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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BEIJING (Worthy News) – Investors are reportedly increasingly concerned that China risks sliding into an economic malaise that could last decades. Bloomberg News, the financial news service closely following developments in China, reported Thursday that investors in China’s $11 trillion government bond market “have never been so pessimistic” about the world’s second-largest economy. Some market watchers fear the “Japanifation” of the economy, the term economists use to describe falling into the same deflationary trap of collapsed demand that caused the so-called “Lost Decades” in Japan. Those “Lost Decades” broadly refer to the period from 1995 to 2023, when Japan’s annual gross domestic product fell from $5.33 trillion to roughly $4.21 trillion, Worthy News monitored. Additionally, real wages reportedly fell around 11 percent while the Asian nation of roughly 1.4 billion people saw a stagnant or decreasing price level. While an echo of post-bubble Japan is far from certain, the similarities are hard to ignore, according to a Bloomberg assessment. “Both countries suffered from a real estate crash, weak private investment, tepid consumption, a massive debt overhang, and a rapidly aging population. Even investors who point to China’s tighter control over the economy as a reason for optimism worry that officials have been slow to act more forcefully.” CLEAR LESSON One clear lesson from Japan is that reviving growth becomes increasingly difficult when authorities wait to stamp out pessimism among investors, consumers, and businesses. That seems an uphill battle for Communist-run China where freedom of expression, including about the economy, remains a challenge and economic activities are often micro-managed by the Chinese Communist Party, according to a Worthy News assessment. Regardless of one’s views, experts say Japan’s fate during the “Lost Decades” between 1990 and 2010 offers a stark warning for investors in Chinese assets. Borrowing from the state became perhaps less profitable after China’s “Politburo,” the Communist leadership, announced its most substantial commitment to rate cuts in over a decade. The yield on China’s 10-year bonds recently fell to a record low of 1.77 percent while longer-tenor yields also tumbled. Investors are now confronting the risk of what once seemed unthinkable: China’s 10-year bond yields sinking below those of Japan, which currently pay around 1.04 percent, according to market watchers. Even talks about ‘yields’ of zero surfaced, showing how dramatically things have changed in China’s bond markets and beyond. Beijing may still hope that Chinese exports, including its electric vehicles to climate-change-scared Europe, could at least partly positively impact its economy. Yet, with U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump entering the White House and discussing imposing more tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing’s trade relations with the West remain challenging. The post Investors Alarmed Over China’s Economy (Worthy News Analyse) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Muslims have threatened massive protests against the construction of a Catholic church in Indonesia’s West Java Province in the latest standoff over Christian worship in the world’s largest Muslim country. In comments monitored by Worthy News on Thursday, lawyer Anton Minardi said he had been authorized by residents of Cipamokolan village in the Rancasari Sub-District of the provincial capital Bandung to challenge the project. The lawyer of law firm Anton Minardi & Partners warned he “would take legal action” due to “criminal elements in the case” surrounding the construction of the St. Anthony Sang Hyang Hurip Catholic Church. Residents, who are mainly Muslim, “plan to hold a large-scale demonstration to express their disappointment over what they perceive as government officials ignoring their strong protests,” he added. The lawyer cited parts of a 2006 Joint Ministerial Decree that said, “the local community should resolve any conflict arising from the establishment of houses of worship.” Minardi stressed in published remarks that the decree also mandates that the “actual needs of specific religious groups in a given area must be considered when building houses of worship. Ideally, local authorities should facilitate dialogue between conflicting parties.” The conflict comes despite Pope Francis’s 2024 visit to Indonesia, where he called for religious dialogue between Muslims and minority Christians. SUMMONING PARTIES With tensions mounting, Worthy News learned that Bandung’s Regional People’s Representative Council, an influential local authority, wants “to summon all involved parties.” It cited alleged “mismanagement, false declarations, fictitious residents, forged signatures, and indications of bribery” related to securing support for the church’s construction from local officials. Christians have vehemently denied wrongdoing and say obtaining such permits is nearly impossible for most new churches. “Especially in places such as Bandung, it is very difficult to get a permit to build a church. They don’t want churches because they are not preaching Islam,” a church worker told Worthy News. “When there are a lot of Muslims, they will not allow Christian sites such as churches and schools. We have recently seen the same issue in Sulawesi Province where a Christian could not open,” added the church worker, who identified herself only as Victoria. Even when smaller churches manage to fulfill the requirement of obtaining 90 signatures from congregation members and 60 from households of different religions in the area, they often face delays, Christians say. Victoria and other believers in Indonesia say they are frequently pressured to pay extra fees, referred to as “grease money,” to local officials or residents to secure building permits for churches or other institutions such as schools. According to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), people identifying themselves as Christians comprise at least nearly 11 percent of Indonesia’s 282 million people. MUSLIM CONVERSIONS Some evangelical leaders have told Worthy News the actual figure may be higher as many Muslims turn to faith in Christ, adding to tensions with the Muslim establishment and residents. The latest standoff over a church construction in West Java Province did not surprise Christians. The pressure [on Christians] is also higher in places like West Java or Aceh, where radical Islamic groups exert a heavy influence on society and politics,” noted the advocacy group Open Doors. It has ranked Indonesia 42nd on its annual World Watch List of 50 countries where it says Christians face most persecution for their faith. “The situation for Christians has been deteriorating in recent years, with Indonesian society increasingly influenced by conservative interpretations of Islam. Polls regularly show that especially young people hold conservative views, and by-laws on Islamic dress are becoming more common.” It noted that “Many converts from Islam experience pressure from their families. However, the intensity of the pressure depends on the individual family and place.” Despite the crackdown, Christian leaders have told Worthy News they are encouraged by the spread of the Christian faith in the country. The post Indonesia Muslims Rally Against Church Construction (Worthy News Investigation) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – Republicans in Congress led by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to impose term limits for members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. senators to two six-year terms and U.S. House members to three two-year terms. The two-page resolution states that after the amendment is passed by Congress and ratified by the states, the amendment would go into effect “within seven years after the date of its submission by the Congress.” The resolution proposes that after a member of the U.S. House has served three terms, they aren’t eligible to be reelected to the House. After a U.S. senator has served two terms, they are no longer eligible to be elected or appointed to the U.S. Senate. “Term limits are critical to fixing what’s wrong with Washington, D.C.,” Cruz, who was just reelected to this third term in the Senate, said. “The Founding Fathers envisioned a government of citizen legislators who would serve for a few years and return home, not a government run by a small group of special interests and lifelong, permanently entrenched politicians who prey upon the brokenness of Washington to govern in a manner that is totally unaccountable to the American people. Term limits bring about long-overdue accountability. I urge my colleagues to advance this amendment to the states so that it may be quickly ratified and become a constitutional amendment.” Cosponsoring the joint resolution with Cruz are Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Todd Young of Indiana, Steve Daines of Montana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Katie Britt of Alabama and Jim Banks of Indiana. US Rep. Ralph Norman, R-SC, introduced the companion resolution in the US House. “Elected office should represent a short-term privilege of public service, not a career choice,” Norman said. “Those of us in Congress ought to serve for a reasonable period of time and then return home to live under the laws we enacted.” Sen. Cruz previously introduced resolutions to propose a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Cruz has also proposed ending so-called birthright citizenship by amending the Constitution, The Center Square reported. Amending the US Constitution is no simple endeavor. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The president has no constitutional role in the process. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, 38 out of 50. The Constitution may also be amended through a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the state legislatures. This has never happened. All 27 amendments to the Constitution were passed by Congress and ratified by the states. The last amendment to the Constitution was made in 1992. