This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The Christian communities in the West were once alive and thriving. For example, in the 1950s and early 60s, the world-famous Billy Graham crusades had an immense impact. Millions gathered and heard him speak, both in the largest stadiums in America as well as all over the world. It is said that in his lifetime, Graham has explained the Christian faith to more than two billion on earth.

Yet, something changed in the 1980s and 90s. Materialism, egoism, self-contentment, and complacency soured the once-so-genuinely Christian movements. Many Christians withdrew from engaging actively in "the non-Christian world," arguably reacting to the hostile atheist and Marxist push that increasingly defined the public narrative. The anti-Christian, hedonist development happening outside of the church congregations produced an isolationist attitude, believers now content to stay within the comfortable zone of likeminded peers.

The religious doctrine of "separating yourselves from the world," has sometimes been misinterpreted to legitimizing the Christians' right not to care about what happens in the world. Desensitized to other people's suffering, we grow cold and stop loving one another.

Many do not quite know what to say to a nonbeliever, apart from "Jesus loves you." When questioned, many simply recite Bible verses, yet are unable to link the reference to Scripture to current-day issues, as if reciting a history book. Modern protestant churches focus much on feelings and great music, but less on theology, apologetics and rationally explaining what is logically great about Christianity. Many miss the great theologians such as Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), who explained the faith so eloquently in works such as "The City of God" and "Confessions."

Christianity has an image problem, write David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons in "unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity … and Why It Matters." They ask: What do people think about Christians and why do these negative perceptions exist? They find, for one, that today's Christianity reflects a Church infatuated with itself.

Many Christians have lost touch with the outside world, living in a "cultural Christianity," that downplays the inner, spiritual life with its corresponding love for those who are outside the church buildings. It is more about how you are perceived by others in the group, and less about compassion with the outside world. This self-contented form of "Christianity" is often determined by a whole range of culturally determined rules not found in the Bible.

The critique is that many Christian communities enforce strict control, religious restrictions and prohibitions that are based on Christian cultural norms but have little real basis in genuine Christianity. These functions as a "Christian party whip," forcing young believers into an artificial "kindness" or "meekness" seeking to submit them to denominational leaders, who endlessly seek to maximize their personal ministry. These protestant movements are often characterized by strong leading religious figures who, remarkably, seldom make public statements outside of the church buildings. It is almost like they are hiding in church; we rarely see them in the public realm.

How are outsiders ever to find the spiritual reality of Christ, if Christians hide in their congregations, fearful of resistance, when one should have been out at dinner parties, in clubs, at the malls, wherever we all gather and apologetically defending the faith? Do these attitudes actually represent a whole new self-serving, man-made religion in which compassion and love for others is not required?

When was Jesus Christ a boring, weak individual filled with powerless anxiety, who sat silently on church benches, nodding uncritically to everything that was said? Jesus participated everywhere. He did not withdraw into retracted groups, isolated with his disciples. He was at the marketplace, in the Temple, at parties, in open discussions, all the time demonstrating the love of God towards the human race.

Thom and Joani Schultz point out in "Why Nobody Wants to Be Around Christians Anymore: And How 4 Acts of Love Will Make Your Faith Magnetic," that the institutionalized Church has forgotten its main message of love. "We do not go to Church, we are the Church," Schultz writes, the act of love does not show up beneath stained glass, but as every day, ordinary acts done to people you meet throughout the week.

Yet, Christianity was never about selfishness and personal comfortability. Saint Augustine wrote in "Confessions" that Christianity is all about loving others. Love has "the hands to help others, it has the feet that hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. This is what love looks like."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

JERUSALEM – Middle East/Israel Morning Brief

U.N.'s Albanese deflects blood libel, implies most Israelis are pro-genocide

The U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian Territories recently set a commenter on an X post of hers straight, when the individual claimed "Jews are capable of eating human flesh." She stated not all Jews should be blamed for Israel's actions, and said "Many, including Holocaust survivors, continue to rise against Israel's crimes against the Palestinians."

However, given her recent record, Albanese also couldn't help but subsequently accuse Israel of genocide with regard to its Gaza war, reported the Jerusalem Post.

