Tag: Breaking News

Christian mother of 5 falsely imprisoned receives freedom award

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majestic nigerian flag waving in the wind

Rhoda Jatau, a Christian mother of five from Nigeria, has received a religious freedom award after a blasphemy prosecution kept her jailed for over 19 months before her acquittal. Jatau was given the First Step Forum’s Shahbaz Bhatti Freedom Award on Friday for her dedication to religious liberty, according to ADF International, the Christian legal advocacy group that nominated her. First Step Forum, an international network that promotes religious freedom, gives the prize each year to one person it judges to have “demonstrated exceptional commitment and courage in advancing religious freedom and human rights.”

The award is named after former Pakistani member of Parliament Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian who was assasinated for his opposition to Pakistan’s blaspehmy laws in 2011.  “For over a year I did not see my children. I could only hear about them,” Jatau said at the ceremony.  Bauchi State authorities arrested Jatau on May 20, 2022, after rioting over a WhatsApp message she sent that was viewed as blasphemous, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Her message reportedly concerned the mob killing of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a Christian student accused of blasphemy over something she posted on WhatsApp. Jatau allegedly shared a video condemning the killing.

She faced charges of “inciting public disturbance; exciting contempt of religious creed; and cyber stalking” under two Penal Code Law sections and a 2015 cybercrime act. In December 2023, a Bauchi State judge released her on bail, and she was later moved to a secure location kept secret. She faced repeated bail denials and was held incommunicado.  Her lawyers consistently argued that the prosecution had failed to establish the basic elements of the case against her, citing significant legal shortcomings in their approach. She was acquitted in December 2024. Her lawyer, Joseph Bata Danboyi, said hers was the first blasphemy case in Bauchi State, which made the legal stakes a major challenge.

He said international pressure “is what led to her being freed.” Nazila Ghanea, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, attended the ceremony after speaking up for Jatau while she was held. Giorgio Mazzoli, the group’s head of United Nations advocacy, said global attention to one case can change its outcome. “Religious persecution thrives when the world looks away,” he said. “When the U.N. and the wider international community turn their attention to a single case, they can change the outcome for the person at its center. We will continue to stand with the persecuted at the U.N. and other international bodies, and to hold governments to the commitments they have made to protect freedom of religion or belief for everyone.”  Sean Nelson, ADF International’s senior lawyer on religious freedom worldwide, said prison had not broken Jatau’s faith or resolve.

He called for Nigeria and other countries to repeal blasphemy laws and end persecution. The group is also backing the young Sufi Muslim musician Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, held for over six years on a blasphemy charge. He awaits a Supreme Court ruling, and a win for him could strike down the nation’s blasphemy laws. In August, a Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north ruled that Islamic religious police had no power to arrest a woman because she left Islam and became a Christian. The ruling limits the Hisbah, police units that enforce Islamic law, or sharia. The woman, 22 and known by the pseudonym Sarah, fled her family’s Kano State home in 2025 after her older siblings abused her and tried to force her to marry. Her parents died years earlier. Last October, President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from violence he called an “existential” threat to their faith there.

At his direction, the State Department named Nigeria a country of particular concern, a label for governments said to allow severe abuses of religious freedom, to pressure the Nigerian government. U.S. aircraft struck Islamic State militants in northern Nigeria last Christmas Day, and American troops arrived in early 2026 to fight its affiliates. Hundreds of militants reportedly died in the campaign, according to Pete Hegseth, the U.S. secretary of war. Most U.S. troops left Nigeria in July. Nigerian officials have downplayed the violence and denied that a genocide of Christians is under way. Despite U.S. administration efforts to fight extremists in the northeast, concern remains that the interventions didn’t go after radicalized Fulani militias who have killed thousands in recent years in the largely Christian farming region known as the Middle Belt. In the Middle Belt, critics accuse the government of leaving its citizens unprotected.

Source: Christian mother of 5 falsely imprisoned receives freedom award | World

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8

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CNNs Kaitlan Collins Incorrectly Says El-Sayed Denounced Muslim Brotherhood

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silhouette of a soldier in helmet holding an automatic rifle

On Wednesday evening, it got heated in the second and final debate between Michigan Senate candidates, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, over the issue of the Muslim Brotherhood, which many in the liberal media have wrongly claimed El-Sayed has condemned. That exchange was highlighted Wednesday night on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, where the host falsely claimed El-Sayed has previously denounced the Muslim Brotherhood, and the term Islamophobia made an appearance. Before Collins played a clip from the debate, her lead-in included an inaccurate defense of El-Sayed.

COLLINS:  Days after we saw Abdul El-Sayed denounce the Muslim Brotherhood with a voter exchange and later with reporters, Mike Rogers sought, again, to tie him to the Islamist movement, prompting El-Sayed to fire back with this. Presumably, Collins was referring to last Saturday’s town hall in Michigan, where El-Sayed was asked whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood, and gave a dismissive answer of, “Sure. Yeah, absolutely”. He did however later tell reporters, “I clearly disavow it.”  But the definition of disavow is, to deny responsibility for, to refuse to acknowledge or accept. The definition of denounce is, criticizing a person or action severely and publicly because you feel strongly that they are wrong or evil.

El-Sayed did not do that in either of the two instances noted by Collins.  And she is not alone on. Previously on CNN, the notion that El-Sayed has condemned the Muslim Brotherhood had been tossed around. The definition of condemned is, declared to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil. He has not done that either. Part of the debate clip Collins played featured Rogers accusations against El-Sayed’s alleged terrorist ties, and the Democrat’s response.  EL-SAYED: He keeps raising this question about this association with an organization I’ve never been a part of because, my mom who is a nurse in Missouri? It doesn’t make any sense. It does  if you have seen a report in the Free Beacon, which says, “El-Sayed’s familial ties to the Muslim Brotherhood run through his mother, Elkomy, who at one point worked for the Islamic American Relief Agency, which was sanctioned for funding al-Qaeda.”

Other connections are cited as well. Collins never mentioned that, as she welcomed Democrat strategist Ameshia Cross to weigh in. CROSS: I think that the only thing that Mike Rogers has, and the thing that he thinks that he can latch on to the strongest is a — him trying to create a connection between someone who is of the Muslim faith, is of the Islamic faith, to terrorist groups…. He should be able to practice his and honor his faith in the way that he is doing it. However, I think that trying to tie that to something that is terroristic is a real problem….  I think that it’s shameful…. and I think that El-Sayed responds every time with the right answer. That’s sloppy spin. Rogers was not confusing the Muslim religion for the Muslim Brotherhood.

The question is whether Abdul and his family are “honoring” their faith by supporting terrorist groups. Collins turned to the former Republican Governor of New Hampshire Chris Sununu, and it didn’t take long for Cross to interrupt with a charge she apparently forgot to level during her turn. SUNUNU: He is an extremist. There’s no doubt about that. So, take all that Muslim Brotherhood stuff aside, whether it’s valid or not valid. I just think– CROSS: It’s islamophobia. Sununu’s response was interrupted by former Trump campaign advisor, CNN’s David Urban, who set Cross straight. SUNUNU: Well — well, no, no– URBAN: No. Matter of fact, that’s not true. (CROSSTALK) URBAN: No one’s saying he can’t be Muslim or practice be — the Islamic faith. SUNUNU: Right. URBAN: There’s a question about whether his family member was a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, a terrorist organization. That’s a yes or no answer, which he’s never answered. …All he has to say is, I disavow it.

Of course, it’s a terrible organization. They’re terrorists. I would have nothing to do with it. He has never done that, not once.  That would actually be a condemnation. Urban continued his impassioned response. URBAN: This isn’t about Islamophobia. This is about terrorists who want to do harm to the West. And if Abdul El-Sayed can’t condemn that, if he thinks that Iran is a bigger threat to America than Israel, then that’s a guy who shouldn’t be in the United States Senate.  CROSS: He has said multiple times that he does not support the Islamic — that he does not support terrorist regimes. URBAN: But he’s not denounced the Muslim Brotherhood. CROSS: He’s called them out. (CROSSTALK) URBAN: So, it’s nothing to do with his faith. Then Urban said Abdul’s candidacy is doomed: “This guy’s not gonna win. He’s going down, his ship is sinking, fast.” Seemingly shocked, Collins asked, “You think he’s not going to win”? He said: “No, not close.”    No Kaitlan, not even with the false claims of El Sayed having denounced the Muslim Brotherhood, and of Islamophobia from Rogers.

