Weekly News Brief 9/17/25

Featured Stories

U.S. and U.K. Seal $42 Billion “Tech Prosperity Deal” on AI and Innovation

The United States and the United Kingdom have signed a sweeping technology pact that will bring $42 billion in American tech investment into Britain, cementing closer transatlantic ties in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.

US Tech Helped Build China’s ‘Digital Cage,’ Trapping Families, Christians and Uyghurs – Sep.10.2025

Trump Task Force Report Alleges Biden Administration Weaponized Federal Government Against Christians – Sep.7.2025

Canadian Study Links Abortion to Higher Risk of Psychiatric Hospitalization – Sep.4.2025

Breaking World News

Several Nations Threaten Eurovision Boycott Over Israel (Worthy News In-Depth) (Video)

Several nations have threatened to boycott the world’s largest televised song competition if Israel participates.

U.S. Designates Four Iran-Aligned Militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The U.S. Department of State on Wednesday announced the designation of four Iran-backed militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), escalating pressure on Tehran and its network of proxies across the Middle East.

Protests, Clashes, and Chants of ‘Death to Khamenei’ Mark Third Anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s Death in Iran

Iran erupted in protests overnight as thousands took to the streets to mark the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, the young Kurdish woman killed in custody by the regime’s morality police after refusing to wear a hijab.

Dutch Jewish Leader Files Police Complaint Against Punk-rap Duo Bob Vylan Over Hate Speech

Russia Bombards Ukraine as Zelenskyy Urges Stronger Air Defenses And US Sanctions (Worthy News Radio)

Trump and Starmer Set to Launch “Golden Age” of Nuclear Power with Landmark U.S.-U.K. Deals

U.S. Military Conducts Second Strike on Venezuelan Vessel, Killing Three in Escalating Anti-Drug Campaign

Trump Cites China In Call To Scrap Quarterly Reports For US Companies

Nepal Death Toll Climbs To 72 Amid Anti-Corruption Protests Fueled By Social Media Ban

NATO Rolls Out Eastern Flank Defense After Drone Incursions (Worthy News Radio)

London Sees Massive “Unite the Kingdom” Rally Led by Tommy Robinson, Featuring Elon Musk, Tribute to Charlie Kirk

Free Media Awards For Journalists In Troubled Hungary, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Azerbaijan

Breaking Israel News

Israel Declares ‘Iron Beam’ Laser Defense System Operational, Set for Nationwide Deployment

Israel on Wednesday announced that its long-awaited laser air defense system, known as the “Iron Beam,” is now fully operational following a series of advanced tests. The Defense Ministry and developer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said the first batteries will be delivered to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by the end of the year, marking a historic first for military technology worldwide.

EU Proposes Sanctions on Far-Right Israeli Ministers, Threatens Trade Suspension Amid Gaza War

The European Commission on Wednesday formally unveiled a proposal to sanction far-right Israeli ministers and partially suspend the European Union’s association agreement with Israel, marking a dramatic escalation of Europe’s response to the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu, Rubio and Huckabee Reopen 2,000-Year-Old Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Monday formally opened the restored Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem’s City of David, the ancient thoroughfare once used by Jewish worshipers ascending to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple era.

IDF Launches Second Phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots in Gaza City

Israel Reportedly Backs Druze Fighters in Syria as U.S. Pressures Damascus Toward Security Pact with Jerusalem

IDF Tanks Enter Heart of Gaza City as Ground Invasion Begins

Israel’s Netanyahu Accepts Responsibility For Qatar Strike As U.S. Backs His Campaign Against Hamas

Israel Fires Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles at Hamas Leaders in Qatar

UN General Assembly Endorses Declaration for Palestinian Statehood, Israel Calls It a “Prize for Terror”

IDF: Over 200,000 Flee Gaza City as Operation “Gideon’s Chariots II” Looms

Qatar to Host Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit After Israeli Strike on Hamas Leaders in Doha

Breaking U.S. News

Fed Cuts Rates for First Time This Year, Signals More to Come

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the first time in nine months, citing signs of a cooling labor market and persistent uncertainty in the U.S. economy.

