Saturday, January 31, 2026
Support for a Uniform Day of Rest (from The Heritage Foundation Special Report)
In order to demonstrate a fulfillment of prophecy before our eyes we directly focus on the part that mentions Sunday Rest of this exhaustive report.
Saving America by Saving the Family: A Foundation for the Next 250 Years
January 8, 2026 Over an hour read Download Report
Authors:Roger Severino, Jay Richards, PhD, Emma Waters, Delano Squires, Rachel Sheffield and Robert Rector
Summary
To end America’s family crisis, policymakers and civic leaders should treat restoring the family home as a matter of justice, driven by two truths. The first is that all children have a right to the affection and protection of the man and woman who created them. The second is that the ideal environment in which to exercise this right is in a loving and stable home with their married biological parents. In contrast, the default in American culture today is to put the desires of adults over the needs of children. Children are too often called to sacrifice what is due to them—the presence of their mom and dad under the same roof for the entirety of their childhood.
Key Takeaways
- The family is the foundation of civilization, and marriage—the committed union of one man and one woman—is its cornerstone. It is the seedbed of self-government.
- The question that will determine the course of America’s future is: What happens to a nation when its citizens largely stop having children and eschew marriage?
- The only way for America to thrive in the future is to rebuild the family—which can only happen with a societal commitment to revive the institution of marriage.
Day-of-rest laws limiting commercial activity are usually found in less densely populated counties, although restrictions on alcohol sales are more widespread. Though greatly diminished, blue laws persist in some form in close to 28 states.141
A uniform day of rest that limits commercial activity can provide temporal boundaries that help communities to set aside time for religious observance, family gatherings, outdoor activities, and rest. A stable base of research shows that these practices correlate with better mental health, stronger social bonds, and more stable family structures.142
With the advent of on-demand delivery, shopping can be shifted easily and conveniently to other days of the week. By restoring a common rhythm of rest and reflection, community rest laws could help to reverse the trend toward “spiritual homelessness” and foster the social habits necessary for communities to cohere and flourish.
Despite today’s on-demand culture, the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Sundays, most organized youth sports avoid Sunday competitions, and most banks are closed on Sundays. The ever-popular Chick-Fil-A chain closes its restaurants on Sundays for the benefit of its workers and their families. Where new, planned communities or transitioning communities form, they should consider adding rest days as part of their master plans for balanced and thriving community life.
Andrews University Invites Pro-WO One Project Speaker to Conduct Week of Prayer
January 26, 2026 NewsHound
In a rather odd move, Andrews University invites Kessia Bennett to conduct a Week of Prayer on January 26-31. Who is this?, you might ask.
- She is a former One Project speaker.
- A certificate of ordination was presented to Kessia Reyne Bennet by Ron Carlson, president of the Kansas/Nebraska Conference, on July 30, 2022 in the College View church. By accepting ordination against the will of the world church, she is part of the ‘WO rebellion’ in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
- After her ordination, she moved to Oregon, where recently ousted president Dan Linrud welcomed her as head pastor of Pleasant Valley SDA Church.
- She spoke in favor of ordaining women at the Loma Linda University Church on February 6, 2015. A female church member asked Randy Roberts if an opposing (biblical) viewpoint could be presented at the same church, later. Roberts would not allow it.
Inside the Mind of the Beast ~ Elder Bob Trefz
Jan 18, 2025
Inside the Mind of the Beast
Elder Bob Trefz (June 28, 2015)
Exposing and understanding the inner workings of The Beast in all religions, including inside the Seventh-day Adventist Corporate Organization. These inner workings within the Seventh-day Adventist Church include movements and influences like:
- Spiritual Formation
- NLP
- Jesuit Training in our Theological Seminary and Colleges
On the “March to Death”
The world, who act as though there were no God, absorbed in selfish pursuits, will soon experience sudden destruction, and shall not escape. Many continue in the careless gratification of self until they become so disgusted with life that they kill themselves. Dancing and carousing, drinking and smoking, indulging their animal passions, they go as an ox to the slaughter. Satan is working with all his art and enchantments to keep men marching blindly onward until the Lord arises out of His place to punish the inhabitants of earth for their iniquities, when the earth shall disclose her blood and no more cover her slain. The whole world appears to be in the march to death.—Manuscript 139, 1903.
Evangelism, E. G. White, p.26.
What does Isaiah 3:12 mean?
What does Isaiah 3:12 mean?
"¶ As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." - Isaiah 3:12
Isaiah 3:12 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a verse that reads, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." This verse is found in the book of Isaiah, which is a major prophetical book in the Old Testament. The verse is part of a larger passage in which Isaiah is delivering a message of judgment to the people of Judah.
This verse is a reflection of the moral and social decay that had taken hold of Judah at the time. The prophet laments the fact that the natural order of things has been disrupted, with children oppressing their elders and women ruling over the people. This was a direct result of the spiritual decline of the nation, as their leaders had led them astray and destroyed the way of their paths. The verse is a powerful condemnation of the corruption and moral decay that had taken hold of Judah, and a warning of the consequences that would follow if they did not repent and turn back to God.
One of the key themes of this verse is the idea of leadership and its impact on a society. The verse laments the fact that the leaders of Judah had failed in their duty to guide and protect the people, instead leading them astray and causing them to err. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of wise and righteous leadership, and the impact that it can have on the moral and spiritual health of a nation. It is a call to leaders to fulfill their responsibilities with integrity and righteousness, and a warning of the consequences of leadership that is corrupt or negligent.
Another important theme in this verse is the idea of the breakdown of the natural order. Children oppressing their elders and women ruling over the people are seen as symptoms of the moral and social decay that had taken hold of Judah. This is a reflection of the breakdown of the traditional family structure and the erosion of respect for authority and hierarchy. The verse serves as a warning of the consequences of such social disorder, and a call to return to the values and principles that uphold a healthy and flourishing society.
The context of this verse is also important to consider. Isaiah was a prophet who ministered during a time of great political and social upheaval in Judah. The nation was facing threats from outside powers, as well as internal corruption and moral decay. The message of judgment and warning that Isaiah delivers in this verse is part of a larger prophetic message that he delivered to the people of Judah, calling them to repentance and renewal. The verse is a reflection of the social and moral climate of the time, and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.
