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President Trump is flipping his script on Ukraine.

After meeting with President Zelenskyy in NYC, President Trump said Ukraine can get back “the original borders from where this war started” or “maybe even go further” with support from the E.U. and NATO. He promised to continue arming NATO and called Russia a “paper tiger” (something that looks fierce but is actually weak). 

Trump has previously stressed that Ukraine must concede territory for peace. Zelenskyy called Trump’s policy reversal a “game changer,” while Russia said the “situation on the front line speaks for itself.”

Northwest of the battle lines, Denmark is reporting drone incursions by unspecified “state actors” that shut down two airports yesterday. European officials see the incidents—growing in frequency across the region—as Russian tests of NATO airspace. Russia rejected the “absurd” speculation about its involvement.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Negotiations progress and regress, and leaders succeed and let us down—but our hope is not in presidents, international cooperation, or even achieving earthly peace. Put your trust in the Lord, who alone brings true justice, provision, and deliverance.

“Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.” 
Psalm 146:3-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

One immigration detainee was killed and two others were critically injured in a sniper-style attack on a Dallas ICE facility on Wednesday morning. 

The shooter, identified as a 29-year-old man, opened fire from a nearby rooftop with a bolt-action rifle around 6:30 am, striking the victims in a van outside the building. The shooter died by suicide before police reached him. 

No ICE officers were wounded, though officials say handwritten notes found at the shooter’s home indicated he “intended to kill ICE agents” and wanted to “cause terror.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blamed left-wing rhetoric for fueling hostility toward immigration enforcement, and called for an end to incitement of political violence. Some Democrats accuse the administration of politicizing a tragedy and ignoring the victims, and argue the shooting underscores the need for stronger gun laws. 

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PRAY WITH US
Violence highlights sin’s grip on our world. Pray with us to push back the darkness in our communities and in our own hearts.

God of mercy, we cling to you through grief and contention, through uncertainty and fear. Quiet the suspicions that estrange and divide us from our neighbors. Still our hasty, harsh tongues. Open our ears, soften our hearts, and make ready our feet. Spin our pointing fingers, convicting us of the darkness that runs through each of us. And open our eyes to Your love, which covers a multitude of sins. Amen.

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The birthplace of makeup tutorials and “Charlie Bit My Finger” is bringing back previously banned creators. 

In a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet, announced it would reinstate creators who were banned for spreading alleged misinformation about COVID-19 and the 2020 election, noting that those policies are “no longer in effect.” The digital giant claims COVID-related content was removed after “repeated and sustained outreach” by the Biden administration—pressure it called “unacceptable” and “wrong”—and expressed its “commitment to free expression.”

Several conservative influencers are now eligible to return to the ‘Tube, including media executive Steve Bannon and now-FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. 

Switching platforms, Meta—which has also relaxed moderation guidelines—announced yesterday that Instagram has reeled in over 3 billion monthly active users, making it the second-most-scrolled social media app (behind Facebook).

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Verse to consider when you’re evaluating how you use social media… “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. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” 
Philippians 4:8-9 (CSB) (read full chapter)

Typhoon Ragasa tore through the South China Sea, killing at least 24 people in the Philippines and Taiwan. The equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, Ragasa is the strongest storm in the world this year. Taiwan, Hong Kong, and parts of southern China were brought to a standstill in preparation for landfall, with roughly 2 million people evacuated from China’s coast.

The DOJ is expected to seek charges against former FBI director James Comey, alleging he lied to Congress in 2020 about Trump-Russia ties. Critics say President Trump is applying inappropriate pressure for the indictment against an adversary despite career prosecutors assessing that there is insufficient evidence. Any charges would have to come soon… the five-year statute of limitations expires on Tuesday.

President Trump decried “three very sinister events” at the U.N. General Assembly this week: the escalator stopping as he got on with the First Lady, plus teleprompter and audio failures during his speech. He demanded the “triple sabotage” be investigated; the U.N. said a White House staffer triggered the escalator’s safety mechanism and promised “full transparency” for the probe.

Starbucks is tightening its green apron. The coffee giant announced a $1B restructuring plan, including closing ~500 company-operated North American stores and laying off ~900 non-retail employees. Starbucks’ U.S. sales have dropped six straight quarters, prompting CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” push. The company expects it will shrink in 2025, but hopes to perk back up in 2026.

Arizona’s election is kicking up dust nationally. The Grand Canyon State’s 7th district held a special election to fill the seat of late Representative Raúl Grijalva (D), and his daughter Adelita Grijalva (D) easily won. Her win means that House lawmakers pushing for the release of the full, unredacted Epstein files* now have enough petition signatures to force a floor vote once she’s sworn in.

*What are the Epstein files? You’ve asked, and we’re answering in TPO’s Saturday Slowdown, coming to your inbox tomorrow. And if you’re longing for some eternal perspective on the files, subscribe to our new Sunday newsletter, Praying the News.

In case you missed the sunrise this morning… here's a good one.

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Elly Hamby | Snack-stocked Partnerships Manager