Senate to Vote on ‘Pain Capable’ Act Banning Abortion at 20 Weeks
The Senate will vote Monday on legislation banning abortion at the 20-week mark, the point at which unborn children can feel pain.
China
President Trump Opens Door for US to Re-Enter TPP
President Donald Trump told CNBC on Thursday that he would reconsider the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal if the United States could strike a ‘substantially better’ agreement. But it’s almost certainly too late for the U.S. to negotiate a new deal.
China Crackdown on Unregistered Churches
Christians have been detained, and churches shut down or destroyed in China in the month before revised Regulations on Religious Affairs are due to come into effect on 1 February.
CIA mole may have triggered murders of assets in China, Russia
China is suspected of sharing stolen information with Russia concerning the secret identities of CIA assets subsequently arrested and executed, current and former U.S. officials told NBC News.
India test-fires missile amid perceived threats from China, Pakistan
India tested its longest-range intercontinental missile on Thursday, the defense ministry said, part of efforts to build a nuclear deterrent against neighboring Pakistan and China.
Chinese Lawyers Accused of ‘Illegally’ Defending 40 Christians Jailed for Being in ‘Cult’
Lawyers who represent dozens of Christians arrested in China could lose their legal certifications after they were accused of illegally defending their clients.
$260 billion ‘cryptocalypse’ as cryptos plunge 30 per cent amid fresh China, South Korea fears
The cryptocurrency market has lost $US206 billion overnight in what traders are describing as a ‘cryptocalypse’, with bitcoin heading back towards its $US10,000 milestone first reached last November.
Dollar bruised by worries over China’s stance on US bonds
The dollar nursed its losses against the yen on Thursday, having suffered its biggest one-day drop in nearly eight months following a report that China was ready to slow or halt its purchases of US Treasuries.
Koreas set up stunning direct bilateral talks with Trump, Olympics pressures mounting
North and South Korea are suddenly on a fast track to direct bilateral talks without the United States or China — an unexpected development at a moment of heightened tensions that intelligence sources say is being driven by several factors, including Pyongyang’s desire to sidestep Trump administration-backed sanctions.
China covertly offering North Korea missiles, aid to halt nuclear program
China’s Communist Party adopted a secret plan in September to bolster the North Korean government with increased aid and military support, including new missiles, if Pyongyang halts further nuclear tests, according to an internal party document.
Persecution Trends Report Lists Top Countries of Concern for 2018
A group which monitors Christian persecution around the world has released a new report listing countries where attacks and restrictions on Christians are likely to increase. These include China, India and Nigeria.
Trump says China’s stance on North Korea influences his trade policy
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had ‘been soft’ on China on trade issues and said he was not happy that China had allowed oil shipments to go into North Korea.
North Korea declares new UN sanctions ‘an act of war’
North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country ‘an act of war’ that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a ‘pipe dream’ for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.
Trump first president to protect electric grid from EMP, cyberattacks
President Trump became the first national leader to call for protecting the U.S electric and communications grid against an electromagnetic attack like one practiced in North Korea.
Russia, China call Trump’s ‘America First’ approach Cold War thinking
President Trump’s new national security blueprint labeling Russia and China ‘strategic competitors’ struck a nerve in Moscow and Beijing, with both criticizing the ‘America First’ approach as isolationist and reminiscent of Cold War-style posturing by Washington.
Trump unveils national security strategy: ‘America is going to win’
President Trump on Monday unveiled a national security strategy that enshrines his ‘America First’ approach into U.S. policy, stressing American strength and economic security and putting rivals like China and Russia on notice.
India, China and Russia Refrain From Recognizing East Jerusalem as Capital of Palestine in Joint Statement
Foreign ministers from India, Russia and China notably refrained from recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine at their annual meeting in New Delhi this week – seven days after the US recognized the holy city as the capital of Israel.
North Korea says U.S. threats make war unavoidable, China urges calm
Two U.S. B-1B heavy bombers joined large-scale combat drills over South Korea on Thursday amid warnings from North Korea that the exercises and U.S. threats have made the outbreak of war ‘an established fact.’
China confirms test of powerful DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile
China’s People’s Liberation Army has confirmed the latest flight test of the newest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile known as the DF-41.
South Korea, U.S. launch air drills amid North Korean warnings of nuclear war
The United States and South Korea went ahead with large-scale joint aerial drills on Monday, a move North Korea had said would push the Korean peninsula to ‘the brink of nuclear war’, ignoring calls from Russia and China to call them off.