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By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The national debt continues to rise at a breakneck pace, with Americans bearing a greater and greater debt burden. The national debt is over $36 trillion, currently on pace to surpass $37 trillion later this year. According to the Peterson Foundation, the debt amounts to a national debt burden of more than $106,000 per person. In December 2023, The Center Square reported the national debt burden had surpassed $100,000 per person. In just over one year, that debt burden has grown by 6% per person, an alarming rate for budget experts. The national debt is on track to hit 172% of GDP by 2054, according to the Peterson Foundation. At the end of the World War II borrowing spree, the national debt was 100% of GDP. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office released new projections earlier this month, estimating that federal deficits will hit $22 trillion over the next 10 years unless drastic cuts are made. CBO also projected that the cost of interest payments alone on the national debt will rise to 4.1% of GDP by 2035, well beyond the current record. The CBO has projected that the federal deficit will hit $2.5 trillion annually by 2035. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, deficits never topped $1 trillion. Since then, and under the Biden administration, deficits have repeatedly been over or just under $2 trillion. “The United States has built a dangerous mountain of debt quite simply because our political leaders are unwilling to do the hard work of governing responsibly and acting as fiscal stewards for the country,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said after the CBO numbers were released. “They choose to borrow at record levels rather than acknowledging that part of budgeting is having a plan to pay the bills and despite the incredible damage they continue to inflict on the country as the debt grows,” she continued. “As today’s report shows: our debt is at near-record levels only seen just after WWII, we will spend more on interest than any other program other than Social Security, and Social Security will become insolvent in less than a decade.” The Peterson Foundation tracks the national debt and its burden on individual Americans and pointed out that the federal government spends $1.8 billion on interest every day. “Similar to a home or car loan, interest payments represent the price we pay to borrow money. As we borrow more and more, federal interest costs rise and compound,” the group reports. “Rapidly growing interest payments are a burden that hinders our future economy.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post U.S. National Debt Burden Tops $106,000 Per Person appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Iran-backed Hamas has recruited between 10,000 and 15,000 new members since the group attacked Israel on October 7 2023 and triggered the war in Gaza, two congressional sources briefed on US intelligence have told the Jerusalem Post. While Israel estimates that around 20,000 Hamas combatants have been killed since the IDF launched its offensive in Gaza 16 months ago, the congressional sources said they believe the Palestinian group will remain a threat to Israel, JPost reports. In one of his final speeches before leaving office, then-President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on January 14 that the United States believed Hamas had recruited almost as many terrorists as it had lost, a situation he said was a “recipe for an enduring insurgency and perpetual war.” “Each time Israel completes its military operations and pulls back, Hamas militants regroup and re-emerge because there’s nothing else to fill the void,” Blinken said. “In the days since the ceasefire, Hamas has shown itself to be deeply entrenched in Gaza despite Israel’s vow to destroy the militant group,” JPost noted in its report. “The territory’s Hamas-run administration has moved quickly to reimpose security measures and to begin restoring basic services to parts of the enclave, much of which has been reduced to wasteland by the Israeli offensive.” Nevertheless, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon has downplayed the threat of a revived Hamas, saying in a statement: “We know that Hamas recruits youngsters. But even if they recruit youngsters, they don’t have the weapons or the training facilities. So basically, yes, you can incite those youngsters against Israel, but they cannot become a terrorist because you cannot equip them with weapons or rockets.” The post Hamas Has Recruited Up to 15,000 New Members Since Start of Gaza War, US Sources Say appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The Boko Haram jihadist insurgent group intensified its attacks on Christians in Nigeria’s Borno state earlier this month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria have been murdered and/or abducted by Islamic terror groups including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and Fulani jihadist militants since 2009. Millions more Christians have been displaced as these groups seek to establish an Islamic Caliphate in the country. “In recent years, Boko Haram’s attacks have become increasingly brutal, with Christian communities bearing the brunt of the violence,” ICC said in its report. “The group frequently targets church gatherings, burns down places of worship, and murders Christians who refuse to renounce their faith.” On January 20, Boko Haram terrorists raided four Christian villages in Chibok, Borno state, killing five people, burning down homes, and causing 4,000 Christians to flee for their lives, ICC reports. Ibrahim Yana, a Christian farmer who fled the targeted village of Shikarika on January 20, told ICC: “We are living in fear. They burned down our church and homes. Many of us have lost everything.” Nigeria, which suffers from ongoing Islamic jihadist violence, is currently ranked seventh on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians face persecution. The post Nigeria: Boko Haram Steps Up Attacks on Christians, “Many of Us Have Lost Everything” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – The White House declared late Sunday that President Donald Trump has decided against implementing tariffs and certain sanctions on Colombia following their agreement to accept deported migrants from the US on US military aircraft. The White House stated, “Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.” Previously, Trump had issued threats of severe tariffs and travel bans on Colombia following their refusal to allow two US military deportation flights to land. The White House later announced that the proposed measures—which included imposing a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the United States, and threatened to escalate to 50% within a week—would be “held in reserve and not enacted.” However, visa restrictions on Colombian government officials will continue “until the successful return of the first planeload of Colombian deportees.” Earlier, President Gustavo Petro had insisted that deported migrants must be treated with dignity, leading to his refusal of US military deportation flights. He reiterated that Colombia would accept deportees via civilian flights without criminal-like treatment and offered a presidential plane to ensure their humane return. Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo later confirmed, “We will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions.” In response to the recent deportation controversy, leftist Honduran President Xiomara Castro urgently summoned a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to be held next week in Tegucigalpa. Colombian President Petro has confirmed he will attend in person. This meeting coincides with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s inaugural international trip to Central America. The post Trump Withdraws Tariff Threat on Colombia Following Agreement appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent NEW YORK/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – China’s new artificial intelligence (AI) model, DeepSeek, spooked investors Monday, sparking a $1 trillion withdrawal from stocks in the United States and Europe. In New York, the tech-focused Nasdaq index was down nearly 3.5 percent at the market open as investors ran for the exits. Several tech companies that banked on a surge of AI interest sold off, with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia down more than 12 percent as the trading day began. Nvidia has exploded in value in recent years as it dominates the chip market at the center of the global AI race. It’s one of three companies with a market capitalization above $3 trillion. In Europe, Netherlands-based ASML Holding NV, which