Responding to an article in the far-left-wing Haaretz newspaper, in which an IDF reservist alleged his commanding officer deliberately broke the bones in a 4-year-old Palestinians boy's arms and legs with his bare hands, Albanese wrote "not only the Israeli army is ROTTEN to the core, but so are all governments that allow these sickening crimes to be normalized."

"No matter how few they are, we must not invisibilise the Israelis who stand against Occupation, Apartheid, Genocide," Albanese wrote. "May more of them join the anti-Apartheid struggle. Not living a lie and not being racist will be liberating."

U.S. provides Israel with $22 billion in military aid since Oct. 7

The United States has provided Israel with military aid totaling approximately $22 billion since Oct. 7, 2023, which the IDF has used for its operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria during the war, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and reported on Ynet.

According to the institute's data, between 2019 and 2023, the U.S. supplied about 69% of Israel's weapons, a figure that rose to 78% in the subsequent period. By December 2023, the U.S. had transferred more than 10,000 tons of weapons worth $2.4 billion to Israel, and this number jumped to 50,000 tons by August 2024, carried by hundreds of aircraft and ships.

The U.S. has provided Israel with a variety of advanced military equipment, including missiles for the Iron Dome system, precision-guided bombs, CH-53 heavy transport helicopters, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, 155mm artillery shells, bunker-penetrating bombs, and armored vehicles.

Trump again warns Hamas: 'Return the hostages, or else'

President-elect Donald Trump, who will become America's 47th president in fewer than three weeks, reiterated his warning to any Gazan Palestinian holding hostages to repatriate them before he takes office on Jan. 20.

Asked a question about the captives at a gala event at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump replied tersely, "We'll see what happens. A href=https://www.jns.org/they-better-let-the-hostages-go-soon-trump-warns/>They better let the hostages come back soon," reported the Jewish News Syndicate.

Trump's warning came as there seems to be an impasse regarding the number of hostages Hamas is prepared to release. In a ghoulish development, it wants to include the return of the dead as part of the deal, a demand to which Israel has refused to acquiesce.

Floridian charged with planning armed assault on local AIPAC office

The U.S. Justice Department charged a Gainesville, Florida, man with a count of stalking Monday for allegedly planning to attack an AIPAC office in Florida, according to the Jewish News Syndicate.

Family members told the FBI that Forrest Kendall Pemberton, who went missing from his Gainesville, Florida, home apparently with multiple firearms, appeared to have left a note stating that he would "close the loop," "stoke the flames" and say "goodbye" to his relatives, per an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint.

On Dec. 25, law enforcement arrested Pemberton after observing him get into a rideshare vehicle "with an apparent soft rifle case," per the affidavit. He gave the law enforcement officials three guns – an AR-15 rifle, a Luger pistol and a Galil rifle – and ammunition for the latter two, the affidavit added. (The third weapon is Israeli-made.)

Hamas fires rockets at Israel on New Year's Eve for second straight year

For the second New Year's Eve in a row, Hamas disturbed whatever seasonal reverie was taking place by firing rockets at Israel.

The terrorist rulers of Gaza took responsibility for the rockets, according to the Times of Israel, although this year's two projectiles were significantly smaller in both scale and scope than last year's barrage. Fears the Houthis would similarly use the occasion to fire a missile proved unfounded. The IDF reported the Iron Dome missile defense system destroyed one of the rockets, while the other was tracked as it fell in open ground.

Bars and pubs were packed, but at Tel Aviv's Habima Square, activists for the 100 hostages Hamas is still holding in Gaza lit a Hanukkah-themed candle display using the new year to call once again for a ceasefire and hostage deal.

IDF reservists urged not to post on social media after troops doxxed

We live in an age of social media where people record the events of their life in minute detail. However, a pro-Palestinian online group calling itself "Israel Genocide Tracker" is publishing troops' personal information on the internet.

Recent photos of soldiers lighting Hanukkah menorahs in Gaza mean that this issue has re-emerged.Soldiers have previously been warned about not sharing real-time photographs of operations, but this latest issue seems to include any image of an individual in an army uniform, even if it was posted by a family member.

