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 3/14/24

Breaking World News

Wilders Won’t Become Dutch Premier Despite Election Victory
The leader of the Dutch Anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) said Wednesday he won’t become the next prime minister of the Netherlands despite his party’s election victory, but he didn’t rule out such a role in the future.

Putin Warns West of Nuclear War: ‘Weapons Exist In Order to Use Them’
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West that his country was technically ready for a nuclear war although he was not rushing to use nuclear weapons, however, his nuclear saber rattling was a warning to the West as NATO troops are being considered for deployment in Ukraine and stated, “Weapons exist in order to use them.”

Several Killed in Russian Bomb and Drone Strikes, Aide Dissident Attacked (Worthy News Radio)
Ukrainian officials say at least three people were killed in overnight Russian drone and bomb attacks in eastern Ukraine as fighting intensifies. Elsewhere, the top aide of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was attacked outside his home in Lithuania amid growing fears of Russian operations in Europe. The reported Russian attacks come a day after Moscow acknowledged that Ukraine-backed paramilitary groups had entered Russia.

Latest World News Headlines

Ukraine-Backed Troops Enter Russia As Fighting Escalates – March 12, 2024

China, Iran, and Russia Launch Major Naval Drill – March 12, 2024

Europe Confronts Rising Terror Threats with Over a Million Asylum Seekers Arriving – March 12, 2024

Iran Authorities Killed, Tortured, Raped Civilians Connected to Mahsa Amini Protests – March 11, 2024

Dutch anti-Islam Leader Wilders Meets Israel’s President – March 11, 2024

Ukraine Condemns Pope ‘White Flag’ Suggestion As Russian Strikes Kill Several – March 11, 2024

Far-Right Surges In Portugal Elections – March 11, 2024

Dutch King Defies Muslim Calls To Stay Away From Opening Holocaust Museum – March 11, 2024

US Embassy Evacuated By US Military in Haiti – March 10, 2024

US Role In Yemen Increasing After Attacks (Worthy News Focus) – March 10, 2024

Breaking Israel News

Israel Eliminates Hamas Military Leader in Lebanon
On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that an airstrike led to the death of a senior Hamas leader in Lebanon who was responsible for worldwide attacks against Jews.

Israel Edges Closer to Rafah Invasion, Defense Minister Hints
During a Wednesday visit to the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant suggested that a military operation by the Israel Defense Forces targeting Hamas units in Rafah will happen “soon.”

Israel: Researchers Hope Cosmic Rays Can Help Uncover History Of Ancient Jerusalem
Israeli researchers have installed a muon detector in a cavern under Jerusalem’s Old City in the hope it will use subatomic particles created by cosmic rays to send images of previously inaccessible ancient passageways, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Latest Israel News Headlines

US Mulls Private Sea Operation For Gaza Ahead Of Military Port – March 12, 2024

Massive Rocket Barrage During Ramadan As Israel Approaches Full-Scale War with Hezbollah – March 12, 2024

Netanyahu Plans Invasion of Rafah Despite ‘Red Line’ Set by Biden – March 11, 2024

Clashes Between Police and Worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound on First Night of Ramadan – March 10, 2024

Five Killed In US Airdrop In Gaza As Israel Ponders Arming Civilians – March 8, 2024

US To Open Aid Port For Gaza – March 7, 2024

Israel Will Allow Unrestricted Muslim Access to Temple Mount During Ramadan, Netanyahu Says – March 6, 2024

Breaking U.S. News

Judge Dismisses Counts Against Trump In Georgia Election Interference Case
A state judge on Wednesday dismissed some of the charges against former President Donald Trump in the Georgia case that accuses the former president of trying to interfere with the 2020 election.