Symbolism in this verse can also be seen in the imagery of children oppressing their elders and women ruling over the people. These are seen as symbols of the breakdown of the natural order and the erosion of traditional values and authority. The image of children oppressing their elders reflects the disrespect for authority and the erosion of the traditional family structure. The image of women ruling over the people reflects the breakdown of the traditional male-led leadership structure. These symbols serve as a powerful warning of the consequences of social and moral decay, and a call to return to the values and principles that uphold a healthy and flourishing society.
In conclusion, Isaiah 3:12 in the King James Version of the Bible is a powerful verse that reflects the moral and social decay of the nation of Judah at the time. It serves as a warning of the consequences of corrupt leadership, the breakdown of the natural order, and the erosion of traditional values and authority. It is a call to repentance and renewal, and a reminder of the importance of wise and righteous leadership, and the impact it can have on the moral and spiritual health of a nation.
Friday, January 30, 2026
What to know about the partial government shutdown
January 31, 202612:01 AM ET
By
Lexie Schapitl
The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to meet a deadline of midnight on Friday to complete work on a spending package to prevent funding from running out across multiple federal departments.
While funding has technically expired, Congress appears within striking distance of breaking the impasse that has led funds to expire across large stretches of government, including the Department of Defense, the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.
On Friday, the Senate approved legislation to fund each of these remaining government agencies through the end of the fiscal year in September, while also agreeing to a two-week stopgap bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. That two-week continuing resolution is designed to allow lawmakers to negotiate reforms at the agency after federal immigration officers in Minnesota killed two U.S. citizens this month.
However, the legislation must now be approved by the House, which is on recess until Monday. President Trump has already endorsed the package, and lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote on it soon after their return to Washington.
By
Lexie Schapitl
 |
The U.S. Capitol is photographed on Jan. 27, 2026. Rahmat Gul/AP |
The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to meet a deadline of midnight on Friday to complete work on a spending package to prevent funding from running out across multiple federal departments.
While funding has technically expired, Congress appears within striking distance of breaking the impasse that has led funds to expire across large stretches of government, including the Department of Defense, the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.
On Friday, the Senate approved legislation to fund each of these remaining government agencies through the end of the fiscal year in September, while also agreeing to a two-week stopgap bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. That two-week continuing resolution is designed to allow lawmakers to negotiate reforms at the agency after federal immigration officers in Minnesota killed two U.S. citizens this month.
However, the legislation must now be approved by the House, which is on recess until Monday. President Trump has already endorsed the package, and lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote on it soon after their return to Washington.
Senate Democrats and White House Reach Deal to Avoid Shutdown
Published Jan. 29, 2026
Updated Jan. 30, 2026, 9:26 p.m. ET
What We’re Covering Today
Shutdown Talks
Jan. 29, 2026, 6:24 p.m. ET
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, and Democrats reached a spending deal Thursday evening with the White House and Republicans to keep the government funded. President Trump endorsed the deal with a message on social media.
What We’re Covering Today
- Shutdown Talks: Senate Democrats have struck a deal with Republicans and the White House to pass five spending bills to fund a large portion of the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, as well as a stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks while they continue negotiating guardrails to rein in immigration agents. It is unclear how quickly the House can and will process those funding bills after the Senate passes them. Read more ›
- ‘Melania’ Premiere: Mr. Trump is attending a screening of “Melania” at the Kennedy Center Thursday evening. The film follows his wife, Melania Trump, in the days leading up to his second inauguration. Amazon paid Ms. Trump’s production company $40 million for the film rights and is backing it with a $35 million marketing campaign. Read more ›
- Cabinet Meeting: Mr. Trump held his first cabinet meeting of the year, a more streamlined affair than past gatherings that he said had been “boring.” While a number of top advisers hailed administration policies on taxes and tariffs, some notable members of his cabinet did not speak at all, including Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary who has faced intense scrutiny over the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Read more ›
Shutdown Talks
Jan. 29, 2026, 6:24 p.m. ET
Reporting from Washington
President Trump endorsed a spending deal between Senate Democrats and Republicans that would stave off a government shutdown while lawmakers continue negotiating guardrails to rein in immigration agents.
“Hopefully, both Republicans and Democrats will give a very much needed Bipartisan “YES” Vote,” Trump wrote on social media.
President Trump endorsed a spending deal between Senate Democrats and Republicans that would stave off a government shutdown while lawmakers continue negotiating guardrails to rein in immigration agents.
“Hopefully, both Republicans and Democrats will give a very much needed Bipartisan “YES” Vote,” Trump wrote on social media.
The Coming Showdown: Trump’s Insurrection Act Gambit and America’s Final Tribal War
01/21/2026 // Mike Adams
Introduction: The Final Battle for America's Soul
According to insider reports, President Donald Trump is preparing to declare victory on November 5th and then immediately invoke the Insurrection Act upon taking office in January 2025. This will complete a political coup designed to trigger planned Leftist uprisings across major U.S. cities. The declaration will be used to authorize federal troops to engage in violent uprisings against political dissidents and non-citizens. Such a move is not mere political strategy; it represents the final battle in an American tribal war between two monstrous, irreconcilable systems of control, each seeking to impose its own form of tyranny over the people.
The American people are now trapped on a battlefield not of their own making. On one flank stands a Democrat faction that, as reported by NaturalNews.com, has shown it will use 'tyranny, censorship, and authoritarianism as weapons' and has taught conservatives 'to take no prisoners when the actual conflict begins' [1]. On the other flank stands a Republican faction, represented by Trump, that is reportedly preparing to use federal power to crush dissent. Caught in the middle are the people, whose constitutional rights and personal liberties are the first casualties in this final war for the nation's soul.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
As Trump pressures Iran with "armada," Mideast allies urge him not to strike
By Margaret Brennan,Olivia Gazis,
CBS News
Trump warns Iran that "time is running out" to reach a nuclear deal 02:30
As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News.
