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Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Sudden drop in fentanyl overdose deaths linked to Biden-era global supply shock
- By MarcusGregor
Sudden drop in fentanyl overdose deaths linked to Biden-era global supply shock
Fentanyl overdose deaths have fallen sharply due to a supply shortage, according to a study in Science. The findings point to Chinese regulations on chemical precursors—likely spurred by US diplomacy—as the primary cause of the decline.
www.psypost.org
For more than a decade, the United States has faced a relentless and heartbreaking increase in fatal drug overdoses driven by synthetic opioids. A new analysis suggests this trend has suddenly reversed due to a major disruption in the global supply chain of illicit fentanyl. Published in Science, the study indicates that regulatory actions taken by the Chinese government, following high-level diplomatic engagement with the Biden administration, may be the primary driver behind this unexpected decline in mortality.
The trajectory of the American overdose crisis has been grim for fifteen years. Deaths attributed to synthetic opioids rose more than 25-fold during that period. The annual toll reached a record high of 76,000 deaths in 2023. Yet, starting in the middle of that year, the numbers began to fall. By the end of 2024, the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths had dropped by more than one-third.
I Commit to Pray requests, 1/8/26.
- By LoricaLady
- Persecuted Christians
- 0 Replies
Jan. 08, 2026 | Laos
Christians' Grief Compounded by Funeral Ban
[13] prayers in [4] nations have been posted for Dan and Tee.
A Christian couple in a northern province of Laos continues to suffer painful persecution after the unresolved death of their son. On Sunday, Nov. 2, Khong, 22, missed the church service because he was searching for his stolen motorbike. He did not return, and two days later, his body was found in a nearby rice field. No cause of death has been determined. Khong's parents, Dan and Tee, wanted to bring the body home for a Christian funeral, but the head of their village refused to allow it unless they paid an exorbitant fee. Read More.Jan. 08, 2026 | Benin
Pastor's Son Abducted, Condition Unknown
[8] prayers in [1] nation have been posted for Adam.
In December 2024, Adam Amdou, the adult son of a pastor, was kidnapped from his home and his whereabouts are still unknown. The abductors are members of an Islamist terrorist group who were angered that Adam's father refused to obey their orders to stop his Christian ministry activities. Since Adam's abduction, his family, including his father, his wife and his two children, have received no word on his condition. Read More.Jan. 08, 2026 | Syria
Former Kurdish Soldier's Life Threatened
[9] prayers in [1] nation have been posted for Kochar.
A former Kurdish soldier has been threatened for his ministry work after placing his faith in Christ. During the Syrian Civil War, Kochar developed an intense hatred for all Arabs, an emotion that grew as he witnessed fellow Kurdish soldiers and friends die. He also experienced a crisis in his Islamic beliefs as he could not understand why Allah would allow Muslims to fight and kill fellow Muslims. At one point, he left Syria for a visit abroad and met some Christians. Read More.
Two people shot by Fed agents in Portland
- By Richard T
- Current News & Events (Articles Required)
- 15 Replies
Man, woman shot by federal agents in Portland: Police
Two people were shot by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, local and federal sources told ABC News.
Vivek Ramaswamy family bodyguard arrested on drug trafficking charges
- By camille70
COLUMBUS, Ohio—A bodyguard for the family of Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking.
Justin Salsburey, a 43-year-old resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was arrested along with his wife, Urbana schoolteacher Ruthann Rankin, on Dec. 30, according to WSYX-TV.
Prosecutors say the couple were mailed 261 suspected drug parcels between August 2024 and December 2025.
In one parcel, investigators found 119 pills of blue counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl, according to the criminal complaint against Salsburey.
Investigators let a second parcel be delivered, after which then saw Salsburey and Rankin put objects on their porch that were picked up by multiple people, the complaint stated. One of the people, Tristan Aulds of Belle Center, Ohio, later told authorities that he purchased Adderall from the couple for $5 per pill.
