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WORLD NEWS

Tehran v Jerusalem

Longstanding enemies Israel and Iran are in open conflict.

Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” on Friday, a surprise attack that wiped out Iran’s senior military leadership and damaged nuclear sites. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Iran’s growing nuclear program poses an “existential threat” to Israel and is intent on preventing it from developing nuclear weapons.

Iran has vowed to “open the gates of hell” in retaliation, targeting Israel’s defense infrastructure with waves of missiles over the weekend. Israel reports at least 13 deaths; humanitarian groups estimate over 400 Iranians have died.

President Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s supreme leader and declined Israel’s request for “bunker buster bombs” to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear operations, but warned he will deploy the “full strength and might” of the military if Iran attacks U.S. assets in the region.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of even more conflict abroad. But the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective, that it causes things to happen that would not have happened otherwise. Pray for comfort for those grieving. Pray for wisdom for leaders. Pray for peace. 

“May the LORD bless you and protect you; may the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD look with favor on you and give you peace.” 
Numbers 6:24-26 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Caught

A massive manhunt is over.

Early Saturday, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were shot and killed in their home, just over an hour after State Senator John Hoffman (D) and his wife were shot, about nine miles away. The Hoffmans are expected to recover.

The suspect—a 57-year-old man who posed as a police officer, wearing a tactical vest, badge, mask, and driving a replica squad SUV—exchanged gunfire with officers outside Hortman’s home before fleeing on foot. Inside his abandoned vehicle, authorities found a list with nearly 70 names, including other lawmakers and abortion providers. Last night, after a two-day search, authorities arrested the suspect in a wooded area of rural Minnesota. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) called Hortman’s death a “politically motivated assassination” and ordered the flags to fly at half-staff across the state.

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RADIATE HOPE
While mourning with victims and their families, Christians have hope in the face of a violent world. God’s Son, who Himself did no violence, sacrificed Himself for us so that we can live in the Lord’s peaceful presence forever.

“Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.”  Isaiah 53:4-5 (CSB) (read full passage)

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U.S. NEWS

Marchin’

Saturday’s military parade drew celebrations and protests over the weekend. 

The White House hosted the largest military parade in decades, commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with nearly 7,000 soldiers, 128 tanks, drones, and a robotic dog marching down Pennsylvania Ave. The parade, which fell on Trump’s 79th birthday, kicked off early due to forecasted thunderstorms and concluded with remarks from the President, who said the Army “keeps us free” and “makes us strong,” and fireworks.

Meanwhile, organizers of the “No Kings” protests say that millions of people gathered across all 50 states to protest the multi-million-dollar parade and Trump’s alleged abuse of power. 

Demonstrations turned violent in a few locations, including Portland, where crowds attempted to break into an immigration detention center, and Los Angeles, where officers were reportedly attacked with rocks, concrete, and fireworks.

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Verse to consider whether you’re discussing the parade or the protests…“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (CSB) (read full passage)

The death toll in Thursday’s Air India plane crash climbed to at least 270. Search and recovery teams continue scouring the crash site where the London-bound Boeing 787 struck a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad. At least 29 people died on the ground, along with 241 people aboard the plane. One passenger survived. It remains unclear why the plane crashed. 
 

California’s National Guard is staying under President Trump’s control (for now). A federal appeals court paused a judge’s order requiring the White House to return authority to the state. The troops were deployed to quell anti-ICE unrest in Los Angeles—despite Governor Newsom’s (D) objections. The lower court ruled the move unconstitutional; a full appeals hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
 

Republicans are hoping to lock in DOGE’s cuts. The House narrowly (214-212) passed a “rescissions package” clawing back $9.4B in previously-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and USAID. Republicans hailed the legislation for reducing the U.S. deficit, while critics called the cuts "devastating." The bill now heads to the Senate.
 

Shoppers are feeling better about swiping their cards. Consumer sentiment, which measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about the economy, rose 15.9% in June—its first increase in six months. Analysts attribute the rebound to the shock of tariffs wearing off and inflation holding steady, though sentiment is still down 20% since December.
 

O (not again) Canada. The Florida Panthers are one win away from repeating last year’s defeat of the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals; game six is tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Pacers-Thunder play a pivotal game five in the NBA finals tonight, and Caitlin Clark is back on the court after a quad injury; WNBA viewership was reportedly down 55% during her leave.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

The Northern Lights... as seen from space.

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