But at this point, the opportunity for direct diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran to discuss the regime's nuclear program and ballistic missile capacity has not gained traction, according to three regional officials who spoke with CBS News on condition of anonymity so they could speak freely.
Israeli military intelligence chief General Shlomi Binder was in Washington earlier this week for meetings at the Pentagon, CIA and White House, a source familiar with his plans told CBS News. Axios was first to confirm the Israeli visit — which had not been announced by the Trump administration. Separately, the Saudi Defense Minister is scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., this week for meetings, according to a source familiar with his schedule.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
A previous confrontation on Jan 13th when Alex Pretti scuffles with Fede...
Man who appears to be Alex Pretti filmed interacting with federal agents
Pastor in Mexico jailed, expelled for refusing to participate in Catholic ritual
By Edward Ross Jan 26, 2026 13:06 EST
Pastor Mariano Velasquez Martinez was expelled from his village in eastern Oaxaca state, Mexico in January 2026. Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Officials in a village in southern Mexico’s Oaxaca state detained for five days and then expelled a Protestant pastor for refusing to participate in Catholic church rituals, according to a U.K-based advocacy group.
In Santiago Malacatepec, San Juan Mazatlán Municipality in eastern Oaxaca, local Catholics on Jan. 15 ordered Pastor Mariano Velásquez Martínez to light candles, kneel and pray to an image of St. James as part of the village’s Roman Catholic festival, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported.
Pastor Velásquez Martínez had accepted a leadership position in the community on the understanding that he would be required only to provide candles and flowers for the Catholic festival, according to CSW. When he refused to kneel and pray to the image, a festival leader complained to village leaders.
“Ignoring the terms of the original agreement, the local authorities detained Pastor Velásquez Martínez for five days,” CSW stated. “He was then bound with a rope and taken before an assembly of about 180 men, where an announcement was made by the village authorities that he was to be expelled.”
Officials forced Pastor Velásquez Martínez to sign a document that forcibly displaced him from the community, the group reported.
“He was not provided with a copy and fears it will be used to fabricate the story that he left the community voluntarily,” CSW stated. “The pastor, his wife and 3-month-old baby are now residing temporarily with relatives in Oaxaca City.”
Pastor Velásquez Martínez has led the 25-member Iglesia Camino Nuevo y Vivo in Santiago Malacatepec since the forced displacement of its previous pastor in 2023, CSW reported.
The case follows passage of legislation in the Oaxaca State Congress in September against forced displacement that calls for prison sentences of 10 to 18 years for those found guilty, along with fines. Oaxaca is the fifth state to pass such a law, along with Chiapas, Guerrero, Sinaloa and Zacatecas.
“Local officials told CSW that they estimate that around half of cases of forced displacement in Oaxaca state can be linked to religious intolerance,” the group stated.
Porfirio Flores Zúñiga, an attorney and representative of the Fellowship of Pastors, called on the Oaxaca Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of Government of Oaxaca to apply the newly approved Forced Displacement Law in this case.
Flores Zúñiga filed a criminal complaint with the Attorney General of Oaxaca against Santiago Malacatepec officials Melquiades Castro and Andrés Retes, accusing them of arbitrary actions and abuse of authority, according to newspaper El Universal Oaxaca. The attorney also reportedly filed a complaint with the Defense of Human Rights of the People of Oaxaca (Defensoría de los Derechos Humanos del Pueblo de Oaxaca, DDHPO) seeking that it take action.
Authorities had taken no action as of Jan. 19, Flores Zúñiga said, leading him to comment to the newspaper that the state response is insufficient to handle cases of religious intolerance.
CSW’s Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said in a press statement that the arbitrary detention of Pastor Velásquez Martínez and the subsequent forced displacement of him and his family was unconscionable.
Officials in a village in southern Mexico’s Oaxaca state detained for five days and then expelled a Protestant pastor for refusing to participate in Catholic church rituals, according to a U.K-based advocacy group.
In Santiago Malacatepec, San Juan Mazatlán Municipality in eastern Oaxaca, local Catholics on Jan. 15 ordered Pastor Mariano Velásquez Martínez to light candles, kneel and pray to an image of St. James as part of the village’s Roman Catholic festival, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported.
Pastor Velásquez Martínez had accepted a leadership position in the community on the understanding that he would be required only to provide candles and flowers for the Catholic festival, according to CSW. When he refused to kneel and pray to the image, a festival leader complained to village leaders.
“Ignoring the terms of the original agreement, the local authorities detained Pastor Velásquez Martínez for five days,” CSW stated. “He was then bound with a rope and taken before an assembly of about 180 men, where an announcement was made by the village authorities that he was to be expelled.”
Officials forced Pastor Velásquez Martínez to sign a document that forcibly displaced him from the community, the group reported.
“He was not provided with a copy and fears it will be used to fabricate the story that he left the community voluntarily,” CSW stated. “The pastor, his wife and 3-month-old baby are now residing temporarily with relatives in Oaxaca City.”
Pastor Velásquez Martínez has led the 25-member Iglesia Camino Nuevo y Vivo in Santiago Malacatepec since the forced displacement of its previous pastor in 2023, CSW reported.
The case follows passage of legislation in the Oaxaca State Congress in September against forced displacement that calls for prison sentences of 10 to 18 years for those found guilty, along with fines. Oaxaca is the fifth state to pass such a law, along with Chiapas, Guerrero, Sinaloa and Zacatecas.
“Local officials told CSW that they estimate that around half of cases of forced displacement in Oaxaca state can be linked to religious intolerance,” the group stated.
Porfirio Flores Zúñiga, an attorney and representative of the Fellowship of Pastors, called on the Oaxaca Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of Government of Oaxaca to apply the newly approved Forced Displacement Law in this case.
Flores Zúñiga filed a criminal complaint with the Attorney General of Oaxaca against Santiago Malacatepec officials Melquiades Castro and Andrés Retes, accusing them of arbitrary actions and abuse of authority, according to newspaper El Universal Oaxaca. The attorney also reportedly filed a complaint with the Defense of Human Rights of the People of Oaxaca (Defensoría de los Derechos Humanos del Pueblo de Oaxaca, DDHPO) seeking that it take action.
