Faith Facts

• Sixteen lives were lost and forty wounded in a targeted attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration.
• Authorities identified a father and son as the two suspects; the elder is deceased, and the younger remains hospitalized.
• A Holocaust survivor was among the dead, and explosive devices were safely defused at the scene.

The attack on families gathering to honor their faith at Bondi Beach grieves all who value religious liberty and the sanctity of life. Christians recognize the importance of standing with those targeted for their beliefs, affirming biblical commandments to love our neighbors and oppose evil.

Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, condemned the violent antisemitism that struck so deeply, and calls for prayer have been raised for all those affected. Moments like these remind us that spiritual vigilance and moral courage are needed to uphold justice and peace, especially in defense of innocent life.

“Please say Psalms 20 & 21 for my son, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, who was shot in a terrorist attack at a Chanukah event he was running for Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Australia. The Chabad Rabbi he was working with Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed. Praying for all the victims and their families,” he shared on X.

Defending the free exercise of faith and standing with the Jewish community at this dark hour is a matter of conscience. Let us continue to pray, speak truth, and act in faith as we seek God’s comfort for all who are suffering and commit to promoting justice and righteousness in our world.

Read full report at The Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Nicaragua has prohibited tourists from bringing Bibles and other printed materials across its borders.
• Restrictions also include cameras, drones, and electronic devices, with enforcement confirmed by regional bus companies.
• Over 1,300 religious organizations have lost legal status under government crackdowns since 2018.

Faith communities in Nicaragua face mounting pressure as new border restrictions ban the entry of Bibles and Christian literature. These policies are part of a wider assault on civil liberties and the freedom to worship.

Officials have extended the list of banned items, reflecting a tightening grip on religious expression and personal freedoms. Christian leaders continue to speak out against these actions, standing firm for truth and justice.

One U.N. investigator warned that the Nicaraguan government appeared “at war with its own people.”

As the church remains a beacon of hope and voice for the oppressed, believers worldwide are called to pray for those enduring religious persecution and to defend the liberties rooted in faith and conscience.

Read the full story at Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Two students lost their lives in a shooting at Brown University, with nine others injured.
• The suspect is still at large, prompting a large police response and campus lockdown.
• Officials are calling on the community for information and support during this crisis.

Brown University was shaken when a gunman attacked students during a final exam review, resulting in loss and injury among the campus family. Authorities swiftly secured the area and initiated a search for the individual responsible, calling on citizens to remain vigilant and prayerful.

Officials stated that the attack began in a first-floor classroom at the Barus & Holley engineering building during an economics final review session.

Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed more than 400 law enforcement officers are currently focused on restoring safety and finding the suspect, described as a man in dark clothing who escaped on foot.

The entire Brown campus and nearby neighborhoods remain under lockdown, with shelter-in-place advisories impacting students, staff, and residents.

University leaders affirmed that both deceased were students and that the wounded are all reportedly in stable condition at local hospitals.

Police remain diligent in their investigation, reviewing all available video and following up on community tips as they seek to identify the perpetrator.

One student, Chiang-Heng Chien, explained how he and classmates took shelter during the ordeal.

President Trump remarked, “All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt.”

In these troubling times, let us come together in prayer for the Brown University community, trusting in God’s comfort and protection. May we work as one nation under God to oppose violence and uphold our commitment to safeguarding every life.

Read the full report from Christian Post