Weekly News Brief 3/20/24

Breaking World News

USCIRF Calls For US To Support Iraqi Victims Of ISIS On Anniversary Of Genocide Determination
Marking the eighth anniversary of the 2016 determination by the United States that ISIS carried out a genocide against northern Iraq’s Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims two years earlier, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called on the US government to do more to support survivors of the 2014 jihadist campaign that involved mass murders, systematic abductions, rape and sexual slavery, forced labor, and forced religious conversion to Sunni Islam.

Hong Kong Passes Tough Security Law Limiting Liberties
Critics feared losing more civil liberties in Hong Kong on Wednesday after local lawmakers unanimously approved a new national security that grants the government more power to quash dissent.

U.S. Will Stay in NATO If European Nations Pay ‘Fair Share’, Trump Says
 Posted on: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
If re-elected, former President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the U.S. would stay in NATO as long as European countries pay their ‘fair share’ and ‘play fair.’

Latest World News Headlines

Russia’s Re-elected Putin Warns Of World War III – March 18, 2024

Yemen: Houthi Terror Group Has Obtained Hypersonic Missile, “Death to America, Death to Israel” – March 18, 2024

Russia’s Putin Claims Election Victory Amid Protests and Deadly Attacks (Worthy News Radio) – March 18, 2024

Hungary’s Orbán Under Pressure Over Death Navalny (Worthy News Radio) – March 17, 2024

Thousands Protest Government ‘Media Crackdown’ In Slovakia – March 17, 2024

Japan Court Calls Denying Same-Sex Marriage ‘Unconstitutional’ – March 15, 2024

Gunfire Erupts In Haiti As Gangs Frighten Nation – March 15, 2024

Putin Poised To Win Presidential Vote Despite Fighting Inside Russia – March 14, 2024

Biden Administration Renews Iran Sanctions Waiver Allowing $10 Billion For State Sponsor of Terrorism – March 14, 2024

Scores of Migrants Drown In Mediterranean Disaster – March 14, 2024

Breaking Israel News

International Court of Justice Will Hear Nicaragua’s Case Against Germany Over Israel Aid and UNRWA Defunding
As tens of thousands of Nicaraguans are fleeing their homes to escape President Daniel Ortega’s brutal dictatorship, the Nicaraguan government is bringing the German government before the International Court of Justice to demand it stop giving military aid to Israel and start funding the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) again.

Netanyahu Tells Biden To Prepare for Ground Operation in Rafah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed a Knesset committee that the IDF is set to launch a ground operation in Rafah, and he relayed this decision to US President Joe Biden during their phone conversation yesterday.

Syria Reports Israeli Strikes on Military Sites Near Damascus
Syria’s Defense Ministry confirmed that Israeli missile strikes allegedly hit military installations outside of Damascus. The ministry noted that while several military sites were hit, Syrian air defenses managed to intercept a number of the incoming missiles. According to regional intelligence and Syrian sources, these attacks represent an escalation in strikes targeting the fortifications of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which are located in the vicinity of Damascus.

Latest Israel News Headlines

300 Terrorists Arrested, 50 Killed As Raid on Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital Enters 2nd Day – March 19, 2024

Israel: Complex of 2,000 Year-Old Jewish Revolt Bolt Holes Discovered in Galilee – March 19, 2024

Trump Seeks Broader Israel-Mideast Peace – March 18, 2024

Israel Offers Six-Week Gaza Truce for 40 Hostages – March 18, 2024

Israel Raids Gaza’s Shifa Hospital Killing Hamas Senior Commander – March 18, 2024

Iran and Hezbollah Discuss Strategy in Beirut As War Looms In Lebanon – March 17, 2024

Israel Is Fighting ‘Multi-Front War’ and Facing Security Challenges During Ramadan, IDF Chief Says – March 16, 2024

Breaking U.S. News

Poll Finds Most Americans Believe Role Of Religion Is Declining In US
A new poll by the Pew Research Center shows that 80% of US adults now believe that the role of religion in public life is diminishing. The poll was conducted Feb. 13-25, 2024, among a nationally representative sample of 12,693 American adults.