And according to a Jerusalem Post op-ed, there are also legal ramifications. The Hind Rajab Foundation recently called for the arrest of three Nahal Brigade soldiers after they entered the Netherlands.

They were accused of war crimes based on allegations, many of which lacked specificity but were supported by photos and videos shared on social media

Other incidents include an Israeli reservist officer who had to flee Cyprus in November after videos he posted led to calls for his arrest. "They should be encouraged not to post because of the danger it poses," Moodrick-Even Khen said.

Israel warns Houthis they'll face same fate as Hamas, Hezbollah/b>

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon addressed that body's security council and warned the Houthis to cease their ballistic missile attacks on Israel … or suffer the consequences.

Danon stated that the Houthis risk the same "miserable fate" as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syrian President Bashar Assad if they continue their actions, according to the Media Line.

Danon's warning came hours before Israel's military announced it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, an attack that triggered air raid sirens across the country. Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, a senior Houthi leader, declared the group's intention to persist with its assaults, describing the missile strikes as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

"The pounding of the entity [Israel] continues, and the support to Gaza continues," al-Houthi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the interception.

Israel's population breaks 10 million barrier, more Israelis leaving country

Israel's population broke the 10 million people barrier as the country entered the new year. The total count was 10.027 million, which includes 7.7 million people who are registered as "Jewish" or "Other," which includes non-Arab Christians. The number of Arab Israelis is 2.1 million, according to the Times of Israel. Foreign nationals on extended stays were also included in the total, a category which has not previously been included.

The news of the population growth was tempered, however, by data which showed some 82,000 Israelis moved away from the Jewish state – also known as "yerida" in Hebrew – which literally means to go down. In 2023, the number of Israelis moving out of the country was 55,000, which was itself a significant increase from the decade previously when some 35,000 people per year on average moved away.

Population growth declined to 1.1% from 1.6 percent in 2023, largely due to the increased numbers of Israelis who left, the Central Bureau of Statistics says. According to the bureau, 23,800 Israelis returned home in 2024, and 32,800 new immigrants arrived, down some 15,000 from a year earlier.

Syria appoints first female Central Bank president/b>

Syria's interim government appointed longtime central bank official Maysaa Sabrine to lead the institution making her the first woman to do so in the bank's more than seven decade-history, reported Senator.

The former rebel militants now running the country have said they want to shift Syria to a free-market economy, but their goals will be near-impossible without the West removing sanctions, a Syrian economist told the New York Times.

At a time when every decision is being closely watched at home and abroad, Sabrine's appointment could bode well as a sign of inclusive governance, although there are many who do not believe de facto Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa's about-face.

French jets bomb ISIS fighters, positions in Syria

French warplanes carried out airstrikes against both Islamic State fighters and positions in Syria on Sunday, said the French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and reported on Reuters.

"On Sunday, French air forces carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State sites based on Syrian territory,"Lecornu wrote on social media platform X.

The French airstrike followed a similar military strike by the United States in Syria, which the U.S. said had killed two Islamic State operatives.

The French strikes were the first against Syria since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in early December.

'Activists' set fire to Israeli flag outside basketball arena ahead of game with Israeli team

Activists set fire to an Israeli flag outside the stadium where the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team is set to play Dreamland Gran Canaria tomorrow night, reported the Times of Israel.

According to the local Canarias Ahora site, the "Canarias Insumisa collective" says the flag was burned outside the venue in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands to protest Israel's actions in Gaza amid the war sparked by the Hamas terrorist group's Oct. 7 attack.

The Spanish group also asks local fans not to attend the game, and claims the Israeli supporters may try to provoke them. This seems a clear reference to the events in Amsterdam in November when Muslim immigrants to the Netherlands – mostly from North Africa and the Middle East – carried out a modern-day pogrom on Israeli fans who had come to watch their team participate in a soccer match.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Nik Wallenda, the American acrobat, aerialist, and high wire artist, is famous for his daring feats that have amazed millions around the world. Born Jan. 24, 1979, he is the great-grandson of Karl Wallenda, founder of the legendary Flying Wallendas.

