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by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday handed down two emergency rulings that mark significant victories for President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reinstating its access to sensitive Social Security data and shielding it from intrusive document disclosures sought by a liberal watchdog group. In a pair of unsigned 6-3 orders, the conservative-majority Court sided with the Trump administration in cases that have drawn fire from Democrats, labor unions, and privacy advocates — and highlighted growing tensions over the expanding role of DOGE, the White House’s controversial initiative aimed at rooting out government waste and inefficiency. Victory One: DOGE Gains Access to Social Security Data The first ruling lifted a block imposed by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander of Maryland, who had halted DOGE’s access to Social Security Administration (SSA) databases in March. That preliminary injunction, extended in April, was upheld by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals — prompting Solicitor General D. John Sauer to appeal directly to the Supreme Court. The justices granted the emergency request, citing the government’s likelihood of success and arguing that any delay would hinder executive functions. The majority opinion concluded that DOGE may “proceed to afford members of the SSA DOGE Team access to the agency records in question in order for those members to do their work.” The ruling allows DOGE staffers, under acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, to resume their investigation into alleged fraud and inefficiency using personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers, earnings histories, and medical records. Dissenting justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor objected, warning of grave privacy implications and accusing the Court of granting special treatment to the administration. Jackson, writing for the dissent, condemned the decision for “jettisoning careful judicial decisionmaking and creating grave privacy risks for millions of Americans in the process.” Victory Two: Supreme Court Narrows FOIA Discovery Against DOGE In a second case, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) v. DOGE, the Supreme Court halted a discovery order issued by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in a FOIA-related lawsuit. CREW had sought internal records from DOGE, including staff rosters, terminated contracts, and a deposition of DOGE official John Gleason, as part of an effort to determine if DOGE qualifies as a federal agency subject to FOIA. While the D.C. Circuit had upheld the lower court’s discovery order, Chief Justice John Roberts referred the case to the full Court. The majority found the order overly broad and warned it could intrude on the constitutional separation of powers. The Court returned the case to the lower court with instructions to narrow the scope of discovery. DOGE argued that complying with the order would compromise executive confidentiality and disrupt internal deliberations. CREW, in response, vowed to continue its legal efforts, stating, “We look forward to continuing to litigate this case to ensure that the American people have open access to records showing how their government is being run.” Political Reactions Supporters of the Trump administration hailed the rulings as pivotal victories for transparency and efficiency in government operations. “Now we’re REALLY going to find some MASSIVE evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse,” conservative commentator Nick Sortor wrote on X. Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice, said the rulings are a welcome pushback against what he called “activist judges” attempting to obstruct the administration’s reforms. “This lawsuit is a classic example of the lawfare being waged to stop DOGE,” Levey told Townhall. Democrats, however, were alarmed. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) accused the Court of opening the door to massive privacy violations. “Your Social Security number. Your medical history. Your finances. All in the hands of unqualified, unelected — and unaccountable — officials,” Clark warned. Broader Context These decisions come amid a wave of litigation aimed at DOGE, a controversial unit once championed by former White House advisor Elon Musk. While Musk has since parted ways with the administration, DOGE continues its mission to overhaul bureaucratic inefficiencies — and remains a lightning rod for critics who question its oversight and legal status. The lawsuits reflect deeper tensions over the Trump administration’s executive reach and its use of emergency legal maneuvers to advance its agenda. Both rulings were part of the Court’s increasingly active emergency docket, where decisions are issued swiftly and often without the need for oral arguments. As the Court approaches the end of its term, these back-to-back victories have bolstered the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape how the federal government operates — and may set lasting precedents for executive authority in the digital age. The post Supreme Court Hands Trump Administration Two Key Wins for DOGE appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, O taste and see! Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! For many, God remains a theory—an idea borrowed from tradition, deduced from the cosmos, or tucked quietly into the corners of a creed. He is believed in from afar, but is rarely encountered. Even among believers, it’s not uncommon to live with a distant reverence for God while lacking a vibrant, personal communion with Him. But Scripture offers something radically more intimate. God is not an abstract concept or a distant force. He is a Person—a loving Father who walks with His children, speaks to them, and invites them into His presence. The invitation is not to believe in a shadow or serve a principle, but to know Him. To experience Him. To taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). This is not a poetic metaphor—it is the reality of the spiritual life. Just as we use our physical senses to engage the world around us, so we are equipped with spiritual faculties—quickened by the Holy Spirit—to perceive, respond to, and delight in God. His presence is not imaginary or symbolic. It is real—closer than the ground beneath our feet. Have you settled for knowing about God without truly knowing Him? Is your faith limited to forms and facts instead of fellowship? The door to His presence stands open—not just in the life to come, but right here, right now. Today, don’t settle for simply thinking about God. Taste and see that He is good. Reckon upon His reality—draw near in quiet trust and let your spiritual senses awaken. You were made for this: to encounter, enjoy, and walk with the living God. Friend, this is the kind of vibrant faith that births revival—not manufactured in crowds, but ignited in hearts that have truly tasted His goodness and seen His glory. When even one soul is set ablaze by the presence of the Living God, the spark can become a wildfire. May that flame rise in you today. May revival be fresh and new within you, rooted in a firsthand taste of the One who is altogether good. 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 The Mark of the Beast? The Tech Is Already Here In a major breakthrough for wearable technology and neurointerface development, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created an almost invisible brain sensor small enough to fit between human hair follicles and just beneath the skin. While hailed as a marvel of biomedical engineering, the technology has also sparked alarm among Bible prophecy watchers who see it as yet another sign that the infrastructure for the "mark of the beast" is rapidly falling into place. Czech Republic Jails Man Over ‘Russia-Ordered Arson Attacks’ A court in the Czech Republic’s capital sentenced a Colombian to eight years in prison on Monday for an arson attack and planning another one, amid concerns that Russia may be behind these and other attacks in Europe to sow division. Colombian Senator and Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe in Critical Condition After Assassination Attempt Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a leading opposition voice and declared candidate for the 2026 presidential election, is in critical condition after being shot three times--twice in the head--during a campaign event Saturday in Bogotá. IAEA Chief Warns Iran’s Nuclear Advancements Could Trigger Catastrophic Conflict, Backs Trump-Led Diplomacy The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has issued a grave warning about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating that the Islamic Republic’s continued obstruction of inspections has left the global community unable to confirm whether its nuclear program is peaceful—despite clear signs that it may be anything but. Ukraine Damages More Russian Aircraft; Poland Deploys Fighter Jets Ukraine’s military said Monday it damaged two fighter jets in a night-time raid on an airfield deep inside Russia as Kyiv sought to disrupt Moscow’s steady advances on the frontline and Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Trump Cautions Netanyahu as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Reach Critical Juncture U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program, urging caution as delicate negotiations with Tehran near a potential breaking point. 