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Washington and Tehran are giving mixed signals. 

Hours after Iran’s negotiators arrived in Doha for Qatari-mediated ceasefire talks, U.S. Central Command conducted “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran Monday, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz. 

A fragile ceasefire has held since April 8, punctuated by skirmishes from both sides. The sticking point: disputes over the details of Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions. Senior U.S. officials say a deal is “95% there,” with a framework to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the Strait. 

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday that no one can claim “an imminent agreement is about to be signed,” and Tehran framed the strikes as ceasefire violations. CENTCOM said forces used “restraint,” with Secretary Rubio maintaining that talks remain on track.

TPO is piloting a text-delivered audio version of Praying the News, and today, we’re praying for peace in the Middle East. To listen and provide feedback, text PRAY to 71989.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Governments have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God’s agenda is clear and unchanging.

“What does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.”
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (CSB) (read full passage)

Pope Leo XIV has (lots of) words on the dangers of AI.

Monday, the pontiff released a 42,300-word encyclical (think: a letter about the Church’s stance on a topic) called “Magnifica Humanitas”—or, “Magnificent Humanity”—stressing humanity’s unique “capacity for relationship and love” in the AI era. 

Leo likened AI to a modern-day Tower of Babel and drew parallels with the Industrial Revolution by releasing his document on the 135th anniversary of his namesake Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” which addressed workers’ dignity during the 1800s factory boom. The latest Leo focused on:

Anthropic’s Christopher Olah spoke at the Pope’s Vatican address (watch) and said AI firms need “moral voices” to help value people over profits.

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PRAY WITH US
God of Wisdom, as our world rumbles with new power and opportunities from artificial intelligence, we ask you for wisdom. Give it to executives and elected officials to discern how technology can advance flourishing. Give it to individuals, families, and churches to use—and not be used by—these new tools. And may we always trust you as our ultimate source of wisdom. 
Amen.

It’s 2026, and yet, countless communities in West Africa still have no churches and no gospel access. The Lumière Project is here to change that. 

Their teams travel to remote villages with Scripture books, gospel films, Bible programs, and a mission: engage the next generation with the Good News. Because real change happens when young people respond to Jesus. 

Since 2015, 7,000 churches have been planted with over half a million attendees... Praise God for that!

BE DOERS 
Your $15 gets the Word of God to 45 young people. Every gift opens the door for families to know Christ and for new churches to be planted. Right now, The Pour Over is matching the first $4,000 given through this link.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40 (CSB) (read full passage)

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The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is suspected to have killed 220+ people and infected more than 900.

The World Health Organization’s director-general warned that the epidemic is outpacing their urgently scaled-up efforts. A lack of qualified personnel, supply shortages, and attacks on treatment centers are hampering WHO responses.

Authorities are attempting to minimize spread by managing burials, leading to at least three attacks by angry residents trying to claim the bodies of loved ones. One attack on Saturday left 18 potentially infected patients unaccounted for. 

The White House warned Congo’s national fútbol squad to remain in a “bubble” for 21 days or risk not being allowed to travel to the World Cup. Atlanta and Houston—both World Cup host cities—are two of three U.S. airports screening passengers coming from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

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A verse to consider when faced with news of a growing outbreak… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

Officials say the pressure’s off after a catastrophic chemical-tank-explosion scare. A southern California tank holding 7,000 gallons of toxic methyl methacrylate is no longer at risk of a massive blast after a structural crack reduced pressure. The tank remained stable for four hours yesterday, allowing the last of the 50,000 evacuated residents to get the all clear to head home. 

New York’s partying like it’s 1999. The Knicks beat the Cavaliers 130-93 to sweep the Eastern Conference Finals and advance to their first NBA Finals of the 21st century. NY will carry a Knickerbocker record 11-game win streak by a combined 262 points into the Finals as they wait to see if the Spurs or Thunder emerge from the West.

Alberxit is on the ballot. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a referendum for October 19, asking residents whether the province should pursue a binding vote on separation from Canada—so, a vote on whether or not to vote. A citizen-led petition has 300,000 signatures (crossing the 178,000 signature requirement), though it faces verification and a legal challenge.

Sunday’s Enhanced Games promised multiple world records and delivered… one. Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev beat the world record by 0.07 sec in the men’s 50m freestyle, taking home $1.25M for eclipsing the record (though it won’t count officially). Three of the Olympics-on-steroids events were won by non-enhanced athletes. Runner Tristan Evelyn said it proves “winning takes more than chemistry.”

Alabama’s congressional map is now 0-for-2. A three-federal-judge panel ruled Tuesday to block the Yellowhammer State from using a 2023 version of its map in the midterms. Judges said the plan, which would eliminate one of Alabama’s two majority-Black districts and gain Republicans one seat, "intentionally discriminated based on race.” AG Marshall said Alabama will appeal to the Supreme Court.

A visual guide to… the Milky Way’s moons.

What My Wife is Smuggling
Raspberry LMNT*

My wife, Hannah, likes to swing by the TPO office with the girls. Well… sorta. 

They’re both under 3, and they actually just stay in the car while Hannah texts me to “bring a box of Raspberry LMNT out.”

I’m not at all suggesting she’s addicted to Raspberry LMNT, but it does feel a little bit like it… She’s just gotta have that healthy hydration (a science-backed ratio of sodium, magnesium, and potassium). 

And now, LMNT has caffeinated Lemonade Iced Tea to try! When you buy through this link, you’ll get a free 8-pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors. Happy hydrating!

Jason Woodruff | Founder