On June 23, 2013, Wallenda became the first person to skywalk across the Grand Canyon. A two-inch-diameter steel cable was rigged 1,400 feet across a 1,500-foot-deep part of the Grand Canyon near the Little Colorado River Gorge in northwestern Arizona.

More than 23 million viewers in the United States, and millions more worldwide, watched as Wallenda did his nearly 23-minute skywalk without a harness, net, or safety tether while facing sudden wind gusts of up to 20 mph. Throughout the walk, he could be heard praising and thanking God. He uttered things like, "Thank you, Jesus," "Thank you, Lord," and "Thank you, God, for calming that cable."

In an interview with "The Christian Post" the day after the skywalk, Wallenda said he often talks to God while he is on the wire. He said, "I find that peaceful and relaxing, and He's the only one up there listening to me." Wallenda added that his faith in Jesus Christ plays a crucial role in what he does. He said, "My life is based on my faith. I guess the biggest role that it plays is that if I do fall and die, I know where I'm going."

While biblical David is not known for walking a high wire, he certainly did experience many trials and hardships in his life. As the author of half of the 150 psalms in the Bible's Book of Psalms, he often described them with great emotion.

David was chased from his home and became a fugitive of King Saul, who was seeking his life because he was jealous of his success and popularity (Psalm 18, 57, 59, 63, 142). He faced betrayal and constant danger of capture as he hid in the wilderness of Ziph (Psalm 54). David was at times surrounded by enemies threatening his destruction, causing him great distress (Psalm 18).

Not all of David's hardships came as a result of his interactions with Saul, but because of his own sins. When he was king of Israel, his adultery with Bathsheba started a cascade of severe repercussions and grief that continued throughout the remainder of his life and that of his family (2 Samuel 12:10-12).

King David's sin with Bathsheba led to her being pregnant with a son, to him murdering her husband Uriah, and the loss of their son (2 Samuel 11). Later, his son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, and her brother Absalom took revenge by murdering him (2 Samuel 13). After a brief exile, Absalom staged a coup d'état against his father David to take over the kingdom, causing him to flee Jerusalem. The attempted overthrow failed, resulting in the death of Absalom and thousands of soldiers, much to the grief of David (2 Samuel 15-18).

Another of David's sons born after Absalom with his fifth wife Haggith – Adonijah – tried to take the throne for himself. But his power play was defeated when David made his son with his eighth wife Bathsheba – Solomon – king of Israel. After David's death, Adonijah once again made a bid for the throne by seeking to marry one of David's concubines, and King Solomon had him executed (1 Kings 1-2).

Whether David's troubles came from the transgressions of others or his own, he never turned away from God. David trusted in God's mercy and repented when he sinned (Psalm 51; 1 Chronicles 21-22:1). Such was David's relationship with the Lord that He considered him to be a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).

Psalm 23 is one of David's most universally recognized and beloved psalms. Probably written late in his life, it expressed his deep trust in God as the Guider and Protector of his steps and the Provider of sustenance and all blessings.

Key to this psalm was the assurance of God's presence even through the darkest times of his life, dispelling fear and giving comfort.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (verse 4)

David continually praised and thanked God for His goodness and grace as he walked the tightrope of life, confident that the Lord would get him safely to the end of the line and welcome him into His home forever.

"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (verse 6)

While we can appreciate Nik Wallenda's skill on the high wire and his faith in Jesus Christ, all the more can we be inspired by David's faith in God as expressed in the psalms he composed – especially during hard times. From the heights of life to its lowest depths, they reach into every part of our lives. They give us hope and strengthen our faith in God.

We who believe in life and salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ receive His surefooted guidance as He leads us through the tight places of life to the place He has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1:24-25)

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

PALM BEACH, Florida – President-elect Donald Trump is now reacting to the "pure evil" in New Orleans after a pickup truck plowed through a crowd of New Year's celebrators early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens of others, with the driver, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a naturally born U.S. citizen from Texas, ultimately shot to death.

