Displaying items by tag: USA

Tragedy struck Minneapolis when a gunman opened fire during a worship service at a Catholic school, killing two children aged eight and ten and injuring at least seventeen others. The attacker, 23-year-old Robin Westman, heavily armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, was later found dead. Authorities say he acted alone and had no extensive criminal history; his motive remains unclear. Ten victims remain in critical condition, with several requiring urgent surgery. The violent assault has devastated families, leaving parents grieving, children fighting for their lives, and a city grappling with profound trauma. Officials described the community’s heartbreak as immeasurable, with the mayor calling for more than empty platitudes. The event has reignited anguished questions over gun violence, safety in places of worship, and the vulnerability of schools meant to be sanctuaries for children.

The conflict between Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook and Donald Trump represents a profound clash over institutional independence and executive authority. Trump says he has dismissed Cook, alleging mortgage fraud, but her attorney insists the president lacks the power to remove a governor in this way. According to the Federal Reserve Act, governors should serve a fourteen-year term and may only be removed ‘for cause’, but what qualifies as ‘cause’ is unclear. Trump’s move follows similar attacks against other prominent Democrats, raising concerns about politicising independent regulators. Legal scholars note that recent supreme court rulings granted broader executive authority over some agencies, but not over the Federal Reserve. Cook, refusing to resign, has vowed to challenge Trump’s actions in court. The outcome of this struggle could potentially set a historic precedent. In a separate development, Trump has fired the head of the Centre for Disease Control, Susan Monarez, only a month after she was appointed: see

Nicolás Maduro has announced the mobilisation of more than four million civilian militia fighters, responding to what he describes as escalating threats from the USA. He pledged to arm and activate militias across the country, reinforcing national sovereignty against US actions. His remarks followed the Trump administration’s decision to double its bounty for his arrest to $50 million. While US officials accuse Maduro of leading a cocaine smuggling network known as the Cartel de los Soles, no direct evidence has been publicly presented. Venezuela’s militia system, created under former president Hugo Chávez, claims millions of members, though analysts question the figures. Meanwhile, the US military has dispatched three destroyers to the southern Caribbean as part of an expanded campaign against drug cartels in Latin America. The standoff reflects years of strained relations between Caracas and Washington, marked by sanctions, contested elections, and allegations of corruption.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, a homeless man, Weldon Tucker, is being hailed as a hero after saving a six-year-old girl from oncoming traffic. The child, Honeretta, who has autism, ran into a busy road while her family was moving house. Her grandmother’s cries for help caught Tucker’s attention, and without hesitation he ran into the street, risking his own life to pull her to safety. Mother Faith Roberts praised his quick thinking, especially since others nearby did not intervene. Tucker, currently receiving shelter assistance, downplayed his heroism, saying he simply acted instinctively and hoped anyone would do the same. The town’s mayor will honor him publicly during a city council meeting, recognising his courage and selflessness. The family is deeply grateful, crediting God for Tucker’s timely intervention, and seeing in him a powerful example of sacrificial love and compassion in action.

Donald Trump has extended the trade truce with China by another ninety days, narrowly avoiding a major escalation between the world’s two largest economies. The announcement came just hours before the previous deadline was to expire, averting a spike in US tariffs on Chinese imports and likely retaliatory action from Beijing. Both governments confirmed the extension, maintaining existing terms while allowing more time for negotiation. This delay is seen as a temporary relief for global markets and US companies which depend on trade with China. Earlier trade disputes saw tariffs soar to triple digits, severely disrupting international commerce and sparking volatility in financial markets. Although current tariff levels remain high, they are significantly lower than the peak rates imposed in May. Talks between Washington and Beijing continue, with hopes for a more permanent resolution and a possible summit between Trump and Xi Jinping later this year. However, key issues remain unresolved.

US-India relations entered a turbulent phase when Donald Trump tore into India for its continued oil imports from Russia and slow progress on trade negotiations. Formerly close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump, accusing India of funding Russia’s war in Ukraine, has vowed to raise tariffs on Indian exports to 50%. India regards its Russian energy imports as economically necessary; it has a longstanding relationship with Russia and is among the largest importers of Russian oil. Modi’s government has so far resisted Trump’s pressure, particularly over opening up US access to the heavily protected agriculture and dairy sectors. In response to Trump’s belligerent language, Modi has called on citizens to buy only Indian-made goods, leading to greater economic self-reliance. Political commentators note that it will be very difficult for Modi to give any large concessions in a trade deal, given the growing anger within India towards Trump.

The US health department is to cancel $500 million in funding for 22 mRNA vaccine projects targeting viruses such as flu and Covid-19, including those by Pfizer and Moderna. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, claimed mRNA technology poses more risks than benefits for respiratory viruses. Health experts strongly disagreed, noting that the vaccines were pivotal in slowing Covid-19 and saving millions of lives. They warned that withdrawing support undermines one of the most effective tools for pandemic preparedness. Kennedy argued the department would fund alternative vaccine platforms with broader safety records. However, experts say that viruses mutate naturally and that mRNA vaccines are remarkably safe, effective, and faster to develop than traditional vaccines. The decision is part of broader changes Kennedy has made to vaccine policy, including removing Covid vaccines from the recommended immunisation schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.

A tragic mass shooting unfolded in a Manhattan skyscraper when Shane Tamura, 27, entered the building housing the NFL headquarters and killed four people before taking his own life. Tamura, a former high school football star and casino security guard, left a note blaming the NFL for concealing the risks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Believing he suffered from CTE, he intended to confront the NFL but mistakenly took the wrong elevator. Among those killed were NYPD officer Didarul Islam, Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, Rudin Management staffer Julia Hyman, and security guard Aland Etienne. An NFL employee was also injured but survived and managed to warn colleagues. The rifle used was self-assembled and the revolver legally purchased. President Trump, local officials, and researchers have commented on the tragedy. The case has renewed concerns over gun violence, mental health, and the long-term impacts of contact sports. Investigations continue in Nevada and New York as families and communities grieve the senseless loss.

Jenn Johnson, worship leader with Bethel Music, has shared a powerful testimony of encountering an angel during a critical moment in hospital. Speaking to CBN News, she described seeing an angel appear in her hospital room just before undergoing a C-section for her daughter’s birth. The angel, bald with a gold earring, simply looked at her, nodded, and turned away - but the peace Johnson felt in that moment was overwhelming. The encounter inspired her song ‘Mention of Your Name’, born from the deep reassurance she received when she needed it most. 'Peace went through my body’, she said, recounting how unafraid she was despite the gravity of the situation. The experience left her longing for more such glimpses of heaven. Johnson also shared a separate miracle: the healing of her leg after it had been lifeless for two years due to a back condition. After being prayed for, sensation returned instantly. These encounters have deepened her faith and stirred hope in many who hear her story.

Pastor John MacArthur, a pillar of evangelical preaching and unwavering Bible teacher, went to be with the Lord on 14 July, aged 86. For over five decades, he led Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, transforming it into a global centre for expository preaching. Rooted in a family of preachers, MacArthur embraced the gospel from childhood, devoting his life to the verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture. His ministry, Grace to You, broadcast sermons across 2,400 stations in nine languages. His books, including ‘The Gospel According to Jesus’ and ‘The MacArthur Study Bible’, shaped countless believers. MacArthur’s theological clarity, bold convictions, and unwavering stand for biblical truth distinguished him from cultural drift. He trained thousands, and remained faithful through trials - including legal battles over religious freedom during the Covid pandemic. Though often controversial, his voice was prophetic, courageous, and Christ-honouring. MacArthur’s legacy lives on in the lives he influenced. See