Christian leaders, faith-based influencers and community figures from across the globe arrived in Jerusalem on Wednesday for an international memorial honoring the victims of Oct. 7. The gathering was held as part of the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit.

Jewish leaders, former hostages, bereaved relatives, wounded Israelis, ambassadors and diplomatic officials also took part in the ceremony, which marked the anniversary of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

“Oct. 7 was the darkest day in Israel’s history, a day defined by despair,” Dr. Mike Evans, founder of Jerusalem’s Friends of Zion Heritage Center, told News Media.

Evans said public attention often centers on the more than 1,200 people killed on Oct. 7, while overlooking the tens of thousands who lost their homes, families and sense of security. “A nation is living through unimaginable suffering,” he said, adding that the pain comes not only from the attack itself but also from the belief that Israel has been abandoned and condemned by much of the world.

His message for the anniversary, Evans said, is one of solidarity: “You’re wrong. The world is standing with you.” He pointed to the many faces, languages and songs represented at the memorial as evidence of an international community united in support of Israel. “This is not about politics,” he said. “It is about telling the Jewish people: You are not alone. We stand with you, and we love you.”

Actor and influencer Nathaniel Buzolic and journalist Erin Molan hosted the memorial, which was broadcast live from Jerusalem by dozens of television networks around the world.

Buzolic told News Media that Jewish suffering is frequently met with silence or denial, particularly when the victims are targeted by radical Islamists. While other minority communities often receive broad recognition when they suffer, he said, the Oct. 7 atrocities and the violence that followed have faced efforts to minimize or dispute what happened.

He described support for Israel as a moral obligation in the face of what he characterized as ongoing attempts to eliminate the country. Buzolic said the animosity is driven by a radical Islamist ideology that rejects peaceful coexistence with Israel and also poses a broader challenge to Western societies.

Former hostages Agam Berger, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Bar Kupershtein and Evyatar David were among the attendees. Kupershtein’s grandfather, Holocaust survivor Michael Kupershtein, also joined them. Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel and a full partner in the event, participated as well.

Before the memorial, summit participants visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust remembrance center.

Now in its second year, the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit has drawn more than 1,000 participants representing 122 countries.

Evans said the gathering reflects a powerful alliance between Israel and Bible-believing Christians worldwide. “Most Zionists around the world are not Jewish,” he told News Media. “Christian Zionists may not share the same political views, but they agree on the importance of standing with the people of Israel.”

The summit also features a significant number of young attendees. Evans said the outreach is intended to engage a generation he believes has been influenced by Qatar-linked messaging at universities and by content generated or amplified through artificial intelligence.

Organized in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit began Tuesday with a gathering on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives. Evans said the location carries special meaning for Christians because of its association with Jesus and the ascension, making it a powerful symbol of faith for those attending.

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George Deek, Israel’s special envoy to the Christian world, said he was proud of the continued backing Israel has received from Jewish and Christian communities overseas since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

“The presence of Christian leaders sends a strong message that Israel is not alone,” Deek told News Media. He said the visitors came to meet survivors and families whose lives were upended on Oct. 7, bear witness to their experiences and share those stories with people in their own communities.

According to Deek, the relationship between Israel and Christian communities around the world rests on “truth, courage and sheer determination” to confront antisemitism and every other form of hatred wherever it appears.

“This visit is a testament to the strength of the bond between Israel and Christian communities despite attempts by various groups, including paid actors and anti-Israel organizations, to drive a wedge between them,” he added.

Deek said the special relationship between Christians and Jews rests on three foundations: a shared biblical heritage; a commitment to ensuring Jews can live free from antisemitism and fear and the right of Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere to live without intimidation.

“The future of the Jews in Israel and the future of Christians are connected because we have a shared history. We share the same historical land, the same values, kings and prophets, and we have to stand together, especially when it comes to this warfare against the soul of Christians, trying to drive them away from Israel,” Deek told News Media.

Influencer Oli London first visited Israel six weeks after the Oct. 7 attack, traveling to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where residents were killed and kidnapped and homes were burned during the massacre.

“I felt it was so important to come back to honor the memory of the victims, advocate for those still suffering from trauma, raise awareness of their suffering and take part in mass prayers,” London told News Media.

“I think it’s also important to show Christians the holy sites in Israel. I’m visiting the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb and other biblical sites to encourage Christians to return because Israel has had a difficult time over the past few years,” he continued.

London also praised the resilience of the Jewish people and addressed rising antisemitism around the world since Oct. 7.

“Sadly, many people are either staying silent or jumping on the bandwagon of the anti-Israel trend, fueling hatred and bringing out antisemitic views in many people. Jewish people need support and need to know they are loved and supported by so many Christians,” he said.

On Thursday, members of the delegation will visit the Nova music festival site, where one of the central massacres of Oct. 7 took place, and meet with released hostages Romi Gonen, Elkana Bohbot and Noa Argamani, who were abducted from the festival. On Friday, the delegation will visit the ancient site of Shiloh in Samaria for a special tour and prayer event.

Hooman Khalili, who is participating in the summit, was born in Iran and has been an outspoken supporter of Israel. He said he has visited the country 17 times over 21 months to create “Woman, Life, Freedom” murals.

“I was invited and saw it as an opportunity to share with American pastors the work I have been doing to show the world how Israel and the Jewish people support women and the people of Iran,” he told News Media.

“This is one of those opportunities to come and pray for the land and the State of Israel, connect with other Christians and people who share my beliefs and values.”

Three friends of Nolan Wells have filed a defamation lawsuit against former NFL star Terrell Owens, accusing the Hall of Famer of falsely linking them to the teenager’s death.

Wells, an 18-year-old Black college student, was found floating in the water on July 6 after he and his friends took a boat trip near Horn Island, off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, to celebrate the Fourth of July.

A Jackson County grand jury determined last month that the teenager’s death was “consistent with drowning” and rejected claims that the incident was “racially motivated.”

Wells’s friends—Morgan Seymour, Jax Pitalo and Warren Hudson—have now brought a defamation case against Owens.

The fathers of Seymour, Pitalo and Hudson filed the federal lawsuit on their behalf Monday. The three friends are under 21 and are considered minors under Mississippi law.

According to the lawsuit obtained by The Daily Mail, the friends accuse the 52-year-old Owens of defaming them in a post on X that stated: “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!”

The post also linked to an Instagram video that, according to the lawsuit, suggested the three friends had killed Wells and tampered with his phone. Owens shared it days after the grand jury declined to recommend charges in connection with Wells’s death.

Owens, who has 1.2 million followers on X, had previously pledged $25,000 to a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

The Daily Mail contacted Owens and SMAC Entertainment, which identifies itself on its website as his management company, but neither responded immediately.

“This action concerns his devastating and far-reaching defamatory statement about Plaintiffs in a false and malicious social media post published by Owens on X.com,” the lawsuit states.

The filing continues: “Nolan’s death was accidental and involved no criminal activity. Yet, since that fateful and tragic day, conspiracy theorists, grifters, hoax peddlers, and other modern-day hucksters and plain liars have perpetuated the disgusting and false narrative that Warren, Jax, and Morgan somehow murdered Nolan and covered up this supposed heinous crime.

“These bad actors have acted on a variety of motives, including their need to identify and attack Girardian scapegoats, to garner social media clicks for profit and, in some instances, outright racism. Owens is one such bad actor, and one of the most famous such individuals.”

The lawsuit against Owens is one of several defamation claims the friends filed this week against online content creators.

They had also indicated that they intended to sue the Rev. Al Sharpton and Sunny Hostin, a co-host of “The View,” over comments they made while discussing Wells’s death.

The three friends are seeking a jury trial, along with compensatory and punitive damages.

Their complaint says they have endured “mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation, and fear for their physical safety and that of their families,” including harm caused by death threats, in-person harassment and public ridicule.

‘Not only is he defaming them, he’s basically saying to the mob, get your pitchforks, get your torches,’ said Edward Paltzik, a defamation and media attorney representing the three friends.

Owens played 15 seasons in the NFL for teams including the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. 

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The three were part of a group of 30 friends, including Wells, who rode to Horn Island on three boats on the Fourth of July. 

Wells’ friends said Wells did not return to the mainland with them, choosing instead to stay behind to talk with a girl, a claim his family has disputed. His body was found two days later off the island’s coast.

Images showing Wells with the white friends the day he went missing fueled online speculation that racial dynamics played a role in his death.

Two of the three friends who are suing Owens were singled out online in part because they appear in a photo with Wells and one other friend on a boat, which was circulated on social media after his disappearance. The third called Wells’ mother and the U.S. Coast Guard to report Wells missing.

Wells’ death garnered national attention, with his heartbroken family calling for an investigation despite law enforcement’s determination that no foul play was involved. 

In a report released by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office last month, the grand jury report said it ‘finds that the position of, the condition of, time of discovery, and location of Mr Wells’ body is consistent with drowning.’

‘After a thorough and exhaustive investigation, your grand jury met last week concerning the death investigation of Nolan Wells and unanimously returned a no true bill,’ District Attorney Angel Myers Mcllrath said.

‘The death of Nolan Wells has devastated our community. Outsiders and influencers have attempted to exploit Nolan’s death to divide and create chaos here but we are better together.’

The state’s Chief Medical Examiner and another doctor asserted that the cause of the teenager’s death was ‘undetermined’ and that ‘drowning is a diagnosis of exclusion.’ 

‘There was bruising on the back of Mr Wells’ head which was not a fatal injury,’ the documents said, adding that the doctor and state medical examiner disagreed about further bruising on his rear and shoulder. 

‘A witness testified under oath that he saw Mr Wells slip awkwardly off the side of a boat around the time of 3.30pm on July 4… but could not say whether Mr Wells struck his head during the fall,’ the report continued. 

The witness said Wells continued to socialize afterward and did not appear injured. 

The grand jury determined that Wells was not the only person of color on Horn Island on the day of his death, as some speculated. 

‘There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s disappearance and death were racially motivated,’ Mcllrath said. 

‘The Grand Jury finds no credible evidence to support the public allegations that any persons who rode to or from Horn Island on July 4… engaged in any criminal conduct related to the death of Mr Wells,’ the report said. 

It also found Wells had not been involved in a fight or argument on July 4 and stayed on the island, along with others, to ‘socialize.’ 

According to the report, the Triton that transported Wells’ group across the water had a bilge pump and motor malfunction on July 4 and was ‘actively taking on water and sinking.’

‘The Grand Jury conducted a comprehensive inquiry into the death of Mr Wells and is confident in the extensive investigation done by both Federal and State law enforcement agencies,’ the report added. 

Christa Pike’s aunt says she believes divine intervention allowed her niece to become the first person in the United States known to survive a lethal injection, speaking in the family’s first interview since the convicted killer regained consciousness in a hospital.

Carrie Ross, who helped raise the 50-year-old Pike and says she loves her “like a daughter,” argued that Pike’s life should now be spared because God appeared to reject the execution.

“When God puts his hand on someone, God is in control,” Ross told the Daily Mail. “Not the Department of Correction, not us, but God.”

Ross said she and other members of the family have not been able to talk with Pike since the Tennessee death row inmate emerged from a coma on Tuesday.

Pike was hospitalized in critical condition after surviving a failed execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville on Sept. 30.

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According to her attorneys, Pike is unable to eat and is suffering from pneumonia and a blood clot in her arms. She was given two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital during the botched procedure.

“It’s been up, down, up, down. I have cried more tears in the last week than I’ve cried in my whole life,” Ross said.

“This whole week has been a blur.”

Pike received a death sentence for the brutal torture and murder of her 19-year-old classmate, Colleen Slemmer. The killing took place in January 1995, when Pike was 18, during what prosecutors described as a jealous rage.

Following the failed execution, Ross is calling for Pike’s sentence to be commuted. She said attempting to execute her niece again would amount to torture after the physical ordeal she has already endured.

“That would be horrible. Torture. Don’t do that to a human,” Ross said. “She has completed her execution. She went willingly.”

The U.S. Coast Guard added its biggest enlisted class in nearly 40 years during fiscal year 2026, exceeding its recruiting targets for the third straight year as it moves to strengthen its workforce.

A total of 5,445 active-duty members enlisted in fiscal year 2026, according to the Coast Guard. That figure rose from 5,204 in 2025 and 4,422 in 2024.

The service also commissioned 346 active-duty officers, making it the second-largest officer class in Coast Guard history.

“These record-breaking recruitment numbers prove that the call to serve still resonates deeply across our country,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

“I am incredibly proud to stand beside these new Coast Guard men and women who have stepped up to defend our Homeland,” he said. “They represent the very best of who we are, and we are going to make sure they have the tools, the training, and the support to get the job done.”

To support its recruiting push, the Coast Guard opened four new offices during fiscal year 2026. The locations are Miami, Florida; Long Island, New York; Austin, Texas; and the Netherlands.

Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Tom Allan said the results point to rising interest in military service.

“We surpassed our recruiting goals because Americans are ready and willing to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard conducting exciting missions that deliver results our Nation needs,” Allan said.

“This momentum is about more than numbers; it is about being the world’s best Coast Guard and building the workforce America needs,” he added. “We are proud to welcome our newest members and grateful to our recruiters for continuing to deliver exceptional results.”

Alongside its recruiting campaign, the Coast Guard is upgrading its facilities to train and support a larger workforce.

The service awarded a $400 million contract to modernize Training Center Cape May in New Jersey. The project represents the largest shore construction award in Coast Guard history.

Training Center Cape May is the Coast Guard’s only basic training facility for enlisted recruits. The planned improvements are designed to help the center accommodate the service’s expanding ranks.

The recruiting increase comes as the Coast Guard advances a broader modernization effort called Force Design.

One of Force Design’s objectives is to add at least 15,000 members to the Coast Guard’s military workforce by the end of fiscal year 2028. The expansion is intended to support a growing fleet and increasing mission demands.