Source: CNNs Kaitlan Collins Incorrectly Says El-Sayed Denounced Muslim Brotherhood

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 10:2

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Jordan Church Attack Survivor Says Her Cousin Died before Her Eyes

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flag of jordan hanging on exterior wall of a building

When gunmen opened fire on a church in Jordan, Sahar al-Halsa hid behind a pillar as she heard the shooting and people screamed in panic during a funeral service for her cousin’s daughter. When she rushed ‌outside in the chaos, she said she spotted the assailants and another cousin ​lying on the ground wounded. “I went to him and said: ‘Assem, Assem, my darling, answer me’,” she said. She said he opened his eyes to look ⁠at her, but then “he was gone.” Friday’s attack on the Greek Orthodox place of worship ​in Karak governorate, about 120 km (75 miles) southwest of the capital Amman, prompted King Abdullah, a ⁠US partner in the fight against Islamist militant groups, to order security forces to respond with an “iron fist” to what authorities described as extremist terrorism.

PRIEST SENDS MESSAGE OF LOVE AND PEACE Nine people died in the shooting that witnesses ‌said lasted for several minutes. The funeral services were held on Sunday. Forty people ​were wounded in ‌the rare attack on minority Christians. Speaking from her home, from where the red dome of St George’s church is visible, al-Halsa concluded ‌that God must have saved her. “My life starts now, because I was going to die,” she said, speaking beside her husband Ziad al-Halsa. A statue of Jesus on a cross ⁠was displayed on a shelf. Authorities have said ‌they are still searching for ⁠the attackers, adding it was too early to determine whether they had links to known groups inside or outside Jordan.

There ⁠has ⁠been no immediate claim of responsibility. Ziad said he ran the short distance to the church after he heard the gunfire, describing ‌the overwhelming sense of relief when he realized Sahar, who he described as “the love of his life,” was safe. “To my cousins, may God have mercy on them,” he said. Such attacks are highly ‌unusual in ​Jordan, a relatively stable state in ‌the Middle East, though authorities there say they have foiled several Islamist plots in recent years. Speaking ahead of the funerals, priest Yuhanna Hamati said: “Our message from ​this church, from this place where this horrific crime was committed, is a message of love, peace, and reassurance. A message that we send to the whole world.”

Source: UPDATE 1-Jordan Church Attack Survivor Says Her Cousin Died before Her Eyes | Newsmax.com

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103:17-18

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Police say damage to monument in Quantico totals hundreds of thousands of dollars

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The man arrested for allegedly using a sledgehammer to behead a Marine figure on an Iwo Jima monument near Quantico, Virginia, is a Mexican illegal alien and former Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who lost his status this year, federal sources told Fox News. A man is accused of beheading one of the soldiers depicted at the Iwo Jima statue in Quantico, Virginia. The Prince William County Police Department said officers were called to the statue late Tuesday night.

Officers found 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano vandalizing the monument with a sledgehammer, according to police. Police said Soriano caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the statue and removed the head of one of the depicted soldiers. Officers found 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano vandalizing the monument with a sledgehammer, according to police.(Prince William County Police Department) Soriano was arrested and faces charges of felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument. He was held without bond pending a court appearance. There is no word on a motive.

Source: Police say damage to monument in Quantico totals hundreds of thousands of dollars

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:4

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Florida man injured climbing California’s Mount Shasta rescued after 2 nights in freezing temps

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A Florida man who became injured while climbing one of the tallest mountains in California was rescued after spending two nights in freezing temperatures, officials said. According to the sheriff’s office in Siskiyou County and the U.S. Forest Service, the 39-year-old climber summited Mount Shasta around 3 p.m. Sunday. Located in the far northern part of the state at an elevation of 14,179 feet, Mount Shasta is the fifth tallest peak in California and the second tallest peak in the Cascade Range. While descending, deputies said the climber ran into trouble after following an erroneous GPS route that led him onto the Whitney Glacier.

At 12,600 feet elevation, the climber fell through a snow bridge, severely injuring his leg. Around 5 p.m., the climber called 911 and the sheriff’s office launched a search and rescue operation. “At the time of his distress call Sunday evening, the injured climber was wearing only sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and running shoes, and was not equipped for an overnight stay on the glacier,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. U.S. Forest Service officials said the man had a pair of trekking poles and a small amount of food and water. Temperatures on the glacier, known as the coldest part of the mountain, dipped below freezing.

High winds and poor visibility also prevented rescuers from reaching the injured man until late Monday morning. When a pair of climbing rangers from the Forest Service arrived, the man was treated for his injuries, frostbite and the onset of hypothermia. The rangers moved the man off the glacier and made multiple attempts to airlift the man off the mountain, but rescue efforts were impeded by inclement weather. “The USFS Climbing Rangers had to then spend another harrowing night at 12,500 ft with the injured man, as the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office mobilized over 30 additional search and rescue personnel to perform a ground extraction,” deputies said.

Additional crews reached the man around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, who carried him further down the mountain for a helicopter rescue. Deputies said crews had to encounter multiple challenges, including rockfall hazards, 50 to 60 mph winds and freezing conditions, while the man’s condition was “deteriorating rapidly.” During a break in the weather, a California Highway Patrol helicopter reached the rescue team on Shastina Peak and airlifted him to safety. The climber was taken to the hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries, including frostbite to his foot and leg, officials said.

Officials did not release the man’s name or where in Florida he is from. Multiple agencies joined the rescue effort, including search and rescue volunteers from as far as the San Francisco Bay Area and Oregon. The last of the rescuers returned to the trailhead late Tuesday night. “These rescuers demonstrated impressive resolve throughout the entire ordeal, persevering in extreme conditions, and executing the mission with a relentless commitment to the saving of a life,” deputies said. Among those agencies was the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, which noted that this rescue “may have been one of the most challenging missions” it has ever been assigned to.

“Our team of 11 made the treacherous, near-vertical climb up Mount Shasta, hauling rescue gear to reach a climber who had fallen into a crevasse and broken his leg,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Instagram page. “Stranded more than 12,000 feet up the mountain, the climber couldn’t be reached by helicopter on day one because severe weather made a safe landing impossible.” The sheriff’s office said the team used specialized skills and a technical rope system to lower the individual down steep, rocky terrain before getting him to the helicopter. Several members of the SAR team are youths, including 17-year-old Charlie Pledger and Cody Davis.

“We were both at school when it came in, but it happens a lot,” Davis said. “Stuff happens while we are at school.” They have a bag packed and ready to go in their cars just in case of emergencies like this one. According to Chief John Van Hooser, the team got there just in time. “When we got there, it was very clear that he was not going to, he was not likely to be able to survive another night on the mountain,” Chief John Van Hooser said. “So, we needed to get him lower or get him in a helicopter to save his life.” In the end, it was a successful mission.

All the members of the search and rescue team spend hundreds of hours training for these kinds of missions. Pledger and Davis are now back at school, and their parents are relieved to have them back home. “On this particular one, it was definitely out of the ordinary,” Pledger said. “I was texting her a lot because it was fun to keep her in the loop. She really enjoys hearing about all my experiences, but definitely does worry.”

Source: Florida man injured climbing California’s Mount Shasta rescued after 2 nights in freezing temps – CBS San Francisco

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14

Isaiah 45:2

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American Airlines flight to Guyana returns to Miami after passenger allegedly threatens crew

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an airplane with american text

An American Airlines flight bound for Guyana diverted back to Miami International Airport on Thursday evening after a passenger allegedly threatened a flight attendant during the aircraft’s ascent. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8. “While we were climbing out, he rushed the flight attendants in the back of the aircraft,” a crew member told air traffic control, according to radio transmissions. The flight turned around minutes after departure and flew a figure-eight pattern before landing safely back at Miami International Airport. Air traffic control audio indicated that the passenger allegedly made a verbal threat toward a crew member.

“I guess the exact words were, ‘I will take care of you when we land in Guyana,’ but in a very threatening manner,” a crew member reported. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after receiving an initial report that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant. However, investigators later determined that the situation involved a verbal dispute rather than a physical assault. After the aircraft returned to the gate, the passenger exited without incident. Authorities said the traveler was rebooked on a different flight.

Source: American Airlines flight to Guyana returns to Miami after passenger allegedly threatens crew – CBS Miami

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.
Colossians 3:12

Psalm 5:8

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More parents facing criminal charges for their children’s electric motorcycle accidents

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Four cyclists riding along an Amsterdam canal-side bike path

Parents in a growing number of communities are being held responsible by authorities when their children are involved in serious accidents involving electric motorcycles. Videos of the practice often emerge on social media showing groups of children illegally riding e-motos, often performing dangerous stunts on busy roads. In California, it is illegal for children under 16 to ride e-motos, which have a higher-powered motor than electric bikes. In Southern California, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has attempted to crack down on the growing problem, bringing charges this year against 12 parents who are accused of letting their children illegally ride e-motos.