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The private security firm that hired Salsburey, ARK Protection Group, immediately removed him from the Ramaswamy family’s security detail, Luck stated.
www.cleveland.com
l.
Justin Salsburey, a 43-year-old resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was arrested along with his wife, Urbana schoolteacher Ruthann Rankin, on Dec. 30, according to WSYX-TV.
Prosecutors say the couple were mailed 261 suspected drug parcels between August 2024 and December 2025.
In one parcel, investigators found 119 pills of blue counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl, according to the criminal complaint against Salsburey.
Investigators let a second parcel be delivered, after which then saw Salsburey and Rankin put objects on their porch that were picked up by multiple people, the complaint stated. One of the people, Tristan Aulds of Belle Center, Ohio, later told authorities that he purchased Adderall from the couple for $5 per pill.
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The private security firm that hired Salsburey, ARK Protection Group, immediately removed him from the Ramaswamy family’s security detail, Luck stated.
Vivek Ramaswamy family bodyguard arrested on drug trafficking charges
Justin Salsburey, a 43-year-old resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, faces federal drug charges after receiving more than 260 parcels of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
l.
Trump Calls for $1.5 Trillion to Build a ‘Dream Military’ — A 50% Increase from Previous Proposal and a Vacation from Math
- American Politics
- 4 Replies
Trump Calls for $1.5 Trillion to Build a ‘Dream Military’ — A 50% Increase from Previous Proposal
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for a staggering 50% increase to the previously proposed military budget to bring the total up to $1.5 trillion.
www.mediaite.com
Trump has already 'spent' his phony baloney tariff numbers to pay for the tax cut for the rich. This would just add half a trillion to the debt in one year.
Trump admin. revises 'food pyramid' to prioritize protein, veggies; Americans urged to 'eat real food'
- By Michie
- Current News & Events (Articles Required)
- 13 Replies
The Trump administration has what it calls a clear, common-sense message to the American people: eat real food.
In what officials say is the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins released updated dietary guidelines for the 2025-2030 period, including a re-imagined “food pyramid” prioritizing protein and vegetables over carbohydrates.
The guidelines were released as part of the launch of RealFood.gov, an official government website with a simple diagnosis: “America is sick.” The site points to data showing half of all Americans are either prediabetic or diabetic, while 75% of adults report suffering from at least one chronic condition.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
In what officials say is the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins released updated dietary guidelines for the 2025-2030 period, including a re-imagined “food pyramid” prioritizing protein and vegetables over carbohydrates.
The guidelines were released as part of the launch of RealFood.gov, an official government website with a simple diagnosis: “America is sick.” The site points to data showing half of all Americans are either prediabetic or diabetic, while 75% of adults report suffering from at least one chronic condition.
Continued below.
Trump admin. revises 'food pyramid' to prioritize protein, veggies; Americans urged to 'eat real food'
The Trump administration has what it calls a clear, common-sense message to the American people eat real food
www.christianpost.com
Late vocations program in Austria allows priest to keep his current job
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 1 Replies
The Catholic Church in Austria has launched a new formation program to promote late vocations, aimed at men between 45 and 60 years old who are currently employed and can complete the process without having to leave their jobs.
The initiative, promoted by the Conference of Rectors of Austrian Seminaries, breaks with the traditional model of formation and preparation for priestly ordination and opts for a more flexible model as a response to the shortage of vocations.
Under the name “ Zweiten Weg für Spätberufene” (“Second Path for Late Vocations”), the program is specifically aimed at men with professional experience and offers the possibility of pursuing theological studies remotely, without requiring community life in the seminary or exclusively in-person formation, adapting to the professional demands of each candidate.
This new program also allows them to continue practicing their profession after being ordained priests — with the exception of political positions — albeit in a limited capacity, with the express authorization of their diocese and provided that their profession is compatible with the priestly ethos.