1,700-Year-Old Roman Sarcophagus Unearthed in Caesarea Reveals Mythical Drinking Contest Between Dionysus and Hercules In a stunning archaeological breakthrough, Israeli researchers have unearthed a 1,700-year-old Roman marble sarcophagus in the ancient port city of Caesarea, depicting a rare and detailed mythological scene: a drinking contest between Dionysus, the Roman god of wine, and the legendary hero Hercules. Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Ship, Shows Activists Raw Footage of Hamas Massacre Before Deportation Israeli forces bringing water and sandwiches for the crew intercepted an aid boat bound for Gaza while carrying Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists. Inside the United States Los Angeles in Chaos: ICE Protests Spiral into Riots as Trump Deploys National Guard, Marines on Standby What began as protests against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has devolved into days of violent riots across Los Angeles, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy thousands of National Guard troops, with U.S. Marines now placed on standby. Authorities say nearly 60 people were arrested over the weekend as downtown LA turned into a battlefield of looting, arson, and assaults on police officers. Supreme Court Hands Trump Administration Two Key Wins for DOGE The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday handed down two emergency rulings that mark significant victories for President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reinstating its access to sensitive Social Security data and shielding it from intrusive document disclosures sought by a liberal watchdog group. US Governor Urges Prayers As Storms Kill In South The governor of the U.S. state of Georgia has urged prayers after several people were killed by falling trees and tens of thousands were left without power as severe storms rolled through the South over the weekend. California Governor Demands Command As Marines Prepare Moving Into LA As darkness fell over riot-ridden Los Angeles, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, pleaded with American President Donald J. Trump to rescind his “unlawful” deployment of national guard troops in the U.S. city and return them to his command. Christian News 26,000 Baptized Across U.S. in Largest Mass Baptism Event in American History In a historic display of unity and spiritual awakening, more than 26,000 people were baptized across the United States on Pentecost Sunday, marking what organizers say is the largest synchronized baptism event in American history. Worthy Insights Sacrificial goat smuggled into Temple Mount, woman charged with animal abuse A severe indictment for animal abuse, conspiracy, and preparation to commit a crime was filed Monday against an 18-year-old woman who tried to smuggle a kid goat into the Temple Mount during Passover this year for the purpose of sacrificing an offering. Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Still Awaiting Justice 3 Years After Firebombing, Vandalism Spree The FBI has yet to solve at least five cases it opened into arson attacks targeting pro-life pregnancy centers in 2022, according to an investigation by the Daily Caller News Foundation. CS Lewis’ ‘The Screwtape Letters’ heading to big screen in adaptation from Max McLean C.S. Lewis’ bestselling book The Screwtape Letters is going to hit the big screen in a feature film from Max McLean, an acclaimed theater actor who has since spent much of his life adapting Lewis’ work for the stage. Spin Cycle: The ‘Mostly Peaceful’ Riots (Round Two) Leave Los Angeles In Flames Democrats and media talking heads spent Sunday morning attempting to downplay the violence and vandalism on display in Los Angeles, forcing Republican guests to defend President Donald Trump’s decision to call in the National Guard. View the full article

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, urging caution as delicate negotiations with Tehran near a potential breaking point. In a 40-minute call described by both sides as productive, President Trump confirmed that the United States has presented a “reasonable proposal” to Iran and expects a response within days. He reiterated to Netanyahu his administration’s preference for a diplomatic solution, warning against unilateral Israeli military action that could jeopardize the fragile progress. Following the call, Netanyahu convened a high-level security meeting behind closed doors, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar. The U.S. has reportedly issued repeated warnings to Jerusalem not to strike Iran while backchannel negotiations continue. Trump, speaking at a White House economic event, acknowledged the difficulty of the talks: “They’re tough negotiators. They want to enrich [uranium], and we can’t have enrichment. They’ve given us their thoughts on the deal, and I said it’s just not acceptable.” The latest round of indirect talks is scheduled to resume Sunday in Muscat, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. The central impasse remains Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment on its soil, which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared a “non-negotiable” national right. “No one is waiting for anyone’s permission,” Khamenei said. Trump, while firm in rejecting any deal that permits significant enrichment, emphasized his desire to avoid a violent confrontation. “We’re trying to make a deal so there’s no destruction and death,” he said. “I told Netanyahu this is not the time to escalate while we’re trying to resolve the issues.” According to senior U.S. officials, Trump has stressed to Netanyahu that “the second option is still on the table”–a reference to potential military action–but that diplomacy remains the preferred path. Tensions between the two leaders have occasionally surfaced in public, with Trump recently acknowledging he advised Netanyahu against undermining negotiations. “If we reach a deal with oversight–not trust–we can blow up a lab if needed, but without casualties. There’s a better way to do this,” Trump said. As the weekend approaches, the outcome of the next phase of U.S.