“I need to send a message in order to save other kids’ lives and to make sure other parents are taking responsibility for their children,” Spitzer told CBS News. Among those charged were the mother and father of 13-year-old Benson Nguyen, who had posted videos of himself to his TikTok channel doing risky tricks. In May, police said Nguyen was driving his e-moto recklessly at more than 40 miles per hour in the Orange County city of Garden Grove when he lost control and crashed into a light pole. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries. Nguyen’s parents were charged with child endangerment.  Spitzer said he does not want to prosecute parents, but feels he has to. “I am a human being. I’ve raised two kids,” Spitzer said.

“We have to understand that when you break the law, especially as serious as this is, there has to be consequences.” According to numbers from the Orange County DA, there have been more than 125 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries attributed to e-bikes and e-motos across the U.S. In Orange County, they are now the leading cause of juvenile emergency room visits, the DA’s office said. “You shouldn’t furnish your kid a gun not understanding what they might do with that weapon,” Spitzer said. “And you certainly shouldn’t furnish a vehicle like an e-bike or an e-motorcycle.”

Source: More parents facing criminal charges for their children’s electric motorcycle accidents – CBS Texas

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
Psalm 103:17-18

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Great horned owl allegedly beaten with baseball bat by SoCal teens returns to wild after recovery

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A great horned owl rescued after an alleged attack by a group of teenagers has been released back into the wild following months of treatment and rehabilitation, according to the Ojai Raptor Center. The owl, identified as Patient 26-224, arrived at the center in April after someone rescued the young owlet from a group of teenagers who were seen beating him with a baseball bat, the center said. The owl arrived with internal trauma and a closed fracture of the metatarsus, a broken or cracked bone in the foot.

After months of treatment, rehabilitation and recovery, the owl regained sufficient strength for release, the center said. At the end of September, five months after arriving in the center’s care, the owl was released back into the wild in Lancaster. “We are incredibly grateful to the Good Samaritan who stepped in and took action that day, and to our dedicated team who cared for this owl throughout his long road to recovery,” the Ojai Raptor Center said. “From a very difficult beginning to flying free again, this is exactly what wildlife rehabilitation is all about.”

Source: Great horned owl allegedly beaten with baseball bat by SoCal teens returns to wild after recovery – ABC7 Los Angeles

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

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First case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife confirmed in Texas elk, USDA says

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Bull elk bugling in an autumn forest beneath rugged mountain peaks

The first case of New World screwworm in wildlife in the United States has been found in an elk in Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday. The elk was discovered on a game ranch in Pecos County and was reported after being harvested by a hunter, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said. The detection prompted additional wildlife surveillance in the area by the USDA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Texas Animal Health Commission will also modify a previously established infested zone. Officials said hunters should watch for signs of infection, including visible maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and animals that appear weak or distressed.

Other warning signs include open or enlarging wounds and infestations around an animal’s nose, mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas. Officials urged anyone who notices suspicious signs of infestation to report them immediately. The USDA in June confirmed the presence of a flesh-eating New World screwworm in a 3-week-old Texas calf. New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, humans. Once hatched, the larvae feed on living tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the USDA says New World screwworm doesn’t affect food safety, it can impact meat production. Typically found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, the parasite has spread north into Central America and Mexico in recent years. The first human case in the U.S. was confirmed last year, though the patient recovered and officials found no evidence of further transmission.

Source: First case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife confirmed in Texas elk, USDA says – CBS News

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17

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“Door kick challenge” TikTok trend now a problem in Westboro, Massachusetts: “It’s terrifying”

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Police in Westboro, Massachusetts, are warning homeowners about an alarming and potentially dangerous TikTok trend called the “door kick challenge.” Investigators have had several reports in town recently of strangers trying to kick down doors in the middle of the night. No one has been hurt, but police are looking for the people responsible. Amy Dwyer was sleeping when she said someone tried to kick in her front door in the middle of the night Saturday. “Literally like leapt out of bed like, ‘What the heck was that?'” said Dwyer. “It’s terrifying. I didn’t know if somebody was trying to come in my house and hurt me or kill me or hurt my family.”

Police said the challenge is like “ding dong ditch,” except it’s taken to a dangerous extreme where pranksters nearly break in doors, leaving real damage. Dwyer’s door is custom made. It will cost her $4,000 to replace it. “Four thousand dollars for punk kids potentially thinking they’re funny. I’m not amused at all. It’s a major inconvenience. It’s very unsettling. I haven’t slept well the last couple of nights,” said Dwyer. Just around the corner, another family was left shaken. Melissa Gonzalez said her door was damaged after someone tried to kick it in at 2 a.m. one night last month. She’s since installed surveillance cameras around her home. “I don’t feel safe anymore,” said Gonzalez. “It doesn’t really matter if they’re children or not. The fact of the matter is that somebody is out there trying to scare neighbors and that’s terrorizing.” Those who’ve been targeted want to know where the parents are while this is happening.

“Who is creating these challenges and asking kids to do this and why do they think it’s a good idea, and why aren’t the parents more involved in what their kids are looking at on social media?” said Dwyer. Police said it can also be dangerous to the pranksters if they try to kick in the wrong door and a homeowner believes they’re under attack. Investigators are asking anyone who sees anything suspicious or has video of an incident in Westboro to call them.

Source: “Door kick challenge” TikTok trend now a problem in Westboro, Massachusetts: “It’s terrifying” – CBS Boston

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8

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Michigan audit finds thousands of foster children without oversight; Advocates disagree

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Stacks labeled case files and audit documents on an office desk

An audit of Michigan’s foster care system revealed that more than half of children in its care didn’t receive monitoring by the state to make sure their needs were being met. However, those who work alongside the state say this audit doesn’t tell the full story. Michigan’s Auditor General found that the state wasn’t monitoring more than half of the foster children in its care, but according to foster care advocates, that doesn’t mean there is no oversight. “When kids are in foster care, they have an assigned foster care worker who is required to see them at least monthly in their foster home,” said Guiding Harbor CEO Jennifer Trotter.

The Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI) is the state agency that monitors the organization. “MCI Doesn’t provide any of the direct oversight; the foster care agencies are tasked with that role,” Trotter said. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services disagreed with the State Auditor’s finding, arguing in the report that “…MCI’s responsibilities are fulfilled through MDHHS’s multilayered foster care oversight system.” A foster care advocate explained why, out of the 5,000 children in foster care identified by the State Auditor, only 2,200 of them had a record of monitoring by MCI. “While MCI might not have its paperwork in order, they do have social workers from other foster care agencies. It makes it look like these kids are being neglected where it’s really mismanagement of their paperwork,” said adoptive parent Connie Smith.

“That is concerning because these are kids that are up for adoption. If at the state level the paperwork is missing, that makes it harder for their adoptive workers and their foster care workers to get them to their forever home.” As someone who went through the foster care system herself, Smith says that addressing the declining number of foster families in Michigan should be the state’s top priority.

Source: Michigan audit finds thousands of foster children without oversight; Advocates disagree – CBS Detroit

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

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Massachusetts town approves new bylaw to restrict Amazon drone deliveries: “Like David and Goliath”

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Residents in Westboro, Massachusetts, are pushing back against Amazon’s plans to launch drone deliveries in their community, overwhelmingly approving a new bylaw aimed at restricting the service. At a special town meeting Monday, residents voted 510-13 in favor of the bylaw, which would regulate noise, nuisance and privacy issues associated with commercial drone deliveries and impose fines for violations. The bylaw has to be reviewed and allowed by the state attorney general before it can take effect. It comes as Amazon has made plans to begin delivering packages by drone in Westboro and surrounding communities by the end of the year.

The company is already operating drone delivery flights in about a dozen metro areas, with plans to expand the service to several hundred cities and towns across the U.S. by the end of 2026. Amazon Prime Air uses autonomous drones measuring about 5 feet by 5 feet to deliver packages directly to customers’ properties, within an hour of an order being placed. “Westboro, Mass. has been exactly that type of beacon of innovation that we’re looking for,” said Amazon’s Tareq Wafaie during an August Select Board meeting about the proposal, pointing to the company’s already large footprint in Westboro, which includes a fulfillment center and robotics facility. But some residents say the convenience of faster deliveries isn’t worth the potential impact on their neighborhoods. “We’re very passionate about this issue.

It might feel like David and Goliath, but I like how that story ends,” said Stephanie Stuchlik, who is part of the growing opposition to Amazon’s plans. “I spend a lot of time outdoors with my kids. I have two little girls, so I am disturbed by the thought of having this quality time outside with them, reading books and hearing and seeing these drones flying overhead all day long. It feels like not what I want my kids to grow up into,” she added. While the Federal Aviation Administration largely controls the use of airspace and has green-lit drone deliveries, residents are attempting to regulate the operation of commercial drone deliveries at the ground level. “Public nuisance, public safety issue. For what gain? To save 20 or 30 minutes to get your toothpaste or a bottle of Thousand Island dressing? It doesn’t make sense,” said Rod Jané.

