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WORLD NEWS

Slapped

Uncle Sam’s putting Russia’s feet to the fire to end its war with Ukraine. 

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies on Wednesday—the first economic sanctions of Trump 2.0—citing the Kremlin’s “lack of serious commitment” to ending the conflict. Russia mostly shrugged off the news, calling the sanctions “counterproductive.” 

The announcement came a day after President Trump canceled his upcoming face-to-face with Russian President Putin, saying he didn’t want a “wasted meeting.” Trump supports an immediate ceasefire backed by Kyiv that would freeze current front lines; Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the embattled Eastern regions (see map). 

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s chances of getting long-range Tomahawk missiles went from slim to almost none. Trump shot down the request, saying only the U.S. will fire the “highly complex” missiles, which it’s “not going to do.”

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PRAY WITH US
As peace tarries and our hearts grow weary, it’s tempting to forget God’s sovereign will and promised everlasting peace. Join us in praying for lasting peace, on earth as it is in Heaven. 

Our Perfect Peacemaker, in the hearts and lands of Presidents Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump, work peace. Thwart evil plans, and bring to fruition those that lead to flourishing. May they be creative in their problem-solving, wise in their choice of counselors, clear-eyed in their negotiating, and compassionate toward the needy, humbly considering the good of others before their own gain and attributing all the glory to You alone.
(1 Timothy 2:1–2; James 3:17–18; Philippians 2:3–11)

Want to bring more hard headlines to God in prayer? Join us on Sundays in our new newsletter, Praying the News. Subscribe for free here.

ECONOMY

Q3 Harvest

Wall Street is raking in the cash this fall.

The S&P 500 is on track for its strongest earnings in over four years—so far, 85% of companies that have reported Q3 numbers have beaten expectations.

Some big-shot wins include:

• JPMorgan reported record Q3 revenue and opened its new 60-story Manhattan HQ (check out what $3B will buy ya)

• General Motors boosted its projected earnings to $13B on strong Silverado and Escalade sales; its stock jumped ~15%

• 3M (sticky products) and Coca-Cola (now with cane sugar) both boasted strong earnings; 3M’s shares jumped 7.8% and Coca-Cola’s hopped 3.2%

Not everyone is celebrating money wins. Meta is cutting about 600 jobs in its AI unit after last year’s hiring binge. Meanwhile, U.S. national debt just surged past $38T, adding roughly $1T since August—the fastest build-up of debt since the pandemic.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Don’t let economic news determine your mood, win your heart’s affection, or steal your mission focus.

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Nothing But Bet

The FBI is alleging that members of the NBA teamed up with the Mafia on illegal sports betting and rigged poker.

The FBI announced 30+ arrests yesterday following two “mind-boggling” fraud probes, implicating multiple major crime families alongside Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trailblazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups.

Billups is accused of collaborating with the “La Cosa Nostra” crime org, using advanced tech (like X-ray tables and card-reading contacts) during underground poker games to steal tens of millions. Rozier and other ballers were charged in a separate probe alleging participation in a “brazen” gambling scheme that used insider NBA information to win bets on rigged games. 

The NBA placed Billups and Rozier on leave, promising to protect “the integrity of the game.”

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The Bible warns us over and over about the danger of feeding an insatiable desire for wealth. Fight greed by exercising your generosity muscles, making a habit of an open-handed approach to all God’s gifts. 

“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you… But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:11, 14 (CSB) (read full passage)

There’s still no end in sight on government shutdown Day 24. Yesterday, the Senate adjourned after failing to advance a Republican-backed measure to pay federal employees, the military, and contractors; two Democrat-led bills to pay federal employees’ bills were also a miss. Millions of Americans may soon lose federal food assistance, with SNAP funds expected to run out on November 1. 
 

Extreme Makeover: Pennsylvania Ave Edition is sparking controversy. Trump admin officials confirmed Wednesday that the entire East Wing will be demolished (see photos), even though plans for the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom haven’t been submitted to the federal agency overseeing federal construction. Critics say the move breaks earlier promises to preserve the structure and raises serious transparency and historical preservation concerns.
 

Uncle Sam is taking the drug fight to the Pacific. Five people died in two strikes against alleged “narcoterrorist” boats off Colombia’s coast on Wednesday, bringing the strike count to nine and the death toll to at least 37. Colombia said lethal force was “disproportionate and outside international law” without due process; Trump said he’s “totally prepared” to bring the fight to land.
 

King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV are burying a 500-year-old hatchet. The Monarch and Pontiff prayed together yesterday at an interdenominational service in the Sistine Chapel during Charles and Camilla’s state visit to the Vatican. It’s the first time leaders from the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have worshiped side-by-side since Henry VIII divorced the Catholic Church (and his wives).
 

The Secret Service has had a busy week. A man crashed his car into a security gate outside the White House late Tuesday night, prompting an arrest and mental health evaluation. Meanwhile, in Florida, the FBI is investigating a hunting stand found with a direct line of sight to where Air Force One parks when in Palm Beach.

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