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by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News)— Researchers working near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem have uncovered a 2,000-year-old clay token they believe may have been used by Jewish pilgrims to exchange for offerings during visits to the Biblical Second Temple before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, Christian Headlines reports. The token was discovered by the Temple Mount Sifting Project, an organization that is sifting through more than 9,000 tons of dirt that was dumped in the Kidron Valley following illegal renovations carried out by the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement at the Temple Mount in 1999. “[The token] depicts a wine jar, aligning with the Mishnaic text that discusses ‘nesachim,’ a term for the wine libation poured on the Temple altar and also used to refer generally to all the offering components,” the archaeologists said in a statement. “It is plausible that this token was intended for Greek-speaking pilgrims, possibly including Jews from the diaspora.” The researchers noted that the Jewish Mishna “confirms the presence of Greek writing in the Temple, noting in another chapter of Tractate Shekalim (3:2) that baskets in the treasury chamber were marked with Greek letters.” The token is inscribed with the word ‘Doulês,’ the name of its owner, Christian Headlines reports. “This name was common in Thrace, Macedonia, and the northern regions of the Black Sea, areas where Jews had settled by the late Hellenistic-Early Roman periods,” the researchers said. The post 2,000 Year-Old Clay Token Uncovered at Temple Mount May Have Been Used by Pilgrims to Second Temple appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The US Supreme Court is considering whether a near-total ban on abortion passed by the state of Idaho has precedence over a federal law that requires that doctors provide patients with medical care – that might include an abortion – in emergency situations, Reuters reports. The Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in the state’s appeal against a lower court ruling that the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act 1986 (EMTALA) has precedence over Idaho’s abortion ban in situations of conflict. Passed in 2020, and triggered into effect in 2022 following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade, Idaho’s law bans abortion in all circumstances unless the procedure is needed to prevent the woman’s death. Doctors who violate the law face 2-5 years in prison and the loss of their medical license. EMTALA requires that hospitals covered by the federal Medicare program must “stabilize” patients with emergency medical conditions. Hospitals may face lawsuits by patients who do not receive the care they need. Questions raised by the justices during oral arguments indicated no consensus has yet been reached. “Within rare cases, there’s a significant number where the woman … her life is not in peril, but she’s going to lose her reproductive organs, she’s going to lose the ability to have children in the future unless an abortion takes place,” Democratic-appointee Justice Elena Kagan noted. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito countered that EMTALA requires the “unborn child” to be given stabilizing care. “Performing an abortion is antithetical to that duty,” Alito said. The post USA: Supreme Court Considering Whether Idaho Abortion Ban Supersedes Federal Emergency Care Requirement appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Democratic-led Arizona House of Representatives have voted to repeal a Civil War-era total ban on abortion which could soon go into effect unless the Republican-led Senate votes to keep it on the books, Reuters reports. The ban was passed by the 1st Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1864, before Arizona became a state in 1912. The ban was revived by Arizona’s state Supreme Court on April 9: the law can potentially be implemented since the US Supreme Court in 2022 revoked the federal right to abortion up to viability, leaving the issue of abortion up to individual states to decide. Democratic officials and lawmakers condemned the state Supreme Court’s decision. Vowing that her office would not enforce the ban, Democratic Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes said in a statement: “Today’s decision to reimpose a law from a time when Arizona wasn’t a state, the Civil War was raging and women couldn’t even vote will go down in history as a stain on our state.” Wednesday’s vote in the Arizona House of Representatives passed 32-28, with three Republican lawmakers crossing party lines to join all 29 Democrats in voting to repeal the 1864 abortion ban, Reuters said. The GOP holds a 16-14 majority in Arizona’s Senate and could vote on the ban from May 1, Reuters reports. In the event the Senate decides to dispense with the 1864 ban, Arizona’s 2022 law which bans abortion at 15 weeks’ gestation will remain in place. The post Arizona Lawmakers Vote To Repeal Civil War-Era Abortion Ban appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – In response to escalated attacks during the Passover holiday, Israel targeted multiple sites associated with Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon. Following these operations, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had successfully eliminated half of Hezbollah’s commanders in the region. The intense military operation featured a major airstrike on the town of Ayta ash-Shab, targeting around 40 Hezbollah positions in just a few minutes. The IDF deployed both fighter jets and artillery in this assault, focusing on weapons depots and other critical infrastructure utilized by Hezbollah for its activities against Israel. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant remarked during a visit to the IDF Northern Command after receiving an operational update and touring the border, “There is continuous offensive action by IDF forces in all of southern Lebanon as well as in other parts of Lebanon. The operational results are very impressive.” “Half of the Hezbollah commanders in south Lebanon have been eliminated… and the other half hide and abandon south Lebanon to IDF operations,” Gallant stated. Gallant highlighted that the main goal of the IDF is to facilitate the safe return of the tens of thousands of Israelis who have been displaced due to ongoing attacks by Hezbollah. “We are considering various strategies to secure this goal, and the upcoming period will be crucial,” he stated. Since October 8, forces led by the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah have regularly attacked Israeli communities and military positions along the border to support Gaza during the ongoing conflict. These attacks have led to eight civilian deaths and the loss of 11 IDF soldiers and reservists. There have also been several attacks from Syria, although they have not resulted in any injuries. During the ongoing skirmishes, Hezbollah has reported 287 of its members killed by Israel, primarily in Lebanon and some in Syria. Additionally, in Lebanon, 54 operatives from other terrorist organizations, a Lebanese soldier, and at least 60 civilians, including three journalists, have also died. The IDF has announced its intention to establish a safe and secure buffer zone along the Lebanon border to safeguard residents from the threat of terrorism posed by Hezbollah. Since October 2023, Israel has evacuated approximately 60,000 residents from the northern border towns, who have been displaced from their homes. The post IDF Reports Elimination of Half of Hezbollah Commanders in South Lebanon Following Strikes on 40 Hezbollah Locations appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A UK-based Christian advocacy organization has renewed its calls for India to revoke the harsh anti-conversion laws that have been abused by Hindu nationalist extremists to persecute Christians across the vast nation, Christian Today (CT) reports. Using India’s ongoing national elections as a springboard, the Release International organization has highlighted the fact that, while India claims to be the world’s