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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

Friend, the blood must be applied! Exodus 12:12-13 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. As our family prepared and led a Passover Seder a few years ago, the Lord reminded me of a truth which I had understood, but never had seen so clearly applied from the Passover story. Of course, the celebration of Passover for believers normally emphasizes the revelation of our Passover Lamb -- the Lamb of God, Yeshua, who was delivered up, a Lamb without blemish, and sacrificed in our place as an offering for our sins. As Israel celebrates deliverance from slavery, we celebrate deliverance from the bondage of sin. We celebrate knowing that death no longer has power over us since we pass from this temporal world into the eternal when we die. Furthermore, when the children of Israel were passed over, while each of the firstborn of Egypt died, Israel did not depart as penniless slaves. They left carrying with them the riches of Egypt! Likewise, we who were spiritually "penniless" when we came to the Lamb, instantaneously inherited riches beyond our imagination. These are two of the wonderful lessons from the Passover event. As I studied in preparation for our Seder another truth has struck me powerfully-- the blood needed to be applied! If the children of Israel had merely believed in the power of the lamb's blood, and the word of Moses, but never applied it to their doorposts, the angel of death would still have killed their firstborn! A passive belief in the blood would not have saved them -- action was required -- the blood needed to be applied to their doorpost. Once the blood was applied, a line was drawn across which the angel of death could not pass! Most of us have an understanding of the power of the blood. But are we actively applying the blood to our lives and circumstances as a hedge of protection around us? No, not as a magic formula, but prayerfully in the spirit, as a cleansing and protective reality over our lives, families, loved ones, homes, cities, and nations. Friend, assume your authority as a child of God this Passover season, and apply the blood over any area of your life that needs His supernatural protection and provision. Don't take a passive approach in these last days, but be actively walking in the power of the blood, this Passover, and in the coming days....for truly, if there was ever a time we needed to be walking in His power, protection and victory, it's Today! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland) Editor's Note: Latest Video: Understanding Cycles, Freedom and Passover! 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 UN Nuclear Official Warns: Iran “Weeks, Not Months” Away from Having Sufficient Uranium for a Bomb 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. UK Pledges $620 Million in Additional Military Support for Ukraine 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. Five Dead As Migrant Tragedy Hits English Channel Five people, including one child, have died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France, just hours after Britain’s Parliament approved a law to deport migrants to Rwanda. South China Hit With Deadly Floods After Record Rainfall Levels Massive floods in south China’s Guangdong province have killed at least four people since the region began to be battered by record levels of rainfall last week, ITV News reports. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Israel Prepares for Rafah Operation; Civilian Evacuation Anticipated to Take 3-6 Weeks 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. Inside the United States Senate Approves $95 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan 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. More Than 1.7 Million Illegal Entries In First Six Months Of Fiscal 2024 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. Christian News Sudan Civil War: USCIRF Raises Alarm For Attacks On Religious Communities, “Horrors” Remind of Genocide The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned last week that the year-long war between the Islamic Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their rival, the Islamic Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, has reached devastating levels and is severely impacting religious communities including Christians. Nepal Christians Vulnerable to Hindu Persecution, “Pray for Nepal’s Government” As Christians in India suffer increasing violent persecution at the hands of extremist Hindu nationalists, believers in next-door Nepal are now at risk of persecution as that same Hindu nationalism begins to target them too, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News LONDON/PARIS (Worthy News) – Five people, including one child, have died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France, just hours after Britain’s Parliament approved a law to deport migrants to Rwanda. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, once himself a migrant, said the tragedy underscored his flagship Rwanda bill was necessary to deter people to risk their lives trying to enter Britain illegally. Yet senior officials at the United Nations and the Council of Europe, Europe’s top rights watchdog, have continued to strongly condemn the Rwanda scheme. Tuesday’a accident involving an overcrowded a crowded boat occurred off the coast of the beach near Wimereux, and an investigation has been opened and assigned to prosecutors in Boulogne-sur-Mer, authorities announced. French officials said the boat carrying more than 110 people hit a sandbar, but it then continued on its way before the accident occurred. “A sudden crowd movement apparently occurred in the overloaded boat, causing several casualties,” said the local Prefecture de Pas de Calais authorities. The incident is among the deadliest in the Channel this year, taking the death toll to 15 in total, according to official data. Officials say the is getting more deadly as 25 people have died in crossings since August 2023, according to Home Office figures, out of a total of 73 fatalities in the past seven years. Thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty are known to have died on their way to Europe in recent years, including in the Mediterranean Sea. “We want to prevent people making these very dangerous crossings . . . criminal gangs are exploiting vulnerable people,” Sunak said Tuesday. “They are packing more and more people into these unseaworthy dinghies.” Yet Enver Solomon, who heads Britain’s Refugee Council, argued that the only “sustainable way” to reduce crossings was to create more ways for people to safely apply for asylum. However several European nations have expressed concern about the influx of migrants, including many from Muslim nations amid rising antisemitism and extremist incidents. Yet supporters say Europe should remain open for those in need, a view shared by Pope Francis. The post Five Dead As Migrant Tragedy Hits English Channel appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Massive floods in south China’s Guangdong province have killed at least four people since the region began to be battered by record levels of rainfall last week, ITV News reports. Weather experts had warned that the Beijiang River Basin was set to experience a once-in-50-year flood peak, but the flooding has surpassed that expectation to reach a near-centennial