6.25.25 Immigration enforcement, World Tour, and cleaning up with a bucket of paint

Summary

The World and Everything In It
Episode: June 25, 2025
Title: Immigration Enforcement, World Tour, and Cleaning Up with a Bucket of Paint
Host: World Radio
Host Personalities: Lindsay Mast, Nick Eicher
Summary Prepared by: [Your Name]

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Introduction

In this comprehensive episode of "The World and Everything In It," listeners are guided through a multifaceted exploration of pressing issues ranging from U.S. immigration enforcement and international conflicts to community-driven environmental efforts and philosophical musings on human existence. Hosted by Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher, the program delivers rich insights, expert analyses, and compelling narratives that inform and inspire.

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1. Immigration Enforcement in the United States

The episode delves into the contentious practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), examining whether the agency adheres to legal standards.

Key Points:

• Legal Classification: Deportation is characterized as a civil, not criminal, process, granting ICE broader discretion.
• Divergent Perspectives: Lawmakers are split on ICE's enforcement methods, with Democrats advocating for increased due process and Republicans supporting ICE's current practices.

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsay Mast (00:05): "The law has characterized deportation as civil and not criminal."
• Rep. Brad Knott (10:57): "The deportation is a civil enforcement mechanism. The only thing that we owe an illegal immigrant is a humane trip home."

Expert Insight:

• Jennifer Koh, Pepperdine University (11:18): "Non-citizens do not enjoy the same due process rights as they would in a criminal process."

Discussion Highlights:

• ICE's Unique Structure: The agency operates under distinct guidelines, allowing for varied enforcement strategies, including undercover operations and mass apprehensions.
• Impact on Individuals: Stories like that of Wendy Breo illustrate the personal toll of ICE's practices, highlighting issues such as lack of transparency and due process.

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2. Middle East Tensions: Israel and Iran Ceasefire

The program provides an in-depth analysis of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, contextualized within broader geopolitical dynamics.

Key Points:

• Ceasefire Fragility: Despite initial optimism from President Trump, recent missile exchanges have tested the stability of the truce.
• Political Reactions: U.S. lawmakers are divided over President Trump's unilateral airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Janie B. Cheney (01:10): "I think they don't want it to happen again. And Iran's not going to have a nuclear weapon."
• Rep. Ted Lieu (01:20): "Only Congress has the power to declare war."

Expert Insight:

• Vice President J.D. Vance (02:47): "The operation was effective and obliterated these three sites."

Discussion Highlights:

• Effectiveness of Airstrikes: While some officials praise the strikes as a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear capabilities, others call for independent verification of the damage inflicted.
• Congressional Divide: Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham defend Trump's actions, whereas Democrats express concerns over presidential overreach.

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3. NATO Defense Spending Increase

In the wake of escalating geopolitical tensions, NATO member nations have significantly increased their defense budgets.

Key Points:

• New Defense Targets: Members have agreed to raise their defense spending from an anticipated 2% to 5% of GDP.
• Rationale: Driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European nations are bolstering their military capabilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Janie B. Cheney (04:59): "Now they're going to be lifting it to 5%. That's good. It gives them much more power."
• NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda (04:46): Praise for President Trump’s efforts in securing increased contributions.

Discussion Highlights:

• Focus Areas: The increased budget allocation includes 3.5% for core military capabilities and 1.5% for infrastructure and cybersecurity.
• Historical Context: The move represents a significant shift in defense policy, reflecting the urgency imposed by recent conflicts.

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4. Federal Reserve's Interest Rates

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell addresses current economic conditions, particularly focusing on interest rates and inflation.

Key Points:

• Current Stance: The Fed maintains interest rates steady, citing a solid economy and labor market.
• Inflation Concerns: While inflation has decreased, it remains above the 2% target, partly influenced by ongoing tariffs.

Notable Quotes:

• Jerome Powell (05:27): "Dropping rates too soon could fuel inflation."
• Nick Eicher (05:43): "Inflation has come down a great deal."

Discussion Highlights:

• Economic Outlook: Powell emphasizes caution, suggesting that premature rate cuts could destabilize the economy.
• Policy Implications: The Fed's measured approach aims to balance economic growth with inflation control.

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5. ICE Guidelines and Policy Debate

A deep dive into ICE's operational guidelines reveals a complex interplay between agency flexibility and calls for standardized reform.

