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Lindsay Mast
Good morning. Congress faces down another funding deadline and President Trump works to dismantle the Department of Education.
Kent Covington
He's just going to deprive it of all of its powers and all of its people.
Nick Eicher
That's ahead today on Washington Wednesday. Also today, world tour and two freestyle bullfighters who see the rodeo ring as a mission field.
Todd Vishen
I saw those guys running around and protecting those guys and it was like an overwhelming sense of purpose.
Nick Eicher
And world opinions contributor Daniel Darling says America's increased interest in the spiritual is a great opportunity for the church.
Lindsay Mast
It's Wednesday, March 12th. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iger. Good morning.
Lindsay Mast
It's time for the news here. Here's Kent Covington.
Kent Covington
The United States is restoring military aid to Ukraine after Ukrainian leaders said they're ready for a ceasefire. That news came out of more than seven hours of meetings in Saudi Arabia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday. Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way.
Leo Briceno
That'S enduring and sustainable and accounts for their interests.
Kent Covington
Their security plan calls for a 30 day pause in fighting which could then be extended. White House national security Adviser Michael Waltz said they also his words got into substantive talks on how this war is going to permanently end, what type of.
Todd Vishen
Guarantees they're going to have for their long term security and prosperity, but also.
Kent Covington
Really looking at what it's going to.
Todd Vishen
Take to finally end the horrific fighting.
Kent Covington
President Trump said now it will be up to the Kremlin. Now we have to go to Russia and hope president, hopefully President Putin will agree to that. Also, there was no immediate reaction from the Russian government. Special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow later this week. At the Capitol, the House passed legislation to avert a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September.
Todd Vishen
On this vote, the yeas are 217.
Kent Covington
The nays are 213. The bill is passed without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. Republican voted no and one Democrat voted yes, but it was otherwise a straight party line vote in the Senate. However, the bill will need support from at least eight Democrats to get at President Trump's desk for a signature. Congress has until Friday to pass a funding bill to avert a shutdown. A potential escalation of the mounting U.S. canada trade war was defused on Tuesday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford had announced a new surcharge on energy coming into the United States. The White House in turn, announced that it was doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada. But President Trump said last night that he had spoken to Ford. He has called and he said he's not going to do that. And in turn, the US Will not double the steel and aluminum tariffs after all. Other US Tariffs, though announced last week on many Canadian and Mexican imports, remain in place. Trade talks continue between Washington and the neighboring countries. Roughly six weeks after a deadly mid air collision in the nation's capital, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy is calling for changes in the skies over Reagan National Airport. She said over the past several years there were 85 close calls in the area leading up to that January collision. The existing separation distances between helicopter traffic operating on Route 4 and aircraft landing on Runway 33 are insufficient and pose an intolerable risk to aviation safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he will accept the NTSB's recommendations. A US army helicopter collided with a commercial jet on January 29 near Reagan national, killing 67 people. Israel is sounding an alarm about what it says is ethnic cleansing taking place right now in Syria. Late last year, insurgents from the Islamic group HTS overthrew Syrian leader Bashar al Assad. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharon Haskell says HTS represents a new jihadist threat along Israel's border. When we say we are concerned about the security on the Syrian border, it means that we are concerned about those jihadist monsters committing a massacre and ethnic cleansing of Jews and Druze within our borders. Hundreds of civilians were killed over the weekend amid clashes in Syria's ongoing civil war. I'm Kent Covington. And still ahead, Congress is up against another funding deadline. We'll have a look at that on Washington Wednesday plus World Tour this is the world and everything in it.
Lindsay Mast
It's Wednesday, the 12th of March. This is World Radio and we're so glad you've joined us today. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Time now for Washington Wednesday. Today expelling the Department of Education. But first, more details on the House plan to avoid a government shutdown. World's Leo Briceno reports.
Chip Roy
Tuesday's vote on extending government funding into September is not ideal for fiscal hawks that want to see spending trimmed, but it gives Republicans room to focus on fiscal year 2026 and more importantly, Trump's legislative agenda.
Kent Covington
I think this is a responsible step forward.
Chip Roy
That's Chip Roy of Texas, a longtime critic of government spending extensions, speaking in a Rules Committee hearing on Monday.
