Weekly News Brief: 10/4/23

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

Thai Police Detain Teenager After Shooting Kills, Injures Several People At Bangkok Mall

Police in Thailand have detained a 14-year-old boy suspected of killing two people in a shooting at Bangkok’s luxurious Siam Paragon shopping mall, one of Asia’s most visited touristic spots.

US and Russia to hold nationwide emergency drills on the same day

Amid heightened tensions between the two countries over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US and Russia have each announced they will be holding nationwide emergency alert exercises on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Newsweek reports.

President Zelensky: ‘Ukraine To Start EU Membership Talks’ (Worthy News Radio)

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has made clear his nation expects to start talks on joining the European Union as early as this year despite divisions within the EU about that issue. Zelensky made the announcement after a surprise EU foreign ministers meeting in Ukraine’s capital.

Latest World News Headlines

Mexico Church Mourns 10 Killed In Baptism Service – October 3, 2023

Ukraine hit Russia’s navy base in Crimea so hard that it is likely pulling some missions back to safer waters, UK intel says – October 3, 2023

Pope Francis suggests blessings for same-sex unions possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals – October 2, 2023

Hungarian and US Colleague Win Nobel Prize for Controversial COVID Vaccine – October 2, 2023

1 Million Attend Poland Opposition Rally – October 2, 2023

Turkey Targets PKK Militants After Blast Rocks Ankara – October 2, 2023

US: Tehran can make nuclear bomb in less than two weeks – October 1, 2023

Breaking Israel News

Iran can’t stop Israel-Saudi peace, Netanyahu says in message to ayatollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday shot down Iran’s attempts at sowing criticism toward Israel’s growing normalized status in the Middle East.

Ancient aqueduct from time of Roman occupation discovered in Jerusalem

Archaeological excavations in the Giv’at Hamatos neighborhood of Jerusalem uncovered an ancient Aqueduct that once carried water throughout Jerusalem’s upper city during the time of Rome’s occupation, the Israel Antiquities Authorities announced on October 2.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Israeli, Saudi officials say US hampering normalization with focus on Palestinians – October 2, 2023

Israel reportedly attacks Iranian arms shipment in Syria – October 2, 2023

Syrian media report Israel strike west of capital – October 1, 2023

Israel, Germany Sign ‘Historic’ Arrow-3 Missile Defense Deal – October 1, 2023

Check our Israel Total News page which is updated minute by minute — 24 hours a day – 7 days a week!

Breaking U.S. News

Federal Court upholds Kentucky and Tennessee bans on sex-change surgeries/treatments for minors

The US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld legislation passed by Tennessee and Kentucky which bans sex-change surgeries and gender hormonal treatments, including “experimental” procedures for minors aged 17 and under, CBN News reports. In its September 28 ruling, the federal court reversed a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court which had prevented the legislation from taking effect.

Multiple People Shot At Morgan State University

Morgan State University in the U.S. city of Baltimore was rocked by gunfire late Tuesday, wounding five people, but none critically, police and other sources said.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Trump Mentioned As New House Speaker After Removal McCarthy – October 4, 2023

US President Joe Biden’s Son Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ On Gun Charges (Worthy News-Focus) – October 4, 2023

Kevin McCarthy Removed as Speaker Following Historic Vote – October 3, 2023

SCOTUS starts new term: gun rights, gerrymandering, access to abortion on a full agenda of important cases – October 3, 2023

House Republicans investigate reported Chinese targeting of U.S. military bases – October 3, 2023

Supreme Court Rejects Long Shot’s Bid to Disqualify Trump in ’24 – October 2, 2023

Pentagon warns Congress it is running low on money to replace weapons sent to Ukraine – October 2, 2023

Breaking Christian News

Laos Authorities Ban Christian Worship In Southern Area (Worthy News In-Depth)

Christian villagers in southern Laos have been threatened with detention and “huge fines” if they continue their church services, well-informed Christians told Worthy News.

Nigeria: Islamic terrorists inflict years-long campaign of terror on Pastors, Christians in Kaduna state

One of several northern Nigerian states in which Christians have faced genocidal murder and terror campaigns by Islamic militants determined to impose their version of Sharia law, Kaduna state has seen many Christians murdered, no fewer than 23 pastors killed, and more than 200 churches forcibly shut down since 2019, Barnabas Aid reports.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

The annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is set for Sunday, November 5th this year, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Nigeria: Fulani herdsmen murder 15 Christians in one week, “the blood of innocent Christians cries profusely for justice” – October 2, 2023

Indonesia: Large group of Muslims hold anti-Christian protest outside church – October 2, 2023

Dutch Christian Destroys Hundreds Of ‘Idols’ In Netherlands – October 1, 2023

Study links decline of Christianity to collapse of marriage and fatherhood – September 29, 2023

Nigeria: Fulani herdsmen slaughter villagers in Kaduna state – September 28, 2023

US Christian groups call on Congress to act on behalf of persecuted Myanmar Christians – September 28, 2023

US: Police thwart “diabolical” mass shooting at Virginia church – September 28, 2023

News from this Week 12/7/22

Breaking World News

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

Argentina Vice President Sentenced Over Corruption

Argentina faced more upheaval Wednesday after an Argentine federal court found Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner guilty of corruption.

