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By Elyse Apel | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night declaring a national energy emergency. Trump announced the order earlier in the day during his Inauguration Speech. “We will drill baby drill,” Trump said. “We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again right to the top, and export American energy all over the world. We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it.” The order states that high energy prices are an “active threat to the American people.” “The policies of the previous administration have driven our Nation into a national emergency, where a precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid, require swift and decisive action,” the order said. “In light of these findings, I hereby declare a national emergency.” To solve high prices and remedy the “numerous problems” with America’s energy infrastructure, the order stated that the delivery of energy infrastructure must be “expedited” and the nation’s energy supply facilitated “to the fullest extent possible.” This was one of many executive orders the president signed on his first day in office. In another order signed Monday night, Trump declared it was time to unleash American energy. “In recent years, burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations have impeded the development of these resources, limited the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reduced job creation, and inflicted high energy costs upon our citizens,” the order said. “It is thus in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources.” All this will be done through encouraging energy exploration, the elimination the electric vehicle mandates, and safeguarding “the American people’s freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances.” The order promises these measures will “restore American prosperity,” “establish our position as the leading producer,” and “protect the United States’s economic and national security and military preparedness.” In an earlier signing of executive orders in front of a crowd of supporters at the Capital One Arena, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accords. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Declares National Energy Emergency appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Iranian singer and rapper Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, widely known as Amir Tataloo, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam, Iranian officials said Monday. The 37-year-old artist, a prominent figure in the country’s underground hip-hop scene, initially received a five-year prison sentence for allegedly insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, Worthy News learned. However, trial observers said the case reopened after the prosecutor appealed, leading to a harsher sentence on appeal. Tataloo, whose body is almost entirely covered in tattoos, is known for his outspoken criticism of Iran’s strict Islamic leadership. Through his music and social media platforms, he has regularly condemned Tehran’s reported human rights abuses. His controversial statements and what authorities view as his “defiance of strict cultural norms” made him popular in Iran’s music scene but a target of Islamic authorities. Tataloo is am among several people being prosecuted for blasphemy, including Christians. The post Iran Sentences Singer To Death appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s inaugural claim that the U.S. would “take back” control of the Panama Canal. “We gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back,” Trump declared in his inaugural address. He accused the Panamanian government of disregarding U.S. interests, overcharging American ships — including U.S. Navy vessels — and effectively handing control of the crucial maritime route between the Pacific and Caribbean to China. In his inaugural speech, Trump accused Panama of breaking its promise to remain neutral and claimed that the canal is under Chinese control, stating, “China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China.” In response to Trump, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected the idea of giving up control of the canal, a vital maritime route and crucial source of national pride and revenue. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Mulino reaffirmed Panama’s sovereignty, stressing that the canal will remain under Panamanian control according to the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaty. However, Trump offered no details on how the U.S. would reassert control over the Panama Canal. “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama’s promise to us has been broken,” Trump said. “The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.” The post Panama’s President Rejects Trump’s Plan to Retake Panama Canal appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Just hours after his inauguration, U.S. President Donald J. Trump promised “immediate pardons” to those convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His comments came as Marco Rubio was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as secretary of state at a time of a raging war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East around Israel, and other security challenges. If Trump invokes a broad pardon, it could wipe out the convictions or sentences of many of the nearly 1,600 people who were prosecuted. Trump said Monday evening that he would issue pardons later in the day. Among other executive orders Trump signed to cheers at the arena was one withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations “to fight climate change.” The United States joins Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only four countries not party to the agreement. Skeptics, including Trump and at least some scientists, have questioned the human impact on climate change, which they view as a natural phenomenon that has occurred over centuries. Other scientists disagree and support the Paris Agreement. FEDERAL WORKERS Besides pardoning supporters and rushing to leave the global climate accord, Trump ordered federal workers to return to full-time in-person work. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, many state workers stayed home. Some of the Trump administration’s first administrative actions occurred during Trump’s inaugural speech. Federal officials shut down a government application for smartphones that allows migrants to schedule appointments to use ports of entry. Almost a million immigrants used this option while it was active. Incoming officials also said he would end birthright citizenship. However, it is unclear what an executive order would do because the Constitution guarantees citizenship for those born in the United States. Yet Trump expressed pleasure about a last-minute wave of pre-emptive pardons issued by President Biden to protect some of Trump’s adversaries, including General Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the longtime government scientist who has been questioned over his COVID measures and involvement in controversial virus development; and all the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. REPUBLICAN SETBACK It came as a setback for Republicans who have accused Dr. Fauci of lying to the U.S. Congress by denying that his agency funded “gain of function” research—the practice of enhancing a virus in a lab to study its potential real-world impact—at a lab in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the COVID-19 pandemic began. For years, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave grants to a New York nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance and used some of the funds to work with a Chinese lab to study coronaviruses commonly carried by bats. Milley reportedly fears being recalled to uniform and court-martialed by Trump for criticizing him. Representative Cheney had similar concerns about being prosecuted. Yer two of those pardoned, Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, and former Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, thanked Biden. They said they had been pardoned “not for breaking the law but for upholding it.” The post Trump To Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters; Marco Rubio Confirmed As Secretary of State appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, the stakes are going up! James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen such radical changes in our society; the definition of marriage, millennia-old norms of gender identity, and bath and locker-room privacy have all been affected by court decisions as a sea change in social mores has swept through the western world. In this context, it was particularly striking to watch President Trump's inaugural address, where one of the loudest ovations came after he declared, "the official policy of the United States is that there are only two genders." For those of us who live a Biblical faith, these societal changes feel like a fulfillment of Isaiah's warning: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" [Isaiah 5:20] These societal changes are also influencing the body of believers as numerous controversies and divisions in churches are challenging leaders and laypeople alike. However, this is not a negative thing, according to the Apostle Paul. He addressed the carnal church in Corinth, where factions had developed, saying, "I hear that there are divisions among you … for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." [1 Cor. 11:18-19] In today's moral and social climate, those who truly know the Lord and remain faithful to His Word stand out more clearly than ever. Since God's definitions and standards remain unchanging—regardless of societal trends or "scientific" claims—faithful believers will inevitably be distinguished, for better or worse. This provides us with distinct opportunities to represent a God who is "the same, yesterday, today, and forever." Friend, let us continue to remain set apart, reflecting the truth and love of our Heavenly Father. May our faith be truly visible to all, and may His love, joy, and peace shine brightly in our lives for His glory, serving as a witness to a world that desperately needs Him! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: Latest message: The Mysteries of Yeshua's Birth and Chanukah 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! Editor's Note: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Arizona …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World Iran Sentences Singer To Death Iranian singer and rapper Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, widely known as Amir Tataloo, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam, Iranian officials said Monday. Panama’s President Rejects Trump’s Plan to Retake Panama Canal Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected President Donald Trump's inaugural claim that the U.S. would "take back" control of the Panama Canal. Nigeria Joins BRICS as “Partner Country” Nigeria on Friday was admitted as a "partner country" of the BRICS bloc of economies formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Hostage Deal Includes Release of 110 Palestinians Sentenced to Life for Egregious Terror Attacks In exchange for the phased release of 33 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel on January 19 agreed to the phased release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 110 who are serving life sentences for some of the most egregious murders of Israelis during terror attacks prior to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Publicizing Top-Secret Information on Israeli Plans to Attack Iran A former CIA analyst has pleaded guilty and faces 10 years imprisonment for unlawfully retaining and then posting Top Secret United States National Defense information about Israeli plans to attack Iran on social media in October 2024. Inside the United States Trump To Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters; Marco Rubio Confirmed As Secretary of State Just hours after his inauguration, U.S. President Donald J. Trump promised “immediate pardons” to those convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Donald J. Trump Inaugurated As 47th President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, promising a revolution of common sense, a “golden age of America,” and a radical shake-up of the global order. Trump to Declare National Emergency on Border, Issue Executive Orders After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, President Donald Trump said he will sign “a series of historic executive orders … to begin the complete restoration of America and the ‘Revolution of Common Sense.’” Trump To Call For ‘Revolution of Common Sense’ Donald J. Trump, who at 78 will become America’s oldest president to take office, will call for a "revolution of common sense" during his inaugural address, according to prepared remarks. Outgoing President Biden Moves To Guard Trump Adversaries Against ‘Retribution’ Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden moved just hours before leaving office on Monday to guard some of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s most high-profile adversaries against what he said was a promised campaign of “retribution” by issuing pre-emptive pardons to head off politically driven prosecutions. Trump Taking Over Power Amid Weather and World Concerns Donald J. Trump prepared to make his historic return to the White House on Monday, taking over from a president who, for the first time, admitted publicly that he may not have been fit enough to carry on for another four-year term. Christian News Pakistan Detains Five Over Shooting Christians At least five people were believed to be in Pakistani police custody Monday over the Christmas Day shooting of Christians in Pakistan. Christians Killed In Vietnam; Meetings Raided Christian workers in Vietnam say believers in the Communist-run Asian nation experience “severe persecution,” including violent attacks on church services that killed a Christian leader and his wife and injured a pastor. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – At least five people were believed to be in Pakistani police custody Monday over the Christmas Day shooting of Christians in Pakistan. The shootings outside a pastor’s home in the city of Lahore, which injured three Christians, happened just one day after a confrontation between Pastor Shahzad Siddique and a group of militant Muslim youth, Christians said. “I had returned home from church on Christmas Day and was resting when gunmen opened fire on a gathering outside my house in Maryam Colony,” recalled the pastor in remarks obtained by Worthy News. Witnesses said that though more than a dozen gunmen were involved in an initial attack, no one was wounded at that time. “However, after police arrived at the scene 25 minutes later and began investigating the initial incident, several youths on motorcycles suddenly appeared and opened fire,” Christians said. During the second attack, three people were injured – including Akash Patras, a believer who suffered a severe abdominal wound, confirmed Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), an advocacy group supporting the Christians. Although one suspect was caught immediately, the others fled on foot, leaving five abandoned motorcycles behind, according to Christians familiar with the situation. SEVERAL ARRESTS Since the shooting, at least four other perpetrators have been arrested, Christians confirmed. While police officials continue their investigations, Worthy News learned that additional security measures have been deployed in the area. Violence against Christians in mainly Muslim Pakistan, including that seen on December 25, is often instigated by “false accusations” of blasphemy against Islam, say human rights workers who add that anti-Christian violence has increased in recent years. VOMC said it had urged its supporters to pray for injured Christians, including “Akash, who is recovering from a severe abdominal wound.” Also, “prayerfully uphold Pakistan’s governing authorities as they work to bring about justice on behalf of this targeted group of believers.” VOMC said it hopes that “Pastor Shahzad and the members of his church will be filled with courage, peace, and greater determination as they seek to serve God despite the opposition they encounter.” Pakistan’s government has come under Western pressure to improve the plight of Christians and other minorities. The post Pakistan Detains Five Over Shooting Christians appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, promising a revolution of common sense, a “golden age of America,” and a radical shake-up of the global order. In a ceremony hosted indoors in the U.S. Capitol due to frigid weather, Trump, 78, prepared to return to the White House in triumph after taking the oath of office from John Roberts, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In his inaugural address, he immediately struck a nationalistic tone, vowing to “put America first.” “The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.” Referring to him surviving an assassination attempt, Trump said: “I was saved by God to make America great again.” Trump did not refer to Ukraine by name but made clear he wanted to end the bloodshed between Kyiv and Moscow. “We will measure our success, not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and most importantly, the wars we never get into … my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier,” Trump stressed. His inauguration was the first attended by confident foreign leaders: Chinese vice-president Han Zheng, Argentina’s president Javier Milei, and Italy’s premier, Giorgia Meloni. Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in last year’s fraught battle for the White House, was also in attendance as JD Vance took her place as vice president. Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden withdrew from the race in July. She had framed Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy who would exploit his regained power to settle political scores while ignoring the needs of average Americans. The post Donald J. Trump Inaugurated As 47th President appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – After being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, President Donald Trump said he will sign “a series of historic executive orders … to begin the complete restoration of America and the ‘Revolution of Common Sense.’” The first action he will take will be to declare a national emergency at the U.S. southern border, he said. Trump did not mention the northern border, which saw an unprecedented number of illegal crossings, record number of terrorists entering the U.S., and increased national security threats under the Biden administration, The Center Square reported. “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” Trump said. “We will reinstate my ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. I will end the practice of catch and release. I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.” Trump said he will designate Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The designation will also apply to violent transnational criminal organizations including the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, which is now operating in at least 22 states, The Center Square reported. By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, Trump will direct the federal government “to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities,” he said. The act will be used to remove all cartel and gang members in the country illegally. “As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody’s ever seen before,” he said. Trump is expected to issue 10 executive orders Monday to implement border security measures. They include ending the Obama-era catch-and-release policy Trump ended in his first term, which former President Joe Biden reinstated. The policy led to more than 14 million foreign nationals illegally entering the country, including more than two million who evaded capture known as gotaways under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. Trump will reinstate a policy he created in his first term, Remain in Mexico, or “Migrant Protection Protocols” (MPP). It requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their claims are processed. After the Biden administration sought to end it, Texas and Missouri sued. A federal judge ruled that ending the MPP was unlawful, The Center Square reported. Trump will also direct federal agencies to finish building the border wall along the southwest border, completing a project he began in his first term. Biden halted border wall construction on his first day in office. Texas and Missouri again sued and won that lawsuit as well, The Center Square reported. Another executive order will end parole programs for illegal border crossers created by former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was impeached in part for creating them. Multiple attorneys general sued to stop them, arguing they were illegal. The parole programs, including using a phone app, facilitated illegal entry into the U.S. for millions, including those with criminal records. Many released through the parole programs were later found to commit violent crimes against Americans, The Center Square reported. Another will direct federal efforts to “crack down on criminal sanctuaries,” referring to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. More than 200 were identified and already given notice to comply with federal law or face prosecution. Sanctuary cities expected to be targeted first include Boston, Chicago, Miami and New York. Trump’s massive deportation efforts will be led by his Border Czar Tom Homan, who has said the priority is to find and locate the most violent criminals to process for removal. Another executive order will suspend the federal so-called refugee resettlement program through which local communities nationwide “were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources,” Trump’s transition team said. Trump will also direct members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, to engage in border security operations, deploying them to the border to assist existing law enforcement personnel. According to a poll ahead of the election last year, the majority of Americans support U.S. troops being sent to the border, The Center Square reported. Another order will direct the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty for illegal border crossers who kill U.S. citizens, including law enforcement officers. Last year, criminal illegal border crossers made international headlines after brutally assaulting and murdering American women and girls, The Center Square reported. Their mothers and family members endorsed Trump for president. Another order will direct the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to enhance vetting and screening processes after national security concerns were raised about the Biden administration flying illegal border crossers into the country who weren’t vetted, The Center Square reported. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump to Declare National Emergency on Border, Issue Executive Orders appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Nigeria on Friday was admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc of economies formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009. Considered a counterpart and alternative to the G7 bloc of the world’s largest economies, BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Nigeria joins Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan in becoming the ninth BRICS “partner country.” “With the world’s sixth-largest population – and Africa’s largest – as well as being one of the continent’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other members of BRICS,” Brazil’s government said in a statement Friday. “It plays an active role in strengthening South-South cooperation and in reforming global governance – issues that are top priorities during Brazil’s current presidency,” the Brazilian government noted. “The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. This decision underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships aligned with the nation’s development objectives,” the Nigerian Ministry of Information said in a press release Sunday. “BRICS, a collective of major emerging economies, offers a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with its member states.” While Nigeria is a major contender on the world’s economic stage, it remains plagued by Islamic jihadist terrorism which makes it one of the world’s most dangerous countries for Christians. The post Nigeria Joins BRICS as “Partner Country” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – In exchange for the phased release of 33 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel on January 19 agreed to the phased release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 110 who are serving life sentences for some of the most egregious murders of Israelis during terror attacks prior to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Hamas killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 209 Israelis and 54 Thai farm workers during the October 7 attack. The attack triggered an all-out war as Israel invaded Gaza to destroy Hamas’ infrastructure and ability to harm Israelis. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, including Hamas terrorists and its most senior leaders, have been killed, and nearly 1,000 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in the war so far. Israel’s hostages, including babies and sick and elderly, have remained captive for nearly 16 months. Between hostage deals and a small number of IDF rescues, there remain 94 hostages in Gaza as of January 20, but at least 30 of these are understood to be dead. The Jewish Chronicle notes in a January 19 report that among the Palestinian detainees to be released are men convicted of horrifying attacks on Israeli civilians prior to October 7, 2923. “Wissam Abbasi, Mohammad Odeh, and Wael Qassim of the so-called Silwan Squadron, jailed in 2002 in connection to a string of bombings that killed over 30 Israelis in crowded civilian areas of Jerusalem during the Second Intifada, are also listed for release,” JC said. “Zakaria Zubeidi, detained in 2019 for his role in the shootings near Beit El in the West Bank, is on the list of those set for release. Zubeidi, 49, is believed to have been involved in numerous terror attacks, including the Beit She’an bombing that killed six people at the Likud party branch in 2002, during the peak of the 2000-2005 Second Intifada. Zubeidi broke out of Gilboa Prison in 2021 along with five Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists but was taken back into custody days later. Also set to be released is Mahmud Abu Warda, who is serving 48 life sentences for planning and executing multiple terror attacks, including the 1996 murder of 45 Israelis in two bus bombings in Jerusalem,” JC reports. The post Hostage Deal Includes Release of 110 Palestinians Sentenced to Life for Egregious Terror Attacks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A former CIA analyst has pleaded guilty and faces 10 years imprisonment for unlawfully retaining and then posting Top Secret United States National Defense information about Israeli plans to attack Iran on social media in October 2024. Asif William Rahman, 34, of Virginia, had been employed by the CIA since 2016 and had top-secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). He was indicted by a Grand Jury on November 7, 2024, and was arrested by the FBI while on his way to work in Cambodia on November 12. Rahman was remanded in custody where he remained until his appearance before a federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday, January 17. He pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. He is due to be sentenced on May 25, 2025. “Asif Rahman is pleading guilty in federal court three months to the day that he disclosed top-secret American documents in violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law,” Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a January 17 press release about the case. Robert Wells, Executive Assistant Director of the FBI’s National Security Branch added: “With today’s plea, Asif Rahman acknowledges he betrayed the trust of his country by sharing classified information in spite of the risk to the United States and our allies.” The post CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Publicizing Top-Secret Information on Israeli Plans to Attack Iran appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Donald J. Trump, who at 78 will become America’s oldest president to take office, will call for a “revolution of common sense” during his inaugural address, according to prepared remarks. An incoming White House official said Monday that he would also issue executive orders upon taking office slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and proclaiming that the U.S. federal government “will only recognize two sexes, male and female. ” “I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump was expected to say, according to the remarks. “My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.” Trump on Monday caps a historic comeback and embarks on an agenda that includes mass deportations, steep tariffs, and slashing the size of the federal government, as well as pledges to solve major world conflicts ranging from the Middle East to the war in Ukraine. Yet he has also made it clear he is in favor of a more conservative agenda regarding what he considers woke issues, such as the ongoing debate about genders as well as abortion. The post Trump To Call For ‘Revolution of Common Sense’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden moved just hours before leaving office on Monday to guard some of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s most high-profile adversaries against what he said was a promised campaign of “retribution” by issuing pre-emptive pardons to head off politically driven prosecutions. Among those receiving the pardons were General Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the longtime government scientist who has been questioned over his COVID measures and involvement in controversial virus development; and all the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, including former Representative Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming. “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics,” Biden said in a statement. “But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” he added. “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances,” Biden stressed. It came as a setback for Republicans who have accused Dr. Fauci of lying to the U.S. Congress in denying that his agency funded “gain of function” research – the practicing of enhancing a virus in a lab to study its potential real-world impact – at a lab Wuhan, the Chinese city where the COVID-19 pandemic began For years, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave grants to a New York nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance and used some of the funds to work with a Chinese lab to study coronaviruses commonly carried by bats. Milley reportedly fears being recalled to uniform and court-martialed by Trump for criticizing him. Representative Cheney had similar concerns about being prosecuted. The post Outgoing President Biden Moves To Guard Trump Adversaries Against ‘Retribution’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News HANOI (Worthy News) – Christian workers in Vietnam say believers in the Communist-run Asian nation experience “severe persecution,” including violent attacks on church services that killed a Christian leader and his wife and injured a pastor. Additionally, believers were forced from their homes in the ongoing attacks in recent weeks, Worthy News learned Monday. In comments shared with Worthy News over the weekend, Christians said the late “Brother Ting” and his family members, who regularly held church gatherings in their home, were told by authorities to stop meeting for worship. After Ting refused, the Christian leader was “found beaten to death along the side of a road,” confirmed advocacy group and charity Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) to Worthy News. “In addition, the authorities had ordered Ting’s wife, Mar, to do community work. After explaining that she was too busy and unable to help, Pastor Ting’s wife was found dead in her home about a week after Ting was murdered,” VOMC added. Separately, Pastor Dan, an elderly Christian leader who uses his home for church gatherings, was injured when he and a group of believers were targeted when they gathered at the pastor’s house on December 23, Christians told Worthy News. Local authorities, accompanied by residents described as “thugs” – reportedly broke into the pastor’s home. CHURCH MEMBERS ATTACKED “The convening church members were physically attacked during the invasion. When Pastor Dan attempted to intervene, the authorities proceeded to severely beat him, consequently breaking his arm and leg,” VOMC told Worthy News. Elsewhere, a ”group of believers were forced to leave their homes due to the pressures they encountered in the community. Even though these displaced followers of Jesus have thankfully been able to find temporary accommodations with fellow believers, they presently remain without permanent residences of their own,” VOMC said. Another Christian known only as Mr. Bah “was also forced to leave his house after refusing to renounce his faith. He is temporarily staying in the kitchen of his pastor’s home,” added VOMC, which has close contacts in the region. While “VOMC’s partnering ministry office in Australia has been providing the affected Christians with greatly needed financial assistance,” Christians urged prayers for their future. Full names and exact locations were not revealed amid security concerns. In comments shared with Worthy News, Christian workers in Vietnam said they urged prayers “for those grieving” their loved ones, for those “who were forced to leave their homes,” and for “those recovering of their injuries.” Pray “for God’s intervention, provision, and protection to take place in their lives,” they added. The latest reported attacks underscored broader international worries over the plight of devoted Christians in Vietnam. “Particularly those who live within tribal areas, frequently face opposition from local authorities,” according to a VOMC assessment. REMOTE AREAS TARGETED In Vietnam’s more remote areas, villagers follow traditional ethnic-animist religions, and persecution towards anybody who becomes a Christian from this background is fierce, according to Christian rights investigators. “Believers can have their homes destroyed and be expelled from the community. Local authorities crack down on Christian meetings, evangelism, or Bible teaching,” added Open Doors, an advocacy group investigating the situation. It also confirmed that locals backed by authorities “may break up church services and detain, threaten, fine and sometimes imprison church leaders, ordering them not to speak about Jesus anymore. They are particularly suspicious of Christians from minority ethnic groups such as the Hmong. Despite this, Hmong Bible teachers bravely travel miles by motorbike into remote areas to train believers in secret Bible schools.” According to church observers, the historical Roman Catholic churches enjoy more freedom than other denominations and groups but can still be interfered with by the state. However, “Like all Vietnamese people, these Christians are still likely to be imprisoned if they speak out on political issues,” as they are seen as undermining the Communist system, Open Doors stressed. Christian researchers say Vietnamese identifying themselves as Christians comprise nearly 10 million people or almost 10 percent of the mainly Buddhist population. Open Doors ranks Vietnam, led by General Secretary To Lam, 44th on its annual World Watch List of 50 nations where it says Christians face most persecution for their faith in Christ. The post Christians Killed In Vietnam; Meetings Raided appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Donald J. Trump prepared to make his historic return to the White House on Monday, taking over from a president who, for the first time, admitted publicly that he may not have been fit enough to carry on for another four-year term. Yet Monday’s inauguration of the 47th president of the United States was due to become a mainly indoor event as weather conditions forced organizers to change plans. Workers were seen scraming to move the Inauguration Day ceremony inside, including the swearing-in of president and vice president that traditionally takes place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, due to forecasted frigid temperatures. It will be the first time since President Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in 1985 for his second term that the ceremony will be moved inside the U.S. Capitol, history records show. It wasn’t all gloom and doom as Trump still marked his return to power with a celebration at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, about 30 miles (58 kilometers) outside Washington over the weekend. He addressed the crowd, Trumpeting shoutouts to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and declaring his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff a “great negotiator.” Witkoff, this past week, helped negotiate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that began Sunday. CLUBHOUSE BALCONY Soon after his remarks, Trump stepped onto a clubhouse balcony while guests gathered on the patio below him for a fireworks display and performance by tenor Christopher Macchio. Trump made his way from West Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Melania Trump, and their son, Barron, aboard a U.S. military C-32 aircraft on a flight dubbed Special