largest democracy, non-Hindu religious groups are being targeted both in law and in criminality against them. “We have seen a dramatic rise in intolerance towards Christians since the BJP first swept to power in 2014,” Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International, said in a statement. “Our partners in India report pastors beaten, churches attacked, and prayer meetings disrupted at the hands of ultra-right wing Hindu militants. At the same time, states in India are passing anti-conversion laws which prevent Christians from sharing their faith with Hindus,” Robinson said. The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) confirmed the situation, citing an ‘unprecedented’ 601 cases of persecution against Christians in India in 2023, CT reports. Notably, the EFI said the recorded incidents only “scratch the surface.” In a current website statement about the situation facing Christians in India, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy group reports: “More and more states are also implementing anti-conversion laws, creating an environment where any Christian who shares their faith can be accused of a crime, intimidated, harassed and even met with violence…Christians who convert from Hinduism are the most vulnerable to persecution across India, particularly communities who have faced historical oppression or discrimination such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, church leaders and their families can be particular targets in places that are heavily influenced by Hindu extremists.” Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party for nearly 10 years, India now ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christian are persecuted. The post Christian Rights Group Renews Call For End To India’s Anti-Conversion Laws appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last week signed into law a bill that allows public schools the option of permitting volunteer religious chaplains to counsel students on campus, CBN News reports. The law has been strongly criticized by the ACLU of Florida, the Interfaith Alliance, the National Education Association, and The Satanic Temple. Passed by the Republican-led Florida legislature by a wide margin, HB 931 will come into effect on July 1, CBN said. The law allows volunteer chaplains to “provide support, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board or charter school governing board.” Addressing concerns that the law is intended as a means of religious indoctrination, DeSantis said in a statement that school districts are not required to bring in chaplains and neither are students required to see them. “It’s our view that if school districts want to bring in chaplains to offer voluntary services, they’re within their right to do so,” DeSantis said. “It’s totally voluntary for a parent or a student to participate. No one’s being forced to do anything. But to exclude religious groups from campus, that is discrimination.” Announcing their intention to push back against the law, The Satanic Temple reportedly announced it would be offering the services of “chaplains” from their organization. Responding to concerns that this might be allowed, DeSantis said: “We’re not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion. That is not qualified to be able to participate in this.” In a separate statement criticizing the law, the ACLU of Florida said: “Public schools are not Sunday schools and chaplains are not school counselors. Allowing chaplains to assume official positions — whether paid or voluntary — in public schools as counselors or other support staff will undermine this right by creating an environment ripe for evangelizing and religious coercion of students in violation of the First Amendment to the US Constitution.” The post Florida Passes Law Allowing Chaplains In Public Schools appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United States on Wednesday after President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes about $61 billion in military assistance for Kyiv. “Today’s American military aid package for Ukraine is vital. I thank all Americans who work in defense enterprises and every state that manufactures weapons that are now really protecting democracy and our way of life,” Zelensky wrote on social media platform X. Zelensky pledged to “make every effort to compensate for the half-year spent in debates and doubts” as his army struggles to keep out Russian invaders. Earlier in the day, wearing a U.S.-Ukrainian flag pin and speaking from the White House, Biden said it was a “good day for America, a good day for Ukraine, and a good day for world peace.” Biden said the aid package he signed is “going to make America safer. It’s going to make the world safer. And it continues America’s leadership in the world.” The package also includes $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. TIKTOK BAN? Separately, the package includes a bill that could eventually lead to the banning of social media platform TikTok in the United States. It gives the Chinese parent company ByteDance roughly nine months to sell it, or it will be banned from application stores in the United States. The signing of the aid package was the culmination of months of tense negotiations and personal lobbying from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It led to a split among U.S. House Republicans that continues to threaten the leadership position of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Hardline House conservatives opposed further U.S. funding to Kyiv and threatened to oust Johnson over his handling of the negotiations. Conservatives in Congress have opposed additional assistance for what they view as an “unwinnable war,” an opinion shared by ex-U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who seeks re-election in November. The post Ukraine’s President Thankful For $61 Billon US Aid Package, But Challenges Remain appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MOSCOW/NEW YORK (Worthy News) – Russia on Wednesday declined to help prevent an arms race in space as it vetoed a U.S.-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution. Moscow’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia vetoed the resolution that called on countries to prevent an arms race in outer space. The vote came after Washington accused Moscow of developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon to put in space, an allegation that Russia has denied. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow was against putting nuclear weapons in space. “Today’s veto begs the question: Why? Why, if you are following the rules, would you not support a resolution that reaffirms them? What could you possibly be hiding?” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council after the vote. “It’s baffling, and it’s a shame.” Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered that Washington is trying “to tarnish Moscow” and said Russia “would shortly begin negotiations with council members on its own, not just [weapons of mass destruction]. But you don’t want that … Let me ask you that very same question: Why?” Nebenzia asked Thomas-Greenfield in the council. The draft resolution was put to a vote by the U.S. and Japan after nearly six weeks of negotiations. It received 13 votes in favor, while China abstained and Russia cast a veto, adding to concerns that an arms race among the world’s most influential nations moves toward the stars. The post Russia Vetoes Space Arms Race Resolution appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The United States confirmed Wednesday that it secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine for use in its conflict with Russia. The missiles, which Kyiv already used twice, were contained in a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine that U.S. President Joe Biden approved on March 12, U.S. sources said. The confirmation came while Biden signed into law an aid package providing military assistance to Ukraine after the Senate passed a bill containing nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. Additionally, $26 billion in military aid will be transferred to Israel