Displaying items by tag: USA

Aidan Perry, a 20-year-old man from Florida, is praising God for saving his life after he was accidentally shot in the chest at close range on 7 June. The incident occurred when a friend was showing off a .40-calibre pistol that unexpectedly discharged. In the terrifying moments afterward, Aidan recalled seeing blood and fearing he would die. However, he credits both divine intervention and his cross necklace - a Christmas gift from his father - for his survival. Doctors confirmed that the necklace had deflected much of the bullet’s force, causing it to ricochet and lodge harmlessly in Aidan’s chest rather than striking vital organs. Aidan, who already had faith before this incident, said the experience has deepened his belief in God, reminding him to ‘never stop believing’. Meanwhile, the friend involved has been arrested and charged with culpable negligence causing injury.

Holy Hubert Lindsey, a fiery street evangelist, left an indelible mark on UC Berkeley in the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s. Born in Georgia in 1914 and converted at fifteen, Hubert sensed a divine call to preach boldly, even barefoot if needed. Drawn to Berkeley amid anti-war protests and cultural upheaval, he proclaimed repentance and Christ’s grace in Sproul Plaza, enduring jeers, violence, and scorn. In 1965, he was beaten unconscious yet returned swiftly, bullhorn in hand, declaring, 'They can bruise the body, but the soul is under the Shepherd’s care’. Many considered him a precursor to the Jesus Movement, as his preaching forced students to confront deeper spiritual questions. Despite opposition, he remained resolute, often tearfully urging listeners to turn to Christ. Hubert rejected media fame, choosing a humble life focused on the Gospel. He passed away in 2003, remembered as a courageous voice for Christ amid moral confusion.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has paused a planned shipment of advanced munitions to Ukraine amid growing concern over the country’s depleted stockpiles of weapons. The delay, stemming from a defence department review, affects key systems including Patriot interceptors and Hellfire missiles. This reassessment follows years of military aid to Ukraine and operations in the Middle East. While the Biden-era packages had approved these shipments, some are now being withheld, even after arriving in the region. The White House defended the move as prioritising US interests, but Ukrainian officials expressed frustration, calling the decision painful and warning that delays embolden Russian aggression. With Russia intensifying missile and drone attacks - launching the largest aerial assault since the 2022 invasion - Ukrainian leaders stressed the urgency of air defence support. Donald Trump has expressed a desire to supply Patriot missiles but acknowledged shortages. The pause comes as the USA also works to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing war.

The official Iranian death toll from the recent twelve-day war with Israel has been raised to 935, including 38 children and 132 women, based on new forensic data. Iranian officials accused Israel of war crimes and vowed to present evidence to international bodies. The government also criticised Donald Trump’s rhetoric about potential further strikes and sanctions, dismissing his remarks as psychological manipulation rather than genuine diplomacy. Meanwhile, tensions have risen over the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Officials have condemned its ‘double standards’, and have said that its boss Rafael Grossi is not welcome in Iran. They have also refused to guarantee the safety of nuclear inspectors. Western nations have condemned the threats against Grossi and urged Iran to maintain cooperation with the IAEA.

In the coastal town of Necocli, migrant families are now returning south after failed attempts to enter the USA, marking a reversal of a once-dominant northward migration trend. Harsh immigration policies under Donald Trump, including the withdrawal of the asylum app and increased military presence along the border, have left many stranded in Mexico or deterred from even attempting the journey. Some, like Luis Angel Yagua Parra, braved the deadly Darién Gap only to be forced back. Others, including a Venezuelan couple whose child was born in the USA, have left voluntarily, fearing deportation. Aid workers in Necoclí report a growing daily influx of returnees, but dwindling foreign support has led to closures of humanitarian organisations. Pastor Jose Mendoza’s food hall, struggling to meet rising needs, might have to close due to a lack of funding. For families like Marisela Bellorin’s, who have been homeless for months, survival is precarious. As the ‘American dream’ fades, many migrants are choosing new destinations such as Chile, in search of safety and stability.

After a US bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Donald Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth offered conflicting assessments of its impact. At first, Trump claimed total obliteration, later suggesting the damage might have been ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, while a leaked Pentagon assessment concluded the setback was only a matter of months. CIA director John Ratclife insisted that critical sites like Fordow had been rendered inoperable for years, while Israel announced that the strikes had pushed Iran’s programme back significantly. Meanwhile, questions emerged about Iran’s highly enriched uranium, some of which appears to have been moved prior to the attacks. The IAEA warned that different estimates of how long it will take Iran to rebuild distracted from the larger issue of long‑term non‑proliferation, and the risk of Iran expelling inspectors and leaving the non-proliferation treaty altogether.

Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old state lawmaker and self‑described socialist, has won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani, focusing sharply on rising living costs, promised free buses, free childcare, affordable housing, and a higher minimum wage, financed by taxing the wealthy. If elected in November, he would be the city’s first Muslim and Indian mayor. His victory reflects growing progressive momentum. Cuomo, seeking a comeback after a sexual harassment scandal, conceded defeat, stating, ‘Tonight is his night’. Critics question Mamdani’s experience, fearing he may be ill‑prepared for crisis management. Current mayor Eric Adams, indicted on corruption charges, announced he will run as an independent.The outcome of the primary, held amid sweltering temperatures, and the outcome of this race could indicate the type of leader Democrats are looking for during Donald Trump's second term.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s law banning gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors, ruling 6-3 that the law does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The decision in Skrmetti v. United States establishes a precedent allowing similar legislation in over 20 states to remain in effect. Christian leaders have welcomed the ruling as a decisive step in protecting children. Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel called it a “victory for children everywhere,” arguing that experimental procedures should not be allowed under the guise of equality. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council praised the affirmation of FRC’s “SAFE Act” model. Brent Leatherwood of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission emphasised that the state has a duty to protect children from harmful and irreversible decisions. However, progressive voices such as Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush of Interfaith Alliance criticised the ruling as religious overreach. The case marks a pivotal moment in defining the boundary between child protection and personal medical autonomy in U.S. law.

The critical Aukus defence pact, agreed by Australia in 2021 with the USA and UK, to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, faces uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews its alignment with the ‘America First’ agenda. Valued at over $230 billion, Aukus promises Australia a strategic leap in military capability. However, some US officials are sceptical about the value of sharing its premier defence technology, and have cast doubt on allies ‘pulling their weight’. Australia's leaders are publicly calm, but anxieties are growing. Some warn that the deal was always fragile, while others urge Australia to reassess its dependence on the USA. With the Pentagon citing domestic submarine shortages and economic priorities, questions loom over whether Australia will ever receive the promised Virginia-class subs. Despite the turbulence, the alliance's strategic value in countering China remains. Experts argue that Australia could still defend itself independently, given its geography and resources, but emotional ties to the USA and fear of abandonment persist in national defence thinking.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has condemned Donald Trump’s uninvited deployment of the National Guard to quell unrest in Los Angeles, calling it an illegal escalation and ‘brazen abuse of power’. The unrest followed protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting illegal immigrants. Newsom argued that California could have managed the protests without federal intervention and accused Trump of using force theatrically, inflaming tensions. He warned that such actions threaten democracy nationwide. Newsom also criticised the Trump administration’s indiscriminate deportations, which target hardworking immigrant families and foster fear. ‘Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting the vulnerable but do not stop there,’ he cautioned. Linking Trump’s actions to broader attacks on American institutions, from the judiciary to the press, he called for peaceful resistance. Urging citizens to reject fear and silence, Newsom ended with a call to defend constitutional freedoms.