THREAD: oklahoma city religious

AMERICANS CHARGED in Congo Coup Attempt: Shocking Details Revealed

10 April 2025 — Three AMERICANS face charges for their role in a coup attempt to overthrow Congo’s government, says the U.S. Justice Department. They were initially sentenced to death in Congo but had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment before being sent back to the U.S. A fourth person, an explosives expert, is also charged for his involvement.

The failed coup last year was led by opposition figure Christian Malanga and resulted in six deaths. Among those charged is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of the deceased leader of the coup attempt. His father livestreamed from the presidential palace during the attack and was killed while resisting arrest.

The charges come from an FBI investigation that uncovered plans by these men to supply weapons and explosives to a rebel army aiming to topple Congo’s government. Their return aligns with Congolese talks about a minerals deal with America, seeking security help against rebels in eastern Congo.

“DEVASTATING Tornadoes UNLEASH Havoc Across the Midwest”

03 April 2025 — Danny Qualls stood in the ruins of his family farm in northeast Arkansas, witnessing the aftermath of destructive tornadoes. The storms flattened his childhood home, leaving a trail of devastation from Oklahoma to Indiana. Unfortunately, more storms are on the way, bringing heavy rains and flash floods across the Midwest.

Rhonda Qualls described her husband’s emotional struggle after the disaster. “He was in shock last night, cried himself to sleep,” she said. Despite their grief, they must now focus on recovery efforts.

The initial wave of tornadoes claimed at least six lives in Tennessee, Missouri, and Indiana. One particularly powerful tornado hurled debris nearly five miles into the air above Arkansas, showing its fierce strength.

HONG KONG Artist’S Paintings Capture City’S Bold Transformation

28 March 2025 — Hong Kong artist Chow Chun-fai’s latest works at Art Basel capture the pivotal night in 1997 when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. This event marked the end of British colonialism and the start of a new era under China. Since 2020, China’s national security law has stifled dissent, prompting many to emigrate.

Chow chose to stay in Hong Kong, continuing to document its evolving identity through art. His paintings at Art Basel revisit memories from the late 1990s and early 2000s, highlighting a time when Hong Kong was vibrant and open. “We are living through such a momentous time ourselves now,” Chow stated ahead of the exhibition.

Chow is known for his creative reinterpretations of classic movie scenes that provoke reflection on Hong Kong’s history and identity. He also gained attention for running against pro-establishment candidates in past elections, though he did not win.

His Art Basel pieces focus on significant news events like the 1997 handover and China’s rise as an Olympic host nation in 2008, drawing inspiration from stories covered by former journalist Sharon Cheung. These works underscore Chow’s commitment to capturing his city’s complex narrative amid political changes.

ICE ARRESTS Haitian Immigrant: Sanctuary City Policies Under Fire

05 February 2025 — A Haitian national, charged with a sex crime, was arrested by ICE after Boston’s sanctuary city policies initially ignored a detainer against him. The man, named Ovilme, entered the U.S. legally in November 2023 but later broke the terms of his stay. ICE detained him following his court appearance in Boston.

Immigration officials are criticizing sanctuary city policies for making it harder to handle illegal immigrants involved in crimes. They say these policies block justice and harm public safety efforts.

An ICE spokesperson stressed the need to ensure justice for crime victims, no matter their immigration status. They emphasized that obstructing law enforcement only endangers communities more and undermines trust in the system.

LONDON KNIFE Attack: Fear Grips City as Safety Concerns Soar

01 February 2025 — A recent knife attack in London has ignited serious safety concerns among residents. Initial reports indicate multiple injuries, creating a chaotic scene that witnesses found alarming. Calls for increased police presence in violence-prone areas have intensified.

Authorities are investigating the incident while local council officials express alarm over rising knife crime trends in the city. This attack fuels ongoing discussions about public safety and effective anti-violence measures in urban settings.

Community leaders and advocacy groups urge more preventive actions and timely law enforcement responses to stop future incidents. The situation highlights the need for decisive action to ensure citizen safety.