event. Guangdong saw 411 flood warnings from Apr. 19-21. China’s Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has raised the flood emergency response warning for Guangdong province from Level IV to Level III, with heavy rainfall expected to continue through Tuesday evening, the Times of India reported. In addition to the four confirmed dead, 10 people are missing in Zhaoqing and Shaquan in Guangdong province, ITV said. A total of 110,000 people were evacuated, and many have seen their livelihoods destroyed: “My rice fields are fully flooded, my fields are gone,” Huang Jingrong, from Qingyuan, told Reuters. The state agency Xinhua announced that 45 rivers and 66 hydrologic stations in Guangdong province reported water levels had exceeded the alert threshold, the Times of India said. Five warehouses have been made ready with around $15 million of supplies to assist residents, ITV reports. The post South China Hit With Deadly Floods After Record Rainfall Levels appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned last week that the year-long war between the Islamic Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their rival, the Islamic Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, has reached devastating levels and is severely impacting religious communities including Christians. Having together violently deposed the fledgling democratic government established in Sudan after brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir was ousted in 2019, the SAF and the RSF are now vying for power in a war that has killed over 13,000 people and displaced millions more so far. In an Apr. 19 press release, the USCIRF warned that armed combatants have intentionally targeted religious communities in Sudan, reportedly damaging or destroying over 150 churches among other houses of worship. In an example cited by the USCIRF, one of the country’s largest and oldest Evangelical churches located in Gezira State was set on fire by the RSF. In another example, the RSF attacked a Coptic Christian monastery in Wad Madani. “This week is the one-year anniversary of the brutal war that continues to tear Sudan apart,” USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Magid is quoted as saying in the press release. “With no end in sight, USCIRF is sounding the alarm that this war is having on religious communities. International humanitarian law deems houses of worship and religious sites as sacrosanct, even during armed conflict.” Warning of the potential for genocide, USCIRF Commissioner Frank Wolf added in the press release: “USCIRF had high hopes for the future trajectory of freedom of religion or belief in Sudan. The Sudanese transitional government made significant progress from 2019 to 2021. Sadly, USCIRF is instead watching the horrors unfold in Sudan, reminiscent of the past wars that resulted in genocide and crimes against humanity in the country.” The post Sudan Civil War: USCIRF Raises Alarm For Attacks On Religious Communities, “Horrors” Remind of Genocide appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – As Christians in India suffer increasing violent persecution at the hands of extremist Hindu nationalists, believers in next-door Nepal are now at risk of persecution as that same Hindu nationalism begins to target them too, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Although Nepal is no longer officially a Hindu nation, Hinduism remains the main religion in this nation that includes 1,341,000 Christians (4.4% of the population). According to ICC, there is evidence suggesting that Hindu nationalists in India have been funding violence against religious minorities in Nepal. “Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists have seen their sacred buildings, holy ceremonies, and specific individuals targeted by the Hindu majority,” ICC said in its report. “Pray that Christians in Nepal will remain bold in their faith despite the growing threat of persecution and that they will remain safe,” ICC requested. In a current website statement about the situation facing Christians in Nepal, the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization says: “Though Nepal is no longer an official Hindu state, most Christian persecution in Nepal comes from radical Hindu groups who want the country to return to Hinduism. Many Nepalese Christians come from Hinduism and endure the rejection of their families after they find Jesus.” “Pray for Nepal’s government,” Open Doors adds. “Ask that God would touch the hearts of Nepalese leaders, and that they would allow true religious freedom to flourish.” The post Nepal Christians Vulnerable to Hindu Persecution, “Pray for Nepal’s Government” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would experience “painful blows” as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gear up for a significant operation in Rafah, Hamas’ stronghold in southern Gaza. Netanyahu, referencing the Passover, called for the release of 133 hostages held by Hamas. As Israel prepares to celebrate Passover this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a speech in Hebrew, reflecting on the ongoing crisis. He expressed sorrow over the hostages still held in Gaza and emphasized that Hamas’ survival hinges on the potential division among Israel and its allies. “Why is this night different, citizens of Israel? That on this night, 133 of our dear brothers and sisters are not at the seder table and are still held captive in the inferno of Hamas,” Netanyahu remarked during his Passover speech. “We have already freed 124 of our hostages and we are committed to returning them all home—the living and the fallen,” the prime minister continued. “And what is not different about this night? In every generation, they rise up to destroy us, but the Holy One, Blessed be He, delivers us from their hands,” Netanyahu stated, further adding, “This time, too, we will overcome those who seek our lives, thanks to our faith, the courage of our soldiers and our unity.” In his speech, Prime Minister Netanyahu likened Hamas to the biblical Pharaoh. “It hardens its heart and refuses to let our people go; therefore, we will bring it more painful blows—and it will happen soon,” he declared. Netanyahu promised to “increase the military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas, as this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve victory.” Concluding his speech, Netanyahu said, “Citizens of Israel, on the eve of Passover, when the people of Israel went forth from slavery to freedom, let us remember our fallen heroes, and our wounded fighters, thanks to whose sacrifice, we are free people. Together we will fight, and with God’s help, we will win. A kosher Passover to all of the Jewish people.” On Sunday, Arab media reported significant airstrikes in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where the final battalions of Hamas and their leadership, along with remaining hostages, are reportedly located. The Israel Defense Forces have not yet responded to requests for comment on these reports. Last week, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed upcoming operations in Rafah, focusing on the evacuation of civilians and increasing the provision of food and medical supplies, according to statements from his office. Washington has warned that a significant military operation in Rafah would endanger Palestinians, and potentially isolate Israel internationally without improving its