Obama Calls on Israel to Pursue Two-State Solution

U.S. President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he looks to the incoming Israeli government and the Palestinians to show a “genuine commitment to a two-state solution” and asserted that an agreement will have to resolve the humanitarian conflict caused by last summer’s war in the Gaza Strip.

Judgment Day for the U.S. Surveillance State

Last week saw the first response to the issue by an appeals court outside the country’s secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court: The court ruled that the U.S. government’s long-held justification for the National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk collection of Americans’ phone records and other data is illegal under the USA Patriot Act.

Fatah-Hamas Unity Government Collapsing

The fluid and rapidly changing dynamics of politics in the Middle East, where allegiances can shift dramatically, is impacting Palestinian politics and the biggest loser appears to be the Fatah-affiliated Palestinian Authority (PA) which is losing support amongst its followers and being sidelined by Hamas.

A new world order? Putin and Xi put friendship on display

At first sight, things look very different now. When President Xi Jinping of China took pride of place next to Vladimir Putin of Russia on Saturday, they looked like any other modern world leaders: pragmatic men-in-suits, full of smiles, temporary possessors of power rather than dictators-for-life.

NATO military exercises aim to send message of resolve to Russia

NATO countries are staging massive air, land and sea exercises across Russia’s northern borders this month in response to warnings from the Kremlin and strategic analysts that President Vladimir Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons are more than bluster.

Could Science Help Ban Abortions?

Premature babies are surviving earlier than in the Roe v. Wade era, potentially shifting the Supreme Court’s guidepost of when abortion can legally be banned.

U.S. Marks National Day of Prayer

With “Lord, Hear Our Cry” as its theme, organizers of the 64th National Day of Prayer invited Americans to raise their voices in prayer on Thursday.

Netanyahu Secures Coalition at the Last Moment

Less than two hours before his deadline was set to expire on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hammered out a deal with Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett, allowing him to inform President Reuven Rivlin that he had successfully cobbled together a 61-seat coalition — the narrowest of Knesset majorities.

Countries Charged with Violations of Religious Freedom

Last week, the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom released its annual report that named 17 countries as Tier 1 violators of religious freedom for “engaging in, or tolerating systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

Iran Threatens Imprisoned Pastor

Iranian authorities have been threatening to hold an imprisoned American-Iranian pastor in prison indefinitely, according to Morning Star News.

Jeb Bush’s Latest Effort to Court Evangelical Voters Misfires

Jeb Bush’s latest effort to court evangelical voters boomeranged when a Christian radio network boss challenged him for hiring two political aides who support same-sex marriage, and the former Florida governor conceded that he couldn’t identify any “genuine” conservatives in his inner circle.

Obama weighs offering Saudi Arabia weapons provided only to Israel

The Obama administration is quietly pushing Sunni Arab allies in the Persian Gulf to create an advanced missile defense system, and is preparing to ramp up sophisticated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in an effort to ease regional fears over a potential nuclear deal with Iran.

Worthy Christian News