Read Time: 5 min 33 sec | Listen to Podcast

U.S. NEWS

Esaca(LA)tion

Los Angeles remains in unrest. 

The Pentagon deployed 2,000 additional National Guardsmen (4,000 total) and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles County to protect “federal property and personnel.” Local officials say most anti-ICE protests—now popping up across the country—have been peaceful, though demonstrators have thrown fireworks and rocks at police and set fire to several self-driving taxis. Police have used “less-lethal” weapons, such as tear gas and rubber bullets, to dispel unlawful gatherings. 

President Trump says the city would be “burning to the ground” had he not deployed backup. California Governor Newsom (D) condemned the violence but accused Trump of trying to “fan the flames.” 

On Monday, the Golden State sued Trump, claiming his deployment of California’s National Guard “exceeds the federal government’s authority.” President Trump later suggested Governor Newsom should be arrested for impeding ICE.

(We’re also covering this story tomorrow in Decaf, The Pour Over for Families. Sign up—for free—here.)

__

ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Obeying God when He calls us to love and pray for our enemies requires genuine humility and deep faith. But loving them reflects our Father—who loved His enemies so much that He allowed His only Son to be killed so we could have an eternal relationship with Him.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them… But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.” 
Luke 6:32, 35 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Intercepted

Israeli forces boarded the British-flagged Madleen—a boat carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other international passengers near Gaza on Monday.

The yacht, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aimed to deliver aid and protest Israel’s war in Gaza. It was seized about 125 miles off the coast and escorted to Ashdod, Israel. Three activists and a journalist were deported Tuesday; eight other passengers refused deportation and are being held in detention before Israeli authorities hear their case.

Israel has called Thunberg an "antisemite," but promised to deliver “the tiny amount of aid” on the ship to Gaza. The pro-Palestinian coalition condemned the seizure—which happened on international waters—as a breach of international law and called for the other passengers to be released without deportation.

__

BE DOERS
Followers of Christ should not become cynical, desensitized, or unmoved by stories of war and tragedy but be endlessly willing to help. Continue praying for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.

“Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” 
Book of Common Prayer, page 654

FROM OUR PARTNERS

A World Without Sickness

Access changes everything. Clean water. Basic hygiene. The gospel. These are things we often take for granted—but in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, they’re life-changing.

Over 40% of Congolese children suffer from stunted growth. Malnutrition and lack of clean water are daily realities. Many have never heard the name of Jesus.  

But with your help, World Without Sickness can make a life-saving difference for 612,000 children in the DRC and elsewhere through hygiene education in schools and communities that would otherwise remain closed to the gospel.

They’ve already seen doors opened in 45 countries and reached over 16 million children. Donate today and reach over 600,000 more! TPO is matching the first $3,000.

INDUSTRY

iOS26

Apple hopes an update today will keep the Androids away.

At its annual developers conference in Cupertino, Apple unveiled software updates across its product line. The changes were (mostly) cosmetic:

• “Liquid Glass” design updates feature semi-translucent widgets, notifications, and more

• All operating systems are being renamed for the upcoming year instead of the version number (iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26)

There were some actual new features as well: 

• iPhones will help filter unwanted spam texts

• “Workout Buddy” will provide fitness insights and encouragement through the Apple Watch

• Live translations will be available for calls, messages, and FaceTime

While the capabilities of Apple Intelligence were repeatedly highlighted, conspicuously absent from the party again was an AI (actually intelligent) Siri. The updates will roll out to everyone with an iPhone 11 or newer this Fall.

__

Verse to consider when you think your relationship with technology needs an update…
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” 
Philippians 4:8 (CSB) (read full passage)

Health Secretary RFK Jr. announced he was “retiring” all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory board, which helps set immunization schedules for adults and children. He called the committee (all 17 were Biden-era appointees) “a rubber stamp for any vaccine,” saying a “clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence.” The decision drew harsh rebukes from many in the public health community.
 

For Justin Baldoni, it ends with… a judge. Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively was dismissed; the judge ruled her accusations of sexual harassment were exempt from libel claims because she made them in a lawsuit. The judge also ruled that Baldoni’s claim that Lively stole creative control of the film didn’t amount to extortion.
 

Austria is grieving after a school shooting yesterday. A former student opened fire at a high school in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, killing nine people and wounding at least 12 others before taking his own life. The 21-year-old man’s motive remains unclear; he used two weapons, which he was believed to have owned legally.
 

Southern Baptists are calling for legislative change. At the convention’s annual meeting this week, the denomination is expected to vote to work with legal advocacy groups campaigning against same-sex marriage, pornography, and sports betting. Conservative Christian activists—looking to build on the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade—say lawmakers should “oppose any law” contradicting “what God has made plain through nature and Scripture.”
 

Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to unmerge after just three years together. The divorce will split its growing studio & streaming businesses (HBO, Warner Bros, & DC Studios) from its legacy network businesses (TNT, Discovery, CNN) by the middle of next year. NBCUniversal has also been breaking up the band, spinning off its cable news networks into a separate company.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

… Incoming!

Why People Really Visit Our Office
For Lemonade Salt from LMNT*

You’d think people stop by to talk about news, Jesus, or just catch up on life.

Nope—they’re here to mooch off our abundant LMNT stash (specifically, the new Lemonade Salt flavor). 

Our kitchen cabinet has basically become a heistable hydration station. Friends “stop in” for a visit and leave with three sticks in their pockets and a suspiciously salty water bottle. Can we blame them? Not really. 

It’s that good—zero sugar, no junk, just electrolytes that actually work. We could hide our stash… but honestly, we want this for our friends, too. TPO readers get eight single-serve packs free with any LMNT purchase. Try it mooch-free!

What We’re Subscribed To
Brad’s Deals*

Yeah, you probably use Amazon… but do you actually use Amazon?

Brad (yep, he’s a real guy) was a broke college student finding cheaper ways to shop and sharing them with his friends. And thus… Brad’s Deals was born. Brad’s Deals cracks open the lid on a Pandora’s box of deals you probably knew nothing about. You can maximize the value of your Amazon Prime Membership by uncovering 10 lesser-known benefits that can transform your shopping, streaming, and saving experience.

Get all the deals from Brad’s Deals by signing up for free with your email address. Happy shopping!