“I think it’s a really, really bad idea for the town, and I think we’re doing the right thing in opposing it,” Jané added. The opposition in Westboro has also caught the attention of state and federal lawmakers. In a letter, State Sen. Michael Moore and other area lawmakers are requesting Gov. Maura Healey’s administration establish a task force to review commercial drone deliveries and consider potential policy changes. “Do we want our quality of life impacted by this?” Moore questioned. Moore said the outcome in Westboro could have implications beyond the town. “Whatever happens here will be the precedent for obviously Massachusetts and maybe New England. That’s why it’s so important that we try to get this right,” he said. “Most of us are Prime customers,” said resident Christine Farmer.

“But if drone delivery services operate, that opens the gateway for any other retailer. So that’s the reason why the townspeople are saying, ‘no thank you.'” “It’s really a disruption to the peace and the quality of life that we would have here to have something just show up and make a delivery stopping 13 feet from your window,” Farmer added. In a statement, Amazon acknowledged the town’s vote, but indicated it is continuing to evaluate its plans. “We are aware of the bylaw recently passed in Westborough regarding commercial drone delivery. We remain committed to engaging with local officials and community members as we continue to assess our plans for the area,” the company said. Amazon also defended its Prime Air program, which already operates in several states and metropolitan areas, describing the service as safe and reliable. “Each Prime Air site creates new jobs spanning operations, engineering, safety, and more, with employees earning competitive wages and full benefits from day one,” the company said.

Meanwhile, residents are preparing for another challenge through the local zoning board. Opponents argue that Amazon should not be allowed to use its existing Westboro facility to launch drone deliveries and plan to appeal to the board as part of their ongoing efforts. “We need to stop, we need to pause, we need to do everything in our power to preserve our skies and also our quality of life,” Farmer added.

Source: Massachusetts town approves new bylaw to restrict Amazon drone deliveries: “Like David and Goliath” – CBS Boston

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

Finding Strength in God

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Trump says U.S. will compensate fraud whistleblowers, and he’ll decide who gets paid: “I will be very generous”

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person hands faceless money

President Trump on Tuesday announced the federal government will compensate whistleblowers who report people defrauding the U.S. government and taxpayers, but said he will decide who gets paid.  “I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions,” the president said during his Oval Office announcement with Vice President JD Vance, who heads up the administration’s fraud task force, beside him. “In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving and I’ll determine — and I will be very generous, believe me.”  Through the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, Mr. Trump said whistleblowers, who can be ordinary citizens, will be eligible to receive 1% of the amount of fraud they report, even if the reported fraud is $100 billion.

America.gov/fraud, however, says successful whistleblowers will be paid up to $30,000, dependent upon the report resulting in criminal charges. Asked by CBS News for clarification, Mr. Trump said there is no limit to whistleblower compensation, and criminal charges aren’t necessary.  “That’s the answer. I quit while I’m ahead,” Vance joked.  The president promised to be “fair” in his decisions.  “You’ll get your money immediately, but I’ll make the determination,” he continued. “So if two people are fighting over it, maybe they’ll split it or maybe whatever, but I’ll make that determination.” The America.gov/fraud website says reports are encrypted and will go directly to the Treasury Department. It’s not immediately clear who reviews reports, although the Department of Justice will administer the program.  The first person to benefit from the program is Nick Shirley, a 20-something YouTuber who published a video alleging fraud at childcare centers in Minnesota.

He stood alongside Mr. Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday and was presented with a $10,000 check. Some whistleblowers can already receive compensation from the False Claims Act, which allows some whistleblowers to be entitled to up to 25% to 30% of proceeds recovered. But the requirements are stringent. Vance said “99%” of the fraud they’re finding isn’t covered by the False Claims Act. Naomi Seligman, president of nonprofit Whistleblower Aid, was skeptical of Mr. Trump’s announcement, saying the president “is more interested in hunting down whistleblowers.” “If the president is truly interested in rooting out wrongdoing, Whistleblower Aid invites him to start by examining the violations perpetrated by his own administration, including senior officials,” she said in a statement. “We would happily work with him on this vital accountability effort to help save our democracy.”

Source: Trump says U.S. will compensate fraud whistleblowers, and he’ll decide who gets paid: “I will be very generous” – CBS News

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”
Luke 1:30-31

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The Canadian Vote that Stomped on Some; but Showed How the Majority Stands

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Canadian flag flying before Parliament Hill in Ottawa

Alberta voters reject move toward separation from Canada in referendum

Voters in Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to begin a process toward independence, results showed early Tuesday, delivering a victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity amid President Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. The vote was not a direct referendum on independence but would have set oil-rich Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada. With more than 1 million votes counted, about 76% supported remaining in Canada, compared with 23% who backed beginning a process that could lead to separation. “We are a solid country that’s united from coast to coast to coast,” Thomas Lukaszuk, a former Alberta deputy premier who led the Forever Canadian campaign against separation, told supporters.

Results were delayed after late openings forced more than 100 polling stations to extend voting hours Monday. More than 1.35 million Albertans, or 43% of eligible voters, cast advance or special ballots. Albertans were deciding whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process that could have led to a second vote on separation. Alberta, home to the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, is cowboy country and a conservative stronghold whose political culture has long had more in common with the American West than much of Canada. Resentment toward Ottawa runs deep, but has not traditionally translated into widespread support for independence. Dustin Degenhardt, a Wainwright voter, said Albertans have long been mistreated by Ottawa. “Alberta has essentially been treated as, you know, a colony,” he said after voting Monday. “They want to take and take and take from us and not return anything.” Taylor MacIsaac, another Wainwright voter, backed separation. “I think it’ll be good for Alberta to separate personally, as a very conservative individual that grew up in rural Alberta,” she said. Dave Malka, 59, of Edmonton, criticized spending money on a “referendum on a referendum” rather than health care.

Despite the proposal’s apparent failure, separatist leaders have said they turned a fringe cause into a movement that will not disappear. Carney earlier urged Albertans to deliver a decisive vote for unity. “Vote like Canada’s future depends on it because it does,” he told a rally Friday in Edmonton, where he grew up.

Source: Alberta voters reject move toward separation from Canada in referendum – CBS News

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8

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Pharmaceutical salesman Tony Jordan and his wife, realtor Elizabeth Jordan, appear outwardly successful; they have a large house, plenty of money, and a beautiful daughter named Danielle. Behind…

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Canadian tourist guilty of animal cruelty after stealing Las Vegas flamingo

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A Canadian man has been found guilty of animal cruelty after he took a flamingo from its enclosure in Las Vegas and brought it back to his hotel room during an alcohol-fuelled bender. Mitchell Fairbarn, who was visiting the US city, took the Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in March. Videos shown at his trial showed a smiling Fairbarn carrying the bird by the neck as he took a lift to his room. He testified that he had drunk 30 to 40 beers before the incident and said he never meant to harm the animal. He faces nearly five years in prison. Animal experts testified the flamingo had feathers torn out and suffered blood loss due to Fairbarn’s actions.

A lawyer for Fairbarn said his actions were intended as a harmless prank, and blamed alcohol for his “bad decisions”. “He should not have done that, should not have gone into the habitat, shouldn’t have touched a bird, shouldn’t have taken Peachy inside,” said his lawyer Josh Tomsheck. “The truth is, Mitch was drunk. Mitch was stupid. He made bad decisions.” His lawyer added he had received death threats since his arrest. Testifying in his defence, Fairbarn, 34, said he thought it would be “funny” to take the bird. He said he had been up drinking all night and had just gotten off a call with a colleague when he made the decision to abscond with the bird. The Flamingo Las Vegas, located along the famous Las Vegas strip, features a wildlife habitat inside its hotel and casino that is free to walk through. It features a flock of Chilean flamingos, other birds, fish and turtles. During the trial, the jury heard from 14 witnesses and reviewed more than 112 pieces of evidence, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner.

It took a jury around five hours to convict him on felony and misdemeanour animal abuse charges. Fairbarn has been unable to leave the US since his arrest. He remains on house arrest in Las Vegas, with a sentencing hearing due to take place in December. A veterinarian for the state said that Peachy has largely recovered since the event but has a now has a more anxious demeanour around humans.

Source: Canadian tourist guilty of animal cruelty after stealing Las Vegas flamingo

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Galatians 5:17

Climbing Your Mountain

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What Do You Do When Your New Truck Tells You No?

