WorthyNewsBot

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Missionaries and local Christians in Mozambique are being targeted by Islamic terror groups amid ongoing political protests and upheaval over October’s highly disputed general election results, Mission Network News (MNN) reports. Among many Christian workers facing dangerous conditions in Mozambique, is Johan Grobler of MegaVoice, a US ministry that distributes solar audio Bibles to the Global church. In an interview with MMN last month, Grobler said Islamic terrorists in northern Mozambique have taken advantage of the political unrest to attack Christians and destroy their homes and businesses. “And especially [at Christmas time] when Christians celebrate: unfortunately, often these insurgents take an opportunity to cause fear and harm to Christians,” Grobler said. “It’s really unsafe during the day when most of the protests happen. Unfortunately, the police are very active in responding and shooting. Some people have lost their lives. Buildings have been set alight, and business has come to a standstill. Border crossings have been closed,” Grobler added. Asking for prayer for local Christians, Grobler said: “Pray that they would be steadfast and that the Lord would protect them. For them it’s also difficult, and often they don’t have the means to protect themselves.” Grobler further requested prayer for the release of a shipment of several thousand audio Bibles that has been held up amid the unrest. “So that’s a prayer point, and if it comes through, it will encourage many people,” Grobler said. Battling the rise of Islamist extremism in the north of the country, Mozambique ranks 37 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The post Mozambique: Christians Targeted by Islamic Terrorists Amid Political Unrest 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 Donald J. Trump told reporters Thursday there were no survivors after Wednesday’s midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter that killed 67 people. Trump also suggested that air controllers at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, located near the crash site, may have been unfit to prevent the disaster due to the “diversity policies” of the previous Biden administration. After asking reporters at the White House that he wanted to begin with “a moment of silence for the victims and their families,” he said: “There are no survivors. We grieve for every soul. We are a country in mourning. I speak with you in an hour of anguish. Both planes crashed immediately in the Potomac River.” He stressed that “talented Russian people” were also on board, referring to world-champion skaters and other athletes. “The country is mourning for them,” he said, adding that the United States would enable the human remains to be flown to Russia despite current flight sanctions over its war in Ukraine. Trump lashed out at former President Joe Biden, saying his administration encouraged people with mental and physical disabilities to apply for air control services. “I heard the tapes. American Airlines came in, and then you had a military helicopter. You had a pilot problem there. They should not have been at the same height. Someone should have been able to point that out. You had a confluence of bad decisions.” His Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “We will not accept excuses.” MARIT BASED HIRING U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he understood his boss’s concerns about diversity policies. “We want to hire the best people at air traffic control. Good people were sent away because of the color of their skin.” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that sentiment. He also said that the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed was on a training mission. “There was some kind of elevation. I want to express my condolences,” he said, adding that an investigation is ongoing. He earlier confirmed that nobody survived the midair collision, saying: “It is going from a rescue mission to a recovery mission,” about the operations in the Potomac River where the planes crashed. “It is a tragedy, a horrible loss of life,e for those 67 souls on that civilian airliner and, of course, the three soldiers in the Black Hawk Helicopter. They are in our prayers, their families, and their communities, as people are being notified,” Hegseth added. The tragedy comes 16 years after a Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane crashed into a house near Buffalo, New York, on February 12, 2009. All 45 passengers, including four crew members, were killed, along with one person on the ground. The post Trump: ‘No Survivors In Midair Colission’; 67 Killed appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The order followed President Donald Trump’s announcement on his first day in office (January 20) that the US would be withdrawing from the WHO it co-founded in 1948. The WHO provides a global platform for tracking and sharing health data, while the CDC offers expertise and resources to manage public health responses. Both agencies advance research to develop vaccines, treatments, and other solutions for diseases and have collaborated extensively. Announcing his decision to withdraw the US from the WHO in an executive order, Trump explained: “The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.” “In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO,” Trump said. The post Trump Orders CDC to Immediately Stop All Collaboration with World Health Organization appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A Christian couple in India’s Uttar Pradesh state has been sentenced to five years in prison for ‘attempting to convert’ Hindus to Christ in violation of the state’s anti-conversion law, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. A special court in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India has convicted a Christian couple of attempting to convert under the state’s anti-conversion law, sentencing each of them to five years’ imprisonment and fines of 25,000 rupees. Christian couple Jose and Sheeja Pappachan were arrested in January 2023 after Chandrika Prasad Upadhyay, a BJP member serving in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, accused them of trying to convert vulnerable people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from Hinduism to Christianity. The couple deny the allegations, contending they were trying to provide education and encourage sobriety, CSW said. They were remanded in custody for eight months pending trial. In a statement about the conviction and sentencing, CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “CSW is alarmed by the manner in which Christians in India today are being systematically attacked. For merely exercising their constitutional rights and adhering to their religious convictions, this couple has become the target of a harmful piece of legislation. CSW urges the authorities to objectively investigate the matter and not be influenced by far-right religious rhetoric which has caused immense division in Indian society.” Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, India ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. The post India: Christian Couple Sentenced to Five Years in Jail Under Anti-Conversion Law appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News AMSTERDAM/BUCHAREST/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Dutch authorities have detained three suspects over the theft of priceless Romania artifacts from a small museum in the Netherlands, including an ancient golden helmet, after Romania threatened with legal action. There was no sign that the 2,500-year-old ceremonial helmet and three Dacian bracelets, all gold, dating around 50 B.C. had been recovered. The theft sent shockwaves through the global art world and devastated Romanian authorities who said they believed they were loaning the items to a nation where security for museums was important. Dutch police announced in a statement that three suspected art robbers were being interrogated and “more arrests are not excluded.” They did not elaborate but earlier police officials said at least three suspects in the high-profile robbery are believed to be from the Dutch province of North Holland. It came after Romania demanded the immediate return of the stolen golden artifacts taken in a daring heist at the Drents Museum. