A court in a major city sentenced a pro-democracy media founder to 20 years in prison for conspiring with foreign forces to endanger national security. The elderly Catholic, who holds foreign citizenship, was convicted on charges related to encouraging sanctions against the country and publishing seditious articles through his former outlet. This ruling marks the harshest penalty under the national security law. The sentence runs consecutively with his existing term for fraud. Prosecutors cited meetings with foreign officials, while his defense team argued for leniency based on his age and health. Western leaders have condemned the verdict as an attack on press freedom.
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Singer Kid Rock performed a modified version of his song 'Til’ You Can’t’ during Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime broadcast in the US. The event, streamed on YouTube, attracted over 5 million viewers. Rock added a new verse focusing on repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, dedicating the performance to TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. Erika Kirk later praised the show for pointing viewers toward faith. The broadcast served as a Christian alternative to the NFL’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance featuring Bad Bunny.
Bagrat Galstanyan, an Armenian archbishop currently detained in Armenia, sent a letter to the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington warning that the Armenian Apostolic Church faces an existential threat. Transmitted by Christian Solidarity International, the message urged U.S. Vice President JD Vance to intervene against government actions targeting senior clergy. Galstanyan, a critic of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, claimed the state is silencing the church to reduce Armenia to a vassal of Azerbaijan and Turkey. The archbishop cited the detention of four clerics and recent charges against six bishops as evidence of a campaign to dismantle the church’s independence and influence on national security. (Source: Kidok Ilbo)
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that faith-based addiction recovery programs meeting evidence-based standards are now eligible for federal funding. Speaking at a Prevention Day event in the United States, Kennedy stated that the Trump administration aims to fully include these providers in national recovery initiatives. He described addiction as a spiritual disease and highlighted a new $100 million initiative called STREETS to support outreach and housing. Kennedy also unveiled a $10 million grant program for assisted outpatient treatment. The policy shift comes as federal data shows substance abuse disorder prevalence has more than doubled since 2019.
The sixth annual International Religious Freedom Summit opened Monday at the Washington Hilton in the United States. Co-chairs Katrina Lantos Swett and Sam Brownback warned that religious restrictions are increasing worldwide. They stated that nearly 80% of the global population lives in countries with high levels of governmental or societal restrictions on religion. The two-day event brought together over 90 organizations representing more than 30 faith traditions. Organizers aim to build political support for conscience rights and highlight growing threats to human rights and peace. The summit emphasizes that religious freedom is a universal human right protected under international law.
A former U.S. ambassador testified before Congress, warning of a growing alliance of authoritarian states viewing religious freedom as a threat. He identified China as the central force, alleging it exports surveillance technology to repressive regimes globally. The ambassador also cited Nigeria’s partnerships with nations like Russia and Turkey as complicating factors. Lawmakers criticized the Trump administration for failing to nominate a religious freedom ambassador and cutting funding for persecuted groups, arguing these actions weaken global efforts to protect faith communities against authoritarian control.
Speakers at an international summit warned that religious freedom is deteriorating across the Middle East. A representative from the Assyrian International Council stated that the Christian population in the region has dropped significantly due to persecution in several countries. She cited violence, vandalism of sites, and forced conversions as key factors. Another speaker highlighted the vulnerability of ex-Muslims in Sudan, while a third discussed persecution in Yemen. The group urges Western governments and international bodies to take stronger action to protect these minorities.
Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish lawmaker facing criminal charges over a Bible verse tweet, will testify before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in Washington. The hearing, titled “Europe’s Threat to Speech and Innovation: Part II,” examines how European Union regulations, such as the Digital Services Act, impact democratic expression and technology standards in the United States. Räsänen’s legal case stems from a 2019 social media post questioning an LGBT pride event sponsorship, which led to hate speech charges. She argues that penalizing her speech violates constitutional and human rights protections. The session also features Lorcán Price from ADF International, who will discuss the cross-border effects of these regulations. (Kidok Ilbo)
Baptist churches in the United Kingdom donated over $124,000 to support students affected by the sudden closure of Spurgeon’s College in London. The historic theological institution ceased operations in July 2025 due to financial strain and declining enrollment. The Baptist Union of Great Britain launched an emergency appeal in September, which concluded in November with £90,000 raised. According to The Baptist Times, the funds allowed the union to reimburse students for paid fees and provide further financial assistance. Tim Fergusson of the Baptist Union stated the generosity exceeded expectations, enabling help for more students than anticipated. The union continues to support ministerial development through its annual bursary program.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression states that the First Amendment does not protect protesters who disrupt church services. This clarification follows an incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators interrupted a worship service. Board member Samuel J. Abrams emphasized that houses of worship are private spaces, not public forums. Consequently, entering such locations to shut down services is not constitutionally protected. The group warned that confusing protected speech with unprotected conduct risks eroding civil society. Federal authorities have arrested individuals involved in the disruption under laws protecting religious freedom.
