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By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s military said Sunday that Iran launched over 300 killer drones and missiles toward Israel but added that its successful air defenses thwarted 99 percent of the flying objects illuminating the sky over the Jewish nation. Yet children suffered as a young girl from the Negev area was lightly injured during the attack, officials said. Separately, a 10-year-old boy from a Bedouin town is in serious condition after being wounded by shrapnel following the interception of a drone, medics explained, and there were fears the attack could lead to a broader Middle East war. Later on Sunday news emerged that three Jordanians were killed, while a few dozen others were treated for anxiety due to the attacks. The announcements came as U.S. President Joe Biden planned to convene a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.” Christians around the world, including in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, have been praying for Israel. “We are praying today in our Church for the Jewish nation,” a Christian told Worthy News. Israeli sources had earlier said that Indonesia seeks to normalize relations with Israel, but its foreign ministry made clear over the weekend that more time is needed to establish normal diplomatic relations with tensions rising. As a new day began in Israel, many returned home from shelters. “Iran launched more than 300 threats, and 99 percent were intercepted,” confirmed Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman. “That is a success.” Hagari said Iran launched about 170 drones, of which “zero crossed into Israeli territory.” He said every one of the 30 cruise missiles fired by Iran also failed to reach Israeli territory, with 25 being intercepted by Israeli fighter jets. “Out of over 120 ballistic missiles, only a few crossed into Israeli territory, with the rest being intercepted. These fell at the Nevatim Air Force Base, causing only minor damage to infrastructure,” the IDF spokesperson stressed. ISRAEL REACTION Asked if Israel would respond, Hagari said the country would do what was needed to protect its citizens. U.S., British, and Jordanian forces in the region were also involved in shooting down Iranian drones and missiles despite Tehran’s warning to the United States to stay out of the conflict, officials said. French military planes also contributed “in patrolling airspace” for Israel during the assault, IDF spokesperson Hagari explained on Sunday. Tehran had threatened to retaliate against Israel after its consulate in Damascus, Syria, was hit by a suspected Israeli strike that killed several high-ranking Iranian officials. The Islamic Republic accused Israel of killing top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi on April 1, among others. He had reportedly directed Iran’s indirect attacks on Israel in Lebanon and Syria and was a top coordinator with the Hezbollah militia. The strikes were reportedly backed by Tehran’s allies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who launched multiple drones at Israel in coordination with Iran, security sources said. BRITAIN SECURITY Britain-based security firm Ambrey suggested that the projectiles were likely timed to reach Israel simultaneously with Iran’s missiles and drones. “Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly launched by the Houthis toward Israel. The UAVs were launched in coordination with Iran,” the company says. “Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets,” it adds and warns of “collateral damage” to shipping. Besides the Houthis, Lebanon-based Hezbollah said they fired dozens of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon towards the Golan Heights, setting off sirens in the Snir kibbutz, officials said. It added to military challenges as Iran already launched its weapons against Israel. Spokesman Hagari earlier praised Israel’s allies for supporting its efforts to defend itself. “Together [with our partners], we are operating at this very moment. So far, we have intercepted a vast majority of missiles, attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles outside of Israel’s border,” Hagari stressed. Almost all interceptions, the military said, have been by aircraft and military interception systems such as the David’s Sling. The Iron Dome, which defends well against Hamas and Hezbollah’s simple rockets, is “less relevant for drones and fancier long-range missiles,” according to experts. IRAN STRIKE Shortly after the Iranian strike began, Iraqi officials announced that Iraqi airspace was being closed. Lebanon and Jordan also decided to close their airspace on Saturday night. Several drones were seen flying from the direction of Iran over Iraq’s Sulaymaniya province, security sources said. Additional waves of drones and missiles were seen over other areas in Iraq and Jordan later in the night. Jordanian jets reportedly shot down dozens of Iranian drones. Egypt’s air defense was also on alert, with the Egyptian military and security sources saying they feared an Iranian drone attack aimed toward Israel. British Royal Air Force jets in the Middle East “will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required” after Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, a spokesperson said. “In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” the statement added. Iraqi security sources told Arabic media that several Iranian missiles fell near Yusufiya, south of Baghdad, on Saturday night. An Iranian drone also fell in Shiraz in south-central Iran, Iranian sources said. WARNING IRAN The Iranian attack against Israel sparked panic in Iran and Lebanon. Witnesses saw long lines in gas stations in Iran and Lebanon, where residents rushed to prepare for a feared escalation in the region after Iran attacked Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message before the attack, said that “in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran.” He warned Tehran that “whoever harms us, we will hurt them. We will protect ourselves from any threat, and we will do so with steadfastness and determination.” “Together we will overcome all our enemies,” he said as he urged Israelis to listen to the Home Front Command directives and thanked Israel’s allies, such as the US, France, and Britain, “for standing with the Jewish state.” “Our defense systems are deployed. We are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and attack,” Netanyahu pledged, adding that the IDF, the state, and the public “were strong.” Back in Washington D.C., the White House said that “US President Joe Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.” President Biden “has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran,” stressed the White House. Biden and Netanyahu spoke over the phone early Sunday morning for about half an hour, and the United Nations Security Council was to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon in light of the attack. The post Iran Fires More Than 300 Drones, Missiles At Israel, But Most Shot Down appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s military said Sunday that Iran launched over 200 killer drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic rockets toward Israel, adding to fears the attacks would escalate into a regional Middle East war. https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2024/04/IranAttacksIsrael.mp4 Objects were seen illuminating the sky above Jerusalem, and there were reports of casualties. A seven-year-old girl from a Bedouin village near Arad was seriously wounded by the Iranian attack, according to Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom. Her injuries came as witnesses spoke of “hundreds of drones and missiles,” though many were reportedly shot down by U.S., British, and Jordanian forces in the region. Tehran had threatened to retaliate against Israel after its consulate in Damascus, Syria, was hit by a suspected Israeli strike that killed several high-ranking Iranian officials. The Islamic Republic’s attack accused Israel of killing top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi on April 1, among others. He had reportedly directed Iran’s indirect attacks on Israel in Lebanon and Syria and was a top coordinator with the Hezbollah militia. The strikes were reportedly backed by Tehran’s allies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who launched multiple drones at Israel in coordination with Iran, security sources said. Britain-based security firm Ambrey suggested that the projectiles were likely timed to reach Israel simultaneously with Iran’s missiles and drones. MANY LAUNCHED “Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly launched by the Houthis toward Israel. The UAVs were launched in coordination with Iran,” the company says. “Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets,” it adds and warns of “collateral damage” to shipping. Besides the Houthis, Lebanon-based Hezbollah said they fired dozens of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon towards the Golan Heights, setting off sirens in the Snir kibbutz, officials said. It added to military challenges as Iran already launched its weapons against Israel. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief Spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that Israel and its allies shot down several of the rockets and drones fired toward the Jewish nation. “Together [with our partners], we are operating at this very moment. So far, we have intercepted a vast majority of missiles, attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles outside of Israel’s border,” Hagari stressed. Hagari cautioned that the Iranian attack was not over yet. Almost all interceptions, the military said, have been by aircraft and military interception systems such as the David’s Sling. The Iron Dome, which defends well against Hamas and Hezbollah’s simple rockets, is “less relevant for drones and fancier long-range missiles,” according to experts. SHOOTING MISSILES However, besides Israel, Jordan, the United States, and Britain were involved in shooting down Iranian drones and missiles. Shortly after the Iranian strike began, Iraqi officials announced that Iraqi airspace was being closed. Lebanon and Jordan also decided to close their airspace on Saturday night. Several drones were seen flying from the direction of Iran over Iraq’s Sulaymaniya province, security sources said. Additional waves of drones and missiles were seen over other areas in Iraq and Jordan later in the night. Jordanian jets reportedly shot down dozens of Iranian drones. Egypt’s air defense was also on alert, with the Egyptian military and security sources saying they feared an Iranian drone attack aimed toward Israel. British Royal Air Force jets in the Middle East “will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions, as required” after Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, a spokesperson said. “In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks,” the statement added. Iraqi security sources told Arabic media that several Iranian missiles fell near Yusufiya, south of Baghdad, on Saturday night. An Iranian drone also fell in Shiraz in south-central Iran, Iranian sources said. SPARKING PANIC The Iranian attack against Israel sparked panic in Iran and Lebanon. Witnesses saw long lines in gas stations in Iran and Lebanon, where residents rushed to prepare for a feared escalation in the region after Iran attacked Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message before the attack, said that “in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran.” He warned Tehran that “whoever harms us, we will hurt them. We will protect ourselves from any threat, and we will do so with steadfastness and determination.” “Together we will overcome all our enemies,” he said as he urged Israelis to listen to the Home Front Command directives and thanked Israel’s allies, such as the US, France, and Britain, “for standing with the Jewish state.” “Our defense systems are deployed. We are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and attack,” Netanyahu pledged, adding that the IDF, the state, and the public “were strong.” Back in Washington D.C., the White House said that “US President Joe Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.” President Biden “has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran,” stressed the White House. Biden and Netanyahu spoke over the phone early Sunday morning for about half an hour, and the United Nations Security Council was to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon in light of the attack. As news spread about the attacks against Israel, a Christian in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, told Worthy News: “We need to pray for Israel.” The post Over 200 Iranian Drones, Missiles In Israel (Video) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) came together to support a bill for election integrity that would require all voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship before voting in federal elections. At a joint press conference held at Mr. Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate, both speakers emphasized the need for measures to guarantee the integrity of national elections and to prevent illegal immigrants from casting votes that could potentially alter election outcomes. “What we’re going to do is introduce legislation to require that every single person who registers to vote in a federal election must prove that they are an American citizen first,” the speaker said. Johnson added, “You will see Republicans stand for election integrity. Democrats are going to have to go on the record.” While noncitizens are permitted to vote in some local elections, they are prohibited from participating in all state and federal elections. Nevertheless, the federal voter registration form in the United States does not mandate documentary proof of citizenship, and attempts by states to enforce such a requirement have faced opposition from the Biden administration. The speaker explained that the proposed legislation would implement new measures to guarantee that only citizens can vote. It would compel states to purge noncitizens from their voter rolls and grant them access to Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases to facilitate this process. “Congress has this responsibility. We cannot wait for widespread fraud to occur … especially when the threat of fraud is growing with every single illegal immigrant that crosses that border,” Johnson said. In a statement issued by the Biden campaign, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) criticized the announcement as a “sham.” He accused Mr. Trump of being unable to “admit the truth: that he lost the 2020 election.” “Donald Trump and Mike Johnson aren’t interested in election integrity,” stated Thompson. “Their only concern is aiding Trump’s campaign of revenge and retribution to reclaim power by any means necessary.” On Friday, Speaker Johnson played a pivotal role, casting the tie-breaking vote in a crucial decision that would have necessitated a warrant for any surveillance authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on American citizens. Despite Mr. Trump’s public appeal to lawmakers to “kill” the law, Johnson’s vote sided with the majority of his colleagues. His decision, however, did not sit well with one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest allies, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who criticized Johnson for his handling of Ukraine war aid and government spending, threatening to oust him from his speaker position. The tension escalated as Ms. Greene voiced her discontent to reporters, questioning, “What is the difference between Speaker Johnson and Speaker Nancy Pelosi?” She also targeted Johnson in a fundraising email, accusing him of aligning with “The Company” that represents the political establishment or “Swamp,” thereby betraying Republicans and the American people. Despite these accusations, Mr. Trump defended Johnson, acknowledging the complexity of his position and expressing his good relations with both the speaker and Ms. Greene. “I think he is doing a very good job,” Trump stated, highlighting his ongoing support for Johnson despite the internal party conflict. The post Trump and Johnson Propose Election Integrity Bill Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military say Israel is in “full force” defending Israel after Iran confirmed it had launched dozens of drones and cruise missiles toward Israel. In a video message, Netanyahu added that “in recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran.” He warned Tehran that “whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will protect ourselves from any threat, and we will do so with steadfastness and determination.” “Together we will overcome all our enemies,” he said as he urged Israelis to listen to the Home Front Command directives and thanked Israel’s allies, such as the U.S., France, and Great Britain, for standing with the Jewish state,” he added. He urged Israelis to listen to the Home Front Command directives and thanked Israel’s allies, such as the US, France, and Great Britain, for standing with the Jewish state. Israel was on high alert, with dozens of drones already reported over Iraqi airspace on the way to Israel. Other sources mentioned “hundreds of drones,” but those reports could not be immediately verified. Earlier, Israel ordered the closure of all schools and canceled activities amid a high alert for an Iranian attack. Israeli defense sources said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Air Force were preparing for a strike from Iran, where the rulers have often pledged the destruction of Israel. The military spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed the measures Saturday after Iran threatened to retaliate for a deadly air strike by Israel on its Damascus consulate. As tensions rose, dozens of drones were already reported over Iraqi air space on the way to Israel soon after reports emerged that Iraq and Jordan closed their air space. But there were no reports that northern countries had shot down Iranian drones or missiles. It came as the IDF prepared defenses, with air force formations ready, Defense officials said. “A short time ago, Iran launched an unmanned aerial vehicle from its territory towards the territory of the State of Israel,” the IDF added. With tensions escalating, U.S. President Joe Biden rushed to the White House for urgent talks with his security team, Worthy News monitored. The post Israel Army At “Full Force Defending Israel” As Iran Attack Is Underway appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel’s military confirmed Saturday that the body of a missing Israeli boy was found in the West Bank, also known as the Judea and Samaria Area, after he was killed in a “terrorist attack.” The disappearance of 14-year-old Binyamin Achimair, a shepherd, sparked a 24-hour search and triggered a large Jewish settler attack on a Palestinian village on Friday and Saturday. After news of Achimair’s body being found, a few violent incidents – including setting cars on fire – happened in the village of Duma, and one person was killed by settler gunfire, Palestinians said. There was no immediate independent conformation of the deadly shooting attack. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli citizens to remain calm and not to hinder security services in doing their work. He said Saturday that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), intelligence agency Shin Bet, and Israeli police to launch “an extensive pursuit of the despicable murderers and all those who cooperated with them.” He said the security forces would “carry out intense operational and intelligence activity in the Palestinian villages in the area of the disappearance.” He made clear that finding the killers of the boy was crucial as part of Israel’s declared war on terrorism. “The abominable murder of the boy Binyamin Achimair is a serious crime. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family,” Netanyahu said. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the killing of the boy, but it comes amid an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the other Palestinian enclave. The war broke out after Hamas, deemed a terrorist organization by most Western nations, killed some 1,200 people and abducted about 253 men, women, and children in Israel on October 7. The post Israeli Army Finds Missing Boy Killed In Terror Attack appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (Worthy News) – A man stabbed six people to death at a busy Sydney shopping center Saturday before he was fatally shot, police said, in a case that shocked the nation. Eight people, including a 9-month-old baby, were injured in the attack in Australia’s most populous city, officials confirmed. The 40-year-old suspect began stabbing people at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction in the city’s eastern suburbs before a police inspector shot him after he turned and raised a knife, New South Wales Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Cooke told reporters. Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the 40-year-old was known to police but not believed to have held terrorist views. Six of the victims — five women and a man — and the suspect died, she explained. Webb also said that the eight injured people were being treated at hospitals. The baby among them was in surgery, but it was too early to know the condition, she added. “We are confident that there is no ongoing risk, and we are dealing with one person who is now deceased,” Webb said in a later briefing. NO TERRORISM? She stressed: “It’s not a terrorism incident” at a time when Western nations are on heightened alert for possible violence linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Karen said police wouldn’t identify the man yet and were still working to determine his motivation. Britain’s King Charles III said he and his wife, Queen Camilla, “were utterly shocked and horrified to hear of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi.” He added, “Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been so brutally killed during such a senseless attack.” The king stressed that “While details of these shocking circumstances are still emerging, our thoughts are also with those who were involved in the response, and we give thanks for the bravery of the first responders and emergency services.” The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, also sent their condolences, saying they were “shocked and saddened” by the events in Sydney. CLOSE TIES Britain’s royal family has close ties with Australia as it belongs to the Commonwealth, the association of 56 member states that are mainly ex-territories of the British Empire. Their remarks came as more details emerged of Saturday’s bloodshed. “They just said run, run, run — someone’s been stabbed,” one witness told ABC TV in Australia. “(The attacker) was walking really calmly like he was having an ice cream in a park. And then he went up the escalators … and probably within about a minute, we heard three gunshots,” the witness added. Police official Cooke said a ”lengthy and precise” investigation was just beginning. Some witnesses were shocked at the rare outburst of violence. Australia enacted strict gun laws after a man killed 35 and wounded another 23 in 1996 in Tasmania. But Saturday’s tragedy was a reminder that dangers remain. The post Man Kills Six In Australia Shopping Mall appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The U.S. has deployed naval warships to safeguard Israel and American forces, aiming to deter a potential direct attack from Iran on Israel, which could occur as soon as Friday or Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported. Israel has been on high alert due to multiple threats and intelligence assessments indicating that Iran might retaliate against Israeli targets. This anticipated response is in retaliation for the April 1 airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of several commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals. Tehran and Damascus have both accused Israel of carrying out the strike and have promised retaliation. However, Israel has not commented on the matter. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel on Friday to discuss a potential Iranian attack. According to Israel’s Defense Ministry, Gallant stated, “We are prepared to defend ourselves on the ground and in the air, in close cooperation with our partners, and we will know how to respond.” U.S. officials stated that the recent strategic moves involved repositioning two destroyers to enhance regional security—one was already stationed in the area while the other was redirected there. At least one of these vessels is equipped with the Aegis missile defense system. When questioned on Friday about the timing of a potential Iranian strike on Israel, President Biden responded, “My expectation is sooner than later.” Regarding a message for Iran, Biden stated: “Don’t.” He further emphasized, “We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel and help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed.” U.S. officials are concerned that an Iranian attack on Israel might lead to an Israeli counterstrike within Iran, potentially igniting a wider regional war. Such a scenario could involve the U.S., as American forces and allies in the Middle East might become targets for Tehran if it suffers an attack on its soil. HEZBOLLAH LAUNCHES ROCKETS On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that around 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel. Some of these rockets were intercepted, while others landed in open spaces or fell short inside of Lebanon. Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for the rocket attack that resulted in no reported injuries. Earlier in the day, the IDF had successfully intercepted two explosive-laden drones launched by Hezbollah. The post U.S. Deploys Warships to Israel in Response to Iranian Threat appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News)—The House of Representatives approved a bill to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), extending federal surveillance on foreign targets until 2026. The legislation passed without the warrant requirement that some lawmakers had pushed for to protect the privacy of Americans whose data may be incidentally collected during those operations. The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act was approved with a vote of 273-147 on Friday, receiving support from 126 Republicans and 147 Democrats for reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Lawmakers who opposed Friday’s bill contended that the FBI and other agencies should be required to obtain a warrant to search communications between foreign targets and U.S. persons found in the Section 702 database. FISA has drawn objections from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, with critics arguing that it infringes on Americans’ constitutional right to privacy. In the past five months, House Republicans, defying their party leadership, have blocked the bill three times. National security hawks and the intelligence community have hailed it as an essential measure to prevent attacks similar to those on 9/11. However, following revelations of FBI agents misusing their access to query information on Americans in the Section 702 database, critics from both conservative and progressive sides have been advocating for restrictions on its use. An amendment by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) that would have required warrants failed in a 212-212 tie when House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) cast the tiebreaker vote. The amended bill shortens the reauthorization period for Section 702 from five years to two years. FISA was scheduled to expire on April 19. The FISA reauthorization is likely to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Biden. The post House Passes FISA Renewal on Fourth Attempt, Excludes Warrant Mandate for US Data appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News HARARE (Worthy News) – Aid workers warned Friday that millions of Christians in Zimbabwe face starvation after the government declared a state of disaster and issued a hunger alert as thousands of malnourished people have already died in the drought-stricken African nation. Authorities said, “that very low rainfall will lead to 2.7 million people facing food shortages this year.” The Christian-majority nation faces “Food insecurity. Hunger levels are climbing rapidly in this growing crisis, and thousands have already died,” confirmed Barnabas Aid, a Britain-based Christian charity. “If the drought continues and crops fail this year, it will take Zimbabwe years to recover, and many of our brothers and sisters will suffer,” said its Africa coordinator. About 70 percent of Zimbabweans grow their food, and the ongoing “catastrophic drought” hinders their ability to harvest enough to feed their families, Barnabas Aid told Worthy News. “The situation in Zimbabwe is dire right now. A farmer I spoke to informed me that they won’t even harvest 5 kilograms due to the drought, yet he has a farm of about ten acres. They are very desperate,” explained Barnabas Aid’s project partner. “Compared to the several thousand kilos of maize that a farmer can usually harvest from an acre of land, the shortfall is shocking,” Barnabas Aid stressed. CHILDREN SUFFERING “Children go to school hungry and cannot concentrate because of malnutrition. Some are even too weak to attend at all. People are being forced to use unsafe water, which contributes to cholera outbreaks,” the charity noticed. Zimbabwe’s food prices are reportedly soaring because harvests have failed, and land used for livestock pasture is deteriorating, leading to further shortages. Barnabas Aid said it “stands ready to help our Christian family in this time of great need. We have recently sent 23.5 tonnes of lentils from our supporters in Australia to Zimbabwe, which will provide approximately 470,000 servings to hungry Christians.” However, it added that “the need is still huge” and urged prayers and donations for those suffering in the country of 15.5 million. Once the bread basket of the region, since 2000, Zimbabwe has struggled to feed its people in part due to severe droughts, observers say. The effects of a land reform program that saw white-owned farms redistributed to landless Zimbabweans contributed to sharp falls in production, say sources familiar with the situation. The fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017 freed up politics and the media, but the country remains cash-strapped and impoverished