The Advocate reports a "source said Jabbar was carrying an ISIS flag in the truck, and authorities have said he was dressed in military gear." There are also reportedly other suspects involved.

He was also reportedly carrying a Glock and a rifle.

The truck had a Texas license plate, and it was reportedly tracked crossing America's southern border into Eagle Pass, Texas, two days prior to the attack.

Horrific footage from New Orleans what appears to be a terrorist attack.

A truck rammed through a crowd celebrating new year's & the attacker came out of it shooting.

The attacker has been neutralized.

It appears that there is a flag on the back of truck but it's covered up… pic.twitter.com/xTOHT6wz2T

— Kirk Lubimov (@KirkLubimov) January 1, 2025

"When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true," Trump began.

"The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.

"The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!"

Alex Jones of Infowars posted: "Fox News is reporting the New Orleans killer came through Eagle Pass, Texas 2 days ago. In the photo below the 'suspect' can be seen lying dead on the ground after being shot dead by police. The look of this guy shouts terrorist."

BREAKING

Fox News is reporting the New Orleans killer came through Eagle Pass, Texas 2 days ago. In the photo below the "suspect" can be seen lying dead on the ground after being shot dead by police. The look of this guy shouts terrorist. pic.twitter.com/S1JJlqLzzP

— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) January 1, 2025

"Shut the border down!!!" urged U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on X. "Who did our government bomb lately that is taking it out on innocent Americans?"

President Joe Biden also released a statement on the bloodshed: "I have been continually briefed since early this morning by federal law enforcement leadership and my homeland security team, including Secretary of Homeland Security Ali Mayorkas, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, and the Mayor of New Orleans regarding the horrific incident that occurred there overnight.

"The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism. I am grateful for the brave and swift response of local law enforcement in preventing even greater death and injury. I have directed my team to ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind.

"I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share. In the meantime, my heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities."

Still unclear is whether or not the attacker was driving the vehicle when it crossed the U.S. border.

LaToya Cantrell, mayor of New Orleans, declared the incident a "terrorist attack," and the FBI is now the lead agency investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.

Former FBI Special Agent Chris Swecker told Fox News Digital that New Orleans has "always been a problematic police department."

"This type of event is indeed predictable, and it is fundamental that you protect the highest concentration of people at the event. You have to question how a truck got through the perimeter. I can see a lone gunman getting through, it's hard to fathom a truck breaching that perimeter. I suspect they were protecting the perimeter with wooden barriers," Swecker said.

"I can guarantee you in Times Square last night they were protecting that perimeter with vehicles and solid objects. Security is a tough thing when you haven't had an event like this in your Venue in a while but the fact is this has happened twice in New Orleans since 2017," he added.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said: "A horrific act of violence took place on Bourbon Street earlier this morning."

"Please join Sharon and I in praying for all the victims and first responders on scene. I urge all near the scene to avoid the area."

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., also lamented the tragic incident, saying New Orleans "will rise again, stronger and more united."

"I commend the swift actions of the New Orleans Police Department and federal law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to neutralize the threat and secure the area. Their bravery and dedication prevented further loss of life. As we continue to learn more about this tragedy, including the motive behind such senseless violence, I am committed to working with local and federal authorities to ensure justice for the victims and to strengthen measures that safeguard our communities against acts of terror," he indicated.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A terror attack on New Orleans revelers early on New Year's Day cost at least 15 lives and injured dozens more, when the now-dead suspect, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, an Army veteran, drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, then jumped out and started shooting.

But there are concerns that the terrorism was more than an attack from a single violent criminal.

The Tampa Free Press reported an investigation was launched into whether Jabbar acted alone, because "improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been found near the scene in the French Quarter."

That's in addition to similar explosives found in Jabbar's truck.

"This remains an active investigation, and we are committed to uncovering the full details of this tragic incident," an official from the FBI said.

Bureau investigators already are confirming the attack as "an act of terrorism," but many of the details of the threats remain unconfirmed, including Jabbar's motives and whether he had a terror cell to help him.

.

According to the Washington Examiner, investigators are looking into reports of "multiple suspects" in the attack.