Key Points:

• Operational Discretion: ICE possesses significant latitude in how it conducts arrests and deportations, often leading to inconsistent practices across regions.
• Call for Reform: Democrats advocate for uniform policies and enhanced protections for detainees, while Republicans defend ICE's current flexibility as essential for effective enforcement.

Notable Quotes:

• Janie B. Cheney (12:04): "ICE has flexibility to do things in the field that other agencies can't."
• Rep. Adriano Espiat (13:17): "Anybody that steps foot on soil in the United States is already protected by the US Constitution."

Expert Insight:

• Jennifer Koh (11:18): Discusses the lack of criminal due process in deportation proceedings.

Discussion Highlights:

• Legal Framework: The Supreme Court's stance in INS vs. Lopez Mendoza underscores the civil nature of deportations, limiting detainees' rights.
• Practical Implications: ICE's varied approaches, from street operations to uniformed SWAT-like tactics, reflect a lack of standardization that fuels controversy.

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6. World Tour: International News Highlights

a. China’s Fentanyl Controls

China intensifies regulation of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production amidst ongoing tensions with the U.S.

Key Points:

• Government Actions: Strengthened controls and independent measures to comply with UN obligations.
• U.S. Concerns: Accusations of Chinese subsidies to companies producing precursor chemicals.

Notable Quotes:

• Chinese Spokesman Guo Jiakun (16:00): "Fentanyl is a problem for the United States, not China."

b. NATO Summit and Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses NATO leaders, emphasizing Russia's lack of interest in peace.

Key Points:

• Russian Aggression: Zelensky asserts Putin's commitment to war over peace.
• NATO Cooperation: Ukraine seeks deeper collaboration with NATO.

Notable Quotes:

• Zelensky (17:49): "Putin only thinks about war."

c. Syria Church Bombing

A tragic suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus highlights ongoing religious extremism.

Key Points:

• Attack Details: At least 25 killed, 63 injured.
• Community Response: Interfaith vigils call for protection against extremism.

d. Greece Wildfires

Greece declares a state of emergency on Chios island due to uncontrolled wildfires, a common summer challenge.

Key Points:

• Firefighting Efforts: Over 400 firefighters deployed, with significant local involvement.
• Seasonal Challenge: Athens hires a record number of firefighters in anticipation of severe fire conditions.

e. Florence Art Damage Incident

A tourist inadvertently damages a 300-year-old portrait at Florence's Uffizi Gallery, prompting museum policy reviews.

Key Points:

• Incident Details: Visitor trips and causes damage to priceless artwork.
• Museum Response: Implementation of new guidelines to prevent future occurrences.

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7. Community Efforts: Cleaning Up with a Bucket of Paint

Highlighting grassroots activism, the episode features Australia's Robbo, who combats graffiti and litter in his community.

Key Points:

• Robbo’s Mission: Removes graffiti and collects trash using simple tools like paint rollers and trash grabbers.
• Inspiring Change: Robbo’s dedication motivates others to participate in community clean-up efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Robbo (23:15): "I wish they called me the anti-graffiti guy."
• Robbo (26:34): "It takes them longer to put it up than me to take it down."

Discussion Highlights:

• Personal Transformation: Robbo’s journey from a troubled youth to a community hero underscores the impact of personal redemption.
• Community Impact: His actions not only beautify the neighborhood but also inspire others to take initiative.

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8. Philosophical Reflection: Living in the World

World commentator Janie B. Cheney explores the interplay between human perception and physical existence, drawing on philosophical theories.

Key Points:

• Human Perception: Reflects on Bishop George Berkeley’s idealism, contemplating how much of our reality is shaped by our minds.
• Modern Implications: Discusses how technology and societal trends influence our engagement with the physical world.

Notable Quotes:

• Cheyenne B. Cheney (29:14): "I think Berkeley was on to something not about physics but about human psychology."
• Cheyenne B. Cheney (31:40): "Our primary tether to the real world is the physical body."

Philosophical Insights:

• Reality Construction: Emphasizes the importance of real-world interactions and relationships over internal mental constructs.
• Biblical Perspective: Integrates the idea that glorifying God involves actively participating in the physical world and fostering positive relationships.

