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Nicólas Maduro Challenges US Block on Accessing Venezuelan Funds for Legal Defense

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IN BRIEF

  • Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro wants his case for drug trafficking charges dismissed.
  • He says he can’t pay for his fees unless the US removes its block on accessing Venezuelan government funds.

A judge in the United States has raised concerns about the government’s rationale for prohibiting former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from accessing his nation’s funds to cover legal costs in his drug trafficking case. Yet, the judge has decided not to drop the charges on this ground.

During a hearing in Manhattan’s federal court on Thursday, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared wearing beige prison uniforms. This session comes over two months after they were unexpectedly captured in Caracas by US military forces and transported to New York.

At ages 63 and 69, respectively, Maduro and Flores have entered not guilty pleas to charges, including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism. For now, they remain detained in Brooklyn as they await trial.

The couple sought to have the charges dismissed by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, arguing that being unable to use Venezuelan public funds impairs their sixth amendment right to select their preferred legal representation.

They had asked US district judge Alvin Hellerstein to dismiss the charges, saying their inability to rely on Venezuelan public funds was interfering with their right to have a lawyer of their choosing under the sixth amendment of the US constitution.

A courtroom sketch of Nicolas Maduro being brought in a court. He is wearing a beige jumpsuit.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being escorted into a Manhattan federal courtroom this week. Source: AAP / AP / Elizabeth Williams

Their lawyers have said Maduro and Flores cannot afford to pay their defence fees on their own.

Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba said the ‌US sanctions blocking the payments ‌were based on existing ⁠national security and foreign policy interests.

Hellerstein appeared sceptical of that argument, noting that the US had relaxed sanctions on Venezuela since Maduro’s capture.

“The defendant is here, Flores is here. They present no further national security threat,” Hellerstein, a judicial appointee of Democratic president Bill Clinton, said.

“The right that’s implicated, paramount over other rights, is the right to constitutional counsel.”

Maduro lawyer Barry Pollack, who represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has said he wanted to withdraw from the case if Hellerstein did not dismiss the charges and the Venezuelan government could not pay his fees.

It was unclear how much Pollack is charging Maduro for his services.

‘Additional cases’

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters ⁠that additional cases would be brought against Maduro, without offering details.

US special ‌forces captured Maduro and Flores in a surprise 3 January raid on their Caracas residence and flew them to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Maduro was transported from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan early on Thursday.

Outside the courthouse, police separated dozens of Maduro opponents — one holding an effigy of Maduro in an orange jumpsuit — from dozens of pro-Maduro demonstrators holding signs reading “Free President Maduro”.

A group of people holding up an effigy of Nicolas Maduro in an orange jumpsuit. Protesters can be seen behind them holding signs that say "Free President Maduro".
Outside the courthouse, police separated dozens of Maduro opponents from dozens of pro-Maduro demonstrators. Source: AAP / EPA / Sarah Yenesel

Maduro and his wife said that under Venezuelan law and custom, the government paid the expenses of the president and first lady.

Prosecutors argued that because the US has not recognised Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president since 2019, he and Flores should not expect the US government to allow Venezuela to pay their legal fees.

The prosecutors said Maduro and Flores could be assigned ‌public defenders if they could not afford their own lawyers.

Maduro faces four felony charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy, which criminalises drug trafficking to help finance activities the United States considers terrorism.

The statute has rarely been tested at trial, and two of four trial convictions have been overturned over issues stemming from witness credibility, a Reuters analysis of court records found.

Relations between Venezuela and the US have improved since Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, became interim president after his capture.


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DHS Nabs Five Violent Criminals: Illegal Immigrants Charged with Manslaughter and Child Assault

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed on Thursday that five undocumented immigrants, each previously convicted of violent crimes such as manslaughter, child sexual assault, and carjacking, have been apprehended.

The arrests were executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and involved individuals hailing from Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, and Vietnam, all of whom held prior convictions for serious offenses, according to the DHS announcement.

“ICE successfully detained criminal illegal aliens previously convicted of manslaughter, child sexual assault, and carjacking,” stated Lauren Bis, the Acting Assistant Secretary of DHS, in an official statement. “These types of dangerous criminals should never have been allowed into the United States initially.”

