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WORLD NEWS

Deals in the Desert

President Trump is wrapping up his jam-packed Middle East business trip today. 

Wednesday, Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, urging the former Islamist militant to deport all “foreign terrorists” from Syria and mend its ties with Israel. The encounter—the first U.S.-Syria presidential meeting since 2000—followed Trump’s announcement that he would lift all U.S. sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation.

Then #47 jetted to Qatar and the UAE, signing multibillion-dollar business deals between the U.S. and the Persian Gulf countries.

Not on the itinerary? Turkey. Both President Trump and Russian President Putin decided to skip a visit to Istanbul yesterday. On Sunday, Putin had suggested he was ready to hold “direct negotiations” for peace with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy; Zelenskyy showed up, but refused to negotiate with Putin’s “stand-in props.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards peaceful resolutions, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Judicial Limits

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on “universal injunctions.”

The case centers around President Trump’s executive order ending automatic birthright citizenship for babies born in the U.S. (unless at least one of their parents is a citizen). However, the Supremes may not even weigh in on who gets a U.S. birth certificate. Instead, they’re focused on whether district judges’ universal injunctions—which block the order nationwide while it’s litigated in court—are legal.

The Trump administration is asking the High Court to limit the scope of the injunction, arguing that lower-court judges issuing nationwide orders circumvent the normal legal process. An opposing attorney argues that stopping unconstitutional orders falls squarely within the judges’ job descriptions.

There have been 39 universal injunctions on Trump 2.0 policies so far, so the Court’s decision could have broad implications.

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Verse to consider whether the decision in front of you impacts only you or a whole nation… “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Sports Shorts

Sports fans have a lot of balls in the air.

The PGA Championship teed off yesterday, and Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas is the early leader after Round 1 (see standings). Meanwhile, the WNBA tips off today with three games; Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever face Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky tomorrow.

Football fans have been updating their GCals after the 2025 schedule drop. Some highlights:

• The season kicks off Thursday, September 4th, when reigning champion Philadelphia hosts its rivals, the Cowboys

• Ireland hosts its first-ever game, one of seven international games in five countries

• Christmas Day delivers a tripleheader, featuring a certain someone’s boyfriend

Finally, MLB posthumously lifted the lifetime bans of 17 players, including all-time hits leader Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, making them eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Too often, we let eternally insignificant things, like sports, control our mood and behavior. It’s not wrong to enjoy these things, but remember that whether your team wins or loses, nothing of true importance has changed.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:2-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

The U.S. posted a record one-year drop in overdose deaths last year. A report showed that overdose-related deaths fell from 110,000 in 2023 to 80,000 in 2024—the lowest number in five years. Experts say the 27% drop is likely due to increased availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone (AKA Narcan) as well as a nationwide decline in drug usage among teens. 
 

California Governor Newsom (D) has proposed cutbacks in health benefits for undocumented migrants in an effort to make up a $12B budget shortfall, which he blamed on “Trump’s pendulum swings on tariffs.” It’s a reversal from previous promises to offer universal healthcare to all, regardless of citizenship. The freeze would begin in 2026 and apply to new applicants aged 20+.
 

“You’re fired,” -Tulsi Gabbard. The Director of National Intelligence removed two top officials at the National Intelligence Council as part of her effort to address the “weaponization and politicization” of intelligence. The move follows recent leaks and the council-released assessment contradicting the Trump Admin’s recent claims that the Tren de Aragua gang is in cahoots with Venezuela’s government.


Is Boeing back? The beleaguered aircraft manufacturer sealed a $96B deal with Qatar Airways during President Trump’s visit to Qatar Wednesday; its largest order ever. Boeing will make as many as 210 aircraft for the airline over the next decade. The order—which also boosts engine production for General Electric—is expected to support up to 154,000 U.S. jobs annually.
 

The streaming service formerly known as HBO Max… is going back to HBO Max. For those keeping track at home, HBO’s streaming service went from HBO Go to HBO Now to HBO Max to Max, and will return to HBO Max this summer. HBO trolled itself with multiple memes using characters from Friends, Veep, Euphoria, and Game of Thrones.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Foul play in Switzerland…

What We’re Subscribing To
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Also, the Bible is very clear that prayer is powerful and effective… and there’s something powerful about knowing I’m joining thousands of other Christians in praying for another brother or sister’s specific needs! Join me (it’s free).

Jason Woodruff | Founder

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