Kent Covington
Look, I'VE got some on my kind of more moderate flank and my conservative flank that have concerns. And a lot of people have said, well, you know, we're moving a full year funding and continuing resolution. That's not how we should do business. Well, I think that the chairman of Appropriations would agree. Absolutely. I would agree. Right. That's not we would like to have 12 appropriations bills. I think this is a big step forward and we should now focus on FY26.
Chip Roy
The bill does contain a few changes to spending levels. Among hundreds of other tweaks, budgets for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve and the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement are marked to go up by several hundred million dollars each. The bill also contains a modest $7 billion in spending cuts that includes seasonal items like election security grants and an $80 million cut from the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. When asked about his expectations for next year, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma said that he believes Congress will continue the work it started last year, passing single issue appropriations bills.
Kent Covington
Senate didn't move a single one.
Onize Odua
We got five, about 70% of spending.
Chip Roy
Cole says another big priority this year will be writing recommendations for the Department of Government Efficiency into law.
Kent Covington
They're working on trying to codify the Doge savings and they're, you know, they're.
Chip Roy
Having these discussions that could happen through next year's spending bills, but it could also come through a rescission package that doesn't have to do with economic recessions. Instead, it's a bill that would rescind or cancel spending that Congress had previously approved. It's a tool the Nixon administration used to slash foreign aid. I spoke with House Majority Steve Scalise of Louisiana in the Capitol basement.
Kent Covington
Obviously, Doge is identifying a whole lot of waste, fraud and abuse in government. It's a long time coming to finally root out a lot of that fraud. And so ultimately, as that's compiled, it'll be put in a rescissions package. I think the American people want those savings locked in.
Chip Roy
For now. The spending bill heads to the Senate, where it must receive support from all Republicans and at least seven Democrats before President Trump can sign it into law. Reporting for World, I'm Leo Bruceno in.
Lindsay Mast
Washington, D.C. republicans in Washington have called for dismantling the Department of Education since President Jimmy Carter established it in 1979. About two years later, the new President, Ronald Reagan, called it a big waste of money.
Kent Covington
The budget plan I submit to you on February 8th will realize major savings by dismantling the departments of Energy and Education and by eliminating ineffective subsidies for business.
Nick Eicher
Reagan did not have the support in Congress he needed to pass that plan. And since that time, the department has ballooned, now boasting a budget of more than $100 billion, much of it going to student loans, but also funding an array of discretionary education programs.
Lindsay Mast
President Trump also promised to close down the Education Department during his first term and made the promise again coming into his second. So how's that coming along? World's Washington reporter Carolina Lumeta has that story.
Carolina Lumeta
President Donald Trump has given education secretary Linda McMahon a unique shut down her own department, and I want Linda to.
Daniel Darling
Put herself out of a job.
Carolina Lumeta
That's not a throwaway line. In McMahon's first interview since being confirmed, she told Fox News that Trump means business.
Kent Covington
He's made it crystal clear since the time he was running for president that this is his intent and he wants to make sure that education is back at the state level where it belongs.
Carolina Lumeta
Back in 1976, Jimmy Carter made a campaign promise to the nation's largest teachers union. He would create a cabinet level position for education. But Congress needed some convincing before it passed a law to codify the department in 1979. So Carter gave the Education Department a specific mandate to enforce non discrimination laws that authorize financial aid for low income students and equal access to education for students with special needs. Carter nominated 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Shirley Mount Huffstedler to be the department's first secretary, heard here in a 2007 interview on C Span.
Kent Covington
There are those who didn't want a Department of Education created at all because the primary responsibility for education is given to the states, not to the federal government. But the federal government has numerous programs involving education, not the least of which is student loan program.
Carolina Lumeta
That student loan program has become a $1.6 trillion portfolio. The Department of Education has a yearly budget of roughly $80 billion, but it often exceeds that in discretionary spending. Three quarters of that goes to research and loan servicing, while about one quarter goes to help states fund their education programs. The Department of Education does not determine curriculum or hire teachers. But federal funding accounts for roughly 11% of each state's education budget, though it varies across the country states. States with high rural populations such as Alaska and North Dakota receive the largest shares. Here's McMahon again.
Kent Covington
I think there is definitely a role for education to make sure that as we move education back to the states that we are providing the tools for the governors, for the teachers that we can provide them with research to show best practices.
