Crosstalk America from VCY America

Have you been keeping up with the news cycle? If not, you can count on Crosstalk and the News Round-Up & Comment broadcast. Here's a selection of stories that Jim presented from the first quarter hour: --Jim reported on the historic rescue of a missing weapons system officer on Resurrection Sunday in Iran after he ejected from his aircraft on Good Friday. Jim provided audio from the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. --A U.S./Israeli air strike on Monday killed the leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence branch. --Israel's Foreign Ministry Monday welcomed what it described as a belated condemnation by UNISEF of Iran's recruitment of children into its military. --The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister informed the world that Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz in a limited capacity during an interview yesterday but admitted that the Iranian regime had laid naval mines in the strait. --President Trump slammed Iran last evening saying that they're doing a very poor job of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz, while also communicating that this isn't part of the deal we have with them. --British officials yesterday rejected the idea of Iran's setting up of a toll system for the Strait of Hormuz. --President Trump has stated that America's military forces, ships and aircraft will remain deployed in and around Iran until a real agreement is fully implemented. --Vice President J.D. Vance headed to Pakistan where he will helm the negotiations with the Iranians during the shaky cease-fire that appears to have been violated. --President Trump's Board of Peace is demanding that Hamas finalize an agreement to demilitarize Gaza.

Leah Amico is a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist with the USA Softball Team earning gold in 1996, 2000 and 2004. She is also a two-time World Champion, a three-time NCAA National Champion at the University of Arizona, and a National Softball Hall of Fame Inductee in 2009. Despite all this, her greatest victory happened outside of her sport. Her story isn't just about gold medals…it's about Jesus Christ, the One who gave her purpose behind them. Leah is the author of a 31-Day Devotional, Softball, Glory & God's Story. Learn about Leah's softball journey but especially what happened during her junior year in college, in 1995, when God grabbed a hold of her heart and how this kept her from being "swallowed up" by sports. Leah's testimony is one that can benefit everyone because all of us have unique talents and as such, each of us can reach people that others can't.

Usama Dakdok is the founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He is the speaker on Revealing the Truth About Islam. He is founder of The Straight Way of Grace Ministry. The deadline has passed for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on bridges and their power plants. Eventually, President Trump decided to hold off on the barrage of attacks as he agreed to a two week cease-fire provided the strait would open up. According to reports, a 10 point plan offered by Iran was considered by President Trump to be a workable base from which to negotiate. He indicated that almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the two nations. He believes that this two week period will allow the agreement to be finalized. Israel has agreed to this and will abide to the cease-fire agreement. However, it will not include their battle against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Usama noted that even though it's been loss upon loss for Iran, the liberal media here in the U.S. is speaking as though we're losing the war. So it doesn't matter what President Trump says or does, to them, we're losing. He reminded listeners that President Trump knows more than we know and we have no clue what's happening. In the end, any peace with Muslims will only be temporary. Why? It's because under Islam, it's proper to lie during a time of war which means they could obtain weapons from other countries. There are many facets to this topic and one of them concerns the 10 point peace plan that's been brokered by Pakistan. Hear Usama comment on that and much more!

The Department of Homeland Security is still without funding. While the Republican majority is in favor of the funding, their efforts are being stymied by Democratic leadership in the Senate who's refusing to allow such legislation to advance. Despite the lack of funding, the DHS continues to report on apprehensions. You'd think that the nation would respond in gratitude for these efforts to rid the country of those who commit heinous crimes. Unfortunately, the opposite is taking place with the mainstream media fanning the flames. Returning to Crosstalk to discuss these and other related issues was Mark Krikorian. Mark is a nationally recognized expert on immigration issues, serving as the Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies. Mark began by noting that while it's bad enough that we had the earlier shutdown fights, this isn't a tantrum over a policy issue. Instead, he believes the Democrats are trying to fix Biden/Harris-style immigration policies into law that were soundly rejected by voters when Donald Trump was voted in as president. He also noted that Democrats need to realize the Republicans could do something similar and have a shut-down over something like the EPA. Several other points that Mark commented on include: Why the media is so reluctant to talk about killings by illegal aliens. Was Mark surprised that Secretary of State Marco Rubio terminated the lawful, permanent resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter? New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is courting the idea of removing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from international airports in sanctuary cities.

Frank Gaffney is president of the Institute for the American Future, president & CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians, Vice Chairman for Committee on the Present Danger: China. He is speaker on the Secure Freedom Minute. Islam has a plan and according to William Federer, who appeared recently on Crosstalk, the steps are: immigrate, increase and eliminate. As former Muslim Shahram Hadian has indicated, Islam is a government legal system that seeks to be above all other governments and overthrow our laws. One targeted area is Texas. Beginning tomorrow and continuing this week, there are meetings taking place with the 15-member state board of education regarding whether they should remain with a pro-America curriculum in K-12 social studies or to adopt a curriculum sought after by the Council on American/Islamic relations (CAIR). Frank believes this effort involves cultural Marxism and Sharia supremacism that's been injected into Texas education in recent years under the guise of inclusiveness and the avoidance of Islamophobia. It's about dividing and weakening people while also leaving children ill equipped to deal with an existential threat to our freedom. How is it possible that CAIR can continue to have such leverage in Texas? Given that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has designated CAIR as a terrorist and transnational criminal organization, could this curriculum effort be the greatest threat to Texas since the Alamo?

