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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News TEHRAN/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Wednesday that Iran is on a fast track towards an atomic bomb. Current and ex-officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has “highly enriched uranium” that could be converted to weapons-grade fuel “for at least three bombs” in “a few days to a few weeks.” The making of “a crude nuclear device” by the strict Islamic nation could reportedly follow in as little as six months. However, building a nuclear warhead deliverable by a missile would take longer, perhaps two years or more, said officials on condition of anonymity. Iran says it has no plans to make nuclear weapons, but Israel and several allies have expressed concerns about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. While recently visiting the Fordow facility, Iran’s most central and heavily guarded nuclear plant, IAEA inspectors installed equipment that can enrich uranium faster than usual, sources said. LACK OF COOPERATION American and European Union officials in the IAEA’s Board of Governors expressed concern over Tehran’s “continued lack of cooperation” with the agency on its nuclear program. Iran, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, pledged to allow the IAEA to visit its atomic sites to ensure its program is peaceful. Tehran also agreed to additional oversight from the IAEA as part of the 2015 nuclear deal. However, a U.S. official with knowledge of internal discussions at the IAEA’s governing board conceded that the nuclear watchdog is less capable now of detecting a nuclear breakout by Iran. Such an event could bring cascading consequences, from a Middle East arms race to a direct Israel-Iran conflict. Yet such a scenario could unleash a wider regional war, warned officials. The post IAEA: ‘Iran On Fast Track Towards Atomic Bomb appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – 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. Prohibiting “compulsory gender language,” House Bill 538 was signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little after being passed with large majorities by the Republican-led Idaho House of Representatives (in a 58-11 vote) and the Republican-controlled Idaho Senate (in 25-9 vote). The law is designed to ensure that “no person in the State of Idaho is compelled by any governmental entity in the State of Idaho to communicate statements that such citizen believes to be false.” Concerning the reasoning which drove the state Legislature to pass it, the law explains: “The United States Supreme Court has long held that no government actor may seek ‘to compel a person to speak its message when he would prefer to remain silent or to force an individual to include other ideas with his own speech that he would prefer not to include.’” Moreover, the law explains: “There are increasing pressures by state government actors to compel public employees, as well as students in public schools, to communicate certain preferred personal titles and pronouns that many such employees and students do not prefer to communicate.” Accordingly, the law prohibits any governmental entity in Idaho from “compelling any public employee or public school student to communicate preferred personal titles and pronouns that do not correspond with the biological sex of the individual seeking to be referred to by such titles or pronouns.” The post Idaho: New Law Prohibits “Compulsory Gender Language” For Public School Employees appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – 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. According to Palestinian sources quoted by the Lebanese outlet al-Mayadeen, the attack resulted in the deaths of not only several sons of Haniyeh but also three of his grandchildren. They were in a vehicle in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City when the strike occurred. Following the airstrike, Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based leader of Hamas, stated that he “thanks God for bestowing upon us the honor of their martyrdom.” During a phone interview aired on Al Jazeera, the terrorist leader stated that Hamas will not surrender and such attacks will not deter their objectives and demands. “Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, not hesitate, and not falter,” Haniyeh declared. With their blood, we bring about hopes, a future, and freedom for our people and our cause.” Haniyeh, who holds the position of chairman of Hamas’s Political Bureau, and other key figures of Hamas’s political leadership enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in Qatar while thousands suffer in Gaza. Critics have voiced their concerns regarding the misallocation of funds intended for Gaza. A report by the New York Post a few months back highlighted that the combined wealth of the top three Hamas leaders is estimated at $11 billion, showcasing their lavish existence in Qatar. The post Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Killed Three Sons of Hamas Leader appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – 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. In about the past month, highlighted arrests of foreign nationals entering the country are some of the most violent criminals, including known gang members coming from Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens notes. Recent arrests made in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Sector, which includes two west Texas counties and all of New Mexico, include individuals with a long list of violent crimes. Combined, violent criminal histories of those arrested include child molestation, rape of a child, sexual assault of a child, aggravated assault, rape, murder, manufacture/trafficking of firearms and ammunition and theft, among others. Many have tattoos of images of “La Santa Muerte,” or the “Saint of Death,” and other images of violence, death and gang affiliations. Those who worship Santa Muerte believe she brings “Santísima Muerte,” or the “holiest death,” and are reportedly involved in ritualistic killings, according to the FBI, The Center Square has reported. One recent arrest of an alleged Mexican gang assassin in El Paso was known “for her extreme brutality such as dismembering bodies, removing hearts, and placing the hearts in front of ‘Sante Muerte’ altars and statues.” In El Paso County, Ysleta Station Border Patrol agents arrested a Honduran national with an active warrant from Honduras for attempted homicide who “will be prosecuted, removed, and extradited to serve jail time for his criminal act,” Owens said. Ysleta Station agents also arrested a Honduran male, who admitted to a 2013 arrest for raping a 14-year- old minor in Honduras. They also arrested a Venezuelan with no prior criminal history but who had tattoos associated with the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. “Watch out for this gang. It is the most powerful in Venezuela, known for murder, drug trafficking, sex crimes, extortion, and other violent acts,” Owens said. Border Patrol agents in El Paso recently arrested a Colombian national who had tattoos related to a Gulf cartel gang, Clan del Golfo, who had photos of people being tortured on it. They also arrested three Colombian nationals with violent criminal histories including firearms trafficking, aggravated homicide, kidnapping minors, aggravated assault, and theft, and one who was a prison fugitive. Another Colombian national was also arrested after illegally entering who pleaded guilty to possessing, manufacturing, trafficking of illegal firearms and/or ammunition on two separate occasions and served 68 months in prison in Colombia. El Paso Border Patrol agents also arrested a Venezuelan man illegally in the country with a warrant out of Fort Worth for theft of a firearm and tampering with evidence. They also