Tag: Congo News

Air France flight bound for Detroit diverted to Canada over passenger from Congo, officials say

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An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was forced to divert to Montreal on Wednesday due to U.S. flight restrictions linked to the Ebola outbreak after it was determined that one of the passengers was from the Democratic Republic of Congo, federal officials and the airline said. Air France boarded the passenger “in error on a flight to the United States,” a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson told CBS News in a statement. “Due to entry restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus, the passenger should not have boarded the plane,” the CBP spokesperson said. “CBP took decisive action and prohibited the flight carrying that traveler from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and instead, diverted to Montreal, Canada.” CBP did not say when the person had last been in the Congo or whether they were showing symptoms of the virus.

When reached about the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration directed CBS News to CBP. CBS News has also reached out to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for comment. Air France said in a statement to CBS News that it “confirms that, at the request of U.S. authorities, (the flight) was diverted to Montreal Airport after a Congolese passenger on board was denied entry into the United States. In fact, under new regulations, passengers arriving from certain countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, may only enter U.S. territory via Washington (IAD) Airport. There was no medical emergency on board, and like all airlines, Air France is required to comply with the entry requirements of the countries it serves.”

According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, Air France Flight 378 from Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport landed at Montreal Trudeau International Airport at 5:15 p.m. ET. The status of the passenger from the Congo was unknown.  Deborah Mistor, a business class passenger aboard the flight, told CBS News in an interview Thursday night that the rest of the passengers were then flown from Montreal to Detroit aboard the same aircraft. Mistor revealed that the passengers were notified by the captain about four hours before they were initially due to arrive in Detroit that U.S. authorities were not allowing the plane to land in the U.S. and the flight was being diverted. The captain did not provide a reason, however. “I think enough people must have been questioning what was going on because 30 minutes later, he came back on and said that he wanted to confirm that there was nothing wrong with the plane, there were no technical difficulties, that it was strictly because of U.S. authorities not allowing us to land in the U.S.,” Mistor told CBS News.

Source: Air France flight bound for Detroit diverted to Canada over passenger from Congo, officials say – CBS News

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable…

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Recent News on Christian Persecution (March 11 – March 18, 2026)

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Advocacy groups including International Christian Concern (ICC), Open Doors, and Persecution Relief released multiple reports this week documenting fresh incidents of violence, arrests, and systemic discrimination. The global picture remains unchanged: roughly 388 million Christians (about 1 in 7 worldwide) continue to face high or extreme levels of persecution according to the 2026 World Watch List.

1. India – Mob Assault on 28 Christian Families in Chhattisgarh

  • On March 10 (reported March 16), a mob in Millampalli village, Sukma district, attacked 28 Christian families with wooden rods and sticks. The families had been denied government food rations since November 2025 solely because of their faith; when they complained, a local food inspector allegedly incited the violence and issued threats. Police complaints were filed, but witnesses claim authorities showed bias or inaction.

2. Nigeria – Fulani Militia Attacks Continue in Plateau State

  • A March 17 ICC report highlighted ongoing raids by Fulani militants and bandits on Christian farming communities in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bokkos areas. Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of the Church of Christ in Nations publicly stated that repeated appeals for protection, including direct outreach to the U.S. administration, have gone unanswered, leaving Middle Belt Christians exposed despite broader U.S. military operations elsewhere in the country. Churches and homes remain primary targets.

3. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Weekly ADF/ISIS-Linked Violence

  • ICC’s March 13 briefing detailed near-weekly attacks by the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces in eastern provinces. Christians are being murdered, abducted, and displaced, with churches deliberately destroyed as militants seek to impose stricter Islamic rule. The situation has worsened in recent months, with hundreds killed or kidnapped in targeted Christian villages.

4. Cuba – Pastor Arrested for Posting Bible Teaching Online

  • On March 15, Pastor Rolando Pérez Lora was arrested after uploading a simple Bible teaching video to YouTube. The arrest drew international attention March 16–18, underscoring growing restrictions on online Christian expression in Cuba. Local believers and advocacy groups are calling for his immediate release.

5. Iran & China – Heightened Pressure Amid Conflict and Surveillance

  • Open Doors issued updated “Dispatches from Iran” (March 17) noting that at least 48 Christians remain imprisoned amid regional chaos, communication blackouts, and economic hardship affecting underground churches. In China, ICC’s new feature “Persecution Has No Borders” detailed intensified domestic surveillance plus overseas harassment of Chinese Christians abroad through “police stations” and digital monitoring.