Due to a holiday special tomorrow, Jim presented this Thursday edition of the "Round Up." Stories included: --Attorney General Pam Bondi has been fired by President Trump. --President Trump made a prime time address to the nation last evening to talk about the Iran war, describing combat operations as nearly complete. --President Trump has shifted responsibility for opening the Strait of Hormuz to U.S. allies who he argues need the oil more than what the U.S. does. --Spain blocked U.S. military aircraft involved in the Iran conflict from using its airspace. --France became the second European nation to ban U.S. warplanes from using its airspace during the Iran conflict. --According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rerouting energy pipelines to bypass Iran's geographic choke point is just one long-term option for the U.S. --A CENTCOM social media post announced that the USS Tripoli, along with 3,500 sailors and marines, arrived in its area of responsibility on March 27th. --The Israeli Knesset passed a law mandating the death penalty for terrorists in Israel. --Two Chinese nationals have been charged with acting as agents of the People's Republic of China's government, accused of gathering intelligence on U.S. Navy personnel and bases, while recruiting other military members to work for China's primary foreign intelligence agency. --The FBI has identified data security risks from foreign developed mobile apps used in the U.S. --The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday appeared skeptical of President Trump's executive order excluding the children of illegal immigrants and legal temporary visitors from automatic birthright citizenship.

Alex Newman is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. He is senior editor for The New American. He is Founder & CEO of Liberty Sentinel and a national syndicator of radio and TV programs. News headlines across our nation continue to show themselves as both stunning and disturbing, particularly as it pertains to education. For example, Jim noted these headlines: From Western Journal--"Blue City Accused of Shoving Anti-American, Anti-Jewish Curriculum Down Throats of 200,000 Students." From The Center Square--"Public School Test Scores Continue to Decline Since Pandemic." From The Daily Caller--"Infamous School Board Trains Staff to Fight Terrorist Parents Angry About Trans Bathroom Policy." Such headlines point to the war that's been taking place for decades; a war for the mind of your children and grandchildren. From Karl Marx's 1848 call for free education in public schools to today's UNESCO-driven global agendas, the government school system has been a slow-motion revolution, shaping generations not to serve God or liberty, but to serve the state. You'll want to review this broadcast as Alex not only reviews the historical highlights of this effort, but what's taking place today to not only maintain the status quo, but to supercharge it. For example, Alex commented on the following: How were children educated before the government took over? Who was Robert Owen and what was the "trinity of evil" he wanted to abolish? Horace Mann is often called the founding father of the public school system. While he didn't openly attack the Bible, he did want it out of public schools.

Mat Staver is founder & chairman of Liberty Counsel. Mat is a constitutional attorney with three landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He's an author and the host of the radio broadcasts Faith & Freedom, Freedom's Call and the TV broadcast, Freedom Alive. Jim had Mat comment on the following cases, pertinent to your religious freedom: In an 8-1 decision in the case of Chiles v. Salazar, the Supreme Court ruled that the ban on (so-called) conversion therapy (actually talk therapy) for minors violates the free speech of licensed counselors. Justice Katanji Brown Jackson was the only dissenting vote. There was a settlement agreed to by the city of Louisville, Kentucky, regarding a Christian photographer who was threatened with legal sanction if she did not serve (so-called) same-sex weddings. The photographer was also prohibited by the city from expressing her views on marriage on her own studio website. Earlier this month, Mat argued before the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Zinski v. Liberty University. It's a case involving Jonathan Zinski, who Mat believes, "... intentionally set up Liberty University to try to take them down." This case could determine the scope of religious liberty protections for faith-based organizations. Oral arguments will be given before the Supreme Court tomorrow to settle the issue of birthright citizenship (Trump v. Barbara). Also discussed was the "creep" of Islamic Sharia and why Mat believes it's not compatible with American law. Highlighted was discussion of the "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act" (H.R.5722/S. 3009) introduced by Representative Chip Roy and Senator Tommy Tuberville.

Andy Ferrier is a Representative of the Midwest Messianic Center. He is burdened with reaching Jewish people with the good news that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Jewish Messiah. Andy served on the staff of a small Christian College in Israel while living and working on a kibbutz, an Israeli farm. He previously served 25 years with the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. This week marks the beginning of the Jewish Passover. The Israelites were under bondage and oppressed greatly under the heavy hand of Pharaoh. Under this oppression, God provided a remarkable deliverance that He wanted His people to never forget. But this matter of deliverance was not just from the hand of Pharaoh. It also pointed to a future deliverance through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

Here's a look at some headlines from the first 20 minutes of this "Round-Up" broadcast. Later on, listeners were given the opportunity to share their thoughts: --At 2:19am Eastern Time this morning, before adjourning for a 2 week recess, the U.S. Senate passed a bill approving Department of Homeland Security funds to pay TSA agents, but it excludes money for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. --Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is said to be leading diplomatic talks with the U.S., praised Hamas' October 7, 2023, massacre against Israel as a victory and recently threatened to, "...make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders" if Washington targets regime assets on islands there. --Iran has rejected a 15 point cease-fire proposal from the U.S. while offering a 5 point counter-plan of their own. --Iran just released a video simulating a missile attack on the Statue of Liberty. --Iran's IRGC Navy Commander was targeted and killed in an Israeli attack. --Multiple Gulf and Arab states are taking a far more forceful posture concerning Iran. --President Trump extended, by 10 days, possible attacks on Iran's energy sector. --The Pentagon is considering sending up to an additional 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East according to a senior defense official. --The Saudi Crown Prince has been pushing President Trump to continue the war with Iran. --Russia is sending drones and other equipment to Iran this month. --President Putin of Russia reportedly has asked the nation's ultra-wealthy oligarchs to donate funds to help boost the nation's dwindling military budget.

