in a manufacturing complex owned by Pfizer, one of the world’s biggest drug companies. There is nothing remarkable about the container, which could fit in a walk-in closet, except that its contents could end up in the world’s first authorized Covid-19 vaccine.
Media reports Netanyahu flew to Saudi Arabia for secret talks
Israel’s Channel 12 has reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen flew to Saudi Arabia Sunday for a secret meeting with officials there, All Israel News (AIN) reports. Although the meeting has not been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office, the news has caused speculation that, following Bahrain, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia may become the next Arab state to normalize relations with Israel.
US Navy destroyer shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile target for the first time
A US Navy destroyer shot down an intercontinental ballistic missile target for the first time on Tuesday in a historic missile defense test, the Missile Defense Agency said.
IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza after rockets fired
The IDF struck Hamas targets in Gaza overnight on Saturday, after Palestinian terrorists fired a rocket toward Israel, setting off air raid sirens in the southern city of Ashkelon, the military announced.
Federal judge throws out Trump campaign lawsuit in Pennsylvania; appeal expected
A federal judge tossed a lawsuit Saturday night that sought to have millions of ballots from the Nov. 3 presidential election thrown out, dealing another blow to President Donald Trump’s efforts to stay in office.
Iran puts allies on high alert, warns not to provoke US in Trump’s final weeks
Iran has instructed allies across the Middle East to be on high alert and avoid provoking tensions with the US that could give an outgoing Trump administration cause to launch attacks in the US president’s final weeks in office, Iraqi officials have said.
Devin Nunes warns ‘growing concern’ that Biden and Obama will shut down Durham inquiry
Rep. Devin Nunes warned of “growing concern” that President-elect Joe Biden, taking cues from former President Barack Obama, will shut down U.S. Attorney John Durham’s inquiry into the Russia investigation.
‘North Korea Detains, Starves, COVID-19 Patients in Camps’
North Korea is hiding coronavirus patients in ”quarantine camps” where they are left to starve to death, Christian aid workers revealed.
Tensions Rise As Controversial Islamic Clerc Returns to Indonesia
Christians and moderate Muslims in Indonesia fear new tensions after a hardline Islamic cleric returned from exile and held a massive wedding despite the coronavirus pandemic.