Authorities had taken no action as of Jan. 19, Flores Zúñiga said, leading him to comment to the newspaper that the state response is insufficient to handle cases of religious intolerance.
CSW’s Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said in a press statement that the arbitrary detention of Pastor Velásquez Martínez and the subsequent forced displacement of him and his family was unconscionable.
David Steinberg: Tying up loose threads in the curious case (Ilhan Omar)
Posted on July 18, 2019 by Scott Johnson in Ilhan Omar
In four intensely reported investigative columns — here (August 13, 2018), here (October 23, 2018), here (October 30, 2018), and here (November 5, 2018), — David Steinberg has explored the evidence suggesting that Ilhan Omar entered into a sham marriage with her brother in 2009. This is his fifth. He titles it “Meet Leila Elmi: The Missing Link Showing Ilhan Omar Married Her Brother.” Drawing on his research, interviews, and social media evidence he makes the case that Omar has engaged in a variety of fraudulent activities and willful misrepresentations related to her marital arrangements. He writes:
On October 22, 2008, the U.S. State Department stopped accepting applications for the Priority 3/Refugee Family Reunification program — the process by which refugees can apply for asylum if one family member is already a legal U.S. resident. State halted the program because DNA testing — primarily of Somalis — had concluded that perhaps 87 percent of applicants were fraudulently claiming family relationships.
Despite continuing war, Somalia of 2008 was not comparable to the open hell of the early 1990s, when an eight-year-old Ilhan and her family fled to Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps. She lived there from 1991 until 1995, aged eight to 12. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services then helped Ilhan, her sister Sahra, and their father Nur Said receive asylum in the United States along with thousands of other Somalis.
The complicated moral question of fraud, let alone fault, among this 1990s wave of refugees escaping civil war will never be answered with accurate statistics. We will have to settle for adjectives like “widespread” and “rampant.” Yet the negative outcomes cannot be ignored. Even refugees with strong desire to assimilate with Western civic order are hampered by the possible discovery of conflicting documents. And compromising information becomes leverage in a community already difficult to police.
Twelve-year-old Ilhan had no say on the manner in which she arrived in the United States.
However, U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Abdullahi Omar (D-MN) is now under scrutiny for acts she took beginning in 2009 — not 1995. In 2009, Omar was a 26-year-old U.S. citizen. She had been a U.S. citizen for nearly nine years.
Additionally, the foreign national Omar apparently helped commit fraud was not fleeing hell in 2009, either. Ahmed Nur Said Elmi was a long-time citizen of the United Kingdom. He even possessed a high school diploma from the United States: Elmi attended a St. Paul, Minnesota high school for his senior year of 2002-2003, and graduated before returning to London.
We look to 1995 not to incriminate a kid, but to answer questions about what Omar did 14 years later as an adult U.S. citizen.
Please read the verified evidence below — and read it alongside the three years of verified evidence published by Scott Johnson, Preya Samsundar, and myself (our work is linked here). The answers to those questions about 2009 appear to give probable cause to investigate Omar for eight instances of perjury, immigration fraud, marriage fraud, up to eight years of state and federal tax fraud, two years of federal student loan fraud, and even bigamy.
To be clear: The facts describe perhaps the most extensive spree of illegal misconduct committed by a House member in American history.
———————-
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot...
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And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Remember Lot's wife.
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Luke 17:22-37.
Image (Wikipedia) Les Romains de la décadence, translated as Romans During the Decadence or Romans in the Decadence of the Empire is a painting by the French artist Thomas Couture.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
"Did Trump just cave to the Radical Left—or are we missing the bigger pi...
"Did Trump just cave to the Radical Left—or are we missing the bigger picture?"
"In today’s episode, Drew vents his frustration and asks the uncomfortable question: What does it matter if we beat our enemies abroad if we’re losing to leftists at home? Trump sends a carrier strike group toward Iran, pressures Canada’s Prime Minister Carney to rethink cozying up to China, and negotiates hard with NATO over Greenland—clear wins on the global stage.
But then comes Minneapolis. While Trump scores victories internationally, chaos and radical left ideology continue to dominate at home. Is this a strategic tradeoff—or a dangerous blind spot?"
...
Minnesota church ‘prayerfully considering’ lawsuit after Don Lemon, anti-ICE mob storm service
Fox And Friends
January 26, 2026
Cities Church's Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell and attorney Renee Carlson discuss the moment anti-ICE agitators stormed their Sunday service as they weigh potential legal action against the mob.
Mob destroys homes of Christian families who wouldn't renounce their faith: report
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Monday, January 26, 2026
Quick Summary
- Mob destroys homes of four Christian families in Maharashtra, India, after they refuse to renounce their faith.
- Attack follows repeated threats pressuring them to abandon Christianity.
- Displaced families remain without shelter in harsh winter conditions.
A cross is captured through some ornamental railings in the Fort Kochi area in the state of Kerala in South India. | Getty Images
A mob of Hindu nationalists demolished the homes of four Christian families in a village in India’s Maharashtra state after they refused to abandon their faith, amid a broader surge in violence against Christians across the country. The attack came after repeated threats warning the families to renounce Christianity or face consequences.
A group of about 20 people in Midapalli village, located in the Gadchiroli District, confronted six Christian families, totaling around 25 individuals, and issued an ultimatum, according to the United Kingdom-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
The mob returned the next day, on Jan. 12, and destroyed the homes of four families after they again refused to convert.
Two days later, the victims approached the Kavande Police Station to file a complaint. Police officers there reportedly threatened them instead of offering help, questioning their conversion as members of a tribal community.
A mob of Hindu nationalists demolished the homes of four Christian families in a village in India’s Maharashtra state after they refused to abandon their faith, amid a broader surge in violence against Christians across the country. The attack came after repeated threats warning the families to renounce Christianity or face consequences.
