Iran Announces Plans to Scrap Nuclear Deal
Iran is planning on further scaling back its commitment to the 2015 nuclear accord July 7th, citing the failure of European signatories to find a way around Trump’s crippling sanctions.
Jordan
NATO Gears Up to Respond to Russia’s Avoidance of ‘The Responsible Path’
NATO will announce new measures against Russia’s violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty Wednesday, barring Russian compliance with longstanding U.S. demands for it to destroy a nuclear-capable missile system it says violates the treaty.
Protests in Georgia Yield Promise of Change in Electoral System Over Against ‘Enemy and Occupier’ Russia
The government of Georgia has finally conceded to a few demands of protesters as crowds gathered in the Eastern European country’s capital of Tbilisi for a fourth consecutive night.
Pompeo in Saudi Arabia to ‘Build Out a Global Coalition’ Against Iran
Mike Pompeo is in Jedda, Saudi Arabia this week to ‘build out a global coalition…prepared to push back against the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,’ following the downing of a $160 million unmanned U.S. drone by Iran on June 20.
Russian Scientist Joins He Jiankui in Gene Editing Embryos
A Russian scientist will move ahead with gene editing babies, following in the footsteps of a Chinese scientist who attracted widespread condemnation in the scientific community for doing so in November 2018.
Wisconsin School Board Member Censured for Mentioning Jesus
A Wisconsin school board member is under fire from the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has filed a complaint for his mention of Jesus at Appleton North High School’s graduation ceremony on June 6th.
Trump May Have Accidentally Imposed ‘Bible Tax’ Through Sanctions On China, Say Christian Publishers
Representatives for major American Bible publishers met with the U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to apprise the Trump administration of potential effects on Bible manufacture in the US-China trade war.
‘Peace Cross’ Remains Standing After Landmark Religious Freedom Decision
A 40-foot cross memorializing fallen soldiers in World War I have been spared destruction after the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that its religious dimension did not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Christian Pakistani Girls Continue to Face Kidnappings, Abuse at the Hands of Muslim Men
A Christian Pakistani girl was kidnapped and raped by five Muslims before being returned to her father a day later in a traumatized condition, ucanews.com reports.
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Faces Closure Due To Inexplicable Noise Pollution Complaint
An evangelical Protestant Church in Ethiopia received an eviction letter on May 15th citing noise complaints from local residents after operating peaceably for 10 years, according to World Watch Monitor.
ISIS Bomb Plot Against Pittsburgh Church Foiled by FBI
A 21-year-old Syrian refugee from Pittsburgh was arrested on a federal complaint Wednesday, after discussions with undercover FBI officials uncovered a plot to bomb a North Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS.
Russia and China Oppose ‘Unilateral’ Moves By US On Iran
Russia and China are concocting a plan to circumvent US sanctions on Iran.
White House Reverses Course on ‘Apolitical’ Bahrain Conference
After saying that no Israeli officials would attend the Bahrain peace conference on June 25-26, which is set to unveil the economic portion of the Trump administration’s answer to Middle East peace, the White House has invited former Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Yoav Mordechai, the Times of Israel reported Tuesday.
Israel Holds F-35 Drills in Anticipation of Regional War
Israel is holding its first drills with US-purchased F-35 fighter jets this week, in a large-scale exercise designed to simulate a war with northern adversaries Hezbollah, Syria, and Russia.
China Upbraids the US for ‘Extreme Pressure Methods’ Against Iran
China is seeking to deter the US from its current Iran policy, Reuters reports.
New Generation of European Fighter Jets To Be Produced By France, Germany, and Spain
France, Germany, and Spain will cooperate to produce the next generation of European fighter jets, according to European officials who met at the Paris air show Monday.
Iran Prepared to Enrich Uranium at 20%, Breaking Nuclear Agreement
Iran will not hesitate from stepping up its uranium enrichment to 20%, an Iranian nuclear spokesperson said Monday.
Blasphemy Charges against Pakistani Christians Continue Despite Asia Bibi Release
The date of an appeal hearing for a Pakistani Christian man accused of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad in 2013 has reportedly been set.
Turkish Foreign Minister: ‘We Are Determined’ to Buy Russian Air Defense System
Turkey intends to move ahead with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, despite warnings from the United States of icier relations to come between the two NATO allies if the sale proceeds.
Palestinians urge ‘Arab masses’ to oppose US peace workshop
A senior Palestinian decision-making body has condemned the decision by Arab countries to attend a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference, calling for the ‘Arab masses’ to act against the gathering.