and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. However, before the aid package was passed, the U.S. already sent ATACMS, short for Army Tactical Missile System, at President Biden’s order, said U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel. The missiles were used for the first time in the early hours of April 17, launched against a Russian airfield in Crimea that was about 165 km (103 miles) from the Ukrainian front lines, U.S. officials said. Ukraine reportedly used the weapon a second time overnight against Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine. ‘SIGNIFICANT NUMBER’ White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that a “significant number” of the missiles had been sent to Ukraine and said “we will send more.” U.S. officials declined to say how many missiles had been delivered. Yet they have a longer striking distance — up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) than the version of the weapon with a range of roughly 165 kilometers (103 miles) provided by the U.S. in October. “We did not announce this at the onset to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Patel said. Yet the Pentagon initially opposed the long-range missile deployment, fearing the loss of the missiles from the American stockpile would hurt U.S. military readiness, according to sources familiar with their thinking. There were also concerns that Ukraine would use them to attack targets deep inside Russia. However, Russia’s use of North Korean-supplied long-range ballistic missiles against Ukraine in December and January led to a change of heart, a U.S. official said. WARNING RUSSIA Another factor in U.S. decision-making was Russia’s targeting of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, added the official speaking on condition of anonymity. “We warned Russia about those things,” the official said. “They renewed their targeting.” Also high on Ukraine’s shopping list is ammunition, with the U.S. pledging to ramp up production of shells from 30,000 a month to 100,000 by next summer. Ukraine used over 2 million shells during the 26-month war, a rate of more than 75,000 a month, said General James Mingus, the Army’s vice chief of staff. Kyiv how hopes it will soon receive more weapons as Russia pushes forward in a war that has already killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people, officials say. The post US Sent Secretly Long-Range Missiles To Ukraine appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, inspect your temple! Matthew 21:10-14 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. There is a long-standing tradition of cleaning one’s house in the springtime – hence the term “spring cleaning”. One source for this tradition is certainly the Jewish Passover (Pesach). Each spring as the holiday approaches observant householders in Israel and around the world perform a meticulous cleaning of their homes, especially to be sure there is no leaven in the house before Pesach begins. Leaven, in scripture, is often a metaphor for sin and impurity; and this season of the year is often a time for emphasizing “spiritual housecleaning”. When Yeshua (Jesus) entered Jerusalem for the last time in His earthly life, before the Passover, and just before He was sacrificed, He went to the Temple and “cleansed” it by driving out the money changers and religious merchandisers. Apparently, these were “religious” people with impure motives, and the Lord considered them to be “leaven” in his Father’s house. Immediately after this, the Lord miraculously healed the blind and lame. Friend, we can also be “religious” people with impure motives; seeking financial gain, or prestige, from “spiritual” activity, when the Lord desires a devoted heart of worship and prayer in His “house”. Perhaps this is why we see so few miracles in our lives and “ministries”. Let us also do a “housecleaning” for impure motivations. The Lord may then be freer to work His miracles through us. Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland) 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: We are planning our summer Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World US Sent Secretly Long-Range Missiles To Ukraine The United States confirmed Wednesday that it secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine for use in its conflict with Russia. Iran Rapper Sentenced To Death Over Protests Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi - who was arrested during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that swept Iran in 2022 - was sentenced to death, Salehi's lawyer, Amir Raesian, said Wednesday. Europe, US Seek More Sanctions Against Iran But Warn Israel The United States and European allies are imposing new sanctions on Iranian military leaders and weapon makers to punish Iran for its April 14 missile and drone attack on Israel, but they urge the Jewish nation not to retaliate strongly amid fears of a broader war. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Protesters Accusing Israel Government Of ‘Abandoning Hostages’ Scuffle With Police; Arrests Reported Protesters chanting "We won't allow the abandonment of the hostages" and "their time is running out, a deal is on the table” scuffled with police near the residence of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and at least two arrests were reported. Israel Defense Minister Calls on US Not to Sanction IDF Battalion Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has asked the US not to proceed with proposals to sanction the IDF’s Netzach Yehuda (Judea Forever) battalion for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). Israel Prepares Invasion Of Rafah; Massive Tent City Seen As Israel observed Passover on Wednesday, its military stepped up efforts to pressure Hamas to free hostages during this holiday period as it prepared to invade Rafah, one of the last standing cities in the Gaza Strip. Inside the United States Leading US Media Discuss Tackling Trump In Regular ‘Off-The-Record’ Calls America’s leading legal commentators are reportedly holding regular “off-the-record” conference calls on how to tackle former U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s legal issues. USA: Jewish University Students Fear For Safety Amid Anti-Israel Campus Protests Jewish students at some of America’s most important universities have expressed fear for their safety as increasingly intense mass protests against Israel take hold on US college campuses, CBN News reports. President Biden Plans Climate Emergency Impacting Energy Industry U.S. President Joe Biden plans to declare a “national climate emergency” in what critics say is an effort to block American energy development while appeasing his environmentalist donor base, Worthy News learned Wednesday. Christian News Myanmar: US Calls For Release of Imprisoned Baptist Pastor The US has called for the release of a Baptist pastor in Myanmar who was re-arrested and imprisoned by the ruling military junta just hours after being unexpectedly released with other prisoners last week, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. India: Pastor and Brother Attacked by Sikhs With Swords, “We Warned You Not To Convert People” A pastor and his Christian brother in India’s Punjab state were severely wounded last week after a group of warrior Sikhs attacked them with swords on account of their faith in Christ, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. India ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The US has called for the release of a Baptist pastor in Myanmar who was re-arrested and imprisoned by the ruling military junta just hours after being unexpectedly released with other prisoners last week, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson, a respected church leader and former chair of the Kachin Baptist Convention, is serving a six-year sentence he received in April last year for alleged unlawful association, incitement of opposition to the Tatmadaw regime, and terrorism, ICC reports. Samson is renowned as an advocate for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar. On April 17, in celebration of the Buddhist New Year festival of Thingyan, Tatmadaw officials released 3,300 prisoners, including