-Iran talks remains uncertain, with Israel watching closely and preparing contingencies. Netanyahu’s security briefing suggests that while the Israeli government is aligned with Washington’s strategic concerns, it is unwilling to rule out independent action if diplomacy fails. The post Trump Cautions Netanyahu as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Reach Critical Juncture appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel has reignited theological and political debate after warning that modern technology–particularly artificial intelligence and global data systems–could provide the infrastructure for what the Bible calls the Antichrist. In a resurfaced October 2024 interview with Stanford’s Hoover Institution, Thiel suggested that Revelation’s Antichrist may not be a singular figure but a powerful system offering peace through totalitarian control. “The slogan of the Antichrist is ‘peace and safety,'” Thiel said, referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:3. “You have to imagine that it resonates very differently in a world where the alternative is Armageddon and the destruction of all things.” In "Part II: Apocalypse Now?," @UncKnowledge host @P_M_Robinson and @PeterThiel reflect on ancient prophecies, particularly the concept of the #Antichrist as outlined in biblical and literary sources. Drawing from thinkers such as Cardinal Newman and fiction by Vladimir Solovyov… pic.twitter.com/fiuroCw3e2 — Hoover Institution (@HooverInst) December 6, 2024 According to Thiel, the Antichrist system will not appear overtly evil. Still, it will likely present itself as hyper-Christian or morally superior, only to ultimately oppose true faith through centralized power. “In some ways, the Antichrist copies Christ… and then maybe only ultimately, deeply anti-Christian,” he said. Thiel, who helped co-found PayPal and later the controversial data analytics firm Palantir, connected biblical prophecy to modern geopolitical shifts and the weaponization of fear. Citing early 20th-century portrayals of the Antichrist by writers like Soloviev and Benson, Thiel noted the “plot hole” in how such a figure gains control. His answer: existential threats and advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and nuclear weapons. Palantir and the Machinery of Control Thiel’s comments take on added weight considering Palantir’s central role in AI-driven surveillance. The company has grown into a government-embedded titan. From helping track terrorists in Iraq to developing predictive policing tools for U.S. cities, Palantir’s reach spans military, medical, and municipal sectors. Its AI systems — Gotham and Foundry — are now used to detect threats, automate logistics, and analyze personal data on a massive scale. Civil rights groups say such tools disproportionately target minorities, strip privacy protections, and create a permanent “dragnet society.” AI, the State, and a Prophetic Crisis Critics argue that Thiel’s ventures contribute to laying the groundwork for the very global apparatus he warns about. Palantir’s Tiberius platform managed vaccine data during Operation Warp Speed, tracking populations and enabling real-time distribution analysis for COVID-19 injections. The company has since expanded into education, immigration, and welfare systems, triggering concerns about the creation of a pan-agency surveillance infrastructure. The controversy intensified with President Donald Trump’s March executive order, mandating data sharing across federal agencies — an initiative for which Thiel was tapped to help implement. Some view the order as laying the foundation for a national surveillance state run through Palantir’s Foundry platform. House Republicans embedded a controversial provision in the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would block state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence for a full decade. Supporters, including Speaker Mike Johnson, argue the measure is necessary to prevent a confusing “patchwork of 50 laws,” but critics say it dangerously undermines state sovereignty. Representative Thomas Massie sounded the alarm on X, writing, “The Big Beautiful Bill contains a provision banning state & local governments from regulating AI. It’s worse than you think.” The Big Beautiful Bill contains a provision banning state & local governments from regulating AI. It’s worse than you think. It would make it easier for corporations to get zoning variances, so massive AI data centers could be built in close proximity to residential areas. pic.twitter.com/w7pLJLq4nZ — Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 5, 2025 Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who voted for the bill, later admitted she hadn’t read the clause and said she would have opposed it if she had. “This is a poison pill,” Greene told Fox News. “We are no different than China if we tie our states’ hands for 10 years.” She also warned the lack of regulation could lead to massive job loss and economic disruption as AI technology accelerates. The Third Way When Thiel was asked about the quote, “The more probable the apocalypse becomes, the less we talk about it. Therefore, we have to awaken our sleeping consciences,” he didn’t take it lightly. “And I thought, this is not a game for Peter,” the interviewer noted. “You are taking this seriously.” Thiel responded, “What I hope to retrieve is a sense of the stakes, of the urgency of the question. The stakes are really, really high.” He expressed concern that so few people today are even thinking about the Antichrist. “It seems very dangerous that we’re at a place where so few people are concerned about the Antichrist,” he said. “Yeah, it’s all the reasons we… all the reasons we’ve gone through.” Thiel critiqued the binary framing often presented to the public—Antichrist or Armageddon. “That framing… we can envision a third way, right?” he said. “One world or none—that’s pretty hard to envision a third way. And so that’s where I think biblical language, it sounds crazier, but it’s actually more hopeful. ‘One world or none’—those are the two options.” He continued, “We have a human self-government or human self-destruction. It’s a choice of two incredible evils.” But Thiel emphasized that it doesn’t have to be that way. “I don’t think these things are predestined. I’m not a Calvinist,” he clarified. “I always believe there’s a space for human agency—for us to shape history. And the first step has to be not to bury our heads in the sand—or whatever the equivalent is.” The post Peter Thiel Warns of “Antichrist System” Rising Through Global Tech and AI Surveillance appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – A court in the Czech Republic’s capital sentenced a Colombian to eight years in prison on Monday for an arson attack and planning another one, amid concerns that Russia may be behind these and other attacks in Europe to sow division. Prague’s Municipal Court also ordered Andrés Alfonso de la Hoz de la Cruz to pay damages worth 115,000 koruna ($5,300). Trial observers said the court approved a plea agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, who pleaded guilty. The 26-year-old Colombian was detained a year ago after setting ablaze three Prague public buses at a depot at night, authorities said. The court said that he had recorded what he had done and had left. Local workers reportedly managed to extinguish the fire. The court agreed with the prosecution that the man “received orders” on the social media platform Telegram and was promised $3,000. He was also planning one more attack, possibly at a movie theater in Prague, according to investigators. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala previously said the failed arson attack was “likely part of Russia’s hybrid war” against his country. He and others allege the disruption campaign is an extension of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war, “to sow division in European societies and undermine support for Ukraine.” Czechia, more widely known in English as the Czech Republic, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion launched on February 24, 2022. Despite the ongoing war, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said ahead of the ruling that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be “warmly welcome” in Hungary. The post Czech Republic Jails Man Over ‘Russia-Ordered Arson Attacks’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The governor of the U.S. state of Georgia has urged prayers after several people were killed by falling trees and tens of thousands were left without power as severe storms rolled through the South over the weekend. “Join us in praying for the loved ones of a Georgian tragically lost tonight due to the severe storms,” Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote on social media. Besides Georgia, at least one more person was killed in the state of Mississippi, its Governor Tate Reeves said, adding that the person was killed in Lafayette County when a tree fell on a vehicle. The storms downed trees and powerlines and brought heavy rainfall, hail, and gusty winds as they pushed through the region. Nearly 150,000 people across southern states from Texas to South Carolina were without power Sunday morning, according to authorities. The National Weather Service said a tornado damaged multiple homes and injured one person Friday in the city of Van Buren in western Arkansas. Local authorities said another round of severe weather was due to push through the southern Plains and the South late Sunday evening and Monday. The highest risk for severe weather is in southwest Oklahoma and northern Texas. The National Weather