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Republicans Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Impose Term Limits appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News DAMASCUS (Worthy News) – The final days of Syria’s autocratic President Bashar al-Assad “unfolded in complete chaos,” with him being used as “a puppet” by various nations, a senior aid revealed Wednesday. It was a hornet’s nest from which he could no longer escape, explained Kamel Saqr, Assad’s longtime “right-hand man.” In a 90-minute podcast interview, he said Turkey saw an opportunity to claim territory. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had been a close ally, “was too preoccupied” with Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Additionally, Iran, which had long supported Assad’s government, was overwhelmed by Israel’s successful attacks against its proxy, Hezbollah. “Chaos” is perhaps the best word to describe Assad’s downfall. He was ignored, deceived, and possibly even trapped by Putin, suggested Saqr. He recalled that a week before his country completely collapsed and was taken over by rebels, the Syrian leader visited Moscow. However, Putin showed little interest in meeting him, with their appointment being rescheduled three times, Saqr explained in the podcast hosted by the Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya. He recalled that Assad and a Syrian general were eventually allowed a brief one-hour meeting at the Kremlin. SEEKING ASSURANCES Assad reportedly sought assurances from Putin for support in his war against the rebels, explicitly requesting Iranian weapons under Russian oversight. Putin allegedly promised to instruct Iran to deliver the weapons. But it later emerged that Putin never contacted Iran, and the crucial weapons never arrived, Saqr revealed in the podcast. Assad, he said, was “deliberately” deceived. Without Iranian arms, Assad stood no chance against the rebels. He repeatedly tried to reach Moscow for explanations, but his calls went unanswered, Saqr stressed. “He [Assad] was set up; there’s no other explanation.” To make matters worse, Assad found himself “unable to please any of his allies,” Saqr said. Iran was allegedly furious as Assad, in panic, sought to strengthen ties with other Arab nations. Yet, Assad still hoped that Tehran would pressure Turkey to ease its support for Syrian rebels, Worthy News learned. However, Erdogan was apparently unwilling to retreat from the conflict. The situation “became so dire” that Assad decided to deliver a speech on national television to unify the country, according to Saqr and other sources. DANGEROUS ROLE He said the speech was meant to warn against the country’s “potential division, highlight Turkey’s “dangerous role,” and call for “Arab solidarity” in the region. The planned remarks would have ended with “a plea for Syrians to fight” for Assad. Saqr described it as a “nervous and tense” speech, vastly different from Assad’s usual demeanor. In the end, Assad never delivered the 400-word address: He kept postponing it, and as rebels captured Homs and reports emerged of his own army laying down weapons, Assad “tore up” the speech and realized it was time for a grand escape. Assad evaded detection, reportedly by switching planes during his flight. Rebels even discovered his unfinished meal, according to sources familiar with the situation. Saqr noticed that “Assad fled via Damascus Airport” in an overcrowded private jet to a military base, where he hid for hours. He then flew with his family to Moscow, where they were, surprisingly, still welcomed. Assad has now been granted asylum in Moscow, where he lives in what observers describe as “a golden cage” in a luxurious neighborhood with hundreds of millions of dollars he managed to take with him. However, Russia has denied Turkish media reports suggesting Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of Assad wants a divorce and to leave Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also rejected Turkish media reports suggesting that the former Syrian leader was confined to Moscow and had his property assets frozen. The post Last Days Of Syria’s Assad Marked By ‘Chaos and Betrayal’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Iran’s military has launched massive drills aimed at improving its air defenses as Tehran rushes to enrich uranium to near atomic bomb levels, Worthy News monitored Wednesday. The exercises were underway while the White House reportedly prepared for a potential U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran moves towards a nuclear weapon before January 20, when Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated as America’s 47th president. American sources with close knowledge about the situation said national security adviser Jake Sullivan presented outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden with options for such strikes in a meeting several weeks ago that remained secret until now However, the Axios news website, which first reported about possible U.S. military action, commented that a “U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear program during the lame duck period would be an enormous gamble from a president who promised he would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.” It added that such a strike “would also risk handing a fresh conflict over to his successor.” Sources said Biden did not green-light a strike during the meeting and has not done so since, but it was unclear whether Iran’s latest drills, organized near a key nuclear facility, could impact his decision-making process. Analysts said Iran seeks to project strength following a series of regional military blows by Israel and the election of Trump in the United States. Iran’s latest drills – dubbed Eqtedar, or “might,” in Farsi – have involved the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological branch of Iran’s military, alongside the army. FIRST PHASE “The first phase of the joint Eqtedar exercises in the air defense zone of the Natanz nuclear facility has commenced under the orders of the air defense headquarters commander,” state television confirmed. It added that IRGC air forces were undertaking “an all-out point defense” of the site “against a multitude of air threats in tough electronic warfare conditions.” On Monday, IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said the drills, which will also cover other parts of Iran until mid-March, were being conducted in response to “new security threats,” without elaborating. He added that several branches of the IRGC, including the navy and the paramilitary Basij forces, will also participate in the exercises. At the end of October, Israel attacked key military targets in Iran, degrading its air defense and missile production capabilities in retaliation for a massive ballistic missile attack on Israel earlier that month. Israel also wants to ensure Tehran, which is sworn to the Jewish state’s destruction, won’t be able to develop nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and denies any intention to develop atomic weapons. ENRICHED URANIUM However, Iran has, in recent years, increased its manufacturing of enriched uranium, and it is the only non-nuclear weapons state to possess uranium enriched to 60 percent, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said. That level is well on the way to the 90 percent required for an atomic bomb and beyond anything needed for a civilian nuclear program, experts said. Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program soared after the United States, during Trump’s first term in office, withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear ambitions. And with Iran reportedly being close to developing a nuclear bomb, U.S.-Iranian ties were not expected to improve soon under a Trump presidency. It was unclear, however, how much of a conventional military threat Tehran could pose for the region following Israel’s recent strikes deep inside Iran. Israel recently damaged Iran’s missile production capabilities as well as elements of the nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. However, they added that the damage to the nuclear program was not significant enough to thwart it. MUCH DAMAGE They did stress, however, that Iran’s ability to produce ballistic missiles and solid fuel, which is used for long-range missiles, was greatly diminished. The Israeli strikes also reportedly destroyed much of Iran’s air defense system, including its four Russian-made S-300 systems. Israel’s actions came after Tehran attacked the Jewish nation in response to Israel’s killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in September. The Iranian strikes involved hundreds of ballistic missiles being shot at Israel, triggering sirens across the country. There were no casualties. Yet the IDF acknowledged that certain airbases were hit, although the Air Force’s capabilities were reportedly unaffected. The post Iran Steps Up Drills Amid Nuclear Bomb Threat (Worthy News Focus) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israel is committed to preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding in Lebanon and has stated that the Israel Defense Forces will remain in place until Hezbollah is fully dismantled, according to Brig.-Gen. Amir Avivi, founder and chairman of HaBithonistim. Brig.