Samson, ICC said. However, the pastor was taken back into custody that same night. Calling for Samson’s release, the US Department of State said in a press release on April 17: “We join the international community in condemning the sentencing of Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson and call for his immediate and unconditional release…Burma’s brutal military regime has targeted Rev. Dr. Samson, a prominent, well-respected religious figure, for his courageous work, including advocating for freedom of religion or belief.” “Reverend Dr. Samson has devoted his pastoral career to supporting peace efforts, drug eradication, advocating for justice and equality for Kachin Christians and throughout Burma, and facilitating the safe and voluntary return of more than 100,000 displaced Kachin people to their homes,” the State Department said. “We urge the regime to cease its unconscionable repression against religious actors, communities, and houses of worship in Burma and end the violence.” Controlled by the brutal Burmese Army (Tatmadaw), Buddhist-majority Myanmar ranks 17 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The post Myanmar: US Calls For Release of Imprisoned Baptist Pastor appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Protesters chanting “We won’t allow the abandonment of the hostages” and “their time is running out, a deal is on the table” scuffled with police near the residence of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and at least two arrests were reported. Wednesday’s rally came hours after Hamas published a video of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the first proof that he survived being badly wounded during his capture on October 7. Goldberg-Polin, then 23, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ attacks on Israel when more than 1,200 people died and hundreds were taken hostage. He was shown in the undated video with part of his left arm missing several inches above the hand. “Another video of a hostage has been published – as if Hamas is the one running the show – as if there is no government. We have no mother and father. There’s no responsibility; it’s thrown aside. Come now to Aza Street, in front of the Prime Minister’s Residence, to demand an end to this disaster already,” said groups organizing the protest. One unidentified friend of Goldberg-Polin’s told The Jerusalem Post newspaper that “It’s a disgrace that he’s still [in Gaza] and the country is silent.” Police said they were working to keep the peace, noting that some protesters lit fires, set off fireworks, and overturned trash cans. TWO DETAINED Two of the protesters were arrested by police for starting a fire and disorderly conduct, officials said. “Israel Police will allow the freedom of protest according to the law, but will act with the tools and powers at our disposal against rioters and violent rioters, whatever they may be, and all those who harm or attempt to harm public peace and security,” police added. Reporters also noticed that demonstrators blocked the road and lit a bonfire in the street while fireworks and flares were launched in the area. A large number of police officers were present at the scene amid mounting frustration about what critics view as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inability to rescue the remaining hostages. Fear in Israel has been growing that most of the 133 hostages still held by Hamas since October 7 have died. Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet has denied reports that only 40 hostages are still alive, saying it was the “personal opinion” of the Britain-based Daily Mail newspaper’s writer. The post Protesters Accusing Israel Government Of ‘Abandoning Hostages’ Scuffle With Police; Arrests Reported appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi – who was arrested during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that swept Iran in 2022 – was sentenced to death, Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, said Wednesday. He was sentenced on charges of “corruption on earth” in the strict Islamic Republic, but Raesian said he would appeal the verdict. The rapper was detained in October 2022 amid nationwide protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who had been arrested by the feared morality police for allegedly violating strict Islamic dress codes. The Iranian Fars News Agency referred to Salehi as “one of the leaders of the riots” and said he tried to flee the country while being arrested. He was sentenced in July to six years and three months in prison but was released on bail after the Iranian Supreme Court found “flaws” in the original sentence. The rapper was then rearrested in December after publishing a video saying he was tortured while detained. Raesian stated that his appeal against the death sentence comes as there were several “inconsistencies” in the new verdict. He added that the court in Iran’s central city of Isfahan that sentenced Salehi referred to the Supreme Court’s decision as “advice.” It comes amid a broader crackdown by Iran’s Islamic rulers on dissent. Christians, including former Muslims, have also been targeted by authorities, with several serving or facing lengthy prison sentences or even the death penalty for their faith in Christ, according to rights activists and churches. The post Iran Rapper Sentenced To Death Over Protests appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – America’s leading legal commentators are reportedly holding regular “off-the-record” conference calls on how to tackle former U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s legal issues. Members of the Zoom chat group, all part of the “Anti-Trump Cinematic Universe,” denied that their weekly online sessions are aimed at derailing Trump’s re-election bid or sending him to jail, Politico Magazine reported Wednesday. The gathering, held every Friday, is hosted by Trump critic Norman Eisen, a legal analyst at broadcaster CNN and ex-senior official in the administration of then-President Barack Obama, according to sources familiar with the calls. Eisen convened the group since 2022 when Trump’s legal woes mounted in the aftermath of the attack on the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., by rioters claiming to be Trump supporters. Eisen was also a vital member of the team of lawyers assembled by U.S. House Democrats to handle Trump’s first impeachment trial. Regular attendees on Eisen’s call reportedly include Bill Kristol, the longtime conservative commentator, and Laurence Tribe, a prominent liberal constitutional law professor. Also joining is John Dean, a White House counsel under President Richard Nixon before pleading guilty to obstruction of justice in the “Watergate scandal.” He was prosecuted for his role in the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex in Washington under the direction of the White House. CONSERVATIVE LAWYER Among others attending the calls is George Conway, a conservative lawyer and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, Politico Magazine reported. Andrew Weissmann, who was a senior prosecutor on Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation and is now a legal analyst at the MSNBC network, is another regular on the calls, Worthy News learned. Jeffrey Toobin, a pioneer in the field of cable news legal analysis, is said to be another member of the crew. The rest of the group apparently includes recognizable names from politics, law, and media, such as Obama-era U.S. Attorneys Harry Litman, Barbara McQuade, and Joyce White Vance. Litman is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, a cable news regular, and a podcast host. McQuade and Vance co-host a podcast and are under contract with MSNBC. Two other call participants linked to MSNBC include Jennifer Rubin, an opinion writer for The Washington Post newspaper who often covers Trump’s legal affairs. The other person is Mary McCord, an ex-federal prosecutor and high-ranking official in the Justice Department who co-hosts an MSNBC podcast with Weissmann, sources said. Karen Agnifilo, a former senior prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and CNN commentator, is an occasional attendee, as