Carolina Lumeta
But the process of abolishing it is complicated. Since Congress passed a law authorizing the department, President Trump may not simply sign it away. So he needs to convince 60 senators to approve his plan. Or he may try something simpler.
Kent Covington
He's just going to deprive it of all of its powers and all of its people.
Carolina Lumeta
John Malcolm is the vice president of the Institute for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation.
Kent Covington
There will be a building there, or maybe he'll sell the building and lease it back, but there'll be nobody doing anything in the Department of Education. He'll take all of the funds that the Department of Education gets, and he's going to try to give that all to the states and return all of this power to the state.
Carolina Lumeta
During her confirmation Hearing last month, McMahon suggested the treasury or Commerce Department could take over student loans. She promised that responsibility for programs like Disability Access to Education would continue, but under other departments like Health and Human Services. This concerns teachers like Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education Foundation.
Lindsay Mast
Well, there are guardrails that are put in place by the department as to how that money is to be distributed to schools with lots of protections, so districts cannot willy nilly use those funds as they would like to. It's questionable as to whether any of those guardrails would exist.
Carolina Lumeta
Switching programs to other departments might also disrupt services. Reid Scott Schwalbach is president of the Oregon Education association. She attended McMahon's confirmation hearing in February. Having another department that does not work with students, that doesn't understand education, try to administer grants and then be able to effectively assess if those grants are being used, if the federal dollars are being actually efficiently used, we're getting the results we need. That is not going to be done better by another department, Scott Schwalbach says. Teachers also rely on Department of Education testing and research, especially the National Assessment of Educational Progress test, often called the nation's report card. While each state determines its own testing standards, they used the NAEP results to inform those standards. We can't expect 50 states to do quality research and then to come together magically and say, now let's all share our research and see what's working in our state compared to your state. And then we'll come up with some really good ways that we can make sure that we're being effective across all of our state borders. If the Education Department's operations simply shift to other departments, it's likely that states and schools won't see an immediate change. Martin west is a professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In a recent episode of the Harvard Edcast podcast, he outlined the push and pull between federal oversight and states rights.
Kent Covington
Ultimately, I think the engines of improvement in American education need to be the states and school districts, with the federal government playing a supportive role.
Carolina Lumeta
As of Tuesday, Trump had not signed an executive order on the department's fate, but last week in the Oval Office, he reiterated that it could be on the chopping block.
Kent Covington
We want the education to be given by the states be much better.
Daniel Darling
It'll move us to the top of.
Kent Covington
The list, from the bottom of the list and actually save us money.
Carolina Lumeta
Reporting for world I'm Carolina Lumeta in Washington.
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Reformation Bible College, offering classical Christian education that prepares students to glorify and enjoy God in any career. Reformationbiblecollege.org from Ambassadors Impact Network Helping entrepreneurs who are looking for more than just funding discover a community of Christian faith led investors. More@ambassadorsimpact.com and from the book From Eden to Egypt by Alex Duke. A guided tour of Genesis From Eden to Egyptbook.com.
Nick Eicher
Coming up next on the World and Everything in It World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Oniza.
Onize Odua
Today's world tour begins in Syria, where violence over the weekend left more than a thousand people dead. Clashes erupted in the coastal region last week between the Sunni Muslim Syrian security forces and loyalists of the ousted former president Bashar Assad, many of them members of the minority Alawite sect. Fighting and revenge killings grew since then, stoking sectarian violence. The victims also included Christians. The violence is the worst since the overthrow of Assad's government in December. Nazem naji is a 70 year old resident in Syria's capital of Damascus. He called for people to work together to save the country. Meanwhile, Syria's interim president, Ahmed Al Sharah has pledged to respond to the violence. He says those responsible will face justice. Next to Australia, where authorities have confirmed that a suspected plot to target a synagogue with explosives was not what it appeared. Authorities in January found a caravan loaded with explosives with the address of a synagogue in Sydney, but on Monday, police said it was a diversion by an organized crime network. David Hudson is the New South Wales deputy police commissioner.
Kent Covington
It was about causing chaos within the community, causing threat, causing angst, diverting police resources away from their day jobs to.
Todd Vishen
Have them focus on matters that would.