Air Mission 47 – a nod to Trump becoming the 47th president on Monday. It’s a courtesy traditionally extended by the outgoing administration to the incoming one. U.S. media were quick to notice that Trump did not make a government plane available to President Joe Biden ahead of his inauguration in 2021; instead, the Democrat flew to Washington on a privately chartered aircraft. It came amid Trump’s anger over the results of the 2020 presidential elections that he still does not recognize despite them being certified by the U.S. Congress. As his motorcade neared his golf club for Saturday’s celebration, he was greeted by dozens of well-wishers who gathered along the roadside and chanted “Trump” and “USA, USA!” ARCTIC AIR With a blast of Arctic air expected to leave the nation’s capital facing frigid temperatures on Inauguration Day, Trump opted to move inside most of Monday’s outdoor events, including the swearing-in ceremony, saying: “We’ll be very comfortable now.” Less comfortable was outgoing President Joe Biden, who acknowledged in an interview published this month that he might be too old to serve another four years in the White House in a candid admission about his age after repeatedly dismissing the concerns during his ill-fated re-election campaign last year. Biden told the USA Today newspaper, “Who the hell knows? So far so good, but who knows what I’m going to be when I’m 86 years old,” when asked if he would have been healthy enough to serve another four years had he stayed in the race and beat President-elect Trump. The president insisted, however, that he could have beaten Trump, citing polling he reviewed. It was unclear what polls he was referring to, as most major national surveys consistently showed Trump leading after Biden’s disastrous June debate performance. Last year, Biden repeatedly rejected concerns about his age, telling broadcaster ABC News in a post-debate interview, “I believe so,” when asked if he had the mental and physical capacity to serve another term. He added, “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I did.” Biden said during the USA Today interview that he had doubts about running in 2020 and “wasn’t looking to be president when I was 85 years old, 86 years old,” and talked to Democratic leaders about “passing the baton,” but ultimately decided he had the best chance at beating Trump. When asked about his biggest regrets, running for re-election was not one of them. Instead, he told the paper that he wished he had done more to combat misinformation, particularly related to Trump’s criticism of the effects of immigration. He also wished he had worked more quickly to complete infrastructure projects. It’s now up to the still energetic appearing Trump, who dismissed health concerns over his appetite for burgers and french fries, to show he is fit enough to lead America, and much of the world, through turbulent times. At 78 years, 7 months, and 6 days old, Donald Trump is the oldest president-elect in the country’s history. The post Trump Taking Over Power Amid Weather and World Concerns appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The European Union and Mexico agreed on a new trade agreement on Friday just before President Trump assumes office on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported. Ahead of President-elect Trump’s threats of steep tariffs on both the EU and Mexico, the two regions have reached a trade agreement, pending approval from both governments. The deal would eliminate Mexico’s high tariffs on EU goods like cheese and wine, enhance European exports in financial services and e-commerce, strengthen supply chains for critical raw materials, and promote EU investment in Mexico. It would also provide EU companies access to Mexican government contracts and vice versa. “The EU and Mexico are already trusted partners. Now, we want to deepen our cooperation even further, strongly benefiting our people and economies,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, on Friday. “This landmark deal proves that open, rules-based trade can deliver for our prosperity and economic security, as well as climate action and sustainable development,” she added. Mexico is the EU’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, with trade in goods reaching 82 billion euros ($84.39 billion) in 2023. The new trade deal, which updates a previous agreement from 2000, will make a range of goods, particularly in agriculture and food, duty-free. The post EU and Mexico Reach New Trade Agreement Ahead of Trump Presidency appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Dan McCaleb | The Center Square (Worthy News) – TikTok restored service to American users Sunday after temporarily shutting down in response to a Congressionally passed law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court over its Chinese ownership. The company said it was restoring service after President-elect Donald Trump pledged to sign an executive order to give TikTok more time to work out its ownership concerns. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” TikTok said in a statement. “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.” The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the ban signed by President Joe Biden was constitutional. “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the Supreme Court said in its decision. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.” The ban enacted by Biden mandated that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, sell by Jan. 19 or be shut down. Federal lawmakers had argued the ban was necessary to safeguard sensitive data while the Chinese-owned company’s legal team argued that it violates First Amendment rights, stating officials failed to provide sufficient evidence related to those concerns. Trump had previously petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the enforcement after expressing sympathy over TikTok’s position. He asked that his incoming administration address the national security concerns through “political negotiations” rather than an outright ban. “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security,” Trump wrote on Sunday. “The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.” Trump also said he’d like the U.S. “to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up.” • The Center Square reporter Shirleen Guerra contributed to this report. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post TikTok Restores U.S. Service Ater Trump Intervention appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, is leading an effort to reverse actions taken against military service members through a U.S. Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including protecting religious freedom. Cruz filed the Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots (AMERICANS) Act of 2025 in the U.S. Senate with multiple cosponsors. The seven-page bill includes language from an amendment he filed to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which was defeated by Senate Democrats and three Republican senators who joined them, The Center Square reported. The 2023 NDAA terminated the DOD COVID-19 vaccine mandate, an ultimatum Republicans made in order to pass it. But it didn’t help service members who’d already been punished, demoted and discharged after their religious accommodation request (RAR) exemptions to the mandate were denied. Those who weren’t discharged still faced “cruel and unusual punishment,” demotion and dishonorable discharge, according to attorneys with Liberty Counsel representing service members who sued over the mandate, The Center Square reported. Members of the Coast Guard were still seeking relief in a lawsuit filed by Thomas More Society, who two years after the mandate were still being denied promotions because they wouldn’t comply. TMS Senior Counsel Steve Crampton told The Center Square, “The hypocrisy of those leading the military and the continued discrimination against those with deeply held religious beliefs is that people who want to serve their country are being railroaded out of the services.” In another example, a former Marine who was discharged after his RAR was denied was charged $17,878.23 by the USMC, the remaining balance of a bonus he was given for reenlisting, and was required to repay it, The Center Square reported. Additionally, more than 60,000 National Guard and Reserve soldiers were told by the U.S. Army that they’d lose pay, benefits and “adverse administrative actions, including flags, bars to service, and official reprimands” if they didn’t comply with the mandate. Even after the mandate was rescinded, all four military branches continued to deny RARs, according to reports filed in Liberty Counsel’s case, The Center Square reported. Throughout years of litigation, federal judges repeatedly chastised and rebuked military leaders in their respective cases, The Center Square reported. In one case, Judge Steven Merryday said Navy and Marine Corps leaders must comply with federal law because it applies to “everyone from the President to a park ranger … from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a military recruiter – even if they don’t like it and even if they don’t agree with it. The Free Exercise Clause and RFRA are the law of the land.” Judges in other districts agreed with him, issuing similar injunctions against the mandate. “Our military is still dealing with the consequences of the Biden administration’s wrongful COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” Cruz said. “I led the