U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Greece on Saturday as part of his lightning diplomatic mission to prevent Israel’s war against Hamas from escalating into a broader conflict that could potentially impact the world.

Orthodox Christmas has been overshadowed by massive clashes between Ukraine and Russia, with Moscow saying it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in occupied Crimea and southern Russia. The violence came at a time of Western concerns that Russia reportedly uses ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea to attack Ukraine, which in turn seeks to bring the 22-month war beyond its borders.

The death toll from a major earthquake in western Japan reached 100 Saturday, as rescue workers fought aftershocks to pull people from the rubble carefully, officials said.

Germany was mourning Friday four people who died after a fire broke out at a hospital near the northern city of Hamburg, with patients pleading for help and fears the death toll could rise.

At least 20 Catholic missionaries lost their lives across the world through violent death this year, two more than in 2022, a new report shows, highlighting broader concerns about global attacks against devoted believers.

A national tribute was underway in France to remember late French statesman Jacques Delors, a devoted Christian who oversaw the European Union’s increasing economic integration and led the drive for a single currency, the euro.

At least four people were killed as two trains collided on Indonesia’s main island of Java on Friday, but a Christian said she was lucky to be alive.

Concerns remained Thursday about the whereabouts of more than a dozen priests, seminarians, and a bishop who have been detained in recent days as part of a crackdown on the Catholic Church by the government of President Daniel Ortega.

Indonesia ushered in the New Year with five erupting volcanos, prompting authorities to evacuate thousands of people while warning climbers to stay away after a volcanic tragedy killed 23 people last month.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for bombings in Iran that killed nearly 100 people.

The United States and 11 international partners have called for an immediate end to attacks on ships by Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and suggested the rebels may face military retaliation if they continue their strikes.

Iranian militias have attacked American bases in Syria and Iraq at least 118 times since October 17, including five times since the start of 2024, injuring scores from U.S. forces, Worthy News learned Wednesday.

Aftershocks shook parts of Japan on Wednesday as the death toll from a series of strong earthquakes rose to 62, authorities said, prompting Pope Francis to pray for the nation.

More than 100 people have been killed and scores injured by two bombs near the tomb of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his assassination by the United States, Iranian officials said Wednesday.

Israel’s new foreign minister has warned of a “Third World War against Iran and radical Islam.”