- [Announcer] This is CBN Newswatch.
- Thank you so much forjoining us, I'm Efrem Graham.
The U.S. Government couldsoon step up the pressure
on Turkey to release Americanpastor Andrew Brunson.
President Trump is personallyaddressing the issue
from the White House.
Jennifer Wishon brings us the story.
She's in Washington.
- [Jennifer] With cameras rolling
and the world watching a Cabinetmeeting at the White House,
President Trump raised the case
of American evangelicalpastor Andrew Brunson,
who is still being detained in Turkey
on charges related to terrorism.
Accusations Brunson andthe U.S. say are false.
- They have not provento be a good friend.
They have a great Christian pastor there.
He's a very innocent man.
- [Jennifer] Turkey's economy is already
in a downward spiral.
And the President's Treasury Secretary
announced more financialpressure is on the way
if Turkey doesn't release Brunson.
- As you know, we were very clear
with our counterparts there,
both Secretary Pompeo and myself,
on the release of the pastor.
We've put sanctions on severalof their Cabinet members.
Working with you, we havemore that we're planning to do
if they don't release him quickly.
- [Jennifer] Last month atBrunson's third court hearing
in nearly two years,
U.S. Officials thoughtthey had a deal to free him
after the U.S. helpedTurkey by pressuring Israel
to release a Turkishcitizen imprisoned there.
But instead, Brunson wasplaced under house arrest,
where some fear his life is in danger.
- Certainly the President hasa great deal of frustration
on the fact that PastorBrunson has not been released,
as well as the factthat other U.S. citizens
and employees of diplomatic facilities
have not been released.
And we're gonna continue to call on Turkey
to do the right thing andrelease those individuals.
- [Jennifer] Kristina Arriaga, Vice Chair
of the U.S. Commission onInternational Religious Freedom
says every American canhelp pressure Turkey
by avoiding buying Turkish goods.
- I have great faithin the American people.
And I'm hoping that at a minimum
they can make anyone whohas a Nutella sandwich
or anyone who has towelsthat come from Turkey,
that unwillingly they're participating
in lifting the economy of Turkey
which is something thatwe should not be doing
when they're holdingAmericans like Pastor Brunson.
- [Jennifer] If he's not released,
Pastor Brunson's next hearingis scheduled for October 12th.
He faces 35 years in prison.
Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Washington.
- Here now is a look at someof the other major headlines
we're following for you today,inside the CBN Newsroom.
The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin has died
at the age of 76.
The singer died Thursday morning
from advanced pancreatic cancer.
Franklin stood as a culturalicon around the globe
and was known for her classics
such as Think, Say a Little Prayer,
and her signature song Respect.
The largest wildfire in California history
is still growing.
The Los Angeles Times reportingthe Mendocino Complex fire
is burning more than 364,000 acres.
Fire fighters say theflames are being fueled
by high winds and low humidity.
The fire continues to threatenfour nearby communities.
Google says it has changed
how it's location history settings work.
The changes come after reports revealed
the app continues tostore user location data
even when turned off.
Now when users go to turnoff their location history,
a page pops up letting them know
some data location may still be saved.
Experts say the new wording
is a step in the right direction.
Now for more on these stories and others
throughout the day, besure to visit CBNNews.com.
As we told you earlier this week,
the FBI is warning banks to be on guard
against cyber attacks at ATMs.
The agency says a globalscam is in the works
to steal millions of dollarsfrom customer bank accounts.
As CBN's National Securitycorrespondent reports,
the best time to strikeis over a holiday weekend
like Labor Day, when noone knows what's happening.
Here's Erik Rosales.
- Federal agents tell CBN news
these crooks armed withnothing more than a computer
linked up to a fake bank card
are walking up to theseATMs, putting it inside,
and then infecting the units with malware.
After putting in a passcode,
they're able to wipe out fraud controls,
such as cash limits,allowing them to walk away
with all the money that's inside the ATM.
The FBI alerted International banks
that criminals are plotting a coordinated
global cyber attack on cashmachines in the next few days.
Cyber hack experts saythe attack is imminent.
- So they have all of these card numbers,
and potentially pinnumbers that go with that.
So what they do is theycloned a bunch of these,
and they wait for a week,
and guess what's coming up, Labor Day.
Monday, September 3rd.
