Weekly News Brief 7/31/24

Hamas Leader Killed In Iran

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran’s capital, Tehran, shortly after an Israeli strike killed the most senior commander of Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Venezuela Clashes Spread After Elections

Clashes have spread across Venezuela, killing several people as opponents and supporters of the South American nation’s President Nicolas Maduro rally after a weekend election in which the long-ruling socialist leader was declared the winner, despite protests.

US Advises Americans to Leave Lebanon Ahead of Israeli Retaliation for Hezbollah Attack

The United States has warned American citizens to leave Lebanon while they can, as Israel is expected to launch a forceful retaliatory response to Sunday’s missile strike by the Lebanese Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group which killed 12 Druze-Israeli children in the Golan Heights.

Latest World News Headlines

Dozens Killed In India’s Landslides – July 30, 2024

WHO Announces Initiative to Advance Development of mRNA Bird Flu Vaccine – July 29, 2024

Iranian-Backed Militia Groups Intensifies Attacks on US Forces in Syria and Iraq – July 29, 2024

Venezuela’s President ‘Re-Elected’ As Tensions Rise – July 29, 2024

Fiber Optic Networks Sabotaged Across France – July 29, 2024

Paris Olympics Apologize For Mocking Christian Faith – July 28, 2024

Moscow’s War Ships In Cuba In Warning To Nearby US – July 28, 2024

Ukraine Athletes In Paris As War Continues – July 27, 2024

Ethiopia Mourns Many Killed In Mudslide – July 27, 2024

Jordan’s King Dissolves Parliament At Sensitive Time (Worthy News In-depth) – July 26, 2024

Breaking Israel News

Israel Strikes Beirut Targeting Hezbollah Commander Responsible for Deadly Golan Heights Attack (Update)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they targeted a Hezbollah commander in Beirut today who was responsible for the weekend attack on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights over the weekend that killed at least 12 Israeli Druze children and teenagers.

Turkey Threatens To Invade Israel

Israel’s foreign minister has urged the NATO military alliance to expel Turkey after its President Tayyip Erdogan threatened his country might invade the Jewish nation.

Netanyahu Vows Retaliation Against Hezbollah; U.S. Urges Restraint to Avoid Full-Blown War

The Biden Administration spearheaded diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-blown regional war as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization in Lebanon, following a weekend rocket strike that killed at least 12 children in the Golan Heights.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israel Hits Hezbollah Targets In Lebanon After Attack Kills 12 – July 28, 2024

Hezbollah Hits Israel, Killing 10 Threatening Regional War – July 28, 2024

Palestinian Authority Using Western Donations For ‘Funding Terrorism’ (Worthy News Investigation) – July 26, 2024

Netanyahu Envisions ‘Abraham Alliance’ to Counter Iranian ‘Axis of Terror’ – July 25, 2024

IDF Recovers the Bodies of 5 Israeli Hostages in Khan Younis, Gaza – July 25, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Delivers Powerful Speech Before Congress – July 24, 2024

Archaeologists Uncover Moat Dating Back to Reign of Biblical King Josiah – July 24, 2024

Breaking U.S. News

Trump Blasts Facebook, Google for ‘Wrongly Censored’ Photo of Assassination Attempt

Former President Donald Trump blasted Facebook and Google Tuesday after Facebook admitted it had censored photos of Trump’s assassination attempt, images widely seen as a major moment and rallying point for the Trump campaign.

Hurricane Beryl to Cost Americans Nationwide Nearly $32 Billion

The devastation Hurricane Beryl left in its wake is estimated to cost taxpayers nationwide between $28 billion and $32 billion, according to an AccuWeather analysis. The losses to Texas, which was hardest hit, are estimated to be several billion.

