Israel and Hamas Finally Agree to Ceasefire in Gaza, Release of Hostages

 Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement to halt more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, President Biden announced yesterday (June 15, 2025),  the CBS website reports. 

"Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the U.S., along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire  and hostage deal," Biden said in a written statement..

"This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians , and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months  of captivity." 

Speaking from t he White House on Jan. 15, Biden said, "There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal, and I'm deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel, and for the families waiting in agony, and for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war." 

He added that Americans will be among the hostages released in phase one of the deal, " and the vice president and I cannot wait to welcome them home."

The deal is expected to take effect on Jan. 19, the White House said. 

Pres. Biden Awards Pope Francis Presidential Medal of Freedom

 President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, recognizing him as a recipient of the nation's highest civilian honor, the Christian Post website reports today (Jan. 14, 2025). 

The Biden administration announced the honor following a conversartion between the president and the  pontiff..

Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the "Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction," the White House said in a statement on Jan. 11. 

The distinction is part of "the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal , public, or private endeavors."

Officials said this occasion marks Biden's first time awarding the medal with distinction.

The citation describes Pope Francis as "a lovin g pastor" who responds "joyfully" to children's questions about God and as a "challenging teacher who " comands us to fight for peace and protect the planet." 

Above all, he is the People's Pope  -- a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world," the Biden administration statement concluded. 

Pope Speaks to Ambassadors on "a Diplomacy of Hope"

During the Holy Year 2025, the international community should strive  "to overcome the logic of confrontation and embrace instead the logic of encounter," Pope Francis told ambassadors and other diplomats, accredited to the Holy See, the Catholic News website reports today (  Jan. 13, 2025). 

In accordance with the biblical tradition of jubilees, the Holy Year is a time to rediscover how, in God, all people are brothers and sisters, "to pardon offences, to support the weak and the poor in our midst, to give rest and relief to the earth, to practice justice , and to recover hope." the pope said on Jan. 9. 

Meeting with representatives of 184 nations, the European Union, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, , Pope Francis read only the first paragraph of his prepared text.

Explaining that he was "still suffering from a bit of a cold,"he asked an aide, Msgr. Filippo Ciampanelli, to read the rest of his text. 

While the meeting is billed as an opportunity for the pope to wish the diplomats a happy new year, Pope Francis used the occasion primarily as a "Jubilee for  Ambassadors" by reflecting in his text on the characteristics of  "a diplomacy of hope, of which all of us are called to be heralds, so that the dense clouds of war may be swept away by renewed winds of peace. " 

Pope Francis also expressed his concern about ongoing violence in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, Congo, Myanmar, Mozambique, Haiti, Bolivia, Colombia, and Nicaragua.

Jimmy Carter Still Has Impact on Church

 As the United States mourns former President Jimmy Carter, who died last month at the age of 100, church leaders are  being challenged about the ministry they provide to seniors in their congregation and beyond, the Christian Today website reports  today (Jan. 12, 2025). 

Carter, who died in December, was still teaching Sunday School at his church in Plains, Georgia, into his nineties. He was a high--profile example of how older Christians can live fulfilled lives, serving God and helping others find faith. 

Carter's ministry and mission stand in contrast to many churches where their outreach and activities are focused on younger people and families. 

Now, Christian charity "Faith in Later Life" has produced a challenging 10--point qiestiommaire for church  leaders asking "Is your church faith in later life friendly?" It is designed for use by church committees, diaconates, and other leadershp groups across denominations. Although produced in the UK, it is relevant for churches across the world. 

Key questions include: How often does your church offer activities,  programs, or services specifically aimed at older people? Does your church proactively provide love and pastoral care tailored to the unique needs of older people in your community?  Does your church actively help older people in your community find and explore faith through evangelism?

Alexandra Drew, chief executive officer of Faith in Later Life, describes herself as "passionate and experienced in inspiring and equipping people for opportunities and challenges of later life, and in helping them know Jesus more deeply or for the first time." 

More than 9,000 Structures Destroyed or Damaged in Calif. Fires; at Least 10 People Killed

 Officials said today (Jan. 10, 2025) that more than 9,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the Palisides and Eaton fires , the Los Angeles Times website reports. 

Around 5,300 of these structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire, while another 4,000 to 5,000 structures were estimated to be damaged or destroyed in the Eaton fire burning in the Altadena area. 

If accurate, the estimate would place the firestorm among the worst in Los Angeles history in terms of property damage. 

At least 10 people have died in the fires, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner . At least four deaths have been connected to the Eaton fire, and one death to the Palisades fire, in Malibu.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he had approved of some 8,000 troops of the Calif. National Guard to assist with traffic control, infrastructure protection, and looting deterrence for both the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

Massive Earthquake Hits Sacred Buddhist City in Tibet

 The earthquake occurred in Dingri County , Shigatse City, in China's Tibet region on Jan. 7 around 9:05 a.m., Beijing Time, the Christian Post website reports today (Jan. 8, 2025). 

Shigatse is regarded as the seat of the Panchen Lama, a spiritual leader and the second--highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. 

In a statement, the Dalai Lama, who lives in self--imposed exile in India, said he was "saddened" to learn about the earthquake and expressed compassion to people impacted by the tragedy. 

"It has caused the tragic loss of many lives, numerous injuries, and extensive destruction to homes and property," he said.  "I offer my prayers for those who lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured."

The earthquake is believed to have killed at least 126 people and injured 188 others.  

Higher Social Security Payments Coming for Millions of People

President Joe Biden on Jan. 5, 2025 signed into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former employees , affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public service jobs, the AP website reports today (Jan. 6, 2025). 

Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades--old disparity, though it will also put a strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis. 

The bill rescinds two provisions -- the Windfall Elimination Provision and t he Government Pension Offset -- that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get rertirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government. 

"The bill I'm signing today is about a simple proposition : Americans who have worked hard all their life to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity -- that's the entire purpose of t he Social Security system," Biden said during a signing ceremony in the White House East Room.  

Biden was joined by labor leaders, retirement advocates, and Democratic and Republican lawmakers.