Weekly News Brief 10/29/25

Featured Stories

Israel Renames Operation Iron Swords to “War of Revival” as Gaza Fighting Resumes

Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday officially approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to rename Operation Iron Swords as the War of Revival, even as clashes with Hamas resumed in southern Gaza following a week-long ceasefire.

Trump Declares “Dawn of Peace” in Historic Knesset Speech as Hostages Return Home on Hoshanah Rabbah – Oct.13.2025

Trump Warns Iran Against Renewing Nuclear Program, Says U.S. ‘Will Take Care of It’ If Necessary – Oct.6.2025

Breaking World News

Netherlands To Host Preparations For Historic Russia War Tribunal

The Netherlands announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to serve as the host country for preparing the “Russia Tribunal,” an international court aimed at holding Russian political and military leaders accountable for their roles in the war in Ukraine.

Dutch Elections Seen As Decisive For Nation’s Direction Amid Deep Divisions

Dutch voters will go to the polls on Wednesday in snap parliamentary elections seen as crucial for the future direction of the Netherlands, which is facing a housing and social crisis amid a fierce debate about the ongoing influx of asylum seekers.

Mexican Journalist Found Murdered As Fears Grow Over Press Freedom

A journalist in northwest Mexico has become the latest victim in the deadly climate facing the country’s press. Miguel Ángel Beltrán — a crime reporter who covered drug trafficking, cartel influence, and local corruption on social media — was reportedly found murdered Saturday along a highway between the state of Durango and the resort city of Mazatlán in neighbouring Sinaloa. His death was confirmed on Monday by the Durango state prosecutor’s office.

Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica With Record-Breaking Winds, Floods

Ireland Elects Pro-Palestine President In Rebuke To Establishment Parties

Trump Warns Putin Over Russian Nuclear Missile Test Amid Escalating War Tensions

Trump Cancels Trade Talks with Canada After Ontario Uses “Fake” Reagan Ad Criticizing Tariffs

U.S. Deploys Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to Latin America Amid Rising Tensions With Venezuela

Hurricane Melissa Strengthens Toward Jamaica, Could Reach Category 5

EU Summit Stalls on Russian Assets as Lithuanian Airspace Violation Heightens Tensions

Russia Says It Successfully Tests Nuclear-Powered “Burevestnik” Missile With 14,000-Kilometer Flight

Europe’s Leaders Press For Global Sanctions On Russian Oil

Breaking Israel News

Israel Launches “Powerful Strikes” in Gaza After Hamas Breaks Ceasefire, Fakes Hostage Recovery

Israel carried out a new wave of “immediate and powerful strikes” across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after Hamas fighters opened fire on Israeli troops near Rafah and faked the recovery of a hostage’s body in violation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Gaza Deal Turns Terrorists into Millionaires

The latest Gaza ceasefire deal has unleashed a shocking consequence: the creation of 160 Palestinian terrorist millionaires, each enriched through years of “pay-for-slay” stipends from the Palestinian Authority (PA) while serving prison sentences for murdering Israelis. Now freed under the U.S.-brokered Gaza agreement, many of these convicted killers have walked out of Israeli jails not only unrepentant–but wealthy, celebrated as heroes, and financially rewarded for their crimes.

Israel Says Four Hostage Bodies Still Missing in Gaza, Presses Hamas for Return

Israel does not know the location of four of the remaining 13 bodies of hostages still held in Gaza, as pressure mounts on Hamas to resume returning the remains under the cease-fire and hostage-release agreement, according to Israeli sources familiar with the talks.

Israel-Backed Militias in Gaza Seek to Build ‘New Gaza’ Without Hamas, Sky News Reports

Rubio: Gaza Security Force Must Include Nations Approved by Israel

First Assyrian Inscription Ever Found in Jerusalem Confirms Biblical-Era Links Between Judah and Assyria

Netanyahu and Rubio Hail ‘Days of Destiny’ Amid U.S. Fury Over West Bank Annexation Bill

Hamas Operating Underground Prisons to Crush Internal Dissent

Vance Meets Netanyahu, Reaffirms U.S. Support for Israel’s Security and Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Vance Confident Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold, Warns Hamas of ‘Obliteration’ if Deal Collapses

Vance Optimistic With Gaza Peace Plan; Reiterates No U.S. Troops To Be On The Ground

Breaking U.S. News

‘There Is No Excuse:’ Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots Urge Congress To End Shutdown

As air traffic controllers and other federal workers missed a full paycheck Tuesday, growing numbers of labor unions and advocacy groups are calling on Congress to end the record-long government shutdown.

