Major power orders Christians: Renounce God or we’ll cut off food and housing
China’s communist government is warning elderly Christians that they will lose basic benefits if they don’t stop praticing their faith. Bitter Winter, the online magazine about religious liberty and human rights in China, reports the Communist Party is threatening “to take away the last means of survival from elderly believers,” the government benefits of “housing, food, […]
After COVID, time to consider a UN parliament and a world federation
Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been leading calls for the formation of a temporary global government to deal with the dual medical and economic threat posed to the international community by the new coronavirus pandemic. As Covid-19 rages around the globe, there is a limit to the response that can be achieved by […]
Annexation decision likely to be made next week
Jerusalem and Washington are expected to coordinate their decision on where and when Israel will extend its laws in the West Bank next week, a source with knowledge of the talks between the sides told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. July 1, the first day on which the coalition agreement allowed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring […]
The (near) cashless society arrives
People have suddenly stopped using money — of the bill-and-coin variety — for fear it may spread the virus. Some worried shopkeepers have stopped accepting it, too. Why it matters: The coronavirus may have changed our buying and payment habits forever. Online shopping is through the roof, and consumers are rushing to get “contactless” credit and debit […]
What Angela Merkel wants
Europe’s reluctant hegemon is reluctant no more. For decades, even as Germany’s economic and political clout has grown, German leaders, wary of offending neighbors distrustful of its power, have resisted throwing around Berlin’s weight on the European stage — at least openly. But the coronavirus pandemic, in particular the massive economic fallout it has wrought, […]
US Intercepts Russian Warplanes off Alaska, 4th Time This Month
US warplanes intercepted four Russian reconnaissance aircraft near Alaska on Saturday, US commanders said. The Russian Tu-142’s came within 65 nautical miles south of Alaska’s Aleutian island chain and “loitered” in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) for eight hours. But they stayed in international airspace and did not enter US or Canadian airspace, […]
SCOTUS Rules In Favor Of Abortion Advocates In Major Pro-Life Loss
The United States Supreme Court ruled Monday that a pro-life law violates the rights of both women and abortion providers in Louisiana. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with liberal members of the court in the close 5-4 ruling. “The Louisiana law imposes a burden on access to abortion just as severe as that imposed by […]
Buried Detail in SCOTUS Workplace Bias Ruling Puts LGBTQ Rights and Religious Freedom on Collision Course
The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling extending workplace discrimination protection to cover sexual orientation and gender identity was cheered by LGBTQ people and allies. Indeed, the June 15 decision represents a big win in the fight for LGBTQ equality. But buried towards the end of a 33-page majority opinion written by conservative stalwart Justice Neil Gorsuch […]
Israel-US defense tech cooperation may soon get a big congressional boost
Not only does the US provide Israel funding, there is also key cooperation in missile defense, anti-tunnel defense and counter-drone technology. A bipartisan effort is making its way through the US Congress that could see new support for Israel-US defense cooperation. It is a unique effort that now includes both a bill in the Senate called the […]
‘Certain narratives were exposed’ in national ID systems, development experts tell ID4Africa webinar
Universal digital identity coverage could be achieved within the next two years, if shifts in political will and recognition of the mission’s importance are harnessed, according to an expert perspective shared during the latest ID4Africa webinar. “The Identity for Development Agenda in the Era of COVID-19” featured an intense panel discussion by development agencies and United Nations […]