US National Debt Exceeds $35 Trillion for the First Time

The US national debt has officially surpassed a massive $35 trillion, having increased by nearly $5 billion every day so far in 2025, Yahoo Finance reports. The debt increased by nearly $8 trillion during the Republican administration of former President Donald Trump and is set to see a similar rise under the Democratic administration of current President Joe Biden.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

No Clear Path to Approval for Biden’s Proposed Supreme Court Changes – July 29, 2024

Harris Haunted by ‘Defund the Police’ Past – July 29, 2024

Biden Proposes Supreme Court Constitutional Amendment – July 29, 2024

Trump, Harris on Opposite Sides of 2nd Amendment Debate – July 28, 2024

FACT CHECK: Biden’s Claim That Illegal Border Crossings Lower Than Trump’s Is False – July 28, 2024

Trump’s Former Physician Says FBI Director ‘Wrong’ to Suggest Trump Wasn’t Hit by bullet – July 28, 2024

Feds Disrupt Jet Ski Powered Human Smuggling Network – July 25, 2024

Breaking Christian News

Laos: Six Christians Released After a Month in Detention Without Charge
Officials in Laos are continuing to harass Christians by arresting them and then imprisoning them without charge for several weeks before releasing them. Amid intensifying persecution of Christians, the communist-led Buddhist-majority nation now ranks 21 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

India: House Church Members Violently Attacked by Hindu Extremists
Members of a house church congregation in India’s Uttarakhand state were violently attacked by a mob of around 150 Hindu extremists on July 14, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Laos: Evangelist Murdered Execution-Style, “Despite Increased Persecution, the Church is Rapidly Growing” – July 29, 2024

Nigeria: Fulani Terrorists Massacre 18 Christians in Their Beds – July 26, 2024

Turkey: Christian Group Denied the Right to Buy Land for Worship Center – July 26, 2024

New Zealand: 200,000 Vulnerable People Subjected to Abuse and Neglect in State and Christian-Run Institutions, Commission of Inquiry Finds – July 25, 2024

Christian Ministry Explores Use of AI to Bring the Gospel to Deaf People – July 24, 2024

Pakistan: Young Christian Man on Death Row Shows Remarkable Faith and Hope in Jesus – July 24, 2024

Hindu Nationalists Attack Christians in Central India, “This Hostility is Often Driven by a Belief That Indians Ought to be Hindu” – July 24, 2024

Weekly News Brief: 2/8/24

U.S. Airstrike Kills Top Commander of Iranian Backed Militia Group in Iraq


According to US officials, a drone strike carried out by the US in Baghdad resulted in the deaths of three individuals associated with the Iranian-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah militia organization, among them the leader of the group’s activities in Syria.

Pakistan Blast Kills Dozens Ahead Of Elections


Two bomb explosions have killed at least 22 people in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on the eve of general elections, officials say.

Dutch Coalition Talks With Anti-Islam Party Collapse


The hopes of the anti-Islam Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders’ to become prime minister of the Netherlands were dwindling Wednesday after coalition talks collapsed.

Latest World News Headlines

New Report Details Iran Closer Than Ever To Building a Nuclear Weapons – February 6, 2024

China-Born Australian Activist Sentenced To Death – February 6, 2024

Australia Rushing To Become World’s First Functionally Cashless Society – February 6, 2024

Grandson Munich Massacre Victim Hospitalized After Anti-Jewish Attack In Berlin – February 6, 2024

Hungary Refuses To Ratify Sweden’s NATO Membership – February 6, 2024

Charles III Diagnosed With Cancer, Suspends Public Duties – February 5, 2024

Iran Building a New Nuclear Reactor In Isfahan – February 5, 2024

Iran to Participate in Joint Naval Exercises with Russia and China – February 5, 2024

Russia: Ukraine Kills Dozens In Bakery – February 5, 2024

Europe Sees Massive Farmers’ Unrest – February 5, 2024

Breaking Israel News

IDF Says Iran Transferred $150 Million To Hamas, “They Invested the Money In Their Personal Survival”


The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has disclosed that Iran’s Islamic regime has transferred more than $150 million to the Hamas Palestinian terror organization, i24News reports. The disclosure is consistent with a 2021 report by the US State Department that Iran is the “leading state sponsor of terrorism.”

Israel Hits Syria, Killing Several Soldiers


Several civilians were killed and injured in an Israeli strike on Syria’s Homs area, Syrian officials said Wednesday.

U.K. Signals It May Recognize Palestinian State After Gaza War


During a visit to Lebanon, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated achieving peace would be unattainable as long as Hamas controlled Gaza. However, he emphasized that offering Palestinians the opportunity for statehood was “absolutely vital for the long-term peace and security of the region.”

