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by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – A North Carolina church is rallying to protect nearly two dozen Afghan Christian refugees from deportation after the Trump administration announced the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, effective July 14. Julie Tisdale, a seminary student and advocate from Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, has criticized the administration’s decision, saying it endangers believers who face severe persecution — and likely death — if returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. “These people are not economic migrants,” Tisdale said in an interview with The Christian Post. “They’re Christians. And for that alone, they are hunted by the Taliban.” Tisdale has been lobbying members of Congress to intervene, but so far, no one in Washington has emerged as a strong advocate. “We’ve had sympathetic ears, but no champion,” she said. “These believers have already faced torture for converting. If sent back, they will not survive.” The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, said in a May 14 statement that Afghanistan’s improving security situation no longer meets the criteria for TPS. Noem added that DHS records show some TPS recipients are under investigation for fraud or pose national security concerns. But Tisdale strongly disputes that narrative. Citing Open Doors’ World Watch List, which ranks Afghanistan as the 10th worst country for Christian persecution, she says any return would be a death sentence. “Conversion is punishable by death. These men and women have already been imprisoned and tortured. The Taliban won’t stop at deportation; they will kill them.” The affected church members are in various stages of the immigration process — some waiting on green cards, others appealing asylum denials, or applying for legal permanent residency. The church has stepped in to provide financial and logistical support, even covering legal fees and daily transportation for refugee families. Evangelist Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, has also raised the issue with lawmakers. “I know this is being discussed at the highest levels,” he said, adding that Senator Lindsey Graham and others have communicated directly with President Trump. “I’ve been told the deadline has been extended so that cases can be reviewed. We’re hopeful.” Despite assurances, Tisdale remains concerned. “We’re doing all we can,” she said. “But time is running out — and their lives are on the line.” The post North Carolina Church Fights Deportation of Afghan Christians as DHS Ends Protection Status appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine was rapidly losing more territory Sunday with Ukrainian and Russian officials confirming that Russia’s military had reached the outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in their first approach to the Ukrainian province since the war began in February 2022. Additionally, Russian military units appeared to be within 18 miles (29 kilometers) of the city of Sumy, three years after Ukraine forced them out of the northern region. Independent monitors confirmed Kremlin claims to have retaken the village of Loknia, which had been liberated along with the rest of the Sumy region during Ukraine’s 2022 spring counteroffensive. It is the latest settlement in the region to be retaken by Putin’s forces in recent weeks, witnesses said. The city of Sumy, which is 200 miles (320 kilometers) north-east of Kyiv, the capital, was never occupied by Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces have been bearing down on the regional capital. The latest changes in the battlefields followed previous warnings by Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia “had concentrated 50,000 troops” on the Sumy front, and a series of settlements in the area have since fallen. REGIONAL GOVERNOR The regional governor, Oleh Hryhorov, announced the mandatory evacuation of 11 more villages on May 31, bringing the total number of evacuated settlements in the Sumy region to 213. The Russian defence ministry further claimed on Sunday that forces had reached the western frontier of the Donetsk region, in the east of Ukraine, and were advancing in the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in three years of full-scale war. The ministry said forces from a tank unit had “reached the western border of the Donetsk People’s Republic and are continuing to develop an offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region”. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defence Forces said: “The enemy does not abandon its intentions to enter the Dnipropetrovsk region. Our soldiers are courageously and professionally holding their section of the front, disrupting the occupier’s plans. This work does not stop for a minute.” Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) maps do not yet show the invasion of the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to analysis by the independent Russian-language news channel Agency News. However, according to the OSINT project DeepState, the maps show that the combat zone is close to the region’s border. Pro-Russian online commentator Yuriy Podolyaka wrote about the announcement on social media platform Telegram, saying: “As they say in such cases, now officially…But in fact, we have already entered there on a fairly wide front.” RUSSIAN ADVANCING The advance of Russian forces into the industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk would be a symbolic and strategic setback for Kyiv after the morale-boosting results of Operation Spiderweb, in which its drones attacked some of the Kremlin’s nuclear-capable bombers deep inside Russia, analysts said. The Kremlin claimed in 2022 to have annexed the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions despite not having complete control of them. Dnipro, the administrative capital of Dnipropetrovsk, has been under near-constant fire since the invasion began, according to people in the region. Independent monitors said there was also evidence that Russia was advancing on the city of Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, from several directions. The city has been a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s forces since February 2022, when Putin launched his full-scale invasion. A Ukrainian military spokesperson, Dmytro Zaporozhets, confirmed that Russian forces were trying to “build a bridgehead for an attack” on Kostyantynivka. Ukraine’s cities are also bracing for fresh night-time missile and drone attacks after U.S. officials said they did not believe Russia had fully responded to Sunday and Monday’s Operation Spiderweb, when 117 drones struck aircraft inside Russia. Numerous people were already killed and injured in massive strikes in several cities in Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv, near the border with Russia. ONGOING CLASHES With clashes ongoing, Kyiv and Moscow also quarreled over exchanging the living and the dead: Kyiv and Moscow agreed to release all wounded soldiers and those under 25, equating to more than 1,000 people from each side. Russia said it would also hand back the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers. However, the Kremlin accused Ukraine over the weekend of not turning up to collect the bodies already at the border and prevaricating over Monday’s prisoner exchange. Russian officials said they would continue to deliver further bodies to the border. It was another reminder of the grim consequences of a war in which over 1 million people are believed to have been killed or wounded. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of playing “dirty games” and not sticking to the agreed parameters for the exchange by including personnel in a list of prisoners they wished recovered who were not eligible. “The Ukrainian side has unexpectedly postponed for an indefinite period both the acceptance of the bodies and the exchange of prisoners of war,” Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said on social media. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said no date had been set for the prisoner exchange. “Unfortunately, instead of constructive dialogue, we are again faced with manipulations. We call on the Russian side to stop playing dirty games and return to constructive work to bring people back to both sides and to clearly implement the agreement in the coming days”. Yet there were no signs of that happening Sunday, with recent peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, seemingly all but forgotten. U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who once pledged to bring the war to an end within a day, has admitted that ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II seems more complicated than previously thought. The post Ukraine Losing More Territory As Russia Advances Further (Worthy News In-Depth) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief KHARKIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Authorities say at least three people have been killed and a further 22 injured, including a one-month-old baby, after a massive nighttime Russian attack involving drones, missiles, and guided bombs, which hit the city of Kharkiv and other targets. Amid the attacks, Moscow said Ukraine has postponed a large-scale prisoner swap and the repatriation of the bodies of dead soldiers they had agreed on during peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Residents are in a state of shock after Russia bombarded Ukraine’s second-largest city with massive strikes in the early hours of Saturday. Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said the “most powerful” attack hit his city since the Russia-Ukraine War broke out more than three years ago. “It was a horrible morning for Kharkiv, which was hit by 48 Shahed Russian attack drones, four guided bombs, and two missiles,” Mayor Terekhov said. “Civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were hit.” https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2025/06/WorthyNewsRadioJune7-1.mp3 One of the strikes hit a nine-story residential building, causing fire in apartments on the upper floors. Firefighters struggle to battle the blaze, and rescue workers try to carry the wounded and others to safety. But they could not save everyone’s lives. Those who survived the attacks are trying to rebuild. Aliona Lukianova picked up the pieces of her damaged apartment. She recalled that, “the first explosions were in the Kyiv district, so we waited. When the attack drones started buzzing closer and closer, and finally when the sound was right over our home, we took our dog and cats and hid behind the wall in the corridor. We sat down on the floor, and then it hit. It had hardly been 20 seconds after we hid when the explosion happened. It was around 03:37 a.m. At 3:39, I called the ambulance and took the cats to safety. That’s all I did,” she said. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING Multi-storey and private residential buildings, as well as educational and infrastructure facilities, were reportedly attacked. Ukraine’s foreign minister urged more pressure on Moscow, Russia, in his words, “continues its terror against civilians.” Authorities said several people were killed and more than 20 others injured in the latest attack involving drones, missiles, and guided bombs. It was the latest in a series of extensive Russian attacks on Ukraine in recent days. They came after Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that Moscow would retaliate for a massive drone operation by Kyiv last Sunday. Ukraine said over 40 bombers, or about a third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet, were damaged or destroyed, although Moscow said only several planes were struck. The bombers that were hit were part of Russia’s capability to enable nuclear weapons deployment by air, sea, and ground. PEARL HARBOR? Some Russian military commentators compared it to another infamous Sunday surprise attack — that of Japan’s strike on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor in 1941. However, others rejected the comparison, saying the damage was far less significant than Ukraine claimed. Yet, the bold attack demonstrated Ukraine’s capability to hit high-value targets anywhere in Russia, dealing a blow to the Kremlin and inflicting significant losses to Moscow’s war machine. Amid the tensions, Russia on Saturday accused Ukraine of postponing a large-scale prisoner swap and the repatriation of the bodies of dead soldiers they had agreed on during peace talks in Istanbul. However, the headquarters of Ukraine’s Coordination for prisoners of war said the exchange of prisoners and bodies agreed at the last round of Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul has been moved to next week. They had agreed to release at least 1,000 prisoners of war and to exchange the human remains of 6,000 soldiers killed in combat. It was seen as a small sign of hope in an otherwise devastating war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The post Russia Hits Kharkiv In Massive Attack (Worthy News Radio) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, enter in, the veil is torn! Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water. God has always longed for intimacy with us. He formed us for Himself--to walk with Him, to know Him, to delight in His Presence. This is the very heartbeat of creation: relationship, not religion. Yet sin drove a wedge between us. A veil was drawn, shutting out the light of His face and placing distance where there was once communion. But now, the veil has been torn. When Yeshua (Jesus) died, the veil in the Temple that once separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom--heaven's own declaration that the way into God's intimate Presence had been opened. The blood of Yeshua didn't merely forgive us; it opened a door. Not just to salvation, but to intimacy. We are not invited to stand in the outer courts, content with distance and ritual. We are summoned into the very heart of the throne room. Into the Holiest. Into the place where God dwells in glory. Into a communion deeper than words, where His love fills every crevice of our being and His whisper becomes our life. This is not a metaphor. It is a reality. The torn veil is not just a symbol--it is a passage. A blood-stained trail that leads into the very arms of the Father. And it calls for boldness. Not arrogance, but a confidence grounded in Yeshua's finished work. His blood has made the way. There is nothing left to earn. Nothing left to prove. Only one thing is required: come. Yet many remain outside--not because God holds us back, but because we have not yet surrendered our inner veils. Pride, fear, shame, self--these are type of veils that must be torn. But the Spirit is ready to do the tearing. He waits for our surrender. For the heart that says, "Whatever it takes, I want to know Him." And when that veil is removed, the soul enters a realm not of theory but of encounter. Friend, intimacy with God is not a privilege for the spiritual elite—it is the birthright of every soul redeemed by the blood of Yeshua. To draw near is not striving for favor, but surrendering to love. The veil is no more. The way is open. And the Father waits -- not with judgment, but with joy -- to welcome you into the fullness of His embrace. Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (George, Baht Rivka & Obi - Baltimore, Maryland | Elianna - Married living in Missouri) Editor's Note: We’re heading back to Israel leading an incredible 10-day, 10-night journey from October 19–30. As always, we’re keeping the group to just one bus to ensure a more personal and intimate experience — so space is limited! Read More... Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce. 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! Around the World Ukraine Losing More Territory As Russia Advances Further (Worthy News In-Depth) Ukraine was rapidly losing more territory Sunday with Ukrainian and Russian officials confirming that Russia’s military had reached the outskirts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in their first approach to the Ukrainian province since the war began in February 2022. Russia Hits Kharkiv In Massive Attack (Worthy News Radio) Authorities say at least three people have been killed and a further 22 injured, including a one-month-old baby, after a massive nighttime Russian attack involving drones, missiles, and guided bombs, which hit the city of Kharkiv and other targets. Amid the attacks, Moscow said Ukraine has postponed a large-scale prisoner swap and the repatriation of the bodies of dead soldiers they had agreed on during peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Trump Warns Iran as Prophetic Dates Stir Fears of New Middle East Flashpoint President Donald Trump on Friday issued a sharp warning to Tehran, declaring that Iran "will not be allowed" to enrich uranium, even at low levels, intensifying fears that the fragile negotiations over Iran's nuclear program may collapse -- potentially triggering military conflict. Trump Says China Will Resume Rare Earth Exports Ahead of London Trade Talks President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to resume exports of rare earth minerals to the United States, a critical step forward as trade delegations from both nations prepare to meet in London next week. Free Speech or Blasphemy? UK Man Fined for Quran Burning as Critics Warn of Legal Overreach In a case that has reignited debate over freedom of speech and religion in the United Kingdom, a British court fined Turkish-born filmmaker Hamit Coskun for burning a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London earlier this year--an act prosecutors labeled a "religiously aggravated public order offense." Al-Qaeda Leader Threatens Trump and Elon Musk in New Video Over Gaza War The leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has issued direct threats against U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in a newly released propaganda video, according to a report from The Associated Press. 89 Tourists Survive Bali Boat Crash Scores of tourists in Indonesia’s province of Bali are happy to be alive after their boat sank in the waters of Mushroom Bay. Italian Jews Concerned About Pro-Palestine March In Rome The Italian Union of Jewish Communities (UCEI) has expressed concern about Saturday's massive march in Rome, organized to protest against the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid Israel's war against Hamas. U.S. Unleashes New Sanctions on Iran’s Shadow Banking Network as Trump Warns: “Time Is Running Out” The Trump administration has escalated its maximum pressure campaign on Iran with a sweeping new round of sanctions targeting its shadow banking network, as President Donald Trump warned that Tehran is "slowwalking" its nuclear decision and that a definitive answer must come "in a very short period of time." Russia Unleashes One of War’s Largest Air Assaults on Ukraine, Killing at Least Five Russia launched a massive overnight air assault on Friday, June 6, in one of the most intense attacks of the war, killing at least five civilians and injuring more than 70 across Ukraine. The barrage, which included over 450 drones and 45 missiles, caused widespread destruction in the capital Kyiv and at least eight other regions, Ukrainian officials confirmed. ‘Historic Spike’ Of Antisemitism In Germany Eighty years after the end of the Holocaust, Germany is once again confronted with a "historic spike" in antisemitic incidents, according to government watchdog figures. Ukraine Under Massive Russian Attack Ukraine was under an ongoing Russian ballistic missile and drone attack early Friday, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on air bases deep inside Russia. Germany’s Chancellor And US President Mend Fences Ahead Of D-Day U.S. President Donald J. Trump praised Germany for spending more money on defense and, in a turnaround, pledged that he would not withdraw all remaining American troops from there. Hungary Postpones ‘Russian-Style Foreign Agent Law’ Hungary’s ruling party has delayed a planned vote on Russian-style legislation that would fine and potentially ban foreign-funded media and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) deemed a “threat” to Hungarian sovereignty and culture. European Jewish Congress Welcomes French Promotion Of Persecuted Officer The European Jewish Congress (EJC) has welcomed “the unanimous decision” by French legislators to posthumously promote a captain to the rank of brigadier general, 130 years after his wrongful conviction in “one of the most infamous antisemitic scandals in modern European history.” Iran Secures Chinese Missile Fuel to Boost Ballistic Arsenal, Re-Arm Regional Proxies Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic missile propellant from China to rebuild its arsenal and arm its terrorist proxy forces across the Middle East, according to the Wall Street Journal. Israel-Palestinian Conflict UK and France Back Away from Recognizing Palestinian State at June Conference The United Kingdom and France have decided not to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming international conference in New York, despite earlier indications that both countries were moving in that direction, according to diplomats cited in The Guardian and Middle East Eye. Israel Pledges to Hold Fire on Iran While Trump Pursues Nuclear Talks Israel has assured President Donald Trump that it will not carry out a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities unless the White House concludes that negotiations with Tehran have failed, according to Israeli officials cited by Axios. Inside the United States Trump Signs Sweeping Executive Orders to Boost U.S. Drone Industry and Curb Chinese Tech Dominance President Donald Trump signed a trio of executive orders on Friday aimed at revitalizing the U.S. drone industry, countering the growing national security threat posed by Chinese-made drones, and streamlining the path for advanced aerial technologies, such as electric air taxis and autonomous delivery drones. Trump Deploys 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles as Anti-ICE Riots Erupt President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after violent anti-ICE protests erupted over the weekend, resulting in injuries to federal agents, property damage, and escalating political tensions between the White House and California leaders. LA Police Ending Immigration Rights Protests (VIDEO) The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) moved in to end protests against a crackdown on immigrants staying illegally in the U.S. city. U.S. Job Growth Slows in May, Fed Expected to Hold Rates Steady Amid Uncertainty U.S. job growth decelerated in May as employers navigated continued uncertainty over trade policy and fiscal wrangling in Washington, according to data released Friday by the Labor Department. The economy added 139,000 jobs last month, down from a downwardly revised 147,000 in April, but still above economists' median forecast of 126,000. FBI, DHS Warn of Escalating Threats to Jewish Communities Amid Rising Attacks The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public service announcement Thursday warning of an elevated threat to Jewish communities across the United States, citing a surge in targeted violence linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Christian News North Carolina Church Fights Deportation of Afghan Christians as DHS Ends Protection Status A North Carolina church is rallying to protect nearly two dozen Afghan Christian refugees from deportation after the Trump administration announced the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, effective July 14. Worthy Insights Caitlin Jenner to participate in Tel Aviv Pride Parade for 1st time Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympic champion and leading figure in the transgender community, will participate in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade for the first time, scheduled for June 13. Israel Set To Block Gaza-Bound Flotilla Led by Greta Thunberg and European Activists The Israeli military is preparing to intercept a Gaza-bound ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, before it can reach Israeli territorial waters. The vessel, named Madleen, is part of a mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and is currently sailing under a UK flag. Christian YMCA center to host ‘LGBTQ+ youth’ camp for kids as young as 7 The Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign, Illinois, will host a disturbing program centered around the sexuality of young children. American Jihadists Target Pro-Israel Summit in Texas, Forcing Shutdown One of the largest pro-Israel events planned for 2025 has been indefinitely postponed, after escalating terror threats left organizers without a secure venue just days before it was set to begin. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump on Friday issued a sharp warning to Tehran, declaring that Iran “will not be allowed” to enrich uranium, even at low levels, intensifying fears that the fragile negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program may collapse — potentially triggering military conflict. “They won’t be enriching. If they enrich, then we’re going to have to do it the other way,” Trump told reporters, signaling that military action remains a very real option should diplomacy break down. While the president reiterated that a peaceful solution is his goal, he emphasized that time is running out. The warning comes amid conflicting messages from within the Trump administration. A recent U.S. proposal would reportedly allow Iran to enrich uranium to 3% for civilian use under strict international oversight — a move flatly rejected by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Who are you to decide whether Iran should have enrichment?” he asked, defiantly reaffirming Iran’s refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions. Trump, however, doubled down on his position, writing on Truth Social: “The AUTOPEN should have stopped Iran a long time ago from ‘enriching.’ Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!” Israel, which views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, has made clear its insistence on zero enrichment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to call for Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to be fully dismantled. Though reports suggested Israel was preparing for a possible strike, officials have since assured the Trump administration that no action will be taken unless Trump declares the negotiations a failure. The timing of these developments carries deep symbolic weight. Yesterday marked the anniversary of one of Israel’s most daring military operations: the June 7, 1981 airstrike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor — Operation Opera. That preemptive mission, which eliminated a potential nuclear threat from Saddam Hussein’s regime, is often cited as a model of decisive action in the face of existential danger. Even more striking is that June 7 also commemorates the liberation of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israeli forces recaptured the Old City in a moment many view as prophetically significant. For Bible prophecy watchers, the convergence of these dates — victories tied to both national security and biblical heritage — is seen as more than historical coincidence. “God operates in patterns,” said one Israeli commentator, noting that pivotal moments in Israel’s history often cluster around key dates. “From Jerusalem’s liberation in 1967 to stopping Saddam’s nuclear ambitions in 1981 — and now, with Iran nearing the nuclear threshold — the first week of June may once again become a turning point.” The parallels are hard to ignore. Iran, which has amassed enough uranium enriched to 60% for multiple bombs according to the IAEA, continues to defy international inspectors, expand its ballistic missile program, and openly call for Israel’s destruction. Compounding concerns, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran recently secured large quantities of missile fuel from China — materials expected to arrive in the coming months, likely agreed upon before the Trump-Khamenei backchannel began earlier this year. With Israel’s enemies emboldened on multiple fronts and diplomatic progress faltering, the prophetic echoes of June 7 are resonating louder than ever. As one Jerusalem-based analyst put it, “If history is any guide, we may soon see another decisive act — not just by men, but by the hand of God.” The post Trump Warns Iran as Prophetic Dates Stir Fears of New Middle East Flashpoint appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to resume exports of rare earth minerals to the United States, a critical step forward as trade delegations from both nations prepare to meet in London next week. “Yes, he did,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked whether Xi had made the commitment during a recent call. The confirmation comes amid renewed efforts to ease trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. China dominates the global supply of rare earth elements—such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, and dysprosium—which are essential in producing electric vehicles, advanced weaponry, and semiconductors. The minerals have become a major point of leverage in ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations. Beijing had previously slowed the approval of export permits to U.S. companies, citing what it called “hostile actions” from Washington, including steep tariffs and tightened restrictions on semiconductor shipments. The Trump administration, for its part, accused China of weaponizing the critical mineral supply chain. Saturday’s statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce appeared to signal a limited easing of restrictions. The ministry announced that it had approved “a certain number of compliant applications” and pledged to “continue to strengthen the approval of compliant applications,” though it did not name the countries that would benefit. Tensions between Washington and Beijing had flared earlier this year after China retaliated against President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs with a 10% levy on American imports. The U.S. currently maintains a 30% tariff on Chinese goods. A May de-escalation meeting reduced some of the most punitive measures, setting the stage for the upcoming negotiations in London. Both governments are sending high-level trade delegations to the U.K. capital, following a lengthy phone call Thursday between Trump and Xi. Beijing is expected to push for the removal of U.S. export controls and a rollback of tariffs, while Washington will demand greater market access and reforms to what it calls China’s “unfair trade practices.” In a sign of potential momentum, a Chinese commerce spokesperson also noted that Beijing had established a streamlined channel to expedite rare earth export approvals for European Union companies, though it remains unclear whether similar provisions will extend to U.S. firms. With key supply chains and national security concerns on the line, the outcome of next week’s London talks could redefine the next phase of U.S.-China economic relations. The post Trump Says China Will Resume Rare Earth Exports Ahead of London Trade Talks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff LONDON / PARIS (Worthy News) – The United Kingdom and France have reversed course on a previously discussed plan to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming international conference in New York, opting instead to outline future conditions for recognition, according to diplomatic sources cited by The Guardian and Middle East Eye. The conference, scheduled for 17-20 June, was initially seen as a potential breakthrough moment after French President Emmanuel Macron called recognition “a moral duty and political requirement.” French officials had even floated the idea that a joint move, possibly paired with Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel, could help unlock a stalled peace process. However, in recent days, Paris reportedly informed Israeli officials that recognition would not take place during the event. Instead, France and the UK will focus on a roadmap contingent on a series of demands placed on the Palestinians: a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, internal reform of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas’ removal from power, and comprehensive economic reconstruction. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot acknowledged the retreat, calling immediate recognition “symbolic” and emphasizing France’s responsibility as a UN Security Council member to act in concert with allies. Public Opinion: Support for Two-State Solution Hits Historic Low The diplomatic backpedaling comes as public sentiment among Israelis reflects a sharp decline in hope for a peaceful resolution. A new Pew Research Center survey released this week shows that support for a two-state solution has dropped to its lowest point on record. Only 21% of Israelis now believe that peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state is possible — a dramatic fall from 50% in 2013, when Pew first asked the question. The poll, conducted from February 5 to March 11 during a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war, reveals a deep erosion of trust. Among Jewish Israelis, optimism has plummeted to just 16%. Arab Israelis remain more hopeful, with 40% believing in the potential for peaceful coexistence. The survey also highlights the core barriers to peace as perceived by the Israeli public. Mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians was cited by 75% of respondents as a major obstacle. The status of Jerusalem followed at 70%, while 52% pointed to ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank as a significant hindrance to peace efforts. International Friction and Israeli Pushback Although 147 nations worldwide have recognized Palestine, most European countries have withheld recognition, traditionally linking it to a final-status agreement with Israel. But recent moves by Ireland, Spain, and Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood unilaterally have increased pressure on major EU players to act. Despite this trend, the U.S. reportedly pressured both London and Paris to hold back, warning of geopolitical destabilization. Meanwhile, Israel responded forcefully: Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to construct 22 new settlements in the West Bank, declaring it “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state.” The Israeli Knesset remains overwhelmingly opposed to Palestinian statehood, as reaffirmed in a July 2024 vote. Only Palestinian lawmakers and a single left-wing Jewish MP supported the measure. A War with No End in Sight Israel’s war on Gaza continues unabated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that left roughly 1,200 dead. The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza has since killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, according to UN reports. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the UN warning of an “imminent famine” affecting the besieged enclave. Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told Middle East Eye that international pressure is mounting not only for humanitarian reasons but because the current course is unsustainable. “The message to Israel should be: ‘We are your friends, we want you to succeed, but this cannot go on… Netanyahu is driving you to unmitigated and irreparable disaster. Wake up, we are here to help.'” The post UK and France Back Away from Recognizing Palestinian State at June Conference appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Europe Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – In a case that has reignited debate over freedom of speech and religion in the United Kingdom, a British court fined Turkish-born filmmaker Hamit Coskun for burning a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London earlier this year–an act prosecutors labeled a “religiously aggravated public order offense.” Coskun, a 50-year-old Kurdish-Armenian documentarian who was once imprisoned by Syria’s Assad regime while filming a documentary, was ordered to pay a £240 fine and a £96 surcharge. The court found that his actions–burning the Quran while shouting phrases such as “Islam is religion of terrorism”–were motivated by hostility toward Muslims and caused likely harassment or distress to those who witnessed it. Critics, including civil liberties groups and commentators, say the ruling effectively reinstates a blasphemy law in the UK–one that appears selectively enforced. “England now has a blasphemy law,” wrote Spectator columnist David Shipley, arguing that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and District Judge John McGarva conflated criticism of a religion with an attack on its followers, thereby treating Islam as a protected legal entity. Coskun’s defense cited his complex background and political history, including persecution in the Middle East. But the court emphasized the offensive nature of his language and actions. The incident was followed by an assault on Coskun by a bystander, Moussa Kadri, who has since pleaded guilty. The prosecution originally charged Coskun under the Crime and Disorder Act with the intention of causing distress to “the religious institution of Islam,” a phrase legal experts said dangerously personifies a belief system in a way incompatible with British law. “Under English law this is nonsensical,” said Shipley, noting that only persons–not ideologies–can be legally harassed. The verdict mirrors a previous case involving a mentally unstable man who desecrated a Quran during a memorial for victims of the 2017 Manchester terror attack. In that instance, the judge also condemned the act as unacceptable, stating: “This is a tolerant country, but we just do not tolerate this behavior.” Free speech advocates warn that the UK’s existing public order framework–particularly provisions of the 1986 Public Order Act and the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act–have become vehicles for quasi-blasphemy enforcement. “While the facts of the case are complex,” Humanists UK said in a statement, “we believe the judgment means that the bar to successful prosecutions in cases like this is drawn too low.” Originally designed to protect public safety, these laws have evolved to criminalize behavior deemed likely to provoke disorder–particularly when it comes to Islam. The 1998 Act’s expansion to cover “religiously aggravated” offenses in 2001 further opened the door, critics argue, to selective prosecution based on the potential volatility of a group’s response rather than the legality of the act itself. Observers say the issue isn’t just about Islam, but about the UK’s lack of a codified free speech guarantee. With no constitutional protection equivalent to the U.S. First Amendment, British courts operate in a legal gray zone–one critics say is increasingly being shaped by fears of public backlash and selective outrage. As one Humanists UK spokesperson put it: “We unequivocally condemn religious hatred, but selectively prosecuting offensive speech in this manner is a dangerous precedent. It’s not a blasphemy law–it’s potentially something worse.” The post Free Speech or Blasphemy? UK Man Fined for Quran Burning as Critics Warn of Legal Overreach appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) — President Donald Trump signed a trio of executive orders on Friday aimed at revitalizing the U.S. drone industry, countering the growing national security threat posed by Chinese-made drones, and streamlining the path for advanced aerial technologies, such as electric air taxis and autonomous delivery drones. The sweeping measures direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enable routine commercial operations for drones, particularly “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) missions, a key hurdle to drone deliveries and emergency response use. The new policy also expands real-time drone detection technology, enhances protections around sensitive sites, and reduces reliance on Chinese suppliers. “Drone warfare isn’t a future threat — it’s already here,” said Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. “This is a long-overdue investment in both deterrence and innovation.” The orders come amid growing bipartisan concern in Washington over Chinese drone dominance. Chinese firm DJI, which controls roughly 70% of the global drone market, has been the target of mounting scrutiny. Currently, about 90% of drones used by U.S. first responders are manufactured in China. The U.S. military has been banned from using Chinese drones since 2018, and several states — including Florida and Tennessee — have adopted similar bans for local agencies. Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said recent drone incidents over New Jersey and the dramatic battlefield use of drones in Ukraine and Russia were wake-up calls. “President Trump wanted action from week one. The footage from Ukraine shows how easily low-cost drones can cripple modern armies — or panic civilians,” Gorka said. The Biden administration previously struggled to explain mysterious drone sightings over critical infrastructure, including a nuclear plant and President Trump’s Bedminster resort. FAA records later revealed those flights were authorized, yet the events exposed regulatory gaps and technological vulnerabilities. Trump’s new orders also call for: Establishing a federal drone task force to oversee airspace security. Selecting at least five pilot programs for advanced aerial platforms, such as electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft for cargo and medical uses. Deploying artificial intelligence tools to speed up drone certification and waiver processes. Securing the drone manufacturing supply chain to protect against foreign exploitation. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasized the urgency. “With the Olympics and World Cup on the horizon, and growing risks of criminal and terrorist drone use, we must secure the skies now.” Even the National Football League weighed in, praising the move as “critical to protecting fans” at large public events. A potential de facto ban on Chinese drone makers looms. Under a 2024 defense bill signed by President Biden, the U.S. must finish a national security review of Chinese drone communications equipment by December 23, 2025, or deny FCC licenses to firms like DJI, effectively grounding their drones in the U.S. Capitol Hill has rallied around the issue. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced legislation last year to blacklist Chinese drone companies. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) recently unveiled a bill that would ban Chinese drones from use by police and fire departments nationwide. “President Trump’s executive action is a bold declaration that the U.S. will no longer surrender its skies to foreign adversaries,” Singleton added. “It’s not just about innovation — it’s about sovereignty.” The post Trump Signs Sweeping Executive Orders to Boost U.S. Drone Industry and Curb Chinese Tech Dominance appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – The leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has issued direct threats against U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in a newly released propaganda video, according to a report from The Associated Press. Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the group’s current leader, delivered the threats during a 30-minute video address — his first since assuming leadership of AQAP following the 2024 death of Khalid al-Batarfi. The video, distributed widely by jihadist forums online on Saturday, framed the threats as retaliation for the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. “There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza,” al-Awlaki declared. “Reciprocity is legitimate.” The video included photos of President Trump, Musk, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as logos of Musk’s companies, including Tesla. Al-Awlaki also called on lone-wolf terrorists to target leaders in Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf Arab nations allied with the United States and Israel. Al-Awlaki, who has a $6 million U.S. bounty on his head, has previously urged attacks against the West. Under his leadership, AQAP appears to be echoing the strategy of Yemen’s Houthi rebels by exploiting regional outrage over the war in Gaza to revive its weakened network. While AQAP has been severely diminished in recent years due to infighting and sustained U.S. drone strikes, the group remains dangerous. It was responsible for the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris and has repeatedly sought to inspire or orchestrate assaults on Western targets. U.S. intelligence agencies are monitoring the video closely. No official response has yet been issued by the Trump administration, but White House officials have previously warned of terrorist groups seeking to exploit global unrest for recruitment and propaganda purposes. The post Al-Qaeda Leader Threatens Trump and Elon Musk in New Video Over Gaza War appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Federal agents assaulted, vehicles torched, and tensions soar as Trump slams “incompetent” California leadership (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after violent anti-ICE protests erupted over the weekend, resulting in injuries to federal agents, property damage, and escalating political tensions between the White House and California leaders. The unrest began following a controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Home Depot in Paramount, California. Protesters, many waving foreign flags and wearing face coverings, clashed with Border Patrol agents and federal law enforcement, pelting vehicles with rocks, igniting fires, and vandalizing government property. “In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “California’s feckless Democrat leaders have abdicated their responsibility. That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying National Guard forces to restore order.” Federal authorities reported multiple assaults on officers, including a Border Patrol agent whose hand was injured by a rock that shattered his windshield. Video footage shows protesters hurling concrete and fireworks at government vehicles while blocking enforcement operations. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stern warning: “If you assault a law enforcement officer, you’re going to jail—period. It doesn’t matter how you got here or what movement you support. The FBI will back our officers when local jurisdictions will not.” Democratic leaders in California fiercely opposed the federal move. Governor Gavin Newsom accused the administration of deliberately inflaming tensions. “This deployment is inflammatory and escalatory,” he posted on X. “We have not requested Guard support and see no unmet need. The federal government is sowing chaos.