A New Perspective on Constantine

(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had “been soft” on China on trade issues and said he was not happy that China had allowed oil shipments to go into North Korea.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump said on Twitter that China has been “caught” allowing oil into North Korea and said such moves would prevent “a friendly solution” to the crisis over Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

“Caught RED HANDED – very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!” Trump wrote. [ Source: Reuters (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – President Trump’s second year in office likely will focus on overhauling the legal immigration system, after combatting illegal immigration during his first year.

The first 11 months of the Trump presidency were focused on enhancing border security, interior enforcement, and national security.

“The president has made it clear that my number one priority as secretary of homeland security is to protect America from all threats. Making America safe starts with securing our borders, increasing interior immigration enforcement, protecting our communities, and dismantling transnational criminal organizations,” recently confirmed Kirstjen Nielsen told the Washington Examiner. [ Source: Washington Examiner (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump allowed the Iran nuclear deal to survive through 2017, but the new year will offer him another chance to blow up the agreement — and critics and supporters alike believe he may take it.

By mid-January, the president will face new legal deadlines to choose whether to slap U.S. sanctions back on Tehran. Senior lawmakers and some of Trump’s top national security officials are trying to preserve the agreement. But the deal’s backers fear Trump has grown more willing to reject the counsel of his foreign policy team, as he did with his recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The decision represents an opportunity for Trump to deliver on a campaign promise to rip up the Iran deal, one he has repeatedly deferred at the urging of senior officials. [ Source: Politico (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran and Hamas on Wednesday not to act against the Jewish state, as it has the strongest air force in the region, with the ability to reach targets at all distances.

“The air force is as its peak today, with the best tools, technologies, planes and pilots in the world. With defensive and offensive capabilities and tremendous firepower, the air force has the ability to reach short distances and faraway destinations as required,” Netanyahu said at an Israel Air Force Flight Academy graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim Air Base outside Beersheba.

Thirty-six officers, including one woman, received their wings after graduating from the three-year pilots course on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and IAF Commander Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin. [ Source: Jerusalem Post (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – The Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled against Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of the Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery who in 2013 refused to design and bake a cake celebrating a lesbian couple’s same-sex wedding.

The Kleins felt that designing and making the cake to celebrate the 2013 same-sex wedding would violate their Christian faith.

On Thursday, however, the appeals court upheld the decision by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries to fine the Kleins $135,000. The hefty financial penalty ultimately forced the couple to close their bakery. [ Source: CBN News (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – The United States and Israel are working hand in hand to counter dangerous Iranian activity in the Middle East. According to Axios News, a strategic partnership agreement was reached during a secret meeting between Israeli and U.S. officials in the White House on December 12th.

A senior U.S. official told Axios that after two days of talks the U.S. and Israel “reached at a joint document which included understandings on countering Iranian actions in the region.”

The official said the document’s goal was to translate President Trump’s Iran speech into concrete strategic goals regarding Iran. [ Source: CBN News (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Islamic State claimed a suicide bomb attack carried out on Thursday on an office of the Afghan Voice news agency and a neighboring Shi’ite cultural center in Kabul, the group’s Amaq news agency said in an online statement.

The suicide attack was carried out by one bomber wearing a vest and followed three other bomb blasts in the same area, the statement said.

The agency offered no evidence for the claim of responsibility for the attack, which killed dozens of people. [ Source: Jerusalem Post (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – While there may not be a Third Temple at which Israeli Jews can worship atop the Jerusalem Temple Mount, there is a brand-new synagogue under the foundation of the holy site – and it’s open for prayer.

The new center of worship is the result of 12 years of construction at a cost of $50 million, and it is located directly under the Western Wall, where Jews have gathered for centuries to pray at the retaining wall for the Temple Mount.

“The unique design of the prayer hall combines rare art and unique lighting, creating a wonderful contrast between ancient and modern,” said a statement by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. [ Source: World Net Daily (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Fulani herdsmen have launched two attacks on Christian worshippers in Nigeria’s Kaduna State in the Christmas period.

In the first, four people were killed 10 injured in Nimdem village just before Christmas. A press statement released by the Southern Kaduna People’s Union said: ‘We have once again come under unprovoked and gruesome attack two days before Christmas.’

The statement said: ‘This has left us wondering why people who had gathered peacefully for joyful Christmas carols in their village should be gunned down for no reasons.’ [ Source: Christian Today (Read More…) ]

(Worthy News) – Atlanta Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran claims he was terminated due to his religious beliefs and that his First Amendment rights were violated. However, the City of Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed hold firm that Cochran “was fired because he did not comply with the City’s pre-clearance rules for outside employment and for facilitating a massive public relations campaign against the Mayor and the City.”

Cochran, a chief operating officer of the Atlanta-based Elizabeth Baptist Church, wrote in preparation of a November news conference, “In my life I have experienced firsthand the negative attitudes, racial slurs, and discrimination because of the color of my skin.” He created the Atlanta Fire Rescue Doctrine in an effort to create a just and peaceful work environment for all.

Before his post in Atlanta, Cochran’s career accolades include an appointment as theUS Fire Administrator by President Obama in 2009, and one of the first African American members, and later chief of the Shreveport Fire Department. [ Source: Christian Headlines (Read More…) ]