So they've got Saturday,they've got Sunday,
they've got Monday.
- [Erik] Three days of theft allowing them
to steal millions of dollars.
It was just last year $2.4 million
was stolen from accountsat the Virginia based
National Bank of Blacksburg,
in two separate ATM cashouts.
The FBI is urging banksto review their security,
such as implementing strongerpassword requirements
and updating software.
Most bank accounts are insured
but customers still need toknow the maximum protection.
Security experts sayit's important to monitor
accounts regularly by going online.
Or at least checking monthly statements.
The sooner you report suspicious behavior,
the more likely you areto get at least some
of your money back.
- If you go online and have it online,
you can check more regularly.
But at least in my experience,
looking at a monthly Ican still contest them.
- [Erik] The FBI also advises consumers
to examine any ATMcarefully before using it.
And look for card readers or even cameras.
Because these crookshave to physically hack
the ATM and wait for allthe money to be dispensed,
that takes a lot of time.
Agents are advising the public,
if you see that happeningto immediately call police.
Erik Rosales, CBN News.
- So exactly where shouldprison reform begin?
While, lawmakers onCapital Hill work toward
changing the systems,
others say tackling incarceration
should actually begininside the court room.
Our Amber Strong has thatstory from Washington.
- [Amber] To friends andfamily Matthew Charles
appeared to be a model citizen.
- Matthew is a kind, considerate person.
Very good heart.
- [Amber] He spent 21 yearsin prison on a drug charge.
He was released for two years,
and on an apparent path to redemption,
until a technical errorput him back behind bars.
His case and others like it
are grabbing headlines andthe attention of everyone
from celebrities to the President.
Earlier this year, a bipartisan effort
to pass prison reformsailed through the house.
Now Criminal Justice reform advocates
are in a race against time toget support from the Senate.
Dubbed the First Step Act,
it aims to fund prisonredemption programs,
and allow certain prisoners the chance
to serve out their time in halfway houses.
But when it comes to the Senate,
there's another hurdle.
Groups on both sides of the aisle
want to see an effortto reform sentencing.
- And you have judges around this country
who are saying I don'tthink you deserve that.
I don't want to send you away for life.
You don't need to die in prison
for society to be safe.
But I have no choice becauseCongress passed this law.
So we have to get rid of these policies
and let judges have discretionwhen they sentence people.
- [Amber] Research shows the U.S. locks up
a larger share of it's populationthan any other country,
due in part to mandatoryminimum sentences.
Fresh off a meeting with President Trump,
Senator Tim Scott says he's hopeful
the Senate can find a wayto meet in the middle.
- The question is is there a way for us
to add on top of theprison reform legislation
criminal justice reform that would give
release valves on non-violentperhaps first-time offenders
as opposed to having to dealwith a mandatory minimum.
Having a way to reduce the sentence.
That is a far more treacherous ground
for us to wade through.
- [Amber] In the past, the Administration
has not been open to sentencing reform.
But advocates tell CBN Newsthey see flickers of hope
from the President.
In the meantime, faith-based organizations
like Prison Fellowshipwill stand in the gap.
Reaching out to prisonersbefore they're released.
- As Christians, we suit up.
We show up and we do whatChrist would have us do.
And we go into the prisons
and as we heal the prisons in America,
I think we heal thecommunities in America.
- [Amber] Charles's girlfriend, Naomi,
believes faith makes thedifference in his journey,
then and now.
- Not once have I seen animosity or anger
throughout this whole situation.
He has a very strong spirit.
God is with him, no doubt.
- [Amber] Amber Strong,CBN News, Washington.
- [Efrem] Coming up,how the church is trying
to win back dangerousneighborhoods of Chicago
with the gospel, prayer,
and ministry outreaches to those in need.
An undeclared war is going on in America,
and Chicago is ground zero.
In the first weekend of August alone,
75 people were shot downon the city streets.
More than 300 people havebeen killed this year.
City leaders have no solutionfor the senseless violence.
So the church is now trying to win back
these dangerous neighborhoods.
Charlene Aaron brings usthe story now from Chicago.
- [Reporter] Just after midnight Sunday
on Chicago's West side,two men shot at a crowd
during a block party.
- Rising temperaturescontribute to hot tempers.
- [Man] Police say from10 Saturday morning
to 10 Sunday morning,at least 34 were shot,
including 5 killed.