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu vowed to seek “unprecedented compensation” from the Dutch government for the loss and considered a reward for information leading to the recovery of the ancient Dacian treasures. OFFERING REWARD On Monday, a Dutch businessman in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf (The Telegraph) that he is offering a 100,000 euro ($104,000) reward “for the tip that cracks the case.” They masterpieces were stolen on the night of January 24-25 from the ‘Dacia—Empire of Gold and Silver’ exhibition hosted by the Drents Museum in the in the northeastern city of Assen, the capital of the Dutch province of Drenthe. The exhibition included around 673 archaeological objects made of precious metals. Investigators said they recovered two large hammers and a crowbar near the museum—tools allegedly used by the suspects to smash their way inside. The thieves also detonated an explosive device to gain entry, according to police. Authorities are now in pursuit of three or possibly four suspects. Police have confirmed the gang used two vehicles, including a Ford Transit van, as part of their getaway. A dark gray Volkswagen Golf also used in the heist was discovered torched under a viaduct, investigators said. The heist has sparked outrage in Romania, where the stolen artifacts are considered national treasures. PRECIOUS HELMET Of the four stolen pieces, the solid gold headpiece known as the Helmet of Cotofenesti is viewed as particularly previous for its exceptional artistry and craftsmanship, experts say. Remarkably well preserved, “save for a missing part of the skull cap,” the helmet features intricate designs that reveal a fusion of cultural and religious influences, according to art critics. It depicts a range of mythical creatures, and on either cheek piece, it bears an illustration of a ram being sacrificed by a man who kneels on the animal’s back, appearing poised to slit its throat with a short knife. The helmet’s eyes were crafted “to protect the wearer from evil.” The helmet weighs almost 2.2 pounds(nearly 1 kilogram). Children reportedly stumbled upon it in the late 1920s while playing on a hillside in the village of Poiana Cotofenesti, now Varbilau, after rains washed away the soil underneath the object. Archaeologists who later examined the artifact concluded it had been a stray find from a group of Thracian tribes that existed during the Iron Age. The helmet’s fame and dramatic studded appearance means it could never be quickly sold, raising fears that the thieves were after the gold. “It is simply unsellable. The whole world knows it. So, they likely went for the gold to — I almost dare not utter the words — melt it,” warned Dutch art expert Arthur Brand. REDUCING TREASURE That would reduce the treasure to a fraction of its cultural and historical value. Gold is about 85,000 euros ($89,000) per kilo, and the helmet is estimated to weigh slightly less than that. The theft of archaeological masterpieces lent by the Romanian National History Museum (MNIR) to the Drents Museum in the Netherlands prompted heated debates and controversies in Romania. Romania’s nationalist opposition politicians questioned why artifacts of such value were sent to “a relatively minor Dutch museum” without proper insurance. The Romanian ancient masterpieces collection is valued at 30 million euros ($31.3 million), including 5.8 million euros ($6 million) for the stolen items. Yet the Dutch Drents Museum has been accused of taking insufficient security measures. Museum director Harry Tupan countered that the Drents Museum met the safety requirements agreed with the insurer. He declined to say what the conditions were. SECURITY CONCERNS When asked whether there should not have been a guard present at night, Tupan replied there were other facilities “that could raise the alarm faster than a guard.” Tupan didn’t elaborate on what these meassuras were. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said the artifacts have “exceptional cultural and historical importance” for Romanian heritage and identity and that their disappearance had “a strong emotional and symbolic impact on society.” Ernest Oberlander-Tarnoveanu, the director of Romania’s National History Museum, said it was a heist that “even in our most pessimistic dreams, we would not have believed possible.” Romanian Justice Minister Radu Marinescu called the theft a “crime against our state” and added that recovering the artifacts “is an absolute priority.” Romanian journalist Claudia Marcu, who visited the exhibit earlier this month, understands the emotions surrounding the theft saying: “This is more than just a theft, it is a wound to the Romanian community. For Romanians, this is like the theft of [Rembrandt painting] ‘The Night Watch’ for the Dutch. It’s devastating.” The post Netherlands Detains Three After Romania Demands Return of Stolen Artifacts (Worthy News In-Depth) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Inspired by Israel’s ability to protect itself against thousands of missiles and drones fired by enemies, preparations were underway Thursday to develop a new air defense system for the United States. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to start building a so-called “Iron Dome” defense for the United States. “We need to immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defense shield, which will be able to protect Americans,” Trump told a Republican congressional retreat in Miami. Trump stressed that the multi-billion dollar system “will be made right here in the USA.” During last year’s election campaign, Trump promised to build a version of Israel’s Iron Dome system for the U.S. However, critics said he ignored that the system was designed for short-range threats, making it “ill-suited” to defending against intercontinental missiles, which they argue are the main danger to the United States. Israel also has systems to protect against medium—and long-range projectiles as part of its multi-layer air defense capabilities. DEVELOPING AIR DEFENSE While titled “the Iron Dome for America,” Trump’s calls for the development of air defense systems to protect Americans against long-range threats such as “ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer, and rogue adversaries.” The New York Times newspaper cynically commented that “Star Wars is back” but added that the executive order was “a vaguely worded set of instructions.” It noted that the order aimed more to accelerate “current programs or explore new approaches to defending the continental United States than a blueprint for arming the heavens with thousands of antimissile weapons, sensors, and tracking devices.” Back in Jerusalem, The Times of Israel online newspaper noted that in his remarks Monday, “Trump again sang the praises of the Israeli system.” It noted that “Israel has used [the Iron Dome] “to shoot down rockets fired by its regional foes Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon during the war sparked by the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.” Trump has noticed the system’s trumpeted success. “They knock down just about every one of them,” he said. “So I think the United States is entitled to that.” Missile defense has long been Trump’s favorite topic. He has also envisioned the project as the next step for the Space Force, which he created in his first term. Yet experts cautioned that any system that will cover the United States will have to cope with a Russian arsenal of 1,250 deployed weapons and a fast-growing Chinese arsenal that the Pentagon believes will be of similar size within a decade. NORTH KOREA THREAT Additionally, “North Korea’s threat had “only grown larger since Mr. Trump’s diplomacy with [its leader] Kim Jong-un collapsed,” commenting The New York Times, which Trump has often called “a failing” newspaper. Yet experts agree that Russia and China have been experimenting with hypersonic weapons that weave an unpredictable path within the atmosphere, making their trajectory far more complicated to anticipate. And Moscow boasts of an undersea autonomous nuclear torpedo that can cross oceans to hit the West Coast. Still, supporters of Trump’s Iron Dome plan hope it will jump-start crucial defense programs. Thomas Karako, the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, embraces Trump’s defense plans. He stressed that the order “would accelerate” work on space-based sensors to detect hypersonic missiles like the ones launched last year by the administration of previous President Joe Biden. Yet critics fear the initiative could trigger a new arms race. It also remained unclear how Trump’s latest initiative would tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism and blackmail with an atomic bomb, which experts say might be smuggled into the United States on a truck or a boat. That “terrorism threat” may be “far bigger than an enemy firing a single missile or a swarm,” The New York Times argued. However, Trump suggested that boosting border security and deporting “convicted terrorists” are part of a solution to combat these threats. The post Trump Wants Iron Dome For USA (Worthy News Focus) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM/SYDNEY (Worthy News) – Israel has urged Australia to do more to halt an “epidemic of antisemitism” after police said they had foiled an attack involving explosives in a suburb of Sydney, Australia’s biggest city. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was doing all it could to combat attacks that he told include domestic terrorism. Besides a discovered planned attack targeting Jews, a Jewish school and two other properties in Sydney were sprayed with antisemitic slurs, authorities said on Thursday. Earlier, police in New South Wales state, which includes Sydney, said Wednesday they had found explosives in a caravan, or trailer, that could have created a blast wave of 40 meters (130 feet). There was some indication the explosives might be used in an antisemitic attack that could have caused mass casualties, police warned without elaborating. Prime Minister Albanese, who faces a national election by May, has been criticized by the conservative opposition coalition as “weak” for “failing” to prevent hate crimes against Jews. However, Albanese said his Labor government was “doing everything we can” to tackle what he called an act of terrorism against the Jewish people, adding that an undisclosed number of arrests were made. “The fact that people are being detained, arrested, charged, kept in the clink without bail, indicates that that’s the case,” [we take it seriously] he told ABC Radio. 10 ARRESTED New South Wales police said they had arrested 10 people over the past 10 days for alleged antisemitic attacks. The explosives were discovered on January 19 in the suburb of Dural. The vehicle’s owner was in custody on unrelated matters, said New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb. “This represents undeniably an escalation in race-filled hatred and potential violence,” state Premier Chris Minns told a press conference. “We’re very concerned about it.” It underscores the escalating series of attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October 2023, adding to fear among Australia’s 115,000 Jewish people, noted Jewish representatives. The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies called the incident “a matter of the gravest” possible consequence. “We have been saying for weeks now that the Jewish community is the target of an ongoing campaign of domestic terrorism. This is now beyond dispute,” it stressed in a statement. Israel agreed. “The epidemic of antisemitism is spreading in Australia almost unchecked. We expect the Australian government to do more to stop this disease!” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on social media platform X. The post Israel Condemns Australia’s Antisemitism Attacks appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Multiple bodies were pulled from the water Wednesday night after an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River following a midair collision close to Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, several sources say. At the White House, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced he had been briefed and was “closely monitoring the situation” following the disaster near Washington D.C. The Pentagon also released a statement confirming that the aircraft involved was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Following Wednesday’s crash, American Airlines said 60 passengers, two pilots, and two crew members were on board American Airlines Flight 5342. Officials said three soldiers were on board the helicopter during a training flight. Witnesses said the passenger plane was seen in pieces in the river while the helicopter was in the water nearby. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on social media that “we know there are fatalities,” though he did not immediately say how many. PULLED ALIVE Yet U.S. broadcaster NBC reported that amid the reported death and destruction, at least four people had been miraculously pulled alive from the Potomac River. Worthy News reviewed a video from the Kennedy Center showing a helicopter and another aircraft colliding near Reagan National Airport on the evening of January 29. Shortly after the crash, a huge flash of light could be seen above Washington, D.C. Several sources confirmed that all takeoffs and landings were halted at Reagan National Airport shortly after the disaster. There has not been a similar U.S. passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns. Wednesday’s collision raised fresh questions. It happened in perhaps the world’s most monitored airspace since the September 11, 2021, terror attacks when one plane crashed into the nearby Pentagon building. Two other planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and one in a rural Pennsylvania field during a passenger revolt against the hijackers at the time. The post Midair Collision Near Washington DC Kills Several; President Trump Briefed (Update) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Over the last 50 years, the number of evangelicals identifying as “nondenominational” has risen dramatically, growing from less than 3% in the early 1970s to nearly 35% in 2022, according to the General Social Survey. Once seen as a fringe group, these evangelicals, who often choose warehouse buildings for their congregations, now make up a significant portion of American Protestants. Approximately one-third of the U.S. population identifies as Protestant, a diverse group with over 140 million adherents. This reflects a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices, capturing a significant portion of the American religious landscape. The U.S. religion census indicates that the number of nondenominational congregations has risen by nearly 9,000 churches over the past decade, while traditional denominationalism has seen a sharp decline. For instance, membership in the United Methodist Church has plummeted from 11 million in the late 1960s to under 5 million today. Similarly, The Episcopal Church now reports only 400,000 attendees on “a good Sunday,” according to Ryan Burge, a religion statistician and associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Ed Stetzer, dean at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology, highlights a shift towards large nondenominational Protestant churches among American evangelicals. He observes a decline in the number of practicing Christians but an intensification of faith among those who remain, describing it as a “reduction sauce.” Additionally, the rise in the religiously unaffiliated, or “nones,” has plateaued, with Gen Z men attending church more frequently than women, marking a historical first. “This is clearly the largest trend inside American Christianity,” stated Mr. Stetzer. “The trend, put simply, is toward large nondenominational Protestant churches, specifically evangelical ones.” “The percentage of practicing Christians is declining, but those who remain are expressing their faith more seriously,” Mr. Stetzer explained. “It’s kind of like a reduction sauce: as the numbers decrease, the intensity increases.” “Millennials and Gen Z Christians, in particular, are showing signs of greater commitment, even as they navigate a cultural landscape where being religious sometimes comes with a price,” he added. While a “serious expression” of faith for some might not involve the fog machines, drum kits, and praise teams common in these churches, these elements have proven effective in attracting young members. “The rise of the ‘nones’ [people with no religious affiliation] has actually paused over the last two or three years,” Mr. Stetzer observed. “For example, young men in Gen Z are attending church at a higher rate than Gen Z women. That’s the first time in American history we’ve seen that.” Steve Harmon, a professor of historical theology at Gardner-Webb University, observed, “There is this movement of younger evangelicals experiencing dissatisfaction with their own tradition and finding a historic connection through liturgy. There is an attraction to that among young people.” He also noted that nearly one-third of adults aged 18-34 feel lonely frequently, with single adults feeling lonelier at a rate of 39% weekly compared to 22% of married adults. “This is why a young Christian adult now is probably going to look for a community where they find authentic community,” Harmon explained. The post Significant Shift: American Protestant Churches Increasingly Identify as Non-Denominational Evangelicals appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously Abu Mohammed al-Golani, declared himself transitional president, abolished the constitution, and disbanded the national army and all political and armed groups, including his own. In his Wednesday victory speech, he officially took office, marking a departure from Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Prominent leaders of Syrian military factions, the prime minister, and several ministers from the caretaker government attended the