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, also criticized for her response, had earlier condemned the ICE actions: “As a proud city of immigrants, we will not stand for tactics that sow terror in our communities.” President Trump responded by calling Newsom and Bass “incompetent” and blamed their “sanctuary policies” for enabling violence. He also announced a ban on face coverings at protests. “These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT be tolerated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed the president’s stance, warning rioters that assaults on law enforcement would lead to federal charges. The Department of Defense confirmed Camp Pendleton Marines are on high alert should further escalation require military assistance. Trump’s administration has taken a hardline stance on illegal immigration since his return to office in January, issuing executive orders designating cartels and violent gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations. As of Sunday evening, federal agents had made several arrests tied to the violence. National Guard troops were arriving in the greater Los Angeles area, with U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirming their primary mission is crowd control and support for overwhelmed federal officers. “The laws of the United States will be fully enforced,” Leavitt declared. “Criminal violence against federal officers will not go unanswered.” The post Trump Deploys 2,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles as Anti-ICE Riots Erupt appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News DENPASAR, INDONESIA (Worthy News) – Scores of tourists in Indonesia’s province of Bali are happy to be alive after their boat sank in the waters of Mushroom Bay. The popular bay on the west coast of Nusa Lembongan, a small island off the coast of Bali but part of the province, was the destination of The Tanis vessel with a capacity of 125 people. The Tanis carried a total of 89 passengers when tragedy struck, and everyone miraculously survived, authorities of Indonesia’s only Hindu-majority province confirmed Saturday. Among those on board were 77 foreign nationals and 12 Indonesian citizens, Worthy News learned. “At around 18.30, the evacuation process for all passengers was completed with all passengers safe and no fatalities,” said Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, in published remarks. According to a reconstruction of Wednesday’s incident, the ship had departed from Tanjung Sanghyang Port in Lembongan Village, heading to the Sanur Port of Denpasar, Bali’s capital. Footage reviewed by Worthy News showed several passengers at the back of the ship kicking the window until it broke, saving themselves through the gap. Several were seen falling into the water. However, watching the incident, “the surrounding community immediately tried to evacuate all passengers on the ship,” witnesses said. TWO DIVERS The ship also involved two divers to ensure that no victims were trapped inside or on the seabed, according to sources familiar with the case. The ship’s condition was declared very good because it had only been operating for about three months. There were no reports of previous accidents on the ship. However, shortly after sailing, a disaster occurred when the boat dropped off passengers at Mushroom Bay beach. According to investigators, the position of the ship’s bow touched the beach, and then a large wave hit the back of the boat, causing a large amount of water to enter the vessel. “As a result, the ship tilted to the left so that it lost its balance and finally capsized in a location not far from the shore,” witnesses said. The ship’s captain tried to move the boat into the middle of the sea. “Unfortunately, the ship, which was already full of water, accompanied by the passengers’ panic, lost stability and finally tilted until it sank,” investigators said. While everyone survived, questions are expected about safety measures and the seaworthiness of these and other vessels in Bali, which hosts millions of tourists. In 2024, Bali saw 6.3 million international tourists, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of 6.28 million in 2019, according to official data. The post 89 Tourists Survive Bali Boat Crash appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News LOS ANGELES, USA (Worthy News) – The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) moved in to end protests against a crackdown on immigrants staying illegally in the U.S. city. Special LAPD forces could be seen pushing back protesters who gathered following a series of surprise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. Federal agents executed four search warrants related to the suspected harboring of people illegally in the country at three locations in central Los Angeles, said Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of ICE. https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2025/06/LA-Riots.mp4 Some 44 people were “administratively arrested, “and one person was arrested for obstruction during Friday’s immigration action, she said. The crackdown is part of U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s plan to deport immigrants staying illegally in the United States, including those from Los Angeles. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, condemned the ICE raids, saying they were meant to “sow terror.” Trump disagrees with these sentiments, saying those who sow terror are illegal immigrants who include criminals, he says, who were allowed to leave prisons and mental institutions. REAL REFUGEES He also says that the United States will remain open to “real refugees” and those seeking asylum through official channels. Federal immigration authorities have been ramping up arrests across the country to fulfill President Trump’s promise of mass deportations. Tensions remained high in downtown Los Angeles into the evening after the LAPD declared an “unlawful assembly” and ordered around 200 protesters who remained gathered by the Los Angeles Federal Building to disperse around 7 p.m. local time. In the fashion district, agents served a search warrant at a business after they and a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy confirmed. Separately, videos showed federal agents running after people in the parking lot of the home improvement retailer Home Depot in the Westlake area, not far from downtown Los Angeles. A man recording the video could be heard warning people in Spanish that immigration officials were at the location and to stay away. Another raid occurred at a business in the Garment District near 9th and Towne streets, with agents in riot gear detaining workers at a clothing store as dozens of people began to gather outside, witnesses said. EGGS THROWN As workers were hauled off in handcuffs, throngs of people yelled at the agents and held up cellphones to record them, according to videos of the showdown. One person threw eggs at one of the vehicles as agents pushed members of the public back, the footage showed. In the street, immigrant-rights advocates stood on a truck bed, using megaphones to speak to the workers inside the store. They reminded them of their constitutional rights and instructed them not to sign anything or say anything to federal agents, the Los Angeles Times newspaper reported. They also told the agents that lawyers wanted access to the workers and sometimes called out specific names. “I want to talk to my clients, Luis Lopez and Michel Garcia. We are here,” one person could be heard saying in footage. “The community is here with you. Your family is here with you.” Local media reported that a third immigration operation also unfolded at a second Ambiance building in South L.A., near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. Legal representatives claimed detainees were being kept in rooms with no beds or blankets and that they had limited access to food and water. Footage seen by Worthy News showed protesters nearby shouting, “Let them free.” Todd Lyons, the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended his tactics against criticism that authorities are too heavy-handed. He said ICE is averaging “about 1,600 arrests per day” and that the agency has arrested “dangerous criminals.” Protests have also broken out in recent days in other cities, including at a restaurant in San Diego and in Minneapolis, when federal officials in tactical gear reportedly showed up in a Latino neighborhood for an operation they said was about a criminal case, not immigration. The post LA Police Ending Immigration Rights Protests (VIDEO) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief ROME/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The Italian Union of Jewish Communities (UCEI) has expressed concern about Saturday’s massive march in Rome, organized to protest against the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza amid Israel’s war against Hamas. Some 50,000 people were due to participate in the march, according to organizers. However, “We are concerned about the choice to defend only one people, the Palestinian people, and not the Israeli people too, with one flag and not two,” said UCEI President Noemi Di Segni in published remarks. “Although we understand the spirit that drives the organizers, we express strong concern and feel it is our duty to point out the shortcomings and inconsistencies,” he added in remarks published by Italy’s National Associated Press Agency (ANSA). “Nonetheless, we remain convinced that the ‘two peoples and two states’ option is still the goal we are morally obliged to achieve,” the ICEI leader stressed. “Hence the appeal to always show both flags, never just one.” There was no sign of that happening ahead of Saturday’s rally, when protesters dyed Rome’s iconic Acqua Paola fountain, known locally as “Fontanone,” red. Protesters entered the site, which featured in the opening scene of the Oscar-winning film The Great Beauty, holding banners calling for an end to the violence in Gaza. ‘BLOOD BATH’ Messages included “Stop the blood bath in Gaza” and “Stop Genocide”, urging an end to military trade deals and demanding immediate humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. Israel has strongly denied that it carries out genocide, saying Hamas fighters are using civilians as human shields. The war in Gaza broke out after Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry says that more than 54,000 people have died since the war broke out, without differentiating between combatants and civilians. Israel has given somewhat lower estimates and says about 20,000 Hamas fighters are among the dead. The war in Gaza has also been linked to growing incidents of antisemitism in Italy and other countries. Italy’s national coordinator for the fight against antisemitism has pledged to tackle hatred toward Jews after a report showed documented expressions of antisemitic hatred rose from 455 in 2023 to 877 last year. The annual report by the Antisemitism Observatory of the Contemporary Jewish Documentation Center Foundation, a Jewish community watchdog, said the increase was “unprecedented” in Italy’s post-World War II history. The post Italian Jews Concerned About Pro-Palestine March In Rome appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – The Trump administration has escalated its maximum pressure campaign on Iran with a sweeping new round of sanctions targeting its shadow banking network, as President Donald Trump warned that Tehran is “slowwalking” its nuclear decision and that a definitive answer must come “in a very short period of time.” The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and 27 entities across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong–accusing them of facilitating billions in illicit transactions that fund Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and sustain its regional terrorist proxies. “These networks are the financial arteries of the regime’s malign activities,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “They enable the sale of sanctioned oil, movement of funds, and corruption that fuels terrorism and threatens global security.” At the center of the targeted network are three Iranian brothers–Mansour, Nasser, and Fazlolah Zarringhalam–who allegedly operate a global web of front companies that function as a shadow banking system for the Iranian regime. Among the newly sanctioned are UAE-based firms Ace Petrochem FZE and Moderate General Trading LLC, both linked to the National Iranian Tanker Company. As sanctions tighten, President Trump made it clear the clock is ticking. In a post on Truth Social, he revealed details of his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” U.S. officials say nuclear negotiations remain stalled, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei refusing to curtail uranium enrichment. Iran’s program is reportedly nearing weapons-grade levels, a red line for Washington. “This is a final window for diplomacy,” said a senior White House official. “The President has made clear that all options remain on the table if Iran refuses to change course.” The Treasury Department noted that Iran’s shadow network uses exchange houses and shell companies–primarily in Hong Kong and the UAE–to generate fictitious invoices and bypass sanctions. These operations have long helped Tehran mask oil exports and finance groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. “Iranian whistleblowers have documented billions embezzled through these systems–robbing their own people while enriching regime elites,” Bessent said. With Russia signaling interest in mediating, and Trump pushing for a swift resolution, the coming days could mark a turning point in one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear standoffs. “We will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” Trump said flatly. “Not on my watch.” The post U.S. Unleashes New Sanctions on Iran’s Shadow Banking Network as Trump Warns: “Time Is Running Out” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Europe Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – Russia launched a massive overnight air assault on Friday, June 6, in one of the most intense attacks of the war, killing at least five civilians and injuring more than 70 across Ukraine. The barrage, which included over 450 drones and 45 missiles, caused widespread destruction in the capital Kyiv and at least eight other regions, Ukrainian officials confirmed. In Kyiv, four people were killed and more than 20 injured, including three emergency workers who died responding to fires triggered by missile strikes and falling debris. Blazes erupted in residential high-rises and near the city center, leaving over 2,000 households on the eastern bank without power. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces deployed Iranian-made Shahed drones and Iskander ballistic missiles. Of the 452 drones launched, roughly 200 were intercepted, along with 36 of the 45 missiles. Ukrainian defenses, including mobile fire teams, electronic warfare units, and anti-aircraft systems, were activated across the country. Beyond Kyiv, Volyn Oblast saw 15 injuries after drone strikes hit an apartment building, while Ternopil and Kherson each reported 10 injuries — including emergency responders. Additional damage and casualties were confirmed in Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy. The attack came just days after Ukrainian drones struck Russian bomber bases, reportedly damaging several aircraft. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of imminent retaliation during a call with U.S. President Donald Trump. “It’s probably not going to be pretty,” Trump said afterward. Hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, Trump compared the war to “two young children fighting on a playground,” saying, “Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart.” The Kremlin dismissed the analogy. “This is not child’s play. It is an existential issue,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, affirming that Russia’s actions are rooted in defending national interests and security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has proposed a 30-day cease-fire and direct talks with Moscow, condemned the assault as terrorism. “Russia is systematically targeting civilians,” said Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets, urging international action. Since the start of 2025, Russia has launched more than 27,700 aerial bombs, 11,200 Shahed drones, 9,000 strike drones, and over 700 missiles, according to Ukrainian officials. Friday’s strike, one of the largest coordinated air campaigns to date, underscores the ongoing escalation in a war now entering its third year. The post Russia Unleashes One of War’s Largest Air Assaults on Ukraine, Killing at Least Five appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – U.S. job growth decelerated in May as employers navigated continued uncertainty over trade policy and fiscal wrangling in Washington, according to data released Friday by the Labor Department. The economy added 139,000 jobs last month, down from a downwardly revised 147,000 in April, but still above economists’ median forecast of 126,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% for the third consecutive month, with 7.2 million Americans officially unemployed. The labor force shrank by about 600,000 people, while the number of employed workers tumbled by nearly 700,000 in the household survey, highlighting a growing disconnect with the payroll figures. Health care led job gains with 62,000 new positions, followed by leisure and hospitality (+48,000), and social assistance (+16,000). Federal government employment continued its decline, dropping 22,000 jobs in May and 59,000 since January. Revisions cast a shadow over the Trump administration’s recent labor market gains. April’s job growth was revised down by 30,000, while March was cut by 65,000 — part of a broader trend of downward revisions to monthly figures under President Trump. Despite the job gains, the employment-population ratio fell to 59.7%, and labor force participation dipped to 62.4%. The number of long-term unemployed fell to 1.5 million, but short-term joblessness jumped by 264,000 to 2.5 million. About 4.6 million people were working part-time involuntarily. In a bright spot, wages rose more than expected. Average hourly earnings increased 0.4% in May, with year-over-year gains holding at 3.9%. The average hourly wage climbed to $36.24 overall and to $31.18 for nonsupervisory employees. The latest data complicates the Federal Reserve’s path forward. Markets had hoped for rate cuts to resume soon, but May’s stronger-than-expected earnings data and labor market resilience may persuade the Fed to wait. The central bank is widely expected to hold its key interest rate at 4.25%-4.50% at its June meeting, with possible easing delayed until September or later. Ongoing policy shifts — including President Trump’s immigration crackdown and wavering tariff strategy — continue to weigh on business planning. Economists say many firms are “hoarding” workers despite the slowdown, bracing for instability around Trump’s tax-cut and spending proposals, which face resistance from both conservative lawmakers and billionaire Elon Musk. With the labor market cooling but not collapsing, the economy appears to be in a holding pattern — and so, too, may be the Fed. The post U.S. Job Growth Slows in May, Fed Expected to Hold Rates Steady Amid Uncertainty appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public service announcement Thursday warning of an elevated threat to Jewish communities across the United States, citing a surge in targeted violence linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The agencies expressed concern that extremist individuals and foreign terrorist organizations may exploit the war to incite violence on U.S. soil. “Foreign terrorist organizations also may try to exploit narratives related to the conflict to inspire attacks in the United States,” the joint statement said. “The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict may motivate other violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators with similar grievances to conduct violence against Jewish and Israeli communities and their supporters.” The warning follows two major attacks. On June 1, Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly attacked a peaceful pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, with Molotov cocktails and a homemade flamethrower. The crowd had assembled for Run for Their Lives, an event in solidarity with Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Soliman reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” before launching his attack, injuring more than a dozen people aged 52 to 88. One victim remains in critical condition. Authorities labeled the act a “targeted terror attack.” Soliman, whose visa–granted during the Biden administration–expired in March 2025, later told investigators he had planned the attack and specifically targeted a “Zionist group,” expressing a desire to see them dead. Just days earlier, on May 21, two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., after attending an event. The assailant, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was apprehended at the scene while shouting “Free, free Palestine.” Authorities believe he acted alone. The couple had planned to announce their engagement the following week. The rise in anti-Israel violence has already begun affecting major public events. One of the largest pro-Israel gatherings planned for 2025, The Israel Summit, has been indefinitely postponed due to escalating terror threats. Organizers were forced to cancel the summit just days before it was set to begin after losing access to a secure venue. The event was expected to draw over 1,000 attendees in person and thousands more via livestream. Its high-profile speaker lineup included members of the Israeli Knesset, former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, former members of Congress, prominent media figures, rabbis, IDF veterans, and survivors of the October 7 Hamas massacre. President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly reviewing visa security measures and domestic counterterrorism efforts in response to the attacks. National security officials say they are monitoring both foreign and domestic threats, including online incitement tied to Middle East conflict narratives. The FBI and DHS continue to urge the public to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. The post FBI, DHS Warn of Escalating Threats to Jewish Communities Amid Rising Attacks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – Israel has assured President Donald Trump that it will not carry out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities unless the White House concludes that negotiations with Tehran have failed, according to Israeli officials cited by Axios. The assurance comes amid growing concern inside the Trump administration that Israel might take unilateral action despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. President Trump recently warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching a premature attack, though he acknowledged that his position “could change with a phone call” if talks break down. Senior Israeli officials delivered the message of restraint during a visit to Washington last week by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad Director David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzahi Hanegbi. According to one official, the delegation emphasized that Israel would not blindside the administration with a military move. “We calmed the Americans and told them there is no logic in launching an attack if a good diplomatic solution can be found,” said one Israeli official. “We’re going to give it a chance and wait with any military action until it is clear that negotiations were exhausted and [White House envoy] Steve Witkoff has given up.” Although the Israel Defense Forces continue training for a potential strike, Israeli officials clarified that recent military activity–particularly preparations for operations against Houthi targets in Yemen–were misread by U.S. observers as signs of an imminent move against Iran. Despite Israel’s temporary restraint, Prime Minister Netanyahu made clear in private conversations and public remarks that Israel’s red line remains firm. “Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said. “Not now, not ever. That will not change.” Negotiations with Iran remain on uncertain footing. Trump accused Tehran of “slow-walking their decision” following remarks by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that criticized the U.S. proposal. The White House says Trump’s two-month deadline for a deal is set to expire next week. Adding a new dimension to the talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly joined the diplomatic push following a phone call with President Trump earlier this week. According to sources familiar with the call, Trump asked Putin to use his influence with Tehran to help salvage the deal, signaling a rare instance of cooperation between Washington and Moscow. Despite skepticism from Netanyahu about the likelihood of a diplomatic breakthrough, Israeli officials believe Iran may prolong negotiations to avoid collapse, potentially dragging talks out for several more months. For now, U.S. officials say no new round of talks is expected this weekend between envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The post Israel Pledges to Hold Fire on Iran While Trump Pursues Nuclear Talks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief BERLIN/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Eighty years after the end of the Holocaust, Germany is once again confronted with a “historic spike” in antisemitic incidents, according to government watchdog figures. Last year, 8,627 antisemitic cases–the highest annual figure ever documented–marked an 80 percent increase over the 2023 total, said Germany’s Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS). RIAS, which tracked such incidents nationally since 2018 and in Berlin since 2015, said the 2024 tally amounts to roughly 24 incidents per day, or one every hour. Of the 2024 incidents, eight were classified as involving “extreme violence,” including two Islamist