- [Charlene] And the Windy City has become
anything but relaxing.
- These shootings are not random.
They are fueled by gang conflicts.
- [Charlene] The Mayor andothers calling for healing.
I am here in the heart of Chicago
on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
Also known as Murder Drive.
Believers here are joining together
to win people to JesusChrist one block at a time.
40 days of outreach called Jesus Summer
began on a rainy day.
Very appropriate given thetears shed in this city
due to deadly gun violence.
- Let the spirit of violencebe bound in this city.
And let the spirit of peacebe loosed in this city.
We declare peace on Hostis.
We declare peace in this city.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
the son of the living God.
- [Charlene] Prayers turned into action
as believers across denominational lines
hit the streets in ministry opportunities,
such as feeding the homeless,
street Evangelism, a tent revival,
and events for kids.
- This is one of theroughest neighborhoods
there are in Chicago.
- [Charlene] Pastor DimasSalaberrios is from New York
but helped to spearhead thecity's Jesus Summer project.
- We're empowering the churches
with millions of dollarsworth of merchandise
to make sure that we can try to hit
every home in Chicago with the gospel.
So that's the mission.
And there's multiple events happening.
- [Charlene] A former drug dealer,
Salabarrios is fastinguntil there are no shootings
in Chicago for at least a week.
His prayers center onthose behind the violence
- Life over him.
And it's in Jesus's name I pray.
Amen.
I used to be a King Pin drug dealer, man.
I sold drugs almost all my life.
- [Charlene] He recently shared the gospel
with local gang members.
- When you reach the shooters
and the shooting stops,
that brings peace.
- [Charlene] While ministry here is hard,
Salabarrios has seen breakthroughs.
Such as the result ofpraying with angry protestors
following the death of a blackman at the hands of police.
- We just started to pray for people.
We started to target people
that we saw that were really upset,
or were angry.
We said can we pray for you?
We watched God's peaceliterally come over them.
- [Charlene] Chicago native Donovan Price
connected with Pastor Salabarrios
when he arrived in the city.
As a victim's advocate,he sees the violence
and it's impact up close.
- About 20 minutes aftershots fired, I arrive.
When the family arrives,I support the family,
help them through thisthree or four hour process
at the scene.
Sometimes you can't always say a prayer
or spout a scripture.
Sometimes it's about loving and comforting
and having that feel, thatpresence around somebody
that they know that the HolySpirit is taking care of them,
they know that God is there.
- [Charlene] Our camerasfollowed Salabarrios
and several ministry partnersas they shared the gospel.
- A lot of people watch the show
and I know it was strange to see me here.
I'm a little out of place, ya know,
I wonder what I'm doing walking around.
But yeah, we just told 'em we're here
cause we love 'em.
Just wanted to hug on 'em
and try to show Jesus through our lives.
- [Charlene] Many responded.
- A young lady waswalking across the street
in front of the apartmentsbehind us known as projects,
you know, that's what we refer to 'em as.
We stopped her and sheadmitted she needed prayer.
And as we continued to talk,
she admitted, I asked do youknow Jesus as your savior?
She said no.
And I was like, can today be your day?
You don't have to be perfect.
And she was just so broken,and she just said yes.
And so we ministered toher and prayed for her.
And then her son also accepted Christ.
- [Charlene] Although theshootings keep happening
and Jesus Summer ends August 26th,
Salabarrios will keeppushing for a lasting change.
- We're committed to goas long as we possibly can
to draw attention to this,
to get more Christians to come out,
walk these streets.
Cause it's only about 1500 shooters.
And if we can concentrate on that group,
we could change the city of Chicago.
- [Charlene] CharleneAaron, CBN News, Chicago.
- [Efrem] Still ahead, an inside look
at a new movie about adoption.
A story that relates the gospel message
and it comes from the sonof some famous missionaries.
We've got the story right after this.
(dramatic music)
The film Running ForGrace hits theaters today
shining a spotlight on theimportance of adoption.
At the center of the story, is an orphan
who uses his blazingspeed to deliver medicine
to poor coffee pickers inthe mountains of Hawaii.
But then he falls inlove with the daughter
of the plantation's owner.
- Just gonna have you come to this place.
He's gonna be really yelling at you.
And action, car!