Trump Says Biden DOJ Tried to “Force Charlie Kirk Out of Business” Through FBI Election Probe

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night accused the Biden administration of targeting slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk and his organization, Turning Point USA, as part of a sweeping FBI investigation that he said was designed to silence political opponents.

Charlie Kirk Assassination Exposes Biden’s Politicized Terrorism Narrative, Inflated Data

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has reignited fierce debate over how the United States defines and confronts domestic terrorism, exposing political fault lines in the Biden administration’s approach to intelligence and law enforcement.

Trump Announces First-Ever Midterm GOP Convention Ahead of 2026 Elections

Legislation To Designate Antifa A Terror Organization To See House Action

Death Penalty To Be Sought For Charlie Kirk Assassination

Trump ‘100%’ Supports Designating Antifa A Domestic Terror Organization

Memorial Service Set For Charlie Kirk; Kelly Calls For Unity

Senate Republicans Cement ‘Nuclear Option,’ Permanently Changing Voting Rules

Comfort In The Hill Country: Crosses That Point To Jesus, Salvation, Redemption

Much Of World Mourns Charlie Kirk As Widow Vows To Continue His Christian Legacy

Suspected Attacker Of Charlie Kirk Surrenders After Father’s Plea And Talk With Pastor

Breaking Christian News

Gunmen Kill 22 At Niger Baptism Ceremony And Nearby, As Christian Farmer Escapes Attack (Worthy News Investigation)

Suspected Islamist gunmen on motorbikes have killed at least 22 people in Niger, including about 15 at a baptism ceremony and seven more nearby, officials and witnesses said. In neighboring Nigeria, a Christian farmer in the Abuja area separately told Worthy News he miraculously escaped armed men raiding his land.

Pakistan Flood Boat Capsize Kills 9 Amid Wider Crisis Impacting Millions, Christians Included

At least nine people have died in Pakistan’s Punjab province when a rescue boat capsized during flood relief efforts, authorities confirmed over the weekend amid massive death and destruction that also impacted the Islamic nation’s tiny Christian minority.

US Pastor Felipe Ascencio Shot Dead at Home; Ramona Church Community Mourns

Archaeologists Unearth Roman Council Hall in Laodicea Marked with Early Christian Symbols

Christians in Pakistan Shaken By Killings and Exploitation

Christians Plead For Help As Deadly Floods Devastate Pakistan And Indonesia

Report Warns Christian Persecution Rising In Turkey

Chinese Pastor Zhao Huaiguo Dies ‘After Years Of Persecution’

Weekly News Brief 3/18/25

Breaking World News

U.S. President Trump To Speak Tuesday With Russia’s Putin On Peace In Ukraine
U.S. President Donald J. Trump says he plans to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and discuss ending the war in Ukraine, which is believed to have killed and injured some 1 million people.

Russia China Defend Iran’s Nuclear Program And Demand End of Sanctions
The United States faces a setback in attempts to build new relations with Russia after Moscow and Beijing called for an end to the “unlawful sanctions” imposed on Iran.

Hundreds of Thousands Rally Against Serbia’s Hardline Leader
Serbia’s hardline President Aleksandar Vucic and his government faced pressure to resign Sunday after hundreds of thousands of people descended on Belgrade for one of the largest mass rallies against his rule.

Latest World News Headlines

Dozens Killed As US Strikes Houthis – Mar.16.2025

Scores Killed In Blaze At North Macedonia Nightclub – Mar.16.2025

Tens Of Thousands Rally Against Hungary’s Orbán – Mar.16.2025

Romania’s Right George Simon Becomes Presidential Candidate – Mar.16.2025

Peruvian Fisherman Found After 94 Days at Sea: ‘I Didn’t Want to Die’ – Mar.16.2025

U.S. Strikes Houthis In Message To Iran – Mar.15.2025

Britain Supports U.S.-Backed Ceasefire for Ukraine – Mar.15.2025

Philippines Ex-President Faces ICC Court As Mothers Mourn Loved Ones (Worthy News In-Depth) – Mar.15.2025

Putin Urges Ukrainian Troops in Russia to Surrender, Citing Trump’s Appeal (Worthy News Focus) – Mar.15.2025

Poland Seeks Stationing U.S. Nuclear Weapons – Mar.14.2025

Breaking Israel News

Israel Launches Airstrikes in Gaza As Cease-Fire Ends
The Israeli Air Force launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas’ infrastructure and several of its mid-level commanders and politburo members as the cease-fire ended late on Monday.

