Weekly News Brief: 1/11/24

Breaking World News

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

Ecuador Plunging Into Civil War, Several Killed


At least 10 people were killed as Ecuador plunged further into civil war Wednesday, a day after gunmen stormed a television station in the country’s largest city.

Britain, US Shooting Down Houthis Drones and Missiles


The United States and Britain confirmed Wednesday that their militaries shot down 21 drones and missiles over the Red Sea launched by Yemen’s Houthis in what London branded the “largest attack” yet by the Iran-backed group.

Hungary Condemns Genocide Court Case Against Israel


Hungary, one of Israel’s closest allies within the European Union, has condemned the “legal attack” launched against Israel for alleged “genocíde” at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

Latest World News Headlines

Ukraine’s President Rushes To Baltics To Boost Defenses – January 10, 2024

WEF: ‘AI Threat To Global Economy Bigger Than Climate Change’ – January 10, 2024

European Central Bank Says Digital Currency Will Compliment Cash – January 9, 2024

Gunshots Interrupt Live Broadcast Of Ecuador TV – January 9, 2024

Denmark Passes Controversial Law That Criminalizes Blasphemy – January 9, 2024

Al-Qaeda Threatens Western and Jewish Civilian Targets In New Video, “A Real Threat” – January 8, 2024

Russia Strikes Kill, Wound Several On Orthodox Christmas Day In Ukraine (Worthy News Radio) – January 8, 2024

Scientists To Change World’s Electronics Forever With New Discovery – January 7, 2024

Iraq Condemns US Airstrike On Militia Leader – January 7, 2024

Millions Impacted By Europe’s Flooding And Ice – January 6, 2024

Breaking Israel News

Israel’s War Cabinet Meets Post-Blinken Visit: Debating ‘Day After’ Strategies


The Israeli war cabinet is set to deliberate a Qatari proposal that would involve the deportation of Hamas leaders and the release of all hostages captured by the terrorist organization in exchange for a full withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza according to Israeli Channel 13 which cited sources close to officials in Doha, Qatar.

Israel Faces Allegations of Genocide at the International Court of Justice


Israel is preparing for a significant legal battle at The Hague’s International Court of Justice, where it faces charges from South Africa of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.  The case asserts that Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide. Israel has strongly refuted these allegations of genocide.

Israel Dismantles Hamas ‘Military Framework’ in Northern Gaza, IDF Begins Re-Deployment
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the successful dismantlement of Hamas’s military infrastructure in the northern region of the Gaza Strip over the past weekend. Following this operation, they have initiated the withdrawal of thousands of their troops from the northern areas of Gaza and continue to “intensify and continue” its military operation in the southern Gaza Strip.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Saudi Arabia Says ‘Absolutely’ Open to Normalization Deal With Israel – January 9, 2024

Israel Sees Growing Number Of Christians As Population Set To Surpass 10 Million – January 9, 2024

US: ‘Mideast Countries Want Peace With Israel In Exchange For Palestinian State’ – January 8, 2024

Israeli Archaeologists Use New Technology To Verify Biblical Account Of Destruction Of Philistine City – January 8, 2024

Israel Strike Kills Hezbollah Commander In Lebanon – January 8, 2024

American Family Members Rescued From Gaza, U.S. Says – January 6, 2024

Hezbollah Rocket Attacks Escalate Tensions at Lebanon Border; IDF Retailates – January 6, 2024

Breaking U.S. News

Ohio House Votes To Override DeWine’s Transgender Surgery Veto
The Ohio House, dominated by Republicans, easily voted Wednesday afternoon to override Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill that bans transgender medical care on minors and requires single-sex athletic teams.