For further updates, visit LONDON KNIFE Attack(https://lifeline.news/fast-news?news=london-knife-attack-2025-01-31).

CHAOS in Congo: M23 REBELS Seize City, Thousands Flee

28 January 2025 — Thousands are fleeing Goma as M23 rebels claim control of the strategic city in eastern Congo. Supported by Rwanda, these rebels have intensified their attacks, creating chaos and a humanitarian crisis. Civilians are desperately seeking safety amid the violence.

The M23 rebellion reignited in late 2022 and has periodically escalated, with previous claims over Goma sparking international concern. Humanitarian organizations warn of a looming crisis due to population displacement straining resources in neighboring areas. This increases risks of famine and lack of basic services for those affected.

Reports indicate over 10,000 people have fled Goma recently, adding to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s already significant number of internally displaced individuals — estimated at over 5 million. Local and international NGOs highlight dire conditions faced by those fleeing, including shortages of food, shelter, and medical care.

Regional leaders and international bodies call for an urgent diplomatic resolution to avert further bloodshed and suffering. They emphasize dialogue among involved parties as essential to resolving this conflict peacefully and effectively addressing humanitarian needs.

OKLAHOMA Court BLOCKS First Religious Charter School

25 June 2024 — The Oklahoma Supreme Court halted the establishment of the first publicly funded religious charter school in the U.S. The court ruled that the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board’s approval of St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School violated both state and federal constitutions. This decision is a setback for conservatives and Governor Kevin Stitt, who have supported religious involvement in public education.

Justice James Winchester stated that under Oklahoma law, charter schools must be nonsectarian, making it unconstitutional for St. Isidore to operate as a Catholic school with public funding. The ruling emphasized that public schools cannot evangelize or promote religious curricula while receiving state sponsorship.

Supporters of the school had hoped recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions would allow more flexibility for public funds to go to religious entities. Conservative states like Louisiana have already pushed for more religious content in public schools, such as posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms and teaching the Bible.

In response to the ruling, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Diocese of Tulsa announced they will “consider all legal options.” This case will likely continue to be a focal point in debates over religion’s role in publicly funded education systems across America.

DEADLY Houston STORMS Leave City in Ruins, Power Restoration Underway

20 May 2024 — Deadly storms ravaged Houston last week, leaving seven dead and causing widespread damage. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds destroyed businesses, uprooted trees, and shattered glass in downtown skyscrapers. A tornado also touched down near Cypress.

By Sunday evening, 88% of Houston area customers had power restored, according to CenterPoint Energy spokesperson Paul Lock. “We expect everyone to be back on by end of business Wednesday,” Lock stated. Over 289,000 homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity Sunday evening.

More than 3,900 customers in Louisiana were also without power due to strong winds and a suspected tornado. CenterPoint Energy deployed 2,000 employees and over 5,000 contractors to restore power in the Houston area. Lynnae Wilson emphasized the urgency given the high temperatures: “Getting the lights and air conditioning back on is even more important.”

GAZA CITY Under Siege: Israeli Forces Close In — Civilians Struggle Amidst Escalating Tensions

09 November 2023 — Gaza City, the Gaza Strip’s most populous area, is caught in the crossfire as Israeli ground forces reportedly advance. Local Palestinians have reported witnessing these forces approaching from various directions, sparking a mass evacuation. Essential resources like food and water are rapidly depleting.

While the Israeli army remains silent about their specific troop movements, they’ve pledged to dismantle Hamas following its lethal attack on Israel on October 7. Residents claim that Israeli forces have infiltrated central neighborhoods of Gaza City under heavy bombardment.

Violent clashes are unfolding alarmingly close to Shifa, the territory’s main hospital and a significant point of contention in this war. The Israeli military asserts that Hamas’ primary command center is housed within this hospital complex, with high-ranking leaders using it as protection. Both Hamas representatives and hospital staff refute these allegations.

For those living in Gaza, Shifa Hospital represents civilian distress during this conflict. It’s struggling to cope with an unending stream of injured individuals while facing dwindling electricity and medical supplies shortages. Countless displaced individuals seek refuge within its vicinity.