arrested three gang-affiliated men from Ecuador and the Dominican Republic whose criminal histories include aggravated robbery, firearms trafficking, endangering the welfare of a child, and felony manufacture/distribution of heroin/cocaine. In New Mexico, Deming Station Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national with prior convictions for first degree murder, battery, stalking, and probation violations. “This is what is known as an aggravated felon. He does not belong in the U.S., let alone in your communities,” Owens said. Las Cruces Station Border Patrol agents raided a stash house, arresting 10 illegal foreign nationals, including two principals and one Paisas gang member. The U.S. Attorney for the district of New Mexico will be prosecuting the principals for conspiracy to transport and the Paisas gang member for felony re-entry into the U.S., Owens said. Border Patrol agents in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Kingsville, Texas, arrested two child predators with felony convictions for sexual assault/battery of a victim 12 years old and sexual assault of a child. Under the current administration, the greatest number of gang members were arrested in fiscal 2022 of 751, the majority of whom were affiliated with the gang, MS-13. In fiscal 2024, 195 gang members have been apprehended, according to CBP, the majority of whom are affiliated with “other” gangs, followed by Paisas, according to CBP data last updated April 4. Owens puts the gang affiliated arrest number at 215 this fiscal year; the top three gang affiliated arrests are from Paisas (47), MS-13 (30), and Surenos (26). A record number of criminals were arrested at the border in fiscal 2023, including those with outstanding wants or warrants, The Center Square has reported. So far, in fiscal 2024, CBP agents have arrested 14,949 criminal noncitizens, 4,804 in the National Crime Information Center database and 404 with outstanding warrants, as of Feb. 4, according to CBP data. Among them, 112 criminals with prior convictions for sex offenses had been arrested through February, according to Owens. “Only convictions and consequences will keep them locked up,” he says. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Border Patrol Agents Continuing To Apprehend Violent Criminals, Gang Members appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News PONTIAC, USA (Worthy News) – 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. Prosecutors had asked for at least ten years. Still, Tuesday’s conviction left open the possibility for a longer time following emotional impact statements in court from family members of those who died. They are the first parents to be held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting committed by their child at a time when the nation continues to grapple with gunfire incidents at campuses. On Tuesday, each spoke in the hearing before the judge pronounced the sentence. “I stand today not to ask for your forgiveness, as I know it may be beyond reach, but to express my sincerest apologies for the pain that has been caused,” Jennifer Crumbley said in court, addressing the relatives of students who were killed. James Crumbley also apologized. “I cannot express how much I wish that I had known what was going on with him or what was going to happen because I absolutely would have done a lot of things differently,” he said. Yet their remarks did little to reduce the sentences, with Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews telling families of the victims she could never understand their pain. SEPARATE TRIALS However, the judge assured them she “saw what you saw and I heard what you heard” at both trials. In a landmark case, jurors earlier in separate trials found each parent of shooter Ethan Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year. Judge Matthews said the sentence of 10 to 15 years was “to act as a deterrent” and reflected the parents’ failure to stop the attack. “They [parents] are not expected to be psychic. But these convictions are not about poor parenting. They concern acts that could have halted a runaway train,” she told the court. “Opportunity knocked over and over again, louder and louder, and it was ignored.” The Crumbleys are eligible for parole after they serve ten years in prison, but they cannot be held for more than 15 years if parole is denied, experts said. Prosecutors had alleged that the pair had dismissed clear signs that their son’s mental health had deteriorated. They also noted that the parents had bought Ethan Crumbley the gun he used in the 2021 attack. SEMI-AUTOMATIC HANDGUN Their son was 15 when he killed four students with a semi-automatic handgun at the Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan. Seven others were wounded in the shooting on November 30, 2021. He is now serving life in prison without parole James Crumbley’s lawyer, Mariell Lehman, said there was no evidence that Ethan Crumbley’s father was aware of his son’s plans. Defense attorneys also argued that there was no legal precedent for this case, and it was “inappropriate” to hold the parents responsible for each person that their son killed. Prosecutors disagreed, as did the judge. On the day of the shooting, the Crumbleys cut short a school meeting about a disturbing drawing their son had made, opting to go to work and not take him home, according to investigators. School staff later sent him back to class without checking his backpack, which contained the gun his parents had purchased. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION An independent investigation published last year alleged multiple failures from the school system, including the decision to allow Ethan to return to class. In response, the school district has pledged to review and improve its practices and policies. Yet these measures come too late for those still grieving over the young victims, including parents of the dead students, who were all under the age of 17. Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of Madisyn Baldwin, remembered her daughter’s laugh, smile, smarts, and creativity before turning her comments to the Crumbleys. “When you knew the gun was missing, you called the police, knowing it was your son who took it. I was having family call every hospital describing what (Madisyn) looked like,” Beausoleil told the court. She told the parents of the shooter: “When you texted ‘Ethan, don’t do it,’ I was texting Madisyn, ‘I love you please call mom.’ ” Justin Shilling’s dad, Craig, spoke of the “pain, anger, heartache, regret, anxiety, stress” he lives with every day. BLOOD OF CHILDREN Craig Shilling, father of Justin Shilling, told the defendants, “The blood of our children is on your hands.” And, “Literally every single aspect of my life has been affected by this tragedy,” he said, wearing a black hoodie with a photo of his smiling son. “The blood of our children is on your hands,” he told the defendants. Justin’s mother, Jill Soave, said the tragedy was entirely preventable. “If only they had done something, your honor, anything, to shift the course of events on November 30, then our four angels would be here today,” she said. “It is devastating and heartbreaking that it doesn’t appear that either of you cherished or even wanted your son. But I wholeheartedly wanted and cherished mine,” Soave added. “You have failed your son, and you have failed us all.” Reina St. Juliana, whose sister Hana was 14 years old when she was killed, recalled that her “10-year-old little brother had to learn how to write a eulogy for his sister before he even learned how to write essays.” The post Parents of Michigan School Shooter Sentenced to 10 to 15 Years in Prison appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – 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. Massive melt water has overwhelmed scores of settlements in Russia’s Ural Mountains, Siberia, Volga and