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by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on reciprocal trade on Thursday, instructing federal agencies to explore adjusting U.S. tariffs to mirror the duties and economic barriers imposed by other nations on U.S. products. “They charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them,” Trump said during a press event at the White House. “We want a level playing field,” Trump said. Contrary to international concerns, the memo does not immediately enact tariffs. Instead, it tasks the Commerce Department with collecting data on trading partners’ tariffs and non-tariff barriers. These findings are to be reported to the president, and the Commerce Department is required to deliver a report on achieving reciprocal trade status by April 1, as stated by Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick. In a post on Truth Social following the event, Trump outlined his plan, which includes measures for “subsidies” and “Nonmonetary Tariffs and Trade Barriers” used by other nations. He emphasized, “America has helped many Countries throughout the years, at great financial cost. It is now time that these Countries remember this, and treat us fairly.” Implementing reciprocal tariffs would fulfill a Trump campaign promise and tackle a major trade issue for the president and his economic advisors. Trade experts noted this week that the reciprocal-trade action could undermine the World Trade Organization’s “most favored nation” status, which mandates equal tariff and regulatory treatment among member countries. The post President Trump Signs Memo to Study Reciprocal Tariffs on Trade Partners appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/VATICAN CITY/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Pope Francis has condemned U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s attempt to deport illegal migrants, saying the “family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there” are “the example” why the policy fails. In a letter seen by Worthy News on Thursday, Francis urged American bishops not to buy into Trump’s criticism of migrants arriving in the United States without proper documents but instead advocate for their rights and protections. “I exhort all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of goodwill, not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters,” he wrote. He also wrote to the American bishops, “What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.” The pontiff of over 1 billion Catholics has been sharply critical of the president’s immigration push since his first term. Before Trump’s inauguration, Pope Francis called his pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants a “disgrace.” ‘NOT CHRISTIAN’ However, the two apparently worked out their differences during Trump’s visit to the Vatican in 2017, which Trump called him “fantastic.” Fast forward, Pope Francis wrote, “Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example, and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country.” He stressed that “all refugees of every condition” beset by “persecution or necessity” are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family, and dear friends for foreign lands.” “Likewise, Jesus Christ, loving everyone with a universal love, educates us in the permanent recognition of the dignity of every human being, without exception,” the pope added. “In fact, when we speak of ‘infinite and transcendent dignity’ we wish to emphasize that the most decisive value possessed by the human person surpasses and sustains every other juridical consideration that can be made to regulate life in society.” Therefore, “all the Christian faithful and people of goodwill are called upon to consider the legitimacy of norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa,” he said. MAJOR CRISIS “I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations,” Francis added. He acknowledged that “one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival.” However, “That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness,” Pope Francis stressed. There was no immediate comment from the White House. Yet President Trump has said he is not against and will even welcome migrants entering the United States legally. The post Pope Condemns Trump’s Migration Policies appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Two Christians in their 60s, who were “pardoned” and released after serving a combined six years in prison for leading house churches in Iran, have been re-arrested, a non-profit organization advocating for persecuted Christians reported. Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shahbazian were re-arrested at their homes in the Tehran region by intelligence agents on the morning of February 6, Article18 reported. They were taken back to the notorious Evin Prison in the city. Nasser is reportedly on a hunger strike to protest his unlawful re-arrest. Article18 sources also reported that several other Tehran Christians were arrested at the same time and remain in custody. Joseph, an Iranian-Armenian, and Nasser, a Christian convert, were re-arrested and remain prominent examples of targeted Christian detentions in Iran. Both received 10-year sentences for “actions against national security” due to their involvement in house churches, underscoring the ongoing risks for such groups. Despite centuries of persecution, the number of Iranian Christians has surged over the last 20 years, surpassing the growth seen in the previous 13 centuries since Islam arrived in Iran. From an estimated 500 in 1979, today, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of Iranians are embracing Christianity and acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In 2023, George Whitten, the founder of Worthy News, interviewed a leading house church pastor in Iran, inquiring about the rapid growth of the revival there. The pastor explained, “We do not baptize anyone unless they are willing to post their baptism on YouTube,” highlighting their commitment by adding, “We are all in for the gospel’s sake.” In 2023, a senior Iranian cleric revealed that about 50,000 of Iran’s 75,000 mosques are closed, highlighting the rapid growth of Christianity and disillusionment with “the regime’s use of Islam to justify its authoritarian rule.” In 2025, Open Doors lists Iran as the ninth worst country for Christian persecution, highlighting the severe risks and ongoing challenges Christians face there due to the Iranian regime’s control of the country. The post House Church Leaders Once Pardoned, Re-Arrested in Iran appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The USS Harry Truman collided with a merchant ship in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said, Egypt, on Wednesday evening. No injuries or ship flooding have been reported by Navy officials. The U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs released a statement confirming the collision involved the merchant vessel Besiktas-M. According to the Sixth Fleet’s statement, “The collision did not endanger the Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as there are no reports of flooding or injuries. The propulsion plants are unaffected and in a safe and stable condition. The incident is under investigation.” Port Said is located at the entrance to the Suez Canal on the Mediterranean. Navy officials have not disclosed if the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier was transiting the canal at the time of the collision, which occurred at around 11:45 p.m. local time. The Truman, homeported in Norfolk, Va., deployed in September 2024 and, according to the ship’s social media, most recently held a port visit in Greece. The ship has a crew of approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines. In