successful charge for Congress to repeal that mandate, and there is still more to be done.” The bill reverses actions taken against more than 8,400 service members who “were discharged, their benefits stripped, their careers ruined – not because they failed to serve with honor, but because of a political overreach that had no place in our armed forces,” U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC, a Green Beret who filed the companion bill in the House, said. The bill would require the DOD to offer reinstatement to any service member who was involuntarily separated solely because of their COVID-19 vaccine status. It would credit service members with retirement pay backdated to their involuntary separation. It would restore their rank if they were demoted, compensate them for all pay and benefit losses, and make whole those who were forced to repay bonuses or didn’t receive them because of their vaccine status or discharge. It would change the status of their discharge from general to honorable if it was solely implemented because of their COVID-19 vaccine status and require the DOD to expunge all adverse actions from their records related to COVID-19 vaccine status. It would require the DOD to make every effort to retain service members who didn’t get the COVID-19 shots and offer them the same professional development, promotion, and leadership opportunities equal to that of their peers. It would also require the DOD to enforce a COVID-19 vaccine exemption process for service members, including for natural immunity, a relevant underlying health condition, or sincerely held religious beliefs. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch rebuked lockdown policies and COVID-era mandates, saying they were the “greatest intrusions on civil liberties in the peacetime history of this country.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Cruz Leads Effort to Repeal DOD COVID Vaccine Mandate, Protect Religious Freedom appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Dan McCaleb | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will be sworn in as its 47th at noon eastern Monday at an inauguration ceremony that was moved indoors because of anticipated freezing temperatures in Washington D.C.. Hours before the inauguration, Trump rallied with supporters Sunday night and vowed to “take back our country” after what he said was four years of “American decline” under President Joe Biden. “So on the eve of taking back our country, that’s what we’re going to do,” Trump said. “Take back our country tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride. Bring it all back once and for all.” At the rally, Trump said he wasn’t going to wait to sign a number of executive orders to reverse Biden-era policies that will establish a “brand-new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity, and pride.” He vowed to secure the border, reestablish U.S. energy independence, slash federal government regulations to reignite the economy, end boys playing girls’ sports and more. “We will stop illegal immigration once and for all,” Trump said during the Sunday night rally in Washington D.C. “We stand on the verge of the greatest four years in this nation’s history.” Echoing his words after he was shot in the ear by a would-be assassin at a campaign rally in July in Butler, PA, Trump said his administration would “fight, fight, fight” to “make America great again,” his MAGA campaign slogan. “We will fight, fight, fight, and we will win, win, win,” Trump said. “We will make America powerful again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America healthy again. … We will make America great again.” Trump is expected to sign dozens of executive orders reversing Biden policies on Monday, with a particular focus on securing the southern border. As The Center Square previously reported, Trump has vowed to: • Reinstate Title 42, a COVID-era policy that helps shut down the southern border. • Reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” a policy that Trump used during his first term that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their claim to be processed. Biden ended that policy and let migrants in and asked questions later. • Consider designating cartels south of the border as terrorist organizations, a policy once pushed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when he was running for president that could open up a flood of new resources and executive powers at the border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated the violent Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua, a foreign terrorist organization last year. • Kickstart a massive, never-before-seen deportation program for the millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Trump’s appointee as border czar, Tom Homan, has been clear saying publicly that Trump named this as a top priority when choosing him for the job. Trump also has pledged to open up domestic oil drilling in an effort to lower costs for Americans. He has also promised to end a Biden-era rule that would require more than half of Americans to transition to electric vehicles over the next decade. He has threatened “day one” tariffs on imports from foreign nations as well, though it is unclear how wide-ranging those tariffs could be, since Trump likes to wield them as a negotiating tool against other nations. Trump also has promised to end transgender participation in women’s sports, something lawmakers in the U.S. House have already passed a bill to quench. • The Center Square’s Washington D.C. bureau chief Casey Harper contributed to this report. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Rallies With Supporters Night Before Inauguration appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israelis across Israel celebrated Sunday the release of three women by Hamas, the first of nearly 100 hostages due to return home, dead or alive, following their abduction on October 7, 2023. Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher were freed under a ceasefire deal that also saw 90 Palestinian prisoners leaving Israel’s prisons. Israeli sources said the hostages initially reunited “with their mothers after 471 days in captivity” but that no ”immediate medical attention was needed.” However, “it was all for show—for the world to witness their so-called victory,” said Clara Merman, who was held captive in Gaza for 53 days alongside her sister, niece, partner, and brother. Speaking after the release of Damari, Gonen, and Steinbrecher on Sunday, she recounted how Hamas staged their actions to create an illusion of control and protection during their release. “Hamas told us, ‘Don’t worry, we’re protecting you.’ Protecting us? When the crowd was surging toward us?” she said. Describing the long and harrowing journey home, she said, “They pretended to guard us, escorting the group while keeping others at bay. But it was all a blatant performance—for the world to see their so-called victory.” Yet, it also became clear Sunday that Israel’s government still faces an uphill battle to completely fulfill its states goal of eliminating Hamas. “While Hamas suffered many blows from the [Israel Defense Forces], it was able to recruit new members, and it even kept trucks and vans ready to return to the streets and show its presence,” noted Seth J. Frantzman, a Middle East security analyst and author, confirming earlier reporting by Worthy News. LOSING CONTROL Writing in The Jerusalem Post newspaper, he referred to video footage showing Hamas apparently emerging from tunnels and rubble in Gaza “to show that it never lost control of most of the area despite fifteen months of the war.” The footage released Sunday showed large groups of armed men waving to crowds or standing and sitting on vehicles that were parading them through the streets. “Hamas police, an arm of the terrorist group, are also reappearing. They have been around throughout the war, but their presence has not been as clearly felt in some areas,” Frantzman added. He stressed that throughout the war, at least some nongovernmental organizations, NGOs, and other international groups “complained that the lack of Hamas police, or their being targeted by the IDF, was leading to a breakdown in law and order.” Yet, “In essence, many groups linked to the international community that work in Gaza prefer working with Hamas and its police. Palestinian media, such as Quds, has shown images and videos from Gaza, depicting this as a Hamas victory. They portray the videos as showing “Palestinian factions,” and not just Hamas. They also show civilians celebrating alongside the gunmen.” However, Hamas did admit Sunday it had lost crucial leaders and allies in Israeli strikes against its infrastructure and fighters. VICTORY CLAIM For instance, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan confirmed the death of deputy military chief Marwan Issa in an Israeli strike while adding that ongoing hostage negotiations were “a victory” for the group. Marwan Issa served as deputy to former Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who had been eliminated. “The dowry for liberating Palestine was the blood of these great leaders,” Hamdan told Al Manar TV, the network owned by Hamas’ ally group Hezbollah. He also listed several other Hamas and Hezbollah leaders eliminated by the IDF. “In Palestine – Brother Abu Al-Abd, Brother Yahya Sinwar, Brother Marwan Issa, or other leaders like Sheikh Saleh Al-Arouri – and in Lebanon, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, His Eminence Sayyed Hashim