Displaying items by tag: USA

In his first address since withdrawing from his re-election bid, President Joe Biden called on Americans to "preserve our democracy" and emphasized the need for "new voices, fresh voices, and younger voices." Speaking from behind the presidential desk, Biden invoked historical figures like Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin, underscoring the nation's inflection point and the power held by its citizens. Biden acknowledged his decision to step aside, citing the personal sacrifice it entailed and stressing that nothing should come before saving democracy, including his ambitions. He emphasized passing the torch to a new generation and framed his struggles as strengths, reflecting on his journey from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by family, including his son Hunter, daughter Ashley, and First Lady Jill Biden, he addressed the softening of his voice and the legacy of his presidency. Without mentioning Donald Trump, he highlighted the threat to democracy and praised Vice President Kamala Harris. He concluded with a call to action, urging unity to preserve democracy, and received a minute-long applause from those present.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech to a joint session of the US Congress, lauding American support for Israel’s war in Gaza while offering little on ceasefire negotiations. He emphasized that Israel's fight against its enemies is also America’s fight, as House and Senate Republicans applauded. Meanwhile, the speech was boycotted by dozens of Democratic lawmakers and protested by thousands outside the Capitol, leading to police using pepper spray. Netanyahu's address, which did not provide new details on negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas, focused on a "total victory" approach. Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza and denied blocking food aid. He called on the US to expedite military aid to Israel, praising both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for their support. Democratic lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi and Bernie Sanders, criticized Netanyahu's address, with Pelosi condemning the lack of emphasis on a ceasefire. The speech follows a significant conflict between Israel and Hamas, with ongoing efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Biden and Netanyahu are set to discuss these issues further in an upcoming meeting.

Two days after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt, he was formally adopted by the Republican party as its nominee for the US presidential election in November. He has chosen JD Vance, a 39-year-old former venture capitalist and Ohio senator, as his running mate. Vance, who came to prominence in 2016 when he published an autobiography entitled ‘Hillbilly Elegy’, at that time compared Trump to Hitler and called him an ‘idiot’. However, since then he has become a steadfast supporter, even attending court to support Trump at his hush money trial. He has blamed Joe Biden for the assassination attempt, citing Biden’s rhetoric against Trump as a contributing factor.

The US government has blocked a British court hearing on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), citing security concerns. The hearing was to address the alleged unlawful detention of migrants on Diego Garcia, a highly secretive UK-US military base. Dozens of migrants had landed on the island in 2021, claiming that they were fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in Canada, but their boat had run into difficulties: they have been detained since then. On 9 July, the day before the hearing was due to start, the USA withdrew consent for lawyers and the BBC to access the island and refused to provide transport and accommodation, claiming that their visit posed ‘risks to the security and effective operation’ of the base. The cancellation is a severe setback for the migrants, who sought to demonstrate their detention conditions.

Ariana Cossie grew up helping her single father raise her siblings, excelling in school and church activities. Her life drastically changed in 2019 when her mother was murdered, causing her immense grief. She struggled with mental health issues, and even contemplated suicide while at university. However, successive personal tragedies drew her closer to Jesus, leading her to a deeper spiritual journey. After going viral in 2023 with a video as The Home Depot girl, she rejected critics who said she was too pretty to be working for a department store and advised her to make millions by opening a porn account. Her refusal to sell her body and soul generated a backlash, and she had to quit Home Depot - but she has now returned with a renewed mission to share her faith. She now actively proclaims her love for Jesus, aiming to spread light and love in a world she believes needs God.

The Supreme Court has returned Donald Trump's claim of immunity from prosecution for his actions while president to a lower court. Trump faces charges related to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the Capitol riots in January 2021. The court ruled 6-3 that former presidents have absolute immunity for official acts but not for unofficial acts. Lower courts must now decide if his actions were official or private. Trump celebrated the decision, while the three dissenting judges expressed dismay because it seems to undermine the principle that no one is above the law. One of them called the decision ‘absurd and dangerous’. The ruling delays Trump's trial, which had originally been scheduled for 4 March; it is now unlikely to conclude before the November election. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty, still faces three other indictments.

Joe Biden, who is 81, has attributed his poor performance in his first presidential debate with Donald Trump to travel exhaustion, joking that he ‘nearly fell asleep’ on stage. He has admitted he wasn't very smart for travelling extensively, going ‘around the world a couple of times’ and crossing numerous time zones, not long before the debate in Atlanta. He acknowledged he didn't have his best night, despite spending six days at Camp David preparing. In contrast,Trump, 78, appeared vigorous, although he repeated a number of what critics have said are false claims. Some prominent Democrats, alarmed at Biden’s showing, are urging him to withdraw from the 2024 race in order to prevent a Trump victory. Although he has said, ‘I’m not leaving’, speculation is mounting that this is a possibility: see

Jennie Allen has witnessed a remarkable revival among young people, particularly on college campuses across America. Speaking at various universities, she has seen Generation Z’s growing interest in faith and the Bible. 'It is so real’, Allen says. 'They actually are hungry for God. It’s been the most beautiful thing.' She described how college-age audiences eagerly respond to her Gospel messages, sometimes resulting in impromptu baptisms in pick-up trucks or local creeks. Allen first noticed this intense hunger in 2018 at Texas A&M, where students responded passionately to her talk about sin. 'They were willing to be honest; they wanted God’, she said, emphasising their genuine interest. This revival has deeply impacted Allen, strengthening her focus on ministering to young people with the Bible’s message of grace and redemption. She is committed to her mission, saying, 'I want to serve God, and I want to serve them well, and I don’t want to hold back.'

Many Hondurans are celebrating what they see as a rare instance of accountability for corruption among the nation's ruling class. Juan Orlando Hernandez, the country’s former president, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being convicted on drug and weapons charges. He had been found guilty by a Manhattan jury in March of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to protect cocaine shipments destined for the USA, despite his public stance against drug trafficking. Hernandez, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, maintained his innocence at the sentencing, claiming he was wrongfully accused. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, arguing that his actions facilitated large-scale drug trafficking and associated violence. They said he had used drug money to bribe officials and manipulate election results in 2013 and 2017. His brother, Tony Hernandez, was also sentenced to life in prison in 2021 on drug charges.

A viral video shows a pastor, Ed Newton, pausing mid-sermon to engage with Anthony, a homeless man who interrupted with expletives to compliment Newton's shoes. Surprised, Newton gently addressed him, emphasising the need for respect due to the children present. Anthony then revealed he had been suicidal that morning before Michael, a church attendee, brought him to the service, saving his life. Deeply moved, the congregation raised $5,000 for Anthony. This remarkable act of kindness resulted in 35 people deciding to accept Christ that day. Newton and the church continue to support Anthony, including arranging medical help; they hope this incident will inspire believers to remember God's love for everyone. The interaction demonstrates how one act of kindness can change lives and inspire a community.