the summer of 2017, the Navy experienced two ship collisions between two merchant ships, both occurring in the Seventh Fleet’s area of responsibility. In June 2017, the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), a destroyer, collided with the ACX Crystal, a Philippine-flagged container ship just over 60 miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, home of the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet. The collision resulted in the deaths of seven sailors. Several factors were blamed for the collision, including lack of communication and crew fatigue. In August 2017, the USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), a destroyer, collided with the Alnic MC, a Liberian-flagged tanker, off the coast of Singapore. The collision resulted in the deaths of 10 sailors. The primary cause for that collision was blamed on “insufficient training, inadequate bridge operating procedures,” and lack of operational oversight, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post U.S. Aircraft Carrier Collides with Merchant Ship in Mediterranean Sea appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Trump administration will back Israel’s efforts to maintain a buffer zone in Syria for the foreseeable future, the Jerusalm Post reported. Despite the EU and UN making strides in normalizing relations with Syria’s new regime, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, at a Paris summit, Israel remains wary. The state views the new regime as a potential “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” confident in the Trump administration’s understanding of their concerns. Even if the Europeans and the UN pressure Israel to withdraw in the coming months, with support from the Trump administration to maintain the buffer zone, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is expected to stay there for an extended period. Pressure on Israel to leave the Syria buffer zone has been rising due to Sharaa’s pledge to honor the 1974 armistice and his efforts to reconnect with the West. Meanwhile, earlier statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz about maintaining their presence in Syria through 2025 or beyond were seen as strategies to emphasize Israeli security concerns in Syria. The post Israel to Maintain a ‘Buffer Zone’ In Syria appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – U.S. intelligence agencies determined that Israel might be planning major attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this year, seeking to capitalize on Iran’s vulnerabilities, the Wall Street Journal reported. Recent U.S. intelligence reports indicate that Israel may seek Trump’s support for strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, seeing him as a more favorable ally than former President Biden to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, according to officials familiar with the intelligence told the WSJ. U.S. military officials say that given the complexity of Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites, U.S. military support and munitions would likely be required for an Israeli attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not reply to requests for comment, and Israel’s military also declined to comment. However, Israeli officials have consistently indicated that there is an opportunity for more aggressive action against Iran. In December, U.S. intelligence issued a stark warning that Iran might pursue nuclear weapons development. Iran has accumulated a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium and is reportedly finalizing technical preparations for a bomb, pending a political decision to proceed. Analysts observe that Iran is at its weakest in decades after Israel effectively targeted Hezbollah’s leadership and arsenal over the past year, weakening a crucial Iranian ally and removing the deterrent against Israeli actions on Iran. Moreover, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has deprived Iran of a significant ally and regional stronghold, disrupting supply chains and the flow of funds to its terrorist proxy in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran’s currency is collapsing, and its leaders are grappling with an economic crisis fueled by mismanagement, corruption, and severe sanctions. This has left the country in a weakened state amid mounting international pressure. The possibility of Iran becoming a nuclear power is a concern for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Jewish State. Iran continues to advance its nuclear ambitions; earlier this month, it unveiled a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles), putting Israel within striking distance of the Islamic Republic. 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 Islamic law and the Qur’an’s inner meanings. 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 Israel May Strike Iranian Nuclear Sites in 2025, Report Says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square (Worthy News) – A federal judge has cleared the way for President Donald Trump to move forward with plans to trim the federal workforce through a deferred resignation program. Trump’s Office of Personnel Management sent an email Jan. 28 to nearly all federal employees in the executive branch offering them a deferred resignation package – similar to a buyout – called the Fork in the Road directive. It gave federal workers a choice: continue working knowing that Trump plans to restructure the federal workforce and expects everyone back in the office or leave with eight months of pay. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. initially paused the buyout program and suspended the Feb. 6 deadline for employees to resign after legal challenges were filed. After reviewing the unions’ claims, he ruled the unions that sued to stop it don’t have standing to do so. “The plaintiffs here are not directly impacted by the directive. Instead, they allege that the directive subjects them to upstream effects including a diversion of resources to answer members’ questions about the directive, a potential loss of membership, and possible reputational harm,” the judge wrote. “The unions do not have the required direct stake in the Fork Directive, but are challenging a policy that affects others, specifically executive branch employees. This is not sufficient.” That clears the way for Trump to accept deferred resignations from about 75,000 federal employees, according to the White House. The number of federal employees who accepted the offer amounts to less than 5% of the federal workforce. The administration set a higher goal, expecting that 5% to 10% of the federal workforce would take the deal. The administration estimated it could lead to $100 billion in yearly savings, but did not provide information about how it reached that estimate. OPM stopped accepting deferred resignations at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The U.S. government employs about 2.4 million federal workers, excluding the military (about 1.3 million active-duty military personnel) and U.S. Postal Service (about 600,000 employees), according to 2024 Pew Research report. That report noted that the federal government employed 1.87% of the entire civilian workforce. That percentage includes postal employees, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The Trump administration said that even government employees who stay on could lose their jobs as the president reshapes the federal government and its workforce. A document that went out with the email noted “the federal workforce is expected to undergo significant near-term changes.” The Fork email also noted that “the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force. These actions are likely to include the use of furloughs and the reclassification to at-will status for a substantial number of federal employees.