Displaying items by tag: North America

Texas governor Greg Abbott has announced that over 500 high schools across the state now host chapters of Turning Point USA’s Club America programme, a conservative student movement designed to promote constitutional principles, traditional values, and civic responsibility among young people. At a press conference, he highlighted the growing need for such programmes in shaping future leaders. He honoured the legacy of Charlie Kirk, TPUSA’s founder, who was assassinated last September, recognising his impact in inspiring students to stand for moral clarity and America’s founding ideals. Club America now includes more than 1,200 chapters nationwide, teaching principles such as fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Several other states, including Florida and Oklahoma, have pledged support for students wishing to establish their own chapters.

A confrontation between federal agents and residents in a Somali neighbourhood of Minneapolis has heightened fear and tension within the community. Witnesses reported that ICE agents used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of protesters after checking identifications in restaurants, on the streets, and at a senior housing complex. The crackdown follows the decision by Donald Trump to end temporary protected status for Somalis, calling them ‘garbage’ and saying he does not want them in the country. The move has drawn denunciations from leaders of the Somali community and governor Tim Walz. About 84,000 of the 260,000 Somalis in the country live in the Minneapolis-St Paul area, the overwhelming majority of them US citizens. Over half were born in the U.S., and 87 per cent of those born elsewhere are naturalised citizens. Federal officials justify the operation as targeting criminals, giving details of nine criminals who have been arrested recently, but local leaders argue that such actions unfairly stigmatise an entire community.

Actor Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the hit series ‘The Chosen’, says the show’s heartfelt depiction of Christ has led even lifelong atheists to embrace Christianity. He said that two men who had never believed in God were sent the series by friends. Unexpectedly, they were captivated by the first episode, began reading Scripture and attending church, and ultimately converted. He called their transformation remarkable, noting that many viewers express similar experiences. Roumie said his own deep relationship with Christ shaped the sincerity of his performance, helping him convey love, compassion, and authenticity. He also described the emotional and spiritual weight of filming Season 6 (to be released in 2026), which depicts Jesus’ crucifixion; he prayed for insight into Christ’s suffering and sensed God responding.

Joe Rogan has spoken openly again about his growing interest in Christianity, saying he finds the Bible deeply compelling and is moved by the kindness of believers he has met. He says he no longer believes Scripture is merely myth, but an ancient record conveying real truth, even if he is still discerning how literally to take its claims. He recently discussed Revelation with his daughter, acknowledging the mystery of how its prophecies will unfold. Rogan has been attending a non-denominational church in Austin, where the Christians’ sincerity and consistent kindness - even in the car park - have deeply impressed him. He described the Bible as 'fascinating,' and said Christianity 'works,' noting how the believers he knows live out their faith with remarkable grace. Over the past year he has been increasingly willing to explore faith publicly, hosting long conversations about Jesus, the supernatural, and the Resurrection, which he now finds more persuasive than secular explanations of the universe. Rogan’s journey continues to draw widespread attention. See

In a stunning U-turn of diplomacy, Syrian president Ahmed al Sharaa - once known as Abu Mohammed al Jolani, former leader of the al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front - has arrived in Washington for historic talks with Donald Trump. He rose to power following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and now leads Syria’s fragile transitional government. Once a fugitive with a $10 million US bounty, he is being welcomed as a potential partner in rebuilding his war-torn nation and countering extremist threats. Washington’s gamble is clear: support Sharaa to stabilise Syria, curb Iranian and Russian influence, and prevent renewed civil war. Yet challenges loom large: sectarian clashes persist, and doubts remain about his transformation from militant to unifier. The visit, the first trip by a Syrian head of state to the USA since the country gained independence in 1948, could redefine alliances and reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics for a generation.

Dr Francis Collins, the geneticist who led the Human Genome Project and later oversaw the US pandemic response, has reflected on faith, science, and truth in a deeply divided era. As head of the National Institutes of Health, he saw the rapid creation of Covid-19 vaccines as a miracle of both science and prayer, crediting years of mRNA research and divine guidance for the breakthrough which saved millions of lives. Yet, to his sorrow, many Christians rejected the vaccines and vilified him personally. Conspiracy theorists targeted him with hostility and threats, while some church leaders accused him of politicising faith. Grounded daily in scripture and prayer, Collins continues to champion truth and humility, warning that a society which dismisses evidence in favour of tribal loyalty risks moral decay. His new book, The Road to Wisdom, calls believers to rebuild trust through love, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to truth guided by Christ’s teachings.

The longest US government shutdown in history has ended after 43 tense days, restoring pay for federal workers and reopening critical services. Yet its conclusion has left both political parties bruised. Senate Democrats triggered the shutdown by refusing to support a temporary funding bill without guarantees to extend health-care subsidies for low-income Americans. When several Democrats defected to jump ship and vote with the Republicans, they received little more than a promise of a future vote, leaving the party’s progressive wing furious and mainstream figures calling the deal a capitulation. Donald Trump, despite moments of apparent wavering, emerged claiming victory, having conceded virtually nothing of substance. With another funding deadline looming in January and millions facing soaring insurance costs, the end of the shutdown brings only temporary relief.

In her first interview since the tragic assassination of her husband, Christian commentator Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk said that her faith in Christ has overcome all fear. When asked if she felt safe, she replied, 'What are they going to threaten me with - going to heaven sooner to be with my husband?' She explained that her confidence is not recklessness but a trust in God’s sovereignty: 'It’s a fearlessness rooted in the understanding that I will have my day and my time whenever that is - when the Lord knows I’ve completed my mission.' She added that neither she nor her husband ever lived in fear, saying, 'If we did, we would never get anything done’. Her response has moved many believers worldwide, standing as a bold witness to courage in grief and unwavering hope in eternal life. Her peace in suffering testifies to the power of faith over fear.

At the World Evangelical Alliance general assembly in Seoul, Asbury University president Kevin Brown reflected on the 2023 Asbury revival, praying it would one day be remembered as a mere 'tremor' before a global Christian awakening. What began as a small chapel meeting became a 16-day outpouring that drew 50,000 people from 287 universities worldwide. Brown believes that since then, spiritual renewal has continued to spread — seen in mass baptisms, worship gatherings like Baptise America and Gather 25, and growing Bible engagement across generations. He cited evidence of rising church attendance in both the USA and Europe, with England and Wales reporting a 50% increase since 2018. At the Lausanne Congress, Brown witnessed thousands from over 200 nations worshipping in unity, sensing a worldwide stirring among youth. He urged believers to pursue true revival, marked not by emotion but by unity - the oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17 - a heart-level allegiance to God reflecting the love between Father and Son.

Christian singer and songwriter Forrest Frank has announced he will no longer attend awards shows, including the Dove Awards and Grammys, saying he already holds 'the greatest award of all time' — salvation in Christ. In a video on TikTok, Frank explained his conviction that he should not receive trophies for something created 'from Jesus and for Jesus.' He said he wrestled with this decision last year and has now chosen 'a stance of nonparticipation’, preferring to model humility rather than seek recognition. Frank clarified that he is not refusing to shine as a light in dark places but to avoid stages that glorify human achievement. Though nominated in several top categories, he declared that his real prize is having his 'name written in the Book of Life’. His statement challenges Christian artists to reconsider the tension between cultural acclaim and eternal reward, reminding believers that earthly fame will fade, but the name of Jesus endures for ever.