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Conclusion

This episode of "The World and Everything In It" offers a nuanced exploration of significant global and local issues. From the complexities of immigration enforcement and geopolitical tensions to inspiring community initiatives and deep philosophical inquiries, the program provides listeners with a rich tapestry of information and perspectives. Through expert interviews, compelling narratives, and thoughtful analysis, host Lindsay Mast and Nick Eicher deliver an engaging and informative experience for their audience.

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Upcoming Topics:

• July 2, 2025: Senate discussions on selling public lands, economic impacts, and the revival of drive-in theaters.

Final Thoughts: The program underscores its mission of delivering biblically grounded journalism that not only informs but also inspires action and reflection. As always, "The World and Everything In It" encourages listeners to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

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This summary was prepared based on the transcript provided and adheres to the guidelines for detailed, structured, and engaging content delivery.

Transcript

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. Some say Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn't play by the rules, but what does the rule book say? The law has characterized deportation as civil and not criminal.

[Nick Eicher]

That's ahead today on Washington Wednesday. Also today, world tour and later, cleaning up the streets one little bit at a time.

[Janie B. Cheney]

It takes them longer to put it up than me to take it down.

[Nick Eicher]

And world commentator Janie B. Cheney on bruises philosophy and why we don't just live in our own heads.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Wednesday, June 25th. 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]

Up next, Kent Covington has today's news.

[Kent Covington]

Will the ceasefire between Israel and Iran continue to hold? That is the question on the minds of many world leaders. But President Trump says he's optimistic that both countries want the conflict to end.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Tired of it. I think they don't want it to happen again. And Iran's not going to have a nuclear weapon, by the way. I think it's the last thing on their mind right now.

[Kent Covington]

The truce got off to a shaky start, though. Explosions in Tehran after Israel launched a blitz of airstrike early Tuesday morning. Before the truce took effect, Iran responded with an onslaught of missiles that killed at least four people in Israel. Then two hours after the truce took effect, Israel accused Iran of firing two more missiles, which Iran denies doing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted Israeli airstrikes after a reportedly tense phone call with Trump Tuesday morning. Meantime, in Washington, lawmakers continue to clash over the president's decision to order the weekend airstrikes against nuclear facilities in Iran. Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu said Iran had to be stopped, but argued that the president may have exceeded his authority. We have to make sure this regime never acquires a nuclear weapon. At the same time, I believe the Constitution means what it says. Only Congress has the power to declare war. But almost all Republicans believe that the president did not declare war with those limited airstrikes and that he was acting well within his authority under the War Powers Act. And GOP Senator Lindsey Graham argues that President Trump made the right call. This operation was flawless.

[Nick Eicher]

It was effective.

[Kent Covington]

More than anything else, it did obliterate these three sites. The pilots did a fantastic job, but.

[Nick Eicher]

So did President Trump, making a bold decision.

[Kent Covington]

Questions remain, however, about the condition of Iran's nuclear facilities and materials after those airstrikes. Vice President J.D. vance suggested that recent strikes may have effectively destroyed Tehran's nuclear program, but the Pentagon says it's way too early to assess that. And Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency Iran, officially told.

[Leo Braceno]

Me we are going to be taking protective measures which may or may not include moving around this material, he said.

[Kent Covington]

Independent inspectors need access to nuclear sites across Iran to determine if key nuclear facilities were truly destroyed. And what about stockpiles of enriched uranium? Grossi said inspectors need to know whether.

[Leo Braceno]

There is a possibility that this could have been moved and where is it.

[Kent Covington]

Some analysts believe that Iran's nuclear program was likely set back by many years, but others fear that it may be possible that Iran could still be less than a year away from a nuclear weapon. The Department of Homeland Security says US Authorities have arrested nearly a dozen Iranian nationals amid heightened concerns about potential terrorist attacks. World's Benjamin Eicker has more.

[Leo Braceno]

DHS says authorities arrested a total of 11 Iranian nationals in the US illegally across eight states. Nearly all are accused of crimes beyond immigration violations. One of them admitted to having ties to the Iran backed terror group Hezbollah. Another was described as a suspected terrorist and former sniper for the Iranian army. The arrests came amid concerns about possible so called sleeper cells in the United States. A officials say they're being proactive in locating high risk illegal immigrants, but Homeland Security officials say there are currently no known credible threats to the US Homeland. For World I'm Benjamin Eicher.

[Kent Covington]

President Trump is in the Netherlands this morning for day two of the NATO summit at the Hague. Member nations formally voted yesterday to set a new target for defense spending, and Trump addressed that hours earlier. Previously, members were expected to spend just 2% of their GDP on defense, but.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Now they're going to be lifting it to 5%. That's good. It gives them much more power.