Kent Covington
Allow them to get up to or engage in other criminal activity.
Onize Odua
Police are yet to make any arrests, but the country has seen a surge in anti Semitic attacks since Hamas invaded Israel in October 2023. The attacks mostly target synagogues schools and private property. In Poland, pro life demonstrators protest at the opening of the country's first station abortion center in the city of Warsaw. The new center opened right across the city's parliament building. Assisting in an abortion is illegal in Poland and punishable by up to three years in jail, but women also bypass any legal responsibility if they carry out the abortions themselves. Justinia Vivenska, one of the center's founders, said women can order pills in advance and come into the center to have an abortion. Outside the building, protesters prayed together and also played audio of a crying baby. Laws in the majority Catholic nation shield babies from abortion except in cases of rape, incest or if the pregnancy endangers the mother's health or life. We close today in Southeast Europe, where far right independent candidate in Romania is challenging his excuse exclusion from an upcoming presidential poll. Romania's central Electoral Bureau on Sunday rejected Kalin Jogescu's candidacy, saying it failed to meet the conditions of legality and also breached the obligations to defend democracy. Cedjescu claimed an unexpected victory during the first round of voting back in November, but the Constitutional Court annulled the vote over claims of Russian interference. He is leading in polls ahead of the May rerun election. This protester joined others to support Judgescu in the capital of Bucharest. She says the protest is now about a fight for democracy, adding that Jajescu's exclusion shows that they now live in a dictatorship. That's it for this week's World Tour. Reporting for World I'm Onize Odua in Abuja, Nigeria.
Nick Eicher
A buck toothed 27 year old llama is not kicking back in retirement, he still clocks in every day. White Top, as he's known, he's just been crowned the world's oldest llama in captivity. But he is too busy comforting sick kids at Victory Junction to let that slow him down.
Onize Odua
He can be kind of intimidating at.
Kent Covington
First, but once they come over to.
Onize Odua
Him they just realize how sweet he is.
Nick Eicher
Victory Junction is a camp in North Carolina founded by the Petty family, maybe the most well known name in nascar. For his part, White Top is known for his charm.
Kent Covington
He really does love a selfie moment.
Carolina Lumeta
Like if you try to take a.
Onize Odua
Picture of him from the side, he.
Kent Covington
Will like see scoot in there.
Nick Eicher
It's like he's cheesing, he's cheesing. Old Whitetop just proves that when it comes to being a great llama, there is no drama. And you know what else? There isn't.
Onize Odua
Typically llamas only spit when they are Scared. And he just loves his job so much that he doesn't do it.
Nick Eicher
Yeah, he doesn't spit. So there you have it. Too legit to spit. It's the world and everything in it.
Lindsay Mast
Today is Wednesday, March 12th. Thank you for turning to world radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Lindsay Mast.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Coming next on the World and everything in it, bullfighting. It is a centuries old tradition that pits man against beast in a colorful and often deadly and controversial dance.
Lindsay Mast
Several nations still allow traditional bullfighting with matadors and their swords. But the sport's popularity has declined since the 1980s over animal welfare concerns around the world.
Nick Eicher
Here in the U.S. cowboys have changed methods and have elevated the sport. World's Todd Vishen has.
Kent Covington
All right, so slowly but surely we're gonna get this animal up. Ballard is ready.
Todd Vishen
Imagine standing on the train tracks and having a train on one of them old coal trains rolling steam right at you.
Leo Briceno
That's the feeling Luke Ballard gets the moment a gate swings open and a bull charges toward him.
Kent Covington
It's not something where you agitate the animal. It's the way that they are born and bred. Generations of ferociousness comes alive.
Todd Vishen
He's got one. One mission is to cause harm to whatever stands in his way. And so you step up and challenge that and it's quite a dance when you do it right.
Leo Briceno
Ballard is a professional freestyle bull fighter. He earns a living trying to stay as close as he can to an unpredictable 1500 pound bull that charges anything that moves.
Todd Vishen
Obviously it's an adrenaline rush, but calling for one of those is one of the best feelings and sometimes some of the worst feelings you'll ever have in your life.
Leo Briceno
10 bullfighters competed for top score recently on the final day of the San Antonio Stock show and Rodeo. Ballard was one of them. He's the 2023 world champion, having successfully backflipped over a charging bull in that competition. Now he's trying to move back to the top and stay healthy while witnessing for Christ.
