WORLD NEWS

War Waters

Washington and Tehran’s 60-day ceasefire expires today, with no clear next step. 

On Friday, President Trump said Iran was being “very badly defeated,” and “soon, I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.” Iran responded, saying America must “accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in delusions.”

Meanwhile, the USS George Washington is en route to replace the USS Lincoln, which is stationed in the Middle East and hasn't been to port in nine months. 

Recent reports allege the USS Lincoln has experienced food shortages, plumbing problems, and multiple attempts by sailors to go overboard. The Navy acknowledged supply problems, but said there has been no uptick in mental health issues or missed meals. Admiral Cooper visited Saturday, calling Lincoln’s deployment “one of the most operationally intense and consequential” of the modern era.

Verse to consider when your mind is on military matters… “Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.” 
Psalm 20:7-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

WEATHER

Floods & Quakes

Natural disasters are striking around the globe.

Hawaii’s Big Island narrowly avoided its first direct hit from a hurricane in 155 years (see Hawaii’s rare hurricane history), but was lashed by heavy winds and rain. At least one person died, and tens of thousands lost power as Hurricane Lala skirted the Big Island’s southern tip before weakening to a tropical storm yesterday morning. Forecasters warned that dangerous conditions, including deadly surf, high winds, mudslides, and flash floods, could persist for days.

Meanwhile, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 53, displacing ~5,000, and injuring 100+. Rescue crews are combing collapsed buildings and landslide debris for survivors. 

And last week’s derecho-producing storms (think: inland hurricane) caused massive flooding in Indiana, killing at least six people and breaking a 113-year record.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Massive weather events and natural disasters remind us that all of the world has been broken by sin. But Christians can look forward to an eternity where there’s redemption not just for people, but for creation itself. 

“For the creation was subjected to futility ​— ​not willingly, but because of him who subjected it ​— ​in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” 
Romans 8:20-21 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

A Quarter of the World’s Population

The latest data shows that, for the most impoverished countries, water scarcity is still a huge problem.

Progress has been made, but UNICEF reports that 2.1 billion people still lack safe and accessible drinking water. Without other options, women and girls in many of those communities walk up to 6 hours daily just to collect mucky water despite knowing it contains bacteria and parasites. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. 

But World Concern works alongside communities, making sure the water solution is long-term and tailor-made for the community (think: wells, rainwater collection tanks, household filters), all while sharing the gospel. It costs an average of just $20 to bring clean, safe water to one person.

BE DOERS
TPO has partnered with World Concern to bring safe drinking water and transformative, living water to the most impoverished places. We’re matching the first $4,000 given through this link (so your dollars count twice!).

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
John 4:14 (NLT) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Shootings

Gun violence struck rural Michigan and Virginia State University over the weekend.

A manhunt overtook Michigan’s Missaukee County (see map) on Friday after a 39-year-old gunman killed a teenage boy and four adults across three locations; the suspect’s body was found in a forest alongside a victim. A 13-year-old girl survived four shots at the first location and identified the shooter, whose motive is under investigation.

Then, Saturday, five people were shot and wounded outside a Virginia State University dorm. Police found a 19-year-old suspect hiding in a closet and haven’t said whether they’re still searching for others.

However, newly released FBI crime data shows violent crimes are becoming less common. The homicide rate dropped 18.1% in 2025 to its lowest rate since 1956, alongside declines in robbery (-18.5%) and aggravated assault (-7.5%). (See your state’s data here.)

PRAY WITH US
God of Mercy, draw near to Missaukee County and VSU as their sense of order and security has been shattered. Come near to the victims’ loved ones as their world rips apart. Come near to the wounded and heal their hurts. Come near to all who witnessed this violence and its effects as they live with new and unwanted memories. In the wake of tragedy and chaos, bring Your healing and peace. Amen.

“The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” 
Psalm 34:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

In a surprise reversal, Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges Friday. Mangione, motivated by back pain and insurance-industry frustration, posed as an investor to locate and shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, saying, "I knew what I was doing." Mangione faces up to life in federal prison; his lawyers argue state charges should now be dropped, citing double jeopardy.
 

The NFL's dress rehearsal is underway. The annual Hall of Fame game kicked off football’s preseason on August 6 with a time-expiring touchdown from undrafted rookie Haynes King to push Carolina over Arizona 33-30 (watch to get pumped for football). The Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza became the first top pick to throw a touchdown in his preseason debut since 2018 during Thursday’s 27-14 loss to Arizona.
 

In the deadliest raids since June’s truce, Israeli strikes killed 11 in southern Lebanon Saturday after a Hezbollah attack seriously wounded three IDF soldiers. Acknowledging civilian casualties, Israel blamed Hezbollah for using women and children as “human shields”; Lebanon condemned Israel’s “repeated” ceasefire violations. Meanwhile, Ukraine also launched one of the largest barrages of its war, killing at least six in western Russia.
 

Claude is feeling flu$h. Anthropic, the company behind the chatbot Claude, reported its Q2 revenue surged more than 14x compared to last year, jumping from $787M to $11.5B. The revenue rocketship comes as Claude competes with OpenAI for corporate customers, and as both AI behemoths prepare for potentially blockbuster IPOs this fall.
 

Joshua Báez came out swinging. The 23-year-old left-fielder made MLB history Saturday, becoming the first player ever to hit three home runs in his first three career at-bats, launching his first big-league pitch ~449 feet into Wrigley Field’s bleachers (watch history here). Báez’s blasts led the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs, a moment he called “unreal.”

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

A moment for the big reveal...

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