after years of mismanagement. The post Millions Of Zimbabwe Christians Facing Starvation appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News VATICAN CITY/BRUSSELS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The Vatican has condemned the European Parliament’s decision to include the “right to abortion” in the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. “Thursday, April 11, was a sad day for Europe and its institutions. Sanctioning that abortion, i.e., the deliberate killing of the most defenseless of human beings—please don’t call it “appendix ” or “little piece of meat”—can be transformed into a fundamental human right says a lot about the ethical drift underway,” said Vatican News service Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli. Thursday’s vote came days after the Vatican’s doctrine office issued “Infinite Dignity,” a 20-page declaration prepared for five years and recently approved by Pope Francis. The document deals with the alleged violations of human dignity, including abortion. “We need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or the temptation of self-deception… procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth,” the declaration said. Unborn children are, thus, “the most defenseless and innocent among us. Nowadays, efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in the way of this,” it added. It must, therefore, be stated with all force and clarity, even in our time, that “this defense of unborn life is closely linked to the defense of each and every other human right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development,” the declaration stressed. UNANIMOUS RATIFICATION Tornielli stressed that the Vatican realizes that for the European Parliament’s decision to come into force, “a unanimous ratification by the 27 EU-member countries is required. And that unanimity in this field will be difficult to achieve,” the director added. Countries such as EU member Hungary have mentioned the protection of “the life of the fetus shall be protected from the moment of conception” in the constitution. “However, the message remains a silent, tired Europe, incapable of expressing one voice on diplomatic initiatives to stem the ongoing war and the abyss towards which the world is heading at an ever faster pace,” Tornielli argued. Europe, which is “incapable of taking responsibility as a community for the plight of migrants and of helping them, preventing the Mediterranean from continuing to be a cemetery,” has shown that it has “among its priorities that of consecrating as a fundamental European right” the “killing of women and men in the initial phase of their existence.” Tornielli noted that most of the 27 EU member nations already allow abortion in their respective legislations. While the European Parliament was to vote on abortion, Pope Francis spoke to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences about “today’s throwaway culture,” which becomes “a culture of death” affecting the weakest. “Every human being,” he said, “has the right to live with dignity and to develop integrally, even if they are unproductive or were born with or developed limitations. This does not detract from their great dignity as human persons, a dignity based not on circumstances but on the intrinsic worth of their being. Unless this basic principle is upheld, there will be no future either for fraternity or for the survival of humanity.” The post Vatican Condemns Vote To Make Abortion EU’s Fundamental Right appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MOSCOW/KYIV (Worthy News) – Authorities say hundreds of settlements in Ukraine are without power following Russian drone and missile strikes which killed at least five people. The attacks came shortly after Ukraine’s parliament voted for a mobilization law to increase manpower following massive losses on the battlefields in the country’s more than two-year war against Russia’s invading military. https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2024/04/WorthyNewsRadioApril12.mp3 Ukrainian soldiers are struggling to slow Russian advances on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, including here, west of the devastated city of Avdiivka. Their troubles have been linked to shortages in weapons and manpower. “Ammunition is our sore spot,” said soldier Odin. “We have a constant shortage. For example, last spring in this area, the situation with ammunition was much better,” he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already warned that his country could lose the war if it does not get more U.S. military aid. The U.S. House speaker is negotiating with the White House on advancing wartime funding for Ukraine amid political wrangling over a $95 billion foreign security package for the wartorn country. In addition, Ukraine’s parliament was forced to adopt a mobilization law to increase the number of men on the battlefields in a war against Russia that had already killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people. The bill accepted Thursday would oblige Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 years of age to effectively battle against Russian strikes and other aggression. RUSSIAN ATTACKS Ukrainian President Zelensky was due to sign the legislation approved Thursday after expressing concern about increased Russian attacks. In one of the latest strikes, a Russian drone reportedly damaged equipment at a substation in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast overnight, cutting power to several households and individual consumers. The attack came after officials said Russian missiles and drones destroyed a large electricity plant near Kyiv and hit power facilities in several regions of Ukraine. Ukrainian energy operator Ukrenergo said 399 settlements were without power as of Friday morning, with a blackout in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts. As frustration over the war mounted, Ukrainian authorities searched for a high-ranking priest of a Moscow-linked church. Well-informed sources said the premises of Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, a senior member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, were searched by the security service of Ukraine. Kyiv has accused the church of supporting Russia’s invasion, but critics say this kind of search increases religious tensions. A search was also underway in Russian-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine, where an American, Russell Bentley, supporting Russian separatists, reportedly disappeared. Amid the tensions, Western officials say thousands of Russian troops have tried to seek asylum in Western countries, but relatively few have been granted refugee status. The post Many Ukrainians Without Power After Deadly Russian Strikes (Worthy News Radio) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/THE HAGUE (Worthy News) – Transatlantic political alarm bells are ringing over plans by world leaders to sign an international pandemics treaty that critics say will give the World Health Organization (WHO) unprecedented power over sovereign nations. The United Nations’ primary health watchdog is rolling out its new Pandemic Treaty when the 194-member World Health Assembly, the WHO’s governing body, meets for the 75th time next month in Geneva, Switzerland. The Pact, part of a discussion on amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations, would “help” the world avoid critical mistakes during the next catastrophe, supporters say. Yet ahead of the global May 22-28 gathering, Conservatives in the United States and elsewhere warned that the accord would create a worldwide public health police. Those concerns are shared by prominent Republicans, including in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican Brad Wenstrup, chairman of the House Oversight subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic, said, “The WHO wants to infringe upon our national sovereignty with their proposed ‘Pandemic Treaty.’” Those worries were due to be raised during the campaign ahead of this year’s U.S. presidential elections as then President Donald J. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the WHO. REELECTION CAMPAIGN Critics say that U.S. President Joe Biden, who seeks re-election and likely faces Trump in the rerun for the White House, will hand over America’s sovereignty on health to the WHO. Those concerns are shared thousands of miles away in the Netherlands, a close U.S. ally long known as one of Europe’s most liberal nations. Following recent elections, the pro-Israel Party for Freedom (PVV) and others have questioned the outgoing government’s plans to sign the treaty. At a parliamentary debate in the Dutch city of The Hague, observed by Worthy News, the PVV’s health expert Fleur Agema was among the most vocal Dutch politicians saying the WHO could take measures the Netherlands doesn’t want. Agema referred to controversial vaccination cards during the COVID-19 pandemic and recalled that the “Netherlands was the only European nation with four lockdowns.” She said she doesn’t want to live in a nation where the WHO could implement similar measures again. Agema recalled that when the Netherlands, pressured by the WHO, introduced the coronavirus admission cards, “you needed that to be had allowed into the catering industry. Without proof that you had a corona vaccination or a negative test, entry was refused,” she recalled. CHRISTIAN CONCERNS Other potential partners in a coalition government with the PVV also expressed their reservations, as well as the conservative Calvinist Reformed Political Party (SGP) Yet Dutch Health Minister Pia Dijkstra of the social liberal Democrats 66 (D66) party claimed the treaty “explicitly states” that the Netherlands doesn’t transfer any powers to the WHO. “If the WHO recommends taking measures, it is up to the national government to implement them,” she argued. However, the opposition said the new WHO pact would demand that nations “share information” with “rapid, systematic and timely access” to biological samples and genetic sequencing. Sharing such personal information of citizens is a sensitive issue in democratic countries such as the Netherlands at a time of concern about Communist China’s growing global influence. Supporters of the agreement say it could help prevent pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19 when, in late 2019 and early 2020, China concealed vital facts about the virus. The information China initially did not share included human-to-human transmission in Wuhan, helping to ignite the global spread. ‘NO GUARANTEES’ Supporters of the new agreement also stress that it does not override national prerogatives but caution that it “does not guarantee that what happened in Wuhan would not happen again.” Despite the ongoing debate, the WHO still pushes for a pact to be signed in May. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Pandemic Pact is necessary as the COVID-19 pandemic showed “weak links at every point” in the global preparedness and response. He added that the pandemic “exacerbated inequalities” and that “global political leadership was absent.” All these combined into “a toxic cocktail which allowed the pandemic to turn into a catastrophic human crisis,” the WHO claimed in a recent assessment. The official COVID-19 death toll is more than 7 million, though the actual loss is probably twice or three times as significant, experts say. That would mean up to 21 million deaths in a world population of about 8 billion people, and critics say these figures are similar to severe previous flu pandemics. SPANISH FLU COVID-19 came about a century after the “Spanish flu,” a far more deadly global influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. Nearly a third of the then global population, about 500 million people, was impacted by the Spanish flu. The reported death toll of at least 17 million to 50 million, and possibly 100 million, made it one of the deadliest pandemics in recorded human history. With the 21st century unfolding, officials backing a WHO Pandemic Treaty say it could help poorer nations with easier access to health measures and vaccines. In return for sharing data, the WHO would sign contracts with manufacturers for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics, giving all participating nations 10 percent free and 10 percent at cost. The manufacturers would pay to support the system. This “science for science” trade would see the science of an upcoming disease swapped for the science of the remedies. However, a group known as the Equity Bloc, mainly African nations, expressed concern that the proposed system’s promised benefits to participating countries are insufficient. The multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry has also balked at the “requirements” and costs firms would face. Pact enthusiasts hope these objections can be overcome. They say disease does not respect national borders, and withholding information “puts everyone at risk.” Yet, questions remain over how much sovereignty nations will have over deciding how to keep their populations healthy in an increasingly connected death-fearing world. The post Transatlantic Alarm Over WHO Pandemic Treaty (Worthy News In-Depth) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, you're at war! 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. As soon as we were translated into the Kingdom of Light, we entered a spiritual war -- and we must realize the warfare we face on a day-to-day basis. Constantly contending in our minds, we battle over thoughts and emotions which flow through them. The enemy often attacks by bringing up issues from our past. Failures, regrets, wounds, and traumas all have the potential to drag us down into doubt, darkness and despair. Our tremendous challenge is not to respond to these memories with old destructive thought patterns. Our victory lies in responding to these thoughts and feelings with the mind of Messiah as new creations in Him. While we don't necessarily ignore thoughts and feelings from the past, it is vital that we don't allow them to control our souls and emotions, but that we take them captive through prayers and declarations inspired by our spiritual mind. For example, is the enemy speaking rejection to me causing me to feel unwanted and unloved? I will respond that I am ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED and that the Lord has shown His love to me in many ways by His spirit and through His Body. A powerful illustration from the Old Testament is the Lord's forbidding the levitical priests from entering His Presence if they had touched any dead thing. This is a lesson for us - leave the old, dead mindset behind, the ways that you used to respond to things in the past - instead, enter the Holy of Holies and commune with your Lord! The battle over past issues is won when the Mind of Messiah in us takes authority over their meaning, purpose and definition in our lives With Yeshua (Jesus) on the throne of our hearts and minds, everything in our past is brought under His authority and works together for our good! Friend, make it a point to take every thought captive ... and in doing so, you'll be living out what it truly means to walk in VICTORY! Shabbat Shalom! Have a great weekend in His victory! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland) Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out! Editor's Note: We are planning our summer Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World Hungary Warns NATO Of Broader War In Six Months Hungary on Thursday condemned plans for a NATO military alliance mission in Ukraine saying it could lead to a broader war within six months. Ukraine’s Accepts Mobilization Law As Many Are Needed For War Russia Ukraine’s parliament has passed a mobilization bill to send more men to the battlefields in the war against Russia that has already killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people. Evidence Supporting Sex-Change Treatments For Minors Is “Remarkably Weak,” Major UK Report The UK’s National Health Service of England has published a major study showing there is “remarkably weak evidence” to support treating gender-questioning children and young adults with sex-change hormones and surgeries, the Washington Times reports. Titled “The Cass Review,” the four-year study was commissioned by the NHS and led by Dr. Hilary Cass. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Israel Prepare to Retailate If Iran Strikes As CENTCOM Chief Lands in Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran, stressing that Israel would retaliate if attacked, coinciding with Gen. Michael Kurilla, the chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), arrival to Israel, whose visit is centered around discussions on what US intelligence officials are calling an "imminent" threat emanating from Tehran. Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Asks Germany to Maintain Freeze on UNRWA Funding Lawmakers from the Israeli Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus have met with German parliamentarians in Berlin to request that they maintain Germany’s funding freeze on the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) because of its intricate connection to Palestinian terrorism in the Gaza Strip, the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reports. Indonesia To Normalize Relations With Israel Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, is to normalize relations with Israel, well-informed Israeli sources said Thursday. Inside the United States House Stops Johnson-backed FISA Renewal Bill Nineteen privacy-focused House GOP members have halted the progression of a bill, supported by Speaker Mike Johnson, that seeks to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) -- a controversial government surveillance tool used by the federal government. US: Government Borrowed Nearly $1.1 Trillion In First Half of 2024 Fiscal Year The US Treasury Department has reported that the United States borrowed $1.07 trillion in the first six months of fiscal year 2024. The figure was reported in the Department’s latest Monthly Treasury Statement released on Wednesday. Christian News China: Evangelical Leaders Threatened With Prison For Printing Devotional Materials Amid an ongoing systematic crackdown on Christians in China, the ruling Chinese Communist Party has threatened evangelical church leaders in Guangdong Province with prison and seizure of property for printing devotional materials, Christian Daily reports. Ukraine: Christians Are Being Tortured, Expelled by Russian Forces, Church Leaders Say Amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have violently persecuted Ukrainian Christians by torturing them and removing them from their positions, a group of church leaders and rights advocates have told United States Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson. Al-Shabaab Terrorists Murder Two Christians in Kenya Christians across Africa are increasingly subject to deadly violence at the hands of Islamic terrorists and, on Apr. 9, suspected Al-Shabaab members murdered two Christians and wounded others in two attacks in Lamu West, Kenya, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Nineteen privacy-focused House GOP members have halted the progression of a bill, supported by Speaker Mike Johnson, that seeks to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) — a controversial government surveillance tool used by the federal government. Nineteen privacy-concerned House Republicans, voted against their party’s leadership along with all Democrats, have compelled the GOP leadership to reevaluate their approach to renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a measure that needs reauthorization every five years. This development occurred just hours after former President Trump stressed on Truth Social, “KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME AND MANY OTHERS.” There is a documented history of FISA abuses, leading to a consensus on the need for reforms. However, there is disagreement on the specifics of what these reforms should entail. The defeat of the procedural rule was a significant setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), especially since rules typically pass along party lines and seldom fail on the House floor. However, House Republicans have repeatedly blocked such rules in this Congress as a method to delay legislation whenever they are at odds with Johnson’s positions. The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, a compromise