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
The initiative, promoted by the Conference of Rectors of Austrian Seminaries, breaks with the traditional model of formation and preparation for priestly ordination and opts for a more flexible model as a response to the shortage of vocations.
Under the name “ Zweiten Weg für Spätberufene” (“Second Path for Late Vocations”), the program is specifically aimed at men with professional experience and offers the possibility of pursuing theological studies remotely, without requiring community life in the seminary or exclusively in-person formation, adapting to the professional demands of each candidate.
This new program also allows them to continue practicing their profession after being ordained priests — with the exception of political positions — albeit in a limited capacity, with the express authorization of their diocese and provided that their profession is compatible with the priestly ethos.
Continued below.
Austria launches initiative to facilitate late vocations
The Catholic Church in Austria has launched a new program for late vocations that allows the priest to also maintain his current career.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
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Locked
Hundreds protest in Minneapolis after ICE officer kills Renee Nicole Macklin Good
- By ThatRobGuy
- News & Current Events (Articles Required)
- 510 Replies
Hundreds protest in Minneapolis after ICE officer kills Renee Nicole Macklin Good
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Minneapolis motorist Renee Nicole Macklin Good on Wednesday.
apnews.com
A hospital record obtained by The Associated Press identified the woman as 37-year-old Renae Macklin-Good, though business records spelled her name as Renee Nicole Macklin Good. Calls and messages to the woman’s family were not immediately returned.
In social media accounts, Macklin Good described herself as a “Poet and writer and wife and mom” who was from Colorado and currently “experiencing Minneapolis,” and displayed a pride flag emoji.
- What the videos show: Videos taken by bystanders with different vantage points and posted to social media show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle. The Honda Pilot begins to pull forward and a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and immediately fires at least two shots into the vehicle at close range, jumping back as the vehicle moves toward him. It was not clear from the videos if the vehicle made contact with the officer. The SUV then sped into two cars parked on a curb nearby before crashing to a stop. Witnesses screamed obscenities, expressing shock at what they’d seen.
I've seen multiple version of the video, both the shorter clip (that aims portray a certain narrative) that shows it from this angle
And a slightly longer clip from a different angle which is a bit grainy, but appears to show the vehicle actually making some contact with a 3rd agent standing in front of the vehicle
...but any contact appears to be minimal based on the clip.
What makes these situations tricky to assess, is that there appears to be competing "reckless sense of entitlement" between two parties in these types of exchanges.
"It's my right for me and my friends to park our cars across the road to block law enforcement if we don't agree with the law they're trying to enforce" isn't an incentive structure we should be nurturing.
vs.
"I've got the badge, I don't want any inconvenience while I do my job, you better do what I say immediately with no guff, otherwise here comes the Glock" isn't a reasonable expectation for anyone getting into the field of law enforcement, no more than a local cop thinking "I don't want to ever encounter profanity when I'm giving someone a speeding ticket"
Arizona bill would hit priests with felony if they fail to break confessional seal to report abuse
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 9 Replies
A proposed law in Arizona could see priests facing felony charges if they fail to break the seal of confession after learning of child abuse during the sacrament.
The measure, HB 2039, was introduced in December 2025 by state Rep. Anastasia Travers. It is awaiting action in the state House after Travers prefiled it on Dec. 4.
The bill would amend the state code to require priests to report abuse learned during confession if they have “reasonable suspicion to believe that the abuse is ongoing, will continue, or may be a threat to other minors.”
Failure to report a “reportable offense” could lead to class 6 felony charges under the bill. Those charges in Arizona can lead to up to $150,000 in fines and up to two years of imprisonment.
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
The measure, HB 2039, was introduced in December 2025 by state Rep. Anastasia Travers. It is awaiting action in the state House after Travers prefiled it on Dec. 4.
The bill would amend the state code to require priests to report abuse learned during confession if they have “reasonable suspicion to believe that the abuse is ongoing, will continue, or may be a threat to other minors.”