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a computer sensor

What happens when your new truck decides you’re not allowed to drive it? Modern trucks and SUVs are becoming rolling computers, packed with driver monitoring systems, advanced driver assistance technology, software-controlled features, and electronic systems that can influence how a vehicle operates. From GM Super Cruise and Ford BlueCruise to emerging vehicle patents involving driver impairment detection, advertising, and electronic controls, the future of driving raises some serious questions about vehicle ownership, personal freedom, and the right to repair.

Could your next $80,000 pickup truck eventually decide when you can drive, where you can go, or whether you’re fit to get behind the wheel? And what happens when the technology gets it wrong? In this episode of American Outdoors, we examine the future of trucks and SUVs, the growing role of artificial intelligence and vehicle software, Ford’s automotive technology patents, driver monitoring systems, and the potential consequences of giving computers more control over the vehicles we own. We’ll look at the difference between safety technology that helps drivers and software that could restrict their choices, along with concerns about privacy, medical emergencies, repair costs, and manufacturer control.

This isn’t about rejecting every modern safety feature or returning to the days of carburetors and drum brakes. It’s about asking an important question before the next generation of vehicles reaches our driveways: *When you buy a truck, do you really own it if a computer can decide what you’re allowed to do with it?

Source: (135) What Do You Do When Your New Truck Tells You No? – YouTube

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

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Burmese Military Occupying Two Churches in Kachin State

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According to civil society sources, militias associated with the Burmese military dictatorship operating in Kachin state are using church grounds for military purposes. The U.S.-based Burma Research Institute (BRI) verified reports of a militia graduation ceremony at Nant Mun Baptist Church in Mohnyin Township.  A building of St. Joseph’s Catholic church was also being used as a militia headquarters, and militia troops ransacked another building in the same complex. The Kachin ethnic community is made up mostly of Christians, and Kachin State stands out in Myanmar for its unusually strong Christian demography. 

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) conducted the ceremony in September. Sources familiar with the situation told BRI that militia members danced and drank alcohol inside the sanctuary during the event.  The incident is part of a broader pattern of military occupation and mistreatment of Christian religious sites in Kachin State, where fighting has displaced much of the local population.  According to UCA News, joint forces of the SNA and Burma’s military have occupied both Nant Mun Baptist Church and the compound of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The SNA has also used the Baptist church as a military training site; sources report that six batches of recruits have trained there. The SNA, which represents the predominantly Buddhist Shanni ethnic group, is aligned with the military junta and has fought against other ethnic armed organizations, including the Kachin Independence Army.

Joint military-SNA forces advanced into Nantmun in late 2024, forcing hundreds of Christian households to flee. Residents now report that only about 80 Kachin Christian households remain in the town, many unable to relocate because of financial constraints and restrictions on movement.  Kachin Christian leaders in the United States have condemned the occupation of the church and urged the Trump administration to respond.  “I extend my prayers and solidarity to Nant Mun Baptist Church and the Kachin Baptist Convention. I also condemn, in the strongest terms, the Burmese military’s ongoing and severe violations of religious freedom in Burma,” said Zo Tum Hmung, president and CEO of BRI.  Rev. Dr. La Seng Labya, president of the Kachin American Baptist Association, urged the Trump administration to protect Christians in Burma.

Rev. Lakang Dau Qae, general secretary of Kachin Baptist Churches USA, called on the White House to redesignate Burma as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), the U.S. government’s designation for governments responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom.  The church desecration comes amid other reported restrictions on Kachin Christians. On June 9, Burma’s military-controlled Supreme Court issued an order revoking the licenses of three Baptist pastors to solemnize Christian marriages.   Christian leaders have faced personal persecution for speaking out against the junta. Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson, former head of the Kachin Baptist Convention, met with President Donald Trump at the White House in July 2019 to discuss the persecution of Christians in Burma. He was later arrested and sentenced by a military-regime court to six years in prison, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). He has since been released. 

Burma was designated a CPC from 1999 through 2023 because of severe religious freedom violations but has not been redesignated since. In its 2026 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department restore the designation.  A CPC designation could provide a basis for further U.S. diplomatic and economic measures against the military regime, including targeted sanctions and restrictions on assistance.  For Kachin Christians displaced from their homes and unable to return, the occupation of their churches represents another blow to communities already struggling to preserve their religious life amid years of conflict. Their leaders are now asking Washington to respond not only to the desecration of a sanctuary but also to the wider pattern of persecution that continues to threaten religious freedom in Burma. 

Source: Burmese Military Occupying Two Churches in Kachin State – International Christian Concern

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer for Boldness; Acts 4:24-31

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Bears out of Middlebury tree

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A mama bear and her two cubs are out of a tree after being stuck for 2 days. The Middlebury Police Department says a mama bear and her two cubs are stuck in a tree at the intersection of Main St. and N. Pleasant St. Police and Vermont Fish and Game asked people to avoid the area to give the bears more space. “These are wild animals that do not want to interact with people and will tend to stay in a tree longer if people are gathering in the area,” said police.

Source: Bears out of Middlebury tree

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10

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Expedition to find Amelia Earhart’s missing plane comes up empty

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A mysterious object discovered near a remote Pacific island is not the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s missing plane, researchers said after an expedition to the site, dealing another setback to efforts to solve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries nearly 90 years after the pilot disappeared. “Evidence gathered at the Taraia Peninsula on Nikumaroro confirmed that the visual anomaly first seen in satellite imagery in 2020 was likely a collection of large trees deposited along the peninsula’s sandspit,” the researchers said. “By the time the team arrived at the site, a good portion of the debris had fragmented and washed away, leaving only a single Y-shaped segment,” which they said is what they had initially hoped was the plane.

The researchers said the reflective surface of the anomaly, which had led them to believe it could be metal, was the result of a carbonate veneer, noting other items found nearby were “similarly coated with a shiny concretized amalgam of coral sand.” On Oct. 14, a 17-member expedition team led by Purdue University’s Steve Schultz and the Archaeological Legacy Institute’s Richard Pettigrew launched an expedition to investigate a mysterious object that in aerial photos appeared to resemble possible wreckage of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10-E plane. Severe weather kept the research team aboard their ship for three of the five days allotted for the search, while limited fuel and supplies prevented them from extending the expedition.

The search area was so remote, it took the team five days at sea to reach it. The expedition focused on a lagoon off Nikumaroro, where researchers examined the Taraia Object, an anomaly spotted by a Navy veteran in satellite imagery during the COVID pandemic. Although visible in aerial photos dating back to 1938, the object went unnoticed until 2020. Pettigrew said before reaching it that they believed it could be metal rather than a tree, but further investigation was needed to confirm its identity. “Amelia Earhart’s spirit of courage and curiosity drove every step of the search,” Pettigrew said Sunday. “We accomplished our goal to determine what the Taraia Object was, and we’re deeply grateful to the private donors who shared our vision and made this journey possible. Our team remains in great spirits and proud of what was accomplished.” The team had developed plans to photograph and film the lagoon and Taraia Object before using magnetometers and sonar equipment to survey the area.

Researchers then planned to retrieve the object for identification. The Archaeology Channel documented the expedition through short video updates on its Heritage Broadcasting Service streaming platform. The research team previously said in a news release that there was “very strong” evidence that the object is Earhart’s lost plane. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared on July 2, 1937, roughly 22,000 miles into their trip. Earhart was attempting to become the first female pilot to circle the world, and the first pilot to do so around the equator, Earth’s widest point.  Recently, President Trump ordered the declassification of records related to Earhart. Nikumaroro is part of the archipelago country of Kiribati, located roughly halfway between Australia and Hawaii. The island lies about 400 miles southeast of Howland Island, where Earhart and Noonan were headed when they disappeared during their attempted flight around the world. Pettigrew believes Earhart and Noonan landed on Nikumaroro and survived there for some time.

He points to relics dating to the 1930s and to human remains discovered on the island, which were later lost as possible evidence. However, several competing theories about the aviator’s disappearance have emerged over the decades, many of which lack conclusive evidence. Researchers have spent decades searching for Earhart’s plane, hoping its discovery could shed light on her disappearance. In 2024, an expedition team captured a sonar image of what appeared to be an aircraft on the ocean floor, but the object was later identified as a rock formation.

Source: Expedition to find Amelia Earhart’s missing plane comes up empty – CBS Detroit

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

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Man says monkey threw his cat into pond before attacking him in Yamaguchi

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close up photo of a monkey

After several months of bears dominating reports of startling wildlife encounters in Japan, it seems as though the nation’s monkeys have decided to take that notoriety as a challenge. We’ve recently been talking about the dreaded Troop T1, a group of monkeys that’s been running amuck in the town of Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture, where they recently surrounded and attacked a man who was out for a morning stroll on the city streets. Now comes an incident on the opposite side of the country, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a monkey not only attacked a man, but also reportedly decided to maybe drown a cat.