areas of Kazakhstan. The troubles come after major rivers such as the Ural, which flows into the Caspian Sea rose more 70 cm (2 foot 3 inches) beyond its bursting point to over 10 metres. In Orenburg, a Russian city with a population of 550,000 about 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Moscow, hundreds of homes were flooded. Authorities said at least 7,700 people were evacuated as the Ural river rose swiftly beyond the critical level of 9.3 metres. Residents in Orenburg said it was the worst flooding in living memory while Russian officials described it as the worst flooding in the area since record began. In Kurgan, a Russian region which straddles the Tobol river, 4,500 people were evacuated and fears grew that thousands – or even tens of thousands – more would need to evacuated. The flood situation was acute in parts of Russia’s Western Siberia region, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world, where the peak is expected in three to five days, and some areas around the Volga, Europe’s largest river. KAZAKHSTAN SUFFERING Russia said 10,500 houses were flooded across 37 regions, most in the Orenburg region. Upstream on the Ural, which flows into Kazakhstan, floodwaters earlier burst through an embankment dam in the Russian city of Orsk. In Kazakhstan officials said 96,000 people had been evacuated. People worked through the night to build up dykes and strengthen embankments. A state of emergency remained in effect in 8 of the country’s 17 provinces, down from 10 at the end of last week, but dangers remained. Tensions have emerged with Moscow officials suggesting that Kazakhstan was to blame for not coordinating the discharge of water more effectively. President Vladimir Putin spoke to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as both nations struggled to cope with the massive flooding. The post 110,000 Flee Massive Flooding In Russia, Kazakhstan appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – 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. Tracking 2,772 adolescents into early adulthood, the 15-year-long study found that 78% had no gender non-contentedness, while 19% experienced decreasing gender non-contentedness. Just 2% experienced increasing gender non-contentedness. Eleven percent of the adolescents surveyed said they experienced “gender non-contentedness” at age 11. However, the percentage of those who reported still feeling non-contentedness fell to 4% 24-26. “Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development,” the study’s researchers said in their report. “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realize that it is normal to have some doubts about one’s identity and one’s gender identity during this age period and that this is also relatively common,” the researchers said. The results of the study have been published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. The post Most Adolescents Struggling With Gender Confusion Grow Out Of It, Landmark Dutch Study Finds appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – 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. In a statement, Nguyen Ti Dinh of Vietnam’s religious affairs committee said Decree 95 will assist the government to implement uniform measures for the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, which requires religious groups to register with the authorities. “Observers believe the decree is Vietnam’s attempt to demonstrate to the international community that it is trying to increase religious liberty and to get off the US State Department’s Special Watch List for countries engaged in religious freedom violations,” Christianity Today noted in its report. Vietnam was placed on the US Special Watch List in 2022 after the State Department determined, among numerous other things, that: “For the fourth year in a row, authorities did not recognize any new religious organizations, including chapters of larger, previously approved groups. During the year, the Vietnam Baptist Convention (VBC) filed approximately 40 registration requests for collective religious practice in northern mountain provinces, but few were successful.” In a website statement about Christian persecution in Vietnam, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization reported: “While historical Christian communities, like Roman Catholic churches, enjoy some freedom, both non-traditional Protestants and those who convert from indigenous religions face intense pressure and violence for their faith…there has also been an increase in violent attacks on church buildings, and in the number of church leaders arrested.” Buddhist-majority Vietnam ranks 35 on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The post Vietnam: Christians Face New Hurdles In Establishing Churches appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – 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. In an interview with Christian Daily, Anja Hoffmann, executive director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDACE) said evangelical churches in Kosovo have been especially subjected to repression by local authorities. “While the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in Kosovo’s constitution, discrimination and violence are unfortunately still fairly widespread against the Christian minorities in the country,” Hoffmann said. “Because the law does not provide for any mechanism to obtain legal status through registration, it is not possible for religious communities to own property, open bank accounts or employ staff as a collective entity,” Hoffman added. Moreover, Hoffmann said, Serbian Orthodox, Catholic and other historic churches in Kosovo have been targeted with hate crimes. “Tragically, there has been widespread desecration of Serbian Orthodox cemeteries in the past years,” she said. “These incidents, however, also reveal the intersection of religion and ethnicity in the case of some of the anti-Christian hate crimes in Kosovo.” In a separate statement to Christian Daily, Rev. Artur Krasniqi of the Fellowship of the Lord’s People evangelical church in Pristina, Kosovo, said evangelical Christians are suffering “silent persecution” and “discrimination by laws,“ Krasniqi added: “It’s not easy for us.” The post Kosovo Christians Suffer Persecution, “It’s Not Easy For Us” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News EDINBURGH, BRITAIN (Worthy News) – Peter Higgs, who claimed the existence of a new particle that came to be named after him (as well as God), has died at age 94, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) announced. Higgs, an emeritus professor at the ancient Scotland-based UoE, passed away at his home in Edinburg, Scotland, on Monday, a “total eclipse day” in much of North America and Mexico. No further details were provided. He will be remembered for his research that sparked a half-century, worldwide, billion-dollar search for the particle, culminating in champagne and becoming a Nobel laureate. Higgs’s work inspired scientists to carry out a series of experiments. They began in earnest in 2008 when his theory was “proven” by physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern in Switzerland in 2012, scientists said. Higgs was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 2013 for his work in 1964, which he said showed how the boson helped bind the universe together by giving particles their mass. The Nobel prize was shared with François Englert, a Belgian theoretical physicist whose work in 1964 also contributed directly to the discovery. The post Nobelist Peter Higgs, Who Claimed To Have Discovered the ‘God Particle,’ Dies at 94 appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, it's a new day! Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. Yesterday marked the 1st day of Nissan, the beginning of the year on the Hebrew calendar. Nissan is known as the "month of miracles", derived from the Hebrew word, "nissim", which means "miracles". Israel finally and miraculously left Egypt in the month of Nissan after hundreds of years of slavery. God orchestrated their escape, "nus" in Hebrew, (which some say is connected to Nissan), displaying His power over the Egyptian gods and His sovereignty over every pantheon. Nissan may also be related to the Hebrew word "nitzan", which means "to bud" or "to start fresh and anew", reflecting the seasonal advent of new life and new beginnings...springtime. With signs in the heavens, and "prophetic" developments abounding, we may be tempted to distraction by so much cosmic activity, some of it appearing to carry near miraculous dimensions; and the Lord told us there will be signs in the heavens. But He also warned of false signs and lying wonders. So we pray for discernment. Yet, even as we witness these amazing things, we ought not to forget that the great commission has not changed: "Make disciples of all nations" remains the Lord's priority and mandate for us. And though it might require a conscious effort, refocusing to our life on the ground, (even as we look up expectantly), discovering what God would do through us here and now, merits remembering. And, Friend, this is a season of new beginnings and new life, a month with lots of potential for the kinds of miracles our God loves to work... transforming peoples' lives through the gospel and the Word. So as we watch for the true signs of His coming, let's also keep our focus on the daily opportunities He provides for imparting His new life to everyone we meet. And as the weather warms, let our love continue also to increase in temperature. That could be the greatest miracle of all these days. 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 Nobelist Peter Higgs, Who Claimed To Have Discovered the ‘God Particle,’ Dies at 94 Peter Higgs, who claimed the existence of a new particle that came to be named after him (as well as God), has died at age 94, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) announced. Vatican: ‘Gender Change Threat To Humanity’ The Vatican has effectively called the growing trend of sex-change surgery and surrogacy another threat to humanity. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Australia Would Consider Recognizing Palestinian State, Minister Says The Australian foreign minister announced Tuesday that Australia would consider recognizing a Palestinian state on the grounds that a two-state solution is the only way to end the 75 year-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Reuters reports. Israel Deploys Ship-Mounted “C-Dome” For The First Time to Shoot Down Suspicious Aircraft Over Eilat Israel on Monday deployed for the first time the “C-Dome” ship-mounted defense system to shoot down a “hostile aircraft” over the Red Sea port city of Eilat, Time reports. No injuries or damage were caused in the incident. Israel Concludes Major Military Drill In Preparation For Potential Conflict With Hezbollah The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully completed an extensive defense drill in northern Israel, engaging the 146th Reserve Division, Navy, Air Force, police, and rescue services. This multi-branch exercise, conducted alongside Israeli emergency services, aimed to enhance readiness and foster cooperation among various agencies for defense scenarios in the north. Inside the United States States File Suit To Block Biden’s Student Debt Forgiveness Plan A coalition of states has filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s latest executive effort to forgive a portion of Americans' student loan debt. Abortion To Be Largely Banned In Arizona After State Supreme Court Ruling The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in a 4-2 decision on Monday that the 1864 ban on abortion altogether will take effect in two weeks, instead of keeping a 2022 law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. FBI Announces Arrest of Idaho Man in Planned ISIS-Inspired Attack on Churches The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) on Saturday arrested an 18-year-old man in Idaho after foiling his plan to attack individuals at churches on behalf of ISIS, the US Department of Justice announced in a press release Monday. Christian News Nigeria Church Says More Than 50 Hostages Freed, But Two Killed The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN) says one hostage died when suspected Islamic gunmen, known as “bandits,” released more than 50 church members after four months of captivity. Belarus: Imprisoned Preacher Remains In Jail A Belarusian preacher, Syarhey Melyanets, has still not been released from jail in Belarus after being sentenced to 13 days’ imprisonment on unspecified charges, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports. View the full article

By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – A coalition of states has filed a legal challenge to President Joe Biden’s latest executive effort to forgive a portion of Americans’ student loan debt. The lawsuit comes after Biden on Monday announced the plan, which the states in question say is an overreach of executive authority. The White House claims that Biden has so far canceled at least some of the debt for 4 million Americans, totaling $146 billion so far. The White House said the newest effort would partially forgive debt for 30 million Americans, though independent analyses have not confirmed that figure. “With the stroke of his pen, Joe Biden is attempting to saddle working Missourians with a half trillion dollars in college debt,” Missouri Attorney General Bailey, who is helping lead the legal challenge, said in a statement. “The United States Constitution makes clear that the President lacks the authority to unilaterally ‘cancel’ student loan debt for millions of Americans without express permission from Congress. The President does not get to thwart the Constitution when it suits his political agenda.” The lawsuit points out that Biden already tried once before to forgive large swaths of student debt but that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down that effort last June. “Just last year, the Supreme Court struck down an attempt by the President to force teachers, truckers, and farmers to pay for the student loan debt of other Americans — to the enormous tune of $430 billion,” the lawsuit said. “In striking down that attempt, the Court declared that the President cannot ‘unilaterally alter large sections of the American economy.’ Undeterred, the President is at it again, even bragging that ‘the Supreme Court blocked it. They blocked it. But that didn’t stop me.’” There is no official cost estimate yet for the plan, but experts raised concerns about the already ballooned national debt, which is on pace to hit $35 trillion this year. “You can’t solve a very real debt problem by issuing more debt,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said in a statement. “The President’s previous student loan cancellation plan was expensive, inflationary, poorly targeted, and would have boosted rather than reduced tuitions. This plan similarly misses the mark.” Critics point out that debt is not “forgiven” or “canceled,” but that the expense is transferred to taxpayers. “This is nothing but a political ploy to buy votes in an election year,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The Supreme Court already ruled that Joe Biden’s student loan scheme is ILLEGAL. This is not loan forgiveness – it’s debt redistribution.” The debt forgiveness in question will be enacted through a proposed federal rule, which means it has a lengthy process ahead and could be overturned if Republicans win in November. The plan would cancel as much as $20,000 in interest for borrowers whose interest on unpaid debt has continued to grow over time, regardless of income. The plan would help those with undergraduate debt who have been paying