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The holiday season can bring joy, but also significant stress and overwhelm for many adults. Discover four practical strategies to protect your peace and navigate the festivities with a sense of calm.

This video by Lauren Southern is shocking, stunning and filled with truth. She has come to believe in almost nothing on the Internet, calling it an “online theater.” It has “reshaped reality,” she says, and it is not real life. Lots of good points to consider, but she has been through a lot most of […] The post Lauren Southern: This Is Not Real Life appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

For decades, Christians in Africa have faced intense persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. That persecution has especially focused on Christians in Nigeria and Sudan, two war-torn nations that President Donald Trump now wants to address. Last month, Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, saying that “Christianity is facing an existential threat.” Then, last week, the president vowed to take more action to end the civil war in Sudan. Both countries are in the midst of upheaval and have large Christian populations, whose faith puts a target on their backs. Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern means that the United States will seek to actively address Nigeria’s violations of religious freedom and opens the door to potential economic penalties. “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!” Trump said. For Nigerian Christians, the Country of Particular Concern designation could be a useful tool to push the Nigerian government to take more action to protect Christians from Islamic extremists, according to Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors U.S., an organization that helps raise awareness and get aid to persecuted Christians. The situation in Nigeria has gained attention thanks to the Trump administration, along with some unlikely cultural figures who have called out the persecution against Christians in the country, including left-wing political commentator Bill Maher and pop star Nicki Minaj. Minaj even met with Trump administration officials about the issue earlier this month and raised awareness about Christian persecution in Nigeria in front of the United Nations. The slaughter of Christians in Nigeria has become a full-blown genocide, according to on-the-ground accounts and data from recent years. Just this year, more than 7,000 Christians have reportedly been killed for their faith in Nigeria, including 250 Christians who were killed by Islamic extremists in the Yelwata village massacre in June. Research on worldwide Christian persecution suggests that Nigeria accounts for around 80% of the Christian deaths worldwide that come from persecution, according to Open Doors. Nigeria’s government has denied that Christians in the country are being systematically targeted, saying, “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria,” but it has agreed to discuss the issue with the United States. Last week, the Trump administration took more steps to address persecution in Nigeria, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth meeting with the country’s national security adviser. “Under [President Trump’s] leadership, [the Department of War] is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” Hegseth said. Brown told The Daily Wire that Nigerian Christians “would certainly say that the Nigerian government has not done enough to protect the freedoms and provide safety for the men and women on the ground there.” A general view of a catholic Church in Maiduguri on November 3, 2025. (Photo by Audu MARTE / AFP) (Photo by AUDU MARTE/AFP via Getty Images) Some media outlets have also scrutinized claims of targeted violence toward Christians in Nigeria, writing that the violence in the African nation is too complicated to say that Christians are being systemically wiped out. But Brown told The Daily Wire that the reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria are not exaggerating the extent of the situation. “These are realities on the ground that Christians are facing. In Nigeria, this has really been a multiple-year trend,” Brown said. “I was with a pastor from Nigeria a couple weeks ago, and he said for the better part of 15 years, he’s been trying to tell this story to the world, and he’s been just so thankful that the collective attention finally is seeming to be raised.” Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at dailywire.com/blackfriday. Nigeria received more attention earlier this month when more than 300 students and 12 staff members were kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school by armed men. That mass kidnapping came shortly after 25 girls were abducted from a government boarding school in Nigeria and after an attack on a church, where at least two people were killed, and the pastor was abducted. A pair of shoes is seen inside a student dormitory at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra local government, Niger state, on November 23, 2025. Gunmen raided the school early on November 21, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria. (Photo by Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP via Getty Images) Each year, Open Doors releases a “World Watch List” which shows where Christians face the most persecution. In its 2025 list, released in January, Nigeria was near the top at 7th. Open Doors uses research teams to follow news updates in countries around the world and on-the-ground relationships with Christians in numerous countries, according to Brown. Islamic extremists with terror groups, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, are targeting