event. “Months ago, Damascus appeared to me like a devoted mother, wounded and distressed, looking upon her children for salvation while bleeding and struggling with humiliation. But today, Syria rises with newfound dignity,” Sharaa said in his speech when taking office. “We have broken the chains, liberated the oppressed and dusted off the humiliation that clouded Damascus. The sun of Syria shines anew as people chant in celebration of this monumental victory.” Sharaa, former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist group, spearheaded Syria’s rapid takeover last month, ending over five decades of Assad rule and reshaping Middle Eastern alliances. He is now advocating for the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Syria by the U.S., Europe, and the United Nations during Assad’s tenure. A spokesman stated that Sharaa will rebuild the national army and security apparatus, and establish a temporary legislative council for the ongoing transitional period until a new constitution is enacted. A military source disclosed that 18 armed factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Jaysh al-Nasr, and Jaysh al-Izza, have agreed to disband and merge into the Defense Ministry to create a unified Syrian army. Sharaa stated that drafting a new constitution could take three months and elections might be four years away. A meeting with representatives from Syria’s various communities to discuss the transition was expected earlier this month but has been postponed. Sharaa, formerly an anti-U.S. jihadist with al Qaeda in Iraq, has in recent months is trying to rebrand himself as a moderate, advocating a pragmatic approach to Islamist politics. The post Syrian Leader Dissolves Militias, Abolishes Constitution appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – President Trump’s plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt expands on a contentious proposal previously rejected by Arab states, potentially indicating a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, according to the Wall Street Journal. Over the weekend, Trump first suggested his plan and further detailed it on Monday aboard Air Force One. He expressed a desire to move Gaza residents to “an area where they can live without disruption and revolution and violence.” He believes relocating Palestinians from Gaza would “get people living in areas that are a lot safer and maybe a lot better and maybe a lot more comfortable.” Trump reiterated his call for Egypt and Jordan, both significant recipients of U.S. aid, to support his relocation plan. “We helped them a lot, and I’m sure he’d help us. He’s a friend of mine,” Trump said about Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, adding, “I think he would do it, and I think the king of Jordan would do it too.” Egypt, Jordan, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority have all dismissed the idea of relocating Palestinians. The Arab League, which includes 22 nations, declared that the proposal would merely prolong the conflict. Officials from Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are contemplating an emergency meeting of the Arab League to publicly denounce Trump’s plan and press him to reconsider his proposal. The post Trump Urges Arab Nations to Accept Palestinians from Gaza appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square (Worthy News) – A commercial plane collided with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., and crashed into the Potomac River, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA confirms the flight was a commuter jet, American Airlines 5342, out of Wichita, Kan. The aircraft “collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport” around 9 p.m. local time. A massive emergency response is focusing on the Potomac River in search of survivors, according to local reports. American Airlines says there were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard at the time of the crash. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the collision during an interview on Fox News, Leavitt says the helicopter was a military aircraft. Reagan, referred to locally as DCA, is located directly across the Potomac from Bolling Air Force Base and less than a mile south of the Pentagon. There is no word on which military installation the helicopter may have been flying out of prior to the crash. DCA is also in close proximity to Andrews Air Force Base, home of Air Force One, Ft. Belvoir and Quantico Marine Base. The weather in the D.C. area was clear during the time of the collision. This is a developing story. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post American Airlines Jet Collides with Helicopter Over Potomac appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to send 30,000 illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, the latest development in his aggressive effort to close the southern border and carry out mass deportations. Guantanamo Bay is an infamous detention facility in Cuba where the worst criminals and terrorists are often sent. Trump said the order instructs the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to prepare Guantanamo Bay for the incoming migrants. “We have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” Trump said. “Some of them are so bad we don’t even trust the countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back, so we’re going to send them out to Guantánamo. This will double our capacity immediately, and … it’s a tough place to get out of,” Trump added. Trump made the comments at a ceremonial event for his signing of the Laken Riley Act. As The Center Square previously reported, that law authorizes law enforcement to detain illegal immigrants who are arrested for assaulting law enforcement, stealing or injuring or killing someone. Trump said the move would help with “eradicating the scourge of migrant crime in our communities. The Guantanamo order directs the secretaries of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to ex[amd the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to full capacity. The move comes amidst a flurry of executive orders to close the southern border and begin mass deportations of illegal immigrants, starting with the worst criminals. Thousands of illegal immigrants have already been caught and deported by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement since Trump took office. The processing and transporting migrants to other countries is a large, and sometimes expensive, logistical issue. Guantanamo might help with those efforts and sends a strong message of deterrence to potential illegal immigrants. “It’s just an unforced error that we even have to be doing this,” Trump said. “Now we need Congress to provide full funding for the complete and total restoration of our sovereign borders as well as financial support to remove record numbers of illegal aliens…” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Signs Order to Send ‘The Worst’ Illegal Immigrants to Guantanamo Bay appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial nominee for Health and Human Service secretary, denounced accusations that he is anti-vaccine, anti-abortion or anti-industry. During his first confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday, heated Democratic lawmakers sparred with Kennedy as he attempted to clarify past statements about vaccine safety and the impact of nutrition and pesticides on chronic disease rates. “News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. I am neither,” the environmental lawyer said. “I am pro-safety. I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish, and nobody called me anti-fish. And I believe that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare.” He categorically denied ever saying that pesticides make children transgender, and he also denied having allegedly spread measles vaccine misinformation in Samoa in 2019. “I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines,” Kennedy said. Kennedy did not, however, back down from his stance that the COVID-19 vaccine was inappropriate for healthy children. Some of his statements about COVID-19 and the vaccine have been proven correct, including that the virus likely originated in a virology lab in Wuhan and that the COVID vaccines did not prevent infection or transmission. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., demanded that Kennedy not only recant absolutely everything he has said about vaccines, but only publicly state that he supports vaccine mandates “when it keeps people safe.” Whitehouse has received tens of thousands of political donations from health organizations in 2024 alone, including $3,000 from the American Medical Association and $2,500 from the American Hospital Association, The Center Square exclusively reported. Other senators, both Democratic and Republican, expressed doubts about the nominee’s ability to do the job, given his lack of government experience. The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees the nation’s largest healthcare programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. Kennedy stumbled over his answer and seemed uncertain on specifics when Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a doctor, asked how he planned to improve Medicaid and Medicare. He was adamant, though, that reforms are necessary, particularly given the cost of healthcare in the United States and the growing numbers of sick Americans. “The United States has worse health than any other developed nation, yet we spend more on healthcare – at least double, and in some cases triple – as other countries. Last year we spent $4.8 trillion,” he said. “That’s almost a fifth of GDP. It’s tantamount to a 20% tax on the entire economy.” Instead of asking who should pay for the healthcare system, the real question is to ask why healthcare costs are so high in the first place, Kennedy said. “Why are healthcare costs so high in the first place? The obvious answer is chronic disease,” he said. “The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] says 90% of healthcare spending goes toward managing chronic diseases, which hits lower income Americans the hardest.” As of 2024, roughly 60% of Americans have at least one chronic disease and 40% have two or more, according to CDC data. To begin tackling the problem, Kennedy suggested nutrition reforms, such as scrutinizing food additives, providing healthy food options to those on SNAP benefits, and removing the agriculture lobby’s influence on the FDA’s nutrition department. However, he promised to work with the Department of Agriculture and all invested stakeholders implementing policies that may impact the food supply or the livelihoods of farmers. “I don’t want to take food away from anybody. If you like a cheeseburger and a diet coke, which my boss loves, you should be able to get them,” he added. “But you should know what the impacts are on your family and on your health.” Kennedy had emphasized health and the environment as a major part of his 2024 presidential campaign, where he switched from being a Democrat to an Independent before dropping out and endorsing President Donald Trump. While he describes himself as supporting legalized abortion – something Democratic senators acknowledged in the hearing – Kennedy also said he believes “every abortion is a tragedy.” He said he agreed with the president’s view that abortion laws should be left up to the states and that medical providers with conscientious objections should be exempt from performing abortions. “I came from a family that was split on life and choice,” he added. “We need to welcome diversity in this country, we need to respect diversity, and we need to respect each other when we have different opinions and not force our opinions on other people.” If confirmed as secretary, Kennedy said will bring that mindset to the HHS. “In my advocacy, I’ve often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions. Well, I’m not going to apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly,” Kennedy said. “My approach to HHS is radical transparency.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post RFK Jr. Denies Anti-Vax Accusations, Promises Focus on Chronic Disease appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, relax! Matthew 8:26-27 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Imagine being one of the disciples in that boat, waves crashing all around, the boat rocking wildly. They were terrified, thinking this might be the end. But there was Yeshua (Jesus), asleep in the same boat! He was with them the whole time, waiting for them to trust Him. Isn't that just like our lives sometimes? We're in the thick of it, storms raging, calling out, "Lord, do you not see what's happening to me?!" But yes, He sees! The same Yeshua who calmed the sea back then is with us today. He knows what we're going through, and at His command, our fiercest storms can turn into peace so profound it leaves us in awe. Friend, so let’s find our peace, our "shalom," in the midst of whatever storm you are facing in life ... for it's in these storms we learn of God's faithfulness and when He displays His awesome power. Let's renew our trust in the Lord today -- for God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him. So relax ... He's got you! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: My wife, Baht Rivka, led some powerful, spontaneous worship in Northern Israel with dear friends of ours, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s worth a listen! Don’t forget to subscribe, like and SHARE! Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce. Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out! Around the World Syrian Leader Dissolves Militias, Abolishes Constitution Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously Abu Mohammed al-Golani, declared himself transitional president, abolished the constitution, and disbanded the national army and all political and armed groups, including his own. In his Wednesday victory speech, he officially took office, marking a departure from Bashar al-Assad's rule. China is Upgrading Its Carrier Aviation Force at Faster Pace than US The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is working hard to expand its military technology and structure, including upgrading its carrier aviation force at a faster pace than the United States Navy is, the Real Clear Defense (RCD) reports. Biden Administration Shared Secret Intelligence on ISIS Threat with New Syrian Leaders The outgoing United States Biden administration was sharing secret intelligence on threats from the Islamic State terror group with the Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham Islamic organization that took over governing Syria after ousting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime last month, the Washington Post reported exclusively on January 24. Stampede Kills Dozens At India’s Hindu Festival India’s prime minister expressed condolences Wednesday after dozens of people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede in northern India, where tens of millions of Hindus gathered to take a dip in what they call “sacred river waters.“ Israel-Palestinian Conflict Trump Urges Arab Nations to Accept Palestinians from Gaza President Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt expands on a contentious proposal previously rejected by Arab states, potentially indicating a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, according to the Wall Street Journal. “Antisemitism is Rampant, Diversity is Viewed as a Threat,” UN Human Rights Chief Says Antisemitism is “rampant” as Jews worldwide face increasing “intimidation, threats and physical violence,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said Monday during an address marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. No Israeli-Saudi Normalization Agreement Without Palestinian State, Riyadh Ambassador says Saudi Arabia cannot normalize diplomatic relations with Israel unless the Palestinians are granted statehood, Riyadh’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, said during an interview with Times Radio that aired Sunday. Inside the United States Midair Collision Near Washington DC Kills Several; President Trump Briefed (Update) Multiple bodies were pulled from the water Wednesday night after an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River following a midair collision close to Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, several sources say. American Airlines Jet Collides with Helicopter Over Potomac A commercial plane collided with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., and crashed into the Potomac River, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Trump Signs Order to Send ‘The Worst’ Illegal Immigrants to Guantanamo Bay President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to send 30,000 illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, the latest development in his aggressive effort to close the southern border and carry out mass deportations. RFK Jr. Denies Anti-Vax Accusations, Promises Focus on Chronic Disease Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial nominee for Health and Human Service secretary, denounced accusations that he is anti-vaccine, anti-abortion or anti-industry. Christian News Significant Shift: American Protestant Churches Increasingly Identify as Non-Denominational Evangelicals Over the last 50 years, the number of evangelicals identifying as "nondenominational" has risen dramatically, growing from less than 3% in the early 1970s to nearly 35% in 2022, according to the General Social Survey. Once seen as a fringe group, these evangelicals, who often choose warehouse buildings for their congregations, now make up a significant portion of American Protestants. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Antisemitism is “rampant” as Jews worldwide face increasing “intimidation, threats and physical violence,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said Monday during an address marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In addition to representing Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27 this year also represents the 80th anniversary of the 1945 liberation by Allied forces of around 7000 prisoners from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration and extermination camps in Poland. “Exhausted, emaciated, terrified, and sick, those 7,000 were all that remained of 1.3 million men, women and children who had been deported to Auschwitz,” Türk said. “They, in turn, were a small part of the six million Jews, the Roma and Sinti, people with disabilities, gay people, and so many others who were persecuted, hunted, and killed by the Nazis.” Remarking on the importance of memorializing this evil period in history, Türk continued: “On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we bear witness to the darkest, most monumental of crimes. We honor the victims, we pay tribute to the survivors, and we remember that the world vowed never again to allow such atrocities to be unleashed on humanity.” Türk went on to say that the scourge of Jew hatred remains to this day. “Antisemitism is rampant, on our streets and online. Jews face increasing intimidation, threats, and physical violence,” he noted. All too often, discrimination and dehumanization are winning out over solidarity and compassion; diversity is viewed as a threat rather than something to be treasured; and many leaders are undermining and weakening the rule of law.” “I fear that we are sleepwalking into a grim future where human rights and dignity are denied, stripped away, or forgotten,” Türk said. “Holocaust Remembrance Day must jolt us from this stupor. It is a wake-up call to the dangers of indifference, complacency, and apathy, Türk warned. And it reminds us that we have a duty to stand against intolerance. And we must celebrate diversity.” The post “Antisemitism is Rampant, Diversity is Viewed as a Threat,” UN Human Rights Chief Says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is working hard to expand its military technology and structure, including upgrading its carrier aviation force at a faster pace than the United States Navy is, the Real Clear Defense (RCD) reports. CNS Fujian (CV 018), PLAN’s Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Landing (CATOBAR) aircraft carrier, has just been through a second round of critical introductory pilot-carrier crew test and will go on to flight recovery and launch operations, RCD reports. “At the current rate of progress, Fujian should achieve full operational status by this August. The PLAN will launch its as-yet-unnamed Type 004 CATOBAR carrier shortly thereafter It promises to be larger and more capable than Fujian and within 90 days of its launch, China will start construction of its fifth carrier, probably a Type 005,” Carl O. Schuster, a retired US Navy Captain and military studies expert, told RCD. PLAN’s new prototype maritime nuclear reactor indicates that it, or the Type 006 will be nuclear-powered, RCD reports. “If the PLAN maintains its present construction-to-commissioning pace, the Type 004 should be operationally ready by 2027, and the Type 005’s sea trials will begin that same year or early in 2028. The latter could be operational by 2030. Whatever the Type 005’s propulsion system, its entry into service will give the PLAN three CATOBAR carriers in the Western Pacific before this decade’s end,” Schuster noted. Among numerous other significant developments, PLAN is also expanding and technologically advancing its carrier air wings, RCD reports. PLAN is currently producing two catapult-launch/arrested landing capable aircraft, the KJ-600 AEW-CS and the J-15T, RCD reports. “While the US Navy struggles to commission one carrier every 7-10 years, China has commissioned two and possibly a third in this decade. China is also commissioning nearly twice as many guided missile cruisers, destroyers, and frigates than the United States,” Schuster said. “The PLA has come a long way over the last 30 years, studying America’s and other Western nation’s militaries throughout that period to this day. Beijing is working strenuously to address its military shortcomings, expanding its force structure, advancing its military technology, and developing a modern, joint doctrine. America’s leaders and partners ignore that progress at their countries’ peril,” Schuster added. The post China is Upgrading Its Carrier Aviation Force at Faster Pace than US appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Saudi Arabia cannot normalize diplomatic relations with Israel unless the Palestinians are granted statehood, Riyadh’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, said during an interview with Times Radio that aired Sunday. The ambassador made his remarks while discussing the new Trump’s administration’s interest in expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. Brokered by the first Trump administration in 2020, the Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements on Arab-Israeli normalization. So far, normalization agreements have been signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Asked what Saudi Arabia would need to enter the Accords, bin Bandar said Sunday that a Palestinian statehood is a “red line” for the Saudi Kingdom. “We cannot have a normalization with Israel without a solution for the Palestinians. And the solution for the Palestinians is a state; it is very clear,” he attested. “That doesn’t mean we can’t have discussions. Saudi Arabia is a country that engages with everyone, whether we like it or not,” bin Bandar continued. “We believe engagement is the way to move things forward, and so we are happy to continuously engage in processes with anyone, but we do have some red lines, and for us to end the last 75 years of pain and suffering caused by one problem has to include a Palestinian state.” Acknowledging the challenges to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, bin Bandar reflected that any solution would need to take into consideration Israel’s security requirements, especially in light of the Hamas invasion of October 7, 2023. “We also have to remember, there’s another side, we have to find a solution that fits the Israelis,” bin Bandar said. “That adds a level of complication, particularly with the current government in Israel, but I think we have to address, when someone is struggling through emotion and trauma and difficulty, which both the Israelis and the Palestinians have been for the last year, you have to hold them, you have to be kind to them, you have to be soft with them, but you also have to be very straight, and we have to be more straight with the Israelis and say, look, this is the only option.” The post No Israeli-Saudi Normalization Agreement Without Palestinian State, Riyadh Ambassador says appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The outgoing United States Biden administration was sharing secret intelligence on threats from the Islamic State terror group with the Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham Islamic organization that took over governing Syria after ousting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime last month, the Washington Post reported exclusively on January 24. One apparent outcome of the exchanges was that the new Syrian government was able to foil an ISIS plot to set off a bomb at a Shiite shrine in a Damascus suburb, WaPo said. A former US official familiar with the US-Syrian exchanges told WaPo the Biden administration had been keen to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of the political transition in Syria to make a comeback. “It’s the right, prudent and appropriate thing to do, given that there was credible, specific information [about ISIS threats], and coupled with our efforts to cultivate a relationship with these guys,” the official said. “The intelligence exchange with HTS, which has not been previously reported, has occurred in direct encounters between U.S. intelligence officials and representatives of HTS, rather than via third parties, and has involved exchanges between the two sides, in Syria and a third country,” WaPo said it was told. The communications began around two weeks after HTS came to power on December 8, WaPo said. The post Biden Administration Shared Secret Intelligence on ISIS Threat with New Syrian Leaders appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – India’s prime minister expressed condolences Wednesday after dozens of people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede in northern India, where tens of millions of Hindus gathered to take a dip in what they call “sacred river waters.