Thousands of Jewish worshipers ascended the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av, turning the solemn fast over the destruction of the biblical Temples into a striking display of renewed Jewish prayer at the contested holy site. The scenes underscored a profound shift now unfolding in Jerusalem, where mourning over the Temples’ destruction is increasingly joined by open calls for restored Jewish worship—and, among a growing number of activists, the rebuilding of the Temple itself.

Christians have expressed fresh concern over the safety of Syria’s religious minorities after an Alawite mother and her two young children were reportedly shot dead in the central city of Homs in an attack that has raised fresh fears of sectarian violence.

Christian missionaries told Worthy News Wednesday that their “pregnancy support ministry” in Jordan has helped nearly 200 pregnant refugee women and girls over the past year despite war, displacement and, in some cases, pressure to abort their unborn children.

Outspoken Christians and other government critics are expected to face mounting pressure after Nicaragua’s long-serving President Daniel Ortega said the Central American nation will no longer hold elections, eliminating any possibility of an electoral challenge when his current term ends next year and further consolidating the power he shares with his wife, Rosario Murillo.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Thursday a sweeping anti-corruption drive targeting projects approved under the previous administration led by Viktor Orbán, saying the government had filed criminal complaints over projects worth about $3.2 billion while vowing not to increase security after being spat on by a passerby earlier this week.

President Donald Trump said Thursday he is nearing a decision on whether to launch a “massive attack” against Iran, warning that Tehran has not suffered enough pressure to abandon its attacks on international shipping and return to serious negotiations.

President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Senate Republicans to advance legislation requiring voters to show photo identification and provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

The Senate on Thursday rejected an effort to force an end to U.S. military operations against Iran, blocking the measure only hours after the House of Representatives approved a similar war powers resolution.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has referred former special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation, accusing him of making false statements to Congress about the scope of his investigation into President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that a landmark civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia will move forward only if the kingdom joins the Abraham Accords and formally normalizes relations with Israel.