Christians mainly in the country’s northern regions, but the violence isn’t completely centered on Christians. Muslims with different ethnicities from the terrorists are also killed for political and religious reasons. “There are so many different contributing factors that are at play here. It’s a complicated situation,” said Brown. But he added that the nuance doesn’t mean the world should look past the violence targeting Christians. “Some have said because it’s nuanced and complicated, the conclusion we should draw is Christian persecution is not happening. We would look at those same nuances and complexities and say no, it’s an oversimplification to say that Christian persecution is not part of the fabric of what’s being woven here,” Brown said. Nigerian Christians continue to hold their faith as they face threats and violence from radical Islamic terrorists, and they are hopeful that President Trump’s focus on their plight will result in positive steps being taken toward religious freedom. When Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, Brown said that Nigerian Christian leaders had “an incredible sense of gratitude and thankfulness,” but added that they also recognized there was a lot of work to be done to address Christian persecution in the African nation. The Trump administration is not just seeking to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria — it also has its sights set on ending the war in Sudan, a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of numerous Christians and Muslims. Like in Nigeria, the violence against Christians in Sudan spans decades and is perpetrated by radical Islamic extremists. Gasim Domkog, a pastor who grew up in Sudan before coming to America, told The Daily Wire that the violence against Christians has been nonstop as the country has gone through regime changes and civil war. “We went through a lot. I personally went through a lot,” Domkog said, adding that many members of his own family have been killed by the Islamic extremist violence. “It’s very rare to find anybody from Sudan that has not had people from their family that has been killed,” added Domkog, who now leads an Arabic-speaking church in Nashville and ministers to Christians who came out of Islam. Along with facing intense persecution for their faith, Sudanese Christians are also affected by the civil war that has torn the country apart. Sudan’s current civil war, which started in 2023, is fought between the government and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful Islamic militant group seeking to gain control of the country. More than 150,000 people have been killed in the war, and over 12 million have been forced to flee their homes. AL DABBAH, SUDAN – NOVEMBER 8: Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman and Army Commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visits the newly established Al-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, Northern State, where tens of thousands of Sudanese have taken refuge after being displaced by clashes following the Rapid Support Forces’ takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images) Sudan ranks 5th on the Open Doors “World Watch” list of countries where Christians face the most persecution. Violence against Christians in Sudan is perpetrated by the radical Islamic extremist groups that vie for control of the country. Often, these groups are controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood. The country has been unstable since the early 1980s, when civil war broke out and continued until 2005. Following more than 20 years of conflict, South Sudan, which is made up mostly of Christians, broke away from Sudan and formed its own country in 2011. Similar to the Muslim extremists in Nigeria, terrorists in Sudan also target Muslims who have ethnic differences. In the war-torn region of Darfur, militants have gone door-to-door killing thousands of people. Evidence of the mass killings could be seen from satellite images, which showed blood-soaked neighborhoods in Darfur. The killings took place immediately after the Rapid Response Forces took control of the city. Most of the people killed in Darfur are Muslims and are targeted because they have darker skin, Domkog told The Daily Wire. “At first, the jihadists were using religious war as holy war, but now they’re focusing on ethnicity,” Domkog said. “They say that if you’re not of Arab descent, you need to be killed. Now, they’re killing their own people.” “The agenda was either to become Muslim and obey their rules and to be under Sharia Law or they will get rid of you, and that’s what they’re doing,” he added. A Sudanese woman who fled El-Fasher in Darfur carries jerrycans of water at the Al-Afad camp for displaced people in the town of Al-Dabba, northern Sudan, on November 21, 2025. (Photo by Ebrahim Hamid / AFP) (Photo by EBRAHIM HAMID/AFP via Getty Images) President Trump said last week that after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he has agreed that the United States will “do something very powerful having to do with Sudan.” The war will be a complicated web for the Trump administration to address. Evidence presented by human rights groups shows that the United Arab Emirates is the main backer of the Rapid Response Forces, while other nations, including China, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and Russia, send weapons and ammunition to both sides of the war. Trump acknowledged that the war in Sudan will not be an easy fix, but added that he believes it’s important to seek peace in the country. “I thought it was just something that was crazy and out of control,” Trump said. “But I just see how important that is … and we’re going to start working in Sudan.”

