Live updates on faith, culture, politics, and humanitarian issues impacting Christians across the globe.
UN condemns NKorea launch, pledges significant new sanctions
Posted on Monday, February 8, 2016
The U.N. Security Council condemned North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket that world leaders called a banned test of ballistic missile technology and another 'intolerable provocation.' The U.N.'s most powerful body pledged to quickly adopt a new…
Citi: World economy trapped in ‘death spiral’
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016
The global economy seems trapped in a 'death spiral' that could lead to further weakness in oil prices, recession and a serious equity bear market, Citi strategists have warned.
Iran to strengthen missile program
Posted on Thursday, February 4, 2016
Iran will continue to develop its missile program and it should not be considered a threat to neighboring and friendly countries, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the head of the army as saying on Thursday.
New Russian Beachhead in Syria
Posted on Thursday, February 4, 2016
U.S. intelligence agencies are closely watching what appears to be a buildup of Russian military forces in northeastern Syria, very close to the Turkish border.
US, 11 other countries sign free-trade deal in New Zealand
Posted on Thursday, February 4, 2016
Trade ministers from 12 Pacific Rim countries including the United States gathered Thursday in New Zealand for the ceremonial signing of a free-trade deal they say will significantly boost trade.
Russia open to ‘terrorists’ attending Syria peace talks
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Russia said Tuesday it supports the inclusion of all opposition parties in Syrian peace talks, including representatives of two hard-line Islamic groups, as President Bashar Assad’s troops captured a village north of Syria’s largest city with the aid…
U.S. Spots Russian Commandos in Syria
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Russian special operations troops are working covertly in Syria to support an array of Iranian-backed fighters, including members of the international terrorist group Hezbollah, U.S. defense officials and counterterror experts say.
US says prepared for military solution against ISIS in Syria
Posted on Tuesday, January 26, 2016
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday that the United States and Turkey were prepared for a military solution against Islamic State in Syria should the Syrian government and rebels fail to reach a political settlement.
Europol: ISIS planning large scale attacks in Europe
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
ISIS has increased its ability to launch global terror attacks and plans to attempt more Paris-style attacks in Europe, the head of EU police agency Europol was quoted as saying by AFP on Monday.
Mega-deals await as Iranian president starts European trip in Rome
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani flew to Italy on Monday at the start of his first official visit to Europe, looking to sign multi-billion dollar contracts to help to modernize Iran's economy after years of crippling financial sanctions.
UN sees six-month Syria peace talks starting Friday
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
Talks on ending the war in Syria are expected to start on Friday and take six months, although invitations have still not been sent due to "intense disagreements", the U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told a news…
Iran general: US paid Tehran $1.7 billion to release ‘spies’
Posted on Sunday, January 24, 2016
An Iranian general this week claimed that the $400 million debt and $1.3 billion in interest the US has agreed to pay Iran from a pre-revolution international legal tribunal, was actually a ransom to secure the release of…