US: Pro-Life Coffee Company Donates Nearly $300,000 To Crisis Pregnancy Centers
A new US coffee company that was established to help vulnerable pregnant women keep their babies has already been able to donate $280,000 to pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation, CBN News reports. The work of pro life crisis pregnancy centers has become all the more imperative since the US Supreme Court in 2022 revoked the federal right to abortion and returned the issue to individual states to decide.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Has Prostate Cancer But ‘Prognosis Is Excellent,’ Doctors Say
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer, and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection linked to that operation, but his “prognosis is excellent,” doctors said Tuesday.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

US Supreme Court Allows Idaho’s Near-Total Abortion Ban To Proceed Amid Ongoing Legal Battle – January 9, 2024

Lawmakers To Hold Hearing On ‘Woke Ideologies’ Influencing the Military – January 8, 2024

Religious Rights Groups Outraged At Biden Administration’s Omission of Nigeria From Its Annual List of Countries of Particular Concern – January 8, 2024

New Hampshire House Passes Bill To Ban Sex-Change Treatments For minors – January 8, 2024

US Congress Leaders Reach $1.6 Trillion Deal To Avoid Shutdown – January 8, 2024

US Defense Secretary Hospitalized Since Monday, Pentagon Confirms – January 7, 2024

Biden Kicks Off Campaign Declaring Trump Is Threat To Democracy, As Democrats Try To Throw Trump Off The Ballot – January 6, 2024

Breaking Christian News

Nigerian Army and Government Complicit in Fulani Attacks on Christians
Not only has the Nigerian army been protecting Islamic Fulani terrorists who move in and occupy Christian villages they have attacked but Nigeria’s federal government has directed national broadcast stations to stop reporting on the ongoing murderous Fulani attacks against Christians, Truth Nigeria reports.

Iran: Older Christian Woman To Begin 6-Year Prison Term For Leading a House Church
A 60 year-old Christian woman in Iran has been summoned to begin a six-year prison sentence for promoting “Zionist Christianity” through leading a house-church, Article 18, a London-based group that monitors persecution in Iran, reports.

India: Two Christians Arrested In Uttar Pradesh State For Praying At Home On New Year’s Eve
A Church leader and a fellow Christian man in India’s Uttar Pradesh state have been released on bail pending trial for praying with friends in the pastor’s home on New Year’s Eve, CBN News reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Christian Persecution Watchdog Launches First-Ever Global Database Tracking Religious Violence – January 10, 2024

Nigeria’s Synagogue Church Denies Widespread Abuse By Founder (Worthy News In-Depth) – January 9, 2024

Nigeria: Fulani Terrorists Slaughter 41 Christians, Kidnap More In Kaduna State – January 9, 2024

Belarus Protestant Churches Fear Crackdown Under New Law – January 7, 2024

Nigeria: Lawmakers Call on Govt. to Protect Taraba State Christians From Relentless Islamic Terrorism, – January 4, 2024

Sri Lanka: Pastor Finally Granted Bail Pending Trial for “Outraging Religious Feelings” in an Online Sermon – January 4, 2024

China: Church Leader Chooses to Remain in Prison Rather Than Plead Guilty to Alleged Fraud and Be Released – January 4, 2024

News from this Week 1/4/23

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

China, Russia to Boost Ties ‘At All Levels’ in 2023 Despite U.S. Pressure

Determined to thwart the ongoing efforts of the United States to simultaneously counter both of its top rivals, China and Russia have made a joint resolution to increase their cooperation on a variety of fronts in the New Year.

Russia to modernize nuclear forces in 2023, add more multi-warhead nukes

Russia is bolstering its strategic nuclear forces in 2023 with further deployment of multi-warhead nuclear missiles and further modernization of its long-range strategic bomber division, the Russian Defense Ministry announced this week.

Putin’s Military Criticized After Deadliest Ukraine Attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin faced embarrassment Tuesday after one of Ukraine’s deadliest attacks on Russian troops was reportedly caused by the unauthorized use of mobile phones.

Latest World News Headlines

UK set to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terror organization – January 3, 2023

Zelensky signs controversial law to increase governmental control of Ukrainian media – January 3, 2023

One-third of world economy expected to be in recession in 2023, says IMF chief – January 2, 2023

Ukraine says it shot down 39 Iran-made kamikaze drones during wave of Russian air strikes, “one terrorist has found another” – January 2, 2023

Ukraine Facing New Year “Terror” – January 2, 2023

Croatia Welcomes 2023 With Euro And Schengen – January 2, 2023

Brazil’s Controversial Lula Sworn In President – January 1, 2023

Breaking Israel News

Ben Gvir faces dilemma as activists ask to hold Passover sacrifice on Temple Mount

A fringe religious group on Monday night asked newly installed National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for permission to perform the Passover ritual sacrifice on the Temple Mount this coming spring.

