Seismic Change Grips Iran As Population Turns More Secular, Less Religious
A first-of-its-kind survey reveals significant shifts in Iranians’ attitudes toward religious beliefs and their authoritarian government.
War
Steele dossier’s main source was investigated by FBI as ‘threat to national security’
U.S. Attorney John Durham discovered that the primary sub-source for British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s discredited dossier was investigated by the FBI as a possible “threat to national security,” but the bureau never told the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and used the dossier anyway.
Demonstrators protest Grand Jury failure to indict officers for fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor
Demonstrators took to the streets in cities across the USA Wednesday night to protest a grand jury’s decision not to indict any police officers for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor on March 13 this year.
Pompeo warns Chinese Communist Party’s spy efforts ‘increasing’ in U.S. at state, local levels
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in a years-long effort to infiltrate state and local governments across the U.S. as part of its ongoing espionage effort that continues to intensify.
Russia, China, Iran, and Others Begin Joint Military Drills in Southern Russia
Russia and China this week kicked off a large-scale military exercise in southern Russia along with troops from several other countries – including Iran – at a time when all three countries’ relations with the United States are chilly.
Senate GOP report: Obama administration ‘ignored the glaring warning signs’ of Hunter Biden’s dealings in Ukraine
The Senate Republicans’ controversial report on Joe and Hunter Biden was released on Wednesday, detailing allegations of problematic foreign business dealings by Biden’s son as the former vice president helped lead the Obama administration’s foreign policy. The report also pushes back on Democratic claims of Russian disinformation.
Slaughter of Christians in Nigeria continues unchecked
According to the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG), Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari “has done virtually nothing to address” the killings and kidnappings of Christians in Nigeria by Muslim Fulani herdsmen. Therefore, the murderous persecution of Christians in Nigeria continues unchecked. In one attack this month, a pastor and two church members were killed and two were kidnapped. Then, days later, a church elder was shot in the stomach while his teenage twin daughters were kidnapped, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Appeal Hearing Of Pakistani Couple Sentenced To Death For Blasphemy
A Pakistani Christian couple was to face a court Thursday after spending six years in prison waiting for an appeal against their death sentence for “blasphemy”, trial observers said.
Official Condemns Indonesia’s Ban on Bible App
A senior Indonesian expert has condemned authorities for removing a mobile phone application that enabled an Indonesian ethnic group to read the Bible in their language.
Eritrea Releases 69 Christian Prisoners After Years In Jail
Eritrea released at least 69 Christian prisoners this month, including many detained in horrific circumstances for their faith “for up to 16 years without trial,” aid workers told Worthy News.
Space Force and NASA focused on cislunar space in new agreement
The U.S. Space Force has signed a new memorandum of understanding with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, laying out areas for collaboration between the main military and civilian space organizations within the U.S. government.
Federal debt held by the public to exceed GDP by next year: CBO
The coronavirus pandemic and federal efforts to provide relief will significantly add to the federal debt in the years ahead, the Congressional Budget Office projected Monday.
Trump administration awards $100 million to fight human trafficking
The Trump administration announced Monday that it is awarding over $100 million in grants to help task forces engaged in the fight against human trafficking, PBS reports. The award follows $35 million granted by the Justice Department in August for organizations that provide safe housing for victims of human trafficking.
US to deploy small number of additional troops to Syria
The US is sending around 100 extra troops to Syria to protect against increasing Russian aggression and signs of renewed activity from ISIS in the region, the New York Times (NYT) reported Friday. The newly deployed soldiers will be added to a contingent of some 500 American troops in Syria. Additional military hardware will also be sent and there will be more fighter jet patrols.
Survey finds two-thirds of US young adults do not know six million Jews were killed in Holocaust
A survey published last week has found that almost two-thirds of young adults in the US do not know that six million Jews were murdered by German Nazis during the Holocaust, Christian Headlines reported Monday. Commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the poll surveyed Millennials and Gen Z adults ages 18-39 and involved 1,000 interviews nationwide and 200 interviews in each state.
Europe Racing To Limit Second Wave Of Coronavirus Infections
Europe is racing to contain rising coronavirus infections and prevent more hospitalizations and deaths. Authorities in several countries announced new restrictions, sparking protests in Spain, which saw one of the lockdowns.
Belarus Famed Grandmother Detained At Protests
Mass protests were held for the sixth straight Sunday in Belarus following the detention of a grandmother, who became a symbol of resistance against longtime President Alexander Lukashenko. As many as 100,000 people rallied in Minsk amid mounting pressure on Lukashenko to step down and allow fair and free elections.
US Hopes to Name Qatar as Major Non-NATO Ally, Official Says
The United States hopes to move forward with naming Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, a status that provides foreign nations with benefits in defense trade and security cooperation, a senior US official said on Thursday.
Survey: Almost Half of Americans Say ‘No’ To COVID Vaccine If Available Today
Nearly half of Americans, or 49%, said they definitely or probably would not get an inoculation if a coronavirus were available today, while 51% said they would, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted earlier this month.
US carrier transits Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier safely transited on Friday through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important chokepoint for oil shipments, the U.S. Navy said, as tensions with Iran continue to simmer.