security. The U.S. has recommended more targeted strikes against Hamas leaders along with collaboration with Cairo to secure the Egypt-Gaza border. The post Netanyahu Vows Imminent ‘Painful Blows’ As Israel Enters Passover appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News NEW YORK (Worthy News) – Terry Anderson, the Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press (AP) agency who said his “Christian faith” helped him deal with being held hostage for nearly seven years in Lebanon, has died at age 76, Worthy News learned Monday. The globe-trotting journalist passed away at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York, on Sunday, confirmed his daughter Sulome Anderson. The cause of death was unknown, though his daughter told the AP he had recently had heart surgery. Anderson is survived by his daughters Sulome and Gabrielle and their mother—”his ex-wife and best friend”—Madeleine Bassil, and his sister Judy and brother Jack, the family said. He will be remembered by many for recounting his abduction and years-long captivity by Iran-backed Islamic fighters in his best-selling 1993 memoir “Den of Lions.” Yet his daughter said, “I know he would choose to be remembered not by his very worst experience, but through his humanitarian work with the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, homeless veterans, and many other incredible causes.” ‘EXTREME SUFFERING’ Sulome Anderson added that although her “father’s life was marked by extreme suffering during his time as a hostage in captivity, he found a quiet, comfortable peace in recent years.” His journalism career was launched after his military service when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant and completed two tours during the Vietnam War. His experiences apparently prompted him to study at Iowa State University, where he graduated with a double major in journalism and political science. He was soon hired by the AP and reported from various locations across the globe, including Japan and South Africa. Anderson went to Lebanon in 1982, just as civil war began erupting in the troubled Middle East nation. “Actually, it was the most fascinating job I’ve ever had in my life,” he said in an interview. “It was intense. War’s going on — it was very dangerous in Beirut. Vicious civil war and I lasted about three years before I got kidnapped.” Anderson was working as the AP’s Beirut bureau chief and had just dropped off his tennis partner, a photographer for the news agency, when the kidnapping occurred on March 16, 1985. HEZBOLLAH FIGHTERS A group of men, later identified as Hezbollah fighters of the Islamic Jihad Organization in Lebanon, forced him into another vehicle. The militants reportedly beat the journalist, blindfolded him and kept him chained up in various hideaways for almost seven years. He was released in 1991, as the 16-year civil war ended. Wearing a sweatshirt printed with his picture, former hostage Anderson greeted happy colleagues on December 10, 1991, at The Associated Press headquarters in New York. He walked with his arm around fiancee Madeleine Bassil, who became his wife. Anderson said his faith as a Christian helped him let go of his anger. And something his wife later told him also enabled him to move on: “If you keep the hatred, you can’t have the joy.” At the time of his abduction, Anderson was engaged to be married, and his future wife was six months pregnant with their daughter, Sulome. MARRIAGE, DIVORCE The couple married soon after his release but divorced a few years later, and although they remained on friendly terms, Anderson and his daughter were estranged for years. “I love my dad very much. My dad has always loved me. I just didn’t know that because he wasn’t able to show it to me,” Sulome Anderson told the AP in 2017. Father and daughter reconciled after the publication of her critically acclaimed 2017 book, “The Hostage’s Daughter,” in which she told of traveling to Lebanon to confront and eventually forgive one of her father’s kidnappers. “I think she did some extraordinary things, went on a very difficult personal journey, but also accomplished a pretty important piece of journalism doing it,” Anderson said. “She’s now a better journalist than I ever was.” After returning to the United States in 1991, Anderson led a peripatetic life, giving public speeches, teaching journalism at several prominent universities, and, at various times, operating a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch, and gourmet restaurant. Yet he also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, won millions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets after a federal court concluded that the country played a role in his capture, and then lost most of it to bad investments. He filed for bankruptcy in 2009. RURAL LIFE Upon retiring from the University of Florida in 2015, Anderson settled on a small horse farm in a quiet, rural section of northern Virginia he had discovered while camping with friends. “I live in the country, and it’s reasonably good weather and quiet out here and a nice place, so I’m doing all right,” he said with a chuckle during a 2018 interview with The Associated Press. Numerous tributes honoring Anderson poured in, with many praising the late journalist’s bravery and courage. Julie Pace, senior vice president and executive editor of the AP, responded to the news of the former correspondent’s death. “Terry was deeply committed to on-the-ground eyewitness reporting and demonstrated great bravery and resolve, both in his journalism and during his years held hostage,” Pace said. “We are so appreciative of the sacrifices he and his family made as the result of his work.” AP reporter Farnoush Amiri posted about Anderson’s passing on on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “May we all feel this way in the end: Terry Anderson’s daughter said, ‘I saw him a week ago, and my partner asked him if he had anything on his bucket list, anything that he wanted to do. He said, ‘I’ve lived so much, and I’ve done so much. I’m content.'” “My family is obviously deeply grieving right now, and we need some time to process our loss and organize a memorial,” Sulome Anderson said. “We will announce one in time. Many thanks for all the heartfelt condolences we have received.” The post Christian AP Journalist Terry Anderson, Held Hostage In Lebanon, Dies At 76 appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, pass over! Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Last night, thousands celebrated the feast of Pesach (Passover), the day we remember God's merciful redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt. When the final plague struck Pharoh and the Egyptians in Exodus, those who were spared were the ones who applied blood to their doorposts as God warned. Interestingly, the blood that God required them to apply then was the blood of a spotless, unblemished lamb. As believers in Messiah, we are blessed to have the blood of Yeshua (Jesus), our Passover Lamb, applied upon the doorposts of our hearts. The judgment we deserve has passed over us! And thankfully we can celebrate His redemption in our lives as well this season. While this is a special time to celebrate God's passing over our sins, there is one thing we sometimes overlook. Not only should we remember the Lord's passing over our sins, but equally important is our obedience in passing over others' sins. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This is the way Yeshua taught us to pray, is it not? Today we have the opportunity to make this prayer a reality in our lives. Has someone offended you? Committed a sin against you? It happens, and unfortunately, it will probably happen again, as we live in a world full of sin. But we need to pass over those offenses just as God has passed over ours. Friend, Passover is the season to give our hurts to the Lord. Let's allow Him to heal and free us, and those we've hurt and who've hurt us. We have been forgiven many offenses by the innocent blood of our Messiah. How much more should we forgive? Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland) Editor's Note: Latest Video: Understanding Cycles, Freedom and Passover! 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 Rockets Fired Toward US Military Base In Syria Troops at a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria are reeling from missiles fired from Iraq in the first such attack against American forces in months, security officials said Monday. Finnish Supreme Court Agrees to Hear “Hate Speech” Case Against Christian Lawmaker Despite Her Two Prior Acquittals Finland’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear a years-long case brought by the country’s Prosecutor General against Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a Christian member of parliament who was charged - and acquitted - of hate speech after publicly expressing her opposition to homosexuality, CBN News reports. Asserting her protected rights to freedom of speech and religion, Räsänen has indicated she will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights should the Finnish Supreme Court rule against her. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Netanyahu Vows Imminent ‘Painful Blows’ As Israel Enters Passover Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would experience "painful blows" as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gear up for a significant operation in Rafah, Hamas' stronghold in southern Gaza. Netanyahu, referencing the Passover, called for the release of 133 hostages held by Hamas. Jerusalem Pedestrians Hit By Terror Attack But More Bloodshed Prevented In ‘Passover Miracle’ Three pedestrians were wounded in a “ramming terror attack” in Jerusalem early Monday, but the terror suspects were detained after their firearms failed in what survivors described as a “Passover miracle.” Inside the United States Christian AP Journalist Terry Anderson, Held Hostage In Lebanon, Dies At 76 Terry Anderson, the Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press (AP) agency who said his “Christian faith” helped him deal with being held hostage for nearly seven years in Lebanon, has died at age 76, Worthy News learned Monday. SEC Sued for Allegedly Conducting ‘Mass Surveillance’ on Americans Through Stock Market Data According to a new lawsuit, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is unlawfully gathering data on every citizen who invests in the stock market. Biden Admin Finalizes Title IX Rule Changes to Redefine Sex Discrimination Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said Friday that the Biden administration's finalized Title IX rule change has "gutted" five decades of protections for women and girls and replaced it with "radical gender theory." University Antisemitism Reaches Fever Pitch With Calls For Violence Against Jews A Jewish Yale student was reportedly stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag during a pro-Hamas protest on campus over the weekend, the latest incident highlighting the ongoing tensions on college campuses since the Hamas terror group attacked Israel Oct. 7 and ignited an ongoing war. Christian News USA: Increased Number of Young Adults say Bible Transformed Their Lives, Report A new study by the American Bible Society (ABS) shows that there has been a significant increase in the number of young adults aged 18–27 (Gen Z) who say the Bible has transformed their lives. Kenya’s First Lady Leads Christian Ministers In “Marathon” Prayer for Haiti, “We Believe With Prayer Everything Is Possible” As Haiti reels under years of gang-led terror, chronic violent political instability, and poverty, a group of Christian ministers led by Kenya’s first lady Rachel Ruto recently participated in a “marathon” prayer event seeking God’s help for the Caribbean nation and asking His protection for the 2,500 multinational police force Kenya is now leading to support Haitian police. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News DAMASCUS/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Troops at a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria are reeling from missiles fired from Iraq in the first such attack against American forces in months, security officials said Monday. At least five rockets were reportedly launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar towards the base in the Syrian town Rumalyn, but no U.S. personnel were injured, according to security sources. An official spoke of a “failed rocket attack,” but it was not clear if the rockets had failed to hit the base or been destroyed before they reached the site. It was also unclear whether the base was the intended target, according to observers familiar with the situation. Yet an aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and Syria carried out a strike against the launcher in Iraq, security officials said. Two security sources and a senior army officer in Iraq added that a small truck with a rocket launcher fixed on the back had been parked in Zummar, a town on the border with Syria. An army officer said the destroyed truck was seized for further investigation, and initial investigation showed it was damaged by an air strike. “We are communicating with the coalition forces in Iraq to share information on this attack,” the officer added in published remarks. IRAQI PREMIER U.S. sources spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity amid security concerns and because they were likely not authorized to talk more openly. The attack came a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani returned from the United States, where he met President Joe Biden at the White House, officials said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Yet a social media group linked to the Kataib Hezbollah militia said armed factions in Iraq resumed attacks after a near-three month pause due to “little progress” in talks to end the U.S.-led military operation in the country. Another popular group on the social media platform Telegram, close to Kataib Hezbollah, Sabreen News, said there had been “no official statement” by the Iran-backed faction. Sunday’s attack came after Tehran warned the U.S. to stay out of Iran’s fight with Syria. Iran backs several groups in the region fighting against Israel, the U.S., and other allies of the Jewish nation. Last week, the Islamic Republic fired hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel, but 99 percent of them were shot down by the Israeli military and allies, including the U.S., Israel announced. The post Rockets Fired Toward US Military Base In Syria appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A new study by the American Bible Society (ABS) shows that there has been a significant increase in the number of young adults aged 18–27 (Gen Z) who say the Bible has transformed their lives. Released on Thursday, the study by ABS is published in the first installment of its “State of the Bible USA” 2024 report. According to the ABS report, the number of Gen Z young Americans who said the Bible was the source of transformation in their lives rose from 50% in 2023 to 54% in 2024. “Increasingly, the Bible must compete for our attention in an ever-busier world. The State of the Bible survey bears this out as we see Scripture engagement decreasing over the last few years, especially in younger generations,” John Farquhar Plake, ABS Chief Program Officer, said in a statement. “Yet our youngest adults show signs of interest in the Bible, curiosity about it, and transformative interaction with it…We have good reason for hope,” Plake said. Other key findings in the ABS report include: 1) “There are more Bible Disengaged Americans than ever: 57% of Americans are Bible Disengaged—the highest number in the 14-year history of this survey.” 