William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, historian, author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., He's the speaker on The American Minute daily broadcast. He has authored numerous books. Australia, England, France, Germany and other countries have come under the heavy influence of Islam. Sadly, we're seeing a similar pattern play out here in America. We've been warned about this, but more often than not, silence has been the response. This is perhaps taking place because when someone even questions Islam, it's not unusual for them to be accused of Islamophobia. At the same time, Muslims aren't being silent regarding their efforts to take over America. However, you might be wondering how that could take place. After all, aren't we consistently being told that Islam is a religion of peace? Review this edition of Crosstalk and you'll hear William discuss this dilemma that centers around the contrast between Sharia and U.S. law. Jim provides audio content to back up the points discussed, as you'll hear from Islamic leaders and adherents as they describe precisely what Islam's end-game is. On this edition of Crosstalk you'll also get answers to the following: What is Sharia and how does this play out socially in Islamic cultures? Is Islam compatible with Western law or is it the antithesis of it? Was President Obama correct when he said Islam was always part of America's story? Can Islam be described as the religion of Cain?

John Summerville is Director of Radio Partnerships with TWR. John joined TWR in 1988 and has both traveled across our nation and to 30 countries worldwide to share what God is accomplishing through TWR. They are reaching the world for Christ by mass media so that lasting fruit is produced. Here in America we're blessed with bountiful access to resources that proclaim God's Word. Last year there were between 18 and 19 million Bibles sold in the U.S. That's a 21 year high. Hundreds of thousands of churches are sprinkled across our land. Christian bookstores, both brick and mortar and online, are available. There's Christian radio that's heard from coast-to-coast. Don't have a station available in your area? As some would say, "There's an app for that!" This isn't the case for many folks in other parts of the world. Fortunately, TWR has been involved in worldwide broadcast ministry since 1954 and is reaching many every day with the Gospel, and you can help! As you listen to this broadcast, you'll hear John discuss how radio is as relevant as ever as it reaches into places where missionaries can't go and where the Gospel hasn't been yet. This is done worldwide by TWR over 2,000 AM, FM and shortwave outlets. On this broadcast, Jim focuses on the continent of Africa where God is doing some amazing work. Would you be willing to participate in TWR's vital work to get wind-up, solar powered radios into the hands of those in Africa who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford a radio? Jim and John bring you the exciting details on this edition of Crosstalk!

E. Ray Moore is founder and president of the Board of Exodus Mandate, a project of Frontline Ministries which focuses on prayer, revival and Christian Education. He is a retired Army Reserve Chaplain retiring as Lt. Colonel in 1999 and was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Gulf War I. He is author of the book, Let my Children Go. He has also co-authored with his wife, The Promise of Jonadab: Building a Christian Family Legacy in a Time of Cultural Decline. He is also one of the executive producers of the 2011 award-winning film, IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America and executive producer of Escaping Common Core: Setting Our Children Free. Scripture gives fathers the mandate to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This includes the education of children, with many parents choosing to home educate. The result is that home schooling is growing in significant fashion. Secular forces are noticing and push-back is taking place as school districts, and even state legislatures, are increasingly viewing parents in an adversarial way, wanting them out of the education process. Connecticut House Bill 5468 is one such example. It would require registration with the local school district, mandate curriculum aligned with state standards and maintaining detailed student portfolios documenting academic progress. Other related points discussed include: What happened to "Common Core"? Is it dead? How can the church get engaged with the effort to help home schooling? Should a Christian run for a public school board position or not? What are the four main reasons why people home school their children?

With the official arrival of calendar "Spring" there was no shortage of important news stories to share on Friday News Round Up! US Military Sinks More Than 120 Iranian Naval Vessels during Operation Epic Fury Several Nations Help US Guard the Strait of Hormuz Iran Secretary Who Threatened to Kill Donald Trump Killed in Israeli Strike US F-35 Makes Emergency Landing (Iran Claims Shootdown) Iran Targets Energy Infrastructure Across the Gulf European Gas Prices Soar Saudis Warn Oil to $180 per Barrel Iran Executes 19 Year Old Wrestler for "waging war against god" Joe Kent "leaker?" SAVE America Act Debate Heats Up Trump Gives Classic Answer to a Reporter Questioning "Surprise Attack" on Iran Woman on the Street Interview STUNS as Leftists Support Islam over MAGA

Martin Mawyer is president of Christian Action Network. Martin began his career as a journalist for the Religion Today news syndicate and as the Washington news correspondent for Moody Monthly magazine. This resulted in his position as the editor-in-chief of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority Report. In 1990 he founded the Christian Action Network, a non-profit organization created to protect America's religious and moral heritage through educational and political activism efforts. He's the author of four books and has directed three documentary films. This program is a warning to parents and grandparents. There's a great luring of children through a massive online social gaming platform called Roblox, that's designed for children between the ages of eight and twelve. What children will see is a colorful and endless digital universe of games and experiences. However, there's the dark side where children can find themselves walking right into the trap of predators who can hide behind cartoon avatars where they quietly search for vulnerable youth. What's so concerning about this platform? There's digital strip clubs. You can visit Epstein Island. There's Lego-like avatars that can be engaged in digital sex parties, the sending of sexually explicit messages and much more. Martin also describes the warning signs that may indicate a child is being caught up by this platform, so review this broadcast and then find out what your kids know about Roblox!