Trump, Biden Secure Party Nominations After Georgia, Mississippi Primary Wins
Former President Donald Trump picked up 59 delegates after winning Georgia Tuesday, and with another victory in Mississippi and an expected win in Washington state, he will exceed the necessary delegate count to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

White House Asked For Changes To Hur Report On Classified Documents
The White House asked Special Counsel Robert Hur to make changes to descriptions of President Joe Biden’s memory in Hur’s bombshell report on how the president handled classified documents.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

White House Bypasses Congress To Send $300 Million of ‘Emergency’ Military Aid to Ukraine – March 12, 2024

America Lost Over 140,000 Farms Between 2017-2022 – March 12, 2024

FBI Director: Smuggling Organizations Connected to ISIS Coming Through US Border – March 12, 2024

Biden Budget Packed With Tax Hikes, Increases National Debt – March 11, 2024

SCOTUS To Decide If Emergency Room Doctors Are Required To Perform Abortions – March 11, 2024

Court Hands Texas A Win In Lawsuit Over Federal Border Wall Construction – March 10, 2024

Fact Check: Biden’s Claim He Cut The Deficit Challenged As False – March 10, 2024

Breaking Christian News

Pakistan: Rights Advocates Demand Safeguards Against Blasphemy Law Abuses
Alarmed at the number of people charged and incarcerated for blasphemy in Pakistan, rights advocates are demanding legislative charges to protect against blatant Islamic extremist abuse of blasphemy laws to persecute not only those of minority faiths but Muslims as well, Christian Daily reports.

Africa: YWAM Missionary Deaths Highlight Inadequate Road Safety Across The Continent
he tragic deaths of 11 YWAM missionary leaders in a road traffic accident in Tanzania last month has highlighted the neglect of road safety measures across the African continent, Christian Daily reports. The 11 missionaries had been participating in the “Executive Masters in Leadership” course, based at YWAM Arusha, Tanzania when a truck suffered a brake failure and crashed into the bus they were traveling in on Feb. 24, killing them and severely injuring others.

Haiti: Churchgoers Increasingly Targeted For Abduction By Gangs, “We Must Bear Our Cross And Follow Christ”
 Posted on: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
As Haiti continues to struggle under the brutal grip of lawless gangs who have now succeeded in pressuring President Ariel Henry to resign, a Catholic archbishop is warning that churchgoers in the small Caribbean state are being abducted at an alarming rate, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

India: Assam State Lawmakers Seek To Ban Christian Prayer For Healing – March 12, 2024

Slaughter of Christians Continue in Nigeria – March 12, 2024

Christian Women/Girls Increasingly Subject To Forced Marriage In Oppressive Countries, Report – March 12, 2024

Vietnam: Government Designates As “terrorists” Two Rights Groups Which Support Christian Montagnard Community – March 11, 2024

Gunmen Kidnap Hundreds Of Children In Nigeria – March 8, 2024

UK Police Will Pay Damages To Street Evangelist After Trying To Censor His speech – March 7, 2024

Liberty University Agrees To Pay Record $14 Million Fine For Violations Of Crime Reporting Legislation – March 7, 2024

Weekly News Brief: 8/31/23

Breaking World News

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

70 Killed As Fire Hits Johannesburg Migrants Building

More than 70 people have died and scores were injured after a fire in an apartment block in South Africa’s city of Johannesburg, mainly used by migrants, officials confirmed Thursday.

Canada issues travel advisory for LGBTQ Canadians traveling to US

Canada on Tuesday updated its travel advisory for Canadians visiting the United States by adding a section advising LGBTQ travelers that some American states have implemented laws that may present them with “barriers” and “risks,” the Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reports.

‘Ukraine Ready To Improve Hungarian Rights’

Hungary’s president said Tuesday that Ukraine’s leader is ready to restore language and administrative rights to ethnic Hungarians, many of whom fight and die in the Ukrainian army.

Latest World News Headlines

Pentagon Says US Forces to Remain in Middle East to Counter Iranian Threat – August 30, 2023

Greek wildfire now EU’s largest on record as it enters 11th day – August 30, 2023

Chinese government continues program of genocide against Uyghur Muslims – August 30, 2023

‘70,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed In War’ – August 30, 2023

Detained Ex-US Marine Appears In Russia Video – August 30, 2023

7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia’s Bali and Java islands, causing panic across the country – August 30, 2023

Nile Dam Talks Restart in Cairo With High Stakes for Regional Stability – August 29, 2023

Breaking Israel News

Iran is prompting Hezbollah to attack Israel, Defense Minister Gallant say

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Iran is encouraging Hezbollah, its proxy in Lebanon, to attack Israel’s northern border, CBN News reports. Iran’s Islamic fundamentalist regime and the Hezbollah Lebanese terrorist organization are political and military allies, and sworn enemies of Israel.