Jimmy Kimmel and Marjorie Taylor Greene form an unexpected alliance after both become targets of Donald Trump’s criticism. An Unlikely Pairing In a world where political and entertainment spheres occasionally overlap, few could have predicted the pairing of Jimmy Kimmel and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The comedian and the congresswoman found themselves in an unusual camaraderie, brought together by a common adversary: Donald Trump. Kimmel, known for his late-night humor, took a jab at Greene during his monologue, joking about her potential resignation from Congress and welcoming her to the harsh realities of political life. Their connection, however, goes beyond Kimmel’s comedic quips. Both Kimmel and Greene have been on the receiving end of Trump’s sharp words. This shared experience has forged a strange alliance, albeit one that is more circumstantial than strategic. It underscores the unpredictable dynamics of political relationships, where common criticisms can unite unlikely allies. Jimmy Kimmel says he finds strange connection with MTG after they come under fire from Trump Jimmy Kimmel says he feels a bit of connection with U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene after both of them came under fire from President Donald Trump https://t.co/xVG5TsM6sw pic.twitter.com/6YCOUluRAu — 9jaonline Magazine (@9jaonlinemagzin) November 26, 2025 The Trump Factor Donald Trump’s influence extends beyond traditional political arenas, affecting figures from all walks of public life. His critiques, often blunt and unfiltered, have not only targeted political opponents but also figures from the entertainment industry. Kimmel, a long-time critic of Trump, has faced the president’s ire on multiple occasions. Similarly, Greene, despite being a steadfast supporter of Trump in the past, found herself on the receiving end of his criticism, highlighting the complex and often volatile nature of political loyalty. The Trump factor serves as a reminder of the shifting allegiances in today’s political landscape. As figures like Kimmel and Greene navigate their respective arenas, their shared experience of Trump’s criticism offers a glimpse into the broader implications of his influence. Comedy Meets Congress The intersection of comedy and politics is not new, but the Kimmel-Greene scenario presents a unique twist. Kimmel’s humor, often sharp and satirical, has addressed a wide range of political issues, using comedy as a lens to explore serious topics. Greene, on the other hand, is known for her controversial statements and staunch conservative views. Their unexpected camaraderie, while rooted in shared criticism, highlights the potential for dialogue across seemingly disparate spheres. In this case, comedy becomes a bridge, offering a platform where political figures and entertainers can find common ground. This unlikely pairing serves as a reminder of the potential for humor to transcend political boundaries, providing a space for reflection and understanding. HUMILIATED ON LIVE TV: In a desperate smear, Marjorie Taylor Greene cropped a photo to make it look like a committee witness flipped her off – but he really held up TWO fingers. Rep. Rep. Melanie Stansbury brought receipts and it was epic. Watch Kimmel rip MTG to shreds: pic.twitter.com/P2wuY8w9k6 — CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 11, 2025 The Broader Implications The temporary alliance between Kimmel and Greene raises questions about the nature of political alliances and the role of public criticism in shaping them. As public figures navigate the complexities of their roles, the impact of shared experiences, even those rooted in criticism, becomes evident. This scenario illustrates the fluidity of political relationships and the potential for unexpected alliances in the face of common challenges. The broader implications extend beyond the individuals involved, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of political and entertainment interactions. In an era where public figures are increasingly interconnected, the Kimmel-Greene situation offers a window into the possibilities and challenges of these relationships. Sources: Daily Mail Conservative Angle