for more than 20 years and graduate debt paid for more than 25 years. Those major components come alongside several other miscellaneous forgiveness efforts tailored to specific federal programs Biden has been announcing since taking office. Biden argued during remarks in Madison, Wisconsin Monday afternoon that for many Americans, their debt is too great a burden. “Today, too many Americans, especially young people, are saddled with unsustainable debts in exchange for a college degree,” Biden said. “The ability for working- and middle-class folks to repay their student loans has become so burdensome that a lot can’t repay it for even decades after being in school.” Even before the lawsuit, Biden’s plan to forgive even more student loan debt was taking fire from Republicans and budget experts. “By ‘cancelling student loan debt,’ Joe Biden is telling blue-collar workers he doesn’t care about them,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote on X, formerly known as twitter. “This is nothing but a vote-buying scheme by the Democrats.” Signing onto the lawsuit are Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. “This plan completely violates the administrative pay-as-you-go requirement put in place by last summer’s Fiscal Responsibility Act,” MacGuineas said. “That provision was put in place to require any significant regulations from adding to deficits, but the administration has abused its ability to waive these requirements – which is intended only for regulations that are ‘necessary for the delivery of essential services’ or ‘necessary for effective program delivery.'” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post States File Suit To Block Biden’s Student Debt Forgiveness Plan appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Cameron Arcand | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in a 4-2 decision on Monday that the 1864 ban on abortion altogether will take effect in two weeks, instead of keeping a 2022 law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. “Absent the federal constitutional abortion right, and because [the law] does not independently authorize abortion, there is no provision in federal or state law prohibiting [the law’s] operation. Accordingly, [the 1864 law] is now enforceable,” the court’s majority opinion stated. The law only includes an exception for when the mother’s life is at risk, which many opponents of the law say is typically too vague and restrictive. Many Democratic state leaders voiced strong disagreement with the decision. “It is a dark day in Arizona,” Hobbs said at a news conference after the ruling dropped on Tuesday. She is asking the legislature to scrap the law, even though she believes the 15-week ban is also too restrictive. “We are 14 days away from this extreme ban from coming back to life. It must be repealed, immediately,” she said. Meanwhile, Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office is “looking at everything on the table available to us to fight this decision” including the possibility of appealing to the United States Supreme Court or a lower court. There are a handful of Republican voices in the legislature coming out in support of repealing the 1864 law. “I will immediately work with my legislative colleagues to repeal the territorial law so that the policy we placed in Statute, just two years ago, that places reasonable limitations on abortion that a majority of Arizonans support, can stand,” Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. The territorial era law came back into play following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which brought the issue of abortion exclusively back to the states. Months before the ruling, former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed the 15-week policy into law. “I signed the 15-week law as Governor because it is thoughtful conservative policy, and an approach to this very sensitive issue that Arizonans can actually agree on,” Ducey tweeted. “The ruling today is not the outcome I would have preferred, and I call on our elected leaders to heed the will of the people and address this issue with a policy that is workable and reflective of our electorate.” Alliance Defending Freedom, a socially conservative group that argued for making the territorial law enforceable, praised the ruling by the court. “Arizona’s pro-life law has protected unborn children for over 100 years, and the people of Arizona, through their elected representatives, have repeatedly affirmed that law, including as recently as 2022,” ADF Senior Counsel Jake Warner said in a statement. “We celebrate the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision that allows the state’s pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children.” Oral arguments in the case were made in October, making the decision a long-anticipated political wrench in the 2024 election cycle. Despite the legal battles over the current state laws, an initiative to grant abortion access until “fetal viability” into the Arizona constitution is expected to make it onto the ballot in November. The Center Square reported that the petition due July 1 has already received over 500,000 signatures, Arizona for Abortion Access estimates. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Abortion To Be Largely Banned In Arizona After State Supreme Court Ruling appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) on Saturday arrested an 18-year-old man in Idaho after foiling his plan to attack individuals at churches on behalf of ISIS, the US Department of Justice announced in a press release Monday. Alexander Scott Mercurio of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was arrested after an FBI investigation determined he had pledged his allegiance to ISIS and had been collecting guns and knives with which to attack individuals at churches in Coeur d’Alene on April 7. Charged with “attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization,” Mercurio faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted. He is currently in custody, and waiting to appear in court. “As alleged in the complaint, the defendant swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and planned to wage an attack in its name on churches in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement in the DOJ press release. “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS’s mission of terror and violence.” Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI added in the press statement: “This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat to our communities. Protecting the American people from terrorism remains the FBI’s number one priority, and we continue to encourage the public to report anything suspicious to the FBI or your local law enforcement.” The post FBI Announces Arrest of Idaho Man in Planned ISIS-Inspired Attack on Churches appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Australian foreign minister announced Tuesday that Australia would consider recognizing a Palestinian state on the grounds that a two-state solution is the only way to end the 75 year-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Reuters reports. Foreign minister Penny Wong made the announcement on Canberra’s behalf after the Palestinian Authority last week announced its renewed application to the United Nations for recognition of the “State of Palestine.” In asserting that Canberra would consider recognizing a Palestinian state, Wong asserted that there would be no role for Hamas in it. There is general consensus among world powers that Hamas should not be allowed to run Gaza: leaders are therefore considering whether a state could be governed by the Palestinian Authority, which currently controls parts of the West Bank. Israel, however, does not accept the PA as legitimate leadership because the Authority has long been virulently hostile toward the Jewish state and has used