Iran threatens Israel with “retaliation” following airstrike on Syrian airport

Iran’s Foreign Minister has threatened Israel with retaliation following an airstrike Monday on Syria’s international airport in Aleppo, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. The Iranian Islamic fundamentalist regime has been a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad since civil war broke out in Syria in 2011.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israel-Saudi peace deal likely within 6 months, says Israeli FM; Saudis may ‘bribe’ Abbas – August 30, 2023

Israel, US to hold drill simulating strike on Iran nuke sites – August 30, 2023

Syria says Aleppo airport to reopen, two days after alleged Israeli airstrike – August 30, 2023

Sierra Leone and Papua Guinea to open embassies in Jerusalem instead of Tel Aviv – August 29, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

Hurricane Idalia insurance claims estimated to cost Florida insurers $9.36B after historic landfall

Insurance claims in Florida stemming from Hurricane Idalia, which made historic landfall over the state’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, are expected to cost billions of dollars, Reuters reports.

U.S. GDP actually worse than originally published

Newly revised Gross Domestic Product data shows that the U.S. economy grew by 2.1% in the second quarter of 2023, lower than previously reported by the federal agency.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

FBI takes down major ransomware botnet that hit more than 200,000 U.S. computers – August 30, 2023

Five Pro-Lifers Found Guilty Of FACE Act Violations For Protesting At Late-Term Abortion Facility – August 30, 2023

Total Federal Debt Spikes $5T Under Biden – August 30, 2023

Trump trial date set for middle of Republican primary – August 29, 2023

DeSantis declares state of emergency as Idalia takes aim at Florida’s Big Bend – August 29, 2023

US: ‘Three Blacks Killed In Hate Crime’ – August 28, 2023

Breaking Christian News

Pakistan Churches Face Islamic Graffiti Attacks

Christians in several parts of Pakistan faced a new dilemma Thursday after their churches were painted with pro-Islam slogans by suspected Muslim militants, according to footage obtained by Worthy News.

Nigeria: Christians murdered, abducted in Kaduna state

Christians in Nigeria’s Kaduna state continue to face extremely violent persecution as Islamic terrorists murdered a Christian woman on August 9, shot a Baptist pastor dead on August 23, and kidnapped two Anglican brothers on August 25, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Nigeria ranks number one in the world for the number of Christians murdered (5,014 last year) and kidnapped (4,726 last year), according to data collected by the US Open Doors International Christian advocacy organization.

ChatGPT generates fake Bible passage about ‘Jesus accepting trans people’; Christians respond

A fake Bible passage reportedly generated by ChatGPT about how Jesus accepts trans-identified individuals has generated responses from Christian scholars as some media outlets have touted the passage as an example of “much needed” tolerance.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Azerbaijan: 120,000 Armenian Christians facing extreme persecution in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh)  – August 30, 2023

Haiti: Christian nurse forgives her kidnappers after release from captivity – August 30, 2023

Thousands Protest Against Christians In Pakistan – August 30, 2023

Haiti: Seven Christians killed after pastor tells them to confront heavily armed gang – August 29, 2023

India: At least 40 Madhya Pradesh churches issued with suspicious, “discriminatory” police questionnaires – August 29, 2023

Pakistan: Christian man shot dead by Islamic extremists – August 28, 2023

Breaking World News 1/25/23

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

Germany, US To Send Tanks To Ukraine

In a significant policy shift, Germany decided Tuesday to send tanks to Ukraine while the U.S. is edging closer to making a similar announcement as early as Wednesday, officials and news reports said.

Raped Woman’s Daughter Killed In Haiti; Nun Seeks Safe House

At night, when Mamaille stares up at the ceiling in her shack, she can see the sky through a rash of bullet holes left in her metal roof after a stretch of gang fighting in Haiti last summer.

European Union backs off from calling Iranian Revolutionary Guards a ‘terror group’

The European Union is set Monday to impose sanctions on several more Iranian officials suspected of playing a role in the crackdown on protesters, but won’t add the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Guard to the EU’s terror group blacklist.