“ Narendra Modi offered his sympathy to “devotees who have lost their loved ones.” He added that local officials were helping victims “in every possible way” without specifying the number of dead. The tragedy happened on the most auspicious day of the six-week Hindu gathering, Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. State authorities said at least 30 people were killed and 60 were injured in the predawn stampede, but reporters estimated the toll to be nearly 40 based on bodies brought to a morgue. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela attracts more than 400 million visitors, both Indians and tourists, making it humanity’s largest gathering. On Monday alone, nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the expected number, dipped in freezing waters to seek “absolution of their sins,” officials said. In contrast, India’s minority Christians view baptism as an expression of their faith in Christ, in whom all sins have been forgiven. TRAGEDY FOR INDIA Wednesday’s tragedy in India, a mainly Hindu nation, was witnessed by many. As pilgrims rushed to participate in the “sacred day” of ritual bathing, people sleeping and sitting near the rivers said they were trampled by huge swells of devotees rushing towards them in the darkness. “I was sitting near a barricade, and during the pushing and shoving, the entire crowd fell on top of me, trampling me as it moved forward,” pilgrim Renu Devi, 48, told reporters. “When the crowd surged, elderly people and women were crushed, and no one came forward to help.” Some witnesses spoke of a huge push that caused devotees to fall on each other. Others complained that the closure of routes to the water brought the dense crowd to a standstill and caused people to collapse due to suffocation. “There was commotion. Everybody started pushing, pulling, and climbing over one another. My mother collapsed… then my sister-in-law. People ran over them,” said Jagwanti Devi, 40, as she sat in an ambulance with the bodies of her relatives. Rescue teams carrying victims from the accident weaved through piles of clothes, shoes, and other discarded belongings. POLICE CARRYING BODIES Police were seen carrying stretchers bearing the bodies of victims draped with thick blankets. Dozens of relatives were anxiously waiting for news outside a large tent serving as a purpose-built hospital for the festival, around 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the accident. An official at Prayagraj’s SRN Hospital, where some of the injured were taken, told reporters that those who died had either suffered heart attacks or had comorbidities like diabetes. “People came in with fractures, broken bones… Some collapsed on the spot and were brought dead.” It was not immediately clear how the tragedy would impact the festival, with millions more expected to arrive. Crowd control is a significant issue in the world’s most populous nation of nearly 1.5 billion people. The post Stampede Kills Dozens At India’s Hindu Festival appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Tuesday restricting transgender drugs and surgeries for minors. The order lays out a litany of concerns, from the harm done to children to the lifelong medical bills, and says the U.S. government will no longer support “maiming and sterilizing” those age 18 and younger. “Across the country today, medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions,” the order reads. “This dangerous trend will be a stain on our Nation’s history, and it must end.” Trump’s order comes after another order that made it the official policy of the U.S. government that there are only two sexes, a significant shift from the Biden administration. Trump also recently signed an executive order blocking transgender people from joining the military. Under the Biden administration, the military paid for and accommodated gender transitions. “It can take a minimum of 12 months for an individual to complete treatments after transition surgery, which often involves the use of heavy narcotics,” Trump’s order said. “During this period, they are not physically capable of meeting military readiness requirements and require ongoing medical care. This is not conducive for deployment or other readiness requirements.” Those orders have faced pushback and lawsuits, like some of Trump’s other orders. This latest order related to minors points to surgeries to remove or alter breasts or genitals and drugs such as sex hormones, puberty blockers, “including GnRH agonists and other interventions…” The order goes on to point out that “countless” children later regret their transitions, which are irreversible and often sterilize the recipients and make women unable to breastfeed. “Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures,” the order reads. The executive order, one of a flurry signed by Trump since he took office, also directs the Department of Justice to investigate deceptive medical practices that have facilitated these surgeries and drugs and to put forward legislation allowing children and families to sue medical providers if they have been harmed by the process. The order also says the DOJ must “prioritize investigations and take appropriate action to end child-abusive practices by so-called sanctuary States that facilitate stripping custody from parents who support the healthy development of their own children, including by considering the application of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and recognized constitutional rights.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Takes on the Trans Issue with More Executive Orders appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Kenneth Schrupp | The Center Square (Worthy News) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a plea agreement has been reached to result in no jail time for activists who recorded conversations with Planned Parenthood staff about the procurement and sale of tissue from aborted fetuses. In 2015, then-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed 15 charges against David Robert Daleiden and, as a co-conspirator, Sandra Merritt, for illegally recording private conversations without the other parties’ consent by posing as buyers for a medical company. The undercover recordings released by Daleiden, who serves as Project Lead at the pro-life Center for Medical Progress, show a senior Planned Parenthood director meeting with him to discuss the sale of tissue from aborted babies, and includes a description from the Planned Parenthood staffer about the abortion process and what tissues are easiest to save for sale for medical research. “The agreement — a negotiated settlement with zero punishment — is in exchange for a new “no contest” plea by Daleiden and Merritt on a single video recording charge,” said the CMP in a statement. CMP also noted that Daleiden’s investigation resulted in a $7.8 million settlement in which two companies admitted to illegally selling aborted fetuses from Planned Parenthood in Southern California. While it is legal for buyers to pay for processing costs, it is illegal to sell fetal tissue for prices in excess of reasonable processing costs. Just months after Daleiden released the videos in July 2015, Planned Parenthood announced it would no longer be accepting reimbursement for fetal tissue. Bonta’s office celebrated the agreement as a win for abortion care access, and as a contrast to the Trump administration, which last week pardoned 23 individuals who were convicted for blockading abortion centers. “While the Trump Administration is issuing pardons to individuals convicted of harming reproductive health clinics and providers, my office is securing criminal convictions to ensure that Californians can exercise their constitutional rights to reproductive healthcare,” Bonta said in a statement. “We will not hesitate to continue taking action against those who threaten access to abortion care — whether by recording confidential conversations or other means.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post CA Drops Charges Against Pro-Life Activists’ for Release of Undercover Videos appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Following months of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding mysterious drone sightings up and down the East Coast, the White House confirms they flew with federal government authorization. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, addressed the sightings during a press briefing on Tuesday, confirming that drones flown around the eastern seaboard late last year, specifically New Jersey, had been “authorized to be flown by the FAA.” The press secretary quashed concerns that the sightings were attributed to foreign adversaries. “This was not the enemy,” she said. “After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons,” said Leavitt. “Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones.” Instead, the new press secretary pointed fingers at individuals for the increase in sightings, chalking them up to “curiosity.” The White House comments appear to echo statements made by the Pentagon on Dec. 17, attributing a majority of the sightings were either recreational or authorized by the government. At the time, the Pentagon said that over 1 million drones were registered with the FAA and are used legally for commercial, recreation and government purposes. At the time, the Pentagon reported that the FBI had received over 5,000 tips regarding the sightings. The statement said, “Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast.” During the height of the sightings, President Donald Trump questioned why the government wasn’t forthcoming regarding the sightings, vowing transparency when he returned to the Oval Office. In addition to the Pentagon statement a month ago, on Tuesday he made good on the promise. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Pentagon’s December Answer on Drones Confirmed by White House appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The United Nation’s Palestinian refugee agency prepared Wednesday to cease all operations in East Jerusalem after Israel ordered it to vacate its premises there. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) considers East Jerusalem, along with the West Bank, also known as Judaea and Samaria, and Gaza as occupied. However, the Israeli government considers all of Jerusalem to be part of the Jewish nation and its “eternal capital.” Israel has had a tense relationship with the UNRWA after revelations that at least nine of its employees were involved in the Hamas-led rapes and massacre of some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli lawmakers in October passed a law banning UNRWA from the country and also prohibiting Israel’s authorities from having contact with the agency, although exceptions can be made. Yet it took the Israeli government till Sunday to order the UNRWA to end its operations in areas it considers part of the country. At UNRWA’s offices in East Jerusalem Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood workers were seen packing boxes and loading portable buildings onto a truck. DECISION CRITICIZED Jonathan Fowler, a spokesperson for UNRWA, stressed, “It’s an unacceptable decision.” “The people that we serve … we are not able to tell them what is going to happen to our services as of the end of this week,” Fowler added. U.N. officials fear “tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem” will lose education, healthcare, and other services provided by the UNRWA when Israel’s ban on the agency takes effect Thursday. The ban also alarms some of Israel’s Western allies, who fear it could further “worsen” the already “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza after 15 months of war. The ban does not refer to operations in the West Bank and Gaza. Yet, observers say the restrictions on Israeli authorities’ contact with the agency will likely impact operations there. The post Israel Orders UN Palestinian Agency To Close In East Jerusalem After Massacre appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News BEIJING (Worthy News) – Chinese authorities have detained 10 Christians from the house church “All Ranges Church” in Tibet as part of a broader anti-Christian campaign, Christian investigators said Tuesday. The Christians were reportedly detained on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, but details about the arrests just emerged. “This latest crackdown starkly highlights the hypocrisy of the Chinese government, which claims to uphold constitutional guarantees of religious freedom while systematically targeting independent faith groups,” said ChinaAid, an advocacy group that maintains contacts with targeted Christians in Communist-run China. The arrests occurred in the Bayi District of Nyingchi City, Tibet, where the accused were charged under Article 300 of China’s Criminal Law for “sabotaging the enforcement of laws by organizing and utilizing cult organizations,” according to Christians familiar with the case. “This controversial provision has been repeatedly used to suppress religious communities that operate outside state-approved systems,” ChinaAid added in a statement obtained by Worthy News. The detained individuals were named Yao Xilin, Zhang Wei, Ren Xiaoyun, Wang Haiying, Li Chunjie, Qin Chenglan, Li Xiaolin, Xiao Mingzhi, Wang Ying, and Li Yan. Worthy News learned those detained include church leaders, youth ministers, and members. Authorities said the outlawed “All Ranges Church” in Tibet held meetings and used social media platforms like Zoom and WeChat to conduct prayer services. Officials labeled these actions as threats to national order. “The timing of these arrests on Christmas Day underscores the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) blatant disregard for the significance of religious observances and its ongoing hostility toward Christians,” said a ChinaAid spokesperson. Despite China’s claims of protecting religious freedom under its constitution, it consistently persecutes faith groups that reject state oversight, according to human rights activists. FOUNDED IN 1984 The “All Ranges Church,” founded in 1984 by Pastor Xu Yongze, has been a frequent target since being labeled a “cult organization” in 1995, said sources with knowledge about the situation. “The church’s refusal to join the state-sanctioned “Three-Self” Patriotic Movement has made it a focal point of government suppression, with members often detained, forced to confess, and subjected to harsh sentencing. Church documents, including “Basic Church Building Proposal” and “Cross Salvation,” were deemed evidence of illegal activity,” ChinaAid explained. “Such actions expose the CCP’s contradictory stance: while officially guaranteeing freedom of thought and belief, the government criminalizes peaceful religious practices,” ChinaAid stressed. Similar crackdowns on “All Ranges Church” members have also been reported in affiliated house churches in Ningxia and Hubei provinces in recent years. They “have followed the same pattern, with forced confessions and convictions. Observers warn that the CCP is now employing the same suppression tactics in Tibet,”‘ChinaAid noticed. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, condemned these actions: “The CCP [and President] Xi Jinping government’s recent large-scale arrests and prosecutions of orthodox house churches in Tibet and Northwest China is purely religious persecution, “ he said in remarks sent to Worthy News. ‘SEVERE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION’ He added that it was “also a sign of increasingly severe religious persecution throughout Tibet. These arrested church leaders and Christians are innocent, and their prosecuted actions fully comply with religious freedom practices protected by the Chinese Constitution and international law.” Fu, a former house church pastor in China, said his group calls “on the international community to unite in pressuring the CCP to stop persecution and release these detained church leaders.” China ranks 15th on the annual World Watch List of 50 nations, where advocacy group Open Doors says Christians suffer most for their faith in Christ. “In recent years, the government has aggressively tried to ensure all religious expression is in line with official Chinese Communist philosophy. Any church or church leader stepping beyond that can come under heavy restrictions,” Open Doors added in a recent assessment of the situation. Unregistered churches, even those once tolerated, are considered “illegal and increasingly put under pressure, as authorities seek to enforce regulations and tighten policies,” according to an Open Doors investigation. Even state-approved churches come under intense “ideological pressure,” and smaller congregations “are often forced to merge to make a larger church that is easier for the state to control,” added Open Doors. Children under 18 are forbidden from attending church, sources say. “Officially registered churches are carefully regulated to make sure nothing they promote falls outside CCP guidelines. The surveillance and monitoring of all suspected church leaders are consequences of following Jesus in China,” Open Doors noted. Despite these reported difficulties, Christian researchers estimate that at least nearly 100 million Christians live in the country of 1.4 billion people. Other sources say the figure may be higher. The post China Detains Tibet House Church Members appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article