A group of about 20 people in Midapalli village, located in the Gadchiroli District, confronted six Christian families, totaling around 25 individuals, and issued an ultimatum, according to the United Kingdom-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
The mob returned the next day, on Jan. 12, and destroyed the homes of four families after they again refused to convert.
Two days later, the victims approached the Kavande Police Station to file a complaint. Police officers there reportedly threatened them instead of offering help, questioning their conversion as members of a tribal community.
When the Religious Right is Right, They are Right
January 26, 2026 Joey Carrion
My whole life, growing up in the Adventist Church, the prophetic-political paradigm that has been stressed in religious liberty weekends, Daniel and Revelation seminars, and in almost all sermons dealing with political and social issues is that the religious right is scheming (either explicitly or unknowingly) to bring about a Sunday Law, end religious liberty, and establish a theocracy in America.
All political causes associated with the religious right have been viewed with a side eye at best, or often regarded as a cynical ploy to bring about religious persecution on the back end.
This really started in earnest with the emergence of the Moral Majority, with figures like Jerry Falwell, that became a major leg of Ronald Reagan’s political coalition. All the talk of making America more Christian, having moral laws, and opposing militant secularism raised the hairs on the necks of many Adventists. This response came from a good place of wanting to safeguard religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
But, by being in opposition merely to a set of vibes, and not specific criticisms, I believe this attitude leads many Adventists to have a warped sense of the legitimate role of government and Christian’s political involvement.
What were we opposing in this emboldened religious right? Laws restricting access to abortion? Laws defining marriage as between one man and one woman? Law & order policies against crime and drugs? These were the bulk of concerns with modern society that prompted the Moral Majority to organize themselves, and these concerns were and are legitimate and within the realm of the civil government to act on.
Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) Minneapolis MN
On Monday Night, 1/26/2025, Minnesota State Patrol used LRAD on Mob at the Springhill Suites by Marriott/Residence Inn Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport/Mall of America.
A War Has Erupted On The Streets Of America,..
A War Has Erupted On The Streets Of America, And It Is Going To End With Martial Law In Major U.S. Cities
January 25th, 2026 8:44 PM
- We keep being told that the protesters are “peaceful”, but they aren’t peaceful at all.
- Of course there is no way that the Trump administration will back down and allow the left to claim victory. That is not the way that President Trump operates.
Image Credit: theeconomiccollapseblog.com
Chaos has erupted in the streets of major cities all over this country, and it appears that we have reached a boiling point which could cause events to completely spiral out of control. We knew that there was no way that the Trump administration was going to back down on immigration enforcement, and we knew that there was no way that the left was going to back down and allow ICE to conduct mass deportations without resistance. In fact, the left now has “response teams” that literally operate like military units in cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and New York City. So it was inevitable that we would see more violent confrontations, and now another protester has died. The left is promising to fight back harder than ever, and President Trump is seriously considering invoking the Insurrection Act. As both sides continue to raise the stakes, it is just a matter of time before this crisis ends with martial law in major U.S. cities.
Every time a protester dies, it is just going to make things even worse.
Following the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, enormous protests immediately erupted in Minneapolis, New York, Washington and Los Angeles…
Protests erupted in multiple U.S. cities after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive care unit nurse, during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, escalating tensions over immigration enforcement and prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand that federal officers leave Minnesota.
Chaos has erupted in the streets of major cities all over this country, and it appears that we have reached a boiling point which could cause events to completely spiral out of control. We knew that there was no way that the Trump administration was going to back down on immigration enforcement, and we knew that there was no way that the left was going to back down and allow ICE to conduct mass deportations without resistance. In fact, the left now has “response teams” that literally operate like military units in cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and New York City. So it was inevitable that we would see more violent confrontations, and now another protester has died. The left is promising to fight back harder than ever, and President Trump is seriously considering invoking the Insurrection Act. As both sides continue to raise the stakes, it is just a matter of time before this crisis ends with martial law in major U.S. cities.
Every time a protester dies, it is just going to make things even worse.
Following the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, enormous protests immediately erupted in Minneapolis, New York, Washington and Los Angeles…
Protests erupted in multiple U.S. cities after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive care unit nurse, during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis, escalating tensions over immigration enforcement and prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand that federal officers leave Minnesota.
Monday, January 26, 2026
CBP and Federal Agents Shoot Tear Gas, Flash Bangs and Disperse Riot as ...
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Protesters STORM Minnesota hotel in apparent hunt for ICE agents after Alex Pretti shooting
The Sun
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Sign Damaged at Hotel Suspected of Housing ICE Agents in Minneapolis
BG On The Scene
Amanda Koehler, Peggy Flanagan, Anita Smithson part of Minneapolis 'Anti‑ICE' Signal group? Claims surface online
Amanda Koehler, Peggy Flanagan, Anita Smithson part of Minneapolis 'Anti‑ICE' Signal group? Claims surface online
Several social media posts have circulated alleging the existence of a Signal group coordinating activities against federal agents.
Published on: Jan 26, 2026 4:07 AM IST
ByVaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation.
Pretti's death came weeks after poet Renee Nicole Good, also 37, was shot dead by a federal immigration officer in early January.
The deaths have sparked widespread protests and outrage in Minneapolis and beyond. Local leaders including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have publicly criticized the federal response.
Signal group?
Amid the unrest, a number of social media posts have circulated claiming the existence of a Signal group purportedly involving prominent Minneapolis residents and activists coordinating against federal agents.
Conservative commentator Cam Higby shared screenshots of an alleged group on X, saying he had "infiltrated organizational signal groups all around Minneapolis with the sole intention of tracking down federal agents and impeding/assaulting/and obstructing them."
He added, "Each area of the city has a signal or several signals. Let’s start with a screen recording of all members of the south side group to start."
Several social media posts have circulated alleging the existence of a Signal group coordinating activities against federal agents.
Published on: Jan 26, 2026 4:07 AM IST
ByVaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation.
Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. (AFP)
Pretti's death came weeks after poet Renee Nicole Good, also 37, was shot dead by a federal immigration officer in early January.
The deaths have sparked widespread protests and outrage in Minneapolis and beyond. Local leaders including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have publicly criticized the federal response.