Failure to report a “reportable offense” could lead to class 6 felony charges under the bill. Those charges in Arizona can lead to up to $150,000 in fines and up to two years of imprisonment.
Continued below.
Arizona bill would challenge seal of confession
Priests in Arizona could face felony charges if they fail to report child abuse learned during confession.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
How to Survive the "Sundown Scaries" as a New Parent
If you're a parent, you may already be familiar with the emotional shift that can happen when the sun goes down. During the day, you might feel OK, but at night, the waves of anxiety can roll in: "Am I a bad parent?" "Am I doing this right?" "Is there something I could be doing better?"
As one new parent describes in a viral TikTok video, "I'm fine and happy all day, but once it hits 5 p.m. and gets dark, I just cry." It's the point in the day when you might feel most alone in your parenthood journey, spiraling over your new reality.
Though you may have never had a name for this feeling, "sundown scaries" is what many new parents are calling it on TikTok. And according to experts, it's a completely normal experience. But why do parents experience the sundown scaries? And is there any way to combat these feelings? Below, child psychologist Sandra L. Whitehouse, PhD, explains.
Continued below.
www.popsugar.com
As one new parent describes in a viral TikTok video, "I'm fine and happy all day, but once it hits 5 p.m. and gets dark, I just cry." It's the point in the day when you might feel most alone in your parenthood journey, spiraling over your new reality.
Though you may have never had a name for this feeling, "sundown scaries" is what many new parents are calling it on TikTok. And according to experts, it's a completely normal experience. But why do parents experience the sundown scaries? And is there any way to combat these feelings? Below, child psychologist Sandra L. Whitehouse, PhD, explains.
What Are the Sundown Scaries, and Why Do They Occur?
Continued below.
How to Survive the "Sundown Scaries" as a New Parent
"Sundown scaries" is a new term trending on TikTok, and according to a parenting expert, it's completely normal for new parents to experience.
New Iran joining Abraham Accords
- By Delvianna
Given the way ISIS filled the power vacuum in Iraq once Sadam Hussain was gone, and the flood of questions about Venezuela following the removal of Maduro, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi of Iran is putting careful plans in place for when the Islamic Regime finally falls.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he spoke about the possibility of Iran joining the Abraham Accords in the event of a successful overthrow of the regime.
“I think Tehran will elevate it to the 'Cyrus Accord' to make Iran part of that Abraham Accord group,” he said. “That’s what I said two years ago when I was in Jerusalem and met with President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
Leading up to his visit in April 2023, he spoke warmly about possible relations with Israel in the future, saying, “Millions of my compatriots still remember living alongside their Jewish-Iranian friends and neighbors, before the Islamic Revolution tore the fabric of our society apart. They reject the regime's murderous anti-Israel and antisemitic policies and long for cultural, scientific and economic exchanges with Israel. A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbors. In my opinion, that day is closer than ever."
allisraelnews.com
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he spoke about the possibility of Iran joining the Abraham Accords in the event of a successful overthrow of the regime.
“I think Tehran will elevate it to the 'Cyrus Accord' to make Iran part of that Abraham Accord group,” he said. “That’s what I said two years ago when I was in Jerusalem and met with President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
Leading up to his visit in April 2023, he spoke warmly about possible relations with Israel in the future, saying, “Millions of my compatriots still remember living alongside their Jewish-Iranian friends and neighbors, before the Islamic Revolution tore the fabric of our society apart. They reject the regime's murderous anti-Israel and antisemitic policies and long for cultural, scientific and economic exchanges with Israel. A democratic Iran will seek to renew its ties with Israel and our Arab neighbors. In my opinion, that day is closer than ever."
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi speaks on Iran’s ‘Day After’ and ‘biblical relationship’ with Israel
Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi says a post-regime Iran could join the Abraham Accords and rebuild ties with Israel after the Islamic regime falls.
allisraelnews.com
