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WORLD NEWS

War Continues

A Russia-Ukraine ceasefire is looking increasingly unlikely.

Russia’s weekend aerial assault—the largest of the 3-year war—continued into Monday. Ukraine says Russia has launched over 900 drones since Friday, many aimed at civilian targets, including Kyiv apartments and university dorms. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy says the attacks lack any “significant military logic,” accusing Russian President Putin of simply wanting to send a political message.

Western countries seem to agree. After the third night of attacks, President Trump said Putin “has gone absolutely crazy,” condemning him for “needlessly killing a lot of people.” Then Germany’s Chancellor Merz announced Western countries, including the U.S., were lifting “any range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine,” giving a blessing to attack military positions in Russia.

Russia called the decision “a dangerous move” and suggested President Trump is showing signs of “emotional overload.”

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RADIATE HOPE
The promise of heaven does not remove the pains of this world, but it does give us hope, strength, and peace during life’s most difficult seasons. Join us in praying for everyone impacted by this years-long war.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Attack in Liverpool

A parade in Liverpool, England, turned to tragedy when a car rammed through the crowd, injuring at least 47 people. 

Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered for Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade Monday evening when an SUV began driving erratically on a side street despite the surrounding crowd. When the car stopped, angry fans began smashing its windows before police were able to contain the chaos. 

A 53-year-old local man—believed to be the driver—was arrested shortly after the incident for attempted murder and driving under the influence. 

Investigations are underway to determine the driver’s motive and how the car was able to enter the crowd despite “robust” traffic management and increased police presence; authorities said they believe it was an “isolated incident” and not terrorism-related. 

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Christians’ radical love shines in our dark world when we love even those who hate and hurt us. Loving our enemies demonstrates that we belong to our Father, who loved his enemies so much that he allowed them to kill his Son so that he could be close to them.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?” 
Matthew 5:44-46 (CSB) (read full passage)

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POLITICS

Trump v Harvard

Your move, Harvard.

In the latest escalation, the Trump administration moved to terminate all remaining federal contracts with Harvard, estimated to be worth roughly $100M, effectively severing all ties with the country’s oldest university. Agencies will have until June 6 to make the cancellations; contracts deemed crucial will be moved to other vendors. 

It follows President Trump threatening to redirect $3B of grants originally headed to Harvard toward trade schools.

Meanwhile, a battle is also brewing on Capitol Hill over Trump’s “Big Beautiful” tax bill. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) says there are enough Republicans concerned over how the bill would increase national debt to force significant changes; House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) had urged Senate Republicans to make as few changes as possible.

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Verse to consider whether politicians let you down or deliver the win… “My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, are enthroned forever; your fame endures to all generations.”  
Psalm 102:11–12 (CSB) (read full passage)

Das cheating. Four former Volkswagen executives were convicted for their roles in helping the German automaker fudge diesel emissions tests more than a decade ago; two of the execs will spend years in prison. “Dieselgate”—which came to light after a 2015 EPA investigation—cost VW $34B in fines and contributed to a global shift from diesel to electric vehicles.
 

It was the shove seen ‘round the world. A video of French President Macron getting pushed in the face by his wife Brigitte, went viral after the couple landed in Vietnam as part of a Southeast Asia tour. Macron dismissed it as harmless fun, stating, “We were bickering and joking,” and criticized the worldwide reactions becoming a “geo-planetary catastrophe.”
 

Multiple manhunts are underway. Three more of the ten inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail last week have been recaptured by authorities in Louisiana and Texas; two remain at large. Separately, a nationwide search continues for a former police chief, convicted of rape and murder, who escaped from a high-security Arkansas prison on Sunday.
 

COVID shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and healthy pregnant women, with federal health officials citing a “lack of any clinical data” to support repeat boosters for children. The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said he’s “disappointed,” saying “COVID infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic.” Shots will remain available, but potentially not covered by insurance.
 

Mission: ImStitchible? A live-action Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (the 8th and allegedly final installment of the 29-year-old franchise) broke the record for biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever, with Stitch’s antics drawing $188M while Mr. Cruise’s ubiquitous running yielded $77M. Collectively, Americans spent $322M at the box office this weekend, the most in over a decade.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

“A Day on the Green”… by Werner Bronkhorst

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What We’re Fighting Over in Our Office
LMNT*

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The Pour Over Staff