Signal group?
Amid the unrest, a number of social media posts have circulated claiming the existence of a Signal group purportedly involving prominent Minneapolis residents and activists coordinating against federal agents.
Conservative commentator Cam Higby shared screenshots of an alleged group on X, saying he had "infiltrated organizational signal groups all around Minneapolis with the sole intention of tracking down federal agents and impeding/assaulting/and obstructing them."
He added, "Each area of the city has a signal or several signals. Let’s start with a screen recording of all members of the south side group to start."
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Colorado parents of man killed in Minneapolis urged him to be careful at ICE protests
Alex Jeffrey Pretti “loved this country, but he hated what people were doing to it,” his mother said
This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Michael Pretti via AP)
3:58 PM MST on Jan 24, 2026
The Colorado parents of a man killed Saturday morning by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis said they told their son recently to be careful when protesting.
Family members say Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good, who was originally from Colorado, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Jan. 7.
His parents, who live in Colorado, urged him to be cautious.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, told The Associated Press. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”
The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by an AP reporter.
His parents said their last conversation with their son was a couple days before his death. They talked about repairs he had done to the garage door of his home. The worker was a Latino man, and Alex said with all that was happening in Minneapolis he gave the man a $100 tip.
“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti said. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.”
As of Saturday evening, the family said they had still not heard from anyone at a federal law enforcement agency about their son’s death.
The Colorado parents of a man killed Saturday morning by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis said they told their son recently to be careful when protesting.
Family members say Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good, who was originally from Colorado, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Jan. 7.
His parents, who live in Colorado, urged him to be cautious.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, told The Associated Press. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”
The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by an AP reporter.
His parents said their last conversation with their son was a couple days before his death. They talked about repairs he had done to the garage door of his home. The worker was a Latino man, and Alex said with all that was happening in Minneapolis he gave the man a $100 tip.
“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti said. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests.”
As of Saturday evening, the family said they had still not heard from anyone at a federal law enforcement agency about their son’s death.
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC)
Website: www.miracmn.com/
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Type: Immigration Advocacy Organization
Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.
The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) is a left-of-center immigration organization that advocates for the legalization of all illegal immigrants, calls to end all raids and deportations, and seeks to end all laws restricting immigration. MIRAC calls the United States unjust, racist, and based on white supremacy, and seeks to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. The organization has also sided against Israel and called for divestment from the country.
Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.
The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) is a left-of-center immigration organization that advocates for the legalization of all illegal immigrants, calls to end all raids and deportations, and seeks to end all laws restricting immigration. MIRAC calls the United States unjust, racist, and based on white supremacy, and seeks to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. The organization has also sided against Israel and called for divestment from the country.
History
The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is a volunteer-based immigration advocacy organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1 MIRAC organizes groups that oppose U.S. border-enforcement policy, rally for citizenship for all, and seek to stop immigrant deportations. 1
Positions
The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee advocates for the legalization of all illegal immigrants, calls to end all immigration-enforcement raids and deportations, and wants all immigrants to receive legal recognition. 1 MIRAC calls the immigration system in the United States racist, unjust and white supremacist. 1 MIRAC states that the U.S. has taken part in imperialist wars and has an unjust economic system that are the roots of migration to the country. 1
Saturday, January 24, 2026
The Biology of Gender with Dr. Kerby Oberg, M.D., PhD.
A SERIES January 10 - February 21
January 24: The Biology of Gender
with Dr. Kerby Oberg, M.D., PhD.
Moderator: Barbara Orr-Willey
10:30: Opening Prayer, Announcements and Opening Liturgy
11:30 - Discussion
12:30 - Closing Liturgy
Many will continue the fellowship at a restaurant of their choice
Class website: www.sabbathseminars.org
Sabbath Morning 10:30-12:30
ZOOM CLASS CLICK HERE
(no password is required)
The evidence for gender diversity has always existed, but Dr. Oberg’s research reveals an incredible wealth of biological evidence for understanding the roots of gender identity. We also recommend the accessible and powerful 2017 sermon in which he is interviewed by his wife, Pastor Chris Oberg, in 2017. See also the excellent introduction by Spectrum.
Sermon Interviewing Dr. Oberg
Past presentations: click on “archive” at our class website:
Location: Room 3208, Centennial Complex
Loma Linda University
24760 Stewart St., Loma Linda, CA 92354
Parking is accessed from Campus Ave, north of Stewart St.
Sabbath Seminars at Loma Linda University Church - January 10 to February 14
Sabbath Seminars
Room 3208
Centennial Complex of Loma Linda University Sabbath Morning 10:30-12:30
HOME MISSION SCHEDULE ABOUT US ZOOM CLASS ARCHIVE CONTACT
LGBTQ+ GIVING
January 10 to February 14
Welcoming the LGBTQ+ Adventist
a series
Series Details
SCHEDULE
January 10 to February 14 - Welcoming the LGBTQ+ Adventist
Click HERE for series program details
January 10: UnClobber,
with Author Colby Martin
January 17: Mama Bears, the Movie*
Potluck
2:30: Second Showing in the Damazo Ampitheater
Friday, January 23, 2026
How Did We Miss The Sunday Law While Watching For It?
How Did We Miss The Sunday Law While Watching For It?
January 14, 2026 Joanna de Bruyn
By the end of this article, one question should remain: how did General Conference leadership concede ground on Sunday laws years ago, without the church noticing?
In mid-November 2025, Fulcrum7 reported that nine faithful SDAs sent a letter to the General Conference (GC) administration requesting a meeting by mid-December 2025 to discuss ending the church’s consultative status with the United Nations (UN).
This request was urgent, reflecting the seriousness of the times. Over the past five years, religious liberty has been steadily eroded, bringing the world to the edge of the enforcement of the universal Sunday law.
Many SDAs have been lulled into a false sense of security and do not see the importance or the urgent need to depart from the consultative relationship between the church and the UN. Many have been lulled into thinking that Sunday laws are off in the distance, and when that happens, then they will respond to the crises.
