WORLD NEWS

Himalayan Flash Flood

Flash flooding swept through Nepal and the Tibet region of China Wednesday, killing at least 389 people and leaving ~1,500 others missing.

Scientists say the flooding was caused by a glacier that collapsed high in the Himalayas, unleashing an ice chunk 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) into the valley below and causing an “ice-rock avalanche” that overflowed the region’s rivers. Experts aren’t sure what triggered the glacial break (see our graphic explaining how it happened here).

Now, rescue crews are combating blocked roads, swept away bridges, and mud-covered villages as they search for survivors and deliver supplies via helicopter. More than 600 tourists are among those still missing, including at least 65 Americans. 

Officials have warned that subsequent landslides and an overfull flood-formed lake could cause second and third rounds of deluge. 

PRAY WITH US
God who gathered the mountains into heaps, why would You bring them down? God who makes the flood waters recede, why do You tolerate their rising again? But we can only turn to You. You have washed away, and only You can restore. 

Father, King of Creation, call Your rebellious elements back to order. For those who are lost, search relentlessly and bring them home. For those who will rescue, grant courage and strength. For those who have lost everything, richly provide. To those who grieve, be near with comfort. To those who will rebuild, give fortitude, endurance, and hope. For Your people, a light in darkness, open doors for bold love and shine Your light over the wreckage. Amen.

TECHNOLOGY

Socials Settlement

Social media is refreshing its timeline for teens.

Meta reached an ~$18B settlement with 52 attorneys general Wednesday, ending a historic federal trial over platforms’ alleged harm to teens. Facebook and Instagram denied wrongdoing but agreed to new default settings for underage users, some that only parents can toggle off:

• a two-hour daily time limit;
• apps blocked during “night mode” (midnight-6 am);
• no push notifications in “school mode” (8 am-3 pm);
• limits on “social comparison” features like likes and filters.

In a unique twist, Meta will only pay 70% of the settlement unless TikTok and YouTube set similar guardrails and pay ~$5.3B each. Meta’s competitors haven’t commented. See what your state stands to get.

The settlement leaves Meta exposed to future regulations and further lawsuits. New Mexico and Florida (which didn’t sign on because “the payouts are peanuts”) have sued separately. 

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Whether you’re 12 or 62, social media promises to feed your cravings for affirmation and connection but often leaves you hollow and adrift. But there is Someone whose eyes are always on you, who welcomes you into genuine sanctuary, and who follows through on His promise to anchor your soul. 

“Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)

Listen to TPO’s guided prayer about social media usage here.

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WORLD NEWS

Espionage Era

National agencies have had a busy week in the shadows.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a secretive trip to Moscow Tuesday. The visit was reportedly to warn Russia against attacking NATO allies, though President Trump said it didn’t have to do with any Kremlin plans to “test NATO resolve,” calling the visit “semi-routine.” It was a CIA leader’s first Moscow mission since 2021’s attempt to dissuade Putin from invading Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, Wednesday, the DOJ and FBI announced they disrupted an eight-year Chinese state-sponsored hacking operation responsible for break-ins (and attempted break-ins) on the DOJ, NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Senate, and other government agencies. 

The feds seized the domains behind two “botnet” tools (networks of thousands of hacked routers) used to seek out weak spots in “critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks” for Beijing’s military and spies.

Verse to consider whether you’ve been caught for international espionage, cheating on a test, or sneaking more than your share of french fries… “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:12-13 (CSB) (read full passage)

The FDA approved a breakthrough treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer Wednesday. Trial patients on once-daily pill Rasonque (RAS-ON-cue) lived nearly 2x longer (13.2 months on average) than those treated with chemotherapy. The agency approved Rasonque, which costs a hefty $39,800 monthly, six months ahead of deadline, calling it a “critical new option” for people facing one of the deadliest, historically hard-to-treat cancers.


Canada wrote “return to sender” on the U.S.’s tariff bill. Ottawa announced retaliatory tariffs Tuesday on over 700 U.S. goods (peep the list) eh-mounting to ~$20B USD, following through on its promise to match Washington’s levies “dollar-for-dollar.” The new duties, ranging between 15% and 50%, will hit September 8 and focus on sectors most impacted by American tariffs (think: steel, dairy, electronics, etc.).


The Pro Bowl is officially retired. The NFL announced Wednesday it’s sunsetting the 75-year-old All-Star flag football Game, tackled by poor ratings and increasing player opt-outs. Peers, coaches, and fans will still vote for 88 Pro Bowlers annually with no alternates, and players will be invited to a February celebration in Los Angeles. Relive the Pro Bowl glory days here.


ICE agents set arrest records last month. July’s ~50k arrests were the most of President Trump’s second term, and the number of people apprehended for civil-only offenses topped ~800/day for the first time ever (see arrests charted here). The increases came from a shift away from high-profile citywide crackdowns toward traffic stops and airport arrests.


Three non-law-enforcement Secret Service officials had to hand in their sunglasses on Tuesday. The trio, including chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi, will be on administrative leave while the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducts a misconduct probe. Details are… a secret, but the President-protecting agency has faced scrutiny following multiple assassination attempts on President Trump and investigations into leaks.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

May your day be less complicated than this...

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