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Two people were killed and four others were seriously injured in an attack outside a synagogue in northwest England on Wednesday, which was Yom Kippur (the holiest day of the year in Judaism).

Police fatally shot the suspect outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester after he rammed pedestrians with a car, stabbed a security guard, and was believed to be carrying a bomb. Bomb disposal teams were called after “suspicious items” were found on his body. Video showed officers shouting “he has a bomb, go away!” to bystanders as officials secured the scene.

Prime Minister Starmer called the attack “horrific,” and King Charles said he was “deeply shocked and saddened.” Authorities credited quick-thinking bystanders with helping prevent the suspect from entering the synagogue.  

The suspect is a 35-year-old “British citizen of Syrian descent.” His motive is under investigation.

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PRAY WITH US
The hope of resurrection doesn’t mean we don’t grieve real tragedies like this attack, but it does mean that death won’t have the final word. Pray for the injured and the families of those lost, that they would turn to Christ, the Messiah, for healing, comfort, and hope.

“O Lord… be merciful to those now wounded. Be present with those now bereaved… Your heart is always inclined toward those who suffer. Now let your mercies be active through the hands, the words, and the compassionate care of those who willingly enter this sadness to console and to serve.” 
Every Moment Holy, page 149 of Volume 2

The federal government officially shut down on Wednesday for the first time since 2018-2019’s record 35-day standoff. 

Democrats want to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end and reverse earlier-in-the-year Medicaid cuts, warning that without action, millions will face higher premiums or loss of coverage. Republicans say they’ll only discuss health care after passing a short-term stopgap bill… a measure which failed (again) in the Senate on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, VP JD Vance has accused Democrats of pushing “billions of dollars of funding to healthcare for illegal aliens,” a claim Democrats reject. House Minority Leader Jeffries (D-NY) says Republicans are “lying” about the proposal.

Roughly 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed, and the White House said “thousands” may be permanently laid off in an effort to reduce waste and “scam” agencies. 

Want government shutdowns in a nutshell? Read more here.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
If our hope is based on political negotiations or economic security, then we live in fear because we could lose everything. But if our hope is rooted in the eternal security provided by Christ, then we can weather any storm—even a government shutdown.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Edward Mote, 1863 (Scriptural basis: Ps 18:2; Matt 7:24; Heb 13:8)

In parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the orphan crisis is growing, and food is running out. 

Violence and unrest—like rebel conflict in Goma, DRC, and gang violence in Haiti—are only making food scarcer. In these fragile communities, children’s homes are struggling to survive. 

Serving Orphans Worldwide is combating the crisis, and you can help. 100% of your gift will provide hungry children and babies with nutritious meals, emergency groceries, life-saving formula, and long-term food security. 

Join Serving Orphans Worldwide in feeding as many hungry orphans as possible. Donate today—just $32 feeds a child for a whole month. Plus, TPO is matching the first $4K given.

Curious how we choose sponsors?  Learn more  |  Advertise with us

Players are calling foul on league leadership as the WNBA season nears the final buzzer. 

On Sunday, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier delivered scathing prepared remarks in her season exit interview, calling WNBA leadership “the worst in the world” for undervaluing players—including megastars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers—and for allowing officials to lose control of games. The players’ union and a slew of players and commentators have stood behind Collier; commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was “disheartened” by Collier’s “mischaracterizations.”

The criticism comes as contract negotiations between the union and the league have stalled; their current agreement expires on Halloween. 

On the court, the Las Vegas Aces will face the Phoenix Mercury in the league’s first best-of-seven finals format. And on the diamond, MLB is also wrapping up its season, with divisional play leading off tomorrow.

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Verse to consider whether tension is building between managers and employees or business is plugging along as usual… “Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” 
Colossians 3:22–24 (CSB) (read full passage)

The White House gave Qatar an unprecedented security guarantee weeks after Israel’s strike targeting Hamas there. The executive order—less binding than a Senate-approved treaty—says the U.S. will view “armed attacks” on Qatar as threats to American security. Meanwhile, Israel intercepted a flotilla of aid boats off Gaza’s coast and detained 440+ pro-Palestinian activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Pope Leo XIV has weighed in on American politics for the first time since donning the mitre. The Chicago native said “the death penalty” and “inhuman treatment of immigrants” are “not really pro-life” positions; the White House denies “inhumane” conditions. The pontiff also said President Trump’s Gaza peace plan “seems like a realistic proposal” that he hopes Hamas will accept.

Higher ed is getting homework. In exchange for funding advantages, the White House wants colleges to sign a 10-point agreement banning race- and sex-based admission, freezing tuition increases, capping international enrollment, and requiring standardized testing. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is close to a deal with Harvard: the Crimson unlocks federal funds by paying $500M and opening AI and engineering trade schools.

Chimpanzees lost a dear friend this week. Famed primatologist Jane Goodall died at 91 after a lifetime of groundbreaking research. By observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat, she revealed their ability to make tools, adopt orphans, bond socially, and even wage wars. Beyond her scientific research, she championed conservation globally through the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots.

The Showgirl era is upon us. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped last night at midnight after months of cryptic, glittery, orange visuals. The 14-time Grammy winner is also releasing an accompanying 89-minute behind-the-scenes film about the album at AMC Theaters, which is expected to bring a ~$40M boost to the box office.

Not your average fireworks...

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