[Kent Covington]

That will be 3.5% on core military capabilities like tanks, weapons and forces, and another 1.5% on related areas like infrastructure and cybersecurity. NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda praised President Trump for his efforts getting other member nations to step up their defense contributions. Those efforts date back to the start of Trump's first term. And of course, Russia's invasion of Ukraine lit a fire under many European nations to ramp up defense. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says holding interest rates right where they are is the right call for now. He defended the central bank's cautious approach in testimony Tuesday before a House committee.

[Nick Eicher]

Inflation has come down a great deal.

[Kent Covington]

But has been running somewhat above our.

[Nick Eicher]

2% longer run objective.

[Kent Covington]

He said dropping rates too soon could fuel inflation and that he still believes tariffs are likely to drive consumer prices higher in the months ahead. Powell added that the economy and the labor market remain solid. And with that in mind, the Fed feels no urgency to lower interest rates. Right now. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, understanding U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement guidelines, plus, one man's quiet service to his neighborhood. This is THE WORLD and everything in it.

[Nick Eicher]

It's Wednesday, the 25th of June. Glad to have you along for today's edition of THE WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Master. Time now for Washington Wednesday. Today, a look at the authority Immigration and Customs Enforcement possesses to detain and deport illegal aliens.

[Nick Eicher]

But first, members of Congress weigh in on Israel's 12 day war with Iran, but more specifically, the US attack over the weekend on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Lawmakers were supposed to receive a classified briefing on Tuesday on the operation, but that meeting has been postponed. So for now, members of Congress have unanswered questions about just how effective the strikes were and where that leaves the US Role in the region. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Peace in the.

[Kent Covington]

Middle east has never been closer within our grasp.

[Lindsay Mast]

Texas Democrat Al Green sees it differently. He's the member of Congress who filed three separate unsuccessful articles of impeachment in the first Trump term, one so far in the second term. But it does look like he's on the brink of filing another.

[Kent Covington]

I believe that the president of the United States has committed an impeachable act.

[Nick Eicher]

Other Democrats are waiting for more information before drawing conclusions. Here is Congressman George Latimer of New York, a Democrat. Last year he ousted a vocally anti Israel incumbent.

[Leo Braceno]

Do we have an accurate report about how much damage the bombs did?

[Janie B. Cheney]

It was asserted when they were dropped.

[Leo Braceno]

That night that we have obliterated their program.

[Janie B. Cheney]

You know they won't be able to do this.

[Leo Braceno]

Well, now you know we don't know that yet.

[Lindsay Mast]

Others believe Iran's relatively weak response and its quick embrace of a ceasefire speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the strikes. Here's Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York. He's chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East.

[Leo Braceno]

You see how Iran has responded with.

[Nick Eicher]

A symbolic strike and you see how quickly they are seeking a ceasefire.

[Leo Braceno]

That wouldn't have happened if we didn't take action.

[Nick Eicher]

Congressional leadership expects to be briefed. More on the Iran strikes later on this week. Turning now to immigration enforcement, here is Washington bureau reporter Leo Braceno.

[Leo Braceno]

A few weeks ago, Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives held a news conference to express alarm over the same issue, sparking unrest and leaving cars ablaze in Downtown Los Angeles. ICE's detention and apprehension practices.

[Janie B. Cheney]

We met with Wendy Breo, a New Orleans area mother of three from my district.

[Leo Braceno]

That's Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter.

[Nick Eicher]

She's married to an American citizen.

[Janie B. Cheney]

All of her children were born in the state of Louisiana. She was going in for her regular.

[Nick Eicher]

Checkup when she was detained. She was not told why she was being detained.

[Janie B. Cheney]

She was not afforded the ability to have counsel. She was not given due process.

[Nick Eicher]

How could this possibly be right in America?

[Leo Braceno]

Brito's story is one data point. Democrats also pointed to ICE apprehending children, using zip ties to restrain people and holding detainees for months without explanation and say that the agency is out of control. World wasn't able to independently verify those accounts. But in speaking with lawmakers and experts, what is clear is that the agency has a unique structure and that it sometimes appears to play by a different set of rules. In part, that's because the agency's mandate is different from that of other law enforcement agencies and because it has more discretion in how to carry out its operations. With ICE amping up its enforcement under President Trump, lawmakers are divided on what's appropriate for the nation's chief immigration enforcement agency.

