Around the World
Thousands Rally Against Detention Of Kremlin Critic Navalny
Thousands have rallied across Russia against the detention of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny amid concerns about his health. More than 1,000 people were reportedly arrested after defying a ban on demonstrations.
China builds pier for aircraft carrier in Africa
China has built a pier large enough to hold an aircraft carrier close to its only naval base in Africa, USNI reported Tuesday. Recently completed, the pier is in the state of Djibouti, and is near the Bab el Mandeb entrance to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden.
Satellite photos show increased Russian military build-up near Ukraine
Satellite photos show that Russia has deployed warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine, bolstering its readiness for military action and political intimidation, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
IAEA: Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges in Natanz
Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges at its underground uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and plans to add even more, a report by the UN atomic watchdog on Wednesday showed, according to Reuters.
Important disagreements between US and Iran in nuclear talks persist
Important disagreements between the United States and Iran persist after the latest round of indirect nuclear talks in Vienna this week, with the negotiations still far from conclusion and the outcome uncertain, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.
Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia top 2020 global executioners list
Apart from China and despite a worldwide drop in death sentences, countries in the Middle East remained among the world’s leading executioners last year, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel hits back after Dimona nuclear reactor rocket alert
The Israeli military said early Thursday that a missile was fired from neighboring Syria, and that it had struck Syrian missile batteries in retaliation. Earlier, air raid sirens were heard in Israel’s Dimona town, which has a nuclear reactor, indicating a possible incoming attack.
Bennett: If Netanyahu can’t build coalition, I’ll try to form a unity government
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to form a coalition still in dire straits Wednesday, he and Yamina party chief Naftali Bennett held dueling press conferences in which they accused each other of putting their own personal interests above the needs of the country, and of misleading the public.
Sudan abolishes boycott of Israel
Sudan on Tuesday repealed its 1958 law that imposed a boycott of Israel and cut ties between the two countries, Christian Headlines reports. The move follows the Sudan-Israel agreement to normalize diplomatic relations and end the state of belligerence between them. Sudan’s citizens will now be allowed to visit Israel, where around 6,000 Sudanese live.

Inside the United States
Montana Democratic Party challenges new state Voting ID laws
The Democratic Party in Montana has filed suit challenging state voting laws that end election day voter registration and require college students to produce proof of residency besides student ID to register and vote, the Washington Times reports. In filing suit against Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, the party argues the laws place an unnecessary and unconstitutional burden on the right to vote for Native Americans, the elderly, the disabled, and students.
U.S. warns hackers actively exploiting remote access software used by federal agencies
A number of U.S. government agencies have been compromised by hackers exploiting both known and newly found software flaws, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned Tuesday.
US Postal Service running secret program that tracks people’s social media and flags government agencies: Report
The United States Postal Service is apparently tracking social media posts as part of a clandestine program searching for “inflammatory” messages.
White House backs D.C. statehood in official statement, final House vote set for this week
The White House is officially backing a congressional effort to make Washington, D.C., the country's 51 state, saying residents of the nation's capital not having full representation is Congress is an "affront to the democratic values."

Christian News
Report: ‘Growing Persecution of Christians in North America, Europe’
Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.
Saudi Christian Convert Facing Jail For Helping Sister Escape Islamic Nation
A former Muslim who became Christian in Saudi Arabia faced a court and possible jail Thursday for helping his sister, a fellow believer, to escape the Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.

Worthy Watch
White House Condemns Columbus Police Shooting Of Teenager With A Knife As Racist