Weekly News Brief 10/21/25

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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