Hezbollah chief: Middle East could ‘explode’ after Ben-Gvir’s Temple Mount visit

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah warned on Tuesday of consequences for Israeli Cabinet member Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Latest Israel News Headlines

UN Security Council slated to meet on widely decried Temple Mount visit by Ben Gvir – January 3, 2023

UN General Assembly condemned Israel more than all other countries combined last year – January 3, 2023

Blinken tells Israel’s new FM: US will oppose steps that undermine 2-state solution – January 2, 2023

Syria says IAF strikes briefly put Damascus airport out of service, kill 2 soldiers – January 2, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

Christian affiliation dominates roster of 118th Congress; majority is Protestant

A higher percentage of members of the 118th Congress, 88%, identify as Christian than the share of Christians in the U.S. population, which stands at 63%, a Pew Research Center analysis revealed Tuesday.

Bomb Cyclone to Hit California Days After Deadly Floods

California is set to get battered by another intense rainstorm, just days after a previous storm caused severe flooding throughout the Golden State.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

US House Adjourns After Not Electing Speaker – January 3, 2023

S&P 500 companies suffer worst losses since 2008 global financial meltdown – January 3, 2023

Trump takes fire from right after blaming abortion issue for GOP midterm defeats – January 2, 2023

Appeals Court Upholds Florida School Board’s Bathroom Policy – January 2, 2023

Ohio School Board Ignores Parents, Clergy with Trans Bathroom Policy Even as US Court Issues Big Trans Ruling – January 2, 2023

U.S. sees major housing price correction, nearly the largest since World War II – January 2, 2023

Ex-President Trump Under Pressure Over Tax Returns – January 1, 2023

Breaking Christian News

Pakistan Christians Help Family Of Raped, Killed Widow

Christians in Pakistan said Tuesday they will support five orphans left behind after their widowed mother was gang raped and killed by five suspected Muslim men, now in custody.

Dozens Of Christians Kidnapped In Nigeria After Mass Killings

Christians in northern Nigeria were searching Tuesday for scores of believers reportedly abducted in a Christmas Day attack by Islamic fighters that killed at least one person.

Uganda: Evangelist almost completely blind after acid attack by Islamic extremists

Islamic extremists enraged at the preaching of the Gospel sprayed acid in the face of evangelist Pastor Frank Mutabaazi in Kampala, Uganda last month, causing severe burns and almost completely blinding him, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. While Christianity is legal in Uganda, Christians have come under increasing violent attacks from extremists in the minority Muslim population.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Pakistan Christian Girl Awaits Justice After Abuse – January 2, 2023

Afghanistan Christians Fear Imminent Death – January 1, 2023

Nigeria Islamists Burn Homes After Killing Christians – December 30, 2022

Christian Families Expelled From India Town – December 30, 2022

‘Nigerian Woman Still In Jail For Condemning Christian’s Death’ – December 30, 2022

China Frees Church Elder, But Online Gathering Interrupted – December 29, 2022

News from this Week 12/14/22

Breaking World News

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

Indonesia’s Bali Island Hit By Quake

Indonesia’s tropical island of Bali, an essential host for Group of 20 summits and events this year, was reeling Wednesday after a strong earthquake and two aftershocks hit the area.

plastic pollution

New Zealand: Study shows dangerously high level of airborne microplastic pollution in Auckland

A new study shows that the number of microplastic particles polluting the air in New Zealand’s city of Auckland is the equivalent to more than three million plastic bottles per year, the University of Auckland (UOA) reports.

Brazil: Bolsonaro supporters riot in Brasilia against certification of da Silva as new president

Supporters of outgoing Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro clashed with law enforcement officers, set fire to vehicles, and allegedly tried to storm federal police headquarters in Brasilia Monday, in protest at the official certification of leftist Lula da Silva as Brazil’s newly elected president, DW reports.