2) “Once again, Black Americans lead the way in Scripture Engagement. In the past year, the Scripture Engagement of Black Americans increased slightly to 28%. This is higher by far than the score for white Americans, which dropped slightly to 16%,” the report reads. The post USA: Increased Number of Young Adults say Bible Transformed Their Lives, Report appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – According to a new lawsuit, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is unlawfully gathering data on every citizen who invests in the stock market. The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) filed a lawsuit against the SEC on Tuesday, alleging that the agency is amassing large quantities of personally identifiable information through its “Consolidated Audit Trail” (CAT) program. The NCLA’s lawsuit alleges that the SEC, through the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), mandates the most extensive government-directed collection of personal financial data in American history. Without any statutory authority, the SEC requires brokers, exchanges, clearing agencies, and alternative trading systems to gather and submit detailed information on every investor’s trades in U.S. markets to a centralized database. This database, accessible indefinitely by the SEC and private regulators, stores comprehensive trade data from across the nation. According to the NCLA, the CAT database is poised to become the largest securities database ever established, and the most colossal government database outside of the National Security Agency (NSA). This extensive collection of American financial data significantly heightens the risk of cybersecurity breaches, putting the financial security and privacy of all Americans at severe and unnecessary risk. Concentrating such vast amounts of data in a single government-held database greatly amplifies both the probability and potential impact of a catastrophic security breach that could jeopardize the financial stability of all Americans. In its lawsuit, the NCLA will argue that Congress never granted the SEC the authority to establish such a data collection and surveillance system. By implementing it regardless, the SEC is usurping legislative power, thereby violating Article I of the Constitution, which assigns all legislative authority exclusively to Congress. The NCLA highlighted that SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has criticized the CAT system as “a dangerous dog.” The NCLA emphasized that Americans would never accept government agencies collaborating with private companies to gather comprehensive data on all their purchases, nor would they tolerate giving the government a “direct feed” from their car GPS systems to track their movements. “SEC’s CAT has no precedent in history. By seizing all financial data from all Americans who trade in the American exchanges, SEC arrogates surveillance powers and appropriates billions of dollars without a shred of Congressional authority—all while putting Americans’ savings and investments at grave and perpetual risk. The Founders provided rock-solid protections in our Constitution to prevent just these autocratic and dangerous actions. This CAT must be ripped out, root and branch,” stated Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel of the NCLA. The NCLA, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights organization, was established by esteemed legal scholar Philip Hamburger to defend constitutional freedoms against encroachments by the Administrative State. Through its public-interest litigation and other pro bono work, NCLA aims to curb the unauthorized powers of state and federal agencies and ignite a new civil liberties movement dedicated to reinstating the fundamental rights of Americans. The post SEC Sued for Allegedly Conducting ‘Mass Surveillance’ on Americans Through Stock Market Data appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – As Haiti reels under years of gang-led terror, chronic violent political instability, and poverty, a group of Christian ministers led by Kenya’s first lady Rachel Ruto recently participated in a “marathon” prayer event seeking God’s help for the Caribbean nation and asking His protection for the 2,500 multinational police force Kenya is now leading to support Haitian police. Established by the office of Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, a committee of Kenyan, Haitian and American ministry leaders spent three days in prayer for Haiti at Nairobi’s Weston Hotel last month. The initiative was organized by the Ruto administration’s Faith and Diplomacy office. Addressing the gathering on the second day of the event, Mrs Ruto said: “We have come together to say we want to form a prayer strategy, and we would like you to join us in praying for this great country of Haiti because we know the Lord can transform Haiti.” We have seen what God has done for the nation of Kenya, and we believe God can do the same for nations of the world,” Mrs Ruto asserted. “We cannot allow our police to go to Haiti without prayer,” Mrs Ruto added. “We had pastors from Haiti and America, and we are seeing how these three countries can come together to pray because we believe with prayer everything is possible.” The post Kenya’s First Lady Leads Christian Ministers In “Marathon” Prayer for Haiti, “We Believe With Prayer Everything Is Possible” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Finland’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear a years-long case brought by the country’s Prosecutor General against Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a Christian member of parliament who was charged – and acquitted – of hate speech after publicly expressing her opposition to homosexuality, CBN News reports. Asserting her protected rights to freedom of speech and religion, Räsänen has indicated she will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights should the Finnish Supreme Court rule against her. In a case that was launched in 2017, Räsänen was prosecuted after she wrote a social media post criticizing her denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, for supporting an LGBTQ Pride event at the time. An investigation led to the unearthing of a pamphlet she had authored 20 years earlier in which she stated her belief that the Bible forbids homosexuality. Charges pertaining to hate speech against the LGBTQ community were subsequently filed against her. After protracted litigation, and with the threat of a prison