international funds to pay terrorists for attacking Israelis. In an address to the Australian National University on Tuesday, Wong referenced remarks by Britain’s foreign minister David Cameron who has said that recognising a Palestinian state would make a two-state solution irreversible. “A two-state solution is the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence,” Wong said. “We need to build the pathway to a peace that is enduring, and just. Because the simple truth is that a secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians will only come with a two-state solution. Recognition of each other’s right to exist. A Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel,” Wong asserted. The post Australia Would Consider Recognizing Palestinian State, Minister Says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israel on Monday deployed for the first time the “C-Dome” ship-mounted defense system to shoot down a “hostile aircraft” over the Red Sea port city of Eilat, Time reports. No injuries or damage were caused in the incident. In a statement posted on Telegram Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said: “Following the sirens that sounded in the area of Eilat regarding the infiltration of a hostile aircraft, IDF Naval forces identified a suspicious aerial target crossing into Israeli territory. The target was successfully intercepted by the ‘C-Dome’ naval defense system.” Developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, a state-owned defense technology company, the C-Dome has been operational since 2022, Time reports. C-Dome is the naval equivalent of the Iron Dome rocket defense which has been instrumental in defending Israeli civilians thousands of rockets fired indiscriminately by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. C-Dome has similar technology to the Iron Dome but is mounted on a ship. However, unlike the Iron Dome which has its own radar, the C-Dome’s radar is integrated into the ship’s radar. This, Rafael has said, ensures: “full-circular vessel protection and high kill probability against a full spectrum of modern threats—maritime and coastal.” Monday’s suspicious aircraft may have been launched by the Iran-backed Houthi jihadist group in Yemen which, having declared it is joining the war against Israel launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, has fired missiles toward southern Israel. The post Israel Deploys Ship-Mounted “C-Dome” For The First Time to Shoot Down Suspicious Aircraft Over Eilat appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully completed an extensive defense drill in northern Israel, engaging the 146th Reserve Division, Navy, Air Force, police, and rescue services. This multi-branch exercise, conducted alongside Israeli emergency services, aimed to enhance readiness and foster cooperation among various agencies for defense scenarios in the north. The Israel Police, Fire and Rescue services, paramedics, and other standby forces took part in a comprehensive exercise on the northern border, led by the IDF and involving reservists from the 146th Division, in collaboration with the Navy and Air Force. The 146th Division, recognized as the IDF’s largest reserve division, has been active in the Western Galilee since the war’s outset, according to military sources. “The IDF continues to train vigorously in order to maintain full readiness for all threats and attempts by the enemy to harm the citizens of Israel or its territory,” the IDF said in a statement. The exercise was conducted against the backdrop of daily attacks by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization on northern Israel. The IDF has announced its intention to establish a safe and secure buffer zone along the Lebanon border to safeguard residents from the threat of terrorism posed by Hezbollah. Since October 2023, Israel has evacuated approximately 60,000 residents from the northern border towns, who have been displaced from their homes. The post Israel Concludes Major Military Drill In Preparation For Potential Conflict With Hezbollah appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News ABUJA (Worthy News) – The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (UCCN) says one hostage died when suspected Islamic gunmen, known as “bandits,” released more than 50 church members after four months of captivity. The abducted Christian, who passed away, wasn’t able to escape with other church members in a forest of Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state due to “injuries” he sustained while being held against his will, the UCCN said. Earlier, another church member was shot dead during the hostage crisis, said UCCN President Amos Kiri. “We lost one instantly,” he recalled. “Several years earlier, one of our kidnapped clergy was killed,” she added. Yet the safe release of most other church members still came as welcome news for the denomination, as thousands of Christians have reportedly been killed in Nigeria in recent years. The UCCN crisis unfolded in December last year when dozens of its members were abducted while attending a wedding reception on the church premises, Christians said. It was unclear whether a ransom had been paid to the “bandits” at a time when several Islamic extremists targeted Christians in several parts of the African nation. More details about the victims were not immediately released, but Kiri urged better protection for Christians. “Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the [recently elected] president of our country today, is doing his best. But a lot has to be done,” Kiti told reporters. “All the security apparatus in this country need synergies if we want to overcome this monster,” he added, referring to Islamic terror attacks. “As religious leaders, both Christians and any other religious person, we have a responsibility to change the narrative,” argued Musa Filibis, the archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. “We must turn around from preaching violence and hatred to preaching Love. That’s the only way to go,” the archbishop added in comments seen by Worthy News. The post Nigeria Church Says More Than 50 Hostages Freed, But Two Killed appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A Belarusian preacher, Syarhey Melyanets, has still not been released from jail in Belarus after being sentenced to 13 days’ imprisonment on unspecified charges, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports. Melyanets’ imprisonment is part of an ongoing crackdown on civilians by Belarus’ authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. As Worthy News reported, evangelical pastor Rev. Alyaksandr Zaretski was recently jailed in Belarus shortly after giving a sermon in which he prayed that Russia would end its invasion of Ukraine. Lukashenka is renowned for his support of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. In a post on the Telegram social media channel, Christian Vision said Melyanets, the father of seven children, had still not been released. “Melyanets is known for attending the Minsk trials of activists who face charges that are widely seen as politically motivated and publishing articles about them on Facebook,” RFE noted in its report. “Very often, political activists are not released in Belarus after serving their administrative jail terms,” RFE added. “They are usually then presented with additional criminal charges.” The Viasna Human Rights Center, Belarus’ leading human rights group, reported recently that thousands of Belarusian civilians have been convicted on trumped-up political charges in the last three years. The post Belarus: Imprisoned Preacher Remains In Jail appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News VATICAN CITY/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The Vatican has effectively called the growing trend of sex-change surgery and surrogacy another threat to