[Amy Lewis]

I do not submit to the premise.

[Kent Covington]

That we owe my process to people.

[Amy Lewis]

Who are here illegally, okay?

[Leo Braceno]

Congressman Brad Knott is a Republican out of North Carolina. Before his election to Congress in 2024, Knott worked as an attorney helping prosecute organized crime, drug cartels and human trafficking. He says ICE isn't interested in securing criminal convictions. Instead, it makes arrests with the end goal of deportations.

[Kent Covington]

It is a civil matter. The deportation is a civil enforcement mechanism. Due process attaches criminal measures. The only thing that we owe an illegal immigrant is a humane trip home.

[Leo Braceno]

That means that some of the processes and protections built into the criminal justice system don't apply. That concerns some experts in immigration law.

[Lindsay Mast]

The law has characterized deportation as civil and not criminal for a really long time.

[Leo Braceno]

Jennifer Koh is a professor of law at Pepperdine University. She studies the intersection between illegal immigration and criminal law and says that this approach to immigration enforcement means that non citizens do not enjoy the same due process rights as they would in a criminal process.

[Lindsay Mast]

For example, if you're accused of a crime, you know you're appointed like a government appointed lawyer in your defense. You know you have certain rights, you know, a right to a jury trial.

[Mary Muncie]

A right against double jeopardy that are.

[Lindsay Mast]

All associated with the criminal process. Many of those rights do not apply, right deportation. Because it's a civil process that means.

[Leo Braceno]

That ICE has flexibility to do things in the field that other agencies can't. ICE isn't concerned that evidence might get thrown out because of the way that it's collected or that a conviction won't happen because of an improper arrest. The Supreme Court affirmed this in the 1984 case INS vs Lopez Mendoza, quoting the majority opinion. The mere fact of an illegal arrest has no bearing on the subsequent deportation hearing. The deportation hearing looks prospectively to the respondents right to remain in this country in the future. Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana says that's why ICE agents can go in looking for one person and come out with others in tow.

[Janie B. Cheney]

They may come into contact with seven or eight other guys that have had formal orders of removal. Their warrant and information might not have been exactly for that person, but that person was part of the.

[Kent Covington]

I came into the. Into the contact with eyes during that operation.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So they arrest them too.

[Leo Braceno]

Many Democrats believe there should be more of a process and more protections. Here is New York Congressman Adriano Espiat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

[H]

Anybody that steps foot on soil in.

[Janie B. Cheney]

The United States is already protected and guarded by the US Constitution, and there.

[H]

Should be due process extended to that person.

[Leo Braceno]

But I will defer. The courts have a variety of cases before them that have the potential to clarify to what extent ICE needs to respect due process. In the meantime, another area of confusion centers on how ICE operates region to region. Some ICE agents operate in street clothes. Others mimic law enforcement or wear uniforms looking like SWAT teams. Occasionally they apprehend persons of interest in batches. Some wear masks, others don't. Professor Koh explains, a lot of that.

[Lindsay Mast]

Is left up to sort of agency leadership, either at the national level or at the local level, to kind of determine how to prioritize their resources.

[Leo Braceno]

The agency does have a Fugitive Operations Handbook that details its general practices. But in many cases, those guidelines provide only basic direction. The 2010 version, obtained through court documents, is 37 pages long, and its section on arrests is less than half a page. I asked lawmakers if it's time to reform ice, making its operations more uniform across the board. And I got very different answers.

[Kent Covington]

We've discussed this many times. This should be a standard.

[Leo Braceno]

That's Congressman Robert Garcia of California. He's a Democrat who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee.

[Kent Covington]

ICE hasn't been around for, you know, decades and decades. Been around for what, 20 years, 25 years. And so I think that that as an agency, there has to be reform, there has to be a focus on.

[Leo Braceno]

Treating people humanely by Contrast, Congressman Knott, the former attorney, believes that ICE's current flexibility is necessary for enforcing the law in a variety of situations.

[Kent Covington]

There are a dime a dozen different circumstances for how people are apprehended. Sometimes they're taken into custody off the street, sometimes they're taken out of a mob, sometimes they're taken out of a.

[Mary Muncie]

Crime scene, sometimes they're taken out of court.

