U.S. NEWS

Back at Pennsylvania Avenue

A federal judge pressed pause on the White House’s ban of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, restoring outlets’ access for 14 days during litigation.

At an emergency hearing Wednesday, the outlets argued officials violated their rights to free speech, free press, and due process by revoking their credentials without notice. The DOJ accused the newsrooms of “publishing sensitive or classified information,” saying “access to the White House is a privilege, not a right.”

In an early-morning ruling yesterday, the Trump-appointed judge found the ousted outlets hadn’t received advance notice in compliance with due process, saying they were likely to succeed in proving the ban unconstitutional. He also noted national security wasn’t the ban’s original stated reason.

White House officials haven’t commented, but journalists’ credentials were restored yesterday afternoon. The press pool’s return-to-normalcy timeline remains staticky.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whether we live in a world with fully free press or state-sponsored media, nothing is hidden from the Lord. He sees all and one day will bring to light things that have been done in secret. We can trust Him to protect us and deliver justice.

“So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.”
1 Corinthians 4:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

Puzzled about press pools? Check your inbox tomorrow for TPO Explains where we take a shallow dive.

TECHNOLOGY

Help Desks

AI and government leaders are asking for tech support.

Head honchos from OpenAI and Anthropic addressed the U.N. Security Council Wednesday, appealing for global guardrails and repeating warnings that AI could pose a “risk to humanity as a whole” if left unchecked. Echoing their concerns, Australia’s PM announced a rogue OpenAI agent “infiltrated” his government’s healthcare statistics portal containing “non-sensitive” data in June.

OpenAI CEO Altman called for “national and international frontier AI standards” and “secure channels among governments.” (See his full A(I)rguments.)

The same day, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act to pause development until a federal AI agency is established. However, critics warn a pause would cede ground to China, and Meta CEO Zuckerberg says labs have enough "responsibility and incentive" to train their models at a safe pace.

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PRAY WITH US
God Our Creator, You are the Great Inventor of Everything, the only One Who creates out of nothing; Who speaks, and the universe bursts into being to do Your bidding. When AI innovation threatens human dignity, protect us. When pursuing productivity leaves us listless and exhausted, give us rest. When we measure ourselves and others according to our output, teach us from whom value comes. When blockbuster technology means our prosperity, make us generous. When we wield technology to take control of our destiny, humble us.

O Divine Orderer, direct our use of technology to build up others and point to Your good design. May we seek in every work to reflect You, never to rival You, Our Matchless King of Creation. Amen.

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WORLD NEWS

Xi’s State Visit

The U.S. rolled out an actual red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi arrived in Washington on Wednesday, where he received a rare planeside welcome from President Trump and First Lady Melania, complete with an honor guard and B-1 bomber flyover (see photos). It kicked off the leaders’ three-day summit where they discussed the on-pause trade war, a “notification mechanism” for serious AI incidents, the war in Iran, and Taiwan.

Ahead of the visit, Xi issued a statement saying the U.S. and China “should be partners, not rivals,” and U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent announced an extension of the trade truce.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle criticized Trump’s warm welcome for the Chinese leader, including a black-tie non-optional formal state dinner, underscored by reports that China has been covertly supplying Iran with weapons components and intelligence.

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Verse to consider when your to-do list includes international visits, a meeting that could’ve been an email, or a sink full of dishes… “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (CSB) (read full passage)

Hawaii is bracing for its third major storm in a month. Tropical Storm Nolo will likely reach hurricane strength this weekend, threatening catastrophic flooding on the Big Island and prompting evacuations from Gov. Green (D). On the mainland, a wicked nor’easter is strengthening and is expected to bring 50 mph gusts, coastal flooding, and power outages from North Carolina to New England.


Iran’s president accused the U.S. of terrorism in his UN speech Wednesday, showing pictures of the late Supreme Leader and civilians killed in American strikes. President Pezeshkian vowed to never “bend” to Washington’s “bullying mentality” but expressed openness to diplomacy. American delegates, who walked out before Pezeshkian’s address, held indirect talks with Tehran Tuesday without a “major breakthrough.”


Phil Knight just did it ✔️. The Nike co-founder (and former Duck) made a historic $1B donation to the University of Oregon to establish a new engineering school. It’s the largest-ever known donation to a public university, and brings the Knights’ lifetime giving to the University of Nike to more than $2B.


Dolly Parton’s estate has accused her nephew of “terroristic threats, harassment, and intimidation… to extort money for his personal gain.” Wednesday, a Tennessee judge granted a restraining order against the nephew, also Parton’s former security head, whom the star handpicked to announce her passing last month. He says his comments were “rage talk” shared privately “while grieving.”


The golden arches announced big McChanges Wednesday. McDonald’s unveiled an $8.5B plan to modernize its ~46,000 global restaurants over the next decade, adding AI-powered drive-thru and kitchen help, hand-breaded chicken, protein-forward options, and a PlayPlace revival (see the new McVibes here). The overhaul targets a flat fast-food market with beefed-up hospitality and a more GLP-1-friendly menu. Investors weren’t lovin’ it: McDonald’s shares fell ~5% Wednesday.

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