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Judge Clears Path for Trump to Buy Out 75,000 Federal Employees appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The U.S. Senate has voted 52-48 Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, where he will oversee the nation’s largest healthcare programs including Medicare and Medicaid. Sen. Mitch McConnell from Kentucky was the only Republican who joined Democrats in opposing the candidate, whom they see as an unqualified wildcard. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, has spent decades calling out industry influence over regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, and has brought attention to the role ultra-processed foods and chemical additives play in the chronic disease epidemic. He has also been criticized for questioning the safety and efficacy of certain vaccines, though he denies the label of “anti–vaxxer.” “In my advocacy, I’ve often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions. Well, I’m not going to apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly,” Kennedy said during his first confirmation hearing. “My approach to HHS is radical transparency.” Kennedy had stumbled over his answers and seemed uncertain on specifics when Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., asked him about potential improvements to Medicaid and Medicare. The lawyer was adamant, though, that reforms are necessary, particularly given the cost of healthcare in the United States and the growing numbers of sick Americans. “The United States has worse health than any other developed nation, yet we spend more on healthcare – at least double, and in some cases triple – as other countries. Last year we spent $4.8 trillion,” Kennedy said. As of 2024, roughly 60% of Americans have at least one chronic disease and 40% have two or more, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. As HHS secretary, Kennedy has said he will push for nutrition reforms, such as scrutinizing food additives, providing healthy food options to those on SNAP benefits, and removing the agriculture lobby’s influence on the FDA’s nutrition department. He promised, however, to work with the Department of Agriculture and all invested stakeholders when considering policies that may impact the food supply or the livelihoods of farmers. Most Republicans celebrated Kennedy’s confirmation as a blow to Big Pharma and corrupt actors in the healthcare industry as Kennedy fights to “Make America Healthy Again.” “Congratulations to @RobertKennedyJr on his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said on X. “Finally, someone to detox the place after the Fauci era. Get ready for health care freedom and MAHA!” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Confirmed: RFK Jr. to Focus on Chronic Disease, Healthcare Costs as HHS Head appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News PARIS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, say they must participate in any future negotiations on Ukraine’s fate amid grieving tensions about the U.S. role in those talks. U.S. President Donald J. Trump already held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, while his defense secretary warned Kyiv that it should not expect its pre-2014 borders or NATO alliance membership. He later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy That has raised concern within the European Union. “Our shared objectives should be to put Ukraine in a position of strength. Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations,” a joint statement of seven countries and the EU’s executive European Commission said. “Ukraine should be provided with strong security guarantees. A just and lasting peace in Ukraine is a necessary condition for strong transatlantic security,” the statement stressed, adding that the European powers were looking forward to discussing the way ahead with their American allies. On Wednesday, ministers from France, Britain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the European Commission met with Ukraine’s foreign minister in Paris. Russia invaded Ukraine fully in February 2022, and since then, more than a million people are believed to have been killed. The post EU Concerned Over Role US In Ukraine War appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Pakistani Christians say they are not surprised that social media platform Facebook-parent Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that he was “almost sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.” At the Joe Rogan podcast show, Zuckerberg raised concerns about his company’s ongoing legal challenges in Pakistan, which stem from a lawsuit over alleged “blasphemous” content on Facebook. The lawsuit accuses Facebook of hosting content that “violates” Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws, which impose severe penalties for acts considered offensive to religious beliefs in the Islamic nation. Zuckerberg discussed the situation, emphasizing Meta’s commitment to balancing free expression with respect for local regulations and cultural values. “There are laws in different countries that we disagree with. For example, there was a point at which someone was trying to get me sentenced to death in Pakistan because someone on Facebook had a picture where they had a drawing of Prophet Mohammed, and someone said, ‘That’s blasphemy in our culture.’ They sued me and opened this criminal proceeding,” he stated “I don’t know exactly where it went because I’m just not planning to go to Pakistan, so I was not that worried about it,” Zuckerberg added. However, in an interview with Worthy News, Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of the Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, suggested Zuckerberg had been lucky. FLEEING HOME Gill, a devoted Christian, had to flee his home due to death threats linked to his faith and outspoken views on protecting the rights of the Christian minority. He recalled being targeted by a “fake Facebook profile” named “Martha Bibi,” which shared blasphemous content falsely attributed to him. The profile posted offensive material that sparked outrage among religious extremists, leading to accusations of blasphemy against Gill. “The extremist group demanded severe punishment for the alleged offense,” calling him “to be persecuted under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws,” he recalled. “The situation escalated when the fake profile was used to further inflame tensions, with various extremist factions calling for violence.” Gill said his life “was put at risk,” and he was forced “to go into hiding for a period before fleeing Pakistan” due to the danger posed by these false accusations. “It was a terrifying time. I had never imagined that I would be falsely accused of something so grave,” Gill said, recalling his experience of being “vilified by extremists” for content he had no part in creating. He said both Zuckerberg and his own experiences shed light “on the complex and often dangerous nature of blasphemy laws in some countries, where accusations can lead to severe consequences, including violence or even death.” The accusations against Zuckerberg in Pakistan and Gill’s ordeal highlight the growing dangers of social media platforms being used for malicious purposes, particularly when it comes to religious sensitivities,” according to LEAD Ministries Pakistan. INCREASING CHALLENGES “These incidents raise pressing questions about the responsibility of social media companies in moderating content and protecting users from fake profiles that can be exploited to incite violence or spread misinformation,” the group added. Zuckerberg acknowledged the increasing challenges tech giants face in moderating content across diverse legal