ICE arrests illegal immigrants

Lauren Bis further praised the efforts of ICE officers, describing them as patriots who risk their lives daily to ensure the removal of such dangerous individuals from American communities.

Bis said that ICE officers “are patriots who put their lives on the line to remove heinous criminals from our communities.”

“Next time you see an ICE officer, thank them for their service to our nation,” she added.

Angel Rodriguez-Padilla mugshot

Angel Rodriguez-Padilla, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was convicted of manslaughter in Dallas County, Texas, according to DHS. (Department of Homeland Security)

Among those arrested was Angel Rodriguez-Padilla, a criminal illegal immigrant from Honduras who was convicted of manslaughter in Dallas County, Texas, according to DHS.

Henri Oliva-Marroquin mugshot

Henri Oliva-Marroquin, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, according to DHS. (Department of Homeland Security)

DHS said that Henri Oliva-Marroquin, a criminal illegal immigrant from Honduras, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Pedro Bahena-Mendoza mugshot

Pedro Bahena-Mendoza was convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in Cook County, Illinois, and is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, DHS said. (Department of Homeland Security)

The third individual identified by DHS was Pedro Bahena-Mendoza, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in Cook County, Illinois.

Nehimias Isaac Aguilar-Velasquez mugshot

Convicted of aggravated assault, domestic violence and attempted sexual assault in Phoenix, Arizona, Nehimias Isaac Aguilar-Velasquez is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, according to DHS. (Department of Homeland Security)

According to DHS, Nehimias Isaac Aguilar-Velasquez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was convicted of aggravated assault, domestic violence and attempted sexual assault in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hung Thanh Dinh

Hung Thanh Dinh was convicted of carjacking with use of a firearm in Malibu, California, and is an illegal immigrant from Vietnam, DHS said. (Department of Homeland Security)

Hung Thanh Dinh, the fifth individual identified by DHS, is a criminal illegal immigrant from Vietnam who was convicted of carjacking with use of a firearm in Malibu, California.

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Shocking Child Neglect: Mom Faces New Charges After Leaving Kids in Uber, Father’s Rage Amplifies

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Inset: Emily Sabogal (Miami-Dade Corrections). Background: Body camera video of Sabogal”s arrest after she allegedly left her children alone in an Uber for two hours (Sunrise police via WPLG).

A woman from Florida is now facing additional legal troubles after reportedly abandoning her children in an Uber for over two hours while she wandered around town. During this time, authorities were searching for her, culminating in a new charge of child neglect.

Emily Sabogal, aged 32, has been charged with two counts of child neglect alongside unlawful child desertion, according to Sunrise police officials. The incident unfolded when an Uber driver contacted law enforcement back in February. Allegedly, Sabogal left her children in the vehicle unattended for more than two hours, prompting a search effort by the police. In a recent court hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors decided to add another charge against her.

Following the legal proceedings, the children’s father expressed his displeasure with Sabogal’s actions in an interview with local NBC affiliate, WTVJ. His frustration was palpable as he stated, “I’m here to seek justice for my kids. I want prosecution is what I want,” emphasizing his desire for the legal system to take decisive action. “This has been going on for a long time, and I don’t want this to be another slap on the wrist.”

Currently, the father has taken on the responsibility of caring for the children while Sabogal navigates her legal challenges. He voiced concerns about the danger she placed them in, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

He is now caring for the children as their mother goes through the legal process. He said Sabogal put them in danger.

“Anything could’ve happened to them,” he told the outlet. “We live in a state where there’s kidnapping, rape, murder, and she just handed them off to somebody. If I can be completely real, I hope she goes to jail.”

Sabogal was arraigned on the new charge and has a court date set for July 31.

Local ABC affiliate WPLG obtained body camera footage that captured Sabogal’s arrest.

“You just left your kids with an Uber,” an officer told Sabogal. “We were all over town looking for you… You left your kids for two hours.”

Asked where she was going, Sabogal said she was going home.

“So you were just going to leave the Uber and walk home?” the officer asked.

Sabogal replied she wasn’t going to walk home but explained that her situation was “really complicated.”

“I understand that, but your No. 1 priority should be your kids,” the officer said.

