The first thing that struck Christian theologian David Brockman about the policy allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrest people in churches was the irony: Christian nationalists often say that government should be kept out of churches, and yet here we are. He talked to @TexasObserver about what Christians should do. “The bottom line is that Christians are supposed to care for the stranger among us,” he says.

https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-churches-christianity-constitution-trump/

#Religion #Christianity #Immigration #USPolitics #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

The California condor disappeared from the wild in the 1980s. @KnowableMag explains how it was brought back, thanks to “refaunation” work in California and Mexico. “What began in the United States has expanded across borders, creating a binational effort in which Mexico has taken an increasingly prominent role. This cooperative approach reflects the very nature of the species, which does not recognize borders in its historical habitat,” writes Iván Carrillo.

https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/food-environment/2025/california-condor-reintroduction

#Birds #Ornithology #Nature #Environment #Mexico #California ##Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Ukrainians smile less than Americans — and not just because of the war. @timkmak’s Counteroffensive looks at the concept of “resting Slavic face,” and the cultural reasons behind it. [Story may be paywalled].

https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/why-do-ukrainians-smile-less-than

#Ukraine #UkrainianWar #Psychology #Culture #RestingSlavicFace #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Wizkid is Nigeria’s most popular musician and a star around the world too. @thecontinent reviews his new album, “Morayo,” which combines Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall, reggae and fújì.

https://continent.substack.com/p/review-wizkids-on-cruise-control

#Africa #Nigeria #Music #Afrobeats #Wizkid #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

How do you like your eggs? Preferably without bird flu. @TheConversationUS looks back at how America was on the brink of a pandemic in 1957, but managed to avoid it thanks, in part, to the abundance of eggs that were used in the production of the vaccine. Will the U.S. get lucky again?

https://theconversation.com/us-dodged-a-bird-flu-pandemic-in-1957-thanks-to-eggs-and-dumb-luck-with-a-new-strain-spreading-fast-will-americans-get-lucky-again-247157

#History @histodons #Science #BirdFlu #Medicine #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

Last of all, a bit of lightness in another heavy week: Our @CultureDesk shared this story about how the Proud Boys have had to give up their trademark to a Black church they vandalized. The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. can also block the far-right group from selling licensed goods, like T-shirts or hats, without the church's approval. @AssociatedPress has the full story.

https://apnews.com/article/proud-boys-trademark-church-jan-6-enrique-tarrio-de927b297eaf45df048771a5d52199eb

#ProudBoys #BlackMastodon @blackmastodon #Newstodon #NewstodonFriday #FollowFriday

@Flipboard @TheConversationUS @histodons I prefer my eggs vegan. Reducing the risk of another pandemic is just one more good reason.