By Joseph C. DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent MARY, TURKMENISTAN (Worthy News)-- Protestant Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev's trial is slated for Oct. 21, nearly two months after his arrest on charges of large-scale swindling. The indictment alleges that under Article 228, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, Pastor Nurliev extracted money from five church members: two women -- who testified against him in writing -- and three men who gave verbal testimony. Carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and confiscation of personal property, ... Read More

By Joseph C. DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent ISTANBUL, Turkey (Worthy News)-- After a lengthy legal battle, a Turkish judge acquitted two Christians of insulting Turkey and its people by spreading Christianity, but not without imposing a heavy fine for another unrelated charge. Turan Topal, 50, and Hakan Tastan, 41, were faslely accused of spreading their faith and "insulting Turkishness, the military and Islam." At Silivri court, Judge Hayrettin Sevim acquitted both defendants on charges they had insulted the Turkish state (Article 301) and its people ... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Worthy News)-- New numbers posted today on the Treasury Department website show the National Debt has increased by more than $3 trillion since President Obama took office. The National Debt stood at $10.626 trillion the day Mr. Obama was inaugurated. The Bureau of Public Debt reported today that the National Debt had hit an all time high of $13.665 trillion. The Debt increased $4.9 trillion during President Bush's two terms. The Administration has projected the National Debt will soar in Mr. Obama's ... Read More

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Hungary BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (Worthy News)-- European Union crisis response chief Kristalina Georgieva says massive toxic flooding in Hungary that killed nine people and injured more than 120 others has underscored the need for a stronger European disaster response. The European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva announced in Budapest the European Union will provide machinery, vehicles and materials to help Hungary overcome its worst industrial accident on record. Since ... Read More

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)-- The wife of a prominent evangelical pastor in Iran was free Monday, October 18, after four months of detention, but her husband still faced the death penalty for abandoning Islam, the Church of Iran said. Fatemeh Passandideh, the wife of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, was released October 11 by a court in Gilan province, in northern Iran, an official linked to the Church of Iran told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife. "The release ... Read More

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Kolontar and Budapest A man, covered in toxic sludge, pauses after hard work in Devecser, one of the towns impacted by flooding from a nearby metals plant. Photo: Agnes R. Bos for Worthy News/BosNewsLife KOLONTAR/BUDAPEST (Worthy News)-- Nearly two weeks after toxic sludge flooding in Hungary killed at least nine people and injured over 120 others, villagers are returning home. The arrivals come shortly after the government ordered the resumption of ... Read More

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Kolontar, Hungary Worthy News photographer and journalist Agnes R. Bos preparing to enter disaster zone, near Kolontar Hungary. KOLONTAR, HUNGARY (Worthy News)-- Hungarian authorities released on Wednesday, October 13, the director of an alumina plant that flooded several towns with toxic waste, killing nine people and injuring at least 120 others. Government officials say production at the metals plant will resume by Friday, October 15, despite concerns among local residents about more flooding. A ... Read More

SAN JOSE MINE, Chile (Worthy News)-- Chilean rescuers ended a marathon operation Tuesday and freed all 33 miners trapped underground for more than two months.  All of the rescued miners were sent for medical treatment and several of them are expected to undergo surgery in the coming days. Chilean officials say the rescue operation at the San Jose mine in northern Chile advanced more quickly than expected. Initially, officials said it might take 48 hours to pull the miners to the surface through a ... Read More