humanity. In an opinion reviewed by Worthy News on Tuesday, the Vatican said that gender changes are on par with abortion and euthanasia as practices that “violate God’s plan” for human life. The death penalty is also cited, as it “violates the inalienable dignity of every person, regardless of the circumstances.” The views are in the Vatican’s doctrine office issued “Infinite Dignity,” a 20-page declaration prepared for five years. After substantial revision in recent months, it was approved on March 25 by Pope Francis, who ordered its publication, according to sources familiar with the document. In its most eagerly anticipated section, the Vatican stressed the rejection of “gender theory” or the idea that one’s gender can be changed, calling that approach “extremely dangerous.” It said God created man and woman as biologically different, separate beings and added they must not tinker with that plan or try to “make oneself God.” “EXTREMELY DANGEROUS” Gender theory is “extremely dangerous since it cancels differences in its claim to make everyone equal,” the declaration said. The gender theory “intends to deny the greatest possible difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference.” Therefore, “all attempts to obscure reference to the ineliminable sexual difference between man and woman” are “to be rejected,” the document said. Sex change, including through surgery, was judged negatively since it “risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception.” This does not mean, however, excluding the possibility that “a person with genital abnormalities that are already evident at birth or that develop later may choose to receive the assistance of healthcare professionals to resolve these abnormalities,” the Vatican said. Yet the document also made clear that “every sign of unjust discrimination” against gay persons “is to be carefully avoided, particularly any form of aggression and violence.” It is “contrary to human dignity that in some places” people “are imprisoned, tortured and even deprived of the good of life solely because of their sexual orientation,” the Vatican noticed. Under Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has shown greater openness toward the LGBTQ+ community, including by recently lifting the ban on blessings by priests of same-sex couples. DISPLEASING BISHOPS That move displeased conservative bishops in the U.S., Africa, and elsewhere. The document appeared to strike a balance between those concerns and the pontiff’s views on homosexuality and gender change. In the “non-exhaustive” list, the declaration also mentioned abortion, euthanasia, and surrogate motherhood as “violations of human dignity” alongside war, the death penalty, poverty, and human trafficking, all themes raised previously by the pope as issues of concern. The final item on the list is “digital violence,” as “New forms of violence are spreading through social media,” such as cyberbullying. Additionally, “the internet is also a channel for spreading pornography and the exploitation of persons for sexual purposes or through gambling,” the document noticed. Therefore, “respect for the dignity of the human person beyond all circumstances [should] be placed at the center of the commitment to the common good and at the center of every legal system,” the declaration concluded. The declaration’s existence, in the works since 2019, was confirmed in recent weeks by the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, a close Pope Francis confidante. The Vatican said it was published now to commemorate “the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and to reaffirm “the indispensable nature of the dignity of the human person in Christian anthropology.” The post Vatican: ‘Gender Change Threat To Humanity’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A Brazilian Supreme Court Justice has launched a probe into Elon Musk’s social media company, X, for spreading fake news and initiated a separate investigation targeting Musk for potential obstruction. Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes sought to crack down on “fake news” regarding the Supreme Court’s actions on Musk’s social media company X. According to the decision, Elon Musk will face investigation for his alleged deliberate criminal use of X as part of a probe into a group known as digital militias, accused of disseminating defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices. The new inquiry will assess whether Musk committed obstruction, organized crime, and incitement. In response to the judge’s remarks, Elon Musk, a staunch advocate for free speech, asserted that X would not adhere to his orders, regardless of the repercussions. Elon Musk criticized the demands, stating, “These are the most draconian demands of any country on Earth!” He expressed concern about potential repercussions in another post, saying, “We will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there.” Musk emphasized the importance of principles over profit, stating, “But principles matter more than profit.” Furthermore, he called for the resignation or impeachment of the judge, declaring, “This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil.” The political right in Brazil has frequently criticized de Moraes for allegedly exceeding his authority to suppress free speech and partake in political persecution. In previous probes into digital militias, individuals associated with former President Jair Bolsonaro have been arrested, and the residences of his supporters have been raided. Bolsonaro himself became the subject of an investigation in 2021. The post Brazil Supreme Court Justice Opens Investigation of Elon Musk Over Fake News appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – On Monday, the U.N. Security Council revived the Palestinian Authority’s aspirations for full United Nations membership. However, the United States stated that the current state of relations between Israel and the Palestinians is not ready for such a move, effectively dampening the Palestinian Authority’s immediate prospects for U.N. membership. Nevertheless, the United Nations Security Council president has referred the Palestinian Authority’s statehood application for full UN membership to its membership committee. Vanessa Frazier, Malta’s UN ambassador and the current chair, announced that the 15-member committee is anticipated to decide on Palestine’s status this month. She also suggested that the committee convene on Monday to review the application. However, the U.S., wielding veto power as one of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members, underscored on Monday that the Palestinian Authority needs to consolidate control over all Palestinian territories and enter into statehood negotiations with Israel before it can attain full statehood status, as stated by its U.N. delegation. “The issue of full Palestinian membership is a decision that should be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians,” stated U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood on Monday. Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, ruled out the prospect of Palestinian statehood, framing it as a threat to Israel’s existence. “From well before the establishment of the U.N., the Palestinians’ goal has been clear: the annihilation of the Jews,” Erdan told reporters. He highlighted the continuity of hostile ideology, noting, “The U.N. was founded in the wake of World War II and ‘the same genocidal ideology that this body was founded to combat is still prevalent among the Palestinians,'” he emphasized. The post UN Security Council Rekindles Palestinian Statehood Ambitions; U.S. Says Not Yet appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Early Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted and eliminated a high-ranking field commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit in southern Lebanon, according to both the Israeli military and the terrorist organization. On Monday morning, Israeli fighter jets targeted the village of al-Sultaniyah, leading to the death of Ali Ahmed Hassin—a field commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan units—and two others, as confirmed by the Israeli military and Lebanese security sources. Ali Ahmed Hassin, identified by the IDF as holding a rank comparable to a brigade commander, played a crucial role in coordinating attacks on northern Israel’s Ramim Ridge. This region has seen frequent rocket, missile, and explosive drone attacks during the southern conflict with Hamas. The IDF highlighted Hassin’s involvement, stating, “As part of his role, he was responsible for the planning and execution of terror attacks in the Ramim Ridge area against the Israeli home front.” Hezbollah confirmed the death of Hassin, stating he was killed “on the road to Jerusalem,” a phrase it uses to describe operatives who die in Israeli strikes. The organization did not acknowledge him as a commander in its statement. Since October 8, in support of Gaza amid the ongoing war, Hezbollah has launched almost daily attacks on Israeli border communities and military outposts. Over 3,100 rockets, missiles, and drones have been fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, with an additional 35 launched from Syria, the IDF reports. In response, the IDF has targeted approximately 4,700 Hezbollah positions during the conflict. Hezbollah has reported that 273 of its members, primarily in Lebanon but also in Syria, have been killed by Israeli forces during the current conflicts. To date, border clashes have led to the deaths of eight civilians in Israel, in addition to 10 IDF soldiers and reservists. Regional tensions escalated following an alleged Israeli airstrike in Damascus on Monday, which resulted in the death of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the senior Quds Force commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. Iran has promised retaliation. Supporting Iran’s stance, Hezbollah has endorsed Iran’s right to “punish” Israel, with its leader Hassan Nasrallah announcing on Friday that a response was imminent. The post Israel Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Elite Force Commander appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a ‘date is set’ for the long-planned invasion of Rafah, emphasizing in a video statement that victory cannot be achieved without conducting a military operation in the Gazan city. “We are constantly working to achieve our goals—first and foremost the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas,” Netanyahu stated in a video released on Monday. “This victory requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there, it will happen —there is a date,” Netanyahu stressed. Soon afterward, the White House reported that it had not been informed of any details or a specific date concerning an Israeli operation in Rafah. According to the latest Israeli intelligence, Hamas has a total of four battalions located in Rafah, numbering approximately 3,000 terrorists. Netanyahu has emphasized that to secure Israel’s safety, these battalions must be thoroughly defeated, preventing Hamas from reorganizing and posing a renewed threat to Israel. The Biden administration is urging Israel to avoid a full-scale ground invasion, warning that such action could result in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House is advocating for a more targeted approach that focuses on high-value Hamas targets and reinforcing the border with Egypt. However, it is believed that many of the 133 hostages, still held by Hamas after 184 days, are located in Rafah. Last month, a bold operation by Israeli special forces successfully rescued two hostages from the city. Two weeks ago, Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, “We have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah and eliminating the remnant of the battalions there.” He added, “I told him that I hope we will do this with US support, but if necessary, we will do it alone.” The post Netanyahu Declares ‘Date Is Set’ for IDF Offensive in Rafah Critical For Victory appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, caution -- under construction! 1 Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." Isn't it remarkable that every stone was beautifully constructed at a place far away from the Temple sight -- and then put together perfectly on location? And these weren't small stones either -- these were great BIG stones, made far away and then and placed in perfect precision. (1 Kings 5:17) The Holy Spirit is erecting a magnificent temple today! And each stone -- that is, each of us -- has been carefully cut from this world's dark quarry, perfectly chiseled and smoothed to fit into a specific special spot within a growing structure -- upon which our Messiah is the chief cornerstone! Friend, you are a chosen and precious stone! Let's allow the Spirit of God to chisel us today! God desires to smooth out our rough edges so that we will be built into a glorious Temple unto the Lord. 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 Brazil Supreme Court Justice Opens Investigation of Elon Musk Over Fake News A Brazilian Supreme Court Justice has launched a probe into Elon Musk's company, X, for spreading fake news and initiated a separate investigation targeting Musk for potential obstruction. Thailand Passengers Miraculously Escape Ship Fire All people on board a burning ferry were miraculously safe Friday, including many passengers who jumped into the sea to escape the large fire that engulfed the vessel in the Gulf of Thailand, officials said. Israel-Palestinian Conflict UN Security Council Rekindles Palestinian Statehood Ambitions; U.S. Says Not Yet On Monday, the U.N. Security Council revived the Palestinian Authority's aspirations for full United Nations membership. However, the United States stated that the current state of relations between Israel and the Palestinians is not ready for such a move, effectively dampening the Palestinian Authority's immediate prospects for U.N. membership. Israel Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Elite Force Commander Early Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted and eliminated a high-ranking field commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit in southern Lebanon, according to both the Israeli military and the terrorist organization. Netanyahu Declares ‘Date Is Set’ for IDF Offensive in Rafah Critical For Victory Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a 'date is set' for the long-planned invasion of Rafah, emphasizing in a video statement that victory cannot be achieved without conducting a military operation in the Gazan city. Inside the United States Total Eclipse Wows Millions A solar eclipse wowed millions across the United States, Mexico, and Canada on Monday. Trump Lays Out IVF, Abortion Stance After Court Rulings Former President Donald Trump laid out his stance on abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF) Monday after recent major court cases reshaped the landscape on both those issues. Christian News Southern Baptist Convention lost over 1,200 congregations from 2021-2022 The world’s largest Baptist denomination, the US Southern Baptist Convention, lost a record 1,200 congregations in 2022, a new study by Lifeway Research shows. The data for 2022 is the latest available; a report for 2023 will be published soon, Lifeway said. Nicaragua Imprisons, Fines Protestant Pastors on Unsubstantiated Money Laundering Charges As part of President Daniel Ortega’s long-term crackdown on religious leaders, authorities in Nicaragua have now convicted 11 Protestant pastors on apparently trumped-up money laundering charges, sentencing them to jail sentences of 12-15 years in prison and an $80 million fine each. View the full article