Putin holds council meeting on domestic security following 3 airbase ‘explosions’

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called a meeting with his security council to discuss the country’s domestic defenses after three airbases saw “explosions” this week.

‘Army May Intervene In Brazil’

Brazil’s military could still intervene to prevent leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from becoming the next president, well-informed sources suggested Tuesday.

Latest World News Headlines

Russia: Putin signs law banning all LGBT expression in public life – December 6, 2022

Indonesia Bans Extramarital Sex – December 6, 2022

Ukraine: Civilians without electricity in deep winter as Russia continues strikes on infrastructure – December 6, 2022

Iran may be able to build ‘crude’ nukes within six months – December 5, 2022

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru Erupts, 2,000 Flee – December 5, 2022

Iran Abandons Morality Police After Protests; Christians Still Uncertain (Worthy News In-Depth) – December 5, 2022

Nigeria: ‘Weapons For Ukraine Reach Islamist Terrorists’ (Worthy News Investigation) – December 5, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Gantz orders IDF to prepare for escalation in light of new government

Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the IDF to prepare for the possibility of an escalation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in light of ongoing security tensions and the entry of the new government, the defense minister revealed in an interview with Ynet on Tuesday.

IAF, French air force hold joint strike drills over Israel’s skies

Israeli and French aircraft held a joint aerial exercise this week over Israel’s skies that simulated airstrikes and combating aerial threats, the Israeli Air Force said Tuesday.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Saudi Arabia wants to normalize ties with Israel – December 6, 2022

Bahraini FM: Palestinian statehood bedrock of Abraham Accords success – December 5, 2022

IDF readiness for war compromised by West Bank tension – December 5, 2022

Hamas fires at Israeli jets as air force hits terror group following rocket attack – December 4, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

Real ID Deadline Pushed Back Again

The Real ID deadline has been pushed back yet again. The Department of Homeland Security deadline for enforcement will shift back another 24 months, from May 2023 to May 2025, the agency said Monday. After that date, federal agencies like the TSA will no longer accept driver’s licenses and other forms of identification that do not meet federal standards.

US Trade Deficit Widens in October on Weak Exports

The U.S. trade deficit widened sharply in October as slowing global demand and a strong dollar weighed on exports.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Supreme Court grapples with Christian business owner’s objection to Colorado’s pro-LGBTQ law – December 5, 2022

White House dismisses Hunter Biden laptop ‘Twitter files’ as ‘distraction’ – December 5, 2022

White House opposes repealing military vaccine mandate through NDAA – December 5, 2022

Pentagon urged to build advanced defenses against growing cruise, hypersonic missile threats to U.S. – December 5, 2022

Trump Reacts To Hunter Biden ‘Twitter Files’: This ‘Allows For The Termination Of All Rules, Regulations, And Articles, Even … In The Constitution’ – December 4, 2022

Republicans push to end military vaccine mandate through annual defense bill – December 4, 2022

Bombshell Twitter files suggest censorship driven by politics and connections, not facts – December 3, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Algeria: Government is persecuting the Church, which continues to grow

While Algeria’s government has now shut down all but a tiny handful of churches in the country, Algerian church leaders say the persecution is causing an increase in the number of new Christians, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. 

Afghanistan: Christians trying to flee the country to escape intense persecution

The US-based aid organization Release International (RI) has reported that Christians in Afghanistan are trying to escape their home country as the ruling Taliban advance a regime of violence against them and other religious minorities, Christian Today (CT) reports.

Call to prayer for missionary pilot and volunteers imprisoned by Mozambique government

A call to prayer has been sent out for the release of an American Christian missionary pilot and two South African volunteers who have been jailed in Mozambique for a month since being arrested by government officials on suspicion of insurgents in the ongoing civil war, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

California Supreme Court says church cannot be forced to pay over $200,000 in COVID-19 fines – December 5, 2022

Nigeria: Christian couple and daughter hacked to death by suspected Fulani jihadists in Benue state – December 5, 2022

Nigeria: 48 Christians abducted in two attacks on buses, “please mobilize prayer for our brethren” – December 5, 2022

Jailed Church Leader Facing India Trial – December 2, 2022

China Closes House Church And School – December 2, 2022

Egypt Allows More Churches Amid Persecution – December 2, 2022

Cambridge University Dean defends sermon claiming Jesus had “trans body” with “vaginal” wound in His side – December 1, 2022