Latest World News Headlines

Alleged Lockerbie Bomb Maker In US Custody – December 13, 2022

Three Shot Dead In Australia, Three Attackers Killed – December 13, 2022

Britain Ponders Controversial Digital Currency – December 13, 2022

U.S. expected to announce major nuclear fusion energy breakthrough – December 12, 2022

Iran executes second person by public hanging in connection with violence during protests – December 12, 2022

Northern Ireland can ban pro-life activism near abortion clinics, UK Supreme Court says – December 12, 2022

Europe’s Parliament Hit By Qatar Corruption Scandal; Several Arrests – December 12, 2022

Breaking Israel News

IDF chief confirms Israel behind strike on Iran arms convoy near Syria-Iraq border

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi confirmed Wednesday that an airstrike in early November on a convoy allegedly carrying Iranian arms near the Syria-Iraq border was carried out by the Israeli Air Force.

Czech president requests to move embassy to Jerusalem

Czech President Miloš Zeman requested on Monday to move his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the coming months.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Netanyahu inches closer to power with new parliament speaker – December 13, 2022

Outgoing Coalition Members Craft ‘Total War’ Plan to Create Chaos for Netanyahu Government – December 12, 2022

Report: Israel warns will bomb Beirut airport if it’s used for Iran weapon shipments – December 11, 2022

IDF launches snap drill with thousands of troops, simulating fighting in north – December 11, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

DeSantis Declares War on CDC Over COVID-19 Vaccines

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is asking a grand jury to investigate whether Floridians were misled by COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers after claims by his state’s surgeon general that the vaccines could potentially harm those who received it.

Biden Signs ‘Respect For Marriage Act’ Into Law

President Joe Biden signed the “Respect for Marriage Act” into law Tuesday on the South Lawn of the White House, requiring the federal government to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages carried out at the state level.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Federal deficit to pass $3 trillion for second year, economic growth higher than expected – December 13, 2022

SEC, Justice Department charge FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried – December 13, 2022

Congressional lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill banning TikTok in United States – December 13, 2022

U.S. tests first successful air-launched hypersonic missile off California coast – December 13, 2022

$857.9 Billion Defense Bill Includes $800 Million for Ukraine – December 13, 2022

Household wealth dropped by $13.5 trillion from January to September, second-worst destruction on record – December 12, 2022

Schumer: Senate Headed for Short-Term Funding Bill to Prevent Shutdown – December 12, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Britain: Archaeologists uncover 1,300 year-old necklace with cross pendant which belonged to female Christian leader

Archaeologists conducting a dig at a burial site in Britain have uncovered an elaborate gold necklace with a cross pendant which likely belonged to an affluent female Christian leader between 630 to 670 A.D, some 1,300 years ago, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Uganda: Evangelist severely beaten by Islamic extremists after leading Muslims to Christ

Islamic extremists in Uganda severely beat up a pastor and members of his congregation and demolished his church last month after discovering he led Muslims to Christ earlier this year, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Myanmar: Baptist bishop arrested and detained by military junta

A well-known Baptist bishop in Myanmar has been detained at an undisclosed location after being arrested by the military junta Sunday because of his Bible teaching, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

100 Christian Women, Girls Abducted In Pakistan – December 12, 2022

Massive Detentions Of Christian Refugees Underway In Thailand – December 11, 2022

Thailand Detains Christians, Including Girl Seeking Asylum – December 8, 2022

Myanmar: Child among three killed in military attack on Christian village – December 8, 2022

Bipartisan religious freedom commission “outraged” at US failure to add Nigeria and India to list of countries of particular concern – December 7, 2022

Algeria: Government is persecuting the Church, which continues to grow – December 6, 2022

Afghanistan: Christians trying to flee the country to escape intense persecution – December 6, 2022

News from this Week 10/11/22

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

Iran racing to expand enrichment at underground plant, IAEA report shows

Iran is speeding ahead in its expansion of uranium enrichment at the Natanz nuclear facility, according to a report in Reuters early Tuesday.