-Gen. Amir Avivi emphasized that Israel is relying solely on itself to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding in Lebanon, stating, “Israel is not counting on anybody; Israel is counting on Israel.” Speaking to ILTV, he explained that while efforts such as deploying the Lebanese army or dismantling Hezbollah positions would be welcomed, they are considered a bonus rather than a necessity. Since the start of the 60-day ceasefire, Israel has eliminated over 40 Hezbollah terrorists attempting to regroup, and Avivi made it clear that this approach will persist across all of Lebanon, not just the south, according to Avivi. Avivi underscored that Hezbollah will encounter consequences wherever it attempts to regroup. “Anywhere Hezbollah will try to rebuild itself, they will meet the Israeli army, and there will be retaliation,” he stated. Although the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah seems to be continuing, Israel has not pledged to withdraw its troops from Lebanon until Lebanon fulfills its commitments under the deal. Avivi emphasized that the timeline is secondary to ensuring the agreement’s full implementation. “If the Lebanese army doesn’t fully deploy, if they don’t dismantle Hezbollah in south Lebanon, and if they don’t push Hezbollah out of south Lebanon, the IDF will remain in its positions to protect the citizens of Israel,” Avivi stated. “I think we learned that lesson from the seventh of October. We’re not going to agree to timetables. We want to see results on the ground. And this is the responsibility of the state of Lebanon. This is the responsibility of the Lebanese army to do what was agreed upon—to dismantle Hezbollah, push it out of south Lebanon, and fully deploy the Lebanese army in a way that will create stability and security in Lebanon.” The post Israel Will Insure Hezbollah Will Not Rebuild in Lebanon appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Laken Riley Act, a bill that empowers law enforcement to detain illegal immigrants accused of crimes, after the House passed it 264-159 on Tuesday. The legislation would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain for deportation any migrant residing illegally in the U.S. who additionally “is charged with, is arrested for, is convicted of, admits having committed, or admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of any burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offense.” The bill would also allow states to sue federal officials who violate or refuse to enforce immigration law. All 216 Republicans who voted supported the legislation, while 48 Democrats joined them and the remaining 159 Democrats who voted opposed it. Originally rejected by the Democrat-controlled Senate in the 118th Congress, sponsor Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., reintroduced it as a closed-rule bill attached to the recently adopted 119th House rules package. The Laken Riley Act is named after a University of Georgia nursing student murdered in February 2024 by Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra, who had a prior record of shoplifting in the U.S. but was released from law enforcement custody before committing the murder. U.S. immigration law already requires that migrants illegally entering and residing in the United States be deported, even if they are not charged with additional crimes, but ICE cannot always enforce it under the Biden administration’s parole and sanctuary policies. “Right now, ICE is unable to detain and deport these illegal criminals who commit these minor-level crimes. But the Laken Riley Act will fix this, and give ICE and our local law enforcement the tools to get these criminals out of our country and make our communities safer,” Collins said on the House floor prior to the vote. “We’ve got to make sure that this doesn’t ever happen again.” But some Democratic lawmakers slammed the bill, calling it an “empty and opportunistic measure” by Republicans that could harm DACA migrants who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, treating them the same way as hardened criminals. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called the Laken Riley Act a “sloppy and political product” that also violates due process laws by applying mandatory detention statutes on people who are only charged with, not convicted of, committing crimes. “This [bill] allows us to get up and demonize immigrants without doing anything to fix the immigration system, and to act tough without actually making America safer or solving any of the problems within the immigration laws,” Raskin said. Raskin also accused Republicans of turning immigration into a political talking point rather than supporting effective measures, pointing to a bipartisan border deal in February that Senate Republicans and some Democrats rejected. But Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said Democrats’ reluctance to support the bill showcases their own political inconsistency. “The Democrats have told us for four years that their refusal to enforce our immigration laws is because they’re prioritizing more dangerous offenders,” he said. “That is precisely what this bill does – it prioritizes dangerous offenders – and yet the Democrats are still opposing it.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post ‘We Want the Law Enforced:’ U.S. House Passes Bill to Detain Criminal Migrants appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/PALM BEACH (Worthy News) – U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump has refused to rule out using military force or economic pressure to pursue the acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland. He declared U.S. control of both areas vital to American national security, part of what critics called an “expansionist agenda.” The president-elect also warned the NATO military alliance members that they should spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, a significant increase from the current 2 percent target. And at a lengthy news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump suggested he impose tariffs on Denmark if it resists his offer to purchase Greenland, which he said is vital to U.S. national security. Shortly before Trump’s comments, his son Don Jr. arrived in Greenland for a “private visit.” He also seeks to rename the Gulf of Mexico into the “Gulf of America,” though Mexico said it would not support the name change. Additionally, Trump warned the NATO military alliance members that they should spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, a significant increase from the current 2 percent target. His most notable potentially earth-shattering comments about the Panama Canal and Greenland came when Trump was asked whether he could assure the world he would not use military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of both areas. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: we need them for economic security,” Trump answered. TERRITORIAL EXPANSION Reporters commented that Trump’s intention “marks a rejection of decades of U.S. policy” that has prioritized self-determination over territorial expansion. “I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump said when asked if he would rule out military use. “It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.” Greenland, home to a large U.S. military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO. The Panama Canal has been solely controlled by the country for over 25 years. The U.S. returned the Panama Canal Zone to Panama in 1979 and ended its joint partnership in managing the strategic waterway in 1999. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump’s plans for Greenland but said she’d continue to welcome American interest and investment, especially in light of Trump Jr.’s visit. “I, of course, hope that Trump Jr. will have the opportunity to see Greenland and visit the magnificent country,” Frederiksen said in a television interview Tuesday. “But it is also important to hold fast that the future of Greenland is defined by the Greenlanders, not by the rest of us.” “It is their country that we are talking about here, and it is Greenland that, in my eyes, can determine and define Greenland’s future,” she stressed. Frederiksen still considers the U.S. a valuable ally as Moscow and Beijing increase their cooperation. AMERICAN INVESTMENT “I would much rather have American investment and American interest than I want Russian or Chinese,” she said. “On the other hand, I would like to encourage everyone to respect that the Greenlanders are a people; they are a population,” Frederiksen said. “It is their country that is at stake here.” Trump Jr. arrived Tuesday in Greenland on his father’s “Trump Force One” plane, weeks after he again expressed a desire for the U.S. to gain control of the autonomous Danish territory. The visit comes just a day after Trump suggested the people of the vast region were [Make America Great Again] “MAGA” in a post on social media. “Just here as tourists,” Trump Jr. told journalists as he walked into the airport in Greenland’s capital city of Nuuk on Tuesday. “We’ve been talking about going for a while. I was actually supposed to be here last spring for some of the stuff I do in my free time, but just really excited to be here. Awesome country.” He was quickly asked about his father’s desire to make Greenland part of the U.S., but he replied only to say that the soon-to-be second-term president “says hello.” “We were talking to him yesterday, so he says hello to everyone in Greenland,” said Trump Jr. Greenland has a population of about 57,000 and is a fully autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. It has oil, natural gas, and mineral resources, but its economy is reliant on subsidies from Denmark and fishing. Still, back at Mar-a-Lago, Trump expressed doubt about Denmark’s control of Greenland on Tuesday despite its status as an autonomous territory. “Nobody even knows if they have any right, title, or interest,” Trump said of Denmark and Greenland. CANADA 51st STATE? If that wasn’t enough, Trump, a Republican, also floated having Canada join the United States as the 51st state. However, unlike the people in Panama and Greenland, he had some good news for Canadians, saying Tuesday he would not use military force to invade the country, which is home to more than 40 million people and is a founding NATO partner. Instead, he said, he would rely on “economic force” to cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada—a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like crude oil and petroleum—as a subsidy that would be ending. Canadian leaders fired back after earlier dismissing Trump’s rhetoric as a joke. “President-elect Trump’s comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Trump also seeks to rename the Gulf of Mexico into the “Gulf of America” after vowing to revert the name of Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley. Former U.S. President Barack Obama changed the name of the Alaskan mountain in deference to Native Americans. Promising a “Golden age of America,” Trump explained he would move to try to rename the Gulf of Mexico because the “Gulf of America,” as it has a “beautiful ring to it.” Mexico was quick to dismiss that idea, with Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard saying: “Today I’d tell you if we saw each other in 30 years, the Gulf of Mexico will still be called the Gulf of Mexico,” adding that the Mexican government would not get drawn into the debate. Yet, with less than two weeks away before his inauguration as America’s 47th president on January 20, the world was put on notice that it won’t be business as usual with Donald J. Trump leading the free world. The post Trump Not Ruling Out Military Action Over Panama Canal and Greenland appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The