The reality is that in 1921 the League of Nations, through the International Labor Office (ILO), introduced a universal weekly rest convention (No. 14), which many member nations ratified. This weekly rest was to be observed according to the customs and traditions of each nation.[1] For a large percentage of countries, this resulted in Sunday becoming the mandated day of rest.[2] These conventions were later adopted by the United Nations when it was formed and it absorbed the ILO into its structure.
In 1957, the UN expanded this framework by passing another weekly rest convention (No. 106), extending the mandated rest to a wider range of occupations. This further strengthened the principle of a universal weekly rest across member states.[3]
Questionnaires sent to member nations in the 1920s and again in the 1950s revealed that many had already mandated Sunday rest. Enforcement often included fines or penalties for Sunday trade, such as requiring employers to pay higher wages or provide compensatory time off. In many countries, the rest period began on Saturday afternoon and continued through Sunday, with additional compensation required for any work performed during that time.[4],[5]
As recently as 2013, the ILO was advising member states on how to make Sunday rest more explicit in national legislation. It is clear that the international legal framework is already in place to implement a Sunday worship law.[6]
Laws alone are not enough; society must also be conditioned to accept not just Sunday rest laws, but Sunday worship laws. The past five years have shown that political powers, media, and social engineers can shape public opinion to the point where the majority will demand such laws if they believe it will bring peace, health, or moral improvement. As recent history shows (2020-2022), many were willing to comply with mandated experimental therapies to preserve social acceptance, personal security, and the appearance of loving their neighbour, even when they weren’t convinced of the health benefits.
The reader may ask, what about religious liberty? Won’t the Seventh-day Adventist Church administration manage to defend religious liberty?
International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity
2 Feb – 8 Feb 2026
Invitation Only
Launch of sixth phase of dialogue
Members of the International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity inaugurate their sixth phase of dialogue after a lengthy preparation period.
The gathering will be hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia and will be focusing, in its first stage, on drafting a joint statement to mark the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession in 2030.
The document, originally designed to reconcile differences within the 16th century church, has important implications for both Lutherans and Catholics today.
Cardinal Kurt Koch led a delegation from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity to the LWF Communion Office in Geneva on 14 January for a joint staff meeting with the two dialogue partners. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson
Languages:English, Deutsch
10 Days of Prayer 2026 The Unopened Gift: A Call to Spiritual Revival
10 Days of Prayer 2026
The Unopened Gift: A Call to Spiritual Revival
January 7, 2026
Andreas Mazza, EUDNews.
GC
In the quiet corners of our churches and the private spaces of our hearts, a profound paradox exists: we possess the promise of an infinite power that we rarely dare to activate. While we spend years analyzing the theological dimensions of the Holy Spirit, we often leave the gift itself wrapped and untouched on the shelf. The upcoming "Unleashed" initiative, a ten-day global call to prayer, seeks to change that narrative by moving believers from spiritual observation to active, Spirit-led revival.
The foundation of this movement rests on a simple but radical premise: prayer is the birthplace of the miraculous. History has shown that when the faithful seek God with singular focus, the results are tangible—healed relationships, renewed passion for service, and a complete transformation of the human heart. As ancient scripture promises in Ezekiel, only the Divine Spirit can perform the "spiritual heart transplant" necessary to replace a hardened spirit with one that is vibrant and new.
Multitudes pray for unity around the world
From quiet utterances to radio broadcasts, from video messages to joyous celebrations, multitudes of people in churches and communities across the globe are participating in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Available in:
Français
Deutsch
Español
Opening prayer service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 at Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal of the United Methodist Church on January 19, 2026. Photo: United Methodist Church in the Philippines
Deutsch
Español
Opening prayer service of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 at Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal of the United Methodist Church on January 19, 2026. Photo: United Methodist Church in the Philippines
22 January 2026
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In the Philippines, a message brought by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines described a unity that transcends denominational boundaries, liturgical preferences, and organizational structures. “Our unity is our strongest witness,” reads the message. “And so we pray: Lord, make us one, that the world, and the Filipino people, may believe.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs joined the National Council of Churches in the Philippines for celebrations that includes a series of services and fellowship events.
In the US, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA released a newsletter and daily videos. Releasing a new prayer daily via YouTube, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA invited all to participate in prayers offered by members of 37 communions. “May these prayers inspire us to walk faithfully in the call to be one body, united in love and purpose,” the council stated.
The Dominican Sisters of Peace—located across the US in about 22 states—used daily resources to draw people closer. “May we embrace our shared calling to live in Christ’s love and reflect His unity in a divided world,” they prayed.
In the UK and Ireland, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland organized celebrations, and distributed unique resources, including “Go and Do action points” from Christian Aid that were matched with daily reflections about the relief of poverty and advocacy of justice.
“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 extends an invitation to draw upon this shared Christian heritage and to reflect on our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide,” stated Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
The Primates of All Ireland, in a message, called Christians to deeper unity and active peace-making. They emphasised that the church, though diverse in culture and tradition, is called to live as one body in Christ, united by humility, patience, love, and the bond of peace. They called for “us to live lives worthy of our calling, with humility, gentleness, patience, and love.”
A BBC Radio 4 service brought the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to thousands of listeners. Musical worship included the singing of Psalm 133 and other hymns and anthems.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Unity means support, not inferiority
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026
Church
Church
During the week dedicated to praying for Christian unity, the director of the Ecumenical Department of the Mother of Holy Mary in the Armenian Apostolic Church speaks about how true unity means "there is no sense of inferiority."
By Augustine Asta and Kielce Gussie
One hundred and eighteen years ago, the founder of an Anglican religious community, who eventually entered the Catholic Church, introduced the practice of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Fr. Paul Wattson launched this initiative, which was blessed by Pope St. Pius X a year later.
For this 2026 edition of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the material was created by the Armenian Apostolic Church, together with local Churches in the country.
In an interview with Vatican News’ Augustine Asta, the director of the Ecumenical Department of the Mother of Holy Mary in the Armenian Apostolic Church, Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan, stressed how this is the time to “return to what is essential.”