systems and cultures. “Social media platforms like Facebook are often caught between local laws and international norms, and this creates a difficult situation for content moderation,” Zuckerberg said during his interview. Gill told Worthy News that “the experience was a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by individuals, especially human rights activists and religious minorities, in a society where accusations of blasphemy can lead to grave consequences.” Despite “the trauma and danger” he faced, Gill said he “continues” his advocacy work with LEAD Ministries Pakistan, “advocating for justice and the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan.” Yet, “Moving forward, it remains to be seen how global tech companies and governments will address these issues to protect individuals from wrongful accusations and ensure that social media remains a safe space for all,” Gill told Worthy News. The post META CEO Zuckerberg Faced ‘Death In Pakistan’; Christians Not Surprised (Worthy News Focus) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – In a victory for opponents of the project, the boss of the U.S. Federal Reserve has said the central bank won’t develop its own digital currency as long as he is in charge. Federal Reseve Chair Jerome Powell’s announcement came after multiple officials raised concerns, with several saying there “was no obvious need” for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) citing concerns over privacy and other issues. Powell made the announcement while testifying before a Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on “The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress,” Worthy News monitored Thursday. “Can I have your commitment that as long as you’re the chairman of the Federal Reserve system, we will never have a central bank digital currency?” asked U.S. Republican Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio. Powell responded, “Yes. ” “Thank you for that; I think that’s extremely important,” Moreno stressed. “It makes me very happy to hear you say that.” Powell’s term as Fed chief ends in May 2026, and it remains unclear what will happen next. According to sources familiar with the situation, the Federal Reserve has been investigating the digital currency issue for at least four years. It published an extensive study in 2022 that detailed “the advantages and disadvantages” without drawing a conclusion. However, the central bank has launched its cashless FedNow payments system, and Moreno asked Powell to continue working on FedNow to make 24-hour money transfers more widely available in the U.S. The post US Central Bank Boss Against Digital Currency appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News PARIS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – United States Vice President JD Vance has told the European Union that its “massive” regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) could strangle the technology and rejected content moderation as “authoritarian censorship.” In another sign of tensions on Al governance, the United States and Britain, which left the EU, did not the final statement of a French-hosted Al summit. Organizers of the gathering said Al should be inclusive, open, ethical, and safe. This comes amid broader concerns about EU legislation targeting America’s big technology companies, such as META, which owns social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and Alphabet, which owns Google, technology giant Apple, and others. “Europe tells American Big Tech to censor GLOBALLY. With new, expansive censorship laws on the books, the EU can now effectively force American companies to take down posts globally, including in the United States,” complained the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Republicans on social media. The EU says its regulations target extremism or are aimed at protecting European consumers. Yet, analysts say, as part of that broader debate, the mood on Al has shifted as the technology takes root, from concerns around safety to geopolitical competition. Setting out President Donald J. Trump’s “America First” agenda, Vance said the United States intended to remain the dominant force in Al and strongly opposed the European Union’s far more uncompromising regulatory approach. “We believe that excessive regulation of the Al sector could kill a transformative industry,” Vance told delegates at the summit of CEOs and heads of state in Paris, France. The post US: AI Limitations Could Lead To Global Censorship appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BIRMINGHAM, BRITAIN (Worthy News) – There was concern Thursday that Christians publicly expressing their faith in Britain could face a ‘thought police’ after a Christian woman was forced to leave an area near an abortion clinic for silently praying there. New footage shows Isabel Vaughan-Spruce being accused of breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) outside the clinic in the Kings Norton area of Birmingham, Britain’s second-largest city. The video recording released by Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK) and reviewed by Worthy News shows a police officer interrupting Vaughan-Spruce’s prayerful presence and asking her to leave. The officer tells the Christian that her “mere presence” may constitute “harassment, alarm, and distress” given that she is known to have “anti-abortion” views and belongs to a pro-life group. “I know you are not saying anything,” he adds but concludes that she has to move away for breaching the rules of the “buffer zone” – an area within 150 meters (492 feet) of an abortion facility. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce then explains that she is “literally here silently saying some prayers” and that “simply because of my beliefs, I am being asked to move.” AFD UK said in a statement that the incident took place despite the local West Midlands Police previously issuing an apology and a payout of 13,000 pounds ($16,232) for “breaching” Vaughan-Spruce’s human rights on two prior occasions when they “arrested her for praying silently in the same buffer zone.” ‘TARGETED FOR BELIEFS’ “[The officer] believes that just because I hold pro-life beliefs, I am automatically a criminal in certain public areas. This isn’t right,” complained Isabel Vaughan-Spruce in comments obtained by Worthy News. Earlier, Vaughan-Spruce, who has been “a crisis pregnancy volunteer for two decades” and prayed near the abortion facility every week throughout that time, was tried for breaching the buffer zone by “praying silently in her mind” at Birmingham Magistrates Court in February 2023, “and was found innocent,” AFD UK recalled. The [Crown Prosecution Service] CPS Guidance from October 2024 stipulates that silent prayer is “not necessarily” a crime in an abortion “buffer zone,” AFD UK confirmed. “The guidance further states that any actions must be “overt” to meet the threshold of criminality.” Commenting on the latest exchange, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce said: “It has been made clear time and time again through the verdict of Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, through the concession and payout from the police, through the words of the former Home Secretary and CPS Guidance – you cannot break the law by simply existing in a buffer zone, holding thoughts and beliefs in your mind.” She added, “Every person has a right to stand in a public space and think what they want. The police officer told me that my “mere presence” was offensive – that’s nothing short of viewpoint discrimination. He believes that just because I hold pro-life beliefs, I am automatically a criminal in certain public areas. This isn’t right.” ADF UK legal counsel Jeremiah Igunnubole, who assists her in the case, agrees with that assessment. “Nobody