Displaying items by tag: North America

Author and speaker Jennie Allen is witnessing an extraordinary movement of God among college students across the USA. Through the UniteUs ministry, thousands are gathering for worship, repentance, and baptisms at different universities. Allen describes the revival-like atmosphere, where students confess sins, commit to Christ, and get baptised - often until the early morning. One young man, previously lost, told his friend, 'I need to go a new way’ after experiencing conviction and transformation. His friend, who had been praying for him, saw his prayers answered. These events are entirely student-led, with teams praying, fundraising, and organising the gatherings. At the University of Kentucky, students completed a 42-mile prayer walk around campus before the event, believing for revival. Allen, preparing for her own event Gather25, sees this movement as undeniably God-ordained: a miracle unfolding on campuses globally. She is in awe of what God is doing and urges believers to pray for continued awakening among students. See also

China has retaliated against new US tariffs by imposing 15% duties on certain energy imports and 10% tariffs on crude oil, vehicles, and machinery. It also announced export controls on key minerals like tungsten and added two firms to its ‘unreliable entities’ list. Additionally, China launched an antitrust investigation into Google. On 2 February Donald Trump had imposed 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, part of broader trade measures also targeting Mexico and Canada. He has briefly paused tariffs on those two nations following talks. China denounced the tariffs at the World Trade Organisation, warning of economic disruption. The dispute extends beyond tariffs, touching on security and fentanyl production. While Beijing aims to avoid an escalating trade war, China’s slowing economy adds pressure. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that he might impose tariffs on other nations.

Rubee Lana’s life was marked by pain, depression, and self-destruction. Growing up without a father, she resented her mother and often stayed at her grandmother’s house after arguments. Verbal and mental abuse left her feeling unloved, and she struggled with suicidal thoughts. After a failed overdose attempt, she turned to partying, drugs, and social media fame, but the emptiness in her heart remained. Moving to Chicago, she immersed herself in the EDM festival scene, taking Ecstasy and embracing a reckless lifestyle. One night, while drinking in a car with strangers, she had a sudden realisation: if she died, she would go to hell. Crying out to God, she pleaded for forgiveness. That moment marked the beginning of a radical transformation. Rubee started attending church, surrendered her life to Christ, and was born again. Today, she shares her testimony online, spreading the hope and redemption found in Jesus.

Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order directing the federal government to prepare the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to detain up to 30,000 migrants. He claimed the base already has the capacity to house ‘the worst criminal illegal aliens‘ and that this move would double detention capacity. This coincided with signing an act which mandates detention for undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes. The bill, Trump’s first major legislative victory in his second term, had passed Congress with bipartisan support. Guantanamo Bay has historically been used for detaining terrorism suspects and temporarily processing migrants. However, an official has denied that 30,000 beds are available, and said that the base lacks infrastructure for such a large influx. Meanwhile, the White House has rescinded a total funding freeze announced on 27 January, which had caused huge confusion. For an analysis of this decision, see

Donald Trump has linked a deadly mid-air collision in Washington DC to diversity hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under previous administrations. The crash, involving an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter, claimed 67 lives; there were no survivors. Trump criticised Joe Biden and Barack Obama for allegedly prioritising diversity initiatives over aviation safety, and accused the FAA of lowering hiring standards for air traffic controllers. He also claimed that under Biden, the FAA recruited individuals with ‘intellectual disabilities and psychiatric problems’. The crash has sparked debate over aviation hiring policies, with officials emphasising the need for a thorough, fact-based inquiry.

Donald Trump began his second term as president with a flurry of executive orders, overturning many Biden-era policies and solidifying his ‘America First’ agenda. These included reinstating the construction of the border wall with Mexico, withdrawing from the WHO (again), and reintroducing the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit capital crimes. He also abolished government-funded gender diversity programmes, stating that there are only men and women. Environmental policies were rolled back as he exited the Paris climate agreement and expanded fossil fuel drilling. He also pardoned over 1,600 individuals involved in the 2021 Capitol riot. Other actions included pausing foreign aid for ninety days, creating a department of government efficiency under Elon Musk, and extending the deadline for TikTok's compliance with ownership laws. Critics argue these orders fuel division, threaten democracy, and undermine progress on social and environmental issues. His swift actions underline his intent to shape policy decisively, even as legal and Congressional challenges loom.

In her sermon during the inaugural prayer service at Washington’s National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde spoke directly to Donald Trump and J D Vance. She challenged Trump’s recent executive orders, including policies affirming biological distinctions between men and women, trying to end birthright citizenship, and intensifying immigration measures. Speaking of immigrants' contributions and the fears of LGBTQ+ children, Budde called for mercy and compassion, emphasising Christian teachings of kindness to strangers. She concluded by urging Trump to alleviate the fears of children worried about deportations and show mercy to refugees fleeing persecution. Afterwards, Trump said he ‘didn't think it was a good service’, and one Republican congressman sarcastically suggested she be deported. The bishop is known for her past criticism of Trump, such as his controversial 2020 photo holding a Bible outside a church.

Winds in Los Angeles, which have exacerbated wildfires, were expected to intensify again on 15 January, but in fact weakened to much lighter gusts. At least 25 people have been killed and more than 12,000 structures destroyed in some of the worst fires in memory to engulf America's second biggest city. The two largest fires, Eaton and Palisades, are still burning after more than a week - and firefighting help has been sought from Mexico and Canada. Officials said there has been little to no fire growth in the last 24 hours, but stressed that unburned, dry fuel combined with low humidity could pose threats despite the decreased winds. While first responders are making progress putting out flames, evacuated residents will not be able to return to their neighborhoods for at least one more week, even for areas deemed safe. Around 82,400 Californians are under evacuation orders, according to Sheriff Robert Luna. He also said there have been 47 arrests related to looting and violations of evacuation orders.

Wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have reached the Hollywood Hills, forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate. Six different fires, fuelled by dry hurricane-force winds, have killed at least five people, burned thousands of acres, and destroyed hundreds of homes. The Sunset fire in Hollywood Hills, while relatively small at fifty acres, has disrupted the entertainment industry, threatening iconic landmarks like Sunset Boulevard. On the west side, the Palisades fire has consumed over 15,000 acres and devastated neighbourhoods. To the east, the Eaton fire has scorched over 10,000 acres and destroyed 1,000 structures. Economic losses to date are estimated at $50 billion. Firefighters are stretched thin; they have been reinforced by teams from other areas, and even by prison inmates. See

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as prime minister after nearly a decade in office, citing internal party disputes and his inability to remain the ‘best option’ for the next election. His decision follows the abrupt resignation in December of his deputy prime minister, who opposed his handling of Donald Trump’s proposed trade tariffs. Trudeau, once celebrated as a poster-boy for liberal politics, saw his popularity erode due to scandals, housing inflation, and divisive immigration policies. Notable achievements during his tenure include legalising recreational cannabis, passing assisted dying laws, and renegotiating the trade agreement with the USA. However, a blackface scandal in 2019 damaged his image, and subsequent elections saw his government reduced to a minority. Most recently, Trudeau admitted missteps in immigration targets and faced criticism for his permissive euthanasia policies. His declining approval proved insurmountable, marking a dramatic end to his political journey.