Latest Israel News Headlines

US Considers Aiding Gaza Palestinians Through Other Agencies Amid Continuing Suspension of UNRWA Funding – February 6, 2024

Israel Defense Minister States Over 50% of Hamas Beaten – February 5, 2024

Netherlands Drops Medical Supplies Over Gaza – February 5, 2024

IDF Strikes 3,000 Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon and Syria So Far – February 4, 2024

Hamas ‘Unlikely’ To Reject Hostage Deal; ‘Will Demand War Ends’ As Battles Rage (Worthy News In-Depth) – February 2, 2024

Hostages Freed In Turkey As Police Detain Armed Man Protesting Israel’s War in Gaza – February 1, 2024

‘Biden Doctrine’: Steps to Unilaterally Recognize Palestinian State Despite Israel Opposition – February 1, 2024

Breaking U.S. News

SCOTUS To Hear Arguments In Trump’s Disqualification From Election Ballots Case


The US Supreme Court will today hear arguments over whether states can remove former president Donald Trump from 2024 presidential election ballots because of his conduct before and during the breach of the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Federal Interest Costs to Hit Record in Two Years, CBO Says


The federal government is on track to spend $1.6 trillion more than it brings in this fiscal year with new projections published Wednesday showing federal spending is projected to remain unsustainable in the decades to come. 

Senate Border Bill Fails, Ukraine Funding Vote Expected


A $118 billion deal that combined a batch of foreign funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with a slew of controversial border provisions failed in the U.S. Senate Wednesday. The text of that bill was unveiled Sunday, but support imploded almost immediately.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

U.S. House Votes Against Impeaching Mayorkas – February 6, 2024

Speaker Johnson Criticizes Biden For Turning Its Back on Israel – February 6, 2024

Trump Doesn’t Have Presidential Immunity, Federal Appeals Court Says – February 6, 2024

U.S. House Begins Debate on Mayorkas Impeachment Articles – February 6, 2024

State of Emergency Declared in California As State Hit With Historic Storm – February 5, 2024

Six Pro-Life Activists Face Up to 10 Years in Prison For Protest Outside Abortion Clinic In Tennessee – February 5, 2024

‘Don’t Fall For It’: Trump Blasts Senate Border Bill – February 5, 2024

Breaking Christian News

Global South Has The Most Christians, Asia Has Fastest Growing Christian Populations, Report Shows
A recent report on the status of Christianity around the world shows that – despite intense persecution in many countries there – the largest number of Christians are in the Global South, and that Asia (five regions) has the fastest growing Christian populations of all. Titled ‘Status of Global Christianity, 2024, in the Context of 1900–2050,’ the report was published by the US-based Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC).

Pakistan: Islamic Man Attacks Two Christian Women With Ax, Attempts Rape
A spate of extremely violent attacks on Christians in Pakistan’s Punjab Province was manifest again when a Muslim man attacked two Christian women with an ax and attempted to rape one of them last month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

North Korea Has Imprisoned Tens Of Thousands Of Christians In Extreme Labor Camps, Global Ministries Say
Two US Christian aid and advocacy organizations have reported that North Korea’s government is so hostile to Christians that it has imprisoned tens of thousands of believers in labor camps described as “comparable to Nazi death camps.”

Latest Christian News Headlines

Vietnam: Christian Man Sentenced To 4 1/2 Years Imprisonment For Home Prayer Meeting, “Part of a Wider Pattern” – February 7, 2024

“Multiplied:” Pioneering Film Documenting Christianity Around The World, “Christianity Is Exploding” – February 7, 2024

India: Aid Group Assists 50 Persecuted Christian Farmers Attacked by Hindu Nationalists – February 6, 2024

Historic Christian Community Dwindling In Iraq – February 6, 2024

UN Asks Hungary’s Advice On Persecuted Christians – February 5, 2024

Pakistan: Christian Brothers Tortured, Forced to Confess Allegiance to Islam or Die – February 5, 2024

Islamists Attack DRC Church, Villages, Killing 8; Dozens Kidnapped – February 2, 2024

News from this Week 11/16/22

Breaking World News

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

Suspected Russian Missiles Enter NATO State Poland, Killing Two; U.S. Concerned

U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he spoke with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda to express “deep condolences for the loss of life in Eastern Poland,” where two people were killed in an alleged Russian missile strike.