should be criminalized for publicly holding lawful views or associating with any lawful cause. The idea that the state can interrogate citizens and instruct them to leave certain public areas based on their pro-life beliefs and associations is profoundly chilling and concrete evidence if ever we needed more, of viewpoint-based two-tier policing.” He wondered, “If Isabel can be treated this way, then what does this mean for all Christians holding to biblical truths?” NOT 1984 ERA? The lawyer noticed, “This isn’t 1984,” in an apparent reference to George Orwell’s book in which policing by authorities is a theme. It’s 2025—police must respect the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, thought, and association.” The incident came while a retired medical scientist from the coastal town of Bournemouth prepared to face trial next month on charges relating to her charitable work supporting women in crisis pregnancies, Worthy News learned. Livia Tossici-Bolt, 63, held a sign reading “Here to talk if you want to” near an abortion facility in Bournemouth. “Several individuals approached her to take up her offer of a conversation about matters going on in their lives,” announced AFD UK. “There’s nothing wrong with two adults engaging in a consensual conversation on the street. I shouldn’t be treated like a criminal just for this,” stressed Tossici-Bolt. However, local authorities confronted Tossici-Bolt, alleging that she had breached the “buffer zone,” which bans “expression of approval or disapproval of abortion.” They then issued a Fixed Penalty Notice, which Tossici-Bolt refused to pay, on grounds she did not breach the terms of the PSPO and had the right, “protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, to offer consensual conversations. Tossici-Bolt “will face trial at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on March 6, 2025. ADF UK is supporting her legal defense,” AFD UK confirmed. The case upsets Tossici-Bolt. “For several years now, I have been offering a helping hand to women who would like to consider other options for abortion and pointing them to options where they can receive financial and practical support if that’s what they would like,” she recalled. “There’s nothing wrong with offering help. There’s nothing wrong with two adults engaging in a consensual conversation on the street. I shouldn’t be treated like a criminal just for this,” Tossici-Bolt added. The post Britain’s Police Targeting Silent Prayers Near Abortion Clinic (Worthy News In-Depth) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – A Russian national imprisoned in a U.S. jail on money laundering charges has been freed in exchange for the release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel from prison in Russia. Fogel, a 63-year-old former diplomat, landed at Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington, DC, late on Tuesday evening. He looked tired but happy before President J. Donald Trump welcomed him home at the White House. Trump, standing alongside Fogel in the White House, said: “To me he looks damned good.” Fogel, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had been a teacher at the Anglo-American School of Moscow and a diplomat at the U.S. embassy there. While in prison, he reportedly taught English to fellow inmates. He had been held since 2021, wth the White Housing saying that the previous Biden administration failed to get him out while Trump did this “within 22 days.” The White House released a photo of a jubilant Fogel disembarking a plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Alongside him were White House national security adviser Michael Waltz and Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s envoy for hostages. He was then taken to the White House, where he was greeted outside on the North Portico by President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, among others. After landing on US soil, the White House posted on X: “PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!” along with a picture of Fogel. President Trump told reporters the release was a “show of good faith” from the Russians and that it “could be a big important part” of ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. “We were treated very nicely by Russia,” he said. “Actually, I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war, and millions of people can stop being killed.” The post Jailed American Flies Home From Russia appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Israeli military reports that in recent weeks, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force in Iran has been smuggling cash to Hezbollah in Lebanon using civilian planes through Lebanon’s Beirut international airport. Col. Avichay Adraee, the Israesl Defense Forces’ (IDF) Arabic-language spokesman, posted on X that the Quds Force has been using civilian flights to smuggle cash to Hezbollah. According to the IDF, this money is being used by the terror group to rebuild itself. Adraee states that the IDF is regularly updating a US-led committee overseeing the ceasefire with “relevant information in order to foil these transfers.” “Despite the efforts made, we estimate that some of the money transfers were carried out successfully,” Adraee stated. “The IDF will not allow the organization to strengthen and will use all the tools at its disposal to enforce the understandings in the ceasefire agreement, for the security of the citizens of the State of Israel,” Adraee concluded. The post Iran Accused of Smuggling Cash to Hezbollah through Beirut Civilian Flights appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, be faithful to the end! Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him. In this brief devotion, I want to focus on two of Paul's friends -- Luke and Demas. Luke was a true and faithful friend to Paul, staying with and supporting him to the very end of his life, even through the worst adversities (2 Timothy 4:11). Then, there was another friend, whose name was Demas, about whom Paul wrote positively at first, (Col. 4:14; Philemon 1:24) but who did not remain faithful to the end. Paul records that Demas forsook him because he "loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4:10) As the end of the age approaches, we also will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world. The apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) I do not believe that Demas lost his salvation, but he did lose his capacity to sense and express the love of the Father, which damaged his testimony, his spiritual relationships, and undoubtedly cost him heavenly rewards. What kind of friend will we be to God? Will we be faithful, or will we allow the love of this world to quench our fire, and compromise our relationships? Friend, my encouragement to you is to be faithful until the end. Don't forget that Yeshua gave a warning to end-time saints, saying, "because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold." Become a friend like Luke, and learn from the life of Demas -- do not allow love for the world to quench your love for God. Don't forget, a true friend loves...at all times! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: Latest Video: Worthy Wrap-Up: Trump's Gaza Saga 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 Jailed American Flies Home From Russia A Russian national imprisoned in a U.S. jail on money laundering charges has been freed in exchange for the release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel from prison in Russia. US: ‘Return To Pre-2014 Ukraine Borders ‘Unrealistic’ As Trump Speaks With Putin U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced Wednesday that he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to talks on a ceasefire to the war in Ukraine, but Washington said calls for Ukraine’s pre-2014 border are “unrealistic.” Gates: New Pandemic Wipes Out ’10 Percent Of World Population’ (Video) U.S. billionaire Bill Gates, whose foundation supports the development of vaccines, has warned of a new global pandemic that could wipe out more than 10 percent of the world’s population of over 8 billion people. Ukraine Offers US Minerals For Weapons Wartorn Ukraine has made U.S. President Donald J. Trump an offer the deal-maker-in-chief may find difficult to refuse: In exchange for American military aid, he will have access to Ukraine's mineral industry, which could provide a valuable source of rare earth elements needed for many kinds of technology. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Iran Accused of Smuggling Cash to Hezbollah through Beirut Civilian Flights The Israeli military reports that in recent weeks, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force in Iran has been smuggling cash to Hezbollah in Lebanon using civilian planes through Lebanon's Beirut international airport. Jordan To Host 2,000 Sick Children From Gaza, King Says U.S. President Donald J. Trump told Jordan's King Abdullah visiting the White House on Tuesday that he still wants to take over Gaza and move its population of two million Palestinians to other nearby countries, including Jordan. Inside the United States FBI Finds Thousands of JFK Files Post-Trump Order; Task Force Head Suggests Two Shooters (Video) After Donald Trump's executive order to declassify all JFK assassination files, the FBI revealed 2,400 lost documents, while Task Force head, Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, suggested the involvement of "two shooters" in the former President's death in 1963. House Republicans Unveil $4.5 Trillion Budget Resolution, Clashing with Senate House Republicans have finally assembled a massive congressional budget resolution that includes President Donald Trump’s key agenda items and is set for a markup Thursday, but Senate Republicans have already moved forward with their own slimmer package. Department of Education Asks NCAA to Restore Records for Female Athletes President Donald Trump's Department of Education wants the National Collegiate Athletic Association to restore records and awards for female athletes. Senate Narrowly Confirms Tulsi Gabbard to Lead National Intelligence With a 52-48 vote Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the director of National Intelligence, one of the closest confirmation votes of all President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees. Christian News Britain’s Police Targeting Silent Prayers Near Abortion Clinic (Worthy News In-Depth) There was concern Thursday that Christians publicly expressing their faith in Britain could face a ‘thought police’ after a Christian woman was forced to leave an area near an abortion clinic for silently praying there. Worthy Insights USAID Sent $9.3B to Islamic Terror States That Killed 3,000 American Soldiers Over the last two years, USAID doled out $2.3 billion in “humanitarian assistance” to Omar’s native Somalia. Last year it reported a request for $1.6 billion in aid and even in December 2024, with the Biden administration on the way out the door, it sent an additional $29 million. Dog the Bounty Hunter Joins Huge Prison Outreach as 800 Inmates Hear Gospel: ‘Revival is Happening’ The unmatched love of Jesus Christ has reached "a place filled with men the world has given up on" and changed them forever, a non-profit prison ministry reports. Judges Issuing Lawless Bans On Trump’s Clearly Legal Executive Actions Have Extremist Records Two judges who have issued injunctions against a series of President Donald Trump’s clearly legal executive orders both have records of extremism. Biden WH, National Archives collaborated from the start on Trump documents probe, emails show Newly published emails show the Biden White House cooperated with the National Archives in the Justice Department's classified documents case against Donald Trump – which allowed the White House to build a predicate for the federal case against Trump that was ultimately dismissed, America First Legal says. FBI Finds 14,000 New Pages on JFK Assassination – Never Provided to 1992 Review Board The FBI has revealed that it has just found 2,400 records relating to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy that the FBI claims it did not know it possessed. STIs in Europe: Gonorrhea and syphilis hit record high Sexually transmitted infections continue to rise across European nations, according to annual data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – After Donald Trump’s executive order to declassify all JFK assassination files, the FBI revealed 2,400 lost documents, while Task Force head, Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, suggested the involvement of “two shooters” in the former President’s death in 1963. https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2025/02/JFK-assasination.mp4 Ms. Luna’s suggestion of “two shooters” contradicts the official narrative that Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole gunman responsible for the assassination. The FBI announced on Tuesday that hundreds of newly inventoried and digitized records, previously unrecognized as related to the Kennedy assassination, have been transferred to the National Archives for ongoing declassification. Last week, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence recommended to Mr. Trump which classified assassination documents to release publicly, a spokesperson revealed, without detailing the plan or release timing. John F. Kennedy, often known as JFK, was assassinated in a Dallas motorcade on November 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald, a 24-year-old former Marine, was charged with the murder on the same day but was killed two days later by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. In 1964, an investigation concluded that Oswald acted alone, finding no evidence of a conspiracy. Historians observe that while the Warren Commission’s findings were initially accepted, skepticism from conspiracy theorists over the years has led many to question the official account, with theories suggesting multiple shooters, CIA involvement, or the Italian-American mafia’s responsibility. During a Capitol Hill news conference on Tuesday, Ms. Luna critiqued the Warren Commission, stating, “I can tell you, based on what I’ve been seeing so far, the initial hearing that was actually held here in Congress was actually faulty in the single-bullet theory. I believe that there were two shooters.” She added, “We just want the truth – how much did the CIA know in advance? But also remember – when you only have certain information that’s shared with the American people, that’s when conspiracy theories happen. And it’s in my opinion that conspiracy theories can be detrimental.” Although over five million JFK assassination records have been made public, researchers estimate that about 3,000 files remain partially or fully unreleased. The post FBI Finds Thousands of JFK Files Post-Trump Order; Task Force Head Suggests Two Shooters (Video) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – House Republicans have finally assembled a massive congressional budget resolution that includes President Donald Trump’s key agenda items and is set for a markup Thursday, but Senate Republicans have already moved forward with their own slimmer package. Unlike the Senate budget resolution, which only includes fully offset spending on Trump’s border, defense, and energy policy, the 45-page House resolution allocates $4.5 trillion to extend the president’s 2017 tax cuts. “This budget resolution is a key step to start the process in delivering President Trump’s America First agenda,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on