founder of social media giant Meta pledged Tuesday to dismiss “fact-checkers,” “dramatically reduce the amount of censorship,” and recommend more political content on its platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Mark Zuckerberg also appointed three new members of Meta’s board of directors, including Dana White, the president and CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a key figure in the orbit of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump. Following the announcements, Worthy News was again able to publish on Facebook its investigative story on the United Nations’ efforts to push its narrative on climate change and other issues via artificial intelligence (AI) and media. Facebook banned the story because it “goes against our community standards.” Meta and other tech giants had come under pressure over what critics view as their censoring of conservative and Christian content. Last month’s Facebook ban isn’t the first time “this has happened to us,” said Worthy News Editor-in-Chief and Founder George Whitten. “We were among the first to report on the laptop contents of Joe Biden’s son, who was later convicted on tax and gun charges. Facebook also removed that story” ahead of the 2020 presidential elections. Yet, on Tuesday, Zuckerberg appeared to change his tune. With Donald J. Trump’s inauguration as America’s 47th president less than two weeks away, he vowed to prioritize free speech afterward and said that starting in the U.S., he would “get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X.” PLATFORM X X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, owned by Elon Musk, relies on other users to add caveats and context to contentious posts. In a significant change, Zuckerberg said Meta’s “fact-checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created.” He added that the tech firm’s content moderation teams will be moved from California to Texas “where there is less concern about the bias of our teams.” He admitted that changes to how Meta filters content would mean “we’re going to catch less bad stuff” without elaborating. Yet Zuckerberg suggested he would get high-level help for how efforts to democratize platforms like Facebook. It marked a significant business shift for Zuckerberg, who dined at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in November and gifted him a pair of Meta Ray-Bans smart glasses. Meta also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund. Worthy News learned that other big tech companies, such as Amazon, have donated similar amounts to Trump, who was once suspended from Facebook. PROMINENT CONSERVATIVE Meta has also promoted its most prominent conservative, Joel Kaplan, to the company’s top policy job, another move seen as strengthening connections to conservatives. Zuckerberg explained that his social media company is also adding the auto tycoon John Elkann and the tech investor Charlie Songhurst to its board of directors. Elkann is the CEO of Exor, a Netherlands-based investment company, and chair of its two auto companies, Stellantis and Ferrari. Zuckerberg said the executive had “deep experience running large global businesses, and he brings an international perspective to our board.” Songhurst previously worked at Microsoft and began advising Meta last year on artificial intelligence (AI). Zuckerberg said they all would help Meta “get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse.” He stressed that his firm would “work with President Trump to push back on governments worldwide that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more.” The post Meta To Fire Factcheckers And Reduce Censorship (Worthy News Focus) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, sometimes its hard to understand adversity -- but there's a purpose! Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. I suppose one of the hardest questions to answer is: "Why do I have to deal with so much adversity?!" Quite honestly, one of the best answers I've ever come across was written by C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity. Lewis likened God's use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end: forward motion. But the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite of the direction that he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog's will. It is in this way that God uses adversity! We really don't like being pulled and corrected by the Lord -- but when we understand there's a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good! Friend, let's learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. We may not enjoy it, but when all's said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. And hope will not disappoint us for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit...[Romans 5:4-5] We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go, AND He knows exactly how to get us there! 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: New Mexico and 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 French Far-Right Politician Jean-Marie Le Pen Dies At 96 (Worthy News In-Depth) The founder of France’s far-right National Rally party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who had convictions for Holocaust denial and a penchant for racist and antisemitic remarks, has died, his family confirmed. He was 96. Indonesia Joins BRICS Amid Tensions With Trump Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, has become the newest member of BRICS, the group of developing nations named after its initial members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Worthy News established Tuesday. At Least Scores Killed In Tibet Quake A strong earthquake killed at least 53 people in China-controlled Tibet on Tuesday and left many others trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the region of western China and across the border in Nepal and parts of India, officials announced. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Israel Will Insure Hezbollah Will Not Rebuild in Lebanon Israel is committed to preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding in Lebanon and has stated that the Israel Defense Forces will remain in place until Hezbollah is fully dismantled, according to Brig.-Gen. Amir Avivi, founder and chairman of HaBithonistim. Inside the United States ‘We Want the Law Enforced:’ U.S. House Passes Bill to Detain Criminal Migrants The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the Laken Riley Act, a bill that empowers law enforcement to detain illegal immigrants accused of crimes, after the House passed it 264-159 on Tuesday. Trump Not Ruling Out Military Action Over Panama Canal and Greenland U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump has refused to rule out using military force or economic pressure to pursue the acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Meta To Fire Factcheckers And Reduce Censorship (Worthy News Focus) The founder of social media giant Meta pledged Tuesday to dismiss “fact-checkers,” “dramatically reduce the amount of censorship,” and recommend more political content on its platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Biden-Trump Standoff Over Offshore Drilling A standoff emerged Tuesday between outgoing President Joe Biden and his incoming successor, Donald J. Trump, over his plans to expand offshore drilling. Christian News Shooting Kills Christian Mother In Pakistan; Daughter Injured A Christian mother was killed and her teenage daughter critically injured after being shot in Pakistan’s city of Gujranwala by suspected Muslims who condemned their faith in Christ, well-informed sources told Worthy News. Christians Torched To Death In Uganda For Abandoning Islam Christians in eastern Uganda are facing a period of grief after a former Muslim couple and their adult son were reportedly burned to death for abandoning Islam and turning to faith in Christ. Worthy Insights Israel must lessen dependence on foreign weaponry – editorial The long-term danger of this type of dependence on the US for arms became even more acutely evident in November, when Sen. Bernie Sanders sponsored three different bills that would have embargoed future arms sales to Israel, including the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bomb guidance kits that turn “dumb” bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as tank and mortar shells. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News GUJRANWALA (Worthy News) – A Christian mother was killed and her teenage daughter critically injured after being shot in Pakistan’s city of Gujranwala by suspected Muslims who condemned their faith in Christ, well-informed sources told Worthy News. “The mother, Shabana Karamat, 45, was killed instantly, while her 18-year-old daughter, Misbah, sustained critical injuries. She is currently fighting for her life in the hospital,” said Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of Christian charity LEAD Ministries Pakistan. “The mother and daughter, who were employed as domestic workers in Muslim households, were attacked on their way home from work,” Gill told Worthy News. Local police launched an investigation to determine the identity of the attackers and a motive behind Monday’s shooting, Christians said. However, after “watching the videos, it appears that the two Christians were targeted for elimination because of their faith. There were no other apparent conflicts, as they are simply laborers,” Gill stressed. “The assailants seem to have aimed at creating a sense of fear and insecurity among Christians in Punjab,” the province where the latest attack occurred, he added. “The case has been filed [at police] against two unknown assailants based on a complaint from Karamat Masih, Shabana’s husband,” Gill confirmed to Worthy News. STRONG CONDEMNATION He said that LEAD Ministries Pakistan “strongly condemned this tragic incident” and called “for swift justice for the family.” After listening to the videos, Gill stressed that “it seems they were targeted due to the Christian faith as there is no dispute of family with anyone. They are simple laborers. ” “The assailants seem to have aimed at creating a sense of fear and insecurity among Christians in Punjab, Pakistan.” Monday’s attack came while Christians were already mourning Suleman Masih, a 25-year-old Christian farmer, who they say was “brutally murdered” by “Muslim landlords” on New Year’s Day. The January 1 attack in the village of Kot Asad Ullah near