Latest World News Headlines

Russia Says No Date Set for Talks With U.S. on Nuclear Arms Treaty – January 23, 2023

The rotation of the Earth’s inner core may be reversing, scientists have found in a study that sheds new light on geological processes occurring deep within our planet. – January 23, 2023

‘Great Pain’ Remembered as Britain’s Ex-Premier Johnson Visits Ukraine (Worthy News Radio) – January 23, 2023

CIA chief Burns meets Ukraine’s Zelensky in Kyiv as Washington ups support – January 22, 2023

U.S. announces $2.5B military package for Ukraine – January 22, 2023

US army says its forces captured three Islamic State members in Syria raid – January 22, 2023

Chris Hipkins To Replace Jacinda Ardern As New Zealand’s Premier – January 22, 2023

Breaking Israel News

TV report claims joint US-Israel air drill will bomb ‘Iranian nuke sites’ in Negev

As part of an ongoing drill between the Israeli Air Force and United States Central Command, American B-52 strategic bombers will drop live ammunition on targets in southern Israel on Wednesday.

U.S., Israel launch military exercise to send message to Iran, others

The United States and Israel began a massive joint military exercise in Israel on Monday to show adversaries like Iran that Washington is not too distracted by the war in Ukraine and the threat from China to mobilize a large military force, a senior defense official said.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Hezbollah erects new watchtowers on Lebanon border as IDF builds defensive wall – January 23, 2023

Some 100,000 Israelis protest against govt’s judicial reforms – January 22, 2023

Netanyahu fires Deri ‘with a heavy heart’ after High Court nixes convicted minister – January 22, 2023

US Military, National Security Personnel Meet with Israel’s New Government – January 19, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

Again Mass Shooting In California; 7 Killed

Seven people were killed, and one was critically injured in a shooting

13 Faith Leaders Sue, Claim MO Abortion Ban Violates Separation of Church and State

Thirteen clergy from six faith traditions filed a lawsuit against the State of Missouri on Jan. 19, claiming that the state’s ban on abortion constitutes an imposition of a Christian belief and thus violates the separation of church and state. The clergy also stressed that the abortion ban violates their religious beliefs.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Border Patrol Council head says number of terrorists coming across the border has been skyrocketing – January 24, 2023

California in the midst of a Mega Drought; Not Seen in 1200 Years – January 24, 2023

Classified Documents Found At Former US Vice President Pence’s Home – January 24, 2023

Thousands attend March for Life anti-abortion rally in Washington DC – January 24, 2023

Ex-FBI Agent Arrested Over Ties With Russia (Worthy News In-Depth) – January 23, 2023

US Shooting Death Toll Rises To 11; Gunman Identified – January 23, 2023

DOJ Discovers Six More Biden Classified Documents – January 22, 2023

Breaking Christian News

Nigeria: 17 more Christians murdered amid ongoing slaughter; “violations are carried out with impunity”

As rights advocates raise questions about the silence of world powers in the face of the ongoing years-long devastating slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, 17 more Christians were murdered by suspected Fulani militants in Nigeria’s Bauchi and Benue states between Friday and Sunday, Morning Star News reports. 

UK: Christian teacher may be banned from teaching for his views on transgenderism and same-sex marriage

A Christian teacher in England may be permanently prohibited from teaching in the UK after referring to a female transgender student as a “girl” and telling another student he is opposed to same-sex marriage, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Malta: Formerly gay Christian man faces jail accused of promoting ‘conversion therapy’ – January 23, 2023

Church of England publishes draft prayer of blessing for same-sex marriages – January 23, 2023

Pakistan: National Assembly votes to make controversial blasphemy laws even harsher – January 19, 2023

Christian persecution sweeping across Africa may result in “vast humanitarian catastrophe,” report says – January 19, 2023

Nigeria: Five women abducted, pastor shot and wounded in Katsina church terror attack – January 19, 2023

Church of England: homosexual couples cannot marry in church but clergy can hold blessings for same-sex civil partnerships – January 19, 2023

Northern Chinese Church Leader Sentenced To Two Years Imprisonment – January 19, 2023