The man in question is a 49-year-old resident of the town of Shunan. He isn’t necessarily a pet owner, but he says there’s a stray cat that’s made its home in his garden, which has a pond. While the man was at home on Tuesday, at around 3:40 in the afternoon, he heard the sound of a loud splash coming from the pond, which he says was caused when a monkey came into the garden and threw the cat into the water. While the man was rescuing the cat, the monkey, an adult roughly 50 centimeters in height, scampered up onto his roof and stared down menacingly at him. It then jumped back down to ground level, and when he turned away from it, leapt onto his back and clawed at him, leaving long scratches on his skin through the thick work clothes he was wearing. The monkey then ran off, and the cat seems to have survived the encounter without suffering any severe injuries. The Tokuyama neighborhood of Shunan, where the man lives, isn’t a major urban area, but it’s far from undeveloped countryside, and his home borders a fairly sizable road.

This isn’t the only startling monkey incident the town has had recently, either. On September 8, in a separate part of Shunan, a monkey grabbed and tore the clothing of a local woman. Police have been stepping up patrols in the area and calling on residents to be cautious. Experts warn that should anyone run into a wild monkey, they should avoid provoking the animal, and also avoid making eye contact (as monkeys can perceive that as threatening behavior) while calmly leaving the area.

Source: Man says monkey threw his cat into pond before attacking him in Yamaguchi – Japan Today

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24

States That Allow Bible in the Classroom

Texas public schools will now require students to read Bible passages and stories as part of the latest conservative push to expand the role of religion in public education—a move bound to escalate wrangling over…

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Hunted for Following Jesus

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In some communities, Muslims who leave Islam to follow Christ face rejection, threats, violence, and even death because of their faith. For Muslim-background believers, choosing to follow Jesus can place their lives at serious risk. This is what happened to Mugambo Ismail, a Muslim-background believer in Bundibugyo, Western Uganda, who survived a violent attack after choosing to follow Jesus Christ.  On Sept. 22, Ismail narrowly escaped death after a group of Muslim men seized him. “They tied me up and ordered me to deny Jesus,” Ismail said. “When I saw them holding swords, ready to slaughter me, I knew I was about to die.” 

Ismail said the incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. as he returned home from evening prayers. He said the assault was a planned operation involving individuals associated with a local mosque.  “I was carrying a Bible; they tore it into pieces,” he said. “They held me tight, took me to a cocoa plantation, tied my hands, and told me to deny Jesus, or else I will die. They were holding swords, wanting to slaughter me alive. I knew that my life was finished. They were shouting, ‘Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!’ I pushed one of them and started running helplessly.”  With his hands restrained, he ran for his life, screaming desperately for help until his cries eventually attracted the attention of neighboring Christians, who intervened and rescued him from the attackers.  Increased Threats Rev. Job Thema, the overseer of Berea Pentecostal Church, has expressed grave concern over the reported threats facing Christian converts in the region.  

He indicated that the growing number of Muslims embracing Christianity has created heightened tensions, with converts reportedly becoming targets of intimidation and violence.  “Every convert is now in danger,” Rev. Thema said. “We are bringing people to Jesus Christ, but some of them are facing threats simply because they have chosen to follow him. There are plans to terminate the lives of those who have accepted Christ, and this is deeply worrying.”  After the attack, Ismail reportedly took refuge in another village. He remains concerned for his safety and fears that those responsible for the attack may attempt to locate him again.  “I cannot go back home,” he said. “These people are still looking for me. I survived because Christians came to rescue me, but I do not know what will happen if they find me again.” 

Source: Hunted for Following Jesus – International Christian Concern

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:3

Judge PROTECTS ILLEGAL Immigrant Voting

Judge Sparkle says you cannot remove illegal immigrant from voter rolls because maybe it removes citizens blocking Trump from securing US elections Source: (604) Judge PROTECTS ILLEGAL Immigrant Voting | Tim Pool…

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Psalm 2:1-12; The One True King

The One True King Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord,…

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Matthew 4:7; It is Written

Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.” This verse records Jesus’ response to Satan during His temptation in the wilderness: “It is written again,…

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A Father After God’s Own Heart

The world does not need perfect Dads, it needs godly fathers who are willing to follow God and lead their families with faith, humility, and love. A father who walks with God…

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What is the definition of theology?

The word “theology” comes from two Greek words that combined mean “the study of God.” Christian theology is simply an attempt to understand God as He is revealed in the Bible. No…

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A Father Who Stands Strong in Faith

The world continually challenges fathers to compromise their values and convictions. God calls fathers to stand firm in faith and lead their families with courage. “Be on your guard; stand firm in…

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Alberta heads to polls to decide whether to hold vote on separation from Canada

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Rural mailbox overlooking rolling prairie fields at sunset

People in the province of Alberta head to the polls on Monday to decide whether to hold a referendum at a later date on separating from Canada. The vote was called earlier this year by the leader of the province, Danielle Smith, after a grassroots group gathered about 300,000 signatures on a petition that asked for a binding referendum on separation. Many of those who support separation say the oil-rich province’s economic growth has been stifled by the environmental policies of Canada’s central government in Ottawa. But those who want Alberta to remain part of Canada – who include Prime Minister Mark Carney – have called for the country to show unity in the face of external pressures.

Polls have suggested that the majority of Albertans would vote to remain in Canada, though the pre-vote debate alone has proven divisive. Another group collected signatures for its own petition that opposed separation, which was signed by more than 400,000 people. The province’s population is about five million people. If Albertans do vote on Monday to move ahead with a binding referendum, that could happen as soon as 2027, Smith has said. Smith’s decision to allow Monday’s vote came in spite of the fact that a court blocked the pro-separation petition, saying it failed to consult indigenous First Nations whose land would be affected if the province separated from Canada. Following the judge’s ruling, First Nations groups have branded Smith’s decision to allow the voting process to play out as “undemocratic” and “authoritarian”.

Smith, the leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta (UCP), has defended her decision to put the issue to voters. She opposes separation herself, but says the process gives the province’s residents a chance to have their say on the issue. The key question on the voting paper will ask: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?” Why is Alberta voting to separate from Canada, and how likely is it to happen? The separatist movement is led by Mitch Sylvestre, a gun shop owner from the town of Bonnyville, and Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer based in Calgary. They are both members of a group called the Alberta Prosperity Project, which argues that the province’s economic growth has been hindered by years of Liberal party rule in Ottawa.

Successive Liberal governments of the last 10 years have put environmental policies above helping Alberta develop its oil and gas sector, they argue. They say Alberta would get to keep more of its wealth if it splits from Canada. Chris Scott, founder of pro-separatist group Let’s Talk Alberta, told BBC News on the eve of the poll that the campaign had already achieved some of its goals, regardless of what happened on Monday. “The key is the conversation has started and it needs to continue,” he said. “What’s started can’t be stopped now,” he added. Those who oppose separation say a newly independent Alberta would be left responsible for billions of dollars in debt. They warn that the uncertainty – which they liken to the UK’s Brexit vote to leave the European Union in 2016 – would drive thousands of jobs and investment out of the province.

Carney has called on voters to deliver a decisive vote against separation. Speaking at a rally on Thursday, he warned that the stakes were high. “The world has become more dangerous and divided. Some outside our borders are working to break us so they can own us,” Carney said, echoing warnings he has made in the past about his country’s ongoing trade war with the United States. Alongside the separation question, Albertans will vote on nine other issues – a number of which focus on whether the province should have more control over its immigration system. Hundreds of thousands of people had voted early by post ahead of Monday, and early figures suggested a strong voter turnout.

The province’s election officials will count the ballots by hand, and have 48 hours to complete the task – starting from no earlier than 20:00 local time on Monday (02:00 GMT on Tuesday). The key question, on separation, will be counted in its entirety first. Officials have said results should be available in the early hours of Tuesday.

Source: Alberta heads to polls to decide whether to hold vote on separation from Canada

In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:4

A Father Who Leads with Wisdom

Godly leadership requires more than strength; it requires wisdom. Dads are called to seek God’s direction so they can guide their families according to His truth.  Bible Verse:”Trust in the…

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A Father Who Leaves a Godly Legacy

Every father leaves a legacy. The question is not whether we will leave one, but what kind of legacy it will be.  Bible Verse:”A good person leaves an inheritance for…

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A Father Who Loves Like God

A Dad’s love can leave a lasting imprint on a child’s heart. God calls dads to reflect His unconditional love through patience, grace, and compassion. “Do everything in love.” 1…

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Not Meant For the Government

“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” Patrick Henry Patrick Henry | Revolutionary…

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What is the Pentateuch?

