by Michele Chabin (RNS) An Israeli government initiative to help vaccinate Holocaust survivors worldwide against COVID-19 is drawing praise for its intentions, but also skepticism. The initiative, announced by Diaspora Affairs Minister Omer Yankelevich on Tuesday (Jan. 12), seeks to vaccinate the estimated 200,000 Holocaust survivors who live outside of Israel. The vast … [Read more...] about Israel Hopes to Vaccinate Holocaust Survivors to Save and Repay ‘Treasured’ Population
World
2021 World Watch List: The 50 Most Dangerous Places to be a Christ-Follower
(ChurchLeaders) In its newly released 2021 World Watch List, Open Doors USA paints a picture of escalating religious persecution throughout the globe. The watchdog group reports a 60 percent increase in the number of Christians killed for their faith, noting that COVID-19 restrictions have made many bad situations “unbearable.” Open Doors president and CEO David Curry, … [Read more...] about 2021 World Watch List: The 50 Most Dangerous Places to be a Christ-Follower
China-Owned Paper Seeks to Justify Horrific Human Rights Abuses Against Uighur Women
(LifeSiteNews) An article recently appearing in the Chinese Communist Party-owned China Daily claimed, “In the process of eradicating extremism, the minds of Uygur [sic] women were emancipated ... making them no long [sic] baby-making machines.” The “eradication of extremism” has helped Uyghur women “to become healthy, confident and independent,” the article continued. In … [Read more...] about China-Owned Paper Seeks to Justify Horrific Human Rights Abuses Against Uighur Women
Israel Reportedly Bombs Iranian-Backed Targets in Syria, Killing 23
(CBN News) Israel is reportedly responsible for a series of heavy airstrikes against Iranian-backed forces in eastern Syria on Wednesday, leaving dozens of fighters dead or wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said Israeli warplanes targeted the arms depots of Iranian-backed fighters. A senior US intelligence official confirmed the … [Read more...] about Israel Reportedly Bombs Iranian-Backed Targets in Syria, Killing 23
Pope Francis’ Personal Doctor Has Died of COVID-19
by Claire Giangravé VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis’ personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died of complications due to COVID-19 on Saturday, a day before the pontiff announced he will receive the vaccine this week. Soccorsi, 78, was being treated for cancer on Dec. 26 at the Roman hospital Agostino Gemelli when he contracted COVID-19, according to a report by the … [Read more...] about Pope Francis’ Personal Doctor Has Died of COVID-19