is Elliot Williams, a former federal prosecutor who provides commentary on CNN, Politico explained. NO STRATEGY Members of the group have denied they gathered to streamline their thoughts and strategy towards Trump before they air their views to millions of Americans. They point out there’s not always consensus during their sessions. For example, they said, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig engaged “in a cordial but pointed exchange” with Luttig during his guest appearance. Honig and others “expressed skepticism” about arguments for Trump’s disqualification from presidential elections due to his perceived role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled that Trump could not be thrown off the Colorado ballot by the state for his conduct during the January 6, 2021, violence. “It feels almost like a seminar in law school,” a participant in the group was quoted as saying. Most calls comprise “deliberation, debate, and discussion,” albeit “with a distinct anti-Trump tilt to it,” the participant added. Yet critics could wonder whether regular Friday sessions between influential U.S. media personalities on Trump could add to public concerns over perceived liberal bias in mainstream media. “Trump has claimed that there is a legal conspiracy against him, and there is a risk that news of a group such as this could give Trump and his allies an attractive target,” noted Ankush Khardori, a Politico Magazine senior writer “Trump’s claims of an organized conspiracy might be bunk, but there are other potential problems with the Friday Zooms: There is a risk, for instance, that the calls could breed groupthink or perhaps help dubious information spread, where it might then reach people watching the news,” Khardori warned. The post Leading US Media Discuss Tackling Trump In Regular ‘Off-The-Record’ Calls appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has asked the US not to proceed with proposals to sanction the IDF’s Netzach Yehuda (Judea Forever) battalion for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). An exclusively male battalion made up of ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist soldiers, Netzach Yehuda has been accused of violations against Palestinians in the West Bank before – particularly in the case of 78-year-old Palestinian-American Omar As’ad who died while being detained by the battalion in 2022. Referencing reports that the US is preparing to sanction the battalion, Gallant said on Sunday: “I call on the US administration to withdraw its intention to impose sanctions on the Netzach Yehuda battalion.” “Damage to one battalion affects the entire defense establishment—this is not the right path for partners and friends,” Gallant added. “Our friends and our enemies are closely watching the ties between Israel and the United States, now more than ever.” Gallant went on to discuss Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a readout of the conversation delivered on Sunday night, the US State Department said: “[Gallant and Blinken] discussed efforts to protect Israel’s security and negotiations to secure the release of hostages, enable an immediate ceasefire, and increase the flow of life-saving humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The secretary also underscored the importance of measures to de-escalate tensions in the region.” The post Israel Defense Minister Calls on US Not to Sanction IDF Battalion appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Jewish students at some of America’s most important universities have expressed fear for their safety as increasingly intense mass protests against Israel take hold on US college campuses, CBN News reports. Pro- Palestinian/anti-Israel protests at Yale, New York University, and Columbia University have caused the cancelation of classes and the arrests of dozens of protestors. Anti-Israeli protests in support of Hamas and the Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank swept across the world in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas massacre of 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis, the rape, torture and wounding of hundreds of others, and the kidnapping of around 250 more women, children, babies and men on Oct. 7 last year. Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza to destroy Hamas’ terror infrastructure and rescue the remaining 136 hostages has exacted a tragically heavy toll in terms of civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering because Hamas strategically hides behind its women and children and underneath hospitals and schools. The Palestinian terror group which has ruled Gaza since 2007 murders dissidents and also denies food and supplies to its population, claiming their survival is the responsibility of world organizations. Nevertheless, the anti-Israel protests in US colleges and in major cities around the world were launched even before the ground incursion into Gaza began. In its report Wednesday, CBN News referenced a video that was taken at the Columbia University campus showing Jewish students being told by protestors to “go back to Poland.” The students appeared afraid and searched for the police. Another video shows a Jewish Columbia student telling a reporter:”I was there today and it made me physically sick hearing the things they were saying and doing. So, over this [Passover] holiday I kind of just want to try to avoid it as best as I can for my own safety.” CBN also referenced a photo of a demonstrator standing in front of pro-Israel students holding a sign with an arrow pointing to them saying: “Al-Qasam’s [Hamas’ military wing] next targets.” A further video shows Shai Davidai, a Jewish assistant professor at Columbia Business School being denied access to the campus he is employed to teach on while college officials stand by in apparent approval of his obstruction. “I am a professor here, I have every right to be everywhere on campus. You cannot let people who support Hamas on campus and me, a professor, not go on campus. let me in now.” In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said: “Students are scared, they’re afraid to walk on campus, they don’t deserve that. I’ve never seen a level of protest that is so person to person, that is so visceral.” The post USA: Jewish University Students Fear For Safety Amid Anti-Israel Campus Protests appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Joe Biden plans to declare a “national climate emergency” in what critics say is an effort to block American energy development while appeasing his environmentalist donor base, Worthy News learned Wednesday. Biden’s top advisers have resumed talks on declaring such an emergency “to reduce carbon dioxide emissions” ahead of upcoming presidential elections, according to sources familiar with the meetings. The declaration would give Biden wartime powers to limit oil and liquefied natural gas exports, suspending offshore drilling and halting the industry’s ability to transport its products via pipelines and trains. “The average American is certainly not demanding a climate emergency declaration. It’s the losing team of left-wing Democrat activists and the shrinking base of elites who are,” U.S. Oil and Gas Association President Tim Stewart said in published remarks. “It’s not about climate; it’s about control: Control over the entire U.S. economy, control of production, manufacturing, distribution, and consumption. If you control energy, you control all these things. Which means you have control of the people.” Stewart compared the use of emergency powers to measures used by federal, state, and local governments to restrict citizens’ freedoms and choices during the COVID-19 pandemic. INCREASING SUPPORT For Biden, it would mean shoring up support among billionaires and others funding both the “climate alarmist movement” and Democrat Party campaigns, including his own for re-election, critics say. “By now, we have gotten used to incredibly damaging and stupid decisions from the Biden administration, but the idea of declaring a ‘climate emergency’ is in a class by itself,” said Tom Pyle, President of the Washington DC think tank Institute for Energy Research. “As with the freeze on new