Marilyn Boyer is a descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier and daughter of a World War II veteran. She is deeply patriotic and passionate about our Christian history. This July 4th marks our nation's 250th birthday and with it our Constitution, our freedoms, liberties and system of government, all of which mark us as a nation like no other. We often take for granted what we've been gifted by God through those who've come before us. We must never forget such heroes and their Christian faith as they built this nation while exhibiting character qualities such as humility, justice, courage, great determination, fortitude and valor. Therefore it's vital that we pass their stories on to succeeding generations. This is where Marilyn comes in. She appeared on Crosstalk to share brief details regarding key early Americans and the character traits they had that made a huge impact on the forging of this nation. From volume one you'll hear about George Washington, when he was a Colonel. Marilyn detailed the humility he showed and the fact that he believed he was an instrument in God's hands as he was shielded from death from many bullets fired by the Algonquin Indians. Samuel Adams represented the quality of passion. While known as the firebrand of the revolution, he wasn't fond of violent resistance as long as there was a chance at a peaceful solution. What he did have was the ability to deliver fiery rhetoric. He believed that God was the author of liberty. His passion was to be used as an instrument by God and that's what happened as God used him to encourage others during the dark days of the revolution.

Usama Dakdok is founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He's the speaker on Revealing the Truth About Islam. Ramadan is Islam's holiest month and it comes to a conclusion this week. While Islam claims to be a religion of peace, and Ramadan is said to be a time to do good deeds, it's become a very deadly month. According to thereligionofpeace.com, there have been some 116 terror attacks in the name of Islam so far during Ramadan with 454 individuals killed. Last Ramadan, over 2,000 were killed in 254 attacks in the name of Islam. In spite of all these attacks and deaths, we're told the problem is not Islam, it's Islamophobia. Why so many attacks during this month? As Usama noted, the best "good work" you can do as a Muslim is to fight for the sake of Allah. In fact, the only guarantee for the Muslim to make it to the heaven of Mohammed is to to be killed for the sake of Allah while fighting for jihad. Also, if you can do this during the most holy month of the year, the month of Ramadan, you get better rewards as well. This is not only believed, it is practiced. What is the content of daily Islamic prayer? Who are the representatives that want to remove Muslims from America and why? You'll hear these and other points addressed on this critical topic, as well as comments from U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who presented his views on Islamophobia, as yesterday was the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Stay informed with Crosstalk! Here's your headline roundup for the week: --6 American soldiers were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft, supporting operations against Iran, crashed in Western Iraq. --The new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, published his first written statement yesterday since assuming office on March 8th, vowing to avenge the blood of the martyrs, including his father. --Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, told the Gulf-Arab states to shut down U.S. bases amid the war with Iran. --Iran launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Gulf nations yesterday. --Israel intensified its campaign against Iran yesterday striking a nuclear weapons development facility near Tehran. --The U.S. military said on March 12 that it had destroyed more than 30 Iranian mine laying vessels and struck more than 6,000 targets since the campaign against Iran began last month. --Explosive laden Iranian boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member Wednesday. --Israel continued extensive strikes on Lebanon yesterday morning after Hezbollah shot about 200 projectiles at Northern Israel the night before. --Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is speaker of Iran's parliament, threatened to make the Persian Gulf run with the blood of invaders if the U.S. military targets regime assets on islands there. --The data center of Iran's state-run bank was hit by a strike in Tehran Wednesday. --President Trump said on March 11th that his administration knows the location of most of Iran's sleeper cells in the U.S.

A lawyer in Communist Romania - representing the most heinous crime imaginable: Bible smuggling. The Communist dictator sends an assassin to eliminate her. And then?

Rev. Jim Harden is president and CEO of CompassCare Pregnancy Services in New York. They are saving lives in places like Buffalo, Rochester, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, New York. Theirs is one of many centers targeted with criminal activity including firebombs, vandalism and threats. Despite the fact that abortion clinics are closing, abortion numbers are rising. Much of this is due to the abortion pill, Mifepristone, which has become the most common method of abortion. According to the Guttmacher Institute (Planned Parenthood's research arm), Mifepristone accounts for about 63% of all abortions. Not only does this method take the life of the baby in the womb, women increasingly are becoming injured from it. Late last Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss the case of Missouri v. FDA, doubling down on its claim that pro-life states and women harmed by abortion drugs lack standing and are not suffering ongoing harm from the FDA's policy of allowing deadly abortion drugs to be sent through the mail. Numerous other aspects related to the topic of abortion were covered including: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently named a Planned Parenthood lawyer in order to protect abortion. Senator Josh Hawley's Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act. The University of Oregon will offer chemical abortion pills to students beginning this fall. March 10th was Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. What major challenges are facing the pro-life movement today? Are there individuals trying to co-opt Christianity for their pro-abortion causes?