The mother went on to say that she doesn’t have a car and her phone died. The kids were with her after she picked them up from karate class earlier in the night.

“My kids are everything to me,” she said.

Sabogal then stated she didn’t know what was going on.

“What’s going on is you deserted your kids for two hours,” the officer scolded. “That’s what’s going on. You deserted your kids for two hours. That’s what’s going on. That Uber driver has been sitting with your kids waiting for you to come back for the past two hours.”

As Law&Crime previously reported, an arrest report said cops responded around 11 p.m. Feb. 13 to a report about two unattended children. The Uber driver said he picked up Sabogal and her two kids earlier in the night.

Sabogal was holding a cup with what the driver believed to be alcohol, the affidavit said. She allegedly kept repeating in Spanish “he thinks I’m stupid” before she grabbed his phone and canceled the ride. She then gave him $10 and asked him to turn onto NW 108th Ave from NW 50th Street, where she asked the driver to stop, according to the driver.

The defendant got out of the car and said she’d be back in a couple of minutes, the affidavit said. Sabogal walked out of sight, thus “deserting her two children and putting them at an unreasonable risk by leaving them alone with an unknown individual,” cops wrote. The children seemed unbothered by what was transpiring and were even playful, officers noted.

After about an hour, the Uber driver called the mother and asked when she would be returning. She responded she’d be back in “12 minutes,” the affidavit said. But she never showed and she wasn’t answering his phone calls, cops said. After two hours had passed, the driver called 911.

Sabogal “showed that she had no intent on returning due to her lengthy absence,” the affidavit stated.

Cops observed the kids to be in good health, although they said they were thirsty and hungry.

“I provided them with food and water as they also expressed concern for their mother,” cops wrote.

Officers found Sabogal walking near a McDonald’s more than 2 miles away and took her into custody. She could not explain why she left her kids alone or how she arrived at McDonald’s, according to police.

Cops spoke with staff at Bob G’s Wings N Things, a local restaurant, who confirmed Sabogal was at the establishment with her kids earlier in the night. Staff told cops that the defendant “enjoyed multiple alcoholic beverages at the bar” as her children were running around unsupervised.

Sabogal smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech, police allege. She was arrested and taken to the Broward County Jail where she has since posted bond. The children were released to a family member.

The father of the children told WPLG that this wasn’t the first time Sabogal has behaved erratically. He said he was “very concerned” for the safety of his kids.

“Moving forward, she needs help. I don’t understand how someone in their right mind would do something like this,” he told the TV station. “She’s obviously not OK, and this needs to end.”

Why Is the White House Sharing Blurry Images on Social Media? Here’s What You Need to Know

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The White House‘s official social media accounts have been posting heavily pixelated images of administration officials, with no explanation why.

Identifying the subject of the third image remains a challenge, as no captions accompany any of the images.

Adding to the intrigue, the White House has shared a brief seven-second video featuring a black-and-white rendition of its logo. The logo flickers and disintegrates to the backdrop of discordant sounds.

This enigmatic video carries a caption with just a single emoji: a smiley face with a finger over its mouth, suggesting secrecy or silence.

Further fueling curiosity, a four-second video released yesterday captures a glimpse of someone’s feet, accompanied by a woman’s voice asking, “It’s launching soon, right?”

A four-second video posted yesterday showed someone’s feet and a female voice saying “It’s launching soon, right?”

That video was deleted after 90 minutes.

The Federal Communications Commission has also posted a pixelated image, perhaps of chairman Brendan Carr.

What the administration is doing with the posts remains a mystery.

But it is far from unprecedented for the Trump administration to seek to change the subject when it is mired in an unpopular scandal.

Trump’s approval rating is now at record lows.

Donald Trump speaking about his favourite pen at a cabinet meeting today.
Donald Trump speaking about his favourite pen at a cabinet meeting today. (AP)

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High-Speed Chase on Howard Frankland Bridge: Eyewitness Compares Suspect to NASCAR Driver


In Tampa, Florida, dramatic footage captured by the Florida Highway Patrol reveals the intense moments when a speeding car, evading troopers, collided with another vehicle and subsequently rolled multiple times across the highway.