Texas Immigration Law Blocked by Appeals Court Despite Supreme Court Allowing State to Arrest Illegal Immigrants
Just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court authorized its implementation, a federal appeals court overturned its decision, preventing Texas’ new anti-illegal immigration law from taking effect and once again halting its enforcement.

Presumptive Nominees Biden, Trump Sweep Tuesday Primaries
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive presidential nominees for their respective parties, won big again in Tuesday’s primaries.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

US Conservative Christians Denied Bank Access Under Biden Policies (Worthy News In-Depth) – March 20, 2024

Supreme Court Allows Texas To Enforce New Border Law – March 19, 2024

US: Republican and Democratic Lawmakers Agree To Suspend UNRWA Funding Until 2025 – March 19, 2024

Lawmakers, White House Announce Budget Deal To Keep Government Open – March 19, 2024

Layoffs Continue Nationwide As Economic Concerns Rise – March 19, 2024

Biden Border Policy Critics Lament ‘Migrant Crime Wave’ – March 19, 2024

Trump Can’t Secure $464M For New York Fraud Case, His Lawyers Say – March 18, 2024

Breaking Christian News

Christian Ministry Serves Thousands Of Ukrainian Refugees In Moldova, “Pray For Us”
An international Christian mission has been ministering to thousands of Ukrainian refugees who fled their homes for the former USSR country of Moldova after the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine began two years ago, CBN News reports. Headquartered in Tennessee, USA, Mission Eurasia has outreaches in the 13 countries of the former Soviet Union and Poland.

Uganda: Islamists Murder Christian Man For Leading Muslims To Faith In Christ
Radicalized Islamists murdered a Christian preacher in eastern Uganda earlier this month because he had been leading Muslims to faith in Christ, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Gaza: Palestinians Having Visions Of Jesus, Christians Remain In War Zone To Offer Gospel Hope
Taysir Saada, a former sniper for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), has revealed that Gaza Palestinians caught up in the Hamas war against Israel are having dreams and visions of Jesus and are rejoicing as they accept Him as their Savior, CBN News reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

India: Christian Couples Sentenced To Two Years Imprisonment For “Alluring” Hindu Relative To Become Christian – March 18, 2024

Cuba: Government Continues Crackdown On Christians, Religious Freedom – March 18, 2024

South Korean Christian Ministry Says North Korea Needs Prayer And Evangelism – March 18, 2024

US Missionaries Trapped in Violence-Torn Haiti – March 15, 2024

Wycliffe Associates Bringing Bible Translation Technology to Indigenous Translators Lacking Internet Access – March 15, 2024

Nicaragua: Female Prisoners Assaulted By Jail Staff For Praying Aloud – March 15, 2024

Pakistan: Christian Parents Worry Abducted 10-Year-Old Daughter May Be Sex-Trafficked – March 14, 2024

Weekly News Brief: 9/13/23

The following news is taken in whole or part from Worthy News Ministries.

Scientists successfully grow human kidneys inside pig embryos

Scientists in China have successfully grown early-stage human kidneys inside pig embryos, in research that may one day contribute to the supply of much-needed human organs for transplant patients, Live Science reports.

North Korea’s Kim supports Russia as Ukraine hits Black Sea Fleet (Worthy News Radio)

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has made clear he backs Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a Wednesday summit with President Vladimir Putin. The two met to discuss military cooperation despite U.S. warnings and amid reports that Ukraine had attacked the home base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

‘It Will Free up $6B for Terrorism’: Biden Admin Cuts a Deal with Iran for 5 US Hostages

The U.S. is one step closer to a deal to release five Americans held captive by the Iranian regime.

Latest World News Headlines

EU President Seeks Global Digital ID and AI Authority – September 12, 2023

Thousands Killed In Libya Flooding – September 12, 2023

Trafficking of dangerous methamphetamine drug is skyrocketing in Afghanistan, UN report – September 12, 2023

Dutch Court Gives Pakistani Ex-Cricketer 12 Years Jail For Threatening Anti-Islam Leader – September 12, 2023

Morocco Earthquake Death Toll Nearing 3,000 – September 12, 2023

Ethiopia hails new phase in disputed Blue Nile dam project – September 11, 2023

African Union is joining the G20, a powerful acknowledgement of a continent of 1 billion people – September 11, 2023

Breaking Israel News

Israeli High Court To Decide Fate of Netanyahu’s Cancellation of the ‘Reasonableness Standard’

In a rare televised hearing before an unprecedented 15-judge panel, the Israeli High Court of Justice is set to rule on the legality of the Netanyahu government’s cancellation of the “reasonableness standard,” passed in late July.

