Blockades by virus protest convoys banned in Paris, Brussels
Authorities in Paris and Belgium on Thursday banned road blockades threatened by groups organizing online against COVID-19 restrictions, in part inspired by protesters in Canada.
Police
Three quarters of Americans believe ‘Defund the Police’ caused violent crime wave, poll finds
Three out of four Americans say defunding police departments has contributed to the rise in violent crime across the country, according to a new poll.
India: Police officer believed to have burned down church in Chhattisgarh state
Christians from India’s Koya tribal community in Kistaram village, Chhattisgarh state believe the head of their local police station is responsible for burning down their church in the early hours of 5 February, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
DHS issues terrorism advisory against ‘offenders’ who spread ‘misinformation’ about election fraud, COVID-19
The latest U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terrorist advisory bulletin says Americans who express concerns about election fraud or COVID-19 restrictions could be potential threats to domestic security.
India: Hindu radicals attack two pastors in Haryana state
A group of Hindu extremists violently attacked two pastors in northern India’s Haryana state last month, accusing them of receiving foreign funding to forcibly convert Hindus to Christianity, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Persecution of Christians in India has increased dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in 2014.
Canada ‘Freedom Convoy’: Ottawa police arrest 7, threaten charges for others caught bringing fuel to truckers
Canadian police announced Monday that seven people have been arrested and more than 100 have been issued tickets in connection to “demonstration-related enforcement” in Ottawa.
Washington State: Bill to scale back life in prison draws fire from victims, prosecutors, GOP
Washington State Democrats have been taking steps for several years to reduce the prison population due to high operating costs and a strong belief in second chances.
Michigan: Christian high school student sues after suspension for sharing views on homosexuality
A Christian high school student has filed a federal lawsuit against his Michigan school after he was suspended for sharing his religious beliefs about homosexuality with a student both on and off school property, CBN reports.
China: Pastor subject to government harassment since release from prison
Chinese government authorities in Zhejiang province are continuing to harass and threaten a house church pastor who was released from a prison sentence in December 2015, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. China ranks 17 on the US Open Door Watch List 2022 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Spyware reportedly used on Netanyahu’s son, journalists
Further revelations have emerged about the controversial Pegasus spyware developed by the Israeli NSO Group.
Massive scope of police Pegasus scandal rattles Israeli politics
Israeli officials from across the political spectrum were outraged to learn Monday of the scope of the Israel Police’s use of Pegasus, NSO Group’s now-infamous surveillance technology, which reportedly extended to dozens of civilians, ranging from politicians and government functionaries to social activists and journalists.
Trucker ‘Freedom Convoy’ sparks more controversy after GoFundMe refunds $10 million
A Canadian movement of truckers protesting the country’s vaccine mandate has inspired a similar protest in the U.S., with a convoy expected to arrive at the nation’s capital next month. That movement, though, sparked controversy beyond its protest this weekend after a run-in with the popular online fundraiser, GoFundMe.
Mass Shooting Near Virginia Tech University; 1 Killed, Several Injured
One person was killed, and another four people were injured in an overnight shooting at a bar near Virginia Tech university in the U.S. state of Virginia, police say.
China Violently Interrupts Dutch Broadcast
A Dutch journalist was violently pulled away by Chinese security personnel from the camera Friday while he reported on live television about the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Uganda: Evangelist beaten and left to die by Islamic extremists
Ugandan evangelist Charles Kamya was beaten unconscious and left for dead in Kampala, Uganda last week by Islamic extremists enraged at his preaching the Gospel, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Although Muslims are a small minority in Uganda, Christians have come under increasing attack by Islamic extremists there.
Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) receive bomb threats
More than six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across multiple state received bomb threats on Monday and Tuesday, triggering shelter-in-place orders, lockdowns and class cancellations before the all clear was given, NPR reports.
Austria Imposes Vaccine Mandate
Tensions are rising in Austria, which this week became Europe’s first country to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults.
‘New York Church Pastor Killed By Son’
Members of a New York City church are grieving and praying after a 40-year-old man was charged with killing his mother, who was also the pastor.
Israel upholds use of surveillance technology on protesters
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has upheld the Shin Bet security agency’s use of mobile-phone tracking technology to monitor and threaten Palestinian protesters at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site last year.
Liberia: Twenty-nine killed in stampede at Christian worship event
Twenty-nine worshippers were killed in a stampede at an all-night Christian worship event in Liberia last month, after a violent street gang attacked organizers on the stage while an offering was being collected, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.