North Korea Fires Missile From Submarine
Regional tensions rose further Tuesday after North Korea confirmed it fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile off its east coast on Tuesday.
Human Rights
Burmese army sets Christian village on fire
The Burmese Army has burned down a whole village in Myanmar’s Chin state, a traditionally Christian stronghold, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The attack took place earlier this month as part of a “clearance operation” designed to crush opposition to Burmese military rule in Chin state.
US to rejoin UN Human Rights Council following Trump withdrawal
The United States is rejoining the controversial UN Human Rights Council (HRC) amid concerns that China has used America’s three-and-a-half year absence to grow its influence and power, AFP reports. Former President Trump withdrew the US from the Council in June 2018 to protest what UN Ambassador Nikki Haley described as the body’s “disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel” which is “clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights.”
Jailed Kremlin Critic Congratulates Nobel Peace Winners
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whom supporters saw as a top candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, has congratulated countryman Dmitry Muratov for winning it.
Two killed in Israel strike on Syria base, monitor says
An Israeli missile strike on an airbase in central Syria has killed two Damascus-allied foreign fighters and wounded several Syrian service personnel, a Britain-based war monitor said on Saturday.
Pakistan, China Object as UN Human Rights Council Votes to Monitor Abuses in Afghanistan
The U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday adopted a resolution establishing a “special rapporteur” to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan over the next year, but not before China offered amendments designed both to water down the text and to point fingers at the United States.
Christianity grows by nearly 1% in Muslim-majority Indonesia
The latest data released by the government of Indonesia suggest that the number of Christians in the Muslim-majority archipelago has slightly increased, a U.S.-based group has noted.
Mozambique: ISIS-affiliate is kidnapping children to use as fighters, Christians persecuted
Major rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Wednesday that an ISIS-affiliated terror group in northern Mozambique has been kidnapping children to use as soldiers, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Germany Demands Humane Treatment Of Migrants At Poland-Belarus Border
Germany has demanded the “humane” treatment of migrants at the European Union’s external border with Belarus. The appeal comes days after Worthy News and other outlets highlights the plight of migrants fleeing war persecution and poverty who are trapped near Poland.
NY Christian adoption agency files federal suit claiming harassment by state
A privately funded New York Christian adoption agency has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the New York State Division of Human Rights violated the agency’s constitutional rights by opening an unwarranted investigation triggered by a complaint about the agency’s policy on same-sex marriage, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
UK Court of Appeal says Christian foster agency can refuse placements with same-sex couples
The UK Court of Appeal has ruled that an evangelical foster agency that receives tax-payer funding is allowed to only place children with carers who identify as Christian, but it cannot insist that those carers be heterosexual, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service, also known as CornerstoneUK, said it will appeal Friday’s ruling to the UK’s Supreme Court.
Migrants Freezing To Death At Polish-Belarus Border
At least five people have reportedly died along the Polish-Belarus border, where migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty say they are pushed back from the European Union.
British Woman With Down Syndrome Loses Abortion Challenge In Court
A woman with Down syndrome was told by a British court that a fetus with her condition can be aborted until birth.
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.
Victims Relatives Say FBI Memo Hints At Saudi Involvement In 9/11 Attacks
Victims’ relatives say a released declassified document is a significant step in their effort to connect the 9/11 attacks against the United States to Saudi Arabia.
US President Under Fire Over Syrian Pipeline
U.S. President Joe Biden has come under fire over his reported decision to lift sanctions on Syria for an energy deal with Islamist militants after he ended a massive pipeline project in America.
Mexico: Criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional, court rules
Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional.
German Chancellor’s Confidant And Ambassador Dies In China
The German ambassador to China who was a confidant of Chancellor Angela Merkel has suddenly died, the Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday.
Belarus Dissidents Sentenced To Lengthy Jail Terms
In a significant warning to dissidents, a court in Belarus on Monday sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms.
Britain Fails To Convince US To Stay In Afghanistan Beyond August 31
In a significant concession to Afghanistan’s new Islamist Taliban rulers, the U.S. said Tuesday it would not extend the deadline for evacuations beyond August 31.