Scott Schara is a nationally recognized expert commentator on the dangers of incentivized healthcare. He launched a landmark lawsuit, Schara vs. Ascension Health et al, which concluded in June, 2025, after a three-week jury trial which he calls, "a win for the system." Leading up to this he warned about the dangers of incentivized healthcare and where it leads. It was back in January of 2022 that Crosstalk introduced listeners to Scott, who was in sorrow over the loss of his daughter Grace, age 19, who passed away in October of 2021. Scott believes she was a victim of the medical, industrial complex after having been hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn't long into her hospital stay that, as Scott indicates and hospital testimony was given, that Grace received a deadly combination of drugs. All of this was done under what's called, "standard operating procedures." Review this broadcast as Scott begins by retelling Grace's story, a story that had Scott wondering which road to travel. He chose the road directed by the frontline COVID-19 critical care doctors and that system, as noted, proved to be a deadly one. But why? There's more to this tragic story and what it points to as Scott sheds light on the following: Are we seeing health care rationing in America today? What's really behind the phrase, "Informed consent"? Why does Scott use the term, "incentivized" so often? Does the American legal system provide cover for the medical system? Is medical murder the number one cause of death in America?

Jeff Stewart was once labeled a "delinquent child." His future seemed destined for failure. Until his high school graduation when he received a note from his grandfather that challenged him to understand the true meaning of a successful life

Dr. Richard Schmidt is Pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church and founder of Prophecy Focus Ministries. He is the speaker on the weekly TV program Prophecy Focus and the radio broadcast Prophecy Unfolding. He spent 32 years in law enforcement until his retirement. Dr. Schmidt has authored several books including Are You Going to a Better Place?, Daniel's Gap Paul's Mystery, Tribulation to Triumph: The Olivet Discourse, Globalism: The Great World Consumption, Artificial Intelligence: Transhumanism & the De-Evolution of Democracy. Today marks ten days since the United States in a joint operation with Israel moved militarily to remove the threat of a nuclear Iran and those advancing such ideals. These ideals also included removing Israel from the face of the earth. Iran has put in place a new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the now deceased Ayatollah Khamenei. Efforts continue to intensify even as Iran shoots off missiles and cluster bombs at Israel. Dr. Richard Schmidt provides an analysis of the matters unfolding and what really lies ahead for this region prophetically.

Dr. Erwin Lutzer, a Canadian by birth, shares his perspective on the 250th Birthday of America

On Monday, February 23rd, President Trump hosted a White House event that featured numerous angel families. These are individuals who lost loved ones that were victims of crimes committed by those who entered the U.S. illegally. At the event, President Trump signed a proclamation that recognizes February 22nd as National Angel Family Day. That day also marked the 2nd anniversary of the murder of Laken Riley. She was killed by an illegal alien from Venezuela. So listen to this broadcast and encourage others to do the same. You'll hear not only comments from the president, but powerful testimonies that the major media chose to ignore; testimonies that not only included thanks to the president, but offered praise for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well.

Get caught up on critical news headlines not covered by mainstream sources. It's the Friday News Round-Up. Here's a sample of what Jim covered: --Yesterday, President Trump urged Republicans to pass the election integrity/voter I.D. bill known as the "Save America Act" and not the watered-down version. --The House passed a bill Thursday to fund the Department of Homeland Security though it's assumed it will fail in the Senate. --The illegal alien that Democrats brought to the State of the Union address, according to police, is in sexual assault reports that involve juveniles. --A Georgia father whose teenage son is accused of carrying out a deadly school shooting, was convicted of second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors argued that he ignored repeated warning signs and gave the boy access to the gun used in the attack. --2,000 two-year-olds will soon be enrolled in child care that won't cost parents a penny in New York City. --Israel has eliminated the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' special operations department. --A transgender activist in the greater Seattle, Washington, area was arrested for threatening to kill President Trump. --A Pakistani national accused of plotting to assassinate U.S. political leaders testified Wednesday that Iranian intelligence agents pressured him to take part in the scheme, claiming that they directed him to target President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden. --Oregon Democrats voted for infanticide yesterday by blocking a bill to care for babies who survive abortion.

Shahram Hadian is founder of Truth in Love Ministry. He is a Christian pastor and a former Muslim. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America in 1978 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime and committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1999. Iran is a nation that has a 3,200+ year Persian history that was taken over by leaders that, according to Shahram, were not even of Persian descent. He explains just how oppressive this Iranian regime has been to its own people. For example, amidst the recent unrest, snipers were shooting at these unarmed protesters. Women had body parts removed in order to hide sexual assaults. Other individuals are said to have been executed inside their hospital beds. Then there's the problems America has had with them, beginning with the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. You'll also hear comments from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, where he mentions the delusions of the Iranian leadership which Shahram said refers to Iran's eschatology. Basically it's the idea that the more chaos and instability they can create, the quicker they will hasten the coming of their messiah. What are we to make of the mosques on U.S. soil that are mourning the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and encouraging others to go into martyrdom like him? Since Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, why aren't we vetting these mosques to see if they're supported by money from Iran? Where's the political will to do this? Why do Islamic leaders teach martyrdom via jihad? Does it have to do with the fact that Islam is a works-based religion? These and other questions are answered by Shahram as he sheds light on this issue of Iran's oppression.

Chris Katulka is vice president of North American Ministries at The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and host of The Friends of Israel Today radio program. He is a Bible teacher, and writer for Israel My Glory magazine and is author of the book, Israel Always. Today marks the fifth day since Operation Epic Fury began, an operation that includes joint operations with the Israeli military. This began because President Trump was concerned that warnings given to Iran regarding their pursuit of nuclear weapons were being ignored and he was also concerned about the rapid build-up of Iran's conventional ballistic missile program. On this broadcast, Chris unfolds the situation in Iran and the Middle East overall as he comments on the nuclear ambitions of Iran, the oil and natural gas ramifications for other nations, the work done by Israel's Mossad, who the new leader of Iran might be, what's being fired at Israel by Iran, Hezbollah's diminishing influence, and much more, including comments from listeners.