The Wylie Independent School District in Texas launched an internal investigation after an outside group distributed Islamic literature on a public high school campus. A student video showed representatives from Why Islam handing out pamphlets and hijabs during lunch. District officials stated this was a procedural failure, not an intentional promotion of religious or political agendas. Consequently, a staff member was placed on leave for granting unauthorized access. The incident coincided with World Hijab Day promotions by the student Muslim association. The group is linked to the Islamic Circle of North America, and its website contains critiques of Christian doctrine.
TruPlay Games, a US-based Christian digital media company, has accused Google and TikTok of systematically restricting its religious content. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, attorneys from the American Center for Law & Justice alleged that Google rejected dozens of advertisements since 2023 under a policy regarding religious belief in personalized advertising. The firm claims its ads targeted general audiences interested in family entertainment, not specific religious groups. TikTok allegedly suspended TruPlay’s account after rejecting ads featuring a cartoon image of Jesus. The group urges Congress to investigate these platforms for potential viewpoint-based discrimination against religious content. (Source: Kidok Ilbo)
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Aaron Edwards, a former lecturer at Cliff College in the UK, is appealing his dismissal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London. He was fired after posting comments on X defending traditional Evangelical views on sexuality during a Church of England debate. The Sheffield Employment Tribunal previously upheld the dismissal, citing misconduct for bringing the college into disrepute. Edwards argues the ruling infringes on his religious freedom and free expression rights. The Christian Legal Centre supports him, stating his views are protected under UK equality law and do not justify sanctions based on reputation concerns. The case highlights tensions between institutional authority and protected religious expression.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for labeling the invasion of Ukraine a holy mission. Speaking to The Independent, Williams stated that using divine direction to justify military violence constitutes heresy and contradicts Christian teachings. He criticized the systematic rebranding of Christianity as a Russian national ideology. This comment follows Putin’s Orthodox Christmas address, where he claimed Russian soldiers act at the Lord’s behest. The remarks also align with criticism of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who has similarly framed the conflict as a spiritual struggle against the West.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced an interim final rule to ease immigration burdens on foreign religious workers. The policy eliminates the mandatory one-year waiting period abroad for R-1 visa holders who have completed their five-year stay. Previously, these individuals, including priests and nuns, had to remain outside the United States for a year before reapplying. DHS states this change addresses backlogs caused by 2023 policy shifts that increased wait times for EB-4 permanent residency visas. The rule aims to help religious organizations retain essential clergy and staff. The measure was published in the Federal Register, opening a 60-day public comment period before finalization.
Lawmakers in Virginia have passed a constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including abortion. The Virginia House and Senate approved the measure this week, sending it to a statewide voter referendum this fall. Catholic bishops Michael Burbidge and Barry Knestout strongly condemned the proposal, calling it an extreme amendment that would enshrine virtually unlimited abortion access. They warned it jeopardizes parental consent laws and healthcare conscience protections. If voters approve the measure, Virginia would become the 11th state to constitutionally protect abortion rights following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision.
Six pro-life activists had misdemeanor charges dismissed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, following a hearing at the Media courthouse. The group, identified by Red Rose Rescue, was arrested in July 2025 after entering an abortion facility in Chester. According to the organization, the activists provided information to pregnant women and staff. Court records indicate the defendants entered no contest pleas, resulting in the dismissal of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct charges. The activists will face no jail time or fines, and their bond money is expected to be returned. The group expressed gratitude to their legal team for securing this outcome.
Religious leaders in the United Kingdom are opposing the Labour government's proposed legal definition of anti-Muslim hatred. They argue the plan risks restricting freedom of expression and religious liberty. The Evangelical Alliance and Hindu Council UK contend the wording is vague and could criminalize legitimate theological dialogue. Alicia Edmund of the Evangelical Alliance and Dipen Rajyaguru of the Hindu Council UK warn that the proposal lacks clear legal standards. They urge the government to distinguish between protecting individuals from violence and safeguarding open discussion of beliefs. The groups emphasize that existing laws already address discrimination and violence adequately.
A Lifeway Research study reveals that 94% of US pastors believe their churches will remain active in ten years. However, only 78% strongly agree, indicating underlying concerns. The data covers 35 denominations, representing 58% of US Protestant churches. Smaller congregations with fewer than 50 attendees show the highest doubt. While more than one-third of churches assist in church planting, few serve as primary financial sponsors. In 2024, approximately 4,000 Protestant churches closed, slightly exceeding the 3,800 new ones started. This gap has narrowed compared to 2019. Southern Baptist churches founded since 2000 are the only group to show membership growth recently.
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