WHO says global COVID-19 emergency could end this year
The head of the World Health Organization said on Monday that the planet can end the COVID-19 emergency this year, although the virus last week killed someone every 12 seconds.
War
China sends 39 military planes into Taiwan’s defense zone in one day
China flew 39 warplanes, including 24 J-16 fighter jets, 10 J-10 jets, and other military aircraft, into Taiwan’s air defense zone on Sunday, the Washington Times reports. The Taiwanese claimed sovereign independence from China after a civil war that ended in 1949, but the Chinese regime has refused to accept this and considers Taiwan to be part of mainland China.
Report: Israeli fighter jets, refueling planes hold massive drill aimed at Tehran
Israeli fighter jets carried out a large drill over the Mediterranean that included practicing mid-air refueling, according to a report in a Saudi-run news outlet Thursday.
IDF Commander: War Drill Has ‘Significantly Improved Readiness’ for Combat Against Hezbollah
A war drill conducted by the Israel Defense Forces’ 74th armored battalion in the Golan Heights has significantly improved its readiness for combat against Hezbollah, the battalion’s commander has said.
Biden Mulls Sending Thousands Of Troops, Warships To Russia’s Doorstep
U.S. President Joe Biden is considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops as well as warships and aircraft to the Baltics and Eastern Europe, amid fears of a Russian invasion into Ukraine, officials said Sunday.
Russia-US Talks On Invasion Threat End Without Breakthrough
The top U.S. and Russian diplomats failed to reach an agreement Friday on preventing a military conflict over Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion, but both sides pledged to continue negotiations.
UN Protests As Yemen Air Strike Kills 70
The United Nations has condemned an airstrike that killed more than 70 people in a detention center in Yemen, a nation where minority Christians reportedly face severe persecution.
U.S. Lethal Aid Arrives In Ukraine Amid Fears Of Russian Invasion
The United States says military aid promised by U.S. President Joe Biden has been delivered to Ukraine amid concerns about a possible Russian invasion.
US Orders Embassy Families To Leave Ukraine As War Nears
The U.S State Department has ordered families of U.S. embassy personnel in Ukraine to begin evacuating the country as soon as Monday amid concerns about a possible war with Russia, officials said Saturday.
360 Million Christians Persecuted; Hungary Helps
Hungary says it has already supported hundreds of thousands of persecuted Christians worldwide as believers face the worst crackdown in modern history.
Austria Votes For Forced Vaccines; More EU States May Follow
Austria on Thursday moved closer to compulsory vaccinations, a policy that critics fear could be rolled out across the European Union.
French President: ‘Make Abortion EU Right’
A pro-life association in France has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to make abortion a fundamental right in the European Union.
UN Condemns Holocaust Denial As Iran Seeks Israel’s Destruction
The United Nations adopted a resolution Thursday to combat the denial of the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, despite opposition from Iran, which seeks the destruction of Israel.
U.S. says nuclear talks with Iran at ‘decisive moment’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that talks with Iran over its nuclear program are at a “decisive moment,” and warned that Washington and its allies may change tactics if a deal isn’t reached in the coming weeks.
Biden Admin Obstructing Dozens of Congressional Investigations Into Iran Nuclear Talks, Sanctions Relief
The Biden administration is obstructing more than a dozen congressional investigations into its diplomacy with Iran and its efforts to unwind sanctions on the hardline regime, according to a year-long foreign policy evaluation conducted by Republican leaders in the House.
Fed takes ‘first step’ toward considering digital dollar, seeks public comment
The Federal Reserve is asking for the public’s help in weighing whether the United States should develop and adopt a central bank digital currency.
Supreme Court denies challenge to Texas abortion law – again
The Supreme Court on Thursday voted six to three not to hear a case challenging the Texas abortion law again.
France and Sweden launch investigative team to prosecute ISIS members for crimes against Christians and Yazidis in Iraq
France and Sweden have launched a joint effort to investigate and prosecute foreign ISIS fighters who committed genocidal crimes against Christians and Yazidis in Iraq in 2014, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Biden Predicts Russian Invasion Amid Moscow Threats
U.S. President Joe Biden predicted Wednesday that Russia would invade Ukraine after an American security diplomat told Worthy News to expect Russian military action in February.
US Seeks ‘Relentless Diplomacy’ To Avoid Ukraine-Russia War
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Wednesday that Russia could invade Ukraine “on very short notice” but warned Moscow of tough sanctions if it did.