Tom DeWeese is president of American Policy Center. Tom is one of the nation's leading advocates of individual liberty, free enterprise, private property rights, personal privacy, back-to-basics education and American sovereignty and independence and protecting our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights. Review this edition of Crosstalk as Jim has Tom comment on the following important issues related to your freedom: Voting: The "Save Act." We must make sure our ballots are safe. Data Centers: Are their costs (water and electricity needs) outweighing their benefits? Digital Currency and Geofencing: What might these mean for citizen control? President Trump's revoking of the 2009, Obama era, Endangerment Finding. This was the assumption that carbon dioxide and other gasses present a threat to public health. The Food Supply: The latest news concerning beef production. Tom also comments on the killing of chickens. Housing: Do we have a housing shortage or a government problem? What's the latest regarding rent controls? Do some people want to end housing as a wealth building option?

Dr. Jimmy DeYoung Jr. is a speaker, teacher, Mideast guide, videographer and speaker on Prophecy Today. He lived and worked in Jerusalem for many years before he returned to the states for continued ministry. He is a fully credentialed journalist and has led numerous tours to Israel. He is one of the speakers on Prophecy Today. This past Saturday, the U.S. engaged in a joint military strike with Israel on the nation of Iran. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed along with more than 40 senior officials. President Trump announced that 10 Iranian ships have been sunk and that the U.S. has lost 4 members of the military in the line of duty. Numerous components of this strike are discussed, but it's having ramifications far beyond the Middle East. Dr. DeYoung talks about these players such as Russia and China. Has the U.S. strike on Iran released Russian leader Vladimir Putin to now unleash his own attack on Europe? Also, prior to the U.S. strike, China was receiving oil from Iran? How will they respond? These are just two things to consider, along with interesting audio from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on prayer, as Jim and Dr. DeYoung examine this strike, Operation Epic Fury, both from a political as well as a prophetic perspective.

Below is a selection of stories from the first quarter hour of this week's News Round-Up broadcast: --Iran and the U.S. held hours of indirect negotiations yesterday over Tehran's nuclear program, but walked away without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet of aircraft and warships in the region. --Despite diplomatic language suggesting progress, substantial gaps do persist. Iran categorically rejects U.S. demands to dismantle key nuclear facilities, to transfer enriched uranium stockpiles abroad and permanently end uranium enrichment. --The U.S. embassy in Israel said its staff could leave the country and urged anyone considering departure could do so immediately as the threat of a U.S. strike on Iran looms. --While Iran engages in fake negotiations to stall, deceive and lie to the Trump administration, they announced they will be buying anti-ship missiles from China. --As President Trump pressures Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions amid rising tensions, Vice President Vance told the Washington Post that there's "no chance" that the U.S. will enter a years-long war in the Middle East. --Congressional Democrats are moving to force votes in the House and Senate to block President Trump from launching any military action against Iran without prior congressional approval. --The Treasury Department levied new sanctions against Iran on Wednesday. The sanctions targeted 30 Iranian individuals, businesses and vessels that facilitate Iran's illicit petroleum sales and the nation's ballistic missile and weapons production.

These days we can see in numerous ways that there is great division across America. This was evident during last evening's State of the Union address by President Donald Trump. In fact, when asked if American citizens should be prioritized over illegal aliens, Democrats refused to stand in agreement. What the secular media won't tell you is that underlying this division is a great spiritual division. As Isaiah 5:20 puts it: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" We see this in America today where moral corruption has become rampant due to the inversion of what were once cherished values. The only way out is to turn back to God and righteousness on his terms because it's such righteousness that exalts a nation. Sin, however, is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). So join Jim as he reviews the President's speech, highlighting numerous points from policy decisions to national awards, as you'll hear via various audio clips.

Dr. Andy Woods is president of Chafer Theological Seminary & senior pastor of Sugar Land Bible Church in Houston. He's also a lawyer, a speaker at numerous Bible conferences, as well as an author of several books including the one discussed on this broadcast: The Bible and Your Vote: Biblical Principles for any Election. Before elections in recent years you may have heard someone say, "This is the most important election in our lifetimes!" In other words, there's some sense with many people that the consequences of such elections are greater than ever. In spite of this, there are many who make the following excuses not to vote: They claim their vote doesn't count. They believe their citizenship is in heaven, therefore they don't vote on the earth. Some believe that if they vote for the lesser of two evils, they're still voting for evil, therefore they feel obligated not to participate. God puts into office who he wills, therefore some people feel they must step aside and not get in the way. Review this broadcast, and you'll see why such excuses are not biblical, as Dr. Woods kicks things off by looking at voting as a matter of stewardship. From there he continues on by looking at other issues related to voting including economic, social, climate, power/personal rights, foreign policy and more. Listeners brought their questions and comments to the discussion as well.