The incident unfolded Tuesday night on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The video depicts the suspect recklessly weaving through traffic with hazard lights flashing.

MCG Launches Groundbreaking Deep Brain Stimulation Trials for Alzheimer’s Treatment


AUGUSTA, Ga. — Alzheimer’s disease is a formidable challenge, currently affecting 7 million Americans above the age of 65. This condition ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, reflecting its significant impact on public health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project a worrying trend: by 2060, the number of older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s could soar to 14 million. This anticipated rise underscores the urgent need for innovative treatments and interventions.

In response to this looming crisis, researchers at Augusta University are spearheading efforts to change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s progression. Their pioneering project has received approval to initiate clinical trials exploring a novel treatment approach.

The focus of their research is on deep brain stimulation (DBS), a technique they hope will prove effective in improving the lives of those grappling with the disease. The team is optimistic that DBS could offer a new avenue of hope for Alzheimer’s patients, potentially altering the course of this devastating illness.

They’re working to see if D-B-S can be effective on patients battling the disease. 

Researchers started the process a year ago, working for months to finally get the go ahead at the federal, hospital, and university levels. 

“The Deep Brain Stimulation Project that we’re working on together has the potential to really change Alzheimer’s big time,” said Dr. John Morgan, a professor in the department of neurology.

Deep Brain Stimulation surgery was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997, and has seen positive results in animals and humans battling Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Fernando Vale has performed multiple D-B-S surgeries in the past. 

“It’s a very safe surgery, and it basically requires the implementation of a wire into the brain, and we’re attempting to modify brain networks to get the best clinical response,” said Vale. “It requires an overnight stay in the hospital in the I-C-U, but it’s for safety. But, in a sense, they get VIP treatment.”

Dr. David Blake is leading the trial, studying the effect of D-B-S on Alzheimer’s for the last decade.

He says the goal is to see if the surgery can improve cognitive health in Alzheimer’s patients for at least two years, but believes there is the potential for it to be a cure. 

“A cure would be relieving the patient of all of the symptoms of the disorder. If we can restore their memory to the point they could engage in activities normally and daily living again, and if that extended indefinitely I would say that is a cure. However—they have a device, they’ve had a surgery, so there’s a lot of caveats to that. But, I think it can be a cure,” said Blake.

Vale says based on past surgeries, patients are able to go home as soon as 24 hours following the surgery.

“I can reassure the patient and the caregivers that this is something that we’ve done since 1997, and we have a system. The system is for the patient and for the family,” he added.

The research team is actively looking for patients willing to take part in the study.

Morgan says they are looking for specific patients that have cognitive challenges.

“You can’t have cancer and have Alzheimer’s. You can’t have a heart attack last week and go into an Alzheimer’s trial, that kind of thing. So, they need to be good candidates that are healthy enough for surgery, healthy enough to give us some time to see how the treatment works,” said Morgan.

To learn more about this trial, click here.

First Responders Heroically Rescue 2-Year-Old from Menard County Lake


A two-year-old girl is recovering after a dramatic rescue from Lake Petersburg in Menard County, Illinois, on Thursday morning. Local authorities report she is now in stable condition.

The Menard County Sheriff’s Office received an urgent call around 10 a.m. informing them that the young girl had fallen into the lake and was not breathing. The caller mentioned that CPR was already underway at the location.

LaGuardia Runway Reopens Following Tragic Crash That Claimed Lives of Two Pilots

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NEW YORK (AP) — After a tragic collision between a jet and a fire truck that claimed the lives of two pilots, LaGuardia Airport’s runway has been reopened. This development on Thursday morning marks the end of a period during which the airport operated at reduced capacity while investigators examined the accident’s aftermath, and crews worked diligently to remove debris.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that the tarmac resumed functioning at approximately 10 a.m. following thorough repairs, inspections, and confirmation that it met Federal Aviation Administration standards for safe usage.

As the agency responsible for overseeing airports in the region, the Port Authority explained that bringing the second runway back online at LaGuardia—one of the busiest airports in the country—will significantly enhance its operational capacity. However, they advised passengers to verify their flight status with airlines due to potential ongoing disruptions.