Americans have a glum view of the economy, but that is not expected to affect their consumer spending as holiday shopping kicks off.   According to a recent Fox News survey, 76% of Americans have a negative view of the economy. At the end of President Joe Biden’s term, this number was 70%. Yet, while Americans appear to be losing faith in the vitality of the U.S. economy, they don’t plan on slowing down their own holiday shopping habits.  The International Council of Shopping Centers reports that between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, 235 million American adults are expected to spend $127 billion, for an average of $542 a person—a $13 increase from the average spent over the long holiday weekend last year.   Millennials are projected to be the biggest spenders, with the International Council of Shopping Centers estimating the generation born between 1981 and 1996 will drop an average of $764 a person during the five-day shopping period.   So, what’s the disconnect? Why do the same Americans who feel the economy is flailing appear to feel good enough about their personal bank account to go out and drop several hundred dollars in just a few days? Nicole Huyer, a senior research associate in The Heritage Foundation’s Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, joins this week’s edition of “Problematic Women” to discuss.   Also on today’s show, we discuss spending differences between men and women. Plus, will New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani actually be able to implement his socialist wish list in the Big Apple? And if he can, what will that mean not only for New York City’s economy, but the economic health of the nation?   Catch the conversation on this week’s edition of “Problematic Women.”   The post Shoppers Aren’t Buying Trump Economy Panic Narrative appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The fate of the Donald Trump administration—and perhaps Republicans in Congress—is tethered to how Americans feel about the economy. And right now, it’s hard to find anyone who can say with confidence what the hell is going on. Thursday offered a fresh reminder of the chaos. As The Wall Street Journal noted, “Stocks surrendered gains and closed sharply lower after a whirlwind day of trading that began after Nvidia posted strong results. The Nasdaq composite led indexes lower after being up on the day more than 2%. It closed 2.2% lower. Nvidia gave up an even bigger gain and finished the day down 3.2%.” Why the reversal? Because investors suspect there is, in fact, an artificial intelligence bubble. It’s not an unreasonable fear. History shows that every transformative technology—from automobiles to the internet—inspires waves of speculation. The presence of a bubble doesn’t mean the technology isn’t revolutionary; it simply means that early hype tends to sweep up both the winners and the doomed. For every Henry Ford, there were dozens of forgotten carmakers. The same was true of the dot-com era: Pets.com vanished, but the internet went on to reorganize modern life. Artificial intelligence is inspiring the same mix of excitement and dread. Some companies may never produce the margins to justify today’s investment frenzy. OpenAI, though not publicly traded, sits at the center of countless partnerships with massive firms like Oracle and Nvidia. If it stumbles, the shock could reverberate across the market. The numbers fueling today’s optimism are staggering. As The New York Times reported, “It would not be a stretch to describe this period of hyperactive growth in the tech industry as a historic moment. Nvidia, which makes computer chips that are essential to building artificial intelligence, said on Wednesday that its quarterly profit had jumped to nearly $32 billion, up 65% from a year earlier and 245% from the year before that. Just three weeks ago, Nvidia became the first publicly traded company to be worth $5 trillion.” That’s more than Germany’s entire economy. But even this explosion of wealth comes with a caveat. Much of the demand for Nvidia’s chips doesn’t mean consumers want AI right now—it means companies are racing to build massive AI systems in the hope that demand will materialize later. To some insiders, it looks less like a revolution and more like a house of cards. This is the central question: At what point will AI’s promised productivity gains begin to match the scale of the investment poured into it? Until there’s clarity, markets will continue to swing wildly—and so will public confidence. Workers, meanwhile, face their own concerns. Even if AI succeeds, technological progress has always brought job dislocation. Old roles disappear, new industries emerge, and the economy ultimately becomes more productive. People enjoy better goods at lower costs and work fewer hours than their grandparents did. But the transition is rarely painless. Both truths can coexist: The United States may be on the cusp of a remarkable economic transformation, and the anxiety surrounding it may be entirely justified. For now, Americans are left watching markets fluctuate, industries reorganize, and fortunes rise and fall—all while wondering what exactly the future will bring. And no government policy can fully soothe that uncertainty. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post What Is Going On With the Economy? appeared first on The Daily Signal.