The IRS has proposed a policy change that would allow pastors to endorse political candidates from the pulpit without jeopardizing their church’s tax-exempt status, effectively creating an exemption from the Johnson Amendment. This proposed interpretation stems from a joint court filing with the National Religious Broadcasters Association, aiming to halt enforcement of the amendment against the plaintiffs. The Johnson Amendment currently prohibits tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates, but the IRS now suggests this should not apply to communications during religious services through regular channels. This stance, though largely mirroring existing IRS practices, could significantly increase political expression within churches, as noted by experts in nonprofit law.
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In a recent statement, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported the elimination of three Russian drone operators near Strilkove, Kherson region. The individuals were affiliated with the “Bars-Sarmat” special-purpose drone unit, a division established in 2024 focused on deploying advanced robotic and electronic warfare systems. The unit, reportedly commanded by Dmitry Rogozin, includes several subunits, with the targeted group belonging to “Bars-1”. HUR emphasized that retribution will be sought for all war crimes committed against Ukrainians.
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Between December 30, 2024 and January 1, 2025, Ukraine’s HUR conducted a cyberattack targeting Lukoil, a Russian oil company supplying the Russian military, disrupting its digital resources and preventing mobile app payments. This attack also affected Evotor’s smart terminal platform and the “Chestny Znak” product marking system, causing widespread payment failures and significant retail sector disruptions. This action follows previous HUR cyberattacks on Gazprombank and the North Caucasus University, highlighting a pattern of targeting critical Russian infrastructure. The timing of the attack, coinciding with the holiday period, maximized the impact on consumers and businesses.
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Raymond Zwiefelhofer, a tech CEO and former elder in the secretive 2×2 Church, was recently sentenced to 120 years in prison. This staggering sentence stems from his conviction on ten counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, encompassing 87 files of photos and videos depicting children under 15 engaged in exploitative or sexual acts. The sheer volume of material highlights the severity of his crimes and underscores the chilling nature of his actions.
The 2×2 Church, also known as the “Two by Two” or “Workers” Church, is a global Christian sect notorious for its extreme secrecy and long-standing allegations of child sexual abuse.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood