Displaying items by tag: USA

Thursday, 02 January 2025 22:17

USA: two truck attacks

An army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, carried out a New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, killing fifteen people and injuring thirty more by driving a truck into a crowd. Jabbar, a former soldier with ties to Texas, displayed an IS flag and posted videos expressing admiration for the group shortly before the attack. Police killed him in a shootout and are investigating his associates for potential involvement. Explosive devices were found and neutralized, prompting heightened security measures. Joe Biden condemned the act as terrorism, noting Jabbar’s social media activity and disturbed state following a divorce. New Orleans had implemented temporary security barriers against such attacks, but they proved ineffective against Jabbar’s actions. In another attack, probably unrelated, a truck full of fireworks and gas cylinders exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others: see

Published in Worldwide

On 31 December Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of reclaiming the Panama Canal from US control. President José Raúl Mulino has rejected recent comments by Donald Trump suggesting that the USA might try to reclaim it; he commented, ‘(It) will stay in our hands for ever’. The transfer of the canal in 1999, ending 85 years of US administration, was hailed as a landmark moment in Panamanian sovereignty. The canal, which remains a crucial global shipping route, is vital to the country’s economy, accounting for about 20% of its annual revenue. Challenges emerged in 2023 as droughts reduced transit capacity, forcing higher shipping fees. Although operations have normalised since then, price increases are anticipated next year.

Published in Worldwide
Thursday, 02 January 2025 22:08

USA: remembering Jimmy Carter

Former US president Jimmy Carter has died peacefully at his Georgia home at age 100, surrounded by family. Carter, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, will be remembered for his dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. One of his most memorable achievements was bringing about the Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt. However, as president he faced numerous challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis; the hostages were released the day he left office, showing that he had continued negotiations behind the scenes even after his election defeat. Thereafter, he earned admiration for his humanitarian work, including diplomatic missions and building homes for the poor. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to minimise or avert conflict globally.  He once said, 'My faith demands that I do whatever I can... to make a difference’. He will be given a state funeral on 9 January.

Published in Worldwide

Barry Black, a 76-year-old retired Navy rear admiral and the first black and Seventh-Day Adventist Senate chaplain, recently experienced a life-threatening brain bleed. Swiftly cared for by Capitol physician Brian Monahan, Black is now on a hopeful and steady path to recovery. Black deeply credits God’s extraordinary intervention for sparing him from a potentially dire outcome: Monahan’s urgent decision to call him and advise immediate medical care was seen as divinely inspired, averting more serious complications. As Christmas approaches, Black is expected to reunite with his family, further showcasing God’s compassionate and providential care. Let us pray for his continued healing, and for his family to feel God’s comforting presence.

Published in Praise Reports
Thursday, 12 December 2024 22:54

He wants to ‘saturate’ America with Jesus Films

Phil Cohn, a passionate evangelist and president of Saturate USA, leads an ambitious project to distribute the Jesus Film and salvation pamphlets to every home in America by 2027. This initiative equips local churches with free resources, enabling members to engage neighbourhoods through door-to-door outreach or door-handle delivery. With an aim to reach 120 million households, Saturate USA has already covered 38.4 million homes across all 50 states. Phil has felt compelled to share the gospel globally since the age of 19. His vision expanded to using the Jesus Film, which has sparked revival worldwide, including starting over a million churches. From Muslim families in America to residents under Taliban rule, countless lives have been transformed. Despite challenges, Phil continues to trust God for miracles, passionately focused on saturating America with the message of Christ. His vision reflects his unwavering belief in God’s power to save.

Published in Praise Reports

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) has won a significant legal victory, securing a permanent statewide injunction allowing Good News clubs to operate in all public school districts across Hawaii. These weekly gatherings teach children aged 5-12 about the Bible, memory verses, and praise songs, while also fostering fellowship and fun. Represented by Liberty Counsel, CEF filed a lawsuit against Hawaii education officials after several school districts blocked the clubs from using public school facilities, while permitting secular groups access. The courts ruled that such actions violated the first and 14th amendments of the US constitution, ensuring religious organizations have equal access to public spaces. Fred Pry of CEF welcomed the ruling as a triumph for religious freedom and free speech. Liberty Counsel continues to defend Christian clubs in other states, with plans to challenge similar restrictions in California. This victory highlights the enduring importance of protecting constitutional rights for faith-based organizations in public settings.

Published in Praise Reports

Joe Biden has granted a full pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing for gun charges and federal tax evasion. Hunter had been convicted of lying on a federal gun purchase form in 2018 by denying his drug addiction and had pleaded guilty to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes, which he later repaid with interest and penalties. The pardon, ahead of Hunter’s scheduled sentencing dates, cancels both convictions. Biden described the charges as politically motivated and unfair, arguing that similar offences often result in non-criminal resolutions. He condemned the justice department’s pursuit of his son, attributing it to congressional opponents' pressure. Hunter’s legal troubles, including struggles with addiction, have been a focus of considerable scrutiny over the past five years. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who granted a total of 144 pardons in his first term of office, has appointed one of those who were pardoned (his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner) to be US ambassador to France: see

Published in Worldwide
Thursday, 28 November 2024 21:53

USA: Thanksgiving Day worship services

Thanksgiving Day in the USA often brings families together for meals, sports, and festivities, but for many, it’s also a day of worship. Churches nationwide, including the National Cathedral in Washington DC, host special Thanksgiving services. The cathedral, known for its stunning altar decorations, draws hundreds to its annual service. Spokesman Kevin Eckstrom hopes this year’s observance will promote unity in a divided nation, reminding attendees to focus on God’s gifts and cultivate gratitude. 'We all have something to be grateful for’, he remarked. Reeds Mill Church, nestled in the Maine woods, offers a nostalgic, hymn-filled service in its one-room, 1892-built sanctuary. This year’s message, 'Jesus Comes to Dinner', reflects on Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus and the call to generosity. Thanksgiving services remind believers to reflect on gratitude, unity, and God’s abundant gifts.

Published in Praise Reports
Thursday, 28 November 2024 20:36

Mystery drones over US air bases in England

Sixty British troops have joined the United States Air Force (USAF) to investigate a series of unidentified drones spotted flying over three bases in Suffolk and Norfolk. The incidents have raised concerns about security, although the drones have not been deemed hostile. The bases play crucial roles in US military operations. USAF has confirmed multiple sightings during nighttime hours, but no source or intent has been identified. The Ministry of Defence emphasised robust security measures at all defence sites, and both British and US authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of personnel and infrastructure. Efforts to determine the origin and purpose of the drones continue.

Published in British Isles

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the USA, began on 27 November, with thousands of  displaced people cautiously returning to southern Lebanon. The truce calls for a sixty-day withdrawal period for Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army deploying extra troops in the region to oversee the ceasefire and reclaim control. However, Israeli officials have warned that any breaches by Hezbollah would prompt immediate military action. Hezbollah claimed ‘victory’ in its first statement since the ceasefire, vowing readiness to confront Israeli actions. The conflict, which began in October 2023 but has escalated since September, has devastated Lebanon, with over 3,800 killed and nearly 16,000 injured. Caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati has called for unity after what he said was the ‘most cruel phase in Lebanese history’. For a view on how this truce might affect the conflict in Gaza, see

Published in Worldwide
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