between the House Judiciary Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, seeks to prevent abuses like those reported against Trump and others. The bill measures to restrict access to data collected under Section 702, especially concerning U.S. citizens, and criminalizes the misuse of backdoor loopholes to access Americans’ data improperly. However, conservative opponents of Section 702 contend that the bill falls short of adequately protecting American citizens’ data. The House Judiciary Committee proposed an amendment requiring U.S. officials to obtain a warrant before examining communications involving Americans, a move met with resistance from Republicans focused on national security. Drawing an analogy, one GOP lawmaker likened the amendment to necessitating a police officer to get a warrant just to look up a license plate in their database. They pointed out that under current rules, if a suspected terrorist abroad contacts a U.S. citizen, Section 702 already captures this interaction. However, the amendment would mandate a warrant to review the communication’s content, raising concerns about potential delays during urgent threats. Several sources informed Fox News that during a private meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday, Speaker Johnson voiced his opposition to the amendment, triggering frustration among GOP hardliners. This conflict places Johnson in a challenging position, caught between the House Judiciary Committee and its supporters, who view Section 702 as a means of exploitation and invasion of privacy, and the U.S. intelligence community alongside congressional national security advocates, who argue it is an essential, narrowly-tailored instrument for thwarting terrorist threats. The post House Stops Johnson-backed FISA Renewal Bill appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran, stressing that Israel would retaliate if attacked, coinciding with Gen. Michael Kurilla, the chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), arrival to Israel, whose visit is centered around discussions on what US intelligence officials are calling an “imminent” threat emanating from Tehran. A Bloomberg report on Wednesday night, citing intelligence sources, revealed that the US and its allies are bracing for an imminent Iranian missile or UAV attack on Israel. Drawing from Israeli and US intelligence assessments, the report highlighted that officials believe there’s a high likelihood of using precision-guided missiles to target Israel’s military and governmental facilities. “We are in challenging times. We are in the midst of a war in Gaza that is continuing with full force. In addition, we are continuing with ceaseless efforts to return our hostages, but we are also preparing for challenges from other fronts,” Netanyahu stated at an Israeli air force base. Netanyahu stated, “We set a simple principle: Anyone who hits us, we hit them,” seemingly in response to Iranian threats of launching strikes against Israel. He added, “We are ready to fulfill our responsibilities to Israel’s security, in defense and attack.” According to Axios, which initially reported Kurilla’s anticipated visit on Wednesday, stated that US and Israeli officials have communicated in recent days for a potential Iranian retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike within an Iranian consular building within its embassy complex in Damascus, that resulted in the death of two generals and several officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In response to Iran’s threats, the United States has, as a precautionary measure, limited personal travel for its employees in Israel and their families to within the broader areas of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba. The post Israel Prepare to Retailate If Iran Strikes As CENTCOM Chief Lands in Israel appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BUDAPEST/NOORDWIJK (Worthy News) – Hungary condemned plans for a NATO military alliance mission in Ukraine on Thursday, saying it could lead to a broader war within six months. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s cabinet chief, Gergely Gulyás, said, “War fever has spread to NATO and its commanders.” He said plans for an official mission in Ukraine marked “a departure” from NATO’s previously non-active role in the conflict, though Worthy News already reported about troops on the ground. “We are in a very dangerous period. The next six months are crucial in determining whether the world moves towards war or peace,” Gulyás added in a statement obtained by Worthy News. Hungary, which joined NATO in 1999, is concerned about “the current international military-political climate and Europe’s troubling march towards conflict,” he stressed. Gulyás said Hungary’s government is preparing for the ramifications of a prolonged conflict. Hungary has refused to send weapons to Ukraine to help it fight against Russia’s invading military. PEACE TALKS Instead, Orbán has proposed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia to end a war that has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people. The warning from Hungary came amid growing signs that Western European nations are preparing for a broader war against Russia. Among the countries stepping up its military awareness is the Netherlands, where realities on the ground now challenge longtime liberal peace attitudes. Some 200,000 17-year-olds in the Netherlands receive their “call-up papers” informing them they are now eligible for military service” should it be required. Active military service was abolished in 1997, and since then, teenagers were sent a letter in the year they turned 17 informing them they had been added to the military service register. They can then be called up at any time if the Netherlands goes to war with another country before they turn 45. This year, the letter also alerts youngsters to the possibility of “a career” in the army via a so-called “service year.” JOINING ARMY “The service year is a chance to work as a fully-fledged member of the army. Recruits will be offered a 10-week training and a full salary,” caretaker defense minister Kajsa Ollongren told the youngsters. A service year could occur after secondary school or during a sabbatical from work. Some 221 people signed up for the first service year, which started in September 2023, officials said. The ministry aims for 1000 recruits for the next as about 5,000 defense jobs are waiting to be filled annually, according to the Ministry of Defense. This year, Dutch princess Ariana will also receive the letter, like her sisters before her, authorities explained. But it wasn’t clear whether the princess would do military service. “It’s an opportunity for young people to learn skills and develop leadership qualities and for the army to combat staff shortages,” a defense spokesman claimed. “The recruits get to know the organization, and if they want to, they can continue their career in the armed forces. If not, they become ambassadors in society. It’s a way to strengthen the link between the army and society,” he added. Yet elderly Dutch people still remembering World War Two and the Cold War are concerned. “This isn’t just an invitation for a career. This is preparing young people for war,” said Aafje van Kampen, an 82-year-old painting artist, on a windy day in the Dutch seaside town of Noordwijk. Back in Budapest, the government hopes the war in neighboring Ukraine won’t boil over further into Europe, but it suggests that time is running out. The post Hungary Warns NATO Of Broader War In Six Months appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The US Treasury Department has reported that the United States borrowed $1.07 trillion in the first six months of fiscal year 2024. The figure was reported in the Department’s latest Monthly Treasury Statement released on Wednesday. Wednesday’s statement shows that receipts rose to $2.18 trillion, boosted by a 32% increase in corporate tax revenues, the Fiscal Times explained. Outlays increased to $3.25 trillion, the statement showed: interest payments spiked by 36% to $522 billion. Defense spending rose by 6% to $410 billion while Social Security rose 8% to $741 billion, the Fiscal Times noted. “The interest burden on outstanding US debt remained the biggest reason for the widening deficit,” Bloomberg stated in a report. “Interest costs in the first half of the fiscal year were $522 billion, a 36% jump from 2023.” “The Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest-rate hiking campaign has made debt more expensive, increasing the burden for the US budget,” Bloomberg said. “The weighted average interest rate on outstanding US interest-bearing government debt was 3.22% at the end of March — the highest since April 2010 and marking a roughly 65 basis point increase from a year before.” The post US: Government Borrowed Nearly $1.1 Trillion In First Half of 2024 Fiscal Year appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s parliament has passed a mobilization bill to send more men to the battlefields in the war against Russia that has already killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to sign the legislation approved Thursday at a time when the nation needs more forces to stave off Russia’s invading army. Zelensky expressed concern about increased Russian attacks: On Thursday, Moscow used guided bombs to hit a thermal power plant in Ukraine’s northern city of Sumy, but there were no casualties, military officials said. The bill accepted Thursday would oblige Ukrainian men between 18 and 60 years of age to effectively battle against Russian strikes and other aggression. Ukrainian men will have to update their data with authorities, enabling draft offices to know who can be mobilized in any given region, Worthy News learned. Military-age men would be legally required at all times to carry the registration document they are given by the draft office, according to the law. Draft officers could ask to see the document in the street. The bill does not set any time limit for wartime military service. That means soldiers who fought since the February 2022 full-scale invasion began to have no idea when they will be demobilized, critics said. A previous draft of the law set a time limit, according to sources familiar