Weekly News Brief: 12/6/23

Australia Unveils Digital Identity Scheme; Switzerland Also Interested

Australia’s central government has unveiled a digital identity document (ID) scheme that it hopes will be rolled out nationwide by July next year.

Philippines Reeling From Deadly Earthquakes

The Philippines experienced aftershocks Wednesday of powerful earthquakes that impacted the capital, Manila, and other areas of the Asian nation, killing at least three people.

Prayers After Philippines Church Blast Kills 4, Injures Dozens

Christians urged prayers after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bomb blast at a church service in the southern Philippines that killed at least four people and injured dozens.

Latest World News Headlines

US Joins COP28 Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Production and Achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 – December 5, 2023

Digital ID Soon Reality For World Population (Worthy News Investigation) – December 5, 2023

23 Feared Dead As Indonesian Volcano Erupts – December 5, 2023

Yemeni Iranian-Backed Houthi Rebels Strike 3 Commercial Ships in Red Sea – December 4, 2023

Venezuelan Referendum Indicates Strong Support for Its Claiming Of An Oil-Rich Region in Guyana – December 4, 2023

Russia Plans 15% Increase in Troop Numbers Amidst Ukraine War and Threats from NATO – December 4, 2023

Ukraine Probing ‘Russians Shooting At Surrendering Troops’ (Worthy News In-Depth) – December 4, 2023

Detained Ex-US Ambassador ‘Was Agent For Cuba’ – December 4, 2023

US Warship, Vessels Under Attack In Red Sea – December 3, 2023

Paris Islamist Attack Kills One, Wounds Two – December 3, 2023

Breaking Israel News

Hamas Weaponized Rape of Israeli Women on Oct. 7, Advocates Say

Following weeks of silence by the United Nations and major women’s rights groups in the face of evidence Hamas used rape as a weapon against Israeli women on Oct. 7, a special meeting was convened at the UN to raise awareness of the issue, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Israel Launches Third Phase of Ground Offensive in Gaza: Marking Significant and Intense Period of the Conflict

Thousands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) infantry and engineering troops, accompanied by armored forces, are currently engaged in combat against Hamas militants in Jabaliya, Shijaiyah, and Khan Younis. The IDF characterizes this as “the most significant and intense combat period since the beginning of the war.”

IDF Will Stay in Gaza Until Hamas Is Destroyed, Hostages Are Returned, Defense Minister Says

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated Monday that IDF forces will stay and keep fighting in the Gaza Strip until Israel’s dual goals of the destruction of Hamas and the return of the Israeli hostages have been achieved, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Released Israeli Hostage Was Held Captive in Gaza by Teacher from United Nations Agency – December 5, 2023

Israel Expands Ground Campaign in Southern Gaza – December 4, 2023

Netanyahu: Palestinian Authority Cannot Lead Gaza Because It Rejects Israel’s Right to Exist – December 4, 2023

Iran Alleges Israeli Airstrikes Near Damascus – December 2, 2023

Israel Destroys Hundreds Of Terror Sites As Truce Collapses – December 2, 2023

Israel Plans to Assassinate Hamas Leaders After War – December 1, 2023

Ceasefire Ends: Simchat Torah War Reignited – December 1, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

FBI Director Says ‘Blinking Lights Everywhere’ as Threat Levels Hit All-Time Highs

On Tuesday, during his testimony before a Congressional Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that the United States has been confronting unprecedented terrorist threats since the start of the Israel–Hamas conflict in October.

Speaker Johnson’s Firm Stance on Ukraine Funding and Border Security

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La) sent a letter today, reiterating to the Biden Administration that funding for the Ukraine war would not be authorized unless the Biden Administration takes action to address issues at the nation’s border.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Texas Governor Vows to Approve Legislation Empowering Law Enforcement to Arrest Unauthorized Immigrants – December 5, 2023

Over 135 Abortion Clinics Closed Over Past Two Years – December 4, 2023

White House Urges Congress to Act to Approve Funding for Ukraine War – December 4, 2023

Biden’s Immigration Policies Have Resulted in Highest Proportion of Immigrants in U.S. History – December 4, 2023

US: 11 States Under Winter Storm Warnings – December 4, 2023

Texas Must Remove Controversial Floating Barrier in Rio Grande, Federal Court of Appeals Rules – December 4, 2023

US Appeals Court Clears the Way for Lawsuits Against Trump Over US Capitol Attack – December 1, 2023

Breaking Christian News

Prison Sentence Reduced Of Algeria Church Leader

A senior church leader in Algeria has seen his original prison sentence for holding an “unauthorized” church service reduced on appeal, well-informed Christians told Worthy News Wednesday.