FBI spokeswoman Aletha Duncan said that the Jabbar vehicle weas rented from a car-sharing service, and an Islamic State flag was attached to it.

And Duncan confirmed two IEDs were found and "neutralized."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

There has been much talk throughout 2024 about the "two Americas." On Nov. 5, these two Americas faced off in what many pundits – forgetting, say, the election of 1860 – called the "most divisive election in American history."

This week I received your classic "holiday letter" from a long-time friend who resides in that other America, the one in which I don't reside. Before parsing this remarkable letter from Mrs. X, a description of those two Americas might be in order.

Although our understanding of the two Americas has evolved over time, Canadian Michael Ignatieff – writing in Prospect, Britain's leading current affairs publication – provides a reasonable summary of the post-election status quo as seen from the Left.

In the first America, Ignatieff generalizes, are "younger, city-dwelling, higher income, college-educated men and women, living either on the West or East Coasts."

He continues, "These people have feasted on the tech and AI boom, profited from the stock market rise and leveraged the credentials they earned in American universities to gain power in American government, media and corporations. These Americans still live the dream."

The "second America," Ignatieff writes, is "concentrated among older non-college educated white men living in small towns and rural areas in the south and the Midwest."

He adds, "It's an America that worries that its great days are past, that distrusts the elites on both coasts and fears that America's institutions are irrevocably corrupted."

Despite living in the Midwest, Mr. and Mrs. X are poster children for the First America. Affluent, well-educated, and well-traveled, they have – like their fellow progressives – "essentially endorsed the changes that have convulsed the country since the Sixties."

Endorsing those changes, however, has so estranged them from friends in the Second America that they no longer concern themselves with their friends' feelings. How else to explain a holiday letter to "Friends & Family" that begins as follows.

"Well, damn. I really thought the Holiday Letter in 2016 would be the darkest we would ever have to send. And yet here we are, eight years on, presumably eight years wiser, with eight more years of experience, and our country has gone and done it again. We have elected the rat a second time."

The rat? How, one wonders, did Mrs. X imagine the supporters of said rat would respond to such a hateful slur? I cannot have been the only rat voter to have received this letter.

Mrs. X continues, "We expect time will offer greater clarity about what happened – and what lies ahead. For now, we are trying to absorb that more than 77 million Americans became convinced to choose this path."

Ignatieff, writing from his own experience as a leading Canadian Liberal, explains at least part of the lesson Mr. and Mrs. X needs to absorb: "When liberal progressives translated the revolution of inclusion into affirmative action, speech codes, diversity and inclusion bureaucracies, when they sought to entrench the revolution in a bureaucracy of political correctness, the resentment at the inclusion revolution exploded."

On the personal level, as the holiday letter from Mrs. X reveals, the "inclusion revolution" has led to the exclusion of those who do not share the ever-evolving worldview of the X family.

A one-time moderate and a genuinely decent person, Mrs. X no longer hears what she is saying. She has listened instead to the Siren song of the woke, and followed it unthinkingly onto the shoals of bad ideas and even worse manners.

In my experience, women – especially women of means – have proved particularly vulnerable to this mind-spinning, mass-formation psychosis.

But men are not immune. Mr. X, we are told, 'worked very hard on the Harris/Walz campaign" and is now "exploring several new avenues to get involved in saving our democracy going forward."

This effort on the part of Mr. X to save "our democracy" calls to mind a memorable encounter in June 2024 between a hard-core, Second America MAGA couple and a smarmy First America CNN reporter.

The mocking headline sums it up: "These Trump supporters say America isn't a democracy. And they're okay with it." The headline implies that the Trump supporters welcome America's impending slide to fascism.

What the MAGA people actually – and correctly – said was that America is a republic, not a democracy. On the right this is common knowledge. On CNN, this came as news.

Despite having less formal education than liberals on average, conservatives score better in every political knowledge survey that I have seen.

Were there a humility test, conservatives would score better on that as well. They do not presume others should think – and feel – a certain way, simply because they do.

The truth is there are no two Americas. The holiday letter from Mrs. X shows her to be closer in life-style to those in MAGA America than to those in the alternative world of the woke.