terrorist attacks. One occurred in August in Solingen, where a supporter of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, killed three people and injured eight others in “revenge” for Palestinians and referencing the Israel-Hamas war. In September, on the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack, a suspected Islamist targeted the Israeli Consulate and the Munich Documentation Centre for the History of Nazism. Two people sustained minor injuries, and police fatally shot the attacker. It came as a shock for relatives and others remembering the 1972 Munich Olympics attack in which militants infiltrated the Olympics Village, killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team, and took nine other Israeli team members hostage. The militants later killed the other nine remaining hostages during a failed rescue attempt. Fast forward, RIAS noted 186 antisemitic assaults in 2024 that did not involve “extreme violence,” compared to 127 in 2023 and 58 in 2022. Yet investigators said that across Western Europe and beyond, antisemitic incidents surged following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were kidnapped. IIn response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza later that month saying it wants to destroy Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. The report highlighted a surge in rhetoric that downplays the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah in which some 6 million Jews died as well as others the German Nazis and their allies didn’t like. RIAS warned that pro-Palestine activists have equated Nazi desthcamp Auschwitz in Poland, where some 1 million Jews were murdered, with Gaza. They also adopt Hamas symbols, and glorify terrorism as resistance. In this distorted narrative, RIAS noted, “the Jews” are frequently portrayed as “the new Nazis.” The organization also reported a rise in far-right agitation against Jews. Gady Gronich, the Munich-based CEO of the Conference of European Rabbis, told Jewish Mews Syndicate (JNS) Wednesday that the report “is not surprising but wholly expected based on the reality we see on the street.” Jews in Berlin, where 28 percent of all the 2024 incidents were documented, generally avoid wearing kippahs unless they’re concealed under a hat or cap. Star of David pendants are often tucked under clothing, and “many parents” express concerns about sending their children to Jewish schools, Gronich told JNS. “The situation in Germany was uncomfortable before October 7, but it was still possible to lead an open Jewish life with minimal friction,” Gronich added. “Unfortunately, that is no longer the case for a large number of Jews in Germany.” In 2020, a demographic study estimated that Germany was home to approximately 118,000 people who identified as Jews. “Antisemitism has spread beyond immigrant communities and the far-right, reaching other radicalized Germans, particularly young people from the far-left, through social media,” Gronich said. He said however that authorities provide to his Conference of European Rabbis but added there was a lack of “Jewish and pro-Israel voices in Germany. The country has seen an influx of millions of migrants including from Muslim countries where Israel is frowned upon. The post ‘Historic Spike’ Of Antisemitism In Germany appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine was under an ongoing Russian ballistic missile and drone attack early Friday, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on air bases deep inside Russia. Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv, the capital, with ongoing strikes wounding at least three people, officials and witnesses said. Falling debris sparked fires across several districts as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming targets, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv City. Timestamped video footage seen by Worthy News confirmed that assessment. Three people were wounded, local officials said. They urged residents to seek shelter, including in an underground metro railway station. Worthy News observed that many, including men, women, and children, were anxiously awaiting the end of the massive strike on their city of 3 million people. Not everyone found a hiding place in time, including in Kyiv’s Solomyanskyi district, a transport hub for train and air traffic, where a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story residential building. EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY Emergency services evacuated three people from the apartment, and rescue operations were ongoing. Officials said another fire broke out in a metal warehouse. Elsewhere in the northern Chernihiv region, an Iran-made Shahed drone exploded near an apartment building, shattering windows and doors, according to regional military administration chief Dmytro Bryzhynskyi. He added that explosions from ballistic missiles were also recorded on the outskirts of the city. It came hours after U.S. President Donald J. Trump said Ukraine and Russia may need to keep fighting for a while. He compared the two warring neighboring nations to squabbling children in an armed conflict he once promised to end in a day. Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than a million people are believed to have been killed or injured on both sides. The post Ukraine Under Massive Russian Attack appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief WASHINGTON/BERLIN/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump praised Germany for spending more money on defense and, in a turnaround, pledged that he would not withdraw all remaining American troops from there. Trump spoke in the White House Oval Office with recently elected German Chancellor Frederich Merz sitting beside him. Part of their discussions was the ongoing war in Ukraine and how to prevent an outright transatlantic trade war over tariffs between the U.S. and Europe. Trump has agreed to delay 50 percent tariffs on goods from the European Union until July 9 unless a deal is struck. Contrary to previous chancellors, Merz said the Nordstream 2 natural gas pipeline project from Russia to Germany “was a mistake” and underscored Germany’s readiness to deepen ties with the United States. Trump recalled that he had told former German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he did not understand why she agreed to this multibillion-dollar pipeline with Russia, while the U.S. was defending Germany and Europe. This time, the German and U.S. leaders, both conservatives, avoided the verbal fireworks that marred recent visits by other foreign leaders to the White House, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Merz, 69, was reportedly briefed on how to handle Trump, especially during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office. At one point, Trump called Merz “difficult” but said it was meant as “a compliment” because he showed he stood up for the interests of Germany, Europe’s largest economy. ‘TERROR WAR’ “I’m here, Mr. President, to talk with you later on how we could contribute to that goal. And we all are looking for measures and for instruments to bring this terror war [in Ukraine] to an end,” Merz said. The two leaders met on the eve of the 81st anniversary of D-Day, when Americans and allies participated in the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began on June 6, 1944, with the Normandy landings and the liberation of France, followed by the rest of Western Europe, recalled Merz. “And may I remind you that we are having June 6 tomorrow. This is the D-Day anniversary when the Americans once ended a war in Europe,” Merz told Trump. “That was not a pleasant day for you,” Trump said, laughing. Merz seemingly corrected President Trump speaking about the meaning of the Allied victory over the Nazis in World War Two to modern-day Germans. The chancellor began to reply that it was indeed “not a pleasant day” before stopping himself to say: “In the long run, Mr. President, this was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship.” Merz continued saying by Germans know “what they owe to America” for liberating their country from the Nazis, telling Trump that the U.S. is “again in a very strong position” to help end Russia’s war by throwing steadfast support to Ukraine’s defensive efforts. “We know what we owe you, but this is the reason why I’m saying that America is again, in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war. So let’s talk about what we can do jointly, and we are ready to do what we can,” he said. NATO COMMITMENTS Asked if Germany is doing enough to meet its commitments to the NATO military alliance by spending a set percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense needs, Trump replied that he knows Germany is now “spending more money on defense now and quite a bit more money.” Merz has backed Trump’s demand for NATO members to commit to a target of more than doubling defence spending to 5 percent of economic output in the future, earning praise last weekend from U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Teump called the development “a positive thing” before referring to late American General Douglas MacArthur’s views of Germany, which started two world wars. “I’m not sure that General MacArthur would have said it’s positive, you know, he wouldn’t like it, but I sort of think it’s good,” Trump said. “He made a statement: ‘Never let Germany rearm.’ And I said, I always think about that. When he says, ‘Sir, we’re spending more money on defense,’ I say, ‘Oh, is that a good thing or a bad thing?’ I think it’s a good thing,” Trump stressed. “But you know, at least to a certain point, there’ll be a point where I say: ‘Please don’t arm anymore. If you don’t mind,” the American president added. Regarding Germany’s war past, Trump joked that the U.S. would be “watching” Germany’s rearmament efforts with “skepticism.” MANY TROOPS Tens of thousands of American troops in Germany will also be there to help watch the country’s militarization. Asked whether the U.S. would continue to base troops in Merz’s country, Trump replied: “The answer is yes,” despite his earlier pledge to withdraw them. “We’ll talk about that. But if they’d like to have them there, yeah,” he said. “We have a lot of them, about 45,000, it’s a lot of troops. It’s a city,” Trump explained, adding that their presence is good for Germany’s economy because they’re “highly paid” and “spend a lot of money” there. However, despite the smiles, handshakes, and even golfing in the White House, Thursday’s meeting’s success was not guaranteed. Merz publicly criticized Trump shortly before the 2024 presidential election and recently pushed back hard after Vice President JD Vance and others criticized Germany for classifying the Alternative für Germany (AFD) as an “extremist party” over its perceived far-right views. Yet that issue did not come up on Thursday and is now settled, Merz told broadcaster Fox News. However, he added that Germany was a mature, stable democracy with free speech rights and did not “need any lectures from outside.” The post Germany’s Chancellor And US President Mend Fences Ahead Of D-Day appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s ruling party has delayed a planned vote on Russian-style legislation that would fine and potentially ban foreign-funded media and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) deemed a “threat” to Hungarian sovereignty and culture. Wednesday’s announced decision followed weeks of protests, including Tuesday in Budapest and the European Union’s threat to remove Hungary’s voting rights through a so-called Article 7 procedure. Additionally, 90 editors-in-chief and publishers from across Europe, including newspapers The Guardian in Britain, Libération in France, and Gazeta Wyborcza in Poland, urged the EU to take action. They expressed concern about the so-called “Transparency Law” that critics compared to similar “foreign agent” legislation in autocratically ruled Russia. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s right-wing nationalist party, Fidesz, introduced a law last month allowing the government to monitor, penalize, and potentially ban organizations that receive foreign funding, including donations or EU grants. Any organization could be targeted if it was deemed to “threaten the sovereignty of Hungary by using foreign funding to influence public life.” BROAD VIEW Experts say the law takes a broad view of what constitutes a threat, describing it as acts undermining Hungary’s constitutional identity or Christian culture or challenging the primacy of marriage, the family, and biological sexes. Zoltán Kovács, a spokesperson for the Hungarian government, had said the bill had been introduced amid worries that foreign-funded organizations, primarily from the U.S. and Brussels, were shaping the country’s political discourse. The parliamentary vote on it had been expected to take place in mid-June. Despite critics likening the legislation to Russia’s “foreign agent” law, it was forecast to be passed by parliament as Fidesz holds a two-thirds majority. But on Wednesday, Fidesz’ parliamentary party leader, Mâté Kocsis, told local media that the vote would be postponed until autumn as the government had received several suggestions regarding the law. “We are united in our intentions, but there is still debate about the means,” he added on social media. Sources said several key ministers oppose the law, fearing a public backlash and EU retaliation via suspending Hungary’s voting rights. “There seems to be a division between technocrats, moderates, and hardliners,” noted Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi. CRACKDOWN FEARED Orbáb, in power since 2010, pledged in March to crack down on foreign funding of independent media, opposition politicians, and NGOs, whom he described as bugs needing a spring cleaning. Critics view the measures as part of a move to strengthen his position ahead of the 2026 elections when he faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opposition party, the Tisza, named after Hungary’s second-largest river. Tisza leader Péter Magyar, a former Fidesz insider, said the postponement of the law would enable the government to “squeeze even more” out of the proposed bill and “further divert attention from … the livelihood and housing crisis, Orbán’s galloping inflation and the destruction of education.” Rights activists celebrated the delay, with Amnesty International calling it a “huge joint success.” “Of course, we can only rest easy once this unlawful bill has been scrapped for good,” the group said on social media. “Unfortunately, one thing is certain: the government will not give up its attempts to silence independent voices, as has been its goal since 2010.” The government denies these allegations. The post Hungary Postpones ‘Russian-Style Foreign Agent Law’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief PARIS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The European Jewish Congress (EJC) has welcomed “the unanimous decision” by French legislators to posthumously promote a captain to the rank of brigadier general, 130 years after his wrongful conviction in “one of the most infamous antisemitic scandals in modern European history.” The French parliament on Monday, June 2, backed a bill that would promote Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army captain who was wrongly found guilty of treason in 1894 amid hatred toward Jews The lower house, Assemblée Nationale, unanimously approved the legislation as an act of reparation and a symbolic step in the fight against antisemitism in modern France. “This symbolic act is a meaningful gesture of historical justice. It honours the memory of a man whose loyalty to the French Republic never wavered, even as he became a target of hatred and falsehood,” said the ECJ, which claims to represent 42 national Jewish communities and 2.5 million Jews across Europe. “The Dreyfus Affair not only exposed the dangers of antisemitism and institutional bias, but also helped awaken public conscience in defence of truth and justice,” the group added. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who leads President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party, proposed the draft law. DEPUTIES IN FAVOR Observers said the promotion still needs to be approved by the upper house, Sénat, at a date that has yet to be fixed before it takes effect. All 197 deputies present voted in favor in the Assemblée. The rapporteur of the proposed law, Renaissance lawmaker Charles Sitzenstuhl, said the vote “will go down in history” and called on senators “to adopt the text quickly.” Dreyfus’s condemnation came amid rampant antisemitism in the French army and broader society in the late 19th century, legislators recalled, at a time of renewed growing alarm over hate crimes against Jews in the country. France has Europe’s biggest Jewish community and the world’s third-largest after Israel and the United States. “Promoting Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general would constitute an act of reparation, a recognition of his merits, and a tribute to his commitment to the Republic,” said Attal, who was France’s youngest prime minister during a spell in office that lasted less than eight months last year. “The anti-Semitism that hit Alfred Dreyfus is not a thing of the past,” stressed Attal, whose father was Jewish, adding that France must reaffirm its “absolute commitment against all forms of discrimination.” SECRET INFORMATION Dreyfus, a 36-year-old army captain from the Alsace region of eastern France, was accused in October 1894 of passing secret information on new artillery equipment to a German military attaché. The accusation was based on comparing handwriting on a document found in the Germans’ wastepaper basket in Paris. Dreyfus was put on trial amid a virulent anti-Semitic press campaign. But novelist Emile Zola then penned his famous “J’accuse” (“I accuse…”) pamphlet in support of the captain. Despite a lack of evidence, Dreyfus was convicted of treason, sentenced to life imprisonment in the infamous Devil’s Island penal colony in French Guiana, and publicly stripped of his rank. But Lieutenant Colonel Georges Picquart, head of the intelligence services, reportedly reinvestigated the case secretly and found that the handwriting on the incriminating message was of another officer, Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy. When Picquart presented the evidence to the French army’s general staff, he was driven out of the military and jailed for a year. At the same time, Esterhazy was acquitted, according to historical records. SECOND TRIAL In June 1899, Dreyfus was brought back to France for a second trial. He was initially found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison before being officially pardoned, though he was not cleared of the charges. Only in 1906, after lengthy legal wrangling, did the High Court of Appeal overturn the original verdict, exonerating Dreyfus. He was reinstated with the rank of major, served during World War I, and died in 1935, aged 76. French media reported that the bill’s backers believe that had Dreyfus been able to pursue his career under normal circumstances, he would have risen to the top of the French army. Sitzenstuhl has also suggested that Dreyfus could be entombed in the Panthéon, the Paris mausoleum reserved for France’s “greatest heroes.” Such a decision rests with President Macron. There has been a rise in reported attacks against members of France’s Jewish community since Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and the Israeli military responded with a devastating military offensive on the Gaza Strip. France’s Holocaust memorial, three Paris synagogues, and a restaurant were vandalized with paint overnight at the weekend, in what the Israeli embassy denounced as a “coordinated antisemitic attack.” The ECJ said that “At a time when antisemitism is once again rising across Europe, this recognition [of Dreyfus] sends a powerful message: that democracies must confront past injustices with clarity and integrity, and that no society is immune to the corrosive effects of prejudice.” The post European Jewish Congress Welcomes French Promotion Of Persecuted Officer appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic missile propellant from China to rebuild its arsenal and arm its terrorist proxy forces across the Middle East, according to the Wall Street Journal. The shipments—primarily ammonium perchlorate, a key component in solid-fuel missiles—are expected to arrive in the coming months, potentially fueling the production of up to 800 short-range ballistic missiles. The move comes as Iran ramps up pressure in nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration. President Donald Trump confirmed this week that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate a diplomatic resolution. “It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time!” Trump warned on a TruthSocial Post. Meanwhile, the U.S. has a significant military buildup in the Middle East, including the deployment of additional naval and air assets to deter Iranian aggression and protect regional allies. Defense officials say the deterrent posture is a direct response to Iran’s expanding missile activities and ongoing uranium enrichment. According to a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has amassed enough highly enriched uranium to build one nuclear bomb every month, potentially. The watchdog’s findings have escalated concerns in both Washington and Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Thursday that Israel “will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons,” calling Tehran’s missile buildup and enrichment progress an existential threat. U.S. intelligence suggests that some of the imported missile fuel will be transferred to Iranian-backed terrorist proxy groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq–forces that have previously targeted U.S. and Israeli interests. Iran is also attempting to reconstitute its regional militia network following setbacks from Israeli and American military operations in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen. Analysts say Iran’s domestic missile production remains constrained due to Israeli strikes last year on critical manufacturing infrastructure. While Tehran is working to repair the damage, officials believe the regime is increasingly reliant on foreign-sourced materials to avoid delays. The risk of mishandling these dangerous materials remains high. In April, a massive explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port–attributed to the IRGC’s Quds Force–killed dozens and reportedly destroyed part of a prior chemical shipment. Western officials view Iran’s renewed missile push as a calculated strategy to strengthen its regional posture while leveraging its nuclear program in ongoing negotiations. The next phase of diplomacy may be shaped not only by sanctions and enrichment levels, but by how close Iran is to turning material into missiles that can carry a warhead. PROPHECTICAL SIGNIFICANCE We’re approaching a significant historical milestone: the anniversary of Israel’s daring 1981 airstrike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, known as Operation Opera or Operation Babylon, carried out on June 7, 1981. Remarkably, this date closely aligns with another monumental event in Israeli history — the liberation of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, which began on June 5, 1967, and saw Israeli forces recapture the Old City by June 7. For many prophecy watchers, this convergence of dates is more than a historical coincidence — it is prophetic in nature. In biblical patterns, anniversaries often mark moments of divine intervention or turning points. Just as Israel acted preemptively in 1981 to prevent a hostile regime from acquiring nuclear weapons, and in 1967 reclaimed its ancient capital, some believe the first week of June could again hold significance for Israel and the region. With tensions escalating across the Middle East — from Iran’s expanding nuclear program to increasing hostility on Israel’s northern and southern borders — many are watching this timeframe closely. The alignment of past military victories and preventative actions with the current geopolitical climate is prompting renewed discussion about divine patterns, national destiny, and prophetic fulfillment. The post Iran Secures Chinese Missile Fuel to Boost Ballistic Arsenal, Re-Arm Regional Proxies appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article