Walt Heyer is a senior fellow with Family Research Council. Walt is a husband, father, and corporate executive who underwent gender transition surgery at the age of 42 and tried to live as a woman for 8 years. Through therapy and faith in God, Walt was restored to his male identity and biological reality. He now helps others who regret trying to live in a manner at odds with how God created them. His is a story of redemption and hope. Walt has written 7 books and numerous articles. His newest release is titled, Embracing God's Design: Addressing the Spiritual and Psychological Crisis Behind Transgender Identity. Over the years there's been a significant increase in those who are identifying differently than their biological sex. From drag queen story hours to the entertainment industry, from corporate America to medical institutions, to classroom reading material, school locker room policies and more, young people are being educated to believe that a boy can be a girl and vice-versa. As a result, some have gone on to chemically and physically damage themselves in an attempt to change their gender. So don't miss this edition of Crosstalk as Walt explains, from first hand experience, what this phenomenon is all about. It involves understanding how this trend impacts the mind of youth in their formative years, the impact on American society overall, the battle over language and word definitions as each side attempts to defend their positions, the impact of the educational system in this battle and much more, including input from listeners nationwide.

Dalton filled in for Jim Schneider and here's a sample of important news stories that were presented: --In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that President Trump exceeded his powers with his expanded use of tariffs. President Trump says that he will use alternatives to replace those that the court, he believes, incorrectly rejected. --President Trump went to Truth Social to honor civil rights leader Jesse Jackson who passed away this past Tuesday. --Forlesia Cook, a Washington, D.C. grandmother who lost her grandson to gun violence, stood strong for President Trump at a Black History Month event at the White House. --White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt answered a reporter who sought examples that President Trump has been falsely accused of being a racist. --Democratic congressional leaders sent Republicans and the White House a counter offer on immigration enforcement provisions that they want in exchange for their votes to fund the Department of Homeland Security. --In a major development that could reshape the future of federal election law in the U.S., Senator Susan Collins of Maine has officially announced her support for the Save America Act. --Over one million Iranians rallied across Europe, North America and Australia last weekend in response to a call by exiled Prince Pahlavi, while nighttime chants echoed from rooftops and apartment blocks inside Iran in a coordinated show of solidarity. --Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei alleges that his military has weapons capable of sending a U.S. aircraft carrier to the bottom of the sea and that they will use them if President Trump orders new strikes against Iran's illegal nuclear weapons program.

The Munich Agreement illustrates appeasement's failure: Hitler exploited weakness, promises without character proved empty, and Churchill showed that truth often requires standing alone against the majority. Lessons in courage, integrity, vigilance.

At Munich's Feldherrnhalle, Pastor Lutzer recalls Hitler's oath-bound followers, Bonhoeffer's warning, and the church's compromise, urging us to learn from history and pledge ultimate allegiance to Christ alone.

Pastor Lutzer stands near Hitler's Eagle's Nest, reflecting on Nazi history. His video series explores why it happened, whether it could recur, and encourages viewers to remember and learn from the past.

The tour revealed enduring lessons: the church's imperfection, the power of economics and law, the danger of ideology, and above all, the necessity of personal repentance and transformation through Christ.

At Wannsee, Nazi leaders planned the Holocaust's logistics, coordinating mass murder across Europe. Pastor Lutzer warns that beauty can mask evil, and conformity over conscience enables atrocities—history's lessons must prevent repetition.

In Potsdam, Pastor Lutzer reflects on the 1945 conference where world leaders reshaped Europe, reminding us that leadership decisions carry lasting consequences—affecting millions for good or for evil.

The Crosstalk news desk had much to offer this week, taking listeners across the nation and around the world as Jim reported on these and other stories: --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump met Wednesday evening at the White House. Instead of a post meeting press conference, President Trump posted on social media his hopes that a deal can still be consummated with Iran. --Some residents of Tehran chanted slogans on Tuesday against the Islamic republic and its supreme leader on the eve of the most significant annual commemoration of the 1979 Islamic revolution. --The Pentagon is sending the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford from the Caribbean to the Middle East. --Italy and Poland are among the latest European allies to snub President Trump's newly formed "Board of Peace," joining a list of growing nations refusing or hesitating to participate. --The Trump administration smuggled roughly 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran after the regime's crackdown on protests last month as reported by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. --Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has received a 70 page draft, "Interim Constitution" aimed at laying the legal groundwork for a future Palestinian state. --U.S. military forces have completed their mission in Syria to transfer Islamic state detainees to Iraq according to U.S. Central Command. --Venezuela has sent its first crude oil shipment in years to Israel. --As of this past Monday, Cuba's government says international airlines cannot refuel on the island nation.

Peter LaBarbera is founder and president of Center for Morality Americans for Truth. He's a former reporter for the Washington Times, LifeSiteNews.com, WND.com and a former contributing editor for Human Events. It was during the Biden administration that we saw severe pressure placed upon businesses, schools, local governments, the entertainment industry, sports and others to advance the LGBTQ+ agenda. Some of this has to do with the efforts of an activist organization known as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This program is highlighted by an audio clip from Tyler O'Neil, the senior editor at the Daily Signal. While he correctly notes that most people who identify as transgender don't pose a threat, he asks what drives the hatred of those who do? He believes the rhetoric of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is at least partly to blame. He noted how the HRC suggests that data on transgender deaths reveals a higher homicide rate than the general population. Tyler uses the HRC's own statistics to prove conclusively that their assertion is false. As this program moves along, you'll hear Peter comment on various news stories such as: The tragic mass shooting in Canada by a person who identified as transgender. What exactly is the HRC and how does their Corporate Equality Index work? The canceling of the 35th annual "Gay Days" in Orlando. Is this a one year pause or a permanent move? A Wyoming library was sued by a library director who was fired for refusing to follow a new book collection policy regarding sexually offensive books. The insurance company decided to pay out rather than fight it.