Safieddin, Hajj Abdul Qadir, Sayyed Mohsen, and other senior leaders whom we knew and experienced their sincerity.” Issa was targeted in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip in March of last year, with the IDF later confirming he had been killed, Israeli sources said. Yet, for now, Israel will be forced to maintain a ceasefire with what is left of Hamas if it wants to see the return of other hostages. Under the terms of the complex three-phase deal, four additional living hostages are expected to be released in seven days. 100 HOSTAGES Of the nearly 100 hostages still held in Gaza after being taken in the October 7 attack by Hamas-led Islamic fighters, seven are U.S. citizens. Israeli officials cautioned that four of the seven are dead. Two of those still living are on the list of nearly three dozen hostages Hamas has pledged to release as part of the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Israel. Following the release of the first hostages, the ceasefire appeared to hold following a war that Hamas-backed authorities claimed killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians. However, those figures have been complex to verify independently. The war was sparked by the Hamas massacre of some 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, also known in Israel as the “black sabbath,” and described as the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah. The agreement will be seen now. Fighting paused, and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails being freed. The multi-stage deal, brokered by mediators the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, will also mean a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged territory. Some 94 of the roughly 250 people taken hostage on October 7, 2023, remain in Hamas custody in Gaza, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of those who were seized. FIRST STAGE In the first stage of the ceasefire deal, 33 still-living hostages are to be freed over six weeks. In return for the release of the captives, Israel will free 737 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase, according to the ceasefire deal. Also to be released are 1,167 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of the war and held in Israel. Among those freed are believed to be suspected or convicted terrorists. Among the roughly 250 people abducted in Israel on October 7, 2023,!some have died in captivity in Gaza, while others have been released or rescued. The first phase will also include Israeli troops pulling back into a buffer zone about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide inside Gaza, along its borders with Israel. On servers day that will allow many displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, including in Gaza City and devastated northern Gaza. Under the deal, food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid will be stepped up, though Israel has claimed that much of previous aid was stolen by Hamas. The deal requires 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza every day of the ceasefire, 50 of which carry fuel, and 300 trucks allocated to the north. CEASEFIRE PLAN The ceasefire plan approved by Israel’s cabinet says all trucks entering Gaza will be subject to Israeli inspections. Negotiations over a second phase of the agreement are to begin “on the 16th day of phase one” and to include the release of all remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel says it will not agree to a complete withdrawal until Hamas’s military and political capabilities are eliminated, ensuring it can no longer rule. Hamas refuses to hand over the last Israeli hostages until Israel ends the war and removes all its troops, complicating a final deal. A third phase is expected to include the return of the bodies of the dead hostages and the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction. Scores of hostages are feared dead, though the death toll remains unclear. There is little detail about the future of Gaza – from how it will be governed to any guarantees that this agreement will bring a permanent end to the war. Within the international community, there have been calls that Palestinians must run Gaza. Still, commentators point out there has not been a consensus about how this should be done. The release of the first hostages came hours before Donald J. Trump was to become the 47th president of the United States on Monday. He has pledged to end conflicts in the Middle East and warned Hamas that “all hell will break out” if hostages are not released ahead of his January 20 inauguration. The post 3 Hostages Reunite With Families, But More Work Ahead appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Hamas named the three hostages it planned to release Sunday, more than two hours after the ceasefire in Gaza was supposed to have begun. Israel had earlier made clear it would keep fighting until it received the names. Hamas said the female hostages due to be returned home are Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. Steinbrecher was incorrectly named “Shtanbar Khair” in the message delivered by the Hamas military wing’s channel on the social media platform Telegram. Israel has not yet confirmed the list given by Hamas. Damari and Steinbrecher were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Gonen was taken from the Nova festival by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners. However, he later stressed that the ceasefire would start at around 11:15 am local time. It came as Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s hardline national security minister, resigned after he threatened last week to quit if the government ratified the ceasefire deal, which it eventually did. Under the accord, Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier Hamas releases, Israeli sources said. Hostages expected to be freed in the first phase are those who fall under the humanitarian category, such as women, children, elderly, or wounded, Worthy News learned. The accord is an attempt to end a war launched by Hamas that has killed thousands. More than 46,000 Palestinians died in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to Hamas-controlled authorities, though Israel says nearly half of those killed were Hamas fighters. The post Hamas Releases Names Of Hostages As Ceasefire Was Supposed To Start appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday as the company’s application, or app, was removed from prominent app stores, including those operated by tech giants Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available. The blackout began just hours before a law took effect following concerns that China may collect sensitive data from millions of Americans. Yet the ban impacts millions of customers in the world’s leading economy. Users opening the TikTok app on Saturday already encountered a pop-up message preventing them from scrolling videos that read, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” The app’s disappearance has been five years in the making. Donald J. Trump first proposed a ban on TikTok during his first term as U.S. president in mid-2020 via executive order, which did not succeed. Various members of the U.S. Congress proposed measures that would do the same, but only one passed. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act became law, mandating TikTok be sold or be banned. “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned,” a message to users attempting to use the app said. TIKTOK DISAPPEARS After TikTok disappears from app stores, preventing new downloads and updates, it will gradually obsolesce while the ban remains in place, experts say. Experts warn that without regular maintenance, the app’s smooth functionality will suffer glitches and may become vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Analysts have suggested it is “just matter of time” until the U.S. ban on TikTok spreads to allied countries and beyond – if the Trump administration decides to keep it offline. The app has been switched off in America as U.S. legislators ruled it was a national security risk because of owner ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government – ties it denies. Incoming President Trump has indicated though that he is opposed to the ban and will find a way to reverse it, despite his earlier objections, citing its popularity among the youth and its positive impact on his presidential campaign. The chief executive of TikTok even plans to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, say sources familiar with the plans. Shou Zi Chew has reportedly been invited to sit in a position of honor on the dais, which is typical of other important guests. Yet with the U.S. ban now on place, experts point to the previous ousting of Chinese and Russian tech companies on national security grounds as a potential blueprint for how the TikTok ban might spread around the world. Critics view it as a limitation on freedom of expression. The post TikTok Goes Dark In US Ahead Of Trump Inauguration appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Eight bodies were found so far after a fire broke out at one of the oldest shopping malls in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, as rescuers intensified search efforts for still missing persons, officials said Saturday. The blaze at the Glodok Plaza started at around 9:30 p.m. local time Wednesday in a discotheque and karaoke venue but quickly spread, according to investigators and witnesses. Many customers were