Todd Vishen
When you get in that arena, there is definitely a feeling that comes over you, like I could die, you know, so having faith that the Lord will protect me and yeah, be with every step that I make and every move that I make is one of the reasons I can even step in there in the first place.
Leo Briceno
Today's bullfighters carry on the Spanish tradition of matadors, but without capes and swords. They still dress colorfully and many paint their faces like rodeo clowns. Most also Wear protective vests under their costumes that absorb the brunt of the force when they're hooked by a charging bull. But injuries are still common.
Todd Vishen
I had an MCL tear last year, had to have surgery on it. Came back in July. It was a pretty.
Leo Briceno
Luke Yancy is a bullfighter from Pellahatchie, Mississippi. At 29, he's one of the older bullfighters. He arrived at the roadie with Ballard, and they often used their time together to encourage and mentor each other about the difficulties that come with a life on the road. His dad was a professional rodeo announcer, and Yancey grew up in and around arenas. He tried college and baseball before settling on fighting bulls, but he thanks God for guiding his path to the arena.
Todd Vishen
So I kind of struggled, to be honest after college, not really having a purpose for my life or feeling like I didn't. So I just started praying a lot. And it took about two and a half years to really see the big picture. And the Lord showed me the PBR one day, and I saw those guys running around and protecting those guys, and it was like an overwhelming sense of purpose.
Leo Briceno
Bullfighters vie for 100 points each round, with 50 of those points coming from the bulls. Aggressiveness.
Kent Covington
The fighting bulls preparing to enter this.
Nick Eicher
Arena are extremely dangerous.
Leo Briceno
The athletes are judged on their willingness to expose themselves to risk and their style. Touching the bull's face and jumping over the charging beast earn high scores and cheers from the crowd. Friends. Yancey and Ballard were pitted against each other. This time, Yancy went first.
Kent Covington
Oh, just when you think you've got him, the predator becomes the prey.
Leo Briceno
A few minutes later, Ballard's turn.
Kent Covington
Look, he stays in the center of the pen here.
Daniel Darling
Don't weaken.
Kent Covington
Don't weaken. Get out there. Get out there. You're good. Man's. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Leo Briceno
The hottest bulls have names, and Ballard won his championship fighting Habanero. The victory gave him a bigger stage to share his faith, and he considers his vocation part of God's mandate in Genesis.
Todd Vishen
So when you're having a good fight, I mean, you feel like you can't make a wrong move. Those bulls just slide past you. You feel like you're in total control of those animals, which God calls us. He said man will have total control over all the beasts and everything of the world.
Leo Briceno
Ballard bested his friend Yancy in the first heat.
Todd Vishen
Things can change in an instant.
Leo Briceno
But in the championship round, he was hooked by the bull.
Kent Covington
This looks good.
Leo Briceno
You see him slow down, breaks around.
Kent Covington
The corner, and he just catches a leg right there.
Leo Briceno
He tried to continue fighting but couldn't put any weight on his leg, ending his pursuit of the $10,000 prize. But he and Yancy left the arena hopeful.
Todd Vishen
I feel like in my life God has called me to be a missionary, and sometimes people think missionary as in going overseas, going to someplace to minister to these people. But I think God has really put me in the Western industry specifically to be a missionary, to be a light. Whenever you think of the Western industry and cowboys, it's pretty rough and tough. And so being a change, being a light to people who are broken is kind of what I feel like God calls me to do.
Leo Briceno
Reporting for World hello, I'm Todd Vishen.
Kent Covington
In San Antonio, Texas.
Nick Eicher
Today is Wednesday, March 12th. Good morning. This is the World and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Nick Iker.
Lindsay Mast
And I'm Lindsay Mast. Up next, world commentator Daniel Darling believes now is the time for for bolder evangelism. A recent survey of American belief suggests the fields may be ripe.
