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February 14, 2025
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| More Than $100 Million in U.S. Foreign Aid Sent to Terror-Linked Organizations: Report |
| by Joshua Arnold |
| U.S. foreign aid programs have disbursed more than $100 million to terror-linked entities since 2007, according to a multi-year report released by the Middle East Forum (MEF) earlier this month. The lion's share (at least $152.9 million) came through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), although the U.S. State Department was also responsible for $11.6 million. The report comes as the Trump administration has sustained mounting criticism for its efforts to reform America's troubled foreign aid programs. |
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| Taxpayer-Funded News Story Blamed Christianity's Decline on President Trump: Report |
| by Ben Johnson |
| Should U.S. taxpayers have to pay for a "news" story that blames America's decades-long trend away from Christianity and churchgoing on an "allergic reaction" to conservative Christianity and President Donald Trump? That's one of the questions raised by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), whose office released its eighth annual report on government waste, "Federal Fumbles," on Wednesday. The annual report uncovered billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse across virtually every sector of government. |
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| Trump Begins Negotiations with Putin, Zelensky to End Ukraine War |
| by Dan Hart |
| Following his campaign promise to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump has moved forward with brokering negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war that Russian President Vladimir Putin started three years ago, signaling that Ukraine will likely have to give up territory seized by Moscow in a future peace deal. |
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| Outstanding - Ep. 176: Love, Marriage & Culture Wars: A Conversation with Dr. Jim Garlow |
| Podcast with Joseph Backholm and Jim Garlow |
| Dr. Jim Garlow, founder and CEO of Well Versed, joins Joseph Backholm to explore the biblical foundation of marriage. They unpack Genesis 1 and 2 and address the cultural decline in marriage and birth rates. He examines the spiritual and societal war on marriage, the church's shift away from its importance, and the disconnect between wanting marriage and being married. Tune in for insights on covenant marriage and how to pray for your spouse. |
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| UK Assisted Suicide Bill Faces More Questions |
| by Chuck Donovan |
| A debate of enormous implications is taking place in the United Kingdom over assisted suicide. Late last year, the British House of Commons voted 330-275 to move along what is known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, or the Leadbeater bill after the name of the Labour Party member of Parliament who is the measure's prime sponsor. In the British parliamentary system, a vote on the bill on its first readings does not suffice to pass it. Instead, it moves on to a committee stage in the Commons where public and expert testimony can be provided and the bill can be amended. That step is now in process, and suffice it to say, fresh questions and doubts have been raised about the legislation's scope and the quality of its safeguards. |
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| Terror-Linked Orgs Receive U.S. Foreign Aid Because USAID Fails to Vet Sub-Awardees |
| by Joshua Arnold |
| In a stunning report released earlier this month, the Middle East Forum (MEF) revealed that terror-linked organizations have received $164 million from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) - which provided the largest share ($152.9 million) - based on incomplete foreign aid data that dates back to 2007. According to MEF, numerous terror-linked organizations have obtained public funding through subawards on larger grants given to more established, mainstream organizations. |
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| More Schools Defy Trump EO Banning Men from Women's Sports |
| by Sarah Holliday |
| President Donald Trump did exactly what his voters wanted him to do when he signed an executive order that threatened to withhold federal funds from schools that allow biological men to compete in women and girls' sports. As part of this executive order, Trump warned that any school that violates this order will face consequences. Nevertheless, several schools have chosen to openly defy Trump's Title IX rule. |
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| 'Strike Two': DOJ Sues Second Sanctuary City |
| by S.A. McCarthy |
| Under new management, the U.S. Justice Department is taking legal action against one of the largest "sanctuary cities" in the country. Late Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is filing lawsuits against New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder (D) for illegally issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in the Empire State. |
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| After 'Wild' Push from Trans Activists, Massachusetts Town Becomes 'Transgender Sanctuary City' |
| by Sarah Holliday |
| The city of Worcester, located in Massachusetts, has officially voted to become a "transgender sanctuary city." Tuesday's vote was 9-2 in favor of establishing the new status of Massachusetts's second-largest city. |
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| Numerous Reports Show Immigration Crisis Sapping U.S. Economy |
| by S.A. McCarthy |
| Over the past several years, the illegal immigration crisis the U.S. has been grappling with has significantly impacted the nation's economy, both in terms of government spending and the national workforce. According to watchdog organization Open the Books, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) spent nearly $23 billion on grants benefiting migrants between 2020 and 2024. Those grants included "everything from help accessing Medicaid to help building credit, help with home and auto loans, and cash assistance," Open the Books reported. |
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| More than Romance: The True Meaning of Valentine's Day |
| by Molly Carman |
| For some, Valentine's Day is a fun excuse to dote on a spouse or loved one with roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped cards. But for others, Valentine's Day can be a lonely reminder of their lack of a romantic relationship. A cynical few believe Valentine's Day is just a marketing ploy - a made-up holiday that guilts you into spending money on someone. However, the historical origin of Valentine's Day had nothing to do with any of these things. |
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