reportedly in the mall during the massive blaze. Officials said the city’s fire department deployed over 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters to combat the flames at the shopping mall. The city’s police spokesperson, Ade Ary Syam Indradi, told reporters that firefighters and police personnel were still investigating the cause of the blaze. Footage monitored by Worthy News showed horrific flames coming out of the top floors of the massive mall. Witnesses said they had heard “a loud explosion” when the fire began. FIRE SPREADING The acting chief of the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service, Satriadi Gunawan, confirmed that “the fire grew bigger and spread to the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th floors.” He added that the fire, which began at the venue “on the 7th floor,” may have been caused by “an electrical short circuit or gas cylinder,” but added that an investigation is still underway. This was the second massive blaze at the shopping mall since April 9, 1983, when a fire engulfed the Golden Dragon restaurant. Worthy News learned that no deaths were reported at the time. Indonesian television reported Saturday that the death toll from the latest blaze in West Jakarta rose to eight, but the toll was expected to increase. Malls in Indonesia are often monitored by security personnel following Islamic terror attacks targeting areas frequented by Western tourists, including shopping centers as well as churches in the world’s largest Muslim nation. The blaze at Glodok Plaza comes as Indonesia is also reeling from numerous volcano eruptions in recent days, although no deaths were reported. The post Numerous Killed In Indonesia Mall Fire appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, what an awesome privilege! Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Thousands are gathering in Washington D.C. today to pray for the inauguration of the new president of the United States. I know a number of people who will be there and I think it's a good thing, but this reminds me of a story I heard once. Robert A.Cook, president of The King's College in New York, was speaking at the Moody Bible Institute some years ago. He was saying that the day before, he had been at a gathering in Washington and had talked with Vice President George Bush. And went on to say that he later spoke briefly with President Ronald Reagan. Then smiling broadly, Cook said, "But that's nothing! Today, I talked with God!" It's an honor to participate in a gathering for the president-elect, but how much greater an honor is it that the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, Ruler of all, Perfect in holiness and righteousness, the One and Only completely and totally just, loving, merciful, omnipotent and omnipresent God -- hears our prayers, calls us His children and cares for our every need! Friend, we so often fail to give God the glory He deserves! When we pray our next prayer, let's keep in mind precisely who it is we're talking to! Let's continue to pray for the president as we transition into this next season. Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: Latest message: The Mysteries of Yeshua's Birth and Chanukah 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! Editor's Note: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Arizona …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World EU and Mexico Reach New Trade Agreement Ahead of Trump Presidency The European Union and Mexico agreed on a new trade agreement on Friday just before President Trump assumes office on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported. Numerous Killed In Indonesia Mall Fire Eight bodies were found so far after a fire broke out at one of the oldest shopping malls in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, as rescuers intensified search efforts for still missing persons, officials said Saturday. Iran, Russia Sign Pact On Military, Trade Cooperation The world faced more security challenges Saturday after Russia and Iran signed a controversial 20-year “strategic partnership” that was due to worry Israel, Ukraine, and their Western allies. Israel-Palestinian Conflict 3 Hostages Reunite With Families, But More Work Ahead Israelis across Israel celebrated Sunday the release of three women by Hamas, the first of nearly 100 hostages due to return home, dead or alive, following their abduction on October 7, 2023. Hamas Releases Names Of Hostages As Ceasefire Was Supposed To Start Hamas named the three hostages it planned to release Sunday, more than two hours after the ceasefire in Gaza was supposed to have begun. Israel had earlier made clear it would keep fighting until it received the names. Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Hostage Deal, Set for Government Vote Israel's Security Cabinet approved a hostage deal on Friday, where 33 Hamas captives will be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences. Inside the United States TikTok Restores U.S. Service Ater Trump Intervention TikTok restored service to American users Sunday after temporarily shutting down in response to a Congressionally passed law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court over its Chinese ownership. Cruz Leads Effort to Repeal DOD COVID Vaccine Mandate, Protect Religious Freedom U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, is leading an effort to reverse actions taken against military service members through a U.S. Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including protecting religious freedom. Trump Rallies With Supporters Night Before Inauguration Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will be sworn in as its 47th at noon eastern Monday at an inauguration ceremony that was moved indoors because of anticipated freezing temperatures in Washington D.C.. TikTok Goes Dark In US Ahead Of Trump Inauguration TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday as the company's application, or app, was removed from prominent app stores, including those operated by tech giants Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MOSCOW/TEHRAN (Worthy News) – The world faced more security challenges Saturday after Russia and Iran signed a controversial 20-year “strategic partnership” that was due to worry Israel, Ukraine, and their Western allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian agreed to deepen military ties between their countries through the accord. Russian and Iranian officials stressed that the “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty,” inked Friday in Moscow, also covers trade, science, culture, and education. But the military part apparently keeps world leaders awake at night. Russia and Iran agreed to increase cooperation in areas such as security services, military drills, warship port visits, and joint officer training. According to the text, neither will allow its territory to be used for actions that threaten the other and will provide no help to an aggressor attacking either nation. The text also pledged that they would work on countering military threats. But it did not yet include a mutual defense clause in a treaty between Russia and North Korea, which the West says has seen North Korean troops deployed to fight in Ukraine, something Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied. ARMS TRANSFERS Additionally, arms transfers, a topic of particular concern to the U.S. and its allies, were not specifically mentioned. However, the two sides said they would develop “military-technical cooperation.” It was unclear whether the transfer or sales of weapons to each other was deliberately kept under the radar at a time when thousands of Iran-made drones have reportedly been used in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Iran’s self-detonating “Shahed” drones were used by Moscow, especially in its nightly strikes on Ukraine, according to Ukrainian and Western officials. At a joint news conference with Pezeshkian in Moscow, Putin praised the deal as a “real breakthrough, creating conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran, and the entire region.” Israel was due to monitor developments closely following its recent air strikes in Iran after Tehran had attacked the Jewish nation with missiles and drones. Kyiv, which has asked for more Western military support, also raised concern over the military ties between Tehran and Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. MORE COOPERATION Besides cooperation with Iran, Russia already deploys North Korean troops in its ongoing war against Ukraine, further internationalizing Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War Two. Establishing closer ties with Iran, China, and North Korea is seen as part of Putin’s attempt to challenge what he views as “the U.S.-led “global hegemony.” Pezeshkian, who spoke of a “new chapter” with Russia, visited Moscow while his Islamic Republic tackled major foreign policy setbacks. These included a Syrian opposition offensive that toppled Syria’s longtime President Bashar al-Assad, a key Russian and Iranian ally, and the weakening of the Iran-aligned Lebanese armed Hezbollah group following a war with Israel. The treaty was signed just days before Donald J. Trump’s return to power on January 20 as the 47th president of the United States. The U.S. president-elect has threatened swift action to end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The post Iran, Russia Sign Pact On Military, Trade Cooperation appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article