Daniel Darling
Has the rise in secularism waned? That's one conclusion to draw from the findings of the annual Pew survey. It gathered the religious views of over 35,000 people from across the country. 62% of Americans identify as Christians. This number is consistent with surveys going back to 2019, where the precipitous decline in Christianity began to stabilize. These findings seem consistent with anecdotal evidence. High profile conversions and new conversions about religion in popular media formats suggest a new interest in the transcendent and a rejection of secularism by many. Nobody should mistake these numbers for revival, but followers of Christ can find slivers of hope in a society questioning the secular age. Perhaps a world riven by war, natural disaster and political upheaval has caused people to confront their own mortality and seek the divine. There's opportunity here for the church, especially among younger people, where Christianity is still lagging significantly behind older generations. While disavowing religion, many describe themselves as spiritual. Eight in ten Americans believe humans have souls, while more than three quarters believe in a universal God or spirit, like Paul on Mars Hill. In Acts, chapter 17, Christians can boldly and beautifully speak of the Lord of Heaven and earth to those who seek him and reach out for Him. The church should not hesitate to embrace our mission field. In the book of Romans, Paul reminds us, and how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. The world around us is put off by the false promises of secularism. It is Dissatisfied with the pleasures of modernity, it is awakening to the lies of the sexual revolution. Now is the time for Christians to joyfully proclaim that there is a better way to orient our lives. We must show that a relationship with God through his Son is the gateway to fulfillment and true spirituality, not the cheap substitutes on offer. This survey might also help dispel persistent myths that often rise in opposition to faithful Christian life and practice. While contextualization is important for our witness, a Christianity stripped of its symbols and distinctives is off putting to those who seek alternatives to the world's false ideologies. Another shattered myth is that conservative political ideologies drive away those seeking God. In reality, it is progressivism that has both emptied out the mainline churches and correlates heavily with the decline in Christianity and religiosity overall. This doesn't mean conservative believers should avoid prudence in politics, but it cuts against the perennial accusation that conservative voting patterns are responsible for religious indifference. It is left wing Christianity that ends up keeping the political ideology but losing the gospel for the people of God. Our response to the findings of this survey should be to double down on both faithfulness to our local churches and faithfulness in our families. Given that the next generation seems less Christian than our own, we should not hesitate in our commitment to evangelizing our children. We have to take them to church weekly. We must teach them the key doctrines of the Christian faith. This and other surveys demonstrate a link between family structure and Christian faith. The decline of marriage results in a decline of faith generationally, and we should not rest from the task of evangelism. The bloody cross and triumphant resurrection of our Lord is still, as it has always been, both foolishness to and the hope for a lost and dying world. In a world increasingly rejecting secularism, we must not hesitate to proclaim this good news. I'm Daniel Darling.
Nick Eicher
Tomorrow we'll hear from the brother of an Israeli hostage just released about how he's coming to terms with his captivity and the ongoing debate over unpaid medical bills and their effect on credit reports. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Iger.
Lindsay Mast
And I'm Lindsay Mast. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible records Jesus saying, my time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. Verses 6 through 8 of John, chapter 7 Go now, embrace in peace.
Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It
Episode: 3.12.25 Washington Wednesday, World Tour, and Freestyle Bullfighters
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher
Produced by: WORLD Radio
In the March 12, 2025 episode of The World and Everything In It, WORLD Radio hosts Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher delve into pressing national and international issues, explore unique cultural phenomena, and highlight inspiring stories that intertwine faith with daily life. The episode is segmented into key sections: Washington Wednesday, World Tour, Freestyle Bullfighters, and insights from world commentator Daniel Darling.
Key Topics:
Notable Discussions:
Military Aid to Ukraine:
Kent Covington reports on the restoration of U.S. military aid to Ukraine following Ukrainian leaders' readiness for a ceasefire.
“Today we made an offer that the Ukrainians have accepted, which is to enter into a ceasefire and into immediate negotiations to end this conflict in a way.” ([01:01])
House Funding Bill:
Chip Roy of Texas discusses the House's passage of a funding bill extending federal agency funding through September without immediate spending cuts but includes selective budget adjustments.
“The bill does contain a few changes to spending levels… a modest $7 billion in spending cuts.” ([06:28])
Dismantling the Department of Education:
Carolina Lumeta highlights President Trump's clear intent to abolish the Department of Education, which currently manages a $100 billion budget centered largely on student loans and discretionary programs.
“He’s just going to deprive it of all of its powers and all of its people.” ([11:44])
Implications and Challenges:
Experts express concerns over the logistical and administrative challenges of dissolving a federal department, including potential disruptions in funding distribution and loss of educational research and standards.
