China: House churches raided, leaders taken away
Chinese authorities raided four house churches this month, taking their leaders away for questioning on false allegations, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Security
Lavrov condemns ‘dangerous’ Israeli strikes in Syria, as relations with Russia sour
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday condemned “dangerous” Israeli missile strikes in Syria, underscoring the growing chill in Moscow-Jerusalem relations, which have been increasingly strained since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Turkey and Russia: A partnership essential to both
Just 17 days after the last Astana summit in TehranTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his counterpart Vladimir Putin met again — this time in Sochi. As Erdogan was underlining that “the world was watching the Sochi summit,” the international headlines drew attention to the “secretive nature” of the two leaders’ meeting, which was held behind closed doors.
Palestinians to demand full recognition of ‘State of Palestine’ in upcoming UN session
In preparation for the September gathering of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Palestinian leadership is conducting extensive lobbying to achieve full UN recognition for the “State of Palestine.”
Iran: Lawyer who defended a Pastor on death row has been imprisoned too, together with his former client
An attorney in Iran who helped save an Iranian pastor accused of ‘apostasy’ from the death penalty has now been imprisoned himself, together with his former client, who has again been jailed, Article 18 reports.
Millions Flee As Tensions Rise Over Nuclear Power Plant
The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Tuesday that more than 10.5 million people had fled war-torn Ukraine, where the threat of a nuclear disaster looms.
After mediating Gaza ceasefire, Egypt sees envoy berate Israel at Security Council
Egypt’s ambassador to the United Nations tore into Israel during a Monday speech before the UN Security Council hours after Jerusalem heaped praise on Cairo for mediating a ceasefire with Palestinian Islamic Jihad that ended a three-day escalation in the Gaza Strip.
US Condemns China Missile Launches, Orders Aircraft Carrier Group Toward Taiwan
The White House condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) launch of 11 ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan Thursday. The administration also said that it would move an aircraft carrier strike group into the region to defend its partners and allies.
US Senate gives overwhelming approval to Finland/Sweden NATO applications
The US Senate on Wednesday voted 95-1 in overwhelming approval of the applications by Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Axios reports. NATO was established in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, Italy, and France, to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
U.S. to sell Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia in deal worth $3 billion
The U.S. government this week signed off on the sale of 300 Patriot missiles and related support equipment to Saudi Arabia in a deal valued at more than $3 billion, defense officials said Tuesday.
Putin: NATO Expansion, US Oceans Policy Are Top Threats to Russia’s Security
NATO exercises near Russian territory, and a U.S. policy of seeking “to dominate the world’s oceans” are among the greatest threats to Russia’s national security, according to a new naval doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
US Speaker Nancy Pelosi In Taiwan Despite China Death Threat
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan as part of a tour of Asia, despite China branding the landmark visit “extremely dangerous.”
Thousands of protesters breach Iraq’s parliament for second time this week
Thousands of protesters have breached Iraq’s parliament for a second time this week.
Israel to Withhold $180 Million in Palestinian Tax Funds Over Terrorist Stipends
Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday voted to withhold almost $180 million from tax revenue that the country collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA), to offset funds paid to families of Palestinian terrorists.
US Offers Prisoner Swap To Russia
Freedom appeared a little closer Thursday to several detainees after the United States offered a prisoner swap to Russia: Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer, for Brittney Griner, the American basketball star, and Paul Whelan, a former Marine.
As NATO Grows, China and Russia Seek to Bring Iran, Saudi Arabia Into Fold
In the East, however, security and economy-focused blocs led by Beijing and Moscow are looking to take on new members of their own, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, two influential Middle Eastern rivals whose interest in shoring up cooperation on this new front could have a significant impact on global geopolitical balance.
Indonesia: Christian Pastor murdered in Papua province
A Christian pastor was among ten people murdered by separatist gunmen in Indonesia’s Papua province on July 16, the Christian Post (CP) reports. The West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, the military wing of Papua’s main separatist group, claimed responsibility for the killings.
EU Sanctions Syrians Recruiting Mercenaries In Ukraine
The European Union has imposed asset freezes and visa bans on influential Syrians for allegedly recruiting mercenaries to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Iran: Christian converts convicted of house-church membership
Four Christian converts in Iran have been convicted of criminality due to their membership of house churches, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
IDF unveils new Judea and Samaria security fence
The IDF continues its efforts to strengthen the Judea and Samaria security barrier as part of the IDF’s recent counterterrorism activities. The construction of the barrier which began in April constitutes a significant step in Operation “Break the Wave” and the ongoing efforts to thwart and prevent terrorism as well as strengthen the Judea and Samaria security barrier. This operation led to significant progress in the construction of the security barrier in the Judean Desert, and also led to a significant decrease in the number of illegal infiltrations into Israeli territory.