Israeli-led study show dramatic decrease in sperm count worldwide

A new peer-reviewed study by Israeli and US scientists shows that sperm counts worldwide have fallen by 62 percent since 1973, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

UN emblem blue.svg

World population reaches 8 billion with continued increase predicted

The United Nations predicted in a recent report that the world population would reach eight billion people on November 15 this year and around 9.7 billion in 2050, the Associated Press reports.

Latest World News Headlines

Iran may use mass executions to quell anti-hijab protests across country, human rights group warns – November 15, 2022

G20 Tensions Over War In Ukraine (Worthy News Radio) – November 15, 2022

Biden Claims “No New Cold War” With China – November 15, 2022

Moscow Denies Russian Foreign Minister Rushed To Hospital – November 15, 2022

Turkey Detains Scores Of People Over Deadly Istanbul Blast – November 15, 2022

Ukraine’s President Visits Recaptured Kherson As US, Russia Talk (Worthy News Radio) – November 14, 2022

CIA chief meets Russian counterpart in Turkey, warns of consequences if Putin uses nukes in Ukraine – November 14, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Israel Mobilizes Against UN Resolution Calling for Probe of Israel’s ‘Occupation’ in Judea, Samaria

“A prize for terrorist organizations and their campaign against Israel.” That is how outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid characterized a vote last week in the United Nations.

‘400 seconds’ to Tel Aviv: Iranian media publishes Hebrew hypersonic missile threat

Iran’s Sobh-e-Sadegh newspaper published a threat in Hebrew on its front page on Monday, warning that a new Iranian hypersonic missile could reach Israel in 400 seconds.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israel abstains from UN vote on Russia-Ukraine reparations – November 14, 2022

Israeli air force attacks Hezbollah and Iranian forces in Syria – November 13, 2022

UN votes 98-17 to take Israel to Int’l Criminal Court, ‘occupation will need to end’ – November 13, 2022

Israeli F-35 jets escort US bombers in show of force to Iran – November 10, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

Trump Again Running For President Despite Controversies

Donald J. Trump announced Tuesday night that he was running for president in 2024 to recapture the White House after raising doubts that he lost the 2020 election.

U.S. Senate poised to vote on protection for same-sex marriage

The U.S. Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote Wednesday on the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify same-sex marriage rights.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

New York Fed announces test of digital dollar with major banks – November 15, 2022

FBI Director Refuses To Answer Whether Agency Had Sources ‘Dressed As Trump Supporters’ In J6 Riots – November 15, 2022

Nevada Supreme Court rejects petition to stop hand count of county ballots – November 15, 2022

Democrat Overturns Republican Victory in House Seat After Recount – Wins by 1 Vote – November 15, 2022

Georgia judge strikes down six-week abortion ban, declaring it unconstitutional – November 15, 2022

Texas governor declares invasion at border, invokes constitutional powers in historic action – November 15, 2022

Suspect Detained After U.S. University Shooting Kills 3 – November 15, 2022

Breaking Christian News

58 US churches vote to disaffiliate from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ stance

As the US United Methodist Church continues to lose congregations over its acceptance of same-sex marriage and ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, 58 churches in Louisiana officially disaffiliated from the denomination at the weekend, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Algeria has closed 16 evangelical churches in crackdown on proselytization

A major new report shows the government of Algeria has closed down 16 Evangelical churches in the past year as part of a crackdown on proselytization and perceived blasphemy against Sunni Islam, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Laos: Pastor murdered on his way to Christian event

A Christian pastor in Laos was tortured before being murdered last month in an attack police was likely on account of his faith, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Nigeria: At least 4,000 Christians killed by Islamic extremists in 2022 alone – November 14, 2022

Christians Kidnapped, Killed In Ethiopia As Clashes Escalate (Worthy News In-Depth) – November 10, 2022

Significant number of churchgoers have not returned to in-person services – November 9, 2022

Myanmar: Burmese army bombs Baptist seminary – November 9, 2022

China: Government officials detain Christian house church leaders and members on false charges – November 9, 2022

Jailed Canadian Pastor acquitted of breaching COVID-19 restrictions on church services – November 8, 2022

Indonesia: Two government officials sign Islamist petition to block church building, violation of Indonesian constitution – November 8, 2022

News from this Week- 6/1/22

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

Exposed: How China Helps Iran Evade Sanctions Through Multibillion-Dollar Oil Scheme

A network of Chinese petrochemical refiners is behind an upswing in the importation of illicit Iranian crude oil, providing the hardline regime in Tehran with at least $22 billion in revenue since President Joe Biden took office.