Israel has thwarted 27 terror attacks by Iran in 2023, “the time has come to exact a price” Mossad chief says

Announcing that Israel has foiled 27 terror attacks by Iran this year alone, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency warned Sunday that if any Jew is harmed at the hands of the Iranians, there will be a price to pay “from deep inside Tehran,” i24News reports. The Iranian Mullah regime has long threatened to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Iran building terror airport next to Israel, Defense Minister Gallant reveals – September 11, 2023

Mossad chief vows to target Iran’s ‘highest echelon’ if Israelis, Jews hurt in terror – September 11, 2023

Paris strips Abbas of top medal: ‘You justified the extermination of Europe’s Jews’ – September 10, 2023

Archaeologists uncover longest continuous section of 2nd Temple-era aqueduct – September 10, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

SCOTUS will likely have to weigh in on gender-altering medical treatments for minors, experts say

Amid a flurry of court cases initiated by US trans activists and conservatives who oppose each other on the issue of gender-altering medical treatments for minors, legal experts have concluded that the matter will eventually have to be decided by the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS), CBN News reports.

Supreme Court to Decide Whether to Kick Trump Off Ballot

The legal debate about whether or not former President Donald Trump should be allowed to appear on the 2024 ballot has made its way before the Supreme Court.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Chicago plans to house influx of migrants in massive military grade tents – September 12, 2023

California passes bill requiring judges to consider whether parents affirm child’s gender identity in custody cases – September 12, 2023

Republicans ponder a replacement for the term ‘pro-life’ – September 11, 2023

States battle over whether parents should be informed on their children’s gender choices – September 11, 2023

Over 215,000 apprehended by Border Patrol agents at southern border in August – September 11, 2023

Biden Under Fire As Tearful US Remembers 9/11 – September 11, 2023

California Assembly names August ‘Transgender History Month,’ becomes nation’s first official recognition – September 10, 2023

Breaking Christian News

36 North Carolina congregations settle disaffiliation lawsuit with United Methodist Church

Thirty-six North Carolina congregations who are separating from the United Methodist Church have resolved a lawsuit they filed against the UMC and will now be able leave the denomination according to a disaffiliation plan approved by church leaders in 2019, the Religion News Service (RNS) reports.

Nigeria: Islamic terrorists kill two Christians, kidnap six in Taraba state

Islamic terrorists murdered two Christians and kidnapped six others in Nigeria’s Taraba state on Sunday, as the years-long genocidal onslaught on Nigerian Christians by Muslim extremists continues unabated, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. With well over 50,000 Christians murdered since 2009, rights groups, US Open Doors, have ranked Nigeria number one in the world for Christians killed on account of their faith.

Beaten Pakistani Christian Activist Dead At 37

Pakistani Christian human rights activist Samuel Inayat, who was in urgent need of a kidney transplant after Muslim extremists beat him, has died, his family told Worthy News on Saturday.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Nigeria Seminarian Burned To Death; Others Kidnapped – September 10, 2023

Pakistan Christian Boy ‘Tortured’ For ‘Blasphemy’; Couple Detained – September 10, 2023

Nepal sees growing violent hostility toward Christians – September 7, 2023

Four Pakistani Youth Face Death Sentence For ‘Blasphemy’ – September 7, 2023

China: CCP continues crackdown on churches – September 7, 2023

Indonesia: House church threatened by Muslim extremists with machete – September 7, 2023

Iraq: Five men sentenced to life imprisonment for killing American Christian – September 7, 2023

News from this Week 7/27/22

Breaking World News

The following news is taken in whole or part from Worthy News Ministries.

Adviser To Hungary’s Premier Quits Over ‘Pure Nazi Speech’

The longtime top adviser of Hungary’s hardline nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has resigned over a “pure Nazi speech” in which he spoke out against becoming a “mixed race.”

