America is ready to send $100 million in aid to Cuba, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that religious organizations and humanitarian groups will handle the distribution instead of Cuban government or military officials. Rubio explained that while the U.S. wants to help Cuban citizens, it doesn’t have confidence in the Cuban government to properly distribute the assistance. Analysts believe this approach could be effective since Protestant and evangelical congregations, particularly Baptist and Assemblies of God churches, have established strong networks throughout Cuba.
In Durham, North Carolina, faith communities are assisting refugees in their transition to American life. A church and synagogue have partnered to offer Afghan women a seven-week sewing program. The Trump administration has announced plans to increase refugee admission limits from 7,500 to 17,500 and is considering relocating more than 1,100 Afghan allies who supported U.S. military operations. Afghan women face particular challenges adapting to life in America, as many lack formal education and English language skills, which they’re now learning to help them pass written driving examinations.
President Trump is implementing new measures to give administration officials greater oversight of billions in federal agency grant funding to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest gay pressure group, is objecting to the action because it will remove funding from programs supporting abortion, transgenderism or the LGBT lifestyle. Mr. Trump maintains that taxpayers shouldn’t be required to fund such initiatives. The new regulations would mandate that senior appointees review all funding to ensure compliance with federal law and White House priorities.
Ghana’s lawmakers have approved legislation imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years for individuals who promote LGBT activities, reviving a measure long championed by religious organizations in the West African nation. The bill, anticipated to be signed by President John Mahama, would also establish three-year prison terms for those who participate in LGBT acts. Ghana passed similar legislation two years ago, but the president never signed it into law. Since that time, activists and church groups have continued advocating for updated legislation, and Mahama has signaled his support for the new version.