On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg and others risked everything to oppose Hitler, sacrificing their lives for justice and moral principle, reminding us that some values surpass life itself.

At Berlin University, Pastor Lutzer reflects on Karl Marx's enduring influence, contrasts it with Christ's truth, and introduces his book The Eclipse of God on philosophy's impact and living amid God's eclipse.

Pastor Lutzer in Berlin honors Stauffenberg and Bonhoeffer, highlighting faith-driven courage, resistance to evil, and sacrifice for justice, showing that true faith sometimes demands moral action over personal safety.

Pastor Lutzer reflects in Berlin's book-burning square, warning how censorship and misuse of freedom can destroy liberty. From Nazi Germany to today, he urges Christians to learn from history and guard freedom wisely.

Shahram Hadian is the founder of Truth in Love Ministry. He is a Christian pastor and a former Muslim. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America in 1978 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime and committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1999. He has an extensive background not only as a pastor, but also as a former police officer, teacher, coach and servant leader in his community. Did you know that New York City has had a shocking rise in antisemitic hate crimes since Muslim Mayor Zohran Mamdani took office? Did you know reports are coming out of Texas of a small-town takeover by Islamic immigrants? Speaking of Texas, did you know it's reported that a Muslim outreach group with ties to anti-Christian ideology distributed Qurans and hijabs on campus? Did you know the Attorney General of Texas recently filed a lawsuit against the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations from operating in Texas? Did you know a Senate panel in Arizona has voted to ban the use of Sharia in Arizona? And did you know that a Muslim state senator in Virginia has introduced legislation defining and criminalizing Islamophobia? This and more is discussed on today's program.

Mark Krikorian is a nationally recognized expert on immigration issues serving as the Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies. When it comes to our nation's borders, the last 12 months have been quite remarkable. The last administration repeatedly told us that Congress would have to act to reform our immigration policies and laws before the borders could be secured. That turned out to be a falsehood because under Trump 2.0, the U.S. borders are more secure than ever, and with that aspect of immigration taken care of, his administration has moved on to purge what they term, "The worst of the worst." In the meantime, as we've seen in Minnesota, there are those who don't like what's taking place. They're responding by causing extreme chaos, disruption, violence, vandalism, as well as assaults. So don't miss this program as Jim interviewed Mark to have him comment on the following points related to our nation's immigration and border security: In a major legal win, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration does, in fact, have the authority and requirement to detain all illegal entrants to the U.S., even if they're caught inside the country. Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit Court gave a win to the Trump administration regarding temporary protected status to nations like Nepal, Honduras and Nicaragua. According to the Department of Homeland Security, January numbers (of border encounters) ranked 93% below the historic average, the lowest number of encounters ever for the month of January. 9 straight months of zero releases. Record drug seizures.

Dr. Titus Kennedy is a professional archaeologist and a research fellow at Discovery Institute. He is a consultant, writer and guide for history and archaeology documentaries and curricula and has directed archaeological projects in Bible lands. He's researched and photographed archaeological sites and artifacts around the world with involvement in projects at 18 sites spanning 6 countries and has conducted artifact research at museums and collections around the world. He is the author of several books including: Unearthing the Bible: 101 Archaeological Discoveries that Bring the Bible to Life, Excavating the Evidence for Jesus, The Essential Archaeological Guide to Bible Lands: Uncovering Biblical Sites of the Ancient Near East and Mediterranean World and the newly released, Archaeology and the People of the Bible: Exploring the Evidence for the Historical Existence of Bible Characters. People are sometimes skeptical about the Bible's historical accuracy. While they may begrudgingly admit that the Bible is correct about certain cities or other locations, they have a harder time believing that the characters were real. So are the examples that Dr. Kennedy points to firm, probable, tentative or speculative? Also, how does he know that his discoveries are related to that exact name in the Bible? These questions are answered showing the historic and scientific honesty that Dr. Kennedy brings to his research and that's therefore displayed in his book. So join Jim and Dr. Kennedy on this audio journey as they discuss the archaeological evidence for various Bible characters such as Danel from Ezekiel, King David, King Ahab, Jezebel, Sanballat and Herod the 1st.

Crosstalk is your aggregator for news stories that need to be viewed from a Christian perspective. So review this program that's highlighted by news concerning Iran, immigration, abortion, fake meat and much more. For example: --Iran's leadership is increasingly worried that a strike by the U.S. would break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back into the streets following a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests, according to six current and former officials. --On Monday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth asserted that the U.S. military was prepared to pursue aggressive action against Iran if the Islamic republic refused to negotiate with Washington on its nuclear program. --The U.S. military shot down an unmanned Iranian drone Tuesday after it aggressively approached a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier with unclear intent. --Iran has laid out a vision for a potential war with the U.S., detailing how it believes it could strike U.S. military bases across the Middle East, cripple global energy markets and pressure Washington into backing down. --Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf yesterday, accusing them of smuggling fuel and detaining about 15 foreign crew members ahead of talks taking place with U.S. officials. --Senior U.S. and Iranian officials held negotiations today in Oman. They came against the backdrop of a significant U.S. military build-up and escalating tensions. --President Trump signed a spending bill Tuesday ending the four-day partial government shutdown. --Democrats have spent years insisting that illegal immigrants do not vote.