designs and produces the machines that make the world’s most advanced computer chips, also saw its stock plunge up to 12 percent before slightly recovering. Analysts said the Monday sell-off underscores anxieties about whether China is challenging America’s AI dominance and whether the multi-billion dollar spending on artificial intelligence ― and the specialized chips, data centers, and related power infrastructure ― is justified. The DeepSeek application, launched last week, overtook rivals, including ChatGPT, to become the most downloaded free app in the United States. However, its creators claim that it cost less than $6 million to develop, a far cry from the billions spent in the U.S. CHEAPER CHIPS They also used H800 chips, which are not top-of-the-line. These less advanced chips were reportedly developed as a reduced-capability product to circumvent restrictions on sales to China. Yet, according to sources familiar with the situation, U.S. sanctions eventually banned them. With China now firmly in the AI race, some commentators have raised questions about how soon American investments will translate into straightforward money-making use cases for U.S. companies. The emergence of the low-cost Chinese competitor added to skepticism over those investments. “Markets are sensitive to this situation, as heightened price competition raises doubts about the timing of when profits from multi-billion-dollar investments will materialize,” complained Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, a London-based online broker. “DeepSeek shows that it is possible to develop powerful Al models that cost less,” added Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee, the Geneva-based private bank and wealth management firm. “It can potentially derail the investment case for the entire Al supply chain, which is driven by high spending from a small handful of hyperscalers.” If the losses hold, the Nasdaq 100 and Europe’s Stoxx 600 technology sub-index will experience a market capitalization wipeout of $1.2 trillion, according to market watchers. The post Stocks Tumble As China Challenges US’ AI Dominance appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Seven Sudanese Christian youths were arrested and tortured by intelligence agents of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the country’s River Nile state on Jan. 14, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Wracked by a civil war launched between the SAF and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Seven members of the Sudanese Church of Christ were arrested after fleeing the fighting near their homes to seek refuge in Shendi, River Nile state, an area controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), MSN reports. They were detained by Military Intelligence (MI) personnel who accused them of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Sudanese Christian Youth Union. “They were arrested by the army intelligence and were subjected to beatings and interrogations,” Christian attorney Shinbago Mugaddam told Morning Star News. “A case was opened against them where the complainant and the witnesses for the accusation were all members of the armed forces. The court did not ask them whether they needed a lawyer or had witnesses to deny this incident, knowing that they were beaten and forced to confess and provide evidence against themselves.” “These youths were tried under Article 174 of the Sudanese Criminal Code of 1994 relating to theft in a summary trial in the Shendi Court, River Nile state, where the conditions for a fair trial were not met,” Mugaddam said. Reporting on the situation facing Sudanese believers, the Sudan War Monitor stated recently: “Christians of all backgrounds are trapped in the chaos, unable to flee. Churches are shelled, looted, and occupied by the warring parties.” Sudan is currently ranked 5th on the Open Doors World Watch List of the top 50 countries where Christians face persecution. The post Christians Arrested/Tortured by Sudanese Army, “Christians of All Backgrounds are Trapped in the Chaos” appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump still believes the U.S. would take control of Greenland, despite a “horrendous” call with Denmark’s prime minister and demands by Russia to split the world’s largest island. In comments monitored by Worthy News on Sunday, Trump said: “I think we’re going to have it,” adding that the Arctic territory’s 57,000 residents “want to be with us,” suggesting they could become American citizens. His latest comments follow a “horrendous” phone call with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, during which Trump was allegedly aggressive and confrontational in his attempt to buy the island. “It was horrendous,” said one of the sources. “It was a cold shower,” another told the Financial Times newspaper. “Before, it was hard to take seriously, but I do think it is serious and potentially very dangerous.” Trump reportedly threatened Denmark, a NATO military alliance ally, with targeted tariffs, essentially taxes on Danish exports to the United States. The Danish prime minister’s office said it did “not recognise the interpretation of the conversation given by anonymous sources”. Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, who wants independence from Denmark, has said the territory is not for sale but is open for closer ties with the U.S. in areas such as mining. NO US CITIZENS? Writing on social media platform X, the chair of the Danish parliament’s defense committee, Conservative Parliamentarian Rasmus Jarlov, said Denmark would never hand over 57,000 of its citizens to become Americans against their will. “We understand that the U.S. is a powerful country. We are not. It is up to the U.S. how far they will go. But come what may. We are still going to say no.” Strategically located between the U.S. and Europe, Greenland is a potential geopolitical battleground: Climate-change-fearing scientists have linked “the rapid melting of the island’s huge ice sheets and glaciers” to interest in oil drilling and mining for essential minerals, including copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Although Greenland stopped granting exploration licenses in 2021, observers say the reportedly melting Arctic ice is also opening up new shipping routes. That route is becoming an alternative to the Suez Canal, while the Panama Canal is reportedly seeing less traffic due to severe drought. Since the Cold War, Greenland has also been home to a US military base and its ballistic missile early warning system. Earlier, the Kremlin indirectly suggested that it was prepared to split Greenland with Trump. Russian Lieutenant-General Andrey Gurulev, a hardline pro-Putin legislator who is seen as a Kremlin propagandist on television, said, “At worst, Trump can agree to cut Greenland into a couple of parts.” OFFERING GREENLAND MONEY Ice-capped Greenland is an autonomous territory and part of the Kingdom of Denmark – but Trump has declared his hope to buy it for the United States. Moscow could do the same, suggested Gurulev. “Why can’t we bring a few boxes stuffed [with money] and close this issue once and for all?” Gurelev. He also set his sights on Spitsbergen which is sovereign Norwegian territory but which Russia exercises rights under the Svalbard Treaty of 1920 to conduct economic activities such as mining. There is a Russian consulate on the Arctic island in Barentsburg, the world’s northernmost diplomatic mission. The island is demilitarised under international agreement. Gurulev said Russia should overturn this. “Today, Spitsbergen, which is in the underbelly of our Northern Fleet, is extremely important to us. I think that we should move from joint development to Russian options, and there will be very good bases there, influencing the entire Arctic” area. The post Trump Still Demands Greenland After ‘Horrendous’ Call; Russia Also Interested appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A prominent Christian human rights activist who fled his home in Pakistan after facing death for alleged blasphemy against Islam has expressed outrage about the killing of two Christian women and the conviction of four people on blasphemy charges over the weekend. Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of LEAD Ministries Pakistan, a religious rights group, told Worthy News that Mukhtara Bibi, who was about 60, was stabbed to death by three Muslims who were angry about her faith in Christ. The January 6 killing in village Chak No 8R/11A in District Khanewal of Pakistan’s Punjab province was confirmed in a First Information Report (FIR), which is needed for police to launch an investigation. The FIR, seen by Worthy News on Sunday, says the unmarried retired government worker was killed by three Muslims who Gill suggested were opposed to her faith in Christ. Her killing came just two days after Christian women who had been returning home from work in Punjab’s city of Gujranwala were approached “and shot by two men on a motorcycle,” Gill and other Christians said. During the attack, Shabana, 45, and her 18-year-old daughter Misbah were both struck by bullets, Gill told Worthy News. The mother was instantly killed at the scene, while Misbah received a severe bullet wound to her back – requiring urgently needed hospitalization for treatment, according to Gill and other Christians familiar with the situation. Both were only identified by one name amid security challenges. CRITICAL INJURIES “Misbah sustained critical injuries and is currently fighting for her life in the hospital. The police have launched an investigation to determine the identity of the attackers and the motive behind the crime,” Gill told Worthy News. “The case has been filed against two unknown assailants based on a complaint from Karamat Masih, Shabana’s husband. The mother and daughter, who were employed as domestic workers in Muslim households, were attacked on their way home,” he added. Gill said LEAD Ministries “strongly condemned this tragic incident and called for swift justice for the family.” Like in other attacks, Gill suggested they were killed due to their faith in Christ. The confirmation about the latest killing of Christians came while four others face the death penalty or prison terms for alleged blasphemy, Gill said. “The trial, held before Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Tariq Ayub, led to the sentencing of Rana Usman, Ashfaq Ali, Salman Sajjad, and Wajid Ali, with punishments that included death sentences, lengthy prison terms, and hefty fines,” Gill said. The convictions followed what authorities of the Islamic nation called “a comprehensive investigation” by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The agency said it traced the individuals’ involvement in sharing “offensive and blasphemous material” across multiple social media platforms. “The case highlights the expanding role of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing in policing online activity, as well as the increasingly severe consequences of violating the nation’s controversial blasphemy laws through digital channels,” Gill warned. BLASPHEMY LEGISLATION The four, who Gill said had no Christian background, were “found guilty of engaging in activities that violated the country’s blasphemy statutes,” which carry some of the most severe penalties under Pakistani law. “The prosecution’s success in this case signals a growing trend of online monitoring and legal enforcement, with increasing attention being placed on social media platforms where sensitive content is easily disseminated,” Gill stressed. The case also raises broader domestic and international concerns about the alleged misuse of such laws in Pakistan. Gill recalled that in 2016, he was “wrongfully targeted by extremist individuals who created a fake Facebook [website] profile under the name Martha Bibi and posted blasphemous material,” placing him and his family “in harm’s way.” Yet the recent convictions in Rawalpindi highlighted “the growing trend of exploiting online platforms to accuse, harass, and persecute individuals, often with little regard for due process or truth. The convictions in Punjab’s city of Rawalpindi “serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by social media misuse, particularly in a country where accusations of blasphemy can lead to violent retribution and long-term legal battles,” Gill noticed. The post Pakistan Christian Women Killed; Four Others Convicted For Blasphemy (Worthy News Investigation) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – In a series of bold moves, President Trump has shown his strong support for Israel in the early days of his administration, working to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations and enhance Israel’s security and sovereignty through a series of executive orders and the releasing of military aid to the Jewish state. Among the first moves was the Trump administration releasing 1,800 MK-84 bunker-buster bombs to Israel, ensuring the nation had the necessary resources to defend itself in an increasingly tense regional environment. The Trump administration also backed Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Lebanon, permitting them to stay beyond the 60-day limit set in a prior ceasefire agreement. This action reinforces the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s security and highlights Trump’s willingness to support Israeli military actions, even when they conflict with international agreements. Trump also took a significant step in the Middle East last week by officially labeling the Houthis as a terrorist organization. This designation is aimed at countering the group’s growing influence in Yemen and is part of a broader effort to isolate Iran, which has been providing support to the Houthis. Last week, the Trump administration, through an executive order, lifted economic sanctions on Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria, a decision that has sparked both support and opposition. President Trump also signed an executive order to deport Hamas supporters in the U.S. on student visas. This directive directly targets individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations, signaling a firmer stance on both national security and immigration policy. The post Trump Shows Strong Support for Israel During First Days of Administration appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Republican senators riding high on President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown are continuing to push forward on other border security measures, with two lawmakers introducing separate bills to fund and finish the southern border wall. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., reintroduced last year’s WALL Act, which would allocate $25 billion to finish the stalled construction. “The United States needs a completed border wall—it is just common sense to have a physical barrier in place to ensure only lawful entry into our country,” Britt said Thursday. “The WALL Act would ensure the completion of America’s border wall without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing the national debt by a single penny.” To accomplish this, Britt’s bill eliminates illegal immigrants’ eligibility for certain taxpayer-funded benefits, such as federal housing programs. It would also impose fines on migrants illegally entering the country — up to $10,000 per offense — or on immigrants who overstay their visas, which Britt says will not only provide money for construction but will also help deter more crossings. Britt was also the sponsor of the Laken Riley Act, soon to become law, which empowers law enforcement to detain criminal migrants for deportation. One of the WALL Act’s cosponsors, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., introduced a border wall bill of his own recently. Barrasso’s Build the Wall Act would establish a southwest wall construction fund under the Department of Homeland Security, using unspent federal aid from the coronavirus pandemic. “Before the Biden administration’s disastrous border policies, we were well on our way to a secure and safe southern border. Now, every state is a border state and dangerous criminals and cartels are entering our communities,” Barrasso said. “This bill will allow us to use money we already have to finish the wall and protect our national security.” Under the Biden administration, more than 14 million illegal border crossers were encountered, while nearly 15,000 migrants convicted of murder are still roaming loose in the U.S., as of July 2024. DHS has already resumed implementing Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy, with the president deploying 1,500 troops to the southwest border to aid in migrant removal efforts. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Republicans Push to Finish Southern Border Wall appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – US President Donald Trump signed an executive order entitled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology,” banning the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in order to protect Americans. In signing the order, President Trump stated he was protecting Americans from the “risks” of central bank currencies, or CBDCs, which he said “threaten the stability of the financial system, individual privacy, and the sovereignty of the United States.” The order prohibits “the establishment, issuance, circulation, and use of a CBDC within the jurisdiction of the United States.” CBDCs, or “digital dollars,” that could potentially be issued by the Federal Reserve, allowing the central bank to control the virtual currency’s supply and value. The new executive order establishes a presidential working group to develop a federal regulatory framework for digital assets, including stablecoins, and assess the creation of a national digital asset stockpile. The order specifies that the group will consider market structure, oversight, consumer protection, and risk management, and evaluate the potential creation of a stockpile, possibly derived from cryptocurrencies lawfully seized by the federal government through law enforcement efforts. President Trump stated on the campaign trail his desire to creating a national strategic Bitcoin reserve. Currently, the U.S. holds 198,109 Bitcoin, valued at over $20.1 billion, according to Arkham Intelligence data, The post Trump Signs Executive Order to Ban ‘Digital Dollar’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A significant diplomatic clash unfolded over the weekend when Colombia rejected two planes carrying illegal immigrants from the United States. In response, U.S. President Trump threatened severe retaliatory actions. Moments after Trump made the threats, Colombian President Gustavo Petro backed down and offered to use his own presidential plane to facilitate the “dignified return of Colombian nationals” to their home country. Over the weekend, as part of the Trump administration’s broad deportation initiative, two flights carrying Colombian nationals with criminal records and living illegally in the U.S. were scheduled to return to Colombia. However, Columbian President Petro refused to accept these individuals or permit the planes to land on Colombian soil. “The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro said, according to a statement posted on X on Sunday. He further stated, “I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory. The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.” In response, President Trump posted on Truth Social, “I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people.” Trump further stated, “Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures.” In response to Colombia’s actions, Trump threatened retaliatory measures, including 25% tariffs on Colombian goods, increasing to 50% in a week. He also announced a travel ban and visa revocations for Colombian officials and supporters, along with visa sanctions on their families. Trump also threatened enhanced customs inspections and the imposition of Treasury, banking, and financial sanctions under the IEEPA. Trump concluded his TruthSocial post by stating, “These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!” Within minutes of Trump’s post, President Petro announced he would accept the illegal immigrants from Colombia and offered to facilitate what he described as a “dignified return of Colombian nationals,” according to The Hill. The post Columbian President Backs Down After Trump Threats appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Dan McCaleb | The Center Square (Worthy News) – The COVID-19 virus “more likely” originated from a research lab in China, the CIA now says, though it has “low confidence” in its determination. Multiple media outlets are reporting the CIA shifted its position from being undecided on the origin to saying it more likely came from the Wuhan lab rather than from human exposure to an infected animal such as a bat. “CIA assesses with low confidence that a research-related origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is more likely than a natural origin based on the available body of reporting,” a CIA spokesperson said in a statement, according to NBC News. “CIA continues to assess that both research-related and natural origin scenarios of the COVID-19 pandemic remain plausible.” Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy and former FBI Director Christopher Wray, have said the Wuhan lab is the likely origin of the COVID-19 virus, but expressed a similar lack of confidence as the CIA. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, leading elected officials across the U.S. and the world to issue stay-at-home orders that led to millions of job losses. More than 1 million Americans died from COVID-19. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post CIA: COVID-19 Likely Originated at Wuhan Lab appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Casey Harper | The Center Square (Worthy News) – Republican lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would block Medicaid from paying for gender transition drugs and surgeries for minors. U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., introduced the bill, first obtained by The Center Square. Specifically, the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act would change the Social Security Act to include gender transition procedures as a prohibited activity, including hormones, surgeries and puberty blockers. The legislation comes as President Donald Trump takes office and declared earlier this week that it is the official policy of the U.S. government that there are two sexes: male and female. “The American people deserve accountability in how their taxpayer dollars are spent,” Crenshaw said. “Using Medicaid funds for unproven and irreversible procedures on minors is not only medically irresponsible but also a betrayal of public trust. This bill ensures that Medicaid’s limited resources are used only for evidence-based, medically necessary care.” Crenshaw said the bill is narrowly designed so that it can be added into the House budget reconciliation process, possibly fast tracking its passage. “Budget reconciliation provides a unique opportunity to pass meaningful reforms with direct fiscal impacts,” Crenshaw said. “This bill fits squarely within that framework, ensuring it will survive procedural scrutiny while delivering a critical win for children and families.” The bill includes an exception for medically necessary treatments for conditions like genetic disorders or life-threatening illnesses. Crenshaw said the bill is the beginning of a broader effort to block taxpayer funding from being used for surgeries and drugs of this kind on children. While the practices have become more common in recent years, critics and detransitioned adults have blasted the practices since they usually make the recipients infertile and many adults regret their decisions later on in life. Questions have also been raised about the financial incentives of healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies since transitioned children become customers who must keep taking certain drugs for the rest of their lives. Crenshaw and others have backed similar legislation in recent years, including the Protect Children’s Innocence Act which prohibits gender surgeries and drugs for children wholesale or the Parents Bill of Rights Act, a bill that ensures parents give consent for these kinds of procedures. Another bill, the Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act, blocks hospitals from receiving federal grant funding for medical education if they participate in these kinds of procedures for children. Now that Trump has taken office and Republicans have narrow majorities in the House and Senate, these bills may get fresh life. “By taking this step, we’re sending a clear message: the health and safety of our children are non-negotiable,” Crenshaw said. “We will continue to lead the charge to protect America’s future – one policy at a time.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post New Bill Would End Federally Funded Transgender Surgeries, Hormones for Minors appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News MINSK/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Europe’s longest-serving leader, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, clinched his seventh straight election victory on Sunday and ordered the release of an American woman who had been held in the autocratically-ruled nation. Critics said Lukashenko, “Europe’s last dictator,” was declared the winner after a race they dismissed as “a sham” to tighten his iron grip on the ex-Soviet republic, Russia’s closest ally. “Don’t use the word election to describe this farce,” said Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, an opposition leader who fled Belarus after the country’s previous presidential election in 2020 and a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests over vote-rigging. “It’s a staged show by Lukashenko to cling to power at all costs.” The Central Election Commission declared that the strongman leader won by a landslide, garnering nearly 87.6 percent of the vote, higher than the 81 percent he was declared to have won in 2020. Like all aspects of elections in Belarus, Exit polls are controlled by the state and generally reflect the final outcome, observers said. But his opponents, many of whom are imprisoned or exiled abroad by his unrelenting crackdown on dissent and free speech, would disagree. They recall that the perceived fraudulent election in 2020 triggered months of the largest protests in the recorded history of the country of 9 million people. The crackdown saw more than 65,000 arrests, with thousands beaten, rights groups said, bringing condemnation and sanctions from the West. IRON-FIST His iron-fisted rule since 1994 – Lukashenko took office two years after the demise of the Soviet Union – earned him the nickname of “Europe’s last dictator,” relying on subsidies and political support from close ally Russia. Unlike in 2020, when Tikhanovskaya was allowed to run against Lukashenko and declared herself the winner, Sunday’s election was a tightly controlled and tame affair, with only candidates loyal to the president running. No one indicated they wanted to defeat the 70-year-old Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994. His victory came while Belarus “unilaterally” released American woman Anastassia Nuhfer from detention, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. It was not specified when or why the woman, who was arrested under former President Joe Biden, was released. She was detained during former President Joe Biden’s term, but when or why was not specified. Thousands of Lukashenko’s opponents have been arrested in recent years. The West has condemned Belarus over its perceived poor record on human rights and for allowing Russian forces to launch part of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine from its territory. Asked last year whether he would be prepared to allow his country again to be used as a staging ground for Russia’s ongoing invasion, he answered: “Yes, I’m ready. I’m ready to provide [territory] again. I’m also ready to wage war alongside the Russians from the territory of Belarus. But only if someone – even a single soldier – enters our territory from there (Ukraine) with weapons to kill my people.” The post Belarus President ‘Wins’ Reelection While American Is Freed (Worthy News Focus) appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, modern day miracles still happen! Psalms 124:1-8 A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Studying some remarkable events in the history of World War 2, we find the deliverance of the allied armies at Dunkirk; a true story of Divine providence in modern history. It was on May 10, 1940, that Hitler unleashed his armies against France and Belgium. Within days, the British army found itself outmaneuvered and unprepared for the German blitzkrieg assault led by General Rommel and his 7th Panzer division. The German high command began boasting of the demise of the allied armies, particularly the 300,000 soldiers of the British army sent by then Prime Minister Winston Churchill to protect France and the low countries of Europe. As the prospect of victory waned Churchill was prepared to announce an unprecedented military defeat of a third of a million soldiers. But then a miraculous turn took place initiated by King George VI, who ordered the observance of a National Day of Prayer. The British Monarch, along with members of the cabinet, attended Westminster Abbey to pray, while millions of Britons all across the Kingdom in unprecedented unity, attended churches to join the King in prayer. Newspapers throughout the UK reported, "Nothing like it has ever happened before." Then the miracles began: First, Hitler ordered his troops to halt their advance for no apparent reason, which angered his generals and continues to baffle historians to this day. Secondly, a massive storm broke out in Flanders which grounded the German Luftwaffe squadrons, allowing the allied armies to travel to the beaches at Dunkirk unhindered by the German air force. A third miracle involving the weather was that simultaneous with the storm which grounded the Luftwaffe, the English Channel was as still as a millpond...an unprecedented calm which allowed ships of every size to evacuate over 338,000 troops including 140,000 French, Belgian, Dutch and Polish soldiers from the beaches at Dunkirk. Winston Churchill addressed the British nation and described the evacuation of Dunkirk as a “miracle of deliverance.” The following Sunday, the nation in celebration of God’s answer to prayer, sang Psalm 124 throughout churches in the United Kingdom. Friend, be encouraged knowing that our God responds to prayer and is ready to act upon it at a moment's notice. The armies of darkness may surround us, in fact, they are sure to sooner or later; but we also know the Lord is standing ready to defend His own. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth" [Psalm 124:8] Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: Latest message: The Mysteries of Yeshua's Birth and Chanukah Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce. Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out! Editor's Note: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Arizona …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World Trump Still Demands Greenland After ‘Horrendous’ Call; Russia Also Interested U.S. President Donald J. Trump still believes the U.S. would take control of Greenland, despite a “horrendous” call with Denmark’s prime minister and demands by Russia to split the world’s largest island. Columbian President Backs Down After Trump Threats A significant diplomatic clash unfolded over the weekend when Colombia rejected two planes carrying illegal immigrants from the United States. In response, U.S. President Trump threatened severe retaliatory actions. Moments after Trump made the announcement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro took action, using his own presidential plane to facilitate the "dignified return of Colombian nationals" to their home country. Belarus President ‘Wins’ Reelection While American Is Freed (Worthy News Focus) Europe’s longest-serving leader, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, clinched his seventh straight election victory on Sunday and ordered the release of an American woman who had been held in the autocratically-ruled nation. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Trump Shows Strong Support for Israel During First Days of Administration In a series of bold moves, President Trump has shown his strong support for Israel in the early days of his administration, working to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations and enhance Israel’s security and sovereignty through a series of executive orders and the releasing of military aid to the Jewish state. Israel Confirms Release of Four Female Soldiers By Hamas Israel has confirmed the return of four female Israeli soldiers who were held as hostages by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2022. Inside the United States Republicans Push to Finish Southern Border Wall Republican senators riding high on President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown are continuing to push forward on other border security measures, with two lawmakers introducing separate bills to fund and finish the southern border wall. Trump Signs Executive Order to Ban ‘Digital Dollar’ US President Donald Trump signed an executive order entitled "Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology," banning the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in order to protect Americans. CIA: COVID-19 Likely Originated at Wuhan Lab The COVID-19 virus "more likely" originated from a research lab in China, the CIA now says, though it has "low confidence" in its determination. New Bill Would End Federally Funded Transgender Surgeries, Hormones for Minors Republican lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would block Medicaid from paying for gender transition drugs and surgeries for minors. Pete Hegseth Confirmed As US Defense Secretary While Trump Tours LA The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary in a nail-biting-vote following fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans toward him after allegations of misconduct. Christian News Pakistan Christian Women Killed; Four Others Convicted For Blasphemy (Worthy News Investigation) A prominent Christian human rights activist who fled his home in Pakistan after facing death for alleged blasphemy against Islam has expressed outrage about the killing of two Christian women and the conviction of four people on blasphemy charges over the weekend. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel has confirmed the return of four female Israeli soldiers who were held as hostages by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2022. Earlier, Israeli forces were seen preparing a helipad at the Beilinson Schneider complex in Petah Tikva, Israel, ahead of the arrival of the four young women. The four hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, all served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), officials confirmed. Yet IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, cautioned that Hamas had “failed to meet its obligations” to first release female civilian hostages. “Today … we welcomed home four more Israeli hostages after 477 days in Hamas captivity,” he said. “Today, we salute and embrace them and their families as they reunite just now after so long.” He added: “We cannot and will not forget the 90 hostages, including women, children, and elderly men, [that] still remain in brutal conditions in Hamas captivity. Hamas failed to meet its obligations to first release Israeli female civilian hostages as part of the agreement.” Israeli hostages in military uniform initially entered the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles, reporters witnessed. LARGE CROWD The women were pictured led onto a podium in Gaza City amid a large crowd of Palestinians and surrounded by dozens of armed Hamas men. They waved and smiled before being led off and entering ICRC vehicles that transported them to Israel’s military. Back home in Israel, large emotionally charged crowds, including relatives and friends, awaited their return after more than 15 months in captivity. As their release unfolded, Hamas published the list of 200 Palestinian prisoners set to be freed by Israel on Saturday in exchange for the four female Israeli soldiers as part of the ceasefire deal between the group and Israel. According to sources familiar with the situation, the 200 prisoners include long-serving inmates and others with lengthy sentences. Away from Gaza and Israel, about 153 prisoners were released by Yemen’s Houthis, who have attacked Israel and ships of its allies in support of Hamas. The detainees were freed on Saturday with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to an ICRC statement. The Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and have sunk two vessels, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers. Its attacks disrupted global shipping trade and prompted route changes, which meant longer voyages for goods to arrive. The prisoners’ identities were not disclosed, but the ICRC said the organization regularly visited them in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The post Israel Confirms Release of Four Female Soldiers By Hamas appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary in a nail-biting-vote following fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans toward him after allegations of misconduct. Hegseth was confirmed in a 50-50 vote when Vice President JD Vance came to the chamber to break the tie in his role as president of the Senate. Vance’s crucial move came after three Republicans joined every Democrat and independent in voting “no.” At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Los Angeles to tour the wildfire devastation as fires once again threatened the nation’s second-largest city, where thousands have been told to evacuate. Earlier in the day, during North Carolina’s hurricane recovery, Trump pledged to sign an “executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or maybe getting rid of them.” He later added of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s future: “We’re going to recommend that FEMA go away” as part of his broader plan to make the government more efficient and effective. Trump expects similar policies from the U.S. defense secretary. MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS Yet his appointment was rocked by a series of misconduct accusations. The latest came this week from his former sister-in-law, who claimed he abused his second wife to the extent that she hid in a closet. She allegedly had “a code word to use”’ with friends if she had to be rescued. Hegseth has vehemently denied the accusations, and even his wife had previously denied any physical abuse. The 44-year-old former Fox News television host’s appointment as defense secretary marks a dramatic political shift in the United States national security policy and leadership. Hegseth will lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly 1 million civilians who work for the U.S. military, which has an almost $1 trillion annual budget, more than any other nation. CRITICAL REPUBLICANS Critics say Hegseth admitted to lawmakers that so far, the largest group he had managed was 100 people, and the largest budget was $16 million. Among the critics were three Republican senators who voted against Hegseth, including Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell, who was the party’s Senate leader until this month. McConnell said Hegseth “had failed” to demonstrate he could effectively manage an organization as large and complex as the military. “Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes,” McConnell said in a statement It was only the second time in recorded history that a cabinet nominee needed a tie-break to be confirmed. The first was Betsy DeVos, a Trump nominee who became secretary of education in 2017. Yet his supporters also praise his military experience, including his service as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2003 to 2014 and again from 2019 to 2021, when he attained the rank of Major. He received the Bronze Star in recognition of his work during a combat deployment to Iraq in 2005. In 2014, he voluntarily deployed to war-torn Afghanistan to train the Afghan security forces. The post Pete Hegseth Confirmed As US Defense Secretary While Trump Tours LA appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – U.S. President Trump issued an executive order to declassify all records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday. On January 23, the president signed an executive order directing the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to prepare a plan within 15 days for the “full and complete release” of the JFK assassination files. The deadline for the RFK and King files is 45 days. While signing the order in the Oval Office, Trump said, “That’s a big one. A lot of people have been waiting for this for years, for decades. And everything will be revealed.” At his pre-inauguration rally on January 19, Trump promised to release the remaining records on the JFK, RFK, and King assassinations in the coming days. Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and instructed an aide to give him the pen used to sign Thursday’s order. RFK Jr. has previously claimed the CIA was behind the murders of his father and uncle, and, against his siblings’ stance, has supported granting parole to Sirhan Sirhan. The FBI accused Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine who defected to the Soviet Union, of assassinating JFK in 1963. Two days later, Jack Ruby killed Oswald, sparking years of speculation. JFK’s assassination, amid rising distrust in the government, led many to believe Oswald was part of a larger plot. A Gallup poll from October 2023 found 65% of U.S. adults reject the lone gunman theory. In June 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian, shortly after winning California’s Democratic presidential primary. Sirhan’s attorney later claimed he was framed. In April 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot by James Earl Ray after the FBI attempted to undermine his advocacy against racial discrimination, including a notorious 1964 letter allegedly aimed at pushing him to suicide. Investigators also reported in March 1968 that King had an unusually high number of Communists in his inner circle. This action seeks to provide transparency and address public interest in these historical events. The declassification is expected to clarify the circumstances of the assassinations and address numerous conspiracy theories. The post Trump Orders Release of Classified Files on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – Israel has asked the U.S. for 30 more days to complete its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, just days before the 60-day ceasefire deadline with Hezbollah. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain beyond day 60, the length of their stay is unclear. The situation was discussed by Israel’s defense officials and government on Thursday. This Sunday marks 60 days since the ceasefire began on November 27. Under the current ceasefire agreement, the IDF must hand over all positions in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces by January 26. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is obligated to retreat north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Israeli border. Currently, Israel can respond to immediate threats from Hezbollah but must forward concerns about longer-term threats to an oversight committee made up of representatives from the U.S., France, Lebanon, and the UNIFIL international observer force. Israel has requested more time from the committee to complete its withdrawal, but according to Lebanon’s Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar outlet, it will begin pulling out of northern and western areas over the next three days. Lebanon’s new President, Joseph Aoun, has urged U.S. and French officials to ensure Israel withdraws on time. Lebanese sources said Israel’s failure to do so would hinder Lebanon’s army deployment, but the report did not address Hezbollah’s withdrawal. In response to Israel’s request, Hezbollah called on “everyone, especially the political authority in Lebanon,” to pressure the countries overseeing the ceasefire agreement to ensure the IDF withdraws by the end of the 60-day truce on Sunday. Hezbollah added that if Israel remains in southern Lebanon beyond the 60 days, it would be “considered a flagrant violation of the agreement and an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty.” However, Israel has determined that the Lebanese army’s slow deployment in the region has delayed the IDF’s withdrawal. Israel’s security cabinet met on Thursday to discuss how long Israel should remain in southern Lebanon, given Lebanon’s failure to fully uphold its part of the agreement. IDF soldiers continue to discover Hezbollah weapon caches in areas covered by the truce, and reports suggest that in some locations, Lebanon’s army is aiding the Iran-backed group. Northern regional council chiefs have called for the IDF to remain in Lebanon to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of residents who were evacuated due to Hezbollah attacks. Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council, told the Israel’s Kan public broadcaster that he supports the IDF staying in key locations “until we understand that Hezbollah will not return to the south of the country [Lebanon], until we understand that a weapons arsenal doesn’t again trickle to Israel’s northern border.” The post Israel to Stay in Southern Lebanon After Deadline Citing Hezbollah Violations appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

Friend, learn to rest, even in labor ... Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. Hebrews 4:9-10 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. One of my heroes of the faith, Watchman Nee, once said something profound about entering the rest of God. He said, "Carnal Christians crave works; yet amid many labors, they are unable to maintain calm in their spirit. They cannot fulfill God's orders quietly as can the spiritual believers... their hearts are governed by outward matters. Being "distracted with much serving" (Luke 10:40) is the characteristic of the work of any soulish believer. They have not yet entered the rest of God.” Now that Martha is in Heaven (for some 2000 years) I have often wondered how she feels about being an example of distraction and carnality, and to what extent it's possible to move away from that kind of activity into a place of rest and peace and relationship as we serve the Lord. The Sabbath is certainly an opportunity to discover and practice the kind of rest and abiding in Yeshua that Watchman recommends here. All of us have experienced "spiritual" activity which is distracted, performance based, and undoubtedly less fruitful and effectual than it could be. But must it always be so? The Lord would not have rebuked Martha if He didn't hope and expect her to learn from His admonition. Friend, there's no question that we can learn a more mature way of serving. Mary has shown us the way, and Shabbat is the perfect opportunity to learn it. Sit at His feet, quietly, attentively, and learn of Him. Entering deeply into His rest will change the way you work, all the following week. And by resting well, we improve the quality of our work and even multiply our time. We give, He adds. We divide, He multiplies. We rest, and because of our abiding, He works. Shabbat Shalom and enjoy resting at His feet this weekend! We'll see you on Monday! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah (Phoenix, Arizona) Editor's Note: Latest message: The Mysteries of Yeshua's Birth and Chanukah Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce. Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out! Editor's Note: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Arizona …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information. Around the World Trump Tells world to Make Products in America or Pay Tariffs President Donald Trump told world and business leaders Thursday to make products in America or prepare to pay tariffs. Trump Redesignates Houthis as Foreign Terror Organization Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has re-designated the Iran-aligned Houthi Islamic militant group in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Reuters reports. Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden had dropped the terrorist designation Trump had given the Houthis in his first term because of humanitarian concerns in war-torn Yemen. Philippine Detains Chinese Spy As US Moves Missiles While Philippine authorities confirmed the detention of an alleged Chinese spy, the U.S. military moved Lyphon launchers - which can hit Chinese targets from Laoag airfield in the Philippines to another location on the island of Luzon, officials confirmed. German Police Detain Afghan Over Deadly Knife Attack In Park Stuffed animals and candles were seen at the site in southern Germany where a 2-year-old boy of Moroccan origin and a 41-year-old German man were killed in a knife attack that Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz called an “act of terror.” India Mourning 12 Killed In Train Disaster After Fire Alarm Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he is praying for those impacted by a railway tragedy in western India where at least 12 train passengers reportedly died after being struck by another train on an adjacent track. Israel-Palestinian Conflict Israel to Stay in Southern Lebanon After Deadline Citing Hezbollah Violations Israel has asked the U.S. for 30 more days to complete its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, just days before the 60-day ceasefire deadline with Hezbollah. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain beyond day 60, the length of their stay is unclear. The situation was discussed by Israel's defense officials and government on Thursday. This Sunday marks 60 days since the ceasefire began on November 27. Inside the United States Trump Orders Release of Classified Files on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations U.S. President Trump issued an executive order to declassify all records related to the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday. Trump Slams Bank of America Boss for Refusing ‘Conservative Business’ President Donald Trump confronted Bank of America boss Brian Moynihan in front of the entire world Thursday for not providing banking services to conservatives. Christian News Cuba: Pastor Released After 3.5 Years in Jail for Protesting Rights Violations A pastor who was tortured and imprisoned in Cuba for protesting the government’s violation of human rights was released last week after serving three and half years in jail, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Communist Cuba ranks 26 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. Iran Sees Dramatic Increase in Prison Terms for Christians A new annual report by the Article 18 Iranian persecution watchdog a dramatic increase in the number and length of prison terms handed to Christians in the Islamic Republic of Iran last year compared to 2023. Ohio Pastor Who Shelters Homeless At His Church Is Fined, Sentenced to Suspended Jail Term For Violation of Fire Code A pastor in Ohio has been fined $200 and sentenced to a 60-day suspended jail term after being convicted of violating a municipal fire code order at his church. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A pastor who was tortured and imprisoned in Cuba for protesting the government’s violation of human rights was released last week after serving three and half years in jail, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Communist Cuba ranks 26 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. Pastor of Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano, Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo was freed on January 17 as part of a mass pardon deal negotiated by the Vatican part of a mass pardon agreement involving the phased release of 553 prisoners, ICC said. Fajardo was released mid-way through a seven-year sentence he received in May 2022 on charges of criminal incitement, assault, public disorder, and disrespect, ICC reports. The pastor had participated in mass protests against the government’s handling of food and medicine distribution, electricity blackouts, and its restrictions on human rights. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported last year that Fajardo was tortured in prison. “On one occasion, prison authorities beat Fajardo so severely that he lost a tooth. They then urinated on him,” the USCIRF said. ICC notes in its report: “Communist governments, like that of Cuba, often restrict protests and levy spurious charges against demonstrators as a way of instilling fear in their citizens and deterring further opposition. Christians are frequent targets of communist governmental attacks due to their criticism and defense of human rights abuses.” The post Cuba: Pastor Released After 3.5 Years in Jail for Protesting Rights Violations appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump told world and business leaders Thursday to make products in America or prepare to pay tariffs. Trump’s remarks came the same day as a new analysis suggest his tariff plans could generate $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Tariffs are a tax paid on imports or exports. Trump plans to impose a 10% tariff on all imports from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada starting Feb. 1. Trump spoke about his tariff plans Thursday by satellite to the 2025 meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He said that businesses that don’t make products in America will pay some kind of tariff. “My message to every business in the world is very simple: Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth,” Trump said. “But if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff of differing amounts, but a tariff which will direct hundreds of billions of dollars – even trillions of dollars – into our Treasury to strengthen our economy and pay down debt.” In an analysis, the Committee for a Responsible Budget assumed those would be minimum tariffs on goods currently facing less in tariffs. It estimated Trump’s tariff policies would boost revenue by about $140 billion over the rest of calendar year. If made permanent, CFRB estimated they would raise $1.5 trillion through fiscal year 2035 on a conventional basis – and accounting for economic effects, $1.3 trillion through 2035. The group made its uncertainty about those estimates clear, noting that many outside factors could change projections. “Importantly, our estimates including dynamic and retaliatory effects on revenues are very rough and meant to convey the magnitude of their effects rather than precise scores,” the group noted in the analysis. “Based on available data from the Congressional Budget Office, we assume these tariffs would reduce U.S. output by about 0.3% once phased in. There is great uncertainty regarding the actual effects.” Trump has made big promises about his tariff plans. During his inauguration Monday, Trump said tariffs would make the U.S. “rich as hell.” John Paulson, founder of Paulson & Co. and a Trump campaign adviser, previously said Trump’s tariffs could generate $450 billion in revenue a year. How much money tariffs would ultimately bring in depends on multiple factors, including how other nations respond. That makes it “highly uncertain,” according to credit-rating agency Moody’s. “While such measures could raise several trillion dollars in revenue over the next decade, they could also lead to revenue losses from potential retaliatory actions from other countries and other economic losses,” Moody’s noted in a recent report. “Therefore, the net effect on future revenues and fiscal deficits from such measures is highly uncertain.” Trump previously said he couldn’t guarantee that his tariff plans would not raise U.S. consumers’ prices. Tariffs could raise prices for U.S. consumers and slow economic growth. S&P Global, a credit-rating agency, reported that Trump’s proposed tariffs could boost inflation by 1.8% and lower U.S. economic output by 1%, according to a post-election report. Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Tells world to Make Products in America or Pay Tariffs appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

By Brett Rowland | The Center Square (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump confronted Bank of America boss Brian Moynihan in front of the entire world Thursday for not providing banking services to conservatives. “I hope you start opening your bank to conservatives, because many conservatives complain that the banks are not allowing them to do business within the bank, and that included a place called Bank of America. … what you’re doing is wrong,” Trump said during a question and answer session with corporate leaders and CEOs, who were assembled on stage at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump, who spoke by satellite to address the forum, suggested his predecessor – former President Joe Biden – was behind the effort. “And I don’t know if the regulators mandated that because of Biden or what,” Trump continued, “But you and [JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon] and everybody – I hope you’re going to open your banks to conservatives, because what you’re doing is wrong.” Moynihan didn’t address Trump’s remarks in his own comments, but congratulated Trump on the U.S. playing host to the World Cup in 2026. The World Cup is a FIFA international soccer championship. Bank of America is sponsoring the tournament. The Center Square has reached out to Bank of America for comment. Bank of America, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the world’s biggest financial institutions, serving about 69 million consumer and small business clients with 3,700 retail financial centers in the U.S. JPMorganChase said it doesn’t play politics. “We have never and would never close an account for political reasons, full stop,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We follow the law and guidance from our regulators and have long said there are problems with the current framework that Washington must address. We welcome the opportunity to work with the new Administration and Congress on ways to remove regulatory ambiguity while maintaining our country’s ability to address financial crime.” Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, recently spoke about debanking during a podcast. He said it doesn’t happen for the reasons people might assume. “We have not debanked anyone because of political or religious relationships, period. Now, when we debank someone, they often blame that reason, but that’s not a reason,” Dimon said during the Unshakeables podcast. “We don’t bank marijuana companies because there’s no federal law around it. We simply can’t follow the law. If there’s a federal law, we probably would. And we do bank some crypto companies and very carefully.” Reprinted with permission from The Center Square. The post Trump Slams Bank of America Boss for Refusing ‘Conservative Business’ appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent (Worthy News) – A new annual report by the Article 18 Iranian persecution watchdog a dramatic increase in the number and length of prison terms handed to Christians in the Islamic Republic of Iran last year compared to 2023. Titled ‘The Tip of the Iceberg’, the report was prepared and published with Open Doors, CSW, and Middle East Concern. Iran ranks 9 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. “Ninety-six Christians were sentenced to a combined 263 years in prison last year, compared with 22 Christians sentenced to a total of 43.5 years in 2023,” Article 18 reports. “There was also a notable increase in lengthy individual sentences, with five Christians receiving 10-year prison terms and another a 15-year sentence – all on account of charges related to their faith or religious activities,” Article 18 said. “Each arrest was carried out by IRGC intelligence agents, who sought to charge them under a provision within the amended Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, which calls for the maximum punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment in cases where the individual has received ‘financial or organisational help from outside the country,” the report says. “Making financial donations, charitable offerings, or paying tithes to support church activities are standard practices for Christians worldwide, but such activities have been criminalized by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts,” the report explains. “The Iranian government seems to have intensified its efforts to isolate and financially undermine the Christian community as part of a broader strategy to suppress its growth and influence,” the report attests. The post Iran Sees Dramatic Increase in Prison Terms for Christians appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article