Displaying items by tag: USA

On 29 April senior Hamas representatives headed to Egypt for talks aimed at halting Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Although previous talks have yielded few results, both sides have expressed a willingness to pursue a ceasefire. A new Israeli proposal includes discussions on restoring calm and the release of Israeli captives, potentially in phases. Hamas has been urged by a number of countries, including the USA and the UK to accept this new proposal, but seems reluctant to do so. The talks have gained urgency amid Israeli threats of a ground assault on Rafah, which might be suspended if negotiations progress. For Benjamin Netanyahu, the problem is that if he concedes too much, he would face opposition not just from opposition parties but from some of his own ministers.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested across US campuses on 1 May, as a protest movement over the Israel-Hamas war has put student demonstrators at odds with university leadership. Demonstrators have set-up encampments on about 30 campuses across the US and are demanding that academic institutions stop doing business with Israel or companies that are connected to the Israeli military. The exact number of arrests remains unclear but is believed to have exceeded 1,300. 282 arrests were made at Columbia University, where the first protests started on 17 April, with some accusations of police brutality. At UCLA, at least fifteen were injured in clashes when counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment. Joe Biden has condemned the violence, saying ‘Dissent must never lead to disorder’: he has refused to change his policy. See

On 8 February 2023, what began as an ordinary chapel service at Asbury University evolved into a 16-day 'outpouring' led by students, attracting individuals from numerous universities worldwide. Dr Sarah Thomas Baldwin, a professor whose book on this outpouring will soon be published, has described the lasting influence of the revival. Despite the initial exhaustion following the event, the campus experienced a revival in spiritual engagement. Students returned with renewed energy for worship and prayer, significantly raising the spiritual temperature. She recounted the early days when students gathered spontaneously post-chapel, leading to joy, repentance, and deep spiritual connection. The outpouring not only captured media attention but also solidified a strong community among campus leaders. Today, the spiritual lessons from the event continue to inspire and draw individuals seeking depth and hope in challenging times, reinforcing their commitment to deepening their faith in Jesus.

Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, has extensively experienced the dark side of humanity through his career. He firmly believes in spiritual warfare and the redemptive power of Christ, which he discusses in his latest book co-written with his wife Francie, 'Nine Lives and Counting’. The book explores Chapman’s transformation from a troubled past involving crime and incarceration in the 1970s to a life driven by faith and outreach. His career has evolved from capturing fugitives to guiding them towards spiritual redemption, often sharing impactful conversations about faith. His Christian faith journey, intensified by personal losses, including the deaths of his daughter and his wife Beth, has led him to a renewed mission of spreading hope and engaging in ministry work. Now remarried and leading the Light Up the Darkness ministry, Chapman points to the transformative power of Jesus and the possibility of overcoming great struggles through divine help.

Joe Biden has signed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, emphasising its importance in enhancing global security. He promised to send the military assistance for Ukraine ‘right away’, with $61 billion allocated for this purpose. The bipartisan bill, approved by the Senate in a 79-18 vote after months of congressional debate, signals America's commitment to its allies. Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the aid as a reinforcement of America's democratic leadership. The package also includes provisions for confiscating Russian assets and imposing new sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran. The aid is expected to provide critical support to Ukraine's forces, which have faced shortages of ammunition and defence systems. Meanwhile, Biden has faced significant protests against his stance on Gaza at different universities, notably Columbia: see

Actor Gary Sinise reflected recently on the power of prayer and his faith journey following the death of his son, McCaleb, from cancer. Sinise, known for his roles in  'Forrest Gump' and 'CSI: NY’,' shares how his family's faith sustained them during their son's illness and eventual passing. Despite their grief, they found solace in prayer and their belief in God. Sinise has called his son a man of great faith, who had a profound impact on those around him, and has emphasised the importance of community and support during times of hardship. His faith has deepened through the experience, and he continues to find strength in prayer and his relationship with God. His story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith in overcoming life's challenges.

The USA, South Korea, and Japan are proposing a new multinational panel outside the UN to enforce sanctions against North Korea. Russia rejected renewing the UN panel which has monitored sanctions for fifteen years, and China abstained. The new panel, with support from allies like Australia and New Zealand, would aim to continue the UN’s work. Though lacking UN endorsement, it could monitor North Korea more effectively, and could also oversee human rights resolutions on North Korea. US ambassador Thomas-Greenfield is discussing options with South Korea and Japan. Noting that Moscow and Beijing have called for easing sanctions to restart diplomacy and ease humanitarian suffering in the impoverished nation, he urged them to reverse course, and stop rewarding North Korea's bad behaviour.

The USA may need to reassess its relationships with African nations as it faces a potential shortage of critical minerals essential for weapon manufacturing. This comes as it and its allies provide arms to conflict zones like Ukraine and Israel. In both cases, these include advanced missile systems which rely on critical minerals found in Africa. These include cobalt, sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, antimony from South Africa, and graphite (found in many countries). A study group has warned that a shortage of these minerals could hinder military capability and national security, impacting the arms race with China. In its policy towards Africa, the US has shown renewed interest in the DRC and Zambia through the rebuilding of the Lobito Corridor, a rail and road network which will link the two countries to Angola and straight to the Atlantic Ocean.

On 15 April Donald Trump became the first former president ever to face a criminal trial. He is accused of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to actress Stormy Daniels (who claims that he had sex with her) before the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege Trump reimbursed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the payments and falsely labelled it as a legal fee. Trump pleaded not guilty and called the case a ‘witch hunt.’ New York judge Juan Merchan has named over forty potential witnesses, including many former associates, including Cohen and Rudy Giuliani, as well as Trump's family members and former employees. Merchan has also warned Trump of potential jail time for disrupting or refusing to attend the trial without a valid reason. In jury selection, many potential jurors are being ruled out because they could not be impartial.  What is not clear is whether this trial will influence the result of November’s presidential election: see

Unite US, led by Tonya Prewett, is spearheading a wave of student baptisms at public universities, beginning with Auburn University and expanding to three other universities, each witnessing hundreds of baptisms. The movement, fuelled by Prewett's vision to address student struggles, saw about 5,000 students at its first event with 200 baptisms. Emphasising follow-up, Unite US collects contact details of baptised students for spiritual support through local churches and ministries. Many participants report transformative experiences, including overcoming depression and addiction. Keynote speakers like Jonathan Pokluda note a rising revival among college students, seeking a deeper, daily faith beyond routine church visits. This revival trend, mirroring the spontaneous Asbury Revival, signifies a profound shift towards personal faith and active community engagement among university students.