Chinese government surveils communities with eye to catching believers
China is increasing its surveillance apparatus with a special focus on believers.
Month: September 2019
House Democrats call for stripping tax-exempt status from 60 ‘hate groups’
House Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee said on Thursday that over 60 alleged hate groups, mostly socially conservative organizations, anti-immigration entities, and religious groups should be stripped of their tax-exempt status.
Archaeology Confirms Book of Genesis on Israel’s Arch-nemesis, the Edomites
A new international study of copper mining technology in the Arava Valley uproots long-held biases against the Bible’s nomadic Edomites and turns them from simple tribesmen into hi-tech engineers of an 11th century BCE ‘Copper Valley.’
Moabite Altar Inscription: Earliest Reference to ‘Hebrews’?
A recently deciphered Moabite stone altar inscription may bear the earliest use of the term ‘Hebrews,’ according to epigraphists Adam Bean and Prof. Christopher Rollston. The inscribed incense altar was discovered during the 2010 excavations at Khirbet Ataruz (biblical Ataroth), in Jordan. The find provides additional evidence for the existence of an early Moabite nation; demonstrates a developing, independent Moabite script; reveals the nation’s cultic practices; and helps fill out the biblical account of 2 Kings 3.
American Airlines mechanic accused of sabotaging plane denied bail over possible terrorist ties
A federal judge on Wednesday denied bail to a former American Airlines mechanic accused of sabotaging a jetliner in July over possible links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
Netanyahu to Gantz: Let’s form a unity government
The Right cannot form a coalition and there should be as a unity government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday morning, asking Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to meet.
Fed ups its GDP forecast for 2019 slightly to 2.2%
The Federal Reserve dialed up its growth expectations slightly while keeping its inflation projection unchanged, according to its Summary of Economic Projections.
Fed cuts interest rates, signals holding pattern for now
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates again on Wednesday to help sustain a record-long economic expansion but signaled a higher bar to further reductions in borrowing costs, eliciting a fast and sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.
China reveals new supersonic drone
China’s military is rapidly developing unmanned aircraft and recently disclosed one of its newest systems: a supersonic reconnaissance drone designed to defeat air and missile defenses.
Netanyahu cancels UN trip, forgoes meeting with Trump after failing to secure an outright victory in national elections
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his trip to New York City for the United Nations’ annual General Assembly next week after falling short of securing a parliamentary majority in Israel’s second general election in five months, his office announced Wednesday.
Study finds abortion rates dropping nationwide
US abortion rates are falling across the country, according to a new study.
Pompeo says attack was ‘act of war’ on Saudi Arabia, seeks coalition
The United States wants to build a coalition of European and Arab partners to deter Iran after an attack on Saudi Arabia that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described on Wednesday as ‘an act of war’ against the world’s top oil exporter.
Researchers: AI Surveillance is Expanding Worldwide
A growing number of countries are following China’s lead in deploying artificial intelligence to track citizens, according to a research group’s report published Tuesday.
Saudis Say Weapons Debris Proves Iran Behind Oil Attack, U.S. Denounces ‘Act Of War’
Saudi Arabia has put on a display of drone and missile fragments that it said showed a weekend attack targeting the kingdom’s crucial oil industry was ‘unquestionably sponsored by Iran.’
Strikes reported on Iran-backed militia on Syria-Iraq border, 10 said killed
Unknown unmanned aircraft attacked posts of Iranian-backed fighters in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border in the predawn hours of Tuesday morning, killing at least 10 people, according to Arabic media reports.
Iran supreme leader rules out negotiations with US
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday ruled out negotiations with the United States, as tensions mount after Washington blamed Tehran for attacks on Saudi oil installations.
Saudi King Calls for International Response to Oil Facility Attacks
Saudi King Salman said Tuesday his country is capable of defending itself against the ‘cowardly attacks’ that knocked out half of its oil production but called on the international community to “clearly confront” the perpetrators.
President Trump To Deliver Religious Freedom Message At The United Nations
President Trump will deliver an inclusive call to address all forms of religious persecution and anti-Semitism at the United Nations next week. He will be hosting and speaking at the Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom event next Monday. Vice President Mike Pence will also be there.
Senate Republicans not ready for US military action against Iran
Senate Republicans were advising against immediate military action against Iran in response to an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, calling for more analysis and discussion first.
Taliban Envoys Visit Iran, Russia Following Collapse Of U.S. Talks
A four-member Taliban delegation has traveled to Tehran for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials — the second such trip by the militants to a foreign country just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that peace talks with the United States had collapsed.