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WORLD

Anticipating Anchorage

Presidents Trump and Putin are meeting in Alaska today for highly anticipated peace talks.

Putin’s hoping to formalize Russia’s territorial gains, having seized roughly a fifth of Ukraine’s land (see map). Trump wants a ceasefire and described the bilateral meeting as “setting the table” for a follow-up with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy. 

Ahead of the summit, Zelenskyy and other European leaders had an “exceptionally constructive” video call with President Trump, agreeing to some principles for #47’s talk with Russia’s #4:

• Keep Ukraine at the table for follow-up talks.

• Don’t discuss peace terms (like land swaps) until Putin agrees to a ceasefire.

• Don’t budge on future security guarantees for Ukraine (like NATO membership).

• Ramp up economic pressure if Russia won’t make a deal.

Trump emerged from Wednesday’s call warning of “severe consequences” if Putin won’t make peace. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Pray for the peaceful end to all conflicts worldwide, even as we wait for God’s kingdom to come in full—for the day when God’s reign of peace will settle every dispute and all nations will walk in His paths. 

“He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.” 
Micah 4:3 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Crackdown Contd.

Military vehicles are cruisin’ down Constitution Ave. as part of President Trump’s D.C. crime crackdown. 

Wednesday, ~800 National Guardsmen and ~500 federal agents were deployed to support local law enforcement. Authorities have made roughly 100 arrests since Monday—including a man who assaulted a federal officer with a Subway sandwich—but judicial officials worry D.C. judge vacancies (15 of 62 seats are currently empty) will cause a bottleneck in the court system. 

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said the “enhanced presence” will “make our city even better,” but Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is criticizing Trump’s “authoritarian push,” denying that crime is out of control in her city. 

Meanwhile, Trump is looking to federalize D.C. police “long-term,” announcing plans to work with Congress to extend the 30-day emergency authorization giving him control of police.

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Verse to consider whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s being unfairly criticized… “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: 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)

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WORLD NEWS

Across the Border

Mexico and the U.S. are teaming up against cartels.

Uncle Sam’s southern neighbor handed over 26 suspected high-ranking cartel leaders this week in a deal aimed at dismantling Mexico’s transnational drug networks. The Justice Department announced the transfer—the second major extradition of the year—on Tuesday, promising “severe consequences” for the suspects but ruling out the death penalty.

Mexico’s President Sheinbaum celebrated the neighborly cooperation “against violence and impunity.” Sheinbaum also clarified that the collaboration would not include the U.S. military entering Mexico’s territory.

The U.S. Treasury also got involved Wednesday, imposing sanctions on 13 Mexican businesses and four individuals accused of collaborating with a notorious cartel to scam elderly Americans out of $23M in an elaborate timeshare fraud.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Christians have a hard job. Following our just and merciful Savior, we aim simultaneously to celebrate justice, come alongside victims in their pain, and demonstrate our love for the guilty. 

“But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”  
Luke 6:35-36 (CSB) (read full passage)

Amazon shoppers can now turn sudden ice cream cravings into same-day scoops. The online-bookstore-turned-retail-behemoth is rolling out same-day delivery for perishable groceries (think: produce, dairy, meat) in over 1,000 U.S. cities, with a goal to reach 2,300 by year’s end. The expansion aims to push Amazon’s cart ahead of other grocery delivery services, like Walmart and Instacart. 
 

Wildfires across southern Europe have killed at least four people this week and forced thousands to evacuate. Multiple countries—including Spain, Portugal, Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey—are battling current wildfires, straining resources and prompting five countries to request the E.U.’s help fighting flames. Authorities say extreme heat, careless farming practices, ill-maintained infrastructure, and suspected arson are to blame.
 

The Kennedy Center has made its picks for the annual honors recognizing “artistic excellence.” The honorees are George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and Sylvester Stallone. In February, President Trump overhauled the performing arts center’s board and appointed himself chair. POTUS said he was “very involved” in the selection and will personally host December’s awards ceremony.
 

Air Canada’s operations are up in the air. The airline began canceling flights yesterday after the Canadian Union of Public Employees issued a 72-hour strike notice for flight attendants, saying Air Canada “refused to address” core demands related to wages and unpaid work. The strike, set to begin Saturday, could delay 130,000 passengers’ travel plans each day.
 

Looks like Dry January’s more than just a new-year-new-me trend. Gallup’s Consumption Habits survey reported that just 54% of 21-and-older Americans drink alcohol—the lowest rate in 90 years. The poll also reported that 53% of Americans view moderate drinking (1-2 brewskis a day) as harmful to health, over double the 26% who believed so in 2016 (see chart).

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Pure athleticism…

How Hope Is Going Viral
OneHope’s Digital Missions*

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What We’re Subscribing To
Culture Translator by Axis*

Doesn’t it sometimes feel like kids speak a different language? 

Just when you thought you were caught up on the trends and slang, they come home from school to spill more tea, show you the dankest TikToks, and let you know you’re sus. (That was as painful to write as it was to read.)

Culture Translator is a weekly email that boils down the latest music and media trends impacting your kid’s world so you can relate to, engage with, and ultimately guide them to Jesus. 

It’s a five-minute read, and it’s totally free. Subscribe here to be equipped to cultivate lifelong faith.