Indonesia: Muslims Block Construction of Authorized Christian School In Their Neighborhood

Muslims in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, are blocking a Christian school from being built in their neighborhood despite the school having been granted the requisite building permit by the authorities, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Britain: Nearly a Quarter of Young Adults Would Be Willing to Ban the Bible, Poll Shows

A new poll shows that nearly a quarter of young people in the United Kingdom would ban the Bible if they believed it contained “hate speech,” Christian Today (CT) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Nigeria: Pastor’s Wife Shot Dead by Terrorists in Taraba State – December 1, 2023

Kenya Christians Call for Greater Protection From al-Shabaab Terrorists – December 1, 2023

Christian School Sues Vermont After Being Excluded From Tuition and Sports Programs for its Religious Beliefs on LGBT Issues – November 30, 2023

Nigeria: At Least 10 Christians Slaughtered in Taraba State – November 30, 2023

Abducted German Missionary Priest Released After One Year In Captivity – November 30, 2023

DRC: United Methodist Church is a Symbol of Hope to Internally Displaced Congolese – November 29, 2023

Pakistan: Islamist Murders Christian Man After Claiming to Hate Jews and Christians – November 29, 2023

News from this Week 9/7/22

Nuclear deal with Iran off the table for time being, US has indicated to Israel

A new nuclear deal between Iran and world powers is off the table and will not be signed in the foreseeable future, The Times of Israel’s sister site Zman Yisrael has learned. This is the message that was conveyed to Prime Minister Yair Lapid in his recent conversations with US President Joe Biden and other administration officials.

Suspect In Canada Mass Killings Found Dead; Other Attacker Still Running

One of the two men suspected of carrying out a massacre within an indigenous community in western Canada has been found dead, police confirmed.

Britain’s New PM Liz Truss Facing Unrest

Liz Truss became Britain’s prime minister on Tuesday after Queen Elizabeth II asked her to form a government as the nation faces its biggest challenges in years.

Latest World News Headlines

Europe’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant Of Grid As Fire Raises Concerns – September 7, 2022

Somalia is facing catastrophic deadly famine, UN says – September 5, 2022

Liz Truss Britain’s Next Prime Minister Amid Recession Fears – September 5, 2022

Dutch Minister Resigns Over Nitrogen Rallies – September 5, 2022

Court Deals Blow To Russian Press By Revoking Novaya Gazeta Print License – September 5, 2022

Iran says it’s considering purchase of advanced Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia – September 5, 2022

Kenya’s Supreme Court Confirms William Ruto As Presidential Winner – September 5, 2022

Breaking Israel News

Lapid: Israel will act as it “sees fit” to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear bomb

As the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear agreement appear to have faltered yet again, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned Tuesday that Israel will act as it sees fit to thwart Iranian efforts to obtain a nuclear bomb, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

IDF publishes 2002 intelligence document warning of Syria’s nuclear aspirations

The Israel Defense Forces have published a previously secret intelligence document from 2002, in which the Military Intelligence Directorate warned Syria may be seeking to launch a military nuclear program, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Alleged Israeli airstrikes target Syrian airports for second time in week – September 6, 2022

Israel, US conduct joint missile-defense exercise – September 5, 2022

In signal to Iran, Israeli jets again escort US nuclear-capable bombers through region – September 5, 2022

IDF Has Arrested 1,500 Terror Operatives, ‘Lack of Governance’ By The PA in West Bank to Blame For Violence: Chief of Staff – September 5, 2022

Breaking U.S. News

Senate Democrats Could Link Same-Sex Marriage, Gov’t Funding Bills: Source

Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate could add language protecting gay marriage rights to a stopgap bill to keep the federal government funded in a bid to increase pressure on Republicans to support it, a Democratic source said on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Earl expected to become hurricane

Tropical Storm Earl is expected to become a hurricane later this week.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Mass Shootings Sweep Democrat-Run Cities During Labor Day Weekend – September 6, 2022

Disney normalizes the occult, distributes animated series centering on 13-year-old daughter of Satan – September 5, 2022

Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Might Cost Up to $1 Trillion – September 5, 2022

Judge Grants Trump Bid for Special Master in Document Search – September 5, 2022

California school district tries to shut down private Christian school over building concern – September 5, 2022

Biden Asks Congress For $11.7 Billion In Additional Funds For Ukraine – September 4, 2022

Battle over ‘In God We Trust’ displays at Texas schools may hinge on state’s First Amendment rights – September 4, 2022

Breaking Christian News

Ireland: Christian teacher jailed for contempt of court following school row over transgender pronouns

A Christian teacher in Ireland has been jailed for contempt of court after being suspended from the school he taught at for refusing to address a transgender student by their preferred pronoun, Christian Today (CT) reports.

Somali pastor violently attacked by father-in-law for leaving Islam

A Somali pastor sustained severe injuries when his Somali father-in-law violently assaulted him last month for refusing to return to Islam, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Somalis believe they are born Muslim, and anyone who leaves Islam can be charged with apostasy and sentenced to death.

Nigeria: Christian man hacked to death at National Youth Service Corps headquarters

A young Christian man serving with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria’s Adamawa state was hacked to death with machetes on August 26 in what is believed to have been a targeted attack, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Philippines Charismatic Pastors Step Up Evangelism In Devastated Mindanao – September 4, 2022

Mozambique: Christians in danger as Islamic terror insurgency continues – September 1, 2022

Uganda: Three former imams face death threats after conversion to Christianity – September 1, 2022

Christian radio station forced out of Ukraine by Zelensky’s anti-Russian language law – August 31, 2022

Nigeria: Christian woman murdered while cleaning her church – August 30, 2022

Somalia: Christians vulnerable as death toll reaches 21 in al-Shabaab attack – August 30, 2022

Nigeria faces ‘sustained campaign to wipe out Christianity’ while government does nothing – August 29, 2022