[Leo Braceno]

Nant says that setting a national standard for enforcement processes is unnecessary as long as ICE affords illegal immigrants a humane deportation process. What lawmakers and analysts will continue to watch for is how ICE agents use their discretionary authority to meet the administration's goals. Reporting for WORLD I'm Leo Bruceno in Washington.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from Water's Edge Kingdom Investments, personal Investments that build churches 5.05% APY on a three month term watersedge.com invest and from the issued ETC. Podcast expert guests expansive topics extolling Christ more at issuesetc.org Coming up next on.

[Lindsay Mast]

The WORLD and Everything in IT World Tour. While the eyes of the world remain focused on Iran and Israel, there are many other events happening around the globe. Mary Muncie now with this week's report.

[Mary Muncie]

We begin today in China, where officials say they'll strengthen controls on the chemical used to make fentanyl. Earlier this year, the White House accused the Chinese Communist Party of subsidizing companies that make so called precursor chemicals. It imposed a series of tariffs to encourage China to stem the flow to the United States. But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun says the country's move is independent and to fulfill its obligations as a party to the United Nations. Guo says fentanyl is a problem for the United states, not China. U.S. officials say since at least 2016, Chinese traffickers have been making precursor chemicals and shipping them to Mexico, where they're turned into fentanyl and smuggled across the border. The drug killed almost 50,000Americans last year. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed world leaders at the NATO summit at the Hague. He told his audience that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no interest in peace with Ukraine.

[H]

Putin only thinks about war.

[Nick Eicher]

That's a fact.

[Mary Muncie]

Zelensky went on to say that Ukraine wants to cooperate with NATO in any way possible. Elsewhere, aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump told reporters, as you know, Vladimir called me up.

[Janie B. Cheney]

He said, can I help you with Iran? I said, no, I don't need help with Iran. I need help with you. And I hope we're going to be getting a deal done with Russia, but.

[Mary Muncie]

That may be an uphill climb. Ukrainian officials say Russian drones killed more than 20 civilians and injured hundreds more during a recent strike. Next A church in Syria is still reeling from a suicide bombing. It claimed the lives of at least 25 people. On Sunday, an unidentified gunman entered a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus and opened fire. The congregation tried to stop him, but the terrorists detonated an explosive vest, wounding 63 people. Mourners carried the coffins of loved ones during the funeral procession on Sunday evening. At the service, the patrons, the patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, said the Syrian government should take full responsibility for the attack and called for protection from religious extremism. In a rare show of unity, Syrian Christians and Muslims held a candlelight vigil for the victims, where many spoke out against the violence. A priest in attendance says here that religious violence is has no place in Syria as attacks have increased in recent months. A small Muslim extremist group claimed responsibility for the bombing yesterday. Now over to Europe's southernmost tip. Greece's government has declared a state of emergency on the Mediterranean island of Chios as a fire burns out of control. More than 400 firefighters have arrived from across Greece to battle the flames. Local villagers are also lending a hand. This resident thanks God, saying many are terrified but glad to help fill water tanks in hopes of preventing the fire from spreading further south. Greece is often hit by wildfires during its hot and dry summers. Athens has hired a record 18,000 firefighters this year, expecting a particularly challenging fire season. And finally, to Italy. Security camera footage from Florence's Uffizi Gallery this weekend shows a clumsy visitor damaging a 300-year-old portrait. In the video, a tourist is seen striking a similar pose for a photo when he trips backwards, catching himself with his hand against the painting, ripping the unprotected canvas in the process. The visitor quickly stands up, puts his hands behind his back and pretends to study the painting before moving away. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred at a nearby museum when a visitor pretended to sit on a crystal chair for a photo but then slipped, crushing the artwork. The chair was repaired and the painting is expected to be back on display next week. But both museums are reviewing new guidelines to keep careless patrons from damaging priceless works of art. That's this week's world tour. I'm Mary Muncie.

[Nick Eicher]

Well, you've seen surfers hang 10, but in Huntington beach, the dogs hang 20. It was the annual Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge, and there were some incredible Corgis, Dalmatians and labs paddling out six at a time and popping up as judges scored length of ride, size of wave and of course added some style points. Christina Welch's 11 year old lab Koa won the big dog competition.

[Mary Muncie]

She balances her board.

[Leo Braceno]

She's incredible.

[Lindsay Mast]

She's self taught.

