North Korea threatens U.S. over new missile defense system
(WNS)–North Korea is threatening the United States—again. On July 11 the hermetically sealed nation vowed to sever its only diplomatic communication line and stage “powerful counter-action” over new sanctions on its leader and a planned missile detection system meant to prevent the totalitarian regime’s abuse of nuclear weaponry. North Korea has been under strict sanctions for years, but the United States last week personally penalized Kim Jong Un for the first time, accusing the 32-year-old dictator and 10 top officials of human rights abuses. It is estimated the country holds up to 120,000 political prisoners. “Under Kim Jong Un, North Korea continues to inflict intolerable cruelty and hardship on millions of its own people, including extrajudicial killings, forced labor, and torture,” said Adam Szubin, in a Treasury Department report released this month. Pyongyang claimed the blacklisting equaled a declaration of war—and promised to retaliate.
Russian anti-terror bill would restore ‘Soviet-era’ religious restrictions
(WNS)–Activists in Russia warn new legislation meant to combat terrorism will violate freedoms of speech, privacy, and religion. The Yarovaya Law passed the State Duma, one house of Russia’s parliament, on June 24. It would ban proselytizing, preaching, and praying outside “officially recognized religious institutions,” according to The New York Times. Pentecostal Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky and other religious leaders warned the law would violate citizens’ rights and contradict the constitution. Russia’s other parliamentary house, the Federation Council, passed the bill June 29, leaving its fate up to President Vladimir Putin.
Ontario court deals blow to Christian law school
(WNS)–The Ontario Court of Appeal on June 29 ruled that a provincial accrediting body can legally refuse to recognize Trinity Western University’s proposed law school based solely on the school’s marriage views. “This isn’t just a loss for TWU,” said university spokesperson Amy Robertson. “This is a loss for all Canadians. Freedom of conscience and religion is the first of the fundamental freedoms mentioned in the Charter [of Rights and Freedoms].” The Christian university plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