Service said destructive wind gusts of up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour, giant hail up to five inches in diameter, and a few tornadoes are likely. The post US Governor Urges Prayers As Storms Kill In South appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a leading opposition voice and declared candidate for the 2026 presidential election, is in critical condition after being shot three times–twice in the head–during a campaign event Saturday in Bogotá. The attack took place in a public park in the capital’s Fontibón neighborhood while Uribe, 39, was addressing supporters. Panic erupted as shots rang out, and graphic videos circulating on social media show a bloodied Uribe on the ground as bystanders rushed to stop the bleeding. He was airlifted to the Santa Fe Foundation Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for head and leg wounds. Hospital officials confirmed Sunday that Uribe remains in intensive care in extremely serious condition. A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene. According to Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, the youth was carrying a 9mm Glock-style firearm and was shot in the leg by police during the pursuit. Authorities are now focused on determining who may have ordered or financed the attack. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez called it a “vile attack” and announced a reward of 3 billion pesos (approximately $730,000) for information leading to others involved. “We will not rest until those behind this are brought to justice,” he said. President Gustavo Petro, addressing the nation, acknowledged his political differences with Uribe but urged Colombians to unite in prayer and support for the senator’s recovery. “What matters most today is that all Colombians focus with the energy of our hearts… on ensuring that Dr. Miguel Uribe stays alive,” Petro said. Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, also issued a statement pleading for prayer: “Miguel is currently fighting for his life. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him.” The attempted assassination sent shockwaves through Colombia, a nation still grappling with a long history of political violence. Uribe is affiliated with the conservative Centro Democrático party, founded by former President Álvaro Uribe (no relation), and has been a vocal critic of the Petro administration. His party condemned the shooting as a direct attack on “democracy and freedom in Colombia.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded sharply, calling the shooting a “direct threat to democracy” and pointing blame at what he described as “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.” Uribe comes from a prominent political family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by men working under Pablo Escobar’s Medellín cartel and died in a failed rescue attempt in 1991. His father was a businessman and union leader with ties to Colombia’s historic Liberal Party. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, visibly emotional, warned that the country must not return to “times when violence was used to eliminate those who thought differently.” Candlelight vigils have since formed outside the hospital, with supporters praying and waving Colombian flags. With investigations ongoing and the motive still unclear, the incident has rekindled fears of Colombia’s dark past and threatens to reshape the country’s political landscape as it approaches the 2026 election. The post Colombian Senator and Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe in Critical Condition After Assassination Attempt appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a leading opposition voice and declared candidate for the 2026 presidential election, is in critical condition after being shot three times–twice in the head–during a campaign event Saturday in Bogotá. The attack took place in a public park in the capital’s Fontibón neighborhood while Uribe, 39, was addressing supporters. Panic erupted as shots rang out, and graphic videos circulating on social media show a bloodied Uribe on the ground as bystanders rushed to stop the bleeding. He was airlifted to the Santa Fe Foundation Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for head and leg wounds. Hospital officials confirmed Sunday that Uribe remains in intensive care in extremely serious condition. A 15-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene. According to Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, the youth was carrying a 9mm Glock-style firearm and was shot in the leg by police during the pursuit. Authorities are now focused on determining who may have ordered or financed the attack. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez called it a “vile attack” and announced a reward of 3 billion pesos (approximately $730,000) for information leading to others involved. “We will not rest until those behind this are brought to justice,” he said. President Gustavo Petro, addressing the nation, acknowledged his political differences with Uribe but urged Colombians to unite in prayer and support for the senator’s recovery. “What matters most today is that all Colombians focus with the energy of our hearts… on ensuring that Dr. Miguel Uribe stays alive,” Petro said. Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, also issued a statement pleading for prayer: “Miguel is currently fighting for his life. Let us ask God to guide the hands of the doctors who are treating him.” The attempted assassination sent shockwaves through Colombia, a nation still grappling with a long history of political violence. Uribe is affiliated with the conservative Centro Democrático party, founded by former President Álvaro Uribe (no relation), and has been a vocal critic of the Petro administration. His party condemned the shooting as a direct attack on “democracy and freedom in Colombia.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded sharply, calling the shooting a “direct threat to democracy” and pointing blame at what he described as “violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government.” Uribe comes from a prominent political family. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped in 1990 by men working under Pablo Escobar’s Medellín cartel and died in a failed rescue attempt in 1991. His father was a businessman and union leader with ties to Colombia’s historic Liberal Party. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, visibly emotional, warned that the country must not return to “times when violence was used to eliminate those who thought differently.” Candlelight vigils have since formed outside the hospital, with supporters praying and waving Colombian flags. With investigations ongoing and the motive still unclear, the incident has rekindled fears of Colombia’s dark past and threatens to reshape the country’s political landscape as it approaches the 2026 election. The post Colombian Senator and Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe in Critical Condition After Assassination Attempt appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – In a stunning archaeological breakthrough, Israeli researchers have unearthed a 1,700-year-old Roman marble sarcophagus in the ancient port city of Caesarea, depicting a rare and detailed mythological scene: a drinking contest between Dionysus, the Roman god of wine, and the legendary hero Hercules. This marks the first time such a motif has been discovered on a burial coffin in Israel, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), and provides a vivid glimpse into Roman beliefs about death and the divine. The sarcophagus was discovered during excavations led by the IAA in partnership with the Caesarea Development Corporation. Initially concealed beneath dunes outside the known city walls, the sarcophagus was gradually revealed, with archaeologists uncovering finely carved figures of gods, animals, and trees. The climactic moment came when a fully intact side of the marble coffin was unearthed, portraying Hercules sprawled on a lion skin, wine cup in hand, visibly overcome in the contest. “It was like a scene out of a movie,” said archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit. “Every fragment we uncovered added a new layer of beauty and meaning.” The sarcophagus was later restored by a skilled team of conservators, including Solomon Gavriel, Ilya Armanovsky, Gadmo Vajpo, and architect Ido