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U.S. NEWS

Flooding in New Mexico

Flooding continues to wreak havoc in the Southwest.

Monsoon rains hit New Mexico on Tuesday, flooding the Rio Ruidoso and killing two young children and one adult in an RV park. The same area was hit with wildfires a year ago, which left the land with a significant “burn scar,” making the soil less able to absorb water and exacerbating the flooding. 

Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue in Texas, where more than 170 people remain unaccounted for seven days after the flood.

A dozen states have sent specially trained teams to assist local law enforcement while officials try to determine how this happened. The layout of structures at Camp Mystic is facing scrutiny over multiple cabins built in an area labeled as an “extreme flood hazard,” and Governor Abbot (R) has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s warning systems.

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BE DOERS
It’s easy to feel helpless in a situation like this, but the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective (James 5), causing things to happen that would not have happened otherwise.

“The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” 
James 5:16 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Ukraine War (Cont’d)

Russia keeps re-breaking its own record for the largest drone attacks of the war.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin launched 728 drones and 13 missiles into Ukraine—then overnight, launched an additional 400 drones and 18 missiles. At least 10 civilians were killed across both attacks. 

President Trump seems to be getting fed up. This week, he rebuked President Putin for “killing a lot of people,” called his diplomatic demeanor “meaningless,” and directed the Pentagon to unpause weapons shipments to Ukraine. Trump is also considering supporting a bill that would place so-called “secondary sanctions” on Russia, including 500% tariffs on any country that purchases sanctioned Russian products (including oil). 

Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Russia violated international law—committing human rights violations, including murder and kidnapping—when it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
As we mourn violence and pray for peace around the world, believers are reminded of how good the news is of Jesus’s coming kingdom. His Spirit offers supernatural peace in our hearts today, and his return promises peace in a renewed earth forever. 

“Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” 
Book of Common Prayer, page 654

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TECHNOLOGY

Grokward

The CEO of X has logged off.

Linda Yaccarino, henceforth known as the ex-X CEO, announced Wednesday she’s stepping down after two years on the job. In her farewell post, she stated, “the best is yet to come” as the company enters its next chapter, owned by xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence venture.  

That chapter has already hit some speed bumps. Grok, xAI’s chatbot trained on X’s content, gave antisemitic responses Tuesday, including praise for Hitler and suggestions that users with Jewish last names were more likely to spread hate against white people. Grok deleted the posts and apologized.

Musk blamed the bot’s eagerness to please, calling it “too compliant” and promising fixes. Critics say this was predictable, and the real problem is X’s tolerance for hate speech.

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A verse to consider when you realize you, too, echo your inputs: “A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”
Luke 6:45 (CSB) (read full passage)

Former President Biden’s White House doctor declined to answer any questions during a Republican-led House deposition into Biden’s mental fitness, including whether he was told to lie about the then-president’s health. He cited the Fifth Amendment and doctor-patient privilege—an obligation not to discuss patient info—but Republicans say the silence adds “fuel to the fire that there was a cover up.” 
 

Brazil might be getting extra tariffs. President Trump announced a 50% tariff rate on imports from South America’s largest country in response to the ongoing prosecution of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro—a case Trump called a “witch hunt”—and alleged “attacks” on the U.S. tech industry. Brazil has promised “reciprocity” if the August 1 levies go into effect.
 

Red Bull’s Formula 1 chief is out of the driver’s seat. Christian Horner—who steered Red Bull to eight titles—was abruptly fired after 20 years as team principal. Red Bull didn’t give a reason for ousting its first-and-only team leader; sources say team dynamics have grown tense as performance has stuttered and rival McLaren has dominated the track this season.
 

President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship was blocked (again) yesterday. A U.S. District Judge granted class action status to the lawsuit, protecting all affected children—not just the named plaintiffs. The same protection is not extended to the children’s parents. The judge described his decision as “not a close call,” citing clear harm from not granting citizenship at birth.
 

You can wear ugly socks to the airport again. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that “TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes,” citing advancements in how individuals are screened. Every other TSA rule remains as unclear as ever: Bags on the belt or in a bin? No idea. Laptops out or in? Impossible to know. Happy traveling!

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