[Leo Braceno]

I think that people can understand that.

[Amy Lewis]

There'S more to your dog.

[Lindsay Mast]

You unlock this whole new level.

[Nick Eicher]

Yeah. When a lab can shred like that, that leaves all the ordinary dogs just to shed. It's the world and everything in it.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today is Wednesday, June 25th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Icker. Coming next on the world and everything in it. Cleaning up. Many people who see garbage or graffiti in their local communities just walk on by wondering why the city's not doing its job.

[Lindsay Mast]

But one man in Australia never stopped to wonder why he just picked up a bucket and a brush. World correspondent Amy Lewis recently tagged along on one of his walks.

[H]

Gary Robertson, who goes by Robbo, stands under a bridge plunging a roller into a tray of steely gray paint. In front of him is a bright red message scrawled by someone named Scotty.

[Janie B. Cheney]

T. I love you with all my heart, River. Scotty T. Sorry, Scotty, send her a letter. It's fine that you love somebody, that's great, but do it the right way.

[H]

Robbo is something of a local paint store celebrity.

[Janie B. Cheney]

They called me the graffiti guy. I wish they called me the anti graffiti guy. Yeah. So I've taken down between six and 8,000 acts in the last five, six years. Right.

[H]

Today, Rabo's life is defined by service. But he wasn't always so supportive of his local community. Growing up, Rabbo was the short, smart kid. He lived in a Geelong, Australian neighborhood where most of the kids came from other countries. He and his red hair stood out. The other Anglo kids picked on him.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So I was angry and frustrated. So I had to be bigger, stronger, tougher than everybody else. And that was how the crime started.

[H]

At age 11, he regularly carried a knife and broke into cars and stole things. To prove he was tough, he gave a stolen walkie talkie to a mate who gave it to another mate who told the police where he got it.

[Janie B. Cheney]

The coppers interviewed me down at the station and they turned around and said to mum and dad, we won't see him again.

[H]

The police thought talking to him would be enough. But Robbo's mother spoke up at his court case to make sure he got the punishment he deserved because she Knew.

[Janie B. Cheney]

If I got away with it again with doing the wrong thing, I was gonna keep on doing it anyway. The judge told me that I didn't appreciate the family I've got.

[H]

Robbo says getting caught was the best thing that ever happened to him.

[Janie B. Cheney]

And then Mr. Darcy, my probation officer, taught me some more stuff, like how.

[H]

Stealing stuff hurts people.

[Janie B. Cheney]

And yeah, I've never gone back.

[H]

After high school, he became a local businessman. He joined an Australia Rules footy club. He and his wife fostered dozens of hard case kids. He raised thousands of dollars for Christmas gifts and donated food for hungry families. He mentored criminals whom he calls crims.

[Janie B. Cheney]

I was a crim and I went and helped the crims not be crims.

[H]

But he was also working 70 hours a week. His family and health suffered. His doctor gave him the blunt truth.

[Janie B. Cheney]

And I told him everything I was doing. He goes, you can't do that, mate. He goes, you'll be dead in the year.

[H]

So Robbo gave up almost everything except his hoodie club and instead started taking daily walks by the Barwon river with his dog. That's when he started noticing the graffiti. Today, the Breakwater Bridge looks like a monochromatic Piet Mondrian painting with blocks of various gray toned rectangles covering old graffiti. Rabbo obviously visits just as often as the kids with their cans of spray paint. It took him a while to figure out the best way to cover the unwanted artwork.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So when I first started this, because I was a novice, I didn't know what colours they were using.

[H]

Now he knows the colour to use is called Philosophical Grey.

[Janie B. Cheney]

I don't like leaving any color if I can. I don't want them to get any satisfaction out of it whatsoever. Because when they tell their friends at school, come and have a look at this. They get up here and they become very disappointed.

[H]

With one dip of his roller, he paints a tidy swath of philosophical gray over one tag.

[Janie B. Cheney]

It takes them longer to put it up than me, to take it down.

[H]

Than another and another.

[Janie B. Cheney]

If I left this up, they'll tag near it because, hang on, this is staying up, so mine will stay up.

[H]

Once he got the graffiti under control on his regular five walking routes, he says he got bored. He saw someone picking up rubbish in another part of town. So now he brings a trash grabber tool and a two gone collapsible container he calls a crush bucket on his.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Ruts from Moorabool street bridge to breakwater. 26 or 27 crushed buckets before it was cleaned, took me months to do it all.