the city of Gujranwala came after the “Masih family was falsely accused [of wrongdoing],” recalled Gill. “The land they cultivated was forcibly taken from them,” added Gill in an interview with Worthy News. “Despite this, the heartless Muslim perpetrators were not satisfied [with the land] and went on to murder the young man. He was shot in the stomach, and his younger brother Dawood, who was also attacked, narrowly survived his injuries,” Gill said. Video footage shared by local believers with Worthy News showed Christians praying and crying near the body of the deceased. The latest incidents highlighted broader concern about reported attacks against Christians and their churches in the mainly Muslim nation. The post Shooting Kills Christian Mother In Pakistan; Daughter Injured appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News PARIS (Worthy News) – The founder of France’s far-right National Rally party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who had convictions for Holocaust denial and a penchant for racist and antisemitic remarks, has died, his family confirmed. He was 96. Under his leadership, the National Rally party was kept on the sidelines of French politics till his daughter, Marine Le Pen, tried to rehabilitate the party’s public image by distancing herself from her father’s rhetoric Jean-Marie Le Pen, a former paratrooper, led the party from 1972 to 2011 when it was called the National Front. He had been in a care facility for several weeks and died at midday on Tuesday “surrounded by his loved ones,” his family said in a statement. Le Pen will be remembered for running unsuccessfully for president five times. In 2002, he shocked the political establishment by finishing second to Jacques Chirac in the first round of presidential elections. He advanced to a runoff but received less than one-fifth of the vote as the French mainstream united behind Chirac. TURBULENT CAREER Throughout his turbulent political career, Le Pen espoused racist and antisemitic rhetoric that landed him in legal trouble in France, where Holocaust denial is illegal. In 1987, he was convicted of denying the Holocaust after saying — and refusing to disavow saying — that the Nazi gas chambers were “just a detail” in history. It was his first conviction but not his last. In 2017, he was charged with inciting hatred over saying about a Jewish singer who criticized the National Front party, “Next time we will put him in the oven.” His daughter, Marine Le Pen, was elected the party’s leader in 2011, directly succeeding her father. She sought to moderate the image of the party, renamed National Rally, and denounced her father’s antisemitism. Jean-Marie Le Pen was ejected from the party he founded in 2015 following the oven comments, sparking a divide among its supporters between those who favored his extremist rhetoric and those who preferred a more temperate approach. Though he left the party, he did not leave the national stage. He continued to amass fines over his comments and ignited new controversies. In 2018, he praised France’s World War II collaborationist government in a memoir. The Vichy government worked with the Nazis to round up Jews and send them to be murdered — the fate of more than 75,000 Jews living in France at the start of the war. IGNITING CONTROVERSY Under Marine Le Pen, who also ignited controversy by saying the French people should not be blamed for their part in the Holocaust, the party has continued to rise in influence. Last year, carried by a tide of anti-immigrant sentiment across Europe, it received a third of the vote in the first round of national elections. The younger Le Pen has focused on opposing immigration and the European Union and has herself been charged with hate speech against Muslims. Born in the port of La Trinite-sur-Mer in the western Brittany region on June 20, 1928, Jean-Marie Le Pen was the son of a seamstress and a fisherman. His father’s fishing boat hit a mine during World War II, killing him – a loss that hit the young Le Pen hard. Anxious to see action, Le Pen volunteered for service in two wars in French colonies: the First Indochina War (1946-1954) in Vietnam and the Algerian Civil War (1954-1962). Shortly after his return from Algeria, he entered politics and, at 27, became France’s youngest legislator when he was elected to parliament in 1956. But he was unable to resist the lure of the battlefield, Le Pen watchers say. Later that year, he took part in the Franco-British military expedition to seize the Suez Canal and, a few years later, joined forces fighting to keep Algeria French. COLONIAL POSSESSIONS As in Vietnam, he was infuriated to see France losing its colonial possessions, accusing World War II hero Charles de Gaulle of “helping make France small” by granting Algeria its independence. A consummate orator and trained lawyer, he tapped into the anger of right-wingers nostalgic for the empire and French settlers forced to flee the North African country. The eye patch he wore for many years added to his pugilistic air. Years later, Le Pen revealed that he lost his eye driving a tent peg into a hole, and not, as was widely thought, in a brawl. In 1972, he co-founded the National Front, billed as a “national, social, and popular” party. Two years later, he made his first run for president. The early years were tumultuous, with his unabashed racism and anti-Semitism striking a raw nerve in a country still haunted by the collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II. In 1976, a bomb ripped through the Paris apartment building where Le Pen lived with his wife Pierrette and three daughters, slightly injuring six people but sparing the Le Pens. Eight years later, Pierrette walked out of the marriage, resurfacing shortly afterward to pose nearly nude for Playboy magazine in a French maid’s outfit – her pointed answer to her husband’s advice to get a job as a cleaner. BIG BREAKTHROUGH His party’s first big electoral breakthrough came in the mid-1980s when the party won 35 seats in parliament. But its fortunes fluctuated sharply over the next two decades, partly due to changes in the election system that favored big parties. Le Pen’s message remained unchanged, however, with immigration, the political elite, and the European Union all being bashed—even though he was a member of the European Parliament for over 30 years. In 2007, Le Pen maintained that Nicolas Sarkozy, the son of a Hungarian immigrant who went on to win the presidency, was not sufficiently French to hold the office. He repeatedly warned that African immigration would “submerge” the country and claimed the Nazi occupation of the northern half of France in World War II was “not particularly inhumane.” But it was comments on the Holocaust – which he repeatedly called a “detail” of history – that caused the most shock. The remark earned the politician nicknamed the “Devil of the Republic” and one in a string of convictions for anti-Semitism and racism. FAMILY WEDGE It also drove a wedge between him and his daughter, Marine, who embarked on a mission to clean up the party image after taking over the party leadership in 2011. She called the process “de-diabolisation” – “de-demonisation”—in an apparent nod to her father’s legacy. Four years of uneasy political cohabitation between father and daughter ended in a blazing row in 2015 when the younger Le Pen kicked him out of the party for his Holocaust remarks. The ultimate humiliation for Le Pen senior came when Marine ditched the National Front brand in early 2018. “She would have to commit suicide to cut her links with me,” he had told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. Further ignominy was in store for him, however. His adored granddaughter, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, a telegenic former parliamentarian tipped as a future leader of the far right, also distanced herself from the family brand. She dropped Le Pen from her name on her social media accounts, becoming simply Marion Marechal. “Marion perhaps thinks that it is too much weight to carry,” her grandfather grumbled. His former party, now the National Rally, has since made significant inroads in European and French politics under Marine. It showed substantial gains in last year’s European Parliament elections and became the largest single party in a subsequent general election in France, part of a broader trend in several European Union nations. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced Tuesday. The post French Far-Right Politician Jean-Marie Le Pen Dies At 96 (Worthy News In-Depth) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JAKARTA (Worthy News) – Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, has become the newest member of BRICS, the group of developing nations named after its initial members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Worthy News established Tuesday. Brazil, which holds the bloc’s presidency in 2025, said the members approved Indonesia’s entry “by consensus” as part of an expansion push initially approved at the bloc’s 2023 summit in Johannesburg. The move is part of efforts to expand the group as an alternative to the perceived U.S.-led global order ahead of Donald J. Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on January 2. BRICS previously added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates to its ranks. Nations like Thailand and Malaysia have also expressed interest in joining. Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, asked to join BRICS following last year’s presidential election. President Prabowo Subianto took office in October. “Indonesia shares with the other members of the group support for the reform of global governance institutions and contributes positively to the deepening of cooperation in the Global South,” the Brazilian government stressed. GLOBAL SOUTH Officials said that during its presidency, Brazil seeks to increase cooperation between countries of the “Global South” and reform multilateral institutions. According to the government of left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, one of the objectives is the “development of means of payment” to facilitate trade between member countries. Worthy News documented that during the last BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in November 2024, member nations discussed boosting non-dollar transactions and strengthening local currencies. However, U.S. President-elect Trump condemned the move and threatened the group’s members with “100 percent tariffs” if they undercut the American dollar. This year’s BRICS summit will occur in Rio de Janeiro in July. With Indonesia joining, the incoming Trump administration is due to remain on its guard as it rolls out its “America First” policies in domestic and international affairs. The post Indonesia Joins BRICS Amid Tensions With Trump appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News KAMPALA (Worthy News) – Christians in eastern Uganda are facing a period of grief after a former Muslim couple and their adult son were reportedly burned to death for abandoning Islam and turning to faith in Christ. The December 26 tragedy unfolded in the Budini Nyanza area of Kaliro town in the Kaliro District after 64-year-old Kaiga Muhammad, his wife Sawuya Kaiga, and their son Swagga Amuza Kaiga, 26, “had put their faith in Christ on November 22,” Christians said. They made the decision when members of an undisclosed church visited their home to explain to them the Gospel, Worthy News learned. The pastor of the church, who asked to remain anonymous due to security reasons, said in published remarks that “after the three family members received Christ’s salvation, they requested prayer for Swagga Amuza Kaiga, who was suffering from malaria.” “We prayed for the son, and immediately he was restored to good health,” the Christian news agency Morning Star News (MSN) quoted the pastor as saying. “The three members of the family who gave their lives to Christ decided to keep their faith secret for fear of Muslims of the area since Muhammad himself was a committee member in one of the mosques in Budini Nyanza zone.” However, on December 15, area Muslims reportedly observed Muhammad leaving the church’s worship service in a nearby village and informed area chairperson Wangule Abudu. LIVES TO CHRIST On December 16, the chairperson went to Muhammad’s home to question him, and Muhammad openly told him that he and other family members “had given their lives to Christ,” the pastor recalled. An angry Abudu gave Muhammad one week to renounce Christianity, saying that if he refused, he would “mobilize the Muslim community against the family,” according to a relative who was away when the parents and son “accepted Christ.” “Abudu said that our family had blasphemed the name of Allah and embarrassed the Muslim community,” the family member reportedly said. Area Muslims on December 26 then set ablaze the family’s house “with gas and burned the three members of the family beyond recognition,” added a neighbor who had arrived with others too late to save them and the structure. Kaliro police arrived after the lives had been lost and, after investigating, arrested suspects Wangule Abudu, 62, and Ismail Njagi, 20. The two Muslims were being kept at Kaliro central police station on charges of murder and arson. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Bumanya Heath Centre for postmortem, according to Christians with knowledge about the situation. The attack was the latest of a series of attacks against Christians in Uganda, monitored by Worthy News and other sources. FACING HOSTILITY “In parts of Uganda, especially in the eastern region where the Muslim community makes up the majority, the hostility faced by Christians, particularly by converts from Islam, is severe,” explained advocacy group Open Doors in a recent assessment seen by Worthy News. “Christians in these areas are frequently targeted for bullying and harassment that can escalate to severe consequences like community expulsion, physical assaults, and in extreme cases, even killings.” The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a radical Islamic group, further exacerbate this volatile environment, according to Christiana familiar with the situation. In eastern Uganda, Christians reportedly face frequent attacks by Muslim mobs as converts from Islam to Christianity face ostracism, expulsion, or house arrest from their families and local community. In one of the worst recorded attacks in recent years over 40 Christians were killed at a Christian boarding school on the border to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, in June 2023. Experts say Uganda’s constitution and other legislation provide for “religious freedom,” including the right to “propagate” faith and convert from one faith to another, but in practice Christian converts face attacks. Muslims comprise about 12 percent of Uganda’s population, especially with in eastern areas of the country where Christians face most pressure, according to official estimates. The post Christians Torched To Death In Uganda For Abandoning Islam appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BEIJING (Worthy News) – A strong earthquake killed at least 53 people in China-controlled Tibet on Tuesday and left many others trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the region of western China and across the border in Nepal and parts of India, officials announced. Witnesses said the powerful earthquake hit especially Tibet’s Shigatse city, seen as one of its ‘holiest’ sites by local Buddhists, around 09:00 local time. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow, at about 10 kilometers (6 miles). China recorded the magnitude as 6.8. The official Xinhua News Agency, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, said besides those killed, some 62 other people were injured. The Ministry of Emergency Management said about 1,500 firefighters were deployed to search for people in the rubble. Chinese social media videos showed damaged roofs, shopfronts, and debris piling on the streets of Lhatse County, some 86 kilometers (53 miles) from the epicenter. The footage also revealed damaged cars and motorcycles parked along the road. Much of the damage reportedly occurred in Shigatse, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a key figure of Tibetan Buddhism whose spiritual authority is second only to that of the Dalai Lama. Tingri County, near the earthquake’s epicenter, is a popular base for climbers preparing to ascend Mount Everest. A tourism staff member told local media that Mount Everest sightseeing tours in Tingri, initially scheduled for Tuesday morning, “have been canceled.” The sightseeing area has been fully closed. They added that three visitors were reportedly in the sightseeing area “but had all been moved” to an outdoor area for safety. The post At Least Scores Killed In Tibet Quake appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – A standoff emerged Tuesday between outgoing President Joe Biden and his incoming successor, Donald J. Trump, over his plans to expand offshore drilling. Trump, whose “drill, baby, drill” mantra has energized the fossil fuel industry, condemned Biden for moving to ban new offshore oil and natural gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters. It was seen as a last-minute effort to prevent the incoming Trump from taking action. Biden, whose term expires in two weeks, said he is using authority under the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to protect offshore areas along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea from future oil and natural gas leasing. “My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs,” Biden said in a statement. “As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren,” he stressed. Biden’s orders would not affect large swaths of the Gulf of Mexico, where most U.S. offshore drilling occurs. Still, it would protect coastlines along California, Florida, and other states from future drilling. BAN ‘RIDICULOUS’ However, in a radio interview, Trump branded the ban “ridiculous”. “I’ll unban it immediately,” he pledged. “I have the right to unban it immediately.” Trump has previously said he will reverse Biden’s conservation and climate change policies, arguing that the United States has been taken advantage of by heavy carbon dioxide, or CO2, emitting countries like China. Yet analysts say Biden’s actions, which protect more than 625 million acres of federal waters, could be complex for President-elect Donald Trump to unwind since they would likely require an act of the United States Congress to repeal. Trump himself has a complicated history of offshore drilling. In 2020, he signed a memorandum directing the Interior Secretary to prohibit drilling in the waters off both Florida coasts and off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina until 2032. The action came after Trump initially moved to vastly expand offshore drilling before retreating amid widespread opposition in Florida and other coastal states. Biden’s ban covers the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast of California, Oregon, and Washington, and a section of the Bering Sea off Alaska. It is the latest in a string of last-minute climate policy actions by the Biden administration ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The post Biden-Trump Standoff Over Offshore Drilling appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News TEHRAN/PARIS (Worthy News) – France has warned that Iran’s uranium enrichment drive is nearing “a point of no return” in a l development that could put more pressure on the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump. In a statement monitored by Worthy News on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that “European partners” who signed up for a 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic should consider reimposing sanctions if Tehran does not progress. Addressing an annual conference with French ambassadors to outline foreign policy objectives this year, President Emmanuel Macron described Iran as the main “strategic and security challenge” for France and Europe. “The acceleration of the nuclear program leads us nearly to the point of no return,” Macron told the ambassadors, suggesting Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied wrongdoing, saying it is enriching uranium “for peaceful purposes,” but Israel and the United States have been among the most vocal countries expressing doubts. U.S. President-elect Trump pulled Washington out of the 2015 deal during his first term in office and restored tough U.S. sanctions on Tehran. Indications that Iran is increasing its activities toward developing a nuclear bomb were expected to further toughen Trump’s response toward Iran after his inauguration as America’s 47th president on January 20. European powers France, Germany, and Britain said last month Iran’s actions had further