Mrs. X loves her husband of long standing, her two children, and her two grandchildren, and they appear to love her in turn. She is a person of faith and a civic do-gooder.

To understand those other 77 million people with the same dreams and aspirations and ambitions – inside joke – Mrs. X just needs to have her bubble popped.

Happy New Year to all!

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

JERUSALEM – An Israeli organization, which is committed to restoring Jewish rights in the ancient biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria warned on Wednesday the Palestinian Authority is encouraging Palestinians in the area to continue building on Israel's state-owned land.

Regavim, one of whose three founders was current Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (although he is no longer involved), sees its mission as highlighting the numerous infractions of Palestinian construction companies and private Palestinians from building on land, which even according to the Oslo Accords, belongs to the State of Israel.

The group's latest complaint regards the establishment of permanent structures such as villas and a luxurious resort complex near to near the archaeological site of the 'Hasmonean Palaces' in Area C. Land assigned with this designation is for Israel's sole use, in the same way Area A, is supposed to be exclusively under the administration – including civil – of the Palestinian Authority.

"The archaeological site, located in the western Jericho Valley near Nachal Prat (Wadi Qelt), dates back to the Second Temple period and is of unparalleled historical and scientific significance. Among the unique elements of the site, which encompasses the winter palaces of the Hasmonean royal family, are an ancient synagogue, ritual baths, and the best luxury amenities the ancient world had to offer," according to a Regavim statement.

For years there have been twin issues of Palestinians attempting to erase several millennia of evidence of the Israelite and Jewish presence in the Land of Israel, while also simultaneously building on land, which does not belong to them.

At the site now stands an illegal Palestinian holiday resort – complete with an events compound, a swimming pool, and high-end guest rooms. The site has popular accounts on social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where it invites guests to book events or vacations.

Regavim said it, and the Binyamin Regional Council, had received numerous complaints about the structure over the preceding few years. Some concrete fences were successfully removed, and individual structures demolished, however, construction has seemingly unhindered has continued to expand, only meters away from the priceless archaeological remains, effectively blocking access to the site.

Israel Ganz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council said: "The Palestinian Authority encourages and orchestrates Arab annexation of Area C – using methods that are trampling and destroying magnificent, unique heritage sites, the physical record of history that is a cultural and scientific asset of the Jewish people and the entire world. The Civil Administration must enforce the law more rigorously and put an end to this travesty. It is inconceivable that the Jewish people abandon their national historical property in this way. We must re-establish our presence here, settle and stay here forever."

Moshe Shmueli, Regavim's field coordinator, said: "As we celebrate Hanukkah, this might be the last opportunity to remind ourselves and the world of the grave threat of extinction facing the Hasmonean Palaces, just before ancient history is erased forever. Live on TikTok videos, unashamedly, our unprotected, abandoned national assets – both land and cultural treasures – are being wiped out. The Palestinian takeover is a ruthless, systematic plan that is being marketed as a dream vacation. We must not abandon this strategic area that guards the eastern front of the state."

Regavim's ongoing efforts to protect the Hasmonean Fortresses near Jericho began in 2019, when the Hasmonean necropolis at the site – the largest of its kind in the world – was devastated by PA-approved work.

It is not entirely true to say the government's attention has been diverted away from this arena by the multiple front war the country is still currently engaged in, because this apparently wanton disregard for thousands of years of history has been a feature of successive Israeli administrations.

As for the Palestinian Authority, it joins the list of organizations, including the Jordanian-run Waqf, which administers the Temple Mount, attempting to erase the fact of Jewish connection to the land through archaeological piracy.

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

One person was killed when a Tesla Cybertruck exploded directly in front of Trump International Hotel near the north end of the Las Vegas Strip Wednesday morning, and the incident is now being probed as a potential act of terrorism.

Video from numerous angles reveals the severity of the explosion and subsequent fire.

Fox News confirmed the blast is being investigated as a potential act of terror.

Elon Musk of Tesla said: "We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself.

"All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion."

KSNV-TV in Las Vegas reports: "A vehicle fire was first reported around 8:40 a.m. in the valet area of the hotel, Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters.