LaGuardia has been leading the nation in flight delays and cancellations, with over 300 flights canceled in the past 24 hours alone, as reported by Flight Aware, a flight monitoring service.

In the midst of these operational challenges, the remains of the two Air Canada pilots are being returned to Canada, as authorities continue to handle the repercussions of the incident.

Pilots carried the casket of Jazz Aviation first officer Mackenzie Gunther off a plane at the Ottawa International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Capt. Antoine Forest’s body was then flown from Ottawa to Montréal Trudeau International Airport.

Gunther, 30, and Forest, 24, died when their Air Canada plane collided with a firetruck after landing at LaGuardia.

Hundreds of pilots and flight staff waited in the rain, lined up in front of Air Canada’s Montreal headquarters to honor Forest.

Capt. Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association Canada, said the pilot community is mourning the two young aviators.

“No family should go through this,” he said,

The destroyed Air Canada plane and the fire truck were towed from the crash site late Wednesday as the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation.

The agency said Thursday that the truck has been placed in an undisclosed, secure location and deferred to questions about the status of the plane to Air Canada, which didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The airline has said the plane would be placed in a hangar and that it would soon begin the process of reuniting passengers with their baggage and personal belongings.

Michael Rousseau, the company’s CEO, also apologized Thursday for his inability to express himself in French after facing calls to resign over his English-only message of condolence.

The crash happened late Sunday night as an Air Canada regional jet arriving from Montreal and carrying 76 people struck an airport fire truck that had initially been cleared to cross the runway to respond to a separate incident aboard another plane.

Roughly 40 people were treated at hospitals for injuries, including the two firefighters and a flight attendant who survived after being thrown onto the tarmac while still strapped in her seat. Most have since been released from the hospital.

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Gillies reported from Toronto.

Unveiling the Truth: The Intriguing End of John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’s Love Story – Were They Separated Before Tragedy Struck?

The Hulu series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette quickly captured audiences with its raw and compelling portrayal of the iconic couple’s intense and poignant romance. From its February debut, the show made waves, especially with its stirring opening scene featuring Carolyn (played by Sarah Pidgeon) and John (portrayed by Paul Anthony Kelly) boarding a plane with Carolyn’s sister, Lauren (Sydney Lemmon), ominously alluding to the tragic plane crash. This gripping introduction set the tone for a story that promised to be as riveting at its conclusion as it was at the start.

Throughout the series, the narrative delved into the passionate yet tumultuous relationship between the “Heir to Camelot” and the former Calvin Klein publicist. The first eight episodes painted a vivid picture of their magnetic attraction and the struggles they faced. However, the finale, titled “Search and Rescue,” truly pushed the envelope, revealing the depth of the show’s emotional intensity. Actress Constance Zimmer, who plays Carolyn’s mother in the series, had hinted at this climactic turn, emphasizing that the ending would be challenging for viewers to witness.

“We all know what’s coming—it’s about how we tell it,” Zimmer explained in an interview with DECIDER via Zoom. She forewarned that the finale would be “very, very difficult for everybody to watch.”

Perhaps, like John and Carolyn themselves, viewers were somewhat blinded by the romantic allure of their story. As the series concludes, we aim to help you navigate the emotional and dramatic events of this captivating FX production.

Continue reading for a detailed breakdown and analysis of the Season 1 finale of Love Story

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Ending Explained: Were John and Carolyn Fighting at the Time of their Deaths?

At the start of Episode 9, things between the titular couple are certainly less than perfect. Tense conversations in Episode 8, “Exit Strategy,” lead to them seeking out the advice of a marriage counselor. Much to their shock, the counselor tells them that they should attempt a trial separation, as they are clearly stuck in a vicious cycle of feeling like the other person is not listening and only considering their own wants and needs.

Unsurprisingly, this headstrong couple only gets turned on by being told to keep their distance and reconcile (a couple times if you know what we mean) and find themselves with renewed interest in figuring out their relationship and making it work. This comes only after conversations with their respective siblings, Caroline (Grace Gummer) and Lauren, who say that they are both expecting the other person to change who they are fundamentally, and it’s not fair.