6. China – “Persecution Has No Borders”

  • ICC’s March 17 feature emphasized the Chinese Communist Party’s expanding reach: intensified surveillance, church demolitions, and “Sinicization” campaigns inside China, alongside overseas “police stations” harassing Chinese Christians abroad. Long-term prisoners and families of detainees continue to suffer, with authorities tightening controls on online Bible studies and house churches.

7. Iran – Christians Endure War Chaos and Imprisonment

  • Open Doors issued a March 17 dispatch on the situation inside Iran amid regional conflict. At least 48 Christians remain imprisoned, many in the overcrowded and chaotic Evin Prison, while others are missing. Communication blackouts, economic collapse, and forced conscription have hit underground churches particularly hard. Believers have been actively supporting displaced families, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite the risks of arrest for “apostasy” or “propaganda against the regime.”

8. Broader Regional Warnings

  • Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reiterated that escalating violence in the Middle East threatens the very survival of ancient Christian communities. The Vatican and UN statements this week again described anti-Christian persecution as the most widespread form of religious oppression globally.
  • The Vatican and several UN statements this week reiterated warnings about the scale of anti-Christian violence, especially in conflict zones. European commentators also discussed “polite persecution” , subtle legal and cultural pressures in Western societies, alongside the more violent incidents in the Global South. No major new policy shifts were announced, but advocacy groups continue pressing Western governments for stronger diplomatic action.

These reports emphasize both sudden violence and long-term systemic pressures. Relief organizations are actively providing emergency aid, legal assistance, and documentation. For ongoing monitoring, the primary sources remain ICC (persecution.org), Open Doors, and ACN.

Source: Grok on X

For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
Psalm 112:6

Dangers of the Deep: Tracking Sharks Along the New York Coast

New shark-spotting technology has been on full display this summer—and for good reason. With shark activity on the rise, the Nassau County Police Marine Bureau is on the front lines, using new technology to patrol local waters and help keep beachgoers safe. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reports from Lido Beach, New York. Source: Dangers…

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Warning from wildlife expert after Wisconsin bear attack

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital. What You Need To Know The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the…

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Roseville bear sighting reported a day after Rocklin alert

A bear was spotted in Roseville on Wednesday morning, one day after police in neighboring Rocklin issued an alert about a similar sighting. Roseville Fire said the bear was seen near Foothills Boulevard between Blue Oaks Boulevard and Pleasant Grove Boulevard. Roseville police said they received three reports of a bear sighting, all between 2…

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Over half a dozen sharks seen on video near popular Maine beach in two days

More than half a dozen white sharks have been spotted close to shore in Scarborough, Maine over a 48-hour period, prompting warnings and increased monitoring near a popular beach. The sightings have generated interest from both beachgoers and biologists. Scarborough Marine Resource Officer Daryen Granata said many of the sharks spotted in the area are…

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1.3 million Ram trucks recalled over improperly installed seat belt anchors

Chrysler is recalling more than 1.27 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks because the second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects Ram 1500 trucks from the 2019 through 2026 model years. NHTSA said the anchors fail to meet federal safety standards. An…

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‘Nothing changes’: Four decades in power, Congo’s Nguesso seeks a new term

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Is Brazzaville’s stability a result of gradual democratic consolidation or carefully organised political continuity?

Source: ‘Nothing changes’: Four decades in power, Congo’s Nguesso seeks a new term | Elections News | Al Jazeera

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

Arson arrest in one of the Spokane area wildfires that have left some residents with nothing – CBS News

A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the largest of the three devastating Spokane, Washington-area wildfires that are leaving some residents with nothing. Aaron Farinacci, a Spokane resident who has a prior manslaughter conviction, was booked on suspicion of first degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire and was being held…

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Stockton church hosts fundraiser to reopen local school

The City of Stockton has been working to revitalize Main Street. To help, a local church hosted a bazaar to raise funds that go directly into the community. “It’s a small community, but a really hardworking one,” Saint Gertrude Summer Festival organizer Monica Mercado said. This all happened Sunday in the courtyard of Saint Gertrude’s…

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Beloved Westmoreland County roller rink rolling toward a comeback

If you grew up around Delmont over the past 80 years, chances are you made a few memories at the Rock Springs Roller Rink. After sitting empty for more than a decade, those memories are getting a new chapter thanks to new owner and local entrepreneur, Greg Ventrice. “I originally kind of bought it for…

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21-year-old kills man with hammer, leaves note: Florida cops

A 21-year-old woman used a hammer to kill a 41-year-old man she accused of grooming her as a child, then she left an accusatory note on his chest, Florida authorities said. Journee McGrew is now charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in a killing described by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a “domestic…

