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U.S. NEWS

Tragedies in Los Angeles

L.A. is shaken after two devastating events. 

Early Saturday, a car drove into a crowd of people waiting outside a nightclub, injuring 30. The driver—who had been kicked out of the club for being disruptively intoxicated—was pulled from the car by angry bystanders and shot before police arrived. He was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition. 

LAPD is investigating the incident as “intentional” and is still looking for the driver’s shooter, who fled on foot. 

Separately, three L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies were killed after a grenade, recovered the night before, exploded in the parking lot of a Sheriff’s Department training facility. The deputies—all veterans of the bomb squad—were transporting the explosive, but it’s unclear what caused the detonation. Despite early reports of additional injuries, officials confirmed the three detectives were the only casualties.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
God doesn’t promise a world without pain, but He does promise ultimate peace for all who trust in Jesus. During times dominated by fear, pain, and sadness, we can cling to His promises. 

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” 
John 16:33 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Pivot

The Epstein case just won’t stay under the rug.

Late last week, President Trump told Attorney General Bondi to seek the release of Epstein’s grand jury transcripts, two weeks after the government re-declared the situation “case closed.” Calls for transparency have grown, though legal experts say the transcripts are unlikely to be unsealed due to strict secrecy rules. 

The pivot came hours after The Wall Street Journal published a “bawdy” 2003 birthday letter to Epstein allegedly written by future President Trump—part of an album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. The note references a “wonderful secret” and a sketch of a nude woman signed “Donald.” 

Trump said, “this is not me…this is a fake thing,” and has sued the WSJ and its owner, conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch, for $10B over the “false, malicious, defamatory, fake news ‘article.’”

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” 
James 1:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Food Insecurity Report

Global food insecurity is on the rise. 

Last month, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program released the semiannual Hunger Hotspots report—an early-warning and predictive analysis of global food crises for the next five months. 

The report identified 13 “hotspot” countries—some of which face "extreme hunger," and "starvation" unless "urgent humanitarian action" happens in the coming months. 

According to the FAO, food shortages, unsafe water, ongoing conflicts, and decimated farms are a “daily emergency for millions," making food insecurity one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world today. 

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BE DOERS
We’re asking the TPO Community to join us in partnering with World Concern—a faith-based nonprofit that partners with communities in five of the countries listed on the Hunger Hotspots report. Your gifts provide food, water, emergency supplies, and long-term solutions so families can move from desperation to hope. 

For as little as $25, you can provide families with the aid they desperately need. Plus, TPO is matching the first $4,000—simply give through this link. 

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?” 
James 2:15-16 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Coldplaygate

What began as a playful “Kiss Cam” moment at Wednesday’s Coldplay concert became a worldwide viral moment and ultimately ended with the resignation of a tech CEO. 

When the screen showed a cuddling couple, they immediately separated and hid their faces, prompting singer Chris Martin to say: “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” The internet quickly identified the man as the CEO of Astronomer, a $1.3B tech company, and the woman as Astronomer’s Chief People Officer. They’re both married (to other people).

Astronomer placed the CEO on leave and later announced he had resigned, saying their leaders “are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.” Astronomer's Chief Product Officer has stepped in as interim CEO.

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Verse to consider whether your shame is on the jumbotron or goes unnoticed by the public… “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8 (CSB) (read full passage)

A three-way swap brought ten jailed Americans home Friday. Venezuela released the Americans in exchange for the return of migrants deported from the U.S. to El Salvador months ago. The months-in-the-making swap is seen as a win for Venezuela’s Maduro, El Salvador’s Bukele (who pitched it), and President Trump, who has prioritized freeing Americans detained abroad.
 

Colbert has been canceled. Despite being the highest-rated late night talk show, CBS announced Thursday it’s canceling Stephen Colbert’s Late Show in May when his contract ends. Speculation grew that it was in response to Colbert’s criticism of CBS’s $16M lawsuit settlement with President Trump, but CBS says the “agonizing” decision was purely financial, driven by falling ad revenue.
 

Israel and Syria have agreed to cease firing. In a move backed by Turkey, Jordan, and other Mid-East neighbors, Israel agreed to lay off the missiles in southern Syria, where it alleged minority Druze civilians were being killed. Israel has also agreed to allow Syrian forces “limited access” to the area to quell future violence.
 

Tulsi Gabbard is calling for former President Obama to be prosecuted for “treasonous conspiracy.” The Director of National Intelligence declassified documents Friday that she says show then-President Obama and his administration were building a false case that Russia was interfering in the 2016 election on behalf of then-candidate Trump. Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee called the accusation “baseless.”
 

Scottie Scheffler made winning the British Open look easy. He hoisted the Claret Jug after shooting a 68 yesterday, cruising to a four-stroke victory after four days of play. It’s Scheffler’s fourth major victory and leaves him a U.S. Open win away from a career grand slam (winning each of the major tournaments).

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

The legendary Fairmount Bagel toss…

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