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Negotiators for Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire and hostage deal—phase one of President Trump’s larger peace plan—in Egypt yesterday.

Israel’s cabinet signed off hours later, starting the 24-hour countdown to a total ceasefire. Under the deal, IDF troops will start withdrawing from Gaza until they hold ~53% of the Strip. Hamas will then release all hostages within 72 hours; Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners; and hundreds of aid trucks will enter Gaza daily. 

Palestinians in Gaza and hostage advocates in Israel are celebrating the milestone (watch here). PM Netanyahu celebrated Israel’s “diplomatic success” and “moral victory,” and Hamas emphasized Palestinians’ “tremendous sacrifices.”

With a ceasefire in place, Israel and Hamas can begin to negotiate other thorny issues—like Hamas’s disarmament and Gaza’s future—before a peace deal is done.

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PRAY WITH US
Give thanks to God for progress, and trust Him for long-term peace:

Wonderful Counselor, You are the One who winds down wars and teaches peace (Isaiah 54:13). May Your peace rule in the hearts of Israelis, Palestinians, members of Hamas, diplomats, U.S. officials, and all members of Christ’s body (Colossians 3:15-17). Bring evil plans to nothing and promote the good of the vulnerable, so that people from all nations would see Your goodness and submit to the Prince of Peace.

Burdensome news often leaves us overwhelmed and speechless. Praying the News, TPO’s new Sunday newsletter, offers a Scripture-focused prayer over one headline every week. Join us in prayer.

Federal authorities arrested a 29-year-old man accused of intentionally starting the Palisades Fire—the January blaze that killed 12 people and destroyed over 6,800 buildings in Los Angeles. 

Prosecutors allege that he first set a smaller blaze—the “Lachman Fire”—on New Year’s Day. Though firefighters initially suppressed it, strong winds reignited it days later into one of California’s most destructive wildfires. Investigators say cellphone data placed him at the scene, and he lied during initial questioning.

After the fire, he reportedly screen-recorded 911 calls and asked ChatGPT, “Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes?” Months earlier, he’d used the chatbot to generate an image of a forest burning while the rich were “watching the people struggle.”

If convicted, he faces five to 20 years in federal prison.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whether justice is served or subverted in American courts, we can count on perfect justice and inexhaustible mercy from the courts of heaven. The Lord is completely impartial, always right, and His verdicts restore what sin has broken. 

“The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.” 
Deuteronomy 32:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Troop deployments in Chicago, Portland, and Memphis are continuing to cause a stir.

In the Windy City, 300 Illinois National Guard soldiers were activated, and 200 Texas National Guard members arrived to protect federal property and agents, amid ongoing unrest. Then, yesterday, a federal judge temporarily prohibted the federalization and deployment of the National Guard within Illinois, saying she’d “seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of a rebellion.” 

In Oregon, protests have also persisted in the City of Roses, where the National Guard has been legally prohibited from entering Portland city limits amid legal battles. And in Tennessee, National Guardsmen are expected to be walkin’ in Memphis today. 

Meanwhile, Uncle Sam’s borders have been historically quiet. The Trump Admin announced 237,565 border apprehensions took place in the 2025 fiscal year—the fewest since 1970.

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Verse to consider whether your own neighborhood is chaotic or quiet… “Be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing... For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.” 
1 Peter 3:8-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

A grand jury indicted NY AG Letitia James (D) yesterday, alleging mortgage fraud. James is known for winning a civil fraud case against President Trump in 2024. Meanwhile, former FBI Director Comey pleaded not guilty to making false statements to Congress in 2020. His attorney will request the case be dismissed for “vindictive” prosecution, citing Trump’s public calls for the arrest.

“Control tower, do you copy?” Flight delays and cancellations are ascending as a “small fraction” of air traffic controllers—deemed essential government employees required to work without pay during the shutdown—keep calling in sick. Their (un)PTO is leaving already understaffed airport towers unmanned, and Transportation Secretary Duffy has warned truant workers could be “removed from service.”

She’s still workin’ 9 to 5. Dolly Parton posted a video on Wednesday, captioned, “I ain't dead yet!” after her sister’s request for prayer on Facebook sparked health rumors. The 79-year-old said she’s undergoing “a few treatments” and postponed her December Las Vegas shows to rest… but is still here pourin’ herself a cup of ambition.

A major nor’easter is brewing off the East Coast, expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding from the Carolinas to the Northeast Seaboard through Monday. Power outages are likely from the Outer Banks to Long Island. Though not tropical in origin, if the storm intensifies, it could turn into a Karen (subtropical storm “Karen”).

Uncovered texts from Virginia’s Democratic candidate for Attorney General are disrupting the Commonwealth’s closely watched governor’s race. In three-year-old messages, former state representative Jay Jones suggested the then-Virginia House speaker (a Republican) deserved to be killed, also wishing death on his children. Jones called the messages “a grave mistake”; Governor candidate Abigail Spanberger (D) condemned the violent rhetoric but didn’t withdraw support for Jones.

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