"A Cybertruck pulled up to the front to the entrance when smoke started showing and there was an explosion.

"One person inside the vehicle was killed, according to McMahill. Authorities have not identified that person.

"Seven people suffered minor injuries as a result of the explosion, the sheriff added. Two of those people were taken to a hospital for treatment, according to Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Tommy Touchstone.

"There does not appear to be any further threat to the public, but McMahill acknowledged that because of the suspected terror attack in New Orleans, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police were taking precautions to check for anything else.

"It's still unclear what led to the explosion.

"Jeremy N. Schwartz, acting special agent in charge for the FBI's field office in Las Vegas, said agents are helping with the investigation but they did not have many answers as of yet."

Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, said: "Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas.

"The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism."

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo indicated his office is coordinating with Las Vegas police and partner agencies on the response, and said, "we will continue to ensure they have all necessary resources available."

 

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

The first details of the New Year's terror attack in New Orleans are beginning to emerge now that the suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an American man living in Texas.

One victim is 18-year-old Nikyra Cheyenne Dedeaux, who sneaked out to New Orleans on Tuesday from Gulfport, Mississippi, along with her cousin and a friend, 18-year-old Zion Parsons, to celebrate the New Year on Bourbon Street.

She was one of at least 15 fatalities after Jabbar drove a pickup truck down the French Quarter Street in an act of terrorism.

"I just want to see my baby," Nikyra's mother Melissa Dedeaux, 40, told Nola.com. "She was the sweetest person. She would give you anything, anything."

"As a mother, when my niece and [Parsons] said they covered her with a sheet, I just knew that was it for my daughter," Melissa Dedeaux said.

Known to her family as "Cheyenne," she was the third oldest of Melissa Dedeaux's six children.

"She was my favorite," Melissa Dedeaux indicated. "She was my child."

A 2024 graduate of Harrison Central High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, Cheyenne was following in her mother's footsteps and was set to begin a nursing program at Blue Cliff College on Jan. 13.

"Cheyenne was a very smart and outgoing girl," Melissa Dedeaux said. "She's never gotten into any trouble."

"If she wasn't at work, she was sleeping or getting together with her girls. She always had carloads of friends," she continued.

"I didn't even know she came over here," Melissa Dedeaux said. "No matter how good you are, how sweet you are, you can be the one that's buried. Things like this can happen."

Another victim of the terror attack is 37-year-old Reggie Hunter, a Baton Rouge father of two who reportedly decided on a whim to head to New Orleans for New Year's Eve.

"They decided to go out there because he came in from work and said, 'Hey, the Sugar Bowl is tomorrow. It's New Year's Eve. Let's go to the city," said his first cousin Shirell Jackson, who was also struck by the pickup, according to Nola.com.

"Just something so simple. Hey cuz, had, wanna ride me to the city?"

Hunter worked as a warehouse manager for the past six years, and reportedly took pride in his 12-year-old son's academic accomplishments in the STEM field and in his 18-month old son.

Hunter also loved working out with his family and friends.

"He wanted to be in the gym with his homeboys and cousins," Jackson said. "And he said, 'I'm getting swole. I said, 'Where? You are so little.'"

"He was the city slicker. The tennis shoes have to match the hat," she said.

She and other relatives never expected this past Christmas to be their last family gathering with Hunter.

"You are praying for a prosperous year in 2025," Jackson said. "And never do you think this is the news you are going to get."

This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

A first-grader in Wyoming is being credited with saving his diabetic grandmother's life after he got up in the morning and she was unresponsive, so he got himself dressed, went to school, and reported to teachers what had happened at home.

Medical personnel responded to the home and the grandmother reportedly was fine after treatment.

It is the Cowboy State Daily that documented the heroics of Mason Rasmussen, for whom Kimberly Gibson has guardianship.

Earlier this month, he woke to his grandmother's alarm but found Gibson on the floor of her room.

She hadn't died, but was unconscious from low blood sugar, the report explained of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, woman.

When a second alarm, indicating it was time to catch the school bus, sounded, Mason dressed and went to school.