sentence over her head, Räsänen was unanimously acquitted for a second time by a court of appeals in November last year – after the prosecutor appealed a lower court’s original acquittal, CBN News reports. The prosecutor was not content to let the matter rest even after the appeals court acquittal and has asked Finland’s highest court to weigh in: the prosecution reportedly wants the Supreme Court to convict Räsänen, ban her pamphlet, and order her to pay thousands of euros in fines, CBN News said. “The Supreme Court has today announced that it will give the Prosecutor General the permission to appeal the unanimous acquittal of the Helsinki Court of Appeal concerning the charges about my statements,” Räsänen said in a press release Friday. “I have, however, a peaceful mind and I am ready to continue to defend free speech and freedom of religion before the Supreme Court and, if need be, also before the European Court of Human Rights,” Räsänen said. The post Finnish Supreme Court Agrees to Hear “Hate Speech” Case Against Christian Lawmaker Despite Her Two Prior Acquittals appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Brendan Clarey | Chalkboard News (Worthy News) – Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said Friday that the Biden administration’s finalized Title IX rule change has “gutted” five decades of protections for women and girls and replaced it with “radical gender theory.” “The Biden administration’s radical rewrite of Title IX guts the half-century of protections and opportunities for women and callously replaces them with radical gender theory, as Biden’s far-left political base demanded,” DeVos posted on X, formerly Twitter. The Biden administration’s Department of Education has finalized its long-anticipated Title IX rule that expands the definition of sex discrimination to include gender identity and pregnancy. Critics of the federal rule finalized Friday say that it rewrites the scope of the statute intended to prohibit sex discrimination at federally funded schools and institutions of higher learning. Proponents say the changes are necessary to protect all students. A separate rule on transgender athletes has not yet been finalized. The rule is slated to go into effect on Aug. 1. Critics say the Department of Education’s changes to gender identity protections rewrite sex-based protections for women as Congress intended. In a video posted on X, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said he was proud to “advance the Department of Education’s work to clarify and build upon the legacy of Title IX,” which has for more than 50 years “opened doors for generations of girls and women.” Cardona said the final rules “advance the promise” that “no person should experience sex discrimination, sex-based harassment or sexual violence in federally funded education.” DeVos said in a thread on X that the changes put women at risk. “This regulation is an assault on women and girls. It makes it a federal requirement that boys be allowed in girls’ bathrooms in elementary schools,” DeVos wrote. “It makes it a federal requirement that men be allowed to play women’s sports, putting their safety, privacy, and competitive opportunity at risk. And it makes it a federal requirement that feelings, not facts, dictate how Title IX is enforced.” The 1,577-page notice of final rulemaking says the changes “provide greater clarity regarding: the definition of ‘sex-based harassment;’ the scope of sex discrimination, including recipients’ obligations not to discriminate based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and recipients’ obligations to provide an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex.” “Additionally, these regulations aim to fulfill Title IX’s protection for students, teachers, and other employees in federally funded elementary schools and secondary schools and postsecondary institutions against all forms of sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment and sexual violence,” the notice of final rulemaking reads. While the department sifted through over 240,000 comments in response to the proposed rulemaking, the agency did not make changes to scrutinized sections surrounding gender identity, which were targeted by Republican attorneys general and conservative organizations. Jennifer Braceras, the director of the Independent Women’s Law Center and a former member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, previously told Chalkboard News (which is also owned and operated by the Franklin News Foundation, publisher of The Center Square) that the Biden administration’s changes will completely change the civil rights statute’s implementation and meaning. The athletic rule received hundreds of thousands of comments and is still under review by the Department. Critics say that would change the way women’s sports teams operate. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Biden Admin Finalizes Title IX Rule Changes to Redefine Sex Discrimination appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – A Jewish Yale student was reportedly stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag during a pro-Hamas protest on campus over the weekend, the latest incident highlighting the ongoing tensions on college campuses since the Hamas terror group attacked Israel Oct. 7 and ignited an ongoing war. Amidst ongoing calls for violence, lawmakers have ramped up calls for accountability for the taxpayer-funded universities as well as groups supporting Hamas, which the State Department has officially labeled a terrorist organization. “This shouldn’t be complicated,” U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Britt went on to call for deporting “any non-citizen in the U.S. who supports Hamas” and defunding “any educational institution that authorizes, facilitates, or otherwise supports these pro-terrorist activities.” The incident came just after Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., blasted Columbia University’s leadership Sunday for allowing pro-Hamas protesters to call for violence against Jewish students on campus. Videos of the protests went viral online over the weekend, especially for their calls for violence, which are not unique to Columbia, as The Center Square previously reported. The protest has grown into an occupation of the area lasting several days. Chants at the protests, according to videos of the incident, include: “We say justice, you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!” “Hamas we love you. We support your rockets too!” “Red, black, green, and white, we support Hamas’ fight!” “It is right to rebel, let Hamas give them hell!” Foxx sent a letter to Columbia President Minouche Shafik and members of the board of trustees raising concern about the campus, the latest in a string of similar cases around the U.S. where pro-Hamas protests are held. “I am gravely concerned by the ongoing chaos at Columbia University caused by the radical, unlawful Gaza Solidarity Encampment, which has now entered its fifth day,” the letter said. “Multiple Jewish students have already sought shelter off-campus. Columbia’s continued failure to restore order and safety promptly to campus constitutes a major breach of the University’s Title VI obligations, upon which federal financial assistance is contingent, and which must immediately be rectified. If you do not rectify this danger, then the Committee will not hesitate in holding you accountable.” The