- [Efrem] That's filmmakerDavid Cunningham at work
on the film Running For Grace.
It's set in Hawaii in the 1920s.
- During that time, there waslaws about racial integrity,
where it was actuallyillegal to adopt children
of mixed ethnicities.
Joe is half Caucasian half Japanese,
and rejected by both communities.
A new doctor comes to town,played by Matt Dillon,
and takes the boy under his wing.
- What's will that kid?
- He just showed up out of nowhere.
- Where's your parents?
Alright kid, come on,you're gonna live with me.
I'm the new doctor for the plantation.
If any of you are sick or get hurt,
you just see Joe, and he'll come get me.
When I read the script,they said right away
this is why this is really good,
because this is veryspecific and very authentic
and very real.
You know, the coffeefields, the plantation,
the prejudices in society at that time.
You know, Joe, you seem pretty smitten
with the big man's pretty daughter.
I need your help.
I've got another one like this.
(dramatic music)
- Miss Grace has hurt her ankle.
- Miss Grace?
- Let's just show 'em thatyou're a qualified assistant.
- [Efrem] Cunninghamisn't just a filmmaker.
He comes from generations of missionaries
on both sides of his family.
- This particular film is allabout the power of adoption.
Adoption is the gospel.
And the gospel is adoption.
- [Efrem] Jim Caviezel alsostars in this powerful story.
- I think it's a filmthat will really resonate
with the people.
Has great redemption to it.
- I have been trying to adopt this kid.
I believe this young man hasthe makings of a physician.
- Perhaps you'd like tobe on a winning team.
- A distinguished doctorhas taken an interest
in you, my dear.
- A miracle.
- Selling your onlydaughter off is a miracle?
- I wouldn't give up if I were you.
You're meant to be with Grace.
- Efrem Graham, CBN News.
As we mentioned, Running For Grace
arrives in theaters today.
By the way, the film'sdirector David Cunningham
is the son of missionaries.
His parents founded theorganization Youth With a Mission,
known by many as YWAM.
Another movie is coming out today
and our friends at PluggedIn Online
have a review of the new film.
It's called Alpha, take a look.
(electronic music)
- My father always told me
survival is never certain.
- The movie Alpha tells the story
of an Ice Age teen named Keda.
He's the son of his tribe's chief
and learning the basics
of hunting and gatheringfood for the winter.
While out on an inaugural hunt however,
Keda is hit by a chargingbison and hurled off a cliff.
Left for dead with no one around to help,
he must find a way to overcome the odds
and make his way back home.
As the teen embarks onhis journey of survival,
limping along with apotentially broken ankle,
he's attacked by a pack of hungry wolves.
Keda ends up injuring one of them,
who is just like him,
abandoned by it's pack and left to die.
Of course, this might be an opportunity.
If this injured teen and his wounded wolf
can learn to rely on each other,
they just might, together,endure the brutal wilderness.
This early boy and hisdog tale is well made.
And it's something of anold school adventure lesson
about loyalty, growingup, and growing strong.
On the other hand,
there's a lot more growling peril here
than you might expect.
The film dabbles in blood,
and literally wallowsin dung at one point.
And there's ancient animalisticspirituality in the mix too.
So I'm giving Alpha a three out of five
for family friendliness.
For the full review, be sureto check out pluggedin.com.
Plugging you into the movies.
I'm Cheryl Wilhelmy,
for Focus on the Family'sPlugged In movie review.
- Sounds like a busyweekend at the box office.
Stay with us, we'll be right back.
And welcome back to CBN Newswatch.
It's time now for your Friday Faithful
as we wrap the week and begin the weekend.
It is a great day toremember God is faithful.
He promises that in his Word,
I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Hold fast to that promise
and know this, it isimpossible for our God to lie.
He is indeed with you untilthe very end of the age.
Well remember that you can find more
of our exclusive coverage of the issues
you care most about at CBNNews.com.
We'd love to hear what you think
about the stories you've seen here today.
You can do that byemailing newswatch@cbn.com.
And of course you can always reach out
and touch us on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram.
Hope you'll join us againright here next time.
This may conclude thisbroadcast, but remember
the news continues 24/7 at CBNNews.com.
Have a fabulous Fridayand a wonderful weekend.
We'll see you right back here come Monday.
Same time, same place.
Goodbye everybody, and God bless.
(exciting music)