undermined the nuclear deal. The deal included easing sanctions in exchange for Iran committing to limit its nuclear program to peaceful purposes and allowing inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Macron suggested that Tehran would heighten its stockpile of high-enriched uranium without a “credible civilian justification.” The head of the IAEA said in December that the Islamic Republic was “dramatically” accelerating enrichment close to the roughly 90 percent level that is bomb-grade, Worthy News reported earlier. French, German, and British diplomats are set to hold a follow-up meeting with Iranian counterparts on January 13 after one last month held to discuss the possibility of “serious negotiations.” European diplomats say they are still trying to defuse tensions with Tehran ahead of Trump’s return to the White House later this month. “In the coming months, we will have to ask ourselves whether to use … the mechanism to restore sanctions,” Macron added, referring to October 2025 when the 2015 accord formally expires. Macron said Iran’s ballistic missiles and support for Russia also posed threats to Europe. He suggested this would become one of the main dossiers to be addressed in diplomacy with Trump after he took office. However, Tehran is under pressure to halt its nuclear program after the country and its allies – including Lebanon’s Hezbollah – were dealt painful blows by Israel in recent months with attacks, according to a Worthy News assessment. At the same time, the country’s Islamic rulers have faced mounting protests and social upheaval, with crowds demanding more rights and economic prosperity in a nation suffering under severe sanctions. Yet Iran watchers raised concerns that Tehran may make a push for a nuclear bomb to restore regional deterrence as it has become increasingly isolated following Israeli attacks against its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. The post France: Iran’s Nuclear Program Reaching ‘Point Of No Return’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – Investigators have found the body of an Indian journalist who went missing on New Year’s Day. Mukesh Chandrakar’s human remains were discovered in a septic tank in India’s Chhattisgarh state, officials said. Police told media that his body showed signs of “severe injuries” and was discovered in the compound of a road construction contractor in Bijapur on Friday. Chandrakar reported on corruption and the Maoist rebellion in the mineral-rich state and ran the popular YouTube video-sharing site channel Bastar Junction. Chandrakar’s death sparked protests by journalists in the country amid broader concerns about high-level corruption and pressure on critical reporters in India. The Press Council of India, the self-regulatory watchdog of the press, has demanded a report “on the facts of the case” from the state government. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma pledged that a special investigation team (SIT) had been formed to probe Mukesh’s death, leading to the detention of three suspects. However, on Tuesday, the compound owner was believed to be still on the run. The key suspect was said to have political connections, but according to Indian media, both the Congress Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied that he belongs to them. Vishnu Deo Sai, chief minister of Chhattisgarh from the ruling BJP, described Chandrakar’s death as “heartbreaking” and promised the “harshest punishment” for those found responsible. Yet the case has raised questions about journalists’ safety. Last year, India ranked 159th on the World Press Freedom Index, which is run by the Reporters Without Borders advocacy group. The post Killed Indian Journalist Found In Septic Tank appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Congress has officially certified the 2024 election results, confirming President-elect Donald Trump as the next Commander in Chief of the United States and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, as the next vice president. The count verified that Trump and Vance won 312 Electoral College votes – well over the 270 needed for victory – while Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz received 226 votes. “CONGRESS CERTIFIES OUR GREAT ELECTION VICTORY TODAY – A BIG MOMENT IN HISTORY. MAGA!” Trump posted on social media. As vice president, Harris formally presided over the counting ceremony, where no objections to the results were raised. “Today, I will perform my constitutional duty as vice president to certify the results of the 2024 election. This duty is a sacred obligation – one I will uphold guided by love of country, loyalty to our Constitution, and unwavering faith in the American people,” Harris said in a video released Monday. Democrats contrasted the 2025 proceedings, which took roughly 30 minutes, with the ceremony four years ago, when a group of pro-Trump protesters entered the capitol building and disrupted the electoral certification process. “Thankful for the heroic police officers who defended the Capitol against a violent mob on January 6, 2021. We will never forget your sacrifice or let others whitewash the lawlessness and treachery of that day,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on X. “Today, @HouseDemocrats will vote to certify the results of the 2024 election. Because we are democracy believers, not election deniers. Because we will always honor the will of the people, not bow to the dictates of one man,” House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass. Republicans have largely ignored the anniversary, focusing instead on Trump’s victory. “Today was far more than a procedural act. It marks the start of a new Golden Age of America: a time to reclaim our strength, rebuild our prosperity, and reestablish true leadership,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer posted on X following the count. “The work ahead is critical, and under our 47th President, @realDonaldTrump, we will Make America Great Again.” Trump and Vance will take office on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. The post Trump won: Presidential Election Results Certified appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News OTTAWA/WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday after nearly a decade in power amid mounting concern over the nation’s future. The post-pandemic inflation spike, high unemployment, mass immigration, huge housing costs, and questions over his governing style made the 53-year-old increasingly unpopular. His position became untenable, however, after more than 20 Liberal members of parliament publicly called for Trudeau’s departure. The revolt up followed the abrupt departure of his finance minister minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, who resigned last month. Both disagreed on financial policies ahead of Donald J. Trump’s January 20 inauguration as the 47th president of the United States. Freeland openly questioned the recently announced two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollars ($175) checks to Canadians. She said Canada is dealing with Trump’s threat to impose sweeping 25 percent tariffs and should eschew “costly political gimmicks” it can “ill afford.” TEARY-EYED Appearing teary-eyed, Trudeau became the latest incumbent driven out by rising voter dissatisfaction worldwide. He said it had become clear to him that he could not “be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” Trudeau planned to remain prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party was chosen. “I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well-being of democracy” are “something that I hold dear,” said Trudeau, outside his official residence. He confirmed that Parliament, which had been due to resume on January 27, would be suspended until March 24. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race. The announced leadership change at one of America’s largest trading partners prompted U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump to say, incorrectly, according to his critics, that Trudeau stepped down because Canada relies on subsidies from the U.S. to stay afloat. He has also referred to Canada as the 51st state of the United States, despite being a sovereign nation with British King Charles III as its current monarch since September 2022. MAJOR EXPORTER Canada is also a major exporter of oil and natural gas to the U.S., which, according to analysts, relies on its northern neighbor for steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Trudeau’s planned resignation will end a career for a man who became the second-youngest prime minister in Canada’s history and whose filmstar looks and family background helped him in a come-from-behind victory in 2015. Trudeau is a former teacher, nightclub bouncer, and snowboard instructor who has three children with his ex-wife, a former model and television host. He was also the first government leader to be the child of a previous prime minister, as the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau. However, his political rivals quickly warnedCanadians that only they could turn the country into a more prosperous nation. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said Canadians “desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved” that Trudeau is leaving. “But what has really changed? Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years.” Other opposition leaders, including Jagmeet Singh, who leads the leftist New Democratic Party, added their criticism. “It doesn’t matter who the next Liberal is. They’ve let you down. They do not deserve another chance,” added Singh, who propped up Trudeau’s party for years. Yet the president of the Liberal party, Sachit Mehra, said party members were “immensely grateful” to Trudeau for delivering “transformational progress” for Canadians, including $10-a-day child care, dental care, and a national climate plan. Mehra said he would call a meeting this week to select a new leader. The post Canada’s Trudeau Announces Resignation appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The International Christian Concern persecution watchdog has released its Global Persecution Index annual report for 2025. Available for download on the ICC website, the Index provides an analysis of the causes of persecution in 20 countries, as well as testimonies of believers’ courage and resilience in the face of extreme hostility to Christianity. The 2025 Global Persecution Index includes reporting on “the dramatic rise of authoritarianism, mass displacement” as well as “religious nationalism, transnational repression, and the increasing use of technology to surveil and oppress believers.” Reviewing global persecution in 2024, ICC reports that hostility against Christians in Nicaragua “has worsened dramatically,” particularly from the government. Concerning the rise of persecution In India, ICC explains: “Hindu nationalism has intensified, stripping away the rights of Christians and religious minorities through anti-conversion laws and mob violence.” Moreover, ICC states: “Across Africa, regions like the Sahel, Nigeria, and DRC face brutal violence against Christians, including weekly attacks and displacement.” “ICC examined every corner of the world to identify the worst of the worst areas of persecution,” ICC President Jeff King said in a statement. “Approximately 300 million Christians worldwide face persecution of all types, including imprisonment, torture, and assassination.” However, notably, the Index also reports on the growth and resilience of the church in countries where Christians face persecution. “Iran has one of the fastest-growing Christian populations in the world, with believers standing firm despite relentless government pressure,” ICC highlights as an example. “The church is also growing in Indonesia, showing resilience in the face of increasing restrictions,” ICC added. The post International Christian Concern Publishes 2025 Global Persecution Index, “Imprisonment, Torture, Assassination” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The US State Department has notified Congress “informally” of an $8 billion proposed arms deal with the Jewish state, Axios reported exclusively on Friday, January 3. The proposed agreement needs approval from the House and Senate foreign relations committees and is likely the last weapons sale to Israel that outgoing President Joe Biden will propose. US officials who spoke to Axios said the proposed deal is a long-term agreement that includes the sale of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against airborne threats, including drones. The sale also includes 155mm artillery shells and Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters, as well as small bombs, JDAM tail kits that turn “dumb bombs” into precision munitions, 500-lb warheads, and bomb fuzes. Some of the weaponry is ready for delivery through current US stocks, but most of it will take a year or more to ship, Axios said. “The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense,” a US official told Axios. The post Outgoing Biden Administration Approves $8 Billion Arms Deal for Israel appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – As the outgoing US Secretary of State visited South Korea, North Korea on Monday fired a missile that flew around 1,100 kilometers (685 miles) before landing in water between the Korean peninsula and Japan, Associated Press/Reuters reports. Ruled by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un since 2011, North Korea has remained staunchly hostile to South Korea and has frequently threatened to invade it. Accordingly, North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and missile technology is a cause of grave concern for South Korea and its western allies, including the United States. South Korean officials reported that Monday’s missile was launched while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Seoul on his last official trip to the region. Noting that Russia has sought the assistance of Pyongyang in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Blinken said in a statement: “North Korea “is already receiving Russian military equipment and training. Now we have reason to believe that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang.” For its part, Seoul claims Kim Jong-un has taken advantage of the recent political in South Korea following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol to launch missile tests. “The turmoil will also make it difficult for South Korea to begin its relationship with a second Trump administration on steady footing,” AP/Reuters noted. The post North Korea Launches Missile That Flies Over 1,000 Kilometers appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – An Assemblies of God (AG) evangelical church in Massachusetts has transformed its 100-year-old building into a warming center for the homeless and others battling the state’s frigid temperatures this winter, AG News reports. Intent on building relationships and sharing the love of God with the local community, Christ the Rock Church in Fall River, Massachusetts has partnered with two other congregations to take eight-hour shifts in keeping warming centers open, AG News reports. By taking eight-hour shifts the churches were able to quickly meet the need for warm refuges: overnight/24-hour shelters are subject to restrictions that can take a lot of time to comply with. “Outreach was already happening, but we wanted to do more,” the church’s lead pastor Rob Canavan told AG News. “We want people to see the church as not just religion, but genuinely caring about people and the community.” Christ the Rock Church also operates a cooling center during hot summers and provides free food and “blessing bags” for the homeless, AG News said. “This is the church that helps . . . ,” a local city council member is reported as saying in a statement. Indeed, the church’s mission statement is: “Love God, love people, change the world.” The post Massachusetts Congregation Opens Church as Warming Center for Homeless appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, thaw out! John 7:37-38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. The United States is currently experiencing a polar vortex—a surge of frigid air from the Arctic circle that blankets the country, bringing massive winter storms in its wake. As of now, over 350,000 people are without power. This sudden and unexpected cold snap brought to mind a story I’d like to share. Between the United States and Canada sits Niagara Falls. An estimated 500,000 tons of water go over the falls every minute. On March 29, 1948, the falls suddenly stopped. Those who lived near enough heard the overwhelming silence, and immediately they thought it was a sign – the end of the world had come! However, after thirty hours had passed – the flow of water resumed. What happened? Heavy winds had set the ice fields of Lake Erie in motion and tons of ice had jammed the Niagara River entrance near Buffalo. The ice blocked the flow of water until finally, there was a shift in the blockage and the river began flowing again. The river had stopped flowing because of ice. Yeshua (Jesus) warned his followers in the last days that the love of many would wax cold! Let's heed His warning! If we really want the flow of God’s love, peace, joy, and anointing in our lives – we cannot allow our hearts to become like ice. Friend, as cold as the world is ... may it never freeze us over! Let's allow the Lord to do a new work in us so that RIVERS of living water would flow through us that we may become a beacon of truth, hope, and love to this world that so desperately needs it! 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: New Mexico and 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 France: Iran’s Nuclear Program Reaching ‘Point Of No Return’ France has warned that Iran’s uranium enrichment drive is nearing “a point of no return” in a l development that could put more pressure on the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump. Killed Indian Journalist Found In Septic Tank Investigators have found the body of an Indian journalist who went missing on New Year's Day. Mukesh Chandrakar’s human remains were discovered in a septic tank in India’s Chhattisgarh state, officials said. Canada’s Trudeau Announces Resignation Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday after nearly a decade in power amid mounting concern over the nation’s future. North Korea Launches Missile That Flies Over 1,000 Kilometers As the outgoing US Secretary of State visited South Korea, North Korea on Monday fired a missile that flew around 1,100 kilometers (685 miles) before landing in water between the Korean peninsula and Japan, Associated Press/Reuters reports. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Outgoing Biden Administration Approves $8 Billion Arms Deal for Israel The US State Department has notified Congress "informally" of an $8 billion proposed arms deal with the Jewish state, Axios reported exclusively on Friday, January 3. Inside the United States Trump won: Presidential Election Results Certified Congress has officially certified the 2024 election results, confirming President-elect Donald Trump as the next Commander in Chief of the United States and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, as the next vice president. Christian News International Christian Concern Publishes 2025 Global Persecution Index, “Imprisonment, Torture, Assassination” The International Christian Concern persecution watchdog has released its Global Persecution Index annual report for 2025. Available for download on the ICC website, the Index provides an analysis of the causes of persecution in 20 countries, as well as testimonies of believers’ courage and resilience in the face of extreme hostility to Christianity. Massachusetts Congregation Opens Church as Warming Center for Homeless An Assemblies of God (AG) evangelical church in Massachusetts has transformed its 100-year-old building into a warming center for the homeless and others battling the state’s frigid temperatures this winter, AG News reports. Worthy Insights Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear program in 2025 could transform Middle East – analysis How Israel could attack and destroy Iran’s nuclear program has transformed in the last nine months, even more so in the last few. An ‘estimated 40% of Hamas tunnels’ still remaining, Israeli expert tells TML Israeli forces are continuing to find weapons depots to encounter Hamas terrorists and tunnels, in a testament to the continuance of Hamas' presence in the territory. Major winter storm covers 13 states, breaking snowfall records as it moves east A major winter storm that broke snowfall records in the Midwest is now hitting the mid-Atlantic, bringing with it a heavy mix of snow and ice and canceling more than 1,400 flights across the U.S. View the full article