IAEA chief: Iran’s nuclear program is galloping ahead, we have very limited visibility

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi warned on Friday that Iran’s nuclear program is “galloping ahead” and his agency has very limited visibility on what is happening.

EU Agrees To Reduce Gas Consumption Despite Hungary’s Objections – July 26, 2022

As NATO Grows, China and Russia Seek to Bring Iran, Saudi Arabia Into Fold – July 26, 2022

Japanese volcano Sakurajima erupts triggering alert level 5 – July 26, 2022

Russia’s Gazprom says it’s cutting gas to Nord Stream to 20% of capacity – July 26, 2022

Wheat Prices Up Sharply After Strike On Odesa, Despite Moscow Denying Impact Of Attack – July 26, 2022

Myanmar’s Military Executes Four Activists – July 26, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Israeli scientists discover method to accurately predict major earthquakes

Israeli scientists have published a study detailing a method by which a major earthquake can be predicted with 80% accuracy 48 hours before it strikes, the Jerusalem Post reports. Devastating, deadly earthquakes have occurred in all parts of the world, including the Far East and Europe, and are not confined to specific regions.

Israel says Russians fired at its jets over Syria in May in ‘one-off’

Israel said on Tuesday that its military jets came under Russian anti-aircraft fire over Syria in May but they missed their target, describing the confrontation as a “one-off incident”.

Latest Israel News Headlines

‘All of Israel’s gas fields are under threat’: Nasrallah in fresh threat over offshore rigs – July 26, 2022

‘No one knows what Putin wants,’ say Israeli officials as rift with Russia deepens – July 26, 2022

Multiple Russian-Jewish organizations sent warnings by Russian gov’t – July 26, 2022

Syria says Israeli airstrikes near Damascus kill 3 soldiers, wound 7 – July 24, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

Biden administration plans ID cards for unauthorized immigrants

The Biden administration is hoping to roll out a pilot scheme that would provide unauthorized immigrants with temporary ID cards while they await a decision on their immigration cases, Axios reports. The government will seek Congressional approval for the plan before the midterm elections in November.

22 states sue to stop Biden administration from linking school lunches to gender-identity agenda

Twenty-two Republican attorneys general sued Tuesday to block the Agriculture Department’s newly announced guidance making student-lunch funds contingent on enforcing the Biden administration’s gender-identity agenda.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Democrats introduce bill to enact term limits for Supreme Court justices – July 26, 2022

ICE developing program to give ID cards to illegal immigrants, as border crisis rages – July 26, 2022

Fed set to impose another big rate hike to fight inflation – July 26, 2022

Kansans to vote on removing abortion protections from state constitution – July 26, 2022

Judge rules life beginning at conception is a ‘distinctly Christian’ idea, blocks Kentucky abortion ban – July 26, 2022

Protesters Gather Outside Indiana Statehouse While Lawmakers Debate Abortion Ban – July 26, 2022

House Intelligence Committee member warns DNA testing could lead to targeted bioweapons – July 24, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Four Baptist Christians Facing Death Hiding In Sudan

Four members of the Sudanese Baptist Church in western Sudan’s Central Darfur state are in hiding amid concerns they may be executed after the men were released on bail, Worthy News learned Monday.

UK: Christian fired for “hate speech” against gay community files suit against employer

A Christian mayoral candidate in the UK is suing her employer for wrongful dismissal after she was fired for spreading “hate speech” by including her belief in traditional Christian marriage in her election campaign leaflet, CBN News reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Uganda: Pentecostal Christian murdered by Islamic extremists – July 26, 2022

Canada: Pastor wins appeal against conviction for defying COVID-19 orders – July 26, 2022

Evangelist Graham Urges Prayers For Corona Suffering President Biden – July 24, 2022

Iran: Christian converts convicted of house-church membership – July 21, 2022

68 Christians Killed In Nigeria State – July 20, 2022

UK: Charges dismissed against elderly woman arrested for praying outside abortion clinic – July 20, 2022

Over 100 Florida churches file suit against United Methodist Church over LGBTQ stance – July 20, 2022