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

Breaking World News

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

24th Victim Of Indonesia Volcanic Eruption Dies After Struggle

The death toll from the volcanic eruption on Indonesia’s Mount Marapi that caught dozens of climbers by surprise this month has risen to 24 after a teenage girl, who became a symbol of determination and hope, lost her life.

Turkey President Accuses Israel Of “Massacre” At Trip In Hungary

Turkey’s president wrapped up his visit to Hungary with a warning to Israel to end its “ongoing massacre” in Gaza, while not mentioning the Hamas atrocities in the Jewish nation that killed 1,200 people.

China Rolling Out Thought Control Weapons In ‘Brain Warfare’

Communist-run China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is rolling out brain-influencing weapons and advanced psychological warfare in “a major shift in military strategy,” according to a new report obtained by Worthy News.

Latest World News Headlines

Suriname’s Ex-President Bouterse Jailed For 15 Murders – December 20, 2023

Death Toll Rising In China’s Quake – December 20, 2023

North Korea Launches Nuclear-Capable Missile Amid Calls For Asia-Style NATO – December 20, 2023

Iran Accused at UN of Illegal Missile and Drone Transfers, and High-Level Uranium Enrichment – December 19, 2023

Jordan Welcomes Re-Election of Egyptian President As Both Nations Face War – December 19, 2023

Pentagon Announces 10 Nation Coalition to Counter Houthi Attacks on Strategic Corridor in Red Sea – December 19, 2023

Pentagon Urged to Provide Taiwan with ‘MacGyver’ Style Advanced Weapons Amid Chinese Threats – December 18, 2023

Pope Says Priests Can Bless Same-Sex Couples – December 18, 2023

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Disrupting Global Trade, Oil and Natural Gas Prices Surge – December 18, 2023

Serbia’s President Claims Victory In Elections Amid Reported Irregularities – December 18, 2023

Breaking Israel News

US: Over 50% of Young Adults Believe Israel Should Be Erased, Poll Finds

A new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shows that, since the Oct. 7 genocidal attack on Israel by Hamas, over 50% of American young adults believe Israel should be erased and the land it is on given to Hamas and the Palestinians, Israel365 News report.

Israel Says Ground Operation in Northern Gaza is Nearing End, Underground Terror City Discovered

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly close to completing their ground offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, having significantly dismantled the presence of Hamas battalions in the region, according to IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

Israel Close To War With Hezbollah In Lebanon

Israel came closer Wednesday to an all-out war with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which it views as a terrorist organization backed by Iran, as hostilities escalated.

Latest Israel News Headlines

Evangelical IDF Soldier Falls Defending Israel Against Hamas in Gaza – December 19, 2023

Syria: Israeli Missile Strikes Near Damascus – December 18, 2023

Pope Condemns ‘Israel Attack’ On Gaza; Army Confirms Incident Church That Kills Two – December 18, 2023

Israel Uncovers Largest Hamas Tunnel In Gaza, So Far – December 18, 2023

Israel Attacked After Pledge To Strike Hezbollah – December 17, 2023

Three Israeli Hostages Killed Mistakenly By Israel Army – December 16, 2023

Netanyahu: ‘Israel Continues War Till Victory’ Despite Global Concerns – December 14, 2023

Breaking U.S. News

Illegal Immigrants Crossing the Border Surges Over Past 48 Hours

Over the past 48 hours, authorities have encountered close to 27,000 immigrants trying to illegally cross into the United States from Mexico, the Washington Examiner reported. To put this in perspective, the number of crossings observed in the past two days is equivalent to the total typically seen over an entire month during the Obama and Trump administrations.

America Sees 337% Increase In Antisemitic Incidents Since Oct.7, Report Shows

A major US antisemitism watchdog, the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a 337% increase in antisemitic incidents in America since the Oct.7 attack on Israel by the ISIS-like Hamas Palestinian jihadist group from Gaza, Israel365 News reports.

US Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Provided Over $358.7 Million in Goods and Services Last Year

A new report shows that US pro-life pregnancy centers provided an estimated massive $358,725,517 million in goods and services last year to help financially vulnerable women continue their pregnancies instead of having an abortion, the Washington Times reports.

Latest U.S. News Headlines

Colorado Supreme Court Decision Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Presidential Ballot, Paving Way for Supreme Court Appeal – December 19, 2023

Tennessee: Baby Swept Out of His Home in Deadly Tornado Found Unharmed in a Tree, “Pretty Much a Miracle” – December 19, 2023

Texas Governor Signs Law Challenging Biden Immigration Policies, Empowering State Law Enforcement – December 19, 2023

CBP Suspending Railroad Crossings at Two Key International Ports of Entry in Texas – December 18, 2023

Illinois: AG Agrees to Permanent Block on Law Which Targeted Pregnancy Centers, “Huge Win” for Pro-Life Groups – December 18, 2023

Security Questions Raised After Car Plows Into President Biden’s Motorcade – December 18, 2023

Indiana: Christian Parents Petition SCOTUS After State Removes Their Trans-Identified Child – December 18, 2023

Breaking Christian News

More Than 80% of US Christians Favor a Two-State Solution to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Poll Shows

A new poll by Lifeway Research shows that four out of five US Christians support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which a new state of Palestine is created alongside Israel, the Jerusalem Post reports.

Israel and West Bank Christmas Celebrations Canceled Amid Gaza War

As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues unabated, Church leaders and city councils in Israel and the West Bank have decided to call off large-scale public Christmas celebrations and not to decorate public spaces with Christmas trees, the Jerusalem Post reports. The decision affects Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace (now controlled by the West Bank Palestinian Authority), Nazareth in northern Israel, where Jesus grew up, and Jerusalem, where He was crucified and rose again.

Syria: Aleppo Christian Community Has Dramatically Decreased Since Civil War

As Syrians struggle to cope with the devastating consequences of a catastrophic civil war, the number of Christians in the previously formidable Syrian city of Aleppo has now decreased from around 250,000 to just 50,000, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Latest Christian News Headlines

Prison Ministry Will Deliver Gifts and Gospel Message to 65,000 Prisoners Worldwide This Christmas – December 19, 2023

YouVersion Bible App Has Been Downloaded Over 700 Million Times – December 19, 2023

Indonesia: Elderly Christian Man Serving Second Prison Term for Blasphemy Against Islam – December 18, 2023

Burkina Faso: Islamic Jihadists Attack, Murder Terrorize Christians – December 14, 2023

Mauritania: Authorities Arrest 15 Christian Leaders After Circulation of Baptism Video – December 14, 2023

New York: Small Church Raises Millions for Local Food Program Ministry – December 14, 2023

US: Prison Fellowship Ministry Hosts Groundbreaking Summit of Philanthropic Leaders to “Unlock the Potential of Those Affected by Incarceration” – December 14, 2023