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Humanoid robot imports banned as U.S. targets Chinese products over national security concerns

The Federal Communications Commission is banning imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that targets China. The measures are likely to test relations with Beijing ahead of a planned U.S. visit and meeting with President Trump by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September. China dominates the…

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Trump announces Gaza breakthrough but uncertainty remains

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced what he described as a historic agreement to secure the disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza – months after he first announced a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. “Today, the Board of Peace reached a HISTORIC agreement for the COMPLETE DISARMAMENT of…

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Mine collapse in eastern Congo leaves 200 dead, authorities say

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A mine collapse at Congo’s key Rubaya coltan site has killed a number of miners

Source: Mine collapse in eastern Congo leaves 200 dead, authorities say – ABC News

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6

Johnson & Johnson offers $5.5 billion to settle talc lawsuits

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Isolated storms could impact metro Atlanta counties, forecasters say

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Atlanta metro area this evening.  At 6:48 p.m., meteorologists reported a severe thunderstorm over Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, approximately eight miles northwest of Jonesboro, moving south at 10 miles per hour Communities expected to be impacted include Atlanta, Jonesboro,…

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OVER THE HILL GANG CAR SHOW, TAKE OVER!

Stew Leonard’s car show coverage over 400 classic cars, hot rods and custom builds completely packed out the lot as Stew Leonards in Newington, Connecticut, on Sunday, July 19, 2026. This venue was co-hosted by the Over The Hill Gang, Eastern Chapter. this massive turnout, celebrating the iconic, hot riding and cruising Heritage of the…

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Metro Atlanta teacher spends her own money to prepare classroom for new school year

While many families are beginning their back-to-school shopping, teachers are also filling carts with supplies for their classrooms often using money from their own paychecks. Gisselle Velez is preparing for her second year teaching third grade at Hopkins Elementary School. During a recent shopping trip in Chamblee, she picked up copy paper, glue sticks, hand…

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Non-traditional little free libraries popping up across Pittsburgh area

A woman in Dormont is making it her mission to map all of the little free libraries in her community.  Little free libraries are often placed by neighbors along sidewalks, allowing people to leave books they no longer need as well as encouraging them to take ones that interest them. Two years ago, Amy Constantine says…

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Massachusetts veterans take to the skies again with “Dream Flights” in World War II-era aircraft

Some of the oldest military veterans in Massachusetts were honored with special flights on Friday in a World War II-era aircraft. The nonprofit organization Dream Flights honored senior veterans from Alliance Health and Human Services with free flights in a restored Stearman biplane, taking off from Norwood Airport. “We give them an opportunity to kind…

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US, Others Express Concern Over Violations of Ceasefires in Eastern Congo

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US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

Source: US, Others Express Concern Over Violations of Ceasefires in Eastern Congo

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10

The first-ever dedicated Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood YouTube channel launches globally

https://www.youtube.com/@MisterRogersNeighborhood For the first time ever, the iconic “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” will be available to watch on YouTube.  An official channel dedicated solely to the beloved program will offer viewers of multiple generations the chance to watch full episodes, livestreams, clips, and compilations all in one place.  “With its timeless messages of care and kindness,…

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Teen’s 1st Grade Teacher Pulls Off Cross-Country Graduation Surprise

A high school graduate got the surprise of a lifetime after his elementary school teacher traveled across the country to surprise him — and the emotional reunion was caught on camera. Jordan Hodges, 18, tells PEOPLE that his teacher Denise Crocker, 58, had a tremendous impact on his life. “She was my mother at school,”…

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Teen Rescues Elderly Dementia Patient Wandering Around in 103°F Heat

From Arizona comes the story of a young man helping an elderly woman whose dementia had left her disoriented, wandering about in 103°F heat. 14-year-old Royal Cothrun was riding his bike down empty sidewalks through his home town of Gilbert when he spotted 75-year-old Theresa Morgan. Hardly pounding the pavement in running gear, she was…

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Drug Shortage Detail: Insulin Glargine Injection (Recombinant)

Products Affected – Description Reason for the Shortage Available Products Estimated Resupply Dates Implications for Patient Care Safety Though doses can often be converted unit for unit when converting individuals from one basal insulin to another, an initial dose reduction of 10-20% can be used in individuals at a high risk for hypoglycemia or in…

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Teen Trusts His Instincts and Saves Crash Victim Just in Time

Sixteen year old Randy Gerlach was on his way to work, driving along a country road in Morrison, Illinois, when he noticed a vehicle sitting in a ditch. At first, he wasn’t sure if it was an accident or if the driver had simply slipped off the shoulder of the road. Still, something didn’t feel…

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