Iran Releases Two Jailed Christians, But Concerns Remain
Iranian Christians are “thankful” that Iran has released two jailed Christians on bail but remain concerned about the whereabouts of their friend, Worthy News established Wednesday.
Month: September 2021
Baptist youth minister shot dead by military junta, UN official says world must act, Myanmar is “living hell”
A Baptist youth pastor was shot dead by soldiers while trying to save a congregant from a home set on fire by the military junta in Myanmar on Saturday, the Christian Post reports. Highlighting the killing, UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Tom Andrews said the international community must take action with regard to the “living hell” Myanmar civilians have been in since the February 1 military coup.
Australia struck by 5.5 earthquake, no injuries
Australia was shaken by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, with some slight damage being caused outside the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, the Washington Times reports. The quake was the largest to affect Australia since a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the town of Broome in Western Australia in 2019.
Biden to UN: America will comply with Iran deal if Tehran complies
US President Joe Biden used his first address to the UN General Assembly to affirm that America is prepared to resume full compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran deal, provided Iran does the same, the Jerusalem Post reports. At the same time, the president said in his speech Tuesday, the US “remains committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”
Lebanon’s new PM vows to take back land it sees as occupied by Israel
Lebanon’s new Prime Minister Najib Mikati vowed on Monday to reclaim territories it sees as occupied by Israel, while warning that the country has the right to respond to any aggression.
U.S. Current Account Deficit Widens to 14-Year High in Second Quarter
The U.S. current account deficit increased to a 14-year high in the second quarter as businesses boosted imports to replenish depleted inventories amid robust consumer spending.
Biden Says Two-State Solution Is ‘The Only Way’ to End Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that a sovereign and democratic Palestinian state is the “best way” to ensure Israel’s future.
House Democrats pull $1 billion in Israel Iron Dome funding to pass measure to fund government
Democratic Party leadership in the US House of Representatives removed about $1 billion of funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system on Tuesday.
Nuclear Iran in a month, regional conflict in two?
Iran can enrich enough weapons-grade uranium within a month of deciding to do so, the Institute for Science and International Security estimates in a report published Monday.
Russian President Putin’s Party Wins ‘Fraud Tainted’ Vote
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s party has won a parliamentary majority, official results showed following a vote tainted by signs of fraud.
Sudan Coup Fails; Dozens Detained
Authorities in Sudan, where minority Christians face persecution, say dozens of military officers have been detained for an alleged coup.
US Domestic Terrorism Caseload ‘Exploding’
U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies are battling what they describe as a “significant jump” in threats from domestic terrorists, many of whom are acting on their own and motivated by racial animosity or anti-government ideology.
Europe Court Blames Russia For Killing Ex-Spy Litvinenko
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has blamed Russia for the killing of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko. The former Russian spy died in London in 2006 after drinking tea laced with a radioactive substance.
Texas doctor sued for violating state’s new “heartbeat” law
In what will be a test case to assess the legality of Texas’ new law banning abortion after six weeks, a doctor in San Antonio has become the first person to be sued for violating the legislation, the Guardian reports. After publicly stating he had violated the law by carrying out a first-trimester abortion on September 6, Dr. Alan Braid received notification he is being sued by two former lawyers in Arkansas and Illinois respectively.
Alveda King launches new pro-life organization to educate children and youth
Evangelist Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King Jr. has just launched Speak for Life, an organization that will offer pro-life curriculums to after-school clubs and Sunday schools, Christian Headlines reports. King attests that she was pro-choice, and had had an abortion, before she came to faith in Christ in 1983.
Al-Shabab suicide bomber kills 11 in Somalia; Christians in danger
A suicide bomber from Al-Shabaab, a terror group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, killed at least 11 people in the Somalian capital city of Mogadishu on September 14, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Posing a major threat to Christians in Somalia, Al-Shabaab is a jihadist terror group whose goal is to overthrow the internationally-supported government and impose its violent brand of extremist Islam on the whole of Somalia.
Pakistan persecution: Evangelist jailed for preaching the Gospel on WhatsApp
An evangelist in Pakistan has been jailed, and her family forced into hiding, after members of the Islam-based religious group Ahmadiyya joined with Muslim extremists to bring blasphemy charges against her for sharing the Gospel in an interfaith WhatsApp group, Morning Star News reports.
Canada’s Prime Minister Barely Wins Snap Election
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claimed victory in elections Monday but failed in an attempt to extend his power base in Parliament.
Roe v. Wade in the balance? Supreme Court sets date for arguments on Mississippi abortion law
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it has set a date to hear arguments in a potential landmark abortion case from Mississippi which the state hopes will result in the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Lebanon: Parliament approves new government, PM calls for IMF talks
Lebanese lawmakers approved Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s new cabinet on Monday, in a move that aims to remedy the country’s devastating economic crisis.