At times, another person’s insight can help us see God’s Word in a fresh and meaningful way. In this article, we share content designed to encourage your faith, deepen your…

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When Silence Protects the Wrong

One of the deepest forms of church hurt happens when abuse, misconduct, or harmful behavior is ignored, minimized, or covered up—especially when trusted leaders or respected members are involved. The…

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Christian’s Death Sentence Upheld in Pakistan

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In 2018, two Christian brothers were sentenced to death over allegations of blasphemy. After about a decade of fighting for their freedom, one brother was acquitted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Oct. 7. The other brother, however, is still on death row.  According to Section 295-C of the country’s penal code in Section 295-C, blasphemy against Muhammad is a crime punishable by death: “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.” 

Qaisar Ayub, 49, had run a website that spoke out against Islam. He said he had stopped publishing in 2009, but another individual continued running the account under his name. The content caused conflicts between Qaisar and his coworkers, leading to the blasphemy allegations and eventually to charges.  Qaisar was arrested and sentenced to death in 2018. His brother, Amoon Ayub, 46, was given the same sentence for his alleged involvement in his brother’s affairs.  Seeking Mercy CLAAS, an organization that supports victims of religious persecution, has represented their case since the beginning, fighting to appeal before a higher court. “Because of threats from hardliners, lower courts pass their responsibility to the higher court, and then it takes years to prove the accused innocent,” CLAAS-UK director Nasir Saeed said at the time. 

They appealed to the Lahore High Court in 2022, and the court upheld their sentence. Since last year, they have been appearing before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Earlier this month, the court upheld Ayub’s conviction but found insufficient evidence to continue punishing his brother.  He has been acquitted, but Qaisar’s wife and three children still hold their breath and pray for his release. CLAA-UK said the ruling is “deeply distressing” and it will continue to support him for as long as it takes.  “We welcome the acquittal of Amoon Ayub after so many years of imprisonment, but our relief is overshadowed by the devastating news that his brother Qaiser continues to face the death penalty,” Saeed said. “No family should have to live for so many years under the shadow of a possible execution.” 

Source: Christian’s Death Sentence Upheld in Pakistan – International Christian Concern

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8

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24 South Korean Christians Arrested at Nepalese Bible College

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Nepalese Police have arrested 24 South Korean Christians after complaints were lodged against them for “illegal religious teaching, training, and promotion.” Sources in Nepal and South Korea state that the Koreans were arrested at a gathering at the Nepal New Covenant College (NNCC) in Morang District on Oct. 9. NNCC Principal Sarad KC told UCA News that “the visitors were interacting with believers inside a local bible college and not preaching or sharing the gospel in public with the intention of proselytization. The arrest raises fears over targeted hostility towards Christians by the state.”

The NNCC has been teaching theological courses for Nepalese Christians since 2013.  A Negative Trend This incident is yet another example of the growing hostilities toward active Christianity in Nepal. Nepal is more than 80% Hindu and has a relatively small yet fast-growing Christian population of about 1.5 million people (5% of the total population).   Unlike Christians in the neighboring state of India, believers in Nepal have, until recently, been more protected from state-sanctioned discrimination and violence. However, the tide is turning as the persecution that Indian Christians have known for some time slowly bleeds across the border. Several reports have suggested that proximity to India is not the only reason for this shift.

Some evidence suggests that funds have been sent directly from the pro-Hindu nationalists who control India into Nepal, resulting in increased violence toward religious minorities. Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists have seen their sacred buildings, holy ceremonies, and specific individuals targeted by the Hindu majority.  Additionally, there have been increasing reports of South Korean Christians and missionaries being arrested, detained, and discriminated against in Nepal, Russia, and other nations. 

Source: 24 South Korean Christians Arrested at Nepalese Bible College – International Christian Concern

We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19

1 Peter 1:6–7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that…

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1 Timothy 1:13-15

Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and…

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Psalm 1:1–3

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  but his delight is in the law of…

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James 1:14–15

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully…

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Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. This reminds us that our choices have consequences. God is not fooled…

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Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. This reminds us that the people we spend time with have a powerful…

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1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals. We can see here that Paul gives a powerful warning: the people and influences we allow into our lives can…

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Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those…

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Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. This verse reminds us that our words carry tremendous…

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Proverbs 23:7

For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. This verse reminds us that our…

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Matthew 6:22

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, In this verse Jesus teaches that…

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Luke 6:45

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of…

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Trump says “massive” oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland is “getting ready to begin”

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President Trump said Wednesday that “massive” oil, gas and mineral exploration is preparing to begin in Greenland. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Mr. Trump said “Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland,” but did not give more details. The president added that “there are Experts that are saying that the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World.”

Mr. Trump also touted Greenland’s role in the defense of the United States in Europe, saying that “any future attack” on the U.S. would have to come across the semi-autonomous island, “where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet conceived.” “It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!” Mr. Trump added. The announcement comes more than four weeks after the U.S., Greenland and Denmark, which oversees the territory, signed a new security agreement to bolster American military and security presence on the island. That agreement, which gives the U.S. broad access to the island’s airspace and territory, largely focuses on using Greenland for military purposes, but also mentions resource extraction and “minerals cooperation” between the two countries, without specifying any details.

The plan allows the U.S. to expand the existing Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation which serves as an early-warning system for incoming missiles. The agreement also says the U.S. can establish additional bases at the sites known as Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, which are roughly 950 miles apart. Any of the three parties can propose more “defense areas” as needed, subject to approval by the others. The deal, which has no expiration date, also blocks non-NATO countries from establishing bases on the island without agreement from the parties. Since his first term, Mr. Trump had cited Greenland’s strategic location as one of the reasons for greater U.S. control over the semi-autonomous island, and even suggested purchasing the island from Denmark or using military force. Some industry experts believe mineral resources in Greenland have only been lightly explored and up until now the cost of extraction has not made economic sense for private companies.

Source: Trump says “massive” oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland is “getting ready to begin” – CBS Los Angeles

A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 29:23

God Sees Your Unseen Efforts

God has not overlooked a single act of your faithfulness, not one prayer, not one quiet sacrifice. Even when no one else sees, He remembers, and your labor…

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UN Special Rapporteur calls for end to ‘coerced’ abortion

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Christian legal advocacy group the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) has welcomed moves by the UN to recognise “coerced” abortion as a form of violence against mothers. Earlier this year the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, presented a report which stated, “Despite the fundamental role and contributions of mothers, no UN organization or mechanism, at least none that I am aware of, has produced a global stand alone report on mothers as a distinct category of persons whose lives and experiences including experiences of violence are profoundly shaped by this intersection of being both female and mothers.”

The ECLJ said the report was “unprecedented” in that it was the first time coerced abortion was “condemned under international law”. In her report, Alsalem also described motherhood as a “public good” as opposed to a “private choice” and that, as such, mothers required “recognition and support from society and institutions”. Alsalem’s report also distinguished between “forced” and “coerced” abortion, with the former being brought about by the use or threat of physical force, and the latter being driven by societal pressures, economic realities and a host of other factors. She urged all UN member states to “promote the social significance of motherhood and the shared responsibility to support mothers within sex, family, civic and other relevant education curricula and through public awareness-raising campaigns”, and to ensure that women who wish to become mothers could “do so in conditions of dignity and safety”.

The report called for a legal ban on coerced or forced abortion, including for sex or disability selective reasons. The ECLJ said it was “pleased that a nuanced and realistic perspective is now included in a UN document”. “This demonstrates that the view promoted by so many so-called ‘feminists’ – which presents abortion solely as synonymous with women’s right to autonomy and control over their own bodies – is ideological,” it said. “This amounts to nothing less than denying the suffering of all those women who would like to give birth to the child they are carrying but are pushed into having an abortion due to the pressures of the circumstances surrounding their pregnancy. “For them, this act is not synonymous with freedom, choice, rights, or autonomy: it is an act of violence perpetrated against them – a fact that this report finally and explicitly acknowledges.”

Source: UN Special Rapporteur calls for end to ‘coerced’ abortion – Christian Today

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16

A House Divided

Division within the church is one of the enemy’s greatest tools because it weakens unity, damages witness, and distracts believers from the mission of Christ. I…

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Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: In the Book of Ecclesiastes verse 3:1, we’re reminded that life moves…

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Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me.…

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Cecil County neighbors demand action after nearly 11,000 fish killed in Basin Run – CBS Baltimore

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Neighbors in Cecil County say they are fed up with a local farm owner they blame for contaminating nearby waterways. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says manure runoff from Kilby Farm on Firetower Road in Colora caused a massive fish kill in Basin Run, killing nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species. The state says the farm’s owners were ordered by a court to clean up the property but have failed to comply. Now, MDE is asking a judge to hold the farm’s owner and operator, Hartland Holdings LLC, in contempt. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says manure runoff from Kilby Farm on Firetower Road in Colora caused a massive fish kill in Basin Run, killing nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species.