[H]

Now he rarely fills a bucket and a half in three miles. He turns in bottles and cans for a refund to help pay for his paint. Robbo says he enjoys walking around and not seeing the rubbish. Most people don't even know he's been there.

[Janie B. Cheney]

That's the joy. They walk past where the graffiti was and they don't even see my patch.

[H]

His simple acts make others want to do the same.

[Janie B. Cheney]

A young beautiful couple came up behind me and said, you've inspired us. And I said, what? And we've been behind you watching you pick up. And she said, we're going to pick up a grabber and a bucket, both of us, and we're going to pick up rubbish while we go.

[H]

Three weeks later, there they were, using their own grabbers to pick up rubbish on their side of the river.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So you get some volunteer in that area that that loves his city and he looks after that part and then the next guy looks after that part, Next guy looks after that part. It's as simple as that.

[H]

Robert says, anyone can do it.

[Janie B. Cheney]

You can't save the world, but you can save a part of your little world. So if you see some rubbish on the road, just pick it up. And once a week or something, somebody says, thank you for doing what you're doing or whatever it is, but you don't do it for that.

[H]

He likes not seeing trash and graffiti on his walks, but more importantly, he enjoys helping restore the streets and repair the walls.

[Janie B. Cheney]

What makes you big, not the amount of money you've got in your pocket, the ability to change, the opportunity, the grace, the lovingness to have that opportunity to help people.

[H]

Reporting for World, I'm Amy Lewis in Geelong.

[Nick Eicher]

Today is Wednesday, June 25th. Good morning, this is the World and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio, I'm Nick Iger.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Up next, world commentator Janie B. Cheney says, the world is more than what you make it.

[Amy Lewis]

I was wrapping up my quiet time on the back porch to the serenade of robins and wrens. I stood up and walked toward the kitchen with a coffee mug and wham. I slammed into the sliding glass door. Forgot I'd closed it. Hit it full force with the side of my head. Ouch. The bruise developed into a dramatic reddish purplish shade of eyeshadow that went halfway around the sock and reminded me somehow of a dragon. Every time something like this happens, I'm surprised at the kinetic force of a human body just going about its business. When my brain registers an obstacle, it adjusts the body accordingly. When it doesn't, full speed ahead. And boy, all my moving parts are shocked. In the early 18th century, Bishop George Berkeley proposed that the material world existed only as it was perceived by the human mind. When the famous lexicographer Samuel Johnson was asked how he would disprove that theory, he famously kicked a rock and said, I refute it. Thus, good answer. And yet, I think Berkeley was on to something not about physics but about human psychology. I am sometimes startled at the fact that I take up space in the world. I wonder if others feel the same and if that's an indication of how much we live inside our own heads. And it's not just a lack of attention, as when you're trying to remember a song lyric or rehashing an argument and don't notice the pickup that just ran a stop sign. Minds have always been prone to wander, but galloping advances in technology are allowing some of us to pack up all our belongings and take up permanent residence inside our heads. Recently I read about the 4am Club. It's an online conclave of mostly women who believe that the nation experienced an alternative reality last November 6, and that Kamala Harris actually won the election. With enough spiritual energy, they say, the balance will be restored, along with our true leader. Or perhaps you've heard about the man who asked his AI chatbot to marry him. CBS Saturday Morning interviewed him in the home he shared with his flesh and blood girlfriend. These are real people taking up space in the world, one consequence of which is their toddler daughter running around and climbing on chairs while her father described his emotional connection with a talking circuit board. That's taking Berkeley's idealism to a weird extreme. But don't we all construct our own reality as far as we're able? Our primary tether to the real world is the physical body. We were made to take up space and form real relationships and do good works to glorify God in your body, as the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:20 Just as Christ glorifies us in his body, part of glorifying God might be to consider how we use the physical space he's allotted to us, to see ourselves in the world affecting other lives in positive ways. Just to watch out for those glass doors, I'm Cheney Buchaney.

[Nick Eicher]

Tomorrow the Senate wants to sell millions of acres of public lands. We'll talk with economists and some locals, and we're revisiting an American institution mostly forgotten, the drive in theater. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Iker.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. The world and everything in it comes from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says, worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Verse 11 of Revelation, chapter 4. Go now in grace and peace.

[Leo Braceno]

Sam.