WORLD

NATO 36

World leaders landed in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday for the 36th annual NATO summit.

President Trump has been critical of the 32-member alliance, accusing member nations of freeloading off American security guarantees and not aiding the U.S. in its conflict with Iran. Last year, member states agreed to significantly increase their defense spending (from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035), and Trump has threatened to reduce support for allies who fail to hit their target.

Yesterday, NATO showcased billions in new military projects, including new surveillance drones for the alliance.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is also in Turkey, pressing allies for more military aid following recent Russian strikes and re-re-re-reiterating his case for letting Ukraine join NATO. Today, he’ll meet with President Trump, who says he thinks the Russia-Ukraine war could be settled “hopefully soon.”

__

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards peaceful resolutions, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“Do not trust in nobles, in a son of man, who cannot save. When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.”
Psalm 146:3-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

SPORTS

And Then There Were Eight

There’s always next year four years from now.

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) fell 4-1 to Belgium Monday night, ending their hopes in the Round of 16 for their third World Cup in a row and completing the hat trick of host countries knocked out. In Head Coach Pochettino's words, the team never seemed to find “the flow of the game.”

The pre-match chatter was dominated by Folarin Balogun, the USMNT’s leading scorer, being unsuspended after President Trump asked FIFA’s president for a review, prompting an outcry from Europe. It ultimately didn’t matter: Belgium moves on to face a Spain squad that eliminated Portugal, sending Cristiano Ronaldo home from his final World Cup empty-handed.

The quarter-finals kick off Thursday with France taking on Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxborough at 4 p.m. ET.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Money Moments That Matter

Most of us never ask where our money actually goes once it’s in the bank. But your deposits are always being put to work somewhere, maybe funding things you would never have chosen.

AdelFi Christian Banking (the same trusted team you’ve known as Christian Community Credit Union and still America’s #1 biblical banking solution) gives you a values-based alternative.

When you open a Harvest Savings Account, you could earn 5% APY* on balances up to $5,000, while your money supports Kingdom-focused ministries. It’s a simple way to steward your finances for God’s glory, and a good reminder that saving means more than stowing money away for a rainy day.

Make your money mean more. Open a Harvest account today!

*Terms and Conditions apply. CCCU & AdelFi have merged to deliver the best in Christian banking!

U.S. NEWS

Charlie Kirk Pre-Trial

Utah prosecutors have begun laying out their case against the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Tyler Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder for the shooting of Kirk on September 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The weeklong preliminary hearing started Monday and will not determine his guilt or innocence but aims to prove the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to a trial.

Robinson has not entered a plea. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty; Robinson’s attorneys have unsuccessfully sought to remove the death penalty from the table.

On day one, officials testified about surveillance footage and an apparent rooftop “sniper pad,” with more significant evidence to come, including DNA linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon and an alleged confession note.

__

PRAY WITH US
Eternal Father, draw near to the Kirk and Robinson families with comfort as they are mourning and reliving this tragedy over again. Wonderful Counselor, give attorneys and judges wisdom to bring justice. Prince of Peace, hasten the coming of your Kingdom, where hatreds cease, and tears are no more. Amen.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.”
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has been accused of sexual assault by an ex-girlfriend, who says the incident took place five years ago. Platner called the allegations “troubling, serious, and false,” saying he’ll “reflect on the best path forward.” Party leaders, who stood by Platner through previous scandals, want his withdrawal by Monday to allow Democrats to field a new candidate.

Bryan Johnson, the “biohacker” who wants to live to 160, revealed he has autoimmune gastritis, a rare, incurable condition where the immune system attacks the stomach lining. He discovered the condition in May after 11 years of unexplained low iron, and blames a childhood of junk food. Johnson has vowed to find a replicable cure, not just manage symptoms.

Uncle Sam’s sharing his birthday money. President Trump rang Wall Street’s opening bells from the Oval Office on Monday, celebrating the July 4th launch of 530A IRAs, aka “Trump Accounts.” The tax-advantaged accounts for under-18ers include $1,000 of seed money from the federal government for babies born during Trump’s second term, with additional private contributions from wealthy donors. (Learn more in our deep puddle dive explainer.)

Prince Harry is back in the U.K. counting down to the 2027 Invictus Games, the multi-sport event he founded for wounded veterans. His trip included royal drama over lodging (Buckingham Palace says Harry missed their RSVP deadline; Harry says they revoked their offer) and coincided with the U.K. High Court’s ruling against Harry in his privacy case against the Daily Mail.

Microsoft is pressing B, announcing 4,800 cut jobs (~2.1% of staff) on Monday, most from its struggling gaming unit. Xbox alone will shed ~3,200 roles (half now, the rest through FY2027). Gaming boss Asha Sharma called the business “not healthy.” Microsoft stock is the worst megacap tech performer this year, falling 19% as of Friday’s close.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

We wonder what the best job at TPO is…

What’s Rivaling My Afternoon Coffee
Lemonade Iced Tea from LMNT*

I didn’t expect anything to dent my afternoon coffee habit, but LMNT’s new Lemonade Iced Tea did the impossible.

It tastes like the lemonade-and-iced-tea combo I know and love, except it’s built on LMNT’s science-baked electrolyte formula, has no sugar, plus 50mg of naturally occurring caffeine, L-Theanine for focus without the wired-then-crashed routine, and polyphenols for a clean antioxidant boost. (Read: everything I need.) Afterall, caffeine doesn’t create energy, it just hides tired.

A few weeks in and my afternoons are noticeably calmer and my sleep is better. TPO readers get a free 8-pack with any LMNT order!

Sassy | Content Admin

How We’re Saving Money
With Upside*

We scrapped some funny hooks to tell it to you straight: Upside saves you money on things you’re already buying.

It’s a free app that shows you nearby cashback offers on gas, groceries, and restaurants. All you have to do is claim one, make your purchase like normal, and snap a pic of the receipt (or link your card). Money magically appears in your account—okay, not magically, but it feels like it.

Our staff loves it. You should check it out. Use code POUROVER to save $0.25/gallon on your first fill-up.

*From our partners

WANTED: Social Media Manager

We’re hiring a full-time Social Media Manager in Iowa City to bring Christ-first news to the feed.

If you’re creatively discerning, know the difference between a reel and a carousel (unlike Nate), and know exactly how to apply a trending audio when you hear one… you might just be our next teammate. Check out the role and apply here!