“If the Education Department's operations simply shift to other departments, it's likely that states and schools won't see an immediate change.” ([13:00])
Key Regions Covered:
Highlights:
Syria's Civil War Escalation:
Onize Odua reports on intensified clashes in Syria's coastal region between Syrian security forces and Assad loyalists, leading to widespread civilian casualties including Christians.
“Nazem naji is a 70-year-old resident in Syria's capital of Damascus. He called for people to work together to save the country.” ([15:46])
Australia's Anti-Semitic Threats:
A suspected plot to bomb a Sydney synagogue was revealed to be a diversion by organized crime, reflecting a surge in anti-Semitic sentiment since the Hamas invasion of Israel.
“It's about causing chaos within the community... to divert police resources away from their day jobs.” ([16:45])
Poland's Abortion Center Protests:
Pro-life demonstrators rally against Poland’s first legalized abortion center, emphasizing the country's restrictive abortion laws and the societal divide on reproductive rights.
“Justin Vivenska... said women can order pills in advance and come into the center to have an abortion.” ([17:26])
Romania’s Democratic Struggles:
Onize Odua covers the exclusion of far-right candidate Kalin Jogescu from upcoming presidential polls, sparking protests and accusations of authoritarianism.
“She says the protest is now about a fight for democracy, adding that Jajescu's exclusion shows that they now live in a dictatorship.” ([17:50])
Key Topics:
Notable Stories:
Luke Ballard’s Championship and Faith:
Todd Vishen interviews Luke Ballard, the 2023 world champion freestyle bullfighter, who integrates his faith into his high-risk profession.
“Having faith that the Lord will protect me... is one of the reasons I can even step in there in the first place.” ([23:11])
Challenges and Injuries:
Bullfighting remains a dangerous sport despite safety measures. Fighters often face injuries, yet their commitment remains strong.
“I had an MCL tear last year, had to have surgery on it. Came back in July.” ([23:47])
Community and Mentorship:
Younger bullfighters like Luke Yancy benefit from mentorship, finding purpose and direction through their involvement in the rodeo circuit.
“It took about two and a half years to really see the big picture. And the Lord showed me the PBR one day.” ([24:17])
Key Topics:
Insights from Daniel Darling:
Survey Findings:
Daniel Darling interprets recent Pew survey data indicating that 62% of Americans identify as Christians, with a stabilization in the decline of Christianity. Many Americans describe themselves as spiritual rather than religious, suggesting a nuanced shift in belief systems.
“Eight in ten Americans believe humans have souls, while more than three quarters believe in a universal God or spirit.” ([27:45])
Evangelism Strategy:
Darling advocates for the church to embrace innovative evangelism strategies, focusing on family structure, teaching key doctrines, and maintaining distinct Christian symbols to attract those disillusioned with secularism.
“We must show that a relationship with God through his Son is the gateway to fulfillment and true spirituality.” ([30:00])
Addressing Myths and Misconceptions:
He challenges the notion that conservative political ideologies alienate seekers, arguing that progressivism has been more detrimental to church attendance and religiosity.
“It is left-wing Christianity that ends up keeping the political ideology but losing the gospel for the people of God.” ([30:45])
Call to Action:
The church is encouraged to double down on local and familial evangelism to counteract generational declines in faith and reinforce the importance of marriage and family structure in sustaining religious belief.
“The decline of marriage results in a decline of faith generationally, and we should not rest from the task of evangelism.” ([31:10])
Amidst heavy political and social discussions, the hosts provide a heartwarming interlude featuring White Top, a 27-year-old llama who serves at Victory Junction, a camp in North Carolina. Known for his gentle demeanor and therapeutic presence, White Top continues to bring comfort to sick children, embodying a drama-free and loving nature.
“Old White Top just proves that when it comes to being a great llama, there is no drama.” ([20:35])
The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming content, including an interview with the brother of a recently released Israeli hostage and discussions on the impact of unpaid medical bills on credit reports. Hosts Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher reaffirm the podcast’s mission to deliver biblically grounded journalism that informs, educates, and inspires.
Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps:
This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of politics, faith, and global events, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and inspirational stories that reflect the podcast’s commitment to biblically grounded journalism.