World nuclear arsenal expected to increase, “a worrying trend”

A leading international think-tank has warned it expects the world’s nuclear weapons arsenal to grow for the first time in decades, the Guardian reports. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) gave its warning just as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased the risk that an atomic bomb may soon be used.

China Alarms US With Private Warnings to Avoid Taiwan Strait (Video)

Chinese military officials in recent months have repeatedly asserted that the Taiwan Strait isn’t international waters during meetings with US counterparts, according to a person familiar with the situation, generating concern within the Biden administration.

Prayers For Jailed Chinese Church Elders

Christians say they “appreciate prayers” for two jailed elders of an independent church in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan as one of them met a lawyer six months after his arrest.

WHO: COVID origins unclear but lab leak theory needs study

Over two years after the coronavirus was first detected in China, and after at least 6.3 million deaths have been counted worldwide from the pandemic, the World Health Organization is recommending in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is required into whether a lab accident may be to blame.

US State Department publishes annual report on worldwide religious freedom

he US Department of State has now published its 2021 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, setting out the status of religious freedom in each country in the world, International Christian Concern (ICC reports). The USIRF report to Congress found that a number of countries with poor records on religious freedom had made significant improvements: these countries include Morocco, Taiwan and Iraq, ICC said. However, the situation is extremely severe and/or deteriorating in numerous other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen.

US, Taiwan Launch New Trade Pact

The U.S. launched a new trade pact with Taiwan on Wednesday, hoping to forge closer economic ties with the island territory that China claims as its own, while blunting Beijing’s economic clout in the region.

Christians Marry Despite China Crackdown

A Christian couple that was forced to postpone their wedding after Chinese authorities prevented ceremonies were eventually able to marry in southwestern China, Christians confirmed.

China To Help Lead WHO Despite Controversy

There was mounting concern Wednesday that the World Health Organization (WHO) wouldn’t be able to tackle future pandemics after China joined its executive.

US National Guard planning ‘cooperation’ with Taiwan military

The United States is planning on “cooperation” between its National Guard and Taiwan’s military, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, deepening security ties in the face of what Taipei’s government complains is a rising threat from China.

China Prevents Christian Wedding

A Christian couple in southwest China was forced to cancel their wedding after Chinese authorities learned it would include a celebration
attended by members and leaders of their church who were later detained, Christians confirmed to Worthy News.

China: Christian coupled jailed and penniless for selling the Bible

A court in China has not only sentenced a Christian couple to seven years in prison for selling the Bible Christian books without permission but has also imposed such punitive fines on the pair that they have been left penniless and with no means to support their four children, Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News reports.

China, Russia veto US bid at UN to punish North Korea

China and Russia on Thursday vetoed a US-led bid at the United Nations to toughen sanctions on North Korea over its missile launches, laying bare divisions that Western envoys fear would be exploited by Pyongyang. 

Worthy Christian News