Vance Says U.S. Troops Will Get Paid Friday Despite Shutdown

Vice President J.D. Vance said Tuesday that 1.3 million U.S. troops will get a paycheck on Friday despite a congressional funding lapse and stalemate that has partially shuttered the federal government for the last 28 days.

Illegal Border Crossings In September Historically Low

Illegal border crossings in September were historically low, representing a 92.4% drop from a record high reported in September 2023.

President Trump Hints At Third Term Despite Constitutional Ban

Democrat-friendly Labor Union Urges Congress To Pass GOP Funding Bill, Open Govt

Newsom Says He Will Consider Running For President

Trump Administration Pursues “Golden Fleet” to Reinvent U.S. Navy for Future Conflicts

Anonymous Donor Gives $130 Million to Pentagon to Cover Military Pay During Shutdown

Democrats Tank GOP Bill To Pay Troops, Essential Workers During Govt Shutdown

U.S. National Debt Tops $38 Trillion for First Time Amid Mounting Fiscal Warnings

Pro-Life Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Obamacare Subsidy Extension Without Hyde Protections

DHS Arrests 480,000 Illegal Immigrants in Nine Months; 70% Have Criminal Records

Breaking Christian News

Christian Missionaries Attacked In Northern India; Eight Police Officers Suspended

Eight police officers in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir region have been suspended “for their failure” to stop an attack on Christian missionaries by Hindu nationalists last week, according to Christian human-rights investigators.

Anti-Christian Violence Escalates In Southern Egypt (Worthy News In-Depth)

A tense calm returned Tuesday to a rural area in southern Egypt’s Minya Province after sectarian violence broke out following online accusations that a young Christian man was in a relationship with a Muslim girl, several Christian sources told Worthy News.

Islamic Militants Kill Scores Of Christians In Mozambique; Thousands Displaced (Worthy News In-Depth)

Dutch Christian Music Pioneer Wim Pols Dies

US Missionary Pilot Abducted By Islamic State Militants

Kyrgyz Pastor ‘Suffers Brain Injuries’ After Reported Torture, UN Experts Raise Alarm

Nearly One In Five U.S. Churchgoers Have Been Directly Involved In Abortion, Study Finds

Weekly News Brief 10/21/25

Featured Stories

Israel Renames Operation Iron Swords to “War of Revival” as Gaza Fighting Resumes

Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday officially approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to rename Operation Iron Swords as the War of Revival, even as clashes with Hamas resumed in southern Gaza following a week-long ceasefire.

Trump Declares “Dawn of Peace” in Historic Knesset Speech as Hostages Return Home on Hoshanah Rabbah – Oct.13.2025

Trump Warns Iran Against Renewing Nuclear Program, Says U.S. ‘Will Take Care of It’ If Necessary – Oct.6.2025

Breaking World News

Crown Jewels Worth $102 Million Stolen In France’s Dramatic Louvre Heist

French authorities said Tuesday that crown jewels stolen in a daring daylight heist at the Louvre Museum over the weekend are worth an estimated 88 million euros ($102 million) — excluding their immense historical value to France.

Khamenei Tells Trump to ‘Keep Dreaming’ Over Claims U.S. Destroyed Iran’s Nuclear Program

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that American airstrikes had wiped out Iran’s nuclear industry, telling the president to “keep dreaming.”

Armenian Clergy Arrests Deepen Church-State Rift As Christians Face Regional Pressure

Concerns mounted Monday over the fate of a bishop and 12 clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church who were detained amid a deepening standoff between church leaders and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government — a dispute unfolding as Christians in the region face growing pressure.

Russia Rejects Europe’s Frontlines Proposal For Ukraine As Trump-Putin Summit In Doubt

US, Australia Sign $8.5 Billion Rare Earth Deal To Counter China

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Says He Would Join Trump-Putin Summit If Invited

EU Agrees To Phase Out Russian Gas and Oil By 2028

EU Criticizes Hungary For Hosting Putin-Trump Summit

Austria Clears Way For More EU Sanctions Against Russia

U.S. Strike Kills Three Alleged Narco-Terrorists Linked to Colombian Rebel Group

Trump Backs Down On Tomahawk Missiles For Kyiv In Talks With Zelenskyy

Vietnamese Christians Impacted As Typhoon Bualoi Kills Dozens Across Vietnam And Southeast Asia

Breaking Israel News

Vance Confident Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold, Warns Hamas of ‘Obliteration’ if Deal Collapses

U.S. Vice President JD Vance voiced optimism Tuesday that the fragile Gaza ceasefire would endure, even as he warned Hamas of total destruction should it fail to disarm under President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan.