letter comes as Jewish students on college campuses grapple with the reality of calls for violence against their own people as the war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas continues. Foxx went on to call for expelling students and firing faculty as needed to address the problem. She pointed out that Columbia’s president testified before Congress last week promising to deal with these kinds of incidents. “Columbia is failing to deliver on these commitments, as Jewish students are being harassed, assaulted, threatened, and intimidated to the point where they are departing campus for safer environments,” the letter said. “The students, faculty, and staff responsible for this mayhem, including members of the groups Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, and Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, repeatedly and flagrantly have violated multiple University rules, and in many cases, federal law.” As The Center Square previously reported, The Department of Education has opened dozens of investigations into “shared ancestry” violations at schools and universities around the nation just this year. The Anti-Defamation League released a poll last fall after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack which showed that 70% of Jewish students say they had witnessed or experienced antisemitism already that school year. While Republicans have led the charge decrying antisemitism, Democrats have been mixed on the issue, though many have also spoken against antisemitism. “The recent increase in antisemitism is appalling and wrong,” U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote on X. “Violence and hate have no place in Massachusetts and the United States. We must stand united against hate and condemn antisemitism.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post University Antisemitism Reaches Fever Pitch With Calls For Violence Against Jews appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Three pedestrians were wounded in a “ramming terror attack” in Jerusalem early Monday, but the terror suspects were detained after their firearms failed in what survivors described as a “Passover miracle.” Israel Police said, “This morning, at approximately 08:00, a report came in regarding a car accident and the injury of three pedestrians on Techelet Mordechai Street in Jerusalem. Thankfully, the pedestrians sustained only minor injuries. However, the situation took a dangerous turn when two armed terrorists emerged from the vehicle involved in the accident,” trying to open fire. Despite their attempts, “they failed to inflict harm with their weapons and hastily fled the scene, discarding their firearms as they made their escape,” police confirmed. Witnesses recalled that a makeshift submachine found at one scene highlighted the deadly turn the attack could have taken had the weapon not jammed. Israeli security forces later detained the two terror suspects linked to a “ramming terror attack” in Jerusalem that injured three people, Israeli sources said. “With the assistance of the Israel PoliceUnit’s helicopter,” a police team was able to find “the two terrorists who were hiding.” They were “arrested and transferred for further questioning,” officials said. Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service said it treated several people who were struck by the same car, first on Tchelet Mordechai Street and the nearby Yirmiyahu Street in the Romema neighborhood. They were listed in good condition. “We were close to the scene and arrived within minutes,” said MDA paramedics Yitzhak HaKesef and Daniel Levi. MEDICAL TREATMENT The paramedics told reporters that among those injured was an 18-year-old person was seen with an injury to his head and was very agitated. “We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in mild condition,” they added. “People at the scene told us that he was hit while busy burning ‘chametz,’” food with leavening agents that are forbidden to religious Jews on the holiday of Passover. “A vehicle hit him at the entrance to the parking lot between buildings,” the MDA said. Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said it was now treating the three injured persons, aged 20, 18, and 15, who were due to be released later Monday. That they survived appeared a miracle, the footage suggested. Graphic surveillance video recordings of the incident showed a car plowing into two men wearing ultra-Orthodox garb as they stood on a sidewalk, throwing them into the air. In a statement to Israeli media, the injured said, “Thank God we are well and healthy. This was a Passover miracle. We ask for unity in Israel and are wishing a kosher, happy, and safe holiday to Israel.” It was not immediately clear who was responsible, but several Iran-backed groups are operating in the region. The post Jerusalem Pedestrians Hit By Terror Attack But More Bloodshed Prevented In ‘Passover Miracle’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Following last weekend’s missile and drone attack by Iran and its proxies, Israel is reported to have launched an airstrike on a military base in Iran that used advanced missiles capable of evading Iranian radar, targeting a crucial component of the air defense system that safeguards Iran’s nuclear facilities. Reports indicate that Israeli Air Force warplanes launched three missiles targeting an air defense radar site near Isfahan, which is part of a network protecting the highly classified Natanz nuclear facility nearby. Western intelligence officials reported that the Israelis launched a missile from a warplane that “included technology that enabled it to evade Iran’s radar defenses.” Media reports from Israel indicate that the Israel Defense Forces employed a domestically manufactured air-to-surface missile called the Rampage in their strike last week on an airfield close to the city of Isfahan in central Iran. Israel Aerospace Industries, a state-owned defense contractor, created the Rampage. Based on photo evidence and the extent of the damage reported by Israel National News, this long-range, supersonic missile was implicated in Friday’s attack. Measuring 15 feet in length and weighing approximately 1,250 pounds, the GPS-guided Rampage is equipped with anti-jamming features. According to the contractor, it is designed to strike high-priority targets such as airfields or command centers with precision, hitting within a 10-meter radius. The New York Times reported that expert analysis of images revealed the attack on the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Isfahan destroyed the “flap-lid” radar, a component of the Russian-made S-300 air defense system used for locating and tracking incoming enemy targets. Former U.S. government imagery analyst Chris Biggers shared a satellite image on X that displayed visible damage to the S-300 system. https://worthynews-1fe3e.kxcdn.com/wordpressimages/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-21-at-9.25.32%E2%80%AFPM-617x720.png In an interview with Israel Channel 12 news, retired General Israel Ziv, former IDF operations chief, suggested that if Israel conducted the attack, the aim was not significant destruction but rather to deliver a “very clear message to Iran.” He highlighted this as a demonstration of the “technological gap” between Israel and Iran and underscored the IDF’s capability to infiltrate Iran’s most protected sites. The New York Times, Fox News, and other international outlets reported that Israel conducted the attack, a claim reportedly confirmed by unnamed U.S. officials. However, Israeli officials were “unclear” about why the Biden administration and the Pentagon would reveal Israel was involved in the attack, especially since Jerusalem has not officially commented on the matter. The post Israel Reportedly Launced Radar-Evading Missile to Disable Iranian Defense Systems appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