Netanyahu’s Ouster of Key Security Chief Sparks Major Political Crisis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to dismiss Shin Bet director Ronen Bar this week, citing “growing distrust” over time. This marks a major upheaval in Israel’s security leadership during a critical time for the nation.

Israel’s ‘Iron Beam’ to be operational by late 2025
Israel’s Iron Beam laser defense system, set to be operational in roughly nine months, intercepts rockets, drones, and mortars within seconds at a range of up to 7 km using a high-energy fiber laser, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday.

Latest Israel News Headlines

U.S. Proposes Ceasefire Deal to Secure Hostage Release – Mar.13.2025

Israel Rejects UN Report That Accused Israel of “Genocidal Acts” – Mar.13.2025

Israel’s IDF Executes Largest Airstrikes in Two Months on Syrian Regime’s Military Sites – Mar.11.2025

Alawites: ‘Israel Help End Massacres In Syria’ (Worthy News Focus) – Mar.11.2025

Turkey Vetoes Israel’s Participation in NATO Exercise – Mar.10.2025

Israel Airstrikes Target Former Assad Regime Bases in Southern Syria – Mar.10.2025

Israel Cutting Off Power To Gaza – Mar.9.2025

Breaking U.S. News

Trump Declares Biden Pardons ‘Void;’ Cites Digital Signature
In an early morning announcement, President Donald Trump declared Monday that former President Joe Biden’s rash of preemptive pardons issued during his last days in office are “void, vacant, and of no further force or effect.”

Arizona Supreme Court Uses AI-Generated Reporters
Artificial intelligence has arrived at the Arizona Supreme Court.

Court Attempts to Halt Trump Deportations, El Salvador President Says ‘Too Late’
A class action lawsuit was filed on Saturday against the Trump administration after President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the Enemy Aliens Act to target, arrest, and remove violent Venezuelan prison gang members, Tren de Aragua (TdA), from the U.S.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Dozens Killed As Violent Tornadoes Hit US – Mar.16.2025

Trump ‘Closing Down’ Voice of America – Mar.15.2025

Government Shutdown Averted Mere Hours Before Deadline – Mar.15.2025

Schumer Says He’ll Now Vote to Approve GOP Spending Bill, Avoid Shutdown – Mar.14.2025

Democrats Gamble With Government Shutdown as Deadline Looms – Mar.13.2025

Report: Foreign-Born Population Hits ‘All-Time High’ – Mar.13.2025

U.S. Department of Education to Cut Half of Employees – Mar.12.2025

Breaking Christian News

India Christians Rally Against Anti-Conversion Law At Huge Protest
Authorities in northeast India are under pressure after at least tens of thousands of Christians protested against the expected implementation of an “anti-conversion” law that they say unfairly targets the Christian minority.

Christian Group Reports Rising Persecution in India
In 2024, Christians in India experienced significant levels of violence and discrimination, with 640 reported cases, a surge in cases since 2014, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission (EFIRLC).

UK Court: Christian Can’t Be Prosecuted For Criticizing Koran
A British court has thrown out the prosecution of a Christian preacher who was surrounded by an angry Muslim mob for criticizing the Koran, deemed a holy book by Muslims.

Latest Christian News Headlines

USCIRF Investigates Continuing Christian Persecution in Myanmar – Mar.13.2025

Nigeria Christian Facing Death Sentence Despite Doubts About Trial (Worthy News Focus) – Mar.13.2025

Iran Sentences Christian Converts To Long Prison Terms – Mar.13.2025

Los Angeles County Bans Church On Beach – Mar.12.2025

Christians Fear Britain Could Introduce Blasphemy Legislation – Mar.11.2025

Christian Girl Rescued by Police from Kidnapper in Pakistan – Mar.10.2025

Catholic Priest Killed In Nigeria As Death Toll Of Christians Rise – Mar.6.2025