Rosental. Once cleaned and assembled, the coffin revealed Dionysus at the center of a lively procession, accompanied by Maenads (his female followers), satyrs, Hermes, Pan, and wild beasts such as lions and tigers — all of which accompanied the deceased into the afterlife with dancing and celebration. A God of Wine, Madness, and Mystery Dionysus (known to the Greeks as Bacchus) was not only the god of wine and pleasure, but also of ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and rebirth. Widely worshiped throughout the Greco-Roman world, Dionysus was a symbol of both joyous liberation and chaotic excess. In Roman funerary art, his imagery often served to express freedom from earthly constraints and the soul’s passage into another realm. “While Dionysian processions are commonly found in mosaics from the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, such as those in Zippori and Antioch, this specific scene of a wine-drinking contest with Hercules has never been found carved on a sarcophagus in this region,” explained Shahar. “The symbolism is clear: death is not the end — it is a transition, even a celebration.” Echoes in Modern Culture: Dionysus at the 2024 Olympic Games The imagery of Dionysus continues to provoke cultural conversation even in modern times. During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a controversial reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper was presented, in which Dionysus replaced Jesus at the center of the table. Flanked by classical gods and symbols of pleasure, the performance drew sharp criticism from Christian communities around the world, who viewed the spectacle as blasphemous. Organizers defended it as a celebration of ancient mythology and artistic freedom, highlighting Dionysus’s role as a figure of inclusion and transformation. The juxtaposition of Dionysus with themes of death, rebirth, and modern reinterpretation echoes the very symbolism captured on the Caesarea sarcophagus. The ancient Romans saw such mythological imagery not as fantasy, but as theology — a deeply held belief in the soul’s journey through wine, revelry, and divine encounter. Rediscovering Caesarea’s Forgotten Edges The sarcophagus was found in an area outside the traditionally excavated city limits of Caesarea, prompting archaeologists to rethink the city’s true extent. “The space leading into the city appears to have been much wider and richer in archaeological material than we previously understood,” said Shahar. Caesarea, founded by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BCE, was once a bustling Roman harbor and administrative center. It later became a major Byzantine city before declining under early Islamic rule. Eli Escusido, Director of the IAA, emphasized the discovery’s cultural and spiritual depth. “This remarkable find invites us into the Roman worldview, where myth, art, and belief shaped even the most solemn aspects of life — including death.” Public Unveiling The restored sarcophagus will be presented publicly on June 12, 2025, at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv during “The Feast” academic conference. Co-hosted by the IAA, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University, the event will explore themes of food, festivity, and funerary rituals in ancient cultures, making this discovery a fitting centerpiece. “This is more than an artifact,” Escusido said. “It’s a conversation across centuries — between the living, the dead, and the gods they hoped to meet.” The post 1,700-Year-Old Roman Sarcophagus Unearthed in Caesarea Reveals Mythical Drinking Contest Between Dionysus and Hercules appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israeli forces bringing water and sandwiches for the crew intercepted an aid boat bound for Gaza while carrying Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that it detained the Madleen early Monday along with all its passengers, and diverted the vessel to Israel. Thunberg, the famed autistic climate activist-turned-pro-Palestine-warrior from Sweden, was seen smiling as a female Israeli soldier handed her a sandwich and a bottle of water, footage showed. On social media, commentators were quick to point out that she had received “more supplies than Gaza hostages [may] get in a month in the dungeons from Hamas.” However, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said the Israeli military had “attacked” and “unlawfully boarded” the “Madleen,” which was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. A video from the ministry posted on the social media platform X showed an Israeli Navy officer engaging with the approaching “selfie yacht”. “The Israeli Navy is currently communicating with the “selfie yacht”. Using an international civilian communication system, the Israeli Navy has instructed the “selfie yacht” to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area,” the Israel Foreign Ministry said. CLOSED TO TRAFFIC The video showed a Navy officer telling them that the maritime area of the Gaza coast is closed to traffic. She instructed the activists on board to deliver aid through established channels. The vessel was due to arrive in the Israeli port city of Ashdod, and the activists were expected to be released later. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for the “protection” of the activists’ safety, while a United Nations official asked for more ships to “sail together” to “bring aid” to Gaza, despite Israel saying it provides aid through official channels. The Israel Foreign Ministry said the passengers were “safe and unharmed” and had been provided sandwiches and water. “The show is over,” the ministry said. Israel had vowed to stop the so-called Freedom Flotilla Coalition in the days leading up to its arrival. Thunberg, 22, set sail aboard the Madleen last week, hoisting a Palestinian flag with 11 other activists, including “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassa, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent. AIMING FOR GAZA The group said its aim was to reach the shores of the Gaza Strip, bring in some aid, and raise awareness of the “humanitarian crisis” there. However, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs said the aid on the ship was less than a single truckload. “The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the ministry said. Millions of meals have already been distributed through the Israel and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), officials say, despite reported Hamas death threats. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to screen raw footage of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 Jews, before they are being deported. “The world must not forget what happened,” Katz said. “Anyone seeking to ‘help Gaza’ must first confront the barbarity unleashed by Hamas.” The disturbing footage reportedly included graphic scenes of civilians—some of them children—being slaughtered and mutilated, their bodies piled together in a grotesque mass of human carnage. The screening was intended to confront the activists with the human cost of Hamas terrorism before they are deported. Some social media commentators suggested that they hope Thunberg and other activists will open the eyes to the suffering that sparked Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. ABANDONING CLIMATE CAUSE? “Now that Greta Thunberg’s flotilla is approaching its destination, it’s worth pointing out that the 22-foot (6.70-meter) yacht carrying 12 people isn’t promoting anything besides PR for Greta herself, who, having abandoned the climate cause once it went out of style, is now chasing something trendier,” wrote Ella Kenan, founder of the BrightMind enterprise, a travel content creator. Kenan, who said she was “fortunate enough to have traveled to 83 countries and see the world,” added that the boat “carries no humanitarian aid, nor anything that actually helps the people of Gaza.” “How sad is it that all that remains of a young girl who once wanted to change the world is a performance of provocation and two-cent moral superiority?” Kenan noted. However, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry counters that Israel’s war in Gaza, sparked by the massacre and abduction of 251 others from Israel, has killed more than 54,000 people. It does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in the death toll provided. Israel and other sources estimate that about 20,000 Hamas fighters were killed. Hamas has also been accused of using civilians as “human shields” and not providing adequate air raid shelters, which they instead turned into military tunnels. The post Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Ship, Shows Activists Raw Footage of Hamas Massacre Before Deportation appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos. Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News LOS ANGELES, USA (Worthy News) – As darkness fell over riot-ridden Los Angeles, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, pleaded with American President Donald J. Trump to rescind his “unlawful” deployment of national guard troops in the U.S. city and return them to his command. Newsom’s plea came while the military confirmed that some 500 U.S. Marines in southern California were “prepared to deploy” to Los Angeles if the Trump administration directed them to do so. The U.S. Northern Command said in a statement that Marines from Twentynine Palms, California, about a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, are in “prepared to deploy status should they be necessary to augment and support the [Department of Defense] DoD’s protection of federal property and personnel efforts”. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier discussed deploying American Marines to the streets of Los Angeles, the state’s most populous city, to quell the protests. Newsom described deploying the military in the city of nearly 4 million people as “deranged”. There are currently roughly 300 members of the California National Guard deployed in Los Angeles, and the Trump administration has placed 2,000 soldiers under federal command. However, late Sunday, Newsom called the deployment “a serious breach of state sovereignty”. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom said in a post on the social media platform X monitored by Worthy News. “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California.” GOVERNORS CONDEMNATION Earlier, he and several other Democratic governors condemned Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard as an “alarming abuse of power.” They write, “Governors are the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard, and the federal government activating them within their own borders without consulting or working with a state’s governor is ineffective and dangerous.” However, Trump has questioned Newsom’s ability to govern California, which has seen riots as well as massive, deadly fires earlier this year. The latest protests and related riots began Friday when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executed search warrants at multiple locations, including outside a clothing warehouse in the city’s fashion district, Worthy News reported at the time. Representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office said a judge agreed there was “probable cause” that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers. Advocates for immigrants’ rights said there were also migration detentions outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop. 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. SCORES DETAINED Some 44 people were “administratively arrested,” and one person was arrested for obstruction during Friday’s immigration action, she added. Yet a tense scene unfolded as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away with what authorities said were immigrants staying illegally in the United States, in which at least one journalist was injured. Nick Stern, a British news photographer based in Los Angeles, is set to undergo emergency surgery for a wound sustained during the standoff between police and anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles on Saturday. Stern said that he was covering the anti-ICE protest when what doctors believe to be a ‘sponge bullet’ hit his thigh The journalist told British media he had been covering the protest near a branch of Home Depot in Paramount, where immigrant workers are typically hired for day work, when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. “I’m walking around taking photos, and was untouched until around 9 pm. I was walking across the road when I felt a mighty pain in my leg. I put my hand down and felt a lump kind of sticking out of the back of my leg,” he recalled. Stern believes he was likely hit by a non-lethal round that deputies were using along with flash-bang stun grenades for crowd control. PEOPLE SUPPORTIVE “People came over to help and got me on the curb. A medic was called, who cut off my clothes. In my leg was what felt like a five-centimeter hole with muscle hanging out of it and blood all down my leg. The medic put a tourniquet on it, and a journalist I was with took me to [the Emergency Room] ER.” In a separate incident, an Australian television journalist was hit in the leg by a nonlethal round Sunday while reporting live from downtown Los Angeles on the large-scale protests. Video of the incident released by 9News showed correspondent Lauren Tomasi, microphone in hand, reporting live when an officer behind her suddenly raised their firearm and fired a nonlethal round at close range. Tomasi, who did not appear to be wearing personal protective equipment, cried out in pain and clutched her lower leg as she and her cameraman quickly moved away from the police line. “You just (expletive) shot the reporter,” a voice off-camera can be heard shouting. Tomasi assured her crew she was okay: “Yeah, I’m good, I’m good.” The shooting came after a tense afternoon in which Tomasi and her crew were caught between riot police and protesters. President Trump had pledged to deport those who stay or enter the United States “illegally,” especially members of crime groups. However, critics of the policy view the actions as often racist and politically motivated, charges strongly denied by Trump. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the ICE actions, saying that “as a proud city of immigrants, we will not stand for tactics that sow terror in our communities.” President Trump responded by calling Bass and Newscom “incompetent.” He has said that their “sanctuary policies” for “illegal immigrants” enable 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 his Truth Social media platform. “MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.” Yet while authorities urged calm, there were no signs yet that Los Angeles would return to a sense of normalcy. The post California Governor Demands Command As Marines Prepare Moving Into LA appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief (Worthy News) – The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has issued a grave warning about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating that the Islamic Republic’s continued obstruction of inspections has left the global community unable to confirm whether its nuclear program is peaceful—despite clear signs that it may be anything but. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), revealed Monday that Tehran has denied access to key nuclear sites, erased evidence of illicit activity, and failed to provide credible explanations for traces of enriched uranium found at undeclared facilities in Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad. “The agency found man-made uranium particles at these locations and has sought answers from Iran for years,” Grossi said. “Instead, Iran has sought to sanitize the sites, which has significantly impeded our ability to verify the peaceful nature of their program.” The IAEA recently reported that Iran increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% by nearly 35% in just three months. The stockpile now exceeds 400 kilograms—enough material, experts say, to potentially produce up to ten nuclear warheads. This places Iran just a technical step away from full nuclear breakout capability. Amid these developments, Iran has rejected a nuclear proposal submitted by the Trump administration aimed at halting Tehran’s enrichment program. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly dismissed the offer, while parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed it lacked any promise of sanctions relief. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Tehran plans to present a counterproposal “via Oman” and insisted it would be “reasonable, logical, and balanced.” According to multiple sources, President Donald Trump gave Iran until June 11 to accept a deal that includes full cessation of enrichment beyond civilian levels and unrestricted inspections. The White House has not officially confirmed the deadline, but officials familiar with the matter say the administration is taking a firm, time-sensitive approach. Speaking with The Financial Times, Grossi acknowledged the risk of war if diplomacy fails. “Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon at this moment, but it has the material,” he said. “If there is a failure in negotiation, this will imply most probably military action.” Grossi emphasized that Iran’s advanced centrifuges are located deep underground in fortified facilities, making them difficult to eliminate even in a military strike. “The most sensitive things are half a mile underground — I’ve been there many times,” he said. “You take a spiral tunnel down, down, down.” Israel, which views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, has made clear it is prepared to strike. Following a major Iranian missile barrage against Israeli territory in October 2024—intercepted with no casualties—Israel retaliated by destroying Iran’s S-300 missile defense systems, leaving its nuclear infrastructure more vulnerable to potential F-35 strikes. Grossi, however, expressed hope that the renewed U.S.-Iran talks under President Trump could yield a viable diplomatic solution. He praised Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, calling him “extremely serious” and credited the current administration for jumpstarting negotiations that had stalled under the previous Biden administration. “The effect of a stabilized situation in Iran with regard to its nuclear program will be immediate and bring the Middle East one big step closer to peace and prosperity,” Grossi said. In a report presented to the IAEA Board of Governors, Grossi detailed Iran’s systematic evasion of oversight, including the disconnection of surveillance cameras and the expulsion of inspectors since 2021. He confirmed that Tehran halted implementation of modified Code 3.1, violating its legal obligations under its Safeguards Agreement. Grossi added that the uranium particles found at the undeclared sites, coupled with Iran’s pattern of concealment, confirm the existence of a structured, undeclared nuclear weapons program dating back to the early 2000s. Despite these alarming trends, Grossi reiterated his support for diplomacy, anchored by strict IAEA verification, to resolve the standoff. “I will continue to support and encourage the U.S. and Iran to spare no effort and exercise wisdom and political courage to bring this to a successful conclusion,” he said. As President Trump pushes for a tougher, enforceable nuclear deal, the world watches closely. The coming days may determine whether the Middle East edges closer to peace—or a catastrophic confrontation. IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS CONNECTED TO PROPHECY? While the West often views Iran’s nuclear program through a secular lens, the spiritual aspect, which plays a central role in driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, should not be overlooked. Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi’ism is the state religion. Twelver Shīʿism, the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam, makes up about 85% of Shīʿas. “Twelver” signifies belief in twelve divinely appointed leaders, the Twelve Imams, with the last, Imam al-Mahdi, expected to return as the Mahdi. Twelvers see the Imams as Muhammad’s spiritual and political successors, guiding with justice and interpreting the inner meanings of the Qur’an and Islamic law. They are viewed as infallible (Ismah) and divinely chosen (nass). The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is expected to appear in times of extreme chaos, returning alongside Jesus as a messiah to bring peace and establish Islam globally. Twelver beliefs, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and threats toward Israel and the West have raised concerns. Critics suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader might incite conflict to hasten the 12th Imam’s arrival. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has even called for the Imam’s return at the UN, asserting that the Islamic Revolution’s primary goal is to prepare for his reappearance. The post IAEA Chief Warns Iran’s Nuclear Advancements Could Trigger Catastrophic Conflict, Backs Trump-Led Diplomacy appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s military said Monday it damaged two fighter jets in a night-time raid on an airfield deep inside Russia as Kyiv sought to disrupt Moscow’s steady advances on the frontline and Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. Special operations forces were said to have launched an assault on the Savasleyka airfield, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, about 400 miles (640 kilometers) from the Ukrainian border. The strike came a week after Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, when drones struck Russia’s nuclear-capable bombers, in what was seen as an embarrassment for the Kremlin. Yet Russia made clear it remains a force to be reckoned with, launching what Kyiv described as the “most extensive drone attack” to date against Ukraine overnight. A record 479 drones and 20 missiles were reportedly fired, targeting military infrastructure and cities across the country. A key target was a military airfield near Dubno, in western Ukraine — dangerously close to the Polish border, prompting Poland to deploy fighter planes early Monday to secure its airspace. The Polish military said the move was a precaution amid rising fears that debris — or worse —of the missile and drone attacks could cross into NATO military alliance territory. AIR SIRENS The announcement followed air raid sirens sounding throughout Ukraine during the night, leaving millions on edge. The action highlights the growing fear that the war could spill over into neighboring countries, such as NATO member states Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania, as well as the non-NATO nation of Moldova. Ukraine’s air defenses claimed to have intercepted 460 drones and 19 missiles, including four hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. Still, debris fell in at least 17 regions, and explosions were reported at ten sites, leaving many civilians shaken and local services scrambling to assess damage, witnesses said. Though Ukraine also claimed successful strikes in return, including attacks on a Russian air base and a weapons factory, the scale and intensity of the Russian assault highlighted concern that the three-year war was rapidly escalating. Thousands were spending the night in bomb shelters or underground metro stations, hoping to see an end to the more than three-year-long war. While Ukraine was pondering how to better protect its population against Russian attacks, French carmaker Renault was in early discussions with France’s Ministry of Defense about launching drone production in Ukraine. RENAULT INVOLVED French media said Renault may partner with a small defense firm to build production lines well away from the frontlines, marking a significant expansion of Western support for Kyiv. While details remain sketchy, military observers said the plan could provide Ukraine with much-needed surveillance and combat drones — and help France modernize its arsenal. Despite the ongoing clashes, Moscow and Kyiv have begun what could become the largest prisoner swap since the war started with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It offered a rare glimmer of hope for thousands of families torn apart by the armed conflict that is believed to have left more than a million people killed and injured on both sides. On Sunday, both countries exchanged groups of captured soldiers, many of whom are under 25 years old or seriously wounded, officials said. The repatriated soldiers were due to be reunited with their families in the coming days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation is ongoing and involves “complex, sensitive negotiations that are taking place nearly every day.” PRISONER EXCHANGE The two nations agreed on the prisoner exchange during talks in Istanbul, Turkey, in early June. Each country has committed to releasing at least 1,200 prisoners and repatriating the remains of thousands of fallen soldiers, Worthy News learned. However, both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of deliberately stalling the process, charges both sides deny. Despite this cooperation, there has been no breakthrough on a ceasefire, with Russia dismissing U.S. and Kyiv calls for a truce. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for a face-to-face meeting with former U.S. President Donald J. Trump to discuss the stalemate at next week’s Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, amid growing uncertainty over future U.S. support. Trump, who has suggested he could “end the war in 24 hours” if reelected, alarmed Ukrainian officials. In an emotional rebuttal, Zelensky said: “Putin is not a child in a park. He is a murderer who came to kill children.” His government views a meeting with Trump as a way to overcome tensions after Ukrainian envoys recently traveled to Washington to secure continued U.S. military support and discuss fresh sanctions against Russia. With the G7 summit approaching, the outcome of these talks could shape the next phase of the war, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The post Ukraine Damages More Russian Aircraft; Poland Deploys Fighter Jets appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff Pirate’s Cove, CA (Worthy News) – In a historic display of unity and spiritual awakening, more than 26,000 people were baptized across the United States on Pentecost Sunday, marking what organizers say is the largest synchronized baptism event in American history. The movement, known as Baptize America, brought together over 650 churches from all 50 states in a coordinated effort to declare their faith in Jesus through water baptism publicly. The initiative represents a significant expansion of Baptize California, which began in 2022 with 4,000 baptisms and grew to over 6,000 last year. “The prayer of Jesus in John was that we would become one,” said Pastor Mark Francey, one of the event’s organizers. “And I think that’s what we’re seeing right now — a unity around what we all agree on, which is water baptism.” The national campaign traces its roots to a vision birthed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when church gatherings were restricted and many believers felt isolated. Francey and a group of West Coast pastors began dreaming of a statewide baptism movement that would help reignite spiritual hunger. That vision became Baptize California — a decentralized model that empowered local churches to host baptisms simultaneously across the state. Inspired by the momentum and growing demand from leaders in other regions, the movement expanded into Baptize America in 2024. Its mission: to see mass water baptisms in every state, uniting believers around the simple act of obedience that transcends denominational lines. The heart of this year’s event took place at Pirate’s Cove, a beach etched into American church history. Once the site of mass baptisms during the 1970s Jesus Movement led by Pastor Chuck Smith — an era portrayed in the film Jesus Revolution — the beach again became a sacred stage for revival. For many participants, the moment was deeply personal. “It felt like God was there — just amazing,” said Kaili Newby, who was among the thousands baptized. Gabriel, another participant, described how his decision surprised his mother and marked a dramatic turn in his life. “If it wasn’t for her prayers, and if it wasn’t for God’s grace, I would either be dead or in jail because of the activities I was involved with in the Middle East,” he said. Jorge Gonzalez, baptized alongside his brother, called the experience transformative: “God was pulling all my heartstrings. I had to come out here and finally accept Jesus as my Savior. And today was the perfect opportunity.” Volunteers like Alissa Circle said they were moved by witnessing so many lives changed in a single day. “I really think the coolest part about being out there is just experiencing people experiencing Jesus,” she said. Francey sees this not as a conclusion, but a beginning. “It’s just getting started,” he said. “Our belief is that what happens at this beach will go to the ends of the earth.” The post 26,000 Baptized Across U.S. in Largest Mass Baptism Event in American History appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief (Worthy News) – In a major breakthrough for wearable technology and neurointerface development, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created an almost invisible brain sensor small enough to fit between human hair follicles and just beneath the skin. While hailed as a marvel of biomedical engineering, the technology has also sparked alarm among Bible prophecy watchers who see it as yet another sign that the infrastructure for the “mark of the beast” is rapidly falling into place. The revolutionary device promises to transform the future of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), enabling continuous and reliable neural signal capture during daily life — without the need for bulky helmets or invasive implants. The microneedle-based sensor, developed under the leadership of Professor Hong Yeo, integrates advanced conductive polymer materials and flexible wiring into a package smaller than one millimeter. Unlike traditional BCIs that rely on scalp electrodes with conductive gel or surgical brain implants, the Georgia Tech design offers a painless, wireless, and discreet alternative — all while delivering high-fidelity data transmission. “We discovered that by miniaturizing the sensor to fit between follicles and slightly penetrate the skin, we could dramatically improve signal quality and reduce ambient noise,” explained Yeo, who also serves as a faculty member in Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology. During recent trials, six participants wore the sensor throughout the day while using it to operate an augmented reality (AR) interface. The device accurately detected visual focus and brain activity for up to 12 hours, enabling users to initiate hands-free video calls and interact with digital content while walking, running, or standing. The study achieved a neural signal classification accuracy of 96.4% — a major advancement for mobile BCI applications. While many hail the breakthrough as a step forward in human-technology integration, some prophecy watchers are raising serious concerns. They point to Revelation 13, which warns that in the last days no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have the “mark of the beast” — a form of identification tied to allegiance and economic access. The development of subdermal and wearable technologies, especially those that interface directly with the brain or body, is seen by some as a potential stepping stone toward the fulfillment of this prophecy. As these devices become more integrated with daily life and commerce, critics warn that such systems could eventually be used to control the population. “The moment we start embedding tech under the skin to interface with commerce, communication, and control systems, the prophetic parallels become hard to ignore,” said one prominent Bible prophecy researcher. “This isn’t about the tech itself being evil, but about how such tools could eventually be used to mandate conformity and eliminate personal freedom — precisely what Revelation warns about.” While this device is not the mark of the beast, the reality is that the technology to develop such systems is already here — a sobering reminder that the prophetic warnings in the Bible are no longer distant speculation, but unfolding possibilities. For those who study end-times prophecy, the rise of implantable and wearable tech should serve as a wake-up call to the rapid acceleration of events foretold in Scripture. What once seemed symbolic or futuristic is now taking physical shape in our generation. Professor Yeo acknowledged the broader implications of the work but emphasized that the technology is currently focused on medical and rehabilitative applications. “I believe in innovation that helps people,” Yeo said. “We’re building a tool that can restore function and improve lives.” The Georgia Tech team plans to continue refining the device, eyeing future use in prosthetics, neurological rehabilitation, and next-generation computing. Still, the development is fueling debate over the ethical and spiritual dimensions of merging machines with the human body. The full study and technical details were published in TechXplore on April 12, 2025. The post The Mark of the Beast? The Tech Is Already Here appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

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