(Worthy News) – President Joe Biden signed into law an expansion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) following its approval by Congress in a bipartisan 60-34 vote late Friday night. This extension concludes a rigorous six-month debate over the intelligence law, which critics argue was misused by federal authorities against U.S. citizens. Although the intelligence community secured enhanced surveillance capabilities, opposition efforts succeeded in limiting the duration of these powers to two years. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorizes the government to gather and scrutinize the communications of foreign entities, including interactions with Americans and others within the U.S., without a warrant. Critics have highlighted that in the year ending 2021, the FBI misused these warrantless search capabilities against U.S. citizens more than 278,000 times. However, supporters of FISA argued that previous abuses have been addressed. They noted that recent FBI actions, now enshrined in law, restrict the number of individuals allowed to access the data and establish criminal penalties for its intentional misuse. The bill secured Senate approval with a bipartisan 60-34 vote late on Friday, just hours before the existing authorization was due to lapse. Advocates for the surveillance measure successfully blocked attempts to implement a warrant requirement and reduce the bill’s extended authority. Under the new provisions, data centers may be compelled to provide information that transits their servers. Additionally, the revised bill reduces the reauthorization period for Section 702 from five years to two years. Critics labeled it the “everyone is a spy” provision; the data center clause was added to the bill late in the legislative process and became a significant point of contention in the Senate. “It’s important that people understand how sweeping this bill is,” remarked Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a member of the Intelligence Committee and an advocate for privacy protections. “There would be practically no limits to who can be forced into spying for the government,” stated Wyden. “A provision was added at the last minute that would essentially require someone like a cable technician to spy for the government.” Wyden noted that any company involved in installing, maintaining, or repairing Wi-Fi or other communication systems in any American business, home, or church could be compelled to participate. He concluded, “They would be forced to comply, and there would be no avenue for appeal.” Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) commented on X, stating, “the Senate passed the House-passed FISA expansion bill—after rejecting seven different amendments requiring a warrant and otherwise reforming FISA 702. This is a horrible bill. It shows wanton disregard for the rights of Americans. This is not a day to celebrate.” Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, pointed out that cloud computing and data centers did not exist when FISA was initially formulated. He emphasized that the law needs to be updated to enable the government to collect the types of data it requires. FISA was first enacted in 1978 to establish protocols for surveillance and the collection of foreign intelligence on U.S. soil. The act gained significant attention in December 2005 when The New York Times revealed the NSA’s warrantless domestic wiretapping program, which had been implemented under the Bush administration starting in 2002. Subsequent reporting by Bloomberg indicated that such activities might have begun as early as June 2000. The post Biden Signs FISA Extension Despite Privacy Concerns appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukrainian and Western leaders have welcomed a desperately needed military aid package for Ukraine passed by the U.S. House of Representatives after mounting concerns the country may lose the war against Russia. In addition to the 61 billion dollars worth of military assistance for Ukraine, the House approved part of a broader foreign aid package that included about $34 billion for Israel and other allies, despite Moscow’s warning the aid package would further escalate the armed conflict. Yet it was the moment embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been waiting for. In a bipartisan vote, 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans in the U.S. House approved more massive military assistance to help Ukraine fight back against Russia’s invading military. However, 112 Republicans, a majority of the GOP party legislators, voted against it, underscoring deep divisions among Republicans over that issue. The U.S. Senate is set to begin considering the bill on Tuesday, but observers expect enough support for the passage next week. U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the package into law immediately. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who had warned that his country would lose the war without U.S. funding, said that he was grateful for the decision of American lawmakers. He said that Ukraine appreciates, in his words,” every sign of support for our country and its independence, people, and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble. Zelensky wrote on social media platform X, “America has demonstrated its leadership since the first days of this war.” He added that this “type of leadership is required to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations.” Yet that view wasn’t shared by Russia, with the Kremlin saying that the approval of the U.S. military assistance to Ukraine would lead “to more damage and deaths.” Critics countered that Russia is “the architect” of the damage and deaths, having “illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula” in 2014 and launching its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. SELF DEFENSE ARGUMENT Kyiv says Ukraine has acted in self-defense as an independent and sovereign country. With the U.S. aid package expected to be signed into law soon, the Pentagon has already announced it can quickly move weapons to Ukraine. Storage sites in Europe and the U.S. reportedly already hold some of the munitions and air defense components the Ukrainians desperately need. The aid package also contains measures to confiscate seized Russian assets and transfer them to Ukraine to fund reconstruction, prompting Moscow to threaten unspecified retaliation. However, with the U.S. and allies increasingly involved in the war in Ukraine, some member states of the NATO military alliance, such as Hungary and Slovakia, fear the armed conflict could lead to a broader East-West confrontation impacting Europe and the world. Hundreds of thousands of people, including many children, are believed to have been killed and injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The post Ukraine Thanks U.S. For Military Aid After Suffering Setbacks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article