Vance Optimistic With Gaza Peace Plan; Reiterates No U.S. Troops To Be On The Ground

No U.S. troops will be on the ground in Gaza, Vice President JD Vance reassured Americans during a visit to Israel on Tuesday.

Netanyahu Vows to Continue War on Hamas, Warns of ‘New Threats’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened the Knesset’s winter session Monday with a defiant speech, pledging to continue Israel’s war against Hamas while defending the temporary ceasefire tied to ongoing hostage negotiations.

Trump Warns Hamas Over Ceasefire Violations: “They’ll Be Eradicated If We Have To”

Hamas Refuses to Commit to Disarmament, Floats 3–5 Year Truce as Mass Executions Shock Gazans

Israel Marks Two Years Since October 7 Massacre as Netanyahu Vows ‘Struggle Isn’t Over’

Houthis Announce Death of Senior Military Chief in Israeli Airstrike

Israel Presses Hamas to Return Remaining Hostage Remains as Trump Says ‘Nobody Is Getting Left Behind’

Netanyahu Warns Hamas to Disarm or Face “All Hell Breaking Loose” as Trump Insists on Compliance with Gaza Peace Plan

Israel Freezes Rafah Crossing Reopening, Accuses Hamas of Violating Ceasefire Deal by Withholding Hostage Bodies

All 20 Living Hostages Released by Hamas Returned to Israel; Families Reunited Amid Dispute Over Deceased Hostages

Breaking U.S. News

DHS Arrests 480,000 Illegal Immigrants in Nine Months; 70% Have Criminal Records

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has arrested more than 480,000 illegal immigrants in the past nine months — with 70% of them convicted of crimes or facing criminal charges — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday.

Senate Democrats Block Bill To End Government Shutdown For 11th Time

For the 11th time, U.S. Senate Democrats blocked legislation Monday evening to reopen and fund the federal government, indicating that Republicans’ strategy of waiting out the opposition isn’t working.

Ongoing federal funding lapse now longest full government shutdown in history

The federal government has broken an unfortunate record: its 20th day of closure marks the longest full government shutdown ever.

Supreme Court To Consider Drug User Gun Possession Case

US Army, Contractors Constructing Miles Of Border Wall Barriers In Arizona

D.C. Leads Thousands Of ‘No Kings’ Protests Nationwide

No progress on funding as Trump cuts programs amid shutdown

U.S. Government Shutdown Drags On as Senate Fails Again to End Debate Over Funding Bill

Oklahoma Drops Controversial Plan to Distribute Bibles in Public Classrooms

Trump, Patel Tout ‘Historic’ Crime Crackdown

President Trump Awards Late Charlie Kirk Medal Of Freedom At Emotional Ceremony

Mass Shooting in South Carolina Leaves 4 Dead, Dozens Wounded

Breaking Christian News

Texas Churches Vandalized With Anti-Trump Graffiti During “No Kings” Protests

Two San Antonio pastors are speaking out after their churches were vandalized over the weekend amid nationwide “No Kings” protests targeting the Trump administration.

Two North Carolina Churches Targeted in Suspected Arson Attacks

Authorities are investigating two suspected arson attacks on churches in a small North Carolina town after fires were deliberately set late Friday night.

International Day of Prayer For Persecuted Church Also Online

Turkey Expels Hundreds of Christians Under “National Security” Label, Rights Groups Warn

Church and Christians Evicted in Pakistan Persecution

Beijing Zion Church Pastor Detained as China Launches Sweeping Crackdown on House Churches

Christian Father Murdered In Pakistan

Weekly News Brief 10/2/25

Featured Stories

Trump Unveils 21-Point Plan to End Gaza War; Netanyahu Voices Support

U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Monday unveiled what he described as a “comprehensive and fair” 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza immediately, secure the release of hostages, and set the foundation for rebuilding the enclave under international oversight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly endorsed the proposal, calling Trump “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

Trump Administration Pushes 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Amid Intense Negotiations – Sep.27.2025

Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan, Opposes Israeli Annexation of Judea and Samaria – Sep.24.2025

Breaking World News

Trump Signs Executive Order Pledging U.S. Military Protection for Qatar After Israeli Strike

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar against external attacks, extending NATO-style security assurances to the Gulf nation just weeks after Israeli airstrikes targeted Hamas leaders in Doha.

Powerful Quake Kills Dozens In Philippines; Christians Speak Of Miracles Amid Misery

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck central Philippines late Tuesday killed scores of people, with its epicenter off the coast of Cebu province near Bogo City, but Christians also spoke of miracles and faith amid the misery.

Explosions, Fire, and Fatality Shake Munich Amid Oktoberfest and Security Fears

The German city of Munich was rocked early Wednesday by explosions, gunfire, and a deadly fire in its northern quarter, prompting fears of a link to Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival.