with the case. NEW LAW The new law prohibits men of military age from going abroad, but there is no known procedure for calling up Ukrainian men outside the country. The bill proposes a “tracking procedure” of potential soldiers, but it wasn’t clear how that would work in practice and was to be determined by Kyiv. It People will also be banned from driving vehicles if they disobey the mobilization rules. An earlier draft had proposed harsh punishments, such as asset freezes for those walking away from the draft, but it was cut after a massive outcry. A separate bill proposing fines for draft dodgers passed its first reading on Wednesday. The law was closely watched in Hungary amid worries about the roughly 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine. Budapest says dozens of ethnic Hungarians have been killed or injured in battle, fighting for Ukraine. Hungary’s government on Thursday also expressed concern about the NATO military alliance preparing a mission in Ukraine, which it warned could lead to a broader international armed conflict. The post Ukraine’s Accepts Mobilization Law As Many Are Needed For War Russia appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Lawmakers from the Israeli Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus have met with German parliamentarians in Berlin to request that they maintain Germany’s funding freeze on the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) because of its intricate connection to Palestinian terrorism in the Gaza Strip, the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reports. UNRWA was established to support the 750,000 Palestinian Arabs who were displaced after Israel beat back the armies of Egypt, Transjordan, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Yemen which attacked the fledgling Jewish state in 1948, immediately after its declaration of independence. UNRWA provides humanitarian aid and education only to the Palestinians, whom it describes as “refugees,” and who now number five million people. UNRWA is entirely separate from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which takes care of the world’s refugees. Germany has been a staunch ally of Israel’s since the Holocaust. Together with the United States, Germany suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel reported in January that dozens of UNRWA employees had taken part in Hamas’ genocidal attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Sixteen other countries followed suit in suspending UNRWA funding, but some have resumed funding as the Israel-Hamas war that was triggered by the Oct. 7 massacre has gone on, JNS reports. The Christian Caucus’s meeting at the Bundestag on Wednesday came 10 days before UNRWA is due to present its report on the allegations and applies to have funding fully restored, JNS noted. “Continuing with funding for UNRWA, an organization marred by collaboration and terrorist entrenchment, hinders any prospect of advancement in the Middle East,” Knesset member and Christian Allies Caucus co-chair Sharren Haskel said in a statement. “It is imperative to permanently halt funding for UNRWA and redirect resources towards initiatives that genuinely promote peace and stability.” The post Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Asks Germany to Maintain Freeze on UNRWA Funding appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The UK’s National Health Service of England has published a major study showing there is “remarkably weak evidence” to support treating gender-questioning children and young adults with sex-change hormones and surgeries, the Washington Times reports. Titled “The Cass Review,” the four-year study was commissioned by the NHS and led by Dr. Hilary Cass. Explaining that the published research on gender transitioning is of “poor quality,” the Cass Review reported that for most trans-identifying minors and young adults, “a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress.” “This is an area of remarkably weak evidence, and yet results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint,” the review reads. “The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.” Tackling the popular argument that trans-identifying young people are more prone to suicide if they cannot get sex-change treatment, the report said: “It has been suggested that hormone treatment reduces the elevated risk of death by suicide in this population, but the evidence found did not support this conclusion.” Going forward, Cass recommended improved training for gender physicians and raising standards for treatment to the same level as that of other medical services, the Washington Times reports. Cass further advised, concerning the administration of sex-change hormones to minors, that there “should be a clear clinical rationale for providing hormones at this stage rather than waiting until an individual reaches 18.” The post Evidence Supporting Sex-Change Treatments For Minors Is “Remarkably Weak,” Major UK Report appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JAKARTA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, is to normalize relations with Israel, well-informed Israeli sources said Thursday. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Mathias Cormann informed Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz about Indonesia’s plans, Worthy News learned. Katz, in a letter to the OECD dated April 10, thanked the OECD. “I share your expectation that this process will be a transformative one for Indonesia. I am looking forward to a positive change in Indonesia’s policies in general and vis a vis Israel in particular, notably renouncing its discriminatory policies toward Israel and establishing bilateral diplomatic relations,” he added in the letter published by Israeli media. Normalization between Indonesia and Israel had long been planned but sidelined after the breakout of the war in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Yet closer ties between the two nations are necessary as Indonesia seeks to become the 39th member of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). OECD membership needs the consent of all OCED countries, including Israel, which joined the club in 2010. Christians in Indonesia were among those welcoming the move. UPSET ABOUT RELATIONS Representatives of Indonesia’s Christian minority told Worthy News they had been upset about their country’s tensions with Israel. “It was always complicated for us to travel to Israel. But I was so happy that I could visit the Jewish nation through a church group with my children baptized there in the Jordan River,” a Christian mother told Worthy News. Christians, who are a minority in Indonesia, have been praying for Israel and also specifically for the Jewish people, including in-home groups, organizers told Worthy News. Under outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Indonesia tolerated low-level, quiet contacts with Israel, mainly on trade and tourism, though Christians told Worthy News it was complicated to obtain a visa. Even without official ties, direct and indirect Israel-Indonesia trade comes to about $500 million annually, Israel-Asia Center executive director Rebecca Zeffert told The Times of Israel newspaper in 2022. Yet, while silently cooperating, the two countries often remained diplomatic foes on the international stage. Indonesia’s leadership had refused to cement ties until an independent Palestinian state was established and was a strong supporter of Palestinians. ANTI-ISRAEL RALLIES There were also anti-Israel rallies in Indonesia as well as recent Muslim calls to boycott Israeli products and businesses, upsetting devoted Christians and the tiny Jewish community. In March last year, the country was stripped of its role as host of the men’s Under-20 World Cup amid massive domestic opposition to the participation of an Israeli soccer team in the tourney. Widodo also condemned the violence in Gaza and urged parties to “stop the escalation, to stop the use of violence, to focus on humanitarian issues, and to solve the root of the problem, namely the Israeli occupation of Palestine.” In January, Jakarta filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. It backed South Africa’s “genocide” accusation at that court over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has denied the charges, blaming Hamas for the reported high number of civilian casualties in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry claims more than 33,000 Palestinians were killed since the war began in October last year, but those figures have been difficult to verify. Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7 and kidnapped about 253 others in what was described as the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, or Shoah. EASING TENSIONS Christians made clear to Worthy News that they hope the normalization of ties will ease tensions between Israel and Indonesia, home to some 280 million people. It would also crown a process that began under President Donald J. Trump, who wanted Indonesia to join the historic “Abraham Accords.” The Trump administration promised Jakarta a billion dollars to join the Accords on normalizing ties between Israel and former foes, according to Israeli sources familiar with the talks. Plans for the two countries to improve relations continued under U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration till the October 7 Hamas attack. They were revived this winter through the OECD membership process, officials confirmed. Israeli media already noticed signs of a shift in their relationship when Israel allowed Indonesia to participate in the airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a step it had denied Turkey, with whom it has diplomatic ties. The post Indonesia To Normalize Relations With Israel appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Amid an ongoing systematic crackdown on Christians in China, the ruling Chinese Communist Party has threatened evangelical church leaders in Guangdong Province with prison and seizure of property for printing devotional materials, Christian Daily reports. Elder Zhu Longfei, Pastor Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, Deacon Wang Weicai and Zhu Qiaoling of Shengjia Church in Shunde, Guangdong Province, were arrested and