LNG permits, the only emergency President Biden is seeking to address with this latest threat is his slippage in the polls among young voters,” he added in comments to The Telegraph newspaper. The White House denies wrongdoing. “President Biden has treated the climate crisis as an emergency since day one and will continue to build a clean energy future that lowers utility bills, creates good-paying union jobs, makes our economy the envy of the world, and prioritizes communities that for too long have been left behind,” said White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez. It wasn’t immediately clear when the additional climate emergency declaration measures would be rolled out. But with elections in November, commentators suggest the fossil fuel energy industry should prepare for a rocky road ahead. That’s music to the ears of the far-left activist group The Sunrise Movement. “The pressure is working. Let’s keep it up,” they wrote on social media platform X. The post President Biden Plans Climate Emergency Impacting Energy Industry appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM/GAZA (Worthy News) – As Israel observed Passover on Wednesday, its military stepped up efforts to pressure Hamas to free hostages during this holiday period as it prepared to invade Rafah, one of the last standing cities in the Gaza Strip. Satellite images appeared to show Israel building a tent city as it prepares to evacuate more than one million Palestinians who have sought refuge in Rafah. Yet a Palestinian health official later said the tent camp was being set up to house displaced people who are currently sheltering in a hospital and “is not related” to any impending military operation. Ahead of the expected invasion into the southern Gaza City, troops were also active in the north of Gaza as part of declared efforts to surround and destroy Hamas. Broadcaster Al Jazeera, which Israel has accused of biased reporting, said “fears are rising” for tens of thousands of civilians in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya as Israeli troops attack the city “with extreme force” and order Palestinians to flee immediately. It added that three family members were killed and four wounded after an Israeli air strike destroyed their home in southern Rafah city. The news came amid reports that Gaza medics continue to search for bodies on the grounds of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, where more than 300 bodies have been recovered so far. ‘BASELESS, UNFOUNDED’ Israel’s military said claims that it buried bodies in a mass grave there were “baseless and unfounded.” But it did say that during a two-week operation at the hospital in February, troops “examined” bodies buried by Palestinians. “The examination was conducted in a careful manner and exclusively in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages. The examination was carried out respectfully while maintaining the dignity of the deceased,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said he was “horrified” by “the destruction” of the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities in Gaza that Israel claims have been used by Hamas for its military operations. At least 34,262 Palestinians have been killed and 77,229 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. These figures have been impossible to verify independently, and the Hamas authorities do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel says it launched the war in Gaza after it was attacked on October 7 when Hamas killed some 1,200 people and took hundreds as hostages. ENTERING RAFAH With frustration mounting over the roughly 130 hostages still held, Israel’s military appeared to prepare to enter Rafah. The presence of a massive tent city nearby underscored the struggle to find shelter in Gaza, where some 80 percent of people have fled their homes, according to Palestinian officials and aid workers. More than half of the territory’s population of roughly 2.3 million sought refuge in Rafah, according to several estimates. In what commentators and residents of the city saw as a sign of an imminent invasion, the military confirmed that it was working on relocating civilians to a safe zone a few miles (kilometers) away along the Mediterranean coast. Just a day earlier, Israeli warplanes hit Rafah sites, adding to concerns among civilians sheltering there that a ground assault would soon follow. Marwan Shaath, a 57-year-old resident of Rafah, told reporters, “Our bags have been packed for months now for the time of the evacuation.” Western allies have urged Israel not to invade Rafah, but Israel insists that the push is needed to eliminate Hamas fighters sheltering in a network of tunnels beneath the city. The IDF says they also want to capture or kill Hamas leaders presumed to be in Rafah and ensure the release of the remaining hostages captured during the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel. The post Israel Prepares Invasion Of Rafah; Massive Tent City Seen appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The United States and European allies are imposing new sanctions on Iranian military leaders and weapon makers to punish Iran for its April 14 missile and drone attack on Israel, but they urge the Jewish nation not to retaliate strongly amid fears of a broader war. The European Union’s European Council President Charles Michel called additional Sanctions “a clear signal that we want to send: We need to isolate Iran.” He said details would be forthcoming in the next few days. However, Michel’s announcement came shortly after the foreign ministers of Britain and Germany visited Israel to urge restraint in its response to Iran’s assault. Britain’s and Germany’s foreign ministers, David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock, visited Israel on Wednesday to urge restraint in its response to Iran’s assault. Yet Netanyahu said after the meeting that while he appreciated “all kinds of suggestions and advice,” he “want to make it clear: We will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.” So far, Israel is reported to have launched an airstrike on a military base in Iran with missiles capable of evading Iranian radar. They targeted a crucial component of the air defense system that safeguards Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israeli sources said. HITTING IRAN The air strike in central Iran hit a site near the city of Isfahan, part of a network protecting Iran’s highly classified Natanz nuclear facility nearby, Worthy News monitored. Israel had earlier warned that it won’t allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, though the Islamic Republic claims its nuclear program is “peaceful.” Yet American and European officials suggest that they hope their sanctions will encourage Israel not to increase retaliation against Iran. Tehran has so far said that the Israeli strike had done only limited damage to its infrastructure. White House officials said U.S. sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone programs. The sanctions also seek to block exports by Iran’s steel industry that bring Tehran billions of dollars in revenue, they said. “I’ve directed my team, including the Department of the Treasury, to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Iran’s military industries,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks: The United States is committed to Israel’s security.” Britain said it had imposed sanctions on seven people and six entities linked to Iran’s regional military activity and its attack on Israel, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a “reckless act and a dangerous escalation.” CONDEMNING BEHAVIOR “These sanctions — announced with the U.S. — show we unequivocally condemn this behavior, and they will further limit Iran’s ability to destabilize the region,” Sunak said in a statement. Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, welcomed the new sanctions. “This is our opportunity to form a global front and a regional coalition against Iran, together with the U.S., the EU, and moderate Arab states, to stop the serpent’s head that threatens global stability,” Katz wrote on social media. “We must stop Iran now before it’s too late.” But critics warn the sanctions may not curb military activity by Iran, which has continued despite hundreds of Western sanctions, in part through illicit shipments of oil. It was also far from clear that the sanctions would persuade Israel not to strike Iran further in retaliation for this month’s attack. Last October, the Biden administration announced similar sanctions on the Iranian drone and missile programs, which officials claimed were aimed at “frustrating” Iran’s ability to produce the weapons it used to hit Israel. Israel and its allies shot down some 99 percent of them, several security sources confirmed. The post Europe, US Seek More Sanctions Against Iran But Warn Israel appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A pastor and his Christian brother in India’s Punjab state were severely wounded last week after a group of warrior Sikhs attacked them with swords on account of their faith in Christ, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. India ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. On Apr. 18, four Sikhs belonging to the traditional Nihang warrior group attacked Pastor Gurjeet Singh and his younger brother Gurdeep Singh in Sultanwind village, Amritsar District, MSN reports. Pastor Singh has led a house church in Sultanwind for 10 years. In a statement to MSN, Daljit Kaur, the pastor’s wife, said the attackers approached her brother-in-law outside the house where a worship service was about to start, saying: “We have warned you earlier as well to not conduct church and not convert people, but you have not paid heed.” The men then assaulted her brother-in-law Gurdeep, striking him with swords Kaur stated. Pastor Singh rushed out to help his brother, and the attackers turned on him too, MSN reports. “To protect his head, Gurjeet shielded every blow with his hand and thus sustained severe cuts on both his hands, his arm, his palm and they almost chopped off his thumb,” Kaur said. The brothers were hospitalized and each had to have surgery. The Sikhs accused the two men of conducting church services and luring villagers to become Christians. “My husband was threatened twice by the Nihang Sikhs earlier, but he did not tell me anything about the threat – he knew I would begin to worry,” Kaur said. In a statement to MSN, local church leader Pastor Vishnu Dev said: “I am very disturbed at the brutal attack on the brothers. If the police do not conduct fair investigation and just action, we will gather together and protest against the authorities and demand justice.” The post India: Pastor and Brother Attacked by Sikhs With Swords, “We Warned You Not To Convert People” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israel’s military is preparing to target what it describes as the final stronghold of Hamas in Rafah, a city in Gaza where over a million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge. Preparations for the ground incursion are intensifying, with plans to evacuate approximately 1.4 million civilians from Rafah over a three-week period. The duration of the operation is expected to last about six weeks, depending on the response from Hamas and the presence of civilians. While the U.S. has urged Israel to reconsider a major offensive into Rafah, highlighting concerns for civilian safety, Israel insists it must take action in the southern city in Gaza to eliminate Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. Israel’s military has reported that it has successfully disbanded 20 out of Hamas’s 24 military battalions and is now focused on eliminating the last four battalions located in Rafah. In recent days, Israel’s air force has conducted strikes in Rafah, with Wafa, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency, reporting that Sunday’s attacks killed at least 16 Palestinians. In mid-April, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had mobilized two reserve brigades “for operational activities on the Gazan front.” According to Egyptian officials familiar with the plans, Israel is gearing up to relocate Rafah civilians to nearby Khan Younis and other areas, where it intends to establish shelters equipped with tents, food distribution centers, and medical facilities, including field hospitals. Egyptian officials told the Wall Street Journal that the evacuation operation, expected to last two to three weeks, will be conducted in coordination with the U.S., Egypt, and other Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates. Any military operation by Israel would target the removal of key Hamas military commanders and the rescue of the 129 hostages still in captivity following the terrorist organization’s attacks on Oct. 7. Most of these hostages are suspected to be located in Rafah. The post Israel Prepares for Rafah Operation; Civilian Evacuation Anticipated to Take 3-6 Weeks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told Deutsche Welle that Iran is “weeks rather than months” away from having enough enriched uranium to build a nuclear bomb. “But that does not mean that Iran has or would have a nuclear weapon in that space of time,” Grossi told Deutsche Welle. He noted that while uranium enrichment at near weapons-grade levels is concerning, it doesn’t directly imply that Iran possesses a nuclear weapon. “A functional nuclear warhead requires many other things independently from the production of the fissile material,” Grossi said. Grossi expressed concerns about the IAEA’s limited access in Iran, which fuels speculation about Tehran’s nuclear activities. Grossi pointed out unresolved IAEA findings, such as traces of enriched uranium found in unexpected places, which heighten concerns about Iran’s transparency. “I have been telling my Iranian counterparts time and again […] this activity raises eyebrows and compounded with the fact that we are not getting the necessary degree of access and visibility that I believe should be necessary,” he said. “When you put all of that together, then, of course, you end up with lots of question marks.” Critics of the Iranian regime have been warning for years of Iran’s intentions of developing nuclear weapons, despite Iranian claims publicly that it is only for peaceful purposes. However, the credibility of these denials is eroded by the persistent calls from Iranian leaders for the “Death of Israel,” referring to it as the “Little Satan” and advocating for the destruction of the United States, labeling it as the “Great Satan.” Such rhetoric casts doubt on their declarations of pursuing a peaceful nuclear program. In February 2024, Worthy News reported that Ali-Akbar Salehi, the former head of Iran’s nuclear agency, declared that Iran had “crossed all the thresholds of nuclear science and technology.” During an interview with Iran International broadcaster, Salehi stated that all components needed to assemble a nuclear weapon were available. “Here’s an example: Imagine what a car needs; it needs a chassis, an engine, a steering wheel, a gearbox,” Salehi explained, as monitored by Worthy News. “You’re asking if we’ve made the gearbox; I say yes. Have we made the engine? Yes, but each one serves its own purpose.” The post UN Nuclear Official Warns: Iran “Weeks, Not Months” Away from Having Sufficient Uranium for a Bomb appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) — On Tuesday, the U.K. Prime Minister announced that the nation will increase its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade. Additionally, he pledged $620 million in military aid to Ukraine, including long-range missiles and four million rounds of ammunition. UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the defense spending increase the “biggest strengthening of our national defense for a generation.” Speaking in Poland alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Sunak emphasized the urgency of the situation: “In a world that is the most dangerous it has been since the end of the Cold War, we cannot be complacent,” he said. “As our adversaries align, we must do more to defend our country, our interests and our values.” On Tuesday morning, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to confirm the U.K.’s assistance and “assure him of the U.K.’