Prior problems with Kilby Farm

The state says the owners took over the property in 2017 and dramatically increased the number of cattle by 2021. As the cattle population grew, so did the amount of waste, which MDE says was improperly managed. The state says excess manure polluted nearby Basin Run. During multiple on-site investigations and water quality tests, officials documented a fish kill that affected nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species. The incident followed a smaller fish kill in 2025. “These violations are unacceptable. We are taking this issue very seriously and have already obtained a preliminary injunction from the court barring this facility from discharging pollution into the waterway.

We are now asking the judge to hold the operator in contempt of that ruling,” MDE said in a statement. This is not the first time the state has taken the farm’s owners to court over the issue. MDE says it has issued several notices and previously sought court intervention to address the pollution. “Unfortunately, he’s not following the rules, and the stream, and importantly, the community is paying the price,” Adam Ortiz, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, told WJZ. The state says the farm’s owner has failed to comply with a court order to clean up the property and has not implemented a solution to control manure and waste runoff.

MDE is now asking the judge to hold the farm’s operator in contempt. “The count is 0-2. You got to get it right this time. Otherwise, more punitive actions can take place,” Ortiz said. MDE also expressed concern that continued runoff could affect other nearby rivers and streams, as well as larger waterways, including the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay. The farm’s owners declined to comment when approached by WJZ. The station also contacted attorneys representing the owner and operator and is awaiting a response. The case is scheduled for a settlement conference in Cecil County Circuit Court in April 2027.

Neighbors frustrated with farm owners

Neighbors say they have seen dead fish washing ashore and have endured what they describe as a putrid manure stench. “Everybody knows why it’s happening. Everybody knows, but greed makes it keep on going,” John Woodrow, who has lived along Basin Run for 70 years, told WJZ. “[It’s] heartbreaking. I spent all my childhood, most of my adult life enjoying the stream. Now my grandson is being told he can’t get in there,” Woodrow said. WJZ spoke with several neighbors who said they were frustrated by the situation and felt disrespected by the farm’s owners. “It hurt to see that happen.

You shouldn’t have to live near Basin Run or be drinking the well water to care about this,” nearby resident Ashley Bowley told WJZ. Woodrow said neighbors began noticing changes in the water about five years ago. “Next thing you know, you start seeing increased weeds on the side of the stream, less fish, more algae growing on the rocks, water less clear,” he said. Despite their frustration, neighbors say they believe the farm can continue operating without harming the surrounding community. “He can still have his business, keep the stream clean for generations to come. Let’s work together on this.

Quit fighting each other in this courthouse, and work together on this and make it work,” Woodrow said. Bowley said the farm has had ample opportunity to address the state’s concerns. “I think they’ve been given ample opportunity to comply with the request from the department,” she said. “They either need to reduce their capacity greatly, or they do need to be shut down.

Source: Cecil County neighbors demand action after nearly 11,000 fish killed in Basin Run – CBS Baltimore

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

The News Part 2

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Daily Bread; Psalm 91:4

Daily Verse He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4…

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The News Part 1

Dear Heavenly Father, as this is read give understanding and conviction to those reading this. May there be understanding where there needs to be understanding and…

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Texas trooper rescues injured owl along I-10 near Van Horn

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A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper helped rescue an injured owl found in the center median of Interstate 10 near Van Horn, highlighting the role law enforcement can play in protecting wildlife. According to a post shared by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Trooper Raymond Torres discovered the injured owl while on patrol. Torres stayed with the bird until Texas Parks and Wildlife officials arrived to transport it to the El Paso Zoo, where it is receiving medical care. DPS shared the rescue on social media, noting that its mission to protect and serve sometimes extends beyond people to include wildlife in need of assistance.

Source: Texas trooper rescues injured owl along I-10 near Van Horn

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Amos 3:7

 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. This verse reveals that God does not act without warning His people first. The verse…

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Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear…

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The King is Coming

They shouted “Hosanna” like a King was arriving, but didn’t realize a Savior was surrendering. Don’t just celebrate Jesus for what you want Him to do, honor Him…

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Break Free and Run the Race

Break free from sin, and run your race like it matters. We must understand, getting rid of our anchors will still keep us in the race. ⚓️ 📖Therefore,…

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Modesto considers fines up to $5,000 for reckless bike riding

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Police officer briefing mountain bikers on a forest road

The Modesto City Council is moving forward with a proposed crackdown on reckless bicycle and e-bike riding, including fines of up to $5,000 and the possible impoundment of bikes for up to 30 days. Council members waived the ordinance’s first reading, advancing the proposal that targets dangerous stunts on public streets, groups of riders blocking traffic and street takeovers.

“We have a major problem in this town of bicyclists and e-bikers,” one resident told the council. Chris Ricci also urged city leaders to prioritize traffic safety. “Traffic safety needs to be a real priority right now,” Ricci said. Under the proposal, fines would increase with repeat violations:

  • First offense: $500
  • Second offense: $2,500
  • Third or subsequent offense: $5,000

Some residents questioned whether minors should face penalties immediately, particularly for violations that do not involve street takeovers. “I ask if a first non-takeover offense by a minor could start with a warning and a course instead,” one resident said. The proposed ordinance would allow police to require safety courses for minors. Officers could also impound bicycles for up to 30 days when necessary to prevent further dangerous riding or protect public safety.

Parents could face fines of up to $2,000 per minor if they assist, authorize or permit their children to violate the proposed rules. Police officials told the council that street takeovers have involved adults as well as younger riders. “We’ve had adults out there!” the police chief said. The proposal also includes a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit on city parks and trails, raising questions about how officers would enforce the restriction. One councilwoman questioned how police would identify and address riders who exceed the proposed limit.

Mayor Sue Zwahlen said the city wants residents to continue using its outdoor spaces. “We want people to walk and use our trails to bike. That’s what we want,” Zwahlen said. The proposal leaves questions about how parental responsibility would be determined. While it identifies circumstances in which parents could be fined, it does not specify exactly what police would need to prove to hold a parent responsible. The council’s action advances the ordinance, but it still requires final adoption before becoming law. If approved, the rules would take effect 30 days after the final vote.

Source: Modesto considers fines up to $5,000 for reckless bike riding – CBS Sacramento

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Luke 11:13

Letting God Take the Lead

God doesn’t guide the loud, the proud, or the self-sufficient, He leads the humble who are willing to follow. Lay down your pride, and watch how clearly His…

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Primary Elections; May 19, 2026

Today, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, is a major primary election day in six states: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. These are mostly partisan primaries (Democratic and…

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What does Hosanna Mean?

Hosanna: Getting to Know Him Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there?…

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Matthew 25:21

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into…

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2 Peter 2:1-3

But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who…

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Recognizing the Trap of Offense

A wounded heart builds walls higher than pride ever could, harder to win back than a fortified city. Choose your words carefully, because one broken relationship can become…

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Arkansas alligator hunters fill 197 tags | Outdoors | magnoliareporter.com

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The climbing alligator harvest in Arkansas has led to decreases in nuisance calls involving the reptile. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission members heard last week a presentation from AGFC herpetologist Amanda Bryant on the 2026 alligator harvest. She also reported on an alligator research project with Clemson University. According to Bryant, 197 of the 212 alligator tags available were filled this year. While private land hunters exceeded their quota by a single alligator, public land hunters maintained a 64 percent harvest rate.

Twenty-eight alligators were taken on public land, leaving 16 tags unfilled. Private land hunters harvested 169 alligators. “We also continue to see a reduction in the number of nuisance alligator calls as the harvest has climbed,” Bryant said. Bryant also spoke about an alligator tagging and recapture study that’s in its second year with Clemson. AGFC staff assisted researchers in catching, tagging and recording data on 76 alligators before the 2026 hunting season.

“The information will help verify spotlight surveys as well as information on growth in our alligators through reports of harvested alligator tags and alligators we recapture in the future,” Bryant said. “It also was a great opportunity to have staff training on alligator handling, and we had staff from every fisheries division section engaged.”

Source: Arkansas alligator hunters fill 197 tags | Outdoors | magnoliareporter.com

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45

❤️The Heart of Worship🛐

What the world calls waste, Jesus calls worship, your sacrifice for Him is never overlooked. Bold, extravagant faith stands out in a culture that misunderstands true devotion.  “She…

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Organ Harvesting in China

You may think you know about the illegal world of organ harvesting, but there’s an even a darker side to this practice than merely procuring an organ on…

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Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” This…

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Romans 12:19

 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This verse teaches believers not…

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