After initially saying no to an event hosted for George Magazine, Carolyn takes her sister’s advice and shows up to her hubby’s event, which breathes new life into their marriage once again. She also says yes to going to John’s cousin’s wedding, which is the wedding they were flying to when their plane went down in July 1999. To answer the first question quickly: no, John and Carolyn appeared to be making things work at the time of their plane crash, at least so says the series. Love Story does briefly detail the plane crash and shows Carolyn, John, and Lauren in the aircraft in the moments before the crash, but spares fans seeing too much.

Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
Photo: Getty Images

The latter half of the episode, which is aptly titled “Search and Rescue,” shows the aftermath and those the pair left behind coping with the unimaginable and unexplainable deaths of John and Carolyn. It’s only after tense meetings between Ed Schlossberg (Ben Shenkmen) and Ann Freeman (Zimmer) that brings together Caroline and Ann to discuss the deaths.

While it takes some conversation and tears, the two women — both of whom the show reminds you have experienced more loss than anyone should ever have to withstand — agree that they will spread John, Carolyn, and Lauren’s ashes together in the ocean. This will happen, they agree, after the funeral where all of their closest friends and family gather to mourn the tragic deaths of these two young lovers.

The final scene of the series sees Carolyn’s mother walking up to the front of the church and reading excerpts from “Death Is Nothing At All” by Henry Scott Holland. As Ann reads the heartbreaking poem, which asserts that loved ones have not left, but have simply “slipped away into the next room,” a shot of Carolyn and John on the beach together, embracing, fades to black.

The first season of Love Story is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. 

If you’re new to Hulu, you can get started with a 30-day free trial on the streamer’s basic (with ads) plan. After the trial period, you’ll pay $10.99/month. If you want to upgrade to Hulu ad-free, it costs $18.99/month.

If you want to stream even more and save a few bucks a month while you’re at it, we recommend subscribing to one of the Disney+ Bundles, all of which include Hulu. These bundles start at $12.99/month for ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu and goes up to $32.99/month for Disney+, Hulu, and Max, all ad-free.

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 – Ministers Of Light (1)

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Ministers Of Light (1)

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 TOPIC – Ministers Of Light (1)

MEMORISE: The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. – Matthew 4:16 (KJV)

READ: Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 17-18

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 MESSAGE

Light is powerful. It drives away darkness and reveals whatever is hidden. In John 9:5, Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 1:4-5 also says, “In him was life; and the life was the light and of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” These Scriptures confirm that Jesus is the Light. However, in Matthew 5:14, the same Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye are the light of the world…” God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19); hence, if Jesus says His disciples are the light of this world, if you are His disciple, then you are light.

James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, who is the Father of lights. If our Father is the Light, then His children must be light. God expects you to shine, and in today’s Bible reading, He commands you to let your light shine so that men will see your good works and give glory to Him.

As a child of God, you are a minister of light, and this means that you must shine. God has called you an able minister of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6); therefore, your life must reveal God’s glory and grace. In John 14:12, Jesus said that those who believe in Him will do the works He did and even surpass them by doing greater works.

When the light of God shines in a place, impossibilities become possible. We can see this in the life of Jesus Christ; wherever He went, miracles, healings, and deliverance happened in abundance. In John 9:1-7, He gave sight to a man who was born blind. Likewise, in John 5:1-9, He healed a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. He also healed some lepers in Luke 17:11-19, as well as a man who was possessed by a legion of demons (Mark 5:1-20). The Bible says in Matthew 4:23-25 that Jesus’ fame spread throughout Syria because of the great miracles He was performing. People saw Him as the Light and were willing to follow Him wherever He went.

Beloved, as a child of God, light is your identity, and this light must shine so brightly that it eliminates every form of darkness around you. I pray that the light of God in you will never become hidden, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to walk in the fullness of my identity as light, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heaven 27 March 2026 HYMN 7 – I Am Thine O Lord

1 l am Thine, O Lord
I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer bless Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3 Oh the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee,
my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4 There are depths of love
that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy
that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Accessing the Devotional
The Open Heavens devotional is conveniently available as an application across all major mobile platforms and operating systems, including iOS, Android, Nokia, Windows Mobile, and PC. This wide accessibility ensures that users can engage with the devotional from virtually any device. For more information or to access the Open Heaven for Today 2026, visit

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.