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POLITICS

Epstein, Cont’d (Cont’d)

The Epstein headlines aren’t slowing.

Last week, Ghislaine Maxwell—an Epstein associate who is currently serving 20 years for trafficking underage girls—met with DOJ officials for 9 hours over two days. She was asked about “100 different people” during interviews and was reportedly granted limited immunity for her testimony.

Meanwhile, the WSJ reported the leather-bound book of letters written to Epstein for his 50th birthday (in 2003) included a note from former President Clinton, as well as President Trump. Trump has denied that the note is real and sued the WSJ for libel; Clinton has not commented.

Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are making a bipartisan effort to obtain the so-called “birthday book” and force the DOJ to release a swath of files on Epstein. The DOJ says its release would harm victims.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Jesus showed compassion when people expected rejection, gentleness when people expected anger, and love when people expected hate. Whether you’re discussing the weather or the Epstein files this week, be imitators of Christ.

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” 
Ephesians 4:29 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

In Gaza

After 21 months of war, aid groups are sounding every alarm over starvation in Gaza.

The U.N. reported this week that Gaza’s hunger crisis had reached “new and astonishing levels of desperation, with a third of the population not eating for multiple days in a row.” The Hamas-run health agency is reporting an uptick in starvation-related deaths, especially among children.

Fingers are pointing every which way. Israel accuses Hamas of disrupting food distribution to engender sympathy, and it blames the U.N. for mismanaging aid. The U.N. agrees that gangs and crowds have overrun distribution, but blames Israel for the unsafe conditions.

Aiming to bring about “a just and durable peace” and revive interest in a two-state solution, France has diverged from the U.S. and other allies by recognizing Palestine as a country.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our God is a refuge for the poor, defending and executing justice for the needy. In the face of hunger and death, we urgently pray for daily bread and cling to the hope that one day…

“The LORD of Armies will prepare for all the peoples a feast of choice meat, a feast with aged wine, prime cuts of choice meat, fine vintage wine. On this mountain he will swallow up the burial shroud… When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the LORD God will wipe away the tears from every face.” 
Isaiah 25:6-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

Border Beef

Cambodia and Thailand are heading to the negotiation table after their century-long, on-again-off-again border dispute reignited last week. 

Tensions on the border have been rising since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish. The conflict escalated Thursday when Thai and Cambodian forces began exchanging artillery and rocket fire—with each side claiming self-defense; after days of fighting, including Thai airstrikes in Cambodia, at least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 displaced.

Thai and Cambodian leaders are meeting in Malaysia today for direct peace talks after President Trump—who warned trade deals would be off the table if the conflict doesn’t end—announced that both countries “are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace.” Cambodia has asked for an “unconditional” truce; Thailand has agreed to make peace if Cambodia shows “genuine sincerity.” 

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Verse to consider while we wait for God’s lasting peace to reign over all nations… “I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.” 
Zechariah 9:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

President Trump and the European Union teed up a trade deal. After a round of golf at Trump’s luxury resort in Scotland, #47 announced an agreement that sets U.S. tariffs on European goods at 15% (instead of 30%) and commits the E.U. to invest $600 billion in Lady Liberty. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the deal would “help rebalance trade.”
 

Astronomer’s HR executive has resigned, two weeks after being caught in an affair on the kiss cam during a Coldplay concert. Other parties are cashing in on the viral moment; Astronomer hired Gwyneth Paltrow (ex-wife of Coldplay’s lead singer) as a temporary spokesperson to address the public’s “newfound interest in apache airflow automation,” and streams of Coldplay’s music are up 20%.
 

Fasten those seatbelts. Southwest passengers had their in-flight safety skills tested when a plane leaving Hollywood Burbank Airport abruptly descended 475 feet to avoid a midair collision with a Hawker Hunter fighter jet. Two flight attendants were injured, and passengers said the drop caused “pandemonium” in the cabin. Several Hawker Hunters were reportedly conducting a training exercise in the area.
 

Eleven people were injured in a stabbing at a Michigan Walmart on Saturday. Authorities are pursuing terrorism and assault charges against a 42-year-old man who used a folding knife to target victims “randomly.” A group of shoppers surrounded the attacker and detained him in the parking lot until the police arrived. Two victims were in serious condition as of Sunday.
 

An app is spillin’ more than the tea. Tea—an app that lets single women anonymously review men they date and check potential suitors for red flags—suffered a data breach that exposed more than 70,000 photos… including IDs used to verify users. The no-boys-allowed app had just hit #1 spot in the App Store last week.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Jellyfish… or sculpture?

What Finally Got Me to Drink Guzzle Water
LMNT*

Drinking water used to be one of those things I just did because I knew I needed to. Did it bring me joy? No. But did it keep me alive? Okay, sure yeah. 

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LMNT’s salty, zero-sugar flavors (Raspberry Salt is chef’s kiss on hot summer days) make hydration weirdly addictive? It’s no longer a chore… You’re welcome, kidneys.

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Xan Sibley | Writer

What We’re Attending (And You Should Be, Too)
The Global Leadership Summit*

I’ve been to GLS more than once, and every time, it’s a 10/10.

Craig Groeschel’s session on communication still shapes how we lead and encourage employees at TPO—and he’s back again this year. Another speaker’s talk stuck with me so much that I’ve reread his book four times.

Whether you lead a team of two or 2K, GLS equips you to lead where you are. And a perk for all the procrastinators who don't have time to figure out travel arrangements: you can attend in person or online.

Jason Woodruff | Founder

PS: Attending the main campus in South Barrington, IL? Come say hey at our booth!