Numerous Killed In Massive Russian Strikes On Ukraine

Authorities say a massive wave of Russian missile strikes on cities across Ukraine, including the capital, killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the strikes saying they were in response to an attack on a bridge linking Russia and occupied Crimea and warned of more violence.

Multiple Explosions Rock Kyiv; Several Killed (Update)

Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and several other cities across the country, killing at least eight people and injuring many more, authorities and witnesses said.

Latest World News Headlines

Dozens Killed, Injured In Massive Russian Strike In Ukraine – October 9, 2022

Thailand Childcare Attack Kills 37 – October 9, 2022

U.S. aircraft carrier concludes drills with Japan, South Korea as North Korea fires another missile – October 9, 2022

‘A time bomb’: Anger rises in Kurdish city at heart of Iran protests – October 9, 2022

Iranian students clash with police as deadly regime crackdown nears 20th day – October 6, 2022

US strikes in Syria kill top ‘IS’ leaders – October 6, 2022

US to send $625 million in new aid to Ukraine – October 6, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Lebanon receives ‘satisfying’ updated US proposal for maritime deal with Israel

Lebanon on Monday received an updated draft of a US-brokered maritime agreement with Israel that satisfies its previous concerns and could imminently lead to a “historic deal,” Beirut’s top negotiator told Reuters.

IDF makes strides in space tech race with new satellites

Thousands of new nanosatellites will soon join the growing arsenal of space technology at the disposal of the Israeli military.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israel to allow natural gas extraction off Gaza – October 9, 2022

Israel Poll: Netanyahu Would Have 61 Seats to Form Coalition – October 9, 2022

Gantz puts IDF on alert in north as Lebanese maritime border talks falter – October 6, 2022

Security cabinet to review terms of US-proposed maritime deal with Lebanon – October 5, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

U.S. Congress could be in for bruising debt-ceiling fight after midterms

If Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November’s midterm elections, they expect to use a powerful and potentially dangerous tool as leverage in their dealings with Democratic President Joe Biden: The federal debt ceiling.

Doctors File Lawsuit Against California’s COVID-19 ‘Misinformation’ Law

The Liberty Justice Center is filing a lawsuit against the California Medical Board and the California Attorney General on behalf of two practicing doctors, alleging that the state’s COVID-19 Misinformation Bill violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Democrats cram unrelated policies into defense bill – October 9, 2022

Judge says Durham can keep his witness list secret for Danchenko trial – October 9, 2022

Judge orders FBI to turn over information on laptop of homicide victim Democrat staffer Seth Rich – October 9, 2022

Biden pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession – October 6, 2022

Feds believe they have sufficient evidence to charge Hunter Biden with tax, gun crimes, report – October 6, 2022

5th Circuit Court Strikes down DACA, Orders No New Applicants – October 6, 2022

US housing recession may be worse than in 2008 – October 6, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Afghanistan: Taliban behead Christian man on video

The International Christian Concern (ICC) nonprofit human rights organization reported Sunday it had just received a video of the Taliban beheading a Christian man in Afghanistan.

Nigeria: Christian woman on trial for blaspheming Islam in WhatsApp message

A Christian woman who was imprisoned without bail for blaspheming Islam in a WhatsApp message has gone on trial in Nigeria’s Bauchi state, Morning Star News (MSN) reported on October 5.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Belarus: Authorities ban Christian church congregation from holding worship services

Uganda: Two evangelists attacked after leading Muslims to Christ – October 10, 2022

Embattled Christian baker appeals ruling over gender transition cake request – October 6, 2022

Uganda: New converts to Christ severely beaten by Islamic extremists – October 4, 2022

Christians murdered by Islamic terrorists in Plateau, “a strategy to wipe out the Christian population” – October 4, 2022

Uganda: Two Christian women violently attacked, one killed – October 3, 2022

Alleged Abuser Of Pastor’s Child In Malaysia Jail (Update)  – October 3, 2022

Former Jailed Pakistan Christian In Thailand With Family (Worthy News Investigation) – October 3, 2022