Czech Elections Could Strengthen Orbán-Linked Populist Bloc In Europe

Strong Earthquake Jolts Central Philippines, Damages Church, Cuts Power (Video)

Trump–Orbán Tensions Rise As Bulgaria Backs EU Plan To Phase Out Russian Gas

Hungary’s Orbán Says Ukraine Not Sovereign Country

Taliban Imposes Nationwide Internet Blackout in Afghanistan Amid Morality Crackdown

Trump Signals Harder Line on Moscow, Considers Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine

Moldova’s Pro-Western Governing Party Wins Elections, Overshadowed By Russian Interference Allegations

Ukraine Accuses Hungary of Violating Its Airspace With Drones (Worthy News Radio)

U.N. Security Council Rejects Russian-Chinese Push to Delay Sanctions on Iran

Breaking Israel News

Israel Says Gaza City Nearly Encircled as IDF Pushes Toward Final Siege

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are close to fully encircling Gaza City, urging remaining residents to flee south through Israeli checkpoints in what he described as their “last opportunity” before the city is sealed off.

Hamas Signals Likely Rejection Of Trump’s 20-point Gaza Plan

A senior Hamas official told the BBC on Wednesday that the group is likely to reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly unveiled 20-point ceasefire and peace proposal for Gaza, saying the package “serves Israel’s interests” and “ignores those of the Palestinian people.”

Trump Gives Hamas Days to Accept Peace Plan, Warns of Consequences if Rejected

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum Tuesday, warning Hamas it has only “three or four days” to accept his new 20-point Gaza peace plan or face destruction at the hands of Israel.

Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar Over Israeli Strike as Trump Pushes Gaza Peace Plan

Hezbollah Vows to Keep Weapons on Anniversary of Nasrallah’s Killing

Israel Begins World-First Project to Replenish Sea of Galilee with Desalinated Water

Microsoft Cuts Cloud Services to Israel’s Unit 8200 Following Surveillance Report

Netanyahu at UN: Israel’s Comeback, Warning on Iran’s Blackmail, and Condemnation of Palestinian State Recognition

Netanyahu Orders Yemen Strike Mid-Flight as Israel Responds to Houthi Drone Attacks on Eilat

Houthi Drone from Yemen Strikes Eilat Tourist District, Over 20 Wounded

Trump Meets Arab and Muslim Leaders in Push to End Gaza War

Breaking U.S. News

Trump Deploys National Guard to Portland Amid ICE Protests, Local Leaders Push Back

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that the National Guard is now deployed in Portland, Oregon, to protect federal immigration enforcement operations as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue to roil the city.

Senate Deadlocks on Dueling Plans as U.S. Government Shutdown Begins

The federal government will officially enter a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday after both Senate Republicans and Democrats blocked competing short-term funding bills, failing to prevent the first lapse in federal funding since President Donald Trump’s first term. The standoff capped days of failed negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders, with neither side willing to concede on core demands.

Trump and Hegseth Declare End of ‘Woke Military,’ Launch ‘War Department’ Era

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping transformation of the U.S. military, rebranding the Pentagon as the “Department of War” and rolling out a raft of directives aimed at reversing what they called years of “woke” policies.

Trump, Congress Deadlocked as Government Shutdown Looms

Pentagon Presses Missile Makers to Double or Quadruple Output Amid China War Concerns

New York City Mayor Eric Adams Ends Reelection Bid (Video)

Michigan LDS Church Attack Leaves At Least Four Dead, Several Injured; FBI Leads Probe

Trump Orders Troops to Portland to Protect ICE Facilities Amid Protests

Three Muslim Men Charged In Houston Area Baseball Shooting

FBI Agents Say They Were Used as ‘Political Pawns’ During Jan. 6 Deployment

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Perjury and Obstruction Charges

Trump Orders US Takeover Of TikTok Amid Security Concerns

Breaking Christian News

Evangelist Franklin Graham Praises Tim Allen’s Forgiveness Of Father’s Killer After Erika Kirk’s Emotional Tribute

Evangelist Franklin Graham said Tuesday he was “encouraged” to learn that American actor, comedian, and bestselling writer Tim Allen has forgiven the man responsible for his father’s death in 1964.

Wave of Attacks on Christians in India Follows Passage of Harsh Anti-Conversion Bill

China Launches Major Crackdown on House Churches, Over 70 Believers Arrested

Devout Christians In China Face New Online Crackdown (Worthy News Focus)

Thousands Encounter Revival at University of South Florida UniteUS Gathering

Indonesia To Enforce New Blasphemy Law In 2026, Raising Concerns Among Christians