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s brutal and expansionist ambitions,” according to a statement from Sunak’s office. U.K. officials announced that their support package to Ukraine includes 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 munitions, and 4 million rounds of ammunition as Ukraine contends with Russian advances on the eastern front. The shipment will also feature British Storm Shadow long-range missiles, capable of striking targets up to 150 miles away, which have been effective in targeting Russian positions. The announcement was made just hours before the U.S. Senate passed a bill, which President Biden is expected to sign, providing nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. This marks a new round of support from the United States for the war-torn ally. The post UK Pledges $620 Million in Additional Military Support for Ukraine appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – In a late Tuesday vote, the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a $95.3 billion foreign aid package. The legislation provides $60.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine, $26.4 billion to Israel, and $8 billion to Taiwan. The Senate approved the legislation with a 79-18 vote, receiving bipartisan support from Democrats and Republicans. The bill, requiring a minimum of 60 votes to pass, will now be sent to President Joe Biden, who has indicated he will sign it into law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said on X after the vote, “Tonight, America sends a message to the entire world: We will not turn our back on you.” The House previously approved the package in a rare Saturday session, during which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faced the threat of losing his position after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a motion to vacate the chair last month. Johnson has garnered support from Democrats and former and potentially future President Donald Trump, especially after advancing the foreign aid package. The White House released a statement after the bill was passed, indicating that it would be signed on Wednesday. “The need is urgent: for Ukraine, facing unrelenting bombardment from Russia; for Israel, which just faced unprecedented attacks from Iran; for refugees and those impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world, including in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti; and for our partners seeking security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” according to a statement released from the White House. “I want to thank Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and all of the bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate who voted for this bill. This critical legislation will make our nation and world more secure as we support our friends who are defending themselves against terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin,” the statement concluded. In mid-February, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill supporting Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with a 70-29 vote, gaining the backing of most Democrats and some Republicans. However, a bipartisan immigration deal initially attached to the bill was removed after being blocked by a coalition of Republican and Democrat senators. Consequently, the House declined to consider the Senate-approved legislation, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other Republicans insisting that measures to address the border crisis be included. Over the weekend, the House approved its foreign aid package in segments. During this process, a sufficient number of lawmakers voted against a border security bill that was also up for consideration. The bill also includes sanctions for fentanyl trafficking, among other issues, and compensates Ukraine using seized Russian assets. Additionally, the bill includes a provision requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to divest from the app within a year or face a ban in the United States. TikTok is anticipated to challenge this legally, a step that could prolong the process. The post Senate Approves $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – More than 1.7 million foreign nationals have illegally entered the U.S. in the first six months of fiscal 2024, the greatest number for this time period in U.S. history. The 1,733,496 who illegally entered in the first six months of the fiscal year outnumber the 1,547,866 who illegally entered in the first six months of fiscal 2023 by more than 185,000. In March, there were 246,432 illegal entries reported nationwide, with 189,372 illegally entering through the southwest border alone, according to the latest CBP data. CBP also processed 44,000 foreign nationals who arrived at ports of entry using its CBP One phone app last month. Since January 2023 through the end of March 2024, more than 547,000 foreign nationals successfully scheduled appointments to present at ports of entry using the app, according to CBP data. Through a new program created by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, from Jan. 5, 2023, through the end of March 2024, 404,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans were granted parole and released into the U.S. Among them were 86,000 Cubans, 168,000 Haitians, 77,000 Nicaraguans and 102,000 Venezuelans who CBP claims “were vetted and authorized for travel.” Mayorkas was sued over the app and the parole program by more than 20 state attorneys general. House Republicans identified the app and parole programs as illegal and cited them in their charges used to impeach him. As was the case in March and every month, the majority of foreign nationals illegally entering were single adults. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, more than one million single adults – 1,040,553 – illegally entered the U.S., according to CBP data. They totaled more than the individual populations of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota and nearly as much as the population of Delaware. In March, CBP agents seized 16% more fentanyl and 19.6% more heroin than they did in February. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, CBP agents seized 10,026 pounds of fentanyl. Two milligrams of fentanyl, the weight of a mosquito, is considered a lethal dose. One pound of fentanyl, or 453,592 milligrams, is enough to kill 226,796 people. This fiscal year through April 4, CBP agents seized enough fentanyl to kill more than 2.2 billion people. This is after CBP Tuscon Sector agents have been seizing record amounts, more recently enough to kill nearly 4 billion people, The Center Square reported. While much attention has focused on the southwest border, the number of illegal border crossers has skyrocketed at the northern border, where the greatest number of terrorists are also being apprehended. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, 91,408 illegal border crossers were apprehended, the greatest number in U.S. history. In fiscal 2021, only 27,180 illegal crossers were apprehended at the northern border. The number increased dramatically to 109,535 in fiscal 2022, and to 189,402 in fiscal 2023. Nationally, if the numbers continue on the same trajectory, fiscal 2024 illegal entries and fentanyl seizures are on track to surpass all other previous fiscal year records. CBP’s fiscal year is from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Under the Biden administration, record number of apprehensions of illegal border crossers were broken every year. In fiscal 2021, a record 1.9 million illegal border crossers were apprehended, the highest number in U.S. history at the time. The number excluded those who evaded capture known as gotaways. That record was broken in fiscal 2022 creating a new record of more than 2.7 million, and was again broken in fiscal 2023, surpassing 3.2 million, excluding gotaways. Since fiscal 2021, a record 11 million foreign nationals reportedly illegally entered the U.S., including two million gotaways, The Center Square has reported. The post More Than 1.7 Million Illegal Entries In First Six Months Of Fiscal 2024 appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article