charged last year with conducting “illegal business operations,” Christian Daily reports. The devotional literature at the heart of the allegations was intended for church use only. The officials involved in the prosecution are from the Shunde Department of Public Security, the Shunde Religious Affairs Bureau, the Shunde Department of Education and the Shunde Department of Industry and Commerce. At a pre-trial hearing at the Shunde District People’s Court on March 29, the defendants’ attorney Guo Xiongwei said his clients have been pressured or threatened by officials. “The charge of ‘illegal business operations’ has become a catch-all offense during the pre-trial meeting, and our goal as lawyers is to tear apart this catch-all accusation,” Guo added in a statement to China Aid. In a website report about the situation facing Christians in China, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy group said: “Persecution and discrimination are slowly spreading throughout most of China. The Chinese Communist Party’s goal is to make sure churches don’t fall out of line with official viewpoints. In the case of official churches, this means they are encouraged to praise and pledge allegiance to the Communist Party and its ideology. Churches that claim Christ as King are viewed with suspicion, especially since Christianity is seen as a primarily Western influence.” China ranks 19 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The post China: Evangelical Leaders Threatened With Prison For Printing Devotional Materials appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

(Worthy News) – Amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have violently persecuted Ukrainian Christians by torturing them and removing them from their positions, a group of church leaders and rights advocates have told United States Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson. The letter to Johnson is dated April 8 and is signed by Dr Richard Land, former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Yaroslav Pyzh, president of Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, Valerii Antoniu, president of The Baptist Union of Ukraine, and Dan Darling, director of the US Land Center for Cultural Engagement. As the United States Congress struggles with infighting and division over whether to continue military aid to Ukraine, the April 8 letter urges Johnson to “consider the plight of Christians” at the hands of brutal Russian forces, the Baptist Press reports. “The Russian government’s decision to invade Ukraine and to target Baptists and other evangelical Christians in Ukraine has been a tragic hallmark of the war,” the letter says. Russian forces have carried out a systematic expulsion of “faithful Christians in occupied areas of Ukraine” in a manner that includes threats, torture and the removal of pastors who are considered sympathetic to the West, the letter adds. The letter also noted that at least 270 houses of worship, religious educational institutions and sacred sites were destroyed or damaged in an apparently systematic and targeted way during the first five months of the invasion alone, the Baptist Press reports. The post Ukraine: Christians Are Being Tortured, Expelled by Russian Forces, Church Leaders Say appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Christians across Africa are increasingly subject to deadly violence at the hands of Islamic terrorists and, on Apr. 9, suspected Al-Shabaab members murdered two Christians and wounded others in two attacks in Lamu West, Kenya, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. On the morning of Tuesday Apr. 9, jihadist terrorists murdered a farmer in Hindi, a Christian village in Lamu West that was attacked by Al-Shabaab in 2022, ICC reports. Later that day, terrorists blocked a road between Mpeketoni and Hindi and fired at two Christian travelers, killing one and wounding two others. Associated with Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab is a Sunni Islamic terror group that is based in Somalia but which carries out regular jihadist attacks in neighboring Kenya. In a statement, one of the Christians who survived the road attack said the terrorists ordered him to recite the Shahada Islamic prayer to see if he is a Muslim. The Christian was released after he lied, saying he had just recently converted to Islam and was not yet familiar with the prayer, ICC said. “Al-Shabab is known to have crossed into Kenya and made people recite the Shahada to determine if they are Muslim,” ICC noted in its report. “Those who do not recite it are considered Christians and are often beaten or killed.” A local ICC staffer reported concerning the Lamu West attacks: “We have mobilized our prayer cells to pray that Lamu doesn’t continue to experience this hatred by the Somalia-based terror group that has crippled church growth and the economy of the residents of Lamu. We are requesting our brothers and sisters all over the world to join us in prayer against terrorism and persecution of believers in Lamu.” The post Al-Shabaab Terrorists Murder Two Christians in Kenya appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, build a lasting legacy!! Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. In his book, A Spiritual Clinic, J. Oswald Sanders wrote about the lasting family legacies of two families from New York. "Two families from the state of New York were studied very carefully. One was the Max Jukes family and the other was the Jonathan Edwards family. The thing that they discovered in this study is remarkable: like begets like. Max Jukes was an unbelieving man and he married a woman of like character who lacked principle. And among the known descendants, over 1,200 were studied. Three hundred and ten became professional vagrants; 440 physically wrecked their lives by debauched lifestyle; 130 were sent to the pen for an average of thirteen years each, 7 of them for murder. There were over 100 who became alcoholics; 60 became habitual thieves; 190 public prostitutes. Of the 20 who learned a trade, 10 of them learned the trade in a state prison. It cost the state about $1,500,000 and they made no contribution whatever to society. In about the same era the family of Jonathan Edwards came on the scene. He was a man of God, who married a woman of like character. The study yielded the following concerning Jonathan Edward's descendants: Three hundred became clergymen, missionaries, and theological professors; over 100 became college professors; over 100 became attorneys; 30 of them became judges; 60 of them became physicians; over 60 became authors of good classics; 14 became presidents of universities. There were numerous giants in American industry that emerged from this family. Three became United States congressmen and one became the vice president of the United States." Friend, never forget the impact your life decisions will make...in yourself, your marriage, and on your children. In ways you will never know in this life, you are building a legacy that will last for generations! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland) Editor's Note: New Videos -- Earthquakes, Al Quds Day and Imminent War | Israel Strikes in the Heart of Damascus, Cicadas, and Revival | Prophecy to be fulfilled, Ai, and Cern! | Star Spangled Banner, Eclipses, and the Red Heifer Shabbat!" Be sure to watch, share, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out! Editor's Note: We are planning our summer Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World IAEA: ‘Iran On Fast Track Towards Atomic Bomb The United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Wednesday that Iran is on a fast track towards an atomic bomb. 110,000 Flee Massive Flooding In Russia, Kazakhstan Widespread flooding across cities and towns in Russia and Kazakhstan led to the evacuation of over 110,000 people from their homes after Europe's third-longest river burst its banks. Most Adolescents Struggling With Gender Confusion Grow Out Of It, Landmark Dutch Study Finds A major study from the Netherlands has shown most adolescents who struggle with gender “non-contentedness” and confusion have outgrown it by their mid-20s. Conducted at the Netherlands’ University of Groningen, the study’s researchers were careful to note that the adolescents surveyed were from the general population and not specifically from among minors who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Killed Three Sons of Hamas Leader An Israeli airstrike on Gaza resulted in the death of three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to a statement from the Hamas-affiliated news agency Shehab on Wednesday. Inside the United States Idaho: New Law Prohibits “Compulsory Gender Language” For Public School Employees Idaho on Monday passed a new law that is intended to ensure public school employees cannot be fired if they refuse to refer to trans-identifying students by names and pronouns that do not align with their biological sex and legal identity. Border Patrol Agents Continuing To Apprehend Violent Criminals, Gang Members Border Patrol agents are continuing to apprehend violent criminals and gang members who are nearly all military age foreign nationals who entered the country illegally. Parents of Michigan School Shooter Sentenced to 10 to 15 Years in Prison Jennifer and James Crumbley, whose son killed four people in 2021 in the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. state of Michigan’s history, each face up to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Christian News Vietnam: Christians Face New Hurdles In Establishing Churches Christians in Vietnam now face new hurdles in planting churches as the government has issued Decree 95, a law which requires religious groups to submit financial records and allows officials to close down religious activities for unspecified “serious violations,” Christianity Today reports. Kosovo Christians Suffer Persecution, “It’s Not Easy For Us” A Christian rights watchdog organization reports that Christians in Kosovo have been experiencing widespread persecution, Christian Daily reports. A small southeastern European country which separated from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo has a 93% Muslim population; just 6% of the population is Christian. View the full article