U.S. Sends Rocket Systems To Ukraine As Fighting Intensifies In East

United States President Joe Biden has pledged to send Ukraine more advanced rocket artillery systems despite concerns in Moscow that they may reach Russian cities. The announcement came as Ukraine struggled to defend itself in the east against the ongoing Russian invasion while Moscow launched nuclear drills on Russian territory.

WHO Strengthens Global Role

The World Health Organization (WHO) appeared to have strengthened its global role after member states agreed on an initial U.S.-led push to reform the rules around disease outbreaks.

Latest World News Headlines

China To Help Lead WHO Despite Controversy – June 1, 2022

Eurozone hits 8.1% inflation as energy costs soar – May 31, 2022

Kenyan Wins Restaurant Award For Feeding 40,000 Children – May 31, 2022

US National Guard planning ‘cooperation’ with Taiwan military – May 31, 2022

EU Agrees To Block Most But Not All Russian Oil – May 31, 2022

Canada’s Trudeau announces ‘national freeze’ on handgun ownership, mandatory gun buyback legislation – May 30, 2022

European Union agrees to ban most Russian oil imports – May 30, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Israeli Air Force simulates widescale strike on Iran nuclear facilities

Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted air maneuvers over the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday night, simulating striking Iranian nuclear facilities.

Sa’ar’s New Hope said holding talks with Likud over potential new government

The coalition’s New Hope party is holding behind-the-scenes talks with the opposition Likud over options for a potential alternate government, Hebrew-language media reported on Wednesday.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israel launches government program to support LGBT community – June 1, 2022

Israel Says Iran Used Stolen UN Watchdog Documents to Evade Nuclear Probes – May 31, 2022

IDF chief of staff in Cyprus for joint military exercise – May 31, 2022

Israel, UAE ink ‘groundbreaking’ free trade deal, in 1st with Arab state – May 31, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

Cyber agency: Voting software vulnerable in some states

Electronic voting machines from a leading vendor used in at least 16 states have software vulnerabilities that leave them susceptible to hacking if unaddressed, the nation’s leading cybersecurity agency says in an advisory sent to state election officials.

Supreme Court Blocks Social Media Anti-Censorship Law

The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Texas anti-censorship law Tuesday that would ban social media platforms like Facebook from censoring dissenting opinions.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Biden doesn’t believe in hardening schools, White House says – May 31, 2022

Biden Justice Department appeals ruling that lifted federal mask mandate – May 31, 2022

Police Investigated Over US School Attack – May 30, 2022

Biden signals support for banning most popular U.S. handgun — the 9mm – May 30, 2022

Texas Police Admit ‘Wrong Decision’ In School Massacre – May 29, 2022

Fed government revises first-quarter GDP, contraction worse than originally estimated – May 29, 2022

Schumer blocks Senate GOP school safety bill, angering Republicans – May 29, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Nigeria: 31 people die in stampede for free food at church event

Thirty-one people, including numerous children, were killed Saturday during a stampede at a church’s free food event in Nigeria’s River state, the Associated Press reports.

First transgender Lutheran bishop has been asked to resign

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has asked Megan Rohrer, its first transgender bishop, to resign after the cleric fired a Hispanic pastor on a culturally important religious day for the Latinx community, Church Leaders (CL) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Head of Nigerian Methodist Church kidnapped, released next day – May 31, 2022

Police Burns Church Building In Central India – May 31, 2022

China Prevents Christian Wedding – May 31, 2022

India: Christian pastors ordered to cease all ministry – May 30, 2022

China: Christian coupled jailed and penniless for selling the Bible – May 30, 2022

India: Hindu authorities shut down church following complaints about conversions to Christianity – May 30, 2022

Pakistan: Catholic girl abducted, forced to marry Muslim man, family “pleading with police” for help – May 30, 2022