Back to the basics
The essence of this week, Fr. Hambardzumyan noted, is “praying together and listening together to the word of God and remembering in general that we belong to one body of Christ.”
However, the director emphasized that this does not mean there is no room for diversity. Rather, it can contribute to unity.
For example, he looked at the Armenian and the various other Christian Churches, which have their own Christian identity “so immersed in their national background.”
Pope Leo XIV’s thanks to the volunteers of the Order of Malta, at the heart of the Jubilee of Hope
Photo-credit: © Vatican Media
14/01/2026
Pope Leo XIV received in the Paul VI Hall the representatives of the institutions and organizations that contributed to the realization of the Jubilee of Hope. Among them were nearly 1,000 volunteers of the Sovereign Order of Malta, led by Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz and engaged throughout the Holy Year in the medical posts of the four Major Basilicas.
With dedication and professionalism, they assisted millions of pilgrims who came to Rome from all over the world.
During the audience, the Pontiff wished to thank them for their service: “How much good there is in the world. You are the proof of how much good there is in the world!” This recognition gives value to a year of silent and generous work, carried out by the Order of Malta thanks to the contribution of more than 2,200 volunteers from about 30 countries. Each week, more than 35 volunteers were on duty, organized into eight teams made up of a doctor, a nurse or paramedic, and assistants, supported by the 90 regular volunteers of the St Peter’s Square First Aid Post. Thanks to their commitment, around 3,000 interventions were carried out, and the assistance offered to pilgrims ranged from basic medical care to the management of the most complex emergencies.
Source
Thursday, January 22, 2026
A woman who led a protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service has been arrested
Nekima Levy Armstrong holds up her fist after speaking at an anti-ICE rally for Martin Luther King Jr., Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Updated 10:11 AM EST, January 22, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A woman who led an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church has been arrested, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday.
Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X days after protesters during Sunday service entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor.
The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. Bondi
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” the attorney general wrote on X.
Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”
“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday. “When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renée Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”
Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church’s defense, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.
Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X days after protesters during Sunday service entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor.
The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. Bondi
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” the attorney general wrote on X.
Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”
“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” she said Tuesday. “When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renée Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”
Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church’s defense, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.
Minnesota Guardsmen told to wear reflective vests to distinguish them from ‘other agencies’
Minnesota National Guardsmen will wear reflective vests, so their members are not mistaken for state and federal agents.
Jeff Schogol
Published Jan 20, 2026 1:17 PM EST
Minnesota National Guardsmen will wear bright reflective vests so they won’t be confused with law enforcement agencies that wear military-style camouflage.
“Members of the Minnesota National Guard are serving in support of local law enforcement agencies and are not licensed peace officers,” said Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, a spokeswoman for the state’s National Guard. “These vests are being used to distinguish our members from those of other agencies, due to similar uniforms being worn.”
Minneapolis has seen daily protests against law enforcement since an agent with U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7. U.S. government officials have claimed that Good was trying to ram federal agents with her SUV.
The incident came amid an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis that began in December. There are currently thousands of agents with ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies deployed to Minneapolis.
Federal law enforcement agencies have been increasingly dressing in military-style garb over the years, and that can make it hard for civilians to tell the difference between the police and the military. Photos from Minneapolis show that U.S. Border Patrol and FBI agents have been wearing gear that closely resembles troops’ uniforms.
That appears to be why Minnesota National Guardsmen will wear reflective vests if activated “to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms,” a Jan. 17 post on the Minnesota National Guard’s Facebook page says.
The move is not targeted at any specific agency. Rather, it is meant to make sure that people do not mistake Minnesota National Guardsmen for state or federal agents wearing camouflage uniforms, a state official told Task & Purpose.
The Minnesota National Guard’s operations in Minneapolis have been limited so far.
Over the weekend, soldiers with the Minnesota National Guard’s 257th Military Police Company mobilized to help the state patrol troopers with “traffic support to protect life, preserve property, and support the rights of all Minnesotans to assemble peacefully,” Tsuchiya said.
Separately, President Donald Trump recently threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to send active-duty troops to Minneapolis to protect federal agents.
About 1,500 soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed to prepare to deploy orders in case they are needed in Minneapolis, a U.S. official said.
Jeff Schogol
Published Jan 20, 2026 1:17 PM EST
The Minnesota National Guard recently announced its members will wear reflective vests to distinguish them from other agencies. Minnesota National Guard photo.
Minnesota National Guardsmen will wear bright reflective vests so they won’t be confused with law enforcement agencies that wear military-style camouflage.
“Members of the Minnesota National Guard are serving in support of local law enforcement agencies and are not licensed peace officers,” said Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, a spokeswoman for the state’s National Guard. “These vests are being used to distinguish our members from those of other agencies, due to similar uniforms being worn.”
Minneapolis has seen daily protests against law enforcement since an agent with U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7. U.S. government officials have claimed that Good was trying to ram federal agents with her SUV.
The incident came amid an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis that began in December. There are currently thousands of agents with ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies deployed to Minneapolis.
Federal law enforcement agencies have been increasingly dressing in military-style garb over the years, and that can make it hard for civilians to tell the difference between the police and the military. Photos from Minneapolis show that U.S. Border Patrol and FBI agents have been wearing gear that closely resembles troops’ uniforms.
That appears to be why Minnesota National Guardsmen will wear reflective vests if activated “to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms,” a Jan. 17 post on the Minnesota National Guard’s Facebook page says.
The move is not targeted at any specific agency. Rather, it is meant to make sure that people do not mistake Minnesota National Guardsmen for state or federal agents wearing camouflage uniforms, a state official told Task & Purpose.
The Minnesota National Guard’s operations in Minneapolis have been limited so far.
Over the weekend, soldiers with the Minnesota National Guard’s 257th Military Police Company mobilized to help the state patrol troopers with “traffic support to protect life, preserve property, and support the rights of all Minnesotans to assemble peacefully,” Tsuchiya said.
Separately, President Donald Trump recently threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to send active-duty troops to Minneapolis to protect federal agents.
About 1,500 soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed to prepare to deploy orders in case they are needed in Minneapolis, a U.S. official said.
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