China Tightens Regulation of Religion to ‘Block Extremism’

China Tightens Regulation of Religion to ‘Block Extremism’

BEIJING (Reuters) — China’s cabinet on Thursday passed new rules to regulate religion to bolster national security, fight extremism and restrict faith practiced outside organizations approved by the state. The document passed by Premier Li Keqiang updates a version of rules put into place in 2005 to allow the regulation of religion to better reflect […]

Bangladeshi Pastor Attacked Following Confrontation Over Destruction of Property

Bangladeshi Pastor Attacked Following Confrontation Over Destruction of Property

Bangladesh (Mission Network News) – Just over a week ago in Bangladesh, men from an electric company arrived at FMI supported Pastor Rajib’s home, claiming they were there to make improvements to his power, only to purposefully destroy Rajib’s property. But, when Rajib confronted the men, they turned violent. “[When] he confronted the workers about […]

UK Retailer John Lewis Removes ‘Boys’ and ‘Girls’ Labels From Children’s Clothes

UK Retailer John Lewis Removes ‘Boys’ and ‘Girls’ Labels From Children’s Clothes

(The Telegraph) — John Lewis has launched a range of gender-neutral children’s clothes, becoming the first retailer in the country to remove “boys” and “girls” labels. The department store said it did not want to “reinforce gender stereotypes” with its childrenswear, which now has unisex labels on all clothing from 0-14 years. School uniforms are […]

Suspected Al Shabaab Gunmen Kill Two Policemen at Kenyan Church

Suspected Al Shabaab Gunmen Kill Two Policemen at Kenyan Church

MOMBASA, Kenya (Garowe Online) — Gunmen killed two police officers guarding a church on Kenya’s southern coast on Sunday in an attack that police said bore the hallmarks of Somalia’s Islamist militant group al Shabaab. Four gunmen confronted the police stationed at the entrance of an Anglican church in the town of Ukunda, south of Mombasa, regional […]

‘Troubling’ Figures Reveal 700 Babies Were Born Drug-Dependent in Scotland in Five Years

‘Troubling’ Figures Reveal 700 Babies Were Born Drug-Dependent in Scotland in Five Years

(The Christian Institute) — Over 700 babies were born addicted to drugs in Scotland over the past five years, new figures have shown. The number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)—caused by exposure to addictive opiate drugs in the womb—varied across a number of different health boards. The Scottish government has described the […]

One in Five Germans Wish to See More Christians in Politics

One in Five Germans Wish to See More Christians in Politics

(Evangelical Focus) — About 20% of Germans would wish to have more political representatives who have a Christian faith. According to a survey published by the German news agency Idea ahead of the general election in September, another 49% of Germans disagree and express no interest in the increase of Christian political representatives. The survey asked 2,034 […]

American Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey Now Facing Charges of Attempting to Overthrow Government

American Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey Now Facing Charges of Attempting to Overthrow Government

ANKARA, Turkey — An American pastor who has been imprisoned in Turkey for nearly a year on an accusation that he is a member of a “terrorist organization,” is now facing four new criminal charges, including espionage and attempting to overthrow the government. “These ‘new’ charges, coming 322 days after his initial arrest in October of […]