X. “With nearly every House Republican directly engaged in this deliberative process, this resolution reflects our collective commitment to enacting the President’s full agenda—not just a part of it.” He added that there will still be “ongoing debates” with the markup process happening Thursday. The House resolution also raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion and instructs congressional committees to find at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next ten years, only partially offsetting the tax cuts extension. In return, the bill authorizes a $300 billion increase in mandatory spending split among the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Judiciary committees. The two different budget resolutions have set the two congressional chambers on a collision course since lawmakers have to coordinate on a budget resolution. While Senate Republicans think Trump’s agenda is more likely to get passed via two separate bills, their colleagues in the House believe a two-bill approach could jeopardize the tax cuts extension. Additionally, the president has not yet publicly nudged lawmakers toward either package, only demanding that his campaign promises are enacted. House Democrats, for their part, have condemned Johnson’s package because it requires the House Energy and Commerce Committee cut $880 billion in spending, likely meaning cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. “Republicans have now made clear they will try to take health care away from millions of hardworking Americans to give massive tax breaks to their ultra-rich friends,” Ranking Member on the committee Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said in a statement. “This is a heartless and cruel proposal that will ruin people’s lives so the rich can get richer. It’s a Republican Rip-Off and Democrats will do everything we can to defeat it.” Further complicating the matter, lawmakers are racing against a March 14 deadline when government funding runs out, and they have still not decided on a top-line number for the appropriations bill. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post House Republicans Unveil $4.5 Trillion Budget Resolution, Clashing with Senate appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump’s Department of Education wants the National Collegiate Athletic Association to restore records and awards for female athletes. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of General Counsel sent a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations asking them to restore to female athletes the records, titles, awards, and recognitions misappropriated by males competing in female categories. “Because of President Trump’s bold leadership, men will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s sports regardless of how they identify, and the NCAA has correctly changed its tune on its discriminatory practices against female athletes,” Deputy General Counsel Candice Jackson said in a statement. “The next necessary step is to restore athletic records to women who have for years been devalued, ignored, and forced to watch men steal their accolades. The Trump Education Department will do everything in our power to right this wrong and champion the hard-earned accomplishments of past, current, and future female collegiate athletes.” Riley Gaines, a women’s sports advocate who tied for fifth place with University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas in the women’s 200-meter NCAA championships, said it was time for a change. “For the past four years, women have been begging for equal opportunities to compete and succeed, only to be ignored,” Gaines said. “A president who recognizes and celebrates women for our accomplishments is long overdue. Restoring stolen athletic accolades to their rightful owners is a crucial step towards reinstating accountability, integrity, and common sense – one that I wholeheartedly support.” Last week, the NCAA on banned athletes who were born male from playing in women’s sports to align itself with Trump’s executive order on the issue. The association said student-athletes assigned male at birth will still be allowed to practice with women’s teams and receive certain benefits but will not be able to participate in NCAA-sanctioned competitions. Trump signed the executive order “No Men in Women’s Sports,” effectively barring transgender girls and women from participating in female sports events in schools and colleges that receive federal tax dollars, fulfilling a pledge made during his 2024 presidential campaign. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Department of Education Asks NCAA to Restore Records for Remale Athletes appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BRUSSELS/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced Wednesday that he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to talks on a ceasefire to the war in Ukraine, but Washington said calls for Ukraine’s pre-2014 border are “unrealistic.” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Ukraine Defence Contact Group added at a meeting in Brussels that “chasing this illusionary goal” of capturing previous borders will “prolong the war and cause more suffering.” “Bloodshed must stop, this war must end,” he stressed, adding that the U.S. “does not believe” that NATO military alliance membership for Ukraine “is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement” with Russia. Yet Trump said in separate remarks that he held a “lengthy and highly productive phone call” with Putin and that they agreed to “have our respective teams start negotiations immediately.” He also announced that he and Putin agreed to visit each other’s nations. “As we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, TruthSocial. “President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations,” he added. The U.S. negotiating team would include Marco Rubio, the secretary of state; John Ratcliffe, the director of the CIA; Michael Waltz, the national security adviser; and Steve Witkoff, the ambassador and special envoy. Speaking to officials of more than 40 countries allied to Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. But we must start by recognizing that returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective.” The post US: ‘Return To Pre-2014 Ukraine Borders ‘Unrealistic’ As Trump Speaks With Putin appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – With a 52-48 vote Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the director of National Intelligence, one of the closest confirmation votes of all President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees. Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and former Democratic representative from Hawaii, was one of Trump’s most controversial picks. As a congresswoman, Gabbard had criticized the Biden administration, saying it helped provoke Russia into invading Ukraine by publicly considering adding Ukraine to NATO. She had also supported pardoning Edward Snowden, a whistleblower who leaked classified documents about government surveillance programs. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, another controversial figure who barely passed the Senate, congratulated the new DNI on X, calling her “a fearless patriot” who he looks forward to working with. Gabbard had faced strong opposition from Democrats, but also wariness from several Republicans during her confirmation hearing. When pressed on whether she considers Snowden a traitor to the country, Gabbard refused to give a straight answer, alarming lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. She promised, however, to prevent Snowden-like leaks in the future by promoting legal channels and punishing unlawful whistleblowing. Gabbard also pledged to restore Americans’ trust in the intelligence community by ending government surveillance of ordinary citizens and previous targeting of people of faith. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., expressed full support for Gabbard on X following the vote. “Tulsi is an Army officer who has served our country faithfully and well for over two decades. I’ve known her for a long time, and we served in the same Capitol Hill reserve unit,” Graham said. “Every president deserves their team. Tulsi has the trust of President Trump, and I’m sure she will serve him well.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Senate Narrowly Confirms Tulsi Gabbard to Lead National Intelligence appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. billionaire Bill Gates, whose foundation supports the development of vaccines, has warned of a new global pandemic that could wipe out more than 10 percent of the world’s population of over 8 billion people. https://www.worthynews.com/wordpressimages/2025/02/Gates-Vaccine.mp4 “The [recent] COVID-19 pandemic killed 1 percent, that’s millions of people. The next one can kill greater than 10 percent,” more than 800 million people, he told prominent journalist Katie Couric in a live-streamed interview at the famed Strand Bookstore in New York City. “We should be prepared for the next pandemic; the next pandemic could be far worse,” Gates stressed in remarks reviewed by Worthy News on Wednesday. His Gates Foundation backed the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which critics claim have, at least in some cases, caused more harm than good. However, Gates told Couric, “The [COVID-19] vaccine saved millions of lives. [U.S.] President [Donald J.] Trump was the one that accelerated the availability of that vaccine.” Trump previously dismissed claims that COVID-19 vaccines are broadly unsafe while asserting that his role in the development of the jabs may have “saved 100 million lives.” MILLIONS IMPACTED Gates, 69, made clear that he hopes the current Trump administration would not abandon the world’s most vulnerable people There is concern within the Gates Foundation that Trump’s recent freeze on foreign aid halted funding for HIV/AIDS disease programs, potentially impacting the health of over 20 million people, including 500,000 children. Although subsequent waivers from the U.S. State Department reportedly enabled some work to continue, funding and legal approvals remain stalled. Gates and Couric suggested that without treatment, “millions” face severe illness or premature death and threaten to undo “years of progress” against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, a potentially deadly disease. They fear it could potentially foster drug-resistant strains – “an outcome with global repercussions,” including in the United States. Trump said that the winding down of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) targets non-essential “woke” programs and that necessary aid will eventually continue. The post Gates: New Pandemic Wipes Out ’10 Percent Of World Population’ (Video) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Wartorn Ukraine has made U.S. President Donald J. Trump an offer the deal-maker-in-chief may find difficult to refuse: In exchange for American military aid, he will have access to Ukraine’s mineral industry, which could provide a valuable source of rare earth elements needed for many kinds of technology. Kyiv’s announcement came after an interview that aired Monday in which Trump said he wanted such a deal and warned that Ukraine “may be Russian someday.” “We really have this big potential in the territory which we control,” Andrii Yermak, chief of staff to the Ukrainian president, said in published remarks. “We are interested to work, to develop, with our partners, first of all, with the United States.” President Trump claims that Ukraine, which has been facing a full-scale Russian military invasion since February 2022, has “essentially agreed” to give America half a trillion dollars worth of rare earth minerals. They would serve as payment for the multi-billion dollar military aid Washington provided Kyiv. “They have tremendously valuable land in terms of rare earth [minerals], in terms of oil and gas, in terms of other things. I want to have our money secured because we’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars [in Ukraine],” Trump told broadcaster Fox News’ “Special Report” program host Bret Baier. The interview was taped before Sunday’s Super Bowl, America’s most prominent football event. “They [Ukraine] may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” Trump stressed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed on Trump’s plan, say sources familiar with his thinking, as he seeks to strengthen Kyiv’s hand ahead of future peace negotiations with Moscow. More than 1 million people are believed to have been killed and injured in Europe’s bloodiest armed conflict since World War II. The post Ukraine Offers US Minerals For Weapons appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News AMMAN/ WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump told Jordan’s King Abdullah visiting the White House on Tuesday that he still wants to take over Gaza and move its population of two million Palestinians to other nearby countries, including Jordan. Yet the king, sitting alongside Trump, announced Amman would take in “2,000 sick children,” including cancer patients, from Gaza, as he sought to please the president, who threatened to withhold aid if Jordan disagreed with his plan. The figure proposed by Abdullah amounts to roughly 0.1 percent of the Gaza Strip’s population, but Trump praised the gesture. Despite controversy over Trump’s plan to make Gaza the “Riviera of the Middle East,” King Abdullah suggested that the real estate mogul-turned-president could bring peace to the Middle East. “I truly believe, with all the challenges that we have in the Middle East, that I finally see somebody that can take us across the finish line to bring stability, peace, and prosperity to all of us in the region,” the king stressed. Abdullah said he would await the outcome of Egypt’s emergency Arab summit on February 27, held in response to Trump’s call to expel Palestinians from Gaza and rebuild the enclave after the devastating Israel-Hamas war there. The post Jordan To Host 2,000 Sick Children From Gaza, King Says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News AMMAN/ WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump told Jordan’s King Abdullah visiting the White House on Tuesday that he still wants to take over Gaza and move its population of two million Palestinians to other nearby countries, including Jordan. Yet the king, sitting alongside Trump, announced Amman would take in “2,000 sick children,” including cancer patients, from Gaza, as he sought to please the president, who threatened to withhold aid if Jordan disagreed with his plan. The figure proposed by Abdullah amounts to roughly 0.1 percent of the Gaza Strip’s population, but Trump praised the gesture. Despite controversy over Trump’s plan to make Gaza the “Riviera of the Middle East,” King Abdullah suggested that the real estate mogul-turned-president could bring peace to the Middle East. “I truly believe, with all the challenges that we have in the Middle East, that I finally see somebody that can take us across the finish line to bring stability, peace, and prosperity to all of us in the region,” the king stressed. Abdullah said he would await the outcome of Egypt’s emergency Arab summit on February 27, held in response to Trump’s call to expel Palestinians from Gaza and rebuild the enclave after the devastating Israel-Hamas war there. The post Jordan To Host 2,000 Sick Children From Gaza, King Says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article